Chapter Eight
Hermione landed in the same spot where Draco had only a few moments earlier. She was momentarily dizzy but shook it off. Looking around, she saw Draco, pacing up and down the driveway of a particular house. He seemed to be arguing with himself. She strode quietly forwards, needing to stay close so as to not miss anything.
Hermione didn't t know what to think. At first she had thought that Draco was going to see Harry, but there was no way he would be staying here. This house was almost falling apart and there were no wards of any kind protecting it.
Coming to this conclusion, Hermione started to think that it was a bad idea to have followed Draco, she now had no idea what to expect, who would be on the other side of the door. Her heart began to beat faster as Draco seemed to finally kick up the nerve to knock on the door. She waited in just as much anticipation as he did for the few minutes when nobody answered.
She crept even closer, knowing she wouldn't have much time once the door opened to get inside. Draco still looked torn, he turned and looked like he was ready to leave, when the door finally opened.
Hermione panicked when she saw the man who had opened the door, she really shouldn't have come, this man was obviously a Death Eater, he-
Her heart nearly stopped as the man looked out the door, his gaze peering right through her. Those green eyes. It was Harry. But it couldn't be, this man was battered and broken and empty and... drunk. His gun caught her gaze as he replaced it in his holster. This man was terrifying. She had been right before. This man was not Harry, not the one she knew anyway.
She almost missed her chance to enter the house as Harry moved aside to let Draco in. She ran forwards, hoping neither would hear her footsteps. She almost brushed Draco as she squeezed in behind him just before the door closed.
It took all the restraint she had to level out her breathing and keep herself from bursting into tears. She covered her mouth with her hand, forcing herself to calm. This man, no, this warrior, intimidated her more than anybody she had ever seen in her life. He wore no shirt, his scars and wounds easily visible. He was muscular, more than she ever thought his small frame could become. Harry glanced back at her once more before leading Draco further into the house. He couldn't know she was there.
Draco stood nervously in the middle of Harry's living room, unsure of what to do or what to say. Harry didn't speak, he merely continued his path across the room, picking up a glass of amber liquid along the way and tossing it back into his mouth. He slammed the glass loudly onto the table as he sat himself down in the large armchair. He shifted, pulling the gun out of the holster and placing it on the table in front of him. He sat expectantly. He obviously was waiting for Draco to speak. He did.
"Look, Potter, I know I shouldn't have come, I took a great risk coming back here, I know you don't want to see-"
Harry chuckled bitterly. "You're right, I don't fucking want to see you, and yet, here you sit." His voice was deep and hoarse, the sound of it startled Hermione.
"I wouldn't have come back if it wasn't important."
"I don't exactly consider a stuffed dragon of great import." Harry raised an eyebrow as he spoke.
"Well my sister does. It's the only thing she has left to remind her of our mother." Draco's voice saddened at the mention of his mother.
Harry's expression did not change, no ounce of sympathy crossed his features. He leaned over the table to reach for his pack of cigarettes and though it was barely noticeable, Hermione could have sworn she saw him wince, his hand going to his side. He recovered quickly and removed a cigarette from the pack and lit it. The motion was so quick but Hermione didn't see a lighter. She blinked. Had the flame just come out of his hand?
"That's right." He blew the smoke dramatically as he spoke. "Your father was responsible for that one if I recall correctly." He stood and paced.
"And how the hell would you know that?!" Draco stood as well, his expression darkening to the familiar expression Hermione was used to seeing on his face, taking a few steps towards Harry but seemingly not wanting to get too close.
Harry only chuckled. "You forget how intimately connected I am with the forces of evil." He tapped his forehead, the cigarette dangling between his fingers as he did.
Draco took a deep breath. He didn't want to argue with Harry, not now. "Can I just grab the stupid thing and get out of here. I know it'll make us both much happier once I'm out of here again."
"Why did you come here?" Harry asked the seemingly obvious, already answered question.
Draco looked frustrated, but also conflicted and confused. "Stop asking stupid questions Potter, you know why I'm here."
"I have an idea. Do you?" Harry baited Draco. It's like he was looking for a fight.
Draco seemed to contemplate the question for a moment, but quickly retorted. "I don't know what you're trying to do, Potter, but cut the shit! I won't play your game!"
