Yay, a new chapter! This is longer than it was originally supposed to be, but I combined two short chapters, so it's all good. I really had a hard time with this chapter, since I'm not very well versed in writing fight scenes, especially wizard fight scenes. But I think it turned out pretty well. I hope you all enjoy it!
Draco went to the last place he had seen Talbot, the casino, but was refused access by a pair of security guards that probably worked for Talbot. Draco tried to find a way in without attracting attention, which was the last thing he wanted to do, since it would cause more of a delay in finding Talbot and in the process Hermione. Walking into the alley next to the casino, Draco cast a spell to change his hair color and clothes. Walking up to the door, Draco adjusted his voice, causing his accent to disappear, and said, "I was told this was the best casino in town, and I decided I had to check it out."
One of the guards looked at Draco, taking in the balding red hair, the fat paunch and the excitement that he had displayed. Nodding his head, the man moved aside and let Draco pass. Once inside, Draco went to the restroom and changed back, glad that he didn't look like what the Weasel would look like in a decade anymore. Strolling through the casino, and trying to avoid drawing more notice than was needed, Draco kept an eye out for Talbot. Passing the poker table where he and Hermione had first encountered Talbot, Draco noticed that the man wasn't there. Gazing around at the rest of the casino, Draco decided there was a slim chance that a man like Talbot would be sitting at the low risk games. So turning he started to make his way back to the entrance. As he was about fifteen feet from the entrance, Draco heard shouting and when he turned around, he saw a couple guards running towards him. As he sprinted towards the doors they opened, giving Draco a chance to run through them and apparate.
He appeared at Meagan's hoping maybe the thugs had left some clue to where he could find their boss. He scoured the living room, but came up with nothing but a sick feeling in his gut. Walking through the wrecked living room, he headed to the bedroom Hermione and he had shared the one night they had stayed here. Remembering the caring with which she had treated him after he had told her everything, made his heart skip a beat as he realized that he had fallen in love with her. Every mishap had given him a chance to better get to know the woman that was inside, that she didn't show to just anyone. He loved her sense of humor, her smile, and as weird as it was, he loved how she bickered and argued with him. He was used to people treating him different because of his family or the fact that he was an ex-Death Eater, but she wasn't afraid of him, nor was she afraid to take him to task if he was being a jerk. She also had shown him kindness and compassion even though they had once been enemies. Dropping to his knees beside the bed, Draco let his head fall onto the crumpled sheets, as tears poured from his eyes. He was worried he wouldn't find her, and scared, oh so very scared, that because of him, she might be tortured or even killed. He had once again become the boy he had been back then, a cowardly weakling that was scared stiff. Breathing in, Draco smelled the scent of Hermione's perfume, and he was reminded of her words. He wasn't the same person he was back then. Back then he had loved no one but himself, he hadn't cared who died as long as it wasn't him. But now he had someone that he cared for and he was going to fight to make sure she didn't die, even if it cost him his life. Standing up, Draco curled his hands into fists, and gathered up all the anger he felt towards Talbot. He was going to destroy Talbot, and make sure Hermione was safe even if she didn't want anything to do with him after all this was over. Just as he was about to apparate and keep looking for where Talbot was hiding, Draco heard a tapping on the glass. Looking over, he saw an owl trying to get in. Walking over and opening the window, Draco took the note that it had attached to it leg. As he watched it fly away, Draco unrolled the note. Looking down at the messy scrawl, he read:
"If you want to see the girl again alive, come to the warehouse on the north side."
Crumpling the note, Draco realized that Talbot was baiting him, and that he would probably be going into a trap if he answered this note. But it was the only lead he had in saving Hermione, so Draco apparated.
Walking into the warehouse, Draco's skin tingled, this is definitely where Talbot was. Standing in the middle of the warehouse under a single flickering light, Draco called out, "I'm here Talbot, now give me Hermione."
In response a flash of light sped towards Draco which he barely dodged. Crouching down and fully alert, Draco watched the shadows for the slightest sign of movement. Noticing a slight variance to the darkness, Draco threw a curse in that direction.
"Do you think such baby spells will affect me," Talbot sneered as he stepped into the outer ring of light.
Draco narrowed his eyes, and said coldly, "I don't care what affects you, I just want Hermione back and then as far as I'm concerned we're done."
Talbot paced slowly, while speaking, "Tsk tsk, you're so weak, this is why you never made it as a Death Eater. Now I going to finish you off, like Voldemort should have when you failed to kill Dumbledore. Crucio!"
The spell hit Draco directly in the chest, and he fell to the ground writhing in agony. As the spell started to weaken, Draco lay gasping for breath. Steeling himself for the next blow, Draco resigned to the inevitable fact that he and Hermione were most likely going to die and it was his entire fault. After the next couple of excruciating spells, Draco felt like giving up, if he gave up, then the pain would end. He really was weak, he couldn't even fight for the woman he claimed to love. But just as he was about to give in to the pain, he heard a voice.
"Draco! Don't give up Draco, you can defeat him, fight through the pain. You never made it as a Death Eater, but it's not because you're weak, but because you're better than them. You have scruples, which in my book makes you ten times stronger and better than this callous, cruel, poor excuse of a wizard. Don't give up Draco!"
"Shut up, you witch!" Talbot said, throwing a curse towards her before turning back to Draco, "Crucio!"
Draco welcomed the pain this time, using it to give him motivation and determination. Struggling to his feet, he broke the Cruciatus Curse. Draco raised his wand and stood facing Talbot, who had a slight look of surprise on his face.
"So you think that just because you can fight the Cruciatus, you'll beat me," Talbot scoffed, not seeing the spell Draco had flung at him. The jet of green light rushed his head, almost as a warning. Talbot's face drained of color at the unexpected turn of events. He returned the spell, but the fear affected his aim and the spell hit somewhere behind Draco.
"I will kill you," Draco seethed, his voice determined, "Avada Kedavra!"
Time seemed to slow down as the single jet of green light made it way directly to Talbot's chest. As if suspended in mid-air Talbot stared incredulously at Draco before the curse hit him and he fell to the ground.
"Finite!" Draco pointed to Hermione, realizing her of the spells Talbot had placed on her, before he collapsed face first on the ground. Hermione rushed over, dropping down next to him and turning him over. Pulling his head into her lap, she wiped the dust off his face.
"Draco, wake up, come on Draco, you can't die," Hermione said frantically, tears streaming down her cheeks, "I love you, you hear me you bloody git, I love you, now wake up!"
Draco remained motionless, and Hermione realized that if she wanted him to live, she needed to get him to the hospital. Pulling him into her arms, Hermione managed to get him situated enough to apparated to the nearest hospital. Once there, a couple nurses took Draco and another guided Hermione to a chair, asking if she needed anything while she waits.
"Just tell me when I can see him, please," Hermione pleaded, feeling drained.
"Certainly, miss," the nurse responded.
Please review! I shall love you forever if you do, lol. Oh, and how many of you laughed when Draco changed into Ron in a decade? *raises hand* Lol!