Chapter 20- The first Battle

Hermione looked across the field to Viktor and gave him a soft smile. She watched the fear and worry etched across his face. The step forward he took to her and the scowl covering his terror made her heart clench in sadness. She knew what he was giving up letting her go right now… she knew how hard it was for him to let her go. She looked up let her eyes meet his and whispered, "I love you." Pushing it across the field on the wind like a soft kiss. She knew he heard her when he gave her a soft nod and she heard the words fell off his lips as if he was standing next to her. "I love you." He paused taking a deep breath letting all of his love pour out of his eyes and across the field to her and Hermione felt it like a warm hug.

Hermione took a breath letting Viktor's love pour through her, fill her up and felt her magic surge. After a moment she closed her eyes and finished reciting the spell under her breath, letting her magic pull her from the center yanking her from one place to another, the spell guiding where they went. Once they landed, she felt her body tumble to the ground as the precious energy she had stored all morning to have lunch drained away leaving her tired. She closed her eyes trying to catch her breath, she knew she was going to be ok right now… it was taking down the wards, getting inside and getting all the way back to Bulgaria that had her worried. She took another gasping breath and reached for the pepper up potion Harry was handing her. She swallowed it down and took another breath smiling up at Harry who had squatted down next to her.

Hermione looked around as she kneeled in the dirt and gave a small breathless laugh… there was nothing but rich green grass, ocean and rolling hills surrounding them, but it was beautiful. Of course, the next place they battled would be beautiful she thought. She stumbled trying to stand upright because the amount of magic she used had drained her, at this point if she as at home she would take a nap.

Ginny wrapped an arm around her trying to hold her steady, "Breath…. Breath." Ginny whispered as Hermione had to close her eyes to let the dizziness pass. "Breath… I have some more pepper up potion to get you moving once you can stand on your own…. As much as you need to get through this."

Hermione nodded trying to find her balance, "That was harder than I thought it was going to be." She whispered finally looking up to Ginny. "Give me a moment and I will be ready to take down the wards…. All of you stay close until I can get us in…." She said closing her eyes again, pushing down the fatigue.

Bill and George looked around the field, "Where is it?" They asked in confusion.

Hermione smiled softy over them, "It is right there." She said pointing at nothing over the coast.

Harry and Nevil looked at Hermione, "How can you see things that we cannot?" Nevil asked with a small smile, "I will never get used to it."

Hermione looked up taking another breath, "A spell Dumbledore showed me to always see the truth." She said looking over at the Manor behind the mist of Magic, "It is covered by 4 different wards… it will take me a moment to get through them all." She said taking another deep breath reaching her hand out to Ginny.

Ginny handed her another pepper up potion and she quickly swallowed it down before taking another moment to let it kick in. When she felt her energy returning, Hermione reached to pull her hair up into a loose bun, her wild curls making the bun large and full at the top of her head, a few curls already falling to frame her face. She looked down to her sandals and shook her head, mummering, "Not very sensible." transfiguring them into white tennis shoes. She looked to Ginny's sandals and rolled her eyes transfiguring hers into tennis shoes also, looking up to Ginny, "We did not plan this well." She said with a grin.

Ginny shook her head, "No we planed for a relaxing afternoon eating lunch and hanging out… not another battle." She said rolling her eyes, "Blame Harry for the last-minute Battle plans." She said transfiguring her dress into a jumper with shorts.

Harry threw hands up at Hermione's laughter, "Sorry… not in my plans either… Kingsley called me in." He said pointing at Kingsley who smiled over at all of them.

"Next time I will try to give you better warning…" Kingsley said rolling his eyes, "This time I found out and only called on you guys within in 2 hours… I will try for under one-hour next time." He said with a grin.

Ginny nodded at him, "Yes sir… see that you do." She said crossing her arms and grinning, making her brothers laugh at her.

Hermione shook her head, "You guys are all mental." She whispered with a smile on her lips as she raised her hands against the wall of mist surrounding the Manor and let her magic move and process the wards. After a moment she looked over her shoulder at the group gathered behind her, "There is no one outside right now… but there are at least 10 Death Eaters inside…. Plus, the two children that are in an upstairs bedroom." She said extending her magic to look through the walls of the Manor again.

