Chapter-25: Protect
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.
Draco was sitting at the edge of the bed of his current room of the recent Headquarters of the Order that was a old house located at the outskirt of London. Today's copy of Daily Prophet crumpled in his hand like a waste paper ball. He straightened the paper to look at the front paper for the last time. The front page hold the picture of the Golden trio in official dress running through the Ministry. The headline read,
Harry Potter, the Mud-blood and the blood-traitor infiltrate the Ministry of magic in disguise of ministry officials.
It was found that Harry Potter as Albert Runcorn, Hermione Granger as Mafalda Hopkirk and Ron Weasley as Reginald Cattermole sneaked into the Ministry of Magic in an attempt to harm Dolores Umbridge, Head of the Muggle-born Registration Commission. It was a lucky escape for Madam Dolorous as she was only stunned and no other harm...
Draco stopped reading after this. He couldn't read anymore. He wanted to know if Hermione was alright and safe. Wanted nothing but to hold her in his arms and protect her from all bad and evil. He threw the paper on the floor and pointed his wand at it. "Incendio" and the paper burst in to flames.
At that time, Tonks came in his room to find him watching the newspaper burning. She walked to him and sat beside him. "She okay, Draco. You know that." Draco just then realized that someone was with him. Every member of the Order including Tonks knew about Hermione. And thanks to his bloody mother for nit be able to keep her mouth shut.
Draco said nothing and so Tonks continued, "She's a strong girl. Surely, she'll get out of this. Don't worry." Draco still remained silent and let Tonks hold his hand and squeeze it. I know. Draco thought inwardly.
Hermione realized for sometimes now that Harry was acting oddly. He always stayed with her and Ron and seemed to never leave her alone with Ron. And even the day when Ron abruptly got angry with her and Harry and left them, Harry said something odd. She clearly remember that night.
She and Harry was discussing how to destroy Horcrux when Ron took all the lights out with his Deluminator given to him by Dumbledore. Then again let them out and the tent illuminated again. Then Ron started to shout at them and eventually a fight broke between Harry and Ron. Hermione tried to stop them but in vain. They were fighting over their parents but after a while they stopped fighting.
After a long uncomfortable silence, what Ron said made Hermione's blood run cold. "I know what the two of you are doing. I saw the you two the other night." Ron shouted. Tears stung Hermione's eyes. "Ron, that was nothing." She said pleadingly. The situation was coming under control but Harry's next statement lost it all.
Harry said in a voice so cold that even Voldemort would've been jealous of him. "Then perhaps, you should've seen it coming earlier." What was Harry saying. Hermione thought furiously. "You disgust me, Harry Potter." said Ron's angry voice. He then turned to her and said, "And you. Are you coming or staying?" Hermione gaped at Ron's question. She looked at Ron, then at Harry and again at Ron.
But before she could say anything, Ron said coldly, "I get it. Fine." And then he left. Just like that. Hermione went after him calling his name but he was long gone. Hermione fell on the snow covered ground of the forest. And thought about why Harry had said that.
Ron arrived after few weeks when realized that his temper had no reason and it was the doing of that blasted Slytherin's locket. And he destroyed the said locket with the sword of Gryffindor that Harry found in a lake near the place of the forest they then were staying. After that day, the most horrible thing happened. they were caught by the Snatchers and brought to the Malfoy Manor.
Now Hermione was lying on the drawing room floor of the manor withering in pain as the Cruciatus curse of Bellatrix constantly hit her. She screamed but still refused to say how they actually had find the sword of Gryffindor. Even though she exactly wasn't lying because she didn't know how the sword find them.
Harry and Ron were locked in the Dungeon and screaming her name but otherwise couldn't do anything. Hermione lost conscience after what seemed like a lifetime. She was then taken to the Dungeon and left with the other.
Harry and Ron hurried over to her but before they could ask her or shook her, they heard blasting sound.
Draco was sitting on the dinning table with all the members of Order including his mother. Within this few months, Draco had proved his allegiance to the Order and they now believe him and treat him and his mother as family members. Molly Weasley and Tonks were the first ones to come forward.
Their dinner was almost finished when a doe shaped Patronus appeared in the center of the table. Then Snape's voice spoke, " The Snatchers had caught Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger and brought them to the Malfoy Manor. Rescue them." The doe walked and stood in front of Draco. "Hurry." And with that it disappeared.
Ten minutes later the table was cleared and everybody seated. Draco started, "We need to go now." His voice firm and final and even his face was devoid of any one objected but Draco could feel everyone giving him pitying look that he hated so much.
For the next ten minutes, they planned. Draco was to lower the wards around the manor as everybody knew he and his mother was held captive and wouldn't suspect them to switch sides. Then Draco and Bill Weasley would go to the dungeon while the others will keep the Death Eaters busy. Meanwhile, Bill will apparate the prisoners to his home, the Shell Cottage. After that, the Order will simply retreat.
After revising their plan one last time, all of them set of leaving Narcissa and Molly to worry over them.
Draco apparated with others in front of the Malfoy Manor. Draco lowered the anti-apparition and intruder alerting wards on the house. Arthur, Shacklebolt, Charlie and George Weasley entered the house and started attacking. Soon the drawing room became a battle field. Draco and Bill sneaked in and went towards the dungeon while everyone was busy fighting.
They reached the dungeon gate and saw Wormtail standing in front of the cell door. Bill took care of him and Draco blasted the door open. Immediately, Draco's eyes fell on the broken form of Hermione just a few feets away. He quickly rushed over to her and took her in his arms.
"Hermione. Hermione, wake up. Please, wake up. Hermione." Draco looked at Harry and Ron and asked in a pained tone, "Is she...is she alive?" Ron was too shocked to answer. So Harry answered instead. "We don't know."
Draco looked down at Hermione and brought his hand in front of her nose. He released a breath he didn't knew he was holding when he felt her slow breath brushed his fingers. Suddenly his face contorted in a angry scowl. "Whoever has done this to my angel will suffer terribly? Who did this?" Draco asked no one in particular.
It was Ron who answered. "Bellatrix Lestrange." Draco growled. "I'll kill Bellatrix for doing this to her." And then Bill came and Draco reluctantly released Hermione and Harry held her. Then Bill apparated him, Harry, Hermione, Ron, Luna and another captive who was Ollivander to Shell Cottage where Fleur was waiting for them.
With a resounding pop, Draco was left alone in the dungeon cell that was illuminated by Ron's Deluminator.
Enjoy and review guys.