A/N - Okay, here we go! The next two chapters will be the battle so buckle in. Good news is, I've got the next chapter more than half written, so it should be up next Thursday as usual. Thank you so much for continuing to read and review!
Chapter 40
Confrontation
Hermione listened with half an ear as Kingsley laid out the plan. Her attention was on Lucius who stood stoically next to Severus and Draco. His face was giving nothing away, of course, but Hermione's gut was swirling with anxiety. There were so many things that could go wrong with their plan and the fact that she was expected to hide in the woods with the rest of the Resistance while Yaxley was in Lucius' head was not sitting well with her at all. At the very least, she wanted to be with Kingsley and Charlie. She doubted anyone would agree with her, however.
"What if he brings everyone with him at once?" Oliver asked.
"Then we act as soon as I give the signal," Kingsley said. The signal, it turned out, was a bird call that Charlie knew. Obviously sending up sparks from his wand would only attract attention and they would lose the element of surprise.
"Yaxley is to be left to us," Severus said, indicating himself, Lucius, and Draco. "In fact, unless it is absolutely necessary, it is best if everyone gives Yaxley a wide berth. The last thing we need is the Dark Lord's soul escaping into someone else."
"I thought you had a way to contain it?" Ron said.
"We do," Draco replied. "But as I'm sure we're all aware, even the best laid plans can go awry."
"Is anyone else aware of this containment spell?" Professor Slughorn asked. "If something were to happen to young Mr. Malfoy, there should be someone backing him up."
"I can do it," Hermione offered.
"No," Lucius said immediately. Most of the Resistance looked at him in confusion.
"I know the spell," she said. Lucius met her gaze. Despite the look of cool indifference on his face, she could see the anger in his eyes. So, it was all well and good for him to put himself in danger, but she couldn't do the same? Not bloody likely.
Kingsley looked between the two of them. Hermione wasn't sure just how much Lucius had told him and Charlie about how they planned to separate Voldemort's soul from Yaxley's, but it was obvious Kingsley suspected something.
"Let's go through the rest of the plan and then we'll discuss a back-up for Draco," Kingsley said. Hermione didn't want anyone else analyzing the exchange between her and Lucius too closely, either, so she said nothing as Kingsley moved on. Lucius appeared to have the same thoughts.
Kingsley discussed placement of the rest of the Resistance, as well as areas that would be set aside for the wounded to be tended to by Poppy and Mrs. Patil. Everyone else would be fighting except Graham and Dennis. Both boys were extremely angry about this. Kingsley had set them the task of protecting the Healers which mollified them marginally. They both still felt they should be able to take part in the fighting.
"These are adult wizards and witches, Dark ones at that," Kingsley said. "The two of you, even with all the training you have been doing, are nowhere near a match for them." Kingsley turned to Graham. "And what if you should come across your father on the battlefield?" Graham looked at the ground. After the condition she and Ron had found Graham in, Hermione thought that Graham likely thought all he wanted to do was hurt his father. But wanting to do so and being able to were two different things. The man was still his father, after all.
"The help you give Poppy and Mrs. Patil is just as important. The more fighters we can get patched up as quickly as possible, the better the odds." Both boys finally nodded, albeit begrudgingly.
"Nott, do you have brooms?" Katie asked.
"A few," Theo said, brow furrowed.
"Why do you ask?" Kingsley replied.
"Attacking from the air would give those on the ground some cover," Katie said.
"And also make the injuries worse should you be cursed off your broom," Poppy said. Kingsley appeared to be considering this suggestion, but ultimately shook his head.
"Controlling a broom while attempting to fire spells is not as easy as you might think," Kingsley said.
"Sort of like controlling a broom while shooting a Quaffle isn't as easy as you might think?" Katie returned.
"Or stopping one," Oliver added. Charlie chuckled and Kingsley smiled.
"Perhaps if we had trained with brooms, I would agree," Kingsley said. "As it is, I am hesitant to take the chance."
"This is it, right?" Ron asked, looking around at everyone gathered.
"What do you mean, Ron?" Charlie asked.
"I mean, this is pretty much our last chance," Ron said. Someone began to protest, but he shook his head. "Let's face it, if whatever Malfoy has planned doesn't work, that's pretty much it for all of us. You-Know-Who or Yaxley or whoever he is, isn't going to leave any of those three alive." He pointed to Lucius, Severus, and Draco. "And who knows what he will or won't believe about Nott. We lose our contacts on the inside, it doesn't matter if we make it out of this or how many Death Eaters we take down. How many people did we lose before Malfoy started passing us information?"
