Hearts Combined
~* Thanks to everyone who reviewed, love you guys! I'm not going to have Hermione and Draco admit to their love for eachother for a while, but I have an interesting bunch of chapters planned before then. Please review everyone! *~
Chapter 12 ~ Kidnapped
Hermione woke early on Saturday. She glanced at her wristwatch and saw that it was 6:37am. As Hermione crawled out of bed, she glanced at Draco's bed, just to make sure he was alright. Peering around the room, Hermione noticed a sheet of parchment stuck to the door of their room. Curiosity finally got the better of her, and she walked over to the door and plucked the note off.
We have Ron.
Hermione turned it over, and saw that there was nothing on the back. The parchment only bore those three words. Those three fateful words which told Hermione that Ron was in danger. Her heard sped up, and she ran over to Draco's bed.
'Draco! Wake up!' Hermione cried, tears forming in her eyes. She pulled back the covers to his bed and watched him stir.
'Oh it's early Hermione, go back to sleep.' Draco grumbled. Hermione jumped on him, shoving the note under his nose.
'Read this!' She said hysterically, tears pouring down her face.
'I can't read it, it's too early.' Draco muttered. 'You read it.'
'It says that they have Ron! Someone's taken Ron!' At this, Draco decided to jump up, gently shoving Hermione over so that he could get up.
'Who's taken Ron?' He asked.
'I don't know! It only says "We have Ron", nothing more.' Hermione cried. Draco wrapped her in a hug.
'It'll be okay Hermione, we'll find who's taken Ron, and we'll get him back.' He reassured her.
'Oh it's terrible!' Hermione cried into Draco's shoulder. 'Come on we can't just stand around here waiting for Ron to come back! We have to go and find him, and now!' Hermione pulled away from Draco and dried her eyes. She ran over to the portrait of Harry. 'Harry! Wake up!' She yelled. Harry's eyes snapped open.
'Morning Hermione, how did you sleep?' Harry asked, stifling a yawn.
'Oh it's awful! Ron has been kidnapped! We don't know by who, but we're going to go and find him!' Hermione said, trying to explain rationally, but choking on her own words. Harry's face twisted into worry.
'I just remembered something, I should be able to go anywhere I like, paintings can move. I'm going to try it. If I see Ron, I'll come and find you, oh, and you should try the Marauders Map as well.' Harry said thoughtfully, and disappeared into another painting. Hermione hurried back to Draco who had been waiting at the door.
'We have to go and find Ron. Harry suggested the Marauders Map, it's in the Gryffindor boys dorms, in Ron's trunk. I'll go there, but I want you to wait right here until I come back.' By that time, Hermione and Draco had reached the Hogwarts Common Room.
'I don't want to stand around here while you're hysterical over your best friend.' Draco said, caringly.
'I'm sorry Draco, but you are a Slytherin, and you won't be able to get past the painting of Godric Gryffindor which leads into the Gryffindor Common Room.' Hermione explained, putting a hand on his arm.
'I'll be waiting right here for you, Hermione.' Draco said, giving her a smile.
'Thank-you.' Hermione replied softly, and disappeared through the painting of the lion and badger. She hurried up the many stairs after confirming to Godric that she was a Gryffindor, and burst into the Gryffindor Common Room.
Luckily for Hermione, there was no one to be seen in the Gryffindor Common Room. Hermione didn't particularly feel like explaining herself to any nosy Gryffindors. She headed up the staircase to the boys dorms, and found the seventh year one.
Three beds were made, but one remained messy. Hermione assumed that was Ron's bed. She immediately dove for the trunk which bore Ron's initials. As soon as the opened it, there was another note. Her heart sank when she read what it said:
Looking for something?
This obviously meant that whoever had taken Ron, had taken the Marauders Map as well. Hermione hurried out of the room, leaving Ron's trunk open.
As she entered the Hogwarts Common Room, Draco looked up at her eagerly.
'Is Ron on the Marauders Map?' He asked. Hermione looked at him sadly.
