As Time Ticks Away

Chapter Fourteen

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The thought of the pain becoming worse frightened her more than anything else. It was already more than she could stand. Hermione almost wanted to wish for death. Malfoy still stood above her, laughing, as he watched his curse work its magic on its poor victim. Everyone else was still battling over the hill, no one aware of the young witch's misery.

"You know who would really appreciate this scene?" Lucius asked rhetorically, knowing Hermione was in no condition to answer. "The Dark Lord himself."

Her heart sank and she wasn't sure why. Nothing worse could be done to her. Death would merely be a gift and Voldemort knew that. There was no reason to fear him other than the fact that he could hurt her friends. He could hurt Ron. She realized than that she couldn't let anyone hurt him. It was the only thing worse than the constant pain she was always in.

Lucius rolled up his sleeve to reveal the Dark Mark etched into his forearm. Slowly, he moved his other hand towards the serpent and the skull. His fingers began their descent towards the wretched image. Just as contact was about to be made a shot of light flew directly into the older wizard's chest, causing him to stumble backwards.

Ginny Weasley now stood next to her fallen friend, the closest thing she had to a sister, with her wand hot from a fresh spell. She was breathing very deeply, fear and anticipation taking control of her emotions as she waited for a counter spell or curse from the blonde.

"You stupid girl!" Malfoy shouted. "You will regret that." Once more he raised his wand, ready to utter the words that plagued Hermione's life. To his surprise, however, his wand flew from his hands. Ron Weasley now stood holding the older wizards wand.

"First my girlfriend, then my sister," he began angrily. "You better run." As he flicked his wand Malfoy disappeared with a loud crack. "Stupid git," he whispered as he lowered his wand and ran over to Hermione, who was still on the ground, and Ginny, who was now kneeling next to her with one arm draped around her shoulders. "Are you two okay?"

Ginny nodded. "Thanks to you and Hermione I'm okay." She sat on the ground, her arm still around her best friend. "I don't know what happened though. It's like he made the pain come to her."

Ron knelt down, held Hermione's hand, and gave it a small kiss. "You'll be okay Hermione. It'll be gone soon." He looked back over the hill. "Ginny watch her. I'm going to go help out over there." Once more he kissed his girlfriend's hand, gave it one more comforting squeeze, and disappeared over the hill.

"We should help too," Hermione said as she started to stand up.

Ginny immediately pushed her down gently with the arm that was around her. "Not a chance in hell are you going over there."

"Ginny I'm fine, really," Hermione persisted. "What if they're in trouble and need us?"

The younger girl let out a sigh. "You're not fine and we both know that. Only one of us is willing to admit that. And second, if they need us I'm sure we will know. Right now my first concern is you." She paused and looked at the older witch's sullen face. "You're dating my brother. I've never seen him this happy and it's all because of you. On top of that, you're my best friend. You're like a sister to me. Neither of us have sisters and I don't know about you but I enjoy having another girl around. I'm not going to let anything happen to you."

Hermione let a small smile escape her lips. "You sound like your brother. And don't worry, that's not a bad thing."

"I was taking it as a compliment either way."

Both girls let out a laugh, one that was much needed. After this peaceful moment they glanced back over the hill, sparks still coming from beyond from spells being freshly casted. The moment was soon gone as worry and fear crossed both of their faces.

"Ginny I have a really bad feeling," Hermione said suddenly. Something sank in the pit of her stomach. Her aches and pains took a different form, causing a different kind of agony. She realized her breath had become staggered, her vision was growing fuzzy. "We have to go."

"Hermione what's going on?" Ginny asked as she noticed her friend's demeanor suddenly change. "Come on, let's get out of here." The younger witch helped her older friend up, let Hermione rest some of her weight on her shoulder, and started to walk as fast as she could away from the scene behind him.

"We have to tell Ron," Hermione breathed heavily. Her eyes and mind were beginning to fail her. Darkness was ready to consume her.

The red-head, still moving as quickly as she could, spoke to her friend. "He'll be okay. We'll find him once we know the coast is clear."

Hermione fell to the ground, bringing Ginny down with her, tears now streaming out of her eyes. "No! We have to find him!" she began shouting. No sooner had she began to panic that she fully lost consciousness, her head slinking to the ground, bouncing off the dead grass.

Ginny shook her as hard as she could shouting, "HERMIONE WAKE UP!" When that didn't work, the young girl pulled out her wand. "Aguamenti!" she screamed, causing water to stream from her wand. This proved useless as Hermione lay there, lifeless. Soon tears were staining her face. "Please Hermione, please wake up," she begged.

"Well what do we have here," spoke an icy, dark voice from behind. "Looks like it's time for some fun."