The Death Eaters were shouting.
Something had altered their plans…
"Where is Avery?" Dolohov asked.
"He was still unconscious when we fled the abbey," a voice said. "Probably dead now…"
Hermione looked over at Harry. He was struggling against Yaxley, but the wizard held a firm grip on him. She'd expected Bellatrix to imprison them in Greymoor Castle, the infamous fortress Nikola had told her about, but instead they'd landed on a dimly lit street.
In the distance there was a winding lane that led to an old house.
The Death Eaters moved towards it, but at once, Bellatrix deemed it unsuitable, urging them to change location once more.
Hermione caught Harry's eye just before everything around them shifted again.
She felt an invisible band tightening around her chest. Her eyeballs were forced back into her head, her eardrums pounded loudly…
She wasn't used to apparating this way, without clear focus or direction….
She lost count of how many times they vanished and reappeared, each time somewhere new: a dilapidated bridge, an old country inn, an abandoned railway station…
Moments later her feet hit solid ground again.
"Hurry!" Dolohov shouted.
It was colder here than anywhere else they'd gone. The icy chill seeped into Hermione's bones, making her shiver.
She heard the sound of crashing waves, and the distant clap of thunder…
Bellatrix forced her upright.
They were standing in the middle of an island. In the distance was an old, medieval tower that overlooked the ocean. It was tall and looming. The crumbling ruins of an old castle were behind it, and a large moat surrounded the perimeter.
"Why have we come here?" Yaxley snapped, looking up at the clouded sky. He turned to Bellatrix. "We should have taken them to Greymoor—"
"Do not question my judgment!"
"The Magical Alliance has never managed to break through—"
"We can't take the risk!" Bellatrix shouted. "Not with those devils on the loose. We can't lose Potter!"
The Arévalos, Hermione thought. Bellatrix was frightened of the Arévalos…
"We will hold the traitors here until the Dark Lord arrives," she said firmly.
Lucius turned to her. "The Dark Lord is at Inverness, there was a muggle uprising just before we left…"
Harry and Hermione exchanged glances.
"Dolohov," Bellatrix commanded. "Seek out the McKays, bring us news of the battle. Tell them we have Potter."
Dolohov nodded and disapparated.
Everyone else made their way to the tower.
There was a small boat waiting for them at the edge of the moat.
Bellatrix dragged Hermione into it, closely followed by Snape.
It began to move on its own, rocking dangerously. Hermione gripped the sides of the vessel, praying they wouldn't turn over. Bellatrix grinned at her madly, enjoying her discomfort. Hermione swallowed. She sensed dark creatures lurked beneath the surface of the water…
It began to rain.
Hermione looked at Snape suspiciously. He had not panicked like the others when the Arévalos had arrived at the abbey…
It was also odd, the way Dolohov had lost control over Harry…it was as if someone had confunded him.
Hermione tried to catch Snape's eye, but he turned away from her. Beads of water dripped down his sallow skin, and his eyes were like two tunnels, dark and unyielding.
Moments later Bellatrix hauled Hermione out of the boat, and everyone struggled to catch up with them.
Hermione was shoved into the tower and pushed up a long, spiral staircase that went on forever.
She tried to catch her breath as she climbed. There were only six Death Eaters. If she and Harry found a way to defend themselves, maybe they could escape...
When they reached the landing, there was a crash at the bottom of the stairs. Someone had thrown open the door.
The Death Eaters pressed themselves against the wall.
Dolohov came into view. He'd returned, soaked to the skin from the rain.
"The Magical Alliance is attacking our forces," he said, breathless.
They heard a distant clap of thunder.
"They laid siege to Voldemort's army at Inverness. They know we have Potter. Sebastián Arévalo is with them. His coven is merciless."
Bellatrix fought to keep her voice steady. "And the Dark Lord?"
"He is fighting. Edevane is commanding the army."
"The Arévalos in Britain," Yaxley repeated. "As if we didn't have enough with the Norwegian allies the Order procured."
Bellatrix ignored him. "We must go to the Dark Lord's aide!" she cried passionately. We must take Potter to him at once!"
Lucius scowled at her. "And if the Allies re-capture him in the midst of battle, what then? It's better to keep him here, locked away, until the skirmish is over."
Bellatrix looked at Yaxley. "Take Potter upstairs. We'll wait to hear news of the attack."
Yaxley gripped the hood of Harry's jumper and dragged him away.
"It will be the top of the tower for you, Mudblood," Bellatrix cried, seizing Hermione's arm and leading her up another set of steps.
Someone moved towards them.
"I'll see to the mudblood, Aunt Bella—"
"NO!" Bellatrix shouted, turning to look at Draco.
The light from her wand shone on his face, illuminating his white-blonde hair.
Hermione had avoided looking at him since they'd left the abbey. She felt her chest tighten as their eyes locked.
"Handsome, isn't he?" Bellatrix whispered to Hermione. "You should never trust a man with a face like that…with lips that tell lies and eyes that see right through you."
