Oh, and, last chapter, who agrees that "With a gasp, Harry had pulled out his Invisibility Cloak and was now invisible." is the absolute WORST sentence I've ever written, purposely or not? (-dies-)
Also watched HP3 recently… wicked movie. Just wicked. Daniel Radcliffe is so CUTE! Makes me wanna pet him. So cute.
Chapter 40
The breakdown was simple enough – they'd run through it enough times in simulations, training, and Preventer missions. Duo and Trowa: infiltration, preferably. Heero and Wufei: gunmen, wingmen, anything-goes-men. Quatre was, and always would be, the ultimate strategist. However, just because he was to make the plan didn't mean he sat out and watched everyone else. He was also the pocket wingman, and an infiltrator if need be. They were all adaptable and would fulfill any duty assigned to them, but they had their preferences.
The plans began coming together in Quatre's mind as soon as the designations were set. First thing was first: they stood out far too much for his liking, so disguises would have to be a must. Wufei and Heero took care of that, with Duo and Trowa as their wingmen. However they got the disguises didn't matter to Quatre, as he sat and planned within his own mind.
Harry seemed a bit unnerved by their attitude, but he was forgiven due to his questionable state. He still looked dead tired and a bit twitchy, at least to Quatre.
Minor scuffling noises and about ten minutes later, each young man had "appropriated" a dark black robe. When he asked, Harry had been given no explanation as to how they had gotten them, or what had happened to their wearers.
The Boy Who Lived decided he didn't want to know, and simply put away his Invisibility Cloak for later use.
"It shouldn't be too hard to find out where they're keeping Draco," Quatre muttered to Duo, who was sitting next to him and bouncing back ideas while the others kept watch. "All the Death Eaters should know, and I would think they'd steer clear of the area."
"Yeah," Duo muttered. "Plus all else fails me and Tro could just ambush some robed dude."
"No," Quatre sighed, grimacing. "We should draw as little attention as possible." He shrank a bit deeper into his hooded robe. "I'm getting a horrible feeling the longer we're around this damned place. The sooner we get Draco the hell out of here, the better."
"Well, at least this time we have better comm. systems," Duo said with a short laugh, looking at Heero. "Unless Heero decides to poke my brain again."
A tensing in the Japanese boy's frame made Duo's grin widen, and he looked back at Quatre.
"So, got the plan formulated? I'd think it isn't too complicated, since we're basically making it up as we go."
The blond nodded, and relayed it to them as the group set off to the Cathedral. They passed other Death Eaters along the way, but apparently robed-figures wandering the city was a very normal sight as the group wasn't even blinked at. Soon enough they were within sight of the impressive looking cathedral, and Duo and Trowa were getting ready to go off on their own.
Harry paused, and began informing Draco of their plans and what to expect. Once he was done, he looked at them all.
"Draco says that hardly anyone comes near his cell, although he's not sure which end of the cathedral it's in."
Duo frowned at him. "Hey, you know," he began, addressing the group. "How come Harry doesn't have trouble with rampant, mind-crushing thoughts? Not once has Draco's mind tied to molest his, and not once has he started hollering for no apparent reason at him!"
The others paused and considered this. "Maybe," Wufei began, "their physical relationship is the key. Because your own feelings are newer and raw, maybe your bond is less compatible than theirs."
"Physical relationship, huh?" Duo muttered, glancing at Heero. "Well, 'Ro, there's a bush. Let's get this bond under control."
Quatre barked a laugh, out of shock, while Heero flushed. "Idiot," he snapped at Duo. Unfortunately for them both, Duo's suggestion caused a mental image that made both pilots turn a brighter shade of crimson.
Trowa was smirking and, like Wufei, apparently holding in laughter. Harry simply looked shocked.
"Since neither of you seem to be heading toward the bush," Trowa drawled. "Perhaps we can get moving?"
Duo grinned. "Worth a shot." He turned to leave, looking back and waving. "Later, guys. We'll keep ya posted."
Their robes were pulled over their heads once more, and they walked at a measured pace towards the cathedral. Behind them, Quatre chuckled softly, pointedly ignoring the glare Heero sent his way.
…
"Old places are so massive," Duo muttered. He and Trowa had only been walking for five minutes and he was doing his best not to look around and be amazed. "This place is cavernous, that's for damned sure."
"At least there aren't many corridors to choose from," Trowa shot back, falling silent as they passed a Death Eater walking with purpose. "Left, Right, and from there, down. So pick, Duo."
