Italics = Draco's thoughts
Chapter 9
DPOV
Hands grip my upper arms and jostle me, forcing me away from my dreams. Our attackers say nothing as they aim wands and cast silent spells. Before one of them pulls a pillowcase over my head and Apparates with me, I vaguely hear Kreacher yelling at them.
This now ranks among the worst experiences of my life and I've had a lot of those.
When I wake, I'm bound, hand and foot, with the pillowcase over my head and no idea where Harry is. It's been several hours since I was awakened and torn from the warmth and safety of Harry's bed. I'm scared and have so many questions. Who took us? Did they hurt HIM? Is HE coming for me? Did they take us both? Did they kill Kreacher or did he get away? Is anyone going to save me? Do I need saving? Why was I taken? Where am I?
Hearing footsteps approach me, I cringe and shrink into myself.
"It's alright, Draco, you're safe from Harry Potter now." The voice of Delmont Umbridge booms in my ears and I know I'll have to act happy to be away from HIM.
"It's about bloody time, Umbridge! What's a man got to do to get rescued from slavery these days?" I say putting anger into my tone as soon as my face is uncovered. "I endured a month of sexual abuse by Potter and you're just getting me out now?"
"Let me explain. Narcissa knew nothing of Lucius' plans, but your father handed his faction over to me just before he was caught. He made me promise to get you away from the Ministry toads as soon as possible. I had to wait my turn in the line of people who wanted to see you being punished." He says, placing clothes next to me. "I've just notified your mother of your return to the ranks. She'll be here shortly."
"Wonderful; now tell me how you got me out. Tell me about the invasion of Potter's house." I demand, sounding far more curious and confident then I currently feel.
"Of course, Draco." Umbridge says. "Potter's demonstration of your daily caning was most harsh and, after HIS accusations and thinly veiled threats, I was even more determined to get you out of there as soon as possible…I knew HE would change the wards sooner or later but I hoped HE'D wait until the late evening or forget entirely for the night. We got lucky and HE did forget. I waited in a hidden room at Malfoy Manor to see when your mother would return from her scheduled visit with you and then me and my team gathered to plan your escape." He pauses. "Erm- Draco, before I unbind you…you and Potter looked quite cozy, there… You weren't falling for HIS lies or anything, were you?"
"Amortentia," I lie. "I would never do any of that willingly, Monty."
He nods grimly, takes the bindings off and then turns his back to give me a modicum of privacy. "I figured it was like that. So… It took about an hour to determine that the wards would still allow me into Potter's house and that I could bring people through with me. The elf was a minor obstacle and we used the Incarcerous charm to keep him out of the way. It didn't shut the little bugger up, though, so I threatened it with death and it just apparated away. That was after my man, Rodrigo, left with you and I had Potter in a full body-bind."
Inside, I allow myself a moment of elation at the thought of HIS survival but, to Umbridge, I say, "Wonderful! Where's the blighter now? Did you take HIM or can HE still try to come after us?"
"I thought you'd like to keep HIM as a pet, or perhaps just get even for your treatment, so I had HIM put in a room on the other side of the house." He says with a smile.
"Perfect! Take me there." I command.
"Don't you want to see your mother first? She'll be here very soon." Umbridge tells me again.
"I'd rather taunt Potter for a while first. Take me to see HIM and I'll see my mother when she gets here." I hate repeating myself.
He leads me through the hallways of the house.
The door to HIS room is transparent and when I see HIM, I'm instantly calmed. HE'S not too badly harmed; just a few bumps and bruises. They've got HIM bound to a chair; right and tight. Once I speak to my mother, I know I can help get us home. "Where's HIS wand?" I ask.
"The ministry took yours, didn't they? I took Potter's from the bedside table for you. It's here." Umbridge hands me HIS wand and, though it doesn't feel like an extension of my own hand, I welcome the weight of it.
"Brilliant!" I exclaim as I point the wand at HIM. "Now, stay out of here; I want to talk to HIM without giving you away." I wait a moment to give Umbridge time to close the door after himself before casting the spell to awaken my lover. "Finite!"
HE stirs and shakes HIS head. "Draco? What's going on? What's happened?"
I place a finger to my lips. "Well, Potter, I'm free of you! Do you recall the other day? Before you gave me the latest dose of your bloody potion…Do you recall what I'd said when you told me we'd always remain as Owner and Slave?"
"Uhmmm…not really; no." HE says, perplexed.
"I told you I'd get even!" I cackle for Umbridge's benefit because I didn't hear the door click shut and I can sense that he doesn't trust me. It shuts now so, after turning the door opaque, I rush over to HIM and try to Apparate away from here. It doesn't work so I cast Muffliato and speak to HIM quietly. "Harry, we've been kidnapped and the people who took us are from a small faction of Death-eaters that used to be commanded by my father but now report to Umbridge. I can get us out, but you have to trust me."
He nods and lets me explain the situation.
"My mother should be here shortly…if Umbridge wasn't lying. I'm almost positive she wasn't in on this, so I'll have her send for your friends while we remain here. Your wand is safe; I have it here and I'll give it back to you as soon as it's safe to do so." I tell him just as there's a knock on the door. With a short glance at HIM, I hurry over and remove the spell before opening the door.
