Pride and Pretenses. (Dramione)

Chapter 31

Knock. Knock.
"Come in," a low voice hissed.
"Good evening, my lord," a tall, thin man entered, bowing deeply. He turned to the other occupant in the room. "Lucius."
"Ahh, Avery," Voldemort greeted. "What news do you have? Good things, I hope."
"I'm sorry my lord but I'm afraid my news is less than satisfactory," Avery replied, his voice trembling. "The giants are refusing to cooperate."
"Did they say why?" Voldemort asked, anger simmering underneath his voice.
"They...they want more money, my lord."
"Outrageous!" Voldemort exclaimed, slamming his fist on the table, making the other two jump. "We're already giving them more than they deserve." In a calmer voice, he turned to the Malfoy patriarch. "Lucius?"
"I'm afraid we don't have much more to give my lord," Lucius replied carefully. "Most of our funds have been spent on the cause."
"Well, we shall just have to find more money then, won't we?"
oOoOoOoOoOo
Draco,
I was happy to hear that despite breaking things off with Pansy, you have managed to find a more superior match in Genevieve Harrington. The Harringtons are an influential family and ties with them are most welcome. We would like to be better acquainted with Miss Harrington and so we cordially invite both of you to dinner this Friday night at the Manor. Do not be late.
Father
oOoOoOoOoOo
"How about here? We can try to get in this way and – "
"No, that won't work – "
"I haven't even finished – "
"And I'm telling you it won't work – "
"Let me at him! Let me at him!" Fred said in a loud voice as he entered the room, interrupting the beginning of another disagreement between Harry and Draco.
"Alright, let's get this party started!" George added with a whoop as he followed his brother in.
"Fred, George, really," Molly admonished.
"Mum, really," the twins chorused, their tone matching their mother's. They looked around the room. "Dad, really...Tonks, really...Kingsley, really..." and on and on they continued, greeting everyone in the room in the same manner. "Neville, really...Luna, really – "
"Hang on," George said, pausing. "Where's Ron?"
At this everyone looked at each other. Harry and Draco both clenched their fists, the only time they were synchronized with anything.
"He's a bit preoccupied with drowning his sorrows in Firewhisky at the moment," Ginny said, laying a hand on Harry's arm in an effort to calm him. "Besides, sober or not, Draco here would never let him within a hundred feet of Hermione. After how Ron treated her, I don't blame him."
If anyone was shocked at Ginny's use of Draco's first name, no one showed it.
"Blimey, we leave for a few days to promote our products on the continent and everything falls apart," observed George. "Can't you lot look after yourselves?"
"What happened?" asked Fred.
"It's a long story." Ginny sighed. "Basically, he's getting sloshed because Genevieve dumped him."
"The Harrington girl?" George asked disgustedly. "Really Mum, are you sure you didn't find Ron abandoned in Knockturn Alley? He's so un-Weasley like, he's worse than Percy."
"It was the postman, wasn't it?!" Fred exclaimed with a gasp. "He always did make googly eyes at you. I always wondered why he kept coming to our house when we never got muggle mail...But the postman's blond – did you dye Ron's hair?! Ow!"
Molly smacked her twin sons hard on the head. "Will you two just shut up for once in your lives?!"
oOoOoOoOoOo
"So, will I be with Harry then?" Ginny asked.
"No!" Harry and the Weasleys simultaneously answered.
"Am I with Luna and Neville?"
"You're not coming Ginny," Harry sighed, running his fingers through his messy hair.
"Like hell, I'm not!"
"What he means is, we need you to stay here and wait for Hermione," Arthur added. "If we're able to get her through the Floo, we'll need someone to meet her when she arrives and take her to the Hospital Wing to make sure she's alright."
Ginny pouted but remained silent.
Harry took that as acquiescence. "Does everyone know what they're doing then?"
oOoOoOoOoOo
"Master Draco Malfoy and Miss Genevieve Harrington," a house-elf announced, allowing the couple to enter the room.
Lucius and Narcissa stood up.
"Miss Harrington, it's a pleasure to finally meet you," Lucius said, kissing Genevieve's hand.
"The pleasure's all mine, Mr. Malfoy."
"Have you met my wife, Narcissa?"
Narcissa stepped forward.
"How do you do Mrs. Malfoy?" Genevieve asked, leaning towards the older woman.
"Very well, thank you," Narcissa replied, trying not to grimace as she took Genevieve's hand and touched her cheek to hers. Draco had told her all about the other girl.
