Disclaimer: I do not own anything...Or else HP would have been all about Draco and Hermione.
Chapter Ten: Danger All Around
Hermione pulled her jacket tighter around her shoulders as she trudged down the corridor towards the main parlor. She pressed her right hand to her breast pocket, double checking for her wand. Her other hand drifted into her back jeans pocket, her fingers closing over the small switch blade she had packed. It had belonged to her father. She thought it was only fitting that she use it now.
She hesitated at the parlor threshold, taking a steadying breath. Could she do this? Was she stable enough to keep her senses in battle? Was she strong enough to protect herself and the baby from both sides of the war?
"Ah, Hermione, right on time." Hermione flinched at Harry's voice. She kept herself pressed to the wall in the back of the room frightened by the smile he was giving her. He was looking at her as he had for the past eight years, as if nothing had happened. She nodded stiffly in acknowledgement. When he turned away, she released the breath she had been holding. Who was this man who was the hero to the free world but her own personal monster?
Hermione ignored the other Order members as they discussed their plans, gearing up for battle.
No one spoke to her.
She didn't mind.
She was always sent alone anyways.
Left alone with her thoughts, she shifted slowly in line to the chimney, waiting for her turn to floo to a safe apparition point. Though at this point she did not trust the fact that she would arrive there safely. For all she knew, an ambush could be waiting for her just on the other side.
"Good luck, dear."
Hermione was startled out of her thoughts by Molly's voice, the woman who had tried to be a second mother to her. Her eyebrows furrowed at the wide-eyed expression Hermione gave her but she smiled encouragingly at the younger girl. Hermione nodded but did not return the smile as she stepped into the floo.
-.-
Her heart was pounding inside her chest, her legs burning as she sprinted through the forest. She quickly turned her head to look behind her, hoping to see no one. She gasped as the glint of porcelain was caught in the moonlight. Damn, she had not lost him.
Turning back, she pushed herself harder, panting as she climbed up the hill, sidestepping roots and rocks. Just as she reached the top, she heard the Death Eater viciously cast the killing curse. Hermione screamed and ducked under the jet of green light; the scream turned into a yelp as she tripped and fell down the hill.
Rocks and branches tore at her exposed skin as she tumbled through the brush. She landed hard at the bottom of the hill with a groan, her back smacking against the hard packed dirt. Dazed, she stared up at the night sky and took a needed, shaky breath. Got to keep moving. Heavy footfalls jarred her out of her haze. She rolled slowly onto her side and found the Death Eater struggling down the steep hill. Well, my way down was faster.
Cursing, she forced herself to her feet, stumbling away from the Death Eater chasing her. With adrenaline pumping through her veins, Hermione found the energy to continue on.
My baby, she thought to herself as she ran, one hand pressing gently to her stomach. Would all this running harm the baby? She knew that overexertion or direct trauma could cause a miscarriage so early on in the pregnancy but the other option would mean certain death. She knew she just had to make it out of the tree line and she would have a better chance at finding help.
Hermione screamed as arms wrapped around her middle. She was yanked violently back, her feet lifting from the ground. In all her times behind enemy lines, she had never been met by someone other than Blaise. And this Death Eater was most definitely not Blaise. She struggled against him, using her elbows to try and break his hold.
"Let me go!" She screamed, biting at his hand. The man cursed, dropping her suddenly. She landed hard onto the forest floor with an "oof." She groaned as she tried to blink away her spotting vision.
"Bitch." The man sneered, pulling out his wand. Hermione flipped her hair over to stare directly up at a wand and a mask. She squeezed her eyes closed and covered her head with her arm.
She waited for death.
"Bloody hell."
Her eyes shot open as she heard shuffling feet. She chanced a look at her attacker and was stunned to see the man stumble back away from her, a hand to his chest.
"It's you. I was just about…I just almost…Oh hell…" The stuttering man lifted his arm and cast silver sparks into the night sky.
Hermione scrambled to her feet, frantically looking around her for her wand.