Kingsley and Bill looked at each other, "10 Death Eaters was more than we anticipated." Bill said quietly.

Kingsley nodded, "We will do what we can…. Getting the children is the most important… any captures are just extra." He said back. They turned when Hermione shook her head looking carefully back through the wards, her magic ebbing and flowing through the halls of the Manor, "There are more prisoners in the basement." She said softly her eyes looked back and forth seeing what they could not, "2 more prisoners."

Hermione turned for a moment to look at Kingsley and the rest of the group, "There are 2 prisoners in the basement, they look like adults, I cannot see their faces, but they are chained to the wall….they are hurt…. Badly…. The two little girls are on the second floor locked in a bedroom." She paused turning back and closing her eyes, "The Death Eaters are all over…. 2 in the hall upstairs guarding the girls…. 2 more in the basement guarding those prisoners…." She paused looking closer, "Another 5 more in a sitting room… and at least another farther away…. It is harder to see the back of the house."

Bill nodded, "We need a plan before you take the wards down." He said.

Hermione turned and nodded, "I agree…." She took a breath, "Right now they cannot see you but the moment I take the wards down so you can see them… they will be able to see you…. it is an old spell that blinds us, but it also blinds them." She said looking behind her. "I will say that as soon as we cross, you will be able to send a Patronus to any back up at the Ministry and they will be able to come."

Kingsley nodded at her, "How long until you can get the wards down." He asked.

Hermione shook her head, "A few moments at most once I start. So, we should have a plan before we start… not after." She handed Harry her wand, "You will need this." She said rolling her eyes.

Harry gave her a grin, "Once Ollivander's opens up again, I will go get another wand… are you sure you don't need it?" He asked holding it out to Hermione.

Hermione tilted her head and gave a small grin, "Really…. You can do wandless magic?" She asked pausing to cross her arms. "Efficiently and well?" Raising her eyebrows with a smirk.

Harry shrugged with a grin, "Kind of?" He more asked then said, making the group laugh.

Hermione shook her head, "You are hopeless." She said smiling, "I will take down the wards and then apparate Harry and Ginny to the basement to get those prisoners… then I will apparate upstairs with Ginny to the girls and bring them home."

Bill nodded, "Can you Apparate undetected inside….. The rest of us can attack the front door at the same time to draw them out." He said.

Hermione snorted, "They won't know we are in there… I am invisible when I want to be." She took a deep breath, "Ginny will come with me." She said looking over to Ginny who nodded at her. "We will drop off Harry in the basement… can you take on two guards by yourself?" She asked. When Harry nodded, she turned to Kingsley, "We will wait for you attack at the door…hopefully the guards at the door and the basement will come running to you guys." She said.

Kingsley nodded, "Once the wards are down we all have to simultaneously go together….. Bill, George, Neville, Charlie and I will attack the doors... Luna will call for the back up Auror's from the Ministry." He watched them all nod, "At the same time Hermione will take Harry and Ginny inside the house to get out the prisoners."

Harry and Ginny nodded but Hermione shook her head, "I think it would be best if Harry takes prisoners from the basement and apparate's them straight to the hospital in London…. I can't see their faces, but I can see they are weak, and they are hurt…. They need medical attention as soon as possible."

Harry shook his head, "I am not sure if I can do 2 side alongs that far." He said looking at the mist, "Especially if they are hurt."

Hermione looked to Ginny, "Then you will go with Harry… I can do the two little girls and myself to Bulgaria… but truthfully….. I am not sure I can take you with safely Ginny anyway…" She rubbed her head, "I am getting weaker with each spell."

Ginny frowned, "Are you sure you can get back?" She asked softly reaching out to put a hand on Hermione's shoulder.

Hermione nodded, "I will take another pepper up and able to get back…. I promise…. I could probably get you back too…. I am just scared to risk it."

Kingsley nodded, "Change of planes then… Harry and Ginny will bring the prisoners to the hospital in London, Hermione will bring the girls straight home and she will send us a Patronus once she leaves here so we know you are all safe." He looked to Luna, "Since Luna is calling for back up, if you need to Hermione, we can get you help to the Ministry at least. Same with the Prisoners, we will have someone else take them if you are not strong enough Harry and Ginny. Just let us know as you guys are going through the house."

