July 31st 1997
Today was the day that the Light would celebrate instead of mourn, the wedding was happening and the preparations had begun before dawn. Weasleys, Prewetts and French family members would all be arriving at 1pm for the afternoon ceremony. Every manner of ward and protection that could be, had been placed on the property without making it unplottable. Hermione had been whisked away after breakfast to help get Ginny and Gabrielle ready as well as herself. Something that would undoubtedly take hours. She had instructed me to keep her beaded bag on me at all times as apparently her dress wouldn't allow it to be concealed. That resulted in me being excited to see her in the dress.
Moony was anxious however, despite the wards and protections, even the ones added by the goblins as a favour to Bill, the gathering here today would be like a Light side buffet and if the Death Eaters could get in, there is no doubt they would.
I took a swig of my butterbeer and took a look around the yard, I would need to go get dressed soon; people would be arriving shortly.
I heard footsteps approaching from behind and a hand clapped me on the back moments later.
"Ahh, Remus, can you believe this. I'm glad it's almost done with, Molly has been driving the kids all mad with the cleaning and chores!" Arthur said, his own butterbeer in his hand.
"Yes, I will be glad to be back home, no offence, you have been an amazing host, but..." I smiled sheepishly at the man.
"its fine, I understand. It's loud and full and there's not much privacy." He finished for me, I nodded in agreement.
"Exactly, but Hermione wanted to be here, and I couldn't deny her time with those she considers her family." I told him honestly. Especially not after she had already said goodbye to her parents, I added in my head.
"You know, don't tell Molly or Ginny this, but I always thought she would end up with Harry." Moony growled slightly at the implication and Hermione sent me comforting waves, reassuring him even though I could tell she wasn't even sure what was going on. "They were much closer than her and Ron ever was, inseparable almost and got on a lot better too. But you and her, I've known you since you were eleven, Remus, even if it was just in passing until we were older and you and her...you fit and you, you're happier now than I ever imagined. And Hermione, she's like my other daughter, she's part of this family, always so bright and loving. Since being with you, she has blossomed Remus, and it's more than any parent could wish for their child." The mans voiced choked slightly with emotion but I didn't acknowledge it. "Our family is so large, it feels almost foolish to hope we will make it through this war whole, but I do. It's all I hope for, every day."
"I hope for that too, Arthur." I told him, finishing off my drink. We stood there in silence for a moment, letting his words hang in the air, then the moment passed and we both moved inside to get ready for the wedding.
'Are you ready?' Hermione pushed to me just 45 minutes later.
'Yes, are you finally allowed to return to me?' I teased back.
'It's only been 6 hours!' She giggled as she descended the stairs.
"And eleven minutes." I added while she rolled her eyes at me.
"Sorry, and eleven minutes." She sighed before stepping into my arms. She was wearing an amazing lavender gown that made me want to do things we just didn't have time for.
"I can't wait to get you out of that dress!" I whispered in her ear, kissing her neck lightly. She melted into my embrace.
"We can sneak away after the ceremony, I promise!" She promised with a whisper, I groaned against her before pulling away and grasping her hands in mine.
"This way, Mrs Lupin, the festivities await!" I bowed to her, causing her to laugh at my antics.
"Is Harry disguised?" She asked as we exited the house.
"Yes, he is the redheaded teen next to Ron, apparently the twins pulled the hair from some muggle in London." I explained, she hummed and nodded her head as the two boys approached. The yard was full, the twins and Ron helping people to their seats.
"'Mione, you look amazing!" Ron said with a grin as the disguised Harry grinned at us.
"Beautiful, love!" Harry agreed, she grinned at them both.
"Thank you, boys!" She said while giving a little spin. "Now, where are we sitting?" She asked, hugging them both briefly.
"This way kind sir and Madam!" Harry gestured, Ron led up to seats in the third row that had one spare beside us, with Harry sitting down on Hermione's other side.
"I'm up front row with the immediate, but I still have to help the rest of everyone, so I'll see you after." Ron said, nodding to us as he moved off to seat more guests.
