Merlin's Coven

Merlin’s Coven

Chapter 11

Torch light lined the walls of the circular throne room, casting a luster of orange haze around Voldemort and his henchmen. Draco was thrown to the floor, his knees cut and bleeding as he surveyed the chamber. They had to be in the deepest pits of the Goblin Mine, for the temperature had dropped significantly from the previous room. Jutting stalactites grew from the ceiling of the limestone, and droplets of moisture from the sprinkled Draco’s face, giving the feel of a pattering spring shower. His attention was tuned into Cho, who screamed out in agony. Her incoherent mutterings were centered around Cedric Diggory and Draco knew that the girl was completely out of her mind. Since Draco’s fifth year, Cho Chang had been in a steady decline, in regards to her mental health. She never quite got over Cedric Diggory and finally by her seventh year she withdrew from Hogwarts all together. She claimed that she was taking an extended holiday with her parents, but the rumor mill at Hogwarts churned out the notion that she was really residing at St. Mungo’s Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries in an effort to help her rectify the events that led to her intense grief. She returned the following year, to repeat her seventh year, and had regained her popularity once again. Now though, she looked to have regressed, as she hollered Cedric’s name, through gasps and grunts and agonizing screams.

“My Lord, the baby is breech.”

“Then cut her open and excise the child from her filthy womb!” Voldemort hissed at Snape.

“Might I first try turning the baby? I have heard of this practice being done, though I am not a healer.” Snape looked determined to not hurt Cho, as he guided his hands into her body. She wailed in excruciating pain.

“Yes, yes your cries are music to my ears, whore!” Voldemort was reveling in her anguish, and the more she cried, the more enraptured he became. He was being spurred on by the Death Eaters that lined the room. Nott and Goyle spewed venom from their lips as they cursed Cho Chang.

“I think I got it. I will guide the head out and then…” Snape gasped, and Draco tried to see what it was that had startled the Potions Master.

“Yes, yes! Finally a child worthy of my supreme power!” With one last echoing scream, Cho gave birth to the thing that had grown inside her for so very long. Draco heard a snarl and then a whimper and then Snape stumbled backwards, falling lifeless to the ground. Cho had fallen silent and Draco wasn’t sure if she was dead or not. One of the Death Eaters that was standing close to Snape, threw himself against the wall, trying to get away from the beast that lay snarling on the floor at Cho’s feet. Draco could see the fear in his eyes as the Death Eater that was Vincent Crabbe, backed away frightened. Voldemort stepped to the side, kneeling to pick it up and Draco was struck with image of a jackal, with red glaring eyes and the faintest of human-like qualities, nipping at the bare and grimed covered toes, of Cho Chang. He edged closer, knowing that he had to see if Cho was alive. Thoughts of Hermione played over and over in his mind. He couldn’t stomach the thought of this being his wife, having to endure such vile and vicious treatment. His heart ached for the Gryffindor and he knew if he tried to help Cho, his attempts would prove futile and then he too would be dead.

“Draco, come forward!” Voldemort turned to Draco now with a wicked sneer. They were interrupted though, by the deep and precise voice of Lucius Malfoy.

“My Lord, please! You promised, I would be rewarded for my actions not cursed.” Draco hadn’t even noticed the forms of his weakened mother and his Death Eater Father, standing on the other side of the chamber. He was holding Narcissa in his arms, lovingly, with a frightened look on his face.

“Did I promise you that?” Voldemort paused, as if pondering Lucius’s request. Lucius nodded eagerly, believing himself to be sparing the life of his only son. “Very well then. I reward those that follow me and serve me well. Your wife, or your son, Lucius?” Lucius looked at Voldemort, as if confused.

“I don’t understand, my Lord.”

“You may leave now, with either your wife, or your son. I will call you again very soon though. Now go, before I change my mind!” Draco could hear his mother, even in her agony, pleading with Lucius to take Draco and to leave this place. Her son;s life more important hen her own.