The entire crowd had gone quiet. Ron wasn't wrong, not be any stretch of the imagination. Hermione had been having the same thoughts and she was positive that Lucius had too.
"If this is our last stand, then I say we use whatever we have to our advantage. Katie and Oliver are the probably the two best fliers we have, outside Charlie and Malfoy." Ron nodded in Draco's direction, much to Hermione surprise. "Those two have to be on the ground for obvious reasons, so let Katie and Oliver be in the air."
Hermione noticed Ron didn't mention Ginny although she was admittedly as good a flyer as Katie and Oliver were. Maybe even better.
"And me," Ginny said. Hermione saw Draco take a step forward as if he were going to physically attempt to stop her.
"No, Ginny!" Molly said. "I won't allow it!"
"Mum," Ginny said. "I'm going to be in just as much danger on the ground."
"You could break your neck falling from a broom!" Molly said.
"And I could trip over a tree root on the ground and do the same thing," Ginny said.
"Gin, I don't think," Ron began but she shook her head, interrupting him.
"Don't tell me I'm not ready or I'm not up to it," she said, infamous temper starting to flare. "I'm just as ready as anyone else." The two siblings stared at one another for a few moments before Ron sighed and shook his head.
"Nott, how many brooms do you have?" Ron asked.
"Ronald!" Molly shouted. Poppy put her hand on Molly's arm and whispered something into the woman's ear. Hermione could see Molly shoulders slump in defeat.
"Pippen," Theo said and the House Elf immediately appeared at his side. "Please bring our three best brooms."
"Yes, Master," the elf said and disappeared. He returned a few minutes later with three brooms in hand. A Firebolt, Nimbus 2001 and Nimbus 2000. All three Quidditch players' eyes lit up at the sight of the brooms. Draco's brows shot up to his forehead.
"Yes, you're the one that should be giving me that look," Theo said, rolling his eyes. "You know my father always had to have the newest model as soon as it came on the market. Regardless of the fact that I was never going to get on the team."
The three brooms had already been parceled out between Oliver, Katie, and Ginny. Oliver looked at Theo.
"Can we give them a go or is that against the no magic rule?"
"Considering that rule is about to be demolished quite thoroughly, I don't see why not," Theo said. Oliver shot into the air almost before Theo finished speaking. He whooped in joy and Hermione couldn't help but smile. Katie and Ginny soon joined him, both looking as if they had been on a broom just hours ago, instead of nearly a year. They landed a few minutes later, cheeks flushed and wide smiles on all three of their faces.
"All right," Kingsley said. "All three of you are Disillusioned before you take to the air." They nodded. "Stay that way, just be sure not to fly near each other. Each of you determine a territory and stay there. We don't need any mid-air crashes because you can't see one another. And for Merlin's sake, shield as much as possible." They all nodded in agreement and Kingsley moved to the positioning of the rest of the Resistance.
Hermione walked towards Lucius, determined to be Draco's back-up for the containment curse. She saw his lips thin and his jaw clench as he watched her approach.
"You know I'm right," she said quietly. "I practiced with Draco. I know the spell."
"I am sure that Shacklebolt could pick it up relatively easily."
"Kingsley is going to be busy taking out whatever Death Eaters Yaxley brings with him," Hermione said.
"He can do both," Lucius said stubbornly. Hermione tried a different approach.
"If Yaxley brings the Carrows along with Mulciber and Rabastan, another wand would be helpful. Severus is going to be busy casting the curse and Draco needs to be alert for the containment spell. If Kingsley and Charlie take out two of them, the others will be alerted."
"Three against four still leaves one standing," Lucius said.
"Not if Theo takes out the fourth," Hermione countered. It was a gamble, she knew. They hadn't intended for Theo to be involved at all, if only to give him cover should things go wrong. But if Yaxley was stuck in Lucius' mind and there were only four of them, no one would be around to notice Theo had cast the fourth spell.
"You would be better served staying with the Resistance," Lucius said.
"We both know that isn't true," she said. She stared at him for a moment but he said nothing. Hermione decided to take pity on him. "I know you're worried about me. You must know that I feel the same about you. I need to do this."
"It is too dangerous."
"I'm not going to be safe once the fighting starts," she said. "Or do you expect me to stay with Poppy and the boys?"
"If I could ensure you would, I would take steps to do so," he said.
