Harry Potter and The White Queen (BP3)
folder
Harry Potter › Slash - Male/Male › Harry/Draco
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
49
Views:
28,221
Reviews:
234
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
1
Category:
Harry Potter › Slash - Male/Male › Harry/Draco
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
49
Views:
28,221
Reviews:
234
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
1
Disclaimer:
I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
The Black Queen
Chapter Number/Total: 39/49
Chapter Title: The Black Queen
Words: 3247 Words
They arrived in a wooded area that Tonks explained was the closest they could get to the house with Apparation.
In the dark, and already on edge because of their situation, every noise sounded like a threat to Harry. Every snap of a twig, every whisper of the wind, sounded like the swish of a cloak or the quick drawing of a wand. Harry was so on edge when they finally reached an old cobbled street, that when he saw a cat streak past, he nearly hexed it. He breathed a sigh of relief and continued following Tonks up the street, travelling in the shadows.
"There are lights on in the house," Tonks whispered. "Most likely, someone is there."
Harry's heart started thudding in his chest as he nodded, wand out and ready to strike when Tonks gave the word.
Ron and Hermione stuck close to Harry, their wands held out as well.
Tonks cast several Revealing Charms and frowned. "Why would the normal house wards be down?" she wondered aloud.
Harry looked at her, frowning as well. "They're down?" he whispered.
"Yes," she whispered. "Someone has put up a Detection Charm but the wards to keep out unwanted guests are disabled."
"That doesn't sound like something Snape would do," Remus added.
No, not at all," agreed Harry. "Something is not right here."
Tonks concentrated and did a spell on herself. "I have put a Concealing Charm on myself," she said. "I think I can get past the Detection Spell and look to see what is happening in there."
Harry nodded, clutching his wand tighter. "Be careful," he said.
She crept forward, until she was able to get to a window where there was a light showing through. Then she came back quickly. "Rodolphus is in there," she whispered, "and a couple others. I couldn't see the faces."
"Draco?" Harry asked, eyes wide with fear and hope at the same time.
"I couldn't see him," she answered. "Nor Snape."
Harry let out a heavy breath and closed his eyes for a moment. Opening them he said, "I don't know where Snape is, but they've probably got Draco locked up somewhere. Rodolphus Lestrange, Bellatrix's husband. We're dealing with big names here." Harry's heart began beating even faster. Bellatrix was one of Voldemort's most trusted. He had even saved her back at the Ministry. Harry half expected Voldemort to show up to join whatever was going on in the house. "Whatever this is, it's big."
"Trying to capture Harry Potter would be," Remus said. "And Draco is a big target as well. If Snape turned, they would know he is Secret Keeper for the Order, as well."
"Oh, God," Harry gasped, suddenly feeling like he couldn't breathe. "He can't tell anyway. We need to go in, now." He actually took a step forward, but Ron slipped an arm across his shoulders and over his collar bone and held him put.
"I know what the inside of the place looks like," Tonks said, "so I can Apparate in. But the rest of you will have to come in through the doors. I just don't know if we can take them out." She frowned, looking between them. "We really should call for backup."
"We would have to go all the way back," Harry growled, still held in place by Ron. "They could start whatever it is they need to do at any moment!"
"Harry," Remus said, looking very sad, "He has been gone a few hours already." The older man looked afraid to continue but took a breath. "The Lestranges aren't known for holding back. If they have Draco, they have already started trying to get information from him."
Harry paled, thinking of Neville's parents. "All the more reason for us to go now," he said.
"I agree," Remus said, "but only if we can actually get him out."
"I wish we had a way to know how many we are facing," Tonks worried aloud.
Harry took several deep breaths, trying to think. "Are you loud when you Apparate?" he asked Tonks.
"I know a way without noise," Tonks said. "It is harder but I can do it."
