Wednesday Chapter here you go! I'm finishing up the Final Battle then we're going to take a few weeks off for Part 3 (which I have sketched out, just not written). BUT don't fret, we still have 2 more chaps until the Final Battle, lots more to shove in!

Thanks as always to my greatest support, bam2305.

and to carrerra . hughes (ffn): don't fret, the reconciliation won't be too dragged out here! :)


Friday, April 10, 1998

Hermione

Late that morning, they made their way to the Forest that had been designated for the capture. Harry and Ron were in worryingly good spirits, play fighting with the Sword of Gryffindor. It was quite nice to see them so playful, but Hermione was tense.

She was annoyed at how much a false lead had increased their mood. The past week had been them making plans on scoping out this supposed lead that they had, Hermione had convinced them to wait until Friday so she could do a bit more research.

As they walked through the forest, Ron brought up Potterwatch again.

Hearing familiar friendly voices was an extraordinary tonic; (Hermione) had become so used to their isolation (she) had nearly forgotten that other people were resisting Voldemort. It was like waking from a long sleep.

"Good, eh?" said Ron happily.

"Brilliant," said Harry.

"It's so brave of them," Hermione said admiringly. "If they were found…"

"Well they keep on the move, don't they?" said Ron. "Like (we used to.)"

"But did you hear what Fred said?" asked Harry excitedly; now the broadcast was over, (Hermione knew that) his thoughts turned again toward his all consuming obsession. "He's abroad! He's still looking for the Wand, I knew it!"

"Harry-"

"Come on, Hermione, why are you so determined to admit it? Vol-"

"HARRY NO!"

"-demort's after the Elder Wand!"

"The name's Taboo!" Ron bellowed…

"Come out of there with your hands up!" Came a rasping voice through the darkness. "We know you're in there! You've got half a dozen wands pointing at you and we don't care you we curse!"

(TDH, pages 444-445)

Hermione turned to Harry and cast a Stinging Jinx on his face. "Run!" she shouted as she began running in the opposite direction as the other two. It was futile and she knew it, but she went anyway. When Greyback caught her, she shuddered as he licked a strip up her neck.

"You smell delicious, girl," he whispered in her ear, holding her in front of his body. She could feel him against her back. "You feel what you do to me?"

She was revolted. He smelled terrible, "Do they not have showers wherever you're holed up?" she asked snottily.

"What's your name, girl?" The Snatcher, who she knew was named Scabior barked at her as Greyback held her tighter and ground himself against her arse.

"P-Penelope Clearwater," she stuttered, finding that she wasn't acting anymore. It had not been like this last time.

He looked at her again. "You look an awful lot like that Mudblood everyone's been talking about," he walked up to her and stroked her face. She tried to flinch away, but Greyback held her firmly.

"I love when they wriggle," he growled.

"Get off of her!" Ron said, as he was dragged up by another Snatcher, with Harry close behind.

"Hmmm. Are you sure you aren't a Weasley?" Scabior asked, eyeing Ron's hair.

Finally he turned to Harry. "A Weasley, a Mudblood, could you be-"

"Vernon Dudley!" Harry yelped.

"Vernon Dudley, hmmm?" Scabior said, stroking his chin. Hermione could tell that he was toying with them. "I think we should take this lot to the big boss. She'll know what to do with them."

"I hate the Manor!" Greyback whined behind her, "They always make me wait." He ground against Hermione again, who let out a quiet sob.

Within seconds, Hermione felt them apparating to Malfoy Manor. As she was forced up the long path to the front doors, Hermione started to get nervous. She thought about Theo sitting at the Cabin worrying about her, wondering how it would all go, and for all her bravado the night before, she was nervous. She blinked, coming back to the present circumstances. Narcissa Malfoy stood at the door, looking down her nose at the rest of them.

"Who are you?"

"You know me!" There was resentment in the werewolf's voice. "Fenrir Greyback! We've caught Harry Potter!"

(A Snatcher) seized Harry and dragged him around to face the light, forcing the other prisoners to shuffle around too.

"I know 'e's swollen, ma'am, but it's 'im!" piped Scabior. "If you look a bit closer, you'll see 'is scar. And this 'ere, see the girl? The Mudblood who's been travelling around with 'im, ma'am. There's no doubt it's 'im, and we've go 'is wand as well! 'Ere, ma'am-"

(Hermione) saw Narcissa Malfoy scrutinising his swollen face. Scabior thrust the blackthorn wand at her. She raised her eyebrows.

"Bring them in," she said.

(They) were shoved and kicked up the broad stone steps into a hallway lined with portraits.

"Follow me," said Narcissa, leading the way across the hall. "My son, Draco, is home for his Easter holidays. IF that is Harry Potter, he will know."