"Here is your wand, ma'am."
Startled, Hermione swung back to face the Death Eater who approached her slowly, holding out her wand, handle first. She snatched it back and pointed it at him. Her arm trembled as her body was overcome with the fear and anxiety it had blocked during the chase.
"What the hell are you playing at?" She demanded, her voice scratchy and shaky. The man held up empty hands.
"I didn't mean you any harm, ma'am."
Hermione scrunched her forehead, her eyes wide in incredulity. "Didn't mean me any harm? You were trying to kill me! And why the hell do you keep calling me 'ma'am'?" She shook her arm with every question, the urge to jinx the man getting stronger with each passing second. He merely stood there, looking like a child being scolded by his mother.
The Death Eater shook his head but kept his hands visible. "I didn't recognize you." He offered in explanation.
Being the smart witch she was, Hermione realized the extremely odd and unique situation she was in with a seemingly submissive Death Eater but what in the world had caused the change? She held her free hand up to her head, a head ache forming from her confusion and emotions.
"What…"
Hermione was interrupted by a telltale Pop! Both turned to face a tall and disgruntled looking Blaise Zabini, his Death Eater mask nowhere to be seen.
"Dalton, why the hell did you call—Hermione!" He stumbled a few steps back as Hermione's full weight hit him.
"Blaise!" Hermione sobbed, throwing her arms around him.
He looked around in confusion, his arms automatically wrapping around her shaking shoulders. He eyed the Death Eater who had found her.
The masked man held his hands up. "I didn't do anything, I swear! As soon as I recognized her, I called for you, Zabini."
Blaise nodded. "Find Parkinson and send her to me." He ordered. Dalton nodded before apparating away with a loud crack.
With the other man gone, Blaise turned his attention to the witch in his arms.
"Hermione, it's ok now, you're safe. Tell me what's wrong." He soothed, running his hands down her arms. Hermione shook her head, burying her face deeper into his robes which did nothing to muffle her sobs. Blaise pushed her firmly back. He quickly scanned her body for injuries, frowning at the cuts and dirt on her bare arms. He gently ran his hand over a tear in her sweater.
"Hermione?" He prompted again, meeting her eyes.
Hermione shakily scrubbed away her tears, sniffling and hiccupping as she desperately tried to calm down. She tried several times to speak only to be overcome by tears.
She could not believe the wave of relief that had engulfed her when she had seen Blaise. She knew that no matter what happened from this point, he would be a part of the solution. She could not explain why she felt that he would help her or even protect her. She argued that it had been his pact with Draco that he had let slip but she knew that that was only on the surface. Over the last few weeks, she had come to almost look forward to their meetings and subsequent talks. She had come to consider him a friend.
And now, she needed him more than anything.
She nearly dissolved into tears again at the look of concern on his face. "Blaise," She choked out.
Still worried, he wrapped his arm across her shoulders and pulled her tightly to his side. He led her to a fallen log, gently pushing her to sit. Hermione complied, hunching her shoulders and wrapping her arms around her middle. She rocked slightly, trying to pull herself together.
Blaise kneeled, placing himself level to her. Hermione glanced up at the movement.
"Blaise," She tried again, this time her voice a whisper as her tears slowed.
He nodded, smiling gently in encouragement. "Yes. Now, tell me what's wrong. Did you lose a book?" He pushed some of her loose hair over her shoulder.
A mixture of a laugh and a sob escaped her lips at his attempt at humor. She felt her panic rise as she forced herself to speak. She could not keep it out of her voice.
"I'm pregnant Blaise," She paused, glancing up at her friend's stunned expression before returning her gaze back to the forest floor. "I-I just found out a couple hours ago. I don't know what to do, I'm so scared. I don't know how to protect it. I just..." Hermione felt herself babbling and literally shook herself to stop. She slowly looked up for Blaise's reaction, becoming nervous when he had yet to move.