Hermione nodded, "I think that should work….. Give me a second to take the wards down…. I will tell you when to get ready." She said reaching out to take another pepper up potion Harry was holding out to her.

"This one is strong." Harry said, "It is going to give you a boost, but it will only last a little bit…. So, we have to be quick." Harry looked her in the eye, "You know that you will be done soon…. You have to promise you will let Luna take you to the Ministry if you need to."

Hermione nodded looking down at her watch, they had already been gone over 30 minutes… she knew Viktor and the rest of the family were probably losing their minds with worry. She quickly took the potion turning back to the ward, "Ok …. I promise… but you heard Kingsley, these girls need a safe place that no one knows about and right now that is with me in Bulgaria…. The only people that know where they will be, is here now…. I have to talk to Viktor and his family as soon as I get there about this though… it puts them in danger…. I mean more danger since I am already there." She said rubbing her head, "Let's get this done." She said feeling the potion fill her with new energy as she held her hands out to the mist and began to unweave the wards that had been placed. One at a time, slowly peeling the magic away layer by layer until all the was left was blocking ward.

Hermione turned to look at the people behind her, "Get ready…." She called out, "Harry…. Ginny come closer to me. Once the ward drops, I will push the rest of you to the door… then the three of us will go in." She said.

Kingsley, Neville, George, Bill and Charlie pulled their wands ready to go… Luna pulled hers ready to send for help from the Ministry. Harry and Ginny clasped their hands and waited for Hermione to finish.

Hermione reached out one more time, her hands laying on what was left of the mist hiding the Manor. Slowly the mist faded until they all could see the Manor and Hermione gave a quick nod, "NOW." She said using her magic to push Kingsley, Neville, George, Bill and Charlie to the front of the Manor and watched them use their wands to start throwing spell at the door.

Hermione turned to Luna, "Call for help now." She said, turing back to the Manor to look to the basement with her magic…. She watched as the guards in the basement split off, one staying and one leaving. She quickly grabbed onto Ginny and Harry and aperating them into the basement hallway.

Harry pushed the girls behind him and began to throw spells at the Death Eater that was there. Hermione rushed to the door holding the prisoners as Ginny joined the fight with Harry, spells whizzing back and forth. Hermione put her hand to the door to see the locks and wards on it, they were simple enough she would just need a moment to unravel them. She looked over her shoulder when a spell hit the door next to her head.

"Um, guys…that was close." She called looking back to the door, her hands moving quickly to untangle the wards holding them out. Her hands moved quickly but efficiently over the door unweaving the spells put on it. When she was almost finished another spell came at her and hit her shoulder this time and she gasped at the pain, freezing for a moment to catalog the injury. "Ok that one made contact." She gasped out, it was simple enough, just a basic split spell meant to cause pain. No lasting damage, "I am fine… just give me 10 more seconds." She called her shoulder throbbing and beginning to bleed from the new wound, but she moved her hands to the lock itself now.

Harry snorted and called out, "You always say 10 more seconds."

Ginny laughed back, "She does say that… every single time." She said throwing another spell.

Hermione rolled her eyes, "I do not." She paused looking at part of the spell on the door carefully, "And besides, it usually is only 10 more seconds." She called out.

Ginny snorted, "HA…. Try like 20 or 30 seconds… which in times like right now, that feels like 2 or 3 hours." She said throwing another spell before dodging one that was coming at her.

Hermione rolled her eyes, "Well then…. you come do this and I will do that." She called out, her hands figuring out the new spell, her eyes narrowed at the door in concentration.

Harry laughed, "So we can sit here for another 2 hours for real while Ginny figures it out?" He said throwing another blocking spell, "No thank you."

Hermione snickered, "Like you would be any better Harry." She snorted out, making Ginny laugh.

"Well… it has been 10 seconds." Ginny called out blocking another spell aimed at Hermione again, "And she is right Harry… we both suck at wards."

Hermione rolled her eyes, "Ok… ok… now!" She said unlocking the last of the locks.

