Serendipity

Chapter 9:

In one hand Hermione held her wand firmly; the other was in Blaise's. Her chest burned as she ran into the dark alleyways of the city, trying desperately to keep up with his longer legs and away from the Death Eaters who wanted them dead. Red hair caught her eye and she knew Ron was right with them. Where Harry and Adrian were, she didn't know.

Hermione could not comprehend Voldemort's cold glare as he killed one of his most trusted allies. Lucius Malfoy was dead. If he could be killed, she meant nothing. It took the Death Eaters a moment to react to their flight and they were further hindered by their long robes, whereas the students ran freely in their jeans.

Making a turn to the left, Hermione followed Blaise. "No. Not there," Ron said too late. They dead ended into a canal. The mistake meant they lost time and only put them in further danger. They edged out of the alley quietly behind some Death Eaters who flew past at top speed and then the students turned off the main road to get away from that danger.

Hermione leaned against an abandoned building gasping for breath. "You all right?" Blaise asked.

"Yeah." She smiled at him thinly.

"Good, we can't stay here," Ron said from where he stood as look out. "Are we going the right way?"

Hermione thought for a second and hoped to all the great wizards that they were. "I haven't the slightest idea," she confessed.

"I think we are. Mostly, anyway." Blaise looked at the night sky.

"What do you mean?"

"I think we went more south than we should have, but we can adjust ourselves. When we left Neville we went west and only slightly north." Blaise squinted. "We should head in ... this direction, as much as possible."

"Right," said Ron. "Then let's do that."

"You ready?" Blaise asked Hermione, his tone concerned.

"Ron's right, we have to go."

They continued on at a slower pace, keeping quiet. At the end of every street there was a renewed sense of fear. Ten minutes and three wrong turns later, Hermione agreed with Blaise that they were closer to the portal. Tension was high as they knew that any mistake could cost them their lives.

Hermione followed closely behind Ron, but didn't react fast enough when he stopped abruptly. Crashing into him, his arm went out to steady her while his eyes stayed trained ahead. Two Death Eaters stood with their backs to them across the street. Hermione began inching backwards tugging at Ron's sleeve when they turned slowly towards them.

Ron stood firm even though Hermione had now grabbed his arm and tried to bodily move him from the spot. "No, don't. I'll distract them and cover for you. You go around that street and you'll come out ahead of them."

"Ron, don't be stupid, come on." The strain in Hermione's voice came from her attempts to be quiet while convincing Ron.

"I'm not. Go."

Blaise put his hand on Hermione's shoulder and made a small nod to their exit. "Let's go," he whispered.

The taller of the two Death Eaters turned and saw them. He nudged his partner and outstretched his wand arm offensively. "Don't move."

"Go." Ron's eyes locked on the Death Eaters. Hermione didn't move until Blaise pulled her away from the spot. Running down the street her heart told her she was doing the wrong thing. Several blocks away Blaise finally stopped running.

"We need to go back." Hermione began to do just as she said.

"No. You can't." Blaise caught her arm and she spun back towards him.

"This is wrong. We should have helped him. He could be dead now." Hermione started to cry, but stopped herself quickly. Blaise pulled her into a hug and smoothed her hair.

"I'm sorry, but we had to. He wanted you to. Don't blame yourself."

Hermione cried harder and then began to punch Blaise's chest. "No, I won't blame myself, because this is your fault." She pulled away from him and looked him in the eyes. "Why did you tell Harry to come? Why did we leave Ron?"

"Harry'd been itching for this all year. A month ago I mentioned the information I knew about tonight offhandedly and he took it up as a personal cause." Blaise tentatively touched Hermione's arm. "It may be very Slytherin, but sometimes you need to save yourself."

"Do you think he'll make it?"

"I think he can hold his own, yes. But what's the point if we don't. We need to keep going."

"That would be a good plan, but unfortunately, I think you'll find the way blocked." Dolohov and Rookwood stood at the end of the street. Dolohov spoke menacingly to Hermione and Blaise. "You're the girl who should have died last year. It's time I finish that job." Rookwood placed a hand on Dolohov's wand arm stopping him before he could curse Hermione. Rookwood liked unnerving his victims first, liked playing cat and mouse games.

Rookwood moved closer. "If it isn't the lovebirds that caused Malfoy's death? I think you'll find your romance short lived."

Blaise instinctively moved in front of Hermione, protecting her from the oncoming Death Eaters. "That wasn't our fault."

"Perhaps, at least not directly so. I think you'll find that most people in our world will never approve of your relationship." Rookwood drew closer still and looked down his nose at the two students. He seemed to enjoy the sound of himself talking over causing any actual harm to them for the moment. He loved the dreadful anticipation before the final blow and anything to increase that made him giddy. "You especially, Zabini. What would your family say? Your friends? But you don't need to worry about facing them again though. At least I'll be sparing you that humiliation."