"Draco's." She cringed at his sharp intake of air. It was not a question to him. He knew without out a doubt that the Dark Lord and his best friend would be the father of any child Hermione bore.
Hermione tugged at her lower lip with her teeth as she nodded. "Yes." She whispered.
Blaise leaned back on his heels and regarded her with guarded eyes. He was quiet as he digested the new information and tried to figure out the reason she was so distressed.
He slowly stood and began pacing, aware that her eyes were tracking his every movement. Sure, a pregnancy by nature could be worrying, especially to a young, unwed witch in the midst of a war.
He scoffed.
That alone could be reason enough to panic. But Hermione's fear did no stem from that. He could tell. She was the most pragmatic and bravest of the Golden Trio to the point of stupidity. He knew she already had contingency plans A through F.
He almost smirked at the thought. Those plans would no doubt require her to go against those who knew her. She was even brave enough to defy her friends. Hermione, no matter what anyone might say, was still desperately in love with the new Dark Lord. There was no way of denying it. And he knew for a fact that the witch in front of him would love any child regardless of its parentage.
So why exactly was she acting like her world was about to end? Shouldn't she be celebrating and singing from the rooftops or some other clichéd action?
He frowned, his forehead furrowing. No. Way.
"Potter knows?"
Hermione nodded tearfully. "Harry said that I can't have this baby…He said it would destroy the Order. He ordered me to have an abortion or he would kill my baby." She tightened her arms around her middle.
"Son of a bitch." Blaise cursed in disbelief. Saint Harry freaking Potter had to be insane. Who would order a woman, no less a best friend, to kill her child? He would have expected that from Voldemort, having been at his share of punishments and "experimentation" sessions but he was a sick bastard. He did NOT see that coming from the Boy Who Just Wouldn't Die, the Light side's blessed messiah and savior of the free world.
He turned back to Hermione, ready to spout off a rant on how he was going to torture the sanctimonious brat when Hermione flinched. That action caused Blaise to pause.
He walked closer to her and dropped slowly in front of her. Hermione immediately dipped her head forward, her hair falling over her shoulders and covering her face. He sucked in a breath at her actions.
"Did he…hurt you?
Hermione inwardly cursed at her stupidity. She had completely forgotten to cover the bruise across her cheek from Harry. Granted, she had been…distracted by the threat and the knowledge of her new baby but she was being careless. And that carelessness could cost her her life or her baby's.
She gasped as Blaise placed an index finger under her chin and gently tilted it upward. It brought the angry bruise into the moonlight. She watched his expression darken at the mark. He traced it with his free hand, careful not to hurt her.
"He will die for this."
Had someone told her 24 hours ago that she would be happy that someone was plotting to kill Harry Potter for her, she would have called them crazy. Now, that promise of protection and retribution made her feel safe and warm. Hermione sniffled, a small smile on her lips. He returned it.
"Thank you." She whispered. She felt him lean forward and gently press his lips to her forehead.
"You don't have anything to fear anymore." He returned, swearing to her. She nodded and opened her eyes, grateful for him.
The pair shared a quiet moment as they processed what had come to pass in such a short time.
A Pop! shook them out of the moment.
"Blaise? What's going on?"
Both turned to see Pansy Parkinson standing alone in the clearing. Like Blaise, she was missing her mask and was dressed in a simple but obviously well-made black cocktail dress. As Blaise stepped back and to his feet, Hermione noticed that he too was dressed in more casual clothes; in a pair of black slacks and a dark green button down shirt.
"I need you to stay with her, Pans. It's not safe for her on either side."
Pansy pursed her lips, crossing her arms. "And just where will you be?"
Blaise sighed, running a hand though his hair. "I have to go to Draco." He paused, looking back over his shoulder at the witch in question. "She's pregnant."
To Pansy's credit, she only flinched at the news. After a moment of stunned silence, she turned towards Hermione, her blue eyes full of questions. She frowned at the huddled form of the witch settled on the fallen log. She felt her heart twinge at the pitiful figure.
