Hermione, levitating Bellatrix, crashed through the forest at an alarming pace. Every now and then she paused to glance at the older witch. However, Bella's condition had not improved.
Bellatrix's lips were turning blue and she hadn't stopped shivering since Hermione found her. Hermione could hear small sounds coming from her mouth, but she couldn't make out any words.
Now and then Bella would start thrashing and her voice would rise in fright, but she would always calm down a few minutes later.
Hermione's heart thudded against her chest and she had several cuts from branches. She ran as fast as she could towards the castle, towards McGonagall.
She can fix it. She can fix it. Hermione kept repeating.
After what felt like hours Hermione could make out the lights of the castle. Just a little while longer, Bella! Hermione reassured her.
Bellatrix did not respond, still unconscious.
Stumbling and tripping over everything in her path, Hermione raced towards the familiar stone turrets of Hogwarts. She was already mapping out what she would say to the stern Head of House.
Finally coming over the last hill of the forest, it was a clear shot to safety. Hermione sprinted like she had never done in her life, levitated Bellatrix close behind.
There were almost there! So close when Hermione heard a groan. She froze and turned to Bellatrix.
Cracking open her eyes, Bella surveyed the situation. Her gaze fell on Hermione's worried face, and the tears building up.
"Don't worry, Bella. I'm going to get you to safety." Hermione said.
Bella pulled back in shock, "No! You weren't supposed to find me…."
"But I did. Do you honestly think I was going to be fooled and let you die alone in the forest?" Hermione asked incredulously.
"I am dead weight, muddy." Bellatrix said. She noticed Hermione recoil at the use fo the term, but she didn't care. Hermione couldn't develop feelings for her! She would not let this happen!
"My Lord is after you and Potter and Weasel. You need to be with them where they can protect you. I'm being hunted. Besides, I can't give you anything, what in the name of Merlin do you want from me?" Bellatrix's breath was labored and she struggled to form the words.
"Stop that!" Said Hermione, "I have seen something in you that you may not have even know existed, but it's there! You are not killing yourself now just because of me. I will not let you!"
Bellatrix looked into Hermione's flashing eyes and sighed. The witch was determined.
"Well that doesn't really leave me with much of a choice does it?" Bellatrix said.
"Not really" Hermione said smugly.
Bellatrix leaned in, her mind working a mile a minute coming up with a backup plan. Hermione leaned in crashing their lips together in a searing kiss.
Hermione pulled away and said, "I don't know what this is, but I feel something, Bella. I'm not letting you go."
"Fine Hermione." Bellatrix sighed, but inside she was more alive than ever. She had a plan!
As she kissed the younger witch again Bellatrix reached out and snaked her arm around Hermione's waist. She felt through the layers of robes and drew out Hermione's wand. She savored the beautiful moment for one second more before deftly twisting the wand.
Sparks shot out in a flowing arch and both witches vibrated from the power of the spell.
Hermione pulled away instantly, "What was that!" She asked, lowering Bellatrix from her levitation.
Bellatrix slowly pulled herself up to her full height. This was going to be a fight.
"Hermione, I told you the Dark Lord could sense high concentration of magic. Well-" She began
All of a sudden the both heard several loud pops in quick succession.
"They are coming," Bellatrix blurted. As she said this she pushed Hermione behind a tree and shot a stream of purple magic binding her there and silencing her.
Hermione struggled, while knowing it was useless. Bellatrix didn't have a reputation for failing to execute spells. Confused and scared she stared at the older witch who had leaned back on a rock, breathing heavily.
Those spells are certainly more draining that I remembered. You are getting old Bellatrix. She told herself.
Hermione continued searching the forest for the source of the popping sound when she found it. About 12 Death Eaters in dark black robes were advancing out of the trees and towards Bellatrix.
Hermione tried to scream and pulled against the magic to no avail. No! She thought.
Bellatrix saw the Death Eaters as well and grimaced. Come on, chickens. You took long enough.
However, the Death Eaters advanced slowly. They had heard of Bellatrix Lestrange and her prowess as the best Death Eater of them all. They warily circled her, wands drawn.
"Come on chickadees! Come and get me!" Bellatrix leered, "I don't have a wand, see?" She lifted her hands in the air, empty.
The Death Eaters exchanged confused glances. They Lord had placed a bounty on the witch, but they weren't sure if his price was quite worth risking death.
"Pathetic, the lot of you." Bellatrix sneered. Inside she was trembling. The spell on Hermione would wear off in a matter of minutes, and she needed to be gone by then.
"Come and get me!" She shouted, "I won't attack, I-"
But Bellatrix was cut short by a jet of light shot out of the wand of a Death Eater who had been sneaking up behind her.
Bella slumped forward, her head lolled to the side.
The Death Eaters cheered and congratulated the one who stunned her while Hermione shed hot tears behind the tree.
Cowards! She spat. Couldn't even face her when you did it!
The Death Eaters hauled Bellatrix to her feet. Hermione was scared by how lifeless the smaller witch seemed. Her face was completely slack, not an ounce of tension in her body.
The Death Eaters gave a cheer and apparated away with Bellatrix, leaving Hermione alone.
Hermione sagged against the magic binding her and let the tears fall. No, no no. She kept repeating in her mind. This is not happening. This cannot happen. Why would she do this?
Slowly Hermione felt the magic hold on her relax and she fell to the forest floor.
"We were so close" She choked. "Why couldn't you have held on for a few more seconds? Why couldn't you have trusted me?"
She punched the ground and yelled in frustration. Bellatrix Lestrange, you are not getting away from me and out of this so easily! She thought. I will find you and get you back!