'She'll come running into my arms, not yours!'
~ The Drakon's Lair ~
'How do we know if she's in there, though?'
'Vot if she vent through von of the other passages?'
'I think she's in there!'
'But how can we be sure?'
'We're wasting time!'
The Drakon's roar, distant but powerful, rippled out from cave and into the forest, knocking Harry, Ron, Malfoy and Krum dead in their tracks. They stopped arguing.
'Do...do you think that was the Drakon?' said Ron, more then a little panicked.
'No, it vas the vind,' said Krum sarcastically.
'It's the Drakon, all right,' said Malfoy. 'And something's stirred it.' Ron gulped.
'Just our luck!'
Another sound echoed from within the cave; not as distinct as the Drakon, but it could be heard nonetheless. It was the sound of a girl screaming.
'HERMIONE!' Harry cried, his heart in his throat. 'That was Hermione! She's still alive!'
'And I vill rescue her!' Krum announced, charging gallantly into the cave. 'I AM COMING, HERMOWNINNY!'
'Truce is off, gentlemen!' said Malfoy, glowering wickedly at Harry and Ron. 'Hermione's MINE!'
Malfoy charged into the cave after Krum.
'Bloody hell!' said Ron despondently. 'It's the Aphora Bewitching Potion all over again! We better follow them, Harry!'
'Hang on! Take my backpack first.'
Harry unbridled his backpack and handed it Ron, who brutally shook his head.
'Harry, we don't have time - '
'You have to Ron! You have to find a way! The book and the flask are all in there.'
'Harry, NO! I can't do the ritual!'
'Yes you can, Ron! Hermione has to be cured, and you're the one to do it. If she stays in love with Malfoy, she'll go to him and he's not safe! He has relapse!'
'Oh, and you don't?' said Ron, raising an eyebrow questioningly.
'You know what I mean!' said Harry, annoyed. This wasn't the time or place to discuss the 'did-he-or-didn't-he-have-relapse' issue.
'But, Harry! How am I gonna…? How are you - HARRY!'
Unable to be at a standstill any longer, Harry spurted forth into the cave. There was no way he was going to allow Krum, or especially Malfoy, reach Hermione before he did.
'HOW AM I GONNA GET TO THE TOP OF MOUNT OLYMPUS, HARRY!' Ron bellowed to Harry's back. 'WE NEVER THOUGHT THAT THROUGH!'
'YOU'LL THINK OF SOMETHING, I KNOW YOU CAN DO IT!' Harry yelled as he ran. 'I'LL BRING HER BACK!'
Ron clasped at his hair, fearing for his mental health yet again. Pacing the ground aimlessly, he peered up towards the unreachable peak of Mount Olympus, and couldn't remember ever feeling more futile in his life. 'What does he expect me to do? Levitate up?'
~ In Deep ~
Harry raced through the cave, as fast as he could. One thought drummed incessantly in his head; energising him, driving him faster: Hermione, Hermione, find Hermione! But the further he went, the darker his surroundings became. Daylight was far beyond him now. The ground was rocky and jagged beneath his feet, and Harry did his best not to crash and fall in the darkness. He could hear Malfoy and Krum's dogged footsteps booming up ahead. If only he could see...
'Lumos!'
Harry's wand sparked alight, but it was too dim. He could only see a foot ahead; beyond this, for all he knew, was nothing but a gaping, black hole. He may as well be blind. Hermione's alive, Hermione's alive he affirmed to himself. Taking a strong breath and stretching his arm out further, Harry picked up his run, taking his chances at being blind. Then -
Krum screamed.
Then Malfoy.
Harry didn't stop running.
Then -
'AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!'
It was like a rug had been pulled from under his feet. One minute the ground was there - then it wasn't! To his absolute horror, Harry was dropping helplessly into blackness, when - SPLASH!
He landed in cold water, sinking into it like a weight. Submerged, it took a moment to recollect himself, to realise he was underwater and therefore, unable to breath. On that note, Harry briskly kicked his legs and swum to the surface. Where was he now? He couldn't see. It was still too dark.
'Look what you've done you Bulgarian BONEHEAD! You led me right of the edge of a cliff!' resonated Malfoy's voice from some where to Harry's right.
'Vot did you call me?' he heard Krum say in spite, coming from the same area.
'Lumos!'
Harry re-lit his wand. Malfoy and Krum's heads shone into view, bobbing like corks in the water close by. Both looked thoroughly wet and disgruntled. Then, casting his wand over his head like a torch, Harry made out they were now enclosed in some kind of grotto.
'Well, if it isn't Potter!' scorned Malfoy, looming towards Harry like an oncoming shark fin. 'What's the point of you being here? She'll come running into my arms, not yours! She's still on my love potion, remember?'
'Nice to see you back to your old self, Malfoy,' Harry sneered.
'Lumos!'
Krum's wand lit up.
'Ve are trapped!' he said, paddling around in circles. 'The vater is too deep and there is no landing! Ve must get out of here or ve vill drown!'
'And anyway, Potter,' continued Malfoy, ignoring Krum. He'd been 'playing nice' with Harry for two days and now, with the truce over, was ready to speak his mind at last. 'You were the one who wrote that letter! Oh, and by the way, I forgot to give you this in return - SMACK!'
Malfoy swerved a punch, knocking Harry hard in the right cheekbone.
'That's for getting me locked in a cage!'
Scowling, and rubbing his now bruised cheek, Harry thrust his wand at Malfoy's face. 'Watch it, Malfoy!'
'Hermione's going to hate you more then ever now!' Malfoy spat mockingly. 'You're the reason she's here! If it weren't for you, my father wouldn't have kidnapped her!'
'Shut up!' Harry warned, his anger simmering.
'Some noble hero you turned out to be! If she dies, it's going to be all your fault! How will you live with yourself, Potter? May I suggest a good drowning?'
Harry reached boiling point.
'I SAID SHUT UP!'
Quickly saying 'Nox!', Harry shoved his un-lit wand into his pocket. He didn't want to use his wand to fight - he wanted to use his bare fists.
'GET OFF ME!' Malfoy shouted.
Burning with rage, Harry swum over to Malfoy and trapped him in a smothering head-lock.
'You're the one who put Hermione on a love potion to make her fall in love with you!'
'So?' Malfoy snapped, managing to bite Harry's arm. Harry wailed in pain and let go. 'You did the real damage! You got my father involved!'
Harry swum at Malfoy again, but this time, Malfoy got the better of him. He hiked himself on top of Harry's shoulders, forcing him underwater. Harry splashed and struggled in panic, until he struck an elbow to Malfoy's shin. Malfoy wrenched back. Harry sprung to the surface, flicking his wet hair, and locked his hands around Malfoy's neck.
'Going to kill me, are you?' said Malfoy in a strangled voice. 'Really, how noble of you. I'm sure Hermione would approve! Maybe you should take me up on that drowning suggestion, Potter? Killing yourself would make us all a lot happier!'
'Eat fist, Malfoy - SMACK!'
Harry chucked a successful blow, striking Malfoy in the nose.
'My nose!' Malfoy cried nasally, cupping his face.
Krum provided a momentary distraction.
'I found a vary out!'
'What?' said Harry.
'A way out?' said Malfoy, flaring his bloodied nostrils.
But it was too late for explanations. Krum disappeared beneath the water and didn't return. Malfoy gave Harry one last hit in the head, and dived in after him. He didn't return either. Harry, dazed for the minute, and nursing another bruised cheekbone, was left with no other option. He lit his wand again, sucked in a deep breath, and plummeted into the dark, mysterious waters below.
The hunt for Hermione was back on.
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