'Whoever took Ron made sure that we wouldn't find him. They took the Marauders Map too. . . this means that it was a Gryffindor, or a certain bunch of Gryffindors who are hell bent on us being friends. . .' As Hermione said this, realisation dawned on Draco.
'Parvati, Lavender, Ginny, Dean and Seamus must have kidnapped him then.'
'Most likely. What I don't understand is how such friends of Ron, and even his own sister, could turn on him so easily. Damn Parvati! Damn her to hell!' Hermione yelled, outraged. At that moment, Ginny and Phillip walked down their stairs, gossiping wildly about the new couple in sixth year, Zacharias Smith from Hufflepuff and Marcy George from Gryffindor. Hermione looked at Ginny like she could strangle her.
'Good morning Hermione, Draco.' Phillip said, and, sensing the tension in the room between the three of them, he quickly left the Hogwarts Common Room, not wanting to hear anything that was about to happen.
As soon as Phillip was out, Hermione let out a yell.
'Where is he?' She cried angrily at Ginny.
'Where is who?' Ginny yelled back.
'Don't play dumb with me, your brother, where is he?' Hermione yelled, shoving the note under Ginny's face. Ginny read it and became scared.
'Oh dear, she's started!' Ginny looked as if she would cry.
'Who's started? What have they started?' Draco asked calmly.
'Shut up Malfoy.' Ginny spat at him, and ran out of the Hogwarts Common Room.
'I don't believe it! She must be in on it.' Hermione said stubbornly. Draco grabbed her shoulders and spun her around to face him.
'You saw the way she reacted, she didn't kidnap her brother, but she definitely knows something about it.' Draco said. 'I think we should follow her, she must be going to see whoever did this to her brother.' Hermione nodded.
'Good idea.' Hermione said, looking away from Draco's caring eyes. The two of them headed out of the Hogwarts Common Room, and hurried after Ginny before she got out of sight.
~***~
Parvati and Lavender sat in their cave with Anivatria. They had successfully kidnapped the first of their victims, Ron Weasley. Ron was in a small cage which was hanging from the ceiling of the cave. He looked miserable, and hungry, though he said nothing. He had seen the power of this witch who was friends with Parvati and Lavender, and he didn't want any trouble. Ron knew that he was only there because of Hermione, but he swore not to tell them anything about his best friend.
Ginny walked in at that moment. She looked furious.
'Parvati! How dare you! How dare you kidnap my brother! I know what you're planning to do, you're planning to kill everyone who is close to Hermione! Well I have news for you, I will not let you kill Ron!' Ginny yelled. Ron watched his sister, knowing that she had known about Parvati and Lavender's plan, though done nothing to prevent his kidnapping.
'Shut up Ginny, you could have told me.' Ron said, quite angry with his sister. 'Why didn't you tell me? And what's this about killing all those who are close to Hermione? That would include me.'
'That's right Ron, Hermione will suffer for betraying Harry. First she will watch all her friends die, and then she will die.' Parvati said evilly.
'You know what would be a better idea? Maybe we should let Hermione live, then she would have to live knowing that her friends died because of her.' Lavender said. Parvati smiled.
'Wow Lavender, I never even thought of that, but now that you mention it, that's a bloody brilliant idea.' Parvati praised her friend.
'How can you say that Lavender? You used to be Hermione's friend!' Ginny cried, knowing now she would also die.
'Well Ginny, Hermione betrayed Harry, and you of all people should be angry seeing as you used to be in love with him.' Parvati said slowly, and coldly.
'But Harry doesn't mind that Hermione is friends with Draco!' Ginny yelled.
'That's what you think, little girl.' Lavender said, just as cold as Parvati.
'Emprisino.' Parvati said, pointing her wand at Ginny. Immediately a cage like Ron's formed around Ginny, and a chain, which pulled it up to the ceiling. Ginny now hung, caged, next to Ron. She sobbed in her cage.
'Hermione, we have to go.' Draco hissed urgently in her ear. Hermione shook her head, and remained hidden at the entrance to the cave.
'So when are we going to kill the prisoners, Master?' Anivatria asked Parvati.
'As soon as we get the rest of them.' Parvati replied.