"I don't care what they think." Blaise knew he couldn't convince Rookwood from trying to kill him, but also knew that the longer he talked the more time he and Hermione had to think of an escape plan.

"Pity, because it makes little difference." Rookwood turned to Hermione then. "As for you, I'm sure the Gryffindors would love to earn the prestige from liaisons with such a noble and pure family, shame that you have tainted it." Hermione's resolve held strong and she simply looked at him not saying a word. "Silent are we? Hmm, better for you isn't it, lad? She can use that tongue for other uses then." Rookwood caressed her jaw with his wand glaring wantonly at Hermione.

"Don't you dare." Blaise's wand arm flew up equal to Rookwood's eyes. "Just give me a reason."

"Too rash, very unSlytherin of you," Rookwood said quietly moving towards Blaise. Suddenly he pushed aside the wand and forced him and Hermione against the wall of a building. "But now, I shouldn't be so surprised, should I?" He turned and began to leave the street much to the surprise of both Blaise and Hermione. "Just one last thing," he said a moment before spinning back to the students. "Can't have you running away in one piece now."

Before the spell came out of Rookwood's mouth Hermione stunned him. Knowing that it wouldn't last long, Blaise knocked the wand from Dolohov's hand with a shoulder to his arm and a kick to his ankle toppled the large man. As he ran away with Hermione, he sent a defensive spell over his shoulder.

The spell missed its target and Dolohov followed after them. He was no more than fifteen feet away when they dead ended into another canal. An old boat lay in the water between the two sides of the canal. Remnants of an old bridge lasted on the sides, but most of it had caved into the canal.

"Go over," Blaise told Hermione.

"What? I can't"

"You can and you have to. Use the boat. Go."

"Not without you."

"Very noble, Hermione, but there isn't time for this."

Dolohov turned the corner. He was quieter than Rookwood and simply laughed at Blaise and Hermione's predicament. As he came close Blaise used a charm to trip him for the second time to which Dolohov did not take kindly to. When he straightened he and Blaise engaged in a duel.

While Blaise played the distractor, Hermione carefully stepped onto the boat. It rocked quietly in the water getting used to her weight. Picking up a long unused oar she pushed off from the side of the canal. It was not a very wide canal and soon the other side was within reach with the oar. Pulling the boat up to the opposite side Hermione caught her balance again before climbing out.

On the other side of the canal she saw that Blaise had company coming to team up with Dolohov. Sending over a few defensive spells of her own she and Rookwood engaged in their own battle from across the canal. She ended with a barrage of spells that caused Rookwood to fall into unconsciousness again. This caught Dolohov's attention.

"Let me do what I should have done a year ago." A purple spell flew over the canal grazing Hermione's wand arm. Switching arms she sent spells his way that reacted with the ones Blaise also sent him and knocked him out cold. Massaging her arm, she discovered that it was all but useless. Numb from shoulder down, she could not move it and luckily could not feel the pain that should have been present.

"Hermione, the boat! Push it back over." Blaise caught her attention and Hermione went into action. Pushing the boat over with the oar, it reached the other side. Blaise got in and pushed off. In much the same way as Hermione did, he finally crossed.

"Are you all right?" His first question out of the boat. He grabbed her in his arms.

"Yeah, can't feel a thing in my arm, but yeah, it's fine."

"Can you do anything with it?" Hermione could feel Blaise's warm breath on her face and her heart stirred with more than just the anxiety of their situation.

"No." She looked at the hurt arm as it hung limply at her side.

"Can you use your wand with your other hand?"

"Not as well, but enough."

Blaise nodded. "We should keep going. The sooner we get back the sooner you can get that fixed." There was a quiet moment between them where electricity flew and their hearts raced. He leaned in and kissed her fiercely. Breaking apart, both were breathless. "That was too close." He looked into her eyes. "I thought that was it." She felt his heart beat beneath her fingers.

"I know. Me too." Hermione looked up at him and the sounds of Death Eaters casting spells from nearby brought their attention back to the present. "Are we still going the right way?"

"Yeah, I think it's just another few blocks or so."

As they continued through the streets they could hear small skirmishes all around them as if there were more on their side than the three other students that arrived with them. Hermione wouldn't be surprised if the Order had arrived to help them, but hated the thought of constantly being bailed out by that group. It was a life saver, no one could deny, but she wished that there was someway Harry and the other students could help them out instead of cause trouble for them to clean up.

Hermione thought about Ron and Harry as they silently moved through the city. Where was Ron? What happened when they left him? And what was with that strange gleam in his eye when the impending conflict came? She worried.