Harry strode close to Draco, closer than Hermione would have thought comfortable for either. "I'm not playing at anything." The two men locked eyes and for a moment their expressions mirrored each others perfectly. Hermione was missing a crucial piece of information here. A slight twitch in Harry's face broke the gaze and Harry turned away, heading to a small room off the main living area.
Draco stood, stuck in place for a moment before he shook his head and broke out of his stupor. She thought he looked incredibly pained. He suddenly clutched the top of his chest, his eyes widening, then his features fell into what was possibly the saddest expression she'd ever seen on a person, just lonely and empty and numb. He pulled what looked to be a small pendant out from under his collar, stroking the piece between his thumb and forefinger. Only moments later, Harry emerged from the small room, carrying a variety of things. On the top of the pile was a stuffed green dragon. Harry's face hid it better, but upon closer inspection, the expression his face held was identical to Draco's. Harry tossed the dragon back on the table and Draco's features relaxed. He tucked the pendant back in his shirt.
Harry dropped the rest of the pile onto the table as well. Tucked into the folds of cloth, Hermione saw a glint of silver and immediately recognized the sword of Gryffindor.
Draco picked up the dragon, but was now hesitant to leave. He stared at the dragon and placed it back on the table.
Harry looked up at him and smirked. He had been pulling on and lacing his heavy dragon leather boots, his foot set on the coffee table but paused and rested his forearm against his raised thigh. "See. There is another reason." He turned his attention back to his boots.
From the time Harry had left the room until now, something had shifted in him. He seemed more alert, more focused. Hermione could only assume that he had taken a sobering potion for the change to have been that rapid.
A million emotions flickered over Draco's face, finally settling on anger. He turned away from Harry and ran his hand through his hair.
Hermione actually stepped back a step, she could not see this ending well.
Draco turned back towards Harry, who was now paying attention to his other boot. "How could you just fucking up and leave?!" Red splotches of anger covered Draco's face.
Harry plunked his boot back on the ground and met Draco's gaze, his own expression becoming just as infuriated. He opened his mouth to speak but Draco cut him off.
"I gave up everything to save you! I had nothing but I still gave it all to you! My own father wants me dead! Even Voldemort-"
At the mention of Voldemort's name, Harry doubled over in pain, clutching his forehead. He did not scream. His breathing became ragged.
Draco's features softened and he ran to Harry's side. He grabbed Harry by the shoulders, trying to lead him to the couch, to help him sit.
Harry sprang up and pushed Draco back with such force that he almost fell to the floor.
"Are you having visions again?" Draco asked so softly that Hermione barely heard it. How would Draco have known of Harry's visions?
Another wave of pain overcame Harry and he actually fell to the floor this time. He lay on his back, barely conscious, and began to laugh. Both Draco and Hermione looked on in silent horror, he looked like he was going mad.
"It's time." Harry whispered, his eyes rolling into the back of his head. He dissolved into manic laughter.
Draco knelt by his side, hesitant to actually touch him. Harry was only mumbling now, his words incoherent. Hermione didn't dare reveal herself. "Harry?" He whispered, concern laced through his voice, all trace of anger now wiped from his face.
Harry's eyes snapped open and he pushed Draco away once again. Draco fell hard to the floor and Harry stood. His face was stony now, focused. He immediately moved to the table and Hermione realized that the pile of black material was the rest of his armour.
He pulled the shirt on over his head, the pain in his side as he moved not even registering on his face anymore.
Draco slowly picked himself back up, wincing and flexing his arm. "Harry wait, what did you see?" Draco did not go back to using Harry's surname, a point that Hermione picked up on quite quickly. "Is it Voldemort?"
Harry twitched in pain again as Draco said his name. He did not answer Draco's question. "Leave, now!" He growled as he strapped the sword to his left hip and replaced the gun in its holster. Raw magic crackled in the air and Hermione wondered where his wand was, she hadn't seen it yet.
"Harry, talk to me, what's going on? I know that look, you used to-"
"I said get the fuck out!" Harry bellowed, getting right in Draco's face. He picked up the dragon and shoved it into Draco's hands, a large spark of energy cracking between them as he did. "You got what you came for, now fuck off and don't ever come back!" Harry spun and stalked forwards, seemingly straight towards Hermione, in the direction of the front door.
