Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Verto Vitae	By : RynStar15 Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 40710 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 2
Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Harry Potter nor do I make any money or intend any copyright infringement by using the characters therein.

Chapter List
- 19
- 20
- 21
Draco felt his nose snap as he hit the stone floor and grunted in pain. The sound of Apparition cracked through the air and then he was met with silence.
Rolling to his side, he looked around. There was no door, no exit of any kind. He couldn't use magic even if he had a wand and the use of his hands, which were slowly growing numb as the circulation was cut off by the cords still tightly wrapped around him. He couldn't hear anything and knew Hermione would have been placed in another cell. He only hoped that she didn't struggle because if she did she would be placed in a torture chamber. Fear flooded him at the thought. He'd seen the pain in her eyes, watched her shoulder being ripped out of its socket, heard her screams as she'd been Crucio-ed. How much more could she take? She was still recovering from her last encounter with the Death Eaters...
Terrifying thoughts sped across his mind. Would they torture her first? Question her? Rape her? What if they found out about the Mark? They might kill her for that…
No, he wouldn't let anything happen to her. He couldn't. He had to get them out of this. This was his fault; he never should have put her through this in the first place, he should have just taken the damn Mark like he was supposed to, he should have been their spy. It was his cowardice that had brought them here and he would damn well make sure Hermione got out, no matter the cost.
Draco sighed in confused frustration. What had happened? How had they been found? He knew he must be wanted for desertion, even if he hadn't taken his vows - he knew too much. His father would be furious that he'd left. But why would they be staked out at Shell Cottage? How would they even know to go there? It was a safe-house, it was hidden, protected...did that mean the Order been found out? What had happened while they'd been gone?
Which led to his next predicament. Even if he could get them out of here, where would they go? Where was safe? His first choice was Hogwarts, but Hermione couldn't get through the barrier with her Mark and he couldn't leave her alone...
He mulled over the possibilities as his mouth filled with blood, his entire body aching. Why weren't they coming for him? What were they doing to Hermione? Would she tell them about the Mark? Gods, he hoped not. He needed to speak with her, tell her what to do-
The Mark.
She had the Mark, she could Disapparate out of here! Maybe she had escaped! Hope renewed, he knew if he could just get out into the main house he, too, could get out. The Malfoys were a harsh lot and had been known to imprison their own family members down in the depths of the manor, so there was no way for him to escape from here. Death Eaters could come and go as they pleased, however. There was no need to imprison a Death Eater; they were simply executed if suspected of misconduct.
But Hermione wouldn't know…would she even try to escape? He knew she was in pain, had she passed out? What were those sick bastards doing to her? Thoughts of their dirty hands and mouths on her, defiling her, had the bile rising, his anger roiling through every cell.
Draco twisted at the sound of Apparition and looked up into the carefully masked face of his sire.
"And here I thought you could sink no lower," Lucius Malfoy drawled, circling him. "A Mudblood, son? Tsk, tsk, what would your mother think?"
Draco refused to answer, fury at the man above him yearning to burst forth. He had to stay calm, had to remain in control if he had any hope of saving Hermione. If he was going to get them out of this he had to keep a cool head. If they killed him he couldn't protect Hermione.
"Is that where you have been all these weeks? Renouncing your duties for scum like her? You cannot hide from your Lord forever, surely you must know that, Draco?" He chuckled when Draco did not answer. "The silent treatment, I see. Well, I believe we can loosen your tongue. Crucio!"
Draco clenched his teeth, knowing that it would only be worse if he screamed. He'd endured the curse so many times he knew better than to give his father the satisfaction. The anguish, however, never lessened.
His entire body throbbed when the spell was lifted and he sucked in painful breaths, focusing on his Occlumency, refusing to allow his emotions to take hold.
"I seem to have lost my touch. I would call in your aunt, but she's, ah, busy," Lucius sneered. Draco squeezed his eyes shut against the thought of Aunt Bella's delight with having Hermione as a prisoner. He couldn't think about that now, he had to stay focused. "I suppose I will just have to try harder now, won't I? CRUCIO!"
