Chapter 39 – Tested (D)
Draco landed with an appalling lack of grace as he apparated into the Lestrange manor. He was already disoriented, having quickly stuffed far too many thoughts behind the walls of his mind. Now he took a deep breath, trying to steady himself with one hand on a thick carved mahogany chair's arm. He glanced around to see if any of the others had noticed his unsteadiness. It was more dangerous here than it had been in the cave.There were only five of them in Bellatrix's sitting room, he, the Dark Lord, Dolohov, Bellatrix and Greyback. It may have been a sitting room, but the only one sitting was Lord Voldemort, perhaps because there was only one chair. All of the rest of them were standing or walking about. Draco knew they were watching him, watching each other. If he showed any unusual reaction to Hermione's capture they would be on him like wild dogs, literally in Fenrir's case. He had to stay calm, sharp. Now was not the time to miss any details.
Greyback was pacing in the corner, which was fine. The wolf wasn't really needed here, although Draco had been the one to request his presence. Given Fenrir's monomania Draco was going to keep him within view if he could. The wolf would not be given a chance to find Hermione alone in the dungeons.
There was no way to completely prevent Death Eaters from visiting the dungeons. The Lestrange wards would definitely detect, and probably block, any spells someone outside of the family might try to limit who could go there. Nappy knew to erect as many charms as she could around the cell - compulsion charms to make any visitors remember other things they had to do, uncertainty spells to would bring doubt to even the most confident Death Eater. Would the Dark Lord want them to visit her or would he punish such an unauthorized act? But who knew how effective such charms would be against an obsessed werewolf? Better to keep an eye on him.
Bellatrix was standing near the fire, excitement obvious, the extra gleam of madness in her eyes.
"Draco," the Dark Lord's voice was dangerously sibilant. "You seem to have overlooked a detail."
"My Lord?" Draco's mind hurriedly began searching. A detail? What? There were so many details unknown in this disastrous situation. What was he looking for? He caught his aunt's eye, but she, too, was waiting for an answer.
"Potter's secret. You said you deciphered the clues."
Relief flooded Draco. That he could handle, although it did worry him that he had forgotten to tell the Dark Lord what they had found. It would be best to give him the information quickly before he was tempted to go into Draco's mind to find it himself.
"Yes, my Lord. Once we were in the vault it was obvious. There was a box containing nothing but duplicates of Potter's glasses. They contain some sort of amulet. There was a book on amulets also. I didn't take it but it was called . . . ."
"Of course!" The Dark Lord interrupted. Draco stopped and held his breath, his heart pounding. The Dark Lord drummed his hideously elongated fingers against each other and his mouth lifted into his version of a smile. "This is perfect. It will be so simple. We have only to remove the glasses, destroy them," he seemed to be talking to himself, "and then he will be mine. He will fall." He looked at Draco and the light in his eyes was so vicious, so hungry to kill, that Draco had to suppress a shiver. Malfoys do not shiver.
"The day of your triumph is here, my Lord." Bellatrix was doing far more than shivering. She was bouncing around like an eager school girl.
The Dark Lord looked at her with something just short of contempt. Her naked enthusiasm seemed to be too much for him. "Indeed." His voice was flat. She took a step back and quieted down.
He pressed his fingers together and was silent for one moment, then another. Even the wolf knew not to make a sound. The time dragged on but no one spoke. No one moved. Draco had to remind himself to breath.
At last the Dark Lord broke the stillness.
"Now the plan." He turned to Draco. "But first, why did you want Greyback here?" Greyback's head jerked around and he took a single step toward them, then stopped. Bellatrix too, moved closer to her beloved, then looked at Draco expectantly. There was an answer ready to this question, although it would cause some problems for Harry.
"My Lord, Potter has an invisibility cloak. Master Greyback's sense of smell will be very helpful if Potter isn't visible to the naked eye." It was a thin reed, but it was all he had. "We need . . . ."
"My Lord," Dolohov shot Draco a smug look as he interrupted. This couldn't be good. "This is one problem that is already solved. The mudblood had the cloak on. I have it right here." The Russian held up Hermione's bag, the silvery cloak overflowing out of it. Draco wanted to snatch her things away from him. He needed to curb these protective reflexes. Greyback's nostrils were flared; his glance turned to Draco.