Harry yelled at Ginny and they both threw spells at the same time, one disarming the Death Eater and the other knocking him out. Hermione popped the door open as the Death Eater fell to the floor. "Its open…." She called watching as Harry used her wand to tie up the Death Eater.

They both turned and grinned at Hermione, "Told you it was going to be more than 10 seconds." Ginny said with a grin.

Hermione narrowed her eyes at her, "They were complicated spells…. Besides you do this next time then." She said throwing her hands up, pushing a curl out of her face.

"No thanks." Ginny laughed at her, sending the Death Eater outside with a flick of her wrist, "Well you still look fabulous as you are battling Death Eaters." She said pointing at Hermione's dress. "Even the bun you put your hair up in is cute."

Harry looked back and forth between the girls, "You both do look different… like you got dressed up for battle." He said walking over to the girls.

Ginny shrugged, "We got dressed up for boys and lunch… you called us in for this." She blinked her eyes over at him, "Do we look cute?"

Harry shrugged, "Sure…. Different for sure… your eyes are all big and you are wearing dresses… that is not normal." He said.

Ginny rolled her eyes, "Well I guess I should be grateful they notice at all." She said turning to Hermione, "It's like why do we even try?"

Hermione smirked over at Ginny, "Because you wanted Alek to look at you closer…. And then ask you out." She said with a chuckle, pushing the door open carefully.

Harry looked over at Ginny in surprise and dismay, "Alek…. I can't kick Viktor's ass when he messes up… how am I supposed to get another brother from that house?" He groaned lighting Hermione's wand to see into the pitch-black room.

Hermione shrug and grinned using her hand to create a light as she went int the room, "Well Viktor is bigger than Alek… so Alek should be easier at least." She murmured looking carefully around the dark for anything she missed earlier while looking with magic.

Ginny snorted, "Alek is still bigger than Harry, at least 5 inches and 25 pounds… he has no chance with either." She said grinning at Harry's groan, turing on her wand.

Hermione laughed over at Harry's groaning, standing back by the door as the Harry and Ginny went deeper into the room. She carefully clenched at her shoulder whispering a numbing spell so she could continue to help without pain for now but turned her head to Ginny when she heard her gasp in surprise, "Percy?"

Hermione did a quick scan and only seeing the three of them in there with the two prisoners, threw a spell to the ceiling and the room lit up bright so they could see everything.

Ginny ran over to the wall the prisoners laid slumped against, both unconscious. She fell to her knees. "Percy." She said cupping his cheeks, "You are alive…. You are here." Ginny said crying out. "Can you wake up?" She asked rubbing her thumbs on his cheeks carefully.

Hermione followed over, falling to her knees, "Percy." She said, "Are you hurt?" She asked unlocking his chains, but he did not really answer only mumble with his eyes closed.

Harry went to help the other prisoner, looking over to Hermione and Ginny, "He is in bad shape too…. He won't wake up." He called out unlocking his chains.

Ginny looked over Percy who was still mostly unconscious, "Percy wont either…. We need to get them out of here…. Now." She said looking to Hermione.

Hermione nodded, "They need to get to the hospital…to St Mungo's as soon as possible." She said. "You will each need to take one… can you apparate from here with them?" She asked.

Harry nodded, "I can take him…. I am strong enough." He said pulling up the prisoner by his arms.

Ginny wrapped her arm around Percy, "I can take Percy… but." She looked up at Hermione with tears in her eyes, "I ….." Her voice caught as she held onto her brother not wanting to leave Hermione behind but also needing to stay at the hospital with her brother.

Hermione nodded at her, cupping her cheeks, "You will stay with him at the hospital… and let your family know." She said with a small smile turning to Harry, "You will stay with her…. make sure they are protected…they have been being held for a reason, until we know why we can't let anything happen to them." She said.

Harry shook his head, "You need help." He said. "You cannot take on two guards upstairs alone."

Hermione shook her head closing her eyes to look upstairs "The girls rooms are not warded, I can apparate straight into it… maybe cause they are kids they didn't put as much protection… plus I only see one guard at their door." She looked back and forth between Harry and Ginny, "I will apparate straight into their room and then straight to Bulgaria." She said looking back to Harry and Ginny. "We will be fine."

