A Hero No More

"Please, don't.." were the first words Ron heard as he came to. Hermione was suffering. He couldn't see what was going on, but knew he had to help her. She was screaming and sobbing, and the death eaters surrounding them were laughing endlessly. He tried to speak up but no words were coming out. His hands were tied tightly above his head. As much as he pulled in an attempt to break free, nothing happened.

"My Lord. It seems the Weasley is awake." One of the Death Eaters called out, causing Ron to cease all movements. But then he heard the voice that made him shiver. The one he was most afraid to hear.

"Oh no. This won't do. We want you to see your precious mudblood quiver." Suddenly brightness engulfed him. When he opened his eyes, the sight made him both terrified and incredibly angry. Lucius Malfoy was holding Hermione. One arm was wrapped around her neck, while his other hand was rubbing her thigh suggestively. The look in her eyes was heartbreaking. She had obviously been beaten for hours before this. Guilt overwhelmed him, knowing he passed out, when he should have been saving her.

"GET OFF OF HER!" He yelled, realizing the silencing charm must have been removed with his blinding one.

"Now, now, there's no need to yell Mr. Weasley," Voldemort smirked with glee. "We don't want to hurt you. A fine pure-blood like yourself will be very useful to our cause."

"I'll die before I join you!"

"Pity." He looked over at Hermione, "I don't plan on killing you, not yet anyhow. But I will enjoy watching your girlfriend die." As he said that, Lucius moved his hand in between Hermione's legs and she gasped and tears fell down her face.

"Don't. Please." His tone changed dramatically. Now all he wished was to save Hermione from a terrible fate.

"You wish to save her, how touching. It's very simple. Join us, and we'll let her go."

Ron was stuck between a rock and a hard place. He knew he would never be able to be a Death Eater, but knew he would never be able to live with himself if he let Hermione suffer like she was about to. After realizing that Harry wouldn't somehow storm in and save them, having no clue that they were here, he gave up. He would just do what they wanted until Hermione was free, then he would let them kill him.

"Let her go, and I will join you."

"NO!" Hermione yelled before Lucius violently tightened his grip around her neck.

"Allow her to speak Lucius. I love to watch a mudblood beg for death." It was obvious Voldemort was enjoying the whole scene by the tone of his voice. It was sickening.

"Ron, you know you can't. You are so much better than that. Please, I will be okay. I would feel terrible if you did this to save me." Ron had tears rolling down his face. He knew he had to do this, but he felt terrible knowing Hermione would probably blame herself for his inevitable death.

"Look at me." She whispered, causing Ron to blink rapidly so the tears would subside. Then she mouthed the same thought that was spinning through his head, but he dismissed knowing it was unlikely.

'Harry will save us.'

As soon as she finished, Voldemort began to laugh.

"Harry Potter is going to save them!" He shouted, and the room erupted in laughter with him. They all seemed to be having trouble controlling their laughter, with the exception of one. He was pacing towards Ron now, and suddenly Ron felt very uneasy. He knew why the second his mask was removed.

There stood Harry, his best friend of six years, in front of him, with a the Dark Mark on his arm. He couldn't believe it.

"Harry..." He heard Hermione whisper from across the room, but he had nothing. Completely speechless. He just let the silent tears rolls down his cheek as Harry smirked and waved his wand silently, until Ron was slipped into darkness once again.

TBC