And as Hermione worried she was less attentive. From a street on her right a Death Eater reached out a grabbed her from the shadows. Blaise's attention was caught by the half scream she made before having her mouth covered. She bit down on the hand that covered her mouth and could taste the iron of blood as her teeth cut into her victim.

He pushed her away towards the back of the alleyway and leveled his wand with Hermione. With her left hand she held her wand unsteadily unsure that she could do anything to protect herself if she needed to. The Death Eater came closer and unlike his other companions, he did not throw threats at Hermione. Quietly and more unsettling then Rookwood's banter, this masked Death Eater came to stand over Hermione.

Blaise jumped into the alleyway and threw a curse at her attacker at the last minute as her eyes were shut waiting for the dreaded curse. As the Death Eater lost consciousness and fell, he hit his head on a fallen stone. Blood gushed from the wound and his body twitched frantically for a moment before abruptly stopping.

Both Hermione and Blaise were taken by surprise. Unsure about what to do, Hermione lifted the hood of the Death Eater to reveal Nott. His body remained motionless.

"Is he -?" Blaise began to ask.

Hermione kneeled next to the man and searched for a pulse that wasn't there. His eyes were glazing over as they looked ahead at the wall behind Hermione. Her fingers moved faster over his neck madly, looking for any sign of life. She hated Death Eaters and everything they stood for, but she never wanted to be responsible for anyone's death. Grim reality set in around her as she understood the irreversible consequences of war.

"Hermione, don't ... I don't think there's any use." Blaise pulled Hermione up from the body. He was clearly shaken at what he caused. "I never meant to -"

"I know," Hermione whispered. She turned to the dark haired boy. He looked around blankly unable to make sense of the scene before him.

"What did I do? He's Ted's father." Blaise began breathing fast. "I killed -"

"No, no." Hermione cut him off, now was not the time. She couldn't handle this now, nor could he. Taking control of the situation she led Blaise away. "You didn't mean to kill anybody. We need to find Neville." She faced Blaise and made him look at her. "How do we get back?"

Something clicked in Blaise's head and he nodded. "Right, later." Hermione could see that he was forcing himself to ignore what just happened in order to take control of the situation again. "Around that corner, I think."

"Right." And with that, they continued their journey.

------------------------

Hermione felt better five blocks later when their path came across Adrian's. They were heading in the right direction and it was finally clear. Familiar buildings that stood out in their minds from earlier reappeared as they approached the portal.

Adrian's wrist was badly broken and he ran with a slight limp, but brushed off questions, saying that he was fine. His light hair made him easy to follow through the dark streets. Winding their way around the last bends and turns Hermione, Blaise, and Adrian finally arrived at the portal. Neville was not alone rushing around it to get it working. Elphias Doge was also frantically arranging ingredients and symbols to revive the portal back to Hogwarts. His presence was a clear sign that the Order was thankfully here.

When Hermione, Blaise, and Adrian came out of the alleyway and into the small plaza Moody stepped into their way. His hard discerning eyes softened when they landed on Hermione. "Come on in." The three students began to advance when Moody stopped the two boys. "Slytherins?" They nodded silently. "They all right?" he asked Hermione and Neville.

"Yeah, I trust them with my lives," Hermione defended. "Blaise has saved it at least three times tonight."

Moody looked over them carefully without saying anything for a good minute. Finally he decided they were no threat and let them enter. "Don't think I won't be watching you now. I'm no senile, old fool. Constant vigilance." The boys, sufficiently on guard, moved into the Order protected plaza with Hermione.

Around them the battle could be heard going on in almost every direction. Within their protected area the students and adults remained silent. Neville busied himself to get the portal in working order with Elphias' help.

The rushed sound of someone running brought the group's attention to one of the streets. Ron ran into the plaza chased by a Death Eater who was taken by surprise upon leaving close quarters of the street. Four hexes converged knocking out Ron's pursuer.

Ron collapsed into a heap as soon as he had reached his refuge. Dried blood remained from where it trickled from his nose. It was broken, but Ron seemed to barely notice it. Hermione rushed over to him to see if he needed anything. His eyes were wild as he searched the faces of the group assembled. More and more of the Order has found its way back to the portal. Among the ten faces Ron searched, one was missing. "Where's Harry? I thought he was with you, Pucey."

Adrian shook his head. "No, we split after everyone ran. I haven't seen him since we left the plaza."

Ron's eyebrows met in concern. "What happened?" asked Hermione. "Are you all right? Do you need anything?" She was desperate to be helpful in some way, but Ron didn't answer any of her questions.

Standing up, Ron wiped himself off. "I need to go. Someone needs to find him."

"The portal's open," called Neville as the circle of fire began to pulse the strange purple light again. "If we are going to use it, now's the time."

