Hermione allowed the Medjai to tie her hands to a saddle, after hoisting her onto the horse. She didn't fight them as they pulled the ropes tightly behind her back. It took them half the day to arrive at the village, where they took her to an open area at the center. Leaving her there, with a dozen warriors guarding her, Ardeth went to find the elders. Evy, Rick, Jonathan, Alex, and Teddy followed him. Izzy took his balloon and left as quickly as he could.
Ardeth told the elders what had happened, briefly, as they began walking back to where they had left her. A scream caused them all to run the rest of the way. The twelve warriors were all unconscious, while women and children watched in horror. Hermione was being held against a figure in a black cloak and skull mask.
The cloaked figure spoke in a voice to low for them to hear, but it seemed to infuriate Hermione. She threw her head back, connecting with the figure's face. The mask and hood fell away, revealing a man with a bloody nose. Hermione's bonds fell away, and she pulled out her wand. She sent the man reeling backwards as black smoke spiraled around her.
Hermione began to fight the people who formed with expertise that amazed the Medjai. Teddy stood beside Ardeth, arms crossed, fighting to join the duel. One of the cloaked figures raised their wand at Alex, and Teddy knew what incantation would follow. The young wizard tackled the younger boy as the green jet of light passed through where he had just been.
Hermione began picking off the Death Eaters, their number falling as each fell to the ground. A single line of black smoke appeared, dropping a crazed woman. Hermione and the woman circled each other.
"You're far too pretty, Mudblood," she cackled. "I remember more scars."
She pointed her wand at Hermione, pulling away her glamour charms. The Medjai gaped at the scars on her face and neck. They launched into an intense duel, sending all types of spells at each other. The woman spun to the side, throwing her wand tip toward Ardeth, summoning Hermione's wand from her. Hermione stepped in front of Ardeth throwing up her hands.
"Protego!" she yelled, before registering the curse said, "Sectumsempra!"
"Oh, god," Hermione gasped, before the spell made its impact.
It hit her right palm, slicing up her arm, before splitting in two. One side ran across the front of the shoulders, up her neck and across the left side of her face, while the other cut along her side and down her right thigh. The impact of the spell sent her flying backwards, crashing into Ardeth and into the wall behind him. The woman laughed in triumph before vanishing into a pillar of black smoke.
Ardeth shook himself out of the shock of the impact, and was about to push the girl off him, when he felt his robes being soaked in something. That was when he notice she was unconscious and quickly being drained of her blood. Instead, he lightly moved her off of him, before feeling for a pulse. Ardeth shook his head, wordlessly telling everyone there was none to be had. Teddy ran to her side, taking her left hand.
"Mum," he said, softly. "Don't leave me, not you too."
OK, so short, but the rest gets long, and theis was the best stopping point, even is it was a cliff hanger. Review if you want to know what happens next. AngelJJK, you're the best.