I read chapter 8 right now, and it's my favourite up to now. I had a pretty bad day, but reading this made me think of Christmas and actually improved my mood. I can't wait to read more!

Severus Snape must walk very thin line between his loyalties.

Chapter 27: A Way Out

Draco didn’t leave his room for the rest of the day. He’d thrown himself on his bed and wept after the fight with his mother. After that he sat on the floor, playing the events of the day over and over in his mind. He couldn’t understand how everything was falling apart around him. The people he’d known all his life were becoming strangers to him.

Even his mother. He mourned the loss of who he believed she was. She was his comforter, soft and warm and gentle. She was his savior with a heart of gold. But today he didn’t even recognize her. It’s not that her prejudice against Muggle-borns was anything new. But her coldness toward what was happening toward an innocent human being, her heartlessness at Hermione’s suffering, altered him permanently. Did he even know her at all?

He was pulled from his thoughts by a knock at the door. “Leave me alone,” he called out weakly. “No. I believe we need to talk,” came the answer from the other side. When Draco didn’t protest, Severus entered his room and stood over him. “Stand up, Draco. You don’t belong on the floor,” he said calmly. Draco stood up slowly, as though he was lifting heavy iron weights. He sat tiredly on his bed and looked at his Professor and mentor. He wanted to scream at him, ask him a thousand questions, beg him to help- but all he could do was stare at the man wordlessly with an exhausted, pained expression on his face.

“I just came from speaking with your mother,” Severus began. He noticed that the pain in Draco’s face became more pronounced and the boy looked down, his hands gripping the side of the bed so hard his knuckles were white. “She was upset, Draco. This war has everyone on edge. You know how she feels about you.” Draco’s head snapped up and he looked at Severus in hurt and anger. “She sent you up here, didn’t she? She can’t even face me and apologize? I thought I knew how she felt about me, but I’m not really sure of anything anymore,” he spat.

Severus’s face became stern, but imploring. “You know that she loves you more than her very life. That has not nor will ever change. But you also know very well how she feels about your Aunt, and your callous choice of words wounded her too.” Before Draco could explode in angry protest, Severus held up his hand. “Draco, it seems as though Miss Granger has single-handedly shook the foundations of this very family. Everyone seems to be quite affected,” he said pointedly, his eyes boring into the boy.

Draco felt his insides begin to shake. He couldn’t take another member of his family (for that is what he considered Severus) telling him to leave her to her fate. He was also terrified to hear what Severus had to say about his new-found feelings for Hermione. Surely his mother had told him about Draco’s impassioned plea for her life. I don’t know if I have the strength to have this conversation again today.

Sighing, he spoke his case- not defensively, but rather resignedly, a statement of fact. “I won’t change how I feel about what’s happening to Hermione.” He’d never said her name in front of Severus before. He watched the man for a reaction, but Severus’s expression remained unchanged. “I don’t agree with the things I used to believe in. Well, not even believe, more like ‘question without a second thought’. She’s challenged everything I thought I was… what I thought I wanted to be. I can see what I’m on my way to becoming, and it makes me sick. If I’m going to become like my mother, my father, my Aunt, then I’d rather kill myself now on the spot.”

At that, Severus’s expression changed slightly. With one eyebrow raised he remarked dryly, “A bit dramatic, don’t you think?” He was utterly nonplussed by Draco’s threat. “You will do no such thing,” he stated matter-of-factly. “What you will do is listen to me.”

Severus’s voice dropped to just above a whisper. “It so happens that I agree with you about Miss Granger.” He paused only long enough for Draco to comprehend his words. As the boy looked on in shock, Severus continued. “The girl has no business here, and cannot possibly provide crucial enough information, no matter how close she is to Mr. Potter.” Leaning in close to Draco, Severus continued, “You know as well as I do that she will not survive if your Aunt Bella has her way; therefore, Miss Granger is in need of a way out.” For the first time in the past few days, Draco felt a rush of hope. He stared at Severus, ready to jump at any suggestion the man made.

“I trust that you know all the secret passages here in the Manor? Surely you’ve used them all at some point to leave the house…undetected?” he smirked. Draco felt a slight blush rise in his cheeks; sometimes the man really does know me better than my parents. Severus continued, “I will explain to your parents that for Miss Granger to be the most useful, she should be taken from here and placed at the Shrieking Shack in order to lay as bait for Potter. No doubt your mother would agree to remove the girl as far away from her son as possible,” he added sarcastically, enjoying the uncomfortable flush that rose to Draco’s face again. “Obviously this move would be a ruse, and in a ‘confused battle with some aurors’, Miss Granger would just happen to sneak away.”

Draco felt his heart beat at a frantically hopeful pace. Then a thought occurred to him. “But why? Why would you care what happens to her?” Having already rehearsed the answer to the boy’s inevitable question, Severus simply replied, “It is too soon in the Dark Lord’s plan to lose such a valuable resource as Miss Granger.” He cringed inwardly at the lie as he watched Draco cringe outwardly. “Regardless of the reason,” Severus continued quickly,” it is not Miss Granger’s time to die. He wished silently that Draco wouldn’t put the pieces together fast enough to question why his Aunt would disobey such a direct order from the Dark Lord if Hermione was not to be killed.

“I shall explain the circumstances to your parents this evening, away from Bella’s nosy little ears; I have found that it’s always better to leave your Aunt out of any plan if it can possibly be avoided,” he muttered deprecatingly. Merlin, he couldn’t stand that woman. “After nightfall, you will release Miss Granger and escort her through the South passageway out of the Manor where your broom will be waiting for you. I will watch from the first floor to ensure you are not interrupted. Take her to the Leaky Cauldron where I will have a room waiting for her. From there, she will be returned to safety.”

Draco nodded his head, still absorbing all he had heard his mentor tell him. Could this really work? It has to. As Severus stood to leave, Draco took his arm. With sincerity and gratitude shining in his eyes he said, “Thank you, Uncle Severus.” The professor looked at him and, with his characteristic sardonic tone, replied “Don’t thank me-I didn’t do it for you.” Smiling to himself, he left the room. Not for you, nephew. For the both of you.

-does back flips all over the room-

YES! HERMIONE IS BEING FREED!

Can Bella find out, THEN I appear as she stops Draco and go all Ninja on her?



PAMS!

Working on it, babe!

You may have to turn into a house elf or some wicked fierce owl or falcon or something that can claw out her eyes or something like that.

The inevitably intense showdown between Draco and his father ensues. Lucius is a word that I cannot say on a family-friendly website.

I'd REALLY like your opinion on this chapter- pretty please, peeps?



Chapter 28: The Final Betrayal


For the rest of the afternoon and evening, all his thoughts were of Hermione. What’s happening to her? Did they kill her because they saw us together? Please Hermione, stay strong. I’m not going to leave you there, I promise. Just hold on for me! His mind was in overdrive, rehearsing in his mind the plans to help her escape and then keep her safe. Before she can do anything, though, she needs to be stronger. Otherwise, she’ll never make it.

Draco waited as planned until everyone had gone to sleep and then quietly snuck out of his room. He crept down the hall, stepping nimbly over all the floorboards that creaked (those numerous episodes of sneaking out over the years had taught him well). Slowly, noiselessly, he opened the door to his parent’s bedroom.

