A/N: So the last chapter ended up in a bit of a cliff-hanger, sorry for that, but the story is almost over, so that's to be expected, right? I wish I could have updated sooner, but I did respect my two weeks limit, you know? (this being the exact last day of those two weeks, so I cut it kind of close :P). I have kind of much on my plate right now, so it's hard to find time for writing. But I'll do my best to update soon – there's probably just one chapter left in any case, and I hope to be able to post it no later than the 10th of March. Just please know that when I don't update sooner it's not to tease you guys (although I like teasing, I'm not cruel or anything), it's just because I can't find the time to finish the chapter in a satisfactory way.
In any case, there we have it – Scabior was the Observer and Barty Crouch Jr. the new Dark Lord, both of them previously assumed dead. Teaches us to never take anything for granted, right? As one of my favourite quotes go, "Don't believe anything dead until you've burned it, poked around in its ashes, and then waited a day or two to see if anything rises from them." :))))
I want to thank everyone who has read the story so far – thank you for following it and liking it and especially for the reviews. And since we're on that topic, to PuppyLady12: I'm really happy that you love the story and that you remembered Draco's enchanted mirror – however, I didn't want to use it for several reasons. First, because I've already used it in my last story and this time I wanted to use something else. Second, because the mirror wouldn't have given Draco the means to get to Hermione, just to see her, and that wasn't enough. The Deluminator was the only thing that could get him to her, and Ron needed help remembering it, and the Mirror of Erised was known to be of help before. Besides, Draco was upset and wasn't thinking clearly, so he didn't remember the mirror (which in any case was in Chateau Malfoy, though it would have been a simple matter of apparition to get it). But like I said, it's great that you remembered the mirror.
This chapter is pretty dark, so be forewarned: we have some language, some violence and several character deaths (none of the main ones, but still), and sorry about that, but J.K. herself killed off some of the best characters, plus… 'Valar morghulis' :))) I'm all about quotes these days :D
But 'siriusly' now, despite the dark stuff, as you well know, "happiness can be found in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light" – so there will be some light in the chapter too, which is why I hope you'll like it. Either way, let me know!
Chapter 10 The captive, the captor and the rescue
Hermione was wondering what was worse: to be left alone with Scabior, who clearly had some bad things in mind, or to have to stand Hecate, who hadn't left the room when Crouch did.
"So you're finally getting what was coming to you", Hecate said. "I'm so glad I don't have to pretend to be civil to you anymore, it was simply killing me", she added, her voice lilting with glee.
"So everything was an act, including your 'love' for Blaise?" Hermione answered, trying hard to ignore Scabior, who was playing with a strand of her hair.
Hecate's face sobered up instantly.
"No, I actually care for Blaise, but he needs to realize that it's not OK to socialize with a mudblood, nor is it OK to let a pureblood wizard get married to one, especially if it's Draco Malfoy. I'm sure that once the Dark Lord establishes a new order in the world, he'll come to his senses and then he and I can get back together."
"If pureblooded wizards and witches limited themselves to intermarrying, they'd probably die out within generations – in case you haven't noticed, there aren't that many purebloods left", Hermione said, as she turned her head, to avoid Scabior who had gotten really close to her and was sniffing her neck – she realized she had on the same perfume as the last time she'd seen him.
"Oh, I think there are sufficient purebloods left, so that we don't need your impure blood for survival… besides, perhaps it's better to perish… probably not, but it's a close call", Hecate said with a sneer. "In any case, Scabior here has waited long enough for his prize, so I'll let you two alone. Play 'nice' and have fun!" she said, laughing so hard, she had to hold onto her stomach.
The door closed behind her with a final thud, and Hermione could feel her heartbeat increase to an alarming rate – this was it, she had to prepare for the worst.
"Finally alone, beautiful", he said.
Hermione knew she had to keep him talking, because that way he'd be distracted and wouldn't do anything worse.
"So how come you decided to impersonate Michael? Why him? And how did you capture him?" she asked.
"It was a matter of convenience – Magnolia, one of the first to join our ranks once the word got out that we were recruiting, knows the Corners, and she happened to know Michael's whereabouts on one sunny summer day, so we took him. He was completely unprepared, barely put up any resistance", Scabior said, laughing.
"And how did you manage to get Polyjuice Potion to keep up the ruse?" Hermione asked quickly, not liking the fact that Scabior had once more leaned down towards her, and was tracing the back of his hand over her neck.
"Well, I came to Hogwarts with a hefty amount of it, carefully hidden among the things I had in the trunk. And once I finished the ready-made potion, all I had to do was prepare some more – I had no lack of ingredents, what with Slughorn not paying enough attention to his supplies. Strange that he wasn't more careful, from what I hear, he's something of a miser."
"You know how to brew the Polyjuice Potion?" Hermione asked incredulously, and only too late realized it was a mistake to let her voice betray surprise – she should have faked being impressed.
Scabior frowned and for a moment his facial features twisted in anger – but then he smiled, not that it was a very pleasant smile, nor one that reached his eyes.
"I've learned, but enough about that. Did I ever tell you I love your perfume? Actually I think it's not just your perfume – it's your smell, your skin… perhaps even your blood? It may be dirty, but I admit to being curious about it, its scent, its colour, its… taste…"
Hermione could hardly breathe at the veiled threat, especially when in the next moment Scabior took something out his pocket – an antique style letter opener sharper than a knife.
