Chapter 24 - The Rescue
*Malfoy Manor 10:00*
Harry fallowed Draco through the grounds of the Manor that had, at one time, been the blond wizard's home. They had had to duck behind bushes and trees several times as masked figures came in and out of the building. A pair of gray eyes and a pair of green eyes watched each Death Eater's progress, trying to find a way in undetected.
Harry made his way silently over to the other wizard. "So, how are we going to get in?"
Draco frowned slightly as he scanned the area. "In order to be unseen, we've either got to go through the hidden door, but that will be charmed. The only other way in would be through the dungeons."
"Isn't that where they would keep Tonks?" Harry asked.
"Possibly. I mean, I can think of other things Father would do with her," Draco shrugged. "But, the dungeons is our best bet. Harry? How much are you willing to do to get Tonks out of there?"
"It's my fault she's in there, I will not let her stay in there any longer," Harry said firmly.
"Alright, lets get moving," Draco sighed.
*Hogwarts 10:10*
"Hold on, hold on," came Sirius's voice through the thick door. When the door opened, confusion came across the older wizard's face. "Ron, Gin, Hermione? What are you doing here this late? Where's Harry?"
"He's left, hasn't he?" Said a voice behind Sirius. Remus's head peered over Sirius's shoulder, tea mug in hand.
"Left? What do you mean left?" Sirius frowned.
"He went after Tonks," Ginny said.
"He took Draco with him and forbid us to fallow," Hermione said quietly.
"Well, we have to go after him!" Sirius said, going for his cloak.
"We can't Sirius," Remus said gloomily.
"Why not?" Ron said, affronted.
"Because, Ron, there are too many charms and traps around Malfoy Manor that we wouldn't even get a meter in without setting off at least a dozen." Remus replied.
"Then how are Draco and Harry getting past them?" Ron frowned.
"Draco knows the lands, Ron." Hermione said. "Draco will know how his Father's mind works and will know where the traps and charms are set."
"Oh, I guess that does make sense," Ron sighed.
*Malfoy Manor 10:15*
The two young wizards slipped silently through the grounds toward the tunnel that would lead them to the dungeons. They moved as quickly as they could without making too much noise. There were a few times in which they had to hide after nearly being seen. After a few minutes of this, they managed to get to the tunnel that led underground, and into the Malfoy Dungeons.
They had to be slightly less quiet as they made their way through the half-mile tunnel, still quiet, but not necessarily silent. They slowed their pace a little, in order to be able to have enough energy to get themselves and Tonks out. "Do you think they'll have her down here?" Harry asked quietly.
Draco shrugged, "It's possible."
They fell silent and continued down the tunnel until they came to a place where it widened into the dungeons that they were looking for. Ducking quickly behind a large crate, the two boys scanned the area. The dungeons were empty with the exception of Tonks who was back in her original form and bound to a chair, which was sitting in the center of a cell. Harry started to stand up to go after her when a hand closed around his wrist.
"Not just yet, Harry," Draco hissed.
"What are you talking about?" Harry frowned. "There's no one here to stop us, we need to hurry and get her!"
Draco shook his head, "It's too simple, Harry. I know my father, he wouldn't make anything this simple, especially not recapturing a prisoner."
"But he got Tonks by accident, he doesn't want her," the raven-haired wizard argued.
The blond sighed heavily, "I hate to tell you, but there is a good chance that my father already took care of what he 'wanted'."
The color drained from Harry's face as his emerald eyes darted toward the witch with the bubble gum pink hair. "We've got to get her out of here."
Draco nodded, "I know, but we've got to be extremely careful."
"How do you propose we do this?"
He was silent a moment then pulled the dark haired boy to the floor and began to explain his plan.
"I'm going to have to cause a disturbance while you get her out of here."
"No." Harry said firmly. "The only thing that will do is get us all caught. We both came in, we're all going out."
"But one of us has to make sure the other's not found." Draco argued.
Harry shook his head then had a thoughtful expression. He pulled his wand from his pocket and cast the Disillusionment charm on himself and the other boy. "This should help."
"Indeed it should," Draco agreed.
Harry crept forward silently toward Tonks. His eyes darting in every direction. Once he got to the cell door he hissed 'Alohamora'. Tonks's dark eyes snapped open in fear and darted about when she heard the door unlock. "Tonks, it me. We're going to get you out of here." Harry whispered.
He quickly released her bonds and cast the disillusionment charm over her as well. Pulling one of her arms over his shoulders, he helped her get to her feet and out of the cell. They met up with Draco and the three made their way back toward the tunnel. After pulling a weakened Tonks back to her feet several times they finally made their way to the edge of the Malfoy grounds, where they had started.
*Hogwarts 11:00*
Three students and the two teachers sat in the DADA office, wondering if and when they would see the two wizards again. Sirius appeared to be fighting the fatigue that was threatening to overcome him, while Remus's amber eyes were slightly glassy as his mind wandered elsewhere. Ron and Ginny were leaning against one another whispering softly. Hermione was in a chair on the opposite side of the room, next to the window her eyes searching the grounds as well as the skies.
They had gotten so absorbed into their own thoughts and the silence that accompanied them that all five of them shot into the air when a soft knock rapt at the heavy door. Remus's eyes darted to the three students and Sirius before he got to his feet and opened the door. The other four waited on bated breath as the werewolf stepped back from the doorway to let three Disillusioned figures stumble through the door.
They watched silently as first Harry, and then Draco and Tonks came into sight. All five of them were now to their feet. Only when Tonks collapsed did anyone move forward. Harry and Draco both made to catch her but where much too exhausted themselves and witch ended up being caught by Remus. He quickly got her seated into a chair as Sirius and Hermione worked to get the boys seated.
"I see you succeeded," Remus mused as he sat back into his own chair.
Harry and Draco nodded silently. "Draco knew away into the dungeons where Tonks was being held," Harry yawned.
"You got in and out with no problems?" Sirius frowned.
"We were almost caught a few times," Draco said. "I'd be more worried about what she's been through over the past week or so."
Remus nodded solemnly as he watched Hermione and Ginny tend to the older witch who was trembling severely. Who knew what those creeps had put the poor girl through.
Sirius got to his feet and made his way over to his cousin and knelt in front of her, "Tonks? Are you alright enough to be brought to Dumbledore, or do you need to rest for the night?"
The pink haired witch flinched heavily at the voice but relaxed once she realized who it was. "Siri..." she managed quietly as she clung to her cousin's robes. "Siri...they're planning.... they're planning another attack."
"Shh, it's all right, you don't need to worry about them right now," Sirius said reassuringly. He glanced up to the rest of the group, "I'm going to get her to Madam Pomfrey, and I think it best if Harry and Draco come along as well."
"Why?" Ron frowned.
"There are going to be questions," Sirius answered. "There is no doubt in my mind that Dumbledore already knows what has happened tonight, and those two need to be there."
"In addition, it would do them both well to have a quick check-up after their little rendezvous." Remus said.
Sirius lifted Tonks up, cradle-like, in his arms and gave the two boys a firm look as they groaned and got to their feet. "I'll talk to you after a while," he said.
Hermione, Ron, and Ginny got to their feet as well and fallowed the other three from the office.
Ron snickered and the rest of the students turned questioningly toward him. He shrugged slightly, "Harry's already back in the infirmary, and I'm just wandering what Madam Pomfrey will say this time."
"Probably just 'what have you gotten yourself into this time'," Harry said with a wry smile.
They all made the rest of the journey to the Hospital Wing in silence. Four of them awaiting the explanation that would soon fallow, and two dreading that same event that they knew was about to come.
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