Chapter 19

i've been on my knees

HERMIONE

The world was a blur, her vision swimming as her body trembled from the aftermath of the violent surge of magic. The raw energy she unleashed still pulsed through her veins, leaving her drained and shaky. Her knees buckled beneath her, and she collapsed onto the cold stone floor, gasping for air.

She did it—she freed them.

Bellatrix was down, unconscious, but something was wrong. Unease filled her as she came back to herself.

Draco.

His name echoed in her mind like a warning, a silent scream.

She twisted, eyes darting across the wreckage of the room, the broken fragments of the tight, suffocating trap. Theo struggled against his ropes lying on the floor near the ledge, but Draco—Draco wasn't there. Her hand flew to her necklace, the blood draining from her face.

"Draco?" Her voice was hoarse, but it felt like a shout, echoing in her head, reverberating with terror. Her breath caught in her throat, and panic surged like fiendfyre.

No. No, no, no.

He couldn't be — She struggled to rise, her hands shaking as they pushed against the cold stone floor. Weakened and drained, her body refused to obey her commands., unresponsive from the toll of the magic she expelled. Her body swayed, and she almost collapsed again, but the thought of Draco's safety, of the agony she knew he must be in, kept her upright. She stumbled, dizzy, the world spinning in her vision as she struggled to find her balance.

"Draco!" The words came out ragged and desperate as they tore from her throat. Her legs buckled beneath her, sending her crashing down. Her hands gripped the floor, nails scraping against the stone, desperate to stop the world from falling apart.

Theo was still fighting against his bindings, his voice hoarse as he grunted with effort, trying to free himself. "Hermione, are you alright? We've got to get out of here—"

"Draco!" Hermione's breath coming in shallow gasps. She turned toward Theo, her eyes wide and frantic as she locked on to his struggling form. "Theo—where's Draco? Where is he?"

Theo's eyes flicked toward the tower's edge, and his expression darkened. His struggle faltered, the terror in his gaze mirroring Hermione's.

"I—I don't know," Theo said, his voice cracked with fear. "He knocked me over as the magic hit—"

Hermione's stomach roiled. No, no, no…

She pushed herself to her feet again, her breath coming in shallow, panicked gasps. She didn't register the ache in her limbs, her mind fixated on the empty space beside Theo. The space where Draco should be. Her lips trembled as fear crushed her.

"Where is he, Theo?" Her voice was shaking, almost hysterical. "He has to be here."

But Theo didn't answer. He couldn't. The uncertainty only fuelled her panic.

The sharp, cool metal crescent pendant warmed against her palm, grounding her for a moment. Hermione closed her eyes, trying to steady herself, to focus. But all she could hear was the frantic pounding of her heart. All she could see was the void of space before the ledge.

Where was he?

Draco, please.

She couldn't move. She couldn't go to the place he stood and look.

Her mind screamed for him, even as the panic threatened to swallow her whole. He couldn't be gone. He couldn't be gone.

And then—A noise. A shuffle. A quiet groan.

Hermione's head snapped toward it. The unconscious form of Bellatrix stirred, the movement slow and deliberate, like the awakening of a snake.

Bellatrix's eyes cracked open before shutting again, and she let out a sickening laugh, low and cruel, sending a wave of cold terror down Hermione's spine. Bellatrix was waking.

Where was Draco?

And then, for the briefest of seconds, a horrible thought seized Hermione like an iron vice. She refused to allow herself to think about it before.

Had Draco been thrown out of the tower?

Her pulse spiked. She couldn't breathe. She couldn't think. Every thought, every moment she spent trying to calm herself, felt like a betrayal. A betrayal of Draco, who might be—who might be

She couldn'tshe wouldn'tlet herself believe that.

"Hermione," Theo's voice sliced through the haze of panic that gripped her, sharp and insistent, forcing her attention. "Get her wand before she wakes up. Quick."

"But—"

"We can't find Draco if we're both dead. Get the wand."

Shaking uncontrollably, Hermione did what he said.

