The Right Choice

Chapter Fourteen

Weeks later, Hermione was warm in her bed. Harry was on watch, and she was letting her tears flow freely again. Ron's words had stuck with her ever since his departure. She really had believed Draco, and he had made a fool out of her. But it hurt more to hear it from a friend who was supposed to build her up, not tear her down.

Her thoughts were interrupted as she heard Harry call her name. She panicked, thinking something was wrong and rushed out of the tent. She didn't have a wand, Harry's was broken in Godric's Hollow in their most recent brush with danger. She had no idea what she planned to do if Harry was in trouble again.

She certainly didn't expect Ron to be walking with him. Her first reaction was to march forward and begin to hit him, something she never did. She called him a medley of swear words, then realized she could hex him into oblivion.

"Where is my wand?" she demanded, rounding on Harry. He backed up, stating that he didn't know.

"Harry Potter you give me my wand!" she shrieked.

"How come he's got your wand?" Ron asked.

"Never mind why he's got my wand! Why are you here? Why did you suddenly return after weeks?"

Ron went on to explain how his Dilluminator somehow led him back, that he had immediately regretted leaving when he had apparated. But he didn't know how to find them again. Then he showed her the sword of Gryffindor and the destroyed Horcrux.

Hermione was still angry, but she had never been so happy to see him in her life.
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"Come out with your wands out!" an unfamiliar voice yelled from outside the tent.

Harry had spoken Voldemort's name out of habit, but it was Taboo. Whomever said it could be instantly traced by snatchers, wizards looking for money in exchange for turning someone in that was on a wanted list.

There was nowhere to go, so the trio tried to make a break for it and curse their way as far as they could. But to no avail. Hermione hit Harry with a stinging jinx in the face, so that he would not be recognized. She also took his glasses for good measure.

A particularly scruffy snatcher grabbed hold of Hermione by the hair while Ron shouted for them to leave her be. He received a swift kick to the stomach for this and doubled over in pain.

"What happened to you, ugly?" one asked of Harry.

"I reckon he picked up something in the forest." said the dirty man holding Harry by his arms.

"Got any I.D. on you?" the other one said to Harry.

"My name is Vernon Dudley." Harry lied.

Hermione identified herself as Penelope Clearwater and a half blood while they were all searched. Then, the worst happened. The one who had asked for Harry's identification was examining him and had discovered Harry's scar, or at least what could be seen of it on a swollen face.

"Change of plans," said the snatcher, "we're not taking this lot to the Ministry."
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Draco was reading in his room, but not really taking in what was on the pages. He wondered where Hermione was, what she was doing, if she was even alive. He hoped that when this was all over, he could find her and plea his case. He would do anything to make her understand. He fought for her now, his own safety disregarded. He knew that if he were to step out of line, he would have her and his mother's lives hung over his head.

He heard a knock at his door and got up to open it. One of his house elves bowed to him and informed him that his presence was requested in the drawing room. He dismissed the elf and closed his door behind him. He straightened his hair and smoothed his clothing. He assumed an air of arrogance and strode downstairs at a leisurely pace.