She laughed, turning to address her nephew again.
"You must learn to share, Draco. You've had your fun with her. It's my turn now."
She pressed her lips to Hermione's ear. "Quite the liar isn't he?" she said loudly.
Hermione flinched.
Draco stiffened, looking at his aunt with cold dread.
Behind the mad gleam in her eye, there was an intelligence that paralyzed him.
The way she was smiling at him, it was like she knew.
Did she see his failed attempt to curse her at the abbey? He couldn't be sure, it had all happened so fast…
Bellatrix twisted Hermione's arm, making her cry out in pain.
"Go with the others," she commanded Draco. "Make yourself useful."
Lucius pulled Draco away.
"What were you thinking?!" he hissed.
Draco tried to think logically. Bellatrix wouldn't kill Hermione, at least not yet. She would want her to suffer slowly, painfully…she would want her to witness Harry's death…
Lucius shoved Draco into an empty room and slammed the door behind them.
"Why are we here?" Draco shouted to his father, gesturing at the stone walls of the tower. "Why aren't we at the manor?"
"The manor is too close to London," said Lucius. "The city has become a muggle stronghold. The rebels know of Voldemort, they've learned the names of his closest followers. They know who we are, they know where we live. It's only a matter of time, until they burn the place to the ground."
"So make it unplottable!"
Lucius sneered. "It's not that easy. The muggles know how to detect locations hidden by magic. They've found ways to override our spells..."
Draco looked at him, shocked. They had to hide from muggles?
"Why did you raise your wand to Bellatrix?" Lucius asked.
Draco swallowed, searching for an excuse. "I wanted to confund her, so that Ronald Weasley could get away," he lied. "If the Dark Lord loses the war, we can say we freed him—we would appear merciful—to the Magical Alliance and the Order."
"You must never utter words like that again," his father snapped. "The Dark Lord's failure is not a possibility we are permitted to contemplate. If Bellatrix should hear—if she had seen what you were about to do…"
Draco shook his head. "She thanked me for a job well done. She saw nothing, she was distracted."
Draco said this more bravely than he felt. He too feared that his aunt had grown suspicious, but he was not about to share that information with his father.
Lucius struggled to maintain his composure. "Bellatrix often has moments of lucidity that would shock you. I fear she uses her madness as a cloak, a disguise to slip undetected, to learn our secrets…"
Lucius stepped closer to his son. "You will tell me the truth now. Why did you raise your wand to her?"
"I told you before—"
"DON'T LIE TO ME! I saw the way you looked at the Mudblood—the pallor in your face when she realized your betrayal."
"Father—"
"This is no time for games!"
Draco snapped. "She fell for me, just as you said she would!"
Lucius seized his collar. "AND YOU?!"
Draco was silent.
Lucius cursed at him loudly. "You were supposed to manipulate her, not the other way around! You haven't had her yet, is that it? The little Mudblood whore—"
"DON'T TALK ABOUT HER THAT WAY!" Draco shouted.
"Don't tell me that you're in love with her…"
Draco was silent.
The blood drained from his father's face. "Listen to me carefully, Draco. They will kill her. You have two choices. Look the other way, or offer to do it yourself. If you do it, you can give her a quick death…the Dark Lord will reward you for delivering Potter and his precious Mudblood friend."
Draco began to tremble. "I won't—"
Lucius grabbed his arm. "I saw you born, I saw you grow…I will not see you die. You will do it."
Draco exploded. "You said nothing when they forced me to take the mark! You said nothing when they gave me this mission! So you will say nothing when I—"
"WHAT?!" Lucius challenged. WHAT WILL YOU DO?!"
"I DON'T KNOW!"
Draco's hands clenched into fists. "But I won't stand by and let them kill her. I won't be a coward like my father!"
Something collided with Draco's jaw. His eyes watered with pain. He was thrown off balance, knocking into the wall behind him.
"I have always protected this family," Lucius spat.
"How can you say that?!" Draco shouted, turning to look at him. "You gave Mother away to Edevane!"
"That was beyond my control."
"Beyond your control?"
Draco stepped closer to Lucius, his whole body shaking.
"Listen to me carefully, father. If I live long enough to have a son, I won't use him as a pawn. If I am lucky enough to have a wife, I won't sell her to the highest bidder."
"And who would you have a son with?" Lucius spat. "With her? A mudblood? If you help the Granger girl, the Dark Lord will kill you. And even if you manage to get away, she'll want nothing to do with you. You betrayed her. She'll never take you back, Draco."
"I know that," he said simply. "But it doesn't mean I have to let her die."
Lucius looked at him coldly. "Then you are a fool."
Draco gave his father a pitying look. It was clear as day to him, that there was only one fool in this room.
"There are still traces of him on you," Bellatrix observed. "He kissed you here…"
Bellatrix let her hand wander down the column of Hermione's neck, where there was a small, red mark.
She laughed shrilly.
