DISCLAIMER: Refer to previous chapter!
Chapter Eleven: The Battle For Life
"Okay," said Harry as him, Ron, Ginny and Draco entered the Alley, "We need to spilt up."
"Who put you in charge?" demanded Draco more out of frustration and the urgency to find Hermione before something horrible happened to her.
"Look," snapped Harry glaring at Draco, "I know what I am doing and just like you, I want to find Hermione before it's too late! Yes Malfoy, too late! Bellatrix will kill Hermione and you know it. So just shut up and do what I say!"
Draco glared coldly at Harry but said nothing. Ron gave him a smug look earning a hit on the arm from Ginny.
"That goes for you too Ronald," she snapped, "Who is going with who, Harry?"
"I'll go with Malfoy, Ginny you can go with Ron. We will meet back here in half an hour."
The four spilt up into the assigned pairs. Draco walked quickly beside Harry towards where Hermione was last seen.
"The people who probably saw something are most likely gone," pointed out Draco.
"Not the shop owners and workers," replied Harry as they entered Ollivanders, "Mr Ollivander, I'm from the LED and we need to ask you a few questions about an incident this morning."
The wise old shop keeper smiled knowingly, "Ah, Mr Potter and Mr Malfoy. The incident involving the taking of a young witch?"
Harry nodded, "What did you see?"
"Simply that the young witch was walking towards the Leaky Cauldron when someone dressed in black robes came up behind her-"
"Where from?" asked Draco bluntly.
"The direction of Knockturn Alley. The young witch dropped her bag of food and went for her wand… as soon as that happened they were gone."
"Let's get to Knockturn Alley," said Harry to Draco before the pair left the shop at a run, "Bellatrix must have been waiting for Hermione… how did she even know Hermione was coming to Diagon Alley?"
"Like I would know," replied Draco as they stepped into Knockturn Alley.
People looked at them oddly but the pair ignored them.
"So, who exactly are we meant to question, Potter?" said Draco.
"Lets go to the pub you and Granger went to."
"Do you seriously think the mafia would be dumb enough to hang out there with the LED knowing it is their hang out joint?"
"Well, do you have a better plan Malfoy?"
With a sigh, Draco led Harry through the alley for the grimy pub. He didn't have a better plan and obviously him and Harry were grasping onto the few leads they had desperately.
HD
Hermione carefully stepped out onto the tiled roof. She couldn't see the buildings any better from where she stood and her legs felt like jelly from nerves. She gingerly sat down onto the tiles and slid down, edging closer and closer to the edge of the tiled roof. She needed to know where she was before she found a way down.
Her breathing was short and raspy with her throat still feeling sore from Bellatrix nearly strangling her to death. Glancing behind her in case someone had come into the room she leant forward and slid to the edge on her stomach. Grabbing onto the edge she peered down at the dark street. The stone ground looked as grimy as the buildings cramped in together tightly.
It didn't look familiar but Hermione was guessing she was near Knockturn Alley. She pushed her self away from the edge and sat up slowly with one tile rattling from the movements she was making. Carefully, Hermione crawled along the tiles, glancing at the windows whenever she passed them. Most were boarded but some weren't. With the unboarded ones, Hermione moved quietly and quickly till she was past them.
Bellatrix would no doubt enter her room any time soon to see if Hermione had been 'punished' effectively. She wanted to have plenty of distance between the room and her self before that happened.
Hermione groaned when she saw the building's roof came to an end. Peering over the edge Hermione saw a bin in the deserted alleyway. It was full of bags and reeked, but it was the only way down – jumping into it.
Standing slowly, Hermione jumped and bit back a scream as she fell through the air and into the disgusting bin.
Gasping for air, she scrambled out of it and climbed over the side hitting the dirty ground with a thud.
"I smell horrible," muttered Hermione as she stood up in time to hear feet running from the Alley.
She quickly ducked behind the bin and peered carefully around the side to see people in black cloaks running past.
"She can't be far. Our Leader says her ankle is injured!"
Bellatrix was on the hunt already. Hermione closed her eyes briefly. She needed to get out of here. Apperate. Surely she could apperate from here. Most places have apperating locations, but this place seemed extremely rundown, so perhaps the Ministry haven't thought to place one here. If they had it could only mean Hermione was close to a well populated main area.
Closing her eyes she thought of the Leaky Cauldron, 'Come on!' she thought urgently.
Nothing. Sighing Hermione winced. Her ankle was beginning to ache again. She hastily applied another spell and stood up. The cloaked people had gone. She crept towards the Alley entrance and looked out. No one was to be seen. She ran out and over to another small deserted alley and hid in there with her heart pounding.