This time, Draco did scream. The agony was overwhelming and he could feel the rage which consumed Lucius ripping through his veins like fire. His father's triumphant laughter rang around the tiny cell as it was lifted, barely audible through Draco's harsh, racking coughs.
"There now, that's better!" Lucius sang, his blithe manner one that Draco knew well, a dangerous omen for the person it was directed towards and terror began to fill him at the extent of his father's wrath. "I do believe you understand now the severity of your actions. The Dark Lord is most displeased with you, Draco. Most displeased indeed. As your father, I feel a sense of responsibility, though I have done nothing to deserve this heinous betrayal. However, I have an obligation as your sire to find where I went wrong and what I must do to correct this rather unseemly situation."
Lucius paced the small space, fingering his wand as Draco panted at his feet. "Now, son, I require some answers from you and as I, myself, taught you the art of Occlumency, I'm afraid we are going to have to go about this the hard way. Veritaserum would do much to speed this process along and will no doubt be necessary for the Dark Lord's interrogation, but I don't believe we need be so undignified, do we?"
Draco shook his head, foregoing his pride for the sake of Hermione's safety. His father needed this power-trip; he'd been humiliated by his son's betrayal. If that was what he wanted from Draco, his utter submission, he would give it gladly.
"No, because you are not an unintelligent boy. You understand that things can get much, much worse for you. So you are going to give me answers and you are going to give them truthfully or I will seek them from Miss Granger and you can be assured I will not ask nicely."
Draco dug his nails into the palms of his hands to still the shaking. He had to keep Lucius here, had to give him anything he wanted, because he couldn't stand the thought of his father's fury turned to Hermione.
"We'll start from the beginning, shall we? Where have you been?"
"With the Order," he spat instantly, blood from his nose still oozing down his chin. He could hear Moody's voice in his head as he'd trained them in interrogation. Stay as close to the truth as possible. Lucius seemed unfazed by this information, likely having gathered that fact once he'd been found with Hermione.
"And for what purpose, I might ask?"
Draco thought furiously, wondering how much he should say, praying that his explanation would be enough, that his father would buy it and punish him and release him so he could find a way to rescue Hermione. He rolled fully onto his back to look up at his father, his face a mask of indifference.
"Figured I'd work my way onto their good side, clear my name," he admitted, attempting to appear detached, as if his heart wasn't threatening to burst from his chest in fear. "Easier than I thought it would be, I have to admit."
Lucius stilled and was quiet for a moment as he chewed over his answer. "I see. So you doubt our Lord, do you?"
Draco shrugged nonchalantly, though it was stilted by the bonds. "No reason not to prepare for every outcome, just in case."
A flash of his quicksilver eyes was the only indication of Lucius' fury as he stared down at his son.
"Well, you have certainly acted as a true Malfoy," he conceded, his voice tight. "Looking out for oneself is an admirable attribute of our line. But you must have understood the penalty of turning your back on your Master?"
"I don't see that he has to find out," Draco smirked. "Wouldn't want him to know what a traitorous coward you've raised, would you?"
Lucius' face twisted with rage and Draco instantly knew his apathetic pose had failed. With a slash of the Death Eater's wand Draco's bonds fell away and he flew to the wall, smacking his head against the stone with enough force that the world went momentarily black. He felt his arms being shackled above him and howled in pain as his face whipped to the side from being sliced. He felt the blood trickle down his neck and the laceration burned something awful, his head throbbing as he clung to consciousness.
"Think you can outsmart me, do you?" Lucius snarled as Draco's vision wavered. "Think you'll be able to extort me, that I might take pity on you because you're my son? Well I have news for you, boy."
His face was inches from Draco's, his grey eyes wide with ire, and Draco felt true fear of this man for the first time in his life.
"I have no pity! Crucio!"
.
.
.
