Guilty Until Proven Innocent

Chapter Two: Vendettas

Maria nearly screamed when she burst into the room where Lucius and Draco Malfoy were dueling each other. Indeed, Draco was losing and was looking far worse off than his father, but Lucius Malfoy wasn't looking too good himself. She wanted to shout something at Draco--she wanted to breathe--but she couldn't. She didn't know why; all she knew was that she couldn't do that because the sight she was seeing took her breath away and filled the space with sheer horror and sickness.

"Lacertosus!" Malfoy (Lucius) cursed, swishing his wand around. The hex hit Draco and sent him to his knees, screaming out in pain as the hex lacerated him. There was now a slash in the front of his robes and the white shirt underneath around the wound was turning red.

"Incendio!" Draco gasped out, putting his free arm around his chest. Malfoy merely waved the spell off with the wave of wand and the Shield Charm. Draco coughed up a little blood and put his other hand, the one with his wand, onto the floor to hold him up.

"You stupid, stupid, boy," Malfoy spat mercilessly, "you could've had it all--you could've had all of the power and money you wanted--but no, instead, you chose Potter and his gang."

"I didn't choose them!" Draco shouted, but he winced. "You chose them for me!"

"And how, dear son, did I do that?" Malfoy questioned sarcastically. "Indeed, I tried my best to teach you the ways of the Malfoys. I gave you everything you could have and want. I taught you everything I could teach you. I told you many times to stay away from Potter and his crew."

"Y-you killed mother!" Draco screamed furiously, hot tears streaming down his face. "You killed her; I saw it! You thought I was in bed, but I got up to get a drink of water when I heard the two of you fighting. I walked down the stairs and peeked into the living room. Mum was throwing stuff at you a-and you were shouting at her. She said--Eldora Macadam--you cheated--"

"Oh, do shut up, Draco," Malfoy snapped coldly. "Your mother was going mad, can't you see? It was nothing. She was paranoid."

"No, no, she wasn't because I saw it! I'm seventeen, father; you can't fool me! I know exactly what flirting is, but what I saw..." Draco spat in disgust. "And the way you talk and look at Maria... You sicken me. A-and I can't believe that you are so heartless that you would c-cheat on your wife of who knows how long and then kill her! You killed mum!"

Oh, no...No, no, no, please say this isn't happening, Maria thought, aghast. Narcissa can't be dead; she just can't be dead.

"It was for your own good," Malfoy said quietly.

"For my own good!" Draco cried out. "Mum was the only good in my miserable life, and you shot her down like it was nothing! She was the only thing that kept me going..."

"I cannot believe that after everything I have done for you, you are foolish enough to shove it all back into my face," Malfoy said, heartless. He curled his nose up in repulsion. "You are no longer any son of mine. I do not have a son. You are not Draco. You are not a Malfoy any longer."

Draco tried to get up, but Malfoy pressed Draco's hand down with his foot. Draco cried out in pain, but Malfoy just pushed harder on his hand. Maria grimaced when she heard the terrible sound of bones crunching. Malfoy was breaking Draco's hand.

"Father, please..." Draco sobbed, his shoulders shaking.

But Malfoy shook his head and said, "I am not your father as you are not my son." Draco groaned and collapsed onto the floor, exhausted. He could no longer fight this. "Avada Ked--"

"Draco!" Maria screamed, finding her voice again. She could feel her legs again. Malfoy turned away from Draco, who also looked up. Maria rammed into Malfoy and they both went sailing across the room. Maria rolled onto the ground and came to a stop when she crashed into the stone wall. She looked up to see Malfoy knock into a table, breaking it, which ended in the table collapsing onto him.

Maria scrambled over to Draco, who was groaning in pain. She turned him around on his back and his head lolled in her arms. She shook with alarm. He was bleeding badly. "Dear, God..." she whispered, appalled at his damage. She had just started putting Healing Charms on him when someone yanked her by her black hair. She yelped and jumped to her feet.

