All the colour drained from Hermione's face at Pansy's words.
"The Immortals? Are you sure?"
Pansy nodded. "They want an army of immortal followers. They are going to attack the Wizarding world and bring about a global Wizarding and Muggle war."
Shocked at her words, Draco saw a flood of images rush across his psyche as he recalled conversations and ceremonies. "This is what The Brotherhood have wanted from the start. Voldemort wanted to purge the wizarding world of muggleborns because he believed only the Pureblooded were worthy of magic. But this is the next step; Total domination of the Muggle population and eventual eradication."
Hermione shuddered at his words. "We need backup, " she told him, casting her patronus.
.
The team surrounded the North Wing, wands drawn and ready to move in on Draco's command. Auror snipers were stationed on the roof, specialist long-range wands developed by the Global Wizarding Alliance, poised for action. Meanwhile two Brotherhood sentries patrolled the corridor outside the drawing room.
"We move in on my command," Draco radioed the team, "Remember, Auror Granger-Malfoy and I will take out the Grand Master, the rest of you, neutralise as many Brotherhood targets as you can. I want as many in custody as possible, but you are authorised to use any force necessary to avoid anyone evading capture."
The first sentry guard turned into the corridor where Draco and Hermione were standing in the shadows. Reaching out, Draco's hand clamped down on the guard's mouth as Hermione wordlessly cast stupefy followed by incarcerous. Dragging the stunned guard into a nearby room, they made their way down the hallway. The guard had his back to Draco, unseeing, sensing a fraction of a second too late as his knees buckled underneath him. Slipping into the drawing room, the darkness providing their cover, they watched as the Grand Master handed the initiate the Cup of Immortality.
"Now!" Whispered Draco across the radio link.
.
Glass shattered as Aurors burst through the windows of the drawing room; green, purple and blue light flashing as hexes were cast from every direction. The Brotherhood members scattered in a confused frenzy, as they panicked; the brave fighting back with hexes, the more cowardly attempting to flee the scene of the wand-fight only to be caught by waiting Aurors and MLE agents. A stray hex caught one of the candles on the altar, toppling it over, the flame catching the heavy drapes that covered the window above the altar. The fire spread quickly, smoke filling the room. Draco glanced over to Hermione who was engaged with the Grand Master in a fierce battle. Racing to her side, he joined the fray, as they struggled to hold them off. Something caught his eye and his glance darted over to the altar, his eyes widening with fear. Grabbing Hermione by the waist, he threw her down on the floor as a blinding light shot across the room milliseconds before the explosion tore through the building, sending stone and glass in every direction as the darkness enveloped them.
.
Pansy watched in horror from where she sat on the boundary of the estate, huddled in a blanket with an auror as the explosion tore through the Chateau. Struggling to her feet, she felt strong arms grasp round her middle as she screamed for all her might.
.
Anguish apparent on his face, Harry Potter picked through the debris of what had once been the Parkinson Chateau, surveying the damage with dread. He looked up as an Auror jogged through the dust and smoke.
"Sir, I've found them."
.
The MLE medic team carried his best friend and her husband on stretchers towards the MLE apparition point, ready to take them to Saint-Pantaléon's, the French wizarding hospital. Harry refused to allow the tears that pricked at his eyelids to fall.
.
The healer closed the door to the room with a soft click before turning into the family waiting room. Harry and Ginny both looked up, trying to read the expression on the healer's face, preparing themselves for the worst while hoping for the best.
.
Taking off his glasses he pinched the bridge of his nose, Ginny sobbing into his shirt as he gently squeezed her shoulders. He tried to process what he had been told.
Coma. Effects of previous cruciatus curse. Next 48 hours key. Four Aurors killed. Seven Aurors critical. Two stable. Call family.
.
A ward orderly brought in tea that nobody touched, Pansy clinging to Ron as she silently sobbed. Blaise comforted the ever stoic Narcissa. All any of them could do was wait.
.
Arm in a sling, Draco shuffled into the room, his face ashen. Narcissa stood, moving towards her son. Collectively they held their breath as they watched the matriarch take him in her arms. At her touch he crumpled, his body wracked with sobs for his wife.
.
Pacing the room, he felt trapped like a caged animal. Forty-eight hours the healer had told them. He had been out cold seventy-two hours Potter informed him.
.
Staff rushed by as caterwauling resounded along the ward, blue lights streaking along the corridor. Draco rushed out the room, only to find himself held back.
"You cannot go in there, Sir," the nurse informed him as he watched the door swing back, the sight of his wife's seizure terrifying him beyond belief. Blaise held him back firmly, comforting him as anger gave way to anguish.
.
The two men sat on the floor, elbows rested on knees as they waited outside her room. Eventually the healer came out, took one look at the pair giving them a sympathetic smile.
"She is stable now."
Draco howled with relief.
.
Startling awake, he chastised himself internally for nodding off. The mediwitch knocked softly on the door before bringing in the portable bed for him to sleep on. He wouldn't be using it.
.
He watched as the mediwitch took her vitals for the umpteenth time before handing the chart to the healer. The healer flicked through the notes before nodding at the mediwitch with a humm. Smiling he turned to Draco.
"I am happy with your wife's progress, she should start coming round as soon as we wean her off the potions which we are beginning to do. I expect her to make a full recovery and I am confident that everything is well for them both."
Draco stared at him, confused.
"I'm sorry….both?"
The healer smiled. "Your wife and child, Mr Malfoy"
.