Dramione - Fire and Ice

Chapter 18 (Draco)

"It's like the chess set all over again," Potter murmured, referring to his first year escapades and the bloody stupid house points they earned in winning the House Cup.

However the others were more familiar with the animated stone statues blocking their path to the Hospital Wing from the Battle of Hogwarts when McGonagall instructed them to defend their school.

With every blink, it seemed the dozens of statues were growing nearer. Shields, swords, and arrows on standby.

There wasn't time to think about how this was enacted nor by whom, especially when it was painstakingly obvious their purpose was to guard the Hospital Wing from intruders... them.

"I think we should keep them distracted while one of us gets to Hermione," said Draco slowly. "Pansy, I think you'll be the best to sneak through."

"What?" said Ginny and Pansy skeptically, both exchanging looks of distaste.

"Weaselette has more experience blowing things up," he explained, attempting a smirk. "The three of us will be lithe enough to keep the focus on us while you get through."

Pansy opened her mouth and closed it, chewing nervously on her bottom lip.

She was right from before. They weren't Gryffindors. They weren't heroes.

And yet, Pansy knew how important Hermione was to their friend group and the Wizarding World, though the Slytherin witch would deny it vehemently.

He also didn't feel it would end well to have Ginny and Potter's ex-girlfriend dueling.

"Use defensive spells, Pans," said Draco, readying his wand. "Don't bring attention to yourself."

"Bombarda maxima!" yelled Ginny, and it was eery despite the carnage how every statue's head turned to look at her.

Draco could only roll his eyes at the impulsive Gryffindor.

It took nearly ten minutes for Pansy to finally reach the Hospital Wing doors but luckily Theo and Luna came through with their directives.

The aurors were now assisting and McGonagall was quickly transfiguring them back to dormancy.

He ran and dodged the remaining statues, ignoring how one sliced over his arm as he crossed, opening the doors at last.

Granger's back was to him, and she looked like an Angel in all white, but Cho had just lifted her wand, murderous intentions blatant.

"Incarcerous!"

Cho Chang was quickly bound, wand taken away, and Pany sent a silent spell to slow Hermione's fall.

"Did she use magic?" Draco asked quietly, gently catching Hermione, noticing her wand on the floor.

"She saved me," said Pansy shakily. "From that." She was pointing to a melted Hospital bed and what looked like black ink covering every surface.

"The poison," he murmured. "Go find Madame Pompfrey... please."

She nodded and ran past him as he gently picked Hermione up into his arms, her breathing shallow.

They were told it would be dangerous for her to use magic but hadn't gone into detail of the consequences...

***

An hour later and Hermione was in critical condition. Her magical core had been severely damaged.

There was a possibility she wouldn't regain her magic.

Pansy was beside herself. She blamed herself for encouraging Hermione to grab her wand. She yelled at him for not telling her. She screamed at Hermione's unconscious form for stupidly saving her until Theo threw her over his shoulder and left.