The Right Choice

Chapter Fifteen

Once he felt his feet hit solid ground, Draco opened his eyes. Hermione was still in his arms, half conscious. He prayed that she would stay alive while he surveyed his surroundings for any help. He saw a cottage in the distance with three people running out of it. He also saw Potter and Weasel nearby, staring at him.

"Harry Potter." said a small voice.

Draco looked for the source of the sound, and saw Dobby with a knife protruding from his chest and blood on his clothing. It was a sad sight. The elf was, after all, the only reason they were all still alive. Potter rushed to him and took the small creature in his arms, speaking gently to him as he passed. Draco bowed his head in respect of the life of his savior.

He looked around at the three people who had run from the cottage to meet them. One was a girl Draco recognized from school, one was a man with red hair that could be assumed to be a Weasley, and the third Draco recognized as Fleur Delacour from the Triwizard Tournament in his fourth year.

Potter declared that he would bury Dobby properly, with no magic. The elder Weasley nodded and asked his brother and Potter to follow so that they could find shovels. Potter scooped Dobby up and left with the other boys and the girl. Fleur knelt down and handed Draco a small vial with a blue potion in it.

"Get 'er to drink zis, eet is a blood replenishing potion." she instructed Draco, shoving the vial into his hand. Draco brought the bottle to Hermione's lips, and, to his astonishment, she was still able to drink of her own accord. Fleur set to work on Hermione's bleeding arm. Her frown became more and more pronounced as she whispered incantations.

"I am sorry. I 'ave 'ealed as best I can. But she will have scars." Fleur finally said.

Draco looked down at Hermione's arm. The mess of blood had gone, but he could finally see what his aunt had carved, and he felt murderous at the sight. Her arm now read mudblood in bright pink scars.

Fleur motioned for Draco to follow her into the cottage. Draco cradled Hermione to his chest and she wrapped her arms around his neck for support. Draco was certain that she had no idea who was carrying her, or she would scream and writhe.

He followed Fleur up a flight of stairs and into a bedroom. There were two twin sized beds on one side, and a large dresser on the other. The room was quite plain. Draco set Hermione down on one side and stepped back. Fleur had left the room, leaving the two of them alone. Draco sat on the opposite bed and watched Hermione. She was now completely unconscious, but she looked as if she were sleeping. If not for the blood staining her clothes, she would look peaceful.

Fleur returned with a glass of water and a bundle of clothing.

"You are similar in size to my 'usband, I 'ave brought you clothes to wear." she said as she set the clothes on the dresser.

"Thank you." Draco said in astonishment. How did she know that he had nothing but his wand and the clothes on his back?

She handed him the glass of water. "'Make her drink zis."

Draco supported Hermione with one arm while he coaxed the water down her throat. Fleur set to work clearing the blood from Hermione's clothes with her wand. When she was done, she regarded him with curiosity.

"Your family, zey are Death Eaters, no?" she asked.

Draco froze, how had she known that? He supposed the elder Weasley had told her.

"Zey are very well known." she explained.

"Of course they are." Draco groaned.

"You turned your back on zem?"