"Ah, Miss Vita, how pleasant of you to join us," Malfoy hissed in her ear. She shuddered and then tried to squirm out of his grasp. Her bones were aching; she was tired. But she still how to somehow save Draco, find and save Harry, and get out of here. "But really, that isn't you real name, now is it? Tell me, what is it?"

"Ima..." Maria murmured tiredly.

"Yes?" Malfoy replied eagerly.

"I'ma gonna kick your arse," Maria snarled. She spun around, backhanding him across the face and causing him to stagger. He lurched for her, but she dodged and kicked him. He fell to the ground and Maria began to search for his wand, when he grabbed her ankle and dragged her down to the ground. The stone floor hurt when she hit it. He pulled her closer, but she turned around and sat up, punching him, too, in the face with all her might.

"Dang it--you git!" Malfoy shouted furiously, holding his nose that was bleeding much more profusely than McNair's had. He pulled something out of his robes--she saw something flash and her eyes widened. He leaped at her; she gasped and rolled out of the way, but the silver dagger made a small slash on her arm as it caught the sleeve of her robe. She whimpered and pulled away, tearing her sleeve in the process.

Maria looked up and saw that Draco was on his feet, swaying badly, but he was walking, nevertheless. He looked at her helplessly, his wand smashed in pieces on the floor, and then she saw that he held his broken hand. Maria jerked her head at the door and was getting up when Malfoy grabbed her ankle again and began pulling her towards him. She clawed at the floor, but couldn't stop herself. Maria jerked her head to the door again, but Draco shook his head sadly and collapsed against the wall, sliding down with tears falling down his pale face.

Maria felt her breath being taken away as Malfoy climbed over her, the dagger in his hand hanging over her face dangerously. She was unaware that she had tears streaked down her face and she couldn't help but feel that this was the end for her. Malfoy grinned at her and Maria felt as if she had no more energy left in the world. She fought back a sob.

So this is the end, Maria thought. I always thought that I would die alone. I never thought that I would be murdered--just like Regulus. I'm going to get killed by a Death Eater, too. It's funny, how things like this work out. Maybe I'll see them all again. Regulus, Lily, James, Sirius, Narcissa...

"What's your real name?" Malfoy demanded. "Tell me and I'll make your death quick."

"Kiss my lovely arse, Malfoy," Maria spit out fiercely.

"I'd love to, dear, but we haven't the time, really," Malfoy said coolly.

"Like I haven't heard that one before," Maria spat. She rolled her eyes. "Just kill me already and get it over with."

Malfoy sneered at her, probably angry to see that she wasn't sounding scared. Death was just the next adventure, and she'd wanted a good adventure for a long time. But in the back of her mind, Maria didn't want to go just yet--she wanted to live. And she was sad that she wasn't going to live. She wasn't going to be able to get Harry out of here or save Draco's life. She was going to die. She was going to be collateral damage...

"Incindere Per!" The dagger clattered loudly on the floor to the left of Maria's head. She turned her head away quickly as blood began to drop onto her face. She shoved Malfoy off of her and sat up. She looked at her reflection in a broken mirror and saw that she had a blood on her face; she tried to wipe it away, but it only streaked it. It didn't matter to her though.

She turned around to see Draco still sitting in the same spot against the wall, but he had Malfoy's wand in his other hand that sat lifelessly on the floor at his side. He looked more than exhausted; he looked to be halfway dead. And to her right, Lucius Malfoy lay with a slit throat, dead. It looked like Draco Malfoy had finished off his vendetta against his father, after all.

Maria looked down at her hands and saw that they were bloody; her right one had a small gash on it--probably from the dagger when fighting Malfoy. She looked down to her right and saw her wand lying on the floor. She picked it up. Slowly, she dragged herself to her feet and walked over to Draco. She held out a hand, but Draco stared at her with haunted eyes.

"I killed him," Draco said, shocked. "I killed him."

"Everything doesn't seem so good now that you've accomplished what you've wanted, does it, Draco," Maria sighed softly, still holding her hand out to him. "But you had to do what you had to do. Thank you, Draco; you saved my life." Draco took Maria's hand and she had to pull him to his feet. He had to lean against her as they staggered out of the room. He groaned. "I have to get you out of here now, but I have to find Harry..."