He froze for a moment when he saw that only his mother was in the bed. Oh hell, where is he? If he comes out of the bathroom right now I’m a dead man. He waited, listening intently for any movement. When he was satisfied he was in the clear, he moved stealthily toward his mother’s side of the bed. He gazed at her as she slept and felt his heart break. This might be the last time he ever saw her, if things went badly. “I love you, Mum,” he whispered with a shaky breath. Planting the softest of kisses on her head, he silently wiped the tears from his eyes and took her wand from the nightstand beside the bed. Taking one last look at her, he stole silently out of the room.

He held his mother’s wand tightly in his hand and cautiously made his way down to the first floor. He kept a close eye out for his father. He headed first to his family’s extensive potions cabinet. He whispered Lumos Minimus, allowing himself just enough light to read the labels on the potion bottles. He rummaged through the cabinet as quietly as he could and quickly pocketed blood-replenishing, pepper-up, and pain-relieving potions. He also grabbed the Dittany and some Skele-Gro just in case. He whispered for Mimsy and she appeared. He ordered her to quietly bring him some chicken soup, bread, water and orange juice.

He picked up the tray of food and met Severus in the dining hall. The man nodded for him to proceed, only whispering , “Don’t take long.” Draco descended the stairs to the dungeons. His heart was racing as he neared the interrogation room, not knowing in what state he’d find Hermione. He prayed that he wasn’t too late, that she was still alive. He suddenly halted in his tracks when he heard his father’s voice.

Oh God.

He could almost see his chance to save Hermione slip through his fingers. Mustering up all the courage he could find, he slowly turned around to face his father. To his confusion, however, his father was not there. Get a grip, Malfoy- you’re imagining things! But he heard his father’s voice again. Only then did he realize that the voice was coming from inside the room.

He set the food down and moved closer to the door, hardly allowing himself to breathe. He came as close as he dared and then strained to hear what was happening inside. She was crying again, hard. He could hear the terror in her voice as she begged, “Please don’t do this. Please stop!” His chest tightened and he listened further. “Shhh, I promise I'll make it feel good. You want it, don’t you, my pretty girl?"

Draco froze. Time stopped. The entire universe was reduced to the space around that room. He couldn’t breathe, couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Who were the people in his family?!? His mind threatened to shut down because this was beyond his comprehension. His father was a hard man, cruel even, but this? No,no, no!! He willed it not to be. But he couldn’t erase what he’d just heard. His father was in that room about to betray Hermione's innocence in the most despicable way. He was in that room right now, about to betray his family. He was betraying his wife. He was betraying everything Draco believed about him, every reason he’d worked his whole life to make that man proud. In that instant, Draco felt his entire world come crashing down around him. Nothing inside him was left unbroken. Every shred of admiration and loyalty to his father vanished. He gripped his mother’s wand furiously and placed his hand on the door, hearing nothing but the blood pounding in his ears.

He threw open the door and his breath caught loudly in his chest. Hermione was still on the table; Lucius was leaning over her, drawing his tongue across her throat.They both looked up at the sound of the door. Draco stood there, looking dangerously unstable with a wand pointed at his father. Lucius’s eyes widened in alarm as his dirty little secret was discovered. He was quick to throw his fear aside, however. He narrowed his eyes at Draco and spoke threateningly. “Turn around and walk away, boy. This doesn’t concern you.” Hermione was gasping through her tears. “Draco-please-help me!”

“Get away from her.” His rage was so potent that the command he uttered was barely audible. He felt the familiar blaze of anger in his veins and his power began swelling inside him. It intensified as it spread throughout his body, extending all the way to his fingertips. Everything became clearer: his senses sharpened dramatically and he intuitively read his father’s mind. He knew that Lucius’s next move was to pull out his wand and hold it to Hermione’s head, using her life as leverage. He also knew he had no intention of letting his father get that far. As his father’s hand twitched ever so slightly by his wand, Draco silently cast a strong Expelliarmus charm. In an instant he had his father’s wand in his hand.

Lucius was stunned; his son had disarmed him! He stood beside Hermione and gaped at Draco. “Now, son-” he began, but was hurled into the wall with such force that it broke his left arm. He grunted in pain as Draco strode toward him with a murderous look in his eye. “I’m not your son.” Without breaking stride or looking away from Lucius, Draco swept the wand through the air toward Hermione. Her bindings broke instantly and she sat up, adrenaline keeping her pain at bay as she clamored off the table and hid behind it. Draco lifted Lucius in the air with his wand and held him there. His voice was low, perilous. “You make me sick.” He threw him to the far side of the room, slamming his head onto the floor.

Lucius cringed in the corner and pleaded with his son. “Draco, please- let me explain! Perhaps I went a bit too far-” Draco kicked him in the stomach as hard as he could. Lucius doubled over and collapsed face-down on the floor. “Don’t speak to me.” He pointed the wand at Lucius’s neck and instantly his father’s airway was shut off. He watched his father claw at his throat, his face turning purple. “You taught me this curse, remember?” he said softly. “You were so proud that I was such a fast learner. Well, I had the best teacher, didn’t I?”

He released the spell just before Lucius passed out. He stood over him and spoke once more, each word encased in ice. “A great teacher, but a pathetic excuse for a father and a husband. You’ve just disgraced my mother,” he hissed, “and I’ll never forgive you for that. I want nothing to do with you. I’m going to take Hermione with me and make sure that you’ll never find us. Keep your Death Eaters, keep your bloody Dark Lord, and keep your curse of a name. I am no longer a Malfoy.”

As he turned to walk away from his father Lucius spoke up, his words as bitterly cold as his son’s. “He’ll find you, you know- the Dark Lord. He won’t let such a crime as yours go unpunished. You’ll be marked for death now, you and your Mudblood. And you can’t run forever, Draco. You can’t escape him- you’ll never escape him.”

And his father began to laugh.

“I SAID SHUT UP!!!” Draco screamed, his composure breaking under Lucius’s chilling words. He kicked him in the face, feeling his father’s nose break under his shoe. He felt himself losing control of his emotions and, as a result, the power inside him. All the years he suffered at his father’s hands- all the beatings, the belittling, the all-too familiar taste of blood in his mouth, the chronic muscle pain from being hit with curses, that sneer always pasted on his father's face-it all came rushing out of him in a torrent of intense pain and hatred.

An eruption of raw power burst from him, forcing his head and arms back as it ripped from his chest. The sconces on the walls exploded and the door was nearly blown off its hinges. The very stones in the walls vibrated, loosing dirt and dust which drifted to the ground. Draco pointed his father’s wand at the corner of the room and blasted a great hole in it. The walls fell in and the ceiling gave way, burying Lucius in the rubble.

In the midst of the chaos, Draco heard Hermione scream his name. She called his name again, softer this time. Her voice washed over the fire in his veins and extinguished it. He felt his power draw itself back inside him and shut the door of the cage in which it lived. He ran to the table and found her on the floor, hugging her knees and trying to hide her body. She was still in her underwear and she had no idea what had happened to her regular clothes. He whipped off his long suit jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders, kneeling down in front of her. “Are you okay?” he asked her in an anxious voice, realizing what an insanely stupid question it was.