"Excellent. In that case, you may return to the others, Fenrir." The Dark Lord dismissed him with a wave of his hand, apparently unconcerned that the werewolf could not apparate. Antonin exchanged a quick glance with his comrade.
"My Lord, I will escort Greyback. I will return in a moment."
"No need, Antonin. Go. Rest. Have something to eat. Be ready to return to watch my triumph." Dolohov bowed to the Dark Lord, then put his hand on Greyback's shoulder and disapparated. Surely, Hermione would already be gone. Nappy would keep her safe. Plus Dolohov would actually be helpful now. He knew better than to let Greyback anywhere near Hermione. The Dark Lord wanted her uninjured for now and Dolohov knew that his werewolf friend was far too unpredictable to be trusted anywhere near her. Draco would have to let it go. He couldn't afford to worry about things he couldn't change. He needed to focus.
"The plan is simple." The Dark Lord was hissing in his excitement. "All I need from the two of you is to make sure that no one interferes. He is mine."
Draco nodded. The other Death Eaters would know that, but it was a perfect assignment for him. He could have his wand out, facing his fellow Death Eaters.
"Go. Refresh yourselves. Prepare. There shall be a victory, then a celebration like you have never seen." The Dark Lord was seething with confidence, sure that he now knew what had caused his problems and how to finally defeat his young foe.
"My Lord." He bowed. "I will await your summons." The Dark Lord gave him a curt, dismissive nod. That was enough. He disapparated to his cottage, where he collapsed into a heap onto the sofa.
Almost immediately he jumped up, shaking his head to make himself more alert. He had to reach Potter, but how? He could think of only one way.
"Nappy!" The elf appeared a moment later, then Draco remembered where she had been. "How is she? Did you heal her?"
"Miss is healed and sleeping. Miss be needing some rest to be not shaking." Draco nodded. He knew the aftereffects of the crucio. Some magically induced sleep would be just what she needed.
"Have you talked to her? Is she . . . ." What? Frightened? Angry? What would she be?
"Nappy not be talking. Miss need be sleeping."
Draco nodded. "I need to talk to Potter. Can you get me to him?"
"Is no more knowing where Potter is. Is only knowing where Hogwarts is. They is knowing where Potter is." Nappy was beginning to ring her hands.
"That's enough. Take me there." Nappy nodded, then pressed a beautiful roast beef sandwich into his hand.
"Eat and Nappy be disillusion you." Draco felt a rush of gratitude. He was getting careless. Draco felt the cold flowing down over his head even as he took a bite of the sandwich. Then Nappy grabbed his now invisible hand and apparated both of them with a crack, reappearing before the front gate of Hogwarts.
Nappy reached through the gate to trigger the wards, and in seconds Clytie's familiar face appeared. Nappy smiled broadly. "You is finding work here?"
Clytie gave a slight smile and bowed formally. "I is work for my master."
Clytie reached through the gates and Draco took his hand, turning to say good-bye as Nappy disappeared. Draco stepped through the gate, but Clytie did not move to enter the grounds.
"We is not staying here. I has order to bring you." Draco had no choice but to trust the elf's cryptic words, and then they were apparating yet again. This time Draco only had time to register a small room with lots of people before he was hit from all sides. Expellarimus took both his wand and his sandwich. His vision went black. He was thoroughly and tightly bound and gagged even as he was thrown back against a wall.
It took him a moment to realize he couldn't hear anything anymore. He hadn't hit his head that hard. Maybe he shouldn't have mocked their security. Now, he was completely helpless in a room full of people who hated him. He didn't have time for this. Hermione didn't have time for this.
Abruptly, he found himself sitting, his vision cleared, and looking into several wands, mostly held by what appeared to be Weasleys.
Ron was front and center. "Where is she?" he demanded.
"She's alive. She should be okay for now. My house elf has taken her to the LeStrange dungeons and treated her wounds. He said that she was sleeping."
"Her wounds? What happened? You couldn't protect her?" Potter stepped forward, his eyes burning, although his wand wasn't raised.
Draco sighed. "No. I did what I could, but she was crucio'd. Nothing else."
"Like that isn't bad enough," Weasley snapped. Potter's shoulders relaxed and he turned back to a table. Draco thought about pointing out that he wasn't the one who let her get captured, then decided that argument would lead nowhere. There was no time.
