Chapter 27

Draco Malfoy was having a terrible day. A flat-out, no-holds-barred, absolute stunner of a terrible day. If a bad day and an awful day got together and spawned a single diabolical offspring, it would be this very day.

"Come on, Potter," he mumbled under his breath, patting the motionless man's face in an effort to wake him. The Rennervate he'd tried previously had been ineffective.

They were both covered with dirt and debris as a result of trying to fight their way out of an ambush in the forest. They'd been part of a team that was sent in to investigate rumors of a hideaway where some former Death Eaters, possibly even Travers, were gathering for Dark rites.

To everyone's surprise, not only were the Death Eaters onsite and in the middle of one of those Dark rites, but they'd clearly been expecting they might be interrupted. There were far more Death Eaters than their intelligence had led them to believe, and they were prepared for a fight.

Wandfire broke out immediately, jets of light flying and exploding around them, as all the battle-trained Aurors took their positions.

Unfortunately, part of the Death Eaters' ritual involved putting up Anti-Apparition wards. How far the wards extended, Draco wasn't sure, but it was clear that even if someone managed to get a Patronus to the Ministry, backup would still take much too long.

Outnumbered, they'd run. Well, most of them had run. Potter, the twice-killed fool, had yelled something about retrieving the Dark Artifact.

On a pedestal in the middle of a cleared circle of dirt was a small object. It was metallic and twisted, but even from a distance, Draco could feel the Darkness that emanated from it. It was clear that it was both important and powerful. He would have considered it unwise to lay hands on such an unknown item, but Potter just charged for it, obviously intent on retrieving it and taking it back to the Ministry.

So Draco had immediately responded, picking off two Death Eaters with a couple of masterful Everte Statum spells, as he followed after Potter during the confusion of the battle. Seeing Potter's reaching hands, Draco hit the Artifact with a charm to render it temporarily inert—because there was no sense seeing if Potter could defy death a third time—just as Harry's fingers closed around it. Hopefully that was enough to stay whatever Dark curses might be upon it.

Quickly rounding the pedestal, Harry yelled, "Confringo!" and hurled the curse at the closest knot of masked men. Then he took off into the forest in a completely different direction from where the other Aurors had gone. It was a common tactic for them to split up, in order to weaken the enemy's force, and to give someone the chance of escaping.

Not for the first time, Draco cursed Harry's tendency to act without a plan, and to rely on just his wand skill and intuition.

Catching up to him as they barreled through the forest—both of them wishing they had a broom instead of just their own two feet—Draco heard the crashing of footsteps close behind. He shot a jinx over his shoulder. Judging by the scream that resulted, it had found a target.

But they pulled up short when from around the trees stepped several more Death Eaters, all of them with masks on, the eerie painted faces lacking in human emotion.

Draco hated those masks. He hated the memory of what it was like to wear one, and to feel, even for a moment that he was simply an arm of the Dark Lord. He hated what he remembered people did while wearing those masks.

"Potter!" he'd cried, pushing him out of the way of a Defodio. Harry tumbled to the ground, the spell missing him by barely an inch. He rolled and came back up on his feet with the Artifact still clutched tightly in his hand.

"Go!" Draco told him, motioning vaguely to his left where the path was clearer. "I'm right behind you."

It was a testament to how much Potter trusted him that he responded immediately, without his usual fuss about playing hero. His Auror robes trailed behind him as he jumped over a fallen tree and darted for cover behind some shrubs.

Draco had no intention of playing the hero himself, he just needed Potter out of the way so he could cast a Concussion Charm. Fending off several hexes at once with quick wandwork and a small shield, Draco concentrated just enough to pull in the magic he would need.

With a yell he pointed his wand at the ground, and a blast rippled the earth, moving forward in a wave, knocking down the row of Death Eaters that were closing in on his position.

Then he took off after Harry, his heartbeat pounding loud and steady. He tracked Potter's footprints and followed them around the curve, only to be met by Harry's wand pointed straight at him.

"It's just me, genius," Draco growled, pushing the wand out of his face, as he continued stepping over the dead brush that covered the ground.

"Brilliant," Harry breathed. "Thought I was going to have to go back for you."