She looked up, into his eyes. Without answering, she lurched forward and clung to him like a drowning man clutching a life raft, knocking him off balance. She was shaking violently as he pulled her onto his lap, holding her close. “I’m here, I’m here,” he whispered over and over, rocking her slightly. She was absolutely traumatized. “Don’t go!” she cried out, sounding terrified at the idea that he might. “I’m not going anywhere, Hermione,” he promised, hugging her tightly. “I’m here, I’ll always… be here.” He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her forehead. Slowly he found his mouth moving toward hers, compelled as if the rest of his body was playing follow-the-leader with his heart. He saw her close her eyes. He closed his as their lips touched. It was a gentle, tender kiss, a single pink rose blooming in the midst of a devastated landscape.

He pulled back and gazed at her, this jewel of a girl who’d been right in front of him for six years. He felt that he was finally seeing her for the first time. She touched his cheek with her fingertips and the ghost of a smile floated across her face. Then she winced and fell against him. Oh Merlin, she's hurt badly. Draco handed Hermione his mother’s wand, wrapped his suit jacket around her like a robe, then whisked her into his arms and carried her out of the destruction.

LUCIUS YOU- ************************

Ugh, poor Hermione, one moment

-run's off to go vomit-



-comes back-

PAMS!

(Oh, I don't mind being a house-elf or anything! Jut as long as my name is in there!)


(EDIT: And kill me off if you wish! I'm not to fussed!)

Hi,

Just wanted to say that I'm really enjoying your tale soo far....looking forward to reading more (:¬)

YAY- Thank You!!!

I'm halfway through the next chapter and I hope to put it up by the end of the week.

I'm so glad you're enjoying it, and sooooo glad you posted a comment!!


Thanks, hunny! I'm so excited that you're reading it, and I can't wait to hear what you think of the rest! See you in the Ravvie Common Room, girl!

Draco and Hermione run for their lives- literally.

Sarah-Jane, THIS IS YOUR MOMENT!!


Chapter 29: Escape


The blast from the dungeon shook the floors above it, startling everyone. Severus ducked instinctively, grabbing onto the railing of the dungeon stairs. Bellatrix sprang from her bed, wand immediately at the ready, and waited to attack whatever it was that caused the uproar. Narcissa sat bolt upright and whipped her head sideways toward her husband. He was missing. A stifling sense of foreboding overtook her and she slid out of bed, her graceful fingers reaching for her wand. She felt nothing but the smooth polished wood of her nightstand. Her hand froze there as she gasped in understanding. Her heart began to race. Draco.

Narcissa almost collided with her sister as they both raced from their bedrooms to the stairs.

“What the bloody hell was that?” cried Bellatrix.

Narcissa never stopped moving but called back a simple “I don’t know,” over her shoulder. The first floor was chaotic as several house elves ran to and fro, trying to make sense of the commotion and fretting over what they should do to fix it.

“Where did that come from?!” demanded Bellatrix. The frightened elves pointed at the stairs leading to the dungeons. Bellatrix stopped in her tracks. “The Mudblood!” she growled as she looked over at her sister. “Where is Lucius?” Narcissa remained silent, but her heart sank as she saw a flash of comprehension cross her sister’s face. Bellatrix narrowed her eyes and glared at her. “Where is Draco, Cissy?” she hissed, her voice dripping with venom as she spoke his name.

Narcissa’s eyes widened slightly but she set her jaw in defiance and stared her sister down. “I will end your poisonous existence if you touch my son,” she hissed back with equal ferocity.

Simultaneously, both women bolted for the dungeon stairs, pushing and grabbing at each other in an attempt to get there first. Narcissa knew she was at a dangerous disadvantage without her wand, but she gambled on the hope that Bella hadn’t noticed its absence.

They reached the stairs at the same time. Narcissa paused just long enough to allow her sister to step in front of her. Then she gave Bellatrix a hard shove.

Bella lost her balance and tumbled down the stairs, her head smacking sharply against the stone as she crashed onto the floor below. Narcissa raced down the stairs and leapt nimbly over her sister’s body, her midnight blue robe fluttering over Bella’s face. She had only gone a few steps more when a jet of blue light hit her squarely in the back. She flew forward several feet and hit the floor hard, completely unconscious.

Bellatrix stood at the foot of the stairs, blood trickling down the side of her face. Her seething, hateful expression melted into an air of triumph as she lowered her wand. Satisfied that she had stupefied her sister hard enough, Bella marched down the hallway, making sure to step on Narcissa as she moved past.

She saw the interrogation room door hanging askew on its hinges. As she drew closer, she noticed broken glass and pieces of rock littering the floor. Stepping carefully inside, she shouted a litany of curses when she saw the empty table. She looked wildly around the room and assessed the damage. A large pile of stones was mounded in the far corner, obviously fallen from the wall and ceiling. Her traitor nephew and the Mudblood were nowhere to be seen.

Bellatrix was halfway out the door when she heard a soft moan. Quickly turning around, she followed the pitiful sound to the large pile of rubble.

She could just make out wisps of white-blonde hair and a hand with a large serpentine ring on it through the dust and rock. Her eyes widened when she saw who it was.

“Lucius! What the hell happened?!” she cried. His voice was too muffled to be understood, but his hand stretched out the inch or two the stones permitted and reached toward Bella. She waved her wand and the stones flew away from the pile, releasing Lucius from their trap.

He lay there, not getting up, covered with dust and bleeding in several places. “Draco…the girl…gone,” he wheezed. Bella growled and whipped her head toward the door.

“When?!” she commanded.

“Just a few moments ago,” he answered weakly.

Oh wait ‘til I get my hands on them, she thought as she stormed out of the room.

“Bella, wait!!” Lucius’s voice was stronger now as he watched her turn her back on him. “You can’t just leave me here!” he called. “Bellatrix!!!” But he would have to wait for another helping hand; his sister-in-law was already running down the corridor.

She tore down the hall until she reached a landing; four separate entrances made a half-circle around it, each with a hidden passage that snaked through the underground labyrinth of the manor. She paused and peered into each entrance, as if looking for a faint trace of the two runaways. Finding nothing obvious, she pointed her wand at the first entrance on the far right.

“Hominem Revelio!” she shouted into the darkness of the passage. Nothing happened. Narrowing her eyes impatiently, she repeated the spell into the second passage. Again, it gave up no information. Fuming, she shot the spell down the third passage. A faint glow emanated from deep inside. A wicked laugh burst from her lips.

“Ready or not, here I come,” she sang and launched herself down the passage.

*************

With only a few minutes’ lead, Draco hurried through the narrow, dimly lit passageway. He’d tried levitating Hermione both behind and in front of him, but that caused him to go slower around the twists and turns to keep from running her into the walls. In the end, he picked her back up and carried her in his arms. The distance of the passage, combined with the weight of Hermione’s nearly-unconscious body, was wearing him out quickly.

He’d run through his limited options quickly in his mind. We can’t apparate- neither of us knows how. I can’t take her on my broom now- I’d never be able to keep her on and balance at the same time. There are no fireplaces down here to Floo, it’s too far to go anywhere on foot, and she needs a healer NOW.

