Chapter 9: Plight and Plunge
Draco began to panic knowing that he would take her to the manor but that there would be no safe way to save his love, the place would be surrounded with Death Eaters. Thinking quickly he knew he would have to enlist the help of some no so close companions. Draco flew to the Gryffindor Tower and finding the closest window pushed himself flat against the broom and pulling his body inwards prepared for the crash; straight through it. The glass shattered all around him cutting his cheek before he felt a sharp sting in his stomach. Gliding to the floor he jumped of and running down the hall he stood valiantly in front of the portrait hole. The Fat Lady refused him entry, his desperate attempts meaning nothing as he pleaded for access. He reached to his stomach and pulling his hand back found that his fingers were stained with blood, looking down he pulled a considerably large shard of glass from his flesh. The Fat Lady watched in horror before swinging open. Draco dropped his broom at the entry as he scrambled through the hole and came out in the well furbished room which erupted in silence. "Harry" was all he managed to speak before dropping to the floor in a dead faint.
Whispers exploded and Harry came rushing to the front of the small crowd formed around Draco's body.
"Everyone stand back please" Harry said before leaning over him to slap him firmly across his cheek.
The sting and pain quickly bought Draco around as he stared into a congregation of onlookers. "Harry, I need Harry." He rasped and sat up wincing as his stomach doubled over.
"I'm here, now what do you want?" Harry asked Draco snapping his head in attention.
"I need help, Hermione they took, and then he put the.." he rambled before Harry cut him off.
"They took who, what are you saying? Hold on we have to get you some help." He finished and hauled Draco up slinging an arm over his shoulder and helping him to limp to a chair nearby. "Everyone go back to what you were doing this doesn't concern you." Harry roared as the crowd began muttering loudly. At this they departed scurrying away from the pair. "Now tell me exactly what happened" he continued before muttering a small incantation which resulted in the closest scrunched parchment turning into a set of bandages.
"Lucius"
"Your father?"
"Hermione fell through the ice yesterday..." he began.
"She WHAT!"
"Just hold on, you have to hear the whole story, that isn't important at the moment. Hermione fell through the ice yesterday, I rescued her after I dived in after her then I went to collect our things that we left on the ice when a mermaid showed up. She said that she had something of Hermione's...It was the locket I gave her just after her trip to the hospital wing. I noticed that the front was scorched, and I tried to fix it but never got the time..Hermione was always there, but that doesn't matter. Ah!" He scrunched his face in pain as Harry pulled up his jumper to reveal more glass imbedded into his side. Pushing the pain aside he continued. "But then she tells me that she saw a flash of red light just before she fell I think it was someone trying to curse her but it reflected melting the ice. Anyway then she decided to go flying and I repaired the locket, attaching it to my snitch. Yes Potter I own my own quidditch set, but then I sent it to find her. When it did she was crying..over the locket, she thought she had lost it. Then I sent it flying and she captured it and put the locket back on she then threw it out for me to catch. Just before I did I turned to see her surrounded by Death Eaters, they took hold of her then she just vanished. My father Lucius, he told me he was going to kill her then placed the cruciactus on me. I repelled it and he disappeared so I thought I might need your help which led me here. I crashed through the tower window and caused these, before begging to get in leading us to the present." He muffled a profanity as Harry removed the last piece of glass and wrapped the wound.
"So what do you plan on doing?" Harry asked closely examining the bandage as he wound it around Draco's torso.
"I need to get into the Manor, but I need your help I was thinking the invisibility cloak. You get in and I'll create a distraction since I know the layout better. But we've got to hurry, she'll be dead by sunrise!" He wiped his cheek with the back of his hand and wiping the blood on his side stood up, Harry rising also.
"Okay then give me a moment I'll get the cloak and meet you back here." Harry stated and ran to up the stairs to his dormitory.
"Don't forget your broom, HURRY!" Draco yelled and coughed covering his mouth with his hand when he pulled it back it was covered in more blood.
