Title: What Binds Us [Chapter 10/??]
Author: Rorania
Rating: R
Warnings: Language, sexual references
Word Count: 2,701
Summary: Starts after HBP. Draco's under protection of the Order, much to the Golden Trio's dismay.
Chapter 十
十じゅう十じゅう十じゅう十じゅう十じゅう
―
Hermione knew their location by heart, and so the two boys gripped her hands as she Disapparated them from a point right outside Hogwarts grounds.
Landing at their destination with a POP! the three looked up at their surroundings. Ron made to run towards the entrance, however he stumbled over his own feet and collapsed sideways into Hermione who fell into Draco, knocking them all to the ground.
"Oi, Weasley! A bit of finesse would be appreciated." Draco groaned.
Ron picked himself up as Draco rolled to his feet. Ron offered his hand to Hermione, but Draco grabbed her upper arms and hauled her to her feet before she could accept. Wrenching away from Draco once she was standing, she glared at him over her shoulder.
Ron gulped as he took in his surroundings. "Is this…"
"Godric's Hollow." Hermione answered.
Through exhaustive research and Dumbledore's portrait's guidance, they learned the only way to find if Harry was the final horcrux was returning to where it started, or ended as it were. Chanting the reverse of the horcrux curse in proximity to where he was cursed, would reveal the truth finally. The process was dangerous however, as the connection could alert Voldemort and bring him upon them.
Draco frowned at them. "Where?"
"It's where Harry's parents died," Hermione answered.
Draco wasn't sure what to make of this.
Ron started forward, quickly. Before Hermione could call out to him, there was a bright flash of light as Ron was thrown back, straight into Hermione and Draco, sending them back to the ground.
This time, however, there was no bickering as all eyes were riveted on the still shimmering forcefield Ron contacted. The three stood slowly, Draco pulling Hermione up, less forcefully this time.
Hermione stared at the forcefield terrified.
"Harry? Harry?!" She took a couple quick steps towards the shield.
Draco ran after her, grabbing for her. "Herm—"
She stopped abruptly, before the shield, but Draco's momentum, as he grabbed her arm, shoved her forward into and through the shield. Draco fell gracelessly through the shield behind her.
Ron walked forward, frowning. Hermione turned to look at him and frowned back. Draco looked down at himself, for what, he did not know.
"What the hell—" exclaimed Ron. "How did you—"
Hermione was thinking. She bit her lip. Glancing at Draco, she noted that they were touching when they broke through. That made no sense. Was it their connection? Why would this magical forcefield have anything to do with her and Draco? It was possibly Harry or Voldemort creating it, so…her touching Draco, could have gotten them through. Or…she thought hard about what would allow Hermione and Draco through a forcefield Harry created, knowingly or unknowingly. Dumbledore said Harry was alive because of love, a power Voldemort knows not. Hermione glanced over at Draco, wide-eyed. His back was to her, as he was looking up at the house. Turning back, she looked at Ron through the forcefield. Slowly, she reached her hand out to the magic field. Ron frowned and started to protest. This caught Draco's attention, and he spun to see Hermione's hand pass through the shield. The magic sizzled and glowed around her wrist. The three looked on in awe.
Hermione's gaze flicked up to Ron's.
"Take my hand."
Ron frowned briefly, before looking at her proffered hand.
"Go on," she nodded, reaching her hand out further.
Draco frowned, watching Ron slowly reach his hand out to take Hermione's. Ron's eyes were squinted, preparing to be thrown back again as his hand clasped Hermione's.
Nothing happened. Hermione smiled in relief, and tugged Ron through the magical barrier. He stumbled through, looking down at Hermione in wonder.
"How'd that happen?" Ron asked.
Hermione smiled. "I think this magical field was created by Harry. Only those he loves can pass through."
Draco and Ron lifted brows at her.
She glanced between them, shifting uncomfortably. "Well, people who have strong…who care…oh, forget it. It's not important. We have to get to Harry."
Hermione spun towards the house, the boys following, Ron holding his wand aloft. The front door was ajar and creaked as they passed through it. Hearing distinct sounds from above, they skipped the downstairs and headed up the staircase. Ron was peering so intently up the staircase, he accidentally stepped on Draco's foot, resulting in a small shoving match, to which Hermione gave an irritated, 'shh!'
The boys stopped, but gave each other one last glare. Reaching the top of the stairs, they moved towards the open door at the end of the hall. Nearing it, Draco slipped a hand to Hermione's waist, putting her slightly behind him.
Peeking in, they saw a huddled mass next to a broken baby's crib.
"Harry?" Hermione called.
The huddled form lifted their head. Slowly, Harry turned his head to look at her. He looked so broken and fragile.
"Hermione," he mouthed.
"It's me, Harry," she reassured. "And Ron." Hermione stepped farther into the room. "Harry, you shouldn't have left without us. Are you alright?"
Harry looked down and away.
"No…" he mumbled. "I didn't want to bother you."
