A/N: This is when it all starts. This is when it all ends.
Life is just one damned thing after another. Elbert Hubbard
Tick, tock. Tick, tock.
"Why does she keep making that noise?" Mrs. Weasley asked, her voice filled with concern and fear.
Tick, tock. Tick, tock.
Madame Pomfrey looked up from applying a potion to Ginny's skin and shook her head. "I cannot answer that question. I haven't been able to stop it, though it doesn't seem to be doing her any harm. She's fine otherwise," she answered, going back to rubbing the foul smelling liquid to Ginny's cut skin.
Tick, tock. Tick, tock.
"I don't think I can stand it anymore," Mrs. Weasley commented, watching her daughter carefully.
Hermione felt someone tug on her arm and she looked up to see Ron staring over on the other side of the bed, closer to the door. She followed his gaze and froze upon seeing the look on Harry's face. He had not said a word since Ginny had been brought in and Hermione had a feeling she knew why. Glancing up at Ron, she weaved her way around the crowd of red heads to where Harry stood. Flashing a look at Ginny's prone body, she touched Harry's arm and motioned for the exit.
At first, Harry seemed to not want to leave, but after noticing the determined look in Hermione's eyes, he gave one last glanced over to Ginny before the two left quickly.
As they walked down the hall to the steps, Hermione decided to find out what was wrong.
"You ok, Harry?" she asked lightly, though there was nothing light about the way she was watching him.
"I'm fine." His voice was so small and hoarse; Hermione had to take a second to realize what he had actually said. Frowning, she continued.
"You've been quiet ever since Ginny came in," she whispered.
"Just thinking."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm fine, Hermione," he ground out, his jaw clenched tightly as they walked down the stairs and started towards the common room.
"You were pale too," she added.
Harry stopped where he was and Hermione had to turn around to see why.
He was just standing there, staring at the ground as if hoping it would swallow him up at any moment. She could see pain flood his pale features and she suddenly wished she hadn't pressed the subject.
"Luna lied," he whispered, eyes still on the ground.
"What?" Hermione asked, not having heard him.
"Luna lied," he said a little louder, shoving his fist into his pockets.
"What… What do you mean Luna lied? You mean she didn't go off into the forest?"
Harry shook his head. "She did go off into the forest, but not because she saw something… it was because of me."
Hermione moved over to him, taking his arm. "Harry, what did you do?" she whispered, not knowing if she wanted to hear the answer.
"I… I took your advice and I told her I wasn't afraid anymore. Apparently though, she'd been dating Dean for the past few months and had just broken up with him. And by just I mean a few minutes before."
Hermione was about to say something then stopped, realizing she didn't know what to say. These bizarre turn of events were starting to leave her speechless.
"Anyway," Harry muttered, still staring at the invisible hole in the ground. "She said she needed some space. She said she needed to think," he whispered.
"So she ran into the woods?" Hermione asked, surprised by Ginny's lack in judgment.
Harry shook her head. "She walked over to the Shrieking Shack. That's when it happened, I guess. Luna did find her behind Hog's Head, though," he added, wanting to get the facts straight.
Hermione was confused. Ginny, like Ron, rarely thought things over before doing them. Many of the Weasley's were like that. They'd go for it then question it later, which was the main difference between her and Ron, but she wasn't going to think about their current situation at the moment. Harry was standing here before her, beating himself up over something he couldn't have predicted.
She moved over to him and pulled him into a hug.
"It's not your fault, Harry. Things happen. Remember?"
"It was a Death Eater, who did that to her," he whispered, pulling away from his friend. "They're out there," he told her.
Hermione frowned. "I guess the Ministry was right not to let us go to Hogsmeade," she muttered.
Harry just nodded for a while then shook his head. "How are you?"
At first Hermione was confused, then a look of pain crossed her eyes and she looked away.
"It's only been a few hours since I found out, Harry. I… I'm tired of being afraid. I'm-"
"Harry! Hermione! I've been looking all over for you!"
They looked down the hall to see Dennis Creevy carrying a rather agitated Hedwig. The moment she spotted Harry, she detached herself from the boy and glided over to Harry's outstretched hand and proceeded to peck him on the ear.
