RAGE

As the lift took them further into the Ministry, Draco was still holding Hermione’s hand. Though the lift was full, Hermione pressed into Draco on her own accord. She didn’t want to be alone. Any contact was better than none. He didn’t seem to mind. He just kept on holding her hand and staring straight ahead.

They stepped out onto the floor and joined the rest of the group.

“Alright!” Yelled a Ministry Official. He was standing on a desk and held his wand to his throat as he spoke. “Now that we are all here, we can get moving. If you can all get into groups of four or five.”

Everyone split into small groups. Draco and Hermione stood next to an middle-aged couple.

“Now, an Official will come around and issue your group a port-key.” He said. “The area we are going to is secure. An old group of homesteads in upper Manchester.”

The crowd immediately began to talk.

“The city of Manchester has been almost all destroyed. The entire city is burning. Most infected occupying the city have perished, but, the fire has pushed the remaining infected further into the country. While we exercise caution, we are confident that they will not come so far into the countryside. They will not wander too far from the city to find food.”

There were still protests but he shushed them.

“It is completely secure; remember you will have almost forty Aurors protecting you. And before you ask, no, we cannot go to Hogwarts. Hogwarts is still crumbling since the final battle and the wards are extremely poor. Any surrounding villages will be drawn to it.”

That silenced the crowd. They waited patiently while the port-keys were being given out.

“Okay.” He said frowning. “If groups will come up to me, one at a time, I will activate your port-keys. Remember, once you have landed at the destination, move out of the way immediately. There will be another group after you almost immediately. You will all be debriefed further when we arrive.”

Hermione looked at Draco, scared and sad. He didn’t look at her so she looked away. She then felt the faintest squeeze. He was there for her; he wasn’t letting go.

The group moved fairly fast, Hermione was wondering how two hundred people were going to fit into a group of homesteads. There would be lots of beds everywhere. Would there be people she knew in their group? Then it occurred to her that Luna and Neville would be in her group. If they had made it to the Ministry…

Then it was their turn. One hand still holding Draco’s and one hand on the port-key, they took their positions. Then they were off. Flying through darkness and over blurred blue and green. Then they landed. Hermione grabbed onto Draco for support.

“If you could move to your right, please.” Said a stern looking Official. “Quickly now.”

They scrambled off and moved into the crowd.

“Wait.” Hermione said. “Can we wait and watch the people arrive. I want to see if Luna and Neville are here.”

Draco nodded and pulled her back towards the landing pad. Group after group landed. Stranger after stranger. Then finally a friendly face, at least to Draco. Draco’s mother, Goyle and Goyle’s cousin appeared with an elderly couple. As soon as Narcissa saw Draco she ran straight for him and enveloped him.

“My baby, my Draco!”

She kissed him all over his face and although he went slightly red, he closed his eyes looking so relieved. It was the first time in about an hour he had let go of Hermione’s hand.

When Narcissa let him go he shook Goyle’s hand.

“Good to see you.” Draco said to him truthfully.

Goyle nodded.

“Likewise.” He answered. They moved as a group further to the side.

Hermione moved slightly closer, eager to see her friends come through.

“Come on…” She whispered anxiously.

Then the groups started to arrive faster. A Ministry Official arrived with one group.

“The Ministry is being over run. One of the infected managed to floo in. They’re trying to evacuate the remaining departments now. There are only four groups of ours to go.”

As he spoke another group appeared. They looked shaken and moved out of the way. Then next group was bigger; two groups had joined. Then the last group then appeared.

“Luna!” Hermione screamed as she saw the blonde.

Luna turned to her and ran straight to her. She was crying; the happy and dreamy look was gone. She pounced on Hermione, wailing and clutching at her.

“My Dad.” She choked. “They got him!”

Hermione hugged her back.

“I know! I know…” Hermione cried. “My parents too…”

Draco pulled them closer to the group.

“We have to stick together.” He said in response to Hermione’s questioning look.