— f i f t e e n —
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"Draco." Hermione broke the peaceful silence of the night. Draco looked at her to see that her face was serious all of a sudden. "Are you sleepy?" She asked and Draco raised his eyebrow, at the ridiculous question.

"No." He said.

"Well," Hermione paused, pursing her lips before she turned around to look at Draco. "I had a nightmare." She said, gulping down her saliva. "I have a strong feeling that we should go to Malfoy Manor. Something feels wrong."

Draco tensed, and the atmosphere around them changed in a matter of seconds from lovely to deadly. He pressed his lips, a sinking feeling appearing in the middle of his stomach. "It was just a nightmare." His tone was disguised, to not show the tremor he had in him at the mention of his house. Not home — house.

Hermione remained silent for awhile. "We will bring the invisibility cloak, to Malfoy Manor. Just for an hour. We stay silent and gather information. Just information." Hermione argued, her tone desperate and begging. Her brown eyes were charged up with a motivated ferocity. She seemed like she would go stubbornly even if he said no. Damn Gryffindor and their bloody stubbornness. Draco sighed. He looked over to the obstinate brunette and squeezed his eyes shut, annoyed and tired.

"Just the two of us?" Draco asked with an exasperated tone.

"Yes." Hermione nodded, her voice showing a little relief and happiness because Draco seemed to gradually agree to the plan. He remained silent as they walked, the sound of their feet touching the cold hard ground were the only noise in the area along with the barking of a street dog far away.

"We will be safe inside the cloak. Any sign of danger and we are out of there." Hermione added in a form of reassurance and Draco sighed before a small smirk danced on his lips at how stubborn the Gryffindor was being.

"Fine." He shrugged and Hermione smiled in victory.

Both of them walked back to the house, their steps a little faster. On reaching the house, Hermione let go of his hand and he felt the warmth leave from him almost immediately, like a bandage being ripped harshly away from his wound. The cold latched onto him once again and he realised that he was allured to her because of the light she had. He was complete darkness.

Draco shook his head clear and grabbed himself a glass of water. In three seconds or less, Hermione ran down the stairs with the cloak in her hands. She casted a protective charm around the house before looking towards Draco, her mind ready for the night mission. Narrowing his eyes, he held his hand out for her to hold and she held it.

Both of them were sucked into a portal. It was only a second before they landed right in the middle of Malfoy Manor. The cloak was already over their heads and Hermione looked towards Draco. Their close distance making her lips part. She looked away, and forcefully shoved away the awry thoughts from her mind. Getting her wand ready, her senses heightened to the surroundings.

"How many?" A sickly low voice asked and Draco looked around as his eyes fell upon the shadow of a man entering the hall they were standing in. Casting a silent muffliato on themselves, Draco backed away a little as footsteps walked.
Finally, two very familiar men entered the room. Draco sneered, hating the sight.

Thorfinn Rowle and Fenrir Greyback.

"Seven." Greyback answered and they continued walking.

"How many dead?" Rowle asked, a wicked smirk in his scarred face as his eyes shined with an evil glint. "Six." Greyback answered with a sneer on his hairy face. Rowle laughed wickedly, his laughter sending shivers down Hermione's backbone as she silently watched.

"I get to kill the last one!" Rowle shouted with a faint trace of wicked humor in his tone as they continued walking.

"No! He will be torture—"

"Rowle, Greyback! Lestrange wants us to go to Hogsmeade. Looks like there will be a lot more crucios tonight." An aggressive and shrill voice shouted from behind and Draco held Hermione's back with the palm of his hand, feeling her stiffen at the mention of his Aunt's name. Draco hated her with every fibre of his being.

The hatred he held for the psychopathic cold blooded murderer of an Aunt was enough for him to convince himself to stay alive. He wanted to see the day her cold cruel black eyes become extinguished from the world. Draco wanted her dead and, if he had to, he wouldn't hesitate to use an Avada to kill her himself.

Mentally, Draco scolded himself for being such a coward before. If only he had ended his aunt, the day she came back, if only he had the courage that he has now back then. He was a lot stronger now. A lot more braver. The pain had taught him things. Lessons he had learned — It was an amazing feeling, when he knew his life was less important and his courage was in need. He felt his fears flow out and a warrior broke free inside of him. He felt like he could do anything, unstoppable, fearless — death, pain, torture couldn't hold him back.

If he knew Bravery was just as addictive as Loneliness, he would have followed it earlier.

