"Come on, we have to move."
He scowled, glaring up at the Gryffindor. "You're not the one bleeding here."
"Then I'll help you walk you baby," she huffed, reaching out to help Malfoy stand. He swatted her hand away, determined as ever to completely ignore her presence and be just as self-righteous as usual.
"I don't need your help. Why don't you focus on finding a way out of here Granger? You're not injured, so you should be able to walk faster than me. So- lucky you- you can do all the work."
"You want me to leave you here all alone when we barely know where we are and what to expect? I wasn't thinking of the train station when I apparated, just so you know. I think there was a spell already placed on the train before we apparated to safety that sent whoever attacked back here- back to home base- in order to gather his barring's and escape without really being noticed."
Frowning, he glanced at the brunette woman again. "You came up with that estranged idea in the past fifteen minutes?"
"It's just a theory. I don't know how this kind of magic works or what it's called. I would have to do research to see if it is even a possibility. Right now we need to worry about finding a way out of this bloody place, and then you should be taken to St. Mungo's. Besides, we need to make sure everyone else aboard the train is alright and accounted for."
Hermione had a heart bigger than most, but on top of her list were her friends. She didn't live through a war to lose them in some insane accident. More than anything she wanted to see their smiling faces again and know they were alright. Anything had to be better than Malfoy's continuous scowl.
"We need to worry about ourselves first," he grumbled, forcing himself to stand. She remained nearby, moving to help the injured man when he swayed a bit. As a thank you he pushed her away.
"I don't need your help Granger. I'm just fine walking on my own."
"Of course you are. Here, I'll try a tracing spell. We can't use the column to leave. Once the Hogwarts Express departs it magically locks."
"That's from the outside," he reminded, moving to rest against the wall. "You can't come in once the train leaves, but our parents have been leaving through the column once the train departs ever since we first started coming here. I don't know if it locks as well once the train station shuts down, but it's worth a shot. At least we know where that is. Finding a door would be ten times harder."
She shrugged, slightly annoyed that she agreed with his reasoning. "Okay, that should be nearby. We're on the platform where the train usually takes off anyway. Come on, I think the correct platform would be more down this way. At least we have the sign to help us find the right one."
Together they headed off, Hermione walking several feet in front of Draco. Despite his efforts to seem haughty and unaffected by the wound in his side, she knew he was in a great deal of pain. If part of whatever impaled him was stuck inside him then it had to hurt more than anything he'd experienced, especially magically cursed objects. She heard rumors that it was an incredibly painful experience until healed.
Wandering to the pillar Hermione began wondering if Draco had ever once used this method to arrive at the station. This was a gateway to platform 9 ¾ from the muggle world, but he was forever immersed in the magical world. He must have seen people leave that way before. How else would he know anything about it?
Reaching the familiar stone column Hermione extended her hands out madly, waiting for the magic to sink in and let her through. To her upmost surprise her hand immediately sunk through.
"You don't have to run at the column from this side," she explained. "It simply allows you through."
"Why would you run at a bloody pillar in the first place?"
She smiled softly, recalling Harry and Ron's retelling of their troublesome arrival to Hogwarts during second year. She never tired of the shenanigans in that story, or the fact that she was no part in the insane flying car experience.
"Nevermind. Come on, we can go this way. It'll take us into the muggle world, but from there we can head to a floo system and get right on to St. Mungo's."
He blanched, and she glanced back to see the dumbstruck expression on his face.
"You do recall that this enters into the muggle world… right?"
"We should look for a different exit," he huffed, crinkling his nose in disgust.
"Oh no, we found a way out of here. You're injured. We can't just stand around wasting time until we find a new exit, or some clues. You need to get to St. Mungo's as soon as possible, and this is the fastest way."
Draco shook his head, looking absolutely disgusted. "So long as none of them touch me."
"Stop being a baby," she sighed, grabbing his arm. "Just think about it; the faster we get out of here, the faster you can stop being in pain. Besides, this might do you some good to be around muggles. It's like a character builder."
"I don't need any character building."