'Who's next?' Lavender asked.
'Neville, he'll be easy. The poor guy won't even know what hit him.' Parvati sneered. Hermione silently cried, she didn't want them to hurt any of her friends.
'Come on Hermione, lets go, they're not going to kill anyone, I'll make sure of that.' Draco whispered into her ear. Hermione nodded sadly, and they left the cave.
Once Hermione and Draco were out of the many tunnels they had to go through to get to the cave, Hermione cried openly. Draco hugged her again, letting his friend let out her emotions. He knew that she was extremely upset about this, and that part of it was his fault.
'Draco, it's not your fault.' Hermione said, as if reading his mind.
'Yes it is, if it wasn't for me all this wouldn't be happening.' He replied.
'It's not your fault.' Hermione said sternly, and pulled back to face him. 'Don't you dare blame yourself, this is Parvati's twisted, evil side working.'
'If you and I hadn't become friends, this never would have happened.'
'If Harry hadn't died this never would have happened, we cannot control what happens Draco, some things happen for good, and some things happen for bad. I do not regret our friendship.' Hermione said, and Draco looked as if he would cry, but he didn't.
'Thank-you Hermione, you mean a lot to me.'
'Enough talk, we have to go warn Neville!' Hermione remembered suddenly. The two of them sprinted up to the seventh floor, where the Gryffindor Common Room was located.
'Are you actually going to let me in?' Draco asked cautiously. Hermione looked at him like he was being stupid.
'Of course I'm going to let you in, Draco,' She said impatiently, and said the password. The portrait of the fat lady swung open and they walked in.
'Where's the boys dorms?' Draco asked, scanning the Gryffindor Common Room.
'Up these stairs.' Hermione said, and started to climb the stairs. Draco followed her closely, not wanting to be seen by a suspecting Gryffindor without Hermione. They reached the seventh year boys dorms, and saw that Neville was lying on his bed, reading a book on magical fungi.
'Hermione, Draco?' Neville said, puzzled.
'No time to explain, we have to warn you.' Draco said.
'On second thoughts, come with us right now!' Hermione said urgently.
'Okay, okay.' Neville said, not wanting to argue.
'We'll explain on the way.' Draco said.
'Come this way, through the passageway to the Hogwarts Common Room.' Hermione said, opening the door to the stairs.
'But I won't be able to go?' Draco said.
'Godric doesn't check when we're going back.' Hermione said matter-of- factly.
'Oh, alright then, I was just checking.' Draco said as they started down the stairs.
'Care to explain whats going on?' Neville asked.
'Oh, sorry Neville. Parvati and Lavender, and this weird witch are kidnapping all who are close to me and they are going to kill them.' Hermione began, her eyes welling with tears.
'They already have Ginny and Ron, and you're next.' Draco continued.
'If we don't protect you, you'll be in a cage along with Ginny and Ron.' Hermione said. 'That's why you're going to stay in our room.'
'Our room is protected at night by a lot of advanced spells, and people can only come in when one of us invites them.' Draco said.
'You will be safe with us.' Hermione reassured Neville. 'This means that you will have to stay with one of us at all times though, could you do that?'
'Could I go back to get my things?' Neville asked.
'No, that's too dangerous, but I'll go back for you instead.' Hermione said.
'Is this a joke?' Neville asked curiously.
'Most certainly not, Neville. You are in danger, and we are protecting you.' Hermione said, annoyed that Neville would think it a joke.
'Oh, okay.' Neville said meekly, not wanting to believe that his life, and the lives of his friends were in danger.
'It's okay Neville, we won't let anything happen to you or anyone else.' Draco reassured him. The three seventh years finally reached the Hogwarts Common Room. Joel, Samantha and Leanne were sitting on their seats talking, but as soon as Hermione, Neville and Draco walked in they stopped.
'Sorry, we didn't mean to intrude.' Hermione said quickly, and pulled the boys up the staircase to their room.
'What was that all about? They were the ones being rude.' Draco said angrily. 'We shouldn't have to apologise for walking into our own Common Room!'