He didn’t panic; his brain was too used to calculating and re-calculating every move he made on a normal day. Today he just had to calculate as if his life depended on it. Literally. He subconsciously held Hermione a little tighter as his brain worked rapidly through several scenarios. He sighed with relief when the answer came to him.

He turned to go back up the passageway; for his plan to work, they’d need to back-track about an eighth of a mile. Changing direction was difficult with Hermione in his arms. There was barely enough room to turn 180 degrees without banging her head on the wall. He had to practically fold her in half to make the turn, causing her to whimper loudly.

“Sorry, sorry!” he whispered as he got them in the right direction and began trekking back the way they’d come.

Draco was panting with exertion; his back was strained and the muscles in his thighs were burning from their effort. But they were nearing their detour so he concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other. Up the incline, two more bends to the right and we’re there, he told himself. Over the sound of his own heavy breathing, however, he began to hear a rustling sound, and then a voice. Both were getting louder. Draco listened carefully and picked up his pace. His blood turned to ice when he heard the voice again.

“I’m going to get you,” it sang in a hauntingly childish tone. “You can’t hide from me-e!”

His heart failed him for a moment. Recalculate again. Can we make it to the door before she gets there, or are we running straight for her? Should I turn around and try to make it outside? He took the gamble that they could make it to the door, and so he ran for it. The jostling of her body sent Hermione into a fit of pain- she cried out loudly, and couldn’t stop.

“Shhhh, please, Hermione!!” he whispered as loudly as he dared. Still, it hurt her too much to hold back her cries.

“Is that you, Mudblood?” The gleeful, disembodied voice was much closer now.

Draco managed to angle his wand toward her and whisper, “I’m sorry, love- Silencio!”

*************

Severus Snape had been at the top of the dungeon’s stairs when he saw Bellatrix cast the stunning spell at her sister. He waited until she was out of sight, then hurried down the stairs to Narcissa. He swore silently as he stooped down, carefully rolling her over and gathering her in his arms. She was limp, unconscious, and her cheek was bruised and scraped from her fall.

“Ennervate,” he intoned wandlessly, and watched as Narcissa’s eyes fluttered open, a soft moan escaping her lips.

“Severus…?”

“Bella hit you from behind- she’s on her way to the room,” he responded.

“No!” she said, pushing herself from Severus’s hold and standing unsteadily for a moment. “Draco! He has my wand! We have to reach him before she does! And I don’t know where Lucius is!” she cried, panic supplying her with ample strength to pursue them. Severus put his hands on her shoulders.

“Don’t, Narcissa! As you said, you don’t have a wand. The danger is too great for you without one. Stay here- I’ll find Draco.”

“Like hell I will!” she retorted and started down the hall. Sighing, Severus followed closely behind her.

They looked into the remains of the interrogation room; Narcissa gasped when she saw her husband lying atop a mound of rocks, battered and broken. “Lucius!” she cried and rushed to him, kneeling down at his side. He was still too weak to move, but he painfully turned his head to face his wife.

“Our son…took the girl…did this to me,” he spoke acidly, but with great effort. “Bella…left me…went after them.”

Narcissa’s hand flew to her mouth; she was terrified and furious all at the same time. “Oh, my boy! She’ll kill him!” Without another thought for her husband, she sprang from his side and raced to the door. Lucius, increasingly frustrated at now being left behind by two women, called after her.

“Damn it, Narcissa! Come back here and help me!”

Narcissa’s path was blocked by Severus. He was standing in the doorway, an immovable object. Narcissa pounded on his chest with her petite fists, making no difference whatsoever in his stance.

“Severus! Move out of my way! He’s my son!!” she screamed, frantic tears spilling down her cheeks. He held fast.

“No. You will only get yourself killed,” he replied sternly. Taking out his wand, he looked at her, compassion softening his eyes. “I do hope you’ll forgive me for this someday, Narcissa,” he said remorsefully. Her eyes widened and she took a step backward as he pointed his wand at her.

“Severus- no! You wouldn’t!”

“Stupefy!” he commanded and watched her fall for the second time in as many minutes from the spell. It sickened him that he had to copy Bellatrix.

Without a word to Lucius- who was now demanding that he help him up- Severus raced down the hall, hoping against hope that he would reach the children before disaster struck.

*************

Draco was sucking air into his lungs, sweat running down his face and making his shirt cling to his back. He moved as fast as his burdened legs would carry him. Just one more turn. His aunt’s voice was terribly close now.

“I’m going to kill you slowly!”

Fifty feet from the door. Sheer will propelled Draco’s body forward. His strength was giving out; he could feel his legs beginning to buckle under him. He felt Hermione cling more tightly, certain that she knew he was barely staying upright.

Thirty feet. Bellatrix was right around the corner; he could already smell her cloying perfume, hear her raspy breathing. She was nearly on top of them. He was staggering now, unable to walk straight. He miss-stepped and hit the wall, ricocheting off the opposite one as he regained his balance. Hermione’s face was contorted with pain as she silently cried out from fear and hurt.

Twenty feet. He could see the door- he pointed his wand to open it. His aunt would meet them any second.

Ten feet. “Please, please, please!” he whispered in desperation. He looked up just as Bellatrix rounded the corner and stood before them.

“Don't you dare!” she cried and raised her wand. Draco dropped Hermione to her feet, keeping one arm under her arms, and launched them both at the door. With one hand he shoved Hermione through the doorway; with the other he swung his father’s wand wildly and cast a protective charm. He was certain it wouldn’t be nearly strong enough. He dove headfirst for the doorway, landing just outside of it and rolling through to the other side. A powerful jet of green light shot mere inches above his head as the Killing Curse reduced the stone wall beside him to rubble.

As soon as he cleared the doorway, the wall re-sealed itself behind him, charmed to close as soon as a Malfoy passed through it. He landed right on top of Hermione, who was lying on the stone floor and bleeding from her side and head. Her mouth opened in a yelp of pain, but no sound came out.
Remembering what he’d done, Draco immediately removed the silencing spell and heard her moan weakly.

He knelt beside her and took her face in his hands. “Stay with me, sweetheart, stay with me! Can you get up? Can you try?” As he spoke, another green streak of light soared past them. He could hear his aunt screaming at them in rage. The hole she had blasted in the wall from her first Killing Curse had afforded her enough space to continue her attack, and she wasn’t letting up.

Hermione raised herself up on her elbows, but she was visibly shaking from the exertion. She looked at him in horror and dismay. “I can’t- I’m so sorry!” she cried.

“It’s okay, please, you’re hurt!” Draco responded. He turned her body so that her head was facing the direction they were headed. Then he moved in front of her, grabbed her under the arms and began dragging her down the passage. She bit her lip to keep from crying out; being pulled like that was excruciating. She tried to help him by pushing off the floor with her feet.

Arcs of green light still shot perilously near them. A great blast stopped them in their tracks. Bellatrix was blasting a bigger hole in the wall in an attempt to get to them. Oh God, she just won’t stop! Draco’s mind shouted in despair. One more blast and she’d be inside.

*************

“Don't you dare!” Severus heard Bellatrix scream. He had nearly caught up with her. Brandishing his wand, he rushed forward in time to hear her roar “Avada Kedavra!!”

