A/N: Whoo hoo! I actually thought I wasn't going to be able to update this week, but I made it! I didn't want to keep you guys all flustered, especially after how I ended the last chapter Welp, here it is! Thanks to all my loyal readers and reviewers! And thanks to my ginger bffl whose new duty is to remind me to update in a timely manner.
Chapter Fourteen
"Huh, it is actually working."
"Mhm."
Everything was dark, my head felt as if a forceful pressure were beating down on it. I could hear voices, but they were muffled. I couldn't move though, my entire body felt numb and stiff. However this sensation seemed to be receding, my head being freed from it, and it slowly continued downward. Past my neck, my shoulders, forearms and so on. As the paralyzing sensation crept farther away from my upper body, I was breathing again, and could open my eyes.
"H-H-Hermione?" It pained me to speak, but I managed.
I felt a warm hand on my own, "I'm here, and you're back."
I blinked a few times; banishing the blurred vision that had overcame me. The pressure still lingered in my head agonizingly, as my body still felt immobile.
"W-what?" I asked dizzily.
"You don't remember? Your dearest aunt turned you to stone." Hermione answered me coldly.
I do remember it, my very last sight before my. . .unconsciousness, was Bellatrix's spell. I looked down, if I could have, I would've jumped back. A glittering line seemed to be eating away the stone that bonded my calves, and continued working down to my feet. I didn't move while the spell continued to free me. In all my years of being around dark magic, I had never known anyone to have been turned to stone, and then be revived afterwards.
"She's no longer my aunt, remember?" I said harshly, "But, you're amazing, you know that right?" I looked up at Hermione gratefully, she beamed at my compliment.
"How touching." Professor Snape announced from behind me.
I made an attempt to turn to him, but my body still felt like stone. Snape stood beside Hermione, hand held out to her. She glared at him for a moment, and then looked at me nervously. I didn't understand what was happening, but the next thing I knew, Hermione reluctantly placed the wand she had been holding into Snape's hand.
It became clear to me; our potions master had given Hermione his wand, assuming she could revive me. She wasn't sure what to make of the gesture I'm sure, but I was surprised she returned his wand. You would think she would have jinxed him instead, so we could make an escape.
"Let's get you walking then." Hermione said as she grabbed my forearm and tried to lift me to my feet.
"Why did you give him back his wand?" I asked as I carefully and shakily rose.
"You didn't look shocked or angry to see him."
"Clever witch, as usual Miss Granger." Snape snorted, pulling me up the rest of the way.
"Yes, well even though you are a murderer," I could see our Professor mentally cringe at Hermione's harsh words, "It's quite obvious that you are here to assist Draco."
She had discovered Snape's motives for being here in literally the shortest time either of us had ever seen a plan decoded. I saw in Snape's eye's that he was in fact here to help Hermione and I, the question was now, how?
"The Dark Lord will be here in less then a day," Snape began calmly, "Which means not only must you get out of here now, but you'll need to get a good distance away in a decent amount of time."
"We'll have to run."
Snape raised his brow at my suggestion, "Are you really that daft boy? Running will not get you far enough in time this time."
"Then what other choice do we have?" Hermione interjected defensively on my behalf.
"What any smart wizard would do, apparate."
Hermione and I exchanged a side glance, then my gaze fell to the floor. If my wand was still in tact, I still couldn't apparate. . .it was too risky.
"I still have your wand Draco." Snape said as if that were the only issue.
"That's great Professor, but there is still a problem." I peeped sheepishly.
"And that is?"
I took a deep breath before answering, "I can't apparate, I actually failed my test. Our money kept the man from failing me. So I can't apparate alone, much less with Hermione."
Snape stared at me as if I had just jinxed his mother. I glanced at Hermione shamefully, what kind of pathetic excuse for a wizard am I?
And as if she were reading my mind, "You're still a great wizard, you just need some work."
She gave me a small smile; I couldn't help but beam at her in response. Hermione was harmony to my dysfunctional and disturbed cognition; I was grateful for her presence. Our dear professor had to destroy the moment entirely.
"Please, what kind of wizard can't apparate? How do expect to escape alive then Draco?"
"I can get us both away from here safely!" I argued bitterly, he snorted.
