--Incendio--

DISCLAIMER: I own nothing. Don't sue, I'm poor.

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CHAPTER 8: Plans of Escape (Chapter rated PG)

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They had been in the dark room for about 2 days. None of them talked, unless it was to ask where the other person was. Draco had taken up pacing. He paced from wall to wall all day and well into the night. Hermione was sure he'd wear a hole in the ground from all of it.

Mr. and Mrs. Weasley kept to themselves, not saying much and sitting against a wall, Mrs. Weasleys head on her husbands shoulders, Ginny in her other arm, holding her close. Ginny was obviously very frightened, just like everyone else. Ron sat next to her, holding his knees and rocking back and forth.

Even Fred and George didn't do anything; they sat together, on the other side of the room opposite from Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, side-by-side, quietly. Hermione just said next to Fred and George, watching Draco pace. It had started to make her dizzy, actually.

She got up, and the room seemed disturbed by the change of movement. Hermione took Draco's hand and whispered quietly, "Please stop."

He nodded, and they went to sit where Hermione sat before, next to Fred and George.

Later in the day, everyone was surprised when one of the dark, hooded creatures came to the door of the room, and opened it.

Everyone stared silently at the creature, as it pointed to Mr. Weasley, and beckoned him with his finger. But, instead of Mr. Weasley standing up on his own accord and walking over, there was a force of motion pulling him to the creature. The thing grabbed him, and they walked out of the room, the door slamming behind them.

Everyone was silent, and then suddenly Mrs. Weasley and Ginny could be heard making whimpering sounds. Ron looked very uncomfortable and shocked. Fred and George put their heads against the wall and sighed, closing their eyes.

Hermione noticed she and Draco were still holding hands, so she gave it a squeeze, and looked over at him. His blonde hair was stringy around his face, and there were dark bags under his eyes. Hermione could only imagine what she looked like. But, she really didn't care, and obviously, neither did Draco because he looked at her with the same admiration that he had been giving her for the past days, even when she was looking decent.

He gave her an intensely weak smile, and they just looked into each other eyes for some time.

Hermione didn't notice when Ron stood up, or when he walked over to them. Then suddenly, he picked Draco up by the collar and punched him in the face. Everyone gasped. Hermione made a sound like a mouse while she witnessed Draco and Ron fighting.

She stood up, and ran over to them, frantically trying to pull them apart.

"Ron! Stop it Ron! What are you doing?"

Mrs. Weasley rushed over and grabbed Ron, but he kept hitting Draco, who was trying desperately to fight back, but was failing.

"Ronald! Stop hitting him, Ronald!" cried Mrs. Weasley. Ginny, Fred and George watched in horror.

Then, suddenly, Hermione grabbed her wand out of her waistband and shouted "Petrificus Totalus!"

Everyone stopped, and Ron fell to the floor with a thud, stiff as a board.

Ron eyes turned towards her, a look of surprise in them. Everybody stopped and just stared at her. She had her wand! The creatures hadn't taken it! Hermione could have started crying with happiness right then, but an odd feeling stopped her.

Something, or someone, was coming.

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Hermione froze, eyes creeping towards the door, when she realized the something coming was only a mouse. She sighed a sigh of relief, and turned back towards Ron, Draco and Mrs. Weasley.

Draco looked… happy beyond happy. Ecstatic. Mrs. Weasley looked exhausted, but also appreciative. Hermione said the counter-spell to Ron, who sighed and got up, glaring at Hermione and at Draco.

"Why'd you have to go and do that, Hermione?" he demanded.

"You were practically killing him, Ron! What was I supposed to do, sit back and watch?"

He narrowed his eyes at her. "If you really meant what you said to me, you would have."

Hermione made a small squeak, and looked away, tears forming in her eyes. She brushed them away, and turned back towards the group a few moments later.

"We have to escape. We can't stay here. I have my wand, we'll be able to figure something out." she said to no one in particular.

Mrs. Weasley nodded. "You're right. But the… things, they'll find out and come and hunt us down. We'll all be killed!"

Draco intervened. "Then only a few of us will be able to go, the rest will stay. We'll go get help, and come back for you."

Hermione looked at Draco. Most of his face was swollen, and he has cuts all over it. He really had taken a bashing from Ron. He winced when he spoke, in pain, because his lips were bleeding in a few places.

Hermione pointed her wand to him. He looked frightened. "What are you doing?" he asked.

"A few of us were paying attention when Professor Snape mentioned a healing spell. Now hold still."

She recited it, and the cuts and bruises seemed to fade, but not much. The marks were still there.

Draco glared at Ron. "Thanks, Weasley."

Ron shrugged. "So who's going to escape?" He looked at his mother, who shook her head.

"I cannot go. They'll be coming for me next. You go, Hermione."

Hermione nodded her head, expecting this. "Alone?" she asked.

"No, not alone. I'll go with you." said Draco, with a weak smirk.

Ron gasped, and then scoffed. "I'm coming too!" he said indignantly.

Hermione nodded. "Okay. What do you propose we do?"

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Chapter 8! This chapter is good. I wonder what'll happen next... ;-) I'll get into the romance more next chapter. Happy New Years!! 2005!

random llama127 - Thanks! :D

kriCket x0 - Haha. I always feel bad when I don't update everyday. And plus, I love writing and I don't have much better to do. School starts in a week, so I'll try to update then too. Thank you!

Lestatlover1784 - Hey! I missed you! ;) I loved Interview with the Vampire, but I still have to see Queen of the Dammed. I'll definitely check out your story. Happy New Years to you too! I'm adding more of the love into it next chapter. There hasn't been much call for it so far, I've been trying to work the plot in, and build up the "romance tension". Keep reading! Thanks so much! :