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A.N. Apologies as usual for the months of wait and for the grammatical errors. Not wasting anymore time, welcome to …

Devil's Deal

Chapter 21

"Injured?" she managed to ask while running toward the Mediwizards' tent.

"Yes, he….you'll see" Ginny told her, sounding breathless as she too was running.

Hermione knew it was a dire situation even before she entered the tent. Ginny's hesitancy to give information, the solemn faces of Draco's men and Ron and Harry's concerned looks had her mentally bracing herself before going in. Yet, nothing could have prepared her for the sight which she met.

There, lying on a cot, covered in blood was Draco. She hesitated at the entrance, afraid to go in further because he looked so still…so lifeless. Unconsciously she watched his chest, her heart palpitating frantically as she waited in anguish to see any movement to indicate that he was breathing.

"He's alive" a Mediwizard told her and without even realizing it her feet had already taken her to his side. Blinking back tears, she gently reached out a hand to touch his face lightly.

"What's wrong with him?" she asked and although her voice was quiet there was urgency in her tone.

"He's lost a lot of blood due to a severe abdominal injury. Four of his ribs were broken, these punctured both sides of his lungs causing blood to enter and nearly fill it. If he had brought in any later he would have been dead". The Mediwizard answered, coming to stand next to her. "We've managed to drain the fluid and heal his lungs".

"Is he going to be alright?" she asked, her voice slightly hopeful after being told that they had healed him.

"He's not critical now but because of the blood loss he's had a significant decrease in blood oxygen going to his brain…he's in a coma" the mediwizard told her sympathetically.

"A coma" she whispered, her eyes filling with tears once more as she looked at Draco's marble like face.

"We've given him a blood rejuvenator to build back what he has lost but I can't say when he might awake out of the coma. There is nothing more that we can do now"

"Thank you" she told him although her gaze was still directed at Draco.

"He'll pull through this" Ginny said, coming to stand near her. Harry and Ron joined her, taking turns to offer reassuring words. She wanted to believe them but it was difficult to when he was in this condition; battered and unresponsive.

"How did this happen to him?" she asked

"We were ambushed getting back." Ron told her quietly "Some Aurors were cornered and he went to assist but by then we were all under heavy attack and fighting. Maybe an hour later I spotted him and he had a dagger in his stomach. Then out of nowhere another attacker just launched himself at Draco and they both went down a steep incline."

"He was like this when we found him. We tried to get him here as fast as possible" Harry continued from Ron.

"Damn it! I should have been able to protect him!" Blaise sudden muted outburst jolted everyone. She turned to look at him, only now registering his presence. He looked so broken, it was apparent how deeply affected he was by Draco's condition.

"It's not your fault Blaise." Ginny consoled him gently while reaching across to take his hand in hers. Hermione could well understand the frustration and worry that Blaise was feeling as she had experienced those emotions whenever one of their group had been injured.

Even so, the crippling fear that she was feeling now was on a different level. Normally she could remain levelheaded enough to still make decisions and look after those around her, this time however she just wanted to hold onto Draco and cry with helplessness. She understood that he was going to recover but she knew that until he opened his eyes she wouldn't be able to completely believe that.

"Thank Merlin these mediwizards are so good. They analyzed and healed him within a couple of minutes" Harry said while placing a chair close to her. She automatically sat down and carefully took Draco's hand in her own.

"I'm sorry but I am going to have to ask that his visitors be limited to one person at a time" the Mediwizard kindly told them a moment later. Hermione knew she couldn't leave him, to move away at this time was incomprehensible to her.

"Of course" Harry responded before placing a hand on her shoulder. "We'll leave now Hermione. Don't worry too much, he's going to be fine" he told her with absolute certainty.

Ron also rested his hand on her other shoulder "Yeah, before you know it he'll be awake and complaining about how hungry he is" he said with a small smile.

"That sounds more like something you would do" Ginny responded as she gently nudged him out of the way so that she could hug Hermione. "He's a fighter, this isn't going to keep him down for long". While Ginny had been hugging her, Blaise had leaned over to speak some words to Draco. By the time Ginny had stepped away he had gone over to stand next to Harry and Ron, ready to leave.

"Thank you,…" she told them with heartfelt gratitude "…thank you for bringing him back". Their gentle smiles and understanding nods showed their acknowledgement before they took their leave.

Over the next few hours, her panic and shock slowly faded. Draco had been magically cleansed and his numerous scars and cuts were now completely visible as he wasn't covered in blood. She wanted to believe that he seemed less pale. His hand at least felt slightly warmer, which was an indication that the blood rejuvenator was working. She had asked the Mediwizard during one of his visits whether he thought that Draco was aware of what was going on around him. As she had expected, he had answered that he couldn't be sure, but he nonetheless encouraged her to speak to Draco in the chance that he was.

Since then, she had spoken softly to Draco but there was very little that she could say, other than to reassure him that he was going to recover soon. She wanted to remain as positive as possible so she steered clear away from mentioning the war. Her heart still ached to see him in such a state but she silently thanked Merlin that he was alive. Although he continued to be unresponsive, she would not be daunted, as she knew beyond any doubt that she would support him through his recovery, no matter how long it took.