'Calm down Draco, we don't have time to worry about them.' Hermione said softly.
'I'm going to talk to those Slytherins.' Draco said, and before Hermione could stop him, he walked out of the door and down the stairs.
'Hey Draco, sorry about that but we were talking about the Slytherin Quidditch tactics, and we just couldn't let a Gryffindor find out our plans.' Leanne said, jumping up and kissing Draco on the cheek before hugging him.
'Oh Leanne, you're such a flirt.' Samantha said dryly.
'Everyone knows that you want to get with Draco.' Joel added. Leanne blushed.
'No Joel, I'm madly in love with you.' Leanne said, and sat on Joel's lap.
~***~
'How are you doing, traitors?' Lavender asked Ron and Ginny. Ron stayed silent, but Ginny refused not to protest.
'Lavender, Parvati and Anivatria aren't here, it's not too late for you to revive your good side and help us out of here.' Ginny said.
'Ginny, don't you understand, I'm not going to betray my best friend, I'm not like Hermione, I don't betray friends like she does.' Lavender said with a smirk on her face.
'I can't believe you!' Ron roared. 'Hermione didn't betray anyone!' He shook his cage violently.
'Calm down Ickle Ronnikins,' Lavender said, mocking Fred and George. 'It'll all be over soon and you won't have to worry about anything.'
'I will not sit around and be murdered!' Ron yelled.
'Sorry Ron, but you have no choice.' Lavender said.
'This isn't fair! We shouldn't be punished for something that didn't even happen!' Ginny screamed. 'Parvati has taken things well out of proportion!' Lavender just smiled up at the two Weasleys.
'You wait til Dumbledore finds out what you're trying to do!' Ron threatened.
'Oh but dear Ron, Dumbledore won't find out.' Lavender replied.
'Oh yes he will! Dumbledore always finds out.' Ginny said warningly.
'Threats will get you no where Ginny, you should have learnt that by now. You've been threatening and taunting me all afternoon and you are no closer to being free than you were three hours ago.' Lavender said impatiently. 'Parvati and Anivatria will return soon with Neville, and then you will have someone new to talk to.'
Ginny and Ron exchanged looks, and their hearts sank, knowing that Neville will be powerless to hold off Parvati and Anivatria.
'That's right, Neville will be joining you soon.' Lavender said smugly, and she sat down on her chair to read. Ginny decided to try once more to sway Lavender to setting them free.
'Your parents would be so proud if they saw what a nasty piece of work you've become, Lavender.' Ginny said carelessly. Lavender's eyes flickered for a second as she processed what Ginny had said, but they soon reformed their hard, solid look.
'Nice try Ginny, my parents don't care about me.' Lavender said.
'You lie, they do care about you. They care about you a lot, and they would be very disappointed in you if they could see you now.' Ginny pushed.
'Shut up! You know nothing!' Lavender exploded. Ginny knew she had reached a weak spot.
'I know that your family would be very disappointed in you if they knew that you were assisting in murder.' Ginny said, her voice stone cold.
'Shut up!' Lavender yelled, but Ginny knew she would crack any second.
'What about your mother? She raised you to be a nice, caring person, not a murderer.' Ginny continued, but before Lavender could say anything, Parvati and Anivatria walked in, both wearing murderous stares.
'Where's Neville?' Lavender asked.
'That is precisely what we would like to know. Someone warned him, and is protecting him from us.' Parvati fumed. 'Ginny must be communicating with them, Accio wand.' Parvati summoned Ginny's wand to her.
'No!' Ginny cried, not wanting to be in a cage without her wand.
'It's okay Gin, they took my wand too.' Ron said.
'But I hate being without my wand!' Ginny wept silently, but was grateful that Neville was safe for the time being.
'At least Neville's safe.' Ron said to comfort Ginny. Ginny nodded.
'I'm glad.'