Hermione felt a pang in her chest. She and Draco had spent every night aboard the Dragomir together.
Draco had kissed her over and over, telling her he loved her. He'd gripped her so tightly he'd left small bruises on her neck, on her wrist, on her breasts…
It was his way of saying goodbye. And she had been too blind to see it.
Bellatrix smiled. "You must learn, little Mudblood, that love will only bring you pain."
Hermione raised her chin defiantly, unwilling to cower in front of her. "Do you not love the Dark Lord?"
Bellatrix raised an eyebrow, surprised at her candor. "Loyalty is not love." Bellatrix pressed her lips to her ear. "Do you think me mad?" she whispered.
Hermione opened her mouth to speak, but before she could say anything Bellatrix raised her wand.
"CRUCIO!"
Hermione screamed. It was like someone had poured petrol over her and lit a match. Her bones were on fire…
Bellatrix kicked her and she crashed to the floor, writhing in agony.
"Stop," Hermione gasped. "Please, stop..."
Bellatrix shouted over her. "It is I who helped the Dark Lord with his new killing curse! It is I who finished the spell that drained his enemies of magic!"
She hissed into Hermione's ear. "Brilliance is not madness, though many will call it so."
Hermione shut her eyes…it hurt to move…to breathe…
"If you help me, I will let you live. I will show you how to please the Dark Lord, how to be his most special pet, but first you must tell me one thing…what is hidden in the abbey?"
"W—what? I don't know—"
Bellatrix pressed the tip of her wand to Hermione's chest. "Shall I carve your heart out?"
Hermione's eyes widened in horror.
Bellatrix cackled with unadulterated joy. "After all, it led you astray…it brought you here, to me. Yes, best to remove it…"
Hermione screamed as her flesh was cut open…
She was choking on her own tears.
"I—I DON'T KNOW!" she screamed. "I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S HIDDEN IN THE ABBEY!"
"LIAR!" Bellatrix shrieked. "LIAAAAAR!"
Hermione struggled against her. Blood was trickling down her chest…
"CRUCIO!" Bellatrix screeched again.
Hermione's body twisted and jerked, her head knocked back onto the stone floor…
Nothing had prepared her for this.
For the next few minutes all she knew was pain, blood and the salty taste of her own tears.
The room went in and out of focus as Bellatrix danced wildly around her.
She heard the sound of her own screams, her ragged breathing, the rush of curses flying through the air…
Her vision blurred, she longed for death…anything to end this madness…
Her body went into shock…it wouldn't be long now…it would all be over soon…
Somewhere very far away, a door opened.
Someone called for Bellatrix.
There were footsteps, shouts, voices…
The door slammed.
Then another pair of hands were on her, dragging her up.
Hermione screamed, the pain in her body blinding.
The person holding her was speaking to her, but she couldn't hear anything over her own cries.
Her head was turned to one side, and she was forced to look into a pair of silver eyes.
She knew those eyes.
Her chest burned with rage.
"DON'T TOUCH ME! DON'T—"
Hermione pushed Draco away with the last drop of strength she had left.
He stumbled backwards.
When he regained his footing he raised his wand.
Hermione shielded her face, attempting to block his curse.
A jolt of pain shot through her. She looked down. The gash on her chest was closing.
Draco was sewing her flesh back together.
He was healing her.
"You're not supposed to be here," said Draco, kneeling in front of her. "You were supposed to stay at the camp."
Hermione leaned away from him, terror on her face. Did he heal her only to cut her open again?
"Why did you follow him?" Draco asked desperately. Why couldn't you stay out of it?"
Harry…he was talking about Harry.
Draco reached for her arm, but she struggled against him.
"You stole the Founders book!" Hermione cried, finding her voice again. "You told them where we were!"
Draco held her still."I never meant—it was only supposed to be—"
"Say it! It was only supposed to be Harry! You only want them to kill Harry!"
She clawed at Malfoy's face.
"STOP! HERMIONE—" He pried her arms apart. "Listen to me!" he hissed low into her ear, glancing at the door. He could hear the Death Eaters arguing on the floor below them. "They're panicking, they're not sure how to get to Voldemort. I'll help you escape…"
Hermione stared at him.
Escape? No, he was only telling her that to keep her calm, to subdue her…
"I'm not going anywhere without Harry," she said, her gaze fixed on Draco's wand.
"I can't help Harry," said Draco. You have to understand, they have my mother prisoner—"
Hermione felt her blood boil.
"Stop lying to me!"
"I'm not lying!"
She would be damned if she let him say another word. She slammed her head into his.
Draco fell sideways, screaming in agony.
Hermione crawled towards him, seizing his shoulders.
"How many times did you look into my mind, without my knowing it?!" she shrieked.
He was silent.
"How many?!"
"I don't know!" Draco said, lifting himself up. He seized her wrists. "More than once!"
Hermione's eyes filled with tears. She fought him again but he pinned her to the ground.
"Listen to me—it was the only way to save my family."