"I could put you under the Imperius curse for this next part, but I think I'd rather enjoy hearing you scream, so I won't deprive you of your free will. So feel free to scream", Scabior added with a smile. "It won't bother the others, as the sound doesn't carry from this dungeon."
With that, he made a small cut on her neck – and Hermione felt blood oozing out but it didn't have a chance to trickle down too far, because Scabior licked it off her skin and she shuddered… she felt nausea wash over her and hoped she wouldn't throw up, because in the horizontal position that she was in it would be a disaster. That thought almost ripped a hysterical laugh from her but she kept her lips firmly closed, because she didn't want Scabior to take it the wrong way and do something worse.
"Hmm…interesting…", Scabior was musing aloud. "It definitely doesn't taste like mud – I'd know, as I had a mouthful when I fell from that bridge, even if I slowed myself down. Your blood tastes salty – and even a bit sweet, I think. I have to try more."
With that he untied her left wrist, so that he could raise it to his lips, to place a kiss there, before he made a cut on that exact spot. It was just a small cut this time as well, but Hermione winced in pain, and then in utter disgust as she felt Scabior's tongue over her skin. He lapped up her blood and Hermione tried to fight hysteria but she was getting crazy ideas, for instance that Scabior was actually a vampire…
Her sharp mind dully noted that he looked too... 'healthy' to be a vampire, but Hermione couldn't really focus on logical thoughts. At the moment she could only think of all the horror movies she had ever watched, whether they were about vampires or maniacal killers or some other dreadful creature.
She tried to think of something to say, something to keep both his and her mind off of what he was doing.
"What about Professor Mopsus?" she asked and that took Scabior by surprise, as it was completely unrelated to what he was saying and doing at the moment.
"What about him? he asked.
"Is he here? And is he still alive?"
"'Is he here? Is he alive'" Scabior mimicked her derisively. "You should be more concerned for your own life, beautiful. But fine, I'll indulge you – the good professor is here, indeed, and he's most definitely alive, because we've been questioning him about the future. We went through a lot of trouble to get him – he had placed a series of very powerful protective enchantments on his London house, but the Dark Lord thought it was worth it, if he could tip us off about what we needed to do in the future so that we could take over the wizarding world."
Scabior licked her wrist once more, sucking on the cut and forcibly extracting more blood. Hermione tried to keep him talking a while longer, so she inquired more about the seer.
"And what else did he tell you?"
"Among other things, Mopsus confirmed that the one who would be the new Dark Lord is the one who had escaped something worse than death – obviously in reference to the Dementor's kiss. He also said that if that fate could be avoided he wouldn't be able to survive the strongest power in the world. We didn't know what he meant by that, and he wasn't sure either, but he knew it was something that Dumbledore said – and that made us realize it was 'love' that he was talking about. Professor Mopsus spends most of his time in Japan, which is why he didn't know it, but everyone else knew Dumbledore was ranting on and on about the power of love, and since Mopsus already made that prediction about a dragon and a lioness… well, it wasn't that hard to put two and two together, and figure out that you and Draco Malfoy getting engaged was about the worst possible thing that could ever happen."
Scabior stopped talking for a while, but only to go back to playing with strands of her hair, which turned painful when he started pulling on them, hard.
"Besides, Draco doesn't deserve to get to play with you. I've earned that right – and you know what? I think you have too many clothes on you", Scabior said, as he took his wand out of his coat pocket and cast Immobulus on Hermione.
She tried not to panic, but being immobilized was horrible – even being restrained was preferable, because at least then she could try to loosen the restraints, but to be unable to move and completely at Scabior's mercy…it felt horrible.
Scabior untied her other wrist, and then raised the upper half of her body up so that he could remove her jacket, dropping it unceremoniously on the floor.
Hermione was glad that she had a lot of layers of clothing on – February was a cold month in Scotland, so underneath her jacket, she had a dark blue cotton jumper, and underneath it she had a T-shirt and a bra. To complete her getup, she had on a pair of black jeans, under which she also had a pair of thick tights, and she wore thick socks in wool lined boots to keep her feet reasonably warm.
"This should go, too", Scabior said, as he removed her jumper, and Hermione would have shivered if she hadn't been immobilized.
Her arms were now exposed but at least Scabior stopped there. Hermione didn't take much comfort from it because she knew he might continue at any time.
"Finite", Scabior said, and Hermione could move again – well, as much as the restraints allowed.
"I want you to struggle, that's the reason I released you from the freezing charm – just like I want you to scream sooner or later, even if so far you haven't indulged me. But no matter, I'm sure I can it happen, as I'm only getting started', Scabior said silkily.
Hermione tried to not let what he was saying get to her. She would not show fear, she wanted to at least die with dignity if she had to die… but she hadn't given up hope… if only she could focus on summoning her wand to her… but it proved impossible under the circumstances.
As Scabior started cutting her T-shirt, she ignored the feel of the cold blade of the letter opener against her skin, and thought about how ironic it was that she had survived the Battle of Hogwarts only to end up as pray to a survivor of the same battle, but from the opposite side.
Scabior had cut her shirt enough to let her bellybutton show, and he poked at it with the letter opener, but didn't make any new cuts yet.
Hermione wanted to speak, to try and distract Scabior from his purpose, but she just couldn't find anything to say, and that was unusual for her… but little by little, she was starting to see no way out and it was affecting her morale.
And then Scabior took things to a different level when he suddenly used one of his hands to grab her chin and tilt her face up, and then proceeded to kissing her.
