The room was black. Fear enveloped her as her eyes slowly adjusted to it's surroundings. Hermione was back in Bathilda Bagshot's house, lying on the cold floor. Something was wrong. Something was very wrong- she couldn't move. Eyes darted in panic as she looked around the ragged house- she could see the shadowy remains of Bathilda's body crumpled on the floor. A noise crept from the corner of the room, her pulse began to race. She tried calling for help, but no noise escaped her. A large snake slithered from the shadows, its eyes glowing with hunger. It was Nagini. The snake's tongue flickered in and out of it's mouth as she approached her. Hermione desperately tried to move, but she was frozen- paralyzed with fear. Helpless, Nagini slid across her body and began to coil around her chest, slowly crushing the air out of her lungs. She couldn't breath. Eyes bulging with fear, her heart beat faster, still unable to move. The large snake opened her mouth and lunged.
Hermione shot up from her slumber, gasping for air. Her eyes scanned the room wildly, a wave of relief washed over her as she realized she had awoken back in the tent. It was only a nightmare. But was it? She ran a hand through her hair, it was soaked with sweat. Her ribs felt sore and her chest still felt constricted. She struggled to breath. Why couldn't she breath?
A small snore made her jump as she turned to see Ron sleeping soundly in the sofa chair next to her. A thought crossed her mind to wake him- just to reassure herself that everything was okay. Hermione shook her head at the thought- don't be silly... you are not a child.
Careful not to wake him, Hermione shakily stood and tiptoed her way to the bathroom - leaning against the wall for balance. Opening the door, she found her way to the sink and grasped the porcelain edges to support her weak body. Sweat beaded on her forehead as she struggled to catch her breath. Turning the faucet, she cupped her hands under the faucet and splashed the cold water on her face.
A ghostly figure caught her eye as she stared into the mirror. A trembling hand touched her cheeks to prove that the reflection was her. Her skin was slick with sweat and was sickly pale. Dark bags shadowed her eyes, accenting her sunken cheeks. The white in her eyes had become blood red- she must have burst a blood vessel due to the force of her coughing. For the first time, she noticed how skinny she had gotten. Her jaw was sharp and she could see her collar bone press out of her skin. Worry began to prickle inside of her as she came to a realization that she was slowly wasting away. How much longer could she live like this?
The tightness in her chest increased as she struggled to take a breath. She clenched the sink again, knuckles white as she gasped for air. Wheezes escaped every time she breathed in and out, accompanied with a stabbing pain in her chest. It felt as if the snake was still wrapped around her body, crushing her lungs. A coughing fit hit her and rattled her body until a metallic taste began to swim in her mouth. Hovering over the sink, she spit out the horrendous taste and saw clouds of red swirl down the drain. Something was wrong.
The room began to spin and the dreadful stars returned and danced around her vision. Leaning back against the wall, she slid down to the floor and closed her eyes-waiting for the dizzy spell to pass. She could feel herself slipping in and out of consciousness until the room slowly faded to black.
The sky began to fill with pink and purple hues as the sun peaked over the horizon. The frozen grass had began to thaw, causing the blades to sparkle in it's beautiful warm rays. They had made it another day. Harry sighed, exhausted from the long cold night and in anticipation for the challenges another day would bring. He was tired, both physically and mentally. Oh, what he would do to wake up to Molly's hot breakfast's at the burrow and to see Ginny. Ginny. He sighed again, pushing the selfish thoughts away. Harry rubbed his heavy eyes under his glasses and stood with a yawn.
Harry made his way up the hill to the tent entrance and ducked his way into the warmth. Rubbing his hands together, he breathed hot air into them in a attempt to thaw them. A snore directed his attention to a sleeping Ron sprawled across the small sofa chair. Confused, he looked around for a sign of Hermione. The only evidence of her was a crumple of blankets on a very empty couch. Concerned, he looked over to her bunk. Also empty.
Harry furrowed his eyebrows- he debated waking Ron to ask how she was doing, but chose against it. Ron had pulled a double shift last night as he had so chivalrously volunteered to cover Hermione's so she could get some rest. Harry rolled his eyes at the thought. Ron took advantage of every opportunity he could to try and get back on good terms with Hermione. He was barmy.
His concern grew as he looked around the rest of the tent for a sign of his friend. The last he had seen her, she was looking quite ill. Ron was right to be worried, because he was too. This was more than some common cold... you had to be blind to not see the toll their travels had taken on her. Guilt started to cloud his mind. He couldn't help but blame himself for all their troubles. His two best friends were risking everything just for him. What if something were to happen to them? He would never be able to forgive himself. The sound of the sink running from the loo distracted him from his deprecating thoughts. Harry quietly walked over to the door and leaned in closer to hear.
"Hermione?" he whispered. No answer.
Harry cleared his throat, maybe she didn't hear him. "Hermione?" he says slightly louder.
Still no answer. A pit of worry began to churn in his stomach. Something didn't feel right.
"Hermione?" He says louder as he clenches his fist and lightly knocks on the door. The door slowly creaks open to reveal a figure lying on the floor. Heart racing, he swings open the door to see Hermione lying against the wall. Her lips were colorless and her skin almost appeared translucent. She could have passed for a ghost.
