a shitty plan for a shitty situation
The loud shouting and cheering sounded muffled in Dru's ears. She couldn't focus on anything, except hoping Fred would be okay. But the only way he would be okay was if he killed Dean. She was unsure if she wanted that to be the outcome, and it made her feel guilty. Because no matter what, someone was dying tonight. And she had to pick her choice on who she wanted to be that winner.
Draco looked at her briefly, knowing she was torturing herself inside. He was thankful she didn't know how to use her powers fully, or else he knew she'd have by now and they'd all be fucked. As much as he didn't care for the Weasley boy, he didn't want him dead. He was tired of all this death consuming his life. And in an unusual way, he was thankful for Fred's friendship with Dru. He had helped her when Draco couldn't be there to do so himself. Staring back at the pit, he watched as Fred backed away from Dean, who had already made up his mind on what he had to do. It was clear Dean had won one of these fights before and he was determined to win another. The shouting of Draco's fellow death eaters was ringing in his ears. He just wanted this to end, and quite honestly, he wanted Fred to just quickly get it over with and kill Dean so they could proceed with getting him the hell out of here.
"I've had a tough couple of weeks, Freddie." Dean muttered to Fred, with his hands raised, ready to attack at any moment. "I can't die in here, mate." Tears began to stream down his face. Fred couldn't process anything Dean was saying to him, entirely. All he knew, was he had to survive. George would have wanted him to survive, his parents would have wanted him to survive, and Ginny and Ron absolutely want him to survive. "I'm sorry about this, Fred. Truly." Dean suddenly lunged forward, tackling Fred to the ground. Laying in punch after punch, Dru was on the edge of her chair, nervously hoping Fred would fight back. Fred simply covered his face, protecting himself from the blows to the best of his ability. Dru felt her body shake with anticipation and nerves as she sat up, with full terror in her eyes.
"Defend yourself!" Dru's voice suddenly rang out, and Draco's eyes shot into her like daggers. Thankfully, the death eaters were drunk, and too excited for the fight to even notice she had done that. The few who did, laughed, finding it amusing that a broad like her was 'into' the fight. And Fred had peered over at her through the crowd. His heart skipped a beat, briefly, when he realized who it was in attendance. He couldn't let her see him die. He knew that much now and he had to stick this one out. Even if it was too hard to do.
Shoving Dean aside and off of him, he switched positions, straddling Dean's abdomen and laying into him as if he hadn't grown up with the kid. He knew it'd be best to imagine it were someone else. Someone he hated. That was easy when he was in a room full of people he despised. Dean's face slowly morphed into Augustus Rookwood. The reason his brother had died. He no longer remembered that Dean was the boy below him, rather it was the very person he loathed more than anyone. His fists kept slamming into Dean's face, over and over, with hard cracking sounds each time. Dru couldn't help but flinch at the sight of the blood spewing outward. Fred had been drenched in it. But honestly, she preferred blood on him, rather than pouring out of him.
By the time Fred was pulled from Dean's mangled body, he had completely blacked out. And Dru had to divert her eyes subtly away from the view of Deans caved in skull. She knew, that even if they, by a stroke of luck, did get Fred safely out of here, he may never be the same. War does that to people, but killing someone with your own two hands when you didn't have a choice, is something else entirely.
Dru watched Fred get dragged away, and her fists clenched tightly onto the bottom of her dress. "They're taking him to the holding cells." Blaise whispered to them. "By the looks of where he was just taken through, it's in the dungeons." Draco and Blaise had been to the dungeons here only a handful of times in the past. Mostly for interrogation purposes and always with Voldemort. "There's a back entrance. It's a circular metal cellar door on the left side of the manor. We could probably get to it before we leave." He informed them once again. But Dru knew she had to get to him, and she had to do it alone. Too many people at once would be distracting, and even though she was beautiful, these men were more focused on their dates, their alcohol, and the fights. If any time were the time, it was now.
After the next two opponents were brought out, Dru abruptly stood to her feet, causing the other three to shoot her a look of horror that read 'what the fuck are you doing?'
"I need to use the restroom." She told them. Draco looked unsure of her going alone. "Madame Parkinson, would you be so kind to accompany me?" Pansy stood up, with a nod. Draco reached forward, clamping onto the bottom of Dru's dress and giving her a stern look. She pulled away, and the two girls walked through the crowd of seated people, and back up the stairs to the main hall. It was nearly empty, which was a relief. Everyone was either watching the fights or probably off somewhere fucking, so now was absolutely the time to strike.
Pansy led her to the restroom, and the two girls walked in together, swiftly locking the door behind them. "You don't really have to pee, do you?" Pansy placed a hand on her hip, leaning against the sink.
"Nope." Dru told her, pacing the floor eagerly. "Look, I think now is as good of a time as any to go get him." She told her and Pansy straightened up.
