RAGE

She heard him leave and then heard two people running across the roof and climbing down the lattice as fast as they could. Their disillusionment charms were failing. Hermione heard Mrs Weasley calling out for Mr Weasley and her children and saw her outline fly overhead. She told Mr Weasley and Blaise to run for the shed and they all took off at a sprint.

It didn’t take long for the infected to catch on. They burst out of doors and jumped out of windows, cutting themselves on the way. They could see Mr Weasley and Blaise now. Hermione looked back and shot a few rounds. She managed to get one of them. They were so close to the shack now. So close to freedom.

Then she saw that there were already four people in the shack, waiting to be Apparated.

“Shit!” Hermione yelled as she saw Goyle return.

They weren’t going to get them out in time. Hermione stopped just short of the shack and screamed at Mr Weasley and Blaise to get inside and stay there. She aimed at the closest infected and pulled the trigger. He fell down, wounded and unable to stand. She aimed at the next infected. He fell down dead. So did the next.

Soon there were a large group running for her. She took shot after shot. Infected fell, both dead and wounded. But soon she would have to reload and they would reach her. Then she heard shots from the air. She heard Draco sweep in from all different directions, shooting at the infected advancing on her. She quickly reloaded and kept shooting, all the time stepping back towards the shack.

“Goyle!” She screamed. “How many left?!”

He called back, his voice very hoarse.

“I’m taking these two! Then there’s just Arthur Weasley!”

Hermione was relieved until she saw the next wave of infected burst from the homestead.

“Draco!” She yelled. “Apparate back. I’ve got Arthur!”

“Not until you’re gone!” He called back, still shooting.

“Just go!” She screamed.

She ran to the back of the shack and then she heard Draco’s gun click as he spent the last round. She grabbed Mr Weasley and at last they left with a pop.

***

They landed on the porch with a thud and Hermione lost her balance. She fell on her knees but immediately got up, looking around for Draco.

“Draco?” She called. “Draco?”

She opened the front door and looked inside frantically. Then she looked around the garden. She saw him appear on the lawn. He dropped to his knees, exhausted. She called out to him and he held up his gun, making sure there were no infected and that he had landed at the right place.

“Draco?” She yelled. “Are you alright?”

She ran to him and dropped to her knees in front of him, looking him over. Then it occurred to her that he might have been bittern or scratched by one of the infected.

“Are you hurt?!” She asked, her voice high. “Did they get you?”

“I’m fine, Hermione.” He said, one hand on her shoulder and one on the ground. “I’m fine.”

She cried out, relieved. She hugged him tightly, thanking him and appreciating the fact that he was still here. Then she heard her name being called. It was Ginny. With one last squeeze she let Draco go. She ran to Ginny and just about bowled her over. They cried together for a few minutes before letting go and looking each other over, making sure they weren’t hurt.

“Are you okay?” They asked in unison.

They nodded and hugged again. They took each other by the hands and Hermione beckoned for Draco to follow. Everywhere people were embracing their loved ones; Mr and Mrs Weasley crying together, Charlie and George were in a brotherly embrace, Ron and Luna hugging and kissing desperately. Ginny moved over to her parents and they pulled her close. Hermione now felt oddly alone.

She looked out for Draco and spotted him walking over to his mother, dropping his broom and pulling her close. How Hermione missed her mum. She would give anything for a hug from her parents right at that moment. She began to cry, wanting someone to hug her. She walked into a far corner leaning against the wall, wanting the pain to ease. She covered her mouth to prevent the sobs surfacing. They did anyway and she closed her eyes.

Then strong arms pulled her close, protecting her from the world.

“Sshhh…” Draco whispered soothingly. “It’s alright… It’s okay…”

Hermione just cried harder, wrapping her arms around his waist.

“I just want them back so much!” She explained.

“I know…” He said sadly. “Don’t worry, I’m here now… I’m not going anywhere…”

She continued to cry and he continued to rub her back and whisper soothing words to her. Even when she stopped crying he held her. He made circles on her back with his thumbs and kissed the top of her head. He was so warm, so safe, so tender to her. She didn’t want to ever move away from him. Who knew his arms could feel so good?

She pulled away slightly when she had calmed down. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek.

“Thank you, Draco.” She said and gave him another hug.

“Any time.” He said lightly.

She smiled sorrowfully at him and then pulled away. She felt cold as she walked away but she was ready to address the small crowd. There was still work to do. They still had to go and get Harry, Pansy and Parvarti. And anyone else who didn’t want to listen to the Ministry.