“Get mother out of here. I won’t go with you, so you must take Mother,” Draco said lowering his head, unable to look at his Father for the shame he felt in his heart. Lucius, had done this to all of them. He had blindly followed this mass murderer and deranged and demented, Wizard.

“Draco…” Lucius murmered, and Draco reluctantly lifted his head. “I never wanted this for you. You must believe me. I am sorry.” Lucius lifted Narcissa in his arms and spun on his feet. With a pop, he was gone and Draco breathed a sigh of relief that his mother was finally out of this prison.

“Touching, wasn’t it. Your Father loves me more though. He left you at my mercy. Now rise!” Draco felt an immeasurable force lift his body to his feet and then he was being pulled forward by the will of Voldemort’s wand. When he arrived on the scene, he vomited at seeing that the half dog, half human had chewed one of Cho’s toes clean off and was licking it with its blood drenched tongue. It snarled at Draco and he could see razor sharp fangs in its murderous jaws. Severus Snape’s cold hard stare caused Draco to shudder as he stared down at the loyal servant of the Order of the Phoenix.

“My animagus is a jackal. I fucked the whore in its form. Isn’t my child beautiful?” Draco gulped and looked at Voldemort, not knowing how to answer him.

“I’m going to make you a deal, like I did your Father, Draco.”

“I won’t bargain with you,” Draco said without thinking about his words.

“Crucio!” Voldemort held his wand on Draco and once again, he felt the numbness wash over him. When Voldemort dropped his wand, Draco was once again on the cold, wet ground.

“Kill the whore and rejoin my ranks and all will be forgiven Draco. Or…die!”

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“Harry!” The glass spider’s fangs dug into the rock between Ron’s hands. He could feel its body above him and he scampered on all fours, as one of the great spider’s legs smashed down in front of him.

“Reducto!” Harry shouted and the glass spider shattered into a million pieces,glass raining down on them. “Get your wand, Ron! Hurry! I can’t hold them all off!” Harry was shouting curses and blasting the crystal arachnids with his wand. Ron found his wand under a pile of rubble and joined the fight, but there were just too many of them. Their numbers were staggering and both Harry and Ron were now pinned against the rock wall of the mine.

“Pssst!” Came a whisper and Harry spun his head around. There, crawling through a meter sized hole in the wall was a goblin. He hooked his little finger and motioned for them to follow. Having no other choice, Harry dropped to all fours and followed the goblin through the narrow tunnel. Ron was behind him and he shoved hard against Harry when one of the crystal spiders tried to cram it’s glass body through the hole too.

“Come on Ron! Follow the goblin.” They crawled quickly through the small tunnel, the goblin moving much faster then Harry and he found it hard to keep up as the tunnels twisted and turned, junctions and forks at every turn. Finally, Harry could see a faint light at the end of the tunnel. He fell into a mining trolley and his body was bathed in lantern’s light. Ron dropped on Harry and the two were now mangled together in the puiles of rock and soot.

“Ow! Watch it!” Ron shouted. Harry accidentally kicked him in the ribs, while trying to claw his way out of the trolley car.

“This must be where they process the minerals, Ron.”

“Psst! This way, hurry!” The goblin waddled quickly and Harry leaped from the trolley to follow the diminutive creature with the pointy ears and snout. The goblin led them to a smaller room and Harry stopped short, when his eyes lain on none other then Professor Lupin and Fred and George and the rest of the coven. Ron screamed out in exultation and joy, hugging his fellow bothers.

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“Push Hermione, push!” Hermione screamed and pushed one last time. She felt her pressure relieved and she collapsed back into the soft leaves. She closed her eyes to rest, when she heard the strong cries of a baby. Tears burst from her eyes at hearing them. Ginny’s hands were lifting her head, so she could see the new arrival.