"Lucius," Hermione sighed. She wanted nothing more than to wrap her arms around him but she couldn't with the audience they had. Even though the Resistance seemed focused on Kingsley and Charlie, an action like that would not be missed. She settled for quickly squeezing his hand.
"Short of stunning and binding me, you can't keep me from this fight," she said. "And before you consider doing just that, remember that there are plenty of people that would know I was missing."
"The only reason I have not, I assure you," he said dryly.
"Yes, well, trust me I have thought of doing the same to you." She couldn't help but smile. She saw the tiny smirk on his lips before it disappeared. He sighed then and looked down at her. She hoped that everything she felt but couldn't say at the moment was reflected in her eyes.
"I'll just let Kingsley know I'll be joining him and Charlie then," she said. She could see the tightening of his jaw, but he did not argue with her. It was pointless to try. She would just do what she wanted, regardless of his protests. There was no way she was going to let him face Voldemort and not be as near to him as she could.
"I love you," she whispered. He didn't reciprocate the words as he was facing the Resistance but he closed his eyes and gave a nod of his head, reaching out and brushing her fingers with his. Forcing herself to take a few steps away from him, lest she do something stupid like grab him and snog him, Hermione smiled once more and then turned and walked back to Kingsley.
Lucius watched her walk away from him, curling his hand into a fist as if to trap the feeling of his fingers brushing against hers. The woman was entirely too stubborn for her own good. He knew, though, regardless of what he said, she would do what she liked anyway.
"Let me guess, Granger is going to back me up," Draco said as he approached from where he had been speaking to Severus and Theo.
"Yes," Lucius ground out. Draco snorted and Lucius glared at him. Draco just shook his head.
"I didn't want Ginny up on a broom either, but here we are." Draco looked to the woman in question. "Gryffindors."
"Is she ready?" Lucius asked quietly. Draco sighed.
"As much as I'd like to say no, I can't. She trained harder than almost anyone."
"Revenge is a powerful motivator," Lucius said.
"Seeing as Rodolphus is already dead, I don't think it's revenge so much as rage," Draco said. "She can't stand to think of all the other people she knows still in the same situation she was." Lucius nodded in understanding. "After she found out what happened to Lovegood, there was no way I was keeping her out of this."
Lucius watched his son as he looked at Miss Weasley worriedly. While Lucius had suspected for quite some time just what Draco's feelings for the young woman were, it had never been quite so obvious as it was now. Miss Weasley seemed to sense his gaze for she looked up and gave him a smile of reassurance. Draco turned to his father.
"If anything happens to me," he began, but Lucius interrupted him before he could continue.
"Nothing is going to happen to you, Draco," Lucius said forcefully.
"But if it does," Draco persisted. "I want her taken care of."
"She has her family."
"You know what I mean, Father," Draco said. "Her father is dead as are two of her brothers. No one knows what the state the other two that aren't here are going to be in when they're freed. I want to be sure that she's all right, that she has whatever she needs, a mind Healer or whatever else."
Lucius studied his son for a few moments.
"Are you sure that this kind of help would be accepted?" he finally asked. It was one thing if the two of them had been married or even betrothed. But Draco had not even announced his intention to court the woman. Lucius was unsure if the Weasleys would accept any help from him without some kind of understanding.
"If we both make it out of this, I plan to take care of her for as long as she'll let me," Draco said, looking at his father steadily. "I've told her as much." Lucius met his gaze and then nodded.
"Very well," he said. Draco visibly relaxed.
Lucius stood watching the Resistance as Shacklebolt and Weasley finished with their instructions. Lucius thought about the envelopes he had left with Liddy for Hermione and Draco in the event of Lucius' death. Severus knew about them as well, although he had insisted Lucius leave the envelopes with Liddy. If Severus did not survive either, the letters would still get to their recipients.
He had left Hermione a substantial amount of money as well as a few pieces of jewelry that he thought she might actually wear. Nothing overly ostentatious, of course. The sum would not even make a dent in Draco's inheritance but Lucius hoped that his son would understand all the same. After their discussion about Miss Weasley, Lucius rather thought he would.
"It's time," Theo said, as he and Severus approached Draco and Lucius again.
"All right, people," Shacklebolt said. "You have your assignments. It's time to get into position." The Resistance moved back towards the woods, only a quiet murmuring spreading through the group as they all prepared themselves for battle.
Shacklebolt and the older Weasley nodded at the group of Slytherins, then moved towards the small bank of trees where they intended to hide themselves. Hermione waited until Lucius met her gaze. She gave him one last smile before turning and following Shacklebolt and Weasley.
