Chapter 25 It's in the Blood

Hermione had taken Delphini's blood to run tests to see if she had a physical weakness, a chink in her armor that Hermione and Harry could exploit to fight for their freedom. The results showed she was weak. In actuality, she was a very sick witch.

The test results indicated that Delphini had some sort of malabsorption disorder, but it needed further testing to determine the cause. She was extremely deficient in Vitamin D, which considering how little she went out of doors, was not shocking, but her levels were the lowest Hermione had ever seen. She was also anemic and lacking in Vitamin K as well. The results were so severe; she wondered if she might have some internal bleeding.

Signs were pointing towards Shwachman syndrome, but that usually manifested during early childhood and interfered with growth and development. Hermione ruled it out. Delphini never would have gotten so tall with that disorder. No, it had to be something else. Potential cancer? Hermione wondered if Delphini even felt well. She must be exhausted.

Hermione wanted to tell Harry about her discoveries, but she had begged Delphini to allow him to sleep. She could attempt to wake him again, but she hated seeing him suffer. She pushed the rack of test tubes to the side and put her head on the lab table, suddenly exhausted. Tired of this situation and tired of trying to find a way out.

A muted popping sounded beside her. She brought her head up to gaze into a pair of huge brown eyes. Hermione gasped, and jumping to her feet, knocked the rack of test tubes onto the floor with an enormous crash.

Winky shook her head but didn't speak, her lips trembling in fear. Hermione's eyes went wide when she realized it was Winky. She must be here to help them escape!

Hermione shouted, "Sorry! It slipped out of my hand!" She fervently hoped Delphini wouldn't come down to check on them.

"Where is Master Potter?" Winky attempted a whisper.

"He's over there," Hermione pointed to the rough stone table. "He's unconscious."

"I will need help," Winky replied. She grasped Hermione's hand and the next thing Hermione knew; she was in Ron's arms. Before they could even speak with one another, Ron was gone, taken by Winky into Malfoy Manor.

Hermione threw her arms around Ginny and George, crying with relief.

"You have no idea how bloody wonderful it is to see you."

"Where's Harry?" Ginny asked, gently pushing Hermione back.

"I couldn't carry him. He's unconscious. I was worried about splinching, you know. Ron will be able to hold him up." Hermione knew she was babbling, but she couldn't stop. And with every sentence, she knew it was making Ginny's anxiety over Harry worse.

"Don't worry Ginny. I think we can figure out what dark magic Delphini has used on him…"

"Who's Delphini?"

Before Hermione could answer, Winky was back with Ron, who was doing all he could to hold on to Harry. When they came to a stop, Harry's head rolled forward so fast it looked as if his neck would snap.

George darted to Ron's other side and put his arm under Harry's shoulder to hold him up. Together, the brothers could more easily handle Harry's dead weight.

George spoke up, "Let's head to the Burrow." And in the blink of an eye, they were gone.