His heart stopped; he prayed to anyone who would listen that Draco and Hermione were still alive. When he heard Bella’s subsequent cry of rage, he exhaled in great relief. He peered around the corner and saw the woman blasting holes in the wall, and reckoned that the children must be on the other side. He flattened himself against the wall. He couldn’t go out and stop her. He couldn’t blow the cover he’d painstakingly built for years. Damn this double-agent rubbish to hell! But he was the only one who stood between the two fleeing teens and their relentless assassin.

He uttered a silent incantation and gave an animal-like call down the corridor. And then he waited.

A moment later, the shrill cry of a hawk echoed down the passageway. His hawk. He’d called Sarah-Jane to him, knowing that she would have been circling the Manor since his arrival. She never strayed far from him. She flew through the hidden exit on the grounds of the Manor and down into the passage to find her master. As she drew nearer, Severus transferred a telepathic instruction to her. She zeroed in on her victim as she came into view.

Bellatrix’s right hand was raised to fire another blasting curse at the wall when she felt something painfully sharp rake the back of her hand. Before she could understand what was happening, her wand was wrenched out of her hand by a pair of powerfully sharp talons. The hawk flew in an arc, depositing Bella’s wand well out of her reach and, before the woman could summon it back, turned and hurtled straight for her.

Bellatrix moved her hands in front of her face only a second before Sarah-Jane’s talons dug themselves into her flesh. Screaming in surprise and pain, Bella tried desperately to shake the attacking bird off her forearms, but to no avail. Sarah-Jane’s strong wings flapped wildly as she removed her talons from Bella’s arms and immediately tangled them in her hair. She flew back and forth, dragging Bella with her as the woman shrieked and grabbed at her head.

The hawk pulled her off balance and sent her flailing onto the floor. Bella kicked and punched wildly as her attacker bore down on her; tufts of feathers and curly black hair wafted in the air, and the duet of screeches from woman and bird reverberated off the walls in a deafening cacophony. Bella realized she was going to lose the fight and curled up in a ball as she was attacked from all sides. Sarah-Jane dove and clawed, pecked and bit, gouging flesh from the woman’s arms, neck, and scalp and shredding the fabric of her clothes.

Finally, Severus sent her the mental signal to stop. The hawk floated gracefully to the floor and preened her amber-colored feathers, highlighted with streaks of ruby red. When she finished her cleaning, she rose from the floor, gliding silently around the corner of the passage and settling lightly on Severus’s arm. She nuzzled his cheek affectionately and he stroked her feathers, thanking her for a job well done.

“Now go and find yourself a nice, juicy rabbit,” he whispered, and Sarah-Jane took off down the corridor, flying over the motionless, bleeding form of Bellatrix.

Severus strode briskly back up the passageway, smirking that, though still annoyingly alive, Bellatrix wouldn’t be bothering anyone for quite a while. He reentered the decimated interrogation room to revive Narcissa and once again ask her forgiveness. And then maybe, if he felt like it, he would give Lucius a hand too.

*************

Draco assumed that the screech he heard was just another one of his aunt’s murderous cries. But the curses suddenly stopped flying, and the screeches separated into two distinct voices. Knowing he shouldn’t stop for even a moment, Draco paused anyway and craned his neck to see what was going on. What looked like a very large bird seemed to be attacking his aunt, pulling her away from the wall. He stared dumbly at the bizarre scene for a moment. Well that’s something I didn’t expect to see.

“Draco, what is it?” called Hermione from the floor. Her voice brought him back to their current situation and he knelt down beside her.

“I don’t know, but whatever it is, it’s getting in the way of my aunt’s pursuit.” He smoothed the hair from her face and made another quick assessment of her wounds. He was worried about the two biggest, the one on her side and the one on her head. They still hadn’t stopped bleeding. He placed his hand on her ribcage and probed each rib with his fingers. Good, none of them were broken, so the wound on her side was fairly superficial.

He bent down and kissed her forehead, her cheeks, her lips; then he held out his temporary wand and closed up the two large wounds. Pulling two phials from his pocket, he cradled her head and opened the first one. He tipped the Blood Replenishing Potion back against her mouth, and she drank it down. Then he unstoppered the Pain Potion and held it to her lips as she tried to force it down.

“We’re going to make it, love- I promise you,” he said with fierce conviction as he held her gently on the floor.

“I believe you,” she replied. “Now let’s stop talking and get going!”

YES! I'M A BLOODY AWSOME HAWK!

And to crown it all, I'm Snape's awesome hawk!

Thank you soooooooooooooo much for adding me in! Just love how you made me attack Bellatrix!

I note how Lucius said that Draco and Hermione had gone, but somehow he forgot on purpose to say what he was doing....

PAMS!

HOORAY!!! I'm SOOO glad you liked your part! You are VERY welcome!!!

I think it worked very well into the story. You were brilliant- and you kicked Bella' butt!! I'm so proud of you. *sniffs, wipes eyes*

Yeah...isn't it despicable interesting how Lucius left out that little piece of information. He sucks. But now he's lying on a pile of rubble and no one will help him. That makes me happy.

Only a few more chappies- thank you so much for taking this journey with me, hunny!

Quote:

Originally Posted by steflegan

I think it worked very well into the story. You were brilliant- and you kicked Bella' butt!! I'm so proud of you. *sniffs, wipes eyes*

I think Snape was proud too, but I was only brill because you wrote me like that!

Quote:

Originally Posted by steflegan

Yeah...isn't it despicable interesting how Lucius left out that little piece of information. He sucks. But now he's lying on a pile of rubble and no one will help him. That makes me happy.

Make's me happy too Gives Lucius a kick with her Rose Embodied Doc-Martins on her way past

Quote:

Originally Posted by steflegan

Only a few more chappies- thank you so much for taking this journey with me, hunny!

You're very welcome! I'm so glad I did! I loved it, every step of the way!! And I'll be here until the end

Yay I'm finally caught up!!! Absolutely amazing!!!
Who'd have though Draco could be so heroic!

... and poo poo to Lucius and Bella... gggrrrr if only I could :hack: them


As usual... PAMS!!!! Can't wait for more!

That's AWESOME!!!!!

I can't tell you how happy I am that a) you're back and b) you caught up and responded! I have the biggest smile on my face right now- I think I'll do a happy dance!

I'll add more soon,I promise!

I saw that you added a chappie to yours as well- going there to check it out!

Love you with lovely love!!

Oh, and I'm so proud of our little Draco. *sniff, wipes eyes*

i`m only on chapter 8 but i LOVE IT! i can't believe you like my dumb little story after writing this!! it`s fantastic

I am still behind with reading, but I'm catching up, I got to chapter 20. I think you wrote Hermione's mum's reactions perfectly, and I love the way you describe Draco's contradictory personality. Fabulous fic

EDIT: Now I've read till 26, I'm catching up! I loved how you fitted in one of my favourite Dumbledore quotes, choosing between what is right and what is easy. I feel very sorry for Hermione, but good thing Draco manned up! And it was a lovely surprise to see Snape in the story, I adore him

Thanks, sweetie! So glad you're reading it!!

You know, Snape was not in my original concept of the story, but my friend Emily loves him and I added him in for her. He actually worked out perfectly and has become a very important character in the plot!

Keep reading, mama! It's almost finished!