Harry and Ginny shook their heads, but Hermione cut them off, "You and I both know I will be fine…. I did not survive the war to get hurt now." She said pointing a finger at them and grinning confidently.

Harry looked at Ginny and they both shook their heads sighing, "We don't have a choice… neither of us can take two people this hurt safely… it is going to be dangerous to do it one on one." Harry said softly.

Ginny groaned but nodded, "Fine." She said turing back to Hermione, "But you better send us a Patronus as soon as you get home… do you understand... and you got 10 minutes before we come back." She said quickly holding her brother up.

Hermione nodded her head, "I am going to get the girls and get out…. I can apparate straight into the girl's bedroom and then home… promise." She said, "I do not have to engage with anyone."

Harry looked uncertain glancing over at Ginny, "Minnie….. I don't know." His fear still pulsing through him.

Hermione gave him a smile, "I will send you a message as soon as I get back home so you know I am safe, I swear… I am going to be fine….. now go." She said quickly. She looked to Ginny, "Go they need help."

Ginny closed her eyes for a moment, "The instant you get home… you let us know…. And I swear to Merlin if anything happens to you, I will kick your ass myself." She growled, the fire in her eyes filled with worry.

Harry shook his head, "In and out Minnie… in and out." He said holding onto the prisoner, "Promise us." His eyes full of worry.

Hermione nodded, "I promise… in and out." She said watching him nod at her before disappearing.

Hermione turned to Ginny who still looked uncertain, worry and fear in her eyes as she held onto her brother, "Minnie…" She whispered.

Hermione walked over, "I am going to be fine….." She said, "I promise… in and out….. and as soon as I get the girls I will go back home and I will send you a message…just promise me you will take care of your brother and let me know how he is, ok."

Ginny took a deep breath, pulling her brother closer, his head hanging in his unconscious state, "Ok…. If anything happens to you …. I will kill you… do you got that… especially because Viktor will kill me." She whispered rolling her eyes.

Hermione nodded, "I am going to be fine." She said, "Now go." She whispered watching Ginny give her a quick small smile and then disappear.

Hermione took a breath listening to the sounds of the battle outside, she closed her eyes using her magic to look through the halls to outside… while more Auror's were showing up from Luna's call… so did More Death Eaters and the battle outside was not going well for the side of light. She needed to hurry and get the girls out so that the rest if her group could retreat.

Hermione took another breath trying to pull up some energy from inside, she had one potion left and wanted to take it to apparate home, so it would have to wait until she got to the girls. She looked through the halls to see a Death Eater standing outside the girl's bedroom. She went through the door and saw inside the room two little girls, one about 5-6 years old talking to another about 2-3 years old, brushing her hair. Hermione closed her eyes letting her magic guide her apparition into the bedroom at the foot of the bed. Hermione landed on her knees, gasping as her magical boost faded away until she was left exhausted and out of breath, sweat starting to bead on her forhead.

Hermione closed her eyes for a moment pulling in deep breaths until she felt a small hand touch her shoulder, "Bonjour." A small voice said next to her.

Hermione looked up to see the 5 or 6-year-old little girl standing next to her, fear in her eyes but brave enough to come over and say hello. She was dressed in a clean cute dress and soft slippers. Her long curly black hair hanging down her back and her bright green eyes looking thoughtfully at Hermione, she was adorable Hermione thought still trying to catch her breath.

"Are you here to help us…." The little girl asked, pausing to look at Hermione's hair, reaching out to pull at a curl hanging by her face, "My mommy said that she had to go to heaven with daddy and Theo but that she said that she saw a pretty lady with hair like mine…. She said that you would come to save us." She whispered. "Are you a good Witch?"

Hermione sat back on her heels with a smile, "Yes, I am a good witch… and your mom sounds like she was special." She said trying to gather some more energy and magic to get them out of the Manor.

The little girl nodded, "She told me that the one who was going to help could speak French also… Parlez-vous Francais?" She asked softly, taking a step back and tucking a curl behind her ear.

