(A/N: Thanks for the reviews! Sorry for the delay on this one, I was getting my room all set up and had no computer access for two days even though it was written. I'm already working hard on Chapter Twenty though, I was a bit skeptical at how long this story would be but I can confidently say at least thirty chapters, probably more. I realize that this chapter too isn't very long, but it definitely felt that was writing so hopefully it will reading it too! Hugs to all, Haystack)
To my wonderful Reviewers: (these are also for Chapter Seventeen that I didn't get to before!)
HogwartsHeadGirl1: I really appreciated your review, and the compliment that came with it! Thanks so much! It's reviews like this that brighten up my day! I apologize for the delay, hope you enjoy this chapter!
SamboTheGreat: now now....you know that as an author it is perfectly fine for me to leave you all with cliffhangers and that's exactly what I did! I realize it's a bit evil but I just have to take opportunities like those! Haha...I'll be nice now and give you a heads up that there's another one in this chapter. ducks head to avoid punch lol...what can I say?? As for the Snape/Hermione and the forbidden love thing, forbidden love greatly appeals to me, hence why I write Draco/Hermione...it's just so dramatic and perfectly logical. No one in the world ever chooses who they want to love...it just happens! But I'm still not sure about Snape and anyone honestly, I mean what's with the greasy hair? But on the other hand...he IS tragically misunderstood....hmmm....i'll have to think about that one.
SOBs 4 Sirius 223: Glad you think I picked a good direction, it's true, there are a lot of ways to go from here. Hopefully you'll like this one! Sorry bout the update, but I hope you like this chapter!
dracoisahottie13: Glad you didn't snap last time, and I have to admit your review made me laugh! I did think about you all when I named the chapter, thought I'd add a little twist there! Lol....yes the last update was quick, sorry about this one, but hopefully the next one will be quick! Hopefully you didn't explode over this....once again I can't say anything about Draco dying or anyone else for that matter but it doesn't take much to figure out that when our heroes and Death Eaters come together that there will be blood! "I probably shouldn't have said that!" lol...enjoy!
CHAPTER NINETEEN: DARES
Hermione was confused. It just didn't make sense. 'This is it.' She repeated to herself 'It has to be; there's no other place. This just has to be it'
But staring at the opening, Hermione could help but feel uneasy. It was just too simple, too easy that it almost seemed impossible. Yes, something was definitely wrong here.
So here she stood, in front of the entrance to a place similar to a cave, but more similar to a lair one sees in movies.
She'd taken the left like instructed, she'd searched for all signs of struggle... and she'd found them. Two indents into the ground, -easily marks made by the dragging of someone's feet- and footprints. Yes, footprints everywhere! Hermione had followed the trail they had made, and eventually found herself where she was currently.
'It all seems so strange' Hermione thought 'Death Eaters normally apparate everywhere they go, why would they risk walking; especially through part of the forbidden forest where the earth floor makes footprints and marks easy to find?
'But what I'm doing right now is stupid' she thought to herself 'even if this is the right place, what am I supposed to do? Just waltz in there, all by myself? Maybe I should have tried to convince the others to go with me.'
"Ahhh!!!" A scream sounded, making Hermione jump into the air. She recognized that scream, she recognized that voice...it was Draco's! All reasoning completely gone from her mind she quickly ducked down, pressing herself to the cold stone walls, and quietly entered the cave.
"Ron slow down!!"
"What?" Ron asked turning around to face Ginny.
Ginny took a deep breath, "You're going too fast! This climb isn't easy you know!"
"Gin, we've got to hurry! Merlin knows, maybe they've already captured her!"
"I'm trying Ron, I really am!"
Ron groaned "Alright C'mon! Get on!" He bent down and offered his back to her as a sort of piggyback.
"Ron! I'm not five anymore! Not only do I not think that's appropriate, I'll break your back having you carry me up this hill!!"
"Ginny, we don't have time for this, Please just get on my back!!" Ron begged
Ginny looked towards Neville. He nodded "We really don't have much time to spare. Here, I'll help you get on." He said, grabbing a hold on Ginny's arm.
Lifting her feet off the ground and slightly jumping onto Ron's back, she slipped. Luckily for everybody, Neville caught her, his arms fastened securely around her waist. For a moment there, time seemed suspended as the two looked into each other's eyes. But the spell was easily broken by Neville, who gently set her back on the ground, and continued walking ahead of the two Weasleys as if nothing had happened.