Elphias began going through those assembled sending people back in pairs. "Ready?" he asked the group of students in a soft voice.

"No, where's Harry?" Ron's temper was growing. "We can't leave without him."

Remus came up to the group and placed a hand on Ron's shoulder, "It'll be all right, most of the Order is still out there with him, they'll all get back safely."

"You don't know that."

Remus' eyes grew dark. "You are right. I don't," he acknowledged. "But sometimes we need to have faith in these things."

"I'm going to find him. He might need help." Ron picked up his wand and would have left the small plaza then if Remus didn't step in his way.

"I can't let you do that, Ron."

"He's right though. Harry wouldn't leave us," Hermione stepped up with Ron. "And we've left him. If he needs us and we can help ..."

"But you don't know that you can. Hermione, please, listen to reason." Remus placed a hand on each of their shoulders now. Ron shrugged it off and began to leave.

"If he's going, so am I," Hermione said quietly to Remus.

Ron turned around. "No. You aren't going anywhere, Hermione. You're safe now, stay here and go back to Hogwarts."

"No where is 'safe' anymore, Ron. There's no logic in telling me to go back to school. I'm going to help you." Fire ignited in Hermione's eyes. The best way to get her to do something was tell her she wasn't allowed to. Ron should have known better.

Blaise spoke up at that moment from where he stood behind Hermione. "You can't use your wand arm. What help could you be out there? Yes, at full potential, you are a formidable force, but you're just going to be a liability. Don't go unnecessarily into danger." Hermione looked up at Blaise and saw the worry in his eyes and at that moment knew that he was right. He placed his hands on her shoulders and squeezed them slightly. "The sooner you get back to the hospital wing the more likely you'll be able to use the arm again."

Hermione unwillingly agreed. "Fine, but you aren't going out there, especially not alone. Tonks, and Kingsley, Charlie, Bill, and the rest? They'll save Harry. Ron, don't go back out there."

"Some reason, finally," Remus half-smiled at the group of students. "There are no easy choices, Ron, but don't do this."

"No one will think less of you." Hermione's voice was quiet, but got Ron's attention. He crossed the small distance that separated them and took her hands in his.

"I need to, Hermione." Ron's blue eyes looked deep into hers. She searched his face and found a sense of determination that she had never seen before. He was going and there was nothing she could do about it.

"Don't." Hermione shook her head and tears began to fall. "Please? I can't lose you both. If you go out there and don't come back, I'll never forgive you."

Ron smiled at this and lifted a finger to her cheek wiping away the tears there. "I can make that deal." He looked across at Blaise standing behind her. "Take care of her. I love her."

Hermione began crying again in earnest now. Elphias came to the group. "Are two more ready?"

"Yeah, we're going next," Blaise said indicating him and Hermione.

"I'll take care of him," Adrian offered.

Remus had long given up convincing Ron to go, but half attempted stopping Adrian as well before realizing it was a lost cause. "Looks like I am, too. Someone has to take care of you two."

"Ready?" Elphias asked again.

"One moment, please," Blaise requested.

Ron still stood across from Hermione holding her hands. He squeezed them gently before dropping them. "I love you," he whispered. "I would rather you never forgive me than know that I put you in danger." He leaned in and kissed her on the lips. For a moment the world stopped, Hermione was in shock. It was a simple, chaste kiss, but monumental. In her daze she didn't realize when he backed away and began to leave.

"We're ready now," Blaise told Elphias, his voice harder than before.

"No, let's at least stay here and wait," Hermione protested watching the backs of Ron, Adrian, and Remus leave the plaza and back into battle.

"You can't, it won't stay open for more than another five minutes. You have to leave," Elphias said.

"How are the others getting back?" Hermione's head snapped away from the backs to Elphias' face.

He shrugged meekly. "They'll find a way. Dumbledore is with them and there are many means of transportation, but for now, this is the easiest."

Blaise put his arms around Hermione and began leading her away. She tried to stop him but exhaustion was setting in now that the adrenaline was leaving her body from battle. "But -"

"But, nothing. Hermione, we need to leave." Blaise's eyes were a mixture of worry and responsibility. As she struggled he brought her closer to the portal. "We're ready, Neville."

"Just step in."

"No, we can't leave." Hermione was as ever stubbornly determined to get her way. Blaise looked at her and kissed her forehead after a moment's hesitation.

"I'm sorry, but we're going whether you're ready or not." He picked her up and walked into the portal. Hermione struggled against him trying to stay, to help, to wait, to be there when everyone returned. In her struggle they stepped through the portal. Once again Hermione was windswept from Blaise's grasp, but as she struggled against the forces of the magic darkness overtook her and she blacked out.