(THD, page 456-457)

Hermione cringed when she entered the room. Her nightmare come alive. She tried not to look at the chandelier, and ignore the dark purple walls.

"Mmmm," Greyback growled into her neck, "what's got your pulse racing, Mudblood?"

"Mudblood?" called the drawling voice of Lucius Malfoy. "We don't collect Mudblood filth here, wolf." Hermione saw Draco cringe behind his father. Interesting.

"According to these imbeciles, this is Potter," Narcissa said snidely. "Draco, be a darling and check for us."

Hermione watched from the corner of her eye as Malfoy stepped up to Harry.

"Well?" said Scabior.

"Draco!" Lucius hissed when Malfoy hadn't moved or said anything for too long. He sort of jerked into motion, making eye contact with Hermione.

"Uh- Well, I can't tell. What's happened to his face?"

"Come on Draco!" cried his father. "You must be able to tell. What about this one, isn't it the Mudblood?"

"I don't remember her hair like this, it was always frizzy when we were at school. I suppose it could be, but I didn't spend much time looking at her, Father," Malfoy said, trying to channel his inner Third Year. His father went back to peer at Harry.

"Draco, if we are the ones who hand Potter over to the Dark Lord, everything will be forgiv-"

"Now, we won't be forgetting who actually caught him, I hope, Mr. Malfoy?" said Greyback menacingly….

"What did you do to him?" Lucius asked Greyback. "How did he get into this state?"

"That wasn't us."

"Looks more like a Stinging Jinx to me," said Lucius.

His eyes raked Harry's forehead.

"There's something there," he whispered, "it could be the scar, stretched tight…Draco, come here, look properly! What do you think?"...

(TDH, page 458)

Before he could say anything, the door opened. Hermione heard the boots clicking against the marble floors. She let out an involuntary whimper, and felt Greyback thrust against her. Malfoy stiffened and clenched his fist.

"What do we have here?" Bellatrix trilled.

"It seems that we may have some special guests," drawled Lucius. Malfoy still hadn't taken his eyes off of where Greyback had her pressed against him.

"Ooo!" Bellatrix shrieked. "This looks like Weasley hair," she stroked a long nail along Ron's cheek.

"We were told," Narcissa cut in, giving her sister a look of disgust, "that this is Harry Potter."

The mad witch practically started salivating. "Harry Potter!" she shrieked. "Why haven't you called the Dark Lord!?"

"We wanted to be sure," Lucius said, lifting an eyebrow. "Draco here was just going to verify. We think this is the Mudblood."

Bellatrix flourished her wand, an "Undesirable Number 2" Poster appeared next to Hermione. "Fix her hair. I want to be sure!" she turned to Narcissa, who waved her wand. Hermione felt all of her carefully spelled braids coming undone.

"This is definitely her," growled Greyback, gripping her tighter. "And I want her."

"I'd-definitely have a claim!" Malfoy started, gaining confidence as he continued. "That Mudblood has been tormenting me for years. I'd like to teach her a lesson she won't soon forget. Maybe once I'm done with her, you can have a taste."

"You little impertinent brat!" Greyback started, holding Hermione closer.

"WHAT IS THAT!?" Bellatrix shrieked, pointing to the sword clutched in one of the Snatcher's hands. She pelted a spell at him and ripped it from his hands.

"J-just a trinket," Hermione stuttered.

"Bring the boys downstairs, Draco," this one and I need to have a little chat, girl to girl."

"I-I was hoping to observe you, Aunt Bella!"

"Very well, Drakey, such a good student!" she cooed, batting her eyelashes at him. Disgusting. "Cissy, bring these boys down to the dungeons with our other guests!"

Narcissa gave Draco a strange look, but directed the Snatcher's to bring the boys down the steps. Then Ron started shouting for her, and Bellatrix had her pinned to the floor, and Hermione locked eyes with Malfoy and couldn't look away from his silver eyes.

Don't look away from me, Granger.

Are you using Legilimency on me?

Of course, I can't do much for the pain, but I can try to distract y-

And then the first spell hit, and it was somehow worse than she remembered.


Draco

This was worse. So very much worse. He held her eyes and tried to ask questions about potions or Arithmancy anything to distract her. He still had nightmares from these screams, from her blood on the marble floors. It went on for ages. His mother had rejoined him and was standing next to him, looking between the two curiously. In a brief pause, he made eye contact with his mother, and waved his wand "Nexus Vincula," he whispered.

He watched his mother's eyes look about in confusion, but when she saw the Golden Cord between him and Granger she gasped softly. He turned back to Granger just as Bellatrix cast the next Crucio.

See this Cord, Granger?

She didn't really respond, but he knew that she was paying attention because her eyes flicked down to the place that it was coming out of his chest.