Once everyone was seated Bill and his chosen men were stood in front of the crowd, ready and waiting.
'Do you wish we had this for our day?' I asked Hermione as the music started and the guests stood while Ginny walked down the aisle.
'No, this is nice for some people, but I love our day and I wouldn't change it for the world!' She answered, I could feel the sincerity pouring off her.
I didn't respond, instead I just squeezed her hand as we waited for the bride to join her groom. Bill and Fleur were joined in a traditional wizarding ceremony. The light shined down on them and the crowd applauded. Hermione quickly swiped the tears from her cheeks as Bill and Fleur kissed.
"Thank you all for joining us today to celebrate our love! Now, we have food and drinks prepared for those who wish to share a meal with us." Bill said, addressing the crowd. He and Fleur led the gathering away from where they had been seated and into the marquee that had been set up as the reception area.
The music began to play magically as the couple entered the middle of the dance floor and moved into a traditional waltz. Once Bill and Fleur had made one round of the dancefloor, their parents joined them, followed by other couples. I offered my hand to Hermione's, silently asking her to dance.
She placed her small hand into my large one and I led her onto the dancefloor, leading her through the dance with the other couples. It was a while later that it happened, I was standing off to the side speaking to Charlie and Fred when the Patronus entered the tent. It was one I recognised.
'The Ministry has fallen, Scrimgeour is dead. They are coming!' Echoed through the tent and the reaction took only a fraction of a second before chaos erupted. Hermione had been dancing with the polyjuiced Harry and both of them were at my side within moments while Fred and Charlie had left to look for members of their family. Hermione gripped my arm with one hand, the other clutching Harry tightly.
"We have to find Ron!" She shouted over the pops and cries. Death Eaters had already begun Apparating in. "Ron!" She screamed as I pulled us all to the ground when spells began to fly.
"Over there!" Harry hissed.
"I see him!" I said, spotting the boy making his way through the panicked guests, who were still looking for their loved ones so they could flee. Standing up, I pulled Hermione and Harry through the crowd before meeting Ron in the middle.
"Grab on!" Hermione ordered him, once his hand was on her, she began to spin and Apparated us all away. We let our magic be guided by hers and landed heavily a moment later in a wet muggle alley.
"Hermione, where are we?" Ron asked as he looked around us, just a few feet away was a busy Muggle street.
"Shacksberry Avenue, I used to come here with mum and dad when I was younger, it just popped into my head!" She explained quickly while looking around. "We need to change!"
"Bloody Hell, all our things, they're at the Burrow!" Harry exclaimed, Hermione just looked at him and shook her head while holding up her purple beaded bag.
"I've had all the essentials packed for weeks." She said, giving the bag a small shake. A tumbling sound could be heard, and she frowned. "Ahh, that'll be the books."
"We need to get a move on!" I urged the three teens, they nodded as Hermione reached into her bag up to her elbow and started pulling clothes out for each of us. We changed in silence. Once dressed, Hermione took my hand, pulling me out of the alleyway, with Ron and Harry following behind us.
"We can't just wonder the streets, we need a plan!" Ron half whispered as we made our way through the crowded London streets.
"Come on, in here!" Hermione said before leading us all into a rather dodgy looking coffee shop. We took our seats on either side of a small table that wobbled when bumped. A waitress came over and Hermione ordered for all of us. Once we had our drinks in hand, we all seemed to calm down a tad.
"What are we going to do now?" Harry wondered while running his hands through his perpetually messy hair.
"We can't panic, Harry, I have everything we need. We just keep looking for the Horcruxes, as we've been doing." Hermione said calmly, showing both the boys a calm face.
"We knew this was a possibility." I put in.
"Is there anywhere we can go?" Ron asked.
"With Voldemort taking over at the Ministry, I'm not sure that anywhere will be safe now." Harry frowned.
"Yes it –"The bell above the door rang and two men in work clothes walked in with their faces shadowed by the hats on their heads. But I could smell them.