"Okay," said Harry and Ron finally loosened his hold. "Go to the Manor. The wards should let you in. They're set to allow everyone who was at the wedding. My Invisibility Cloak is in mine and Draco's bedroom. Cast a Summoning Charm, it will come. You can use that to see inside the house. I still don't think we have time to get backup, but if you must, send a message to someone or something, but make it back here as quick as you can. Just know that even if you're not back yet, and I hear him scream, I am going in there. Not a single one of you can restrain me. I'd like to see you try." He glared at all of them. "So be fast."
Tonks left, running back into the woods before Apparating. Time seem to be going in slow motion as they waited for her to return.
Harry hardly moved at all from his tense position. His ears were straining for any noise and his wand was gripped tightly in his hand. I'm coming, Draco, he thought, wishing that Draco could hear him, or even feel him somehow. I'm coming.
"Don't hex me," came Tonks' voice from behind them. She had used the Cloak to get close before taking it off.
Harry and the others turned to look at Tonks and Harry had never been more glad to see her. "Are you ready then?" he whispered, feeling very ready himself. "Did you send off any messages to any of the others?"
"I sent an owl to Shacklebolt letting him know where we are and what we are doing," she said. "I don't suppose you want to wait for the other Aurors to get here?"
"No. Go," said Harry. "They'll get here when they get here."
"So, Tonks is Apparating inside," Remus said. "Two should go through the front door and two through the back."
Harry nodded.
"I'll go with Harry," said Ron, and Harry wondered what exactly Draco had said to Ron about his protection.
"Hermione and I will take the front," Remus said. "You two make your way around back."
"You'll know to come in when I take down the Silencing Charm from inside," Tonks said. "Ready?"
Harry glared at the words "Silencing Charm", but nodded. So she'd known there was a Silencing Charm. No wonder he hadn't heard any screaming. His heart began pounding again.
Tonks put the Invisibility Cloak back on and Apparated into the house.
Harry nodded once to Lupin and Hermione and then indicated his and Ron's direction with his head. Harry nearly held his breath as he and Ron made their way to the back of the house, through the snow, holding their wands at the ready.
Nearly to the back of the house, there was light coming from the dining room and Harry caught sight of Bellatrix Lestrange. She was holding her wand and it looked like she was laughing.
Harry took a sharp breath and his stomach plummeted. He knew that whatever was going on in there, whatever was making Bellatrix laugh like that, was not good. He knew if he looked in and saw Draco at the end of her wand, he would bust though the glass, forgetting the plan and try to get to him. Ron seemed to know this too and gripped Harry's sleeve when Harry started moving towards the window.
"Harry," he said, "we have to keep going."
Harry screwed his eyes shut. I'm here, Draco. I'm here.
***
Draco was trying to breathe. He had been screaming so much and so long that he could taste blood in his mouth.
"Poor whittle boy," his aunt laughed. "I bet you wish your mummy was here, don't you? Of course, your daddy can't help you, can he? You killed him."
Draco didn't even try to respond. His explanations hadn't worked when he still had a voice.
"Maybe we should try something new with him," his Uncle Rodolphus suggested, holding a very ordinary but sharp knife up to the light. "We could make it so Potter never looked at him again," he laughed.
"Drakey, darling," Bellatrix cooed at him. "You wouldn't want that, would you? You are such a pretty thing. Do you really want us to have to change that?"
Draco felt the cold blade sliding up his naked leg. He shuddered. Somehow the idea of it did frighten him more than the pain of Crucio. His uncle bent over the dining table where Draco was tied spread to it's top. He could feel the sharp edge of the knife pressed against his balls now. His sharp intake of breath made his uncle grin. "Can you hold still while she puts you through it again, Draco? Or will you castrate yourself by moving? Let's find out."
***
Tonks arrived in the living room and had made her way toward the sound of the screaming. Now she stood, watching in horror and trying to decide which target would be the best. She would have only seconds when she took the shields down. She cast the spell to take the Silencing Charm down and then fired on Rodolphus.
Unaware of what was about to happen, Bellatrix cast Crucio on Draco and the night exploded with the sound of his screams.
Harry heard the screaming and it was the most terrible, horrifying sound that had ever met his ears. The sound of his lover's voice like that nearly killed him and he burst through the back door, paying Ron no attention as he followed closely behind. He ran through the kitchen he'd entered as fast as he could, and then flew into the dining room and fired a hex at Bellatrix immediately. It missed her only by centimetres.