Hermione licked her cracked lips as vestiges of consciousness beckoned at the corner of her mind. She didn't open her eyes right away; her head was throbbing mercilessly and she worried she might be sick if she tried. It was eerily quiet, but she reveled in the silence which meant that she was finally alone. As she shifted ever so slightly she nearly groaned in pain, but her throat was so dry and sore she couldn't muster a sound. Everything hurt - it was worse than the torturing she'd suffered from her master.
And still, all she could think about was Draco. Where was he? Was he alright? She knew he was the one they'd been searching for, she was just a perk. Would they kill him simply because he'd been found with her? She should have made him run at the first sign of danger, should have Apparated closer to Hogwarts where he would have been safe...
"So, the Mudblood lives."
The taunting voice of Draco's father filled the small room, a thrill of fear trickling down her spine at the familiar drawl. Hermione didn't breathe, didn't make a sound, too terrified that any wrong move would result in her or Draco's demise. She squeezed her eyes tighter as if this cowardly gesture could somehow change her circumstances and she would open them and be safe and warm in her bed at the Burrow.
"Did my beautiful sister-in-law give you a taste of what happens to those who seek above their station?" Lucius crooned cruelly above her. "Maybe you'll remember that the next time you think about soiling my son with your filth. Crucio!"
Hermione screamed brokenly, the pain making her jerk, setting her shoulder to flame. Even when it ended she could not stop the wracking sobs that tore from her chest.
"Pathetic. But then again, one cannot expect more from a defect such as yourself. However..." He turned her face up with the flick of his wand, causing her to cry out in pain again as her injured shoulder was jarred. "You may yet come of use. You see, for some reason beyond any sensibility, my son has taken to you. He trusts you, fancies himself infatuated with you..."
Hermione's heart sank at his words. If Lucius truly believed that Draco cared for her he would have the advantage. He could use her against him and she worried what Draco might do if he thought it would keep her safe.
"Now...why would my son, a noble, powerful Pureblood, ever want anything to do with a sniveling, useless Mudblood? Unless you bewitched him?" Lucius knelt down until she was pressing into the stone floor in a vain attempt to distance his maniacal face from hers. "Was it a potion? Surely someone as intelligent as they claim you are would have no problem whipping up a simple lust potion?"
Hermione gaped at his implication. He thought she'd drugged Draco? But to what intent?
"What did you give him, you worthless whore?" Lucius growled, his face reddening in fury. "What did you do to my son? CRUCIO!"
Hermione's screams echoed around the small chamber so that even when the curse was lifted they pierced her ears as a precursor of the pain she would yet endure.
"You did this to him, didn't you? Didn't you?" Lucius roared madly, spittle flying from his lips.
Hermione's mind whirled with possibilities and scenarios. There was a chance Lucius really did believe she'd "bewitched" Draco into coming over to their side, possibly even wiping his memory to do so. More than likely, however, he was simply creating wild illusions as to the reason his son betrayed him. It was easier to blame the Mudblood, to punish her, rather than admit that his kin had turned sides.
Could she use this to her advantage? If he really thought she had a part in forcing Draco to join the Order, would he let Draco go? Or would he kill Hermione and keep Draco captive, possibly brainwashing him into submission once more?
"Enough of this. Legilimens!"
Hermione felt the intrusion and instantly threw up her white marble wall, straining to keep it erect as Lucius Malfoy attempted to break through it. Hermione panted with the effort to push him out but she held strong, knowing that if he broke through she and Draco were dead.
With a curse, Malfoy broke the spell and looked down at her furiously.
"I suppose we'll have to go about this the hard way," he snarled through clenched teeth. "Do you require incentive, Mudblood? Tell me what you and my son have been up to or I kill him in front of you and brew up some Veritaserum. Does that sound like a deal?"
"Do what you will to me, but leave him out of this, this isn't his fault!" she croaked raggedly, fear lancing through her at the thought of having to watch Draco being murdered before her very eyes. Lucius chuckled coldly.
"How very alike you two lovebirds are. He said the same thing right before he stopped moving. So weak."
Hermione made a choked sound the image of Draco crumpled on the floor of a dungeon the same as she, bloodied and broken.