Harry emerged quickly a dreary eyed Ron following in his wake pulling a large black sweater over his chest, both holding broomsticks Harry also carrying what looked to be water, which could only mean one thing; he had the cloak. "He can help trust me." Harry said and Draco gave a look of understanding as he swaggered in front of them nearly falling to the ground, Harry and Ron rushed coming up behind him putting each of his arms over their shoulders and helping him to walk out. Ron dipped over to the left and picking up his broomstick the trio walked slowly out into the main entrance hall before they took off into the night.
After flying east for what seemed and eternity they flew over a large manor which was obviously Draco's home. Hovering over the top they saw many black figures surrounding the perimeter and together they began to devise a master plan.
**In the Study** "Stop your crying you insolent fool." Hissed Lucius as Hermione cried struggling for release. "Don't cry for Draco dearest, for he is the one who brought you to be here..."
"You're a liar! How and why would he lead me into the hands of a bastard like you!?" she retorted before Lucius reached out and slapping her hard across the face, the force so large it forced her to her knees before Lucius hauled her up.
"That precious locket of yours, that how." He spat tearing the chain from her neck. "This precious keepsake you thought of so highly, given to you by the one you 'Love' is nothing more than a tracking device." He laughed with an arrogant smirk, the Death Eaters lining the room laughing too before he slammed his cane down silencing the room. "Draco is in on this little plan, why else would he have repaired it after that pitiful attempt to kill you on the ice failed?" He smirked prodding her with his cane.
"He fixed it because he loves me, an emotion you will never understand." She replied shutting her eyes and waiting for the slap which never came.
"You little wrench! Don't you see Draco never loved you it was all a scheme to get you out of the way and clear him for the taking over of Hogwart's in the name of the Dark Lord. It was Draco that spelled that locket and it is Draco that brought you here tonight. He is the one that has lied to you...all I speak is the truth." Hermione broke down into tears screaming out in disbelief. "enough said....STUPEFY!" Lucius screamed Hermione falling limp to the ground.
**Draco's planned position**
Draco dived down before settling himself on the roof of the manor, peering in he saw his father holding Hermione in the study, she was thrashing about wildly before a flash of light and she slumped to the ground, although still breathing before another Death Eater carried her out of the room. Towards the dungeon without a doubt.
Then the plan came into action Draco sent blue neon sparks from the end of his wand signaling to Harry and Ron as he soared into the sky attracting a squad of angry Death Eaters in his wake. Giving them a quick head count he signaled again this time using red to say that he had most on his tail.
Harry and Ron began to move in. They came in through a small back window which led into the underground cellar, following the corridor as Draco had said each with a sweaty grip on their wands ready to strike. Two Death Eaters rounded the corner Harry pushing them flat against the wall behind a statue of a figure which looked remarkably like an older Draco. As the Death Eater passed by they were stunned from behind both falling to the ground like slabs of stone. Ron and Harry gave each other a high-five which echoed eerily through the corridor. They ran each time hiding behind statues before they saw the marker...A large painting of Lucius Malfoy sneering down at them and pointing his painted wand, yelling silently what appeared to be 'Avada Kedavra'. "Of course he would want to be the one in front of a world of pain" muttered Harry as he tipped the painting and slipped into the dank, musty dungeon. "Impedimenta Petrificus Totalus, Protego, Reducto, Expelliarmus" screamed Harry and Ron the curses firing down like bullets on the Death Eaters and soon the pair had managed to clear the room, wands scattered in each of the cells, all cloaked figures now lying still on the cobbled stone floor. Harry and Ron dragged the bodies and dumped them outside the door. "Colloportus" said Harry sealing the door behind them. This would give them some more time to carry out their plan.
Searching each of the humid cells they found Hermione slumped sloppily on a straw mat barely breathing with a large gash above her left eyebrow. Ron slung the dead weight over his shoulder and carrying her out they unsealed the door firing a few more curses to freeze the wakening figures they made their way down the hall before a wall of black emerged from around the corner.
Draco had managed to distract the guarding Death Eaters leading them into thick forest where a quick-growth spell had a large canopy forming over their heads to prevent their escape. Draco clutched his side as he steered the broom toward the manor coughing more than ever his vision blurred, he shook his head hard and concentrating on the task at hand went in to help Harry and Ron. He flew into the foyer and glided off his broom hitting the ground at a run throwing it aside and headed for the dungeons.