Hermione tried to kick him. "So it was my friends or your family. Harry's safety or yours."
"You don't understand—"
"You could've found another way!"
"What way? If there was another way I would have taken it, I swear—"
"I don't care!" Hermione shouted. "I don't care! Get off me!"
Her hands flew at his face again. Soon there were cuts on Draco's nose, his lips…but he refused to let her go.
There was a knock at the door.
"Everything alright?" called Dolohov. "Why don't you let me have a turn with her, she has some spirit, but I'll break her..."
He laughed and Hermione recoiled.
"I don't need your help!" Draco shouted firmly.
Hermione began to panic again, remembering the way Rookwood had cornered her at Hogwarts. What if Dolohov did the same?
"No one will touch you," Draco said fiercely, feeling her tremble.
She looked at him fearfully, wondering why he was still on top of her.
Comprehension dawned on Draco's face."I'm not here to hurt you! I'm here to help! I want to get you out…"
Tears streamed down Hermione's face. "I won't go anywhere with you! I won't leave Harry!"
Draco looked at her, aghast. "So you would die for him?!"
"YES!" she said without hesitating. "And I would have done the same for you!"
Draco was stunned into silence.
Hermione's chest rose and fell at an alarming rate, she felt like she was going to be sick…
Draco spoke in a low voice.
"Everything Sebastián told you about the old prophecy, I won't say anything to them. I'll find a way to get you out. So you can do what you have to do. So you can destroy Voldemort."
Hermione laughed, almost hysterically.
"So that's the reason you want me out? To save your precious hide?"
Draco flinched. He realized she wouldn't hear him out. He was wasting time, fighting with her…he needed to find a way to save her.
"Believe what you like," he said.
Hermione tried to kick him again. "I HATE YOU!"
"And I love you!" Draco hissed.
"Don't say that, not when you've brought me here..."
They both struggled to breathe.
"You have to do exactly as I say now—"
"I'm not leaving without Harry!"
"I can't help him, and if you stay here, you'll die."
Hermione swallowed. "I suppose I will then, won't I?"
"Have you gone mad?!" Draco cried.
Hermione stared into his eyes, unblinking. Her mind had never been clearer. Her parents, Harry and Ron were the only people who truly cared for her. Her time with Draco had been a delusion.
"It's not enough to survive, if it means I'll leave Harry behind to die."
Draco opened his mouth to argue, but he was interrupted by movement outside the door.
"Draco! It's Edevane! He's here!"
Hermione froze, the name sounded familiar to her…then she remembered.
Draco swallowed.
Hermione spoke again. "See if Voldemort kept his promise. See if he returned your mother to you."
Draco stood abruptly, a plan formulating in his mind. "Give me your coat—and your sweater."
"What?"
"Just do it!"
Hermione looked at him uneasily, removing the garments. She took the Founders Book out of the coat and clutched it to her chest, afraid he'd take it from her.
"Hide it," he warned.
Hermione shivered in her thin blouse, looking at him with apprehension.
Draco bolted the door and fled the room.
He believed Hermione when she said she wouldn't leave without Potter. He would have to change that…but first, there was something else he had to do…
It was difficult to see through the fog that spread on the island.
Yaxley and Bellatrix were speaking in low, anxious voices.
Draco stood by his father.
Moments later figures appeared, led by a tall wizard. His white hair was tied back into a long ponytail. He wore a leather coat, snakeskin shoes, and a long, pointed dagger hung from his waist.
He was agile as a fox even though he was seventy years of age.
Edevane walked towards them with his unmistakable swagger.
He was the only surviving member of the Original Seven—the first group of wizards to take the Dark Mark.
The Dark Lord had killed all the others, but Edevane alone was spared. He survived year after year, decade after decade, and to this day, no one knew why.
"Lucius Malfoy…" said Edevane, giving him a sly smile. "I hope you are well. It's been months since I saw you last."
Lucius looked at him sharply. "If you are here Edevane, then who is commanding our army?"
The old wizard waved his hand dismissively. "Helen and Mason McKay are more than capable of dealing with the muggle rabble. The Dark Lord wants Potter brought to him at once."
Lucius nodded, as if they were discussing a simple exchange of goods. "I will gladly hand him over, once you have returned my wife to me. That was the accord."
Edevane beckoned to his entourage.
A woman in a hooded cloak stepped forward.
Draco held his breath.
Edevane pulled the woman's hood down.
His mother was rail thin. She looked like she hadn't eaten properly in weeks. There were bruises on her neck.
Draco took an unconscious step forward.
Lucius pulled him back, seizing a handful of his robes. "Stay your ground," he whispered through gritted teeth.
Edevane nodded at Narcissa and she stepped forward.
She was so terribly thin, that Draco worried the sheer force of the wind would knock her over. He was forced to watch as she struggled with each step…
"Her company was…most pleasing," Edevane said with a satisfied smile. "I'm sorry to see her go."