Hermione pressed herself up against the wall behind her as much as she could. The last thing she wanted was for Harry to brush past her. This had been a terrible idea and she regretted not letting Ron come with her. Her efforts were all in vain though, as it seemed that Harry's purpose for walking in her direction, was to expose her.
She thought he was going to pass her by and was confused why she suddenly couldn't breathe, her feet almost lifted off the ground. "And you!" He screamed. At his mere touch, all the charms and protective spells surrounding Hermione vanished, leaving her fully exposed to anything that would come her way. He held her, pinned to the wall, his hand wrapped tight around her throat. Harry's eyes bored into her, full of rage. It was like he had known she was there the whole time. She didn't know if she was just too terrified to move, or if he was using a spell so she wouldn't. "I don't know why or what the fuck you're doing here, but if you know what's good for you, you'll get out of here right now."
"I- I don't believe that you'll hurt me. I had to see you Harry, I had to-" She croaked.
Harry just laughed. "In a few minutes I'll be the least of your concerns."
"Let her go, Harry." Draco's tone of voice sounded like he was ordering. Draco stood beside the pair, green dragon still in hand.
"When the fuck did you start to worry about her?" Harry asked Draco scathingly, letting go of Hermione's neck. She hadn't realized how much Harry was actually holding her up and once he let go, her legs collapsed from under her. She coughed, trying to catch her breath.
Harry turned and headed in the opposite direction. He was mumbling under his breath. Two loud cracks sounded outside the door. "Are you fucking kidding me?" Harry swore, his hand clenching around the hilt of the sword.
Moments later, a pair of redheads burst in through the door. Both immediately surveyed the situation, Ron kneeling next to Hermione right away. "Hermione, love, are you all right?" he cupped her face and looked her over quickly before helping her stand.
She nodded. "Yes, I'm fine." Her attention had turned to Ginny, who stood rooted on the spot, tears glistening in her eyes as she caught sight of Harry. "Oh, Gin."
Ron turned his attention away from his wife and also took notice of Harry.
"What is this, a fucking school reunion?" Harry bellowed, not even acknowledging his former girlfriend. "Get the fuck out!" He moved past Ginny, who was still rooted to the spot. She reached out to touch him and he grabbed her wrist harshly, throwing her down.
She looked up at him from where she lay on the floor, her normally confident, composed demeanour replaced by this pale, withered figure. "Harry..." She whispered, reaching out towards him. Her face conveyed her despair, her heart breaking more in that moment than when she had actually thought Harry was dead.
Harry only spared her a brief glance but did not address her.
Anger overcame Ron instantly and it didn't matter to him that this was his former best friend standing in front of him. "You keep your hands off her!" He pulled aimed his wand towards Harry.
Harry only smirked and turned away.
Draco had made his way over to the pair. "You really should get out of here." He whispered to the two of them, handing Hermione the dragon. "Give that to Tig, would you?" He made his way to Harry again.
Hermione gasped as soon as the dragon touched her hand. Her head snapped up. "There's a tracking charm on this."
Draco turned abruptly back towards her. "What?"
"Someone placed a tracking charm on this, they-"
Harry began to laugh as he had before, his hand going up to his forehead.
"My father." Draco hissed through his teeth. "To know where Tig is, he- he knows where this place is, he might be coming-"
"You think I don't know that!" Harry laughed. "Why do you think I kept the stupid thing? And it's not just your father, Draco, oh no. This has worked perfectly. They're on their way now. They don't even suspect that I'm here, all they want is your sister. This is my chance. No more searching, no more waiting." The magical aura in the air grew stronger.
"You knew they were tracking you?! You're going to let You Know Who just waltz into your house?" Hermione shrieked.
"I gave you the chance to leave, but no, you wouldn't listen."
"But he's coming here, now! Harry, this is insane! This is sui-"
"It's suicide. I know." Harry grinned, his face full of darkness, fire and wrath. "It's too late for you all now, you had your chance, there are half a dozen Eaters standing on my lawn as we speak. And in only moments-"
Harry was cut off abruptly, his prediction coming true. With an immense crack, six black cloaked figures appeared out of thin air in the middle of Harry's living room. Voldemort stood in front of them. His face broke into a wide grin and Hermione thought that he probably had not looked this full of life in a very long time. "Good to see you, my Lord," Harry mock bowed, "I was hoping you'd show up."
