Disclaimer: I own nothing…
Note: Characters may be slightly out of character, but for reasons which will be explained later...
525,600 Minutes: In Truths That She Learned, or in Times That He Cried-
-Chapter Three
One of the many things Hermione prided herself in was her ability to run. She had always been able to run very fast, and for that she was thankful. It came in handy when on her many adventures with Harry and Ron, and it came in very handy right now. She and Malfoy where running even with each other, and Malfoy was surprised that she was keeping up with him. They ran up the stairs to the top floor. They ran to the end of the hall, they paused for a moment to catch their breathe. Malfoy looked to his left, and threw open the door to the room that was there. He grabbed Hermione by her sleeve and pushed her into the room. Once they were both inside he locked the door with the flick of his wand.
Hermione walked over to the window of the empty room and tried to open it, but it didn't budge. She tried again, and nothing happened. "OH." she said in an annoyed tone while she stamped her foot on the ground. She swiftly pulled out her wand and tapped the handle of the window, there was a soft click and when she tired again, the window opened with ease.
Malfoy joined her at the window and they both looked at the ground, four stories below. Hermione muttered a quick spell and a ladder appeared at the window, running down the building.
Without a word to the other, Malfoy barely helped Hermione out the window and she made her way down. As she made contact with the dark street, Malfoy climbed out the window. Malfoy made contact with the street and then quickly flicked his wand and the ladder disappeared. The two teens stared at each other, neither one knowing what to do.
"Now what?" Hermione asked, slowly and quietly.
"I dunno. I suppose we have two options." he paused. "We could stick together," both teens shuddered at the thought, "Or we could split up."
Hermione didn't even have to think twice about which one she preferred. "I think it would be better if we split up. That way it will be harder for them to follow us." Hermione was about to ask Malfoy why Death Eaters would be after him, since she assumed he was one or was going to be one, but decided now was not the time.
"I agree."
"We could meet up again somewhere and that way if one of us gets caught the other will know and can alert some one."
"That sounds like a good idea. Can you apparate?"
"Yes."
"Good, there's an apparating point just inside Gringotts' lobbey. We can sneak into the building and then apparate some where safe."
"Malfoy! That's breaking an entry." Hermione hissed, in disappointment.
Draco rolled his eyes at her strict view on breaking rules. "Granger, I don't know about you, but at the moment I would prefer to break an entry instead of being caught by a bunch of Lord Voldemort's followers."
Hermione looked at the ground in embarrassment, "I suppose your right."
"Now as I was saying," he went on like she hadn't even spoken, "I'll go left, so you don't have to pass by Knockturn Alley, and you go right. We'll meet at the entrance of Gringotts' in fifteen minutes. If your not there when I get there, I'll wait for five minutes. And if you still haven't shown by then I'm leaving. I'm trusting that you'll do the same for me and you better.." he finished in sincerity and seriousness
Hermione stood there in shock, she was quite surprised that Malfoy had taken control like he did. And yet he was still able to maintain his I'm-better-than-you-and-always-will-be since of pride. "Alright, fifteen minutes." The both turned to head in the directions they would be running. Hermione was just about to turn the corner when Malfoy called out her name. She turned.
"Be careful, Granger. Death Eaters move quickly and most of the time undetected. Be aware of your surroundings , especially in the shadows."
"Thanks." Hermione replied, taken aback that he: Draco Malfoy of Slytherin house, most arrogant pureblood of all was giving Hermione Granger of Gryffindor and muggle born, a sincere word of caution. It was like he almost cared…..almost.
"THERE THEY ARE!" the both turned to see a Death Eater looking out of Hermione's room window.
"FIFTEEN MINUTES GRANGER!" Malfoy shouted as they both began to run.
"RIGHT!" she replied as she turned the corner.
Hermione ran, not knowing where she was going; but then, at the same time she seemed to know exactly where she was going. She ran past the owlry and past Ollivander's Wands. She turned down a small alley way, and then another, bringing her back to the main road. She passed the Quidditch shop, and then the robe shop. She could hear someone behind her, so she ran down another side alley and then another, once again returning to the main street. She past Flourish and Blott's and could just make out Gringotts' around the corner up ahead, and as far as she knew she had lost the person chasing her. She picked up her pace, but as she did she tripped on a stone, sending her tumbling to the ground, her wand flying ten feet away from her.