"Ow! What did I do?" Harry asked, rubbing the side of his face before turning to Dennis.
"Thank you, Dennis," he said, watching as the boy beamed and then left.
"She's got something on her leg," Hermione said, pointing to Hedwig.
Harry reached up and took off the small note before they began to walk. Hedwig hopped up onto Harry's shoulder and tried desperately not to fall off as they walked.
"Who's it from, Harry?" Hermione asked.
Harry opened the note and read.
Hello Harry,
I must be quick because I don't have much time. Don't bother worrying about the Aurors. Focus on Hogsmeade. As you probably know, it's not safe and as soon as they drive out the locals, they're going to set base there, so be on the look out. I must ask you to do something for me, though and it will be dangerous and you are at risk of getting expelled so I understand if you refuse. I need you to go to the Shrieking Shack. There, you will find a file. The file contains information given by a very eager patron in Bulgaria. It might help us with the Death Eaters. This is all I can tell you.
You must hurry!
Lupin
Hermione bit her lip and looked up at Harry, who was still staring at the note. Her shoulders sagged and a look of dread crossed over her face.
"You can't be considering this, Harry. We could be killed! Or expelled!" she shouted, the latter thought causing her to shudder.
"We need to get information about the Death Eaters, Hermione. This might be our only chance," he hissed.
"Only chance? This our lives we're talking about! You heard Dumbledore! Hogsmeade isn't safe anymore! Because it's not safe we can't even have Quiddich games! And if it's so dangerous, why doesn't Lupin do it himself?" Hermione asked incredulously.
Harry pushed past Hermione. "I don't care what you say, Hermione, I'm going," he said.
Hermione stood there for a moment then let out an all-suffering groan before running after him.
Tick, tock. Tick, tock.
"I'm sure there's something morally wrong abut this," Hermione hissed as they sat beside Ginny. She was still making noises.
Tick, tock. Tick, tock.
"No one said you had to come, Hermione," Harry pointed out, shooting her a glare. She returned the look and Ron raised an eyebrow.
"Am I missing something?"
Tick, tock. Tick, tock.
Hermione covered her ears. "I can't stand it. She's going to drive me crazy," she groaned. "What are we waiting for anyway?" she asked.
"Neville," Luna answered suddenly, speaking for the first time since they had arrived.
Hermione shot her a strange look before going back to staring at Ginny.
Tick, tock. Tick, tock.
"I'm right here," Neville said quietly, handing Luna a broom. "It took me a while to take it from the closet," he explained apologetically.
Hermione looked appalled. "Stealing. We're adding stealing to our list of rules we're going to break tonight?" she squeaked.
Ron rolled his eyes and sighed, standing up and pulling out his own broom. "It's not stealing, Hermione, if it's back before anyone notices it's gone," he pointed out.
"In roughly the same condition," Harry added lightly, though his eyes were still glued on Ginny.
Hermione frowned. "Am I the only one who thinks that this is wrong?" she asked.
There was a silence and she sighed. "Fine… let's go."
Tick, tock. Tick, tock.
"Maybe we'll find out what's wrong with her," Neville offered as they walked over to the far windows in the Hospital Wing and unlatched the locks on them. They all cringed when one of the windows screeched open and they turned to Madame Pomfrey's office to see if she'd notice. Obviously, she didn't.
Harry and Ron mounted their brooms fine, but Neville had a bit of trouble, old memories of first year flashing back to him. When he finally got steady, Luna hopped on behind him and Hermione went with Ron, holding onto him tightly as they lifted off the floor. Harry glanced back at Ginny, who was still tick-tocking and then led the way out the window.
A/N: The Beggining of the End.
Chapter Tease:
"Get her out of here!" Ron screamed at Harry.
Hesitating for a bit to long, Harry came to his senses and grabbed Hermione's arm and began tugging her towards the direction of Hogwarts.
"Come on! We have to go!"
"No! Ron!" She screamed, trying to get to him, but Harry got Neville to help him drag her away and soon her screaming died away.