WORSE THAN DEATH

End of Summer

Disclaimer: None of the characters or creatures in this story belongs to me. They all came form the brilliant mind of Ms. J.K. Rowling.

Rating: PG

Hermione couldn't believe it. Only two more weeks before her sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry began. She felt like the years had just slipped away, and she could still remember her first day of school like it was yesterday. The day she had meet her two best friends and began some of the best memories she would ever have.

Hermione sighed. Six years sure went by fast. Of course, growing up during the second wizard war was sure to do that. The last six years of her life had been jam packed with enough action and near death experiences to last her a life time. This year would be worse though. She had spent most of her summer vacation mentally and emotionally preparing her self for what might, and probably will lie ahead. Lord Voldemorts' return only a little more than a year ago had been rough on her and her friends, especially on Harry. It wasn't even until a few months ago that the ministry of magic (or rather, Cornelius Fudge) even realized they were wrong and started helping the Order. Yes, things would be very different this year.

The order of the Phoenix had their first loss only a few months ago when Harry's godfather, Sirius Black, was killed during a vicious fight at the Ministry. It had affected them all greatly, especially since they knew he wouldn't be the last. Others would die as well; maybe even herself…Hermione had accepted that.

"Are you almost ready dear? They will be here soon!" Hermione heard her mother shout from downstairs. She quickly ran her finger down a list of everything she would need for school; double checking to make sure she had everything. She was going to be staying with the Weasleys over at headquarters for the last two weeks of summer. She couldn't wait to see her best friends again. She had kept in touch with them as much as possible.

Hermione had also been keeping up with what the order was doing. Not much had really happened though. After the incident at the Ministry, Voldemort had been weakened; he hadn't really made much of an effort to try anything else in the last couple of months.

Hermione heard a car door and quickly zipped her large suitcase up. She had to use two hands and all her strength to get it down the stairs. Anyone who knew Hermione well would know that there had to be plenty of books stashed in that suitcase along with all her clothes.

Downstairs, waiting for Hermione was Ron's dad, Arthur Weasley and another member of the Order, Nymphodora Tonks. Hermione smiled brightly at them and her parents kissed her good bye. The Ministry had apparently given Mr. Weasley another enchanted car. They'd probably give him anything he wanted now that Fudge had to admit that he was wrong and Mr. Weasley was right. Fudge is even lucky to still have his job. Serves him right, thought Hermione.

Tonks loaded Hermione's stuff into the trunk and Hermione got into the back seat with Crookshanks on her lap.

"Everyone will be so glad to see you Hermione! Have you had a good holiday so far?" Tonks asked as they pulled out of the Granger's driveway.

"Yes, Tonks, it's been great," Hermione smiled. As much as she loved her parents she really enjoyed the company of other witches and wizards.

"Ron's been crazy waiting for you to come this summer," Explained Mr. Weasley.

Hermione caught her breath. Ron has been waiting like mad to see her? Is that what Mr. Weasley just said? Is it possible that Ron likes her as more than a friend?

"Really?" Hermione asked.

"Well of course. You can't expect Ginny to keep him entertained all summer!"

Of course! Now Hermione felt truly silly. She now realized that Ginny was the only person Ron had to talk to all summer now that Fred and George had gone to go work on their joke shop, which Ron had written to tell her was going very well. How could she think Ron would like her? He was her best friend.

Hermione tired to push those thoughts aside. She had only considered her and Ron Together about a thousand times, and every time she pushed the thought away, convinced she had gone mad, which is probably what Ron would say if he knew she was thinking these things. Truth was, she did really like him, Ginny had pointed it out on many occasions and Hermione would always laugh at her. Hermione would never admit it.

She soon let those thoughts leave her head as she turned to look out the window and gaze upon the city scenery. She had no idea how far away headquarters was, for all she knew it could be a three hour drive. With that in thought, Hermione let herself relax and she let her thoughts wander.

Hermione hadn't gotten much sleep last night. She had been too excited about going to headquarters. Her lack of sleep was now taking a toll on her. As she watched the cars pass by (because Mr. Weasley was driving ridiculously slow) her eyes became heavy and she started to struggle to keep them open.