Bellatrix ducked and fired back at Harry.
Remus and Hermione used a spell to open the front door, where they were greeted by two Death Eaters and saw the retreating back of Rabastan, who was going to his brother's aid in the dining room.
Rodolphus had fallen across Draco. Tonks had no time to check on him as his brother fired a hex that nearly got her. It shattered a glass cabinet door on the wall behind the table.
Harry dove sideways and knocked into the table Draco was tied on. He glanced at him quickly and nearly whimpered, but then he pushed himself back up fiercely, totally unaware of what any of the others were doing. He had only eyes for Bellatrix. He shot an Expelliarmus at her, but knew it was futile even before it was half-way across the room.
Bellatrix laughed and put the table between her self and Harry. "Come to get your pet, Potter?" she sneered. "Does he scream as nice for you?"
Rabastan had ducked back into the hall and Tonks had followed him. They traded shots from different doors. She had him pinned down, but that meant she couldn't move to help Harry either. If she moved, she risked Rabastan's hexes.
Hermione had taken a Stunner and was down. But Remus managed to take the other robed figure out before he ducked behind the sofa. The one that had hexed Hermione was now firing from the shelter of another doorway.
Draco was oblivious to anything but the pain of the Cruciatus Curse that set his body on fire. He couldn't even tell if the knife was still against him as the pain was everywhere at once.
Draco's screams were ringing in his ears and Harry shook with rage and furiously fired another hex but missed again. Bellatrix's smug, yet vicious face made him want to tear her apart with his bare hands. Fuck wands. But he didn't drop his wand. He stood low and defensively and tried another jinx, the screaming messing with his concentration.
Bellatrix grabbed a handful of Draco's hair and pulled his head up, pointing her wand at his throat. "Potter," she sneered, "I could make the screaming stop - forever."
Instead of panic, Harry felt fierce power rise up in him and he glared at Bellatrix like he could burn holes through her with his eyes alone. He wanted to hurt her. He wanted her to scream and cry and he pushed the spell out of himself wordlessly and finally hit her, wanting her nowhere near Draco.
Bella fell back, screaming under Crucio. She didn't drop her wand but she released Draco.
The Cruciatus Curse stopped suddenly and Draco was again trying to breathe. He felt pain but it was now only between his legs. The knife was cutting into his left thigh and he was pressed to the table by the weight of his uncle. He heard his aunt screaming now and the sound of hexes hitting walls.
Harry felt a strange relief when Draco's screams ceased. He felt like that cleared his head. He couldn't take that screaming.
"Harry! Down!" yelled Ron from somewhere in the room, and Harry ducked as a spell from some other Death Eater went flying over his head, but he couldn't care. This woman was still far too close to Draco. He lifted himself up again and ran at her, pouncing almost.
Bellatrix threw off the hex just as Harry dived for her. She rolled, trying to get away from Harry as he came at her.
Draco heard Ron yell and he looked about, trying to see Harry. He pulled uselessly at the ropes that bound him to the table. He hated being helpless in the middle of a fight.
Harry growled as he missed Bellatrix and tried to shoot a Body-Bind at her, but she was quick.
Ron tried a hex at her as well, but had to dive sideways as she managed to shoot a curse at him and avoid Harry's at once.
Rodolphus groaned and lifted himself off Draco, reaching for his wand.
Draco was still struggling to get free when the man began to move. He tried to yell for Harry but his voice wasn't working.
"Poor Potter, always losing everyone!" Bellatrix taunted. "My Lord will see you dead soon. I know your secret and it won't work!"
Harry's eyes widened. "I have no secret," he said, eyes focused on Bellatrix. His heart was beating double time now.
"Who do you think gave you that brooch?" she laughed. "I know what you are looking for, but you won't find them!"
Rodolphus smiled down at Draco, pulling his wand out and reaching for the knife with his other hand. Draco tried again to talk, but only managed a choking sound.
