Chapter Six

She didn't know what to do nor what to think. Everything happened so quickly there hadn't been time to react. One second the anticipation of extreme pleasure was all Hermione had the ability to think about and the next she was struggling to breathe with the dead weight of her homicidal lover crushing her chest. A few moments were required before she could even think to look at the one responsible for ruining what was sure to be an encounter she would never forget.

It wasn't really a surprise to see a wide-eyed Harry standing in the open doorway. He had a nasty habit of making her life more complicated and ruining her mood. Perhaps if her rescuer had been anyone else, she wouldn't have been so annoyed to see him. Unsure how to process what he was seeing, the auror silently removed the rest of his invisibility cloak to let it fall to the floor. She could only imagine what he was thinking. How bad did it look?

Perhaps remembering he was a respected and capable auror who really was quite good at his job, Harry closed his gaping mouth and tried to be professional. Before stepping fully into the hidden room, he pushed a heavy chair in front of the door to keep it propped open. All any of them needed was to be trapped in that small room together. The stunning spell on Antonin would eventually wear off. Even if they disarmed the Death Eater before that happened, there would still be a fight.

"Did he hurt you, Hermione?"

She wished Harry wouldn't come any closer to the bed she was trapped on, but of course that was an unrealistic hope with his savior complex. The closer he stepped, the easier it was to tell that she was completely naked. His reddening cheeks testified there weren't any secrets. She had an answer to his question on her lips. It was cut off by an unexpected groan of pain when Harry tried to move the unconscious wizard off of her. Realizing they were indeed connected, he was even more mortified. All hints of his professional, capable persona disappeared. He was at a loss what to do next. Hermione fought the overwhelming urge to roll her eyes.

"Calm down, Harry, and turn around."

Relieved to have someone else take charge even for just a moment, he spun around to face the open door. Extricating herself from the wizard's embrace while he was stunned was no easy task. It took a great deal of determination mixed in with a healthy dose of embarrassment. She also couldn't deny she was disappointed. Harry always had bloody awful timing. Maybe he could've saved them both from shame if he'd only waited a few more minutes before entering the room. Once she was on her feet with a blanket covering her naked body, she sighed.

"You can turn around now."

He looked more like the boy who had been her friend than he had in years. Mortified and worried, she could tell he still cared what happened to her even if they drifted apart.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes, Harry, I'm fine."

"But, Hermione, he… he…"

Harry dropped his voice to a whisper.

"…he raped you."

"No, he didn't."

"But I saw… and you were…"

"You saw nothing, Harry Potter, because that didn't happen. Don't you dare write in your report or tell anyone that happened because it didn't."

If it was possible, she wanted to preserve at least a tiny shred of dignity. Once she was kidnapped it would have been assumed that something horrific happened to her. She could handle the whispers of speculation but she couldn't handle the expressions of pity and regret she would get if even a few people knew what Harry walked in on.

Harry was always reluctant to tell a lie. She could tell he was struggling with his conscience to agree, but in her case, it wasn't a lie. Of course she couldn't tell him the truth that she'd wanted, that she still wanted what happened. He would have her locked up in St. Mungo's. She wouldn't even blame him. Maybe it was the right choice.

"Here, take this. You must be freezing."

Harry shrugged off his heavy outer robe to offer to her. She was glad for the garment. It offered her more protection and now that she wasn't engaged in any exciting activities, she was freezing. He turned around again to give her privacy.

It was all very awkward. Neither seemed sure what to say to the other. Even though they were no longer friends, it was evident they both still cared for the other. Like a long-divorced married couple who could remember what it was like when times were good, there were still feelings there even buried as they were.

"How did you find me? This room is difficult to find."

"We could tell the old lady was lying to us, maybe even under the Imperius Curse. The other aurors are waiting outside for me hidden in the trees. We made it look like we all left, but I returned with my cloak. I wanted to see if the lady would lead me to Dolohov if she thought the coast was clear."

"Where is she now?"

"Not far. I followed her down into the cellar. When she opened the door just a crack, probably to tell her son it was safe to come out, I stopped her. Couldn't use a stunner. They're too dangerous on someone her age, but an impediment jinx worked just as well. I was able to open the door the rest of the way without worry she would stop me."

Neither of them wanted to point out the likelihood that Antonin didn't hear him approach because his attention was elsewhere. He had a history of being easily distracted as events in the Department of Mysteries and the Muggle cafe proved. It was honestly a bit of a miracle he was able to survive two deadly wars. Maybe he was exceedingly lucky.

