A/N - this is the second last chapter, please review and tell me what you guys want summed up in the lat chap, i might write a christmas epilogue, depends how it all goes. This was the hardest chapter to write, i wrote most of it to depressing music, it sounded so much better played with emotional music, lol. anyway, hope you enjoy, please review, i'd like to know what you guys want in the last chapter.
CHAPTER TEN
Harry crept up to the bushes, placing his wand in the pocket of his jeans, he used both hands to pull apart the thick, dark leaves.
"I'll go get the Albino fur then?"
"Shut up and do it Malfoy!"
"I'm going lover boy" Draco strode into the dark and left Harry peering at Hermione in her peak of helplessness.
He took in the appearance of the clearing; the ground was dark and sandy, with various, slightly hidden roots showing there faces from either side of the circular space. There was a bright light placed in the centre of the clearing, one which you were unable to see through the thick leaves surrounding the clearing. There were thick and thin trees surrounding the clearing, rooted steadily to the ground, towering over the clearing leaving a small gap in the centre, letting the natural moonlight stream in, this seemed to be powering the light in the clearing. Scanning the clearing, Harry looked over at the tree Hermione was bound to; it was thick in diameter, seemed quite old, as the bark was flaking slightly. Hermione had given up her struggle against the invisible ropes, holding her to the tree. Harry looked over tho where Viktor was sitting; old leg across the other, on an old tree stump, slowly polishing his wand with a red, velvet cloth. Harry took advantage of his pre-occupation to make his way around the clearing towards Hermione.
Harry watched where he was walking, he did not want to take the chance to trip and bring unwanted attention to himself. As he crept closer to the back of the tree, he ran his hands over the flaking bark, searching for any sign of a rope he could untie, but his hands swept clear over, scratching the tips of his fingers.
Slowly running his hands down from the tree to Hermione's hands, fidgeting on the bark, Harry brushed her fingers lightly, and she flicked them, attempting to frighten the bug that was crawling on her fingers. As Harry fingered softly up her forearm, leading towards her elbow, she wiggled her arm. As Harry continued to lightly caress her arm, the agitation she felt grew.
"Argh" she growled to herself, shaking her shoulder violently.
"What's the matter with you?" Viktor asked accusingly, with a hint of worry in his voice.
"Nothing, a bug, on my arm, argh" As Hermione once more shook her shoulder, Viktor began to approach her.
"Don't touch me!" she said, the look of displeasure turning to one of anger.
"I'll just remove the bug, that's all" Viktor replied, with puppy-dog eyes and false innocence in his voice.
As Viktor strode towards Hermione, he slowly walked around to the tree, greeted only with two, soft hands; no invasion of bugs could be seen.
Harry watched Viktor approaching the tree, his wand held tightly in his hand.
"Don't touch me!"
"I'll just remove the bug that's all" Harry continued to touch Hermione's forearm. Viktor made his way towards Hermione. As he rounded the tree, Harry followed, making sure he was opposite the offender at all times.
"I don't see anything" Hermione gave a small gasp as Harry rounded the tree, his wand held securely in his hand, pointing towards the side of the crumbling tree. Viktor stood from behind the tree and strode back into the clearing only to be met by fierce eyes.
Silence fell on the clearing. All the previous sounds of Chittering from the bushes had ceased, as though they were unable to break the silence that had been created. Harry breathed in deeply, his heart was pounding, his eyes were set squarely on Viktor's. He could hear the blood rushing through his body, pumping through his near to broken heart. His hand shook as he and Viktor stood, facing each other, barely on either side of the small clearing, wands posed, ready to fight.
Harry searched the surroundings from the corner of his eyes. His eyes locked on the light source, still sitting as though unaware of the pending peril. He followed the outline of the clearing and his eyes met Hermione's . . . struggling against the ropes, she hung loosely, unable to move any longer. She looked pleadingly at Harry, and he could feel his heart, slowly breaking in tow, he felt the anger rising in his chest, and his eyes followed the drip of sweat that pursued the slender curve of his nose.
"What are you doing here?" Harry stared fiercely at his opponent as his lips moved, caressing his fierce words. He breathed in, not taking his eyes off Viktor's dedicated face.
"Getting rid of the vermin you seemed to have missed"
As Harry watched Viktor take in his words, he prepared himself for a duel. Without warning. The taunting silence was broken, by a deep and forceful yell.
"Expelliarmus!"
"Protego, Conjuntiviti!" As Harry stood backwards, preparing his next move, he felt his eyes swell, as his vision began to blur, he pulled both hands up to his face in a desperate attempt to clear his eyesight. As his peripheral vision blurred and failed, he used both hands to wipe his eyes, scraping them of the irritating viscous that had accumulated. As Harry watched as if from a distance, Viktor, standing in the clearing, sneering, he slowly watched as all he could see was Viktor's body, then face, then eyes . . . until all his vision was gone. Harry scraped his eyes violently, stinging them and feeling the unemotional tears streaming down his face. As he stumbled backwards, unable to keep his balance, Harry caught his foot in what felt like a thick tree root, and fell backwards, onto the hard ground. Still clutching his wand, Harry attempted to regain his balance and dignity, but managed only to further himself in the vulnerable position. Listening to the noises surrounding him, hoping for some sign of Viktor's movements, Harry put aside the sound of Hermione's crys' for his safety and heard heavy footsteps coming towards him.