Harry's head snapped in Draco's direction and he saw that Rodolphus was moving again. He knew it was risky to take his wand off Bellatrix for even half a second, but he did and pointed it at the man over top of Draco, firing a Stunner at him.
Rodolphus fell backwards this time, his wand and the bloody knife clattering to the floor.
Draco concentrated hard, using a nonverbal Summoning Charm to call the fallen wand to him and then to release the ropes.
While Harry's attention was turned, Bellatrix cast Crucio on him, delighted to see him in pain again.
Harry screamed at the top of his lungs, falling to the ground and writhing, his body contorting in all sorts of unnatural shapes and angles. It hurt even worse than he could ever remember feeling it and he wished to die. It felt like it went on for years, like he would be an old man when it stopped.
Draco tried to sit up, but was too weak. He could also feel the pain in his leg that told him he was injured as well. When Harry started screaming, Draco forced himself to roll toward the sound. He saw Aunt Bella standing over him, laughing. Draco's best nonverbal spell was Body-Bind, so that is what he concentrated on. He barely had time to register that he had hit her before he passed out.
Harry stopped screaming and groaned, his belly aching even after the spell had been released. He clutched his stomach and pressed his hands into it, feeling like that was the only thing that would keep his guts inside.
Ron rushed over and dropped to his knees beside Harry, eyes wide with fear.
Bellatrix had fallen in the Body-Bind but it was a weak spell and she managed to throw it off. She pointed her wand at Harry, ready to cast the Killing Curse.
Tonks managed to take out Rabastan and then came up behind the Death Eater who had Remus pinned down, casting a Stunner on him as well.
Harry opened his eyes weakly and saw Bellatrix impossibly standing once more. "Ron," he rasped.
Ron turned swiftly, hesitating for only a split second before throwing his body over Harry's and then throwing his wand arm out and shouting, "Avada Kedavra!" just as the word "Avada -" left Bellatrix's mouth.
Harry watched in what seemed like slow motion as Bellatrix crumpled to the floor, her expression still one of fury mixed with shock.
Remus released Hermione from the hex, while Tonks went to help in the dining room. She arrived just as Bellatrix crumpled to the floor. "Oh, hell," she cursed when she saw Harry and Ron on the floor and Draco lying in a pool of blood on the table.
Harry's belly was still throbbing, but he hadn't really registered that yet. He didn't try to move except to throw one arm around Ron's neck, who was staring blankly at Bellatrix's body with wide eyes and an unnaturally pale face.
Hermione rushed forward and dropped to her knees beside them both, sobbing.
"Are you two okay?" Tonks asked, moving to examine Draco. She was nearly tripped over the other Death Eater who Ron had taken out earlier. "Remus!" she yelled.
That's when Harry's brain started working again and he released Ron and struggled to his feet, body trembling. "Is he okay?" he asked Tonks, moving over to Draco and nearly crying from what he saw.
Remus arrived then, too. "They're secure for now ...." he trailed off when he saw the mess on the table.
"He's lost a lot of blood," Tonks said, and then cast the spell to stop the bleeding from his leg. "The cut is really deep," she added.
Harry gasped as another sharp pain clenched his stomach. He moved his hands back to his belly and pressed them against it again. "No, please no," he whispered, eyes filling with tears but not from the pain.
"Are you okay, Harry?" Remus asked, turning to him. Tonks looked worriedly from Draco to Harry.
"I don't know," Harry sobbed.
Hermione pressed her hand to her mouth from the floor as tears spilled from her eyes as well.
"Remus," Tonks said. "I have to stay here and secure the prisoners until more Aurors arrive. Will you take Draco to St. Mungo's? Ron, Hermione, can you two take Harry?"
Remus nodded, pulling the naked and bloody body of Draco into his arms.
Ron was still shaken and pale. Hermione nodded though, tears still streaming down her face. She got to her feet and pulled Harry into her arms. "It's okay," she whispered to him. "I'm sure everything's fine."
Ron finally got shakily to his feet.
"Can we Apparate from here?" asked Hermione.