"You'll have to apparate then, Draco." Snape said with indifference, but I felt the doubt.
"But, You-Know-Who doesn't know he can't apparate. I see no issue with running." Hermione came to my defense again.
"Really? Then I guess we shouldn't worry about the countless creatures that the Dark Lord could send into the forests to track you down?" Hermione looked flustered by Snape's reply, no doubt irritated for being disproved.
". . .I can do it." I said the words without thinking them through, both my Professor and Hermione looked at me quizzically.
"Hmm." Snape finally said, "Then it's settled."
Hermione kept staring at me confused; surely I had a better idea then risking our lives on the off chance that I could apparate. I don't know, I would think of something, but we needed to get going. And who knows? Miracles could happen right? I mean, Hermione has continued to stand by me for a while now, there's a huge miracle.
"Right, now how are you getting out of here? Well, where is here by the way?" I shifted the subject quickly.
"My basement."
"So we are back in Spinners End?" I asked rhetorically.
Hermione groaned, "We were just here the other week or so."
"Ah yes, you two's run in with Avery and that incompetent boy, Higgs. Nice mess you made of our park's statue Miss Granger." I couldn't tell if Snape was giving her a compliment or an insult, nonetheless we both ignored his comment.
"So what grand escape shall we make this time?" Hermione looked to me; I could see our last escape flicker across her expression.
"I won't be carrying you this time Granger." I raised my brow playfully.
"I have legs that are perfectly capable of walking, Malfoy."
Before I could make my reply, Snape breathed heavily to catch our attention and stalked away. I stared after him for a moment, then Hermione and I quickly rushed to his heels.
"This is no light-hearted matter children." Snape scolded us for a playfulness at an inappropriate time.
It was my fault, I was with the two people I trusted the most in this world right now. One whom I loved like a father, and the other whom I was in love with. I suppose an unexpected warmth had flown through me, I momentarily forgot the troubles in this world. A mistake that could cost me a lot if I were not careful.
"My apologies, Professor." I spoke up as we climbed the steps.
He ignored my sorry, "I cannot be blamed for you two's escape, especially in my own home. Draco, your parents. . .well, the Dark Lord is quite furious."
My heart dipped into my stomach immediately. I had nearly completely forgotten the fate of my parents because of my betrayal.
"How are they?" I croaked, suddenly I felt my voice leaving me.
"House arrest, I guess would be the proper term. He has yet to hurt your mother or father, but he continues to torment them with the promise of your head on a platter." His casual tone was almost as unnerving as his words.
My head on a platter? I suppose that was better then when the Dark Lord said he would have Potter's body impaled and placed on display at the Ministry. . .
"Then what are we to do to get out of here?" Hermione said quickly, averting my attention successfully.
"I am going to leave soon, I have matters to attend to for the Dark Lord. Alecto and Amycus Carrow shall be on guard. I shall place them both under a temporary sleeping charm, the rest shall be up to you." Snape swatted us away from him, we both climbed back down the stairs reluctantly, "I'll be gone in thirty minutes, and the charm lasts an hour."
With that he flicked his wand, the door swung open, he stepped through and the door instantly snapped shut with a loud 'click'.
"That was entirely helpful." Hermione said crossly.
"It's helpful enough."
/////
"Are you ready?" I asked Hermione for the millionth time.
"Yes!"
"Just remember to be careful, we have mere minutes to find my wand." I reminded her again.
She rolled her eyes, "That was a bit of information Snape didn't have to be so mum about."
"I know," I agreed gingerly, "Nevertheless, we have to work with what we got."
"Then let's stop chatting about it." She was growing aggravated, I couldn't help it though.
I stared at the open furnace, the blazes jumped around madly within it. I could see the one piece of wood that would be my only option, our savior in this mess. Of course it was this piece of wood that was more toward the back of the furnace, the area of it left un-scorched was growing small. I rolled up my sleeves to my elbows.
"You don't have a Dark Mark?"
The question caught me completely off guard, just as I had been reaching into the furnace.
"I-I. . .no I don't." I replied, and in an attempt to shift the atmosphere, I shoved my hand into the furnace.
I felt the embers seep into my skin painfully; I snatched out the intended piece of wood with haste. The wood was hotter then I had thought it would've been, but manageable. The end of it continued to hold a piece of fire, my idea had worked. My arm still burned slightly, but I was sure there would be no serious burn wounds.
