Anti-Magic
Hermione:
She heard footsteps thud against the ground, the squish of mud and moss flicking behind them. This was close - too fucking close. She was always one for rules but today of all days she decided to disobey them. After three years of running, hiding, fighting for her fucking life a berry bush was the reason she was going to die? They’d gotten so close so quickly, inches from grabbing ahold of her coat. She threw herself under the roots of a large tree. It didn’t matter to her anymore if it was snatchers or order members. She was a traitor or a mudblood, either way she was guaranteed death.
She’d had to be delusional, there was no way a full bush of non-magical berry’s was around late November. Hunger had fatigued her to her very bones, the desperation evident with her reckless actions today. Where is Jess? Hermione hoped she was safe.
Her breath puffed into silky clouds of warm mist in front of her, she sucked in a deep breath trapping the warmth inside praying to every god in existence that they’d pass. A low growl followed a bark, hounds. She heard their paws digging into the ground as they drew closer, hunting her scent. Her mind raced as she clutched her wand to her chest, she wasn’t strong enough to fight and if they had hounds it was definitely death eaters who’d avada her without a second thought. Hermione was too weak to even apparate anymore, lack of food will do that. The panic simmered just below the surface touching the seams of her mind, threatening to break free.
"I know you're out hereee!"
A sing-song voice exclaimed, a voice she'd recognized. But who? More footsteps, multiple people plus the hounds? What chance did she have, she was weak and her hands were so cold she could barely grasp at the wand between her fingers. Her bones stilled, The bubbles of panic were screaming in her temples, the lack of oxygen was making her lightheaded, tears prickling at the corners of her eyes, she squeezed them shut waiting for the green flash of light that will end her life.
"BOO!"
"Hermione Granger? The mudblood?"
Stars danced beneath her eyelids; confusion rattled her skull before it all went dark.
Draco:
"What the fuck was the mudblood doing so close to the manor?" Theo glanced across the cellar.
"Dunno mate, she hasn’t been seen in battle for years, used to be one of their best fighters apparently." Draco stated, bored as he filled his glass with whiskey.
"Why would you know that Sir, keeping tabs on a pretty mudblood?" A smile flashed across Theos face, attempting to push his buttons.
"It's my job to know everything, Nott."
"Oh well, more fun for me! I'll get what we need out of her then off with her head !" Clapping like a kid on Christmas.
God that man worried him sometimes, a bit too enthusiastic with the beheadings.
Draco stared at the girl in the chair, if you could even call her that. She looked like a shell of a human, skin and bones, hair that could compete with Bellatrix if that was even possible, nails chewed to nubs, covered in bruises and scratches. The golden girl was reduced to nothing. He stared at the once courageous, irritating, bossy girl he knew from school Draco couldn’t help but wonder how she'd been reduced to nothing. No one but her had been able to meet his marks at Hogwarts, no one else even came close to the achievements they rather unfortunately shared. She was a bright witch as much as that infuriated him to silently admit.
"Can't be too smart if you fell for the ole berry bush can yah!" Theo chirped, "Miss golden girl Granger, do I have a treat for you!"
Draco brought the glass of whiskey to his lips letting himself feel the burn as it slid down his throat. He watched as Theo attempted to enter Granger's mind and spill some secrets to hopefully end this bloody war a fraction quicker. However, both men knew that the war they were fighting was never going to end.
'She's mine Nott, go home," Draco sucked his teeth quietly, "I want to have a word with this one."
Theo dropped his wand to his side "awwwww you always ruin my fun." He pouted his bottom lip out like a toddler, before rolling his eyes and walked towards the cellar stairs.
Theodore Nott was an odd, damaged man. He'd found his soulmate but could never fulfill the hole in his heart. He wanted a family more than anyone in the world, for reason Draco couldn't even begin to understand. Daphne refused, not with a war going on. She hadn't taken the mark but that didn't spare her, she became a healer for the dark lords army. While they both looked well, perfect on the outside behind the door laid ugly truths that no one wanted to see.
Draco focused his eyes onto the brown haired girl in front of him. Something about Granger had always encapsulated him. She was always able to exceed even his father's expectations in school. Turned it up a notch with that fucking time turner too. She was a mudblood and she was topping all their classes right beside him. In the war, she became a feared and fierce fighter, but refused to kill. She was able to out-think and outsmart some of the greatest men and women Draco knew. Himself on the other hand, threw an Avada with a shot of whisky in the other hand and still slept peacefully. He'd envied her in school, belittled constantly by his father whenever the mudblood managed a better mark. When he failed to kill Dumbledore that had been his father's breaking point, but by the time he got out, Draco went in. After his six month sentence in Azkaban he'd risen the ranks refusing to turn into the blubbering mess his father had become shortly before his death. Draco had become one of the most powerful men in the country. He should just pull her memories, kill her and call it a day. But he couldn't, a waste of talent. The dark lord wouldn't accept it if she wasn't useful, if she couldn’t kill then she'd earn herself a swift death.
"Mippy."
POP
"Yes sir, how can Mippy assist Mr. Malfoy." The old elf clasped her hand together waiting patiently for their tasks.
"Prepare a room in the right wing for Miss Granger."
“Of course sir, right away sir,” With that the house elf disappeared with another pop.