Chapter 30: The Road to Safety

6 Jan. (dawn)

They left the chaos of the corridor behind, hearing less and less of Bellatrix’s shrieks as they traveled further away. “It’s not much further,” Draco assured Hermione as he carefully helped her up. He finally had a moment to transfigure his jacket into suitable clothing for her-a soft green sweater and black sweatpants, followed by simple black boots that he conjured.

The pain potion was taking effect, giving Hermione the strength to stand with assistance. She slung an arm over Draco’s shoulders and he propped her up with a hand under her other arm. Slowly, he helped her hobble forward. Even though they were safe for the moment, Draco didn’t know how long that safety would last.

At last, they came to a solid stone wall- or what appeared to be one. Draco uttered a simple incantation and gave a swish of his father’s wand. The wall disappeared as if it were nothing more than a smokescreen. On the other side of the enchanted wall was a large room, lined with shelves of differing sizes. On the shelves were devices quite incongruous for the home in which they were stored. Hermione passed her gaze over the objects. Was that…a television? And that? A rifle, like the kind a soldier would carry. She stared in confusion and frustration.

“Why are there Muggle objects in here?” she asked as sharply as her injuries would allow.

“Over the years, Muggle artifacts have been acquired to be studied,” Draco replied simply, “in order to understand the advancements of Muggles and their capabilities. There are storerooms full of them in many locations.” He stopped speaking as he caught the look on her face, and cast his eyes downward as guilt washed over him.

“I see,” Hermione responded through gritted teeth, angry tears filling her eyes. “Of course, you’d want to study the habits of a lower species,” she spat.

Draco held her by the shoulders and gently turned her to face him. “Not me, Hermione,” he said, his eyes pleading with her.

A stray tear dotted her cheek. “It’s just getting worse. This war is really going to happen, isn’t it? I’m just so afraid of what’s to come, Draco,” she whispered despairingly, dropping her head on his chest. He kissed the top of her head and rested his cheek in the soft curls of her hair.

“So am I, love. Come on, let me take you away from all of this,” he whispered as her took her head from his chest and turned it up to face him. “No matter what we face in the future, I’ll never let anyone hurt you again, Hermione.”

Her name still sounded strange on his lips, but was becoming more beautiful each time he said it. She looked up at him, feeling the intensity of his steel-grey eyes, and wanted desperately to believe him. On an impulse, she raised herself up on tiptoe and kissed him full on the lips. She clung to him, needed him, even as her mind struggled with the nearly incomprehensible fact that she was kissing Draco Malfoy.

Perhaps he really has changed, the voice in her head spoke. He put his own life on the line to save yours.

Draco was caught off guard by her lips, but recovered quickly and melted into her kiss, savoring the warmth and softness of her mouth against his. He wanted it to go on forever; it was the most tender kiss he’d ever felt, sweeter and more real than any other kiss he’d ever given or received. Just as he was about to reluctantly pull away Hermione broke the kiss, wincing in pain and drooping in exhaustion.

He caught her as her legs began to buckle. “We’ve got to get help,” he said, shaking himself back into the perilous reality of their situation. He helped her walk across the room and they crossed into another. Regardless of how weak she felt at the moment, her jaw dropped at the sight of the showroom.

“That’s…a car.”

Draco had already pulled the keys off a hook on the wall and was remote-opening the passenger door. “A ’96 Bentley Azure, to be exact. Finest Muggle vehicle in the world,” he replied almost off-handedly. He carefully lowered Hermione into the passenger seat, leaning it back a bit so she could rest.

“You can drive a car?!” she exclaimed, slack-jawed and wide-eyed.

“I know, nearly impossible to believe- a Malfoy using something Muggle. You should alert the Daily Prophet,” he said wryly as he slid into the driver’s seat. “I learned primarily because I wasn’t supposed to know the car was there, and therefore certainly not supposed to learn how to operate it.” He gave a tiny smirk and turned the key in the ignition.

The luxury car was so quiet, Hermione wasn’t quite sure he’d actually started the thing. But he shifted into gear and, with barely a tap on the pedal, accelerated forward. The speed took Hermione by surprise, and she let out a small shriek. “Why do you have a car?” she asked weakly.

Draco hesitated. He didn’t want to share the real reason his father owned a Muggle vehicle. Over the last year, Death Eaters had begun experimenting with all sorts of Muggle equipment, searching for ways to use the Muggles’ own technology against them. Voldemort’s thought was that ordinary objects would draw no suspicion from the Muggles; therefore, the objects could easily be introduced back into society and cursed to harm or kill unassuming victims.

Just another weapon in the Dark Lord’s ever-growing arsenal, Draco thought with scorn. His father and a few others were studying the Bentley to determine what curses would allow the car to drive itself into a well-populated area and kill as many Muggles as possible. In the end, Draco settled for a simple answer. “My father wanted to see how it worked.”

They sped through the long underground tunnel, which was a little too narrow for Hermione’s comfort. Though she wanted to close her eyes and rest, she was too terrified that they were going to crash into the walls at any moment. Draco expertly handled the twists and turns of the tunnel, well-practiced at sneaking the car out while he taught himself how to drive. But Hermione clutched the handle of the door so tightly that her knuckles were as white as her face.

“Relax Hermione, please,” Draco implored, placing a reassuring hand on her leg while keeping his eyes fixed on the tunnel. “I told you, I won’t let anything happen to you.” Though still uneasy, Hermione closed her eyes and tried to follow his instructions. A moment later, they reached the end of the tunnel. A wandless incantation from Draco caused the seemingly solid wall ahead to slide open, and the car stole silently out of the Manor. Hermione sensed a change in the air and opened her eyes.

The world was still shaded in the dusky blue of early dawn, but the sky in the east was beginning to turn pink with the rising of the sun. Relief flooded through her; tears spilled down her cheeks as she looked out at the world she feared she’d never see again. She stared at the horizon as the first rays of the sun broke through the fading darkness of the sky. This morning, the sunrise meant more to her than ever before. This morning, it was her hope rising.

Draco shifted the car into high gear and raced his way through the cleverly-hidden roads on the Manor’s grounds. He’d removed his hand from Hermione to pull out his wand. He maneuvered the steering wheel with his right hand, his left hand gripping the wand and his eyes constantly scanning for trouble. As they passed over the borderline of the Malfoy property, Draco allowed himself only a momentary reprieve from worrying. He was certain he heard the shrill cry of a hawk nearby.

“Where are you taking us?” asked Hermione, her eyes heavy with exhaustion.

“Still working that out,” Draco replied. His voice was calm and confident, but Hermione still picked up the undertone of his concern.

“I need to find us a place to go that is outside of my father’s- well, any Death Eater’s- knowledge. He can find us,” Draco whispered, shuddering at the thought of the Dark Lord’s wrath. He glanced over at Hermione and noticed with dread that a spreading patch of red was seeping onto her sweater.

“I need to get you to a Healer soon,” he added, unable now to keep the anxiety out of his voice. They continued to speed through the countryside as Draco ran through possibility after possibility in his mind, rejecting each one with increasing aggravation. Hermione could see that he was on the edge of desperation.

She closed her eyes and entered a wrestling match with her conscience. She knew where they’d be safe, where she could get help and they could hide without worry. But six years of conditioning at school made her instinctively distrustful of Draco, regardless of his recent behavior.

