Return of the Lion

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"Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers all wrongs."

Proverbs 10:12

Chapter 7: A Supposed Betrayal

"Wizards! Those damn wizards have come!"

Hermione woke up from her peaceful slumber. She had, like many nights before, been blissfully dreaming about being in Harry's arms, legs and all. However, it seemed that now was not the time to be having peaceful dreams.

Once she was fully awake, Hermione dragged herself out of her bed into her wheelchair right next to it. She also threw a blanket over her thighs, covering the fact that she had nothing below them under the skirts of her nightgown.

Hermione managed to wheel herself out of her room and gasped at the sight before her. Legions of Death Eaters were streaming into the palace. The members of the Muggle resistance were fighting them off, but bullets and explosives didn't stand much of a chance against magic. Feeling defenseless, Hermione tried to wheel away from the thick of the battle. She wheeled into Seymour and Susan.

"Hermione, are you OK?" asked Susan. Hermione nodded.

"What's going on?" she asked.

"I'll tell you what's going on," hissed Seymour. His face was very red with anger. "Some one betrayed us to the wizards!"

"We don't know that for sure," countered Susan.

"How else could they have figured out where we were than? The only way they could've found out is if we were betrayed!" yelled Seymour. He glared at Hermione and Hermione shuddered; it was clear that Seymour suspected her.

At that moment, an explosion rocked over their heads. "Dammit!" yelled Seymour as he started firing his machine gun at the Death Eaters who were closing in. One of them fired a beam out of his wand that created an even larger explosion. Hermione was flung off her wheelchair and hit the ground quite hard. She promptly blacked out.

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When she finally came to, Hermione was still on the ground, and she found herself surrounded by a dozen Death Eaters. It was clearly only a few minutes later and she saw Susan and Seymour tied up with other members of the resistance near by. She also shuddered when she saw the bodies of some resistance members who weren't so lucky. Tears brimmed on her eyes and she tried to sit up, fighting a throbbing headache.

One of the Death Eaters took a step toward Hermione and muttered in a sophisticated British accent, "Granger?" Hermione immediately sat up, her eyes wide in astonishment.

"How do you know her?" demanded Susan. Seymour looked absolutely livid.

The Death Eater whipped around to face them. After considering them for a moment, the Death Eater said, "Why, I've known her for quite some time now. Did you not know that your 'friend' here is a witch?" His voice suggested that he was smirking.

"Ha! I knew it! I knew she was the traitor!" shouted Seymour, a look of satisfaction on his face for having his suspicions apparently confirmed. Susan's eyes widen into a look of betrayal. Hermione tried to catch her eye while shaking her head. That tears were falling freely now.

"Take them away. To the camps," said the Death Eater to his comrades. The captured resistance members were led away, leaving Hermione with the Death Eater. Hermione glanced up at the Death Eater with fear in her eyes. The Death Eater chuckled and said, "Who would've thought that I'd run into you here, Mudblood ." He threw off his hood and Hermione gasped.

It was Draco Malfoy.

"You!" shouted Hermione, her previous fear replaced with anger.

"Yes me," said Draco with a smirk. "My, have you changed, Granger," he said as he glanced down at her skirts where the lack of her legs was obvious. "Your new look actually suits you better."

Hermione gritted her teeth, trying to hold her anger down. "Say something like that again Malfoy, and you'll lose more than just your legs."

"I see that other things haven't changed," said Draco. He started gazing her up and down. Hermione shuddered and wished she had more on than her thin nightgown. "Good thing the rest of you is intact," he said with a sick grin.

"W-what do you mean by that?" demanded Hermione. She started to get frightened of the gleam in Draco's cold gray eyes.

"What I mean is that you could provide me with some very private entertainment," said Draco, with a look in his eyes that could only mean mad lust.

Hermione was now shaking with fear, and she tried to crawl away. She backed up into a pile of crates. Draco crouched right next to her and grinned. He cupped her cheek. Hermione shuddered at how icy Draco's hand felt.

"Not right now, of course, but once we get back to Malfoy Manor. I will show you how I made many a girl scream with pleasure."

Anger welling up in her blood once again, Hermione slapped Draco as hard as she could. "I would rather die," she hissed. Draco's face rocked back, and he looked furious when he turned back to her.

"Perhaps you would like to lose your arms as well, Mudblood ! Then, you will really know what its like to be helpless!" He pulled out his wand and pointed it at Hermione's right shoulder. Hermione simply glared at him defiantely. Finally, Draco's face relaxed into a smirk.

"But we have plenty of time, Granger," he said. "Once we're at the manor, maybe you'll think differently." He placed his hand on her shoulder and the two promptly Disapparated.

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Back in Scotland, Harry was just about to leave Hogwarts when Ron cornered him at the front door. "Where are you going?" he asked.