"Accio Wand." The familiar weight of the wooden implement landed in her hand, grounding her for a moment. "Finite Incantantem."

The ropes binding Theo fell away, and he rubbed his wrists with a grimace, wincing as circulation returned. He glanced toward the edge of the tower. Slowly, he leaned over, his gaze flicking downward.

Hermione couldn't bring herself to look. Not yet. Not until she knew for sure. The dread gnawed at her.

Was he there? Was Draco down there?

Theo took a deep breath.

"He's not there," he said with a quick huff of relief. "He's not down there, Granger."

The words hit her like a deep breath after near drowning. A fragile hope flickered within her, but was extinguished by the raw fear still clawing at her insides.

Hermione let out a tiny laugh, relief flowing through her more potent than any she'd felt before. "You know that it's Malfoy now."

Theo's lips curled into a smirk as he laughed at the confession. "See? I always knew there was a bit of Malfoy in you. But now you've got the whole package, right?"

Hermione blinked, her mind still too scrambled with fear and adrenaline to process what he said. But then, as Theo's grin widened, it dawned on her. She scowled, punching his arm with all the force she could muster.

"That," she said, her voice tight with frustration, "is so not funny right now."

Theo laughed, the sound rough and a bit too forced, cutting through the chaos. His face softened, the smile fading as he met her eyes, his expression growing serious.

"We'll find him, Malfoy. He's still alive. I know it."

She wanted to believe him. She needed to.

But as her gaze darted again to the unconscious Bellatrix, a sick feeling of uncertainty settled in her gut.

"What do we do about her?" Theo frowned down at the Death Eater.

Hermione knew the Order would capture Bellatrix Lestrange. Let her stand trial for her misdeeds and then live out the rest of her days in Azkaban.

But Theo was right. She always harboured a bit of Malfoya little darknessdeep inside. She was willing to do whatever it took to ensure she won. They won.

She played to win.

And if this war was a giant game of Wizarding Chess, Bellatrix Lestrange was the Queen.

Levelling her wand at the woman who tortured and kidnapped her, who did countless other evil acts too gruesome to list, the tip of Hermione's wand glowed green.

"Avada Kedavra."

Hermione's hand trembled as she lowered her wand, the glow of the killing curse fading but its weight settling deep within her. Something dark taking root that wasn't there before. The room was silent, save for the soft rustle of Theo shifting beside her. Bellatrix's lifeless body lay crumpled on the stone floor, her cruel smile gone, replaced by eerie, almost serene, stillness.

She did it. Bellatrix Lestrange was dead. The woman who tortured her, mocked her and stolen so many lives, was gone.

But at what cost?

A chill crept over her, seeping into her bones. The enormity of her actions hit her all at once, like a tidal wave crashing against the fragile barrier of her resolve. She cast Avada Kedavra. The Unforgivable Curse. Her magic—the same magic she used to save lives, to protect, to fight for a better world—was the instrument of death.

Hermione glanced down at the wand in her hand, Bellatrix's own. Perhaps that was why it was so easy to let free the curse she never imagined she could utter.

Her breath hitched, and she closed her eyes, as if shutting out the sight of Bellatrix would also silence the voice screaming in her head.

You're no better than her now. You've crossed the line. How many lines are left to cross?

She knew the answer. As many lines that were needed to ensure the safety of the ones she loved.

Draco.

His name pierced through her spiralling thoughts like a beacon. She thought of him—pale, battered, vulnerable—and her heart clenched. He would understand. He was on the precipice of impossible choices more times than he deserved. If he were here, he would tell her it was necessary. That Bellatrix would never stop, never give up. That leaving her alive was a risk they couldn't afford.

But she wasn't sure she could tell herself that. Not yet.

Theo's casual whistle jarred her from her thoughts. His humour was a shield, she knew that, but it grated against her raw nerves.

"Holy fuck. Remind me to point you towards my father if we see him."

Hermione opened her eyes, glancing at Theo. He was watching her closely, his usual levity replaced with something more sombre. He didn't say anything else, just waited, as if he understood she needed the silence more than his words.

