Devil Doesn't Bargain

The Descent

Hermione was, in fact, not kicking butt.

Instead, she was running for her life. A quick glance behind showed guards barring their exit at the window, so she and Malfoy darted down a dark corridor. Thankfully, all of the Gellerts made crossing the room extremely difficult, so the two of them had a head start.

This way!

Hermione followed Malfoy without complaint. Plan B?

Yes. You're not going to like it.

They rushed down a set of stairs, taking three and four at a time. I never like your ideas anyway. So what is it? Is there another exit?

There's always another exit. Unfortunately for us, the only other one is down.

Hermione would have groaned if she weren't so busy sprinting. At least one guard had made it to the stairway and was steadily gaining on them.

How many floors total?

Seventeen.

Bloody hell.

They crashed through an iron door, spilling out into the sixteenth floor. At once, they shot into the air. Ah. So it was the anti-gravity level. Prisoners bobbed aimlessly around them, some sleeping, others staring at the intruders in a daze. She made eye contact with a woman, hanging limp on the other side of the room. Hermione paled. The poor girl couldn't have been much older than herself, and to be sentenced to Nurmengard...she had to look away.

Malfoy was already over by the door on the other side. It was locked, of course, and heavily warded. But unlike the prisoners, they had wands.

With a flick of his wrist, Malfoy had the door open. The prisoners were too dazed to even move. It made her sick, but she managed to slip through the crack without a sound. She murmured down the bond to remind herself she wasn't alone.

Level fifteen.

Watch for the lights.

Immediately, they were submerged in total darkness. Distant wails ricocheted off of the walls, but the echo indicated that this level was massive. The darkness didn't bother her much after spending time in the cell. She rolled her neck.

Alright, what's the plan?

We follow the wails. Desperate people are more prone to escape attempts. They'll help us find the exit.

Cold, but clever.

Don't make me blush, Granger.

Hermione snorted, and she could feel his amusement wafting down the mental tether. She glanced back at the locked door behind them and wondered why the guards were no longer close behind. Maybe they couldn't get through the sixteenth floor? But that was absurd. Only they knew Nurmengard's secrets. Perhaps they didn't see the point...the intruders were where they wanted them–in the heart of the tower. In the history of Nurmengard, no one had ever escaped. They were probably expected to die in here. Dread trickled down her spine.

I can feel your anxiety from way over here. We will find a way out. Now suck it up and get moving, I'm tired of being in the dark.

Bastard.

Coward.

Ferret–

Midget–

Wanker!

Tosser!

PRAT!

MAGGOT!

By now, a wicked smile had spread over her face, and she kicked him in the shin. Malfoy grunted in pain before pinching her so hard on the arm it brought tears to her eyes. She huffed out a laugh. Let's go.