Bellatrix could be anywhere. Anywhere with Hermione's wand. Closing her eyes Hermione took a deep calming breath. She needed to stay level headed and in control. Peering out she realised there were no more small alleys.
"Now what?" whispered Hermione.
"Now I kill you."
Hermione stood up and looked further down the small Alley and watched as Bellatrix her self came walking out of the shadows. She smirked coldly at Hermione and chuckled just as coldly.
"I knew you couldn't be far away," she said twirling her wand between her fingers, "It was clever of you to use the roof… and a muggle defence attack on my man. One hit and he was dead. Clever of you… but also extremely stupid."
Hermione knew she couldn't show her fear. She needed to be brave and stand her ground… even if it meant death.
"Did you seriously expect me to let him attack me?" snapped Hermione, "I may be a female, muggleborn witch, but I am smart and quick to defend myself."
"Blaise has a different impression of you – a crying, pathetic, beaten, wench."
"Bullshit."
"Excuse me?" growled Bellatrix stepping towards Hermione.
"You heard me, bullshit," snapped Hermione taking her own step forward, "Zabini is scared of me. The way he spoke to me proved it all. Raping me didn't break me, it made me stronger and more determined to bring him down… and it obviously led me to the biggest threat – you. You think you are so smart in revealing your self to me so soon after he was locked away. If anything you made the big mistake… lets see, escaping Azkaban, kidnapping a Ministry Auror, planning all the attacks… I say that is worth a kiss from your best buddies – the Dementor's."
Bellatrix said nothing, as she laughed coldly, "Not if they can't capture me and hear it all from your mouth."
"My friends are smart. Your letter is in my office with your fingerprints all over it and I have your file on the way to my office. They will piece it all together."
Bellatrix shook her head and quickly hit Hermione with a spell. Hermione flew through the air, smashing through the window of a building. She landed with a thud and sat up before gasping. Reaching down to her abdomen she pulled out a shard of glass with blood flowing out quickly.
Bellatrix strode across the Alleyway laughing coldly before blasting the door open. Hermione quickly stood up; ignoring her bad wound and deflected a spell with a wooden chair. Grabbing a chair she threw it at Bellatrix and ran from the building, one hand covering her wound that had blood flowing quickly through her clothes and over her hand.
HD
"I haven't seen any of them," said the bartender to Harry and Draco as the door burst open with people dressed in black running in, "Until now."
Harry and Draco spun around as the people looked around the bar quickly. Upon seeing Harry and Draco they ran for the door. Quickly, Draco grabbed one and slammed him against the wall.
"You work for Bellatrix, don't you?" he demanded angrily.
The petrified young man nodded and Harry noticed he had actually peed his pants.
"Where is she? Where is Hermione?"
"S-she escaped… w-we have been sent l-looking for her."
"Where did she escape from?"
"Further up t-the a-alley."
Draco dropped him and he and Harry ran out of the building.
"I'm sending a signal to Ron. He will know where to come," said Harry shooting a green ray of light from his wand as they ran down some steps.
"Bellatrix will kill her," said Draco looking worried, "We need to move quickly."
HD
Hermione gasped, feeling tears filling her eyes. Her hand was smothered in her own blood and Bellatrix was quickly gaining on her. Desperately she shot a spell from the wand she had, but if anything it just gave a spark of light.
Bellatrix grabbed Hermione from behind and threw her down onto the ground. Hermione quickly slid away as Bellatrix towered over her smirking.
"I like this site. A mudblood at my mercy… pity I have none," chuckled Bellatrix as she pulled out Hermione's wand.
Hermione looked around her urgently for anything to defend her self with. Bellatrix stepped closer and Hermione looked up at her taking a deep breath before hooking her foot around Bellatrix's ankle and yanking forward. Bellatrix fell down with a thud. Scrambling forward, Hermione pinned her wrist to the ground that held Bellatrix's wand and stood her foot on her other wrist as she quickly searched her robe pockets before grabbing her wand. Hurriedly, Hermione stood up as Bellatrix stood as well. The two women faced each other wands pointed at the other. Hermione was breathing heavily, with dizziness overcoming with from loss of blood. Her ankle was aching again but Hermione wasn't game to heal it with Bellatrix ready to kill her.
"Well, isn't this interesting," said Bellatrix before firing a spell.
Hermione deflected it barely causing Bellatrix to grin.
"Nearing death. I like it."
"HERMIONE!"