She awoke disoriented, having not realized that she had fallen asleep. Her eyes immediately sought Draco's face as she raised her head of his bed. His eyes remained closed, his features unmoved.

"Sorry for waking you" Ginny's quiet words startled her. She turned to look at Ginny, mildly surprised to see Blaise standing with her.

"It's fine, I hadn't intended to sleep anyway" She saw Ginny and Blaise share a look before Ginny spoke.

"Blaise is going to sit with Draco until you've had something to eat" Ginny told her "And please don't tell me that you aren't hungry…" Ginny put a stop to her interruption before she could even voice it "…because you and I both know that you're not going to be of any help to him if you don't keep up your own strength Hermione." Although understanding the wisdom of Ginny's words she was still most reluctant to move away from Draco.

"We've spoken to the Mediwizard who has assured us that he's stable and I will get you if anything changes" Blaise told her reassuringly.

She knew it was futile to argue with them and she understood clearly that they were concerned about her wellbeing. She nodded to them before turning back to Draco. Slowly she disengaged her hands from his and got up from the chair. She reached up to smooth some of his hair off his forehead, her fingers lingering on the scar near his eye.

"I'll be back soon" she whispered to him and it was the most natural thing for her to place a soft kiss on his forehead before turning to leave. Blaise stood blocking her way with a chain and locket dangling from his fingers.

"Go ahead, take it" he told her with a mischievous smile and tentatively she grasped the chain. She could not contain her smile as she realized what she was holding. Draco's current image was projected in the locket. Blaise had just made sure that she could continue to monitor Draco even when she wasn't with him.

"Thank you" Instinctively she reached out to hug the tall wizard.

"No worries, I know it's illegal to have one but it comes in handy in situations like these" he told her with a conspiratorial wink. She shook her head, still smiling as she honestly couldn't be bother about the number of magical laws that they were breaking right now.

"Come on then" Ginny tugged at her arm, her grin matching Blaise's as she led her out of the tent.

Although she knew that she was only going to have a quick bite before returning to Draco, the locket helped to greatly ease the anxiety of being away from him, especially as he was at his most vulnerable at the moment. She kept covertly glancing at his image in the locket as they made their way to their tent. However, the further they moved into the camp area, the more aware she became that she was receiving not strange, but different looks from the people they passed.

She was about to ask Ginny what was going when she figured out what the looks meant. It was all out in the open now. Undoubtedly word had spread, not only about Draco's condition, but obviously about her reaction to it as well. She could well imagine the shock they must have felt upon hearing that Hermione Granger had been over-wrought at the bedside of Draco Malfoy . Now everyone knew that they shared some kind of relationship and although the looks she had been receiving weren't censorious, they were very much curious.

Being outed was not as calamitous as she had once thought it would be. She knew there would be lots of talk and speculation, but she realized in that instant that it didn't matter. She wasn't ashamed of having been involved with Draco no matter the circumstances. She didn't have any regrets.

She had only just finished eating, after having taken a quick bath when Harry and Ron entered their tent. She knew from their grim expressions that the situation was serious and Harry didn't waste any time in stating the purpose of their visit.

"Ginny filled us in on Thalia's kidnapping" he told her bluntly. She raised stricken eyes to meet Ginny's, shocked that she had all but forgotten Thalia in her worry over Draco.

"It's okay Herms, we understand" Harry told her reassuringly and Ron nodded in agreement. "However, the war is in a critical stage right now. We're meeting with William in a few minutes to figure out the next course of action. Again, we would understand if you needed to be with Draco right now but…"

"I'll come to the meeting Harry" she interrupted him before he could finish his sentence. As torn as she was about not being with Draco she knew that she had a responsibility to her friends and to everyone involved in the war. Perhaps it was the very fact that Draco could not be a part of it that added to her determination now. Securing Thalia's safety would have been his number one priority, she knew that beyond any doubt and she would do everything in her power to do so as well. She would stand with her friends to win this war.

After visiting Draco once more, she made her way with Ginny and Blaise to William's tent. The Mediwizard as well as Draco's third in command had been quick to assure her that they would inform her if he awoken. She thanked them but didn't let on that she would also be checking on him through the locket. They took the empty seats next to Ron and Harry as William began the briefing on the current situation of the war.

"I am sure Raminov is aware that we are brewing the counter potion" Harry stated after William was finished. "He must be on high alert right now. I don't think we should wait but attack him now before he has a chance to increase his defences" There was no mistaking the authority behind Harry's words. His experience as a war hero was not lost on the gathering.

"Ron and I have been speaking with Andrei and going through the maps. It seems that we may have a way to get to Raminov's stronghold here" Harry said, while pointing at a castle on the map. It was obvious that Harry was well prepared for this meeting, from the determined glint in his eyes she knew that he was completely sure that this was the best way forward.

"As much as I understand what you're saying Harry, we have many injured men right now. I do not think we should chance it. We need more Aurors before we can attack." William's words were also full of authority. "I have already requested that the Ministry send every available Auror".

