I bet my life

I've been around the world and never in my wildest dreams

Would I come running home to you

I've told a million lies but now I tell a single truth

There's you in everything I do

His magic burned with need. Never had it felt so potent, so dangerous… so alive. It thrummed and beat against his veins with an urgent need to protect his mate. Hermione's wand fit in his hand, not completely, but well enough for him to channel his magic and purpose towards their attackers. Though he was surprised at the extreme potency of his magic at present, Thorfinn didn't let it show. Instead he stepped up, ready to end it all. Beyond his pounding rage, he felt Hermione. Unconscious though she was, he felt her pain, now his pain running through her body. The blue flame that had earlier licked at her skin had now thankfully been doused, but the angry after effects still lingered.

He turned to his sister and looked between her and his unconscious witch. He didn't need words to convey what he needed of Evie right then. She nodded grimly, walking backwards to Hermione, her eyes never leaving their small mob.

The attackers had no idea the wrath they had invoked upon themselves by foolishly attacking Hermione and Evie. Worst still they believed that their numbers would be enough to take down the notorious Death Eater Thorfinn Rowle. He hadn't been marked dangerous for nought. Their inexperience in duelling would be their downfall.

One of the attackers moved, cried out a curse towards Thorfinn as he did so. Thorfinn had mastered the art of non-verbal casting and that was one of the greatest skills a master dueller could have. By the time the words had left their mouth, Thorfinn was prepare with his next move of attack.

He quickly side stepped the curse and then whipped Hermione's wand around, catching the attacker on the shoulder with his curse. They weren't quick enough for him, but Thorfinn had to give them some credit; they were rather determined to see him fall. Soon enough the air was filled with the angry sounds of curse against curse. And with each moment he stood fighting, he felt his desperation for Hermione's wellbeing growing.

Another whip of the wand and Thorfinn had sent another attacker sailing through the air, before landing roughly on the ground. He was vaguely aware that the other hooded attacker was talking to him. Taunting him more like it but Thorfinn didn't hear a word. There was only the rushing panic in his ears and the pounding of his rage that drowned everything out. Thorfinn stepped forward and in smooth precise movements took down the taunting attacker. His words caught in his throat as Thorfinn's spell caught him right in the stomach. He shook furiously and then his body went rigid, he looked almost marble as he fell to the floor. Thorfinn had barely managed to throw up a shield before a curse hit him in the chest. He stumbled just a little and grunted but did not fall. His attacker who mere seconds ago looked quite victorious now looked stunned. Thorfinn wasn't entirely sure what caused the curse to be so ineffective but he took advantage of it. Lowering his shield he ducked the next predictable curse before raising his wand and aiming. The attacker was on the floor before he could even think to move. He turned in time to see Draco immobilising their last attacker. But he didn't step away, instead standing guard over them as Thorfinn fell to his knees beside Hermione, cradling her head gently in his hands.

'I tried to apparate us out of here but they… they did something and I couldn't…' Evie informed him.

Thorfinn looked, taking stock of his sister. His eyes darkened when he saw her arm bleeding, as she held it close to her body.

'It doesn't matter Finn.' Evie said immediately, 'We have to get to the hospital. Now.' They would test the apparent anti-apparition wards their attackers had put up to stop them from escaping. With all of them down for the count, it was most likely the wards would have fallen too.

Thorfinn nodded, then shifted Hermione into his arms. 'Draco,' He called over his shoulder and when he heard the quick steps of his friend, he cradled Hermione a little closer before apparating them to St. Mungo's.

He landed directly in the very middle of the emergency room. The defeaning crack of their arrival caused a number of the occupants to jump in surprise. It took only a few moments before everyone recognised who had made such an arrival. Draco summoned an empty gurney, the racket of it moving across the room a loud scream in the wake of the silence their arrival had caused. Nobody dared moved as they watched the notorious Death Eater lay the once war heroine on the bed.

When none of the healers or medi-witches present made a move to help them, he growled in frustration and grabbed the closest one to him by the collar of his putrid lime green robes.

The scrawny healer whimpered as Thorfinn all but raised him of the ground, looking him menacingly in the eyes.

'We need a healer.' He ordered 'The best you've got.' He added putting the scared healer back on the ground. But when he didn't move, Thorfinn sneered. 'Now!' he barked.

The healer flinched, jumping back a space and tumbling over himself before turning and running from the Emergency room. He turned to another witch in the same robes, 'Help them!' Thorfinn ordered pointing between Hermione and Evie. But still nobody moved. He felt Hermione's wand spark in his hand and several of the medi-witches closest to him jumped back a space. He heard the scarping of metal again and turned to see Draco had summoned another gurney. Tentatively, he helped Evie on it.

