Senses

Chapter 56

"Get the girl!"

"Dad! Dad!-"

"Incarcerus!"

Another loud explosion shook the ground as the small modest home gave a dangerous sway. Stone and other debris came down like firey rain before Draco made it through what was left of the door. Smoke filled his lungs as he jumped over the destroyed furniture.

A small flash of light caught the corner of his eye before a sharp pain ran down his shoulder, slamming him back into an outer wall causing the already unstable building to rumble. A series of his own spells brought down the stairs and along with it Luna who fell onto the small kitchen table with a sickening crunch.

Draco moved hastily through the debris, his face turning sour when he got a clear look. Luna's body was folded nearly in half, her head laying awkwardly bent over her legs with her arms curled crookedly against her stomach. Her eyes were closed but were quickly being covered by a thick stream of blood coming from the crown of her head.

"Lu-Lu!" Mr. Lovegood's voice rang out through the chaos before his second cry for his daughter was cut short.

Draco's heart was beating hard between his ears as he pushed off one of the beams keeping Luna trapped. With as much care as was possible, he pulled on her arm dragging her heavy body forward and over his shoulder, "Severus!"

A dark shadow appeared almost instantly in the collapsing doorway, "I've got her! Tell everyone to get back to the manor!" Another loud explosion followed by a new chorus of voices pushed him towards the doorway. As soon as he was able to get his wand firmly in his fingers he was turning on the spot.

oOo

Hermione snapped the belt tight around her waist, her action fueled by her anger over having been drugged. She had no idea what time it was or even if there was any chance for her to do any good but she had to try. Another tight pull to her collar and sleeves raised her head to the mirror. Not enough.

She raised her fingers over her eyes and through the black makeup dragging them down over her cheeks to give the illusion of black tears. A small charm over her eyes turned them red, giving them a small fleck of gold to shine in the firelight. She was a demon. A ruthless warrior and she would have her dues.

A sharp turn out of the bathroom took her straight into the office, the charm that kept those from apparating in did not keep her from apparating out and so, she was gone mid-stride in a plume of black smoke.

She arrived to smoke and fire, the battle seemingly over but the fighters had not yet gone. She appeared out of the shadows, wand to her right, dagger to her left unsure of just whom was lingering about.

The first spell to come flying her way missed her easily, her jump into the air exploding the ground beneath where she'd just stood. Her eyes narrowed as she thought she saw Lupin before another spell came from behind, sending her jump into a forward spiral. She landed with a hard roll and was back on her feet in seconds but the sound of familiar voices stayed her wand.

"After them!"

Hermione pushed herself hard into the tall grass quickly sheathing her dagger before casting a fog charm around her. She wouldn't attack them, but they'd surely seen her well enough. She had to get away but not until she'd acquired a bit more information. She'd lead them on a chase and circle back if possible.

Orders echoed behind her, spells of all colors whizzing past her body. The few that had hit her back fizzled into nothingness, mere stunning hexes. They hurt but not more than a heavy thump on the back. Not enough to get through the coat's protections.