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*
~* There it is, a nice long chapter for a nice change. I would really appreciate everyone's reviews, just to give me an idea that I'm going on the right path with this story. Thanks everyone! I'll try to get the next chapter up as soon as possible. *~
~Gryffindor Gal~
~* Thanks to everyone who reviewed, love you guys! I'm not going to have Hermione and Draco admit to their love for eachother for a while, but I have an interesting bunch of chapters planned before then. Please review everyone! *~
Chapter 12 ~ Kidnapped
Hermione woke early on Saturday. She glanced at her wristwatch and saw that it was 6:37am. As Hermione crawled out of bed, she glanced at Draco's bed, just to make sure he was alright. Peering around the room, Hermione noticed a sheet of parchment stuck to the door of their room. Curiosity finally got the better of her, and she walked over to the door and plucked the note off.
We have Ron.
Hermione turned it over, and saw that there was nothing on the back. The parchment only bore those three words. Those three fateful words which told Hermione that Ron was in danger. Her heard sped up, and she ran over to Draco's bed.
'Draco! Wake up!' Hermione cried, tears forming in her eyes. She pulled back the covers to his bed and watched him stir.
'Oh it's early Hermione, go back to sleep.' Draco grumbled. Hermione jumped on him, shoving the note under his nose.
'Read this!' She said hysterically, tears pouring down her face.
'I can't read it, it's too early.' Draco muttered. 'You read it.'
'It says that they have Ron! Someone's taken Ron!' At this, Draco decided to jump up, gently shoving Hermione over so that he could get up.
'Who's taken Ron?' He asked.
'I don't know! It only says "We have Ron", nothing more.' Hermione cried. Draco wrapped her in a hug.
'It'll be okay Hermione, we'll find who's taken Ron, and we'll get him back.' He reassured her.
'Oh it's terrible!' Hermione cried into Draco's shoulder. 'Come on we can't just stand around here waiting for Ron to come back! We have to go and find him, and now!' Hermione pulled away from Draco and dried her eyes. She ran over to the portrait of Harry. 'Harry! Wake up!' She yelled. Harry's eyes snapped open.
'Morning Hermione, how did you sleep?' Harry asked, stifling a yawn.
'Oh it's awful! Ron has been kidnapped! We don't know by who, but we're going to go and find him!' Hermione said, trying to explain rationally, but choking on her own words. Harry's face twisted into worry.
'I just remembered something, I should be able to go anywhere I like, paintings can move. I'm going to try it. If I see Ron, I'll come and find you, oh, and you should try the Marauders Map as well.' Harry said thoughtfully, and disappeared into another painting. Hermione hurried back to Draco who had been waiting at the door.
'We have to go and find Ron. Harry suggested the Marauders Map, it's in the Gryffindor boys dorms, in Ron's trunk. I'll go there, but I want you to wait right here until I come back.' By that time, Hermione and Draco had reached the Hogwarts Common Room.
'I don't want to stand around here while you're hysterical over your best friend.' Draco said, caringly.
'I'm sorry Draco, but you are a Slytherin, and you won't be able to get past the painting of Godric Gryffindor which leads into the Gryffindor Common Room.' Hermione explained, putting a hand on his arm.
'I'll be waiting right here for you, Hermione.' Draco said, giving her a smile.
'Thank-you.' Hermione replied softly, and disappeared through the painting of the lion and badger. She hurried up the many stairs after confirming to Godric that she was a Gryffindor, and burst into the Gryffindor Common Room.
Luckily for Hermione, there was no one to be seen in the Gryffindor Common Room. Hermione didn't particularly feel like explaining herself to any nosy Gryffindors. She headed up the staircase to the boys dorms, and found the seventh year one.
Three beds were made, but one remained messy. Hermione assumed that was Ron's bed. She immediately dove for the trunk which bore Ron's initials. As soon as the opened it, there was another note. Her heart sank when she read what it said:
Looking for something?
This obviously meant that whoever had taken Ron, had taken the Marauders Map as well. Hermione hurried out of the room, leaving Ron's trunk open.
As she entered the Hogwarts Common Room, Draco looked up at her eagerly.
'Is Ron on the Marauders Map?' He asked. Hermione looked at him sadly.
