From the Ashes

14 - Through the Forest

Hermione dropped her wand and turned slowly to face the speaker. Draco had already done so, his wand still held up in front of him. A woman with high defined cheekbones, short ebony hair and sour charcoal eyes gestured at Draco's wand with her own.

"I said drop it. I won't ask again Draco." Pansy said, her face cold and expressionless. "Pansy, why are you doing this?" Draco asked, "The war is over Pansy."

"No. The war was never over Draco. The Dark Lord fell but that does not end the war."

She gestured once more for him to drop his wand and then pointed her own at Hermione's chest. Draco's expression flickered slightly but returned to calm within seconds, Pansy caught the look, however.

"She's listened. Granger knows when she's outnumbered. Do that same Draco. Do it and I won't kill her just yet."

Draco glanced around the clearing, looking for an escape, an opportunity to disapparate. Anything that might remove them from danger. There weren't any options though, Pansy was right, Hermione had don't the math and decided that this was their best bet. Maybe their only one. She had a plan, at least he hoped she did. 

With great effort, Draco loosened his grip on his wand. It landed at his feet and then zipped into Pansy's waiting hand with a flick of her wand. Hermione's joined it seconds later and Pansy gave a thin smile, more of a grimace.

"Good. Now on to business. Incarcerous,"

Within seconds Hermione and Draco were bound in a thick rough rope. It tangled about their wrists, finally wrapping itself around their waists, binding them back to back. "Levicorpus."

Both Draco and Hermione felt the wind get knocked out of them as they were lifted off the ground, it was as if an invisible thread was pulling them upward from their belly buttons. It felt extremely uncomfortable. Hermione had the urge to vomit but fought her instincts. Instead, she bit her lip and took a deep breath, trying to control her shaking.

Draco could feel Hermione's quivering against him, her fingers kept twitching involuntarily against the back of his hand. Knowing that it would be best if the Death Eaters were unaware of their weakness, Draco slowly turned his wrist, wrapping the fingers of his right hand around Hermione's trembling hand. She startled slightly at his touch, but after recognizing the sensation she relaxed, accepting his comfort. The shaking subsided to a slight tremble, much more manageable.

Pansy seemed to be leading them through the woods. Not bothering to worry about them hitting the brambles and low-hanging branches. By the time they made it to her destination, Draco's face and arms were thoroughly marked up. He refused to make a sound instead, focusing on mapping their path, still trying to figure out where they were. It seemed familiar, but he had no recollection of why.

Hermione was watching Pansy with cool dislike. Now that she had calmed down she was sure that Pansy was responsible for taking Ron and for kidnapping the Malfoy's. 

At the present time, she wasn't exactly sure why. The Elder Wand, the Riddle.... She needed to piece it together... and quickly, but she couldn't seem to get it sorted in her mind. Her thoughts kept jumping to Draco, who squeezed her hand tightly every time a branch scratched him, and to Ron, who was unconscious or being tortured somewhere nearby. Reckless fool.

"Stop," Pansy commanded the other Death Eaters. It was abundantly clear that she was in charge of this particular venture. Pansy signalled to two of the Death Eaters. They disappeared into the forest ahead without a word. Hermione listened to the fading crunch of leaves and snapping of twigs as the disappeared. Pansy gazed up and Hermione and sighed.

"Draco. You can still choose to join us. It isn't too late." Pansy crooned. "Your family would be welcomed back with open arms. You would have your life back. No more hiding like rats." She tsked and walked around to face Draco. 

Hermione felt a tingling sensation shoot through her and as she tried to turn to watch Pansy, she found that she was unable to move. Pansy had paralyzed her without a word. That was when Hermione began to panic. Pansy had become skilled, that much was clear. Hermione's heart was racing and her breathing was shallow as she fought to gain control of her thoughts.

"You would be celebrated. What say you Draco?" Pansy paused waiting for his response. Hermione's panic was lulled momentarily as she waited for Draco to answer. There was silence. Then Draco moved behind her, only a fraction.

"We would be honoured," Draco said. As he spoke Hermione stifled a cry of outrage, which never left her thanks to the body bind. Instead, she felt their bonds loosen as Draco was released.

"I'm afraid we can't offer the same to Ms. Granger here. She is a liability to the cause and has proven in the past to be... uncooperative." Pansy finished, eyeing Hermione with loathing.

Draco nodded.

"I understand completely. She would never change sides regardless. Far too stubborn and law-abiding." He gazed up at Hermione as she pivoted to face him. As his eyes met hers a flicker of recognition passed over his features, a memory of a similar moment years earlier, and then it was replaced with the all too familiar sneer. 

"She has information that may prove useful, however. I would suggest leaving her alive until you can get it out of her." Draco said, speaking in a venomous drawl. Hermione felt sick, chilled by how quickly Draco had returned to the boy she had known in school.

"She'll live for now," Pansy said, flicking her wand to guide Hermione through the remaining trees. "There is someone who would very much like to speak with her."