"Are you bloody mental? You want us to go there without the boys, sneak in and just sneak the Weasley out? As if no one would see us?" She shouted in a hushed tone in case they had someone outside the door.
"Actually, I was kind of thinking I'd go alone." Dru told her with a sheepish grin.
"Now I definitely know you're mental. Draco would quite literally murder me if I let you do this by yourself!" Pansy shook her head at her.
"So don't tell him. Look, you wait in here for say, ten minutes. When you're done counting, go in there, insist you want to leave. Make up some excuse of wanting a good lay or something so others hear, and then meet me outside near the tree line closest to the cellar door." Dru insisted, but Pansy wasn't having it. "Pans, I know what I'm doing." Dru stopped for a moment. "Okay, I don't know what I'm doing, but I need you to have a little faith in me and just let me handle this on my own. It's less suspicious with one person there and considering the past few times I had gotten angry my powers came through, I think I'll be able to handle this." Her eyes pleaded with Pansy to just let her do this and Pansy had a hard time saying no. She knew she shouldn't let her go alone, but she made some very valid points. "Please."
"And what happens if you get caught?" Pansy asked, sternly, with a motherly tone of voice.
"I won't get caught." Dru assured her.
"For worst case scenario's sake, if you get caught, what would you do?" Pansy continued, trying to think of the pros and cons of this situation.
"I'll say I was bored and curious. If they ask about you and the others, I deny everything. I claim I did it all on my own accord and none of you had any idea." Dru shrugged.
"You're mental if you think Draco will ever let you take all the blame. I can guarantee he would sacrifice himself to save you, and then we'd all be killed." Pansy told her.
"So if, hypothetically, I were caught, put a spell on him." Dru said, confidently.
"What?" Pansy scoffed slightly.
"You know the spell." Dru shook her head, with another shrug.
"You want me to obliviate him? Again? So, what? He forgets you and we have to start all over again?" Pansy was dumbfounded at this, but did understand that would be best. "And I'm supposed to just let you take the fall for it all?"
"Yes. If you don't, I'll just tell them who I am, and say I put you all under my spell or something."
"That's ridiculous. This is a horrible plan, Dru. And really risky." Pansy leaned back against the sink, placing her hand on her head, trying to think quickly of what to do.
"I need to do this, Pans. You know as much as I do that I'm the only one who can get him out." Dru insisted, reaching forward and grabbing her hand, while staring into her eyes as Pansy let out a groan.
"Fuck, fine, okay? But if you die, I'm going to be so fucking mad at you, and I guess I'll meet you in hell, because Draco will crucify me." Pansy surrendered, unlocking the door, and opening it slightly. "Ten minutes. Now hurry your ass." She snapped and Dru exited, recomposing herself as she walked through the foyer. Two people stood near the large staircase behind her, but they were busy doing some obscene stuff, that she practically went unnoticed. The portraits watched her as she kept walking, but none said a thing. She wasn't entirely sure how they worked, but the fact that none of them protested or signaled anyone, spoke volumes.
The front door was only a mere few feet away. She was so close but felt so far. And just as she reached the door, a hand grabbed onto her forearm and her whole body stiffened in fear. Scared to look at who it was, she finally did, coming face to face with the long dark-haired man from earlier. She tried to recall his name, but failed to do so. "And where are you going?" His voice was hushed, solemn, and somewhat menacing.
"M—my date instructed me to meet him outside." She insisted, not sounding too scared, but practically shitting her pants. She hadn't been caught yet, and this could be the best way to not seem suspicious. And if he brings her in to be questioned, she says she lied. Simple solution for a not so simple plan.
"Malfoy." He nodded slightly. Something about the way he looked at her, made her curious if he knew her identity. But he wasn't killing her, and he hadn't turned her in just yet, so that had to be a good sign. The guard at the entrance just near them, stared, curiously. The man looked to him, with a nod and Dru realized it was all over. "This one's fine to go. Her date will be meeting her soon." He told him. Her eyes widened. Why did he let her leave and why did he help her leave? Who was he? She didn't have the time to question it, so she accepted that it was an odd encounter and had a lucky go for the exit.
"T—thank you, sir." She said to him, as the guard opened the door and she walked out. The loud slam behind her caused her to jump slightly and she glanced around, noticing there wasn't anyone in sight. Inhaling, she let out a long breath of relief. It almost felt like the first breath she's taken all night. But she had to hurry, so quickly she gathered herself and put her mind in focus mode.
Turning to the left, she walked quickly to the side of the home. She followed the bushes against the building until they stopped suddenly, and a small metal circle door was in clear view. It was clear these death eaters were obviously a bunch of dimwitted morons, because you'd think they'd at least have guards here too. But it was her luck they didn't. And she didn't have much time.