As Hermione's eye's battled to stay open, she caught a quick glance of what looked like a wisp of black smoke. Her mind reacted. That's odd . She opened her eyes more widely this time and searched out the window for the source of the smoke. When she saw nothing she settled down again. Her eyes didn't threaten to close this time though. She had suddenly grown very cold and couldn't relax. She was awake now. She had really grown paranoid over the years. Madeye Moody would be proud, she thought.

There it was again! Only this time it looked like a ragged black sheet willowing in the wind. Hermione didn't hesitate to investigate. Her face was quickly pressed against the window trying to catch a glance of what ever it was she just saw.

"Dementors!" Tonks cried. She was right. There were three dementors surrounding their vehicle. Hermione grew cold and started to breathe frantically.

"What do we do?" yelled Mr. Weasley. Tonks thought for a moment. The dementors were desperately trying to get inside the car.

"We have to get away from the muggles!"

"But I thought muggles couldn't see dementors," Hermione stated.

"They can't, but we don't want to risk any of them getting hurt."

Hermione didn't argue with that.

"Get us out of here Arthur!" Tonks ordered. Just then Mr. Weasley pulled a purple lever and the car rose of the ground and soared into the air. Hermione let out a shriek of surprise.

"Mr. Weasley! The muggles!"

"Oh Right," He said frantically and reached for a button on the dash and pushed it. Instantly, the car became invisible.

"Can the dementors still see us?" Hermione questioned.

Mr. Weasley struggled for breath. "No, but they can sense us," He answered.

Hermione tried to stay calm; she had been in far worse situations than this.

"There is only one way to get rid of the dementors and that's if we fight them!" stated Tonks. Mr. Weasley looked at her as if she were insane.

"Tonks! Not all of us are Aurors! It would be like three against one!"

Hermione swallowed hard. "Three against two, Harry taught me the Patronus."

Mr. Weasley looked at her with shock etched on his face and Tonks smiled.

"You just do some fancy driving Arthur and we'll take car of the rest."

Hermione suddenly wished she had never said anything. Performing a patronus in class in front of Harry and Ron was one thing, but using it in a real situation was completely different.

Before Hermione could think anymore Tonks had rolled down her window and stuck out her wand pointing it directly at one of the dementors. "Expecto patronum!" She shouted, and a wave of silver burst out from the tip of her wand followed by the metallic figure of a horse. Hermione quickly snapped out of it a followed Tonk's lead.

She quickly rolled down her own window to come face to face with a dementor. Hermione began to panic, a flood of emotion threatened to take her over as every bad memory she had ran through her mind. She fought it and shot her wand out the window into the face of the dementor and shouted "Expecto Patronum!" Just as Tonk's, Hermione's wand let out a burst of silver light followed by the figure of a silver otter. It leaped at the dementor and it began to drift away.

"Good girl, Hermione!" Tonks laughed. Unlike Hermione, Tonks seemed to enjoy this. Within seconds all three dementors had left. Hermione, Tonks, and Arthur all sighed in relief. None of them spoke for a second.

"Good job ladies," Mr. Weasley said breaking the silence.

"Good Driving Art!" Replied Tonks.

Before another word was spoken Tonks let out a scream and jumped away from the window. Hermione tensed waiting for another attack. But when Mr. Weasley and Tonks started to laugh Hermione started to breathe again. This time the only thing outside their window was Remus Lupin and Mad Eye moody, flying beside them on their brooms.

Tonks sighed and rolled down the window once more. Lupin Smiled brightly. "Thought you might have needed back up," He said.

Tonks smiled back "Well, you're a little late for the party Remus."

"You mean you didn't leave any for us?" Asked moody sadly.

"What was that all about?" Mr. Weasley asked desperately.

Lupin frowned "We'll tell you everything back at headquarters. See you there."

Moody and Lupin flew forward on their brooms, but Hermione noticed they didn't go far just in case the dementors came back for more.

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