"Get down!" I growled, throwing myself on top of Hermione. We both landed on the floor as the Death Eaters flung their first spells across the room. Fortunately, they had underestimated us and it only took a handful of spells before both men were unconscious.
"Harry, Ron, clean this place up, I'm going to wipe their Memories. Remus, stand guard in case any more of their friends turn up!" Hermione ordered in a no nonsense voice, soon we were Apparating around the country before landing in a forest somewhere in Northumberland. "I'll set up the protective enchantments, you get started on the tent." She said, nodding at the small purple bag.
"Tent?" Ron asked, Harry just shrugged and accioed it out of the bag. Leaving the boys to set it up, I kept watch over my mate, scanning for any threats, though the forest around us was silent.
September 1st 1997
"We're supposed to be returning for our final year of schooling today." Hermione said with a sigh as she stared out over the rising sun. We had kept on the move and kept researching, but in the month since we had been separated from our friends and family, no progress had been made.
"I know mine, I'm sorry you've lost your childhood!" I said, wrapping my arms around her from behind. She had taken last watch for the night, she always did. Ron took first as he stayed up latest but was hard to wake. Harry took second, then me, and finally, Hermione, because she didn't mind rising early. We had fallen into a routine and while we were safe, I could tell the lack of progress was wearing on all of the teens.
November 12th 1997
"What is this?" Ron's nose wrinkled in disgust as he poked at the meagre food that Hermione had set down on the table. We had run out of food almost 3 weeks ago and were now living off what we could find, catch or steal, which wasn't always a lot.
"Well, I'd like to see you do better!" Hermione snapped.
"You're a witch, you could do something!" He shouted back, standing up abruptly.
I growled and stepped up to face him. "She's doing the best she can, mate; we all are!" I warned the boy, who scoffed.
"Our best! We aren't doing anything. We don't know anything!" He stormed off, pacing.
"Well what did you expect mate, five-star meals and to be back home by Christmas?" Harry said, standing up from the table.
"I expected something! I thought you would know something!"
"I told you both everything I knew, everything I was told!" Harry growled.
"Well you don't know anything!" He growled.
"If you're so unhappy here, then leave!" Harry shouted, Hermione moved around me to step between the shouting teens.
"Mine!" I growled in warning, she silenced me with a glare.
"Ron stop please, we are trying, we all want to go home. We understand!" She pleaded.
"NO! You don't understand. Your parents are gone and Harry's are dead!"
"Ron!" she whispered, her tears shining in her eyes.
"That's enough, Ronald!" I growled.
"And you, playing parent, watching us all, I thought you were supped to be able to help us!"
"You have no right!" Hermione shrieked.
"You don't think I worry every day that my family has been killed, that they will be dead while we're out here DOING NOTHI-"A loud slap echoed through the tent as Hermione's flat palm met her friend's cheek, turning the red face even redder.
"Well then leave, Ron!" She said softly. "If that's how you feel, then leave."
"Fine then!" He said, snatching his wand off the table and storming out of the tent. I caught Hermione as she fell to the floor, her sobs shaking her shoulders. Harry knelt down next to us, his face shinning with disbelief as he stared at the tent door his best friend had just walked through.
December 9th 1997
"I love you, mine!" I whispered as I fiddled with her hair, the sun had set hours ago and we were laying just outside the tent with warming charms surrounding us as we gazed at the stars. The rocky cliff we were staying on this week gave us an incredible view.
"I love you too!" She whispered back, almost as if she was afraid to disturb the silence. "Laying here like this, we can almost forget there is a war going on in the world around us."
"Almost." I said, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead.
"Guys!" Harry called as he stumbled out of the tent, holding his snitch in his hand. We hastily climbed to our feet. "Snitches have flesh memories, right?"
"Yes..." I agreed slowly.
"Well I didn't catch my first snitch with my hands- "
"You caught it your mouth!" Hermione exclaimed.
Harry grinned and nodded; eyes wide with excitement.
