|
When Lucius got into the bed with Hermione a few hours later, she turned over slightly and began to play with his hair. She asked, "You're not mad at me, are
you?"
"Why should I be mad that you and Egremon obviously found humor in my discomfort?" Lucius asked sulkily. "That shouldn't make me mad, should it?"
"Lucius, I'm sorry," she whispered as she nuzzled her head under his. "It was just so—unexpected. I mean, you've always seemed so strong and confident. It
surprised me to discover there was anything at all that frightened you."
"My darling, the only thing that truly frightens me is the idea of those demons capturing you and bringing you back to their Lord," he said. "If it means going
into an aeroplane, or even a rocket ship, to keep you safe, I'd do it in a heartbeat."
"Thank you," she said softly. "If it means anything to you , I'd do the same for you."
They heard rather than saw Egremon come in and toss more wood into the hearth. He turned to them and said, "We'd best get some sleep, you two. Tomorrow is
likely to be a very long day."
"Indeed," Lucius agreed. "I know I shall be weary by the time it ends."
"Good night, my Lord—and my Lady."
"Good night, Egremon," said Hermione appreciatively. The room was quiet, and warm, and soon they were all fast asleep.
A few hours after she'd drifted off to sleep, Hermione woke with a start. She had been dreaming of Voldemort, and of the demons, and she feared they were
trying to discover her whereabouts using the link between herself and the demon who had tagged her. Not wanting to say a word to Lucius, and tired of having
others take care of her, Hermione struggled out of the bed and went into the bathroom, ignoring the dizziness that plagued her as she did so.
She saw her face in the mirror and almost felt ill just from the look of it. She was on big bruise—her whole head looked purple. She wondered how she would ever
be allowed to get on a plane looking as she did now.
As she sat down on the toilet and relieved herself, her whole world began to spin around her. She saw blood on the toilet paper as she wiped, and realized
she'd just gotten her period. Perfect timing, she thought with a grimace.
She only realized what it truly meant for this to have occurred when she heard a loud hissing sound underneath her. She stood up and looked more closely at
the bowl, wondering what was wrong, when suddenly it belched out the demon she'd been bonded to by blood.
Screaming like she'd never screamed before, she managed to make it out the door before she tripped and fell flat on her face. The two men, hearing the noise,
both sprang from their beds and started firing spells at the vile creature.
Hermione just laid where she'd fallen, gasping and holding on to her spinning, pain-filled head. She didn't even have the presence of mind to grab her wand
as well, she was so dizzy.
The demon shrieked with rage as he dodged spell after spell. Lucius was finally able to make his way over to his wife where she sat on the floor holding her
ears and continuing to scream. He caught hold of her by the shoulder and helped her to her feet.
"Hermione, stop screaming, you've still got a concussion," he told her, giving her a little shake. "You're only going to make it worse."
"How did the thing find us so soon," Egremon growled as he stepped in front of the others to shield them from the monster's attack. "They normally track by
blood, and I was certain we treated all of her wounds."
"We'll have to leave now," Lucius yelled. "Grab the packs, we might as well Apparate this time."
"Yes, we'll have to risk it," Egremon agreed.
Wordlessly, Hermione grabbed one of the packs and latched onto Lucius's hand as tears began to stream down her face. In a flash, they were in the middle
of the forest somewhere, and Lucius drew the hysterical girl into his arms, offering what comfort he could.
"Hush now, my love, we've gotten away," he said as he rubbed her back. "Can you tell us what happened that caused the demon to find you?"
"I—I don't want to talk about it," she said, hiding her face in his chest.
"But Egremon said they only track by blood," he said. "Did you cut yourself or something?"
"No—" she sobbed. "And this blood we can't just stop with a bandage."
"Ah, I hadn't thought of that," Lucius said as he kissed the top of her head. "Better make sure we get you pregnant as soon as possible, eh?"
"It's not funny," she sniffled.
"In this instance, I would have to agree," he said. "We're going to have to think of some way to hide for the next week until your—well, until you're
untrackable again."
"Are you just trying to get back at me for teasing you about your fear of airplanes?" Hermione asked as she continued to nuzzle.
"No, of course not," he answered. "The thought never even crossed my mind."
"Liar," she said, straightening up so she could kiss him. "First of all, though, since you hadn't given the matter any thought, I should tell you that I'm
going to need something to catch the mess if you don't want it to get all over me and attract that thing even more."
"Yes, that's true," he agreed.
"And second, I felt very dizzy the whole time it was near, even before I ever saw it," she said. "Perhaps the dizziness will tell us when the thing is nearby."
"One can only hope," he answered, looking pointedly over at Egremon.
With one brow raised slightly, he said, "My Lord, I don't know all the answers. But I do know that our original plan still seems the most sound. That thing
undoubtedly went back to report to its master. We need to get out of the area as soon as may be."
"Yes, but in order to fund such an endeavor we need money—and Muggle money I do not have."
"We could get it easily enough using the money you do have," Hermione pointed out. "Only, if we're supposed to be dead we can't afford to be seen obtaining it."
"So, not trip to Gringott's, then," Lucius said. "But I do have the vault at Malfoy Manor. It should be sufficient."
"Yes, except for the fact we need to exchange it for Muggle money," Egremon reminded him. "Will you trust me to take the cash to make the exchange? I would be
quick about it, you can be sure."
"It seems I have no other choice," Lucius answered. "Hermione and I will chance remaining at the Manor long enough for you to take care of it."
"As you wish," he said, and the three Apparated again.
| 
