Chapter 16- Let the games begin

~*~ well how did you all like the last chapter? This one has lots of plot and it is very dramatic! I hope you all like…

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***

Hermione screamed, a long wail that wrenched at Draco's heart. He hugged her tighter against him and tried to ignore the feeling of dread that was settling over him.

"We won't do it." He hissed glaring at his father.

"Oh I think you will, son." Lucius's mouth twisted into another foul smile and Draco felt his stomach flip. The death eater beckoned to another stocky, slow moving death eater, "take these two away and lock them up. I need time to prepare some things." Lucius strode off followed shortly by the rest of lord voldemorts supporters except the death eater whom Draco recognised as Crabbe. Crabbe grabbed them roughly by their arms and started dragging them into the inky blackness. Hermione gave a small squeak of fear as they seemed to be walking on nothing and even Draco felt his stomach lurch as he was sure they were going to disappear into oblivion any moment. Crabbe gave a thuggish laugh and bore them along for what seemed like hours. Eventually he released them, pushing them into a cage like structure and slamming a metal door shut behind them. Draco almost laughed when he realised the idiot had locked them in together. This would give them time to prepare and figure out their plan of escape.

***

Hermione turned to him as soon as the door closed and flung herself into his arms.

"Draco, what are we going to do?"

Draco, although knowing their situation was dire couldn't help but enjoy the feeling of her in his arms and he didn't want to ruin it but he knew it was probably only a matter of time before his father realised his mistake in letting Crabbe deal with the prisoners. He gently pushed her away and stared solemnly into her eyes.

"We have a lot of work to do Hermione and what I'm thinking we should do is going to take a lot of courage and strength. Do you think you are up to it?"

She straightened her shoulders and looked back at him sternly.

"Anything you can do, I can do."

Draco smiled, that was the old Hermione. She wouldn't be beaten by anybody especially not a Slytherin! She really was something! He found himself reminiscing about the 'good old days' when they had had blazing rows over breakfast in the great hall and the time they had had to work together in potions and she had cursed his stool so it moved whenever he had tried to sit on it. Draco should have known then that this girl was something else. No one else would ever dare do such a thing. He was snapped back to reality by Hermione waving her hand in front of his face.

"Hello?" she called, "Anybody there?"

Draco blinked, "Sorry?" he asked bewildered.

"I asked you what your plan was." Hermione looked at him, her eyes narrowed, "you do have a plan don't you?"

"Yes." Draco was fully concentrating now. "Well you know how I said there was an ancient spell that could bind people to disapparate together…?"

***

Some time later Draco and Hermione had planned their movements and although their strategy seemed to be based more on luck than anything else they finally felt for the first time in about a week that they were in control of things. They had talked for over three hours and eventually Hermione had been so exhausted that she had fallen asleep leaning against Draco. He cradled her head and heard her whisper:

"I'm sick of being a pawn, Draco, it's time we fought back!"

"We will, Hermione, we will."

***

Draco had finally managed to drift off too when he was suddenly jerked awake by an exasperated yell. He smiled sleepily to himself, his father had obviously just discovered Crabbe's mistake. Soon footsteps were heard thundering down the corridor and the door was flung open.

"…pathetic excuse for a dark wizard and you can't do anything right!" Lucius ranted obviously ending a bout of insults he had been firing at the rather shamefaced Crabbe who stood behind him.

"Something the matter, father?" asked Draco sarcastically.

"Everything's fine, traitor." Said Lucius smoothly, noting Hermione asleep on Draco's shoulder. "Are you ready? Which is it to be? Will you die Draco or will your pretty little girlfriend? There are several wagers on and tonight will certainly contain some fine entertainment."

"Monster!" Hermione's voice although slightly muffled come out spiked with hatred. Draco hushed her by stroking her hair softly and Lucius laughed maliciously.  

"Yes mudblood, you are probably right. Although being a mudblood I would have thought that you would have realised that you are more of an abomination in nature than me!"

Draco's blood boiled and he started to rise, fully intending to kill his father right there. Hermione gripped onto him and wouldn't let him get up, soon his temper faded a little and he realised the futility of attacking him then. Lucius watched his son through narrowed eyes and saw with delight how attached he was to the mudblood, it was this connection that was essential to the nights games.

***

Draco and Hermione were dragged rather unceremoniously out of their cage and into a wide circle that looked suspiciously like an arena.

"They haven't!" Hermione whispered.

But they had. All around them in seats were about one hundred cloaked death eaters all sitting silently staring intently at the stage were Hermione and Draco were. She clenched her fists in disgust. "How can they treat this as entertainment? It's sick."

Draco smoothed out one of her hands and clasped it in one of his own.

"You know the plan right?"

"Yes, of course!" she snapped nervously.

"I'm so sorry it turned out like this, Hermione." She squeezed his hand.