That's you and me. I'm sorry that it took me so long to apologise. I'm a right wanker for how I acted. I know that Blood Purity is a bunch of Bollocks. I just didn't want you to be stuck with me.

She laughed. Well it was more like a mad giggle, but he got the point. Bellatrix lifted her cast and Draco cleared his throat. "Aunt Bella, could I try some Legilimency on her? I'd like to see if I can tell what she's thinking about your…sword?"

"Oh what an excellent idea, Draco!" She took a step back and hovered behind him and he leaned down over her.

Okay Granger, can you respond to me?

Yes, I'm so tired Draco.

I know but you're doing so well. So strong. Now when I say the word, you need to scream, can you do that?

Yes…

"Legilimens!" he muttered. And she performed. She screamed so well for him. He had to clench his fist around his wand to keep from lifting his pretend spell.

Come on Granger, we're Soulmates. I'll need you to give me more than that.

Fuck you, Draco Malfoy. I want to go home. Tears started streaming down her face in waves.

I find that I quite like the way you say my name in your head, Granger.

You. Are. An. Asshole.

But am I your asshole, Granger?

Seems magic didn't give me much of a choice.

Bellatrix tapped his shoulder harshly. "What have you found, Draco?"

"Nothing, they just found it in the woods, she has no idea where it's from," he huffed.

"Mudbloods are tricky, Draco. We shouldn't fall for their tricks," she cooed, wielding her knife.

"L-let me try again, Aunt-" he tried, but she just waved him backwards.

"Let me warm her up a bit for you first!"

Then she straddled Granger and started carving into her arm. This was worse. So much worse than it had been the last time. He started to move toward her.

"Don't. You. Dare." Granger gritted out.

"I'll do whatever I want to you, you filthy little Mudblood!"

But Draco knew that Granger wasn't talking to her. She was staring straight into Draco's eyes, they needed to stick with the plan. "Darcy," he whispered. He felt a brief wave of magic and then before he knew it Potter and the Weasel were storming into the Drawing Room.

Then Bellatrix had her at knife point, and Dobby was loosening the chandelier, and then Draco was thrusting his wand into Potter's hands and they were apparating away. Draco watched as the knife sailed through with them.

He only stayed standing because of his mother's grip on his arm. The two of them had watched the Golden Cord stretch further away, flickering slightly.

"That FUCKING ELF!" his father shouted. Narcissa and Draco flinched. "You are USELESS!" he turned to Draco. "Crucio!"

But Draco didn't feel the pain. He opened his eyes, to see his mother writing on the floor. His father gasped and lifted the spell. "You can't even take a fucking curse like a man! Had to push your Mother in front of you!"

"You. Will. Not. Harm. My. Son." his mother bit out. "Enough. We must make a plan." She gestured to the Snatchers who were no longer in the room with them. "The Dark Lord will find out. We need to have our stories straight."


When they'd finally made a plan, Draco apparated to Shell Cottage. He burst through the doors, and was held at wandpoint by Ron Weasley.

"What spell did I try to curse you with in Third Year?"

"Eat Slugs! I don't have time for this, Weasley. I need to see Granger. I have the potions and salves she needs."

"You can just give them here, Harry can't see you."

"I need to give them to her, it has to be given by someone with Black blood."

"Now see here-"

Draco didn't have time for the Weasel's protests, he pushed past him and followed the flickering Golden Cord to the room she was in. "Granger, Granger I'm here. I'm here," he murmured, falling to his knees next to her bed.

She was sweating and she looked grey. He pulled the vial of potion out of his robes and lifted her head gently, tipping it down her throat, massaging it down. After a few moments, the Cord stopped flickering and he rested his forehead on her shoulder. "Merlin you scared me Granger," he whispered. "That was much worse than last time."

He heard someone clear their throat and saw Fleur Delacour standing in the doorway. "It vill be a ztrong bond," she said softly. "Tell me what I need to do."

He handed her the rest of the vials, and the salve. "You can see it? The Cord?"

"No, but I am Veela, Mr. Malfoy. I can zense zees sings." He nodded, not even trying to argue.

"She'll be okay, but you need to have Theodore Nott come, he's much better at healing spells than me. I can bring him over later tonight?" When Fleur looked unsure, he ushered to Granger's arm, " You need him."

She nodded and stepped back. "Bring him by tonight, after Ron and Harry are asleep." He nodded curtly and turned back to the witch on the bed.

He gently spread the salve on her arm and wrapped it loosely in gauze. "You're a mad witch, Hermione Granger. The next time I see you, I'll apologise in person."

He stood from her bedside and made his way to the door. "Er-thanks, Malfoy," the Weasel was standing at the door awkwardly. "We'll have to sneak you out the back, can't have Harry see you."

