Chapter 10: In which Hermione finds herself safe
After days of being in the same environment, in other words a big room, and not having human contact, Hermione was disorientated when Balabus had barged in without warning wearing a stained robe he put on whenever he was doing his experiments. He had cast Imperio and forced her to follow him. In a daze, she did so, and nearly banged into him when he abruptly stopped outside the entrance of what she recognised as the main library. She was forced to wait outside and had no idea what was happening. Then she had heard angry voices and interrupted sounds in what seemed like an argument turned fight.
Now she knew Balabus' craftiness in using her to worm his way out of a disadvantageous but not unexpected attack. The Imperio curse was dispelled as soon as Balabus had taken her hostage. More lucid, she took in the number of people in the library. Her heart leapt when she saw the familiar faces, coming to save them. In the foreground, standing five feet away, was Snape. If she stretched out her hand, she could almost touch him.
He had not changed much. If anything, she half-expected him to bark, 'Five points from Gryffindor Miss Granger. What do you think you are doing, mixing with this bunch of hooligans?'
Those everlasting black robes of his still bellowed about him. Strange, because she thought the air was motionless in the room.
She stared at Snape. He, in turn, was looking at her with an intensity that would have frightened her in her school years. Now, she recognised the anxiety and the plea for her to trust him. She hoped that her eyes conveyed her ardent reply. It reached him, for he turned his attention to Balabus.
It was Malfoy who first spoke up.
'Oh, well done Balabus,' said he raggedly. He struggled to his feet. Moody shoved him back onto the floor, 'Stay down or I'll turn you into a ferret, permanently this time!' Malfoy whimpered and glared at the ex-Auror with hate and loathing.
Hermione felt Balabus' grip on her neck tighten.
'There's no escape for you, you know,' Harry stepped forward and whispered. There was a slight tremble in his voice. 'Hand her over safely and give yourself up.'
'Hermione mentions you quite often Potter,' Balabus snarled. Harry's eyes widened a fraction. Even Hermione was wondering what Balabus had up his slippery sleeve. There were too many against him. Even if he killed her, he would nevertheless be captured.
'She says you are capable of wonders. I believe,' Balabus licked his lips and as his tongue flickered out, it grazed her neck. She shuddered in revulsion and thought sadly. *Only a few days ago, I let him hug me and felt comfort.*
And she wondered if she imagined the deepening lines about Snape's mouth as Balabus drew her into a vice-like grasp.
Snape was approaching them cautiously as Harry continued being a parody of a spokesperson.
'What do you believe?' Harry's face twisted into a scowl that rivalled that of Snape's.
'Patience, Potter. It's not one of your virtues, I know. Else why did your friends die?' The expression on Harry's face was wretched. 'I merely wish to say that it's important to know one's enemy, a time-honoured code of conduct. I believe that were you to succeed in rescuing these imprisoned members of the Ministry, it'll be an accolade to your impressive list of achievements. However, I don't think you'll want to risk your dear friend's life for the sake of others whom you've not even met before, am I correct?'
Harry gave a curt nod. 'What do you want?'
'Want? Is that a factor in our conversation?'
Moody growled and told Harry that they're wasting time. Harry waved it aside.
'Where are the rest of your captives?'
'Somewhere here. They are safe, I guarantee you that.'
Harry looked at Balabus intently and seemed to accept his word. Hermione was not so sure. 'All right, name your price in exchange for the safety of Hermione and the others.'
'I want to return to Europe. Is that an option?'
'If we have them safe.'
Snape was circling them.
'Don't move Professor.' Balabus whispered.
Snape stopped in his steps. What he said next made Hermione want to strangle him. 'Stop your game and do not raise the boy's hopes. You know you can't escape. We will hunt you down even if you hand the researchers over.' The occupants in the room froze. Moody swore richly, 'Are you mad, Snape?'
Meanwhile, a low chuckle came from Balabus, 'So exact Snape? A Death-Eater is indeed a worthy opponent. Very well, no games. I know I can't escape. You know you can't take without Hermione here coming into injury. We appear to be in a sort of impasse. Dear, dear.'
