A/N: So you can thank our lovely 50th reviewer for this chapter and also for parts of the next one, which will have more present time and also some Harry/Sev and Draco/ Ginny. No need to worry.

The Threat of Time.

Chapter 10

"I'm not in the mood."

"What do you mean you're not in the mood?"

"I just can't right now okay?"

"What's your problem?"

"It's not a problem."

"Ohhhhh."

"Don't ohhhh me. It's not a problem. I have a lot on my mind. What do you expect?"

"Hey, I'm not judging you. This sort of thing happens to all guys."

"Nothing's happening Hermione!"

"Sure, sure." Hermione looked at her boyfriend who was pacing the room.

"It's temporary. As soon as my sister gets back safe and sound I'll be working just fine."

Hermione walked over to Ron and swung her arms around his neck. "It's alright Ron. I understand." She whispered into his ear.

Ron shivered and pushed her away. "No. You don't understand. You don't know everything Hermione, despite what you may think. This is not something you can read about and take a test on. It's more complicated than that."

Hermione sat down on her bed with a sigh, "I know that. I'm not trying to pretend like I know everything. I haven't pretended to know why my powers are disappearing have I?"

"You're bringing THAT up again. Jeez, it's not the end of the world. There are many reasons that would explain why your powers aren't working."

"So it's not important? You not being able to get a hard on is important but me losing my powers isn't?" she said narrowing her eyes.

"You know that's not what I meant. But we've talked about this. It could be as simple as you're to stressed out. Maybe it's you subconscious telling you to take it easy."

"Take it easy? How can I take it easy? Final exams are just around the corner and you want me to take it easy?"

"There are more important things than final exams. Like my sister kissing a disease for instance. And I can't do anything about it! Not to mention my best friend is kissing the most loathed teacher in history." Ron began pacing again.

"Well unfortunately they aren't here right now. And we have to deal with one problem at a time. And right now my powers are a problem!"

"Sometimes I think that you just don't care about them. They are god knows where, doing god knows what, and you aren't even worried!"

Hermoine shot up. "Not WORRIED! I'm not WORRIED?! I care about them just as much as you do Ronald Weasley! So don't you DARE say that to me!" She ran out of the room slamming the door behind her.

Ron stared at the closed door and contemplated running after her. Why should he? She was being a pain in the ass. Ever since the crystal ball incident EVERYTHING has been a problem. It could be the stupidest thing. Like this morning she threw a fit because there wasn't enough toast. Imagine that! Plates and forks flying everywhere. Not to mention she was showing no interest in the well being of their best friend and his sister. How could she not care? But on the other hand, maybe it was just a front. Maybe that's the way she deals with stuff.

With a sigh Ron picked up his coat, which was lying carelessly on a chair and headed out the door.

Outside

"Hermione! Where the hell are you?" And what the hell is she doing outside? Her friend Nancy said that she said she was going for a walk. Didn't think she was THAT mad. She knows we aren't allowed out after dark. What if she's caught? What if I'M caught? Shit I'd better get out of here.

Ron took one last look around and turned to go back inside. Deciding that he's deal with Hermione later.

"Wait! Sir! Please! Help me!" A voice that sounded raspy and desperate called, apparently to Ron. He turned on the direction he supposed the voice was coming from. And just there, he could make out a dark figure walking out of the Forbidden Forest. No wait, it wasn't walking, it was stumbling. Ron watched the figure fall to the ground. It didn't move. Was it dead? He walked towards the fallen figure.

"Ummm, excuse me? Are you alright?" He stopped a few feet away from the man, afraid to get to close. "Hello? Are you awake?"

Suddenly he could feel something behind him. Someone's eyes were on him. He swallowed. He looked down at the figure, and slowly turned around.

"Hermione. You scared me. I thought you were someone else."

"Don't be silly. Who else would it be?" She looked past Ron at the silent form. "Who's that?"

"I don't know. He called to me. And as soon as I turned around he fell. I'm not sure if he's alright."

"Well let's find out." Hermione brushed past Ron and knelt beside the man. She leaned in close and shook him gently, "Hey, hey, wake up. Are you okay? Wake up."

"Hermione!" Ron hissed. "Are you insane! This man could be dangerous!"

She looked up briefly and then back at the man. "Don't be silly Ron. He's unconscious. How harmful can he possibly be?"

Ron grabbed his head in disbelief, "Have you gone mad? Do you hear what you are saying? Are you aware that you are living in a world of unnatural things? This man very well could be dangerous. Unconscious or not. He may not even be unconscious!"

"His breathing is to slow. He can't be aware of anything even if he is conscious." She said knowingly. "We have to get him to the hospital. It looks as though he got in some sort of fight. There are marks all up and down his arm. Not to mention how screwed up his face is." She looked longingly at him. "It looks as though he was handsome at one point."