Draco slowly shifted the both of them towards the wall. It was funny how the brave Gryffindor beside him seemed a little frightened and he was being the brave one for once. The man that ordered them earlier entered, Draco recognised him as Walden Macnair, and he narrowed his eyes as he ushered the two of them out of the hall. Macnair looked back, staring at the empty hall with a curious glance before walking away.

Hermione released a sigh of relief and both of them looked at each other, an understanding glance passing between them. Both of them walked, out of the halls and into the dark corridors. Hermione felt a shiver go down her spine as she passed by the Malfoy's motto written on the wall.

Suddenly, black smoke conjured up in front of them, and in a matter of seconds, a girl appeared. Her black eyes were wide and Hermione recognised the girl immediately. Draco, in a state of shock, eyed the very familiar human standing in front of them. But, still suspicious, he carefully pulled Hermione backwards and manoeuvred themselves out of the way. It saddened Draco a little that he was suspicious of his own childhood Friend. But, one thing he had learned in this war was — Never trust anyone.

Pansy Parkinson stood in the middle of the corridor, her black eyes searching for someone. All she could see was an empty corridor and a disappointed sigh came out of her lips.

"Is she searching for us?" Hermione asked, whispering in Draco's ear as her eyes narrowed at the Slytherin. Hermione's warm breath tickled Draco's ear and he gulped, trying to control his hormones. With a hopeful glance towards Pansy, he wished she hadn't turned evil. Well, not completely evil — to the point of being a deatheater.

"Stay inside." Draco's voice was low, firm and husky. Hermione feared a little for him but she knew from the look on his face that he had to do this. She mutely nodded, and clutched the cloak tightly in her hands. With a swift move, Draco stepped out, his wand clutched tightly in his hands, "Pansy."

At the sound of his voice, the Slytherin's dark eyes fell on him and a smile stretched her lips. "Draco." Pansy whispered, a glint of happiness and disappointment in her face. "You are okay."

Draco's stern and cautious façade dropped immediately. Pansy Parkinson was still the same. She had not turned evil and he thanked Salazar for that. "What are you doing here?" His voice was rushed now, wanting to get over with his quickly. "How did you find me?"

Pansy's eyes became wide with alarm. "Draco, you have to get out of here. It's not safe for you. The deatheaters captured me. Macnair used obliviate on me. But, it was weak. I still remember things but I didn't tell them. I have been acting like I don't remember." Pansy breathed out a breath, nervously checking around for any signs of deatheaters.

Draco's form went rigid at the information. He stared into Pansy's eyes for the truth and found them. Pansy realised the poking in her mind. It dawned upon her that her Friend was using the legilimens on her, and quickly glared at Draco.

"You bloody git! Stop it." Pansy cursed. Looking through Pansy's memories, he felt reassurance when he realised that what she was saying was the complete truth.

"You can come out." Draco said and Pansy arched an eyebrow.

"What are you talking about? — Oh for Salazar's fucking sake, Granger?" Pansy shot the brunette a look. "You are hanging around with a Gryffindor?" Pansy asked with a disgusted tone. Hermione noticed that, she wasn't really affected with her. The Slytherin was just affected because she was a Gryffindor. It made Hermione roll her eyes, because it was not the time for a silly argument.

Pansy shot Draco a look, "Why are you hanging around with the girl from the Golden trio? — You know what, I don't fucking care, anymore. This war is making me go crazy. Just leave before the deatheaters fucking arrive." Draco gave a pointed look towards his Friend.

"Leave." Pansy ordered again before turning to look at Hermione. "Bring him away from here. I thought you were the clever one." Pansy declared. "Things have changed, Draco. The deatheaters are kidnapping Slytherins, putting them under the imperius curse and obliviating their memories. It's horrible."

"Come with us." It wasn't Draco who said it, it was Hermione which shocked all three of them — including herself. The offer made Pansy stop, her eyes darting back and forth before she gritted her teeth. Draco found himself admiring the kindness Hermione had — even after taunting her for years, she always helped.

"I can't." Pansy's aggressive voice became soft. "They will find me." Unwanted tears filled her eyes and she forcefully stopped herself from crying in front of a Gryffindor. It would be a major embarrassment for her. "They will kill me." She finished.

"You will be safe with us." Hermione assured the Slytherin. "We haven't been captured, have we?"

Pansy took a moment of hesitation, looking back and forth.

"Fucking hurry up, will you? Make a decision. Stay or come. Choose." Draco threw a scowl to Pansy who glared at the Malfoy.