"Silencio" Listening to the crunch of dead leaves and the sound of slight panting, Harry ley there, unable to see his coming doom, only hearing the movements frightening Hermione to her silenced pleads. As the footsteps stopped next to Harry's immobile body, he could feel breath on his face.
Viktor watched Harry attempted to clear his eyes, scouring in circles, as he stood, with proud stance, as if receiving a trophy. He held his position, watching Harry fumble slowly, backwards towards the protruding root. It seemed to him, that this time, Harry Potter could lead to his own downfall, without the help of others. Viktor stood, not wanting to distract Harry, changing his pathway until finally, Harry's foot stumbled on the upturned root, pulling him to the ground. Now, able to move without the hope of distraction, Viktor took one quick look at Hermione, screaming from her bounds, no doubt wanting to be by his side . . . not for long . . .
"Silencio" Silencing Hermione's screams and stepping up to Harry, slowly, not regarding the leaves crushing under his feet, Viktor stood next to Harry, as he moved his head aimlessly, trying to find the direction of the noise. He had done it; he had Harry Potter in his grasp, for him to finally get the profits, those of one Hermione Granger.
Viktor stood next to Harry in the centre of the clearing, all that could be heard were the heavy breaths of two warriors and the now silenced screams of a young, distressed girl. Viktor squatted onto the ground his wand still in his hand, leaning casually upon his knee. Harry's ears were prickling, listening for the noises he could. Viktor took the chance of Harry's vulnerability to point his wand directly at the boys face, squarely between the eyes. As the eerie silence feel once more on the clearing, Viktor prepared himself for the final doing . . .
. . . when he felt something strong on the back of his knees, the pressure made them buckle, and he fell to the ground, quickly attempting to regain his position of power, Viktor stood but found himself face to face with Harry's bleeding eyes.
"Everte Statum!" As Viktor's feet lifted off the ground, his body was propelled with a force stronger than any the three present had seen before. Viktor's legs flew forward smashing the light source in the centre of the clearing, as he headed backwards through the air towards the opposite side of the clearing. Harry stood panting, listening as Viktor hit himself hard on a large tree, following its limbs hardly to the ground, where he lay slumped, wand next to his broken body. Slowly looking around, Harry saw is eyesight slowly return, as the viscous cleared from his vision. His eyes were sore and covered in dried blood, clearing all he could without stimulating further blood flow, the clearing was dark, without the light source, it was only lit slightly by the moonlight spreading through the trees. Harry ran over to Hermione's side.
"Finite Incantatem" he said, finally giving her the ability to speak. He stood confused as Hermione wiggled out of the invisible ropes that were holding her so tightly only minutes before.
"Oh Harry!" Hermione jumped on Harry and hugged him tightly around his neck, Harry gladly returned the favour, holding her tightly to his body, his arms securely around her waist. He was never letting her go again. As Hermione nuzzled her sobbing face into his slightly bloodied neck, Harry rested his head on hers. To Harry's disappointment, they finally pulled apart, and Hermione got a good look at Harry's gory face. She caressed it slightly with her hand and mumbled
"Bleedio Amendo" Harry felt the cuts and bruising around his eyes fade, a tingeling sensation much preferred to the screeching pain of his wounds. As he pulled his hand up to his face he felt no cuts, only the smooth texture of his skin. As Hermione stood, close to him, staring up at his thankful gaze, both felt the extreme erge to give in to their wants. As Harry leaned downward towards Hermione's face, he felt her breath upon his lips. Hermione's body tingeled as Harry leaned towards her, as Harry slowly closed his eyes . . . Hermione saw something out of the corner of her vision. She yanked away from Harry, ignoring his surprised face and pushed him out of the way yelling
"Petrificus Totalus" As Hermione stood, slightly shaking, she watched Viktor's crawling body suddenly straighten, his arms jolt suddenly by his side and his eyes stared up straight, unable to move. Harry turned surprised by Hermione's sudden grab at his wand and saw Viktor body lying behind him, just out of the shadows. He smiled at the thought, he wasn't expecting her to return the favour, especially so soon.
Harry turned back around to look at Hermione, smiling at her handy work. As Harry took Hermione's hand, he pulled it up to his, and wrapped his free arm around her trembling waist, Hermione pulled her arm up around his head, and they pulled apart slightly, to finally pick up where they had left off. Hermione's eyes closed as she leaned towards Harry's slightly open mouth. Finally, after so long of uncertain wants, they were filled. Trembles went through Hermione's body as she held Harry close, Harry felt the pressure on his body and returned to favour. Their romantic moment was broken by the sound of cursing and stomping coming towards them. The two pulled apart when they heard.
"Great, just bloody fantastic. Do you know how much they charged me! It's like they had no idea who I was! And now I come back to this! It seems everyone has someone but me!" Draco stomped into the clearing and shoved the tightly fastened bag of albino fur into Harry's free hand.
"We better be getting back to the castle"
"Good idea"
"What about Ron? What was he doing?"
"Sleeping"
"Why am I not surprised? I am in fatal peril and he sleeps his way through it?" the two giggled as Draco continued his argument with himself about the undignified way he was treated.
Hermione and Harry, still holding each other, Harry's arm around Hermione's shoulder, pulled apart to let Harry carry Viktor's frozen body back to the castle.
The four made their way through the thick forest, and back to the castle, watching the pitch black sky above them, and wondering . . . what they could do next.
okay, now what would you guys like to know more anout?