"Okay, ready?
"Draco, for the last time! Yes!" She nearly shouted, I nodded and proceeded up the stairs.
Each one seemed to creek and moan as I took them on one at a time. My pulse had accelerated, my adrenaline was beginning to work up again. That familiar rush from the first escape was rapidly flushing through my veins.
"This part seems to easy." Hermione nearly chuckled.
"The first door was sealed by Muggle means, I suppose they figured magic was the best alternative. They really should have thought about the fact that the door is wood, and there is a furnace down here."
We found ourselves partially laughing as we reached the top of the steps. I stopped in front of the door, my body revolting the idea of halting this madness. My heart raced wildly, I looked to Hermione for one last reassurance. A surge of electricity erupted, almost causing me to fall over, as Hermione slipped her hand into my open one and gave me a light squeeze.
"Let's try not to burn his house down." She gave a curt nod, I had to control the urge to smile widely at our contact.
Another deep breath, Hermione's comforting warmth, and the high of our escape; I shoved the makeshift torch into the door.
Within seconds it was ablaze, the stench of it filled my nostrils making my head spin. I wanted to turn away from the stink, but we didn't have the time. I released the torch, and stomped out its embers before kicking it down the steps.
"Cover your face!" I ordered to Hermione, she listened without hesitation.
The door was crumbling, loosing its support, making it easy for me to kick it down. It hit the floor with a boisterous 'thud'. The door way was still in flames, and now the fire began to spread across Snape's kitchen floor. I pulled Hermione out of the basement completely, and rushed out of the kitchen.
"It would probably be on their persons." Hermione announced loudly as we entered the sitting room.
Alecto, a short and stocky woman, was sprawled across the couch asleep. Her lump of a brother, Amycus, laid across the floor snoring. The house was incredibly hot, the fire creeping its way through onto table and across the wood floors, the walls threatening to turn to ash. Hermione sped over to Alecto, digging through pockets to find my wand. I dropped to the ground to search Amycus, with no luck. I cursed to myself, and pocketed his coin bag; it would no doubt come in handy later.
"Not here." I told her, "Not on her either."
I snapped Amycus's own wand in anger. Hermione watched me, her eyes growing wide. For a moment I had thought I had scared her, but she took Alecto's wand out.
"Accio wand!"
The book covered walls of the sitting room began to shake viciously, as if an earthquake had been triggered. Books were falling left and right, the fire was reaching the out skirts of the sitting room as the entire kitchen was in flames.
My heart was still pulsing too fast, everything was moving at light speed. Finally, one of the books hit the ground and flipped open, my wand whipped out of its empty center and into Hermione's waiting hand.
"Aguamenti!" She directed Alecto's wand at the flames that had engulfed the kitchen.
I was utterly amazed, yet again, by Hermione's cunning and quick thinking abilities. She moved through the kitchen, to the basement, extinguishing the fire effortlessly. I stood behind her, admiring her skills.
"Here you are." She handed me my wand, I took it shakily.
"You continue to dazzle me, did you know that?" My question was innocent, yet she blushed a light shade of pink.
She looked away, clearing her throat, "Yes well, it's a Gryffindor thing."
"No actually, "I said reaching out to grab her arm, "Because obviously I can do it too."
The adrenaline rush had yet to cease, and now it was as if it were increasing. Hermione's eye's met my own, her face expressionless, she seemed to be registering something. For a split second, I contemplated attempting another kiss, everything screamed to go for it.
Hermione pulled her arm from my grasp with a giggle, "You don't dazzle me Draco, you surprise me."
She turned on her heels, and proceeded back into the sitting room. I stood there, a cross between rejected and dazed. Yet at the same time, something inside of me told me not to give up, that I was definitely close to my victory.
"I'm horrible with time, but I do believe that we have about ten minutes left." I ran my fingers through my hair, more nervous about what had just happened.
"Then we should," She stopped looking at all the books that had fallen, "Get out of here, we've been here before."
I stopped in my tracks, that's right, and I had lied about whose house it wasn't.
"Come on Hermione." I tried to bypass her discovery.