It was a violent and intrusive kiss – in fact, the word 'kiss' couldn't even apply, it was an assault, and although Hermione struggled to keep her lips firmly closed, Scabior managed to slip past her defences.
Hermione felt like retching but then gasped in outrage, involuntarily allowing him deeper access, because Scabior pressed the blade to her left breast and this time he drew blood, and probably a lot of it by the pain she felt, and the wetness soaking what remained of her t-shirt.
He finally stopped kissing her to admire his work, and then made another deep cut, this time on her other breast, and Hermione winced in pain, but didn't make a sound. She really didn't want to give him the satisfaction.
Hermione could feel that with her blood, her life was draining out of her – she felt weak and dizzy and the cuts that Scabior inflicted all hurt and burned… it wasn't quite as painful as back when Bellatrix tortured her with the Cruciatus curse, but she knew it was more dangerous, because of the blood loss.
Because she didn't know how much time she had left, her thoughts went to Draco and how their future together was never going to happen now. She hoped he'd find happiness with someone else, eventually, because Hermione wanted him to have a wonderful life even if she wasn't around to share it with him. Perhaps Daphne's sister, Astoria could comfort him, Hermione thought, her mind all over the place, because on several occasions she caught the younger girl looking at Draco with a certain glint in her eyes.
Either way, at least Lucius was out of Azkaban now, so he and Narcissa would make sure Draco would recover from losing her.
But it hurt so bad knowing she was never going to see him again – it hurt worse than even the Cruciatus curse, and Hermione felt her heart breaking, her chest painful with the sorrow that filled her.
"Draco", she whispered, like saying goodbye.
"Calling for your lover won't help you, beautiful"
"I beg to differ. Crucio!"
Half an hour ago at Hogwarts…
Draco was going mad. He had no idea whether Hermione was still alive or not and the waiting was the hardest part, because he felt like he should be doing something, anything.
Weasley had been unusually sharp by getting his brother to send them all shield cloaks, hats and gloves from his shop, and now they were all equipped with these special clothing items.
Other than that, they were a quiet group, as everyone was plagued by the same worries and they were all high strung, waiting for a sign from the Deluminator.
"Do you all know your defensive and duelling spells?" Potter asked at one point, and everyone assented.
"Whoever it is that took Hermione, he's mine", Draco said darkly. "I was trying to be good, to atone for my past mistakes, but I've been provoked beyond endurance by this Observer person, so when I get my wand pointed at him, he'll wish he never provoked a 'nice' person like me".
"Draco, we're not going there for you to punish the Observer, but to save Hermione, that's our most important goal", Padma reminded him gently.
"Of course it is, I know that", he snapped at her. "I just mean, once she's safe, that I don't want any of you taking him out."
"We're walking into a fight, Malfoy", Potter said. 'We can't afford to pick who we fight – we'll be lucky if we can hold them all off and get out of there safe and sound, all of us, Hermione included".
He was right, of course, but besides being almost mad with worry, Draco was also furious on the Observer for all his interference between him and Hermione. He wanted to lash out at him and this new Dark Lord and all of his followers and destroy them all…
'Look everyone', Luna said in a happy little voice, interrupting his murderous thoughts. When Draco looked at her, she was pointing at the Deluminator.
It was glowing, and as the room fell completely silent instantly and Hermione's voice could be heard faintly – she was saying his name, 'Draco'.
'This is it people, everyone place a finger on the Deluminator, or if you can't reach it, at least keep your other hand on someone who is touching the Deluminator', Potter instructed.
'But careful where you're touching', Finnigan said with a laugh, though Draco didn't understand how he could be in the mood for jokes.
Draco didn't really care either. He was just glad that he got to touch the Deluminator, because if anyone needed to get to Hermione, then it was him… well, perhaps Potter and Weasley too, if he was completely honest.
'We don't know what we'll find once we get there, so be prepared to fight', Ginny said, and Draco's mind duly noticed that she made the perfect girlfriend for Potter with the way she was always backing him up, whether in Quidditch or other occasions.
'Everyone think of Hermione!' Weasley said.
They did and a moment later the bluish light of the Deluminator started expanding, until in engulfed them all. There was a short moment when Draco felt weightless and then suddenly he found himself in the same room as Hermione.
He quickly took in the situation and what he saw made him see red – not just because of his explosive anger, but because the white bed sheets on the cot that Hermione was strapped on had turned red, and it was clear that it was Hermione's blood.
Scabior was cutting her and she looked deathly pale - and her eyes had lost the spark that he knew and loved.
Just then, Scabior spoke, oblivious of the ten people that had materialized behind him.
"Calling for your lover won't help you, beautiful", he said, and Draco was happy to tell him otherwise.
"I beg to differ. Crucio!" he shouted, his wand pointed at Scabior's back.
The others seemed to have had the same idea, as the next moment an amalgam of spells could be heard – a powerful mixture of 'Stupefy', 'Immobulus', 'Petrificus Totalus', 'Incarcerous' that had Scabior lifted off of Hermione and sent flying across the room, where he landed with a thud on the stone floor, unconscious, his face contorted with pain from Draco's Cruciatus curse.
Despite his boiling rage, Draco found that at the moment he didn't care about Scabior – he released him from the curse and ran to Hermione. He could feel his eyes filling with tears because although she was weakened, she was alive. Alive!
His heart was beating wildly against his chest, he was so incredibly relieved that he could hardly believe it.
'You came for me', she whispered weakly as Draco quickly cast every healing spell he knew, joined shortly by Potter with his 'Vulnera Sanentur '.