She agonized over what choice to make; she wanted desperately to protect her protector, but was terrified that he’d turn on her. If that happened, she would put many more lives than her own in danger.

She looked over at him and studied his face. He was sweating and nervous, bordering on frantic. He felt her gaze and turned to her. “Are you alright? Hermione, what’s wrong? Are you hurting worse? Do you feel faint?” The raw fear in his eyes convinced her at once of his honesty.

“I know where we can go, Draco,” she said quietly.

“What? Where?” he asked, his body tensing with anticipation and hope.

“We need to go to Muggle London. To Number 12 Grimmauld Place.”

Quote:

Originally Posted by stef

They left the chaos of the corridor behind, hearing less and less of Bellatrix’s shrieks as they traveled further away.

From me as an awesome hawk

Quote:

Originally Posted by stef

“That’s…a car.”

Draco had already pulled the keys off a hook on the wall and was remote-opening the passenger door. “A ’96 Bentley Azure, to be exact. Finest Muggle vehicle in the world,” he replied almost off-handedly. He carefully lowered Hermione into the passenger seat, leaning it back a bit so she could rest.

“You can drive a car?!” she exclaimed, slack-jawed and wide-eyed.

“I know, nearly impossible to believe- a Malfoy using something Muggle. You should alert the Daily Prophet,” he said wryly as he slid into the driver’s seat. “I learned primarily because I wasn’t supposed to know the car was there, and therefore certainly not supposed to learn how to operate it.” He gave a tiny smirk and turned the key in the ignition.

Draco can drive!?!?!? Is there anything this boy can't do! Quick! Alert the Daily Prophet! -runs to go send an owl-

Quote:

Originally Posted by stef

He was certain he heard the shrill cry of a hawk nearby.

Hello!

Quote:

Originally Posted by stef

“We need to go to Muggle London. To Number 12 Grimmauld Place.”

I'm in two minds about this. One one, HERMIONE'S GOING HOME! And two, oh dear, what are Harry, Remus and all that (and Sirius, is this set before Sirius dies?) going to say and do?....

PAMS!

Finally caught up It's fantastic that Severus was there for the rescue, I love him, and I love the way you write him, very in character And yeeey, they're free! Don't let anything bad happen till Grimmauld Place, please I hate Bella, and Lucius for that matter, but it was funny how everyone just let Lucius lie there without giving him a hand PAMS!

Ooohhh Grimmauld Place!!!!! *dances circles around you* great post sweetie! Loved it!

I wonder how everyone else is going to react to Draco ...

PAMS!

I love me some Snape as well!!

This whole chapter practically wrote itself. I swear, it was like the plot and the characters knew what they were doing and just held my hand and pulled me along. It was so wierd, like I was reporting what I was seeing rather than creating it. Or maybe I just had too much caffeine that night.

I never planned on the whole thing with Lucius being ignored on the rocks; it just unfolded as I was writing. But everytime one of my charrie left him there, I would laugh harder!

Thank you SOOOO much- you know how much I appreciate your words!!


I know, Headquarters!!! * joins your dance*

The next two chappies will deal with everyone's "welcome".

Love you as always for your reviews! And just for you, ya know!

Chapter 31: Sanctuary


“O--kay,” he said slowly, dragging the word over several syllables. “Is that your house?”

Hermione was breathing more slowly now, her words becoming softer. “No it’s…just a house that Dumbledore owns…people can go there for help.” She just couldn’t bring herself to tell him about the Order. Not yet.

She pulled Narcissa’s wand from inside her sleeve and placed it flat in the palm of her hand. “Point me,” she commanded. The wand spun slowly in her hand and stopped at Due North. “Ok, if that’s North, then we need to head Northeast, so in that direction,” she pointed. “Oops,” she smiled weakly,” I suppose you know how to get to London.” He smiled back, even though the real look on his face said “yes-yes-could-you-please-just-hurry-up-and-tell-me-the-rest?”

She conjured a map and drew a line from the London city limit to Grimmauld Place, making sure to tell him to park between Numbers 11 and 13 as he wouldn’t be able to see Number 12. She still prayed she had made the right decision.

Draco shifted gears and slammed his foot on the accelerator, racing toward London. Hermione’s voice was getting fainter the longer she spoke, and her face was losing color. Draco’s heart was beating like a hummingbird’s wings. Merlin, what if…? No, I can’t lose her! He could finally see the skyline of London over the white knuckles of his hands. He let out a string of curses on the slowness of Muggle transprtation for which Hermione, if feeling well, would have severely scolded him. He stole a glance at her, and realized she had stopped moving. His heart froze mid-beat. “Hermione? HERMIONE?!?!” Hermione slowly rolled her head in his direction, eyes closed, and gave a small moan. His heart started again, at least for now.

They crossed the London city limits. While this meant they were nearly there, it also meant that they were going to have to deal with traffic. Draco waited in aggravation behind four cars at a red light. He was using all his willpower not to lose it completely. He was past cursing; now he was quiet, absolutely silent as he concentrated on the destination that would save Hermione’s life. He wanted to forget the car and take the risk of Side-Along Apparition with her, but she’d explained the thick layer of protective wards around the house. He was certain they’d never get through.

The distance from London proper to Grimmauld Place was mercifully short. The stoplight turned green and he swerved around the cars ahead, half on the street and half on the curb. He didn’t even hear the blaring horns and uproar from the drivers he passed. Two more streets. One more street. Finally, Grimmauld Place. Draco finally expelled the breath he’d been holding since the stoplight. As he screeched the car to a stop across from 11 and 13, he picked up Hermione’s wrist and checked her pulse. Weak, but definitely present. Thank…everyone.


**************


The screech of tires just outside drew the attention of the teenagers sitting in the upstairs bedroom at the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix. Ron and Ginny got to the window first, elbowing each other for a better view.

“Bloody hell, look at that car! Talk about top of the class!” exclaimed Ron.

Ginny peered down at the car. It sure looked fancy. "What is it?”

“No idea. But whatever it is, the owner has to be a millionaire!”

The others now crowded around the window, attempting to move Ron and Ginny so that they could have a look. The driver’s-side door opened, and everyone leaned forward, each vying for a glimpse of the owner.

The driver stepped out. Tall. Black suit.

White-blonde hair.

An audible gasp hung in the air, followed by disbelieving stares.

“That’s not…”

“How could it be?”

“…doesn’t know about this place!”

“There’s no way…”

“Bloody hell, it is Malfoy!!”

Everyone tensed and almost collectively drew their wands. This wasn’t possible. There was no way that slimy ferret could know about headquarters. Just as they were about to make for the door to warn the adults, they watched Draco open the passenger’s side door and lean in. A million thoughts swarmed in their minds. A Death Eater? A weapon of some sort? No one could have guessed the right answer, and there was a much larger gasp in the window when they saw who he was carrying.

“HERMIONE!”

Now they did rush to the door, racing down the stairs and banging en masse on the kitchen door. There were a few surprised yelps and the sound of half a dozen chairs scraping the floor, and Remus, who was closest, flung open the door.