Harry and Ron ducked out of the way as curses rained over their heads placing Hermione behind a large statue they began to fight. Ron was hit with the 'Crucio' curse and dropped to his knees in pain before Harry went flying down the passageway hitting the back wall and falling the ground unconscious after a 'Reducto' was fired from Lucius Malfoy himself.
The Death Eaters laughed as they each walked past Ron a few kicking him hard in the stomach as he still writhed in pain, picking up Hermione's body they headed out of the hallway leaving the pair behind. Draco heard their crisp footsteps and hiding behind a banister saw them walking up the stairs with Hermione. Draco looked out the open front doors to see the sun was about to rise. Giving them a quick head count he was defeated there were too may to take on by himself, he needed help and he needed it quickly.
Harry soon awoke rubbing his back and head where a large lump was now forming. Scrambling over to Ron he saw him fighting as a sheen of sweat formed at his brow, Ron soon overcame the curse and signaling for Harry to go on without him he stayed behind still in agony. Harry entered the foyer watching as the tail of the black company made its way up the marble staircase before a hand pulled him hard against the wall. "We have to fight them, they have Hermione and look" Draco motioned toward the door. "The sun is rising if we don't get her now they will kill her." He said his face twisting in emotional agony as the steps began to recede.
"I know what to do...follow my lead" Harry replied and stepping backward he called out "Lucius, oh Lucius and all you other ugly Death Eaters, even old Voldie if you got 'im there...Bet you would just love to add the famous Harry Potter to your list of killings hey? Well here's your chance come and get me." He screamed and a flurry of footsteps could be heard, Draco cast an instant shield at Harry and motioned him to run. The curses came in a steady flow each bouncing off, some hitting their senders Draco finishing the rest. Soon there was only one man left standing...Lucius.
He was holding Hermione, a wand at her temple her wand in his remaining hand which was stretched across her chest. "I have been waiting to do this ever since that day you refused your fate boy. Love for another makes you weak! You should accept the end and surrender here to me now." He said with a trickle of blood seeping from his hairline.
"NEVER!" screamed Draco and he aimed his wand clearly aiming for Lucius' heart.
"ADMIT IT BOY YOU ARE DEFEATED!" was the reply.
"Not yet...Expelliarmus, accio wand, reducto!" screamed Ron as he staggered from the corridor. Lucius fell to the ground his and Hermione's wand flying into Ron's free hand.
"Ron you saved me, and Hermione I can't thank you enough." Draco said and stared at the enraged Ron.
"Enough of that let's get out of here!" He rasped and fell the floor clutching his stomach and spitting blood.
"ACCIO BROOMSTICKS!" Draco yelled and the brooms came flying into the room stopping before Draco who grabbed his own and climbing onto it threw Ron his after he stuffed his and Hermione's wands into his pockets and climbing on took Lucius' wand into the air and with a defined snap threw the broken remains of the wand into the pile of slumped bodies.
Draco flew up onto the landing of the staircase and saw the locket topple out of Lucius' outstretched hand, snatching it up he pulled Hermione up into his lap and set out with Harry's broom still following. Harry waved out below and pointed to the sun which was now rising above the horizon before grinning madly and mounting his broom which Draco had thrown down to him. As the trio flew into the rising sun Draco realised the pain that riddled his body but he refused to let up his guard until they were all safe, motioning for Harry to come closer he told him to take Hermione and doubling back watched in guard for any Death Eaters which may appear, and as expected he saw their black glint in the growing light. He flew forward once again and turning every now to yell a curse, managed to pick off a couple of the advancing figures. Curses soon came flying past him a couple of wooden splinters also flying past; one hit him in the shoulder, the other slicing a gash down his right temple as a Death Deater exploded a nearby tree. With a few trick moves from quidditch he managed to avoid all of the rest of the curses...Except one. The curse hit his body and caused his heart to pound in his chest, his arms and legs numb at his side, the pain of everything magnified a million times with a horrible laughing growing in his mind 'You're dead' it taunted and laughed harder. Draco fought against it, against the pain, to raise his arm enough and fire the last curse he could manage.
"Avada Kedavra" It hit Lucius squarely in the chest where the mockery fell from his face as he fell from his broom into the open paddock below.