"I…" Hermione started, but her voice cracked. She exhaled slowly, forcing her racing heart to slow, forcing her hands to stop shaking. "I didn't want to."

"But you had to." Theo's voice was softer now, lacking its usual bite. "I get it, Granger. More than you think."

She nodded, not trusting herself to speak. Bellatrix deserved no sympathy, no second thought, and yet Hermione couldn't stop the gnawing ache within.

The cost of war wasn't just lives lost. It was pieces of yourself, broken and stripped away until you didn't recognize who you were anymore.

Draco wouldn't want this to stop you, she thought, gripping the stolen wand tighter. He would want you to keep going. To trust him to survive, to finish the mission you've both fought so hard for.

She wanted to believe that. She needed to believe that. Draco was alive. Somewhere out there, he was fighting just as hard to make it back to her. And she couldn't let her guilt—her grief—slow her down now. They didn't have time for self-recrimination. Not when lives still hung in the balance. Not when they needed that basilisk fang to finish this.

She could spiral later.

Hermione squared her shoulders as she forced herself to focus. Her decisions, her actions, would stay with her, but she couldn't let them bury her. She wasn't done. Not yet.

"I need to get a basilisk fang," she said, eyes dark. "We need to go to the Chamber of Secrets."

"Merlin help whoever gets in your way, Granger." Without waiting for a response, he started towards the stairs. "If I don't come along and something happens to you, Draco will do worse than murder, Hermione. Let's get what you need and then find your husband."

Hermione's nose wrinkled as she followed him down the stairs, starting to feel more like herself with each step taken away from the Astronomy Tower. "How do you manage to make any word sound dirty?"

"It's a gift." Theo shrugged and winked.

Hermione and Theo darted through the chaos of Hogwarts. The once hallowed halls, steeped in centuries of history and learning, transformed into a war zone. Walls that stood unyielding for generations crumbled under the assault, sending shards of stone cascading like jagged raindrops. The air was thick with the acrid tang of burning wood and the metallic scent of magic, every breath scraping her throat.

Screams and shouts melded with the harsh crackle of duelling, the din reverberating off the walls like an unrelenting storm. Streaks of vivid light—red, green, blue—lit the corridors like fireworks. Hermione pushed through the tide of fleeing students, their faces pale with fear, their sobs and gasps a haunting counterpoint to the chaos.

A blast erupted nearby, the force rippling through the air and rattling her teeth. Dust and debris swirled in choking clouds, turning the once-familiar corridor into an otherworldly maze of shadows and shifting forms. Her eyes watered as she squinted through the haze, her wand raised defensively. The sharp tang of ozone burned her nose as a hex streaked past, so close she could feel its searing heat singe the edges of her robes.

Theo's voice cut through the cacophony, urgent and sharp. "Stay low!"

He grabbed her arm, his grip firm but not harsh, steering her toward a narrower passage as another explosion rocked the ground beneath their feet.

Theo held a wand he filched from a fallen Order member. Hermione didn't see who it was, was too short on time and energy to try.

They moved side by side like partners in a well-rehearsed dance, dodging and weaving spells in perfect sync. Theo kept a hand at the ready, blocking incoming curses with deft flicks of his stolen wand.

"I'm fine," Hermione huffed. There was no time to waste—she needed to get to the Chamber of Secrets, to the basilisk.

She lost her focus for only a moment, and that was all it took. A hex landed squarely on her chest just as Theo countered it, knocking the offender straight off their feet. He whirled, expecting to see her gravely injured.

Instead, she stood unphased. Her ring protecting her with remarkable accuracy.

"That Malfoy ring seems pretty reliable," Theo noted. "Want to volunteer as a human shield? We could get through this a lot faster."

Hermione shot him an exasperated look. "You're just jealous."

"Maybe," Theo smirked, stepping ahead to block a nasty curse. "I've always had a thing for blondes. And I've seen Draco's"

"Don't finish that sentence." Another curse slammed into the invisible barrier around Hermione, sending sparks flying. "Or I'll use you as a human shield."