Hermione looked better by the minute, colour returning to her face, and Draco felt like he could breathe again, now that she was recovering.
Luna came over and took a small vial from her pocket which she offered to Draco.
'It's a mixture of my own making that contains Essence of Dittany and Murtlap Essence – it should help with the healing, it will take away the pain and it will ensure Hermione's skin is left with no scars', she explained serenely. 'I keep it around to treat all my bites and scratches – I hang around magical creatures a lot, you see, and sometimes we play a bit too hard.'
Draco told her a heartfelt 'thank you', and then applied the substance on Hermione's cuts, making sure that in the process Potter didn't get to see any part of Hermione that he wasn't supposed to see. He almost laughed that in such a situation he could still be jealous.
'What do we do now?' Dean asked.
'We might have set off some sort of silent caterwauling charm, which means we have to act now, before they come for us or we'll all be trapped in this room', Padma argued with cold logic.
'We should take Hermione and go – the Deluminator can take us back to Hogwarts', Weasley said.
Everyone agreed, but then Hermione spoke.
'No, Ron, we can't. Michael is here, and probably Professor Mopsus too. We have to get them out, we can't leave them here.'
'Hermione is right', Potter was quick to agree. 'But we can divide in two groups – Malfoy, you can take Hermione back and anyone else who wants to go with them can do so, but I'm staying.'
'I'm not going anywhere', Hermione said, and she asked Draco to help her get up.
He had already untied her restraints when he applied Luna's potion on her cuts, so now all he had to do was to gently help her into a sitting position.
"We not only have to save Michael and Professor Mopsus, but Draco and I have to take care of Barty Crouch Jr.", she said, which made everyone let out sounds of disbelief.
"HE is the new Dark Lord? But how can it be, wasn't he dead, kissed by a Dementor?" Weasley asked.
"The how of it is not important at the moment, Ron – what's important is that we stop him here and now… or die trying."
'Then we're all staying', Ginny said, and the rest of them consented.
Hermione got up from the cot and Draco watched her carefully as she went to the table to retrieve her wand.
'Are you sure you are up for this? I don't want anything to happen to you!', he said, worried sick by the possibility that he may lose her still.
'I don't usually believe in predictions, you know that, but I'd rather not take any chances, and the prediction said we had to fight together. Besides, I couldn't let my friends fight while I run and hide like a coward.'
That was his fierce lioness, Draco thought with a rueful smile. There was no point in arguing with her when she was in full Gryffindor mode, he knew that much.
'Let's go, then', he said.
'Wait, let's take a moment to try to distribute tasks – someone should stay on this level of the house and look for Michael and Professor Mopsus and other prisoners, if there are any', Hermione said.
'I'd like to stay behind', Parvati said.
'Who else wants to stay with her?' Padma asked. 'There might be Death Eaters around too, so Parvati can't stay down here alone, plus once we start our attack some of them might come here to check on the prisoners.'
'I'll stay with her', Finnigan volunteered, going to stand by Parvati, as the girl gave him a small smile.
'And someone should watch that scum over there', Draco pointed out, not wanting Scabior forgotten – after all, it wouldn't do if he somehow managed to free himself and escape. Draco wanted him punished, and punished thoroughly.
'I'll keep an eye on him', Thomas offered.
'Seamus, you keep the Deluminator', Weasley said. 'Wait for us to come back – once we've hopefully defeated everyone, we'll come get you so that we can use the Deluminator to get out of here.'
'Oh, before we left, I went to Headmistress McGonagall', Ginny said. 'I told her what we were planning to do and that she should talk to the Minister to trace me and Luna – we're still underage so we have the trace, which means by now they've probably seen where we are and are apparating here… assuming that 'here' is within the range of apparition, but if not, I'm sure they're coming for us on brooms, thestrals, hippogriffs, whatever, so we should have reinforcements soon.'
'Well, done, Ginny', Potter congratulated her.
'Yes, very good thinking', Padma agreed.
'But we can't wait for them to come, we must assume that they know we're here so let's go already', Weasley urged.
'Just one more thing before we go, Hermione', Weasley said and he handed her something. 'Put these one', he said and at first Draco didn't see what he was talking about, he thought it was just a jumper or something to keep her warm, given her state of ..undress…
But then he saw that what Weasley gave her was a set of those shielded clothes they were all wearing.
'Thank you, Ron, these will prove useful', she said with a grateful smile and Draco tried hard not to be jealous. It was really good – and smart – of Weasley to get protective clothing for Hermione, and it proved how confident he'd been that they'd find her alive. Draco was grudgingly impressed.
He nodded his appreciation to Weasely, who nodded back. This time they didn't need words to communicate – especially as they usually jumped at each other's' throats when they talked. Their eyes said everything there was to say, and for once Draco felt that he and… oh, fine, RON, had a chance at being 'amicable', at the very least.
Thomas stayed behind with a still knocked out Scabior, while the rest of them exited the basement room. They could see that they were standing in a rather long corridor – to their right a flight of stairs led to ground level, while to their left there were six more doors.
Parvati and Finnigan went to the left and headed toward the closest door, while the rest of them headed towards the stairs.
Draco and Hermione had just taken a few steps up when they heard someone coming down the stairs. They didn't wait to see who it was – about half a dozen spells hit the two Death Eaters who had undoubtedly come to check on things, tipped off by some form of alarm spell.
However, their voices rang rather loud and echoed off the walls, in the otherwise silent mansion – and it had to be a mansion by the sheer size of it.