“He’s beautiful Hermione. Oh, Hermione, he’s so gorgeous! You and Draco have a perfect baby boy,” Ginny said. The emotion spilled from Hermione and she rejoiced. The maiden held the baby in her hands, gazing into his precious face. She laid the child on Hermione’s breast and Hermione cradled her newborn son in her arms for the first time.

“Oh, I wish you were here, Draco. We’re a family now.” Hermione kissed her son’s head and stroked his full head of wispy blond hair. It was so soft in her fingers, unlike anything she had ever touched before. She counted his fingers and toes, making sure all were there and then she kissed the baby tenderly. It made sucking noises and Hermione naturally held the baby to her breast where it found comfort and sustenance.

“Look! What is that?” Pansy pointed up. All eyes followed her gaze. A bluish white light hovered and lingered above Hermione’s head and she could feel herself drawing energy from the cloud as it seeped slowly into her body, her strength returning, after giving birth to the precious baby boy—her beloved, Draco Malfoy’s baby.

Almost at once, Hermione felt a coldness grip her. She heard Draco’s cries. He was calling out her name and then he fell silent.

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Harry Potter, and the male members of the coven, donned torches, given to them by the goblin slave. Lochian, was the goblin’s name and he was bitter, after spending three years in the mine. It was apparent that Voldemort, had the goblin’s under his control, but there were dissidents within the goblin faction, one of which was leading them down the mine into the bowels of hell—the place where Voldemort was holding Draco and Cho. Ron felt a familiar tingling sensation, and he gazed down at his palm.

“I’m blinking!” Everyone stopped and checked their palms. They too were blinking with warning. A swirl of blue light engulfed them and Harry Potter grabbed onto Ron with all his might.

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“Make your choice Draco!” Voldemort chastised. If Draco were Cho, he would wish someone to put him out of his misery. She was whimpering on the floor, her legs tucked under her now, one of her toes missing as she flew into a fit of hysterics at seeing what the creature had done.

“I won’t kill her,” Draco finally whispered, in a husky and defeated voice.

“Then you choose, DEATH!” Voldemort motioned to Nott and Goyle, who nodded and removed what looked like a giant saucer covering the center of the chamber’s floor. It was heavy metal and it scraped nosily against the rock, chipping rubble away as the Death Eaters slid it to the side. Draco found himself staring into a pit of fire and molten lava. Were they so deep in the earth that Draco was going to be cast into the depths of hell, burnt to cinders, deep down in the earths magma? He was captured and dragged to the edge of the fire pit, where he watched the swirling, bubbling lava. He could feel the heat on his face and skin. Voldemort heaved the beast that snarled on the floor into his arms and cradled it in a disturbing act of fatherhood.

“A sacrifice for my new pet. Can you feel the power emanating from my precious child? Your feeble attempts at fulfilling the prophecy have failed. Feel lucky Draco. Cho will be feasted on, until there is nothing left of her!” Draco was suddenly aware of a blinking light on his palm. His whole arm tingled and he felt his pain begin to lift.

“Cast him in!” Voldemort shouted. Goyle and Nott heaved Draco’s arms towards the pit. Draco tugged with all of his might, to break free. He stood at the edge, now struggling, as the beast in Voldemort’s hands lunged forward and impaled Draco;s neck with its teeth. He felt the blood leaving his body and his world began to spin. The jackal hit an artery when it clamped down over Draco’s soft pale skin and Draco was dieing, fast. Draco’s own blood, mixed with the beast’s saliva fell and burned on his skin, hs arm smoldering now as the putrid acid seared through his flesh. The sounds of laughter filled his ears as those around him chuckled, some doubling over and cackling, behind their silver skull masks, while Draco sunk to his knees. Draco felt Voldemort’s bare foot on his back, as he slumped before the lava pit. A pitiful whisper escaped Draco’s lips, though in his head he was screaming for the whole world to hear him.