"Let him go and I'll tell you everything. Just please, let him go," she pled hoarsely, knowing it was futile even as she said it.
He chortled. "I see you and Mr. Potter are of the same mold. Neither of you seem to comprehend the concept of leverage. I care not whether you or my cowardly son lives or die. If you want something, my dear Mudblood, you are going to have to give in return. I am a reasonable man, but you cannot expect me to simply 'let him go' on faith. Tell me what you know and I will determine whether it is worth your price."
"And how am I to know you haven't killed him yet?" she spat. He wanted to parry? She could play too. "Let me see him. Alone. If I am satisfied he will live then I will tell you what you want to know."
He looked as though he were chewing over the offer. She knew he hadn't killed Draco yet. They were too interested in the situation to give up so easily. But she had to see him, had to make sure he would be alright before she gave herself up.
"Ten minutes," she continued, knowing if Lucius had time to debate he might not agree. "Give us ten minutes alone and I will make the deal. The Unbreakable Vow. I will tell you everything we have been up to if you set Draco free, alive. I believe your master will find what I have to say well worth Draco's life."
His grey eyes, so like Draco's, bore into her. She knew he worried he might be punished if he cut this deal and she had nothing worth the while. But Lucius knew she wasn't unintelligent, and they would still have her. Harry Potter's best friend carried much more value than a defector. They could simply give her the Veritaserum and get any information they wanted out of her. Draco had little to offer at this point.
Except leverage.
"Use your Legillimency," Hermione said quickly, knowing that if she gave him a glimpse of her offer she would have all the incentive she needed to force his hand. Lucius looked stunned at her words but she went on. "I'll give you one memory from this past month and you can see for yourself if freeing Draco will be worth your while."
Wondering if she'd gone mad, Hermione brought the memory to mind, placing her Occlumency barrier behind it stolidly in case Lucius decided to press for more. Lucius seemed to be debating her scheme, but his curiosity finally won out and he aimed his wand.
"Legillimency!"
Instantly the Malfoy manor materialized in her mind, Narcissa instructing Hermione on her timely descent down the staircase to the awaiting congregation. Hermione watched her interaction with Voldemort, heard her own voice stammering about her innocence, watched him twirl her about and gaze at her with depraved glee. At Voldemort's insistence, Blaise moved to escort his betrothed before Lucius stepped forward.
"My lord, if I may have a moment with my daughter in private?"
Hermione shoved Lucius from her mind so forcefully he staggered back, his face pale, his eyes wide in shock, his mouth gaping as he fought for words.
"How did you - what did you-"
"Ten minutes," Hermione demanded, her face expressionless. She watched the emotions play over the elder Malfoy's face as he tried to comprehend what he had just seen. He straightened slowly, looking at her as if she were a ghost. He clenched his jaw, regaining his composure before raising his wand once more.
In a trice she was bound, gagged, blindfolded, and floating inches off the ground. She was carted off to what she assumed was another cell and cried out in pain when she was thrown against a wall, her hands thrust above her where iron bands clamped tightly around her wrists. Her world went white as her shoulder burned in agony.
"The clock starts now, Mudblood."
The blindfold and gag were removed and Lucius was gone. Hermione gasped at the image that befell her.
"Draco!"
He was across the small room from her shackled like a dog, his face and entire front covered in blood. Gods, what had they done to him? His left hand was purple, the wrist bent at an irregular angle. A large gash on his cheek was still oozing, both eyes were swollen, his lip bloody, even his ear…it looked as though Bellatrix had gotten him with her whips, his robes slashed. His right leg was a mangled mass of blood, his shin bone poking out of his slacks. Swallowing back the bile, Hermione cursed herself for not getting to him sooner.
Draco moaned lowly, his chin resting against his chest. She called out his name, but he didn't seem to hear her. She searched the dark dungeon to assure that they were alone. Were the others listening somehow? Watching? It was unlikely Lucius would have left them without supervision, but it didn't matter. All she needed was this time with him, time to say goodbye, to tell him how she felt for him before her master killed her.