Reaching forward, she began to pull on the door, but it wasn't budging. Her hands slipped as it was covered in a slick ice. Her frustration within herself was worsening as she pulled on it as hard as she could. Letting out a low groan, she felt her fingertips begin to heat up. For a second, she stopped, staring at the palms of her hands. She felt it. There was magic, and it was working. Her emotions made it work. She had to stay angry. She thought of what they made these poor men do in this stupid little fight club they had created, and began to pull again. The ice was finally beginning to heat up and melt, and then her strength, in which she somehow managed to conjure up, pried the door open. Snow began to fall inside the entrance, but she didn't care. She had to get to Fred.
Slipping in, she crawled for a second and then stood once she reached a narrow hallway. Only the light from the moon shining in led the way. She followed the wall for a few moments until she felt an entryway. She again, followed it down. It felt like an eternity of walking and she could just faintly hear the shouts from men watching another fight, but she ignored it. A brief clanging of chains from just ahead and to the right caught her attention. She quickened her pace and then slowed to see only a few of the fighters in small cages. Some had chains on them, while others did not. She looked upon each of their faces, most not looking back. She wished she could save them all, but she couldn't risk it. There'd be no way to do so. They could only save one person tonight.
"Fred?" She whispered, noticing the redheaded man crouched in the corner of his cell. She rushed to him, reaching her hand through the bars. "Fred, it's me. It's Dru." She continued as his eyes shot to her. He was shaking, and clearly in shock. "Look, Fred, I'm going to get you out of here. We don't have much time. I just need you to be very quiet, okay?" She told him and he rapidly nodded, crawling over to her. She looked at her hands, placing them against the cold iron bars, and channelled all her emotions into them. Taking a deep breath, she pictured Fred having to kill that boy. She was angry once more, just not at him. Only at the monsters that put him in that position. Suddenly, the bars broke apart and crumpled to the ground. She wanted to acknowledge her powers, but didn't have the time. Lunging forward, she reached her arms around Fred's neck, giving him a brief, tight hug as a few sobs rang out into the crevice of her neck. "We gotta go." She told him, pulling his hand and leading him out of the cell.
The two ran through the dark halls in which she came, hearing as the other prisoners became more riled up. But no one could hear them over the shouts of the fight. When they reached the exit, she quickly lifted herself up, and pulled her body outside. The snow was extra cold on her bare legs, but she didn't care. She then pulled Fred through with a bit of a struggle, and she looked around at the outside. "Coast is clear. Follow me." She demanded, grabbing his hand once again, and beginning their descent into the forest.
When they finally reached the tree line, Fred had collapsed to the ground, trying to hold back his cries. Dru continued to stare at the manor, eagerly waiting for the others to show up. They were so close and they needed to leave as soon as possible.
"Ophelia," Fred choked out to her from the ground. He leaned against the tree behind her and stared blankly ahead at his bloody hands. "I'm cold." Dru turned her head around to see his state and hurried over to him, grabbing his hands gently.
"Hey, it's okay. Just breath okay?" She told him, grabbing a handful of the snow and rubbing it against his skin, attempting to wash the blood off.
"I don't want to die." He choked out, looking at his blood stained hands.
"Hey, hey, look at me." She said, placing her hands on his cheeks and staring into his eyes. "Breath in for five, breath out for five, okay?" She asked him. "Come on, I'll do it with you. Breath in," she breathed in for five quick seconds and Fred followed suit. "And out." The two breathed out for another five seconds. "Good, good. Now I need you to just keep doing that, okay? I need to keep a lookout but you just keep breathing like that and we will be out of this hell shortly." She instructed, kissing his cheek quickly and rushing back to the tree she had been hiding behind to watch.
It didn't take too much longer before she spotted Draco, Blaise and Pansy, walking merrily in the other direction toward the entry way path. "What the hell?" She asked herself, straining her eyes in a squint, trying to see what they were doing. They were supposed to head here, but then Dru noticed a couple of party-goers behind them, emerged within their own conversations. "Shit." She muttered, hurrying to Fred. "Okay, so here's the deal, we gotta run toward the pathway. We wont go on it, but we need to get closer to the others. Can you do that for me?" Fred nodded. "Alright, now grab my hand and we're going to run." She told him, extending her hand outward. He retrieved it, and the two ran as fast as they could through the snow and trees. She kept her eye on the three who continued to walk on the pathway up ahead. They had to reach just before them, so she quickened her speed.
Fred was growing more tired, as he hadn't eaten in a while and he was deeply injured. He tried as hard as he could to push himself further but without notice, fell into the snow. She stopped, turned to him, and struggled as she lifted him back to his feet. "We're almost there, please just hold on and run." She told him quietly, grabbing onto his shoulders. He nodded again, too tired for words, but the two set off again. She could hear the three of them up ahead as their conversation grew closer. They were so close to safety.
"Ophelia, I can't. I can't run anymore." Fred stopped, dropping onto the ground. She looked between him and the others, in a panic.
"Okay, stay here and I'll be right back. Just stay still and quiet. I won't be long." She told him, before heading off in Draco's direction.