Harry dropped to the floor and began to shake her shoulders. She was freezing. "Hermione? Wake up." No response. Panicked, he looked at her chest to make sure she was breathing- her breaths were fast and shallow. Something was wrong.
"Ron!" he yelled. "Ron! Come quick!" he could hear Ron in the other room blundering around muttering a string of profanities.
Ron runs into the room, immediately his eyes widen as he sees Hermione lying on the ground. Before Harry knew it, Ron was on the floor- cupping Hermione's face in his hands.
"Hermione? Hermione!" his voice shook. "Bloody Hell. Whats wrong with her?" Ron looked at Harry, wild.
Harry shook his head. "I- I don't know."
Hermione groaned and her eyes began to flutter.
"Hermione? Can you hear me?" Ron said gently- hands still cupping her face.
Hermione weakly opened her eyes- Ron inhaled sharply as he saw her blood-red eyes. A sight that would surely haunt him.
"What happened?" She wheezed, looking dazed and confused.
"You tell me. Your scaring us Hermione." Harry worried.
Hermione closed her eyes and licked her dried lips. Horrible crackling coughs escaped her lungs as she clutched her chest. Harry quickly stood and took the nearest cup and filled it with water and brought it to her lips.
She took several small sips and began to choke and sputter. Harry quickly pulled the cup away. Ron rubbed her back- not knowing what else to do to help her. Hermione gasped for air, lungs rattling as she breathed in. The sound was horrible.
"We're going to get you off this floor, okay? Ron asked. Hermione slowly nodded in agreement as Ron scooped her up. His heart dropped as he lifted the poor girl. She was so light and her body shook.
Gently, he draped her body back on the couch while Harry lie blankets over her.
The two of them stared at each other- helpless and unsure of what to do for their sick friend.
Harry watched as Ron anxiously rubbed the stubble across his face- his hands were trembling. Harry could tell his gears were turning, thinking of something- anything to do for her.
Ron watched as Hermione struggled. His fists clenched as her eyes shut tightly in pain with every ragged breath she took. This was killing him. He had never felt so helpless. She wouldn't last another day like this. There was no choice, they had to do something.
"I'm going to get help." Ron said expressionless.
"What? It's too dangerous!" Harry protested as Ron walked across the tent and quickly began to put on his coat.
"Harry! Look at her! She needs a healer!" Ron bellowed.
"I'm...fine." Hermione struggled to breathed.
Harry surveyed his friend with concern, guilt began to creep back inside his mind. This was all because of him. "Then let me go."
"Don't be mental. You're the most wanted wizard in the world right now. Besides, you don't know what it's like out there. I do." Ron argued. He could see Harry's mind racing as he considered his reasoning.
"Please..." Hermione whimpered. The boys ignored her.
"Fine." Harry surrendered. "What do we do?"
Ron thought for a moment, running his hands nervously through his hair. It was his idea to come to these woods. He knew a wizarding village not too far from here. His Mum and Dad used to tell him about this little village they used to visit on their way to Aunt Muriel's. Probably to get their fill of fire whiskey before having to deal with the dreadful women.
"There is a small village a few kilometers away. There has to be an apothecary there." Ron desperately thought out loud.
"What about snatchers? Won't they be crawling all over the place?" Harry challenged.
"I can take your invisibility cloak and sneak in and out. Nobody will see me."
Harry thought through the plan, running it through his mind thinking of every way it could go wrong. He looked over to Hermione, the sound of her raspy breaths were enough to convince him this was the way- the only way. Harry slowly shook his head in agreement. This had to work. Harry walked over to Hermione's bunk and took the cloak out of her charmed bag.
"In and out." Harry said sternly, handing the cloak to him.
Ron gratefully took the cloak from Harry. "Thank you mate. I will only be a few hours. If I'm not back by dusk, you take her to get help. Take her to a muggle healer if you have to. You leave without me. Tell me you will." Ron demanded, putting his hand on Harry's shoulder.
"I will." Harry said reluctantly.
Ron walked over to Hermione and knelt down on the floor to get closer to her. He could see tears streaming down the sides of her face and her lips trembling. She looked him in the eye and shook her head in protest. A few more tears rolled down her temple, getting lost in her hair.
"Don't...leave. Please." She wheezed, nostrils flaring as she silently cried. Ron's heart crumbled at the words that escaped her mouth. He had told himself he would never leave her side again. He took her hand and held it tight.
"I'm not leaving you, Hermione. Not again." Ron whispered, squeezing her hand. "I need to do this. I don't know what I would do f if anything ever happened to you." Harry shuffled awkwardly at the intimate confession. Ron cleared his throat. "...or Harry. I'll be back before you know it."
"You promise me." she strained. He could feel Hermione squeeze his hand harder.
"I promise." he smiled weakly, caressing her hand with his thumb.
With a final squeeze of her hand, he stood and let go, turning towards Harry.
"Be careful." Harry said.
"I will. Look after her."
"I will." Harry nodded.
With a deep breath, he walked towards the tent entrance and looked back at Hermione one last time. He couldn't fail. With determination, he draped the cloak around his body and left his two friends for the second time. Something he thought he would never have to do again.