Hermione rushed to his side and knelt. "Oh, no Harry. You're not a bother." She placed her arm around his hunched shoulders. "I love you, you git. You're my best friend."
Harry turned his head to glance at her. Hermione stared imploringly into his eyes. He studied her face for a while, taking in all her features. Finally, he smiled slightly. Hermione let out a breath she didn't know she'd been holding, and smiled back.
Suddenly, Harry jerked, his face grimacing in pain. Hermione was instantly concerned.
"Harry? What's wrong?" Hermione exclaimed.
Ron raced the rest of the way into the room and knelt next to Hermione. Draco hung back behind Hermione, disturbed by Harry's actions.
"Mate, did you take something?" Ron asked.
Harry glanced briefly at Ron, but didn't say anything before he jerked in pain again.
Hermione's eyes widened in horror as she covered her mouth with her hand.
"Oh God, Harry what did you take?" Hermione exclaimed.
Harry did not answer. Instead he started convulsing, falling to his side on the floor. Foam started to form at the sides of his mouth. Hermione was crying.
"Harry!" she exclaimed. Hermione looked up at Ron. "We have to get him to the castle."
Ron nodded, his eyes wide with worry and fright. "Can we Apparate through his forcefield?"
Hermione nodded. "He's weak, I'm sure we can manage." They each grabbed Harry's hands, while Hermione turned around and reached her hand out to Draco. Startled Hermione had remembered him, Draco quickly took her hand, not wanting her to disappear before he could.
"You take Harry?" Hermione looked at Ron, who nodded quickly. "I'll go with Draco."
Before Draco could ask who was Apparating whom, he felt like he was being sucked through the head of a bottle before landing on his feet outside Hogwarts gates, catching Hermione as she stumbled against him.
Ron and Harry landed next to them. Hermione raced towards Harry, who had passed out.
"Oh, no," Hermione glanced up at Ron, distress evident in her face. "Ron, can you carry him?"
Ron nodded, solemnly and hoisted Harry up. The four took off for the castle. Draco sent out his Patronus ahead of them to race towards McGonagall. Hermione looked at it startled, before glancing back at Draco, gratefully.
By the time they reached the castle, the doors were opening and McGonagall was racing down the front steps.
"Mister Potter! Oh dear, get him to the hospital wing. Poppy is already preparing. What happened to him?" she questioned as she strode briskly through the corridors with them.
"Harry, h-he took something. We're not sure what it is," Hermione answered, fretfully.
McGonagall frowned. "He took something by choice?"
Hermione nodded. "There-there was a f-f-forcefield around Godric's Hollow. No one but I could enter," Hermione stuttered out, having hiccups from her grief. "Oh god, I never should have been so harsh on him," she sobbed.
Ron and Draco glanced at her, frowning. They caught each other's eye, but neither were comfortable with acknowledging understanding between the two and quickly looked away.
Madame Pomfrey stepped out into the hallway, shutting the doors behind her.
Hermione had been inconsolable when asked to wait outside, but quieted now. Ron had been frowning at her, wondering at her comment earlier. Draco had shifted nervously, and made to leave, before Hermione called for him to stay. Her eyes pleading with him, he stepped towards her and gathered her up in his arms as she buried her face in his chest.
Ron made a noise of disgust and turned away from them, crossing his arms over his chest.
Fifteen minutes later, they faced Madame Pomfrey.
"How is he?" Hermione asked, hiccuping. Draco stood right behind her, hands resting gently on her hips.
Madame Pomfrey shook her head. "I'm not sure. I can't figure out which potion he ingested. He's sleeping fitfully right now. Do you have any idea what he took?"
Hermione glanced at Ron, but he still wouldn't look at her. She cleared her throat and said, "I-it may have been a potion we've discussed b-before. It," she glanced at Ron again, before continuing, "it was to tell whether Harry was…" the final horcrux or not. But Pomfrey didn't know about the horcruxes, so Hermione drifted into silence.
Madame Pomfrey shook her head in impatience, glancing between Ron and Hermione.
"Well?" she questioned.
"Um…it was a Discovery Potion," Hermione modified. "But we'd mentioned mixing it with another. We—we don't know if he took the other one as well."
"What other potion?" Pomfrey bit out.
Hermione took a deep breath. Draco squeezed her sides softly, sensing she needed encouragement. "A Soul Vanquishing potion."
Madame Pomfrey's eyes widened. "That is a seriously dangerous potion. What were the three of you thinking?" she demanded.
Hermione's eyes watered once more, but she held them back.
Ron spoke up. "We were thinking that whatever hold Vol-Voldemort has on Harry has to be broken before Harry can Avada him, that's what."
Hermione, Draco and Pomfrey all looked at Ron in shock.
"We also knew the risk that Harry's soul could be vanquished too, which is why we didn't go through with the plan." Ron continued. He glanced at Hermione, "Why Harry decided to now is still a mystery."
Hermione turned her eyes downcast to avoid Ron's accusing gaze.
