Chapter 22-'kidnapped'

It had taken some weeks, time that had enabled Hermione to recover her strength, to plan to extract Narcissa Malfoy from Malfoy Manor. The plan was daring and risky but the Order intended to 'kidnap' Narcissa right from under Voldemort's metaphorical 'nose'. Narcissa, who was not so closely watched as Draco and Lucius, had been coached by Lucius and her son into her role as the kidnap victim. She was to disappear from the Manor rose gardens. The Order hoped that Narcissa's 'kidnap' would serve a twofold purpose; it would get her to safety and it would hopeful give Draco and Lucius the freedom to 'search' for her. Lucius was gambling, when he proposed this plan, that Voldemort would consider Narcissa's abduction at the hands of the Order sufficient threat to his plans that he would allow them to retrieve her. Of course they were all acutely aware that Voldemort might just Order Narcissa to be 'aveda' on sight and kill the other Malfoy's for letting her be kidnapped.

Getting into the grounds of the Manor was the tricky part of the plan and this was where, reluctantly the younger Malfoy had agreed his wife could help. Hermione's status as a Malfoy allowed her inside the manor's wards; it was therefore Hermione's role to let the others inside the manor, physically opening gates and door to let them in.

Of course Narcissa could have simply slipped away with Hermione but the order reasoned that they needed to make a show of taking Narcissa if her husband and son were to stand a chance of avoiding Voldemort's wrath.

Hermione almost laughed at her reflection in the mirror as she prepared to apparate into the manor grounds. She looked like a fictional ninja but in truth she was beyond laughter, she needed to know that Draco was safe and well and she needed to make sure he stayed that way. Hermione had realised, as she prepared for her mission, that even if it left the darkest of stains on her soul she would do whatever it took to keep Draco safe.

Draco sat in his room staring fixedly at the ceiling, waiting. It was a calculated move to ensure he was nowhere near the action and therefore beyond suspicion. So he waited, waited for the alarm or Voldemort's call.

Suddenly alert to the noises coming from below he finally had the excuse to leave his room.

"What's going on?" he demanded making a noisy show of emerging from his room and appearing downstairs, thereby giving himself an alibi.

"Someone has broken through the wards," his father called towards him, "we are under attack." As if to confirm his Father's words the ground shuddered beneath them with a sudden violent wave of magic.

Everyone turned in the direction of the disturbance running towards the rose garden.

" 'Cissa!" Lucius called playing his role of the concerned spouse to perfection.

Hermione rounded the parterre to find Narcissa waiting,

"Quickly," she ushered the older witch in the direction of the other Order members, Hermione spun to follow her but too late 'Bellatrix' Hermione cursed inwardly as she realised her route was blocked by Draco's insane aunt.

Bellatrix eyed her suspiciously looking towards Narcissa's retreating back.

"What are you doing?" Bellatrix questioned, "How did you get in here?" she demanded. Hermione was surprised, Bellatrix was more of a shoot first and don't bother asking questions type of girl. She suspects something Hermione realised. Bellatrix couldn't be allowed to report back what she knew. Hermione realised, her mouth going dry, that she would have to stop Bellatrix Lastrange Voldemort's feistiest lieutenant because, if Hermione did not the whole Malfoy family, a family that she was now a part of, could wave goodbye to any kind of future.

Hermione took up a duelling stance. Bellatrix laughed.

"Come now dearie you can't be serious?" Bellatrix questioned, "you may as well come peacefully it would be much less trouble and I promise to make your end quick."

Hermione didn't flinch.

"Have it your own way," Bellatrix spat viciously raising her own wand to a fight stance as she realised the younger witch was not going to come quietly.

Bellatrix did not need to utter a word before a vicious curse flew Hermione's way, even though she had no warning she blocked the curse sending it rebounding back towards the dark haired witch. Bellatrix narrowed her eyes sneering at Hermione.

"I see you have been practicing," Bellatrix snarled, "perhaps this will be more fun than I anticipated." The words had barely left her lips before another jet of green light flew towards Hermione, again it was unspoken and there was no warning, Bellatrix appeared to have no 'tell', Hermione quickly appreciated why Bellatrix was so peerless as a dualist and she suddenly understood that she was outmatched and would not last long if she fought Bellatrix toe to toe but perhaps she could out manoeuvre her? Hermione thought.

Narcissa reached Remus and the other Order members panting from her exertion.

"Where is Hermione?" Tonks immediately demanded.

"She was right behind me," Narcissa insisted.

"Damn it Hermione," Remus swore under his breath, "if she has gone after Draco…"

"She would do that?" Narcissa asked a little stunned by the suggestion.

"Hermione would walk through the fires of hell for your son if she had to," Tonks told the older women a hint of contempt colouring her words.

"As would I Nymphadora," the Malfoy matriarch rounded on her neice, "do not dare think otherwise."

"Enough," Remus demanded firmly, "we do not have time for this, Hermione will have to take her chances we need to leave, "Petrificus Totalus" Remus cast the body banding spell on Narcissa before she could complain or protest- they had to make the 'kidnapping' look good.

"Remus," his wife turned to him, "we can't just leave her, she is a muggle born, they will kill her on sight."

"Only if they catch her," Remus said with more confidence than he actual felt, "I'm sorry there is a greater priority here."

"Then you go," his wife told him stubbornly, "because I won't." Remus looked at his wife for a moment conflicted. She could already be dead, he thought to himself what else might we be risking if we go back for her? With a heavy heart Remus did what he had be forced to do too many times, weigh the life of one witch against those who would die if they tried to save her. The balance did not tip in Hermione's favour and, though his wife might never forgive him, he wandlessly he cast a 'Stupefy' on her and apparated both women away.

Author's note.

So ending with a cliff-hanger- will Hermione survive? will anyone come to her rescue?

please review- I might up date sooner!