Chapter ten

The bog

Draco growled as he threw the crystal ball against the wall where it shattered and goblins darted out of the way.

He began to pace before his throne trying to rid himself of the frustration coursing through his veins. Ron was meant to have steered Hermione off course by now instead the hob goblin had fled from her side and now Hermione had made another friend one that Draco couldn't threaten as easily.

"Your highness" a goblin squeaked causing Draco to turn his burning gaze on it, the goblin shrunk back and lowered it's eyes.

"What" he bellowed as the Goblin whimpered and lowered it's head "Would you like the Goblin army to go after the girl" the Goblin asked as Draco flashed his eyes at the creature and towered over it.

Draco didn't bother covering his anger as he turned from the Goblin… he should send the army after Hermione and finish this once and for all. But if he did that there was no knowing what they would do to her.

"Never send a Goblin to do something you need to do yourself" Draco growled as he swept past the Goblin and headed towards the door.

He had a plan… a plan to keep Hermione safe and away from the castle long enough for both her and Harry to belong to the Underground forever.

Hermione smiled thankfully to Hagrid as he pushed a few branches from her way, they had found their way towards a forest that grew denser the further they went.

"Are we lost Hagrid" Hermione asked as Hagrid looked around before he shrugged his huge shoulders and gave her an apologetic look.

Nodding Hermione carried on, slowly the trees thinned out to reveal a large stone wall with two doors set deep into it.

Upon the two doors stood was two large and bronzed door knockers both faces were long and their long ears dangling down beside them.

One held a ring through it's ears while the other one held the ring in it's mouth, stepping closer Hermione studied the one with the ring in it's mouth trying to decipher which one would be the best choice.

"ITS RUDES TO STARES" the door with the ring through it's ears yelled causing Hermione and Hagrid to jump back and snap their eyes towards it.

"Oh I'm sorry" Hermione apologised as the door knocker turned it's eyes towards her and the lips tugged downwards.

"WHAT" it bellowed as Hermione winched at the loud noise, the other knocker mumbled something and Hermione looked back at it.

"Excuse me" Hermione asked as the door knocker in front of her mumbled around it's ring again and Hermione raised her eyebrows then slowly lift her hands and grasped the ring and tugged at it until it came free with a pop and the door knocker moved it's mouth with a look of relief.

"Dobby says Krecher can'ts hears you mistress" Dobby stated as he looked at Hermione who looked over at the door knocker named Krecher and nodded with an 'oh'.

"I CAN'T HEAR YOU" Krecher bellowed again as Hermione smirked and Hagrid took the ring from Hermione's hands and studied it.

"Do you know a way to the castle" Hermione questioned as Dobby stared at her then looked to Krecher.

Krecher had been watching Hermione's mouth as she formed the words on her lips before he laughed out loud.

"HE DON'T KNOW THE WAY… THAT'S WHY HE HAS THE RING IN HIS MOUTH" Krecher yelled as Dobby shot him a wounded look.

"That's be not true Mistress… Dobby knows the way, its through the door" Dobby whined as Hermione looked between the two. Hagrid lifted the ring to his mouth once then pulled it away sharply looking at it again.

"Which door Dobby" Hermione asked as Dobby's face dropped and Krecher laughed out loud again rolling his eyes.

"THAT'S WHY I HAVE THE RING IN MY EARS… I DON'TS BE HAVING TO LISTEN TO HIM" Krecher declared as Dobby lowered his eyes.

"Well how do I get through one of these doors" Hermione asked as Krecher looked away but Dobby snapped his eyes up and smiled brightly.

"Whys Mistress just has to knock" Dobby told her as Hermione nodded and smiled looking up at Dobby.

Turning she saw Hagrid had the ring wedged in his mouth, rolling her eyes with amusement Hermione grasped the ring and tugged it free from Hagrids mouth.

Turning Dobby gave her a pleading look "Please Mistress… Dobby no likes the ring in his mouth" Dobby pleaded as Hermione sighed and let her shoulders sag.

"I'm sorry Dobby I really am sorry but I have to get to the castle" Hermione pleaded before Dobby clamped his mouth shut.

Krecher laughed loudly watching the whole scene "HE WON'T LET IT BACK… YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE TAKEN IT OUT" Krecher yelled as Hermione bit her lip in thought before smiling up at Dobby who watched her with fear.

"I really sorry" Hermione apologised before she grabbed Dobby's large nose and held it shut, after a few moments Dobby rolled his eyes and opened his mouth to draw in a large breath.

Hermione moved quickly placing the ring back in his mouth smiling apologetic again before she knocked on the door. Krecher sniggered as the door open and Hermione and Hagrid walked through the door throwing a glance at Dobby.

"Sorry Dobby" Hermione apologised as Dobby rolled his eyes and mumbled something that sounded like it was ok before she and Hagrid carried on.

As the pair moved forward Hermione frowned at finding another door devoid of any markings or door knockers. Grasping the handle Hermione twisted it to find it unlocked, with a small feeling of triumph she pushed the door open only to hearing someone hurrying along behind the door.

Stepping forward quickly to see who she nearly missed her step and went over the edge of the narrow cliff face only to be shoved back by some small creature.

With a yelp Hermione sprung forward just in time to catch Ron's hand as he went over the edge.

"Ron" Hermione cried as she held on to him as he dangled over a large grey brown liquid that bubbled and boiled.

"Oh my what is that smell" Hermione exclaimed scrunching her nose up at the smell, she was sure she had stripped a layer from inside her nose.

"It's the bog… get me up" Ron ordered as Hermione looked at him then dragged him back on to the path. Hagrid rambled out behind them as Hermione pulled Ron safely back "Smell" Hagrid declared as Hermione held her nose and nodded in agreement while Ron stood and dusted himself down.

"Even one little toe in there and you'll smell forever" Ron admitted looking Hagrid up and down before looking to Hermione who survived the bog and it's wasteland. Things buzzed around the surface while steam rose from pockets that popped and sprayed all that was near around it.

"It smells like… oh dear Merlin I don't know what it smells like" Hermione gagged while Hagrid shook his head against the buzzing creatures flying through the air.

"Whats it matter whats it smells like… just don'ts fall in" Ron gruffed as Hermione snapped her eyes back to him and studied him.

"You left me Ron" Hermione pointed out as Ron dropped his gaze and shifted his feet shoving his hands into his pockets.

"I tolds you I'ms a coward" Ron snapped half heartedly before Hermione beamed at him and hugged him tightly.

"But your not… you saved me from the bog, you came back" Hermione exclaimed as Ron blushed before ducking his head once Hermione released him.

"Now come on we don't be having all day" Ron ordered as he moved down the path hugging the wall while Hermione followed holding her nose and Hagrid followed suit.

Now your probably wondering when some acutal romance is going to come into this... well for anyone who watched the movie you will know there is a scene in the movie where Jareth and Sarah are at a ball... well there will be a chapter starting out like that but I've thrown in some of my own magic and their might be a little more intmancy between Draco and Hermione. :D enjoy.