Taking a few feeble steps upwards, Ron grunted and hoisted Ginny further up his back to make it easier for himself.
After what seemed like hours, the three managed to reach the top.
"Great. Now what?" Ron asked impatiently. In all honestly, the climb had been hell for him, Ginny sure did weigh a lot more since the last time he'd given her a ride on his back.
"I'm not sure" Neville said surveying the area. Suddenly his eyes widened and began to run.
"Neville? Neville mate where are you going?" Ron asked confused
"Neville!!!!!" Ginny screamed
But once they saw the direction he was running, the siblings looked at each other and both sprinted away after him; for there stood Hermione, standing outside of what seemed to be a cave.
Dashing down the opposite side they had ascended was much easier and before long the Weasley's were running beside Neville, all three panting but refusing to quit running.
"Hermione!" Neville shouted
"Hermione over here!" Ginny cried out as she tried to wave her hands while running.
But neither of their screams did any good; they were still too far away. They saw her turn away, apparently having some doubts about being there, but suddenly she straightened, as if she was listening to something. Then without warning, the trio watched horrified, as she entered the cave, and disappeared from their view.
"Mione! Mione come back!" Ron shouted in despair as he leaped over a fallen tree and fell.
"Ron!" Ginny cried, running back to her brother's rescue.
"Are you alright?" Neville asked, concerned
"Yeah I'm fine..." Ron replied, rubbing his wrist.
There were a couple moments of silence where the threesome looked to the cave entrance only a few precious feet away.
Ginny sighed, "We going in there?"
"Looks like we are" Neville said
"Come on, let's hurry" Ron said slowly approaching the ominous looking opening.
'For the Headquarters of the Death Eaters, it's pretty bare' Hermione thought to herself. Slipping silently into the cave, seeking comfort in the dark shadows that graced the walls, she took a look at her surroundings.
The cave was dark-torches, unstably nailed onto the slick walls, provided the only light- but it was enormous, stretching probably what Hermione guessed was many miles. Many of it's corners appeared ignored, unlit, with many rocks ranging from the size of boulders to pebbles, carelessly thrown about them. It was in one of these corners she hid now. In the middle of the room, was a large cauldron sitting about a healthy flame, the substance inside it bubbling. Here, a Death Eater stood, rotating a huge wooden spoon around it slowly stopping every now and then to wipe sweat off of its forehead for alas, whoever was in charge had demanded they keep their costume on.
In the far distance, currently opposite Hermione now, was a wall of what appeared to be bars. 'Curious' She thought to herself, unsure as to what they're purpose was. But she watched intently as a Death Eater who had currently been sitting on a rock, stood and approached the bars. He pulled out his wand and suddenly the bars clanked open revealing a sort of door. Hermione leaned foreword a bit, intrigued by what the Death Eater could be retrieving. But when suddenly a scream was heard, one that echoed throughout the cave, bouncing off the walls and surrounding Hermione from every direction, she no longer had any doubt in her mind. It was Draco.
Another Death Eater rushed into the prison, and moments later a struggling Draco came out, blonde hair falling freely in his face, jaw set, obviously determined not to give in, and eyes a dark color resembling black that Hermione hadn't ever seen before. He appeared bruised, but even still, she was just thankful he was alive. But Hermione couldn't resist herself from thinking that he looked even more hot than normal when he was like this!
Draco was led to a chair where he was forced down and immediately, magically binded.
"Now you just sit there Malfoy and be good" One to his left taunted
"What for?" Draco asked tiredly
"For the surprise I told you about of course!" Another one said in a mock confused voice.
"Wh--" Draco began, but suddenly stopped.
"There. That'll hold any more unnecessary questions" Yet a third Death Eater proclaimed. Hermione shook her head, despite the situation; a silencing charm was something a first year could easily have accomplished.
"Good thinking. When the killings begin, we wouldn't want our young Mr. Malfoy making a scene."
At this Hermione was so full of rage, and of fear, that she began to shake. Holding her arms, she tried to take deep breaths, but it was hard when her mind was still stuck on what the Death Eater had just said. Killings? She had assumed Draco's, but....more? How many more prisoners were there? She had half a mind to march out from her hiding spot and just kill all the Death Eaters.
"Don't you dare!" A voice whispered from behind her, as if reading her mind. The person grabbed her arm and spun her around to face him. Hermione's eyes widened at the sight of him.
(A/N: Okay so not much of a cliffhanger but still...its one all the same! Review, and I'll update faster! Hugs, Haystack)