"Yes, the wards are down," Tonks said. "I will follow as soon as I can."
Remus smiled at her and Apparated to St. Mungo's.
Hermione followed with Harry seconds after, and Ron after her.
Chapter Title: The Black Queen
Words: 3247 Words
They arrived in a wooded area that Tonks explained was the closest they could get to the house with Apparation.
In the dark, and already on edge because of their situation, every noise sounded like a threat to Harry. Every snap of a twig, every whisper of the wind, sounded like the swish of a cloak or the quick drawing of a wand. Harry was so on edge when they finally reached an old cobbled street, that when he saw a cat streak past, he nearly hexed it. He breathed a sigh of relief and continued following Tonks up the street, travelling in the shadows.
"There are lights on in the house," Tonks whispered. "Most likely, someone is there."
Harry's heart started thudding in his chest as he nodded, wand out and ready to strike when Tonks gave the word.
Ron and Hermione stuck close to Harry, their wands held out as well.
Tonks cast several Revealing Charms and frowned. "Why would the normal house wards be down?" she wondered aloud.
Harry looked at her, frowning as well. "They're down?" he whispered.
"Yes," she whispered. "Someone has put up a Detection Charm but the wards to keep out unwanted guests are disabled."
"That doesn't sound like something Snape would do," Remus added.
No, not at all," agreed Harry. "Something is not right here."
Tonks concentrated and did a spell on herself. "I have put a Concealing Charm on myself," she said. "I think I can get past the Detection Spell and look to see what is happening in there."
Harry nodded, clutching his wand tighter. "Be careful," he said.
She crept forward, until she was able to get to a window where there was a light showing through. Then she came back quickly. "Rodolphus is in there," she whispered, "and a couple others. I couldn't see the faces."
"Draco?" Harry asked, eyes wide with fear and hope at the same time.
"I couldn't see him," she answered. "Nor Snape."
Harry let out a heavy breath and closed his eyes for a moment. Opening them he said, "I don't know where Snape is, but they've probably got Draco locked up somewhere. Rodolphus Lestrange, Bellatrix's husband. We're dealing with big names here." Harry's heart began beating even faster. Bellatrix was one of Voldemort's most trusted. He had even saved her back at the Ministry. Harry half expected Voldemort to show up to join whatever was going on in the house. "Whatever this is, it's big."
"Trying to capture Harry Potter would be," Remus said. "And Draco is a big target as well. If Snape turned, they would know he is Secret Keeper for the Order, as well."
"Oh, God," Harry gasped, suddenly feeling like he couldn't breathe. "He can't tell anyway. We need to go in, now." He actually took a step forward, but Ron slipped an arm across his shoulders and over his collar bone and held him put.
"I know what the inside of the place looks like," Tonks said, "so I can Apparate in. But the rest of you will have to come in through the doors. I just don't know if we can take them out." She frowned, looking between them. "We really should call for backup."
"We would have to go all the way back," Harry growled, still held in place by Ron. "They could start whatever it is they need to do at any moment!"
"Harry," Remus said, looking very sad, "He has been gone a few hours already." The older man looked afraid to continue but took a breath. "The Lestranges aren't known for holding back. If they have Draco, they have already started trying to get information from him."
Harry paled, thinking of Neville's parents. "All the more reason for us to go now," he said.
"I agree," Remus said, "but only if we can actually get him out."
"I wish we had a way to know how many we are facing," Tonks worried aloud.
Harry took several deep breaths, trying to think. "Are you loud when you Apparate?" he asked Tonks.
"I know a way without noise," Tonks said. "It is harder but I can do it."
"Okay," said Harry and Ron finally loosened his hold. "Go to the Manor. The wards should let you in. They're set to allow everyone who was at the wedding. My Invisibility Cloak is in mine and Draco's bedroom. Cast a Summoning Charm, it will come. You can use that to see inside the house. I still don't think we have time to get backup, but if you must, send a message to someone or something, but make it back here as quick as you can. Just know that even if you're not back yet, and I hear him scream, I am going in there. Not a single one of you can restrain me. I'd like to see you try." He glared at all of them. "So be fast."