Draco gripped his wand so tightly it was in danger of snapping.
When Narcissa finally reached them, Lucius offered her his arm. She clasped it with unsteady hands.
Bellatrix scowled.
She turned to Yaxley. "Fetch Potter!"
Draco noted that for once, he and his aunt were united in their hatred towards someone. She wanted Edevane gone just as much as he did.
Lucius beckoned Draco forward.
He took hold of his mother and pulled her close. Narcissa seized his shoulders, struggling to stand upright.
There was a loud crack, and they all jumped, looking to see who had apparated.
A man in mud-soaked clothes rushed towards them. "The allies are gaining ground. Braaten and the Arévalos have broken through our defenses…"
The man gasped for air, looking around for Edevane. "The Dark Lord says to keep Potter here until he sends word again."
"We must go back at once," Edevane commanded his followers, his cool demeanor gone. He turned to Lucius. "I will return shortly. I trust you can keep Potter under lock and key until then?"
Lucius gave a barely perceptible nod, unable to hide his distaste for the old wizard.
Edevane disappeared. His entourage followed shortly after.
Narcissa collapsed into Draco's arms.
"Take her inside," Lucius instructed.
Draco lifted his mother up and ran towards the tower.
One Hour Later
Something was wrong, gravely wrong.
His mother had grown paler and weaker…
"Did you see that?" Bellatrix said, staring down at Narcissa.
"What is it?" Lucius asked.
"Something just rippled across her stomach—there's something inside of her…"
Draco stared at his mother, horrified. She was lying in a makeshift cot, unconscious.
Bellatrix and his father stood over Narcissa's limp body.
"Well, do something!" Lucius snapped.
Bellatrix placed her hand over her sister's stomach. "It's a viper of some kind," she said.
A parting gift from Edevane, Draco thought furiously.
Bellatrix turned to Lucius. "We have to get it out. She'll die within minutes if we don't act now."
Lucius raised his wand.
"Stop!" Bellatrix shrieked. "You'll cut her to ribbons! I'll do it…"
Draco felt like he was going to be sick. He watched Bellatrix as she cut his mother's stomach open, then with her hand, she reached inside…
He looked away…
There was the sound of something gushing, oozing…
"What's happening?!" he asked his father.
"Here," Bellatrix shouted. "I have it!"
A snake wrapped around her wrist, hissing and spitting.
Lucius raised his wand.
There was a flash of green light and the creature dropped to the floor, dead.
Over the next few minutes they worked on extracting the poison from his mother's body.
When they were done, Narcissa looked paler than when she'd first arrived.
"She'll need a healing potion," said Bellatrix, threading Narcissa's flesh back together with her wand. "I—"
She stopped short when she heard someone running up the stairs.
Moments later Yaxley stumbled into the room. "News from the front!" he shouted. "Helen McKay is outside. We're called to battle. We leave within the hour."
"What happened to Edevane?" Lucius asked.
"He's fighting, he couldn't be spared. He sent her instead."
Lucius and Bellatrix looked at each other.
"Go on," said Draco, jumping at the chance to be left alone. "I'll take care of mother. I'll make her a healing potion."
Bellatrix rushed after Yaxley, and Lucius took Draco's arm. "Call us if you need anything."
Draco nodded, eager for him to leave.
His father rushed outside and closed the door behind him.
Draco had no intention of brewing anything. He had raided the galley on the Dragomir, and found all matter of vials filled with useful potions.
He reached into his robes and pulled out a small blue vial.
He uncapped it, and approached his mother.
Carefully, he tipped the potion into her mouth.
Within the next hour or so she would regain her color. Downstairs he heard the door open and slam shut.
They had let the newcomer inside. He heard Helen's grating voice as she argued with Bellatrix.
He had very little time left until Potter was taken away.
From what he'd overheard, all of them were expected to take part in the battle. There were six Death Eaters in total, counting himself.
His mother, of course, would remain behind.
Six Death Eaters needed to appear on the battlefield…accompanied by Harry Potter.
Draco called for Dolohov, shouting his name over and over until he appeared.
"What is it?" Dolohov asked, rushing through the doorway.
"I need fluxweed, for a healing potion," Draco lied. "I need you to collect it from the grounds. Don't just stand there, hurry!"
Dolohov's eyes flashed dangerously, he had half a mind to make Draco show him the proper respect, but then he spotted Narcissa lying on the cot, near death.
He cursed the fact that he was taking orders from an underage wizard, but he rushed away all the same.
Draco heard his footsteps die away. A few more seconds, and he would follow after him. He turned to get a final look at his mother. She at least, would be safe now. He hoped that one day, he would see her again.
"Fluxweed is not needed for a wound like that," said a voice.
Draco jumped. Snape was standing in the doorway.
"You've sent Dolohov on a fool's errand. Why?"
Draco tried to shield his mind, but it was too late.
Snape was twisting and worming his way into his thoughts.
Snape took his time dissecting him, pausing to look at moments that captured his interest.