"Well, that would have been an interesting game to watch!" I mumbled to myself.
'Indeed!' Moony agreed.
"So...?" Hermione encouraged, ignoring me.
Harry took a deep breath and opened his mouth, popping the little ball inside before pulling it back out again. He stared at the ball, frowning at it as I watched the excitement visually fade from his face.
"Anything?" I asked.
He turned it around to show five little words that had appeared on the ball.
"I open at the close."
"I opened at the close…" Hermione frowned. "Stupid Dumbledore and his stupid riddles, just another thing for us to work out!" She huffed before storming inside.
December 16th 1997
"Harry, Remus, I think I've found something!" Hermione shouted from the 'library' area of the tent.
"What is it?" Harry asked, beating me to her side.
"See this symbol here? It's been drawn into the book Dumbledore gave me." She pointed to what looked like a small rune in the corner of one page.
"What is it?"
"Well that's just it, I don't know. But look, it's also in these letters between Dumbledore and Grindelwald. I've checked all the runes and symbol books and I can't see it anywhere!" She frowned, biting her bottom lip.
"Xenophilius Lovegood was wearing that symbol around his neck at the wedding. Krum said it was the mark of the dark wizard, but I never got to find out anymore."
Hermione sighed loudly. "I guess we keep looking then!" I rubbed her shoulders.
"We will figure this out." I said with more promise than I felt I should be able to give.
December 19th 1997
"I think we need to go to Godric's Hollow." Harry said as we stared almost blankly at the books and parchment strewn across the table. "I know what you said Hermione, but he has history there- "
"Harry, I think you're right." She said with a sigh. "We're making no progress here; I just don't know what else we can do!"
"Okay," I agreed. "But there is probably a trap waiting for us. We should plan it out and go at night. I'll go ahead to scope the place out and you can both go after, under the cloak."
We spent the next few days slowly Apparating across the countryside until we were camped just outside the little town.
December 24th 1997
I landed silently in one of the backstreets of the town, remembering it well from my youth. Checking the outskirts of the town while hidden from the world with Harry's cloak, there was the lingering smell of dark magic, but I couldn't pinpoint where it was coming from and returned to camp, satisfied but wary.
"The town itself looks fine; it seems to be Christmas Eve as the carollers are out in full force. There is an eerie feel to the place, but I can't find anything that seems dangerous." I told them as they finished packing up the tent. We had decided it was best to keep everything on us in case something happened.
"We will be fine, my wolf, we are going to stay under the cloak and just take a look around. Meet us at the bluffs in two hours." Hermione said, placing a gentle hand on my cheek.
"I don't like the idea of us separating!" I whispered to her softly.
"I know my love, but we won't all fit under the cloak and it's too dangerous for any of us to be seen." She said softly.
"I know, Mine!" I huffed, pulling her tight against me. "Just be safe. Two hours." I said with a sharp nod before leaning down to capturing her lips in a heated kiss. Her body melted against mine as she wrapped her arms around my neck. We continued this way for a few minutes until she was braced against a tree with her legs wrapped around my waist.
I felt something cold and hard hit the back of my head and Hermione broke away, gasping and giggling. "Oi, enough of that!" Harry called. "We've got a job to do, you can do that later!"
I gave Hermione one last kiss before pulling away and lowering her to the floor.
"You will know if I need you, but I won't." She said before moving to stand beside Harry.
"I'll keep her safe!" He promised, they disappeared under the cloak before I could argue any further.
I let out a growl and my fist slammed into the tree hard enough to send splinters of bark flying out around me. I took down the rest of the enchantments and moved to wait near the edge of the town, just in case.
I sat with my eyes closed, hidden high in one of the trees that surrounded the small village. Listening to every sound of the night and tapped into Hermione's emotions.
I felt the wonder she felt as they discovered the memorial to the Potter family, the sadness she felt as they searched the graveyard and then what I was both waiting for and dreading.