Tonks left, running back into the woods before Apparating. Time seem to be going in slow motion as they waited for her to return.
Harry hardly moved at all from his tense position. His ears were straining for any noise and his wand was gripped tightly in his hand. I'm coming, Draco, he thought, wishing that Draco could hear him, or even feel him somehow. I'm coming.
"Don't hex me," came Tonks' voice from behind them. She had used the Cloak to get close before taking it off.
Harry and the others turned to look at Tonks and Harry had never been more glad to see her. "Are you ready then?" he whispered, feeling very ready himself. "Did you send off any messages to any of the others?"
"I sent an owl to Shacklebolt letting him know where we are and what we are doing," she said. "I don't suppose you want to wait for the other Aurors to get here?"
"No. Go," said Harry. "They'll get here when they get here."
"So, Tonks is Apparating inside," Remus said. "Two should go through the front door and two through the back."
Harry nodded.
"I'll go with Harry," said Ron, and Harry wondered what exactly Draco had said to Ron about his protection.
"Hermione and I will take the front," Remus said. "You two make your way around back."
"You'll know to come in when I take down the Silencing Charm from inside," Tonks said. "Ready?"
Harry glared at the words "Silencing Charm", but nodded. So she'd known there was a Silencing Charm. No wonder he hadn't heard any screaming. His heart began pounding again.
Tonks put the Invisibility Cloak back on and Apparated into the house.
Harry nodded once to Lupin and Hermione and then indicated his and Ron's direction with his head. Harry nearly held his breath as he and Ron made their way to the back of the house, through the snow, holding their wands at the ready.
Nearly to the back of the house, there was light coming from the dining room and Harry caught sight of Bellatrix Lestrange. She was holding her wand and it looked like she was laughing.
Harry took a sharp breath and his stomach plummeted. He knew that whatever was going on in there, whatever was making Bellatrix laugh like that, was not good. He knew if he looked in and saw Draco at the end of her wand, he would bust though the glass, forgetting the plan and try to get to him. Ron seemed to know this too and gripped Harry's sleeve when Harry started moving towards the window.
"Harry," he said, "we have to keep going."
Harry screwed his eyes shut. I'm here, Draco. I'm here.
***
Draco was trying to breathe. He had been screaming so much and so long that he could taste blood in his mouth.
"Poor whittle boy," his aunt laughed. "I bet you wish your mummy was here, don't you? Of course, your daddy can't help you, can he? You killed him."
Draco didn't even try to respond. His explanations hadn't worked when he still had a voice.
"Maybe we should try something new with him," his Uncle Rodolphus suggested, holding a very ordinary but sharp knife up to the light. "We could make it so Potter never looked at him again," he laughed.
"Drakey, darling," Bellatrix cooed at him. "You wouldn't want that, would you? You are such a pretty thing. Do you really want us to have to change that?"
Draco felt the cold blade sliding up his naked leg. He shuddered. Somehow the idea of it did frighten him more than the pain of Crucio. His uncle bent over the dining table where Draco was tied spread to it's top. He could feel the sharp edge of the knife pressed against his balls now. His sharp intake of breath made his uncle grin. "Can you hold still while she puts you through it again, Draco? Or will you castrate yourself by moving? Let's find out."
***
Tonks arrived in the living room and had made her way toward the sound of the screaming. Now she stood, watching in horror and trying to decide which target would be the best. She would have only seconds when she took the shields down. She cast the spell to take the Silencing Charm down and then fired on Rodolphus.
Unaware of what was about to happen, Bellatrix cast Crucio on Draco and the night exploded with the sound of his screams.
Harry heard the screaming and it was the most terrible, horrifying sound that had ever met his ears. The sound of his lover's voice like that nearly killed him and he burst through the back door, paying Ron no attention as he followed closely behind. He ran through the kitchen he'd entered as fast as he could, and then flew into the dining room and fired a hex at Bellatrix immediately. It missed her only by centimetres.
Bellatrix ducked and fired back at Harry.