"What else do you know about this plan?" Kingsley asked Hermione when they had reached the trees.
"What do you mean?" she replied.
"Just how are they planning on separating the Dark Lord's soul from Yaxley's?"
"Oh, well, it's," Hermione trailed off. She wasn't sure what to tell them. Revealing her relationship with Lucius right before they were about to do battle wasn't exactly the smartest idea. She didn't think that Kingsley would react like Ron would but Hermione wasn't sure what Charlie would do. "It's complicated."
"How complicated?" Kingsley asked.
"What Lucius is doing isn't exactly complicated," she said. "I mean it's not easy or anything, it's just…I don't know if I want to get into it right now."
"Does it have anything to do with why he was so adamant you not do the containment spell?" Charlie asked.
"They're related," Hermione replied evasively.
"Hermione," Kingsley said and she looked up at him. He stared at her intently for a few moments. "Just tell me that nothing that's happened to you since you were taken to Malfoy Manor was against your will."
"Well, I didn't exactly agree with Draco taking me there in the first place," she said dryly. Kingsley continued to stare at her, no hint of amusement on his face. "No, Kingsley. No one has forced me to do anything since." Kingsley finally nodded.
Charlie was looking back and forth between the two of them and Hermione suspected that both men had some idea of what was going on. Neither questioned her further about it, however. Instead, they all took their positions and cast their Disillusionment charms to wait.
Lucius and Draco knelt on the ground, their arms bound behind them. Severus had cast the bindings on them once Theo had gone into the house to Floo Yaxley.
"Can you still maneuver?" Severus asked, pressing his wand into Lucius' hand. The plan was to return Lucius and Draco's wands to them once Yaxley was trapped in Lucius' mind. After whomever Yaxley had brought with him had been dispatched, of course, and before the rest of the Death Eaters were called.
Lucius flicked the wand a few times. It did not really respond to him, but it was enough to know that he could cast a spell to free himself. He nodded and Severus took his wand back, giving it to Draco and asking the same question. Severus then Disillusioned himself and stepped back into the shadows.
They did not have long to wait as Theo returned from the house with Yaxley in tow. Behind him were Mulciber and Rabastan along with, surprisingly, Rookwood. Lucius assumed that the latter must have been reporting to Yaxley when the call came.
"Well, well, well, Lucius," Yaxley said as he approached the two of them. "It seems you've overplayed your hand." Lucius said nothing simply glared at the man in front of him as Mulciber and Rabastan laughed. Rookwood just looked bored.
"I hear you've been busy since our last meeting," Yaxley said. "Bad luck that you underestimated young Nott here." Lucius turned his glare on Theo who sneered back at him.
"And Draco," Yaxley said shaking his head. "Draco, Draco, Draco. I had such high hopes for you." He stepped forward and bent down bringing his face only inches from Draco's. "How long have you been betraying the Dark Lord?"
"Longer than you think," Draco spat. Yaxley snarled and cast the Cruciatus curse. Lucius was forced to watch Draco writhe on the ground although he did not cry out. Lucius felt a wave of pride for his son. When Yaxley ended the curse, Draco managed to get himself back to his knees. He spit a bit of blood from his mouth. He had obviously bitten his tongue.
"Where is the Dark Lord?" Theo asked. "I would have thought he would have wanted to mete out the punishment himself. Or at least witness the traitors' final downfall."
"He's tasked me with this," Yaxley said easily. It was obvious that Mulciber and Rabastan knew about the binding with their smirks and sidelong glances at one another. Lucius suspected that Rookwood did as well. Perhaps he had even been the one to modify the ritual.
"The Dark Lord doesn't need to waste time with filth like this," Mulciber said. "They're not worth the seconds it's going to take to kill them." He raised his wand and Lucius' heart sped up. No, Yaxley had not been in his mind yet. They had not even had a chance. But Yaxley shook his head, pushing Mulciber's wand aside.
"Information first," Yaxley said. He looked back at Theo. "Don't worry, Nott, the Dark Lord will be very generous with his reward after this." Theo nodded in thanks and took a few steps back from Draco and Lucius.
"Now, which one of you shall I start with first?" Yaxley said.
"I orchestrated all of it," Lucius said quickly. "I convinced Draco to pass information. I would have done it myself had I been being actively called."
"Somehow I doubt that," Yaxley said. "I think young Draco here did this all on his own. Didn't you now?" Yaxley's smile turned predatory but Draco just stared at him in defiance. "But why I wonder? Why did you betray everything we stand for?"