'Whoever took Ron made sure that we wouldn't find him. They took the Marauders Map too. . . this means that it was a Gryffindor, or a certain bunch of Gryffindors who are hell bent on us being friends. . .' As Hermione said this, realisation dawned on Draco.
'Parvati, Lavender, Ginny, Dean and Seamus must have kidnapped him then.'
'Most likely. What I don't understand is how such friends of Ron, and even his own sister, could turn on him so easily. Damn Parvati! Damn her to hell!' Hermione yelled, outraged. At that moment, Ginny and Phillip walked down their stairs, gossiping wildly about the new couple in sixth year, Zacharias Smith from Hufflepuff and Marcy George from Gryffindor. Hermione looked at Ginny like she could strangle her.
'Good morning Hermione, Draco.' Phillip said, and, sensing the tension in the room between the three of them, he quickly left the Hogwarts Common Room, not wanting to hear anything that was about to happen.
As soon as Phillip was out, Hermione let out a yell.
'Where is he?' She cried angrily at Ginny.
'Where is who?' Ginny yelled back.
'Don't play dumb with me, your brother, where is he?' Hermione yelled, shoving the note under Ginny's face. Ginny read it and became scared.
'Oh dear, she's started!' Ginny looked as if she would cry.
'Who's started? What have they started?' Draco asked calmly.
'Shut up Malfoy.' Ginny spat at him, and ran out of the Hogwarts Common Room.
'I don't believe it! She must be in on it.' Hermione said stubbornly. Draco grabbed her shoulders and spun her around to face him.
'You saw the way she reacted, she didn't kidnap her brother, but she definitely knows something about it.' Draco said. 'I think we should follow her, she must be going to see whoever did this to her brother.' Hermione nodded.
'Good idea.' Hermione said, looking away from Draco's caring eyes. The two of them headed out of the Hogwarts Common Room, and hurried after Ginny before she got out of sight.
~***~
Parvati and Lavender sat in their cave with Anivatria. They had successfully kidnapped the first of their victims, Ron Weasley. Ron was in a small cage which was hanging from the ceiling of the cave. He looked miserable, and hungry, though he said nothing. He had seen the power of this witch who was friends with Parvati and Lavender, and he didn't want any trouble. Ron knew that he was only there because of Hermione, but he swore not to tell them anything about his best friend.
Ginny walked in at that moment. She looked furious.
'Parvati! How dare you! How dare you kidnap my brother! I know what you're planning to do, you're planning to kill everyone who is close to Hermione! Well I have news for you, I will not let you kill Ron!' Ginny yelled. Ron watched his sister, knowing that she had known about Parvati and Lavender's plan, though done nothing to prevent his kidnapping.
'Shut up Ginny, you could have told me.' Ron said, quite angry with his sister. 'Why didn't you tell me? And what's this about killing all those who are close to Hermione? That would include me.'
'That's right Ron, Hermione will suffer for betraying Harry. First she will watch all her friends die, and then she will die.' Parvati said evilly.
'You know what would be a better idea? Maybe we should let Hermione live, then she would have to live knowing that her friends died because of her.' Lavender said. Parvati smiled.
'Wow Lavender, I never even thought of that, but now that you mention it, that's a bloody brilliant idea.' Parvati praised her friend.
'How can you say that Lavender? You used to be Hermione's friend!' Ginny cried, knowing now she would also die.
'Well Ginny, Hermione betrayed Harry, and you of all people should be angry seeing as you used to be in love with him.' Parvati said slowly, and coldly.
'But Harry doesn't mind that Hermione is friends with Draco!' Ginny yelled.
'That's what you think, little girl.' Lavender said, just as cold as Parvati.
'Emprisino.' Parvati said, pointing her wand at Ginny. Immediately a cage like Ron's formed around Ginny, and a chain, which pulled it up to the ceiling. Ginny now hung, caged, next to Ron. She sobbed in her cage.
'Hermione, we have to go.' Draco hissed urgently in her ear. Hermione shook her head, and remained hidden at the entrance to the cave.
'So when are we going to kill the prisoners, Master?' Anivatria asked Parvati.
'As soon as we get the rest of them.' Parvati replied.
