Born From Madness (Harry Potter Fanfic)

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While the trio were going to and fro through classes the next few days, Hermione noticed a lot of people were avoiding her and looking at her like she had the plague or something. It wasn't until they finally reached Double Potions when Hermione figured out what was going on. While a few Slytherins scurried away as they passed them, one of the mumbled to Harry and Ron to 'watch out' and 'she's got friends on the dark side'. She didn't understand what they were saying until Hermione spotted the Witch Weekly. As she took it from Neville's hands, she grind her teeth as her eyes were glued on the title of the article Rita Skeeter had written about her:

Beware Hermione's Wrath: She's got a Wolfish Friend on Hand

Within the article, Hermione read pits of pieces of how last year, Fenrir Greyback was seen at Hogwarts and was rumored to be watching over Hermione. And again, just as Rita did with Barty Crouch Jr., she accuses Hermione of having a secret love interest with the werewolf. She even placed a photo of Fenrir's mugshot with a picture of her own. What upset her the most was that some of the students had actually said they wouldn't be surprised if it was true and claimed they would have made a good couple due to their ambition for their goals. 

"I told you Rita would be after you next!" Ron hissed while they were fixing up a few potions. Hermione grunted. 

"I'm not that worried... she'll be dealt with." Hermione growled while tossing it to the side then went back to making potions. 

"DID YOU HEAR WHAT SHE SAID?" Ron hissed at Harry as Hermione was leaving them in the dust, "about Rita being dealt with! I'm sure Hermione lost her mind! She completely gone insane!" 

"We don't know that! She-- she probably is-- doing her own research of Rita! Trying to find a dark secret about her!" Harry suggested, not wanting to think of Hermione capable of doing any harm. 

"I'm just saying Harry. Something is off about her nowadays. Whether it's due to the tournament or Skeeter's articles, she's gone mental or something?" Ron warned Harry. Harry shook his head, still trying to hold onto his hope Hermione wouldn't do such harm... but it was on thin ice. 

Harry was happy when the next Hogsmeade visit was. He and Ron waited around till they saw a black stray dog that motioned for them to follow. As they were moving towards where Sirius was, he began asking them what's been happening. 

"Crouch's been gone? That's unlike him. He never skips a day of work. Even if he's sick. He works like a dog." Sirius claimed, lightly laughing, "So I heard he sacked his house-elf?" 

"Yeah at the Quidditch World Cup," Harry said before launching on about what happened. 

"Wait? You saw the elf in the Top Box because she was saving a seat for Crouch?" 

"Right," Ron claimed. 

"Yet he wasn't there?" 

"Nope," Harry claimed. 

"Huh... interesting... very interesting..." Sirius mumbled, lightly brushing his fingers through his beard. 

"What is it?" 

"Did you check your pockets for your wand after you'd left the Top Box?" 

"Well-- no, because I didn't need it. I only noticed it was gone when I got into the forest before... wait? Are you suggesting... that Barty Crouch Jr.... that he was there at the Top Box?" 

"Wouldn't be surprised? You said how he was interested in Hermione... and who was there in the Box Top with you guys?" 

"But... but how? We would noticed?" 

"Not if he had an Invisiblity Cloak. Either way, I have a feeling even though Crouch didn't show up, doesn't mean someone wasn't in his seat." Sirius claimed. 

"It sounds like you know Crouch?" 

"Well when he was the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, he was the one who sent me to Azkaban-- without a trial." 

"What?" Harry and Ron asked. 

"He was downright against Voldemort, very outspoken about his disgust against the Dark Side. But because no one knew who were his supporters or who was working for him or not, plus you know he controls people so they do terrible things without being able to stop themselves... on top of being scared for yourself and your family and friends and the Ministry's in disarray and no one really knows what to do... 

"Well during times like these it can bring both the best or the worst out of people. Crouch chose to deal with things the old Violence with Violence... and it might have worked at the start... but it turn for the worst. He started sending other people do Azkaban without a trial, not even listening to their sides. He became ruthless and cruel like those on the Dark Side. Worst people thought he was doing the right thing as well...  he even sent his own son to Azkaban without a trial when they found him with a group of Death Eaters, rumored to be trying to bring Voldemort to power." 

"Do you think... Barty Crouch Jr. could have done something with his father?" Ron asked. 

"Wouldn't surprise me. With that much pent up rage towards his father, he probably was thinking along the lines of making his father suffer." Sirius explained to them, "When he was dragged in there by the dementors, I could see the anger pulsing inside him just beaming from his eyes... and then something strange happened..." 

"What?" Harry asked. 

"One day when I dreading another day of living with those dementors, I could overhear him mumbling something... something along the lines of... 'She's coming for me... she's coming for me... she's coming for me...' and laughing this dreadful and malice laughter. It was right before he vanished completely. One moment he was there, and the next... done completely." 

"Who's she?" 

"That is anyone's guess," 

"Um-- Sirius, do you mind if we ask... we've been noticing something's been off about Hermione," Ron asked him.

"What is it?" Sirius asked. Ron began to explain all about Hermione acting differently here and there, the articles, and the mysterious gift. 

"There might not be something there. She might be researching like Harry suggested but... the dementor in the trunk... I fear... it might have been given to her by Barty Crouch Jr." 

"We fear Hermione might actually be thinking about releasing the dementor on someone. We're not entirely when it might hit, but it might be soon." Harry suggested to Sirius. 

"Well then you're going to have to do all you guys can to remind her that it's not wise to give into our dark temptations. Especially since it could be part of their plan, make muggle-borns look evil or something," Sirius stated to them. Before they could get into it further, Ron noticed it was almost time for them to leave back to Hogswarts. Harry quickly gave a hug with Sirius as they depart wondering how they were going to convince Hermione to make sure she doesn't lose her temper.