"Draco," Lucius greeted, shaking Draco's hand.
"Father." He turned to Narcissa. "Mother," he said, kissing his mother on the cheek. She surreptitiously gave his hand a squeeze while they were close.
"Shall we make our way to the dining room?
oOoOoOoOoOo
"I hope you don't mind but we have another guest joining us tonight," Lucius said after dinner as they sat in the living room.
"Not at all," Genevieve replied, wondering who the guest was.
"Good evening Miss Harrington."
Genevieve bit back a scream as Voldemort walked into the room. She had never seen Voldemort before but the frightening figure before her could not be anyone else but the darkest wizard of all time.
"I don't believe we've met, I am Lord Voldemort."
Genevieve was paralyzed. She didn't know what to do. Her etiquette dictated that she greet the figure before her but fear was preventing her to do so. Besides, what the hell was he doing here? She knew there were rumours that the Malfoys were DeathEaters, but to have Voldemort actually show up was frightening. What did they want from her? She looked over at Draco.
Draco's eyes mirrored her shock. What the hell were they playing at? As much as Draco hated the girl, he would never willingly bring anyone to Voldemort. He had a feeling that Voldemort would still be in the Manor while the dinner took place but he never guessed that he would show up and want something from Genevieve. He just jumped at the chance of having an excuse to visit the Manor. He wouldn't have brought her here if he'd known what they were planning. Maybe that was why his father never told him.
Now he worried for the girl beside him. What would he do if Voldemort decided to torture her? With just the five of them, Voldemort was bound to notice if Draco cast a Stupefy, non-verbal or not. He didn't need this, not tonight, of all nights.
"Come now Miss Harrington, where are your manners? I know you were brought up better than that."
Shakily, Genevieve stood up and walked over to Voldemort. "Lord Voldemort," she murmured, looking down and giving a small curtsey.
"See, now that wasn't so hard was it?" Voldemort asked with a sneer. "I've been told you're in Gryffindor, is that correct?"
"Yes, sir," Genevieve answered, her voice still soft.
"Such a shame. Oh well, you are friends with Harry Potter, are you not?"
"Yes," Genevieve replied, wondering where this was going.
Shut up Genevieve. Draco thought.
"How close are you to Harry Potter?"
Genevieve hesitated, not liking the direction of the conversation. Voldemort sensed her hesitation. He casually moved his hand closer to his wand. The movement was not lost on Genevieve.
"We're very good friends," Genevieve blurted out.
Shut up! Shut up!
Voldemort smiled. "Ah, are you indeed?" He laughed. "I was just going to use you as a way to get money from your parents but it seems that you may be more useful than I thought."
Dread filled Draco's mind.
"Tell me...Genevieve...since you're such good friends, did Harry Potter tell you anything about his plans to defeat me?"
Tell him no. Nothing. Deny it. Draco thought, willing Genevieve to hear him.
Genevieve hesitated once more. Her family had always been neutral regarding this issue, this war, fleeing to the continent when things got a little intense. Now the battle was staring her right in the face.
Voldemort sneered, her hesitation giving him the confirmation he wanted. "I don't want to make this more difficult than it has to be," Voldemort said. When he still didn't get a response, he pulled out his wand and pointed it at Genevieve. "Cru –"
"Horcrux!" Genevieve yelled, falling to the floor in terror.
Genevieve, what the hell have you done? Draco tried hard to keep his face impassive even though he was having a full blown panic attack inside.
Voldemort was taken aback for a moment. "How did you know about that?"
Shut up Genevieve! Oh please, Merlin, Morgana, Circe, someone, anyone, shut her up! Draco looked over at his mother and noticed that although she remained calm on the outside, he detected a flash of shock, anger, and fear in her eyes. He was angry too. The thought that Hermione was infinitely better than Genevieve in every way popped up in his head. Courage, strength...Genevieve did not even come close. The mere threat of a curse was enough to make her sing like a canary. If he wasn't trying to be a better person for Hermione, Draco would gladly Crucio Genevieve himself at that moment.
Genevieve looked up in horror, seemingly realizing what she just said. When he received no answer, Voldemort lifted his wand once more. This time, he didn't even get to speak.
"Horcruxes, you have seven of them," Genevieve cried out. Her fear propelled her as she talked faster and faster. "We destroyed five of them – your diary, Ravenclaw's diadem, Slytherin's locket, the Riddle Ring, and Hufflepuff's cup. That leaves you and your snake..."
oOoOoOoOoOo
Come on. Come on.