The scrawny healer came bursting into the room again, this time with another healer into. Thorfinn recognised him immediately.

'Ah, Mister Rowle,' the healer said walking towards them. It was the same healer from his previous visit to the hospital.

'Healer Warren,' Thorfinn acknowledged.

'Let's get her upstairs. Those are going to need a careful dressing,' he advised one of the medi-nurses. The medi-nurse looked uncertain for only a beat longer before finally moving to do as the Healer instructed. 'And see that cut is cleaned and sutured properly before moving her.' He waved his wand over Hermione's body as he spoke, the floating quick quill scribbling furiously as he spoke.

'Is she…?' Thorfinn dared to ask.

'We can't be quite sure yet,' he answered looking a little grim. 'This is now a severely complicated case.'

Thorfinn moved in on the healer. 'That's not good enough!' he said menacingly.

To his credit, Healer Warren didn't flinch. 'We will do our best, Mister Rowle.' He answered calmly. 'It would probably help that you don't leave just yet. Given your … unique situation I would not like to know what happens if we put any amount of distance between you two at a time like this.'

Thorfinn nodded. There was no bloody way he was leaving.

'Oh and we'll need to contact the Aurors,' Healer Warren advised one of his medi-witches. At his words Thorfinn's stomach did a nasty little twist. 'They need to know one of our heroes was attacked.'

'They know,' Thofinn answered quietly. When Healer Warren looked up at him he merely held up his left arm, the missing silver bracelet suddenly glaringly obvious.

'Ah, I see,' the Healer said looking slightly nervous.

'He didn't do it on purpose!' Draco argued for his friend.

'Oh?'

'It was their bond,' Draco explained when Thorfinn said nothing. 'He could feel her and then … I guess it fought against the restraint because the next moment it snapped off and we were apparating to find them.'

Healer Warren didn't bother to hide his surprise at this. 'So your bond has gotten stronger?' Thorfinn nodded. 'What else has changed?' he asked.

Thorfinn shifted a little uneasy with telling a stranger such details. The bond was something sacred between just Hermione and him.

'Please, Mister Rowle, it's very important you tell us what's changed so we know what to expect when treating Miss Granger,' Healer Warren rationalised.

Thorfinn looked back at his witch, laying bloodied and bruised. 'Everything's changed,' he answered never looking away from her.

'What exactly?' Healer Warren asked.

But Thorfinn couldn't find the words to answer. Instead, his gaze was firmly on Hermione.

'Can you tell me how she came to have these wounds?' Another healer asked having finally stepped up to examine Hermione.

And just like that the questions came pouring out. He didn't seem to hear them but it didn't stop the healers from asking. Do you know what curses she suffered? Where was she when it happened? Was she alone? How did she manage to put out the wildfire? How long did it burn against her skin?

With each question that was asked for which he had no answer, Thorfinn felt his panic rising again. The more they stood around talking the worse Hermione got. He could feel her still but it was cold and distant and he didn't like it one bit.

"Enough questions," he finally snapped. "Just help her!"

"I'm afraid Mister Rowle it's not that simple!" Healer Warren said.

Thorfinn growled, grabbing the healer but his robes and pulling him closer. "Yes it is actually. She's hurt and you're a healer! Now do your fucking job!" He roared.

This time Healer Warren did flinch. He could see the other wizard becoming more frantic with each moment. He worried not just for himself but for Thorfinn too. Such unexpected usage of magic could be highly dangerous for him. He tried reaching out hoping to calm the angry wizard but Thorfinn shook him of and turned back to Hermione. He looked wrought with anguish and rage and his hands shook as he tried to take Hermione's hand in his own.

"Thorfinn..." Evie said, tears running down her blotchy face.

"Mister Rowle," Healer Warren said trying to get his attention again.

"You're not helping her!" Thorfinn accused panicked. "Do something!"

"We're trying but we need you to stay calm!" Healer Warren told him.

Thorfinn scoffed at the idea. How could he stay calm? The time for calm was over as he felt his mate and the bond slowly turn cold.

"You want me to stay calm?" Thorfinn spat angrily.

He reached for the healer again, his hands twisting in the fabric of his robes and he glared down at the man.

He opened his mouth to scold the man but felt the pin prick of a needle against his skin. Looking down he saw the scrawny healer from earlier beside him with scared eyes. His eyes glanced down and saw the injection in the healers hand.