"Don't be silly, it isn't your fault." Suddenly there was a pop as Lucius apparated in front of them. He magnified his voice and yelled out at the crowd.

"THESE TWO IMPOSTER WIZARDS ARE HERE TO BE PUNISHED FOR ATTEMPTING TO OVER THROW THE RIGHTFUL RULER OF THE WORLD, LORD VOLDEMORT!" the crowd erupted into cheers and Hermione shivered, snuggling in closer to Draco. Lucius continued: "THEY WILL FIGHT A DUEL TO THE DEATH WHILST UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF THE HYPNTO IMPERO CURSE. LET THE GAMES BEGIN!"  more wild cheering followed this statement and Hermione and Draco separated, walking to opposite sides of the arena. "HYPNTO IMPERO! HYPNTO IMPERO! HYPNTO IMPERO!"  it became a chant with the entire crowd joining in. Eventually it stopped and Lucius's voice rang out in the sudden silence. "KILL THE OTHER PERSON IN THE RING!"

***

Draco stood tall and proud, the curse having no effect on him at all, and watched anxiously as Hermione began to do as they had planned. She curled up tightly in a ball and screwed her eyes shut. This would reduce the curses effects a little as she couldn't see the other person in the ring but it wouldn't last for long. Draco took a deep breath. What he was about to do would take every bit of courage he had ever possessed.

"One, two, three!" he counted under his breath and there was a loud pop. Hermione let a grim smile spread across her face. Draco had disapparated, leaving her alone in the ring. She stood up and glared around her.

"NOW!" she shouted somehow making herself heard above the confused mumblings and mutterings of the crowd. "LET THE REAL GAMES BEGIN…!"

***

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Oh this chapter was so much fun to write! Poor stupid Crabbe (senior, obviously!). Hermione didn't cry in this chapter either! How very odd. This is the chapter with the most plot so far and hardly any fluffiness but in the final chapter (which won't be the next one) there will be amazing amounts of it! Any way, as always, comments are always appreciated and I honour every single one of you who review! You are the best, you are sublime, you are awe-inspiring, you are magnificent, you are:

G*ness: I can't believe you wrote me another fantastically long review. You really love my story? Thankyou so much! I hope you liked this chapter too. Thankyou for your opinion on my next story and I think I will write a Draco/Hermione story set at Hogwarts with ridiculous amounts of fluff! Thankyou again!

Chikata: This one isn't too cliffie I think but it is sufficiently so you will, hopefully, want to read more! Thankyou for your review.

Icy Stormz: I'm glad you liked my twist. I love to write stories with them in them (and read them too) I updated quite soon (for me!) so I hope you like it. Thankyou for your kind review.

Stephanie: I know it was so short but this one is a little longer and I think the next few will be too. Thankyou for saying I was going great. I don't really think I'm that good a writer but I'm doing my best and learning along the way! Thankyou!

Hazeleyez: Hey, no need to be sorry! I'm happy you liked, and here is the next chapter.

Calypso in Love: I'm terribly sorry it was so confusing. Sometimes when I have an idea in my head I forget that other people don't know what I do! I think this chapter is a little less confusing but it is up to you to decide! I think I'm with you and I would like to write another Draco/Hermione story. What do you think about complications with Ron or is that too standard? Thankyou for reviewing with your opinions.

Sarah: Wow…just…really…wow! Thankyou so much! I got such a burst of happiness from your review! I'm so happy you liked.

JudgeDP: My ideas have to be better?! Geez put the pressure on why don't you! Thankyou for reviewing and here is the next chapter (up quite quickly if I do say so myself!).

Sucker For Romance: I do? Of course I do. Thankyou for your review and here it is!

Rory: Thankyou so much for saying so!

Joyce: Thank you so very, very much! Wow it was so nice to say that I inspire you! There is quite a lot of adventure in this chapter so I hope you like it. Romance will be starring quite heavily soon.

Dragon Eyes: Yes I thought that she should stand up for herself a bit more so Hermione has decided to take her frustration out on the death eaters! Thankyou so much for continuing to review(Kristina or dragon Eyes!).

Gaille: No need to be a patient little ferret as here is the next chapter. I don't mind being bugged, it makes me write faster! Thankyou!

Weetziefairie: you were close but it wasn't exactly the imperious curse. I hope you liked my turn of events! Thankyou for reviewing.

Lizza: I'm so happy you liked my story. Thankyou for reviewing!

And that is all for chapter 15.

I would still like suggestions for my other story which I will start as soon as I have finished this one. I really don't want to begin another one while this one is still on the go so expect another story in a couple of weeks. Also I would like to add a special note to Mione G: I hope Hermione has improved in the last two chapters! Thankyou to everyone for reading my story and expect the next one in the next couple of days. I love Easter!

Happy Easter to everyone!

Jess