The Long Lost Zabini

Chapter 10

"How much longer do you require Miss Zabini's services?" asked Hermione.

The voice that answered was one that had haunted Draco's dreams for three years. It snaked down his spine and left a pit in his stomach. "Not much longer now. You may stop your little charade by the next full moon," said Lord Voldemort.

The next full moon is in four days! What is Lord Voldemort planning on doing to Hermione? How is he even alive? Draco watched the fake Hermione swipe her hand through the water, getting rid of Voldemort's reflection. She started scrubbing at her skin with soap, resuming her bath. To avoid being caught, Draco walked silently back to the entrance to the bathroom and opened and closed the door, letting it squeak. To Hermione it would look as if he'd just entered.

"Oh, sorry Hermione. I didn't realize you were in here. I was just coming to freshen up after some solo Quidditch practice. I'll come back once you're done."

He started to leave when the fake Hermione said "wait! Did you hear anything from a minute ago?"

He feigned innocence. "No, why?"

"It's just that... I was singing in here earlier, and I don't like people hearing my singing. I only do it when I'm in the bath, and never in front of other people." She looked down shyly. Draco had to admit, whoever this fake Hermione was, she was a good actress. She just didn't know the real Hermione well enough to fool him.

"Well I hope you'll reconsider and sing for me one day. I'd love to hear it," Draco winked and left quickly. Once he was out, he let out a breath he hadn't known he was holding. He debated going to Blaise and telling him everything, but Blaise wasn't as good an actor as Draco and telling him would put him in danger. They only had four days to rescue Hermione though... Draco made his decision and ran to the Headmaster's tower.

After hastily replying "biscuits" to the gargoyle door knocker, he quickly climbed the stairs to McGonagall's office and burst open the mahogany door.

"Mr. Malfoy! Surprising to see you here. Is there something I can help you with?" the headmistress asked. She straightened from looking down at the papers on her desk and removed her reading glasses.

"Yes, there is professor. I was in the Head bathroom when I–"

"Oh dear, let me stop you there. Is this a question for Madam Pomfrey? Because if so, I suggest you go and ask her." Draco's cheeks burned.

"No, professor. I think... I think Hermione's been kidnapped." At the headmistress's alarmed expression, he continued. "When I was in the bathroom, I overheard Hermione. She was talking to someone. I heard her say that I had no idea my roommate was missing, and 'the twin' would be harder to fool. She asked the person she was talking to how long he would need 'Miss Zabini's services' and he said she could stop her 'charade' by the next full moon. That's in four days, professor. Hermione–the real Hermione is in danger!"

"Calm down Mr. Malfoy. Did you notice who she was talking to? Maybe you saw his face or recognized his voice?"

Draco nodded. He took a deep breath and said, "it was Lord Voldemort."

Professor McGonagall's expression grew sympathetic. Draco couldn't stand to look at it. He didn't break eye contact though. "Mr. Malfoy, Lord Voldemort is dead. It can't possibly have been him. Are you sure this wasn't another nightmare? I know Madam Pomfrey has been giving you tonic for your nightmares."

"Professor, I know what I heard. I saw his face. It was the Dark Lord. He has Hermione and in four days something awful is going to happen to her."

"You realize this sounds very similar to what happened with Mr. Potter in your fifth year? His impatience was what got Sirius Black killed. How can we be sure of what you saw? How can we be sure this isn't some trick?"

"We can't professor, but I care about Hermione very much and I can't take the chance that she's in danger." 'Maybe I care about her a little too much. Blaise warned me to keep my distance. And either way, caring about people at all is dangerous. Caring gets you killed.' He looked to the ground, not wanting the headmistress to see his hardened expression.

"Alright. Have you informed Mr. Zabini of his sister's abduction?"

"No. It's better he believes that's his sister for now." Draco looked up.

"I understand. What you need to do is wait until the impostor is asleep, and then you must stun or Body-Bind her. Once she has been incapacitated, bring her here, and I will give her Veritaserum so we may learn where Chiara is being kept. Now go, child. Good luck."

Draco left the tower and went back to the Head bathroom. The impostor was already gone, so he quickly freshened up and hurried to his dorm. When he opened the door, she was sleeping. Draco whispered "stupefy" and the red light hit the impostor. The blond easily picked her up bridal-style, the way he'd done that first night they all stayed together at the Zabini Manor. But this time it felt wrong. This wasn't his Hermione.

Walking with the body in his arms slowed him down quite significantly, so he'd reached the bottom of the stairs when the most problematic person turned the corner.

Blaise. Bloody. Zabini. Draco sighed, preparing himself what he knew was about to ensue.

As if on cue, Blaise looked up at Draco and the fake Hermione stupefied in his arms. His face turned stony as he lifted his wand and demanded, "what are you doing with my sister?"

Draco set the body on the ground. He took his wand out of his pocket and stepped forward. "Blaise, mate, listen to me. That is not Hermione. That is not your sister. She's an impostor. Hermione has been kidnapped and taking this person to Professor McGonagall is the only way we can get her back. So put down your wand and come with me. Please."

Blaise fired a spell at him. "Resorting to petty lying, Draco?" He fired another, and another, and another. Draco deflected each one but refused to fire back. He wanted to wait until Blaise tired himself out.

It was working until Draco was hit in the back with a spell and fell to the ground. Red light surrounded his body. He'd been stunned. From the corner of his eye he saw the impostor rise with a smirk on her face.

"Look here! Little Draco Malfoy trying to be the hero for once," she said mockingly. She crouched down to meet his eyes. "How did you figure it out? Do tell little Malfoy."

She waved her wand and Draco could speak. "It was all of it. Hermione loves the smell of grass. She calls me Draco. She did get bothered with my comments in years past. You don't know anything about her."

"Well, poor me. I was found out. Little Malfoy knows his girlfriend better than I do." She booped his nose with a finger.

"SHE'S NOT MY GIRLFRIEND," Draco roared. He began trying to break the stun she'd placed on him.

Blaise, who had been watching this with a pale face and open mouth, saw his best friend's defiance and gathered the courage to wordlessly shoot a red spell directly at the impostor's heart. She stiffened and fell over, and Blaise whispered with a raw throat, "Levicorpus."

The stunned body floated through the air and Blaise helped Draco to his feet. He whispered, "I'm sorry."

Draco looked at Blaise and responded, "it's fine mate. You were just being protective. Now let's get Hermione back."