Anmarie Island

Seamus paced his room on the boat, torn between telling Snape of Harry's sudden departure and just letting it go. "Why the bloody hell did he have to do that?" he mumbled, plopping himself down on his bed. Maybe Bargs really is dangerous, he thought. This whole scenario does seem strange.

"Ugh," he stood back up in frustration. "So what do I do? Harry, Hermione, and, least importantly Draco, could be in serious trouble. Do you really want that on your conscience, Seamus?" he asked himself. "That's it, I'm going to Snape."

And with that, Seamus hurried from his room toward Snape's private quarters.

"Draco," a voice gently called to the sleeping blonde wizard. "Draco, wake up."

His eyelids fluttered and blurry visions faded into and out of sight. His head felt like it weighed a thousand pounds as he struggled to pull himself from the darkness of sleep. He grumbled a few unintelligible words.

"Shhh..." the voice cooed. "Take your time, dear."

"But where--wh--what am I..." Draco couldn't finish his question in such a groggy state.

Bargs patted his hand. "You're going to be fine. As long as you cooperate. You weren't cooperating earlier, so we had to hex you. I'm sure you understand."

Draco made several vain attempts to lift his head or to stand, but it was physically impossible. Then her face popped into his mind. "Hermione!" he called.

"Oh, yes. Her," Bargs stopped patting his hand. "She's with your father."

Draco sat bolt upright. "NO!" He rolled over and off of the bed he was lying on. "Hermione! Where are you?" He flailed uselessly, trying his hardest to crawl away.

Bargs stood, amused at his struggles. "Thank you for entertaining me at least," she smiled.

Seamus knocked softly on Professor Snape's door, which flung open violently. Snape gave him a long, cold stare. "Yes?" he growled.

Swallowing hard, Seamus stuttered, "I--I was wonder--wondering if I could ask you a--um--a question, Professor?"

Snape narrowed his eyes at the boy and gave no response.

Seamus cleared his throat. "I'm concerned about Hermione and Draco," he admitted.

"Why?" Snape asked dryly.

"Well," Seamus cleared his throat again, "I'm a bit uneasy about Madame Bargs being left alone with them. We barely even know her, sir."

Snape sighed. "She's had a thorough background check, Mr. Finnigan. I can assure you, she is safe. Slightly eccentric, but safe. Besides, would I leave Mr. Malfoy on a deserted island with a dangerous person?"

Seamus thought about that. "Well, what about Hermione?" he asked.

"Yes, yes, her too," Snape remembered suddenly. "I would not put Miss Granger in harm's way, regardless of my vile feelings toward Gryffindors in general."

There was an awkward silence as both teacher and student recognized the gold and burgundy tie Seamus was wearing. "Well," Seamus said, to break the tension, "I was just concerned about them, that's all. But as long as Bargs has had a good background check I guess everything is fine."

Snape nodded. "You have no reason to worry. Now, please go back to your room and don't bother me again unless someone is really at risk." He slammed his door without another word.

"Th--thank you," Seamus mumbled to the closed door before turning and heading back for his room, where he continued pacing about Harry's safety.

Hermione stared viciously at Lucius Malfoy. If looks had the capacity to kill, Lucius would be fertilizing the ground by now. "What the hell is going on here?" she demanded, struggling against the tape that was wrapped around her wrists and ankles.

"You'll know soon enough, Miss Granger," Lucius drawled. "Now if I were you, I'd quit talking before I put tape over your mouth as well."

Her gaze grew more vicious by the second. "Are you going to kill us?" she asked sternly. "Because if you do it with my entire body tied up, then I won't hesitate to call you a bloody coward."

Lucius laughed as he stood up and headed for his roll of tape. "Call me whatever you like, then. But we both know that letting you loose could foil all of my plans."

"What 'plans?'" she asked inquisitively.

He sighed as he tore off a large piece of silver tape. "The plans that will come into effect once Draco awakens."

Before Lucius could tape her mouth shut, Hermione spat out, "Go to hell, you horse's ass!"

Draco sat still in his father's presence. He was now fully awake and faced with the ominous figure of Lucius Malfoy. "Tell me one more time what this is all about," his voice quivered.

Lucius sighed. "I'm giving you a second chance, Draco." He placed a hand on the boy's shoulder. "I think you'll do great things, but you've strayed from the Dark Lord's teachings."

"Maybe I don't want to follow the Dark Lord's teachings, Father," Draco admitted weakly.

"Nonsense," Lucius scoffed, "you've been brainwashed by all these goody-goody Hogwarts people. You're so much better than them, Draco. And I know I've been hard on you, but only because I think you have the capacity to be one of the greatest wizards that the Dark Arts have ever known." He smiled warmly. "I was tough on you because I have such high hopes for you."