Shaking her head, Hermione extinguished the makeshift light she had made. Stepping into muggle London was going to be bad enough. She didn't need a crowd staring at her torch as well. Malfoy glaring at every possible person would be questionable enough.
"Make sure you cover that gash," she warned. "We don't want any unwanted attention. The last thing you need is to be rushed away in an ambulance."
"An ambu-what?"
"Never mind," she sighed, stepping through the column, pulling a very reluctant and somewhat heavy blond along behind her. They stumbled back into the muggle world, Hermione's original home, and when he practically fell on top of her they caused more of a scene than intended.
"Muggles are bloody ugly," he hissed as she forced him to stand straight, ignoring the odd looks sent their way as she started making her way to the nearest exit.
She threw him an irritated look. "They look just like us! They just wear different clothing. Remember Malfoy, here we are the odd ones out. We're completely out of the norm."
He glanced around, noticing the odd looks people kept throwing him. His midnight robes looked nothing like their monkey suits or oddly plunging necklines. Some were stuffy just like some wizards he knew, but others were dressed in such apparel that he'd never even seen it before.
The Slytherin hissed when she reached back, desperately pulling him further along. Why couldn't she be more careful and not bump his wound? He certainly was not complaining about the idea of getting away from the muggles as quickly as possible, but he wasn't exactly up to her speed either. His side was really beginning to burn, a problem he would never indulge Granger in.
"This way," she whispered, pulling him suddenly off the main path. They veered left, Hermione practically dragging him to the newest destination. Maybe if he wasn't focused on scowling at every living thing that passed he would've bothered asking where they were going.
She pulled them out of the train station onto the main street. Immediately instead of following the crowd she turned down the nearest alleyway she could find, pulling Draco along.
"People are going to get weird ideas if they see us in an alleyway together," he reminded.
"It's a shortcut. Besides, we're drawing a lot of attention in our robes. That and your constant scowl isn't too welcoming. I know where to go; we just need to blend in a moment."
Finally turning to a nearby shop she opened the door and stepped inside. At first he thought they were entering through the back of a store, but it turned out to be a store- in fact, it kind of looked like a pub.
"Hello 'Mione," one man said, waving briskly to her as she passed. Hermione didn't spare him a second glance, towing Draco in through another door and slamming it shut. He barely had time to notice a dark figure in the corner take an interest in them.
He blinked, surprised by the newest turn of events. Blinking several times he tried to make out where they were, before blinding light startled him again.
"Damnit Granger, you couldn't warn me?"
"Sorry, I didn't want to be out there long," she admitted, pulling out her wand again. "Look, I'm going to try to send a patronus to Harry and Ron. If they are alive, at least they will know I am too."
"And that's going to help us?"
She glanced back, mimicking the glare he'd been sending people since stepping into the muggle world. "If people went missing after the crash like we did then there will be search parties everywhere. At least if I send a patronus it's one less person to find. Can you make one? I doubt Harry or Ron would recognize it, but maybe one of your friends-"
"I don't have a wand," he snapped.
"You can use mine. I'm sure it doesn't matter which wand-"
"People will know I'm alive when I go back," he huffed. She considered questioning whether or not he could make a patronus at all, but decided against it. She didn't need to be causing anymore drama right now. There were more pressing matters to attend to.
"Why are we here?" he asked when she said nothing more. "That man out there knew you."
"That's Mark. I know him too."
"Why did you bring us to a pub of all places?" he pressed. "Seems a little out of your league."
She could feel her patience with the blond wearing thin, but for now she chose to say nothing on the matter. "Let me send my patronus real quick. Then we can get out of here. This place has a floo, and it's plenty closer than my home."
"A muggle pub has a floo system connection?" he asked, absolutely perplexed. She said nothing more, pulling out her wand so she could assumedly assemble a patronus, deciding that he had better things to do than watch her fiddle with magic he turned away, glancing around.
"A bloody supply closet," he muttered, looking at the merchandize. If he wasn't wounded, and if he had his wand, he would be pocketing some of the liquor.