She screamed out in pain, as she felt her knee hit the hard cobblestone road, and bend in an unnatural way, followed my a small cracking noise. She heard a merciless laugh from the direction she had come. I hope Malfoy heard me, she thought. She almost laughed at the thought of wishing Malfoy was here at the moment. She quickly pushed the thought from her mind, remember the severity of her situation and tried to stand, but was only sent back to the ground again. The pain in her knee was too much.
"Well, well, well. The little Mudblood's fallen and can't get up." Hermione immediately recognized the voice.
"Bellatrix." Hermione said, turning to face the evil woman.
"Surprised to see me"
"Very."
"Tsk, tsk Mudblood. I heard you were the smartest witch of your time, but it appears you aren't. You, should know that the Dark Lord and his followers always escape. Always."
"You may have escaped this time Bellatrix, but I will tell you know that you will soon be back at Azkaban. For I'm certain that the Order is already aware that you and your fellow Death Eaters are already here. And I assure you, this time you won't escape."
"Trying to be tough, are we Mudblood? Let ME set things straight for YOU. This time YOU won't escape. You may have two years ago, but this time you won't. Look around you Mudblood. You're lying on the ground and you can't get up, without a wand." she pointed to Hermione's wand ten feet down the street. "While I, am very capable of walking and have a very nice wand." She paused, if she hadn't been wearing a mask, Hermione would have seen a maniac grin on her gaunt face. "Allow me to help you up, Mudblood."
Hermione's eyes grew wide with fear as Bellatrix raised her wand and opened her mouth,
"STUPEFY!"
But to, Hermione's relief, it wasn't Bellatrix who cast the spell. For she was now, limp on the ground. Hermione's head spun to look behind her and saw two figures running towards her.
"TONKS!" Hermione cried out, relief flooding through her veins.
"Hey Hermione, how yah been?" Tonks said, painting., but still bringing humor into the situation.
Hermione smiled at the witch, who she considered to be a sister. Over the past few years Hermione and Tonks had become quite close, despite the small age gap between the two.
"I've been better." Tonks smiled at Hermione's reply as she walked over to the unconscious Bellatrix.
"Well, who do we have here." Tonks removed the mask.
"Bellatrix Lang." Hermione said simply.
"Should of known she'd be here." came quiet, venomous voice from behind Hermione. For the first time since being saved Hermione looked at the person who had accompanied Tonks. It was Malfoy. And by the looks of it, he was not happy to see his aunt.
"Yes, well. What do you say we get out here? By the sounds of it, everyone else has either been caught or disappeared." Tonks asked. Hermione and Draco both nodded. Hermione tried to stand, but fell again with an humph. "You all right Hermione?"
"No, I think I broke my knee when I tripped."
"Right oh. Well, then Malfoy you help her. I'll have to handle Bellatrix. Once we find someone else from the Order they can take Bellatrix and the three of us will leave." Tonks gave no time for either of the teens to retort about Malfoy helping Hermione.
Malfoy looked down at Hermione and Hermione looked right back. Both glaring. "Well!" Hermione nearly screamed, growing impatient. Malfoy just rolled his eyes, before he bent down to help her up.
"I need my wand." the girl said shortly, pointing to her wand a few feet away. Malfoy glared at her.
"Accio wand." Hermione's wand flew into his hand, and he thrust it in her direction.
"Come on you two!"
Hermione and Malfoy caught up with Tonks and all three were making their wayu towards The Leaky Cauldron. Hermione was next to Bellatrix unconscious body, with her arm draped around Malfoy's neck who was on her right. Tonks was a few feet behind the three, levitating the body.
Hermione looked down at Bellatrix, "I told you, you wouldn't escape." she whispered.
Author's Note: Tah dah! Chapter Three! Now, that we're getting into the plot and everything, more and more characters will be seen in each chapter, I will even be adding one of my own.
absolute power: Thank you for adding 525,600 Minutes to your favorites! That's so cool!
princess-kristi: Thanks for the review!
Exploded Toilet bowl: Thanks for the compliment. Do you listen to RENT too? Thanks for the review?
-subtle love-: Thank you for your review. Thank you for your input, I really appreciate. I'm always looking for ways to improve my writing. And I'll let you know, I generally don't use parenthesis, so you won't be seeing to many more of them, if any. But thank you again, I really appreciate and I hope you continue reading!
stephanie: That's exactly what I do. If I'm not listening to Wicked (have you seen the show?), I'm listening to Rent (Idina Menzel is awesome!) And if not one of those two, I listen to some other musical sound track. I love the trailer, it's awesome. I saw it yesterday in the theater and litterally squealed, I can't wait for the movie. Have you seen the show? Thanks for the review
More to come soon!
The Lonely Goatherd