“I love you Hermione. I have failed. Be well and love our son.” Voldemort’s head fell back as great belly laughs of wickedness resonated from his core and Draco reached up with his numb and trembling fingers, a final act of strength and conviction, for he had no more strength left. Flashes of silver and blue were all around him in the chamber, but he focused on the task at hand. Kill the beast in Voldemort’s arms. Kill it. The thought of the jackal, the wild beast of evil wrath, tearing at the flesh of his newborn child, haunted him. He reached up, just as Voldemort’s foot shoved hard upon his back and Draco felt sticky, bloody fur between his fingers, and then he was falling. The fire took both Draco and the beast, as Draco held the writhing beast tightly against his chest-- by the force of Voldemort’s own foot

“Noooooooooo!! Ron screamed, seeing Draco plunge to his death. He stood in shock as did all the other coven members. Harry already had his wand on Voldemort as red and green light shot from both wizards wands. A battle commenced. Ron’s face was a fiery shade of crimson, as he fought the Death Eaters with the rage he felt in his heart. Revenge, for Draco’s death, would be served by the coven. They were fast with their weapons of Merlin and before long, only Voldemort himself was standing, wand still connected with Potter’s. Harry’s red light was defeating his green light, pushing it back in a spray of magical light and power, when suddenly, Voldemort spun in circles and was gone.

“I’m gonna kill you! I’ll kill you! This isn’t over!” Harry shouted out at seeing Voldemort apparrate away. Death Eaters lay crumpled and dead on the floor of the mine. The coven members, one by one, knelt by the rim of the deep hole in the ground where bright orange liquid swirled.

“He’s dead. I saw him fall. He’s dead! What does this mean? Hermione…What about Hermione and…the baby?” Ron wept. Wood and Longbottom were also crying silent tears, with their heads held low.

“He killed the beast. We should commend his bravery,” Lupin said, trying to muster the courage to lead the coven. A moment of silence was observed as they reflected upon their fallen bother—their leader.

“I found something. What is this?” Neville plucked a shiny object from the ground.”

“Bloody fucking hell! Hermione? How do I tell her about Draco?” Ron sobbed. He knew she was going to be heartbroken. In his mind, he told himself that he would always take care of her and the baby. Draco had proven himself, in his final act of heroism. Ron would now sacrifice his own happiness, to raise Draco’s son with Hermione, so she didn’t have to do it alone.

“I think we all should be there when we tell Hermione,” Lupin said. Everyone nodded and then their attention turned to Harry and the girl.

Harry was at Cho’s side now, holding her like a father would a child, her head pressed to his chest. He was able to stop the bleeding from her foot with a quick healing spell, her toe all but gone though. New limbs could be grown by a healer. The important thing was that she was alive.

“Help me get her out of here. Please.” Harry stood, carrying Cho in his arms. Ron laid his hand on his shoulder and then suddenly they were sucked into a swirling blue light once again.

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“They’re back! The guys made it!” Pansy leapt on Ron, kissing his freckled face a million times over. His arm went around her waist, but his glare was plastered on Hermione. He saw Hermione gulp and her eyes misted over, when she didn’t see Draco with the rest of the men. She knew. Neville fell to his knees and bowed his head to Hermione and the cooing baby in her arms. He opened his hand and Hermione’s eyes fell to the ring. It was Draco’s wedding band. Without anyone telling her, she knew. Tears flooded her eyes and she politely thanked Neville for bringing the symbol of their love back to her. She took her plain gold chain from her neck and threaded Draco’s ring on the chain, before clasping it back around her neck. She had to get away. She needed the solitude of her thoughts, in order to wrap her mind around Draco’s death. What would she do without Draco? How would she go on? Hermione stood and took the baby in her arms and walked through the soft spongy grass. She had to be alone. She sat down on a large monolith in the grass and wept for what seemed like hours and days. She thought she was imagining things, when she saw a shimmering gold light through the trees. She stepped forward, the baby swaddled in cloth, tucked safely in her arms. She maneuvered through the dense foliage. It was warm and the forest smelled of honeysuckles. Lightning bugs swarmed and Hermione found herself walking through the most beautiful forest she had ever seen. Even as her heart broke she felt strong inside. Her appearance had taken on that of the other women in the coven. Her bushy hair, no longer wild and untamed, but soft as loose ringlets of curls, cascaded down her neck and back. She stopped short when she came upon a figure in the grass. He was face down in a thicket of clovers, next to a great tree with many branches and limbs. He was naked and still. Hermione knelt beside the man and brushed the hair from his eyes. Her breath caught in her throat and her eyes grew wide. Her heart raced and then leapt for joy at the vision before her.