"The Dark Lord killed my mother," Draco snapped.
"Simple revenge then, is it?" Yaxley said with a nod. "I can understand that." He looked contemplative. "Except that you involved the Mudbloods and the blood traitors. Now, that's just not done, Draco. If you wanted revenge, you should have done it yourself like an honorable man."
"Honorable?" Draco scoffed. "What's honorable about killing an unarmed woman?"
"Well, she was a traitor," Yaxley said conversationally. "Looks like you followed in her footsteps, didn't you?" Yaxley glanced at Lucius. "And how does dear old daddy fit into this? I don't believe for a second that he convinced you to do this. I think he was probably rather appalled when he found out, wasn't he? He's just trying to cover your arse now, isn't he?"
"Not so much as you'd think," Draco said derisively. He gave Lucius a disgusted look. Lucius glared back. Yaxley was carefully watching the byplay between them.
"Well, this is interesting. Seems there's a bit of dissension in the ranks. Let's see why, shall we?" Yaxley drew his wand and pointed it at Draco. "Legilimens."
Lucius forced himself to keep still. They had planned for this. Draco knew what to do. He had always been able to withstand the Dark Lord's Legilimency before. This would be no different.
It seemed like an eternity until Yaxley finally pulled himself from Draco's mind. Draco sat back on his heels, face a rictus of pain. He had not been gentle then.
Yaxley was staring at Lucius in complete disgust. Good, this was what they wanted. This would get Yaxley into his head quicker than anything else.
"A Mudblood, Lucius? That's how far you've lowered yourself? And not just any Mudblood, Potter's whore at that." Lucius had to force himself not to leap to his feet and attack Yaxley bodily for that remark. Mulciber and Rabastan were looking confused. Yaxley turned to them.
"Old Lucius here has taken up with Potter's Mudblood," he said. "And not just to slake his lust. Oh no. He's fucking her because he wants to, because he cares for her." Both men sneered at Lucius.
"Even your own son is disgusted with you," Yaxley said, thoroughly enjoying berating Lucius. "I would guess you were next on his list after the Dark Lord. Isn't that right, Draco?" Draco looked away. Yaxley chuckled. "I'll take that as a yes, then."
Yaxley stared down at Lucius and Lucius stared back defiantly. The sooner Yaxley got into his head the sooner they could finish this. Yaxley, however, did not seem in any hurry. And he was not being quiet either. Lucius knew that Theo had heard everything, he was standing only a few feet behind them after all. Lucius did not know if Shacklebolt and Weasley could hear from their position, however. For Hermione's sake, he hoped not. Perhaps they should have warned them in advance. At least the rest of the Resistance was too far away in the woods.
"Where is the Resistance?" Yaxley asked. He was looking at both Lucius and Draco now. Lucius swore in his head. If he went back into Draco's mind to search, their entire plan could be ruined.
"I don't know," Draco said. "I just leave messages at drop-off points. I don't know where they are."
"You planned to take down the Dark Lord with just the three of you?" Yaxley said glancing up at Theo. He snorted. "Somehow, I doubt that." He turned back to Lucius. "What about you, Lucius? You must have some idea where the Resistance is, given who you've been fucking." Lucius remained silent, simply continuing to gaze at Yaxley.
"And what about Severus?" Yaxley said. "Why isn't he part of this little scheme?"
"Severus has gone his own way," Lucius replied. "He wanted no part in all of this."
"Did a runner, eh? I always did think he was a coward," Yaxley said. Truth be told, all he would have had to have done was cast a Homenium Revelio and all their plans would turn to ash. With as paranoid as the Dark Lord once was, Lucius was surprised that Yaxley had not done it immediately upon entering the grounds. Yaxley's personality must still have more influence than the Dark Lord's. With this in mind, Lucius decided to goad him a bit.
"Of course, he left us a parting gift," Lucius said.
"Oh really?" Yaxley said in amusement. "And just what might that be?"
"Why do you think the Dark Lord has been unable to track us?" Lucius asked. Yaxley frowned. "Severus invented a potion to mask the Dark Mark." Lucius looked at Yaxley smugly. He could see the anger building in Yaxley's eyes. It was time to end this. "He may not have wanted to physically help us destroy the Dark Lord, but he still contributed in his own way."
Snarling, Yaxley raised his wand and Lucius saw his eyes flash red. If there was one thing the Dark Lord could never stand it was one of his followers besting him in some way. Lucius just hoped this would get Yaxley into his head once and for all.
