"What do you need, Malfoy?" Hermione asked irately. "And what have you done to Sirius?"
"I bloody well saved your lovebird's life." Draco shot back immediately. "But I'm really not sure how long that will last. I need you to come to the Department of Mysteries with me to take loverboy and Pro—Lupin to the hospital."
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Hermione dashed at a breakneck speed across the Atrium, an already panting Draco trundling along behind. He only caught up to her, impatiently waiting for the lift. He did not attempt to speak with her, as he knew he would be no help. Because of him, they could not Apparate directly to the Department of Mysteries… not past all the security Draco had hastily put up on his rushed way out less than half an hour before. He doubted, however, in her current state, that she would have thought about that, instead of just rushing to save Sirius.
The lift opened, and Draco passed through easily, but Hermione felt a small jolt before walking in. Draco felt a twinge as she did so, too.
"Someone has secured this place." Hermione said, in a heavy tone.
"That would be me." Malfoy muttered.
Hermione nodded almost curtly, and they were both silent in anxiety for a few prolonged moments, as the lift descended.
"This is it." Draco said when they reached the floor of the Department of Mysteries, and stopped to wait for Hermione, but she was already halfway down the hall. She had already known. Draco ran after her.
She was holding the door open for him with her foot at the end of the corridor, and he entered the room. Hermione stepped in completely; the door clicked to a close.
"Step away from the wall." Hermione said impassively, just as the walls began to spin.
"I know." Malfoy snapped.
When the spinning wall finally stopped, Draco and Hermione both pointed their wands at the sam door, directly in front of them, uttered the same spell, and began checking their paths, Malfoy, clockwise, and Hermione, counterclockwise.
They reached the door that had been directly behind them at the same time, and both said, "This way." Hermione did not even waste her time stopping to glare at Draco, instead rushing blindly ahead.
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The amphitheatre was filled with only the small whimpering moans emitted by Sirius. Lupin shifted uncomfortably. Sirius was so very, very weak… if he was not at the hospital within the next few seconds, it would be too late.
Lupin bit at his lower lip. Where were Draco and Hermione?
They burst through the door at that moment, Hermione a good five paces ahead of the panting Draco. Hermione flew down the steps and to Sirius side, kneeling in a pool of his blood. She hung her head over him.
"He isn't dead." She said, finally, sounding immensely relieved.
"No, but he's close enough to it." Lupin said. "I don't think he'll make it to St. Mungo's."
"He will." Hermione said determinedly, just as Draco reached the spot where they were. She turned to the pale boy, who was a little flustered with so much running. "Can you carry him?"
"Of course." Draco said, although he did look a little tired to do so.
"Then I'll support Lupin, and the four of us will use those Atrium fireplaces to Floo out of here and to St. Mungo's." She looked lovingly at Sirius. "And, once we're there, he'll be just fine."
He stirred again, mumbling a little and licking his lower lip.
Lupin sighed inside as he allowed himself to be propped up by Hermione. He really hoped they would all be alright, but he had a terrible feeling that they were just a little too late to save Sirius.
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A/N: I know I promised more, I'm so sorry! It's almost done, I swear it, just like two more chapters and then an epilogue. Thank you for being so lovely, and please do keep reviewing!