Draco had just rolled his eyes. Of course Potter would go back, taking the Artifact, whatever it was, right back into enemy hands. Casting Disillusionment charms on themselves, they'd quickly hurried off farther into the forest, trying to put as much distance between themselves and the Death Eaters, while also trying to find the edge of the Anti-Apparition wards so they could get themselves out of there.

It was only a few minutes, though, and Draco had noticed that Potter was falling farther behind.

"Keep up, Potter!" Draco ordered, turning around to see what was keeping him. He was just in time to see the other man collapse into a pile on the forest floor.

"Shit!" Draco hurried back, crouching over the still form, and rolled him over, trying to see what had happened. It wasn't long before he noticed that Potter's robes were soaked through with blood, and his face was pale. Some of those hexes must have been closer than he'd thought.

That was when he'd slapped Potter's face a few times to see if he would wake up.

But it was very evident that Potter needed medical attention.

Fortunately for him, they both had emergency Portkeys for just such a situation, which would take them straight to St Mungos. Draco quickly fumbled for it in the robe pocket where he knew Potter kept it, carefully wrapped in what seemed like some sort of silk kerchief. So the man had some class after all.

Without taking too many more moments to think about it, Draco pried the Artifact out of Potter's hands—it was sticky with blood—and he replaced it with the item in the scarf. Making sure Potter had his wand with him, he pulled the scarf out through his fingers, and the Portkey, what looked like a toy Snitch, fell into his hands. It activated immediately, and Potter's body was whisked away.

Draco took a brief second to consider how his day had gone truly, horribly wrong. After a lovely weekend spent mostly in bed with his girlfriend, who by the way was probably going to be pissed that he missed their lunch date, he had been in the completely wrong frame of mind to take on a whole passel of minions of the Dark.

He thrust all thoughts of Hermione to the very back of his mind. The last thing he needed was to be distracted by how much he would rather be wherever she was, and then maybe he could ignore that rising fear in the back of his throat that he wouldn't see her again.

Because unfortunately for Draco, there was no way he could use his Portkey to get to St Mungos without leaving the Dark Artifact behind. All of the Aurors had Portkeys, it was true, to get them out of difficult situations, but they had been very carefully calibrated to disallow any items tinged with Darkness to travel with them. This prevented the wards at St Mungos from being invaded by Dark forces, such as Death Eaters, or Artifacts imbued with Dark spells, such as the one that Draco now held tightly in one hand.

It was why Harry had not considered Portkeying out immediately, and it was why Draco had to make sure to take possession of the item so that Harry's Portkey would activate.

It also meant that Draco was very possibly alone in the forest with the Anti-Apparition wards up, and a dozen Death Eaters on his tail. Once far enough away, even if they hadn't found the edge of the wards, the other Aurors should have been able to get out safely using their Portkeys. But Draco didn't have that option unless he was going to leave the Artifact behind, and there was no way that he could do that, seeing as how it was probably one of their best leads to breaking up this ring of Death Eaters.

Grimly, Draco took stock of his surroundings before heading in a likely direction, the Artifact safely secured in a pocket lined with strong Concealment Charms. He just had to find the edge of the wards and Apparate out, or lay low until the other Aurors arrived to take the wards down.

Oh, and not get killed. Or captured. Getting captured would really make this day hell.

"Merlin, Hermione, I can't believe you won't at least tell me a little bit! You don't need to get graphic, although I'd love it if you did, but just tell me—"

"Ginny! No! I can't discuss those things with you!" Hermione's voice was firm, but there was a smile on her face she was trying to hide. She looked around at the little café where they were having a late lunch because Draco had never arrived for their planned date, and stage-whispered behind her hand as she leaned over the table.

"Especially not in public, Gin! Anyone could hear."

Ginny grinned, patting the back of the baby whose head was on her shoulder. Baby Jamie was fast asleep, and his father would be relieved to know he was not eavesdropping on the conversation of the women, one of whom had flaming red hair, and the other of whom had a flaming red face. "So what you're saying is that you'll tell me once we have a little privacy?"

"No." Hermione leaned back in her chair, taking a small bite of her food and chewing deliberately. At the other woman's continued look of disappointment, she said, "Remember when we had that rule: I wouldn't discuss my sex life with your brother, and you wouldn't discuss your sex life with the man who is like my brother? I like that rule, can't we go back to that rule?"

"This is different!" Ginny protested. "Draco Malfoy is no one's brother."