"His uh-connection with the Dark Lord?"

"How did you-" he looked affronted, but when Draco jerked his head back to the witch lying on the bed, he calmed. "Ah, yeah, right, Hermione."

He took a few deep breaths of the sea air, quietly considering all the things they'd planned to change. This was not what he expected to happen. He didn't think Granger or Theo had either. He rubbed his hand over his face, knowing he'd have to get Theo once he'd bid his parents good night.


When he apparated back to the Manor, his mother was standing in his rooms.

"Did she get it? Did it work?" she asked softly.

"Yeah, uh seemed like it was working, I told them to contact Theo, he's always been better at this stuff than me."

His mother looked at him shrewdly. "Do you love her?"

"Does it matter, Mum? She's my Soulmate. She deserves someone much better than me."

She just looked at him. "I think that you're more deserving than you're giving yourself credit for."

"You have to say that, you're my Mum," he scoffed quietly.

With a raised eyebrow she looked at him. "I don't mince words and I've never lied to you. You do have some apologising to do, but what man doesn't?"

"But I thought Malfoys didn't apologise?" he said with a smirk.

"Well according to your useless Father, they don't. Why do you think we are the way we are? Anything can be corrupted, my dragon. You'd better start planning the best apology ever created. That is not a Witch you want to lose."

"So you approve?"

She smirked, "It's you who I question, not her, Draco. Come. The Dark Lord is here to see us, make sure your shields are up."

He took a look around his childhood bedroom and sighed. He had a feeling that what was coming would make previous torture sessions look like childs play. He shook out his arms and legs and began to follow his mother out of the room.


Saturday, April 11, 1998

Theo

He could not handle this. He was pacing back and forth in his room at Granger Cabin very anxiously. Mia, Potter and Weasley had left hours ago. She'd promised that she'd contact him immediately. So did Draco. He hadn't heard from either of them. It was well after midnight now. It must have gone wrong. There was no other explanation. Something was wrong.

Bennett popped up next to Theo suddenly. "It's the Mistress' Mister. You must help Mister Theo!" Bennett shrieked in an uncharacteristically ruffled manner. Theo jerked to attention and followed after the elf.

Draco was sprawled on his bed in the Cabin, blood was gushing from his Dark Mark, and dribbling from his mouth. His body was shaking with tremors and he looked paler than usual.

"Draco, Draco!" Theo fell to his knees next to Draco's bed. "What happened!?"

"Th-the Dark Lord…" Draco said softly, "G-Granger es-escaped. Worse than l-last time. He was f-furious with us…"

"What did he use, Draco? I need to know so I can figure out which spells!"

"Cr-ucio, Sect-sectum…"

"Merlin!" Theo said and then started doing the countercurse to Sectumsempra. When Draco looked more settled Theo called for the elves. "Get me the Blood Replenishing potion and some of the Essence of Dittany, Calming Draught, and Vitamin Potion, Wiggenweld too, bandages and some water and antibiotics!"

The elves popped away, and Theo ran a diagnostic. Draco was doing better but that wasn't saying much. They came back and Theo directed them to clean Draco's wounds while he started administering the potions. After an hour, Draco was as close to normal as he was going to get.

"Th-Theo!" he said, trying to sit up.

"I'm here, mate. Lay back. You have to heal, we need to get you better."

"N-no we can't! What time is it? Where am I? You need to get to Granger. She needs you!"

"Mia!? What's wrong with her? What happened?" Theo started to pace again, looking frantically at Draco.

"She was fine when I left. What time is it?"

"Almost 2 in the morning. Where is she?"

"She's at Shell Cottage. I have to take you to her so that you can help them heal her. It was-" he broke off, Theo could see tears pooling in his eyes. "It was worse this time. She- My insane fucking Aunt carved her up with a cursed knife."

"She did WHAT!? I'm going to kill that bitch!" Theo shrieked, stomping closer to Draco's bed.

"I have to take you to her, I told them they could trust you, but you know the Order…"

"Yes, yes well you're in no state to travel, Draco. I'll just have the elves take me!"

"You know we can't. Here, help me up and I'll take you now, then I have to get back to the Manor, I've been gone for too long."

Theo weighed the options, but knew they didn't have a choice. He'd have to let Draco take him. He couldn't stay here anyway. He sighed and helped Draco stand, letting him rest almost all his weight on Theo. This was one of the few times that Theo was glad that Draco had lost so much weight in the past year. He could almost lift his best friend.

"Ready when you are, Drake," he said softly and they popped away to a house by the sea.


OMG what did you think? I'm still screaming a bit at this chapter! TELL ME YOUR THOUGHTS!

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