Harry looked at the imposing manor before him, adrenaline pumping through every vein in his body. This was it – the moment he had been waiting sixteen years for. Behind these gates was the man he most hated, the man who took away his parents, his childhood, his godfather, the man who was now threatening to take away the only family he had left. Harry clenched his fists. Hermione better be ok or so help him, he will tear Voldemort apart limb from limb.
The sound of footsteps interrupted Harry's thoughts. He looked up to find a lone figure making his way towards them.
"Are we all set? Did you send Genevieve home?" Harry asked.
"Genevieve's still in there," Draco whispered as he quietly opened the gate with his wand. "Voldemort put her in one of the guest bedrooms." He locked eyes with Harry. "He knows about the horcruxes. Genevieve told him everything."
Harry was shocked. A feeling of self-loathing went through him for trusting the WonderBitch. Genevieve took away any upper hand they may have had against Voldemort. Luckily, she had no idea about what was happening with Hermione (since Dumbledore told the school she had gone to visit her parents) or what they were planning tonight. At least they had that. Harry reined in his anger and forced himself to focus on the task at hand.
"We won't have as much time as we thought then," Harry said. He turned to the determined crowd around him. "Is everybody ready?"
oOoOoOoOoOo
Stupefy. Quietus.
The two figures guarding the cell dropped to the floor quietly, causing Hermione to look up.
"Narcissa!" she whispered, giving the older woman a hug when she entered the cell.
"How are you feeling? Are you alright?" Narcissa asked Hermione anxiously, looking the girl over. Over the past couple of days, Voldemort had repeatedly tortured Hermione in an effort to gain more information. Narcissa's night time visits to bring food and heal what she could, was the only reason Hermione had been able to resist the dark wizard.
"I'm as good as can be expected, given the circumstances."
"They've come for you."
Hermione's eyes started to blur from tears as relief flooded through her.
"But it's so soon!" Hermione gasped, a frightening thought occurring to her. "Harry should've planned this out more. He can't just barge in here, wands drawn. He'll get killed!" Hermione's voice started shaking in fear for her best friend. "I can last! Please Narcissa, tell them – tell them to turn back! I can stay...I can handle it...I can buy them some time...Please...He's not ready...The DeathEaters...Oh Merlin, the DeathEaters! I can't...He can't..."
"Shhh, it's going to be alright," Narcissa said, holding Hermione tighter. She pulled away after a moment and looked into Hermione's eyes. "Harry Potter has a good head on his shoulders. He's as ready as he'll ever be. With my son, he – "
"Draco's with him?"
Narcissa smiled softly, wiping the tears from Hermione's cheeks. "Draco's with him," she confirmed. "It'll all be alright. They're both strong, Hermione. They need you to be strong now."
With a deep breath, Hermione nodded, pulling herself together. Seeing that she was ready, Narcissa reached for a coin in her pocket.
oOoOoOoOoOo
The coin in Draco's hand grew warm, the signal from his mother. He looked at Harry, who understood.
"Let's go."
oOoOoOoOoOo
Somewhere in the manor, Voldemort was jolted awake by a strange feeling.
The Mudblood! He realized after a moment. The mudblood had left the dungeons. He quickly got up and touched his wand to his forearm, calling his DeathEaters. He'll be damned if she got away again.
oOoOoOoOoOo
Narcissa and Hermione ran up the hidden staircases, knowing they didn't have much time. Surely, Voldemort knew by now that she was out of her cell. Though weakened by torture, Hermione pushed herself to keep up with Narcissa. Narcissa kept a tight grip on her hand, encouraging her through every step. Finally, they reached the hallway where Narcissa's room was located. They had to make it from the hidden alcove to the other end of the hallway without being seen.
Hermione could hear the sounds of fighting somewhere down below. Her heart quickened as Narcissa pulled her out once she checked that the coast was clear. Finally they made it to her bedroom. Narcissa went over to the fireplace and threw Floo Powder in.
"Hogwarts!" she shouted and the fireplace glowed green. Suddenly, Hermione's hand was ripped from her grasp.
"Incarcerous!" A male voice shouted. Hermione screamed as she was pulled to the floor, away from the fireplace. "I got you now Mudblood."
Hermione looked at Narcissa in a panic. The DeathEater followed her gaze.
"Narcissa?" the DeathEater asked, momentarily shocked.
Narcissa took her chance. "Stupefy!"
The DeathEater fell to the floor with a thud.