With a precise flick of her wrist, she sent a Stupefy flying at a Death Eater who'd taken too much interest in them.

They rounded a corner, nearing the entrance to the girls' bathroom. The sounds of battle muffled, away from the majority of the battle. Their footsteps echoed ominously in the strangely muted corridor.

As Hermione entered the bathroom, a cold, unwelcome memory washed over her. Draco, bloodied and broken, sprawled on the cold bathroom floor. His pain, the helplessness in his eyes—flooded her senses. Wound after wound opened with no end in sight as he lay pale and bloody in a pool of his blood.

She forced herself to shake it off, blinking rapidly and taking a deep breath.

Focus, Hermione. Draco is fine. He has to be.

Harry stood by the sink, his face set in concentration as he hissed in Parseltongue. The sinks shifted with a grinding rumble, revealing the dark, yawning entrance to the Chamber of Secrets.

Turning, Harry jumped, alarmed, when he saw Hermione and Theo standing in the doorway.

"Show-off," Theo said, raising an eyebrow.

Hermione rolled her eyes.

Harry's eyes locked on Hermione. He didn't hesitate, his arms wrapping around her. His familiar warmth was a shock to her system, and a rush of relief came like a wave crashing over her.

Harry's voice was thick as he pulled back. "I'm so glad you're alright."

Theo opened his arms. "You're forgetting someone, Potter."

Harry, still holding Hermione, ignored Theo, focusing on her. His words spilled out in a hurried rush.

"Neville spotted you. We came as soon as we could. Everyone's been looking for you since the battle began. We needed to split up. I'm the only one who can open the Chamber, and we knew we'd need the basilisk fang once we found you." His eyes scanned her, searching for any sign of injury. "Are you alright? What happened? Tell me everything."

Hermione hesitated, a pit forming in her stomach.

"There's no time." She released Harry. "Bellatrix kidnapped me and Theo to use against Draco. She's… she's dead now."

Harry's jaw tensed, but he didn't press for details. The knowing look in his eyes was almost unbearable.

"And Malfoy?" he asked, his voice gentler, cautious.

Her throat constricted, and she struggled to get the words out.

"He… he…" Hermione faltered.

Theo stepped in, his tone gruff but subdued.

"He fell from the Astronomy Tower." Theo said, swallowing hard. "But there's no sign that he… landed."

Harry nodded, his expression serious but laced with a flicker of hope. "I've apparated mid-air before. It's hard, but not impossible. Malfoy's athletic and clever. There's a chance he managed it."

His words were steady, meant to comfort, but Hermione's heart ached. She clung to the sliver of hope. Every instinct screamed that she'd know if Draco was gone. She would know.

She shifted her thoughts. She couldn't succumb to the what-ifs right now.

Every fibre of her being screamed for her to stop, to turn back, to find Draco—but she couldn't. Not yet. The mission wasn't finished, and failure wasn't an option. Not if any of them wanted to have lives past this battle.

Hermione's hands trembled as she asked, "Have you found the next… piece?" Her voice was low, almost hesitant. She trusted Theo with her life—he'd proven himself repeatedly—but the truth about the horcruxes was dangerous knowledge.

She hadn't even told Draco; some secrets were too perilous to share.

Harry's eyes flickered with understanding, and his expression grew guarded.

"We know what it is," he said, his tone cautious. "A diadem. But we're still trying to figure out where it's hidden."

"We'll take it from here." Hermione motioned toward the Chamber's entrance. "Go find the diadem. I'll find you when I've finished."

"Yeah, alright." Harry nodded, passing her the Marauder's Map from his back pocket. "Use this to find me when you're done."

Theo smirked. "What, no good luck kiss goodbye? I'm hurt."

"Sorry, I'm more into redheads." Harry shot back without missing a beat.

"That could be arranged. Not sure it will go with my complexion, though." Theo chuckled, amused. "I think you're starting to like me, Potter."

Harry grinned, a sly twinkle in his eyes. "Don't get used to it."