Draco's face paled. "And wh--what is it that you want me to do?"

"I want you to prove yourself to me. Prove your worth as a wizard and prove your true loyalty to the Dark Lord. Just do this one thing and I'll consider bestowing trust in you once again. I'll consider calling you 'son' again."

Draco felt as though he was going to vomit. "But what is it that you want me to do, again?"

"Easy," Lucius smiled widely. "Kill Hermione in the name of our Lord."

Draco rose abruptly. "No," he said, "I won't do it."

Lucius stood slowly. "Fine," he nodded. "Then I will kill the both of you. Think logically Draco. If you make the right decision, only one person has to die here today."

Draco shook his head. "I can't kill her."

"And why is that? Why can't you kill the little mudblood that has irritated you since year one?"

"Because things change, Father!" Draco shouted in frustration. "I don't hate her anymore! Why is that such a horrible thing?"

A look of pure disgust crossed Lucius' face. "I'll give you a few minutes to think over my offer," he said firmly. "If you still refuse, then prepare yourself. You know the consequences." He swept out of the room, slamming the door violently behind him.

Draco clenched his fists in rage. "ARGH!" he kicked the table next to him, snapping off one of the legs. He sat back on the small beige bed in the corner, resting his weary head in his hands. He had no idea what to do.

The creak of her door opening startled Hermione, who glanced up to see Madame Bargs floating in. "Hullo, dear," the witch said airily. "Lucius just had a wonderful talk with young Draco. I must tell you all about it." She pulled a small wooden chair up to the bed Hermione was positioned on.

"He told Draco that, in order to keep a good reputation in the field of Dark Arts, he would have to kill you!" Bargs smiled madly. "Isn't that exciting?"

Hermione's eyes widened and panic ran its familiar fingers down her spine.

"And if Draco doesn't cooperate, you both die!" Bargs laughed. "Oh, I can't wait to see what happens next!"

Lucius entered the room. "Liza," he said, "have you told our dear little witch here her predicament?"

Bargs rose and kissed Lucius on the cheek. "Yes, I did. Shall we hear what she has to say?"

"Why not?" he answered. "She won't be saying much after today anyway."

With that, he ripped off the tape and Hermione groaned in pain.

"So tell us," Lucius said in mock sympathy, "how does this make you feel?"

Hermione hung her head and gave no response.

Lucius leaned close to her. "I asked you a question, mudblood. I suggest you answer."

Hermione said nothing. No words could properly express her repulsion. She lifted her head and stared him directly in the eye. Lucius paused, waiting for her response. Instead, she reared back and spat right in his face.

He drew back quickly and stared in disgust at the young witch sitting in front of him. He raised an arm, preparing to slap her across the face. Draco's shout broke him off. "Father!"

Lucius froze, arm still raised. He shot a cold stare at Hermione and wiped his face clean before turning to face his son.

"What is it, Draco?" he demanded. "Have you made your decision?"

The blonde boy nodded, shooting a regretful look at Hermione.

"Well?" Lucius asked impatiently. "What is it, then?"

Draco took a deep breath, his throat quivering. What he was about to say would be very difficult for him. "I'll do it."

"Why the change in heart?" Lucius asked suspiciously.

Draco sighed. "I realized that with the Dark Lord I have a future," he spoke quietly. "I'm not willing to throw it all away for her."

Lucius felt the familiar proudness he had once felt for his son. He walked toward Draco slowly and placed a hand on his shoulder. "I knew you would come around."

"WHAT?!" Hermione screamed, her body involuntarily starting to tremble. "NO! No, Draco! What are you doing?!" She writhed and struggled with all her might. "Let me go! Please! Don't do it, Draco, don't do it!" Her eyes welled with tears and panic.

Draco averted his gaze. His heart couldn't take the fear and hatred in her eyes. I'm so sorry, he thought to himself.

"Oh shut up, you filthy little girl," Bargs snapped. "This is for your own good. You are pollution to the wizarding world."

"You shut up, you stupid prat!" Hermione shrieked at Bargs. "I hate you! I hate you all! Especially you, you lying coward!" she screamed at Draco.

Bargs' face flushed in fury. She glided quickly to Hermione and smacked her across her face. "Hush!" she hissed.

"Don't touch her!" Draco demanded, approaching Bargs violently. He grabbed her wrist in his, anger pulsating throughout his entire body. Bargs showed little concern.

Lucius stared blankly at his son. "Why the sudden concern for her well-being?"

"Why all the questions?" Draco turned to his father, dropping Bargs' small hand. "I've made my decision! I'm going to kill her! Isn't that enough for you?"

Nodding solemnly, Lucius once again placed a hand on his son's shoulder. "I'm sorry," he admitted. "I trust you."