Ron scowled. What was she trying to say? That he wasn't handsome? That she'd rather be with someone else? Is that it? Would she rather be with this handsome stranger? He's not even that handsome. Besides he looks like he's got to be like thirty or something. Was she attracted to older guys? Or maybe she hopes that he'll be able to perform. What was wrong with him? Where did all these thoughts come from? His girlfriend was leaning over some unconscious stranger that may or may not be dangerous. Plus it was after hours and they were bound to get in trouble, and all he can think about is if his girlfriend is attracted to someone else?

The figure stirred.

"Ron!" Hermione leaped back. "Did you see that? He moved!"

"What do we do? What if he wakes up?" Ron pulled his girlfriend away.

"I though that's what we were trying to do."

"I wasn't expecting him to actually wake up!"

"Well we can't just leave him here!"

"Why not! We can go tell someone. Let them handle it."

"By then it may be to late! We need to help him." She stared at him hard. Her eyes pleading. "Please Ron, we can't just leave him here. I don't want anything bad to happen to him."

A flash of Hermione and this stranger shot through his mind. She was wearing this seductive purple slip. Candles were everywhere. She flipped her hair and the stranger took her in his arms. "Oh Hermione, I need you! I need you now!"

"Yes! Give it to me! Yes yes." Her head falls back, exposing her neck to the man. The man ran a long finger along the line of her neck, his eyes heated with lust.

"Oh god, you are so beautiful." He slowly slid the slip from her shoulders. "Do you have any idea what you're doing to me?"

Hermione moans loudly. "You are such a better lover than my last boyfriend! Yes! Yes!" Fire leaps into the mans eyes, cruelly he grinds his hips into hers.

"Don't mention him to me." Her whispers to the withering Gryffindor beneath him. She moans loudly.

"Ron? Are you alright? You look like you've just seen a ghost." Hermione suddenly burst out laughing at realizing what she had said. "A ghost! Like we never see ghosts!"

Ron couldn't help but smile. "Yeah, I suppose that's pretty funny." He shook his head vigorously to get rid of the impure thoughts.

Hermione wiped a tear away, "Oh Ron! Oh I'm sorry. Are you really okay?"

"Yeah. Yeah I'm fine. Of course we can help him."

Hermione smiled broadly. "Thank you. I promise, this guy is harmless."

Ron and Hermione both took an end of the seemingly lifeless form. "On the count of three....one.....two....three!" The man was surprisingly light. They carried him with great ease up to the castle.

"I wonder if he's been tortured." Hermione stated as they approached the double doors.

"Why do you say that?"

"Well first of all because of all the scars and marks on his body-"

"You looked at his body?"

"On his ARMS and FACE...anyway, and second off all because he's so light. He may have been starved."

They made their way up the steps to the entrance. Ron glaring at the body he held.

Hospital Wing

A tall slender man moaned in his sleep. He had a rough night. No telling if he'd ever be the same again. Not after what he's been through.

"Well at least we know he isn't dead." Said a firm and motherly voice. "You two can go back to your dorms now. It's late. And you know you'll be in big trouble come tomorrow."

Ron and Hermione groaned, knowing what "trouble" meant. Detention.

"Don't seem so down. I'm sure professor Dumbledore won't overlook your courageous efforts. Now off with you two. Go on! Shoo!" The motherly woman smiled after the two as they scrambled off to their dorms. "They make such a nice couple." She turned back to said man. "Tisk tisk, what is someone like you doing at Hogwarts anyway?" she said, though not expecting an answer.

"I'm running," The form mumbled.

"What was that darling? I couldn't hear you."

"I'm running." The man made an effort to sit up.

"Now there will be none of that. You need your rest." She pushed him back down on the pillow with great force, and he moaned in agony. And although she knew

she really should let him sleep, curiosity won over. "What are you running from?"

"From HIM." The man nearly gasped it out. He began to panic. His body shivering.

"Calm down honey. No one is going to harm you. You're under MY care now. No one can touch you." She put a reassuring hand on his stomach. "Oh that reminds me, you must be hungry. Stay here and I'll be right back with something to eat."

He sighed. My work isn't finished yet, he thought weakly. I still have something to do. I know it...what do I have to do? He put his hands over his face in attempt to remember what is was he was supposed to do. "Oh god!" He moaned. "I can't remember!."

The nurse came rushing to his side, with a tray of food in her arms. "Can't remember what? No worry, think about that later. For now, eat." She gently placed the tray in front of the man. He stared at it dumbfounded. "Well don't just stare at it, eat it." He twitched and picked up a spoon. Satisfied, the nurse walked away.

TBC

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