"Draco, please wake up," Hermione croaked, terrified that he wouldn't wake, that his injuries were too severe, that even if he was released, he might not be able to get to help and die in agony wherever they dumped him.
"Draco please, please, you have to wake up, you have to be alright." Tears threatened but she bit them back knowing she had to stay strong for him. She tested her restraints and gasped as fire stabbed down her left side from her dislocated shoulder. She had to get to him, rouse him, make sure he could survive once they set him free, but the chains held strong and she was no match against them as weak as she was. She could feel the thrum against her skin that told her they would prevent any sort of magic and her wandless Relashio! was met with a sharp sting.
Her head fell back to the wall. What was she going to do? She didn't know what other injuries Draco had, if he were bleeding internally. He needed to be seen by a Healer, but she had to get him to safety first. Then again, where was safe? It seemed the Death Eaters had found out about Shell Cottage. Were the others okay? Fleur, Bill? How many other houses had been found out? Grimmauld Place? And how? What had happened while they'd been gone?
"Draco, please, open your eyes," she begged. "Please, Draco!" She watched his chest move up and down shallowly and took comfort in that. At least he was alive.
She screamed in frustration, kicking at the ground uselessly, crying out at the pain it incurred. How had everything gone so fucking wrong?
Across the room, Draco groaned in response to her cry and her heart thrummed in elation.
"Draco! Draco, wake up!"
He stirred, his head rolling on his chest.
"Draco, can you hear me? Please, gods Draco, look at me!"
He raised his head and squinted in her direction. "'Ermione?" he slurred.
"It's me, I'm here," she assured him, her eyes welling once more, relief washing over her. He looked at her confusedly for a moment and then realization dawned across his face and his swollen eyes widened.
"Hermione! ARGH!" His body convulsed in pain as he strained toward her, trying to break free of his shackles to get to her.
"Don't, Draco, you're hurt! Calm down, please!" she cried, his pain killing her. She saw him relax reluctantly, his eyes glazed with agony and defeat. "Draco, listen to me, we don't have a lot of time so we need to-"
"Go," he grunted, the word seeming to cause him a great deal of effort.
"Yes, but it's not going to be simple. I'm going to-"
"Hermione," he panted, as if the simple act of speaking exerted him. "Listen to me. You have...to get out..."
"We will-"
"No!" he roared, then cried out. Her heart ached for him as he grit his teeth against the pain, shaking his head as if to clear it. "Listen!"
"Alright, alright, I'm listening," she said hurriedly in an attempt to still his thrashing.
"You can...Apparate out of here," he rasped, his chin falling back to his chest, gasping. "Do it. Before they…come back."
"But how? They must have put up enchantments-"
"No one...can Apparate...in or out. Except for them."
And you, she heard his unspoken words, knowing he wouldn't say anything in case they were being watched. Relief flooded her at his words.
"Then I can get us out!" she cried, elated. Maybe she didn't have to make the bargain! If she could figure out how to get out of her restraints she could grab Draco and Apparate out!
Draco shook his head then, his expression tormented when he lifted his eyes to hers. "It doesn't work like that. Precaution. Just you."
"No," she snapped harshly, knowing what he implied, anger welling at his words. "I'm not leaving you!"
"You have to."
"I'M NOT LEAVING YOU!" she screamed, remembering his words, I'm not letting you go… How could she have let him? Why hadn't she hung on? All her reasoning now seemed so useless…
His eyes met hers, his face grave, his eyes haunted. "Please, Hermione. Don't make me watch you die."
His words hit her like a fist, but she shook her head, denying the thought. "It won't come to that."
"It already has," he whispered desolately, looking more wretched than she'd ever seen. "He brought you in here to taunt me. He knows I love you. He'll use you against me and I can't..."
His words broke off and he turned his face to the wall as if it was painful to look at her. Her heart squeezed at his declaration. "Draco-"
"You have to get out of here," he croaked desperately, turning back to her, his eyes pleading. "If not for me then for the Order. They need you."