'They must have heard us, let's hurry!' Potter said, and they all increased their pace. Once they got into the spacious main lobby of the mansion, all hell broke loose. The door to a large room at their left was open, and inside there were dozens of Death Eaters, who started attacking the moment that they saw them.
In the ensuing battle, jets of light from various spells flew in every direction and Draco pretty much lost track of what was happening, and unfortunately he couldn't afford to keep an eye on Hermione, because he needed to focus his full attention on duelling the Death Eaters.
What he did know was that about five minutes into the battle, the walls of the mansion shook, and in the next moment, the entrance doors were blown wide open, and reinforcements came in: McGonagall was first, followed by Flitwick, Shacklebolt and about a dozen of his Aurors, Slughorn, the senior Weasleys as well as two of their sons, the Beauxbaton champion with them, and an old man that looked like Dumbledore (so much in fact, that Draco did a double take that almost cost him his life).
Draco could only be glad that their odds were better now, but the battle was far from won. However, he fought with all he had, partly because he wanted to survive, and he wanted everyone on their side to also make it out of the battle alive, but partly because he really did want revenge. The Death Eaters had ruined his life before, when they were following Voldemort, and they were ruining his life now, under Crouch's leadership, and he wanted to show them that it wasn't wise to anger him. He'd grown a lot from the time when he'd become a Death Eater himself, he wasn't the same person, and this new person was more like his name indicated - a dragon, one who shouldn't be provoked.
Hermione knew she couldn't afford sluggish reactions, so she ignored her pain (because no matter how good Luna's potion was, it wasn't quite that good as to make Hermione feel as good as new) and fought back for all she was worth.
She was sure that the shield clothing saved her a number of times, especially when she found herself facing Hecate, who duelled viciously, and yet didn't use any of the unforgivable curses. Hermione managed to stun her, a minute or so into the fight, and just then Professor McGonagall blasted the doors open and joined the fight, with other professors, the minister and his aurors, not to mention the Weasleys.
Hermione was glad of the extra help, because otherwise it would have been next to impossible to defeat all those Death Eaters, but on the other hand, so many more people were in danger now. She feared for Draco and for her friends, and now for the newcomers too… this battle was so much like the Battle of Hogwarts, that she dreaded thinking who would survive and who wouldn't…
But she couldn't lose focus, so she fought, casting spell after spell – and defending herself as well as she could. At one point Hermione avoided a spell aimed at her at the last possible minute, and it cut her across the left side of her face, cutting her check and some of the hair in the process, and although it stung, at least it wasn't worse.
Another time she found herself back to back with Draco, as they fought two adversaries each. Professor Flitwick came to their rescue, taking care of two of the Death Eaters, so that Hermione and Draco could stun the other two and tie them up with Incarcerous.
Although it was a life and death situation, Hermione didn't think she could fight to kill, so she did her best with the rest of the spells at her disposal.
Throughout the fight, it was hard to hear one thing in particular among the shouted spells and the cries of pain when someone was hit, and yet at one point Hermione heard Ginny's voice over the noise, as she was shouting at the top of her voice, asking 'Dean, what on earth are you doing!?'
Hermione looked around and spotted Dean with Scabior by his side, and both their wands were pointed toward Slughorn and Shacklebolt with whom they were duelling.
She couldn't understand why Dean would have let Scabior go and why he was fighting for the wrong side, but he was most likely imperiused… hopefully someone could defeat Scabior so that Dean would be released from the influence of the curse… and also because Hermione knew that if not taken out of the fight, Scabior would be coming for her, or worse, for Draco.
However, she had worse things to worry about. Ron was barely standing, and it appeared like one of his legs was broken, Ginny had blood pouring from a deep cut on her forehead, and Neville's left arm was hanging limply by his side, although he still valiantly fired off spells (as he was right-handed).
There were plenty of Death Eaters who had been taken out of the fight, and yet plenty of Death Eaters who were still up and about – Hermione, however, wandered whether the mansion would still be standing by the time the battle was done, because what furniture there was in the lobby before, now they were all splintered into pieces, there were holes in the walls, and the chandelier had long since fallen and shattered into a million pieces – and someone was caught beneath it, Hermione noticed, but she couldn't tell who it was.
And then there was no time to look around as Crouch himself came for her. Hermione barely managed to avoid getting burned to a crisp by the Fiendfyre he cast, because Draco jumped in front of her, casting Protego Duo. Together they fought him off, casting spell after spell, most of which he easily deflected, but eventually they started gaining ground and finally, they managed to break through his protective spell and hit him – he fell back, stunned, on top of a broken table leg which ran him through the stomach.
Hermione averted her eyes from the gruesome scene, and it was at the opportune moment, because this time Scabior was coming for her. Draco saw him too, so he joined Hermione in fighting him – luckily, he was easier to defeat than Crouch, taken down by a combination of Immobulus and Petrificus Totalus, a formidable combination that would ensure he wouldn't be moving anytime soon.
But there was no time to rejoice in defeating Scabior, as Hermione had to deal with someone else, this time Hecate's father.
By the time she defeated him with a well-aimed Levicorpus, followed by a stunning spell, the fight around her was finished. They were victorious!
At what cost though? Hermione looked around, checking to see if everyone was accounted for… and they were, but Dean was… was…
She walked up to Professor McGonagall, who was kneeling next to him.
'Is he…?'
'I'm afraid so, Miss Granger', the headmistress answered.
Dean dead! Hermione felt stunned.