Thorfinn growled and the little healer whimpered but there wasn't much more he could do as the edges of consciousness began to blur. He battled hard against it but it was no use. His fingers slackened his hold on Healer Warren and he heard his sister cry out for him before everything went dark.

}{}{}{}{

When he came to the first thing Thorfinn felt was the familiar cold steel against his wrist before he even opened his eyes. His magick jumped erratically against the restraints. Groaning at the pain humming in his head, his sight was filed with harsh white light. He heard footsteps rushing towards him.

"Finn!" Evie cried in obvious relief.

Thorfinn looked up to see his sister beside his bed, worried beyond anything.

"Oh Merlin! You're okay!" She choked.

"W-what happened?" He asked. His voice was gruff with sleep and his head was still humming a little.

"They ... they had to immobilise you," Evie told him carefully. He frowned at her explanation. "You were panicking and between you using magic and your bond they weren't sure what would or wouldn't work."

"So they drugged me?" Thorfinn asked raising a brow.

"Finn you were scaring the healers and they weren't sure what that meant for the bond." Evie said sighing.

"And ...?" Thorfinn asked his words catching in his throat.

Evie shifted a little and saw that other bed in the room was occupied. Hermione. He breath hitched and the strongest urge to touch her filled him.

"She's going to be okay. They put her in a medical induced coma to help with the healing." Evie told him. She squeezed his arm to get his attention again, "I thought I was going to lose you both."

"I'm sorry Evie," Thorfinn said sadly.

"You promised you weren't going to do anything stupid Finn!" Evie scolded.

"I couldn't do nothing Evie!" Thorfinn retorted. "You were being attacked! I felt her panic and pain. Every minute of it!"

"I know! I know!" Evie rushed out. "But Finn ... your parole ... bloody hell you used magic!"

"It was worth it and I would do it again," Thorfinn told her.

She wanted to argue that but she knew it was true. Thorfinn would have done everything and anything to protect them.

"I know," she said with a resigned sigh this time. "But who knows what the ministry is going to do to you now?"

"It was worth it Evie," he repeated. He held her hand firmly in his but his eyes flickered back over to Hermione.

She looked peaceful, despite the bandages on her arms.

"How bad was it?" He asked Evie.

She bit her lip. "Bad," she answered. "They used that same nasty wildfire that they used on you. The curses they threw luckily didn't leave any lingering damage."

Thorfinn nodded, " And you?"

She smiled," I'm alright Finn. Not much damage done." She said that while raising her hand a little.

He frowned when he saw the bandages. "It looks worse than it actually is." She assured him.

"I'm glad you're okay," he told her.

"Only thanks to you and Draco." Evie replied. "I don't know how much longer we would have been able to hold them off."

"You did a brilliant job Evie," Thorfinn praised. "I'm sorry. You both were put in danger because of me."

"Please don't apologize. This isn't your fault. " Evie said shaking her head.

When he looked like he was about to argue Evie merely silenced him with a look.

"Look Finn the aurors have been in and out for here all day. They're waiting for you to wake up so they can start questioning you about what happened." Evie informed him. "They've had Draco in questioning all afternoon."

Thorfinn groaned. He didn't want to deal with this right now. All he wanted was to have his witch in his arms again.

"I'm going to get a coffee and I'll tell them you're still asleep until you're ready for them okay?" She offered.

He nodded. She gave his hand another squeeze and then a peck on the cheek before turning and leaving the room. The door clicked shut behind her, leaving the room in silence. He glanced down at the steel restraints on his hands. He desperately needed to be closer to her. But he wasn't entirely sure how to get to her now. His hands rattled as he shook the restraints testing their strength. Looking back over to the sleeping Hermione he felt that deep need to touch her, to be closer to her. Their bond twisted and urged him to reach her and he felt his magic pulse against the restraints again. Knowing what it was this time, he tried focusing it. There was no way he was going to just lay there if there was a possibility of him actually touching her. He focused and pushed his magic against the restraints until they shook and rattled until they fell apart on the bed. He stared at it a little shocked it had worked a second time. He waited only for a beat before he pushed himself off the bed. Groaning only just a little at his stiff muscles. Thankfully he'd been spared the horrible hospital gown and was instead in his trousers and wife beater. He threw back the covers and on slightly shaky feet walked towards Hermione.

Tucked beneath the covers, she looked far to pale and far too fragile. There was odd bruising on her chest and bandages on either arm. He recognised the heavy gauze from when he wore them over his own burn. Gently he pushed back her hair and pressed his lips to her forehead breathing in heavily to steady their pulsing magic.