Surprisingly, it was Mr. Weasley who came over, disappeared the ropes and helped Draco to his feet. "What can you tell us?" he asked calmly. Everyone else backed away, their wands disappearing from sight, although probably still clutched in many hands. Ron was the only one who kept his wand openly trained on Draco, until his father gave him a pointed frown and he finally lowered it.
Draco glanced around the room. The small room was past its capacity. He recognized almost everyone in the room, Potter, Weasley, actually it looked like the whole Weasley clan, Lovegood, Weasley's old girlfriend, Minister Shaklebolt, Professors Lupin and McGonagall and, to his relief, Blaise, plus a couple of others in Aurors' robes. They were all waiting for his answer.
"And Old Ugly? He's expecting me. How much time do we have?" At least Potter understood the urgency.
"He's bought the glasses thing completely. He's very eager. We need to hurry, but we need a plan and it isn't going to be easy."
"What glasses thing?" Blaise was still standing.
"It's a long story," Draco said and before he knew it Blaise had him gripped in a tight hug.
"Glad you made it out of the fire," he said and Draco winced at the memory.
"So sorry about that." What could he say? Blaise's home was gone.
"Not your fault, mate." Blaise didn't seem fazed. A less forgiving soul might not have seen it that way.
At Blaise's gesture, Draco sat in an empty chair next to him. His cover was obviously blown now. It didn't matter.
Kingsley spoke, his voice so deep it seemed to rattle the tea kettle. "What is his plan?"
"He didn't tell us much. He's sent a message to Potter. Did you get it?" He turned to Harry, although it was fairly obvious that he had gotten the memories or else why would they all be gathered here?
Potter nodded.
Draco continued. "He plans to confront Potter in the cave. The bottle that my memories were in is a portkey. He will activate it."
"Just to fill you all in. He has been led to believe that my glasses are an amulet. He will think he can kill me when he takes them." Draco wasn't sure why they all needed to know that. Probably wouldn't hurt, except that they had so little time. It was Potter's decision though. The Chosen One turned to look at him. "Do you know when the portkey be activated?"
"No," Draco responded. "But it will probably be after, soon after, I am summoned. He told Bellatrix and me to keep the others from interfering while he deals with you."
"So now I have to kill him. Any ideas how I do that?"
"No. Potter,- have you told them . . . ?"
"You tell them. You were there. I just saw a memory."
Draco swallowed. "There is a problem. A serious problem. Old Ugly has some sort of protection spell. We don't know what it is or how it works. All we know is that if someone," he caught his breath, which was gone as he remembered his mother's last brave deed, "when someone tried to hit him with an Avada it rebounded. It killed her." He glanced up and caught Mr. Weasley's eye. The fatherly man knew who had been killed.
"Bill?" Potter had turned to one of the Weasleys down the table. "Have you ever seen anything like that?"
"Yes, but . . ." He was tall, like all the Weasleys, although he also had a ponytail and an earring – he was the one who worked at Gringott's. "They are all custom-made, protection spells like that. They question is what does it block? All spells? All curses? Only malevolent ones?"
"Can we test it? Shoot something harmless to see what happens?" Draco asked.
"Sure. Just make sure it is something you won't mind feeling if it hits you."
"A simple lumos works as a test," Draco volunteered, his heart clenching as he remembered Hermione showing him that.
"So – then what?" Potter asked Bill, although others in the room were frowning.
One of the Aurors answered. "If it only blocks curses, you can hit him with other stuff . . . spells to make him laugh, make him dance, that kind of thing."
"But those won't kill him." Potter said, grimly.
"No. That's the whole idea," Bill agreed.
"What about something that would hurt him, but not you?" Weasley, Ron, that is, spoke up. "Isn't there that spell Snape used to make a snake disappear?"
"Vipera Evanasca." Draco answered. He had studied up on the spell that his godfather had used to blow his clever move. "That would be amazing."
"It's worth a try," Kingsley spoke up for the first time. "But we cannot hope it will be that easy."
"How about something that would only kill a half blood? A pureblood could send it." Draco looked up with horror at the Auror who had asked the question.
"I don't know of any spell like that," he said, knowing that if something like that existed he probably would have been taught it.