'Who's next?' Lavender asked.
'Neville, he'll be easy. The poor guy won't even know what hit him.' Parvati sneered. Hermione silently cried, she didn't want them to hurt any of her friends.
'Come on Hermione, lets go, they're not going to kill anyone, I'll make sure of that.' Draco whispered into her ear. Hermione nodded sadly, and they left the cave.
Once Hermione and Draco were out of the many tunnels they had to go through to get to the cave, Hermione cried openly. Draco hugged her again, letting his friend let out her emotions. He knew that she was extremely upset about this, and that part of it was his fault.
'Draco, it's not your fault.' Hermione said, as if reading his mind.
'Yes it is, if it wasn't for me all this wouldn't be happening.' He replied.
'It's not your fault.' Hermione said sternly, and pulled back to face him. 'Don't you dare blame yourself, this is Parvati's twisted, evil side working.'
'If you and I hadn't become friends, this never would have happened.'
'If Harry hadn't died this never would have happened, we cannot control what happens Draco, some things happen for good, and some things happen for bad. I do not regret our friendship.' Hermione said, and Draco looked as if he would cry, but he didn't.
'Thank-you Hermione, you mean a lot to me.'
'Enough talk, we have to go warn Neville!' Hermione remembered suddenly. The two of them sprinted up to the seventh floor, where the Gryffindor Common Room was located.
'Are you actually going to let me in?' Draco asked cautiously. Hermione looked at him like he was being stupid.
'Of course I'm going to let you in, Draco,' She said impatiently, and said the password. The portrait of the fat lady swung open and they walked in.
'Where's the boys dorms?' Draco asked, scanning the Gryffindor Common Room.
'Up these stairs.' Hermione said, and started to climb the stairs. Draco followed her closely, not wanting to be seen by a suspecting Gryffindor without Hermione. They reached the seventh year boys dorms, and saw that Neville was lying on his bed, reading a book on magical fungi.
'Hermione, Draco?' Neville said, puzzled.
'No time to explain, we have to warn you.' Draco said.
'On second thoughts, come with us right now!' Hermione said urgently.
'Okay, okay.' Neville said, not wanting to argue.
'We'll explain on the way.' Draco said.
'Come this way, through the passageway to the Hogwarts Common Room.' Hermione said, opening the door to the stairs.
'But I won't be able to go?' Draco said.
'Godric doesn't check when we're going back.' Hermione said matter-of- factly.
'Oh, alright then, I was just checking.' Draco said as they started down the stairs.
'Care to explain whats going on?' Neville asked.
'Oh, sorry Neville. Parvati and Lavender, and this weird witch are kidnapping all who are close to me and they are going to kill them.' Hermione began, her eyes welling with tears.
'They already have Ginny and Ron, and you're next.' Draco continued.
'If we don't protect you, you'll be in a cage along with Ginny and Ron.' Hermione said. 'That's why you're going to stay in our room.'
'Our room is protected at night by a lot of advanced spells, and people can only come in when one of us invites them.' Draco said.
'You will be safe with us.' Hermione reassured Neville. 'This means that you will have to stay with one of us at all times though, could you do that?'
'Could I go back to get my things?' Neville asked.
'No, that's too dangerous, but I'll go back for you instead.' Hermione said.
'Is this a joke?' Neville asked curiously.
'Most certainly not, Neville. You are in danger, and we are protecting you.' Hermione said, annoyed that Neville would think it a joke.
'Oh, okay.' Neville said meekly, not wanting to believe that his life, and the lives of his friends were in danger.
'It's okay Neville, we won't let anything happen to you or anyone else.' Draco reassured him. The three seventh years finally reached the Hogwarts Common Room. Joel, Samantha and Leanne were sitting on their seats talking, but as soon as Hermione, Neville and Draco walked in they stopped.
'Sorry, we didn't mean to intrude.' Hermione said quickly, and pulled the boys up the staircase to their room.
'What was that all about? They were the ones being rude.' Draco said angrily. 'We shouldn't have to apologise for walking into our own Common Room!'