"Crucio!" Yaxley shouted. Lucius should have expected it. He grunted as the curse hit him and tired valiantly to stay kneeling. The curse was too strong, however and Lucius fell to his side with a cry. He could only hope that Yaxley still wanted to see inside his head and would not hold the curse for too long.
Hermione held her breath as Yaxley cast Legilimens on Draco. They had planned for this but she had a sinking feeling as to what Yaxley would say as soon as he saw Draco's memories. She should have warned Kingsley and Charlie.
When Yaxley turned to Lucius with a look of disgust on his face, Hermione's heart began to pound and her stomach twisted into knots. Still, maybe Kingsley and Charlie would just think it was some kind of ruse, all part of the plan.
"A Mudblood, Lucius? That's how far you've lowered yourself? And not just any Mudblood, Potter's whore at that." Hermione bit her lip. She felt Charlie flinch and shift towards her.
"Old Lucius here has taken up with Potter's Mudblood," Yaxley said. "And not just to slake his lust. Oh no. He's fucking her because he wants to, because he cares for her." Kingsley grasped Hermione's wrist and she stiffened. She didn't know if he was doing it in comfort or because he was appalled.
"Even your own son is disgusted with you," Yaxley said. Hermione didn't hear anything else over the loud pounding of her heart. Kingsley gave her wrist a gentle squeeze and then let her go. She silently let out a breath. He either didn't believe it or wasn't angry with her. She didn't care just which at the moment. She could still feel Charlie staring at her. Or where she would have been had she been visible. A few moments later he shifted his attention back to the situation at hand and Hermione's heart began to slow. Of course, they couldn't say anything to her just now. And they were both too focused on their end goal to cause any kind of problem. After, though, she had no idea what would happen.
She was aware that her relationship with Lucius would likely come to light at some point today. However, she had hoped it would be after everything was over, when she could actually discuss it and explain to everyone. Maybe she should have at least warned Kingsley and Charlie. There was nothing for it now. She turned her focus back to Lucius and Yaxley.
Yaxley was asking about the Resistance and where they were. Hermione bit her lip again as he turned his attention back to Draco. They had to get Yaxley into Lucius' head. When Yaxley asked about Severus, Hermione knew that Lucius had a chance. The fact that he taunted Yaxley with the potion Severus had made didn't surprise her.
She couldn't even say she was really surprised when Yaxley cast the Cruciatus curse. But she still found herself taking a step forward. Kingsley grabbed her arm to still her. Hermione's heart was back to pounding as the curse went on. She wanted to shout at him to stop, wanted to run to Lucius but she knew that she couldn't.
Finally, the curse ended. Hermione could see that Lucius was panting for breath. She closed her eyes and willed him to get back to his knees. Willed Yaxley to give Lucius time to collect himself. But he didn't, of course. Lucius rolled to his back and Yaxley cast Legilimens. Hermione sucked in a breath. Gods, please let him have the strength to pull the appropriate memories forward and shield the rest.
Kingsley grasped her wrist again, but this time it was to alert her that it was time to bring down Mulciber, Lestrange, and Rookwood. He tapped three times on her wrist, the signal that she was to take the third, Rookwood. She felt Kingsley reach around her and tap Charlie twice on the shoulder. The shimmer next to her gave a nod and they waited.
Yaxley was staring down into Lucius' eyes. Hermione forced herself to look away and concentrate on Rookwood. He was standing off to the side, nearer to Draco than any of the others. She would be able to stay behind the tree and get a decent angle to send her stunner, but Kingsley and Charlie were going to have to move to take out Mulciber and Lestrange. Kingsley squeezed her wrist one last time and then moved.
Hermione counted to fifty to give Kingsley and Charlie enough time to move into position. They wanted to cast as close to simultaneously as possible so there would be no chance for retaliation. She should have expected that would go awry. When she reached fifty, she sent a stunner in Rookwood's direction. Her spell hit its mark, but as Rookwood crumpled to the ground, Mulciber spun and sent a spell in her direction.
She ducked and the curse went wide. But both Mulciber and Lestrange were now alert. Hermione glanced back at Yaxley, but it appeared that the curse had worked and he was stuck in Lucius' mind. Hermione crouched behind the tree, trying to get a line on either Mulciber or Lestrange.
A spell came from Kingsley and Charlie's direction, but it was obvious that the two Death Eaters had erected shields as the stunner was absorbed into the shield. Hermione swore under her breath. She should have waited a bit longer.
