Chapter 10, mountains of Cycladone.
The man lay face down in the mud, an arm stretched out, a leg stuck in an awkward angle. He had fuzzy brown hair, matted and greasy looking, covered in dirt and grime. The rest of his body was also covered in coarse hair, his legs and arms all showered with thick, wiry strands. Hermione bent down next to him, silent and cautious. She gingerly prodded him with her finger, watching for a reaction. When none came she gently turned him over and gasped at what she saw. The man's face was covered in blood, the red liquid soaked into his thick beard and dirt smeared over his oafish looking features. He was frowning, even in death, his mouth twisted in a grotesque grimace, his eyebrows knitted together. A small bubble of blood leaked from the corner of his mouth.
There was silence.
No one moved.
The blood bubble popped.
The noise echoed around the small area.
Hermione slowly withdrew her hand and wiped the bloodstains of her hands and onto her jeans. She then turned to look at Draco, who leaned, quite casually, against a close tree. H raised an eyebrow at her, waiting for her to say something ... when she didn't he cleared his throat... he appeared absolutely comftable with the silence which was making Hermione feel awkward and fidgety.
'I thin-'
Whatever Hermione had thought Draco did not find out because at that moment a very big, very fast and very hairy figure came out of nowhere and tackled Draco, sending him flying. Winded but still acutely aware of the situation Draco sprang back up to his feet, ducking just in time to miss the large ham fist that swung at him. The other man, a figure who greatly resembled a bear growled and swung his large fist again, this time coming into contact with Draco's jaw. Draco spun away from the man, but quickly regained his balance. He ducked under the bear-mans next throw an aimed upward thrust punch towards the stomach. The man groaned and fell on his back as Draco drew back his fist to land another punch on his ugly face. But a pair of strong arms wrapped around his waist from behind and he was lifted off his feet. He elbowed the attackers, twisted and flailed but to no success as another beast man ran out from the fallen bear one and caught both fists in one hand, the other coming in contact with Draco's abdomen.
Hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Hermione just gape din shock as Draco was ambushed by the monster men, stumbling backwards, but her legs wouldn't coordinate and she tripped, falling backwards. As she fell another man came out of nowhere and hauled her up again, he swung her over his shoulder and held her hands and feet together, rendering her struggles use less. She screamed for help, unable to fight her attackers. She twisted to look at Malfoy who was busy trying to escape from the forever increasing group of large, hairy men. He turned to her as he failed to kick one of the men. His eyes widened in surprise, as if he'd forgotten she was there. He called out to her, his voice low and frustrated. His struggles increased as Hermione was beginning to be carried into the dense forest, her shrieks reaching his ears even once he could no longer see her.
He then gave up, his shoulders slumping, his limps hanging loosely whilst the men started dragging him in the same direction as granger.
Hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Hermione trembled, her lower lip shaking. She wasn't normally one for crying, but now seemed a good time to start. Don't be ridiculous, she said to herself, since when did you feel the need to cry? Not recently, when I last checked... but then again, she thought, when were you last trapped in a camp of mad men?
She looked around once more, whimpering when she saw her position had not improved. She was tied to a tree with her hands wrapped way to tightly around the rough bark. Her feet only just touched the ground a she was half blind because she was unable to brush her unruly locks out her face. That doesn't sound that bad but seriously, at a time like this, she thought, you really do want to see what's happening around you.
Hermione was pulled roughly from her thoughts when a delicious aroma filled her nose, making her mouth water and her stomach grumble at its empty state. The hairy men, who had a basic camp, with tents, a fire and more hairy women and children, had began to roast a large animal over the flames, several turning it once one side got overheated.
She looked at Malfoy, also tied up; to a wizened tree at the other side of the dining circle. He hadn't moved since they'd got there, his head held high, his gaze following the tribesmen, his expression unreadable. Some grunting were coming from the men by the fire; a smaller, less hairy one with a similar clansman talking with the largest man there, and by far the hairiest. The two leaner ones seemed nervous, one gesturing t Draco in a timid fashion, the other throwing regular glances between both captives, a small crease behind his eyebrows. The leader suddenly laughed and turned Draco, sounding confident. He went over to the motionless wizard and tugged at the ropes, still talking to the other two, patting them on the back slightly mockingly when he strode back to them.
Hermione's insides went cold... he had turned towards her, his laughter subsiding, a masochistic smile forming around his lips, his large hand moving towards the dagger in his belt.