I don't own HP, but hope ya'll enjoy!

Chapter 38

Hermione let out a frustrated shriek. "Charlie, I don't understand why you won't let me do this!"

"Because," he shouted back just as loudly, "I don't want you to get hurt. Hermione, why can't you understand that? I don't want you to do this."

Hermione felt the tears pouring down her face. "You don't understand why I want too."

"Then please, explain it to me," he said grasping her wrists.

Hermione struggled against him for a moment, too mad to even think straight. He pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her tightly. "Hermione, I love you." She stopped fighting against him. "Please, help me to explain."

Hermione sighed, leaning against his chest. "I love you too Charlie," she said, ignoring the hot tears pouring down her face. She didn't even know why she was crying, or why she was getting so upset over this. Hermione knew Charlie was just looking out for her. "I love you," she repeated again, looking up into his blue eyes.

Charlie smiled down at her. "Hermione, I love you too. Please, understand. I just want you to be safe." He took a deep breathe, inhaling her sweet scent. "If anything were to happen to you, I'd never forgive myself."

"I understand," she whispered. And she did. She truly understood that he was just doing his best to keep her safe.

"Please, explain to me," he said, leading her towards the couch. The fire roared to life, creating a nice setting.

Hermione reached up and wiped away her tears. "I just want things to be okay," she whispered.

"And they will be," Charlie said. "Just give it some time; the Aurors will catch her Hermione."

"But it won't be soon enough. And she won't stop until she has me. We're bonded Charlie. Our souls are intertwined," Hermione said, feeling frustrated that no one was taking her seriously. "Innocent people will be hurt Charlie. I can't let that happen."

"And it won't. Kingsley is out there looking, along with countless others. She won't hurt you."

"Why can't we just set a trap? That way it'll be over before we know it."

Charlie sighed, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "I won't let you put yourself in even more danger. None of your friends will let you do that either."

Hermione closed her eyes, ignoring his words. She would fix things, with or without his help. She didn't need his permission. It was her life, and she was willing to risk it in order to save others.

She turned around so she could face Charlie. "Make love to me," she whispered, her big brown eyes looking up at him hopefully.

Charlie couldn't help but give in. His lips quickly claimed hers as his hands divested them of their clothing.

Hermione cracked open her eye. The room was dark and the fire was dimly lit. She opened her eyes fully, looking around the room. Charlie was next to her sleeping. She looked down on him sadly, knowing he'd be furious for what she was about to do.

Taking a deep breath, Hermione slowly untangled herself from Charlie's arms. She knew she had to do this; the nightmare she just had was proof to that. Taking a deep breath, she took her engagement ring off her finger, leaving it on the nightstand. She scribbled a small note for him, saying that she was sorry, but it had to be done. Hermione slipped on some shoes and moved towards the doorway. With her wand grasped firmly in her hand, she turned and gave Charlie one last look. He was sleeping peacefully; completely unaware of what was going to happen. "I love you," she whispered into the silence. Taking a deep breath, she shut the door, quickly walking away.

Hermione had a dream, but it wasn't a dream… it was nightmare, with Bellatrix. When the insane witch tortured Hermione, she had accidentally blood bonded them. Hermione was aware of this, but Bellatrix wasn't. And she planned on ending things, before anything else got hurt.

She padded down the halls silently, grateful that she hadn't run into anyone.

But she had thought too soon.

Rounding the corner, she came face to face with Harry.

"What are you doing?" he asked, his eyes raking over her appearance. His eyebrows scrunched up in confusion when he saw she was wearing her white nightgown. "Hermione?" he asked again.

She shook her head. "I have to do this."

"Do what?" Realization dawned on him. He shook his head. "You're not going out there to find her Hermione, I won't let you."

"Harry, it isn't really your say," Hermione huffed.

"I finally got you back in my life; I'm not letting you get away."

Hermione took a step back, shaking her head. "I have to stop her Harry." She flicked her wand, wordlessly trapping Harry in a full body bind.

"Hermione, don't do this!" he cried.

"Silencio," she whispered. Harry's shouts were immediately quieted. Not bothering to give him a second look, she stepped over his frozen body, continuing down the hallway.

If she could stop Bellatrix before anyone else was hurt, it'd be worth it. She would do the right thing.

Hermione slipped out onto the grounds undetected. She knew Bellatrix would be in the Forbidden Forest. That's where her dreams had started taking place.

Walking towards the forest, she stopped to kick off her shoes. Hermione wanted to feel the cool Earth beneath her feet one last time.

Taking a deep breath, she steadied the pounding of her heart.

Her feet trailed silently as she made her way across the grounds. The lights were off in Hagrid's hut; he must been sleeping.

She had to do this. She just had too.

Vaguely, she wondered if this was how Harry felt when he was going to meet Voldemort. He was prepared to sacrifice his lives for everyone else, much like she was doing right now.

Harry was so brave that night, just like so many countless others. Now, it was her turn to be brave.

She walked through the forest, stopping once she reached a small clearing. The moon was high in the sky, illuminating the field. Mist appeared on the outskirts, giving the scene an ominous feeling.

Hermione stood there, her hair and nightgown fluttering in the wind. She waited.