10 July 1999 — Imperius Curse

Antonin Dolohov and Bellatrix Lestrange moved closer in to Hermione and Ron, who stood back to back at the top of the staircase in the Hogwarts entrance hall. The Death Eaters' wands were drawn; Bellatrix's eyes were wide, unblinking, and hungry. Dolohov smirked, drawing nearer to Ron.

"Ready to say goodbye, brats?" Bellatrix hissed, and Hermione felt herself flinch. Bellatrix laughed aloud. "Cowards!" she shrieked. "Worthless, stinking, blood traitor and his Mudblood whore!"

Dolohov laughed softly. The sound chilled Hermione to her very core. "Ron," she whispered desperately, grabbing his wrist. Where was the rest of the DA? They were supposed to have backup. "Ron, come on—the count of three—"

Ron didn't answer, so Hermione chanced a glance over her shoulder. Instead of standing beside her, defending her, Ron had his wand pointed at Hermione, a glassy look in his eyes.

"Ron," Hermione said softly, her eyes filling with tears. "Please, no, please. Ron, this isn't you, fight it, please!"

As she screamed the last word, Ron's jet of green light hit her fully in the face, and Hermione Granger crumpled, her body sliding down the same stone steps that she had once scurried up, a young witch eager to explore the magical world she had found.

Ron sat bolt upright in bed, at the same time startling Hermione awake. He was covered in a cold sweat and he buried his face in his hands. He felt Hermione's arms go around him. The small room in Grimmauld Place was lit with the bluish gray of early morning as Ron looked into her eyes.

"The same dream?" she asked softly. He nodded, blinking back tears.

Hermione pulled him close. "Okay," she whispered. "I'm here, all right? I'm here, and I'm safe. We're not going to be separated by anything, right?"

Ron nodded, kissing the top of her head. "I love you, Hermione," he told her.

"I love you too," she answered, giving him a squeeze.

"I don't know what I'd do if—if—"

"Ron," Hermione said seriously, looking up at him. "Don't you know that you can't have the Imperius Curse put on you more than once at a time?"

Ron looked nonplussed. "What?"

"How else do you think you fell in love with me?" Hermione laughed, snuggling closer.

Ron smiled. The terror of his dream dissipated as he and Hermione lay in each other's arms. He was far, far away from the old nightmare now; now he could be sure that he would always protect Hermione.

And Hermione, well…Hermione would always protect him, from spells and nightmares alike.

*FAIR WARNING ZONE* I am fairly certain that this is as serious as I got, but we're getting into the sweet-with-traces-of-humor zone now. Hope you like :)

Lucy