"Thank Merlin," Hermione muttered, sticking a much larger bite of food into her mouth.

"And if this is the one relationship we can talk about, then you are depriving us both of the experience of girly chat that we've never been able to have. I'd tell you about Harry if you weren't so weird about it."

"Ugh." Hermione made a face. "I still want that rule. We don't talk about Harry."

Leaning back in her own chair, Ginny continued rubbing small circles onto Baby Jamie's back while she eyed her friend contemplatively. "If we don't talk about Draco, and if you don't give me some details, then we're going to have to talk about someone. And since I'm married, that's Harry. You leave me no choice."

"You're making up new rules, Ginny!"

"Hermione!" Ginny whinged. "I've been on your side this whole time, and you can't at least tell me if it was good."

Hermione rolled her eyes, looked upwards as if debating with herself, and then said, with a touch of asperity, "Of course it was good." She sighed. "It is Draco Malfoy, after all."

Ginny squealed in excitement. At Hermione's warning look, she quickly hushed, looking around to see if anyone had noticed her outburst. Baby Jamie wriggled a little bit, no doubt wondering what all the fuss was about. In a quieter voice, she asked, more seriously, "He didn't pressure you or anything, right, Hermione?"

"No, Gin," she said with a slight smile at her friend's concern.

"And he was…you know, considerate?"

Her face flushed again, thinking of all the sweet words and the wonderful way Draco had been particularly considerate of her feelings and her body. "Yes, very," she confirmed, surreptitiously fanning herself with a napkin.

Ginny squealed again, quietly this time, to keep from drawing attention to the three of them. Then she sighed, a dreamy look on her face. "I knew it. It's the way he looks at you. I don't know how I never noticed it before, but it's a look of incredible restraint. And longing. Like he's going to devour you with his eyes. And longing plus restraint makes for some very advantageous qualities in the bed—"

"Ginny!" Hermione hissed. "Please."

This time Ginny didn't force the issue. She'd gotten the information that she'd been searching for. The words were good, but it was actually her face that Ginny had been watching. Hermione had a glow about her, a quiet look of happiness. For the first time in a long time, she looked like someone who was being cared for, and who was being loved—well-loved, if Ginny assessed the situation properly. In a variety of different ways—and possibly positions.

She couldn't help the knowing grin that formed on her face as she watched the brunette trying to eat her lunch and ignore her. But then Hermione locked eyes with her, and her own mouth quirked up in a grin, causing them both to laugh.

"I'm glad, Hermione," Ginny said, quietly, finally picking up her own fork to begin the salad that had been sitting there while she'd soothed the baby. "You deserve to be happy."

Hermione opened her mouth to say something, but just then a bright white lynx came loping up to the two of them, a trail of white light sparkling behind it. The Minister of Magic's voice sounded grave as it announced, "Ginevra, you're needed at St Mungo's. Come quickly."

There was a clattering sound as both women dropped their forks, food suddenly very unimportant. Ginny's first thought was to check her cuff, and noting there was no message there, she sent a questioning, 'Harry?'

Without waiting for an answer she immediately gathered her things, preparing to leave. Hermione dropped a couple of Galleons on the table for lunch, signaling to the server that they were finished, and the two of them hurriedly made their way to the nearest Floo.

With every moment that passed without Harry's response, Ginny grew more anxious, clutching the baby to her as they waited their turn at the restaurant's single Floo. Briefly, Hermione considered offering to take Baby Jamie for her, but it was clear that Ginny wasn't going to let go.

It was finally their turn.

"St Mungo's!" she called, stepping into the brilliant green flame.

"What do you mean I can't see him?" Ginny was arguing with the tired-looking mediwitch.

"Mrs Potter," she said, in the tone of voice of someone who has explained themselves already several times over, "the healers are with him right now, and all we can do is wait until they are finished."

"But shouldn't I have an update or something? I want to know what is going on! That's my husband!"

The woman sighed, reaching up to to tug on her blonde ponytail, something she apparently did when she was in a stressful conversation. "Yes, I'm very aware, Mrs Potter. And as soon as we have information on the situation, I will personally come inform you myself. But all I know right now is that Mr Potter arrived here by Portkey, unconscious and bleeding, and the healers are working very hard to stop the bleeding and assess any further damage."