"Draco-"
"Dammit, Hermione, you're wasting time! Just get out of here!" She could see how the words strained him. She knew if she left, they would kill him instantly. And if she stayed…they would kill her the moment they found out about her Mark, possibly force Draco to do it as punishment.
"I can't lose you," Hermione whispered, a stray tear rolling down her cheek at her admission. Though she hadn't even thought these words before they left her mouth, she knew it was true. She couldn't survive sentencing him to death. Draco locked eyes with her, his face relaxing slightly in an attempt to soothe her.
"I'll be alright," he lied. She knew he lied for her which made her cry all the more. "The Order needs you more than I do. You know that. You can't let them down, not after everything you've been through to get here."
"I can't leave you," she sobbed, her heart breaking at the thought, her head shaking vehemently against her predicament. "I can't do it, Draco. I love you. I'm so sorry for all the things-"
"It's not important," he snapped, his eyes wide as he tried to convince her. "But this is. You have to get out of here."
Hermione continued to shake her head, the pain in her shoulder intensifying until she had to bite back a cry. She wanted to argue but she knew if she tried to speak it would only come out as a sob.
"Hermione."
She could barely see him through the veil of tears, her chest hitching as she fought to hold them back. He was so beautiful, even now, covered in blood, battered and bruised. She had never seen anything so beautiful. Unearthly beautiful.
It was then that she realized. He was her horizon. Unobtainable.
No. She refused to give up. She hadn't worked this hard just to lose it all now. He loved her. It was all the motivation she needed. She would get them out of this, save them, save what they could have together. She wouldn't give in, not now, not anymore, not ever again.
"I won't leave you," she stated fiercely, her voice hard and thick from the tears she swallowed down, fighting for her Gryffindor courage.
Draco's head fell back in dismay and she could see the anguish in his face. Not for his injuries, but for her. They both knew she would likely be killed if she stayed, but it was a chance she was willing to take. All she needed was one little distraction to grab Draco and Apparate them to safety. She had to take that risk.
"Don't do this."
He sounded so defeated, but Hermione was determined. She would be strong for both of them.
"I have to."
"No, Hermione!" he yelled, his eyes catching hers once more, flames blazing in his pewter gaze. "You have to go back! It's the only way to stop him, you know that! Don't throw away everything we've done! Not now! Not when we're so close!"
"I can't leave you!" she cried again, knowing his words were true, knowing that she had to survive, to keep her secret, to find a way to use her Mark to defeat Voldemort, but adamantly refusing to back down from her decision. Didn't he understand that it would kill her? How could she leave, how could she escape, save herself, and leave him behind?
"You are their best chance, Hermione, maybe the only one they have left," he whispered, begging her with his eyes. "You can't give up."
He was right. She knew he was right. How could she turn her back on everyone now, especially when she didn't know how bad things had gotten in their absence? The tears fell in earnest at the knowledge and she wept silently, torn between two impossible choices. She couldn't leave Draco to die, but she couldn't have herself killed when the Order needed her so much.
How could she get them both out of here? There had to be a way to save this situation...
"I'm going to tell them what I am," she finally explained, reverting back to her original plan. "I made a bargain with your father-"
"No, there's no bargaining!" he cried. "They won't fall for it, they'll kill you-"
"He promised he would set you free if I told him what we've been up to. We're going to make the Unbreakable Vow. They'll let you go and then I'll-"
"Hermione, they're not like you!" Draco roared, his fear for her making him come unhinged. "They don't care about deals or bargains! As soon as they find out what you did they. Will. Kill. You. They will never let you out alive!"
Her stomach sank. She hadn't thought that far ahead. Lucius hadn't made any promises about her welfare and she knew as soon as her master heard what she had done he would kill her. Painfully. She was too dangerous to be kept alive.
But it didn't matter. She would find a way to escape, she'd done it before. So she stared Draco down, determined to show her resolve.
"I have to try."
"No, you have to get out of here!"
"You said you wouldn't let me go," she accused, wishing she could go back to that moment in the ocean and hold him once more. "The same goes for me."