"What time is it? How long have I been gone?"

"It's half-past seven. Not even twelve hours. Everyone has been worried, Oliver especially. Auror Savage is furious with himself. As the auror in charge of guarding you, he's taking this rather personally. No one even knows how it happened. All he heard was your scream. He ran inside immediately but you were already gone."

"There was a touch-activated portkey under my pillow. Just a little scrap of parchment that was easily missed."

Harry was impressed. Creating a portkey was difficult magic all on its own. To create one that was activated only when it was touched was an even trickier bit of magic, especially for someone denied access to their own magic for a decade. Either Antonin had help making it, the more likely scenario, or he was more powerful than they realized.

"We need to leave now. If we stay too long the other aurors will get worried and come looking for me."

"Of course."

"Are you sure you don't want me to take you to St. Mungo's?"

She bit her lip to keep from blurting out something rude in her frustration. Somehow, even when he was trying to be kind, he knew just which buttons to push to set her on edge.

"There's no reason for me to go to St. Mungo's because there's nothing wrong with me, Harry. Don't ask me again."

For a second or two he seemed on the verge of arguing, but experience taught him it was futile to try when she had her mind made up. He pushed the chair away from the door, ready to lock Antonin within once they stepped outside.

"Wait. There's something I need to do first."

After the ordeal she had, the last thing she wanted was for Antonin to be found by the other aurors with his trousers down. More for her own benefit than his, she returned to the bed. She didn't want anyone else to jump to the same conclusions Harry did. Maybe it was irrational to worry about her pride, but she didn't care. She was sure they were all going to assume she had been assaulted anyway. Giving them what looked like proof would be too humiliating.

Harry stood in the doorway watching her move around the room. She didn't like how he was staring. What thoughts were running through his mind? It took effort to pull Antonin's trousers up and make him look presentable again. She reached into his pocket to remove the wand he stole the previous night. Before she turned back around to the open door, Hermione took one last look at Antonin's frozen face. Soon he would be back in Azkaban. She was annoyed with herself that she was still disappointed. Past experiences taught her crazy people were often fun in bed and Antonin was, by far, the craziest she'd ever known.

"Oliver will be glad to have this back."

After turning away from the bed, she held up the wand.

"He's been worried about you. After he heard you were taken, he rushed over to your house. I'm not sure he's left. Are the two of you..?"

She shrugged her shoulders. Everything with Oliver had been so new. It was kind of him to be concerned, but who would want anything to do with her after their far-too-exciting first date?

"I like him, but…"

A shadow moved behind Harry. The rest of the cellar was so dark she couldn't see it until it was too late.

"Harry, look out!"

Hit from behind, he collapsed inside the room. A stunner hit Hermione in the middle of her chest before she could move.

Pain throbbed in Hermione's head when she opened her eyes again. Stunning spells were relatively painless as long as their victims didn't hit their heads on the way down. She reached behind her head, relieved not to feel any blood. A dire situation could only get worse with a severe head wound.

Like the one she was sure Harry had when she saw blood trickle down from his hairline. He stood over her, alert, but clearly injured. The effort it must have taken him to get back up after he was hit was impressive. She was glad he was on her side.

"Are you all right?"

"I think so. Are you? I'm not the one who is bleeding."

"It's not the first head injury I've had and I doubt it will be the last. Do you know what happened?"

Harry extended his hand to help her to her feet. He was pale and seemed unsteady, but still strong enough to help her up. Hermione was worried for him. Head injuries were serious and she was no Healer.

"The old lady hit you in the head with a wine bottle and then stunned me."

"Why would't she just stun me too? It would've hurt less."

"Maybe she was worried she wouldn't be fast enough to cast two in a quick succession. But she's also nuts. We're not exactly dealing with the most stable of families. Best not to look for logic where there's not any to be found."

Just as she suspected it would be, the bed was empty when she turned to look. Antonin managed to escape again. She wasn't sure whether she should be terrified or excited that he might find her again to finish what they started.

"I don't understand how that's possible. The impediment jinx I cast on her should've held longer than that."

"It probably would've if she wasn't also under an Imperius Curse. You were right. I watched her son cast it on her."

Harry swore under his breath.

"If he gave her instructions to attack anyone who tried to get in this room, it would've been enough to eventually overpower my jinx."