"Draco," She started, snapping Alecto's wand, "Snape helped us when Avery stunned me, here in Spinners End?"
"Yes, I didn't want you to worry. Please don't be mad." I begged, staring at Alecto's broken wand.
"I snapped it so she couldn't use it." Hermione followed my stare, then clarified, "And that was probably the best thing to do."
I looked at her baffled, she wasn't angry at all? She leaned down and picked up a book, I immediately recognized Snape's little spell book.
"W-well, I-I'm still sorry I lied." I stumbled over my words; she gave me a weak smile.
Hermione tossed aside Alecto's wand, "The Floo powder is gone."
I looked to the fire place, she was right, "Then we'll stick with the plan."
Hermione nodded, holding Snape's journal to her person before joining me by the door. I watched her, a bit intrigued, did she recognize the journal? I thought I had hid it form her, or maybe it had caught her attention?
Just as we were about to run off, a loud grumble caught my ear. I turned to see Amycus rolling on the ground, and then his sister shot up as if she had been hit.
"Bloody hell, you've got to be kidding me!" I nearly kicked the wall, Hermione gasped beside me.
Alecto and Amycus were staring at us with confusion, they examined the area before glaring back at us. Both instantly reached for their wands, but found nothing.
"What have you snot nosed brats done?!" Alecto shrieked.
"Escaped by the looks of it." I replied smugly, Amycus let out a grunt before jumping to his feet.
He charged toward Hermione and I, I instinctively shoved Hermione behind me. I waited for him to leap over the couch and get almost too close to me.
"Stupefy!" The spell sent him toppling backwards, back over the couch and into his sister.
"Amycus!" Alecto was on her feet, "Malfoy, don't be stupid." She growled at me, eyeing both Hermione and my wand.
I didn't bother to respond, "Stupefy!"
Alecto made an attempt to duck, but failed, and was sent crashing on top of her sibling. I was grinning at my accomplishment, but we still needed to be on the move. There was no telling if more Death Eaters were to be on guard soon or not.
Without another word, I took Hermione's hand tightly and sped out of Snape's home. I couldn't help but notice how perfectly her hand seemed to fit into mine, the missing piece to a puzzle. She kept up well as we passed the old murky river, I tried not to think of what I was going to be required to do in a matter of moments.
"Draco, that's far enough." Hermione called to me after a few more minutes of running.
We were back on the out skirts of Spinners End, and it was time to apparate. I felt a lump form in my throat, I wasn't ready.
"Hermione, I can't."
"We may have to try, We have to get away, and we can't run." She explained softly, but I felt like a disappointment.
"And if I leave half of myself here? Or even worse, part of you?" I sniped back; I shouldn't take my frustration out on her.
"Even wors-" She stopped herself and shook her head, "Never mind, however Draco, we really don't have another option."
"I won't risk it, I can't risk it." I argued, she sighed.
"I think you can do it." She looked up at me calmly, I felt paralyzed.
I could've sworn I saw a twinkle in those caramel iris's, Merlin she was beautiful. And here I was, dazzled yet again by the angle before me. She thought I could do it, and she was the genius after all. She slid her hand out of mine, and wrapped it over my own and my wand so that we were both clutching my wand.
"Are you sure?" I asked feeling my palms begin to sweat.
"I'm pretty much always sure." She said with that Malfoy-worthy smirk.
Relief spread through my body, that was all I needed. I closed my eyes, preparing my body for the trip to the next closest village. I nearly leapt out of my skin when Hermione pressed her body flush against mine. I could feel every luscious curve and all, for a minute it became hard to concentrate on anything but the feel of her body. My arm snaked around her waist to secure her to me, as my head rested on the top of hers.
"It'll be okay." I heard her muse.
She was breath taking, I pressed my lips to her hair and inhaled her scent. She was my new reason for survival, and to survive I needed to apparate, I needed to survive to keep her safe. My mind worked a mile a minute, conducting all sorts of reasons why I needed to do this, all pointed to Hermione. With one last deep breath, I held her closely, as if she would vanish. We squeezed my wand together, a sudden pull and an unpleasant limb binding sensation, all for Hermione.
………
A/N: Ahh! I'm so excited! I'm getting farther and farther, and I love my plans for this story! Let me know if you guys are liking this too, that's all that matters :]