A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts, and he glanced at the Gryffindor to see her tense up.
"I need to focus Malfoy. Do you mind answering that?"
He rolled his eyes. It's a bloody closet. Turning, he moved and cracked the door open.
"What?"
A tall man stood outside the door, eyeing the man happily. He was older than they were, -someplace in his mid-thirties.
"I saw Miss 'Mione walk in," he said politely, never once glancing past the blond. "What are you to doing hiding in the stock closet?"
Draco shook his head. "I have no fucking idea. We'll be out in a minute."
Slamming the door, he wondered if this day could get more ridiculous. First the ancient Hogwarts Express had its first accident since its creation and he ended up alone with Granger. Then he lost his wand. Now he was hiding in a supply closet at a muggle bloody pub in London with a dangerous wound in his side while Granger sent a patronus to her friends.
Fucking ridiculous.
"Is everyone still in there from before?" she asked suddenly, drawing his attention. "I know Mark came by just now, and you were very rude might I add, but can I peek out a moment? I'm waiting for someone to leave before we use the floo in the far room."
"You want to wait longer?"
"It's a precaution," she drawled, moving to crack the door a hair. "He's been suspicious about the magic world for years, only he has no connection to it. I believe he's gone, or at least hiding out of sight. Here, we can go over now. At least we can floo safely with that wound in your side. Let's go to St. Mungo's. They must have some information on what's going on, as well as some of the injured."
He blocked her out as they made their way from one door to another. Granger was acting moderately odd, even for her peculiar behavior, and he wondered what made her think this was the safest place for them to come. Keeping his mouth shut for the only time in his life, he followed the brunette around the room, entering the furthest door from them. She shut the door after him.
"You go first," she demanded, pulling him over to the fireplace. A cabinet with a lock sat nearby, which she easily opened up with her wand. "You need the medical attention anyway. Here's some floo power. Take a handful."
"And the man who runs this place just has this shit lying around?" he questioned, not moving to leave. As though to emphasize her point about his injury she extended an arm and poked his side- below where the wound started but still where the skin was somewhat tender. He cringed.
"Go Malfoy. I know you would love nothing more than to make fun of this muggle place for the next many hours, but you need medical attention and someone needs to know we're alive. I don't even know if my patronus has found Harry and Ron yet. Just go."
Draco didn't bother pointing out that her friends may not have survived the accident. The last thing he needed was for her to explode on him. Stepping into the floo, he cradled his side many a little too much, looking straight past her when he spoke.
"St. Mungo's."
She watched him disappear into the flames before again hiding the floo powder and stepping up to disappear herself. Just before she called out her destination a knock on the door caught her attention and she froze. It was quickly followed by another.
Narrowing her eyes, Hermione made no move to open the barrier. Matt never interrupted her in that room. He already knew what she would be doing, and in a few minutes he would come by and unlock it again.
Nosy bystander came to catch the action again.
"St. Mungo's," she called, needing to get out of there. She did not have the time to deal with anything here right now. Perhaps on her next break she would- sometime in January.
Arriving at St. Mungo's was a little bit like stepping into a madhouse. People were running frantically everywhere, Healers and nurses all colliding together this way and that. She glanced around for Malfoy, who only arrived moments before she did, but he was nowhere to be found.
I guess that's my first order of business.
She stopped the nearest nurse, ignoring the look of surprise when she realized who the brunette was. "Excuse me, a blond arrived here just a moment ago. Draco Malfoy?"
"Oh yes, Mr. Malfoy," she said, nodding her head. Nonetheless, the young woman seemed surprised about who she was talking to. "He was taken into surgery immediately."
"Surgery?"
"Yes, something was perturbing from his side. He seemed to be in a great deal of pain. A Healer took him back right away and he's being seen too now. Miss Granger, were you on the train as well?"
Her ears perked up moderately at that. So news of the accident had already spread. "I was, yes. Malfoy and I got separated from the train. Are there others here? Were there any casualties, injuries like his? How-"
"I don't know much," the nurse interrupted, looking alarmed. "But I do know there's someone here you'll recognize. Follow that hallway there. He'll be standing outside one of the doors."
