Saving the Enemy

Chapter 16

Draco

    The burning sensation on his left forearm is almost overwhelming. For a moment he thinks it is his dark mark but as soon as he looks down, he realizes that it is the otter. The otter is moving slightly against his skin, looking up at him in horror with wide, panicked eyes. Draco realizes what this means, remembering Hermione’s spell from earlier. She’s in trouble.

    Draco gasps, reacting quickly, rushing out of the office, grabbing the first person he can find. Draco’s heart is racing fast, dread filling his entire being, afraid that he is too late. He can’t lose her, he can’t lose the light of his life.

    “Hermione,” he breathes. “Hermione’s in trouble. It was a trap.”

    The person looks at him in horror, obviously knowing the mission he was talking about. The young boy grabs his arm and leads him through the crowded Ministry bustling with people before bursting through the familiar office. The Minister’s office.

    “Sir,” the young boy interrupts.

    “I hope there was a good reason for this interruption, Ethan,” the Minister says threateningly. The young boy gulps, but nods vigorously.

    “Sir, this man claims the mission was a trap.”

    “And how do you know this, Mr. Malfoy?” The Minister turns to Draco who holds out his arm.

    “Hermione placed some sort of spell before she left and I just know she is in trouble,” he says urgently, but his heart falls when he sees the doubt in the Minister’s face.

    “Fascinating, but we have no proof. Until an Auror bursts through here with word that they are truly in trouble, there is no cause to send in any more of our best for this one mission. I’m sorry, but you will need to leave Mr. Malfoy.”

    Draco is about to protest, but the young boy named Ethan speaks before Draco has the chance.

    “Thank you sir, I am sorry to interrupt Minister,” he bows his head, seeming ashamed that his judgement was wrong. The Minister only nods, causing the boy to drag Draco out of the office. Draco clenches his fists, ripping his arm away from the young boy before storming back to Hermione’s office. He has to do something but what?

    It is then that he remembers that through a mere touch of his dark mark, he was previously able to travel to the place of the calling. Draco’s heart thumps excitedly at the thought that maybe this works the same way. He has to try.

    Draco reaches down to the otter, feeling the weightlessness of apparition, but he isn’t sick due to the thought that his Hermione is in danger. She could be anywhere.

    Draco navigates through the strange area that appears to be a dungeon. He feels the wall, regretting leaving his wand back in Hermione’s office in his rush to find her. He feels warmth, knowing that somebody is slumped against the wall.

    They have blood running down their face, mixing in with their dark frizzy hair that is tied up. They appear to be unconscious, but he is concerned with the amount of blood covering the front of their body. He hesitantly brushes some stray strands of hair and a bit of blood from their face, shuddering at the sticky warm substance. His heart breaks at the realization of who he is looking at. Hermione.

    “Hermione!” he screams, unable to contain the cry that escapes his lips. He doesn’t care who can hear him, he just needs to save her. He wanders to the door, only to find it locked. He shakes Hermione lightly, but she is out cold. He feels tears rush into his eyes, but he needs to stay strong for her. His love needs him and he can’t fail, not now.