Madame Pomfrey sighed. "Well, if…You-Know-Who's soul was entwined with Mr. Potter's, then the Discovery Potion would bring that to the fore. Then Mr. Potter would have had to fight like hell to take the Vanquishing Potion, but it should have harmed only You-Know-Who's. That is, if he only took a single dose. But this is all in theory as something like this has never been done before." She gave them all very serious looks in turn. "I will try to suss out his soul and make sure it's entirely him, then administer revival potions. I'm sure he's suffering mind and physical shock, and we wouldn't want to bring him out of it until we're sure it's safe."
Hermione and Ron nodded. Madame Pomfrey nodded as well, before turning to go back in. Hermione stepped forward.
"When can we see him?"
Pomfrey turned to look at her fear-filled, blotchy face. "It's late. Get some rest and come back in the morning."
Hermione's face fell as Pomfrey left.
"What did you do, Hermione?" Ron asked.
She looked at him wide-eyed.
"Not now, Weasley."
"Shut up, Ferret. Hermione, what did you say to him?" Ron asked again, stepping towards her.
Draco tried stepping between them, pushing Hermione behind him. "I said, not now, Weasel."
"Stay out of it, Ferret-face. It's none of your concern," Ron bit out.
Draco stepped fully in front of Hermione, now nose-to-nose with Ron. "Anything concerning Hermione is my concern. So back off."
They had a stare down for a few moments. Finally, Ron stepped back. He looked around Draco.
"So this is how it's to be? You'll let this filthy Slytherin fight your battles for you?" With a look of disgust, Ron strode past them down the hall.
Draco turned and found Hermione's shoulders scrunched forward, arms crossed, her bottom lip trembling, looking miserable. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and led her slowly down the hall. "Come on. Let's get you some rest."
After he finally got Hermione into bed and watched her until she was sleeping, Draco stretched out on the sofa in the common room. He left her door cracked so he could hear if she woke in the night. Sure enough, an hour later right as he was about to drift off himself, he heard her calling out. Jolting awake, Draco shot up and hurried to her room. Inside he saw her tossing and turning.
Hurrying to her bed, he listened as she groaned, "No…Harry…didn't mean it…please…no…don't go."
Draco sat on her bedside and grabbed her shoulder, shaking her.
"Hermione, wake up. Wake up, you're dreaming."
She suddenly stopped struggling. Through the dark gloom of her bed, he made out her eyes had opened. Hermione turned her head to look up at Draco. When she saw him, her eyes welled with tears. As she broke down, Draco climbed further onto her bed and pulled her into his arms. She went willingly, curling into his chest.
They fell asleep after a long while: Draco's back against her headboard, Hermione slumped against him. When she awoke in the morning, she had to pry her eyes open, since her tears had glued them shut.
Draco watched her from hooded eyes as she sat up. Disorientated, she turned and looked at him. Frowning she glanced down and around, till it all came back to her.
"You…you stayed up with me?" Hermione croaked, her voice rough from sobbing.
Draco shrugged slightly. "I knew, from experience, that you'd likely have nightmares." His casual manner was so uniquely him, Hermione felt a shiver of awareness run through her. A bloke, a very handsome bloke, was in her bed.
But now was not the time for such inane thoughts. Harry. She had to see Harry. She had to make everything right. Oh, but what if she couldn't. What if he didn't wake up? What if he didn't forgive her? What if she could never forgive herself?
Draco watched as she slowly became alert as a worry line creased her brow.
"Why don't you get washed up," he suggested, rubbing her back. "Then we can go see Potter."
Touching her face, her tear-stained cheeks, she nodded absently, before climbing off the bed.
Once the couple were showered and refreshed, they headed towards the hospital wing. Hermione paused at the door to take a deep breath, before entering. Draco stayed behind quietly, knowing he couldn't do anything for her in there. Plus, he couldn't shake the slightly jealous feeling whenever she doted on Potter.
She slowly walked towards the bed Madame Pomfrey was hovering over. When she was close enough for the Healer to notice her, she asked, "How is he?"
"He's sleeping peacefully now. I detected whether the Discovery potion worked and it did." Madame Pomfrey paused. Hermione looked at her, worried. "Potter did indeed have part of Voldemort's soul in him. It was revealed with the potion he took, and desecrated with the second potion he took. His soul is under rather severe shock and his body is worn from having ingested two potions in a short time. Whether there are any long lasting effects remains to be seen."
"But he's okay?" Hermione asked.
Madame Pomfrey laid a hand on her shoulder. "He'll be fine. Or as fine as a boy with his sort of recklessness can be."
Hermione stuttered out a nervous relieved laugh. She stared down at her best friend.
The Healer took that as her cue to leave the two.
Slowly she walked to his side. She lightly took his hand, resting on the bedcovers, in hers.
"Harry…" she sobbed. "Oh god, Harry I'm so sorry." Hermione slumped into a chair as tears trailed down her face, murmuring her apologies over and over…
：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：