The nurse hurried away, obviously needed elsewhere. She shot Hermione one final look as she left, amazed that she just had a conversation with her.
Sighing Hermione wandered off in the direction the nurse indicated. Every few steps her head swiveled around to various rooms. She couldn't recognize any of the people in there, but she did notice someone from the younger classes holding his head. She was about to bend and ask if he was alright when a voice captured her attention.
"Hermione!"
Snapping her head up she was just barely able to catch sight of Ron before he whisked her off her feet, engulfing her in a huge hug. She felt as though her ribs may break.
"It's so good to see you! When we found out the end of the train and separated from the rest we were so worried! Thank Merlin you're okay."
He set her down, squeezing the brunette one last time before stepping away. Ron looked elated that she was there, healthy and alive, but the troubled look in his eye and the paleness of his skin worried her immediately.
"It's good to see you too Ron. Is something wrong? Are you hurt? You look dreadful."
He wavered a bit, obviously upset over something. "I-it's Lavender. During the crash I tried holding onto her, but a jostle caused me to lose my grip… she slammed her head into the window and the glass broke…"
Hermione cringed, recalling how fond of Lavender Ron was. "Is she alright?"
"She hasn't woken up yet," he croaked. "The Healer's gave her some potions and have been attempting to revive her, but right now her conditions stable. With some people having more serious injuries she's kind of being pushed to the side."
Brunette eyebrows shot up. Considering how hot-tempered Ron was she was surprised that he wasn't reacting more to Lavender being sidelined. Sure, if she was stable and there was no immediate danger then it made sense to send the people working on her off to handle other things, but Ron was never one to wait around like that. Usually he'd explode over something like this.
"Come on," he said, gently grabbing her arm when she said nothing. "Harry and Ginny are waiting back in the room. Ginny threw me out not ten minutes ago to get some water when I wouldn't calm down. I just happened to see you on the way."
"Are they alright?" she questioned, surveying the ginger as they walked. He looked fine, no worse for wear than he had when she left the compartment earlier to go see Malfoy. Ron nodded his head.
"We didn't really have any injuries. Lavender's the only one…"
"She'll be okay Ron," she replied with a smile. "She probably just needs some time to heal right now. She'll have a massive headache when she wakes up."
He sighed, moving towards one of the doors. Opening it, he sighed. "I hope your right."
Stepping in she was nearly tackled to the ground by the sudden appearance of Ginny Weasley. She attacked Hermione the moment she spotted her friend, relieved to see her alive. She was going on about a hundred words a minute, speaking far too fast for Hermione's worn ears to hear.
"Ginny- oh, I know, it's nice to see you too… yes, I was worried as well… Ginny-Ginny! Can you slow down at all? I'm here now and I'm fine."
"I'm just so glad to see you," she breathed, finally stepping aside so Harry could hug the brunette. "We were so worried when you and Malfoy were nowhere to be found."
"Well, I'm fine- really. He's actually up in surgery right now."
Harry frowned as he pulled back. "What do you mean surgery? What happened to the two of you anyway?"
"Well, we fell off a bridge-"
"What!?"
Quickly Hermione held up her hands, unable to handle a confrontation from the three of them at once. Perhaps she shouldn't have started out with such a dynamic statement.
"Sorry, let me start over okay? It's sort of a long story."
"We have time," Ginny chirped, gesturing to the crippled form of Lavender Brown. "We're waiting to make sure she'll wake up. Pavarti should be along soon though. She had to be treated real quick."
Hermione could feel her questions trying to burst out of her skin. Everything was such a jumbled mess right now and she was just as confused as her friends were about what happened.
Well, she might as well start from the beginning. This could take a while.
A/n: There's chapter two. I hope you enjoyed! Leave a review and let me know how it's going. We're going to delve further into the mystery soon.
Updates on this one will likely be slow for a while. College is kicking my butt this semester.