Hermione smiled at the same small gesture she often did with her own hair, "Yes I also speak French or should I say Oui, Je parle Francais." She said slowly standing up, using the bed to push up, "What is your name?"

The little girl gave her a beaming smile, "My name is Adeline and I am almost 6 years old." She pointed to the bed where her sister was sitting, "And this is my sister Bella, she is almost 3."

Hermione smiled at them, "My name is Hermione…. I am almost 21." She held out her hand for Adeline to shake, "I am here to take you to a safe place if that is ok."

Adeline smiled, "You are going to take me to your home… I will be safe there Momma said… but I am only supposed to trust you." She said tilting her head to the side, "Momma said that others would use me and hurt me to get what we have." She said softly, "To be careful and stay with you."

Hermione felt her mind racing, who were these little girls and what did they have…. obviously, Kingsley knew something because he wanted them kept safe and secure with her and didn't trust the ministry right now. She smiled down at Adeline, "Well you are staying with me for now if you are ok with that… I have come to get you out of here…. And I am going to take you to meet my family… they will protect you and Bella just like they protect me."

Adeline thought for a moment, her little lip tucked between her teeth and Hermione smiled down at her, another trait that she did often projected into the little girl. After a moment Adeline nodded up at her, "Ok… ." She said turning to point at the door, "My mommy told me to warn you that they will come in the room…but it will be ok because they will tell you something you need to know and then stop them…. then you will take me and Bella home with you."

Hermione frowned, "You mom sure knows a lot." She said using her magic to see the hall and the Death Eaters that were running down the hall towards the room.

Adeline nodded at her walking over to her sister who was on the bed, "My mommy could see things…. She was special." She picked her sister up carrying her over to the closet, "She told us to hide until you are done taking care of them,"

Hermione nodded at Adeline knowing she did not have time to get the girls out now, "Hurry." she called, turing to the door just in time to see it slam open just as the girls closed the closet doors. She held her hands up placing shield up in front of her and closet doors as the Death Eaters began to throw spells at her. She shook her head trying to think…. She needed to be offensive not defensive, she pulled the last of her magic up like a blanket and looked at the two Death eaters that had come into the room.

She looked to the Death Eater on the right and gaged that he was the stronger one and more dangerous one because he was throwing unforgivable curses at her, she had to get him distracted so she could take care of the other one. She flicked her wrist at him sending a Levicorpus curse at him like Snape taught her and watched him flip in the air.

She quickly walked sideways away from the closet not wanting any stray spells to hit the girls and thew a Disarming curse at the one still firing at her followed by two rapid Blasting curses as the Death eaters followed her. She managed to get the weaker one and watched as he flew back against the wall. Then looked to the other one who had fallen from the anchor holding him up in the air to the floor, she did not have a lot of time. She turned back to the weaker one and before he could get off the floor, she flicked her wrist and hit him with double stunning curse that knocked him out. She quickly bound him with a locking charm but before she could turn back to the stronger one, she heard him yell, "Sectumsempra." And jumped back.

But she was not fast enough, and the curse slid across her upper back as she stumbled away. She felt the blood start trail down her back from the slice charm, he had managed to get her, but it was not that bad, barely deep, Alek would be able to heal it easily, she thought. She threw her hands up and put a protective barrier up while she gathered her strength again and created a plan of action.

Hermione looked up when the stronger one laughed and pushed more spells at her barrier, and she struggled to stand. Her head whipped to the door when another Death Eater came running in and she cursed under her breath in frustration, so much for no engaging.

Hermione turned to throw a spell at the new Death Eater with her left hand and pushed him out of the room, as her right arm tried to hold the protective spell up. She slammed the door closed and locked it tightly with her left hand before turning back the stronger Death eater. But her protective barrier was waning, and he hit her with the confringo curse making her sail across the room and hit the wall hard knocking the breath out of her. She felt the pain of where the curse hit her in the stomach and almost threw up. She tried to take a breath as she slid down the wall, her back on fire, her stomach on fire, her head swimming and he almost threw up.

