A/N: Thank you all for your great reviews, and your patience. I'm back from DC, and I've brought Jocelyn home with me for the summer. We'll have great fun working on our stories together, and we usually update faster that way, too. In fact, proofreading this chapter was the first chore I gave her when we got home! So, for your reading pleasure, here is Chapter Nineteen.
Chapter Nineteen:
Hermione screamed. Aiming her wand into the space between Draco and his father, she cried out, "Protego!" There were answering cries from all sides of the room: "Expelliarmus!" "Stupefy!"
Curse light streaked from every direction, centering on Lucius Malfoy. Forced off balance by the need to evade the oncoming spells, his own curse went awry, bounced off the shield protecting Draco, and impacted against one of the glass cabinets. It shattered, sending out a lethal rain of shards, the room echoing with the sound of shelves collapsing, spilling the precious contents out onto the floor.
From where she was crouching against a cabinet, Hermione could see Lucius's face, livid with fury. "You dare to attack me!" Aiming his wand at the top of the open entryway, he spat out, "Securus!" The wall closed in on itself with a loud slam, and with a second command, "Nox!", he plunged them into darkness.
No one moved. The darkness was absolute. Hermione couldn't see her hands, couldn't see the cabinet she leaned on. For a long moment, there was no sound in the room. It was as if she was completely alone. Then, Lucius spoke again.
"I know this chamber as none of you do. I will find it most enjoyable picking you off one-by-one." He laughed. "And when I have finished, I will take my son and the cup, and deliver them both to the Dark Lord."
Someone touched Hermione, and she gasped. Immediately, that person pushed her to the floor, covering her. A curse slammed into the cabinet just over her head, and the short burst of light illuminated Harry's face as he pulled her back out of the way. A trickle of something wet sliding down the side of her face, and a stinging at her hairline, told her that a piece of the glass had given her a nasty cut. Holding her sleeve to her head, she continued to back up, seeking shelter behind a low shelf.
"Lumos fleare!" The flare of light that Ginny sent overhead lit the room long enough for Ron to get a shot at Lucius.
"Stupefy!" He sent the curse, then dropped and rolled out of sight, and Lucius's responding curse spent itself uselessly against the floor.
An impact against the entryway sent a shudder through the room, and a momentary dim blue light glowed around it. It didn't provide much light, but enough to discern shapes, and they took advantage of it. Another round of curses was shot off in the direction of Lucius, and Luna took a chance and hurried into the center of the room to where Draco still crouched behind the shield.
"Cup!"
He handed it off to her, and she made a dash for shelter. Realizing what had just taken place, Lucius sent a curse streaking towards her. "Diffindio!"
Luna screamed and went down
Impact sounded against the entryway again, and this time voices could be heard.
"Those are Order members, you bloody bastard!" Ron shouted. "They're coming in after you!"
"It will take some time," Lucius was unperturbed. "One down, and a few more to go."
"Stupefy!" Two voices yelled simultaneously. Two identical streaks of curse light shot from opposite sides of the room. They impacted against each other before they reached Lucius, and combined into a single light that shot off at a wild angle. A startled "Oomph!" was heard, and the sound of someone dropping to the floor.
"Oh, well done," Lucius drawled. "If I wait long enough, you'll do all the work for me."
From where she hid, Hermione could see Draco still crouched behind the shield. She realized suddenly that he didn't have a wand. Lucius had no doubt taken it when he first reached Draco. Casting back to Defense against the Dark Arts lessons, she tried to remember how long the shield would last, but couldn't recall the information. They had to get him out of the line of fire.
Another impact against the door caused the faint blue light to reappear, and she could barely make out Lucius standing a short distance away from her. Aiming her wand at the floor directly beneath his feet, she whispered a Liquefying Charm. The area rippled, and he lost his footing and fell backward. In that instant, Hermione was on her feet. She ran into the center of the room, casting Protego to cover herself, grabbed Draco by the arm, and pulled him back into the shelter of a large chest.
Reacting to Lucius's predicament, Harry had come to his feet, and took aim at him. "Annihilatus!" Lucius lunged forward. As Harry's curse sailed over his head, he took aim directly at Harry.