"There are rumors of such things, but since the blood's not really any different . . . ." Kingsley shut that idea down.
There was silence as everyone pondered, trying to think of something, anything, that could bring down the evil snake.
He had to tell them, even if he didn't know what they would do with it.
"There's one strange thing." Potter looked at him and nodded, encouraging him. "I don't understand it, but it hurt him. Have you ever heard of Amorita?"
Several of them had – the Weasleys, Kingsley, Longbottom, one of the Aurors. The problem was that it had to be specifically brewed for each user to be fully effective.
"Could we make some for him? How long does it take to brew?" Ron was now pacing.
"Anybody have any tears they've shed over him handy?" George Weasley asked bitterly.
"What if we gave him some brewed for someone else? What would that do?" Longbottom asked.
"Even if we had some, how would we get him to drink it? We aren't going to be able to get through the shield with anything that could force him." Bill Weasley's cold logic stopped the excitement.
"We could try splashing him with it," Ron spoke up. "It might distract him."
"But how do I kill him?" Potter wasn't really asking them. He was looking vaguely into the air.
This was useless. They were running out of time. Draco was sure that he wasn't the only one who wished Hermione was here. If there were answers to these questions she would know.
"Did the Avada damage the shield?" Ron asked. At least he was persistent.
"No, Ron." Luna saw where Ron was going before anyone else did. He shrugged and sat back. None of them were that suicidal.
"I didn't notice," Draco answered anyway. His attention hadn't been on the Dark Lord at that point.
"Let's deal with some other particulars." Kingsley at least seemed to see that they needed to hurry. "After Harry's portkey goes, how do the rest of us get there? Where is there?"
"I don't know where the cave is," answered Draco. "I do have an idea of how you might get there though. I can give you portkeys, set to bring you to where I am. That will work, won't it?"
"Sure, that can be done," answered the Auror with the long hair. "No offense, but why not take us to where Harry is?"
"Snake Nose wants to fight him alone. He has asked me and Bellatrix to set up a perimeter around the two of them. Do you want to be within it?"
"No." Harry and Kingsley spoke at the same time.
"We can't run the risk of distracting Harry, and we need to be there primarily to bring down the others. But that reminds me, we need to keep the other Death Eaters from disapparating, keep them from escaping."
"I can seal the cave," said Bill.
"Yours will work, won't it?" asked George.
The older Weasley rolled his eyes. "Yes."
"Wait. That reminds me." Ron spoke up. "Hermione figured out why Old Ugly's spells aren't working against us."
"What?" "When?" "Why didn't she . . . ." The room erupted in questions, which were silenced when Kingsley raised his hands.
"Explain." Kingsley ordered Ron, in his stern baritone.
"She just figured it out . . . yesterday . . . when was it . . . when we were in the vault. It's just like the protection Harry's mom gave him. He willingly died for us. That gives us protection against Snake Nose's spells."
Draco frowned. What were they talking about?
"What protection? What do you mean?" Arthur Weasley leaned forward as he asked. Draco was consoled that he wasn't the only one who was clueless. In fact, only Harry, Ron and Luna didn't look confused.
"Oh," Harry realized that he needed to be the one to explain. "Back in first year, when he touched me, it burned him." When had that happened? Draco wondered. "Dumbledore said it was because . . . because my mother died to save me. It gave me protection. I guess that might make sense. I did die, sort of, at least I think I did, to protect everyone."
The room fell silent. Despite the urgency, no one knew what to say after that. Then Draco had a grim thought. Potter didn't die to save him. He was still a Death Eater during the Battle of Hogwarts. He was conflicted, but he was definitely on the wrong side. He would have no protection from the Dark Lord. There was no reason to point that out to the others though. Knowing they would have some protection was enough. Hermione, too. She'd been on the right side. She'd be protected, at least from the Dark Lord's spells. Of course, others had been able to crucio her. And who knows – maybe the Dark Lord was powerful enough to push through the protection. One way or another, they needed to get Hermione away from that homicidal sadist.
"Wait," Ron spoke up. "When do we go in? We'll have portkeys. How do we know when to use them?"
"Good point," Harry said. "I don't think you want to go at the same time that I do. Better to wait until Snake Eyes is distracted."
"Anyone have one of those coins Hermione made to use as signals? I could signal you." Draco knew he was going to have to get a new coin, but it was the best way to send a quick message.
