Stuck in Love

Summary: The clock's ticking as a new player is introduced into the battle to save Hermione's life.

Disclaimer: These characters I do not own. These characters I do not own. These characters I do not own. These characters I do not own. These characters I do not own.

Chapter Nineteen:Part One

Draco ran to Hogsmeade as fast as he could, knowing that was the only way he would be able to apparate to Malfoy Manor. His muscles burned and so did his lungs as he tried to keep breathing. He had to keep going. He had to save Hermione.

0000

Harry looked around Hogsmeade as Dumbledore, McGonagall, Lupin and other members from the Order of the Phoenix discussed the best way to get Hermione back. He sighed and looked at Neville, who was trying to comfort Ginny, who was a complete mess. There was Ron, who looked like he was trying not to cry. And then there was Seamus, who had no idea what to do. Harry let out a frustrated sigh and walked over toward his friends.

"I'm going to Malfoy Manor. Who's coming with me?"

All four of the Gryffindors nodded. "I am." They replied, glancing at each other with smiles.

"All right then, come on. Everyone grab hold and don't let go no matter what!" Harry hissed, figuring Neville would be the one to let go from fear.

"Ready?" At everyone's nod, Harry counted down. "Three...two...one..."

Lupin glanced over at the teenagers just in time to see Harry get ready to disapparate them all. "Harry, no!"

The rest of the members looked over to see Harry disapparate out of Hogsmeade. Mad Eye Moody growled. "Damn kids."

"Lupin and Tonks, you go and get them back. The rest of us, off to Malfoy Manor."

Tonks sighed and stood near Lupin. "Why do we get stuck saving their necks?"

"Because Moody hates kids." Lupin replied as they disapparated after the 7th years.

0000

As soon as Draco entered Hogsmeade, he collapsed onto his knees to try to catch his breath. He had to get to Malfoy Manor and save Hermione. Draco stood up to apparate, but fell back down onto his knees.

"Guess I'll...rest here...for a little while..." He panted, lying down on the ground and staring up at the sky.

0000

"Okay, genius, where do we go from here?" Ginny hissed at Harry, smacking his arm.

"Hey! I got us here, okay! Do I have to think of everything!"

"Shhh!" Ginny, Neville, Ron and Seamus hushed him.

"Where do you five think you're going?" Lupin asked behind the group.

Ginny yelped and jumped, spinning around. "Oh. It's just you." She sighed and leaned against Neville, who blushed profusely.

"Come on, we're getting you out of here." Tonks said, shooing them toward a door.

"No, we have to find Hermione." Harry said.

Lupin and Tonks shared a look. They knew that no matter what they said, Harry would probably find a way to help Hermione in the end.

"You know, it wouldn't be such a bad idea for them to help." Tonks whispered to Lupin, who eventually nodded in agreement.

"I know. But Dumbledore wouldn't like the idea."

"He doesn't like any idea that involves the students. But they're going to do it anyway. Might as well help them and keep them out of serious danger." Tonks responded.

Lupin nodded again and walked toward the group of five. "Listen, you can help. But you are not allowed to go anywhere without Tonks or I. Understood?"

The group nodded and they, plus the two adults, started to walk around the manor.

"Where would Lucius keep Hermione?" Neville asked, his voice just above a whisper.

"In a dungeon, I would assume." Lupin replied, motioning for them to be quiet. He heard music coming from somewhere. "Tonks, take the kids and look around some more. I'm going to see where that music is coming from." He disappeared before Tonks could reply.

"I hate when he does that," Tonks muttered under her breath as she motioned for the group of kids to get moving. "Always disappears to some place."

"What if we don't find Hermione in time?" Ginny asked softly, looking mainly toward Harry.

"We will. We've got to."

0000

Lucius barged into the dungeon, startling Hermione from the perfect dream she was having. "They're looking for you. I just subdued the damn werewolf." He snapped, walking over and unlocking the chains keeping her to the wall.

Hermione sighed gratefully and rubbed her wrists, which were red and scratched up. "Thank God," she muttered. "What are you going to do?"

"I haven't decided. My orders are not to kill you, but I'm tempted to."

Lucius' reply made Hermione raise an eyebrow. "Orders? Since when do you take orders?"

Malfoy silently cursed himself as he lifted his wife into his arms. He had said too much and would certainly be punished for doing so. "Never mind. Let's go."

"No," Hermione was finally able to stand, and did so gladly. She stretched and glared at Lucius. She was obviously wandless and could easily be overtaken by Lucius. But she stood her ground anyway and crossed her arms over her chest. "I want you to explain yourself. And now."

Lucius growled and took a step forward. "I don't have time for your games, girl. Now let's go."

"No, Lucius, I'm curious as to what you meant myself," Narcissa added quietly, lifting her head up slowly. She was still rather weak, but Lucius set her down on her feet nonetheless.

Hermione stepped forward and had Draco's mother lean on her some. "We're not leaving until you explain yourself."

It was two against one, but Lucius was pretty sure he could take them both on. Narcissa was hardly a threat. But that mudblood, Granger, was. She was one of the most powerful witches known to the wizarding world. She knew everything about everything.

She was not one to be messed with.

"Who do you suppose I'm taking orders from?" He challenged, smirking slightly.

Hermione's eyes widened slightly. So there was a bigger person at play: Voldemort. She should have known.

But why would Voldemort be so interested in her relationship with Draco?

"Can we go now?" Lucius asked again.

"Why in such a rush, Lucius?" A voice asked from the doorway.

A/N: Short chapter, sorry. But the next chapter is most definitely the last.