Draco began to panic knowing that he would take her to the manor but that there would be no safe way to save his love, the place would be surrounded with Death Eaters. Thinking quickly he knew he would have to enlist the help of some no so close companions. Draco flew to the Gryffindor Tower and finding the closest window pushed himself flat against the broom and pulling his body inwards prepared for the crash; straight through it. The glass shattered all around him cutting his cheek before he felt a sharp sting in his stomach. Gliding to the floor he jumped of and running down the hall he stood valiantly in front of the portrait hole. The Fat Lady refused him entry, his desperate attempts meaning nothing as he pleaded for access. He reached to his stomach and pulling his hand back found that his fingers were stained with blood, looking down he pulled a considerably large shard of glass from his flesh. The Fat Lady watched in horror before swinging open. Draco dropped his broom at the entry as he scrambled through the hole and came out in the well furbished room which erupted in silence. "Harry" was all he managed to speak before dropping to the floor in a dead faint.
Whispers exploded and Harry came rushing to the front of the small crowd formed around Draco's body.
"Everyone stand back please" Harry said before leaning over him to slap him firmly across his cheek.
The sting and pain quickly bought Draco around as he stared into a congregation of onlookers. "Harry, I need Harry." He rasped and sat up wincing as his stomach doubled over.
"I'm here, now what do you want?" Harry asked Draco snapping his head in attention.
"I need help, Hermione they took, and then he put the.." he rambled before Harry cut him off.
"They took who, what are you saying? Hold on we have to get you some help." He finished and hauled Draco up slinging an arm over his shoulder and helping him to limp to a chair nearby. "Everyone go back to what you were doing this doesn't concern you." Harry roared as the crowd began muttering loudly. At this they departed scurrying away from the pair. "Now tell me exactly what happened" he continued before muttering a small incantation which resulted in the closest scrunched parchment turning into a set of bandages.
"Lucius"
"Your father?"
"Hermione fell through the ice yesterday..." he began.
"She WHAT!"
"Just hold on, you have to hear the whole story, that isn't important at the moment. Hermione fell through the ice yesterday, I rescued her after I dived in after her then I went to collect our things that we left on the ice when a mermaid showed up. She said that she had something of Hermione's...It was the locket I gave her just after her trip to the hospital wing. I noticed that the front was scorched, and I tried to fix it but never got the time..Hermione was always there, but that doesn't matter. Ah!" He scrunched his face in pain as Harry pulled up his jumper to reveal more glass imbedded into his side. Pushing the pain aside he continued. "But then she tells me that she saw a flash of red light just before she fell I think it was someone trying to curse her but it reflected melting the ice. Anyway then she decided to go flying and I repaired the locket, attaching it to my snitch. Yes Potter I own my own quidditch set, but then I sent it to find her. When it did she was crying..over the locket, she thought she had lost it. Then I sent it flying and she captured it and put the locket back on she then threw it out for me to catch. Just before I did I turned to see her surrounded by Death Eaters, they took hold of her then she just vanished. My father Lucius, he told me he was going to kill her then placed the cruciactus on me. I repelled it and he disappeared so I thought I might need your help which led me here. I crashed through the tower window and caused these, before begging to get in leading us to the present." He muffled a profanity as Harry removed the last piece of glass and wrapped the wound.
"So what do you plan on doing?" Harry asked closely examining the bandage as he wound it around Draco's torso.
"I need to get into the Manor, but I need your help I was thinking the invisibility cloak. You get in and I'll create a distraction since I know the layout better. But we've got to hurry, she'll be dead by sunrise!" He wiped his cheek with the back of his hand and wiping the blood on his side stood up, Harry rising also.
"Okay then give me a moment I'll get the cloak and meet you back here." Harry stated and ran to up the stairs to his dormitory.
"Don't forget your broom, HURRY!" Draco yelled and coughed covering his mouth with his hand when he pulled it back it was covered in more blood.