"I need to go away for awhile."

"Where?"

"I can't tell you. But I promise I'll be back in a few days."

"How do I know that? The last time, you disappeared for two years!"

"This isn't the same as last time. I promise I'll be back. I just have to go do this."

Ron was about to say something when Margaret came by, looking exhausted from her training. "What's going on here?" she asked.

"Nothing much," said Harry. "I'm just leaving for a few days to do something very important and Ron doesn't seem to trust my promise that I'll come back."

Margaret glared at Ron and Ron backed away looking a little sheepish. "You should learn to trust your friends more," she said.

Ron sighed. "All right. You can go. But you'd better come back!"

Harry grinned and nodded. He left the school and proceeded to make his way to the forbidden forest. Although it was generally known that most people would rather kiss Voldemort than go into the forest alone at night, Harry seemed to have no problem walking through the dark canopy. Eventually, Harry made it to a large clearing, deep in the forest.

After waiting for a while Harry looked up to see someone enter the clearing. It was the rider on the stag. Harry smiled as the stag walked up to him.

"Hey," said Harry.

"Hello Harry," said the rider with a clear feminine voice. She climbed off the stag and walked up to Harry. Before either could say a word, they embraced each other. They remained in that position for a few minutes before they finally pulled away. Harry then went up to the stag and pulled its neck into a strong hug. The stag rested its head on Harry's shoulder, making sure its long antlers didn't hit Harry. Finally, Harry pulled away.

"I received your owl," said the rider. Hedwig suddenly swooped down and landed on the rider's shoulder. "She's very clever," she said as she stroked the snowy white owl.

Harry smiled and said, "Thanks for coming here."

Both the rider and the stag looked at Harry. "So, you're really going?" asked the rider.

Harry nodded and said "I know it's not wise to leave Hogwarts now. If the school is attacked while I'm gone, the resistance will be over. But this is something I really need to do."

"Well, I suppose that's why you wanted to see us," said the rider.

"Yes. I want you to protect Hogwarts while I'm gone."

"Are you sure we can handle the job? Voldemort will probably have the school attacked with his most powerful forces while you're gone. Do you really think we can stop them?"

Harry smiled. "When I called you two back, I also managed to grant you powers similar to my own. The two of you are practically Battle Wizards now, like me. I have absolute confidence in your abilities."

The rider beamed behind her mask. Suddenly, the stag started prodding Harry with his antlers in a playful way. Harry grinned and transformed into a lion. The lion and the stag started prance around the clearing, playfully pouncing on each other occasionally. The rider laughed at the antics of the two animals as they occasionally rolled around on the grass. At times, the lion's mane got tangled with the stag's antlers. Finally, Harry turned back into his human form.

"Well, as much as I like frolicking around, I really can't waste time. I need to go."

Both the rider and the stag nodded in understanding. Harry hugged the stag again. He then, walked up to the rider.

"Remember Harry," said the rider as she hugged him, "that I always loved you, and I always will."

Harry nodded and hugged her back. "I love you too. Always have, and always will."

They remained in an embrace for a few minutes. The stag also placed his head on Harry's shoulder and Harry hugged him as well. Finally, he pulled away and pulled his Firebolt out from beneath his cloak.

"I've got to go," he said. He mounted the broomstick and took off into the night air. The rider looked up as Harry flew away before she climbed back onto the stag.

"Go get her, Harry," she said, as the stag galloped away into the forest.

After flying for a while, Harry stopped in the air. He pulled out the bracelet that had the three gems on them. All three gems were shining. Harry started concentrating and sending magic into the bracelet. Suddenly, all three gems flashed and gave off beams of light! The green gem gave off a beam that was pointing toward Harry's chest. The beam of the red gem pointed to Hogwarts. And the beam of the blue gem pointed toward the south.

"And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel."

Genesis 3:15

Chapter 8: At Malfoy Manor

Perhaps the largest manor in the wizarding world that existed was Malfoy Manor. In fact, it could probably be considered more like a small castle than a manor house. About half the size of Hogwarts, it was the second largest gathering spot of Death Eaters after Parselrock. It was a medieval style manor house with tapestries, paintings, large halls and chambers, ominous corridors, four stories, it's own Quidditch pitch, and an entire labyrinth of dungeons. However, it wasn't exactly a welcoming place and Hermione felt like she was a prisoner there.

Actually, she was. Hermione was locked up in her bedroom with no company what so ever. It was a small bedroom, with a four-poster, a soft green carpet, and its own bathroom. It was a little too small for anybody to live in, but since Hermione had no legs, it really didn't matter. She usually spent the entire day in bed and she received three meals a day. Her biggest problem was that she had to crawl to the bathroom on her arms: a very tiring and humiliating experience. She was still wearing the same nightgown, which she had been wearing when Draco had captured her.