"Secare," Narcissa said, cutting the ropes that bound Hermione. Their relief was short-lived. Suddenly, another figure burst into the room.
"Expelliarmus!" a DeathEater shouted.
"Stupefy!" yelled Narcissa at the same time.
The two spells collided with each other, knocking both wands from their owner's hands.
Hermione didn't hesitate. She jumped on the DeathEater, catching him off guard.
"Narcissa, get out of here!" Hermione yelled.
Narcissa looked over to where the wands landed, on the other side of the large room. The DeathEater pushed Hermione off roughly and made a beeline for the wands. Narcissa would never make it. Hermione threw herself at the man and pulled his leg, dragging him down to the floor.
"Hermione!"
Hermione locked eyes with Narcissa as she struggled. "Sophie." Hermione said, trying to make the woman understand. "Leave Narcissa!"
Having no choice, Narcissa stepped into the fireplace, disappearing in a whirlwind of green flames.
Hermione and the DeathEater struggled on the floor, knocking tables, vases, and chairs as they reached for the wands. Finally, a hand grasped a wand.
"Avad – argh!" The spell died on the DeathEater's lips as Hermione stabbed his leg with a broken piece of glass she found on the floor.
Hermione quickly grabbed Narcissa's wand as she jumped up and ran toward the fireplace.
"Reducto!" The DeathEater screamed, blasting the fireplace to smithereens, cutting off Hermione's escape.
"Confundo!" Hermione cast the Confundus charm causing the DeathEater to rock back and forth as he howled in pain from his leg wound.
Hermione left him there as she hurriedly made her way out of the room.
oOoOoOoOoOo
"Stupefy! Protego!"
Neville fired spells this way and that as he made his way through the maze of the manor. He, Luna, and Tonks were charged with finding Nagini but he lost them amidst the chaos of the battle. The Order had expected Voldemort to be hiding in the Manor, and that, because of the dinner invitation extended to Genevieve, hardly any DeathEaters would be there to keep up appearances. That was why they chose that time to get Hermione out. What they didn't expect was how fast Voldemort was able to call his followers to him. They had barely made it inside the manor when DeathEaters apparated around them. The Final Battle had begun.
Neville followed a map in his head and turned into a quiet hallway to his right. He counted the doors and opened the fifth one, revealing what looked like the library. He looked around in awe at the large room, filled from floor to ceiling with books. A loud hiss got his attention as a huge green snake dropped towards him from above.
"Stupefy!"
Nagini fell immobilized to the ground, the angry glint in her eyes the only indication she was still alive. Neville concentrated on the snake with all his might, casting the spell that Harry taught him.
"Fluo Vita." Neville felt his life force drain from him but he kept his wand trained on the snake. After a few moments, a bright light emanated from within the snake. The flash of anger turned to agony as Nagini burned from the inside out. With a silent scream, the huge snake turned black and dissolved into ash. Neville dropped his wand, and fell to the floor, exhausted.
"What have you done?!" A voice screeched. "Expelliarmus!"
Neville's wand flew from his hand. He weakly turned around. "Bellatrix Lestrange."
"Longbottom?" Bellatrix was momentarily shocked. Then a manic grin graced her face. "Ah, you're the Longbottom kid! Yes, you look just like your father...You'll be just like him too after I've finished with you – crazy." She cackled. "This is going to be fun." She pointed her wand at Neville. "Cruc –"
"Stupefy!"
Bellatrix was silenced mid-spell as she fell to the floor.
"Luna!" Neville breathed in relief.
"Hello Neville," Luna said as she went over and helped him up. She looked over at the pile of ash. "Oh, good, you killed it."
oOoOoOoOoOo
"Potter, we meet again," Voldemort hissed when Harry finally reached him. "You are entirely too predictable."
"This ends now Voldemort," Harry seethed. The two wizards trained their wands on the other.
"Oh, but we're just getting started." Voldemort sneered. "You think you're so clever but you're forgetting that you can't kill me just yet. I still have one more Horcrux."
The coin in Harry's pocket grew warm. Harry smiled. "Guess again."
oOoOoOoOoOo
The sounds of the fighting grew louder as Hermione made her way down the hall. Finally, she reached the turn that would lead her to the safety of Draco's room and his fireplace. Hermione stopped. Resolving to help her friends, Hermione turned the other way.
She hurriedly made her way down the stairs, following the sounds of chaos and spells. She needed to get to Harry and make sure he was alright. Finally, she reached the landing, only to be stopped in her tracks.
"You stupid little mudblood," Lucius said in a cold voice.