'I think it was my fault – I saw him attack Professor Slughorn and hit him with a jinx, can't even remember what it was', Ginny said sadly.
'No, it wasn't you, your jinx definitely didn't kill him, but I was fighting with Rowle and one of my spells ricocheted, and hit the chandelier and it fell on top of him', Kingsley said, regret filling his voice.
'I think he was under the influence of the Imperius curse – we always suspected Scabior and Crouch had a spy inside Hogwarts, so he must have been the one.' Ron said. 'I mean, Hecate was probably spying too, but she was under rather close watch, so perhaps she had help.'
'She's dead too', Neville said. 'Hecate, I mean.'
'What?' Hermione exclaimed. 'But I didn't kill her, I simply took her out of the fight.'
'She must have been hit by another spell that missed its target', Harry said.
'Half a dozen Death Eaters are dead too – Crouch included, I checked', Professor Flitwick told them.
'We have plenty of injured people so we have to get back to the castle so that Madam Pomfrey can treat the students', Professor McGonagall said.
'My aurors will get their treatement at St. Mungo's', Kingsley said, 'but I will join you at Hogwarts so that we can piece this entire story together. I have a porkey prepared for those who are too weak or unable to apparate – I've arranged for it ever since you told me about this situation, Headmistress.'
'That was very well thought, Minister. Everyone, gather round, we need to take the portkey and leave.'
'Professor McGonagall, we have to go down to the dungeon and get Parvati, Seamus and possibly Michael too, maybe even Professor Mopsus', Hermione pointed out.
'Oh, yes, of course, I didn't know there were more people here.'
'We'll go get them', Harry said, and he and Ginny hurried down the stairs.
'Everyone who can apparate, please do so now – if you would please go to the front gates of the castle, Mr. Filch will be waiting there to let you in', the Headmistress instructed the students.
'Aurors, those of you who are well enough to apparate, please take the prisoners to Azkaban, as well as the dead Death Eaters – they can be buried there. The rest of you, if you are feeling well enough to apparate, help those who are hurt to get to St Mungo's', Shaklebolt said, giving his own orders.
One by one, the students and professors disapparated, and the aurors did so as well, taking the Death Eaters (dead or alive) with them.
Hermione held Draco by the hand and shook her head – she didn't want to go before seeing everyone returned safely from the dungeons.
But when Harry and Ginny returned, they were white faced and they were accompanying a crying Parvati and a grim faced Seamus, plus a wobbling Professor Mopsus.
'Where's Michael?' Hermione asked warily, not sure she wanted to hear the answer.
'He didn't make it', Seamus said.
'But Scabior told me he was alive!' Hermione said, not wanting to believe there was yet another victim.
'When Parvati and I got there, he was barely hanging on to life. He only smiled when he saw us and then… he just died…'
Hermione could feel tears falling down her cheeks, for Michael, For Dean… perhaps even for Hecate, who had been so misguided by her father and the company he kept.
'Where's Dean?' Samus asked, and Hermione cried harder when Professor McGonagall explained, an Seamus let out a scream that was more of a howl.
She didn't want to know or think about it anymore, so she squeezed Draco's hand and he apparated them near Hogwarts.
Filch was there to let them in, and they walked to the castle, not saying anything, Draco keeping a firm and reassuring arm around Hermione's soulders, for which she was grateful.
When they final entered the castle, they stopped, at a loss as to where they should go.
'I suppose the Minister and the Headmistress will want to talk to us now rather than later, so let's just go up to her office, OK?' Draco said. 'If you're feeling up for it, that is.'
Hermione didn't feel up to anything, but she didn't have much of a choice.
'If you mean physically – I'm fine. Luna's potion worked fine and my cuts hurt less and less by the minute, so I can barely feel them anymore now… but I'm not sure I can go through a thorough questioning.'
'I'll be with you', Draco said, and kissed the top of her head.
'I know, and your presence is the only thing that's keeping me from falling apart.'
Before they could say anything more, Professor Mcgonagall came up behind them.
'Ms. Granger, Mr. Malfoy, do you think you can come up to my office and tell the Minister everything that happened this day?'
'We can', Draco said curtly.
'Let's go then, everyone else will arrive shortly, and some of your colleagues are already there.'
Once everyone was in the Headmistress' office, McGonagall asked Hermione to tell her what happened after she was kidnapped.
Hermione told them all – how she was shocked to discover the Observer was Scabior, who had not died during the Battle of Hogwarts, and how the new Dark Lord was Crouch who hadn't really been kissed by a Dementor and how they recruited Death Eaters. Then she told them about how they captured Professor Mopsus and later on Michael and how Scabior made efforts to change his accent so that he would sound like the Ravenclaw student, so that he could infiltrate Hogwarts.
She didn't dwell long about how Scabior cut her and kissed her, she wasn't ready to share that with anyone – perhaps not even with Draco, although he'd seen the cuts, so that part wasn't a secret anymore.
"Miss Weasley, now it's your turn – you weren't very explicit when you told me about how you found out Miss Granger's whereabouts."
Ginny and Ron and Harry took turns in explaining about the Deluminator and how it worked and then everyone took turns in talking about who fought who, until they were finally up to date.
'You're all free to go, now. Thank you for being so brave in fighting the Death Eaters and in telling us everything now', the Minister said.
The students exited the office, one by one, all of them silent, some of them sniffling quietly.
"What now?" Hermione asked, feeling lost and empty.
"Now you come with me", Draco said as he took her by the hand and led her away from the others.