Duo's eyes widened comically within the dark hood. "Are you kidding? I have infamous bad luck." Trowa grinned.
"Exactly. You pick right or left, and we'll go the opposite direction."
Duo glared at him. "You suck." There was a pause. "And Heero thinks you're an idiot."
"You're full of shit," Trowa returned calmly, even as Duo hissed, "ow!" and rubbed his head with a frown.
"So, let's head right," Duo suggested, becoming serious. "We'll scout out the hall, then if there's nothing we'll double back?"
"Sounds good," Trowa replied, and they both headed down the eastern corridor. "Think there's a basement and a sub-basement?"
Duo snorted. "I hope not. I don't want to be here for longer than we absolutely have to."
They made their way down the long corridor in silence after that. There were small windows along the walls, widely spaced and allowing a sliver of light in periodically. The light combined with the darkened corridor made for an eerie mood, but neither pilot noticed. They were both, from the shadows of their hoods, looking for a staircase that would bring them underneath the building. In his mind Duo could hear Heero analyzing what information Duo took in by sight. When Duo saw a shadow in the wall that seemed to call to him, Heero jumped on it immediately and suggested that it was the stairwell.
Turned out his was right, and Duo walked a bit quicker towards it. "Aha," he whispered with a smirk. "We have a door."
There was no lock, and the two checked the corridor once before opening the door. Sure enough, on the other side was a staircase that descended into a much darker region of the cathedral.
Ask Harry what the light spell was, Duo thought to Heero even as the door closed behind them. He could do it, but he didn't want to waste time maneuvering down a flight of stairs when he could get at least a bit of light.
Lumos, Heero returned after a moment. Without pausing his slow descent of the stairs, Duo took out his wand.
"Lumos," he whispered into the darkness. From the end of his wand came a small light. He heard Trowa make a noise of surprise behind him, grinned to himself, and sped up his pace down the stairs. "Is it just me," Duo muttered, "or does it seem lighter?"
"If they have torches burning in this place," Trowa trailed off warningly. Once they reached the bottom of the staircase, where it was indeed brighter than when they'd first entered, they saw the light came from a solitary bulb hanging from the low ceiling.
"Wow," Duo muttered. "Dank and dreary. Doesn't look like a cathedral anymore." He flicked his wand and the light went out. Sliding it back into his clothes underneath the cloak he and Trowa made their way down the hall.
"So, what are we going to say if we run into someone down here?" Trowa mused quietly.
"Can't say much to someone when they're unconscious," Duo returned. "So. Think Draco's down here?"
Draco thinks he hears voices, Heero told him, startling Duo slightly.
"Heero says Draco hears voices," he relayed to Trowa.
"Malfoy," Trowa announced, a bit louder than normal tone. They both paused.
Did he hear that? Duo asked.
He heard something.
"Let's keep moving and try again," he reasoned, walking quickly down the dim corridor. There was a musty, damp smell hanging in the air. He and Trowa walked for a few moments before Trowa called out again.
"Draco!"
He heard you!
"He's here," Duo hissed excitedly. Both of them broke out into a jog, making their way down the seemingly endless corridor. Duo reasoned that it couldn't be endless, since it was confined by the boundaries of the cathedral, but it was very long.
"Draco!" Trowa called again, not quite yelling in case someone heard them. They heard a quiet, pained, 'Here!' from nearby. Duo took off at a sprint with Trowa right behind him, and they almost ran right past the door that appeared out of nowhere.
"Here," Duo hissed. "This is it! Draco?"
"In here," came the reply. It was Draco, although he didn't sound healthy at all.
"Hold in there buddy," Duo told him through the door. "We'll have you out of here in no time." He knelt in front of the door and felt around in the dim lighting. A low laugh came from him and Trowa knelt down in concern.
"What is it?"
"Nothing," Duo replied. He was grinning. "I just love this era. No passcodes, no perimeter alarms, just gold old-fashioned lock and key."
"There's a spell on it," Draco announced from inside, breathing harshly. This made Duo pause.
"A spell," he muttered. "How do you get rid of a spell?"
Alohamora, Heero replied almost without pause. He was rapidly firing the questions at Harry, who was just as quick to reply. Duo could feel the tension seeping into his fellow pilot's thoughts the longer they took.
"Might work," he muttered. "Worth a shot anyway." Duo rustled through his robe and his clothes to retrieve his want once more, waving it and whispering the spell given to him by Heero. There was no effect, and Duo glared at it.