Glancing away Hermione saw Draco and Harry bolting towards her. Bellatrix took her chance and hit Hermione fair in the chest with a spell. Swaying forward, Hermione fell to the ground as it all went black.
HD
"It was worth it. Every single moment!"
"Take her away. No court hearing. Immediate kiss on the Minister of Magic's order's," said Kingsley to the four Azkaban guards.
Tonks watched as they led Bellatrix away to her fate. She turned to Kingsley and gave him a small smile, "Least it is all over."
"Look at the cost of it all though," sighed Kingsley as he sat behind his desk, "How are Harry and Ron coping?"
"I don't know. I haven't seen them since arriving at the Alley. I know Ginny is a mess though."
"And Draco?"
"He wouldn't leave her side."
"Send flowers will you?"
"Already done. Marcia has seen too it."
HD
"Go and have some coffee," said Harry as Ginny sat blankly staring at the wall, "Please."
"I can't drink coffee."
"You love the stuff."
"I can't drink it Harry," said Ginny nearing hysteria, "I'm pregnant."
Harry looked at Ginny silently before managing a small smile, "R-really?"
"No, Harry, I'm lying," snapped Ginny standing up, "Of course I am! I told Hermione before she left… maybe if I hadn't she wouldn't of been caught by Bellatrix! She would be at work bored out of her mind without Draco's company!"
Harry stood and wrapped arms around his distraught future wife. Draco looked at them from across the room silently. Ron stared down at the ground swallowing a lump in his throat.
"Would you like me to bring you all something to drink or eat?" asked a nurse quietly.
"No," croaked Draco, "A-any news?"
"No, sorry."
"She will live," nodded Ron, "She is a fighter."
Draco managed a small nod as he remembered the events after Hermione was struck down by the spell. He had run forward and caught her before her head hit the ground. Harry had stunned Bellatrix and bound her arms and legs before rushing over too Draco.
Hermione was pale white with her hand sliding away from her wound showing Draco and Harry the blood still flowing. Instantly, Harry sent a signal for St Mungo's. Within seconds people from the Hospital arrived and started working on Hermione by covering the wound and checking her vitals. They left shortly after as Ron and Ginny arrived at the scene.
And now, two hours later, they were at St Mungo's as Healers worked on Hermione by replenishing her blood, healing her ankle. But she had lost a lot of blood and when they last heard was on the verge of death.
"Any news?" cried Mrs Weasley as she arrived with her husband, Bill, Fleur, Charlie, Percy, Fred, and George.
"None," muttered Ron as Narcissa Malfoy turned up.
Draco stood at the arrival of his mother and hugged her tightly, "Thanks for coming."
"Honey, I would never let you deal with this alone," said his mother giving a nod of acknowledgement to the Weasley's and Harry.
HD
"Someone stabilize her!" ordered a Healer, "We almost have it closed!"
"Her heart rate is lowering! We are loosing her!"
"No we aren't! Come on!"
"She's stabilized now… how is the heart rate?"
"Still low. More blood is needed."
"It's on its way now."
"Wound is closed. Two more litres of blood should do it."
A man dressed in a bloody white robe ran in with the blood bags and quickly hooked them up.
"Blood flowing in now… what a mess."
"An Auror as well. Brave one at that I heard."
"Colour is returning and heart rate is nearly normal again. Dr Johnson, do you want to inform the boyfriend and family friends?"
The female doctor nodded and walked out of the operating room removing her gloves and facemask. She walked down the corridor and opened the door to the waiting room. The thirteen people all stood at once and looked at Angelina Johnson nervously.
"We have saved her. The wound is closed and her blood is nearly replenished. It was touch and go for a moment but she is on her way to recovery."
Everyone sighed in relief and began hugging each other happily. Draco walked over and shook hands with Angelina glad he hadn't lost Hermione. It was throughout the ordeal that he realised how much she truly meant to him. Sure it was a short time of being with her, but to Draco he didn't care. He was deeply in love with the clever, witty, beautiful young woman.
"Malfoy," said Ron walking over to him. The two looked at each other silently before Ron gave a sigh, "I love her. But I know she doesn't hold that sort of love for me… only brotherly love. Look… just take good care of her okay? And you both have my blessing even if it isn't needed."
Draco nodded and extended his hand, "Thanks Weasley."
Ron gave a small smile and shook Draco's hand before rejoining his family. Draco turned to his mother who was smiling at him.
"I am proud of you," she said smiling, "You found the woman of your dreams and didn't let her heritage change your feelings."
Draco shrugged, "That sort of thing doesn't bother me. I love her and you know, as mushy as it all sounds, I want to be with her forever."