'Moony, Remus, help us!' She screamed through the bond, within a moment I was Apparating next to her side, only to find myself diving out of the way as the familiar of Voldemort struck out as us. I could see Harry unconscious not far from us. I quickly threw a blasting curse at the beast.
"Take Harry to the spot!" I yelled as I threw Hermione towards him and continued to blast the snake, attempting to keep it distracted. Once they disappeared, I quickly followed, bouncing across the country until I landed at the bluffs we had stayed at when the weather was warmer.
Hermione was tending to Harry so I quickly started setting up protective enchantments before kneeling on the ground next to her.
"Are you okay?" I hummed softly, running my hands over the parts of her body I could touch.
"I'm fine, just a few scratches. I told him I didn't like it, I told him it felt wrong!" She whispered as she ran her wand back and forth over Harry's prone form.
"Is he going to be okay?" I asked with just a hint of anger in my voice, he had promised to keep her safe.
"Yes, he will be fine now, he just needs to sleep it off. Let's get out of the cold. His wand was broken, though." She stood on shaking legs, I quickly crushed her body against mine. "After we're inside." She mumbled, I nodded absently, rubbing my cheek against hers.
December 26th 1997
"Hermione!" Harry called from outside the tent, pulling me from my doze as I slept off my night watch sessions as Harry and Hermione recovered.
Hermione was outside in an instant and I stood quickly to follow her. Then I heard something that made me freeze.
"Hey." It was Ron. I emerged not a second later to find Hermione storming towards the two boys, who were looking at her sheepishly.
"You waltz back in here after months and all you can say is hey! We almost died! And all you can say is hey!" And then she was hitting the much larger boy. "Harry, give me my wand!" She said, holding out her hand expectantly.
"Why does he have your wand?" Ron asked with a curious frown.
"Never you mind that! Harry, my wand!" She held out her hand but the raven-haired teen backed away, stumbling.
"I don't have it!" He said, clearly lying.
"Look, I wanted to come back as soon as I left but I couldn't find you."
"How did you find us?"
"This, it was this!" He said while holding out the deluminator he had received from Dumbledore. "I was hiding out in this little pub, keeping away from the snatchers when I heard it. I heard your voices say my name, just my name. I thought I was going mental, but I pulled this out of my pocket and clicked it, then a little ball of light floated right into my chest and I just Apparated into some forest. I knew you were there, but I couldn't find you. I waited around for a few days but none of you showed yourself. Anytime I hear my name again I followed the light and waited. Then this time, I thought what if I cast a Patronus? That it might make it through. Then bam, Harry walks out!" He ended his story with a sheepish grin.
"Argh!" She yelled in frustration before turning around and storming back into the tent.
"Maybe stay out here just for a while, until I get her to calm down." I said as I raised my eyebrows at the boys before following Hermione inside the tent.
"Mine." I said as I approached our shared bed. She was sitting on the edge with her back to me.
'Don't ignore us, Mine.'
'I'm not, I'm just angry.'
'At what, specifically?'
'At Ronald, he left us, Remus! We have been best friends since we were eleven years old and he left us! Then what, he just walks back in here like nothing even happened! We could have died, he could of died!'
'I know, but we didn't, and he didn't either. He obviously feels bad.'
'He will have to show me that for a long time!' She grumbled, I chuckled.
"I think we need to go visit the Lovegoods" She spoke out loud.
"In a few days, Mine, we will go." I said.
December 28th 1997
We landed at the bottom of the hill near the village of Saint Ottery and immediately spotted a house that could only belong to a family as eccentric as the Lovegoods.
"Are you ready?" Harry asks, we nod affirmatively. Harry knocks on the door and after a shuffling around inside, the door opens a crack.
"Who is it? What do you want?" The man behind the door growls.
"Sir, it's me. Harry Potter, we met at the Weasleys."
"Yes, Mr Potter, come in, come in, it isn't safe outside!" He hurried us inside and gestured for us to sit down on the bright purple couches. "Let me get you some tea, Luna is out picking wildflowers, she will be along in a minute." Before any objections can be made, he is rushing from the room.