"Potter's with the Dark Lord," Draco said immediately.

"Well, obviously," Maria snorted, shaking the hair out of her eyes. They walked into the room where a Death Eater--Eldora Macadam--lay on the ground, seemingly unconscious. Draco glared at her viciously as they passed her. Maria bit her lip.

"Draco," Maria began slowly, "is Narcissa really...dead?"

Draco looked at her with tearful eyes and he looked away. He nodded his head and held in a quiet sob. Maria didn't say anything in response. After the first war had ended, Maria had spent most of her life alone, but in the past few years, Narcissa had once again warmed up to her. Since Maria had been friends with Narcissa's cousin, Regulus, the two women had known each other, and they had sort of become friends again. Maria knew it; everyone she became friends with always died. It had been the same with Regulus, Lily Evans-Potter, James Potter, and even Sirius.

Out of nowhere, a door burst open and Severus tumbled out, dragging a fatigued and angry Harry at his heels. Severus slammed the door shut and locked it.

"Severus!" Maria cried out. He was cut up in the face and looked quite battered. Harry looked as if he was going to croak on the spot.

"We have to get out of here, now--the Dark Lord--the others--"

"They should already be out of here," Maria replied quickly. Draco stumbled, but Maria caught him quickly and pulled him back up against her. Severus's eyes flickered to the young Slytherin and Maria heard the questions. "Lucius Malfoy--he's dead."

That was all Severus needed to her. He took one look at her and knew that she had also had too many brushes with death tonight. Her front and robe was torn up; her pants were ripped at the knees; she was cut and bleeding; her knuckles were bleeding; and the black eye couldn't get anymore bruised. But what caught Severus's attention the most was the streak of blood across her face. Maria noticed his stare and she turned away.

"Let's go," Maria said, pulling Draco away carefully. "The door's this way; I sent Neville, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione through it. I know it's the way out."

"What about Luna?" Harry croaked gruffly. Severus was now following Maria and Draco as he dragged Harry along. She opened the door with a wave of her wand.

Maria didn't look back at him as she said, "Ron saw her escape from where I came from and only one Death Eater went after her. That's where another exit is. I'm sure she escaped." She knew that Harry wasn't convinced and she could feel a wave of grief wash over her--Harry's grief. To her left, Draco shifted uncomfortably and Maria pulled him up closer to her. He wasn't walking that well.

There in front of her, Maria saw another door. She waved her wand and the door opened. She was flooded with relief; she saw the room through the door was the one she had first entered when she came here tonight. They were almost out. But as they walked through the door, the one they had just come through burst open.

"POTTER!"

"Crap!" Maria shouted, spinning around quickly to see that Voldemort was now in the room with them. Harry spun around, raising his wand, but Severus jerked on his arm--a Killing Curse just barely missed Harry.

"No, I have to--"

"Quit with the nobleness, Potter, and get out of here!" Severus commanded angrily. "You are not ready for this and Mr. Malfoy needs your help!"

With one mighty shove, Harry fell into the room where Maria and Draco were. He fell to the floor and looked back as Severus slammed the door shut--with himself still inside. Harry roared and Draco blanched, falling the ground and jerking Maria down with him. She let go of Draco and pulled herself up by the doorknob. She banged on the door.

"Severus, open up this door! Open it up!" Maria screamed, banging on the door. She pulled her wand out. "Alohomora! Alohomora! ALOHOMORA!" But the door wouldn't open. He'd sealed it shut magically. "Curse you, Severus, and open the bloody door so I can help you!"

"LEAVE!" Severus shouted from the other side. Maria kicked the door and shouted a string of curses at him. She turned to Harry and Draco.

"Harry, I want you to get Draco out of here--now," Maria ordered in a low growl.