"Incarcerous!" Bound from head to foot, Harry hit the floor at Lucius's feet, and Lucius grabbed him by the hair, forcing his wand against Harry's throat.
"Oh, this was all too easy." He called out a terse command, and the lights came on throughout the room.
Hermione came to her feet, Draco next to her, and heard exclamations of horror from the others. She glanced around. Luna lay in a bloody heap on the floor, and behind another cabinet, she could see Neville stretched out unconscious.
The sound of another impact against the entryway barely registered. All that she was aware of was the wand at Harry's throat.
"Draco!" Lucius ordered. "Take Potter's wand, and get the wands from the rest of them. If they resist, kill them. The only one we need is Potter."
She watched with disbelief, as Draco walked away from her, picked up Harry's wand from the floor, and turned to take Ginny's wand. He made a quick trip around the room, gathering the other wands as he went, and finally stood in front of her.
"No!" she whispered.
Standing between Hermione and his father, Draco took her wand, but instead of pocketing it like the others, slipped it from his own hand back up her sleeve. His expression was inscrutable as he turned back to his father.
Lucius rose from his position, leaving Harry trussed and helpless in the middle of the floor. He glanced around, examining the debris on the floor. "Find the cup. We must have it with us when we bring Potter."
Draco deliberately stepped over Harry, placing himself between them. "We're not taking Potter anywhere." He aimed one of the confiscated wands at Lucius.
Whirling around with a snarl, Lucius pointed his own wand at his son. "You stand against me, against everything that is Malfoy, for this nothing… this son of a pureblood traitor and a Mudblood mother?"
Hermione pulled out her wand, and sent a cutting hex at the ropes holding Harry down. He scrambled to his feet. Without looking at him, Draco returned his wand.
Draco's voice was cold. "His Mudblood mother gave her life for his, the same way mine did for me! Where is the difference?"
A strange expression crossed Lucius's face. Draco continued. "His father, that pureblood traitor, died trying to save his wife and child! Where were you, father, when they killed my mother?"
Lucius faltered, visibly. Draco was relentless in his condemnation. "You won't stop until I'm dead, until you've destroyed our family." He paused. "So do it… let the Malfoys die out with me."
Another impact, and the entryway bulged inward. No one noticed; all eyes were on Draco and his father.
"You…you are my son!" Lucius hissed.
"Yes," Draco replied. He lowered his wand, leaving himself defenseless against Lucius. "And that is something I regret."
"This is not over." Before anyone else could react, Lucius was gone.
Draco's knees buckled, and he would have fallen if Harry hadn't grabbed him.
"Take it easy, Malfoy."
Ginny and Ron were bending over Luna, and Hermione hurried over to them. Luna's robe was covered with blood, and one arm was bent at an unnatural angle, but her eyes were open, and she responded with a vague smile. They worked over her, using the basic healing skills learned as members of the DA, binding up the arm with a section of her slashed robe.
On the other side of the room, Susan was assisting Neville to his feet. Another impact at the door caught their attention.
"Can you open this place from in here?" Harry asked Draco.
"What?" Draco was still staring dazedly at the spot where his father had stood.
"The door. Can you open it?"
"Yeah." He walked over to the entryway and touched his wand to a spot in the wall. Immediately, the wall reopened, and a number of Order members rushed in, wands drawn.
Mad-eye Moody was leading them. He indicated Draco with his wand. "Take him."
"No!" Hermione yelled. "You don't know what's happened here."
"It's obvious. This one… ," he motioned towards Draco again, "came here to meet up with his father. You lot came after him. We'll get him back to Hogwarts for interrogation, and then I'll deal with the rest of you."
"You'll deal with him the same way you deal with us," Harry demanded. "We're in this together. And we've got the Horcrux."
Moody's entire attention was now focused on Harry. "The Horcrux? The Cup of Helga Hufflepuff? Then where is it?"
A soft voice came from the floor. "Why, it's in my pocket. I didn't think I should lose it."