When he returns with what he calls tea and I call dirt water he sits down. Harry gestures to Hermione.
"Sir, we were wondering if you could tell us about the mark hanging around your neck." Hermione asks softly.
Lovegood frowns and lifts his chain to examine the triangle, circle and line. "This is the symbol of the Deathly Hallows, from the tale of three brothers." He explains as if we were stupid and the answer should be obvious.
"Mum used to tell us that story when we were kids!" Ron said excitedly. "From The tales of Beedle the Bard."
"Yes! Correct, Mr Weasley!" Xenophilius exclaimed.
"I have the story here." Hermione said while pulling the book from her bag. She turned to the correct page.
"Well read it, then!" the man prompts.
"Well, umm okay then." Hermione says before clearing her throat. "Three brothers, travelling along a lonely, winding road at twilight reached a deep treacherous river where anyone who attempted to swim, or wade would drown. Learned in the magical arts, the brothers conjured a bridge with their wands and proceed to cross. Halfway through the bridge, a hooded figure stood before them. The figure was the enraged spirit of Death, cheated of his due. Death cunningly pretended to congratulate them and proceeded to award them with gifts of their own choosing. The eldest brother, a combative man, asked for a wand more powerful than any in existence. Death granted his wish by fashioning the Elder Wand from a branch of a nearby elder tree standing on the banks of the river. The second brother, an arrogant man, chose to further humiliate death, and asked for the power to recall the deceased from the grave. Death granted his wish by crafting the Resurrection Stone from a stone picked from the riverbank. The third and youngest brother, who was the most humble and wise, did not trust Death and asked for something to enable him to go forth without Death being able to follow. A reluctant Death, most unwillingly, handed over his own Invisibility cloak. The three brothers took their prizes and soon went on their separate ways. The eldest brother travelled to a village where a wizard whom he had quarrelled lived. He sought out a duel and fought the wizard using the wand, instantly killing the latter. Leaving his enemy dead upon the floor, the eldest brother walked to an inn not far from the duelling site and spent the night there. Taken by his conscience and lust of the Elder Wand's power, the eldest brother boasted of this wand gifted by Death and his own invincibility. That very night, another man crept to the inn as the eldest brother slept, drunk from wine. The wizard slit the oldest brother's throat for good measure and stole the wand. That was when Death took the first brother. The second brother returned to his home where he lived alone. Turning the stone thrice in his hand, the figure of the girl he had once hoped to marry, before her untimely death, appeared at once before him, much to his delight. Yet she was sad and cold, separated from him as by a veil. Though she had returned to the mortal world, she did not truly belong there and suffered. Finally, the second brother, driven mad with hopeless longing, committed suicide by hanging from his house' balcony so as truly to join her. That was when Death took the second brother for his own. Death searched for the youngest brother as years passed but never succeeded. It was only when the third brother reached a great age, he took off the Cloak of Invisibility and gave it to his son. Greeting Death as an old friend, they departed this life as equals." Hermione finished, the moment of silence passed through the room before anyone moved.
"So, don't you see?" Xenophilius asked while picking up a quill. "The wand." he drew a straight line. "The stone, and the cloak." He added a circle then a triangle to form the symbol. "These make up the Deathly Hallows and it is said that if one is to master all three, one becomes the master of death." A noise outside caused them all to jump, spilling Ron's cup of tea across the table. "I'll get you some more!" He stuttered.
"No, it's alright, we really must be going!" I say while pulling Hermione to her feet.
"No, you must stay!" He insists.
"My Lovegood, where did you say Luna was again?" Harry asked while glancing around the room.
"They took her, they took her because of the things I was writing. They are going to give her back now, in exchange for you. You mustn't leave!"
"What did you do!?" I asked with a growl, grabbing the man by the scruff off his collar. Just then, the familiar pops of Apparation could be heard outside.
"Remus, we have to go!" Hermione called as spells started to fly through the windows. We grabbed hold of each other and disappeared into darkness, spinning away from Lovegood home.