"Your mother's in the parlor. She wants to see you." Umbridge informs me.
"I'll be back, Potter." I sneer, following Umbridge out of the room.
"Narcissa seems very disturbed by your kidnapping, but she didn't protest your slavery or even appear to fight for you at all. Was she under the Imperious during the war or Confunded ever?" He asks. "Those spells have side effects."
"No; not that I know of…but The Dark Lord was living in our home; he could've used those on her at any time." I say offhand.
"True; he was fond of using the nearest living thing as target practice." He sounds sorrowful. "It's a shame that he didn't at least allow pure-bloods immunity from his wrath, my boy."
I nod my agreement and walk into the parlor. "Mother!"
She turns and opens her arms. "Dragon! Are you alright?"
I hug her close to my body almost allowing our mouths to make contact with each other's ears. "I'm somewhat safe. Tell me you weren't in on this. Tell me you're on my side."
"Oh, Draco; of course I am!" She whispers.
The door snicks closed. "What a touching reunion; whispered greetings and assurances of safety!"
"Oh, you're still here? What do you want Umbridge?" I ask, turning to stand beside my mother.
"I'll be going in to work now, Draco. I've reports to make and, of course, I'll have to 'find out' about Potter's and your abductions in a few hours. You should stay out of sight. My elves and the other men will attend you." He informs me.
"Delightful. Thanks for your hospitality." I reply sardonically and wait for him to get far enough away from the room before casting several spells. "Mother, Harry's in a locked room but I have access. Umbridge thinks I want to taunt HIM and get revenge on HIM. I don't. Not only don't I mind being HIS slave… I like it. Now, I need you to do a few things for us."
"Of course, Draco!" She assures me.
"Good; I'll need his friends Weasley and Granger. You'll have to get them here somehow; perhaps polyjuice or Disillusionment charms while they floo over with you." I suggest.
"That could work, darling. I'll bring them tonight then, shall I?" She asks.
"No, immediately." I tell her.
"Alright, then I'd best be on my way." She says once again hugging me. "See you soon."
I take the spells away and escort her to the floo. Once she's gone, I inform them that she'll be back sometime soon and ask to be taken to HIS cell again. "I don't need to be watched, you know. Umbridge says HE'S mine to play with."
"Yes, sir; I'm only here in case he's able to get away." The man says with a German accent as he tries to follow me into the room.
I give the man an arrogant smirk. "You think I'll allow HIM any freedom? I've been forced to crawl around after this prick for a month! HE'S not getting out of that chair and you're staying in the hallway."
"Yes, sir." He says, backing away.
I turn the knob and walk in to see Harry looking a little worse then before. HIS face is bruised and there's a gash on HIS chest that I can see bleeding through HIS shirt. "What the hell did they do to you?" I ask him.
"After you left, Umbridge came in and let a few of his men take turns using me as a punching bag. One of them took a knife and slashed across my chest." HE says. "This is nothing. I've splinched myself worse then this."
My lips purse and I decide to cast the charm. "Muffliato."
"What's going on with your mum?" HE asks as I reach for HIS shirt to add pressure to HIS wound.
"Everything is fine. She's bringing Ron and Hermione to get us and we'll get Umbridge soon after." I explain. "You have to hold on, Harry."
"I'll be ok, Draco. Keep in character and don't act too concerned for me, just yet." HE insists.
"They've given you to me and I'll defend what's mine, Harry…but I promise not to be reckless about it." I say kissing HIS lips quickly before backing up and removing the spells. "You, whatever your name is; get in here!"
The German hurries in.
"Look at this! HE'S wounded!" I exclaim. "Get me some dittany; how am I supposed to get my revenge if I'm dealing with harsh wounds and gashes of this sort?"
He says nothing and just runs for the door. Moments later, the German returns with a bottle of dittany and gives it to me.
I apply it quickly and finish just before someone knocks on the door.
"Your mother is at the fire, Mr. Malfoy." A mustachioed man says when I pull open the door.
I nod and walk out of HIS cell without a word making sure the German doesn't stay longer than I do. They accompany me to my destination and wait outside.
"Mother?" I ask after casting the proper charm to be sure Umbridge's men can't hear me.
"Draco, I can't get back through; not by myself and not with anyone else. Can you get HIM free on your own?" She asks.
I do the math. "I can get HIM free of HIS bonds, but I don't know if the two of us can defeat all of Umbridge's men…"
"You'll have to, my darling…" She insists. "I'm sorry."
I can only nod and stumble backward to sit in the nearest chair. What will I do? What can I tell Harry? Ok, first thing is to calm down. After taking a few deep breaths, I decide that it'll have to be a frontal assault. Clutching Harry's wand, I stroll back through the house and, this time, I ask the German to join me inside Harry's room.
He's excited to be included and doesn't even notice that I'm behind him until he's been stupefied.
"Draco, what's going on?" Harry asks as I untie HIS ropes and bind the other man instead.
"Mother and the others can't get through. There's an anti-apparition jinx in place; I don't know how far it extends. We've got to get out of here, quickly Harry!" I tell him in a hurry while grabbing the German's wand.
"Alright… this was possibly the most reckless plan you could've come up with, Draco, but… let's go." HE says taking HIS wand from my hand.
Thanks, hnwhitlock2000! You did this so fast!