She could see Theo, glancing between where Rookwood lay on the ground and Mulciber and Lestrange. Those two would be expecting Theo to join in the fight or to revive Rookwood at the very least. In fact, Mulciber shouted something to that effect as he blocked another spell from Kingsley. Where was Severus?
Theo turned to Rookwood, drawing his wand. Hermione apologized to him silently and stunned him as well. They could revive him once Mulciber and Lestrange were taken care of and Theo's cover would still be intact.
Deciding she needed to leave the cover of the trees in order to assist Kingsley and Charlie, Hermione bolted from cover and ran around behind Draco and where Theo lay stunned. She hoped that Mulciber and Lestrange would be occupied enough that they wouldn't notice. That way, Hermione could get behind them and take at least one of them out. Even though Charlie and Kingsley were still Disillusioned, the Death Eaters knew where the spells were coming from and were keeping their shields strong enough that the spells weren't getting through.
Hermione thought she had made it when a stinging hex caught her in the leg. She yelped and stumbled. She managed not to fall, but now Lestrange's attention was on her. Hermione dove as the Killing curse was shot at her, passing just inches over where her head had been. He obviously thought she was taller, likely expecting a wizard instead of a witch. Typical.
She lay still in the grass, hoping that she would blend in well enough that Lestrange wouldn't know where she was. His attention was still on where she had been at least, so Kingsley and Charlie managed to break through Mulciber's shield and stun him. Lestrange whirled around, casting another shield, but Hermione threw a tripping jinx at his feet. He fell to his knees and Charlie was on him bodily. As Kingsley wrapped ropes around Mulciber's prone form, Charlie finally managed to stun Lestrange. Hermione blew out a breath and turned to check on Lucius.
He was still lying on the ground, his eyes wide open with Yaxley staring down at him. It was apparent the curse was still active. At least that much was going to plan. Hermione stood as Kingsley and Charlie cancelled their Disillusionments. She did the same and soon Severus was standing in front of them as well. He simply nodded at the three of them, still holding the curse on Yaxley.
Kingsley walked to where Rookwood lay and wrapped him in ropes. Hermione revived Theo.
"Sorry about that," she said as he held out a hand to help him up.
"Had to be done," Theo replied but he didn't meet her eyes. Hermione knew he had heard what Yaxley had said about her and Lucius. She couldn't worry about that right now.
"Draco needs his wand," she said then walked away. Kingsley and Charlie had levitated all three stunned and bound Death Eaters and moved them out of sight.
"Phase two," Kingsley said. Hermione nodded and turned to Severus.
"Draco needs to call them," he said.
"What?" Hermione asked.
"Draco needs to call them. I cannot let go of the curse."
"But he's supposed to be bound when they arrive," Hermione said.
"Yaxley is fighting much harder than I expected," Severus said. "If I split my concentration, he may break free."
"It's fine, Granger," Draco said. Theo had already released him from the bindings around his wrists. "Severus told me what to do. It will take the others a few seconds to get here. Theo can have me bound again before they do."
"Hermione," Kingsley said. "We need to get into position." Hermione glanced at Draco and he nodded. Sighing, she followed Kingsley and Charlie back to the trees where they had been hiding before.
They turned and watched Draco Disillusion Severus once again. Then he moved towards Yaxley. He looked over at them and Kingsley gave a nod before the three of them recast the Disillusionment charm. Draco pulled up Yaxley's sleeve and touched his wand to Yaxley's Dark Mark, muttering something under his breath. He then quickly knelt again and Theo bound his hands, although Draco kept his wand up his sleeve.
Seconds later, the first of the pops sounded. Death Eaters began appearing all around them. Most of them stared at the scene in front of them in confusion.
"We've caught the traitors," Theo said once the pops had ended. "They came to me thinking I would help them. More fools them." There was laughter at this.
"Yaxley is currently attempting to discover the location of the Resistance. He called all of you just before he went into Malfoy's mind." Hermione was relieved at this. It meant they would give Yaxley longer until they started to wonder what was taking so long. No one asked about the three missing members. Of course, everyone was wearing their robes and masks, save Theo, so it was likely they didn't realize anyone was missing.
"Ready?" Charlie breathed and Hermione tapped his arm in response, as did Kingsley. A few of the Death Eaters looked up at the bird call, but no one seemed concerned about it.
The plan was for the Resistance to take out as many of the Death Eaters as silently as possible. The more they could stun before anyone realized, the easier time they would have of it when the Death Eaters noticed.