"I'm so sorry Duchess," he whispered.

She didn't react but he didn't expect her to what with her being in a magical coma. He wasn't deterred though as he felt her magick reach out to him. Thorfinn was comforted just a little by that much at least knowing she was still there with him. It's was the most reassuring thing he had to hold onto at the moment. He perched himself on the chair beside her bed, his large hand wrapping around her tiny one. He sat beside her bed for the longest time, his thumb running around her hand as he played over the attack in his head. It was a torturous cycle but he couldn't bring himself to stop. The image of Hermione lying on the street all bloodied and bruised was one he would never forget. He tried his best not to lay the blame on his shoulders because he knew both his sister and Hermione would hate it. Instead he laid his head on her bed, praying to Merlin that this would be the last time they'd ever been in the blasted hospital.

He sat there for the longest time before he heard the scuffling and raised voices on the other side of the door.

"You can't just barge in there!" He heard Evie's raised voice.

He barely had time to register the reply before the door burst open. He scowled but didn't move away as he saw Potter and Weasley standing at the threshold.

"Potter, as always you've got a flare for the dramatics." Thorfinn said unimpressed before looking back at Hermione.

"Get away from her! You've done enough damage," Potter spat and then he frowned as he realised something, "How the bloody hell are you out of bed? What happened to your restraints?"

"They're on the bed," Thorfinn answered with a shrug.

Wealsey walked over, picking up the broken restraints that had fallen on the bed.

"How?" Weasley asked looking a bit baffled.

"I broke them off," Thorfinn answered. He decided lying was pointless.

Harry looked oddly gleeful at his answer. "See! I was right! Ron get Kingsley!"

Ron looked between his friend and the large ex- death eater who didn't even seem the least bit concerned over their appearance in the room. No, his attention was still firmly on the witch beneath the covers.

"How did you break the restraints, Rowle?" Ron asked instead.

Thorfinn was rather surprised and barely turned to look at Ron over his shoulder.

"My magick refused to have any distance between us," Thorfinn told him.

"So your magick did this?" Ron clarified. Thorfinn nodded. "But these are magical restraints. It should have stopped you from using your magic."

Thorfinn shifted just so not entirely sure how much he wanted to reveal to Weasley. "Our bond plays by slightly different rules." He finally answered.

Ron looked rather thoughtful at his answer but his musing were interrupted by Harry.

"You've broken the law twice now Rowle!" Harry said.

Instead of denying that, Thorfinn merely turned to Harry and looked the saviour in the eye as he asked, "And why do you think I've broken the law twice, Potter?"

Harry scoffed. "You're not exactly a law abiding citizen now are you?"

"That's why you think I broke the law because I don't like following the rules?" Thorfinn asked raising a brow. "You're allowing your prejudice to cloud your judgement Potter."

"No, I'm seeing you clearly. She's here because of you!" Harry accused pointing at Hermione. He stepped up to the bed and stared Thorfinn down. "Get away from her! She got hurt because of you!" Harry said hotly. "We've spent our entire childhood running from dark wizards like you and now that the war is over I had hoped we'd finally have some peace ... that she'd have some peace but fuck! You've gone and attached yourself to her and she's never going to be safe now ! Look at what you've done!"

"Harry!" Ron warned. His best mate was seriously toeing the line for what constituted as unprofessional behaviour.

"No Ron, we knew this was going to end badly and just look! look at where we are" Harry cried.

'Mister Potter, are you causing my patients distress once more?' Healer Warren asked walking into the room. Evie followed behind with a fierce scowl on her face and her fists clenched tightly together.

'I demand that Hermione be moved into a separate room immediately! It's too dangerous for her to be around him,' Harry ordered turning to the Healer.

Healer Warren merely raised a brow. 'I'm afraid I can't do that.'

'Look I'll speak with Minister Kingsley if I have too,' Harry threatened. 'It's obviously clear, Rowle's a danger to her.'

'You're most welcome to speak to the Minister about this but I will not allow you or him to put my patients in any further danger.' Healer Warren said firmly. Harry scowled and was about to argue again when the good Healer raised his hand to stop him. 'Separating them at a time like this will only cause more damage than good. What you've failed to realised Mister Potter, is that your friend has suffered some serious injuries and it is only thanks to her mate that she is even here right now.'

Thorfinn clenched his jaw at the Healer's words. He hated to think just how bad it had gotten but he had to know and the words tumbled from his mouth before he could stop them. 'How serious?' he asked.