"Don't be stupid."
"Don't call me stupid."
He smiled at her then. She couldn't help the lift in her lips. He was irresistible. She suddenly wondered why she had ever been angry with him, how she hadn't spent every moment possible in his arms.
"I wish I could hold you," he murmured desolately and her breath stuttered. They shouldn't be here. They should be at Hogwarts, preparing for exams, basking in the sun, indulging in iced pumpkin juice and kisses that never ended. She longed to feel his arms around her once more, to bury her face in his neck and let him take away every fear, every worry. Would she ever touch him again?
"I can't live without you," she breathed, those happy images burning inside her with the reality of their dire situation. "How can you ask me to?"
"Because there's no other choice." He looked so broken, shackled like an animal, his features so much older than she remembered. "I'm so sorry I let you down."
"You didn't, Draco," she said, desperate to make him understand everything that he meant to her, everything he had done for her, everything he'd ever made her feel. "You have been so amazing, so strong, even when I couldn't be. I couldn't have done any of this without you."
"It was because of me you had to," he scoffed and she knew he blamed himself for their current predicament.
"No, Draco," she scolded. "I wanted to do this. You know that. These last weeks with you have been the best of my life, regardless of everything else. Being with you has been like being in a dream."
He smiled sadly. "It's time to wake up now, princess."
She shook her head again, the tears doubling. "I can't…"
"You can. You must."
How was he so strong and she so weak? Wasn't she supposed to be the Gryffindor? Hermione squeezed her eyes shut against the horrible choice she knew she must make.
"How very touching."
Hermione jerked at the voice and looked around to see Lucius in the corner. How had he gotten in without them hearing his crack of Apparition?
"Well, I think I've seen just about as much as I can stand," he drawled striding over to Hermione. Fear clenched her in its grip at his terrifying gaze. Time was up.
"I certainly hope you used your time wisely. There's someone who would like to see you now."
Draco exploded with rage, screaming at his father, thrashing against his restraints. Lucius simply sneered down at him.
"Settle down, Draco," he purred, turning to eye Hermione. "We made a deal."
Hermione felt her cuffs fall away and whimpered with pain as her left arm fell uselessly to her side. Lucius flicked his wand at her and she was thrust to her feet, her shoulder on fire. Nausea roiled in her belly from the pain and she swayed where she stood as her eyes crossed.
"Hermione, please!" Draco roared, fear making his voice break. She chanced a look at him; tears were streaming down his maimed face. Her heart was shattering. "Please!"
She spent what felt like an eternity in his gaze before smiling sadly.
"Not without you."
Then it hit her like a freight train. How did the Death Eaters get their prisoners in if they couldn't Apparate with them? There had been no sound of Apparition when Lucius had entered…there was another way out! All she had to do was find it and-
Before she could act on this newfound knowledge, all thought was wiped from her mind which was now blessedly blank. Hermione felt nothing; no pain, no anxiety, no fear. She was floating in a realm of nihility; she had no worries, no choices. She was blissfully without care.
Take my wand.
Hermione looked down. Lucius was holding his wand out for her. Of course she would take it. It felt so warm between her fingers, the power thrumming beneath the surface calling to her.
Point it at Draco.
At Draco? Why would she do something like that?
Point it at Draco.
She could feel her arm raising in front of her. But why?
Kill him.
What? No! She could never hurt Draco! How could she even think-
Just say the words "Avada Kedavra."
No! She would never-
Kill him!
NO! Oh, gods, no, this wasn't her, this wasn't right. She had to fight, to get the voice out of her head. She shoved, breaking away from the hold, ripping at the words which chanted-
It was like a bucket of ice water had been thrown on her. Lucius had been trying to Imperious her. But he didn't know that Crouch Jr. had taught them how to throw it off in their fourth year, a skill which Moody had continued to encourage training in.
Draco's terrified eyes were wide, thinking she was still under the spell, about to kill him. In her peripheral she could see the strained appearance of Lucius who was attempting to force her to kill Draco. He didn't know she was no longer under his command.