Remus and Hermione used a spell to open the front door, where they were greeted by two Death Eaters and saw the retreating back of Rabastan, who was going to his brother's aid in the dining room.
Rodolphus had fallen across Draco. Tonks had no time to check on him as his brother fired a hex that nearly got her. It shattered a glass cabinet door on the wall behind the table.
Harry dove sideways and knocked into the table Draco was tied on. He glanced at him quickly and nearly whimpered, but then he pushed himself back up fiercely, totally unaware of what any of the others were doing. He had only eyes for Bellatrix. He shot an Expelliarmus at her, but knew it was futile even before it was half-way across the room.
Bellatrix laughed and put the table between her self and Harry. "Come to get your pet, Potter?" she sneered. "Does he scream as nice for you?"
Rabastan had ducked back into the hall and Tonks had followed him. They traded shots from different doors. She had him pinned down, but that meant she couldn't move to help Harry either. If she moved, she risked Rabastan's hexes.
Hermione had taken a Stunner and was down. But Remus managed to take the other robed figure out before he ducked behind the sofa. The one that had hexed Hermione was now firing from the shelter of another doorway.
Draco was oblivious to anything but the pain of the Cruciatus Curse that set his body on fire. He couldn't even tell if the knife was still against him as the pain was everywhere at once.
Draco's screams were ringing in his ears and Harry shook with rage and furiously fired another hex but missed again. Bellatrix's smug, yet vicious face made him want to tear her apart with his bare hands. Fuck wands. But he didn't drop his wand. He stood low and defensively and tried another jinx, the screaming messing with his concentration.
Bellatrix grabbed a handful of Draco's hair and pulled his head up, pointing her wand at his throat. "Potter," she sneered, "I could make the screaming stop - forever."
Instead of panic, Harry felt fierce power rise up in him and he glared at Bellatrix like he could burn holes through her with his eyes alone. He wanted to hurt her. He wanted her to scream and cry and he pushed the spell out of himself wordlessly and finally hit her, wanting her nowhere near Draco.
Bella fell back, screaming under Crucio. She didn't drop her wand but she released Draco.
The Cruciatus Curse stopped suddenly and Draco was again trying to breathe. He felt pain but it was now only between his legs. The knife was cutting into his left thigh and he was pressed to the table by the weight of his uncle. He heard his aunt screaming now and the sound of hexes hitting walls.
Harry felt a strange relief when Draco's screams ceased. He felt like that cleared his head. He couldn't take that screaming.
"Harry! Down!" yelled Ron from somewhere in the room, and Harry ducked as a spell from some other Death Eater went flying over his head, but he couldn't care. This woman was still far too close to Draco. He lifted himself up again and ran at her, pouncing almost.
Bellatrix threw off the hex just as Harry dived for her. She rolled, trying to get away from Harry as he came at her.
Draco heard Ron yell and he looked about, trying to see Harry. He pulled uselessly at the ropes that bound him to the table. He hated being helpless in the middle of a fight.
Harry growled as he missed Bellatrix and tried to shoot a Body-Bind at her, but she was quick.
Ron tried a hex at her as well, but had to dive sideways as she managed to shoot a curse at him and avoid Harry's at once.
Rodolphus groaned and lifted himself off Draco, reaching for his wand.
Draco was still struggling to get free when the man began to move. He tried to yell for Harry but his voice wasn't working.
"Poor Potter, always losing everyone!" Bellatrix taunted. "My Lord will see you dead soon. I know your secret and it won't work!"
Harry's eyes widened. "I have no secret," he said, eyes focused on Bellatrix. His heart was beating double time now.
"Who do you think gave you that brooch?" she laughed. "I know what you are looking for, but you won't find them!"
Rodolphus smiled down at Draco, pulling his wand out and reaching for the knife with his other hand. Draco tried again to talk, but only managed a choking sound.
Harry's head snapped in Draco's direction and he saw that Rodolphus was moving again. He knew it was risky to take his wand off Bellatrix for even half a second, but he did and pointed it at the man over top of Draco, firing a Stunner at him.