Draco wanted to get Hermione away from her friends, because he didn't trust any of them to not say or do the wrong thing, and he wanted to help Hermione get over the traumatic moments that she had been through.
"I'm taking you to the Slytherin boys dormitory – tonight you'll sleep in my arms, and I won't have no for an answer", he said, and Hermione simply nodded, letting him drag her down towards the dungeons.
"I'll have to stop for a bit to talk to Blaise – he needs to know about Hecate, but after that I'll join you in bed. You'll be able to tell which bed is mine because on the nightstand next to it there is an assorted collection of paper clippings of you."
That got a reaction out of her.
"You have photos of me on your nightstand?" Hermione asked breathlessly.
"I do, I cut them from the Daily Prophet, since you didn't give me a photo of you", he said, teasing gently.
"Oh", she said. "I have that album that your mother gave me, but I would like some recent photos."
"How about we get some photos taken, of us together?"
"I'd love that", Hermione said and he could hear it in her voice that it was heartfelt.
Although he regretted that Dean Thomas and Michael Corner died, Draco was glad that at least the new Dark Lord and his followers had been defeated, just like Professor Mopsus predicted. This time there really wasn't anything standing in his and Hermione's way, they could be together.
However, before that, he really did have to see how he was going to handle Blaise, as they reached the entrance to the Common Room.
As soon as they entered, Theo came running to them.
"Draco, Hermione, are you all right? Where have you been? There've been all sorts of wild rumors around the castle… I've heard from Moaning Myrtle, who heard it from that portrait near the entrance to the Headmistress office, that you and the professors were in a battle against Death Eaters, is that true?"
"Slow down, Theo", Draco said calmly. "I'm taking Hermione to the dormitory, where she can rest for a bit before I join her – I'll explain everything to you, and Blaise. He's here, isn't he?" Draco asked, as he looked around, trying to see his other best friend.
"Yes, he is, he's over there by the fireplace. He told me about Hecate and how Hermione got kidnapped…" he looked like he was about to launch into another long speech, so Draco shook his head at him.
"All right, then, I'll wait."
"This way, Hermione", Draco said and he led her to the door of the dormitory. "It's immediately to your right, but you'll see the photos, in any case. Get in bed and try to sleep, OK? And don't worry, I'll be with your shortly."
She nodded and entered the room, while Draco headed towards Blaise and Theo, who were sitting with Daphne and Astoria.
"What happened?" Blaise asked grimly, to the point.
"I'm sorry, Blaise, but Hecate is dead", Draco said, thinking that it was best to get the worst out of the way. He saw his friend flinch and blanch, and felt sad for him, but there was no easy way to do this.
"How did it happened?" Blaise asked, his voice slightly trembling.
Draco told him as much as he knew, how she had fought with Hermione at some point and that Hecate got stunned, and then other spells must have hit her.
Blaise listened quietly, as did the rest of them. Draco told them the rest of the story too, who else had died, which of the Death Eaters had survived and had been taken to Azkaban, but he kept the story as short as possible – his thought were with the girl who was in his bed, and who was surely suffering from her ordeal.
"Now I am going to Hermione, she's been through a lot and I need to be with her, to make things right. I really am sorry, Blaise."
"You shouldn't be", Blaise said, then he stormed out of the room.
To Draco's surprise, Astoria went after him.
"Since when were they friends?" Draco asked Daphne.
"Well, Astoria has been feeling quite sorry for him since Hecate betrayed him the first time, and she's been talking to him, and now I guess they're friends – he can talk to her like he can't talk to us, for some reason", she said, clearly puzzled about it.
"I hope she can comfort him, but now I have my own comforting to do."
"Take your time", Theo said. "Something tells me Blaise will go running to the Room of Requirement for the night, he probably wants to be alone – if Astoria lets him… but if they spend the night together, even better, I say."
"Hey, that's my little sister you're talking about", Daphne protested.
"She's not so little as to not know what she's doing, Daph, leave her be. As for us, we'll sleep right here, in the Common Room tonight. That extendable couch will be more than enough – I think you and Hermione should spend the night alone."
Daphne said she thought so as well and Draco thanked them.
He would have taken Hermione to the Room of Requirement if he hadn't needed to tell Blaise about Hecate first. But it was good that he had let his friends in on the secret of that room, because now Blaise could use it and he and Hermione could have the boys' dormitory all to themselves.
When he entered the room, Hermione was curled in a ball in his bed, and she was staring without seeing anything… silent tears were pouring down her cheeks, wetting his pillow. Draco didn't care about the pillow, but his heart gave a painful lurch to see her suffer so.
He climbed in the bed with her, spooning her protectively, one arm over hers, the other gently running through her hair in reassuring motions.
"I still can't believe they're dead", she said, sobbing. "Not again, when we've already lost so many people during the Battle of Hogwarts and even before then, once Voldemort returned."
"I know, and I'm sorry, I wish no one had died", Draco said, as he pulled Hermione closer into his arms, trying to wrap her up in his warmth and love.
"But it's over now, you're safe, we're safe", he added reassuringly, as he kissed her temple.
"I thought I was going to die and never see you again", she said, as she turned on her other side to bury he face into Draco's chest.
"I was afraid I'd be too late to save you, too, but we made it, and we should be grateful that we did and make sure to make the best of this second chance we've been given."
Hermione didn't say anything, she just snuggled closer to him, her body slightly trembling in his arms, and Draco held on to her, but didn't say anything more, waiting for Hermione to speak, if she felt the need to.
