As she landed in the familiar scene again, Hermione steadied herself and tensed to act. This time, she pulled Ron away to the opposite end of the hallway.
"Hermione! What are you doing?" Ron struggled against her.
"You have...to go….this way…" She panted, letting her full weight sag against him.
"Ron! Look out!" Harry's voice called from the other side of the corridor. Hermione whipped around, and noticed the Death Eater that had suddenly appeared behind them. She and Ron raised their wands at the same time, both shouting different spells. It was Harry's spell that hit the Death Eater, the light from his wand propelling the man backwards into the window. It broke as the Death Eater struck it, the shattered glass flying in all directions. Shrieking, Hermione let go of Ron and tried to shield him.
"Hermione! Stop….get out of…..way..." Ron tried to pull her aside and get in front.
"No!" Hermione spread out her arms, willing all of the glass to pierce her body instead of Ron's. Ron managed to get arm around Hermione, point his wand, and cast a shield spell. Hermione shrieked as the glass struck the shield, inches from her face. Ron spun her around and grasped her shaking shoulders tightly.
"Let's go, you need to get away from here…" he pulled her close to him and started heading for the stairs. Hermione let herself sink into him and be led away, eyes closed. She had done it, she had saved Ron. She felt herself gently being guided into a room, and on to a chair. She opened her eyes and saw Ron's look of concern and worry. "You need to stay in here for awhile...rest...I've got this." He kissed the top of her head and turned back toward the door. Hermione leaped to her feet, shaking her head wildly.
"Ron, no! YOU stay here! I saved you, you have to stay...you're going to die….I came from another time to stop this!" She threw herself at him, trying to hold him, keep him where he was safe. Ron took hold of her arms and they both sank to the floor.
"Hermione, Harry and Ginny are out there...I've got to go back, you know that." He pulled away from her, raising his wand.
"NO!" Hermione reached for him again. Ron gave her a pained look, ran through the doorway, and cast a spell in his wake. Hermione jumped up, intending to follow him, stop him, save him….she collided with a barrier that knocked her backwards as she ran at the doorway. "Ron! No, come back! RON!" She pounded her fists against the barrier. "My wand…." She raised her wand and tried counterspell after counterspell, but could not seem to break through. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the barrier gave way, allowing her to exit. Hermione raised her wand in front of her, running back toward the battle and the sounds of screams. When she rounded the corner, the screams abruptly stopped and the sounds of cruel laughter filled the air.
"Hermione! Help us!" Ginny was sprawled out on the floor, next to Ron's motionless form. Harry was moving fast, trying to keep the Death Eaters away from Ginny, but there were too many of them. Hermione sprinted forward, wildly casting curses. The Death Eater nearest to her raised his wand and blocked her spell, causing it to veer off at an angle….right toward Ron and Ginny…
Harry's cry of anguish echoed around and around the corridor. The Death Eater used this opportunity to send a full body bind curse at Harry, which caused him to drop his wand and slam helplessly to the floor.
"Harry...Ron...Ginny…!" Hermione screamed their names not knowing where to aim or what to do as the Death Eaters closed in on her. At that moment, the mist descended once more, but this time Hermione was eager for it, knowing that it meant she would get another chance, could change something, save them all….
She jumped to her feet in a fighting stance, waiting to be deposited back at the beginning of the battle that had ended Ron's life. She was already planning which direction to go, how to stop him, how to keep him safe while still helping Harry and Ginny.
"Expelliarmus." The quiet voice spoke from the darkness. Hermione's wand flew out of her hand and across the room to Draco. The comfortable chair reappeared, along with a table. On the table was a plate of food and a pitcher of water. "You need to rest...it's been hours…" Hermione sank into the chair and put her hands over her face.
"Rest? After what you've just put me through? Why are you doing this to me Malfoy?" She tried to yell the last question, but found she did not have the strength. A few long moments passed before he answered her.
"You need to understand, Hermione. This is the only way. You're not there yet, but you can't do any more right now. I'll leave you alone, you need to eat and rest." Hermione lowered her hands and looked at him. His face was full of concern and sadness.
"Go then." She said with clenched teeth. She picked up the nearest sandwich and threw it at him. He stepped aside quickly, and then turned away to vanish into the blackness at the edge of the room. Hermione wanted to weep, but was too exhausted. As if it could sense how she was feeling, the chair transformed itself into a bed with a soft mattress and quilt. Hermione sank into it, pulled the quilt over her head, and let herself spiral down into what she prayed was a dreamless sleep.