March 15th 1998
I returned from my patrol of the perimeter mid conversation, something had gotten them worked up and I assumed another airing of Potterwatch had been heard over the wireless.
"But did you hear what Fred said?" Harry asked excitedly. "He is still abroad, that's means he's still looking for the Elder Wand."
"Harry- "
"Come on, Hermione! Why do you not want to admit it? Vol- "
"HARRY, NO!" Ron and I shouted as I jumped back into the tent.
"-demorts after the Elder Wand!"
"The name's taboo Harry! I told you not to say it!" Ron shouted. I was immediately at Hermione's side. We needed to leave now! I began to pull her from the tent but it was too late, the sneakoscope on the table had lit up and begun to spin.
"Come out with your hands up, we know you're in there and you've got a dozen wands pointed at you!" A gruff voice demanded. I tried to Apparate but it was no use.
We moved outside slowly and then as one-shot stunners at those we could see before we took off running.
I grabbed her hand in mine and pulled her along, running as fast as I could. I could hear Harry and Ron running in the forest beside us as the Snatchers chased us down. I tried to Apparate once more but found we were still inside the anti-apparation wards they must have set as soon as they arrived.
I shot a hex over my shoulder as Hermione did the same. We ran and ducked and weaved as we tried to get outside the wards, but it was no use, they were surrounding us. I realised then that even if I got Hermione out, she would not leave Harry or Ron.
"Ahhhh!" We heard Ron cry out, I knew they had him.
Two Snatchers appeared in front of us and Hermione came to a stop, yanking her hand free and turning around to cast what looked like a stinging spell directly at Harry's face just before her wand was magically removed from her hand. Clever girl.
I pushed her against the closet tree, my back to her, crouching between her and the men who were slowly approaching with raised wands.
Moony snarled at them, a feral noise.
"Stun him!" Their leader yelled, I put up the most powerful shield I could, blocking five of the six stunners, the last one made it through though, hitting me with enough power that my muscles relaxed slightly. This was enough for one of them to disarm me.
"Don't come any closer!" I growled, not caring that I was outmatched and disarmed. I held my palms out in front of me, radiating power as I created a wandless shield.
"Moony!" Hermione whispered softly.
"Hurry up, then!" The same man yelled again, I saw several flashes of red before everything faded into black.
I woke in agony but was instantly on my feet, I was in a cold dark space that smelled of mildew and mould. Six other heartbeats were in the room with me. Hermione's was not among them.
'Hermione!' I called through the bond, but she was incapable of replying.
'Mine, hold on, we are coming, we will get you!' Moony howled.
"Remus." Harry said, "Remus, we're-" But he was cut off as a blood curling scream sounded from the room above. I clutched my chest as the worst pain I've ever felt came through the bond. They were torturing her! Harry and Ron where at my side but all I could feel was how much they were hurting her.
'You are strong, my wolf, just hold on!' Moony whispered to her, trying to soothe her pain.
'Save her now!' Moony snarled at me. 'Kill them all!'
"What else did you take? What else have you got? Tell me the truth or I swear, I will run you through with this knife!" The voice of Bellatrix Lestrange was heard shouting from above, she was the one torturing my mate.
Once the pain stopped, I was once again on my feet. Moony continued to send a steady stream of soothing words through our link while I looked around. I could see it was a dungeon, Harry, Ron, Dean Thomas, Luna Lovegood, Ollivander the wand maker and a goblin were with us. There were ropes lying on the floor and Harry was desperately looking for a way out.
"There is no way out." Luna said while watching me with sad eyes. "I've been trying, and Ollivander has been here for a long time, he's tried everything."
"CRUCIO!" Bellatrix shouts, Hermione screamed again as they hit her with another curse, this time I blocked the pain. I needed to be able to focus to get us out of here.
"What else did you take, what else? ANSWER ME! CRUCIO!"
As Hermione's cries died down, Ron was standing at the barred door of the stairs, screaming for them to let her go.