Having nothing else to do, Hermione often cried silently for hours, or she would sleep and have peaceful dreams about being with Harry, whereupon she would let tears fall again. She knew that Draco would be coming for her one of these days when he deemed ready, and the thought frightened her. This was her darkest hour and the time she missed Harry the most.

Finally, about three days after Hermione's capture, someone entered her room. Hermione fearfully looked toward the door and screamed in terror. For the person whom had entered the room was none other than Lord Voldemort!

"Greetings, Hermione," said Voldemort with a sinister grin on his face. "I trust that you know who I am."

Hermione was speechless. Her eyes were wide with fear and sweat started to build on her brow. Voldemort walked up to the bed. Hermione pulled her covers up higher and tried to back away. She caught sight of Lucius Malfoy and a blonde woman she didn't know standing in the doorway. She recoiled in horror as Voldemort gently stroked her cheek with his icy cold, spider like hand.

"There, there, little Mudblood ," said Voldemort. "You should be overjoyed considering what you have been chosen for."

"What?" whispered Hermione, still frightened.

"You, Hermione Granger, have been chosen to be the mother of my heir."

"WHAT?!" Hermione's yell wasn't enough to show how shocked and horrified she was.

"Now, now let me finish," said Voldemort. "You are to be the mother of my heir by young Draco Malfoy." This did not alleviate Hermione's horror. Lucius looked proud. "Icicle, why don't you explain this to Miss Granger?"

The blonde woman, Icicle nodded and stepped forward. "You see my little Mudblood . Our master wishes to have a wizard by his side. An immensely powerful wizard whom would serve our master faithfully and take his place if anything should happen to him. Perhaps 'lieutenant' would be a better word than 'heir'."

Hermione simply stared at Icicle as the blonde woman started pacing back and forth in front of the bed.

"For some reason, incomprehensible to myself at least, a child between a pure blood and a Muggle is more powerful than a Pureblood on an average basis. Although some of us try to deny this, I'm afraid that no one can argue against fact. It is true that some of the most powerful wizards in existence, such as our master and Harry Potter, are mixed blood."

Hermione now had a general idea of where Icicle was going with this.

Lucius beamed at Icicle as Icicle said, "Young Draco has been chosen to be the father of this lieutenant. Of course, for this lieutenant to be the most powerful possible, the mother must either be a Muggle or a Mudblood. Young Draco has nominated you, my little Mudblood ."

Hermione shuddered and shouted, "No! I won't cooperate!"

"Oh but Hermione," said Voldemort, "don't you want your legs back?"

"What?"

"If you cooperate, I can magic up a new pair for you."

Despite her fear, Hermione sent a defiant death glare at Voldemort. "I would rather die," she hissed.

"That is too bad," said Voldemort. He, Icicle, and Lucius made their way out of the room. "Whichever way, you will not have a choice. For my heir to be conceived, it must happen tonight!" The three left the room laughing hysterically.

Hermione pulled the covers over her head and started crying. Within that night, Draco Malfoy was going to come rape her, and have her carry his child. The thought was horrifying and Hermione couldn't help but think about Harry. The boy she loved was still her anchor of hope, but as she lay there thinking about was going to happen within a few hours, that she was going to lose her virginity to someone she absolutely despised, she started to despair. She whispered, "Harry..." over and over again.

After a very short two hours, Draco entered the room, locking the door behind him. Hermione started shivering underneath her covers.

"I can make it a lot easier if you'd only accept the inevitable," he said. When Hermione said nothing, Draco simply said, "Well I guess I'm going to have to do this the hard way. Of course, I could just use the Imperious Curse, but this way is more fun." He yanked the covers off of Hermione.

"NO!" she screamed. Draco pressed his body onto hers and kissed her strongly. Hermione started to beat at him with her fists and struggle underneath him. Tears were now falling freely.

"Now, now, it'll be over before you know it," said Draco with a lust filled grin. He started to unbutton her nightgown. However, he abruptly stopped when he found a wand pointed to his face. His wand, he realized. Hermione had pulled Draco's wand out of his robes!

"Don't think I'm that easy," she hissed. Draco was speechless, his eyes wide with astonishment as Hermione shouted, "Stupefy!" Draco slumped off the bed unconscious.

Hermione took a few moments to catch her breath. She was still shaken about what had nearly happened, but she was relieved that she was able to fight Draco off. 'I need to get out of here,' she thought. Now that she had a wand, her abilities at transport were greatly improved.

She pointed the wand at herself and said, "Mobilicorpus." Hermione's body slowly levitated into the air. She tried moving around a little and satisfied to find it a lot easier than moving in a wheelchair though not as good as walking.

Hermione made her way to the door and said, "Alohomora." The door swung open and Hermione levitated herself out.   She dearly wished she had Harry's invisibility cloak with her as she started to make her way through the corridors.