His heavy sigh sounded as frustrated as she felt. If Harry was correct, New Year's Day wasn't even over. Or it wasn't before the old bitch attacked them. There was no way to tell for sure how long Harry lay on the floor unconscious before he was able to rennervate her. Long enough their hostess was able to get her son out. They could at least be grateful she didn't linger long enough to steal back Oliver's wand or Harry's. No longer were they completely powerless.

"Alohomora doesn't work on this door. They must use some other locking spell I don't know. I assume there's not another exit you're aware of?"

Hermione shook her head.

"The room is also Unplottable. Even if your aurors cast a homenum revelio, they won't be able to tell we're in here."

"Damn. I was afraid of that. Glad they left us wands. We can try to blast through…"

Increasingly unsteady on his feet, he would've fallen if she wasn't right there to catch him. His head wound was more serious than he claimed. She had to force him to sit down. Likely he had a concussion. He needed a Healer. The sooner they could find their way out of the damned room, the better.

"Let me try a few spells."

Nothing she tried opened the door. Whatever was used to keep the room sealed was highly effective. Why did the crazed maniac have to be intelligent too? It was a dangerous combination.

"Maybe you're right about blasting through the walls. If we use enough force, we will eventually make a hole."

Hermione looked to Harry to see if he was in agreement. His eyes were closed and he looked asleep. While she didn't know much about treating a potential concussion, she knew the afflicted should never be allowed to sleep before being properly examined by a medical professional. She shook him by the shoulders until his eyes opened again.

"Don't you dare try to go to sleep on me, Harry. If I can't get you out of this cellar in one piece, I don't want to feel the wrath of the entire Weasley family. I'll deny it if you tell her, but Ginny still scares me a little."

Harry's smile was weak but at least he was still awake. No matter what, she had to keep him that way. As she continued to examine where she knew the exit was located and tested spells with Oliver's wand, she kept talking. Within just a few minutes she'd spoken more to Harry than she had in the previous five years combined.

"I saw Ginny at the Ministry last night. She looked stunning. Not that I was surprised. She's always been beautiful. How much longer until your next baby is born?"

"Two months. She swears it's going to be another boy, but I have a feeling it's a girl."

"I'm happy for you, Harry. Truly. I know how much you always wanted a family of your own. I'm glad you have that now."

"And I'm sorry you don't."

She didn't even try to hide her weary sigh. Of course any conversation they had stuck in a small room would eventually lead to uncomfortable topics better left avoided. It was human nature. No matter how hard a person tried to keep conversation light and impersonal, it nearly always went down a meandering dark path if there was a shared history of any substance.

"You have every right to blame me for what happened with your parents. It's my fault."

The urge to scoff and laugh bitterly in his face was strong. Somehow Hermione managed to keep from giving in. If they were forced to have an adult conversation, the least she could do was act like an adult. They had each been avoiding the uncomfortable discussion for years.

"Voldemort is the reason I don't have my parents any longer, Harry. Voldemort. You can't keep taking the blame for everything that monster did. You are just as much a victim as anyone else. More really."

"But if you weren't my friend your parents would've never been a target."

"Maybe not, but no one could say that for sure. They were still Muggles and I was still Muggle-Born. Lots of both of those died in the war and you weren't friends with them. Maybe they would've been fine or maybe they would've been killed outright. We can never really know."

Over the years she'd gone over that same topic repeatedly. Harry made for an easy target for her anger even if that wasn't entirely fair. But bitter thoughts never conquered a person's loneliness. The breakdown of their friendship may have very well been inevitable. Few friendships lasted longer than a season or two in someone's life. From the Halloween years earlier when she was rescued from the girls' lavatory by Harry and Ron there very well may have been an expiration date on their friendship. It wasn't right to put the full responsibility for failure on Harry's shoulders. Far too much had already been asked of him in his short life.

"If you don't blame me for your parents, why did we stop being friends?"

"Why do any friendships end? No one remains friends with the same people their entire lives. Old friends go and new friends come. Sometimes you outgrow your friends and sometimes they outgrow you."

She was surprised to find that she really did believe what she was saying. At first she only said it to make an awkward moment less so, but the more she considered it, the more she realized it was how she felt. Were there regrets that they weren't as close as they'd once been? Of course. That would likely never fully go away. It didn't mean, however, that they were supposed to be friends again. She wasn't sure she could handle his near-constant meddling. That trait especially got on her nerves when they were younger.

"Would we still be friends if you never dated Ron?"

"Maybe, but maybe not. I understand why you took his side, you know."

"I didn't really take anyone's side."