And she had his wand.
Hermione couldn't stem the grin which erupted on her face. How could Lucius have been so naïve?
She turned, watched Lucius' face transform from concentration to horror.
"You see," Hermione trilled maniacally. "It's all about leverage. STUPEFY!"
Lucius' limp body flew across the room, cracking the mortar with the force of his impact. Obliviating the last several hours from his mind, Hermione bound and Silenced him for good measure and turned to a stunned looking Draco.
"Relashio!"
His shackles sprang loose and he hissed in pain as she threw herself down beside him. He dragged her forward with a strangled sound, grasping her tightly with his good arm.
"Hermione," he rasped raggedly. "Hermione-"
She let out a dry sob, nodding into his neck, letting him know that she understood, that she felt it too.
"You were brilliant," he croaked, pressing her so hard against him it was as if he were attempting to meld them together. "Gods, I thought I was going to lose you."
Hermione pulled him tighter, taking his comfort, the reality of what had just happened hitting her. "I was so scared-"
"You were perfect."
"You're hurt-"
"I'll heal."
Then he was yanking her face up and they were kissing, grabbing, feeling. Hermione emitted a strangled sound and Draco shuddered, deepening the kiss, breathing life back into her. As much as she wanted to sink in, they weren't safe, not yet, so she pulled away reluctantly.
"We have to hurry, they'll wonder why he hasn't returned with me yet," Hermione said, looking up at Draco's wan features. He nodded and she helped him stand, his face losing all color as he grunted in pain, canting dangerously. She took most of his weight, his right leg all but useless, his left quavering beneath him.
"Can you walk?" she asked nervously, glancing down at his mangled leg.
He shook his head, swallowing hard, his teeth clenched. "I don't think so."
Looking down at the wand which was now hers, she Conjured a splint quickly, making him groan. She wished she could do more but she didn't dare try to heal something so severe.
"Everything else will have to wait," she explained, casting a hasty glance at the immobile Lucius.
"It's fine, we need to move," Draco gasped, his good knee collapsing beneath him.
"Lean on me," Hermione bade, draping his arm around her good shoulder. He slumped against her, limping heavily, his feet dragging. It was all she could do to get him along.
She pulled him to the corner she'd seen Lucius appear and leaned against the wall, relieved when she sank right through, heaving Draco into the dim corridor on the other side.
"Where-?"
"Through that door," he panted nodding down the hall, sweat pouring down his temples. "You can...Apparate on the other side. I'm...a Malfoy again."
The door was at the end of the hall, miles away for all the good it did her. Draco outweighed her by a great deal and as he sagged further, she knew she'd never be able to carry him. Turning her new wand on him, he let out a small sound of shock as she Levitated him. His eyes closed the moment he was horizontal and fear lanced through Hermione. She was losing him, fast.
"We're almost there, hold on," she implored, jogging down the hall with him floating in front of her. With every movement her shoulder burned, but she shoved it back, focusing on the task at hand. "Just a few more steps."
"Guard…" Draco gasped, warning her. She cursed in frustration, she couldn't afford any more delays, she needed to get Draco to help now, dammit!
The moment she reached the end of the hall Hermione eased him to the floor gently, her heart tripping when she noticed his still closed eyes, his shallow breath. Steeling herself, she waved her wand and the door flew open to reveal a bewildered looking Death Eater.
"Stupefy!"
The Death Eater hit the ground, skidding across the flagstone. Ensuring they were alone, Hermione turned back to Draco, reaching for him before jerking around at a cry.
"Oi! Call the Dark Lord, they've escaped!" someone screamed down the hall. Hermione cursed and looked up to see a hooded Death Eater racing toward them. Panic spurred her into action. Knowing it would hurt them both, she clenched her teeth and Summoned Draco, catching him with one arm and falling harshly into the corridor, his weight unbalancing her.
Spells exploded the walls around them and red flashes of light seared her retinas as Hermione turned on the spot, a spell cracking against her back as her world went black.
.
.
.

XOXO
RynStar15
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