Hermione took another deep breath and pushed the pain away, focusing instead on the frustration and anger now running through her, and she let it fuel her magic and energy. She was now well past her one-hour mark and knew that Victor was going to be upset with her, she was tiered of getting hit and all she wanted to do was eat lunch and relax with Viktor's family and team. She used her new strength to stumble to her feet throwing a stupefy and binding curse at the Death Eater and watched him jump to the side out of the way and she reflected the two curses he sent her way. Her eyes watered from the pain in her back from both hitting the wall and the oozing wound he gave her, and she let the pain amplify her magic but waited knowing her aim was off and he needed to be closer to her.

Hermione took a breath, stumbling through the aching in her ribs and back and held her hands up to try and throw another spell but the Death Eater took off running towards her and when she threw another binding curse he dodged and she missed and before she could get off another spell he tackled her to the ground wand in her face.

Hermione froze looking up into the face of none other than Rabastan Lestrange, and in an instant she knew why they were asking for Bellatrix to be freed. Those two were never far from each other, bound by family ties and the sick twisted love of hurting others.

Rabastan gave her a quick back hand across her face making her head snap to the side and then leaned down to her ear, "Hello Lovely." He whispered his face so close to hers, his lips almost touched her cheek making her gag.

Hermione narrowed her eyes, "Your breath smells like a dead mouse." She said, "Almost as bad as your sister in laws…. have either of you ever heard of a tooth brush?" She said in a sarcastic tone. She turned her face back to his and smirked, "I bet all the girls love your nasty hygiene habits." She said wrapping her hands around his wrists, ignoring the throbbing in her back.

Rabastan threw his head back and laughed, "I missed you Little Mudblood and our play time…." He said making Hermione freeze remembering that day laying on the floor in the same way she was now, but he kept talking not noticing the fury in her eyes, "I was hoping to see you… we were coming for you…. It was only a matter of time…. In fact, we were already planning a trip when we saw that lovely article about you being in Bulgaria…... but you saved us from doing the work." He said his wand going to tuck under her chin.

Hermione shrugged, "Sorry…. If I had known you were looking, I would have come sooner." She said letting her face fall into a smirk that made his eyes narrow at her.

Rabastan grinned after a second, "You know who else we are looking for…. That pretty little redhead… Grayback wants his property back." He said watching the fury go through Hermione's eyes at the mention of her friend. "Is she with you in Bulgaria?"

Hermione shook her head, "Funny that you have to look for us after we killed most of you… including your leader… VOLDOMORT." She said laughter seeping into her voice to make him angry.

Rabastan snorted down at her attempt, "Voldemort was a good leader… he liked how we hurt you little mudblood… but we don't need him." He said with a shrug, "But I will take you back with me after I gather those little girls up…. Then we will go back and get that pretty little red head too." He with a smirk at her, his wand now digging into her throat. "Then we will have so much fun with all of you."

Hermione closed her eyes and felt the hand wrapped around her throat tighten, she took a moment to center herself and let her magic flow through her body. When she opened her eyes, she looked up at his grin and smiled back and laughed in his face. Rabastan shook his head in confusion. "What is so funny?" He snarled.

Hermione chuckled, a small trickle of blood coming out her mouth where he had back handed her and put her hands on his chest and whispered, "Expulso." And watched as Rabastan flew off of her and across the room. Before he could stand, she threw another spell pulling his wand out of his hand and across the room to her. She stood up slowly, aching holding his wand and watched his eyes narrow before he shook his head and tried to run out of the room. When he hit the door she had locked and warded after the last Death Eater had come in and he could not get out, she laughed mockingly, snapping his wand in half. "Want to play now?" She egged him on raising her hands.

Rabastan narrowed his eyes at her, "This is not over… we will come for you and we will destroy you and everything you love." He snarled running to the window and jumping.

Hermione watched as he flew away and waved her hand to ward the window so he could not come back in. She fell to her knees, her entire body aching, her back on fire from hitting it on the wall and then again from when he tackled her. She felt tears pooling in the back of her eyes as she fought through the pain. It was Adeline's hand touching her head again that brought her back to the present.

Hermione looked up to the little girl standing there with a small sad smile, "We have to go… more are coming… we are not safe." She whispered, holding on to her sisters' hand. "Mommy told me to tell you to send a Patronus to the fighters outside to leave and then you have to take us home with you… they want us because our mom had something they wanted."