'Calm down Draco, we don't have time to worry about them.' Hermione said softly.
'I'm going to talk to those Slytherins.' Draco said, and before Hermione could stop him, he walked out of the door and down the stairs.
'Hey Draco, sorry about that but we were talking about the Slytherin Quidditch tactics, and we just couldn't let a Gryffindor find out our plans.' Leanne said, jumping up and kissing Draco on the cheek before hugging him.
'Oh Leanne, you're such a flirt.' Samantha said dryly.
'Everyone knows that you want to get with Draco.' Joel added. Leanne blushed.
'No Joel, I'm madly in love with you.' Leanne said, and sat on Joel's lap.
~***~
'How are you doing, traitors?' Lavender asked Ron and Ginny. Ron stayed silent, but Ginny refused not to protest.
'Lavender, Parvati and Anivatria aren't here, it's not too late for you to revive your good side and help us out of here.' Ginny said.
'Ginny, don't you understand, I'm not going to betray my best friend, I'm not like Hermione, I don't betray friends like she does.' Lavender said with a smirk on her face.
'I can't believe you!' Ron roared. 'Hermione didn't betray anyone!' He shook his cage violently.
'Calm down Ickle Ronnikins,' Lavender said, mocking Fred and George. 'It'll all be over soon and you won't have to worry about anything.'
'I will not sit around and be murdered!' Ron yelled.
'Sorry Ron, but you have no choice.' Lavender said.
'This isn't fair! We shouldn't be punished for something that didn't even happen!' Ginny screamed. 'Parvati has taken things well out of proportion!' Lavender just smiled up at the two Weasleys.
'You wait til Dumbledore finds out what you're trying to do!' Ron threatened.
'Oh but dear Ron, Dumbledore won't find out.' Lavender replied.
'Oh yes he will! Dumbledore always finds out.' Ginny said warningly.
'Threats will get you no where Ginny, you should have learnt that by now. You've been threatening and taunting me all afternoon and you are no closer to being free than you were three hours ago.' Lavender said impatiently. 'Parvati and Anivatria will return soon with Neville, and then you will have someone new to talk to.'
Ginny and Ron exchanged looks, and their hearts sank, knowing that Neville will be powerless to hold off Parvati and Anivatria.
'That's right, Neville will be joining you soon.' Lavender said smugly, and she sat down on her chair to read. Ginny decided to try once more to sway Lavender to setting them free.
'Your parents would be so proud if they saw what a nasty piece of work you've become, Lavender.' Ginny said carelessly. Lavender's eyes flickered for a second as she processed what Ginny had said, but they soon reformed their hard, solid look.
'Nice try Ginny, my parents don't care about me.' Lavender said.
'You lie, they do care about you. They care about you a lot, and they would be very disappointed in you if they could see you now.' Ginny pushed.
'Shut up! You know nothing!' Lavender exploded. Ginny knew she had reached a weak spot.
'I know that your family would be very disappointed in you if they knew that you were assisting in murder.' Ginny said, her voice stone cold.
'Shut up!' Lavender yelled, but Ginny knew she would crack any second.
'What about your mother? She raised you to be a nice, caring person, not a murderer.' Ginny continued, but before Lavender could say anything, Parvati and Anivatria walked in, both wearing murderous stares.
'Where's Neville?' Lavender asked.
'That is precisely what we would like to know. Someone warned him, and is protecting him from us.' Parvati fumed. 'Ginny must be communicating with them, Accio wand.' Parvati summoned Ginny's wand to her.
'No!' Ginny cried, not wanting to be in a cage without her wand.
'It's okay Gin, they took my wand too.' Ron said.
'But I hate being without my wand!' Ginny wept silently, but was grateful that Neville was safe for the time being.
'At least Neville's safe.' Ron said to comfort Ginny. Ginny nodded.
'I'm glad.'
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*
~* There it is, a nice long chapter for a nice change. I would really appreciate everyone's reviews, just to give me an idea that I'm going on the right path with this story. Thanks everyone! I'll try to get the next chapter up as soon as possible. *~
~Gryffindor Gal~