(A/n: Alrighty, here's the heart of the story, I was kind of rushed since I've been quite busy with my school beginning this week so things might not be perfect. Just bear with me. Thanks for all the reviews, they were great! And now onto the story...)
Usual Disclaimer
Smiles28: I'm sorry about leaving you hanging! As for the others, hiding safely behind all those rocks, they'll be revealed soon don't worry! Hopefully your head didn't burst, I tried to get this out asap!
SOBs 4 Sirius 223: I've found too that if your listening to a sad song while your reading (or writing) something like this it completely makes it more real. Srry bout the update, glad your enjoying it!
SlytherinRoyalty: haha glad I threw you for a spin there, that's always fun. I'm very happy about your confidence in me and my decision...that helps a lot! So thanks for reviewing and yes I try have as many surprises in there as possible! Lol...
SamboTheGreat: Srry bout the update, here it is! Lol enjoy!
Courtney Anne: lol I liked your description of Neville Ron and Ginny. I agree, up to this point it seems like they've been sitting there doing nothing right? Well I'm saving them for something else...so be patient you'll see in this chapter! I'm terribly sorry about the update but hopefully it'll be worth that wait! Thanks for reviewing!!!
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CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE: SELFISH TEARS
Hermione had no response to Crouch's last statement, as realization hit her. Only one...her life wasn't enough to buy both Draco and Harry's freedoms.
Tears sprang to her eyes at the thought...she was going to die...and she couldn't even save them both.
"I've already offered my body and my life...they both go free," She declared bravely
"Well then I'm sorry but my boys and I can't help you there" He said smirking, beginning to walk away.
Hermione ran after him, clinging to his arm desperately, tears flowing now. "What if I said that every fucking Death Eater could rape me?" Crouch simply stared at her "Well what then? Would your 'boys' be able to help me then?"
To this, the Death Eaters hooted wildly with shouts such as "Do you hear that? We all get a go with her! We get to fuck the mudblood!!!" bouncing off the walls, making Hermione feel less and less like a person with each passing moment and more like an object.
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The shouts of excited Death Eaters getting a chance to have sex with his girlfriend circled the cave in such a way that engulfed Draco in a sense of fear that was indescribable.
'What the bloody hell does she think she's doing!!!' He screamed mentally 'I'm the one who got captured...I'm the one who's supposed to die for her!'
He added to himself 'it's not like I want to die and be tortured at the hand of Death Eaters....but still. I'd do it a million bloody times in her place'
And as if dying wasn't enough...now she was offering her body to them; her holy temple that she'd promised to reserve for him and only him was now being snatched away by people who wished her dead.
And then it hit him...she was willing to give all that up for his and Harry's lives. Never before had he felt so loved...never before had anyone offered to sacrifice anything for him....yet here she was bargaining his life in exchange for her virginity and her own. Tears that Draco had tried to suppress somehow managed their way up, through the lump in his throat and out of his once icy eyes. Glancing at Harry to see if he'd noticed he realized that Harry had not...he had tears of his own to worry about.
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Crouch wrung his hands, turning around to where the trio of teenagers hid, (and to Hermione's relief remaining silent) and stood on tiptoe, straining his neck to see over the tops of the rocks. Seeing nothing he sighed and suddenly approached Hermione and slapped her hard in the face.
"YOU!" He screamed "How dare you tempt us all like that! Just for that I have every mind to rape you here and now..."
To this Hermione gave a small whimper but otherwise remained silent, tears still pouring out of her eyes.
"I said before that I'd have none of that! You can exchange your life for either Malfoy or Potter's and that's it. I'm sick of this little act your putting on...you're annoying me and I want you dead as soon as possible. So hurry up and choose!" He growled, staring at the surrounding Death Eaters in a way that settled his decision.
All eyes rested on Hermione and she felt her pulse quicken and heart drop to the floor. What was she to do??