Hermione shook her head trying to clear it, looking up Adaline. After a moment she took a breath, "Ok….." She rolled from her knees to sit down on the floor, waving her hand so her Falcon appeared, "It is Hermione…. I sent Harry and Ginny at the hospital with the prisoners… the prisoners were badly injured, I told them to stay with them… I have both of the girls and we are going home… More Death Eaters are coming, you must retreat…please let me know when everything is clear…. And that you are all safe. The house is clear of all innocents" She murmured softly into the bird's ear before sending it through the window to first Kingsley and then to George.

Hermione looked at Adeline, "You guys have to come sit on my lap." She said crossing her legs and holding out her shaking arms, "Your sister first." She said helping Bella climb into her lap and smiled up at her.

Hermione smiled down at Bella who looked like a mini version of Adeline, but with a happy carefree smile of not knowing what was going on. "Hello beautiful." Hermione said touching her nose with a shaking finger, "Ready for a trip." She asked.

Bella smiled up at her and nodded holding up a small doll for Hermione to look at. Hermione smiled at it and whispered, still trying to catch her breath, "Pretty." Making Bella grin up at her

Hermione pulled out the last bottle of Pepper up she had and looked at the clock on the wall. She had been gone for almost 75 minutes; Viktor was not going to be happy with her she thought swallowing it down and looking up at Adeline, "Ready? She asked holding her hand out.

Adeline climbed onto her other knee and looked up at Hermione, "Mommy said that only you can be trusted…. No one else." She whispered, eyes full of thoughtful worry.

Hemione nodded down at her, "I promise I am going to protect you… ok?" She asked wrapping her arms around both girls tightly. "Starting with getting us out of here."

As Hermione waited for the potion to take effect she looked and felt her injuries, surprisingly for battling 3 Death eaters on her own, she was in pretty good shape, not that both Viktor and Alek were not going to lose their minds at her for both actually fighting and being late.

She rolled her shoulder and felt the pain and pulling in her back that was more bruised now with a new open wound on her back ribs. Add the blast from earlier on her shoulder that was also still oozing blood and she knew Viktor was going to be pissed, he would probably yell at her, she thought sighing softly, Dang it. So much for keep all of her promises of staying out of the fighting… but she had learned some valuable information. Including that there was a group of Death Eaters that still had plans of some sort… now to figure out what they were.

But Hermione paused to look down at the little girls in her arms and knew it was all worth it and he would see that once the fear and worry passed. Plus, they found Percy, it was a good day. She felt her magic begin to get stronger again and wrapped her arms around the girls, "We are going to my home… and everyone there will keep us safe." She said taking a deep breath.

Adeline shook her head, "Mommy said only you… to stay with you always." She said her eyes starting to tear up. "Are you leaving us?" She asked.

Hermione shook her head, "No… I am not going anywhere…. I just want you to know that where we are going is a safe place… with safe people." She took a deep breath, "Are you ready?"

Adeline nodded wrapping her arms around Hermione's waist making her gasp at the pain, but Hermione didn't say anything, just let pulled both the girls close and concentrated on Viktor… on their home… the field with the lake. "Close your eyes so you don't get sick." She whispered to the girls and let the magic pull her until she landed, still sitting Criss cross with the girls in her lap, on the grass in the field by the water. She looked up at see the lake in front of her and the little girls clenching tightly at her waist. She felt the wind blew the curls that had escaped her bun across her back and the sun was nearly blinding.

Adeline looked up at her, "Are we here?" She asked softly. "It is pretty." She said looking at the lake. "Are there fish in there? She asked softly.

Hermione looked to the lake out in front of her shook her head, "I don't know." She said, thinking carefully "We can find out, though." She promised.

Adeline nodded, "My daddy and I used to fish with Theo." She said softly, her arms still tightly wrapped around Hermione's waist, but Bella was trying to stand up to go to the water with a big smile.

Hermione smiled down at the Adeline, "We can go probably fishing..." She paused when she heard, "MILA… you are late." Yelled across the wind and she smiled.

She was home.