A/n. 10 reviews in all! Thanks everyone. Leiselmae: glad to hear you're ready for more! Sad to say, this one's only going to be six chapters- but I've been thinking, sequel anyone? And to HPLover49, I award 10 points for careful reading! You are correct! Harry is underage, it's the summer, and he isn't allowed to use magic...BUT! I am of the opinion that once the war breaks out in the next book, all those rules are going to be considered small potatoes by the Ministry- especially when Harry's involved. But that's just one girl's opinion! What do you think?
The flashback has finally ended and we are back to the moment when Ron finishes reading the note Hermione left him and hears her downstairs...ready?
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, but don't worry, I'm asking for the rights for Christmas.
CHAPTER FIVE: WORSE THAN DEAD
Ron reached the bottom of the staircase just as Hermione ducked into the fireplace.
Out of breath, he jumped into the living room and yelled "Stop!" as it was the only thing he could think of to, well, stop her. She paused, looking at him with tears in her eyes.
Ron caught his breath and took a step towards the fireplace, where Hermione was still standing, eyeing the jar of floo powder on the floor. Breathlessly, he said, "Going somewhere?" He had tried to sound casual, but he knew she could hear the worry in his voice.
"I don't know, are we?"
Ron looked at her, confused, but her words finally hit his ears and he knew, then, that getting Hermione to stay was going to be much harder than he'd thought.
"Why do you keep running off like that?" Ron drew a breath and took a step forward. "I want us to 'go somewhere' too, but you keep leaving every time we get close! What are you, afraid? Afraid I'm going to hurt you? I'm never going to hurt you, Hermione! You think you're clever about everything, but you're acting so stupid right now! Get it into your head, Hermione, I love you and I'd never hurt you!"
Hermione took a step towards him and placed her hands on his hips. Ron could feel his anger melt away. Suddenly, their lips touched softly. Ron felt a chill sweep through his body. He pulled away. The temperature was dropping.
"It's cold in here-" Hermione began with a shaky voice.
"Sh!" Cold swept the air. Both figures froze. Ron knew that cold.
He mouthed 'Don't move.'
Hermione nodded silently. Ron turned his head slightly. He could make out the body of one of the guards lying motionless just outside the window in the grass. He had felt a bit of a buzz still with him when he had gotten up, but he was wide-awake now.
The freezing air filled the house. Hermione took a short breath and the life flooded from her face.
A low voice in Ron's head repeated over and over, 'You'll never be happy again.'
Dementors.
Ron's mind darted to every spell he knew. None would help them but the Patronus. He knew that one. Harry had taught it to the DA in fifth. Eventually, he'd mastered it, but, as Harry often reminded them, conjuring it in the presence of a real dementor was a lot more difficult than practicing it at meetings.
Ron glanced down at Hermione, who was looking tearfully out of the window at the motionless body.
'Grown wizards have trouble conjuring the Patronus,' Ron thought. 'That guard's probably been...kissed.'
He hated himself for being so afraid, but it was true. The kiss was worse than death. Ron would have faced any number of gigantic spiders right now if he could just get Harry down the stairs to fend off these dementors.
Harry. Ron needed Harry, who was upstairs, dead asleep. Even if he did get him, he wouldn't be able to fight properly. 'These dementors are probably here to get rid of us so that Voldemort can get a clear shot at Harry...coming to the Burrow was a mistake. Shit...'
Of course, even Ron had doubted Dumbledore's decision to have Harry summer at the Burrow. But he couldn't help feeling ecstatic about having his best friends all together in the same house for three months.
Ron was frozen in his thoughts. It was easier to think of the past, of regrets, and ignore the current predicament. He and Hermione were in real danger. What were they to do?
A dementor glided past the window.
Ron felt his jaw drop a little.
The doorknob twisted slowly.
Ron's throat tightened and he gulped, his eyes growing wide. He felt a cold hand reach out and grab his. Hermione stepped back next to him and clutched his hand tighter and they heard the door click open.
A tall, dark, hooded figure entered the living room of the Burrow.
There was only one. It seemed a bit odd. Ron thought an ambush might have been wiser, like in chess. Cornering the pieces...leaving them no way to escape.
As if reading his mind, Ron heard a second dementor come through the front door. And then another stepped in behind the one in the living room. Three dementors. No way out. Check mate. They were worse than dead.
A/n. Have you read it? Then review it! I'm a little sad this story is going to be ending soon, but this is only my first! Happy September everyone and don't forget to return tomorrow for the stellar conclusion of...NIGHT OF THE PATRONUS!!!!