24 March, Saturday, 0022 GMT
Draco's legs wobbled as the three landed in the foyer just outside of the Great Hall, one of only two apparition points on the Hogwarts campus and only accessible to upper level Ministry personnel and a handful of Order members. Harry had to grip his shoulder tighter to keep the blonde wizard on his feet. Draco looked down at Hermione before looking up at Harry.
"Do you want me to take her?" Harry asked.
"No, we have to move, Harry," Draco said as he left the scarred wizard in his spot as he ran toward the main staircase.
Harry had to give Draco some credit. Draco sprinted up the first couple of staircases with no trouble at all. It was midway up the third staircase when Draco had to pause for a moment. Harry nodded at him as he passed the Slytherin. Draco shook him off as the blonde followed the scarred wizard up the final few steps.
"Somebody help us!" Harry yelled as he reached the hospital wing waiting area with Draco a couple steps behind him.
The mixed group of professors and medical staff acted quickly. Mediwizard Gregory Goyle quickly pushed a gurney towards the newcomers.
He nodded at his old friend as he assisted with placing Hermione on the gurney. Madame Pomfrey, the veteran mediwitch took charge. She examined Hermione's left shoulder as the other staff members took her vitals.
"There's an entrance wound," she said before lifting the brunette witch's shoulder off the gurney. "No exit. Looks like a puncture wound.
"We've got a lot of blood loss here," Madame Pomfrey said, looking towards Draco as she placed her shoulder back down.
"I stabbed her with the Dagger of Irses," Draco admitted, gulping as he saw all eyes on him.
The tall black clad beady-eyed professor extended his hand toward Draco. "The dagger," he said.
Draco quickly pulled it off his belt, sheath and all. He handed it to his former Head of House. Professor Severus Snape pulled the weapon from its sheath and looked at it. He saw the caked blood on the dagger. With that, he turned and hurried off.
"Poppy, I need at least ten minutes to generate an anti-potion," he called over his shoulder. He yelled for the young Herbology teacher to follow him. "Longbottom."
The older professor hadn't had to call for the new professional. Professor Snape needed the young man's knowledge of magical plants to add to the anti-potion. The former Gryffindor already was in pursuit.
Draco watched the two wizards leave and turned to see Madame Pomfrey lead the rest of her team to an operating room. Draco's legs finally gave out. Harry caught him.
The former Slytherin broke off from the medical team along with two others. He summoned another gurney and headed to where Harry held Draco up. He nodded at the former Gryffindor. Harry nodded back as he hoisted Draco upwards as Gregory hoisted his former Housemate's legs up. They placed him onto the gurney. Gregory began to check Draco's vitals as the other two helped to wheel the Potions professor into another examination room.
Harry had to take in a breath. He found his way to one of the benches in the waiting room, finally feeling exhausted. He sat for a good five minutes just breathing deep breaths. He needed to check on Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy to update them. He looked down at his hands as he stood up. He saw the blood that transferred from Hermione's scrub top staining his hands and forearms.
'That would just about freak Lucius and Narcissa out,' he thought. He waved his wand, casting Scourgify. He blew out a breath as he headed towards the private room.
He opened the door to the room shared by the couple. "Knock, knock," he said quietly, post entrance. Both Malfoys sat straight up in their beds, even at nearly half past midnight.
"What news, Harry?" Mr. Malfoy asked as he rubbed his left arm that was in a sling.
"Looks like Hogwarts is the prime place for a Malfoy family reunion," Harry said as he walked towards the bedside table at the head of the two hospital beds.
Mrs. Malfoy covered her mouth with her hands, sobbing into them. Harry patted her shoulder gently. Mr. Malfoy took in a sharp breath.
"Pansy brought Drew in about fifteen minutes ago," Harry said, starting his status report to the concerned pair.
"How is she?" the anxious grandmother asked.
"That kid's as tough as her parents," Harry said smiling. Harry took a deep breath before continuing. "She was a little warm when we got to her."
"Warm, Harry?" Mr. Malfoy asked as he looked at his wife.
"Yeah," Harry said. "She looked a bit lethargic, too, just before Pansy disapperated with her."
"Harry, when Pansy took our statements about the kidnapping," Mr. Malfoy hesitated. He looked at the door, grabbed for his wand and shut it before continuing. He pulled his arm out of the sling and showed the younger wizard his left forearm.
"See the scar, Harry?" Mr. Malfoy asked as Harry looked at the small scar on the inside of his forearm close to the bend of his elbow. "The wound was much longer, cutting across the Dark Mark. Poppy doesn't know this.
"One of the Death Eaters hit me with a slicing spell. There was extensive bleeding and I could see bone. Drew looked straight at me before cradling my arm. A few moments later, the wound started to close. But she started to look paler and paler," Mr. Malfoy choked up. "The Death Eaters grabbed her from me. I couldn't do anything to stop them."
"Mr. Malfoy," Harry tried to comfort him. He looked at both grandparents. "Drew's going to be fine. Don't worry, I won't say anything."
There was silence for a moment. The ability to heal someone without the use of a wand was a gift. But it was also considered "wandless magic." No doubt the Malfoys were afraid their granddaughter would be scrutinized.
"Draco and I just arrived here with Hermione," Harry continued, hoping to change the subject as he leaned against the cabinet.
"Draco's here," Mr. Malfoy asked, trying to get up. Harry had to place his palm on his shoulder, calming him down.
"Gregory's treating him right now," Harry said. "He just collapsed. He's gone through a lot."
"Is he going to be all right, Harry?" Mrs. Malfoy asked as her eyes grew watery.
"I think he'll be fine, Mrs. Malfoy," Harry tried to sound convincing. "We might need to worry more about Hermione."
"Hermione," Mrs. Malfoy said, allowing her tears to finally fall.
"She's in bad shape," Harry said, rubbing his forehead as if it still ached like when he was back in school at Hogwarts. He looked at the weary pure-blood parents. "While Draco was under Obliviate. . ."
The scarred wizard paused, not knowing how to continue. Both Malfoys looked at him expectantly. "While under the spell, Draco stabbed her with the Dagger of Irses."
"The Dagger of Irses?" Mrs. Malfoy asked, surprised.
"That's a symbol of . . ." Mr. Malfoy began.
"Dark Magic," Mrs. Malfoy finished softly.
"Draco showed himself admirably tonight, Mrs. Malfoy," Harry said, trying to reassure her that the Ministry would more than likely not charge Draco with anything. "He led us to the Tanner Compound. We couldn't have done it without him."
"Kellen was behind this?" Mr. Malfoy asked. "I'm going to kill him."
"You won't have to, Mr. Malfoy. He and Roxanne were behind everything including the Muggle weapons case. They both died during the raid."
"Merlin," Mr. Malfoy said. "How were they going to use the weapons?"
"I have to go back to check in," Harry said. "Dean's got coverage right now."
Mr. Malfoy nodded at him. Harry squeezed Mrs. Malfoy's hand reassuring her one last time before he left the hospital room.
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