Chapter 23-Distraction

Hermione tried hard to assess her surroundings whilst at the same time trying to maintain a shield. Bellatrix's curses were flying towards her with merciless alacrity but thus far Hermione had held her own. She could feel the perspiration beading on her brow from the effort but she was determined she would not be another of Bellatrix's victims.

Realising that brute force was not getting her anywhere the derange, dark haired witch change tactics. Hermione was hit by the percussion blast of a reducto spell. Fragments of what might have been a garden statue rained down around her. Hermione coughed but saw the dust and debris as an opportunity to get away from the Death Eater. Running for all she was worth under the temporary cover of the dust cloud the blast had caused, her ears still ringing from the shockwave, Hermione sped towards the Manor hopeful of somewhere to hide, hopeful that Draco might in some way help her.

"That's right girlie, run and hide," Bellatrix hollowed after her, "because when I find you, you will wish you were dead already!"

Hermione fell through a set of French doors that opened onto the terrace at the rear of Malfoy Manor. The room was in darkness.

"Draco," she whispered not daring to raise her voice, "help me!"

"Mother," Draco screamed as he watched Narcissa being spirited away by the Order. He knew he was a good actor and his anguish appeared all too genuine but his fake anguish at his mother's supposed abduction was quickly replaced by genuine terror.

"Draco," he heard her voice in his head and the pull on the Malfoy blood magic, "help me!"

"Shit, shit," the expletives came, but not in response to the events that those around him assumed. He turned and sprinted back towards the Manor. Canon balling through the partially open doors, his leather soles skidding on the marble floor as he fought for traction; "where are you?" Draco called.

Before she replied Draco realised he was already too late. Bellatrix slammed into the entrance hall like a storm front.

"Where is she, you would think her foul stench would give her away already."

Bellatrix, now clearly incensed that Hermione had evaded her, began throwing back doors, the noise thundered through the house as doors quivered on their hinges, Draco held his breath, please he silently begged, don't let her find her.

His prayers were not to be answered, suddenly he heard Hermione screaming and what was apparently a struggle.

"Look what I've found," Fenrir Greyback snarled, "pretty little mud-blood." He held Hermione by the hair; her feet were not even touching the ground, and ran a long filthy nail down her delicate cheek. Draco thought he was going to be sick.

"Dare to try to make a fool of me," Bellatrix scream at Hermione, "dare to curse me and think you would go unpunished."

"Now, Now Bella," Fenrir began, "finders keepers."

Bella merely sneered, "You can have her if you think you can keep her."

Greyback flew across the room. Draco took the moments distraction to catch Hermione's eye. "Remember what I told you," he communicated wordlessly, "that whatever I may do or say, I love you." She nodded the tiniest incline of her head "and somehow," he continued, "I will save you."

"Now dearie," Bellatrix now turned her attentions back to Hermione, "you and I need to have a little talk."

Before Draco could even blink his mad aunt had taken Hermione by the hair and held a knife to her throat. Draco was frantic he needed to do something but before he could act help came from the most unlikely of places.

"How could you?" Tonks screamed at her husband, "we need to go back."

Narcissa Malfoy sat quietly watching as her niece castigated Remus Lupin wondering if she should perhaps intervene.

"We can't," Remus responded despondently, "it's too dangerous"

"Dangerous for whom?" Tonks asked, "Hermione will die," she said in desperation sinking to her knees.

Remus said nothing, he seemed struck dumb. He did not dare voice what they were both thinking she might already be dead. There was nothing he could say, any words he might offer would be mere platitudes.

Narcissa was too moved to remain silent any longer.

"Hermione is a Malfoy now she will be safer than you think"

"What does that mean," Tonks demanded impatiently.

"It means that there is ancient magic in my home that will help keep her safe," Narcissa told her niece before forestalling any further enquires by adding, "I cannot and will not tell you more."

"Come, come Bella are we to suppose that you would not rather show us all the difference between a mud-blood and a pureblood witch," Voldemort intervened. "I am told she is known as 'the brightest witch of her generation' what more proof would we need of that lie if you were to fairly defeat Potter's little pet in a duel? Who could then deny our superiority? "Murmurs of agreement rippled through the now reassembling ranks of the returning Death Eaters, "but first we should show her some hospitality, tomorrow my dear," he drawled lifting Hermione's face to look deeply into her eyes, "you shall show us your worth. If you are victorious you will take Bella place, if not…well I'm sure you understand, in the meantime I do detect great interest in you? There are many here who might enjoy a little distraction." Ripples of agreeing were quickly replaced with bawdy laughter. "Greyback would she suit your tastes perhaps?" The werewolf leered at Hermione suggestively pumping his hips. Draco really thought he might faint, "perhaps not," Voldemort decided, "you lack subtly, "Lucius," Voldemort turned towards Draco's Father. Please Merlin no. Draco pleaded.

"My Lord?" Lucius answered questioningly looking like he had swallowed something very bitter.

"No," Voldemort determined, "I have a better idea. Voldemort looked a Lucius, as if he could do nothing worse to the head of the noble house of Malfoy, before he announced, "Draco!"

"My Lord," Lucius interrupted.

"Silence," Voldemort demanded, "do not expect that the boy should not soil his hands,"

"Or his other parts," someone dared to say causing more bawdy laughter.

"He is no longer a boy he will earn the honour of the mark he bears." Voldemort continued ignoring the interruption.

"Draco," he turned again to the young blond man, "take her away, use her as you see fit but use her well."

"Bella," he turned to this dark haired lieutenant, "ensure Draco is not disrupted and that they do not leave his room."

Author's note

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