Luckily, Hermione had memorized the way they had entered from and was positive that she could make her way out of the manor without getting lost. She prayed that the corridors didn't move around like they did at Hogwarts. She was currently on the fourth floor and she needed to take the back steps to get to the main entrance. She also knew that she had a slight advantage since she had Draco's wand to open certain doors. The wand would prevent alarms from sounding. Also the fact that she had no legs, and was rather levitating above the ground was a bonus since she was less likely to run into booby traps.

Hermione managed to make her way to the first floor without running into anybody. It was clear that the Dark Lord had already gone back to Parselrock along with most of his Death Eaters. The manor was therefore mostly empty. Still, Hermione didn't want to take chances.

Finally, Hermione managed to make it to the main corridor that led to the Main Entrance of the manor. Before she could get to the main entrance however, Hermione felt a presence and hurriedly floated herself into a corner. Just in time too as the Cruciatus Curse came whizzing past her!

It was Icicle. "You will not escape, my little Mudblood ," she yelled. "You will carry our master's heir, whether you like it or not!"

Hermione stuck her wand out and yelled, "Expelliarmus!" Unfortunately, she couldn't get a good aim at Icicle. Icicle fired another Cruciatus Curse and Hermione had to pull her arm back to avoid it.

'Think Hermione, you can get out of this mess somehow,' thought Hermione. She glanced around at an elegant mirror that was hanging on the other side of the corridor. 'Maybe if I can lure her reflection into that mirror.'

Icicle was suddenly startled to see Hermione fly out of the corridor toward the main entrance. She gave chase and fired the Cruciatus Curse at her, bringing her reflection into the mirror. Her eyes went wide however, when "Hermione" disappeared in a whisp of smoke as the curse hit her! It was a decoy charm.

The real Hermione, who was still in the corner, yelled, "Stupefy!" The stunner rebounded off the mirror and hit Icicle. She fell unconscious with a scream.

Hermione breathed a sigh of relief. She flew herself toward the main entrance and pushed the doors open. 'This is it,' she thought. 'Now, if only I can manage to get to Hogwarts.' Hermione dearly wished she knew how to Apparate.

There were still a lot of traps in the front yard of Malfoy Manor. Since she had no legs, Hermione knew that she wouldn't be in danger of stepping on anything and setting a trap off. Still, she had to be very careful, and she gently flew herself toward the front gates, about a hundred yards away.

It was a slow and tedious process, but finally, Hermione made it to the front gates. She couldn't help but smile as she realized that she was now at the final obstacle. She knew that anybody who tried to trespass the gates that was not a Malfoy or a Death Eater would be killed. The same thing would happen if she tried to levitate herself over the gate or fence. She prayed that Draco's wand would be good enough as she raised it and whispered, "Alohomora." To her extreme relief, the gate swung open.

'I'm free!' she thought, a huge smile on her face. She floated out of the gate when a voice called out, "Expelliarmus!" Hermione was horrified as the wand flew out of her hand! Having lost her magical levitation, Hermione fell to the ground. She groaned in pain and looked up.

Lucius Malfoy had fired the disarmer. He now carried the wand and was looking livid. "You won't escape, Mudblood !" he yelled. "You will carry my grandchild, even if I have to witness the event and make sure it takes place!" Draco came forward from behind Lucius looking furious.

Hermione screamed, "NO!" She had been so close to escaping, only to be caught again at the last minute.

"Yes," hissed Draco. "Why not finish the job right here, right now?"

"NO! Please!" begged Hermione. Tears started flowing from her eyes again as Draco pinned her down and started to kiss her all over her face and neck. They were cold kisses that made her shiver. Hermione started sobbing, as she realized that there was no escape this time, with Lucius watching over them. She closed her eyes and tried to brace herself for the coming torture.

"Get ready," hissed Draco. He started to tear Hermione's nightgown off...

"Stupefy!" Suddenly, Lucius was hit by a stunner and was rendered unconscious!

"What?" Draco whipped around and was horrified to find himself at wand tip of a raging young wizard. A wizard with scarlet robes that had a golden image of a lion on its torso, a black belt, white trousers, a white undershirt, black dragon hide gloves, black dragon hide boots, a black cloak worn like a cape, messy raven black hair sticking out from beneath a tattered black hat, emerald green eyes behind a pair of rimless glasses, and a scar on his forehead in the shape of a lightning bolt.

"Don't...even...think...about it!" hissed Harry Potter.

A/N: Sorry about Chapter 8 but I wanted it to be essentially the darkest point of the entire fic. Everything is going to get better from here. Also, I also want to apologize for taking so long to update this fic. I was on a three week trip overseas and updating simply was out of the option. A special thank you to everyone who has reviewed so far. Thank you.