"He kissed me", she whispered moments later, and Draco felt himself burn in anger. That Scabior scum was not going to see the light of day again, if he had anything to say about it - he truly hoped that Scabior would be locked up in the darkest cell of Azkaban, with no creatures comforts, so that all he would be doing for the rest of his miserable life would be to stare at the walls and despair at the hopelessness of his situation.
Hermione spoke again, interrupting his hate-filled thoughts.
"It was intrusive and disgusting and it felt even worse than when he cut me… and he also drank some of my blood…"
Draco was on a whole new level of anger. What kind of sick bastard would do something like that? He didn't even have vampirism as an excuse… he was simply deranged, and yet Draco wanted to cast the Cruciatus curse on him again and again, until he'd truly regret having ever laid a finger on his Hermione.
'Will you kiss me?' Hermione asked, and Draco felt his heart melt at her shy plea.
"Of course I'll kiss you, I've been wanting to do that since I saw you were alive back at that mansion, I just didn't know if you'd want that… because I didn't know what Scabior had done…", he admitted another one of his great fears, besides that of finding her dead.
"I didn't think I'd want to do anything intimate this soon, but I feel like your taste would instantly obliterate his, and I don't want to feel his taste in my mouth one second longer..."
Draco didn't need to be told again. He pressed his lips to her and gently inserted his tongue in her mouth, exploring every single inch, cleaning it from Scabior's unwanted presence there.
Hermione started responding to his kiss and Draco knew that everything was going to be all right.
"Do you think a shower and some toothpaste might help you feel better?" he asked her when they stopped for breath.
"I already feel wonderful thanks to your kissing, but I have to admit I'd love a shower and some toothpaste, if you don't mind sharing", she said with a small smile.
"I can also give you some of my clothes if you want", Draco offered, thrilled by the possibility of seeing her wearing a shirt of his – the image that was instantly conjured in his mind was incredibly erotic and he felt himself grow hard.
"Although I appreciate the generous offer, I already cleaned mine with Tergeo."
Draco was extremely disappointed, so he tried to change her mind, despite feeling slightly guilty that after all they'd been through, he was in the mood to make love to her… but old habits die hard, especially as sex with Hermione was so much better than with any other girl he'd ever been with.
"I would have thought that being raised by muggles, you'd feel more comfortable wearing clean clothes, rather than clothes cleaned with Tergeo", he teased and she finally laughed.
"You just want to see me wearing your clothes, don't you?" she asked, and he could only laugh back, because, as always, Hermione had him figured out all too well.
"Perhaps I do, so just indulge me, OK?"
She winced, and Draco didn't know what it was that he said wrong, but then she got up from bed and headed towards the bathroom.
"Hang on, I want to take a shower too", he said, following her inside the smaller room.
"And who said you're allowed to take a shower with me?" she teased.
"Oh, like we've never done that before", he teased right back.
They got into the shower together, and Draco dedicated special attention to every inch of her body, thoroughly washing her with his hands on which he had liberally applied his ocean scented soap. He was pleased to notice that there were no signs left of the cuts Scabior made… her skin was once more flawless. He needed to remember to get Luna Lovegood something nice for her help with that potion.
But he couldn't think of Luna a moment longer now, as he slipped his hands over Hermione's already pebble tipped breasts, and then lower over the belly, slipping one soap soaked finger inside of her, making her whimper, and hold on to his shoulders for support, as her legs gave. He loved eliciting sounds from her and he also loved making Hermione smell like him, although he preferred to 'mark' her with his natural scent, after they made love, rather than with the soap. For the moment, however, the soap would have to do. He didn't want to push her farther than she wanted to go that evening. It had been a too long and eventful day, after all.
But Hermione practically purred in his hands, and then she washed him back, equally dedicated to not leaving an inch of skin untouched. Her touch had its unique magic that drove him crazy and Draco was sure he was going to explode if she didn't stop soon, so he caught her hands in his and looked her straight in the eyes, arching one eye brow questioningly, asking for permission.
She gave him such a sassy smile in return, that he kissed her for all he was worth, and then he released her hands so that he could lift her up – Hermione dutifully encircled his waist with her legs, and then they were one, and he was going in and out of her fast and deep, driven by the need to feel her ever closer, of burying himself as deep inside of her as was physically possible.
Hermione grabbed his shoulders even harder, her nails cutting into his upper back, but that only gave Draco more pleasure as the intensity of their lovemaking took them both over the edge, and left them panting for air, forehead to forehead, their breaths mingling together.
Draco lowered her so that she was standing again, but held her up as she seemed a little unsure on her feet.
"I hope I wasn't too rough", he voiced his worries. "It's just that all these intense feelings I've had all day sort of surfaced and I came undone, I couldn't act with restraint."
"Don't worry, I needed this", Hermione said, kissing him tenderly.
"And I need you in my life permanently – now!" Draco said, throwing caution to the wind. "I don't want to wait any longer – would you marry me, immediately after we graduate?" he asked, holding his breath as he waited for her answer.
"I don't think I could stand to be separated from you again, either, and I certainly don't want to go back to living with my parents if I can live with you instead. So that's a yes", she said with a wide smile, and Draco gave her a wide grin in return, happy that she accepted, and mentally rolling his eyes that she had to make such a long, detailed phrase out of it rather than saying a simple three letter word.
They kissed passionately and Draco took her in his arms again and spun her around a couple of times, both of them laughing with the joy of their mutual love that filled their souls and healed any hurt.