With one last glance at Hermione, Harry sprinted off, disappearing into the chaos of the corridor as the distant clash of spells grew louder. Hermione returned to the yawning pit of the Chamber of Secrets, the oppressive darkness below beckoning.

Theo broke the silence. "You know, I'm more into women, but I think I'd let him use that Parseltongue on me any day."

Hermione groaned, appalled. "Ew, gross, Theo. He's like my brother."

"And Drake's like my brother. Would that make us inlaws?" Theo wiggled his eyebrows.

"Theo." Hermione glared, exasperated. "You are not dating Harry Potter. You've literally spoken to him fewer than ten times in the seven years we've been in school together."

"Well, I'm not a fan of redheads. That Weasley, who's always following you two around, really kills conversation." Theo frowned.

Hermione sighed, the situation pressing on her despite the levity of the conversation as she turned back to the dark depths of the Chamber.

"Is this an inappropriate time to joke about dark, mysterious holes?" Theo asked, unable to suppress his grin.

"Definitely," Hermione replied flatly.

Without another word, she braced herself and leaped into the abyss.

The rush of cold air whipped at Hermione's face as she descended into the darkness, Theo's sharp intake of breath beside her a reminder that she wasn't alone. The ground loomed closer until they landed in unison with a thud, their boots echoing against the damp stone floor. Hermione rolled to absorb the impact, muscles protesting, while Theo groaned.

"Let's use the stairs next time." He straightened, brushing dirt off his cloak.

"Less talking, more moving." Hermione was already using her wand to illuminate the foreboding chamber. The damp walls gleamed with slime, their cold, oppressive presence thick with ancient magic.

Theo shivered. "Cozy. Is it always like this on your little adventures, or is this a special treat?"

"It's usually quieter, even with Harry and Ron." Hermione's eyes darted ahead. The wet, uneven ground made every step treacherous.

The smell of decay filled the air, but as the massive serpentine skeleton came into view, sprawled across the chamber, it stopped them both cold.

Theo whistled low, staring at the enormous remains of the basilisk. "Well, there's something you don't see every day. Does it bite?"

Hermione ignored him. Rushing forward, she crouched beside the skeletal remains. The fangs jutted out from the skeletal jaw like deadly spears, each glinting in the wand light.

She grabbed a fang with both hands as she pulled with all her strength. The bone resisted, groaning.

"Need help, Malfoy?" Theo teased, stepping up beside her.

She gritted her teeth. "I've got it—"

The fang snapped free with a sickening crack, sending Hermione stumbling back into Theo's waiting arms.

"Careful," he said, steadying her. "I'm not hauling you out of here if you impale yourself."

Hermione glared, but turned her focus back to the fang in her hands. It was heavy, its venom radiating a potent, deadly energy Hermione could almost feel.

"Well, that's not terrifying at all." Theo peered at it over her shoulder. "Should we name it? I hear naming things something silly can make them feel less sinister."

"Let's name it 'Get Out of Here Alive,'" Hermione said dryly, tucking it carefully into the bag she'd pilfered on the way, dropped by a student fleeing classes.

"I was thinking more like of 'Mr. Cuddles.'"

"We need to grab at least one more, then find Draco."

Theo reached over, bracing himself, and pulled free another fang with less effort than Hermione.

"That one was loose," she accused.

"Whatever you say." Theo dropped the second fang into the bag, his tone light but his posture tense, wand at the ready. "Lead the way, fearless leader."

They navigated back through the dark, ominous chamber and the tunnels connecting it to the school, every sound amplified by the silence.

She secured the fangs. Now, she needed to survive long enough to use them.

But there was no time to celebrate.

She still didn't know where Draco was, or his condition. He was hit with a curse by Bellatrix. That's what set Hermione into a panic and caused her magic to go haywire. She remembered the whole ordeal, but almost as though watching it through someone else's eyes. By the time her magic exploded, she wasn't in control of her body or her emotions.

Hermione refused to let that happen again. She refused to harm someone she loved again because she checked out of her body due to panic.

She needed to help finish this fight. Destroy the cup and find her husband.