"It's not working?" Trowa asked.
"No," Duo replied. "Alohamora!" he tried again, but nothing happened. "Shit."
"Here, Duo, step back," Trowa suggested. "Draco, you get away from the door if you can."
Doing as he was told, Duo eyed the other pilot warily. "Uh, Trowa, I don't know if –"
"Open sesame," Trowa announced, pulling up his handgun and firing into the lock. When nothing happened, he switched to the hinges. Those were not magically protected, and broke easily under the force of the bullets. Unfortunately, the noise echoed loudly throughout the corridor.
"Shit Trowa," Duo groaned, even Trowa kicked in the door with his leg. They hurried in, spying Draco on the floor. Duo's eyes widened, and Trowa set to work immediately, ripping strips from his stolen robe.
The light-haired boy was crumpled in the corner, lesions covering his bare arms and chest. Black and blue surrounded his left eye, and splattered his chin as well. One of his wrists was bent awkwardly and he cradled it. His right arm had a large, festering cut in it, as did his torso. Trowa was already covering those with the ripped cloth, although it was too late to stop any infection.
His hair was also a mess, splattered with blood and greased from lack of washing. He had tired bags under his eyes, as well as dark circles. His lips were cracked and he was white as a ghost.
"Dude," Duo muttered, "you look like complete shit."
…
"They've found him," Heero announced. "They're getting him ready to move."
"Should we go provide backup at the corridor entrance?" Wufei suggested. Quatre seemed to consider it.
"Harry isn't going in there," he informed them point-blank.
They were going to do their best to make sure nobody even knew he'd been there.
Harry himself had neglected to inform them of the bond between himself and
Voldemort, and was looking nervous. "You and Heero can go, although only one
should wait outside the door." As soon as Quatre spoke the two took off into
the cathedral with purpose. Quatre grimaced. "I think you and I should get out
of sight," he told The Boy Who Lived. "The last thing we need is to be caught
this late in the game."
Harry didn't object, although he was itching to get to Draco as soon as
possible, and they moved a number of meters away to at least put a bit of
distance between them and the cathedral.
"We'll be able to take him back to Hogwarts soon," Quatre muttered. Harry shot him a look of surprise, wondering if he'd been that easy to read. The blonde was looking strained, though Harry couldn't imagine why.
…
"I'm sorry," Trowa said sincerely. "This is going to hurt." He knelt next to Draco, now bandaged where possible and wearing Trowa's own Death Eater robe to disguise him at least partially. Trowa hooked his arms under Draco's legs and behind his shoulders, lifting the lithe boy off the ground. Draco let out a hiss of pain but was otherwise silent. Trowa could feel tremors from his weakened body.
"Let's get the fuck out of here," Duo said, seeming antsy as he looked around. "Heero and Wufei came down the hall upstairs to cover us but we still gotta get out of this corridor."
"Then let's go," Trowa said, and Duo shot out into the hall immediately. Something didn't bode right, and he was getting a very bad feeling the longer they stayed down in the darkness.
They moved as quickly as possible down the dim corridor, Duo drawing his gun halfway to the stairs and glancing around in the shadows. Trowa was becoming edgy just watching him. When they passed the last hanging bulb Duo drew his wand, as well, and cast the lumos spell with one hand and held his gun ready in the other. He ascended the staircase only two steps in front of Trowa, and when he reached the door he paused.
You there?
Yes.
Outside the door?
Yes.
We're coming out. Coast clear?
Right now it is.
Duo glanced back at the former Heavyarms pilot. Trowa isn't disguised.
Then we'll run. Hurry up.
Duo pushed open the door cautiously, regardless of Heero's warning, only to be greeted by the welcome sight of the blue-eyed Asian waiting for him. He smiled quickly and stepped out, allowing Trowa and Draco to emerge as well. Duo cast a look down the hall and saw Wufei waiting for them. The hallways were silent.
"I have a very bad feeling," Duo murmured, eyes darting around nervously. Heero nodded.
"Yes. Let's go."
The three started walking quickly down the hall, when suddenly a shout rang out from the other end. Startled, they glanced back. A group of hooded figures stood at the end, and had their wands out. Suddenly they began running towards them.
"Shit. Run!" Duo exclaimed, breaking into a sprint but keeping pace with Trowa. Heero lagged a bit behind, in case he needed to retaliate against the approaching wizards. Up ahead, Wufei was running past the cathedral's front doors to head off another group that had appeared at the other end.