"Well," Ginny changed tactics, "where is Kingsley? He sent me a Patronus to bring me here, and I'd like to speak with him."

"Mrs Potter," the witch said, "the Minister of Magic is ve—"

"Ginevra." Shacklebolt appeared from the corridor behind the mediwitch, dismissing her. She gave a sigh of relief as she slunk away.

"Don't forget to bring me my update!" Ginny called out after her, satisfied at seeing the woman's quick nod as she made her escape.

"Hermione," Shacklebolt greeted the woman who was standing beside her friend, holding the baby to free Ginny up to be as intimidating as possible to the staff of St Mungo's.

"Kingsley," Hermione acknowledged.

"What's happened?" Ginny asked him, her bravado in the face of strangers giving way to her very real concern. "Is Harry alright? That woman wouldn't tell me anything."

"Harry will be fine," the Minister assured her. "He arrived here in plenty of time to be treated, but I'm afraid the healing team is having a little trouble stopping the bleeding."

"What do you mean?"

Kingsley sighed, and gestured at the seats in the cream-colored lobby, indicating that they should sit down. Reluctantly, Ginny settled into a chair, and Hermione sat beside her, wordlessly handing the baby back.

Baby Jamie had been whimpering quietly in Hermione's arms and he settled once his mother was holding him again. But it was almost as if he could tell that there was something very wrong with the adults around him. He burrowed into his mother's neck for comfort, and Ginny squeezed him tight, no doubt for that same comfort.

"Ginevra, Harry was on a mission today that ran afoul of several active Death Eaters. We are gathering reports from the other Aurors who managed to Portkey out, but we don't have a clear picture of what happened. It appears Harry was exposed to some kind of Dark curse and the result was excessive bleeding that is not responding to regular healing spells. They've managed to slow the trickle of blood, and are keeping on top of it with Blood-Replenishing Potions, but they are still trying to figure out how to counter the effects of the curse. It's difficult to do without knowing the spell or the cause."

"What did Draco say?" Hermione asked, knowing he should have been with Harry at the time of the incident.

The tall, dark man gave the women opposite him an unreadable look, as if deciding how much he should tell them. His mouth pursed, and his fingers steepled as he considered his words.

Hermione felt the icy fingers of dread tickling down her back. "Kingsley?" she asked, in a voice that was suddenly too high and too thin. "What did Draco say about what happened to Harry?"

The moment of silence stretched on, like Hermione's nerves, and then he finally let out a breath. "Malfoy has not yet reported in," he said.

"What?" Hermione knew that it was protocol for Auror partners to remain together. She'd been engaged to one for years, and he'd been paired up with the same man who was in the healer's bed now. She'd never known them to be separated. If Harry had come in, Draco should have come in. "How many others have yet to arrive?"

"All of the Aurors who were sent on the mission have arrived by Portkey here at St Mungos, and are being treated for a variety of injuries, ranging from mild cuts and bruises to severe hexes." The words were matter-of-fact, the type that might be printed in a newspaper article. Hermione wondered if he was practicing what he would say to the reporters.

"All except Draco, you mean," Hermione pointed out, trying to quash the shakiness she suddenly felt in her limbs.

Kingsley gave a short nod. "I'm afraid you are correct, Ms Granger."

A/N: Hello! Yes, that's right, as promised, more chapters! I'm sorry I haven't responded to any reviews on this story, but I don't respond to reviews on this story because of how many there are. But I do read each and every one of them, and some of your reviews have really breathed life into all of my story-telling. Every time I falter, one of you picks me up, and I want to say how truly thankful I am for that.

As I mentioned a couple of chapters ago, I intended to write several chapters at once, before releasing them. We have finally reached the point where I have several chapters ready to go for you. I'm sorry it took longer than I'd expected, but I just wasn't able to do the writing I needed to do for this story.

Over the next couple of weeks, I will release all 9 finished chapters. After those ones, I can't say when the next updates will be, but I will do my best not to leave you all on cliffhangers (like this one) for too long.

As always, many thanks to my besties for motivating me, and to my beta, brandinm05. Please do check out my Facebook Author Page (Maloreiy Webster) for more updates, and to see the covers that sleepygrimm made me for each new chapter!

S&R: CONSTRUCTIVE REVIEWS WELCOME (CRW), which, as always, means that all reviews are welcome, including and especially constructive criticism