When he was done, Draco could barely stand upright.
He waited for Snape to curse him, to call for reinforcements, but he never did.
"Your mind is weak. Blind panic consumes you. It is lucky I came upon you and not Bellatrix…or one of the others…"
Snape moved closer to him, closing the door with a flick of his wand. "Tell me, how do you plan to accomplish this on your own?"
Draco backed away from him, but Snape did not relent.
"The only way for this to work, is if I assist you."
Draco gaped at Snape."Why—why would you help me?"
Snape looked at him, unflinching. "I have my reasons."
Draco scanned his face. Snape looked like he had no intention of moving towards the door, or calling for the others.
Draco swallowed, building up his courage. "I need you to do two things…"
Hermione wasn't sure how much time had passed.
It felt like an hour, maybe two…
She jumped when she heard the door open.
Snape entered. "Get up."
Her senses went on overdrive as he seized her arm and dragged her outside.
"Stop, please," she said, digging her heels into the ground. "I know what you did at the abbey. You confunded Dolohov. You wanted to free Harry, but Ron got away instead."
"You're mistaken," Snape said firmly, leading her down a set of steps.
Hermione heard the other Death Eaters arguing on the floor below them. Her stomach plummeted. Were they going to take Harry to Voldemort? And if they did, what did they have planned for her?
Snape stopped on the next landing.
He took her hand, and slipped something into her palm.
"Potter can no longer be saved. Use this when the time comes."
Hermione looked down. Snape had given her a small vial.
What did he mean, when the time comes?
She hid the vial inside of her robes.
Was it poison? A chance to end her life on her own terms?
Her stomach twisted at the idea. She was not prepared to give up. There was always a way out…she and Harry would find a way…
Snape opened a door and pushed her through it.
Harry was inside, sitting at the far end of the room. He stood when he saw them.
Hermione heard the door slam behind her.
Snape was gone.
Harry rushed towards her.
His green eyes scanned her face, then he looked at the blood on her clothes.
"You're hurt," he said.
Hermione couldn't reply, there was a knot in the back of her throat. She tried not to panic. Snape wasn't going to help them. They were on their own…
"Harry," she said weakly, "they'll be back soon. We need to find a way to—"
"Shh! Do you hear that?"
There was a loud crash downstairs, something was happening…
Hermione spoke again, certain no one could hear them over the noise. "Why did you go to the abbey on your own, Harry? Why didn't you wait for the allies?"
"There's things you don't know," he said slowly, his green eyes drifting back to hers. "There's something hidden inside that abbey, something the Death Eaters want. Before I left Hogwarts, I told Ron to go there if he was ever in trouble. I knew they'd keep him alive if they thought he knew something. But it turns out they would've taken him to the abbey anyway, because Draco gave away our location. It was the closest place to the camp, the ideal place to trap us…"
"What's hidden there?" Hermione asked.
Harry struggled with himself, deciding whether or not to tell her. "This is bigger than us, Hermione. I need to know the truth. Would you trust Draco again?"
"No!"
"Do you love him?"
"Yes, but I'd never go back to him. Not after what he did."
Harry looked at the blood on her clothes again. "You knew better than to let him in, I know you did. But you ignored your instincts. Now he's put you in danger—just look at you—"
Hermione snapped.
"You can't help who you fall in love with, Harry. But I suppose you don't understand. You don't know what it's like—"
Hermione stopped herself, realizing she'd gone too far.
Harry stepped closer to her. "Go ahead, say it. I don't know what it's like to be in love."
She swallowed. "Well you don't, do you Harry?" she said softly. "I'm not talking about a crush, or a passing fancy like you had for Cho…I'm talking about risking everything for someone…caring for them so deeply it makes you sick."
Harry looked at her with a pained expression.
"You never figured it out, did you?" he said quietly.
"What?"
He shook his head. "It doesn't matter."
Hermione frowned at him. "Was there someone, Harry? Someone you never told me about?"
He took a steadying breath. "It's like you said, I fancied Cho. I didn't love her. I never really got the chance to know her, not the way—not the way I know you."
Hermione was certain she hadn't heard properly.
Harry stepped closer to her. "I never wanted you to find out…"
"Why?" Hermione asked, completely stunned. "Why did you keep it from me?"
"Because I knew you didn't feel the same way. I didn't want to ruin things. I knew you had feelings for Ron. And I didn't want to hurt him either. I knew the git was in love with you even if he was too stupid to admit it. And I would've been happy for you and Ron, but Malfoy—"
"Malfoy was a mistake, Harry. I'm sorry I trusted him. I'm sorry we're here."
Harry's eyes clouded over. "I was always going to end up here, it was only a matter of time. But you—"
"What do you mean, you were always going to end up here?!" Hermione shouted. "If you die, you deserve to die on a battlefield, not here, not like this. You need to face Voldemort armed…to the best of your ability.
Harry looked at her like it hurt to breathe. He failed to hide the turmoil in his eyes, the slight shaking of his hands…
Hermione stepped closer to him, looking at his scar.