Harry emerged quickly a dreary eyed Ron following in his wake pulling a large black sweater over his chest, both holding broomsticks Harry also carrying what looked to be water, which could only mean one thing; he had the cloak. "He can help trust me." Harry said and Draco gave a look of understanding as he swaggered in front of them nearly falling to the ground, Harry and Ron rushed coming up behind him putting each of his arms over their shoulders and helping him to walk out. Ron dipped over to the left and picking up his broomstick the trio walked slowly out into the main entrance hall before they took off into the night.
After flying east for what seemed and eternity they flew over a large manor which was obviously Draco's home. Hovering over the top they saw many black figures surrounding the perimeter and together they began to devise a master plan.
**In the Study** "Stop your crying you insolent fool." Hissed Lucius as Hermione cried struggling for release. "Don't cry for Draco dearest, for he is the one who brought you to be here..."
"You're a liar! How and why would he lead me into the hands of a bastard like you!?" she retorted before Lucius reached out and slapping her hard across the face, the force so large it forced her to her knees before Lucius hauled her up.
"That precious locket of yours, that how." He spat tearing the chain from her neck. "This precious keepsake you thought of so highly, given to you by the one you 'Love' is nothing more than a tracking device." He laughed with an arrogant smirk, the Death Eaters lining the room laughing too before he slammed his cane down silencing the room. "Draco is in on this little plan, why else would he have repaired it after that pitiful attempt to kill you on the ice failed?" He smirked prodding her with his cane.
"He fixed it because he loves me, an emotion you will never understand." She replied shutting her eyes and waiting for the slap which never came.
"You little wrench! Don't you see Draco never loved you it was all a scheme to get you out of the way and clear him for the taking over of Hogwart's in the name of the Dark Lord. It was Draco that spelled that locket and it is Draco that brought you here tonight. He is the one that has lied to you...all I speak is the truth." Hermione broke down into tears screaming out in disbelief. "enough said....STUPEFY!" Lucius screamed Hermione falling limp to the ground.
**Draco's planned position**
Draco dived down before settling himself on the roof of the manor, peering in he saw his father holding Hermione in the study, she was thrashing about wildly before a flash of light and she slumped to the ground, although still breathing before another Death Eater carried her out of the room. Towards the dungeon without a doubt.
Then the plan came into action Draco sent blue neon sparks from the end of his wand signaling to Harry and Ron as he soared into the sky attracting a squad of angry Death Eaters in his wake. Giving them a quick head count he signaled again this time using red to say that he had most on his tail.
Harry and Ron began to move in. They came in through a small back window which led into the underground cellar, following the corridor as Draco had said each with a sweaty grip on their wands ready to strike. Two Death Eaters rounded the corner Harry pushing them flat against the wall behind a statue of a figure which looked remarkably like an older Draco. As the Death Eater passed by they were stunned from behind both falling to the ground like slabs of stone. Ron and Harry gave each other a high-five which echoed eerily through the corridor. They ran each time hiding behind statues before they saw the marker...A large painting of Lucius Malfoy sneering down at them and pointing his painted wand, yelling silently what appeared to be 'Avada Kedavra'. "Of course he would want to be the one in front of a world of pain" muttered Harry as he tipped the painting and slipped into the dank, musty dungeon. "Impedimenta Petrificus Totalus, Protego, Reducto, Expelliarmus" screamed Harry and Ron the curses firing down like bullets on the Death Eaters and soon the pair had managed to clear the room, wands scattered in each of the cells, all cloaked figures now lying still on the cobbled stone floor. Harry and Ron dragged the bodies and dumped them outside the door. "Colloportus" said Harry sealing the door behind them. This would give them some more time to carry out their plan.
Searching each of the humid cells they found Hermione slumped sloppily on a straw mat barely breathing with a large gash above her left eyebrow. Ron slung the dead weight over his shoulder and carrying her out they unsealed the door firing a few more curses to freeze the wakening figures they made their way down the hall before a wall of black emerged from around the corner.
Draco had managed to distract the guarding Death Eaters leading them into thick forest where a quick-growth spell had a large canopy forming over their heads to prevent their escape. Draco clutched his side as he steered the broom toward the manor coughing more than ever his vision blurred, he shook his head hard and concentrating on the task at hand went in to help Harry and Ron. He flew into the foyer and glided off his broom hitting the ground at a run throwing it aside and headed for the dungeons.
