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C H A P T E R  T W E N T Y - S I X | Repello Inimicum

charm. keeps evil beings away.

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HERMIONE ILLUMINATES HER WAND.

The bright light glitters in the darkness, bringing forth familiar and friendly faces.

"Miss Granger?" Professor Slughorn calls out to her as he lowers his wand.

"'Mione!"

Slughorn removes the charm, allowing Hermione full mobility for when Ron embraces her in a tight hug. He sets her down after a moment, backing off a step or two to look her over.

"You smell awful, 'Mione. What have you been rolling around in?"

"Oh, shut up and tell me what's going on." Her grin fades, her brows fall into a familiar scowl.

"Oh, my dear child. Have you not heard?" He clicks his tongue. "The president of the Magical Congress of the United States was found murdered - taken out by the Avada curse. His vice president was found dead as well, I'm afraid. The Headmistress thought it appropriate to close off the school for now. Aurors are here to patrol the grounds until the fiend is apprehended though, so there is nothing to worry about as long as you're within the boundaries. However, it would be prudent for you to seek cover within the walls of Hogwarts."

Professor Slughorn turns to Ron, glancing him up and down like a prized bull at auction. He clicks his tongue assuredly.

"Mr. Weasley, you're a strapping young man. Might you escort Miss Granger inside?"

Ron fights the urge to grin smugly and nods sternly before motioning for Hermione to lead the way. But instead of going into the dungeons with everyone else, Hermione insists on finding McGonagall, whom Ron says should be in her office with Kingsley Shacklebolt.

"Perfect," she mutters before racing for the stairs with Ron shouting behind her.

He grabs her by the hand, drawing her to a stop. When she finally brings her eyes to his, he demands to know why they aren't following orders.

"If I am going to disobey my boss, I need to know why."

After a moment of mulling it over, Hermione tells him about Y'Zara and Astoria, the mess with Lucius. By the end of it, he agrees to go with her to speak with McGonagall and Shacklebolt. On the third floor they are forced to come to a halt.

Standing in the middle of the corridor is Astoria Greengrass and she has her wand drawn.

Ron steps in front of Hermione, his hand slowly reaching for his wand.

"Ronald Weasley." She says his name slowly, like she's tasting each letter. A smirk lifts her pink lips as her eyes flash to his.

"You're really going to defend her? Even after she went and got knocked up by your former enemy? You're more forgiving than I would be, but it's a pity really - that you're willing to die for her." She raises her wand, the curse forming in her throat when she is hit from behind with a red bolt from a Stupefy spell. Her eyes flutter shut and she falls to the ground with a thud.

Pansy Parkinson smirks as she places her wand back inside the pocket of her black leather jacket.

"Really, Ronnie. I expected you to act faster. Perhaps I should be the Auror and you the student." Her eyes twinkle mischievously as she approaches the pair.

Ron's cheeks blaze but he argues that he was merely waiting for Astoria to attack first - Auror protocol and all.

"We should leave before she wakes up," Hermione suggests.

"Pansy will go with you. I'll deal with Greengrass and meet with you after to make sure you're both safe. Who knows who else will want to pick a fight."

Upstairs on another floor, Hermione and Pansy enter the Headmistress' office.

"Miss Parkinson. Miss Granger," McGonagall says, worriedly. "Where have you been? We've not seen you in classes for days. You should be in the dungeons with the other students."

"I don't have much time, Headmistress. I know who killed President Quahog and his vice president. They want me to deliver Lucius Malfoy to them. I was told that he was hiding here, in the school. If we give him up, we can save -"

"- Lucius is not here."

Kingsley Shacklebolt's tone is sharp, but when he continues, his voice is softer.

"He has already been taken to the Ministry, from there he will be transported to Azkaban to live out his days in suffering. I saw to his arrival myself." Kingsley approaches them with scrutinous eyes.

"Without Lucius, they'll turn Draco into one of them. Please, we need to deliver him to Y'Zara tonight." Hermione gazes desperately at the Headmistress.

Her silver eyes fall to the Minister before darting back to Hermione, a silent apology drags her face down in sorrow.

"Lucius is under the government's control. Setting him free, even to you, could mean his escape back into the world. As long as Draco remains within Hogwarts' walls, he will remain safe from those who would wish to do him harm. Tell us, Hermione - who is plotting this scheme?"

Pansy steps forward.

"Draco never returned before the protection wards went up. He's still out there."

Hermione's heart races at the thought of him all alone. She can't wait for the Ministry to take part in this. Instead of arguing further with the Headmistress and the Minister, Hermione exits the room quickly.

When Pansy asks what the plan is, Hermione explains that they're going to rescue Narcissa from the safe house and find Draco.

"We will need back up," Pansy replies as they make their way to the dungeon.

Downstairs, they find Blaise with Ginny, Luna, and Neville. After giving them a quick run-down of the plan, they all agree to join in the crusade.

"We've got your back, Hermione," Neville says with an encouraging smile.

Upstairs at the main entrance, they find Ron talking to Harry.

"Did you find out where Lucius is?" Ron's blue eyes meet Hermione's.

"Kingsley took him to the Ministry for transport to Azkaban. Draco's still out there, though. Once Y'Zara hears that Lucius is going to be locked up, she's going to send people after Draco. We have to find him first."

Harry steps forward.

"And you all agreed to help?"

Everyone nods.

"Then, I guess it's settled. We're going to fight this until the bitter end." He nods as if reassuring even himself of the truth.

The group heads out of Hogwarts and down to Hogsmeade where they DisApparate to Malfoy Manor, wands at the ready for a fearsome showdown.

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