"They have Malfoy!" one Death Eater shouted.
"Kill them!"
Heero's gun turned on the group behind them and he held it ready, even as the first of the spells came flying towards them. Beams of light crashed into the floors and walls around them as they ran, debris flying. Cries of Crucio! could be heard echoing in the cavernous hall, and the shouts seemed to be gaining on them.
"No fucking way are they getting us now," Duo exclaimed, even as Heero began returning fire. He slowed a little, allowing Trowa to get ahead, and shot back into the crowd as well. Shouts grew louder as they Death Eaters realized there were bullets flying now, and that some of their own were being hit.
"Wufei!" Duo shouted. Without turning to look Wufei began running toward the front door, still shooting behind him at the group. Trowa and Draco had already gone out the doors, and Wufei, Heero, and Duo barreled out at almost the exact same time. Outside they could see Quatre and Harry rushing to greet Trowa.
"Run!" Trowa yelled to them, and didn't bother to slow his pace. He tore past them, leaving them to catch up. They broke into a run soon after, slowing to question the other three who'd just caught up with them.
"What's going on?" Quatre yelled, running alongside Duo.
"Just run!" was the reply. "The Death Eaters caught on and they're coming!"
As if one cue the road around them began to leap up as it was struck with spells. A green light whizzed past Wufei's head, causing him to let out a string of Mandarin in anger.
Harry's shock intensified when the four pilots began shooting back into the advancing crowd of wizards, Heero going so far as to run backwards and shoot as he ran.
He kept firing even as his magazine clicked empty.
"SHIT!" he snarled, turning and running as he was of new use to the battle. He grabbed Harry's arm and pulled the wizard to try and get him to speed up. A short ways ahead he could see Trowa turning the corner and heading toward the portkey.
"We're almost there!" Quatre exclaimed, turning and firing off a few shots. A spell struck him suddenly, making him cry out and fall to the ground.
"Quatre!" Duo and Wufei exclaimed. Wufei ran back and grabbed the Arabian, hefting him up into his arms with effort and running. Duo slowed to accommodate, although Wufei picked up speed once he adjusted to the new weight. However, this left two less pilots to retaliate, and Quatre was thrashing about in pain. Duo snatched the gun from the blonde's hand and fired both his own and Quatre's back at the mob. Every once in a while a wizard had fallen, but there seemed to be more to take his place. All wore black hoods, although some had fallen from the run. There were at most only twenty to thirty men following, five dangerously close, but they were all casting spells.
"Almost there!" Duo repeated Quatre's earlier cry. They could already see Sirius up ahead, but Trowa was already gone. Heero and Harry had pulled ahead when Quatre had fallen, and were just reaching the portkey. Heero threw Harry towards it and the wizard disappeared. The pilot turned back to watch his comrades' progress, breath quickening when he saw Quatre being carried.
"Will this portkey remain?" Heero hollered at Sirius. The elder wizard shook his head even as the others reached them.
"It'll disappear when I go back," he said. Wufei grabbed the portkey, clutching Quatre, and the two disappeared. Duo was turned, firing at the Death Eaters with Quatre's rapidly emptying gun. The Death Eaters were gaining now that they'd stopped, and Heero had to duck suddenly to avoid a spell. He grabbed Duo's arm, the one that wasn't shooting, and dove toward the portkey.
…
The first thing Duo did when he opened his eyes again was continue firing. The empty clip clicked repeatedly before Heero snatched the gun away, watching anxiously for Sirius to appear. Not even ten seconds passed before the wizard was there, and holding the portkey in his palm.
"We did it," Duo breathed, looking to where Harry was kneeling before Draco. Trowa was standing behind them, breathing heavily. "We actually did it."
"Let's never, ever do it again," Quatre hissed, sitting up from where Wufei had set him down. "God that hurt."
Duo grinned viciously. "Oh man, that was…. That was…"
"Hectic," Heero finished. The two exchanged a small grin, the entire group breathing a collective sigh of relief.
Draco was back.
They were all alive.
Hermione and Ron were coming this way.
….Wait.
…
…
…
and. Tada.
Lateness. I suck.
I liked this chapter, although I'm sure when I read it again tomorrow I'll wonder what was wrong with me.
Yay. Merry Christmas everyone. I'll see you after the break, unless this weekend finds me inspired!
