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Chapter 11
Rescue

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"Where is she?" Draco demanded as he burst into the Wood's home. "Where's Hermione?"

"Draco!" Ginny squeaked. "Bill!"

"Draco, why are we in my sister's house?"

"She was the one in my office!" he blurted out as Ginny hid her face. Draco stepped up to her. "Where in Merlin's name is she?"

"Draco, please!" she shouted. "I don't know! I didn't even know she was missing!"

Bill, still surprised at his sister's betrayal to her husband, remained silent through the inquisition.

Draco's shoulders slumped. "You have no idea?"

Ginny shook her head. "No."

Draco exhaled loudly and turned to leave; Bill was following behind--mute.

"Try Harry's," she called back.

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"Ron, let me leave," Hermione begged. She was tired of being locked up in the small room. The first hour of her captivity she had thought it all a joke. Then, as she realized that her two best friends had indeed lost it, she became defiant. Now, nearly eighty hours later, she was simply exhausted.

"Sorry, Hermione," Ron said from outside of the door. "Only Harry has the keys."

"Why are you letting him keep me a hostage?" she asked.

"It's for your own good. Malfoy's evil. You're better off without him. We're just trying to help you see that," he explained.

Hermione groaned and threw herself onto the bed. Suddenly, a loud crash, followed by a series of muted shouts, filled Hermione's ears. The noise seemed to be coming from the front door downstairs.

"What the...? I'll be back, Hermione," Ron called as he left his post to investigate the racket.

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"Weasel..." Draco growled. "I never liked you."

"I--I--I know," Ron said as he backed away from Draco's extended wand.

"Where is she?"

"Who?" asked Harry, his own wand pointed at Draco. Draco spun around to face Harry hatefully.

"You know who!"

"I do believe, Malfoy, that Voldemort was killed almost five years ago," Harry snickered. "By me," he added with a sardonic smile.

"Damn it, Potter. What have you done with Hermione? I know she is here. Bill's outside by her car, calling the Ministry for backup."

"Oh? A rescue party? How charming." Harry turned to Ron. "Stay here. I'll go talk to Hermione."

Ron swallowed at the prospect of being alone with Malfoy but nodded.

As Harry headed up the stairs, Draco glared down at Ron who was cowering against a wall. "Alone at last, Weasel. What curses shall I practice on you while we await Potter's return?"

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"Your hero's arrivd," Harry informed Hermione.

"I told you he would figure this out," she said.

Harry opened up the door to the bedroom and stepped inside. He locked it again.

"Unfortunately, he's also brought the Ministry. They're not here yet, but when they do get here, we can't have you spreading lies about how Ron and I kidnapped you for the prospect of breaking you and Malfoy up.

"But you did--"

"But they don't know that. And a simple memory spell will prevent you from knowing as well." He raised his wand and Hermione's eyes widened in fear. She didn't even have her own wand to defend herself.

But just as Harry began to speak the incantation, "Obliviate," the door behind him burst open and he took at least eight stunning spells from behind. He fell to the ground.

A/N: This is the second to the last chapter, all. Review and the last one will be up within the next three days!

Lemony Chocolate

Brittany and Amber (ShiverBoo)