“What in Merlin’s name is the matter?” he asked, wide-eyed. Several voices shouted simultaneously. While he tried to calm them down enough to get a single answer, the word “Hermione” floated atop the din.

“Hermione?! What? What about Hermione?!?!” Jean threw herself at the children and grabbed Harry, who was closest to her. Remus motioned for everyone else to be quiet.

Harry was struggling to talk slowly. “It’s Malfoy- he’s here, he’s carrying Hermione across the street. She looks hurt.”

There was a pregnant pause. Then, Harry never saw a group of adults move more quickly as a single unit to the front door. Jean was about to open it when Arthur pushed her back, his wand at the ready. He opened the door with his wand pointed, and looked unbelievingly at Draco Malfoy and Hermione standing on the sidewalk. Well, Hermione wasn’t standing. And Harry was right- she was hurt.

Keeping his wand trained on Draco, Arthur said nothing as he beckoned him inside the house. He backed everyone up in the long, narrow hallway. “Move out of the way, she’s hurt!”

He allowed Draco to bring her in sideways, leading the way for the boy. Draco suddenly had a serious case of déjà vu as he traveled with her in his arms down the long corridor. Everyone wanted a look, everyone wanted to touch Hermione, and everyone wanted to know what the hell he was doing there.

Arthur took Draco into a parlor with a piano and a couch, and Draco immediately laid her down. As Tom and Jean rushed to their daughter’s side, Arthur grabbed Draco by the shoulders and turned the boy to face him. Draco was mildly aware that ten wands were all pointed at him, held by people whose faces bore a mixture of alarm and outrage. “What happened?” Arthur questioned him. Panting for breath, Draco gave a quick synopsis of the past few days.

“Hermione was taken by Snatchers a few days ago, they brought her to my home. My aunt Bellatrix kept her in the dungeon and tortured her. I got her out and she told me how to get here. Please, she’s badly hurt. I did what I could with Dittany and Blood-Replenishing, but it’s not enough. Please, you have to help her!”

He was wild with fear, and grabbed Arthur’s arms in sheer panic. That move caused some yells of protest, but Molly pushed her way through the group and went to Hermione’s side. “Tell me what her injuries are, if you know them.”

Draco nodded quickly and was about to recite the list of Hermione’s wounds when strong hands grabbed him and a wand was shoved in his face. “Why the hell are you here?” growled Mad-Eye. Draco was about to tell him that this was not the moment for interrogation when Molly spoke up.

“Not yet, Mad-Eye! He needs to tell me what happened to her!” Mad-Eye growled louder and shoved Draco over to Molly. His wand and those of everyone else’s were still aimed at the boy.

The teens were getting more furious by the minute. They began shouting over each other.

“What did you do to her, you…”

“How the hell did you get a hold of her?!”

“How did you know about this place?”

“If you hurt her, I’ll kill you!”

“QUIET!!! EVERYONE!!!!!!” Molly’s command cut through all the noise and silenced them immediately.

Dumbledore touched Ron’s arm and spoke to the teens. “All your feelings and questions are completely valid, but they need to wait. The adults need space and quiet to attend to Hermione. We need to help Hermione by stepping away.” He gently tugged on Ron’s arm, who was so conflicted his face was the same shade as his hair. Very reluctantly, and with a few last murmured threats, he followed Dumbledore and the rest of his friends out of the room.

Molly bent over Hermione. The girl was still conscious, but barely. Consciousness was a good sign. She turned back to Draco and motioned for him to sit beside her on the floor. The other Order members didn’t approve of that request.

“Absolutely not, Molly,” replied Mad-Eye.

Draco turned to them, frustration clearly etched on his face. “Look,” he began, “I have to help-”

“Sure you do, sonny, and I have to knit socks for my grandmother,” Mad-Eye interrupted. “We don’t know why you’re really here, and if I find out you laid a finger on that girl-”

“THAT’S ENOUGH!!” Molly sufficiently silenced the old Auror. Other than Dumbledore, she was the only person alive that could order Mad-Eye around. “I need him right now, or don’t you want to see Hermione get well? Keep your wands on him, I don’t care, but the boy is sitting right here.”

Though he wasn’t surprised, Draco found all this ordering around a bit tedious. He pushed his way forward, not caring what the One-eyed Ogre had to say. He sat down next to Molly and looked at Hermione’s face. Pale, bruised, but still so beautiful. “Alright, tell me what you know,” Molly instructed.

Shakily, and with many pauses to loosen his breath when it caught in his throat, Draco recounted the events of the last few days. He winced and braced himself each time he had to relay something particularly horrific and gruesome, which unfortunately was most of the time. He chose to omit the incidents that involved him for the time being, less out of dishonesty but in trying to keep an Avada Kedavra from flying his way. By the end of his own narration, he was near tears.

“Please, I swear I just want her well,” he pleaded, a stray tear escaping down his cheek. Molly studied his face. The boy seemed completely genuine in his concern, but he was a Malfoy, and that fact alone discredited him.

What Draco felt the worst about was the response of Hermione’s parents. They were all extremes, rage and terror and despair. He knew he was wounding them with every word he said, and he hated himself for it. Even Tom had lunged for Draco a few times while he spoke, and Jean was sobbing uncontrollably. Their reactions were the reason for his tears now. He knew he was torturing them just as dreadfully as Hermione suffered under his aunt’s (and his) hands.

The color of Molly’s face alternated between white, flaming red, and sickly green as Draco’s story unfolded, but her mothering instincts kicked in as he finished. She became focused and controlled as a mother does in a crisis involving her children. “Arthur, I need a blanket, clean towels, and a bowl of hot water. Bring the Dittany, Blood-Replenishing potion and the Healing Balm. Jean, help me get her sweater off.”

Jean was in a daze by now, and absently remarked, “That’s not her sweater."

“I conjured her clothes when we couldn’t find hers…” Oh, he knew how bad that sounded.

Jean just closed her eyes and wept. Tom snapped and dove at Draco, his hands landing dangerously around the boy’s neck. “Please,” he gasped, “PLEASE, I didn’t touch her, I didn’t do anything, I swear. I SWEAR!!!”

Remus grabbed Tom and pulled him away, Tom fighting the whole time. “You don’t trust him!” he yelled as he struggled to break Remus’s grasp. “WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY DAUGHTER?!?!” he bellowed, reaching toward Draco through his restraints.

At this, Draco burst into tears. He hadn’t done that since he was a child. But the crushing stress of the past days, the overwhelming guilt, the terror he felt at his family’s hands, the worry that plagued him over Hermione’s condition finally broke him. “I didn’t…I…didn’t…I’m s-s-sorry, I tried...I…” And no more words would come. He sat with his hands in his hair, head down, and wept for everything.

A moan from the couch caught everyone’s attention. All heads snapped toward Hermione, who was trying in vain to sit up. “Now, now, sweetie, don’t try to sit, you need to rest,” Molly said gently.

“N-no,” the girl panted, “Don't...Draco...he saved my life."

...........

GAH THAT WAS BRILLIANT!!!!

Thank you thank you thank you thank you for that chapter!!!!

Draco... and Hermione!! ... though I hope nobody tries to kill him now

Any one kills Draco, they have to kill me too!

Well, Maybe not Remus, I Remus!

PAMS PAMS PAMS!