Hermione scoffed but it was really more of a laugh. Perhaps she wasn't the only person in that tiny room to be a little delusional at times.

"Yes, you did, Harry, but I understand. Not only would it be terribly awkward to choose me over your brother-in-law, you were friends with Ron first. I didn't expect you to choose me."

"I wish there hadn't been a need for anyone to choose. I wish we were all still as good of friends as we were back then."

"Everyone wants to believe they can be the exception, but most people are the rule. How many people do you know are still best friends as adults with their school friends? Sorry, Harry. We weren't the exception."

There was a reason they'd never forced the conversation they were having before. It was uncomfortable and awkward. No one liked to rush towards those experiences willingly. No one normal at any rate. She supposed it was good that they finally spoke even if she would've preferred not to. Nothing changed. They weren't going to emerge from their prison magically best friends again. Real-life didn't work that way.

"Ron is still my best friend."

"I'm glad it worked out for you."

"So who is your best friend now, Hermione?"

The question was kindly meant. She had known Harry long enough and well enough to know it wasn't his intention to be deliberately hurtful. For anyone else it would have most likely been innocuous, simple. Hermione didn't want to answer it. She didn't know how to answer it.

Friends had always been hard to come by in her life. Something about her made it difficult to create long-lasting connections. All right, lots of things about her made it hard. She wasn't the easiest person to like or get along with. Sure, she had plenty of friendly acquaintances in her life, but those were nearly all superficial or short-term. Maybe that was why she never reported the disturbing post she received from Azkaban. It was comforting to have at least one constant in her life.

The very moment that thought passed through her mind she knew she was tap-dancing on the edge of sanity. There was something seriously wrong with her. No longer wishing to spend another second alone with Harry or her upsetting thoughts, she increased her efforts at getting the door open. Anywhere was better than where they were.

"Locking spells aren't working. I've tried every one I can think of. I think your suggestion on blasting through is the best one."

Even once-unobservant Harry understood immediately she wasn't going to continue their discussion. Instead of forcing her to answer his question, Harry stood up from the chair.

"No, Harry. You're about to fall down."

"Two casting the spells will make the work easier. I can stand it long enough to get us out."

There was no reason to even try to argue with the determined man. Truthfully, she was glad for the help. Especially considering the fact that it was no easy task. Antonin's grandfather had been thorough in his enchantments to seal up the room. Realizing they would never have any success in budging the door, they chose instead to blast a hole in the wall large enough for them to climb through.

If there was anyone left who meant them harm inside of the cellar, there was no possible way they could've missed the sounds of their destructive spells. Wood and plaster and clouds of dust filled the immediate area. Several long minutes passed before Hermione could squeeze through a hole to escape the hidden bedroom. With a little more effort, Harry followed soon after.

"Lucky the old bitch let us keep our wands. I wouldn't have wanted to try breaking through the wall without magic. Why do you think she was foolish enough not to take them?"

Harry shrugged his shoulders.

"She probably just wanted to get her son out there as quickly as possible. She probably didn't even rennervate him until they were outside the room with the door shut. If it was me, I would levitate… damn!"

"What is it?"

He looked all over the immediate area with frantic worry easy to see on his features.

"My invisibility cloak is missing. They must've taken it. Damn!"

Hermione understood how upsetting it was for him to lose such an important possession. There was as much sentimentality attached to the cloak as usefulness. She hoped it wasn't permanently gone.

"Now I have even more incentive to find that bastard and put him back in Azkaban."

"Let's just worry about getting out of this wretched house first. Do you think the other aurors are inside the house by now? Should we call for them?"

"No, don't. We don't know where Dolohov and his mother are. They could still be down here. Or one of their other accomplices. We suspect he must have had a lot of help escaping Azkaban because it was supposed to be impossible. Let's just quietly find our way out until we see the other aurors."

She trusted him to know best what they should do in their predicament. After so many years as an auror, he had more experience than she did. Quietly they crept through the dark space. Less frightening than it had been hours earlier when she was alone, Hermione could still feel her heart pounding in her chest. When the staircase she suspected was their escape came into view, she nearly gasped.

"Look, Harry. We're almost there. Let's hurry."

Only steps from the staircase Harry couldn't walk any further. All of the exertion caught up to him. He collapsed to the hard floor. Worried for her former friend, Hermione rushed towards him. She didn't make it far before two strong arms grabbed her from behind. One wrapped around her waist and the other slid across her throat.

It was wrong and inappropriate to be excited about being captured again, but Hermione couldn't help it. She smiled.