Author's note: I'm very fond of this chapter.

Disclaimer: all belongs to J.K. Rowling.

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Chapter 7

"What do you mean you can't find her!" exclaimed McGonagall.

"She wasn't there to meet me in the common room as usual this morning, and I found this," explained Harry, handing her the note.

"Oh.oh dear, I will have to bring this to Dumbledore's attention straight away. In the meantime, you are to make sure that you and Mr. Weasley do NOT attempt to go after her. Do I make my self clear, Potter?"

"ahh.Yes."

"You promise me Potter. You promise me?"

"Yes Professor."

McGonagall strutted out of the classroom, heading toward Dumbledore's office. Her stiff walk was as stiff as her bun on the back of her head.

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Harry ran back to the common room knowing exactly what he had to do, however on his way he bumped into Professor Lupin, who had returned to be the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher for the past two years. "Harry, oh good, I need your assistance. We are trying to teach some first years about dueling, you can help me. Come on."

"Ah, professor, I." but it was too late, Professor Lupin was already dragging him off to the great hall. "I really appreciate this Harry."

As they entered the great hall, first years applauded at the sight of the famous Harry Potter. "Wow, look at his scar," they smiled.

Harry looked up and saw Ron standing on the table before him. "Oh no," Harry thought, "why him?"

But Ron stepped down from the long table as Harry hopped onto it. As Ron passed they glared at each other with evil twinkling eyes. "It's your fault she has disappeared you know," accused Ron as he passed.

"That's a lie," Harry answered with a deathly stare. "How do you know about it anyway?"

"You think I wouldn't know where she was," Ron glared.

"Hey Potter, I would like to beat you before it's time for lunch, do you mind," yelled Malfoy from across the table.

"Shut up, Malfoy," screamed Harry.

"Oh, are we a little sad about our beloved mugblood being lost?" Malfoy asserted.

"You better watch it Malfoy!" Ron and Harry screamed at the same time, both raising their wands. When they realized this, Ron quickly avoided Harry's glare and walked out of the classroom knowing exactly what he had to do.

"Ready, Potter," Malfoy spit out.

Wand in hand, Ron ran. He ran down the front steps, past Hagrid's hut, and without a worry entering his mind straight into the forbidden forest. "Where else are you going to find that dirty grit, Voldemort," he thought.

He walked for what seemed like days, but were only hours. His heart led the way as he stumbled over roots, scaled rocks, and passed a few spiders (which are definitely not his favorite animal.) The air grew silent and cold. Droplets of rain fell on his flaming hair. He was lost, however in a way he knew where he was going.

Suddenly, Ron stopped as his heart jumped. He turned around, nothing. There was nothing there, but he felt something. He turned around once again. Then suddenly his head popped up and through the rain he saw her. Hanging from a big net from a high tree, there was his Hermione.

Sparks shot from his wand and as she came tumbling down he caught her in his arms. "Hermione!" Ron cried. "Hermione!" But she did not stir. "No, Hermione, no."

"That's right boy," said that haunting voice behind him.

"How dare you! How dare you! You.you killed her. You killed my Hermione."

"Fool, she's not dead.well she's not dead yet.but all three of you will be as soon as Harry comes," Voldemort said with a chuckle as he raised his wand.

Suddenly Ron felt his body being lifted up, Hermione still in his arms. They were thrown about a hundred feet back into the darkness and landed in a puddle. "You will be nice a cozy there until it's time," explained Voldemort as he swished his coat and vanished.

"Oh, Hermione.Hermione, I can't hear your heart beating! Come back Hermione come back." But Hermione's face was still lifted to the sky and no response came to Ron.

"Hermione, if we are going to die.umm.I have to tell you something. Now this might be the wrong place and the wrong time but I have to tell you. I love you Hermione. I've loved you for what seems like forever. Forever has been amazing because I have been your friend and got to know you. But after you and Harry were dating I was jealous, really jealous, however I never wanted to jeopardize our friendships. Harry is still my best friend and I would never do anything purposely to hurt him. Oh Hermione.please wake up.please, I can't live without you. I need you Hermione."

"Ron," Hermione sat up with a tiny laugh, "I.I feel the same way." Suddenly Hermione put her hands on the back of Ron's head and grabbed him for their first kiss.

Ron was so shocked his wide eyes were open the entire time and when Hermione pulled away he sat there staring into space for a few seconds. "You tricked me," he said, snapping back to reality, "You were awake!"

"Well, just a few seconds ago I woke up, and I let you keep talking because I new you had to get that off your chest and I thought it would probably be easier for you if you didn't know I was listening," Hermione smiled.

Ron grabbed Hermione and pulled her in for a loving hug.

Suddenly Voldemort snapped back and ropes wrapped around the two; they were pulled to a spot where the light shown down on them through the dense branches of trees. "The time has come!" screamed the evil Lord.