Harry and Ron ducked out of the way as curses rained over their heads placing Hermione behind a large statue they began to fight. Ron was hit with the 'Crucio' curse and dropped to his knees in pain before Harry went flying down the passageway hitting the back wall and falling the ground unconscious after a 'Reducto' was fired from Lucius Malfoy himself.
The Death Eaters laughed as they each walked past Ron a few kicking him hard in the stomach as he still writhed in pain, picking up Hermione's body they headed out of the hallway leaving the pair behind. Draco heard their crisp footsteps and hiding behind a banister saw them walking up the stairs with Hermione. Draco looked out the open front doors to see the sun was about to rise. Giving them a quick head count he was defeated there were too may to take on by himself, he needed help and he needed it quickly.
Harry soon awoke rubbing his back and head where a large lump was now forming. Scrambling over to Ron he saw him fighting as a sheen of sweat formed at his brow, Ron soon overcame the curse and signaling for Harry to go on without him he stayed behind still in agony. Harry entered the foyer watching as the tail of the black company made its way up the marble staircase before a hand pulled him hard against the wall. "We have to fight them, they have Hermione and look" Draco motioned toward the door. "The sun is rising if we don't get her now they will kill her." He said his face twisting in emotional agony as the steps began to recede.
"I know what to do...follow my lead" Harry replied and stepping backward he called out "Lucius, oh Lucius and all you other ugly Death Eaters, even old Voldie if you got 'im there...Bet you would just love to add the famous Harry Potter to your list of killings hey? Well here's your chance come and get me." He screamed and a flurry of footsteps could be heard, Draco cast an instant shield at Harry and motioned him to run. The curses came in a steady flow each bouncing off, some hitting their senders Draco finishing the rest. Soon there was only one man left standing...Lucius.
He was holding Hermione, a wand at her temple her wand in his remaining hand which was stretched across her chest. "I have been waiting to do this ever since that day you refused your fate boy. Love for another makes you weak! You should accept the end and surrender here to me now." He said with a trickle of blood seeping from his hairline.
"NEVER!" screamed Draco and he aimed his wand clearly aiming for Lucius' heart.
"ADMIT IT BOY YOU ARE DEFEATED!" was the reply.
"Not yet...Expelliarmus, accio wand, reducto!" screamed Ron as he staggered from the corridor. Lucius fell to the ground his and Hermione's wand flying into Ron's free hand.
"Ron you saved me, and Hermione I can't thank you enough." Draco said and stared at the enraged Ron.
"Enough of that let's get out of here!" He rasped and fell the floor clutching his stomach and spitting blood.
"ACCIO BROOMSTICKS!" Draco yelled and the brooms came flying into the room stopping before Draco who grabbed his own and climbing onto it threw Ron his after he stuffed his and Hermione's wands into his pockets and climbing on took Lucius' wand into the air and with a defined snap threw the broken remains of the wand into the pile of slumped bodies.
Draco flew up onto the landing of the staircase and saw the locket topple out of Lucius' outstretched hand, snatching it up he pulled Hermione up into his lap and set out with Harry's broom still following. Harry waved out below and pointed to the sun which was now rising above the horizon before grinning madly and mounting his broom which Draco had thrown down to him. As the trio flew into the rising sun Draco realised the pain that riddled his body but he refused to let up his guard until they were all safe, motioning for Harry to come closer he told him to take Hermione and doubling back watched in guard for any Death Eaters which may appear, and as expected he saw their black glint in the growing light. He flew forward once again and turning every now to yell a curse, managed to pick off a couple of the advancing figures. Curses soon came flying past him a couple of wooden splinters also flying past; one hit him in the shoulder, the other slicing a gash down his right temple as a Death Deater exploded a nearby tree. With a few trick moves from quidditch he managed to avoid all of the rest of the curses...Except one. The curse hit his body and caused his heart to pound in his chest, his arms and legs numb at his side, the pain of everything magnified a million times with a horrible laughing growing in his mind 'You're dead' it taunted and laughed harder. Draco fought against it, against the pain, to raise his arm enough and fire the last curse he could manage.
"Avada Kedavra" It hit Lucius squarely in the chest where the mockery fell from his face as he fell from his broom into the open paddock below.