And here is chapter 15!!! Wow, so many memories of first starting this story, that it grew from all the support from you guys, my loyal fans. Thanks soooo much!
Chapter 15: The Rescue
Harry was in such a blind rage that he almost had forgotten to pull his invisibility cloak on over himself as he raced to the Slytherin kingdom.
It was so obvious, he didn't know why he hadn't seen it before.
Malfoy was exactly the person that would pull a stunt like this, he was just hurt that Ginny had been involved.
He flew low when he reached Malfoy's castle. There were bars on the windows that belonged to the dungeon. Two guards sat outside, playing Chess. "Agula Monte," Harry said, and the two guards fell asleep.
Harry dismounted from his broom, and pulled the invisibility cloak off. He hid both behind a bush and walked to the window. Saying a simple spell, the bars slid apart, and he lifted himself down into the dungeon.
Harry couldn't believe the sight he saw before his eyes. He instantly knew it was Hermione only by recognizing her tangle of hair. She was shackled against a moldy wall, her head resting down on her chest.
His heart caught in his throat as he thought for an agonizing moment that they had killed her. But she gave a small moan, and he rushed over to her.
"Oh my God," he whispered, now that he saw her up close. Her clothes had been torn everywhere, and every visible inch of her flesh had long swollen cuts. Across her stomach, someone had burned the word "Muggle" into her. He rubbed his fingers gently over the burn mark, hatred seething through his veins. Whoever did this to her would pay, and pay with their life. "Baby," he whispered.
She gave a low moan, and slowly opened her eyes. "Get away from me," she whispered.
"Herm, it's me," he told her.
Her head turned to him, and tears leaked out of her eyes. "Harry," she said quietly. "I knew you'd come."
He lifted her chin to him, and kissed her. "Hold still, I'm gonna remove the chains."
He pointed his wand at the shackle that held her right arm. "Finite Alamara," he said, and the shackle broke in two.
Hermione let out a mew of pain, and was dangling, her left arm holding her up. The sound was like a knife to his gut. Harry circled his arm around her middle, and was about to set her other arm free when someone spoke behind them.
"Isn't this touching?"
Harry glanced back and saw Malfoy in the doorway. He ignored him. Hermione needs you now. He can wait. He set her other arm free, and she collapsed. He sat her on the ground. "Can you stand?"
She shook her head weakly, "No."
Harry got to his feet. "Just stay there. I'll be right back." He turned his attention on Malfoy. "You think you're really tough, huh?" He lunged at Malfoy, and threw him against the wall. "You think you're tough."
"Back off, Potter," Draco hissed, removing his wand from his robes. "I warned you."
Harry took out his wand as well. "Warned me," Harry growled, leaping forward and shoving Draco back against the wall. "You like how that feels, being tortured? I knew Slytherins were the very bottom, but to sink this low, Malfoy… you better pray they recognize you when I'm through." He jammed the wand tip at his throat. "Duel. Now."
Draco's lips curled into a cruel smile. "My pleasure."
"Harry," Hermione said weakly.
"It's okay," Harry said, "just rest."
Harry and Malfoy placed their wands in front of them.
"Know what I'm going to do to her after your death, Potter?" He asked. He turned his head to her. "She is beautiful for a Muggle, isn't she? Her head would look nice on my wall, don't you think?"
Harry shook his head. "Like I said, Malfoy. Start praying."
They gave each other what barely passed as a bow, turned, and walked three paces. Harry turned on his heel, and arched his wand at Malfoy.
"By all means," Malfoy said, "You first."
Harry scowled, and shouted "*Aranya Axamay!!!*"
Malfoy got blasted backwards into the dungeon wall.
Harry watched him closely.
Draco got to his feet, "*Rictosempra!!*"
Harry was lifted off of his feet, and thrown against the dungeon wall. He slid down to his feet, feeling woozy.
"Out of it already, Potter?" Malfoy asked. "I've just started."
Harry got to his feet. "Lumos Flinem!!!"
Draco dodged a fireball aimed at his face. Harry's spell hit the ground in back of Draco, causing the floor to break away. A huge gaping hole stood at the base of Malfoy's heel, and he teetered on the edge for a moment before falling in. His hands grasped the ledge.
Harry ran to the edge. "ENOUGH!" He roared. "Give me your hand, and surrender."
Draco scowled, "Huintilla," his wand pointed at Harry's arm.
Unbareable pained snaked it's way down Harry's right arm. He felt like it was a dead weight, and slowly it was becoming numb. Draco's spell had caused the tendons in Harry's arm to sever.
"GIVE ME YOUR HAND, MALFOY!" Harry roared, extending his left.
"Be saved by the likes of Harry Potter?" Draco panted. "Won't my father be proud?" He gave a cruel grin, and let go of the ledge.
"Malfoy!!!" Harry yelled, peering into the darkness below. "Lumos!" Harry's lit wand was no match for the dark pit, it went down too far.
Harry drew himself away from it. What was done was done, and he couldn't do anything about it. He turned to more important matters—Hermione.
She was unconscious against the wall, and Harry raced over to her.
End chap