'Do what Potter said. Hand her and the others over, and you may receive a lighter sentence.'
'From the Ministry, known for its thirst for punishment?'
Snape replied, 'We may negotiate with them. Albus Dumbledore's words hold great influence in the Ministry.'
'Yes. Yet I doubt you. Besides, who said anything of myself willing to be locked in Azkaban? Before, perhaps I did think of trying to leave this place. Now I see I can't. Alas, still no, you won't capture me alive ladies, gentlemen. I refuse to be hurled away like a common wizard and treated with ill faith. I will not have myself reduced to a blabbering idiot in Azkaban. A wizard is not meant to be subjected to this humiliation. A wizard is to stand proud in the world, the very embodiment of what a man should be. Therefore,' Balabus did not go further. He flung Hermione forward and Snape had to catch her to break her fall. Before anyone could get a clear line of attack at Balabus, he pointed his wand to his heart and said, 'Avada Kedavra.'
He fell to the floor and died. There was a small smile on his face, one that possessed an amazing confidence and self-assurance.
Hermione was left stunned. She watched, numb, as Harry walked slowly forward, maintaining a rigid stance and his wand aimed at Balabus, poised for action. She observed as Harry cast several spells, which had no effect on Balabus. It was a corpse that laid before them.
'Hermione?' She jumped slightly and realised she was still in Snape's arms. He had never sounded this gentle before. She had to blink a few times to check if it was truly his face looking down worriedly at her.
'Hermione, can you stand on your own?'
When she was a student, she might have misinterpreted his question as a sign of intolerance to be close to her. Now, it bespoke of his concern for her to be fine before he went on to do something else.
Hermione stared at him. His eyes were unreadable.
'Yes, I can stand. In fact, I'm standing right now.'
Snape's nodded. He left Hermione and as she surmised, headed to Malfoy. Her ex-schoolmate was blabbering incoherently. Snape's face was pinched with fatigue and pain.
'Draco, please. Your father's gone and no one will force you to do anything. It's not too late to turn back. Give yourself in. It sometimes takes more courage to give up than to hold on. I'll help you.'
Hermione could see none of his advice penetrated through Malfoy's confused brain. Malfoy was coughing intermittently and laughing raggedly.
'You'll help? Truly, Professor? When my father was caught, did you save him? He was your. . . your friend. He thought you were his. When I was on the run, did you look for me?'
'I did.'
'Because you want me to surrender, as you are persuading me to do now. Oh,' Malfoy snickered, 'what an evil this is! To turn against all that is pure in the wizarding world. To side with Dumbledore and Mudbloods! Oh, I hate you Professor, you most of all, for deceiving us. For making me respect a fake you. No one can be trusted.' Malfoy sobbed and trembled. When Snape reached out, he screamed and curled himself into a ball. He rolled back and forth. Tears and saliva mingled as Malfoy finally lost his last threads of sanity when he realised he had lost and drowned in what darkness filled his mind.
Snape closed his eyes and was dreadfully still that not even Moody dared approach him.
'We better search for the researchers,' Moody grunted, 'Potter, round up the two fat lumps and bring them to the Ministry. The others follow me. Snape, you take care of Malfoy.' He did not check if Snape was listening. Instead, he rushed out of the room. Harry hugged Hermione and nudged her towards Snape. At her raised eyebrow, he nodded encouragingly.
'Go on, he needs someone.' Harry then left with Crabbe and Goyle.
Hermione was rendered speechless. It confirmed to her that Harry knew her secret and accepted it. Glad that that guilt was lifted, she went to stand beside Snape.
'I thought I could save him.' Snape sounded almost despairing. Malfoy was whimpering like a child now.
Hermione did not know how to comfort him. She slipped her hand into his, afraid he would brush it off. He did not and she was deeply heartened.
After deliberation, Snape sealed off the library for the Ministry officials to inspect it later and brought Malfoy to St. Mungo's. He stated quite clearly to the healers that Malfy was to be treated as a patient and not a criminal.
Hermione followed him and gave him her silent support, which was acknowledged from the fact that Snape did not let go of her hand all throughout.
