A/N: Sorry I couldn't get it finished before the New Year. Had a lot of things to do, and I had to travel.

Chapter XXXII

I still hate to use portkeys after all this years. The sick feeling still makes me nauseated. But back to the problem at hand, this place doesn't give the best kind of feelings. It's not like it was dark and dirty and packed with Death Eaters. Well, it probably was packed with them, but the house was nice. Clearly muggle, but nice nonetheless. I could see some photos all over the place. They were mostly of travels, and I recognized Hermione's parents.

It was quiet, and I kept moving to the corridors. They should lead me to somewhere useful; at least it's what I hoped. After passing three bedrooms, and checking to see if someone was there, I ended into a big room that had a long dining table, four couches and some chairs. There were paintings all over the place, some rather strange. When I stopped at a small coffee table to analyze a rather disturbing black thing that had numbers on it, someone entered the room.

I got startled, but managed to not flinch, and looked over my shoulder to find Yaxley at the doorframe.

-I see you came alone. That's good. Can't say I expected any less of you.

-As pleasing as my company is Yaxley, I'm not here to chat with you. So if you could kindly make yourself useful for a change and give me Hermione, I could think of putting some poison in your cell in Azkaban, so you can end your pitiful life faster.

I saw him grabbing his wand, and got prepared to shout a spell at any second, but he realized this and refrained from raising his with a grimace.

-I don't think you're getting out of this one alive.

-Thinking is not one of your best traits.

Before he could say anything, and he would have enjoyed the things I had to say, someone called from another place, and he raised his wand.

-Well it seems that they lost their patience, you were almost late.

I walked to the doorframe and was passing it when he stopped me.

-What is it now?

-Your wand.

-Who's teaching you Yaxley? I'm actually impressed.

I didn't have another choice, so I gave it to him. I don't know what happened, but someone managed to make this idiot think. He stayed behind me the whole time, but managed to navigate us up the stairs. We reached a bedroom that was obviously magically enlarged, and I could see almost twenty figures in black.

-Everyone came just to see me? I'm flattered.

Yaxley and a few of the others, that I couldn't figure out who yet, groaned.

-I didn't recall you to be so talkative Potter.

Mr. Crabbe appeared from a corner, and started to walk in my direction.

-Victory does some good things to people. But you wouldn't know. Seeing as I am here, I think you could tell me where Hermione is, and let her go. Yaxley here got my wand, so you don't need to worry. But if you don't let her go, or if I find out you did anything to her I assure you that I won't be as kind as to him, and I will have to make you wish you were in Azkaban.

He grinned and stopped at an arm's reach from me, and raised his wand.

-I don't think you're in any position to be making demands Potter. And you will regret the moment you let my son die in that fire.

I smirked. There's no way this spineless guy will ever get it into his thick skull that his dumb son killed himself.

-I didn't even have to make any decisions, he did it alone. The stupid was so dumb he casted a spell he didn't knew how to end.

-Crucius!

I had forgotten how painful it was. The pain made me forget everything, all I wanted was to die, and fast. It was similar to the sensation of a thousand needles piercing my skin, while being roasted alive, but worse.

He stopped, and I noticed after a moment that I was on the ground. That's not a surprise. I don't think someone could stay up while being at the end of this curse. I tried to kneel in order to get up, but he cursed me again.

I woke this time to an almost empty room. Mr. Crabbe was sat on an armchair to my right, and other three figures in black were across the room. After realizing that I was still on the ground and in the same room, something felt strange. My sight was better, normal again, and then it hit me.

-So Malfoy, when did you start doing Potter's work for him?

If every part of my body wasn't so painful I would have said something, but even breathing hurt. That would be a perfect moment for you to show up Potter, a really good one.

-I just don't understand why to get into so much trouble. Are you hoping to get into the Ministry's grace by being friends with Potter? I heard your mother doesn't know about your father. Imagine what would happen to her if she knew…The poor thing. Yaxley tells me she was greatly burdened by Malfoy's imprisonment.

Well there's just some things you can't let some people say to you, especially if they are worthless pieces of hippogriff shit. After trying for the second time, I finally managed to reach my front pocket.

-I'm not… like you. I do what I want… if it appeals to … my liking.

-Still can speak? Well I suppose you'll have to do for the time being, seeing as Potter doesn't fight his own battles anymore.

He got up and was just about to curse me again when I grabbed my wand.

-Cru-

-Avada Kedavra!

At the same time he hit the ground I heard an explosion and the next second someone was grabbing me and shouting hexses.

-You're late Potter.

-Not Harry this time Draco. I knew you two had something for each other, but you had to use me to get into his pants? Just wait until Ginny hears about it.

-Hermione?

She stopped dragging me to dodge a hex from one of the black figures. I could hear a commotion downstairs, and people shouting. Potter finally got here. I hope he compensates being more than appropriately late and be useful, so I can get out of here as soon as possible.

Hermione came into view again, and kneeled at my side. She looked worried, and her left cheek had a bruise that was almost purple. Her hair was crazier than I've ever seen, and she had some blood next to her collarbone.

-You got hurt.

-That's not the time Malfoy. Now can you get up? I can't drag you like this, and we cannot apparate from here.

-I don't think I can feel my legs now.

She groaned and pulled my right arm over her shoulders.

-What are you doing here? I had this great plan to make a grand entrance, save you and let you show me how much you appreciated my act of bravery tonight.

She managed to snicker at that, and I felt the corners of my mouth raise.

-I had it under control, what do you take me for? I should be the one asking you what you're doing here. How did you managed to get to them? They wanted Harry.

-Don't they all? It's getting really boring; Potter isn't even worth the effort.

-Draco!

-What? It's the truth. I got the idea from something you told me. It was polyjuice.

We were almost at the end of the stairs when Yaxley appeared into view. His back was to us, and Weasley got him cornered. I could see a bunch of Auror's all over the place, and Potter was shouting at Weasley about something, when he raised his eyes and saw us. He smiled at Hermione, and Yaxley looked over his shoulder to see what got his attention.

It happened too fast. The moment he realized Hermione got free and I was still alive, he turned to us and aimed at her.

I saw the green light and knew she would get hit. It was an impulse.

I jumped.

She shouted.

And it ended.