"Thank you," Draco said curtly.

Hermione continued to sob and struggle against the tape that bound her. She cast a venomous look at Draco, who was yet to meet her gaze.

Lucius, still smiling proudly, walked toward Hermione and picked her up. "Where shall we do this?"

"The common room," Bargs piped up, "so we can all have a good view."

"I do have one request," Draco broke in. "Can we please undo her arms and legs? I think that attacking her while she is bound like this is dishonorable."

Lucius considered this. "True," he admitted. "We can do that, but I want every exit to this place sealed tightly. We don't want her escaping."

"Of course not," Draco said.

Lucius plopped Hermione onto the wooden common room floor with ease. She let out a grunt of pain as she smacked the hard floor.

With the flick of a wand, every door and window slammed shut and locked. All of Hermione's exits were gone. She was helpless and her fate was in Draco Malfoy's hands.

"Well, she's all yours, son," Lucius beamed, handing Draco his repaired wand. "Let her loose if you want. And then I believe you know what to do."

Draco nodded obediently and approached the weak figure of Hermione. He kneeled beside her. "I'm sorry," he whispered, ripping the tape away from her ankles. "I'm so sorry, but I have no choice. I don't want him to kill us both."

As soon as Draco freed her wrists, Hermione slapped him hard across the face. She did not fight beyond the slap because it would be useless. It was three versus one and she knew she would lose.

"I deserved that," Draco admitted, standing slowly.

"Don't let her get away with that!" Lucius shouted in outrage. "Who does she think she is?"

Draco held up a hand to silence his father. "It's okay," he sighed, "it didn't hurt at all."

Lucius shot Hermione a nasty glare. "That's the last thing you'll ever get away with, mudblood," he spat. "Draco, let's hurry this up."

Nodding, Draco positioned himself a few feet in front of Hermione and aimed his wand. He cast a nervous glance over his left shoulder and his steady arm began to shake.

"I hope this tortures your conscience for the rest of your miserable little life," Hermione said calmly, standing up tall. She was indeed terrified, but now wore an air of strength and dignity to mask her fear.

"Do it, Draco," Lucius egged him on. "If you back down from this, you will quickly regret it."

"I'm not backing down," Draco said through gritted teeth. "Just give me a second."

"Do it," Hermione said through gritted teeth. "I'm not afraid of any of you."

Draco could feel his heart pounding in his head. Fright was suffocating him. He steadied his wand and aimed it directly at Hermione's chest.

Lucius beamed.

Taking a deep breath, Draco continued to hold his wand still and opened his mouth. The words seemed to flow out in slow motion. "Avada ke--" He didn't get to finish the curse as someone tackled him hard from the left.

Harry, who had been standing a few feet from Draco, threw his invisibility cloak toward Hermione and threw himself at Draco, knocking him to the ground. Both of their wands rolled away, so they fought with their bare hands.

Lucius, who was stunned and confused at first, was now rooting emphatically for his son. "Kill him!" he shouted.

Bargs, who watched the evenly-matched boys fight with a smile, glanced up for just one moment. "Um, Lucius?" she pulled at his cloak.

He ignored her.

"Dear?" She pulled at him more frantically.

He whipped around. "What?"

"The girl is gone," she said, panic gripping her tone.

Lucius turned in a complete circle slowly, eyeing every inch of the room in which they stood. His gaze rested on the chestnut armoire in one of the back corners. "She's in here somewhere," he said with a sly smile. "There's no way she could have gotten out."

"What should we do?" a distressed Bargs asked.

Before Lucius could answer, he heard Harry scream from behind him. Whipping around, he saw that Draco had the boy wonder pinned, his hands wrapped around Harry's neck.

"We're going to have to change your title, Harry," Lucius laughed. "You're not going to be 'the boy who lived' much longer." Before he could utter another petty insult, a loud THWACK was heard throughout the room. The feuding boys glanced up and saw a wooden table leg floating in the air behind Lucius, who had just been hit hard in the head. But just when everyone expected him to fall to the ground, Lucius whipped around and pulled the table leg from Hermione's invisible hands. He then advanced on her, ripping the invisibility cloak from her as well.

Harry had thrown his cloak toward her in the heat of battle, knowing that she would use it to her advantage. The table leg had been planted in the hope that she would knock Lucius completely out. But she failed. And now she was going to die.

"You stupid girl," Lucius growled, shoving her violently to the ground and pointing his wand at her. "I've had enough of you."

Harry searched frantically for his wand, his heart nearly pounding out of his chest. He couldn't find it. He couldn't find his wand.

Time seemed to stand still before the curse was uttered. No one dared breathe. Everyone was gripped with fear. And then he said it.

"Avada kedavra!"