Rodolphus fell backwards this time, his wand and the bloody knife clattering to the floor.
Draco concentrated hard, using a nonverbal Summoning Charm to call the fallen wand to him and then to release the ropes.
While Harry's attention was turned, Bellatrix cast Crucio on him, delighted to see him in pain again.
Harry screamed at the top of his lungs, falling to the ground and writhing, his body contorting in all sorts of unnatural shapes and angles. It hurt even worse than he could ever remember feeling it and he wished to die. It felt like it went on for years, like he would be an old man when it stopped.
Draco tried to sit up, but was too weak. He could also feel the pain in his leg that told him he was injured as well. When Harry started screaming, Draco forced himself to roll toward the sound. He saw Aunt Bella standing over him, laughing. Draco's best nonverbal spell was Body-Bind, so that is what he concentrated on. He barely had time to register that he had hit her before he passed out.
Harry stopped screaming and groaned, his belly aching even after the spell had been released. He clutched his stomach and pressed his hands into it, feeling like that was the only thing that would keep his guts inside.
Ron rushed over and dropped to his knees beside Harry, eyes wide with fear.
Bellatrix had fallen in the Body-Bind but it was a weak spell and she managed to throw it off. She pointed her wand at Harry, ready to cast the Killing Curse.
Tonks managed to take out Rabastan and then came up behind the Death Eater who had Remus pinned down, casting a Stunner on him as well.
Harry opened his eyes weakly and saw Bellatrix impossibly standing once more. "Ron," he rasped.
Ron turned swiftly, hesitating for only a split second before throwing his body over Harry's and then throwing his wand arm out and shouting, "Avada Kedavra!" just as the word "Avada -" left Bellatrix's mouth.
Harry watched in what seemed like slow motion as Bellatrix crumpled to the floor, her expression still one of fury mixed with shock.
Remus released Hermione from the hex, while Tonks went to help in the dining room. She arrived just as Bellatrix crumpled to the floor. "Oh, hell," she cursed when she saw Harry and Ron on the floor and Draco lying in a pool of blood on the table.
Harry's belly was still throbbing, but he hadn't really registered that yet. He didn't try to move except to throw one arm around Ron's neck, who was staring blankly at Bellatrix's body with wide eyes and an unnaturally pale face.
Hermione rushed forward and dropped to her knees beside them both, sobbing.
"Are you two okay?" Tonks asked, moving to examine Draco. She was nearly tripped over the other Death Eater who Ron had taken out earlier. "Remus!" she yelled.
That's when Harry's brain started working again and he released Ron and struggled to his feet, body trembling. "Is he okay?" he asked Tonks, moving over to Draco and nearly crying from what he saw.
Remus arrived then, too. "They're secure for now ...." he trailed off when he saw the mess on the table.
"He's lost a lot of blood," Tonks said, and then cast the spell to stop the bleeding from his leg. "The cut is really deep," she added.
Harry gasped as another sharp pain clenched his stomach. He moved his hands back to his belly and pressed them against it again. "No, please no," he whispered, eyes filling with tears but not from the pain.
"Are you okay, Harry?" Remus asked, turning to him. Tonks looked worriedly from Draco to Harry.
"I don't know," Harry sobbed.
Hermione pressed her hand to her mouth from the floor as tears spilled from her eyes as well.
"Remus," Tonks said. "I have to stay here and secure the prisoners until more Aurors arrive. Will you take Draco to St. Mungo's? Ron, Hermione, can you two take Harry?"
Remus nodded, pulling the naked and bloody body of Draco into his arms.
Ron was still shaken and pale. Hermione nodded though, tears still streaming down her face. She got to her feet and pulled Harry into her arms. "It's okay," she whispered to him. "I'm sure everything's fine."
Ron finally got shakily to his feet.
"Can we Apparate from here?" asked Hermione.
"Yes, the wards are down," Tonks said. "I will follow as soon as I can."
Remus smiled at her and Apparated to St. Mungo's.
Hermione followed with Harry seconds after, and Ron after her.