Chapter Fifty-Five
Draco's eyes blinked, they flashed from black to grey and back again as internally Draco began to fight against Bertram, the pain in his hand had shocked Bertram and Draco had momentarily got control back just in time to see his love token for the woman this foul spirit was trying to hurt using his own body. He felt intense love and hate in that moment and his strength was returning. Just then Aurelia jumped back onto his shoulders, knocking the wind out of Draco.
"Gerrof!" He mumbled as he struggled against the demon inside of him.
"Oh... right... Draco?" Aurelia said feebly as she slid off his back.
Draco shuddered and then his head was flung back and his mouth opened wide.
…...
The ghosts led Blaise through the mansion to the upper east wing, their silvery forms becoming invisible as they entered dark areas and Blaise constantly thought he had lost them, only for them to reappear as soon as they entered a pool of moonlight or candlelight. Tennengong had remained in the cellar with the spirit jar trap now open and ready to receive it's prisoner. The women became more solid as their determination to be rid of Bertram grew, and by the time they arrived at the upper east wing corridor, some of them almost looked human again.
…...
A torrent of black smoke poured from Draco's open mouth as he expelled Bertram's malevolent presence from his body. Draco slumped forwards onto Hermione's chest as his efforts drained the last of his energy from him. Aurelia lay exhausted upon the floor and watched as the black mass formed a pulsating orb of opaque fog that hung just below the ceiling. The monstrous black mass emitted a frenzied roaring sound and as Aurelia watched the mass changed shape, until it resembled an impenetrable shadow figure that loomed before her, sinking back down to the floor. The shadow figure turned away from Aurelia and floated maliciously to where Hermione and Draco were laid.
Aurelia watched in horror as a sinewy clawed hand reached out from the shadow and she gasped as it slashed three long gashes down Draco's naked back before tossing his exhausted body to one side. Aurelia tried to get up but try as she might she just couldn't make her bruised and fatigued body pick itself up, so she crawled slowly towards her vulnerable friend.
…...
The ghosts amassed outside that fateful room on the corridor in the upper east wing. Blaise was now at the head of the group like the captain of a ghostly Amazon tribe. He took one last breath and opened the door.
It took his breath away when he saw the chaotic scene behind the door. Aurelia was on all-fours crawling towards Hermione who lay stark naked upon the floor covered in bloody markings, a writhing black mass hovering above her, Draco was bleeding and seemingly unconscious in a corner and now Blaise and his Amazons added to the tumult.
In seconds the ghosts were upon Bertram, they tore at his shadow, splitting it into patches of smoke, his shadowy form splitting and reforming as they clawed at it with a ferocity that could be felt upon the atmosphere. The air in the room started to lift as Bertram was wrestled from the room, and within moments his anguished cries could be heard echoing down through the house to the cellars.
Blaise set to work, healing the remaining occupants of the room, and soon everyone but Hermione had sat up. Blaise had covered Hermione's dignity with the sheet from the bed and Draco and Aurelia were gathered around her, concerned that she still hadn't awoken.
Just then they heard footsteps running down the corridor, and with a battle-weary air the two able wizards and witch stood to face the door, wands in hands.