"But--"

"Harry James Potter, get Draco out of this bloody place now!" Maria snapped viciously. Harry blinked, looking scared for the first time tonight, and nodded his head. He began to help Draco to his feet and they started out of the room. Maria turned her attention back to the door. "Severus, open this bloody--"

She heard Severus scream out in pain very loudly from the other side of the door. She began to panic and couldn't think straight. She swore very vociferously. She pointed her wand at the door and shouted, "Back away from the door, Severus, wherever you are! Ingenero!" The door burst open and she saw that it was headed straight for Voldemort, but he blew it up. Severus lay on the ground, holding his head; he was bleeding.

"Curse you if you think I'd let you sacrifice yourself for anyone--even if it is Harry," Maria said to him angrily, dragging him to his feet. She raised her wand. "Expillimaris! Stupefy! Reducto!"

"Get off me and leave," Severus snarled.

"Shut up and get up," Maria snapped. While Voldemort was busy dealing with the curses she had sent his way, Maria pulled Severus to his feet. Why was she always dragging someone? She felt a sharp pain in her head and she cringed, trying to fight it away.

"Viscus Penetro!" Voldemort boomed furiously. Maria tripped over something and crumpled to the ground, luckily dragging Severus down with her because the curse breezed above his head when it should've hit him. Maria jumped to her feet. "Locomotor Mortis!" The spell hit Maria's foot, but it immobilized her completely. She tried to move, but she couldn't. She was completely stuck on the spot. "Mens Penetro!"

Maria gasped--that curse was something that would hurt her far worse than anyone else--but Severus whipped his wand out and shouted, "Protégé!" The curse was deflected and shot back at Voldemort at light speed. Severus jumped to his feet and, with strength from somewhere, picked Maria up and took her out of the room since she couldn't move. He slammed the door shut and locked it magically. He undid the spell that was on her.

"Thanks," Maria panted, looking Severus in the eyes. All he did was nod his head and they ran out of the house. They looked side-to-side and then at each other. "How do you think they got out of here?"

"I don't know," Severus admitted. Maria heard something snap--a twig--from behind them. She froze on the spot and gave Severus an anxious look. He seemed to catch on. When she heard it again, Maria spun around and leaped onto the black figure. The person yelped.

"Who are you!" Maria demanded angrily.

"Get off me!" a familiar female voice squealed. Severus lit up his wand to reveal that Maria had jumped on Nymphadora Tonks, who was sporting brown hair and blue eyes tonight. She was dressed in normal dark blue robes.

Maria got up off of Tonks and helped her to her feet. Tonks brushed herself off.

"What are you doing here?" Severus questioned immediately as they ran off down the street.

"You don't think we've got trackers on Harry and them?" Tonks scoffed. Severus raised one eyebrow. "We saw that he was leaving Hogwarts, but I was the only one so I couldn't likely go off on some insane goose chase by myself. I had to find reinforcements before I could come. We got here as soon as we could. Most of the members of the Order are in there right now."

"The Dark Lord is in there," Severus said quickly.

But Tonks shook her head. "Nope, he got away as soon as you two left the building. He knew we were here. So now, we're just cleaning up the mess that was made tonight because of those mad and unruly seven."

"And?" Maria prompted impatiently.

"And every one of those mad and unruly seven are safely tucked away in beds at St. Mungos for their injuries, except Luna Lovegood," Tonks replied. Severus and Maria shot each other worried looks. "Luna was uninjured so she was sent back to Hogwarts."

Maria sighed with relief and wiped the sweat off of her forehead.

"I think you two needs to go to St. Mungos, too," Tonks pointed out. "You look like crap."

"Thanks," Maria said dryly as they stepped into the soft glow of a street lamp. Maria combed her fingers through her black hair. They were going to have to Apparate to St. Mungos. It was only then that Tonks noticed the streak of blood across Maria's face.

"What happened there?" Tonks asked, pointing at Maria's face. Maria tried to wipe the blood away, but it only smudged it even more and got onto her fingers.

"Nothing," Maria mumbled. "Let's go to St. Mungos to see how they're doing."

Tonks eyed Maria suspiciously, but said nothing in response. Severus just looked at Maria and also said nothing. If she wasn't going to say anything about it, then it was obviously something important. It was something Maria usually did. They Apparated to St. Mungos on the spot.