I couldn't think, I needed to get to her, but I didn't know how.
Moony howled as I joined Ron at the exit of the room, trying to grab the bars and pull them physically free from the wall. However, the wards were strong, and I couldn't even touch them.
"Help us!" I heard Harry shout and turned to see him holding half of what looked like a mirror. "We're in the cellar at Malfoy Manor, help us!"
Hermione screamed even louder if possible, and this time I couldn't block the pain that had me gasping for breath.
"HERMIONE! HERMIONE!" Ron bellowed.
"How did you get into my vault?" Bellatrix screamed. "Did that dirty little goblin in the cellar help you?"
"We only met him tonight!" Hermione sobbed. "We've never been inside your vault... it isn't the real sword! It's just a copy!" So that why she was chosen to be tortured, because of the sword!
"A copy!?" Bellatrix screeched in irate disbelief. "Likely story!"
"But we can find out, Draco fetch the goblin." Came the voice of Lucius Malfoy.
I moved across the cellar towards the goblin, but Harry was already there. "You must tell them it's a fake, please Griphook!" he whispered into the goblins ear.
"Stand back and line up against the wall, don't try anything or I'll kill you!" Came the shaky voice of Draco Malfoy.
'Not if I get there first!' Moony said while licking his lips. We did as we were told as I stood closest to the door ready. The door sprung open and Draco moved inside, his arm shaking but his face pale and determined. I moved with lighting speed, grabbing his wand arm and yanking it down. Placing one hand around his mouth to stop him from crying out.
"Don't kill him!" Harry whispered. "He refused to identify us, we could of all been dead already." Moony growled but I nodded and gestured for Harry to grab the wand Draco had dropped.
Harry stunned Draco and then a loud CRACK was heard. There stood Dobby.
"Harry Potter!" He whispered, his smile as wide as his face.
"You can get in and out of here?" Harry asked, the elf nodded. "Can you take humans?" Dobby nodded again. "Right, take Dean, Luna, Ollivander and Griphook with you then come back and meet us upstairs to get Hermione."
"Take them to Shell cottage." Ron said, the elf nodded a third time.
"Wait, we can't leave you- " Dean started to say in protest before Luna cut him off.
"We want to help!" Luna cried.
"Go, we don't have time!" I growled, already overly anxious to be up the stairs.
"Hold on!" Dobby said, with a crack they disappeared from sight.
"Draco!" Lucius shouted. "Wormtail, go see what's going on!"
Wormtail met us on the stairs, his eyes wide as he turned to alert the others, but I was faster, silencing him with a fist that had him unconscious before he even saw it coming. We climbed over and quickly burst into the drawing room.
"Expelliarmus!" Harry roared, Bellatrix's wand went flying through the air and intro Ron's outstretched hand. Good, they both needed wands more than I did.
Lucius, Narcissa and Greyback whirled around and soon jets of lights filled the air. My eyes were on my mate, but I ducked and dodged, trying to reach her first.
"No!" Moony and I snarled as Bellatrix pulled Hermione's unconscious form to her, holding a dagger to her neck.
"STOP OR SHE DIES!" She screamed, we all froze. "Drop your wands or we will see exactly how filthy her blood is!" She demanded.
Moony howled and I struggled not to pounce on the enraged woman.
Harry and Ron dropped their wands. "Good, the Dark Lord approaches, your death is coming, Harry Potter! Now tie up the heroes, I want them to watch as Greyback takes care of this Mudblood!" She said with a smirk.
I saw only red as she finished her sentence but heard a peculiar noise from above before a great whooshing was heard and the chandelier above Bellatrix began to fall. I dove for Hermione, dragging her to the side as the black-haired witch dove to the other side. I cradled her in my arms and glanced around frantically. Ron and Harry were running towards us, hands outstretched as Dobby appeared by our sides.
I felt him grip my arm and soon felt the pull of Apparation, hearing Bellatrix's cry of rage as we disappeared from sight.
**Beta'd by Darkness93**