Hermione knew that they had to move as soon as possible. Time was of the essence in every regard. Raminov had already proven himself to be a calculated strategist and they couldn't give him the opportunity to mobilize or to flee.

"I agree with Harry…" Ron spoke in the contemplative silence "…Raminov has clusters of men protecting the outskirts of the town, which would mean that his actually location, the castle, is not as yet heavily guarded. These next few hours are when he will be his most vulnerable."

"We also have to consider that Raminov may have hostages , including women and children. If we could infiltrate, it may mean that they get out alive" Harry added.

"We have enough skilled Aurors at the moment and with Malfoy's men, we should be able to at least create an opening for the second wave attack." Christophe spoke up from the back of the room. Hermione could tell that William was changing his mind. It was hard to go against the logic of two decorated war heroes and one of your most trusted captains.

"What's you plan?" William finally said and they shared relieved smiles.

"As Ron said earlier, Raminov has his men posted on the outskirts of this area. It would be impossible to get past that perimeter as they not only outnumber us, they can alert any of the other groups nearby to assist them." Harry began by outlining the positions of Raminvo's men on the map.

"The only area that is unguraded is here" He indicated to what was the steep side of the mountain that the castle, Raminov's stronghold was perched on. "Andrei has told us that the reason it remains unguarded is due to intense wind currents that makes any form of ascent almost impossible". There was something in the way he said almost then looked at Ron that let her know something was amiss. She wasn't completely surprised when they both looked expectantly at her. Having been friends with them for such a long time she already knew what they were thinking about.

"That's suicide…" she told them sternly "…you barely survived that time".

"Some years ago Hermione found a spell that could make items perform at highly increased levels, Ron and Harry used it to make their brooms go faster" Ginny explained to the gathering "I think it will work though Hermione" the red haired witch told her. Hermione should have realized that Ginny was also in on this plan and from Blaise's nodding, she guessed him as well. They probably went through all of this during the time she had been with Draco.

"We were unprepared the last time Herms. This time we only need it to get from the base to the castle. The extra speed would allow us to easily cut through those wind currents" Harry cajoled her.

"Although we performed the spell at that time, we didn't know how to stop the spell once started but Hermione does" Ron joined in "She never taught it to us to keep us from trying it again. She's the only person that knows it completely" he finished sheepishly.

The entire gathering turned expectantly to face her. She knew from the hopeful expressions that she didn't have a choice.

Properly learning the spell had taken them a couple of hours. As their attack was planned for nightfall, they were working in good time. Hermione had practiced it as well as she very much intended to be part of the attack. The hardest thing for her was getting on the broom. Harry and Ron had tried to dissuade her from going with them and instead joining with the rest of Aurors when they arrived but she had been adamant.

As she had stood looking at the broom she remembered the night or rather early morning that Draco had taken her to look at the sunrise from the terrace. She hadn't been afraid with him and she had actually looked forward to the next time when they would go again. She had shook her head in derision as his words replaying in her head.

"What would you do if you we're ever in a situation where you needed to fly?" he had asked her and she had replied to him that she hadn't the foggiest notion.

Taking out the locket she had looked at his image. He had done so much and been through even more to ensure that they succeeded. She wasn't about to let him down. Straightening her back, she had mounted the broom, and although her body had trembled with fear she never backed down. On her third try Ron and Harry had joined her, they cast a spell to make sure she didn't fall off and then grabbed each of her arms as they flew straight up. She hadn't enjoyed it, she really had thought she would die and she swore that after they completed this mission she was never getting on a broom again. Nonetheless, her resolve to be part of the attack never faltered and she was grateful to have her friends' support.

They were to leave on the mission in a few minutes and she had come to look in on Draco. She sat on the side of his bed wanting to be as close to him as possible. His hand in hers felt markedly warmer and she smiled as she brought it to her lips.

"I love you" she told him, not even aware that she was going to speak the words until they had been formed.

"I'm not telling you this to burden you but I just…I just wanted you to know." She didn't know whether he could hear her or not but it didn't matter. She freed one of her hands to wipe her tears.

"Everyone's assembling Herms" Ginny told her sympathetically from the entrance. She nodded to her before turning back to Draco. Her hand reached into her pocket to take out a small vial. She had been happy to see that the Aurors who had been injured by the aedesura potion had fully recovered after drinking the counter potion. Even their scars had completely diappeared. Draco's wounds hadn't been caused by the potion and his body was already healing… except for the scar.

However the war turned out she didn't want Draco to be permanently marked by it. Although she knew she was being selfish by not giving him the option to choose for himself she nonetheless carefully uncovered the counter potion and poured it into his mouth. He remained unmoving as she traced her hand over his scar.

"You already have too many scars" she whispered quietly before leaning in to kiss him "Keep safe, my love".

I'm sorry to have kept you guys waiting for so long. Hope you enjoyed it. Thank you for your continuous support of this story over these past months. My life has been a never ending roller coaster but your reviews and messages have been greatly appreciated. I know that some of you have written to me and I intend to reply to you as soon as I can, so please don't think that I'm being rude and ignoring your messages. Also, thank you to fruitstoeat for the beautiful manip. Keep safe and happy reading.

Thanks for the review.