Most of the Gryffindors who'd been in school with him raised their hands, signaling that they had coins. In just a few moments, Luna had copied hers and passed out coins to everyone, including Draco, while Ginny explained how to use them.
"Anyone have anything else to add?" Kingsley spoke up. Draco's head snapped up. Was he ending the meeting? They didn't have any sort of a plan yet. "No? We need to be ready. I want all of you to get some Invigorating Draught. Have it handy so you can take it quickly when it is time. Any of you with access to Amorita, get it. Bring it. Any other ideas, let me know. Not by owl. Use a patronus. Harry, be ready to use shields to hold him off, until we can wear through his protection. Molly, do you have something young Malfoy can use for the portkeys?"
Mrs. Weasley summoned a handful of spoons and Draco created the portkeys. The utensils glowed briefly and then the magic seeped into them. They were ready. Kingsley passed them out. Harry shook his head. He didn't need one.
Draco's stomach was churning. They were totally unprepared. They had no idea how to kill the Dark Lord but they were going to go charging in there. They were all going to die. Hermione was going to die.
Everyone was milling about, talking at once. Mrs. Weasley announced loudly that she had extra draught if anyone needed some. George offered Potter an enhanced shielding cape, whatever that was. They were just playing around the edges. If they couldn't kill the Evil One none of the rest of it would matter.
Draco edged over to Potter. "Are you lot serious? That's it? No plan?"
"It's good enough," Harry argued. "We're just going to have to get in there and improvise."
"But that's insanity. What if there is no way to kill him? What then?"
"We don't really have a choice. This is our chance. And we have to save Hermione. We'll just have to do the best we can. Hopefully, his excitement over getting rid of my amulet, and his problems with making his spells work will work against him."
"You know, I don't have that protection. I . . . I was on the wrong side at Hogwarts."
Harry looked him in the eyes. "I suppose that is the time that matters. Be careful then."
Draco nodded. As if that would help. Ron had worked his way over to them. Then Draco thought of something. "He's going to take your glasses. You need a vision enhancing charm."
"Are you any good at those?" Harry asked. Draco frowned. He wasn't. He hadn't ever needed them.
"I'll do it." A short, muscular wizard, with the trademark red Weasley hair, spoke up. "I'm blind as a bat without it."
"How long does it last?" Harry asked, as he removed his glasses.
"I redo mine about once a month," said the Weasley as he waved his wand and proclaimed. "Augendae aspectum."
"Wow." Potter shook his head, amazed. "That's fantastic."
"You'll need this too." The Weasley took the glasses, which Potter now held absently in his hand. "Tranperencio."
"Here," he handed the spectacles back to Potter. "Now they are just clear. You can wear them with your spelled eyes. Otherwise, they'd give you a headache."
"Thanks," Harry said. "Ron, I think you should be in charge of getting Hermione out of there. She's going to be in no condition for a battle."
Draco peered at Weasley. That was actually a good idea, except for one thing. "We'll be sealed," he noted. "No one will be able to leave."
"That's okay. I'll disillusion her. Put up a barrier. Keep her safe."
"If she's conscious, she won't like that." Draco's stomach seized as he wondered what sort of shape she'd be in. Would the Dark Lord rough her up some more?
"I know," Ron answered. "I'll do what I can."
Draco had an idea. "Look, we need your wand. I'll get my house elf to protect her. Maybe, she won't mind as much then."
"What? No, I need . . . ." Ron wasn't about to take orders from Draco.
"Ron." Harry put a hand on Ron's arm. Ron stared at it in shock. "He's right. We need you and if you were going to keep Hermione out of the fight you'd have to stupefy her. Then she'd be helpless. It is better if the elf does it."
"You trust him?" Draco hated that they were talking about him right in front of him, but there was no time. Harry might be able to get Weasley to see sense.
"I do. I've been in his mind after he took Veritaserum. And he saved Ginny. You know he did."
Ron turned and stared at him. Draco refused to be the one to look away or to blink.
"Okay," he finally said, and Draco closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Please God, let Nappy be able to protect her.
Harry turned to Draco. "Go get something to eat. Do you have Invigorating Draught? We all need to be ready."
Draco nodded. He still thought that this was insane. They were all doomed. But what could he do? Harry was right. They had no choice.