After days of being in the same environment, in other words a big room, and not having human contact, Hermione was disorientated when Balabus had barged in without warning wearing a stained robe he put on whenever he was doing his experiments. He had cast Imperio and forced her to follow him. In a daze, she did so, and nearly banged into him when he abruptly stopped outside the entrance of what she recognised as the main library. She was forced to wait outside and had no idea what was happening. Then she had heard angry voices and interrupted sounds in what seemed like an argument turned fight.
Now she knew Balabus' craftiness in using her to worm his way out of a disadvantageous but not unexpected attack. The Imperio curse was dispelled as soon as Balabus had taken her hostage. More lucid, she took in the number of people in the library. Her heart leapt when she saw the familiar faces, coming to save them. In the foreground, standing five feet away, was Snape. If she stretched out her hand, she could almost touch him.
He had not changed much. If anything, she half-expected him to bark, 'Five points from Gryffindor Miss Granger. What do you think you are doing, mixing with this bunch of hooligans?'
Those everlasting black robes of his still bellowed about him. Strange, because she thought the air was motionless in the room.
She stared at Snape. He, in turn, was looking at her with an intensity that would have frightened her in her school years. Now, she recognised the anxiety and the plea for her to trust him. She hoped that her eyes conveyed her ardent reply. It reached him, for he turned his attention to Balabus.
It was Malfoy who first spoke up.
'Oh, well done Balabus,' said he raggedly. He struggled to his feet. Moody shoved him back onto the floor, 'Stay down or I'll turn you into a ferret, permanently this time!' Malfoy whimpered and glared at the ex-Auror with hate and loathing.
Hermione felt Balabus' grip on her neck tighten.
'There's no escape for you, you know,' Harry stepped forward and whispered. There was a slight tremble in his voice. 'Hand her over safely and give yourself up.'
'Hermione mentions you quite often Potter,' Balabus snarled. Harry's eyes widened a fraction. Even Hermione was wondering what Balabus had up his slippery sleeve. There were too many against him. Even if he killed her, he would nevertheless be captured.
'She says you are capable of wonders. I believe,' Balabus licked his lips and as his tongue flickered out, it grazed her neck. She shuddered in revulsion and thought sadly. *Only a few days ago, I let him hug me and felt comfort.*
And she wondered if she imagined the deepening lines about Snape's mouth as Balabus drew her into a vice-like grasp.
Snape was approaching them cautiously as Harry continued being a parody of a spokesperson.
'What do you believe?' Harry's face twisted into a scowl that rivalled that of Snape's.
'Patience, Potter. It's not one of your virtues, I know. Else why did your friends die?' The expression on Harry's face was wretched. 'I merely wish to say that it's important to know one's enemy, a time-honoured code of conduct. I believe that were you to succeed in rescuing these imprisoned members of the Ministry, it'll be an accolade to your impressive list of achievements. However, I don't think you'll want to risk your dear friend's life for the sake of others whom you've not even met before, am I correct?'
Harry gave a curt nod. 'What do you want?'
'Want? Is that a factor in our conversation?'
Moody growled and told Harry that they're wasting time. Harry waved it aside.
'Where are the rest of your captives?'
'Somewhere here. They are safe, I guarantee you that.'
Harry looked at Balabus intently and seemed to accept his word. Hermione was not so sure. 'All right, name your price in exchange for the safety of Hermione and the others.'
'I want to return to Europe. Is that an option?'
'If we have them safe.'
Snape was circling them.
'Don't move Professor.' Balabus whispered.
Snape stopped in his steps. What he said next made Hermione want to strangle him. 'Stop your game and do not raise the boy's hopes. You know you can't escape. We will hunt you down even if you hand the researchers over.' The occupants in the room froze. Moody swore richly, 'Are you mad, Snape?'
Meanwhile, a low chuckle came from Balabus, 'So exact Snape? A Death-Eater is indeed a worthy opponent. Very well, no games. I know I can't escape. You know you can't take without Hermione here coming into injury. We appear to be in a sort of impasse. Dear, dear.'