"What is the last horcrux, Harry?"
His green eyes locked onto hers. He stared at her, gathering his courage, willing himself to tell her the truth.
Hermione waited, a terrible sense of foreboding filling her body.
"I think you know," he said finally. "I think you've always known, deep down, same as me."
Hermione didn't breathe. She didn't dare move.
Harry looked at her sadly. "Neither can live while the other survives…" He took a shuddering breath. "Me, Hermione. I'm the last horcrux."
Hermione gaped at him. "But all these months," she started. "All the work you did to bring together an army…"
Harry shook his head. "The army was never for me, it was for you."
She stared at him, paralyzed.
"Does Voldemort know?" she asked slowly. If he did, he'd keep you alive…"
Harry's eyes flashed dangerously. "Do you think I want that, Hermione?! To be kept alive, so he can possess my body if his own fails him? He can never find out. He has to kill me. It's the only way to make him mortal again."
Suddenly, Hermione remembered what Sebastián had told her. Harry was destined to take Voldemort's immortality, but she was destined to take his life. And now she knew why. Because Harry wouldn't survive. She'd have to carry on after he died.
She felt her knees go weak.
"No," she said slowly.
Harry grasped her shoulders. "If Voldemort takes over my body, the Allies or the Order will have to kill me. Would you prefer that? Or would you like to be the one to do it?"
Hermione's eyes filled with tears. "You're being cruel!"
"No, Hermione. I want you to see the truth. I can't run from this…"
"How long have you known?"
"Since last summer. Dumbledore told me everything after Cedric died."
Hermione's vision blurred. She hated Dumbledore, hated his lies and secrets, hated him for letting Harry believe he had a chance at a normal life.
"Like I said before," Harry whispered. "It was always going to end this way."
Hermione looked at him, panic-stricken. Her tears fell fast and free flowing. She placed her hands on either side of Harry's face.
He would always be as he was now. He would never age. A legend no one truly knew…a symbol for a cause…
Hermione realized how crushing her words had been earlier…telling Harry he didn't know love. She had been so stupid. He had loved her most of all.
They heard someone thundering up the steps.
Harry took her hand, placing it over his chest. She could feel his heart pounding.
"Thanks for always being there, Hermione."
She shook her head. "Don't say goodbye to me—I can't—"
"Thank you for being my friend. I didn't know what it was like, to have people who cared, until I met you and Ron. I found home when I went to Hogwarts."
They were both trembling. Time was like water slipping through their fingers.
The sound of footsteps grew louder, any minute now someone would burst in on them…to kill them or torture them or take them away…
Harry spoke again, desperate to get a last bit of information to her. "If you find a way to escape, you have to go back to Renwick Abbey. Take Ron with you. He'll help you find what's hidden there. Promise me."
"Harry—"
"Promise!"
Her shoulders were shaking. She was choking on her own tears. "I promise—"
The cell door flew open, banging against the stone wall.
Malfoy stood on the threshold.
He was dressed in Death Eater's robes.
His gaze fell on Hermione. "You have to come with me, now."
"Over my dead body, Malfoy," said Harry. He stepped in front of Hermione, shielding her.
Draco slammed the cell door shut. "You don't understand. I can get her out, but she has to leave now."
Harry stepped closer to him. "Why help her escape if you're the one who brought her here?"
Malfoy glowered at him. "I didn't bring her here. She followed you on her own. I was only meant to capture you, not her."
"You used her, you manipulated her—"
"Yes, but I don't want her dead."
Harry was silent for several moments.
"Why?" he asked finally.
Malfoy swallowed. "Because I love her."
Hermione turned to look at Harry, wanting him to understand that she had no intention of leaving him behind.
"We're running out of time," Draco said desperately.
They could hear Bellatrix arguing with someone downstairs.
Harry stared at Draco, battling with himself.
"I won't leave—" Hermione started.
"You have to go with Malfoy now," Harry said simply."I don't trust him, but he's your only chance. You have to get off this island."
They heard the sound of shouting downstairs.
"We have to hurry!" Malfoy urged. He dashed into the hall to make sure no one was coming up.
Hermione turned to Harry, panic rising in her chest. They were going to be separated…
"I love you," she said. Her voice broke. "Maybe not in the way you wanted but—"
Harry pulled her close, hot tears falling down his face. "Your friendship was always more important to me than anything else. You know that?
Hermione nodded. Words weren't enough to tell him how she felt. She stared into his eyes. "Can I kiss you goodbye?" she asked softly.
Harry's breath caught. "You don't have to do that."
"Please…"
He nodded, shaking slightly.
Hermione tilted her face up to Harry's. His lips were soft and warm. His glasses pressed gently into her face. She wrapped her arms around his neck. Harry held her past, all her fondest memories…she felt his loneliness through the kiss…but also his love…his rage…his courage…his fear…
She realized then, that Harry was braver than anyone else had been. Braver than Dumbledore. Braver than the Order. Braver than the allies. Braver than she could ever hope to be.