"You are still a major Prick, Draco." Pansy punched Draco in the upper arm, causing him to glare at her. "Fucking cactus." She scolded, before turning to look at Hermione. "Honestly, how did you tolerate him?"

Hermione couldn't help but smile a little. It was a ridiculous place, a ridiculous thought to even think of smiling at a time like this. It was crazy, because any deatheater could enter the hallway and kill the three of them in the blink of an eye. And, maybe, that's why she should smile. Because, it was dangerous and bad, something that was beginning to become an intriguing thing for her nowadays. She glanced a look upon Draco who stood there, firm, rigid, and completely annoyed.

"Let's go." Pansy declared. "But, there is one thing we have to do before that. Can we go to the dungeons?" Pansy asked, a hopeful tone in her voice. "We have to save someone."

Draco and Hermione nodded silently before all three of them made their way down to the dungeon. The dark haired Slytherin walked away while the other two walked under the cloak, Draco feeling a rush of assurance because Hermione was safe.

They reached the gates and Draco casted a silent spell on the gate, unlocking it with a loud click making his eyes widen before he took a look around. There was no one there and Hermione held onto Draco's forearm, as she scrunched her eyebrows. Both of them walked in silently into the cold dungeon.

"I will stay outside." Pansy whispered to them and stood, guarding the entrance.

"Lumos." Hermione muttered, and held her wand out of the cloak, it lit up the place. Her eyes widened when her vision fell upon the grey floor. It was bleached with blood. The splatters were well spaced apart, suggesting that either the bleeding wasn't heavy or that they were moving quickly. The blood looked fresh and a distinctive smell reached her nose as she covered her mouth. Draco pulled the cloak over his head, surprising Hermione.

"There." Draco pointed and Hermione looked up to see a man, with dark dirty blonde hair leaning against the wall weakly. It was a familiar face she had crossed paths with along the halls of Hogwarts. She knew it was a student, but she couldn't remember who. She couldn't place her finger on it. Draco walked forward, lighting his wand up too as he bent beside the man, holding his shoulder.

"Hey, wake up." Draco's hand patted on the man's shoulder. There was blood on his body — almost everywhere. It was a gruesome sight. Hermione realised that Draco knew who it was immediately. It also seemed like Draco really cared for the person with the amount of concern etched on his face. The sight of his friend bruised and battered made Draco angry. Draco was trying not to stare at his crooked nose but he kept finding his eyes diverting to it. He was a bloody mess. He was grotesque. Already, his eyes were swollen over and bloody spit drooled from his slack jaws.

Clink.

The sound made Hermione and Pansy stiffen. Draco quickly gestured for her to pull the cloak over her.

"Nox." She muttered as she pulled the cloak over her head before walking over to Draco. "We have to get him out of here."

Clink. Clink.

The sound was louder than before.

"Guys, quick." Pansy urged, a shadow of fear falling upon her face. "Draco." Hermione whispered, just as he held her hands and pulled the unconscious man towards his body. Hermione held her own hand out, and Pansy clasped onto it just as a shadow entered the room. In seconds, they apparated away, landing in the kitchen of Hermione's house. Draco laid the man on the table as he pushed all the things away. Pansy backed away, letting them do their work as she settled herself against the wall. Hermione immediately set to work, as she grabbed some Murtlap Essence and Dittany.

She casted several healing spells, one after one followed by a quick scourgify as she tried hard not to concentrate on the blood. Draco slanted against the counter, watching her do her work as he stood there, worrying for his friend.

When Pansy had declared that she was tired, Draco received acknowledgement from Hermione to guide her into one of the guest bedrooms and take a nap. After about half an hour, Hermione did the best she could before levitating him to the guest bedroom. Hermione walked out of the bedroom, closing the door silently behind her and stood opposite to Draco in the kitchen.

"What happened to him?" She asked, and quickly regretted it because she knew what happened to him. Of course, what else would have the death eaters done?

"They have used the cruciatus curse on him." Draco's hand clenched into a fist. "Multiple times."

"You know him." Hermione finally said it. "You seem close."

"Hufflepuff." Draco declared it first. "He was partnered to me one day during Potions and we went along really well. Pansy knows him as well. It was a friendship that started happening during class hours." Draco paused. "Ever since then, we have been talking to each other whenever we met in the Halls."

"Who is he?" Hermione asked with intrigue.

"Rolf Scamander."