'Do what Potter said. Hand her and the others over, and you may receive a lighter sentence.'
'From the Ministry, known for its thirst for punishment?'
Snape replied, 'We may negotiate with them. Albus Dumbledore's words hold great influence in the Ministry.'
'Yes. Yet I doubt you. Besides, who said anything of myself willing to be locked in Azkaban? Before, perhaps I did think of trying to leave this place. Now I see I can't. Alas, still no, you won't capture me alive ladies, gentlemen. I refuse to be hurled away like a common wizard and treated with ill faith. I will not have myself reduced to a blabbering idiot in Azkaban. A wizard is not meant to be subjected to this humiliation. A wizard is to stand proud in the world, the very embodiment of what a man should be. Therefore,' Balabus did not go further. He flung Hermione forward and Snape had to catch her to break her fall. Before anyone could get a clear line of attack at Balabus, he pointed his wand to his heart and said, 'Avada Kedavra.'
He fell to the floor and died. There was a small smile on his face, one that possessed an amazing confidence and self-assurance.
Hermione was left stunned. She watched, numb, as Harry walked slowly forward, maintaining a rigid stance and his wand aimed at Balabus, poised for action. She observed as Harry cast several spells, which had no effect on Balabus. It was a corpse that laid before them.
'Hermione?' She jumped slightly and realised she was still in Snape's arms. He had never sounded this gentle before. She had to blink a few times to check if it was truly his face looking down worriedly at her.
'Hermione, can you stand on your own?'
When she was a student, she might have misinterpreted his question as a sign of intolerance to be close to her. Now, it bespoke of his concern for her to be fine before he went on to do something else.
Hermione stared at him. His eyes were unreadable.
'Yes, I can stand. In fact, I'm standing right now.'
Snape's nodded. He left Hermione and as she surmised, headed to Malfoy. Her ex-schoolmate was blabbering incoherently. Snape's face was pinched with fatigue and pain.
'Draco, please. Your father's gone and no one will force you to do anything. It's not too late to turn back. Give yourself in. It sometimes takes more courage to give up than to hold on. I'll help you.'
Hermione could see none of his advice penetrated through Malfoy's confused brain. Malfoy was coughing intermittently and laughing raggedly.
'You'll help? Truly, Professor? When my father was caught, did you save him? He was your. . . your friend. He thought you were his. When I was on the run, did you look for me?'
'I did.'
'Because you want me to surrender, as you are persuading me to do now. Oh,' Malfoy snickered, 'what an evil this is! To turn against all that is pure in the wizarding world. To side with Dumbledore and Mudbloods! Oh, I hate you Professor, you most of all, for deceiving us. For making me respect a fake you. No one can be trusted.' Malfoy sobbed and trembled. When Snape reached out, he screamed and curled himself into a ball. He rolled back and forth. Tears and saliva mingled as Malfoy finally lost his last threads of sanity when he realised he had lost and drowned in what darkness filled his mind.
Snape closed his eyes and was dreadfully still that not even Moody dared approach him.
'We better search for the researchers,' Moody grunted, 'Potter, round up the two fat lumps and bring them to the Ministry. The others follow me. Snape, you take care of Malfoy.' He did not check if Snape was listening. Instead, he rushed out of the room. Harry hugged Hermione and nudged her towards Snape. At her raised eyebrow, he nodded encouragingly.
'Go on, he needs someone.' Harry then left with Crabbe and Goyle.
Hermione was rendered speechless. It confirmed to her that Harry knew her secret and accepted it. Glad that that guilt was lifted, she went to stand beside Snape.
'I thought I could save him.' Snape sounded almost despairing. Malfoy was whimpering like a child now.
Hermione did not know how to comfort him. She slipped her hand into his, afraid he would brush it off. He did not and she was deeply heartened.
After deliberation, Snape sealed off the library for the Ministry officials to inspect it later and brought Malfoy to St. Mungo's. He stated quite clearly to the healers that Malfy was to be treated as a patient and not a criminal.
Hermione followed him and gave him her silent support, which was acknowledged from the fact that Snape did not let go of her hand all throughout.