"Alright." She stepped away from Blaise. She grimaced as her designer heels sank into the earth but gave no other indication of her annoyance.
She sank down beside Hermione and crossed her ankles. She ignored that the witch beside her bristled at their close proximity.
"Go. I'll keep her safe." She dismissed him, turning to scan the surrounding forest.
Rolling his eyes but nodding his thanks, Blaise turned back to Hermione. "I'll be back." And he disappeared.
Hermione sighed quietly, her shoulders falling. She felt very uncomfortable sitting next to Pansy. The only interaction they had had was fooling Ron into believing it had been Pansy who attacked him, not herself. She looked at the girl over her shoulder and was startled to meet calculating blue eyes.
"It seems I'm always bailing you out of a spot of trouble, doesn't it, Granger?" Pansy drawled, though her voice was devoid of any true malice. She regarded the other witch with cool eyes, her gaze settling on her clasped hands over her stomach. They drifted back up to meet wary honey eyes.
Hermione felt like the prey to a snake as it considered whether or not you were worth the effort to devour.
She swallowed slowly. Pansy Parkinson could most definitely be a snake. Though she looked relaxed, even feline with her half lidded gaze, Hermione noted the tension in her shoulders and neck and the way her body responded to the sounds of the forest. She was ready to strike without a moment's hesitation. Hermione realized that Pansy Parkinson could possibly be a formidable witch.
"So it would seem." She said slowly, gauging Pansy's reactions carefully.
Pansy smirked at her, though Hermione swore it was the friendliest look the witch had ever given her. She was again struck by Pansy's appearance. She was not pretty in the traditional sense, but was striking. She had grown out her black hair to fall in a waterfall of dark silk down her back. Subtle layers framed her face, brushing her smooth porcelain skin and defined cheekbones. Her eyes were large and shockingly blue beneath thick, black lashes. Hermione smirked despite herself. She truly was the snake: deadly but beautiful. She just needed to figure out how much of the prey she was.
"What's so funny, Granger?"
"I'm trying to determine how much of a threat you are." She replied honestly.
Pansy chuckled, rolling her shoulders back and relaxing. "You weren't the smartest witch of age for nothing." She tapped her wand against her knees in boredom. "Listen Granger, Blaise asked me to protect you. I'm not about to betray my best friends by offing you. And from what it sounds like you're pretty screwed from all ends here, for some reason that escapes me. So, for what it's worth, you don't have to worry about me."
Hermione bit her lower lip, considering the witch beside her. After a moment, she nodded. "Alright."
Both witches sat in the night, the cool silence interrupted only by Pansy's wand tapping against her knees. Hermione uncurled herself to relieve the tension that had locked up her limbs, rolling her shoulders back. She gingerly shook out her arms to get the blood flowing.
"By the way," Pansy's voice caused Hermione to jump and look at her. Pansy tried not to smirk. "Congratulations."
Hermione froze, staring at her. Shaking herself, she sighed and turned back to stare into the forest.
"You know, you're the first person to congratulate me. So…thank you…Pansy."
Pansy glanced sideways at the other witch before returning to scan the clearing.
"Who would have thought…" She mused lightly, tossing her wand up into the air and catching it.
"You know, you aren't half bad…Hermione," She tested the name, frowning. "Could you have a longer name?"
Hermione surprised herself by laughing. "I suppose it is rather long."
"Whatever," Pansy rolled her eyes. "It's your name; can't very well change it. Though I suppose it is a step up from Granger…that name is just awful."
Hermione smiled good naturedly at the other witch, surprised at the ease she felt with her. Dropping her guard slightly, she turned now to stare at her flat stomach. Inside she carried her and Draco's baby. As the tension of the night slowly dissipated, Hermione allowed herself to take Pansy's congratulations and become excited over her pregnancy.
-.-
"We waited in that forest for what seemed for hours. It was probably only half an hour Blaise was gone." Hermione shrugged. "Pansy and I were pretty much silent during the wait. Let me tell you, that was one of the most stressful waiting periods of my life."
