In The Dungeon

Chapter 9

*Draco POV*

I woke up to the sun in my eyes and I jerked up to look around. Where were we? Where was Hermione? If I wasn't awake then, I was now. I looked down and saw her looking up at me. I released the breath that I didn't even know I was holding.

"You okay?" She whispered, and I nodded. I didn't want to go into how much that split second scared me.

"Come on, w-w-we should move. We shouldn't st-stay in one place for too long." I said stuttering, I didn't want to think about the cause of that. I tried to stand. My arms and legs were not wanting to cooperate with me, however. With the amount of spasms and pain that were radiating through them I wasn't surprised. Hermione looked at me with fear and worry. She sat up and I could see the struggle she was having. We needed to get to safety and fast, but mother said to give it a week. We have to trust her as much as we can. She is one of the only ones we can now.

I eventually got to a standing position before I reached down to help Hermione up. We needed to get further undercover before I would feel comfortable about staying in the same place during the day. Once we move, we can eat and get more rest. Right now, I needed to get Hermione to safety. I failed her. I should have got her out sooner. It's my fault she is as bad as she is. Ofcourse, it is Malfoy, you could have done more, and you know it. I tensed. Yes, all your fault, it is theleast you can do to make sure we make it to safety. I heard Hermione say. 

I look over at her just to make sure she is truly beside me and saying these things. Itlooked as if she hadn't said a word. I had heard her though unless I am goingcrazy. I focused on her. I take in her sunken eyes and cheeks, enough that you can see the definition of her skull. I can see her rib cage through the shirt that mother gave her and wanted to retch. How long had we been there for this beautiful person to look like this? How could I let her get this bad? I thought what I was doing was helping. Whatyou do is never enough. We could die out here, if only you hadn't of gottencaught. Merlin, why did I have to get caught!

She moved her hand to my arm and I looked focused on her face.

"You okay?" She asked again, and I tried to smile, but I'm sure it came out as more of a grimace.

"Yeah. Let's go. The quicker we move the sooner we can eat." I say in a low voice and I can't say if it's because I want to be cautious or if I can't even speak higher than that. I wrap my arm around her waist, feeling the bone as I do so, and feel a fire in me that I haven't felt since I first planned to get her out. I wouldn't fail her again, I couldn't. If I do, it will be the death of us both. Youthink?

~DH~

*Severus POV*

I rushed through the halls and every time I came across a student they quickly got out of my way. I had no time to inform the needed people that I needed to speak them as I headed toward the Headmaster's office. All I could hope for at the time present was that Hogwarts could come to our aid as she has for many troubles. I made it to the gargoyle and it quickly jumped out of the way. Thankfully the stairs had already made its way to the top and I could hurriedly make my way up them.

I didn't know once I reached the door, I walked in and quickly took note of who all were in there. Minerva, Poppy, and Albus being the main three that I spotted but the whole staff were there. Gratefully, Hogwarts hadn't informed the students involved yet.

"Severus, what is the matter? What has happened?" Albus asked and I held back a grimace when I noticed that the normal gleam in his eyes were not present.

"I received a letter from Narcissa stating that she got the children out of the Manor. They are not in good condition. They have both been cursed multiple times and Draco has been hit with Sectumsempra. Both I could guess have been starved for the last month and a half. They are weak and terrified. She has told them not to come here for at least a week. After a week we need to start looking for them. She also warned about separating them, she advises that we do not because she doesn't know what it will do to them." I quickly inform them, and I ignore the different reactions of them all.