Ron and Ginny burst out laughing, as Luna dug into the pocket of her robe with her good arm. She pulled out the small gold cup and held it up. Harry and Draco grinned at Moody, and Hermione sat down suddenly, overcome with relief.
The debate had been going strong for hours. It began the moment they returned to Hogwarts, bruised and bloody, carrying the Horcrux. It raged around them in the Hospital Wing, as Luna's injuries were tended, and Madam Pomfrey checked over the rest of them. It continued in the Headmistress's office, where Harry and the others faced off infuriated Order members.
"This is completely unacceptable! These are students, not Aurors!" Professor McGonagall's accent thickened, the angrier she became.
"When I said I'd come back, you promised we wouldn't be treated like students!" Harry shot back.
"Hell, none of us can be considered students anymore," Ron insisted, "not with the way this war is going!"
"This proposal puts all of you in harm's way. It's entirely too risky," Remus was adamant.
"Now, just wait a minute, Remus," Tonks interrupted. "You're forgetting that they've done what the rest of us have failed to do. They've brought us the Horcruxes – three of them!"
"And having them running around, turning up Merlin-knows-where at any time, is a damn sight riskier than having control of their actions," Moody growled.
Hermione shuddered. That word control was the wrong thing to say in front of Harry. He reacted as she'd expected.
"That's what I'm talking about! I don't want the Order in control. I'll make my own decisions about what I'm going to do!"
Ginny tried to calm him. With her entire family, except for Percy, in the Order, she was anxious to join. "Harry, we could cover a lot more ground if we were in the Order. There'd be a lot more resources open to us."
"I still think that they should be kept here for their protection," the Headmistress said. "Hogwarts is the safest… ."
"There is no place that is completely safe." Kingsley had been listening quietly. Now he spoke up for the first time. "It's risky, yes, but I'd say that they've proven themselves. I'd like to present them with a proposition."
It was the respect they had for the Auror that made everyone in the room fall silent and listen.
"I propose that you come into the Order. It's true that you're not Aurors, but with intensive training, I think you'd be an asset to us. It's obvious that you have the basics down already, as a result of your DA training."
"What's the catch?" Harry asked him.
"That you work with us, and by that, I mean keeping us informed of any information you receive, not taking any offensive action without Order backup, being willing to accept that there will be times when we may have to insist that a mission be cancelled if the risk is too great." He paused, and when no one objected, continued. "In return, the information that comes to us will be made available to you at Order meetings, and you'll have input into any action the Order takes. In short, you'll be on equal footing with all the other Order members."
Harry shook his head. "I don't think that… ."
"Wait, Harry," Hermione broke in. "Could we have some time to discuss this?"
"Take whatever time you need," Kingsley responded. "Let us know what decision you come to."
Hermione rose and headed for the office door, the others following suit. As they made their way out, they heard Moody growl in the background.
"If you'd listened to me, we'd have them locked up where we could keep an eye on them!"
"Really, Alastor," Remus said, "You can't just… ."
Neville closed the door behind them, and Remus's words were cut off.
No one said anything as they made their way back to the common room. Draco looked around as they entered, grimacing at the sight of the red and gold décor. They took seats and, by unspoken consent, waited for Harry to address them.
"I don't like it," he said. "If we join the Order, I still say that they'll try to keep us out of things."
"Hell if I'll join," Draco drawled. "I don't trust them, and they sure aren't going to trust me."
"It's probably a good idea," Luna said in a dreamy voice. She reached over and adjusted the sling supporting her injured arm. She'd decorated it with a brightly patterned fringe and tied another piece around her hair, giving her the look of a mad gypsy. "We're all working for the same thing, so we're bound to accomplish more if we work together."
"Look," Hermione said. "Kingsley has given us a fair offer. I think he's being honest with us. They'll make it work."
"How can you be so sure?" Harry asked.
"Because of all the other people they've accommodated. For instance, they've taken in Fred and George. Everyone had them down for just a couple of practical jokers, but the Order has made use of their expertise. And how about Tonks? She's certainly a free spirit. And Remus… he's a werewolf, for heaven's sake!" Harry was looking at her dubiously. "The Order works with all these people and makes use of their strengths, and accepts their individual needs. They'll work with us, Harry. I think it worth taking a chance."