“Draco?” His eyes popped open as if the sound of her voice had awakened him from a great sleep. He slowly sat up, disoriented and curious.

“Where am…Who are you?” Hermione removed her shawl and wrapped it around his naked body. She had never been happier to see anybody in her entire life and she kissed his face and neck.

“We are in the forest and you are safe. I have you now and I’m never letting you go. Oh, Draco I love you. I love you so much! But you died? I heard your scream and then I could feel you no more. How can this be? Oh who cares how it happened! The point is, you’re here… and our… son…Oh Draco, the baby!” Hermione was speaking a mile a minute.

“He doesn’t know himself.” The maiden spoke to Hermione.

“Why? Why doesn’t he know himself?”

“He is a clean slate. Introduce him to his son. Do it now.” The maiden said, and Hermione held the baby out. Draco looked at her, with the eyes of a newborn. She could tell that he didn’t recognize her, yet he seemed interested as he observed. His fingers came forward slowly and tangled themselves in a lock of her hair.

“Draco, it’s me, Hermione.” He gulped and pulled away, yet his eyes still held her in his inocent gazes. She gently passed the baby to Draco.

“Meet your son, Draco,” Hermione said through tears of joy.

He cradled the newborn in his arms, his finger gentle tracing the babies lips and cheek and nose. A lone tear rolled down his cheek and fell onto the babies soft blond hair. Draco looked up and leaned into Hermione.

“You are my wife and this…this is my son? Yes?” Hermione threw her arms around his neck and kissed him full on the lips. He was rigid at first but then he melted into her soft warm lips as flashes of his life played in his mind. Hermione could feel Draco again. His essence returning to himself once again as his kiss intensified, like the Draco that she knew. His tongue dipped and swirled in her mouth and Hermione was in heaven.

“Yes, Draco. Oh yes!” As the couple sat facing each other Indian style in the patch of soft four leaf clovers a golden light emanated from the baby. It grew, until it entirely engulfed Draco. The wind picked up all around them. Cracking thunder and lightning and rain began to fall. Hermione pulled away from his kiss. She felt the change in Draco. This was no longer her husband. Something from the baby had entered him and she felt like she was kissing a stranger. She could feel his power coursing through her, her lips electrified, before she broke off the kiss. Her mouth fell open as she stared at the man before her. It looked like Draco, but it was not Draco anymore. In her heightened state of absolute stunned shock, she said the only thing that came to mind.

“Merlin!” Hermione said feeling taken a back.

“That is what they call me.” The man smiled warmly, raised his hand and the rain and wind and lightning ceased. He gently passed Hermione the baby back and bounded to his feet. Looking down, he noticed his nakedness and with another experienced wave of his hand, he was dressed in regal looking blue robes. He turned to the maiden that stood watching with bated breath.

“Ganieda!” Merlin walked towards her, his steps bold yet graceful.

“My brother,” Ganieda replied with a curtsey. Merlin threw his arms around his sister, giving her a great bear hug, while Hermione and her son looked on in wide eyed shock.

“Time is short. We must assemble. Now. Take me to them.”

Review!?

Cho is going to be okay, for any Cho fans out there. Can't say the same about some other people. Final battle coming up.