Born From Madness (Harry Potter Fanfic)

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It had been a busy week. Ron had become Keeper, Ron informed her Umbridge is using a punishment that has been banned for a long time on Harry and that the Daily Prophet got wind of Sirius being in London and supposedly one of the members of the Order (Sturgis Podmore)  was caught trespassing at the Ministry of Magic and was sentenced to six months in Azkaban. Then Ron had received a letter from Percy, who had the nerve to ask Ron to cut ties with Harry and Hermione while insulting Harry and her by calling them 'nutters' and that they were unstable. Worse, Percy had suggested to Ron to talk with Dolores, who he called a delightful woman, but actually insulted his parents for them believing in Harry and Hermione. 

Then they had been contacted by Sirius, who told Harry not to worry too much and that though Umbridge was a nasty woman, he doubted that she was a Death Eater. They then learned Umbridge was the one who made drafts of anti-werewolf legislation two years ago and made it nearly impossible for Lupin to get a job. They then learned that Fudge's paranoia was worst then they feared. He fears Dumbledore is actually training them for combat and forming a wizarding army to take over the ministry. Then at the end of their talk, Sirius and Harry had gotten into a little shuffle because Harry was looking out for Sirius. Hermione silently wished Sirius would have popped out of the fireplace so she could slap him when he had made a comment about Harry not being like his father. 

And now... Hermione was waiting at the front entrance of Hogwarts for Professor Snape to show up. After what felt like an hour, she heard footsteps coming towards her. She turned her head, thinking it was Professor Snape... only to be surprised to see it was Professor Umbridge. 

"Good Evening, Miss Granger. What are you doing standing in the Entrance Hall. Surely you have better things to do?" she asked. 

"I'm waiting for Professor Snape. He's supposed to meet me here." Hermione explained to her.

"Oh?" she asked, taking a few steps towards, "Now why would you be meeting him here and not in his office?" 

"He's supposed to escort me off to the Ministry." 

"May I require why?" 

"I am interviewing Barty Crouch Jr." Hermione admitted. There was a glint in her eye but it wasn't of panic like Hermione was expecting it would be. it was like she had come to a realization of something. 

"You're... that Miss Hermione Granger?" Umbridge mumbled. 

"Yes, I'm that Hermione Granger. I don't believe there are many Hermione Grangers in the Wizarding World." Hermione shot at her. Umbridge opened her mouth to speak when footsteps ringing over towards them as Snape suddenly popped out of the corner. He paused as his eyes darted between Umbridge and herself. 

"Good evening Professor Umbridge," He said to Umbridge before turning his head towards Hermione, "Are you ready to go, Miss Granger?" 

 She nodded her head as he motioned for her to hurry along out to the courtyard as he followed behind. 

They travelled through the visitor's entrance, Hermione's and Snape's wand was scanned again, before they met up with Kingsley, who then led them down to the courtrooms and hurried along till they arrived at Barty's room. Hermione had to take a deep breath before entering the room. 

"Ah! You're back," Barty cheered as he was seated at the table like she last saw him, "I was starting to miss you, 'Mione."

"Don't call me that. You will address me as Hermione or Miss Granger." Hermione said sternly before sitting across from him. She figured it was her way of getting a bit of her power. Barty made a little 'oooh' sound before chuckling. 

"We're now formal, are we? Got a bit of power and you expect to be treated like a queen?" Barty asked her. 

"Okay, Barty, no more games. Just tell me what exactly do you want to tell me?" she asked him. 

"Did you like my present?" he suddenly asked. She narrowed her eyes. 

"Excuse me?" 

"The dementor? Did you like it?"

"No." 

"Are you sure? Because that's not what I've been told." Barty said, catching her off guard, "I heard you used the dementor on that reporter, Rita Skeeter, which is why she hasn't been reporting lately."

Kingsley and Snape turned towards her, looking at her like they were wanting to ask her questions themselves, but kept it to themselves. 

"You know, I'm a bit surprise it was her you used it on first." Barty continued, "I would have put money on that it would have been Malfoy... or even Snape here."  

Snape shot his head up as he glared at Barty. 

"Oh, don't be so surprise, Snape. I've seen how you acted around the students. Such rudeness... such cruelty... and after what you promise to Lily." Barty said, his eyes glued on Snape. Snape entire demeanor changed. He appeared nervous about something. Barty shifted his gaze till his eyes were locked with Hermione.

"That's right, Hermione. Snape went to school with both Harry's parents... and after poor Lily and James died, Snape here made a promise to Lily's grave that he'll look out for Harry and make sure he is taken care of. But it does make since it was him, who..." before Barty could finish his sentence, Barty's head tossed to the side as Snape had jumped across the table and was trying to strangle Barty. 

"You-- you devilish, filthy double-crossing swine!" Snape shot at Barty as Kingsley struggled to get Snape away from Barty. Kingsley was finally able to pull Snape off Barty then drag him out of the room. Hermione stood up and was about to follow him when she felt a hand grab her and pulled her close against his body. She was about to scream out until Barty began whispering in her ear. 

"Listen... I don't have much time... she's hears and sees everything about you... and she's getting close. You better watch your back, because any day now, she'll be ready to strike. She's already made her way into Hogwarts... she was looking for something... but I don't know whether or not she got what she was looking for. And no, she didn't tell me what it was. You better start building your own army, yourself, because she already has her own and she's still building on top of it." Barty whispered, "Now I'm going to kiss your cheek and you better put on one hell of an act of squirming away from me and storming out." 

Before she could ask for more information, Barty pressed his lips against her cheeks. Hermione didn't waste a moment to shove him to the side then rushing out of the room, unable to grasp what she had just heard.