Damaged Goods by slytherin_after_dark

Chapter 42

- NOT MY STORY!! ALL CREDITS TO @slytherin_after_dark ON A03!!

"Everyone, step away from Bellatrix," Commander Miller said as he walked closer. "Especially you, Malfoy."

Draco still had his wand drawn.

"I'm begging you to do it," Miller challenged with a smile. "I can't wait to lock you up in Azkaban and give you a cell next to your deranged father. Right where you belonged this whole time."

Dark eyes met his and a devilish smile carved over Draco's stone-cold features. To her surprise, he lowered the wand and gave a nod.

Aurors marched toward Bellatrix and placed her in magical cuffs.

"You're kidding me?" Ron said outraged. "We've got her. We can kill her and be done with it."

"I thought she couldn't be killed? Was that a lie?" Miller looked at Hermione.

"No, it wasn't. But I found a way to break the connection so now she can be killed."

"How did you break the connection?"

"I gave her her powers back."

"You did what?"

"It was the only way to sever the connection. I had to. But now we can kill her so let's do that."

"She is restrained. There is no need to execute her. We can bring her back to the Ministry and let justice do its job."

Nott scoffed. "In other words, you want to collect praise from your superiors for arresting her when you did nothing."

Miller's eyes narrowed on Theo. "Careful. I could have you all arrested for disobeying orders. I told you not to move and yet here you are."

The Aurors grabbed Bellatrix and moved her outside and everyone followed. Harry and Hermione were right next to Miller, pleading with him to not arrest her.

"Bellatrix isn't a normal Death Eater," Harry said. "She's escaped before. Now she has her full powers back. She's dangerous."

"She has her full powers back thanks to Miss Granger," Miller said.

"Otherwise she wouldn't be killable," Hermione nearly screamed in frustration. "Are you not listening?"

They made it outside where Auror portals were already glowing.

"I'm listening quite intently," Miller said. "All I've heard is you making dangerous decisions based on guesses. Who said giving Bellatrix her powers back was the only way how to sever your connection with her? Did you consult anyone?"

"No, because there was no time to—"

"There was time. You were just more concerned with your boyfriend's life than thinking about the larger picture, Miss Granger."

Harry tried again. "Commander, I really think you can't let—"

"I expected better from you, Potter. I will have to write a report about your disobedience."

With that, he walked away and Hermione was storming after him.

"Leave it," Harry said. "He's not worth it."

She stared at the group of ten Aurors and Miller as they readied Bellatrix to be transported back.

She was so furious, she almost didn't notice when Draco walked past her. She saw his black wand back in his hand. He whispered something and then there was a strange sound like air getting pushed by something. Through the clouds, she saw a dragon descend at rapid speed. At first, she thought it was his Patronus but then she saw the dragon was formed out of spikes of ice.