"What about Draco?" Ginny asked. "How accepting of him are they likely to be?"
"He's got our support," Hermione answered. "And after saving Harry's life, he's certainly got Remus's. The others will fall in line… Tonks and the Headmistress and M… okay, maybe not Moody."
"Let's vote on it," said Neville. "I say we join."
Susan spoke up. "I'm the second 'yes' vote."
"I'm a 'yes,' too," Luna sang out.
"I really think it's the right thing to do, Harry," Ginny said, quietly. "I vote 'yes.'"
Hermione looked from Ron to Harry. As far as she was concerned, joining the Order would be just the thing to keep Harry from going off on some wild tangent and getting himself injured or worse. The trick was to keep from saying anything that would get his back up and make him refuse.
"One more Horcrux, and then we'll be going after Voldemort. I think it's the right time to join the Order. I vote 'yes.'"
Ron nodded. "I have to agree with Hermione. Let's do it."
Harry narrowed his eyes, and turned towards Draco. "Malfoy?"
"Like I said, I don't trust the Order. But it sure beats going back and hiding in my rooms. So… you join, I'll join."
Harry remained silent, and Hermione held her breath. He looked at each one of them again, then stood up.
"All right. We're agreed. Let's go give them our decision."
In a short time, they were back in the Headmistress's office. The room was now full of Order members, including members of the Weasley family, and a number of Aurors that Hermione didn't recognize. They broke off their discussion when Harry led the group inside.
"Mr. Potter, have you come to a decision?" Professor McGonagall inquired.
"We've voted to join the Order," he told her.
"That is very fortunate, as we have just concluded a vote accepting all of you as Order members."
Everyone rose and came forward, and Hermione found herself shaking hands with some members and accepting hugs from others. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw that Draco was shaking hands with a number of the members, although some were clearly avoiding him. The twins came up and gave her simultaneous kisses on the cheek.
"Smart girl," said Fred.
"We knew you'd convince him," said George.
"Get off," she muttered, shoving them playfully away, but then she dropped her voice. "It wasn't easy."
They laughed and stepped aside, so that Mrs. Weasley could hug her, too.
Kingsley Shacklebolt's voice called for attention. "Now that you've had the chance to welcome our newest members, I'd like to get started with this meeting of the Order of the Phoenix. If you would all take your seats… ."
Hermione Flooed into Draco's quarters early the next morning. They'd offered to set him up with the others in the boys' dorm room, but he'd refused, insisting that he'd never be able to sleep with all that red and gold glaring at him. She arrived just as a house-elf was setting up breakfast. It gave her a nod, pointing slyly towards Draco's bedroom to let her know that he was still asleep.
"Miss is welcome to eat while she waits for the slug-a-bed to wake up," the house-elf whispered, winking at her mischievously.
"Thanks. I think I will."
The house-elf disappeared with a pop. Sitting herself at the table, Hermione had just managed to fill her plate when she heard a noise. She stopped, curious. A creak, and the sound of a footstep… then nothing. She sat waiting for a few moments, wondering if Draco was up and about, but the sounds were not repeated. Concern rose in her for his safety. What if Lucius had come in here? Rising, sliding her chair back carefully, she made her way down the hallway and stopped at Draco's door. She put her ear to the wood, listening, and dropped her hand to the doorknob, preparing to push the door open.
"I would prefer that you allow him to sleep."
The voice was low and quiet, coming from behind her. She whirled around. The door across the hallway was open, and Severus Snape stood outlined in the dim light. He stepped back, widening the opening, and gestured for her to enter. She walked past him into the room, and smiled. He repeated his earlier actions, warding and silencing the door. When he turned back to her,his expression was unreadable. The silence in the room became uncomfortable.
"Did you come to contact me or to see Draco?" she asked.
He folded his arms and stared at her. "I have been with Draco for the last few hours. He has suffered considerable distress over the breach with his father."
"Oh." She regarded him gravely. "It can't be easy for him. I think that he and his father were very close… up until now, that is."
