Inevitable

4 | We've Got to Stop Meeting Like This

Two months later, Harry found himself cursing the Neo-Death Eaters again.

They were investigating a lead on the latest violent acts terrorizing the wizarding community: a series of mysterious magical bombings on Muggleborns with tragic, horrifying results.

Visiting the first bombing site had made Harry, and several others, violently lose his lunch. Even with his previous experiences with death, he'd never seen anything like this, and he was determined to put a stop to it.

Shivering slightly at the grisly memories, Harry led his team into the abandoned house. They split up and searched every room.

In the basement, Harry and Jasper Miner, his Second-in-Command, found a makeshift potions lab. It looked like it had been cleared out in a hurry.

"Let's get a forensics team in here, Jaz."

"Sure thing. I'll send a Patronus to Robards."

Miner walked up the stairs, while Harry began gathering what evidence he could find. He was startled by a shout from upstairs, followed by a series of crashes.

Harry bolted for the stairs. He emerged to find his team under attack. NDE's were everywhere. 

Is there no end to their ranks?

He jumped into action, spells and shields flying from his wand in rapid succession.

The team of Aurors managed to subdue most of them, while a few fled the scene.

Harry watched as Miner was preparing to Apparate to Azkaban with one of the captured Neo-Death Eaters when the man suddenly broke through Harry's Binding Spell, a blazing, hateful look in the eyes behind the white mask. He spun around and stabbed Harry in the gut. Neither of the Aurors had even seen the knife until it was too late.

Harry's eyes widened as he fell back, staring at the knife now protruding from his robes, a deep red stain blossoming around the silver handle.

"Stupefy!"

The masked villain dropped and was quickly subdued.

Miner knelt next to Harry. "You okay?"

"Yeah, yeah. I'll be fine," Harry muttered, even as his face drained of color and his vision darkened.

"We'd better get you to St. Mungo's."

Jasper called for another Auror to take the Neo-Death Eater. Harry passed out Apparating to St. Mungo's Hospital in his friend's arms. He was levitated onto a stretcher and quickly wheeled away.

•••••

The next evening, Draco looked up from his potion when Dottie Hewitt knocked on the door.

"Healer Malfoy? Healer Thomas asked me to consult with you about a patient. It's a knife wound, possibly poisoned or cursed."

"Where?"

"Abdomen."

"You have the file?"

Dottie nodded and held it out. "It's Harry Potter."

Draco fought to keep his face impassive. Harry had ignored his invitation to reschedule their Seeker's match. He had been elated when Harry had invited him, and then... Harry had cancelled without an explanation and completely ignored him. Draco was confused and more than a little annoyed. Friends, my arse.

He took the file and looked it over. "The healing salve had no effect on the wound? At all?" Draco's brows shot up.

Dottie nodded. "And the Pain Relief potion is having no effect as well."