Crouch shoved her towards the two boys waiting her and slowly-very slowly- she raised her head to meet their anxious, tearful eyes.
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Ginny Weasley had been through more in her young life than she cared for. She'd been possessed by Lord Voldemort (in form of Tom Riddle), she'd fought in the last battle, lost Luna, fallen in love with Harry only to have him die, lost countless other fellow classmates and teachers and now....here was Harry, the same messy haired-bright eyed-boy who'd first told her he loved her, the same boy she'd mourned for every day, the first and only boy her heart had ever belonged to....and she might loose him again.
Ginny knew that Harry was back, but Ginny also knew her female friend well enough to know that Hermione's heart would first lurch to save Draco. After all, Ginny knew how much Hermione loved Draco, and he, her. But Ginny couldn't let Draco Malfoy walk away alive (no matter how selfish she might seem) when Harry was sent to death.
She couldn't stand another death...she needed Harry. And after being deprived of him for so long the urge was so intense that she wasn't thinking clearly. Ginny had never been given everything she asked for, but this was something she wasn't going to let pass by.
And that's why she screamed.
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An eerie silence had overcome the cave, much the same kind of silence that had occurred earlier when Hermione first saw Harry. Except this time...the silence was broken by a scream.
Immediately (recognizing the voice) snapping her head to the rocks where her friends lay, Hermione's tears momentarily stopped and her heart froze. Ginny.
Crouch suddenly came alive with excitement. He ran over to the rocks, and, with the other Death Eaters in tow; the only sounds being heard were those of struggle. And suddenly, just like expected, the forms of Neville, Ron, and Ginny emerged.
Hermione's heart dropped to the floor. She'd wanted to give her life away quickly. She'd not wanted the others there...she didn't want them involved...she didn't want the pain that facing them as she died would bring.
Turning away, she stole a glance at Harry. His emerald eyes were shining with tears and were as huge as ever. Harry tried to speak, he opened his mouth, but nothing came out, being too overcome by emotion.
Crouch strode in front of them, rubbing his hands together excitedly. "Well now Miss Granger what did we decide?"
Hermione froze. Tears resumed. She couldn't choose. It was impossible.
So much of her wanted Draco. She LOVED him. She couldn't be able to sentence to death the one she loved. She honestly and truly loved him, and wanted him to live...find someone else maybe. Above all she wanted him to be happy.
But on the other hand...Harry. They'd all missed him so much. Choosing Draco was selfish. Ron would have his best mate back again, Neville would have his role model and leader, Ginny would have back her boyfriend. Ron had gotten drunk over Harry's loss, Ginny had slapped Lavender, Ron had slapped her and abused her in his grief. Imagine what would happen to them if he died again. Harry had never deserved to die...so shouldn't he have another chance at life?
"We're all waiting Miss Granger" Crouch said impatiently
"Harry! Choose Harry!" Ginny cried out suddenly
"Gin..." Harry said hoarsely, warning her not to continue her train of thought.
"I don't care Harry! I want you back!"
"I know Gin...I know"
Hermione wasn't sure she'd ever cried so hard before. She wanted Draco...but the others wanted Harry. She watched the lovers exchange glances and she collapsed. She had to pick Harry! Leaning onto the wall for support she looked desperately at Draco, hoping to seek comfort within his eyes like she'd done on countless occasions. He smiled sadly at her. "I'll understand." He whispered roughly
No...she couldn't stand to see him in such pain! She had to pick Draco! She whipped her head around at Harry who'd been carrying on conversation with the three from across the room.
"I-I missed you so much mate," Ron said softly before tears leaked from his blue eyes.
That was it, she couldn't decide! Sobs racked her body and finally she fell to the floor, clutching her stomach, her heartache succeeding past the human limit.
(Very sad I know, but everything will be okay, trust me on this one. I know a few parts didn't make much sense now with the information given to you all...but just hang in with me okay? REVIEW—remember I work faster with more reviews! Lol...hugs, haystack)