Hendrix nodded thoughtfully, more than a little blown away by Hermione's revelations. Everything she had been taught, everything she thought she knew about the Second Great War was wrong. Though usually a skeptic of her patients' versions of the events, she could not resist the tale the dark witch in front of her was spinning.
"I give all the credit in the world to Pansy for putting up with me. Though I wasn't a crying mess, she did tell me later that I would not stop fidgeting and it freaked her out. At one point she thought I was going to have a seizure." Hermione chuckled. "I honestly think our friendship blossomed from that moment."
"Friendship?"
Hermione nodded. "Yes. Pansy would prove to be the closest friend I have ever had."
Hendrix bit her lip, something triggering a memory. She quickly flipped through her file, missing Hermione's amused expression.
"Here we go." Hendrix mumbled to herself. She ran her finger down a log, stopping at a name. "It says that she visited you once during your incarceration."
Again, Hermione nodded. "It was not a happy visit, Healer. We'll get to that later though."
Hendrix felt guilty as she set the Azkaban visitor's log down on the table. She wanted to apologize but kept quiet. After a moment, she picked her quill up again.
"So, did he come back?"
"Yes, Blaise did come back."
-.-
"We have to move."
Hermione and Pansy leapt to their feet as Blaise appeared in the clearing.
"What going on? Did you meet with Draco?" Hermione asked as she reached him. Blaise nodded distractedly and instead turned towards Pansy.
"You need to head back. The Dark Lord will return soon. The battle did not go well."
Pansy paled. She shakily ran her hands over her hair and dress, making herself look presentable. "Alight then."
With a quick nod towards Hermione, she disappeared with a Pop!
Blaise latched onto Hermione's wrist and began pulling her towards the tree line.
"Blaise, what are you—"
"You have to get back to Potter now."
"No!" Hermione yanked her hand from his grasp. She stared at him, completely at a loss. "I can't go back there, Blaise. He'll kill my baby!"
Grumbling, Blaise grabbed her arm again, ignoring her struggles.
"Blaise, wait, no, stop!"
"Listen to me, Hermione, the Dark Lord is on a rampage right now. It is safer for you with the Order for the time being."
He stopped when he felt her struggles suddenly end.
"Draco…doesn't want us?"
Blaise felt a pang at her heart broken expression, her eyes filling with tears as she tried to suppress panicked sobs. Groaning, he ran his hand over his face. "Damn it, we don't have time for this. Listen Hermione, everything is not as it seems. I spoke with Draco. He was very shocked but very happy at the news, though I now have to wait in line to kill Potter. Draco asked me to get you back to the Order for tonight. I promise he will come for you soon."
He grit his teeth as she sobbed. He grabbed both of her arms, drawing her closer and shaking her. "You need to keep yourself and the baby safe, just for today. Hide from Potter, lie to him, do anything it takes to buy you time. It's almost sunrise. I need you to survive until tonight. Do you understand?"
Hermione stared up at Blaise, tears streaming down her cheeks. She hiccupped but nodded tearfully.
"I do."
"Then let's go."
Hermione allowed Blaise to lead her to the edge of the forest. She could not begin to sort through the emotions warring in her head. She felt so confused by the barrage of fear, rejection and hope that rattled around. It felt like her heart literally ached.
She nearly bumped into Blaise's shoulder when he stopped. He scanned the field in front of them.
"There." He pointed off to the right, near an outcropping of trees.
"Go there, now. You'll find the Weasel there holed up with a couple other members. I'll cover you."
Though utterly confused by the rapid change in circumstance, she nodded numbly. Just as she began to go, she stopped and looked back at her friend.
"Thank you, Blaise. I trust you."
Though he didn't smile, he nodded and lifted his wand. "Good luck."
And with that, Hermione sprinted down into the field, knowing she was running away from the danger of the unknown only to head straight back into certain danger.