"You think?" he spat at her. "Since when do you think? Surely not at the point where you agreed that Draco should go and confront a man believed to be mad?"
Hermione was furious with him. "Oh, no… tell me we're not back to where you harangue me for the choices I've made. For your information, we all planned Draco's entry into the Manor to get the Cup, and we all went after him when we realized that he was in danger. It wasn't Harry alone; it wasn't just me; it was all of us!"
"You're supposed to be the intelligent one… the one who keeps the others from doing something foolish. Your Gryffindor impulsiveness has apparently become a hindrance to your common sense, you stupid little girl!"
She flushed. "I don't particularly care what you think of me. It was risky, yes, but we accomplished what we set out to do. We came back with the Cup."
"Your little trophy," he sneered. "Where is it?"
"It has already been destroyed. The Headmistress and other Order members took care of it. It turns out that it wasn't booby-trapped as some of the others were. They melted it, and the Horcrux burned out of it while it melted."
"Strange that there should be no trap in it."
"We thought so, too. But Harry reminded us that the Diary wasn't booby-trapped, and he was able to destroy it himself. Perhaps the Diary and the Cup were the earliest Horcruxes made, and only the later ones had the curses built into them."
"Possibly."
"And you needn't be concerned that we'll try anything else on our own. We're Order members now, and we'll be working with Order backup."
His surprise was evident. "The Order has agreed to accept you?"
"Yes," she replied, coolly.
"And Potter has agreed to abide by the Orders restrictions?"
"He didn't want to. I'm the one who convinced him to do it." Hermione smiled slightly.
He rounded on her. "And no doubt you are exceedingly pleased with yourself! You didn't think twice about it, did you?"
"Yes, I… ."
"Joining the Order when you are already working against them in secret, with the man who is wanted for the murder of the Order's leader!"
"No! I just… ."
"You are not bothered in the least by the fact that you've already betrayed the Order to whom you've sworn loyalty!"
"That's not true!"
"You're not only disloyal to the Order, but to all of your friends as well… Potter, Weasley, and Lupin!"
"Stop!"
He was right in front of her. "You little hypocrite!"
With a sob, Hermione swung at his face. He caught her by both arms before she could make contact and shook her hard. Her head snapped back, and she cried out. With a muffled oath, he released her. She stumbled back, hitting the door behind her, turning and grasping the knob. It remained unresponsive in her hand. She waited, face pressed against the wood, until she could control her voice.
"Let me out," speaking quietly, keeping her back to him so that he wouldn't see the tears on her face.
Behind her, she heard him sigh heavily. "I am… sorry. It was not my intention to hurt you."
A short, sharp laugh. "Well, maybe not physically. But everything you said was meant to hurt me."
He made no response. She continued.
"You should understand, more than anyone, how hard it is… being torn between my loyalty to my friends," she hesitated, trying to mask her distress, "and my lo… my loyalty to you."
"To me," he repeated.
"Even before Dumbledore's portrait explained, I was sure that there had to be a reason for what you'd done. I believe you, and yes, I'm loyal to you. In spite of the fact that you're a complete bloody ass!" Her hand was still gripping the doorknob. "Now, let me out!"
"Miss Granger. Turn around."
With a huff of impatience, she did, only to back into the door, startled. He had moved directly behind her, within arms reach, and there was a look on his face that caused her breath to catch.
"Why, you… I… ."
He closed the space between them. "Do shut up."
Very gently, his hand lifted her face to him, as he bent over her. His lips were incredibly soft as they moved across hers, barely touching… awakening a response. It felt warm and wonderful, and she sighed against his mouth. His grip on her tightened, one hand sliding around her waist to pull her closer. He kissed her thoroughly, and she wrapped her arms around his neck and returned his kisses just as fervently. Finally, feeling rather desperate for air, she brought her hands to his chest and pushed gently. He pulled away, without actually releasing her. Looking into his face, eyes dark, lips swollen from kissing, she was sure she'd never seen anything quite so sexy.
"Well… maybe not a complete ass."
He laughed at that, and her eyes widened in surprise at the sound.
"Yes… I am," and he pulled her back to him.
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