Narcissa reached into her bag and pulled out a round black velvet case, "When the time comes… you will need this."
Draco opened the case and saw a silver ring with a sapphire blue square cut crystal. He looked at his mother in surprise, "This was your mother's."
"I know. It was my engagement ring once and now it is time to hand it to you. She is the one, Draco. And I for one will be proud to call her my daughter in law. As I said before, I like this one."
HD
Hermione frowned a little as voices began invading her mind. She shifted a little but winced as her stomach gave a sharp twinge of pain. She reached up and rubbed her forehead and gave a groan of annoyance.
"Please shut up," she muttered in annoyance before opening her eyes and blinking a few times.
"She's waking up!" came Ginny's voice, "Finally."
Hermione looked around the room at Draco, who was rushing over from his seat, Harry, who was calling for someone, Ron, who was standing up from sleeping on the ground, and Ginny, who was standing eagerly by the bed.
"What is going on?" frowned Hermione. Her mind was a bit of blur making it difficult for her to remember what had happened to land her in hospital with an IV drip and her stomach to hurt the way it did.
"Don't you remember?" asked Draco taking hold of her hand as he smiled at he softly, "You've been sleeping for well… almost two weeks now."
"Yeah. We were beginning to worry. But Angelina said it was your body healing it self from the trauma and wounds," said Harry nodding as Angelina arrived.
"Hello, Hermione. I'm your Healer. How are you feeling?" asked Angelina checking out the monitors and writing things onto Hermione's medical form.
"My stomach hurts and my mind is a complete blur."
"Your stomach wound will hurt for another week. It was a bad wound and will most likely leave a scar. You will eventually remember what happened in probably a few hours."
Hermione frowned and closed her eyes, "I remember glass… a panel of wood… and a rubbish bin."
"It will come together soon," assured Angelina, "Other then that, I think you will be out of here in a few days time once the stitches have taken full effect."
Hermione just nodded and Angelina left. Hermione smiled at Draco and her friends before biting her lower lip.
"What happened? I know Bellatrix captured me. After she strangled me everything is blank."
"We found you and her with wands pointed at each other. I did the stupid thing is shouting out your name causing you to look away," said Draco, "She hit you with a strong curse and you were knocked out."
Hermione nodded and sighed, "I need to know the rest."
"Well… panel of wood… where was the wood?" asked Ginny.
"Wood… the room I was in had boarded windows," said Hermione softly before the flashing of the entire ordeal hit her. She swallowed a lump in her throat and slowly explained everything from nearly being attacked too jumping into a rubbish bin. She went on about being thrown through a window – clearly where her wound occurred – to Harry and Draco arriving.
By the end tears were rolling down her cheeks from relief that it was over. The Dementor's had kissed Bellatrix and now her life could return too normal.
HD
"I think you can go home," grinned Angelina at Hermione, "But you have to take it easy. Your wound is still tender and sudden jerking movements could rip them out."
"When can I have them removed?" asked Hermione.
"Probably next week. I'll send you a letter with your appointment."
Hermione nodded and Angelina signed the release form. Hermione changed into fresh clothes pulled her hair up into a ponytail as Draco walked in.
"Can Hermione come home now?" asked Draco in a child like voice.
"Yes, Hermione can come home," grinned Hermione greeting Draco with a kiss, "But you can carry my gear."
Hermione handed him her duffel bag before walking slowly out of the room. Her ankle was perfectly fine but with her wound it was hard to walk properly.
"So, I am staying with you until you can walk properly," said Draco, "I'll sleep in the lounge room-"
"No you won't!" cried Hermione as she handed the form to the nurse who cut off Hermione's wrist name tag.
"Fine, I'll sleep in the back yard."
Hermione gave Draco an annoyed look, "You can sleep with me, Draco. I'm not a prude and besides… it's cold at night."
Draco chuckled and kissed Hermione on the cheek as they walked over to the elevator, "That was what I was aiming for."
Hermione swatted him on the arm, "Keep it up, and it will be the backyard without a pillow or blanket."
"Oh you are still as nasty as ever."
"Some things never change deary."
Draco smiled and entwined his fingers with Hermione, "Hermione… I-"
"Sorry!" cried a wizard who bumped into Hermione.
Draco quickly steadied Hermione who winced in pain, "Watch it moron! She has stitches in her stomach!"
"I said sorry!"
"Draco," said Hermione placing her hand on his chest, "Don't. I'm fine."
Draco glared at the wizard but said nothing. Hermione gave him and small kiss on the lips and looked up at him happily.
"I love you too, Draco."