Draco re-entered the room and froze when he saw what was happening. He looked away, confused, but did nothing to stop them. Not even he could deny Potter a final moment of bliss.
Hermione broke the kiss and leaned her forehead against Harry's, threading her fingers through his dark hair, trying to memorize the feel of him.
He felt so warm, so alive.
They heard more movement from downstairs.
"We have to go now!" said Draco. "They're coming!"
"Do what you can to survive," Harry whispered. "But in the end, Voldemort has to kill me."
Hermione nodded. "I understand."
Harry looked at Malfoy. "Take her now."
Hermione's firm resolve broke. Blind panic consumed her.
"I can't—" she sobbed, reaching for Harry again.
"It's alright," he said, tears sliding down his face. "You can let me go now."
Malfoy seized Hermione's waist and dragged her towards the door.
Her knees gave way.
The door slammed shut, and Harry was obscured from view.
She was in the hall now. Draco was handing her robes, a mask…giving her instructions.
She felt like the world was falling apart around them, and she struggled to listen to him...
"Put these on. You're taking Dolohov's place. We're on an island, there's nowhere for you to run. You'll have to come with us."
Hermione looked down at the robes. He wanted her to disguise herself? As a death eater?
There was a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach.
Where was Dolohov?
She saw dirt and mud on Draco's robes, a welt around his arm.
Draco looked away from her, trembling. He'd done what he had to do…
He remembered Dolohov's hand on his arm as he'd held him underwater. He'd thrashed and kicked, but Draco hadn't let go. The wizard's body would be at the bottom of the moat by now.
"Put on the mask and the robes," he said. "Hurry."
Hermione shook her head. "I don't understand—"
"NOW!"
She threw the robes over her head. "B-but I can't apparate, they'll know—"
"You'll apparate with me."
"But when they find me gone—"
"When that happens it'll be too late. They have no plans to take you to the battle, only Harry, and the rest of us are expected to fight. They think you're locked away upstairs.
Hermione looked at him in disbelief.
"When Dolohov doesn't return from battle, the others will assume he died fighting."
"And when you return to the tower?" Hermione asked. "And they find me gone?"
"Like I said, we're on an island. There's nowhere for you to go. They'll think you drowned in the ocean, trying to get away. Or they'll think you killed yourself, preferring to die by your own hand."
Hermione's eyes widened.
"I scattered some of your clothes by shore."
"And you won't be blamed," Hermione said slowly, seeing he had thought of everything. "Because you weren't here."
Someone was calling for Draco downstairs.
"We have to hurry," he hissed.
He helped Hermione tie her mask on, then fastened his own.
"Do you have the potion that Snape gave you?"
"Yes."
"Drink it."
Hermione reached into her pocket for the vial, uncapped it and tipped the contents into her mouth.
She felt a strange tickling sensation, as the potion poured down her throat.
"What is this?" she asked.
Her hand flew to her throat. Her voice sounded rough and low like Dolohov's.
"It's a voice altering potion," Draco said. "It's the best I could do…"
She stuffed the Founder's book deep into her robes.
She ignored the lingering pain in her body, forcing herself to stand tall.
At the last moment Draco thrust Dolohov's wand into her hand.
"Don't attack anyone. Don't try to save Harry. When we get to Inverness, head straight for the allies."
Yaxley came up the stairs just as Hermione threw her hood on.
"We have to go!" he said, spotting them. "What are you waiting for?! Move!"
The three of them hurried down the stairs.
The rain was coming down hard. Yaxley shoved Hermione and Draco forward, impatient for them to join the others.
Hermione's feet slid in the mud.
She lost her footing and fell face-down.
The Founder's book slipped out of her robes.
"What's this?" said a woman with silver-blonde hair, reaching down to pick it up.
Draco grimaced. Helen McKay. He had almost forgotten she was here…
"I confiscated it," Hermione said in Dolohov's throaty voice. "From a prisoner."
Helen looked at the gold cover. "It looks valuable."
Hermione snatched it out of her hands.
"I will only reveal it to the Dark Lord, only he is worthy."
Helen's eyes narrowed. "Dolohov, is it? We'll address this matter later…"
She raised her voice, addressing the crowd. "We must go! We have no time to waste!"
Draco moved close to Hermione. "I think she believed you."
Hermione looked up at him, thinking of everything they had lived through—at Hogwarts, on the ship, in Segovia.
"I almost believed you too," she whispered, but he didn't hear her over the rain.
"Bellatrix will follow with Potter," Lucius said loudly. "We must leave!"
Draco took Hermione's hand.
"To Inverness!" Lucius shouted.
Hermione felt a forceful tug as everything disappeared around them.
She closed her eyes as they hurtled towards the distant battlefield, feeling like she had left half of her heart back at the tower, with Harry.
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Thank you for reading! Reviews are highly appreciated :)