"Stupefy!"
"Protego!" Lucius deflected her curse easily. "Expelliarmus!"
Narcissa's wand flew from Hermione's hand and into Lucius'. Lucius was shocked to see the mudblood carrying his wife's wand. Understanding filled his eyes.
"You bitch!" He yelled angrily. "Supplexo!"
Against her will, Hermione found herself forced to kneel.
Lucius raged at her from above. "You took away everything! You took away my birthright, you took away my status, you took away my family! You turned my wife and my son against me. When Potter dies and the Dark Lord reigns, I will make sure the mudbloods pay. Pity, you won't be there to see it. Avada Kedavra!"
oOoOoOoOoOo
Having received no signal that they were safe, Draco ran to his mother's room, hoping to find his mother and Hermione there. On the way, he cursed everything that got in his way without missing a beat. He barely registered throwing his uncles against the walls with his spells.
Draco threw open the door, his eyes focusing in on the fireplace. Finding it empty, he looked around the room, the destruction an obvious sign of a struggle. He saw no one but Amycus Carrow amidst the mess, rocking back and forth, staring at his bleeding leg, obviously Confunded.
They must've been here then. Without any thought for the other man, Draco hurriedly left the room. He made his way to his bedroom, to the other fireplace they would've used if his mother's was unavailable. He never got there.
As he reached the hallway turn that would lead to his wing, Draco heard the voice that chilled him to the bone.
"You stupid little mudblood."
Hermione!
Sure enough, seconds later, he heard Hermione yell out the stunning spell and his father deflecting it. Draco ran for his life toward the voices.
When he reached the stairs, he felt like a bludger hit him in the gut when he found Hermione kneeling in front of a furious and crazed Lucius, his wand trained on her. Neither had noticed Draco.
"...Pity you won't be there to see it," Lucius was saying.
The sight of Hermione propelled Draco to action.
"Avada Kedavra!" Two voices shouted simultaneously.
Two figures dropped to the floor.
oOoOoOoOoOo
"Crucio!"
"That was for Sirius," Harry said as Voldemort writhed in pain on the floor once more. "And this...this is for my parents." Harry held his wand steady. "Avada Kedavra."
With a jet of green light, Harry Potter was finally free.
But he didn't dwell on his victory. He quickly left the scene, his only thought consisting of the girl he came here for. He barely noticed the DeathEaters surrendering once they realized their master died. He barely responded to the loud yells from the Order members and simply nodded when they clapped him on the back with beaming smiles. He wouldn't smile until he saw her with his own eyes and made sure she was alright.
As he rounded the corner to the entrance hall, his worst fear was confirmed. At the bottom of the stairs were three figures. For a moment his eyes landed on the still body of Lucius Malfoy, his cane lying haphazardly beside him. The other two figures made Harry stop breathing.
Time slowed and the world fell silent, save for the rushing in his ears, as Harry saw a broken Draco Malfoy, holding a lifeless Hermione in his arms. He couldn't even move as he watched Draco desperately caress her face, squeeze her hand, shake her – all to no avail. As Draco's movements slowed, Harry started to become aware of what he was saying.
"Hermione please," Draco whispered desperately, tears streaming down his face. "Wake up," he said, caressing her beautiful face. "Please, don't leave me. You can't leave me. I had no choice," he continued brokenly. He held Hermione tighter in his arms, burying his face in her hair. "Merlin, I had no choice! I'm so sorry. I was trying to protect you. Please Hermione. Wake up. I need you. I can't...I can't..."
With a heavy heart, Harry willed his feet to move. He approached the stairs. Harry's heart broke as he gazed at his best friend, his sister, lying in his nemesis' arms, her eyes closed, lifeless. He felt himself drowning in the same pain he had felt when Sirius died in front of his eyes. He wanted nothing more than to shove Malfoy away and hold Hermione himself. But he knew the other wizard was hurting too. At this moment, Malfoy was the only one who knew exactly how Harry was feeling. For the first time, the two boys, barely men, were truly, on the same side.
Sensing another presence, Draco looked up. Grey eyes met green.
"What's the spell?" Draco whispered, quiet but determined.
Harry looked at him sadly. "I don't think it would wo– "
"What's the fucking spell Potter?!"
"Fluo Vita." Harry whispered.
Gazing at Hermione's face, Draco pointed his wand to her heart. "Fluo Vita."
A bright light shone from Draco's wand as his life force was drained from him. After a few moments, Draco collapsed, lifeless, beside Hermione.