Edge Of Gravity

“Bloody hell.” Draco breathed, trying his best to conceal himself behind the thick Hogwart’s banister. High, ear-piercing screeches filled the hall, growing louder with each passing second. They were probably on the second floor by now. He could feel them pressing against his mind like a cloud, the only concession the creatures allowed whenever they were near. It was only a matter of time before those spawns of darkness felt him as well. They were coming to feed, beckoning him with their magic, trying to seduce his very soul. There was nothing left to do but fight. He could do at least that for Hermione -- “For Harry.”

The stairs beneath his feet gave a loud grumble; the crumbling building still trying to appease the creatures within its walls. It’s movements were jerky, tainted magic managing to do what time had not, causing his head bump against the solid rock of the banister.

“Bugger it.” He muttered to himself, the magic strengthening their grip upon him. He would not cower here, as he had done over and over within his nightmares. “Wankers, up here!”

Draco cringed as he felt their grip lock upon him fully, his mind gripping onto the only thought that was truly not happy nor sad: save Hermione and Harry. That had become his only purpose for now. If he was able to hold their attention long enough, they would be able to escape before being noticed.

“Please hurry, Hermione.” He whispered in the dark, a wave of nausea sweeping through his body. The black of their approaching cloaks began an odd dance around the creaking staircase. “Expecto Patronum!” The words seemed to go on forever, the light illuminating even the darkest corners of the castle.

Draco felt his mind grip upon Hermione and their future savior, whom would return happiness to a world devoid of such simple pleasures. A savoir who would fight and win the siege that threatened to engulf even the muggles as the days drifted past. His life was worth that, even if he would never see its return.

“MALFOY DOWN!” Draco’s mind didn’t have time to react as a body slammed into his side just before the bright explosion. “Miss us Malfoy?”

“Get off me, Weasley.” Draco sneered up at ‘his’ savior; The bright mat of red hair and mischievous smirking boy covering him.

“Fred hurry, they’re coming back soon and they‘ll be bloody pissed. We only brought one.”

“You heard George.” Draco felt a sharp pain of anger dripping at the back of his mind as he was dragged to his feet. “So, move that shapely arse of yours.”

“Piss off, you gits.”

“Now, ferret face, is that anyway to speak to your saviors?” George purred, waving for them to follow. “Most would be asking how they could ever repay the debt.”

“I’d say a nice long snog would be quite sufficient.” Fred chimed in, gripping Draco’s waist to increase the blondes movements.

“Not on your bloody life.” Draco snapped, trying to push the octopus away from his side. “What in the buggering bollocks are you doing here anyhow, Weasley?”

“Wanted to get a peek at you wanking.” George called, kicking at the wall beside one of the few paintings still remaining within the castle. The little girl’s face showed no signs of the once playful nature it had had, but now seemed no more than a muggle painting. “Can’t get a clear view with our cameras.”

“Weasley.” He hissed, the wall giving way to a small tunnel. George was first as he pushed away a few stray spider webs clinging to the bricks. “Get your bloody hands off my arse Fred, or, so help me, you will not get them back.”

Fred’s hand pushed at his backside as they crammed themselves into the tunnel. The tunnel was too tight to stand, forcing all three to their hands and knees.

“I just don’t want to lose you.” Fred replied innocently, his hand squeezing gently as he pushed harder against him. “After all, you never used these paths.”

“Next time, I’m in back.” George pouted into the pitch black of the tunnel.

“The bugger you are.” Fred sighed cheerfully, putting even more pressure on Draco’s ass. “You wouldn’t know how to handle this side, anyway. Bit too wild for your tastes.”

“You’re one to talk.” George groused, his crawl stopping and making a disgruntled Draco run into the very part they were speaking of on himself.

“Perhaps you’re right, there *are* advantages to this side.” Fred said smugly, as Malfoy tried his best to crawl back without pushing harder into the fondling hand. He was going to kill Her…

“Hermione.” Draco mind snapped into focus, his thoughts whirling back to her. She had only a few minutes to escape; what if she had not made it to the forest? What if she was being surrounded by the creatures right now?

She no longer used port keys. They held a chilling reminder of how she had nearly died; a tainted port key delivering her into the middle of a Deatheater battle. “We need to help Hermione.”

“Where is she?” Fred and George questioned in unison, their crawling doubling in speed.

“Hopefully in the forest by now.” Draco whispered, wincing at the screech echoing on the other side of the wall. He hoped that was a good sign, they were hunting the castle instead of the grounds.

“Good, we wanted to test the other crystals as well.” Fred said, mischievously. “The Patronus crystal just isn’t as big as the others. We have one that literally melts the--”

“You can’t use magic in the forest.” Draco snapped, his head continually bumping into Fred’s backside in such a way that he had to wonder if it was done purposefully. “And hurry the bloody hell up.”

“We’re almost there, O’ impatient but shapely arsed one.” Fred laughed, his hand cupping him more fully and squeezing. “And, don’t worry your pretty little head, nothing will come near us when the crystals start flying.”

“Fuck it all you wankers! Harry is with her.” Draco snapped, getting tired of their insistent rambling.

“Harry, who?” George asked as they came to a stop. “Are you trying to replace us, Draco?”

“Because, we’re not going to let you--”

“POTTER, YOU GITS!”