Oliver crept over the frozen tundra. It had taken him two days to get up here. He was close. So close. He just prayed that they hadn't already left. He crept to the edge of the cliff and slowly peered over. What he saw was completely shocking yet at the same time, not at all…
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Oliver ran full tilt down the hallways, bursting through the dust clouds, hurdling over chunks of rock. Parts of the wall had fallen in from the first attack on Hogwarts. Still more debris was raining down. The second attack had begun.
He'd lied.
Malfoy had bloody lied.
And Hermione had believed him.
And Oliver had let it slide because he wanted to believe because she'd believed. But he'd been wrong, she'd been wrong. And now he had to find her before she died. Or worse, disappeared forever.
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Hermione crept quietly into the dungeon, wondering if they were out already, hoping against hope that the magic had held. The castle rocked with another explosion and she prayed that the resistance was still holding them off… She passed empty cell after empty cell, dread filling her. They were gone. They were in the castle. They were going to kill people. Lots of people. Malfoy's cell door hung drunkenly on one hinge, mocking her. He was out. She would have to find him, have to get to him before he got to Oliver and she would have to kill him before he killed Oliver. Because he wouldn't stop until Oliver Wood's body was at his feet. And it wouldn't be a quick, painless death. It would be slow and painful. She clenched her teeth. Well, she could change that. Spinning on her heel, she stopped, then stumbled back.
Draco Malfoy was standing four feet away, a scornful look on his face. "Hermione Granger, how could you have been so stupid as to overlook that one simple detail? Silly little Mudblood."
Her eyes darted around, searching for the others but all that was in the dungeon with them was shadows and emptiness.
"They're not here. No one is here except you and me." He had the air of a predator licking its chops at the sight of a cornered prey.
She raised her arm, "Ex-"
"No." He flicked his wand casually, blocking her.
She judged the distance between them, had time for a split-second thought then raised it again. "Imp-" She knew she wouldn't have time to get it out before he blocked it but it was all she needed. She threw herself at him, hoping to throw him off balance and get around him to escape.
She didn't count on his reflexes though, as he caught her around the waist and threw her back. "Now, now, Hermione. None of that. We need to talk."
She hit the floor hard and slid a few feet before jumping back to her feet.
He eyed her with a look of triumph and a bit of approval. "I'm glad you're fighting. I wouldn't want to win you without a fight. But I think it's time we left." He started towards her.
She threw herself backwards into his recently vacated cell and shouted, "Reparo." The door swung shut with a heavy clang. "I'm not going anywhere with you, Malfoy," she spat at him.
He snarled and raised his wand. "You'll come if I have to tear this whole castle apart to bring you. Diffendo!"
But the cell door refused to open. He grabbed the bars and shook the door. It still refused him entry to his prize.
He growled. "What in the hell have you done to it, Granger?!"
She smirked. "It's the castle. Its magic is old. Strong. Stronger than you."
She slid down the wall, keeping sure to be out of reach. There was silence as she tried to think of another way. Finally she asked, "Why, Mal- Draco? Why are you helping him win? It isn't going to do you any good if he does. You'll still be under the control of another. First it was your father and now Voldemort? When will you be your own person, Draco?"
He laughed, without mirth. "Your mind games won't work on me, Hermione. I won't change. I am and always will be a power-hungry, cold, emotionless bastard. Isn't that what you told me back in sixth year? Now, if you're going to be in there for awhile, I might as well find your knight in shining armour for a little chat…" He turned on his heel.
"No, Draco no! Don't hurt him! Don't you dare!" she screamed after him.
"Oh, don't worry, dear Hermione, you'll see him before the end…"
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Oliver slammed through the door but found their room empty. But then where…? He shook his head. What an idiot… of course Hermione wouldn't be up here hiding from the enemy. She'd be trying to stifle the very source. She'd be trying to take down the most powerful, the most dangerous… Malfoy. He turned. She'd have gone down to the dungeons to take on Malfoy and Snape and all the rest of the prisoners. Oh Hermione, why do you have to be so righteous. You're going to get yourself bloody killed! He bolted from the room.
He burst into the dungeon to see Hermione sitting in the back cell, Malfoy's cell, the door decidedly shut. "Hermione!" He started forward, reaching into his tunic for the keys he always kept.
"It's a trap! Duck!" she screamed.
He ducked and rolled to the side as a bolt of energy sizzled into the door beside him. The keys skittered from his grasp and fell among the rubble.
Malfoy came out of the shadows. "Saved again by a girl. When are you going to stand up and fight for yourself, Wood?"
Oliver stood and drew himself to his full height, a few inches taller than Malfoy. "Right now."
They threw themselves at each other, curses flying all over the place.
Hermione ducked down, trying to avoid being hit. She gritted her teeth. Okay, so it had started out as a good idea jumping into the cell but now she was trapped, stuck, and unable to help Oliver at all. She spied the keys but after a faint flicker of hope, sat back down. They were too far. There was no way she would be able to reach them. She raised her hands in despair and realized she was still clutching her wand. "Accio keys!"
Draco, realizing what she was doing, lunged for the keys, throwing Oliver out of the way, but missed the keys by a breath.
Oliver crashed into the wall and did not get up.
The keys flew into Hermione's hands and she brandished them triumphantly, matching Draco glare for glare.
He turned back towards Oliver's still form, wand raised. "Care to try your luck, Granger?"
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