Given that Kingsley, Charlie, and Hermione were in front of where most of the Death Eaters had gathered, they bided their time. She saw the first body fall a few moments later. Ron caught him and laid him quietly on the grass so as to not attract attention. A second and a third followed in the same manner, Mr. Patil and Professor Slughorn copying Ron's movements. More of the Resistance filled in behind, binding and levitating the stunned Death Eaters back towards the forest. Hermione saw a shimmer in the air which she knew was either Katie, Oliver, or Ginny. They were not to cast any spells at this point, simply provide cover as needed.
Hermione's wand twitched. She was itching to get into the fight, although she knew the wisdom of the approach they had taken. Her attention shifted from the advancing Resistance to Lucius and Yaxley. The one thing they didn't know about this curse was how long Lucius could keep Yaxley in his mind before it began causing him damage, or if it would at all. Hermione didn't realize she was bouncing on the balls of her feet until Kingsley put a hand on her arm.
Suddenly, there was a shout and Hermione's attention swung back to Ron. One of the Death Eaters had noticed his fallen comrades and had turned his wand on Ron. The rest of the Death Eaters turned and began to join in. A few near Yaxley and Lucius looked to see if Yaxley would end the Legilimency and give them instructions. When he didn't, one of them moved towards him. Kingsley quickly shot a spell and the Death Eater turned to face them.
All three of them dropped their Disillusionments and stepped out from behind the trees, engaging the Death Eaters that were closest to Lucius and Yaxley. Draco sprung up from the ground, shielding his father and Yaxley and remaining vigilant should Voldemort's soul escape. Severus remained Disillusioned.
Soon Theo's back garden was a brilliant light show. Hermione could see the spells coming in from above and was happy to see they were hitting their marks. The Death Eaters didn't seem to yet be aware that anyone was in the air. Hermione kept an eye on Lucius as she battled with Flint. Theo had moved behind Yaxley and was firing curses at Death Eaters whenever he could do so without being observed. He was also shielding Resistance members when he could.
Hermione couldn't tell who was winning. She had seen quite a few Death Eaters go down, but she had seen some of her own go down as well. She just prayed that they were merely injured. The Resistance was definitely outnumbered, but the element of surprise had definitely helped.
There were so many shouts and yells from the battlefield that Hermione almost missed it. But as she dispatched Flint, she heard it again, a wail of pain. She swung around towards Lucius and gasped at the sight before her.
His body bowed upwards as he let out another scream. As it crashed back to the earth, Yaxley staggered backwards. Hermione ran to Lucius as he began to convulse. She saw Yaxley fall to the ground as she ran to Lucius but she ignored that. Skidding to a halt next to Lucius, she dropped to her knees and grabbed his arms.
He flailed and bucked in her grasp and Hermione looked around, trying to figure out if someone was torturing him. No one appeared to be focusing on him at all though, all being busy with the Resistance. Some had turned at his scream but likely assumed he was just being tortured by Yaxley. They wouldn't interfere with that.
"What's happening?" Hermione shouted at Severus. He was still Disillusioned, but he had knelt beside her. Draco stood staring down at his father in horror.
"I do not know," Severus said. "He may be fighting the Dark Lord's soul."
"It worked then?" she asked. She glanced back where Yaxley had fallen. Kingsley had cast an Incarcerous. Hermione watched as he bent over Yaxley and then stood back up.
"He's alive," Kingsley said. They hadn't known if severing the souls would kill Yaxley or not. If they had split, it obviously had not.
"Severus, help him," she begged, tears running down her cheeks as Lucius continued to convulse.
"Nott keep them shielded," Kingsley commanded.
"Hold his head," Severus ordered. Hermione moved to cradle Lucius' head in her lap. Hermione saw the vial appear and Severus poured the potion into Lucius' mouth. Lucius choked and sputtered but appeared to swallow most of it.
For a moment, it appeared to have worked. The convulsions tapered down to small twitches. Hermione bent her head forward, resting her forehead against Lucius'.
"Draco be ready," she heard Severus say. "Hermione get back." She ignored him and Lucius' body gave an almighty heave. His head knocked against Hermione's and she raised her head, seeing stars and whimpering in pain.
"Granger get out of the way," Draco yelled. Hermione felt someone pulling on her arm but she refused to let go of Lucius. Then there was an inhuman scream, a sound Hermione had heard before somewhere but she couldn't remember just where.
"Fuck!" Draco yelled as someone else grabbed Hermione's other arm. She was yanked backwards away from Lucius. As she reached out for him, she felt something push into her chest and then everything went black.