After saying good-bye to Blaise, he left as soon as he could, once again collapsing onto the sofa in his cottage. He knew he needed to get up. His body felt like it was full of giant rocks though. He couldn't move.
"Master." He opened his eyes to gaze tiredly at Nappy. "What is Master needing?"
"Food," he answered weakly. "Invigoration Draught. I need the Amorita too, but not to take it."
It had to have been less than two minutes and he was sitting up, definitely invigorated, finally getting to eat a full sandwich, with the small vials of Amorita in his pocket.
"How is she? Is she still sleeping?"
Nappy nodded. Draco gave one quick nod in reply. "Wait, Nappy." The elf looked up at him with big eyes.
"You know, there is going to be a battle tonight." Nappy nodded, large ears flapping. "I need you to keep Hermione safe. She isn't going to be ready to fight. I need you to get the cloak if you can, if not disillusion her. If you can get her out, do, but once we are sealed you won't be able to. Keep her safe. Keep her away from Greyback. Can you get rid of her scent, your scent?"
Nappy nodded.
"Master?" Draco couldn't shake the feeling that he would never see his sweet elf again. "Is keeping the miss safe the firstest thing? Before killing the . . . ." He could tell the elf didn't want to call him the Dark Lord, but wasn't quite ready to say his name.
Draco closed his eyes. If the Dark Lord won, if Harry was dead, if he was dead, if there was no one left to protect her, would it be better if she didn't survive?
No.
The world wasn't worth saving without her in it. Besides, if they were all gone, maybe, somehow, she could still bring down the monster. If anyone could do it she could.
"If you can help kill him, do, but keeping her safe is first. Nothing else is as important."
Nappy knew what that meant. This whole situation was insanity, but Nappy could give her a chance.
"Nappy, if I don't see you again . . . thank you. You've been the best elf, the best friend, I could ask for."
Nappy's eyes grew even wider with surprise and then began to fill with tears. She threw herself at his knees, hugging them tightly. Draco gently pried her arms off of him, then crouched down to give her a proper hug.
Then he pulled back to look at her. "One other thing, my father . . . keep him out of the battle. He'll just get hurt. He isn't . . ." Draco didn't want to put a name on what his father was or wasn't, but Nappy nodded.
"Nappy be making sure big Master is in the right place." Draco gave her one last quick hug, then remembered, he had much to do.
Nappy smiled, through watery eyes. "Go. Be getting ready."
He nodded. "You be careful. Good bye."
He needed to go, to head to the Manor and its library.
If they weren't going to go in with a plan, he would have to come up with one himself. The Manor had a library full of tomes with dark magic. Surely there would be something there, something he could use.
He was just about to leave, when Nappy grabbed his sleeve. "Master is mussed."
He smiled. That was probably true. He felt Nappy's soothing magic flow over him. Much better.
"Thank . . . ." Then he felt his mark. No. This was it. There was no time for research, no time to plan. He only had time to get his mind ready, to hide his most . . .
And then he was being pulled. It hadn't been two minutes. It hadn't been 10 seconds. What was this?
He was in the cave. He stumbled as he landed, not ready, confused. The cave wasn't full. The only others were Dolohov, Greyback and the Dark Lord. Dolohov was smirking victoriously and clutching a battered notebook.
"And where have you been tonight?" the Dark Lord asked in his lowest, most dangerous voice. He turned away and Draco knew that he didn't expect an answer. He knew.
Greyback was on him in seconds, close enough that Draco could smell his foul breath. "I don't smell her, but he's been with the rest of them – Weasleys, Zabini, Shacklebolt."
The Dark Lord whipped around, his eyes blazing. Draco expected an invasion of his mind, but instead his hand lashed out towards him and threw Draco against the cave wall. Draco's head slammed into the rock and his body exploded in pain. He heard something break, but the pain was so complete that he wasn't sure what it was.
Through the pain, he was dimly aware. The Dark Lord was going to find out everything.
Draco saw the charmed coin fly out of his pocket. They wouldn't be coming. The fiend would kill her. He would kill him.
It was over.
He had failed.
AN – So sorry for my glacial pace. All I can do is plead real life. And assure any frustrated readers that I am sticking with this. I'll even pick up the pace a bit. As always – reviews are appreciated.