Healer Warren sighed and turned to the burly wizard. 'Very serious. Had it been just the wildfire or the curses, we wouldn't have been so concerned but a mixture of the two could have led to some uncertain health issues. It's lucky that she had you and those runes to protect her. I daresay…' he trailed of suddenly unsure.

'What?' Thorfinn demanded.

'She might not have survived.' Healer Warren said softly.

Thorfinn felt his heart nearly stop and his grip on Hermione tightened.

'Of course that is not the case, as she is still very much alive. But her recovery will be slow.'

'What runes?' Ron asked suddenly.

Healer Warren looked at Thorfinn for permission. It was after all a private matter and when Thorfinn nodded, he explained. 'Bonded mates are given special runes that are created just for them. It's a form of protection.'

'And you're saying without this rune, Hermione would have died?' Ron clarified.

'Yes. The rune protected and as it strengthened the bond between the two, its most likely how Mister Rowle was able to feel Miss Granger's distress so clearly and break the restraints.' Healer Warren answered. He looked back at Thorfinn hoping to get some answers, 'According to Mister Malfoy, the restraints broke moments after you realised Miss Granger was in danger. Is this correct?'

'Yes.'

'What did you feel?'

Thorfinn sucked in a breath at that memory. 'Her pain.' He answered. 'The fire and the curses. All of it.'

Healer Warren nodded. 'Very well. Try and get some rest Mister Rowle. It will do you both some good.' He advised. 'No Mister Potter,' he said stopping Harry. 'I'm afraid I can't let you put those back now. It seems rather futile now anyway.'

Harry wasn't pleased with that as he held a new pair of restraints in his hand. 'Are we expected to just leave him unrestrained?'

'I'm afraid I don't think your restraints are going to do much good at the moment. In any case, the closer their proximity to each other the better for them.' Healer Warren told him.

'But his magic –'

'Is helping to heal her,' Healer Warren interrupted. He looked rather exasperated at the stubborn saviour.

'I thought it was just their … close proximity that helped?' Harry asked confused.

'They're bonded Mister Potter. That means their magic is one. Right now, Miss Granger is far too weak to heal on her own. But his magic,' he said pointing to Thorfinn, 'is helping to settle her and their bond is helping in the healing process.'

'This is … I …' Harry battled to get out. He didn't like this in any way.

''I think it's best we leave them to get some rest,' Healer Warren offered. 'You can come by later to check in on her.'

Harry ground his teeth together. 'Fine.' He agreed reluctantly and then seemed almost hesitant to approach Hermione but decided against it. Instead he gave Thorfinn one last glare before he fled from the room.

'There's going to be an auror stationed outside your door,' Ron said.

'So I don't try and escape?' Thorfinn asked with a raised brow.

'Yes, but its more for Mione's safety,' he answered truthfully. Ron gave Hermione one last lingering look before he followed his friend out the room.

Healer Warren turned back to his patients. 'Like I said Miste Rowle, try and get some rest. It will ease the bond and help her.' Thorfinn nodded. 'Miss Rowle, I must insist the same of you too. Shall I arrange for a bed for you?'

'No that's quite alright,' Evie said politely. 'I think I've found a spare bed.' She said motioning to the bed Thorfinn had woken up in.

Healer Warren smiled and excused himself, shutting the door quietly behind him.

Evie pulled out her wand and enlarged Hermione's own bed. 'You two were never going to fit on such a tiny space,' she said almost laughing.

Thorfinn looked up at her with a ghost of a smile. But when her own little smiled started slipping, he extended his hand and she came quickly to him, wrapping her arms around his torso as she buried her head in his chest, crying.

'It's okay, Evie,' He soothed. 'We're all okay now.'

'But w-we came so c-close to not being o-okay!' she cried, her words muffled into the fabric of his clothing.

Thorfinn wrapped both his arms around his sister and simply held her as she cried. He didn't say anything more, because he knew they were both right. They were going to be okay now, but they had come so close to losing almost everything.

Sometimes, fate liked to remind them just how fickle it could be.

AN: Hello dear readers!

I would like to start by saying I have the best readers ever! You guys are amazing! Thank you for all the well wishes and being so supportive and understanding during these times. I can happily say that after being stranded abroad I am now safely back in my own country! I hope to have the next chapter out relatively soon!

A very big and sincere thank you to everyone that has favourited, followed and reviewed this story! I always say reading your reviews is one of the greatest sources of inspiration and motivation. So please do review!

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Song: I bet my life - Imagine Dragons

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