A Problem Shared is a Problem Halved.
The last thing that she remembered was the roof caving in. The images of the memory danced in front of her eyes as she recalled seeing a slab fall from above before everything went black. She lay in a daze, propped up against something solid. She began to stir feeling the uncomfortable sharpness of stone beneath her. She felt cold, and alone, terrified for some reason. Unsure whether she was dreaming she tried to shake herself back into reality.
"I will not let you harm her," yelled a familiar voice. "EXPECTO PATRONUM"
"Ron?" Hermione asked in her thoughts.
A bright light shone across her face making her squint, and slowly it dawned on her where she was. She was in Chimney Sweep and the last she knew was that they were under attack.
The sound of bricks tumbling, the cold iciness in her chest easing, Hermione forced her eyes open. She caught a glimpse of the all too familiar Dementor silently withdrawing into the street, but this was not what caught her eye.
In the middle of the room stood Ron, but his stature was different. He stood strong, bold and proud, with his wand held fiercely in his hand and a look of determination on his face.
Her eyes flickered to the light and she gasped as she saw a wolf patronus. Its fur shimmered in silver and its eyes were cunning and shone mightily, regarding its master before fading away into the darkness. She lay there, astonished that it was Ron who had called up the patronus, and not only that, but what he had said before he had summoned it.
"Ron?" She faintly called out to him.
She watched him turn and face her. His eyes widened as he saw that she was awake, before rushing to her side, scattering a few shards as he did so.
"Hermione?" He asked, taking her hand and stroking it with his thumb.
Hermione felt reassured and looked into the eyes of the man that had saved her life. But she needed to know for certain that what she had seen was real and not part of an illusion forced on her by the blow.
"Was that your patronus?" She smiled up at him, her eyes twinkling.
"Yes," he replied.
"What was your happy thought?" She looked deeper into his eyes. She had a suspicion.
"I thought," He said leaning closer, "I thought of who I was fighting for. The thing that gave me strength…" He paused. "Hermione, it was you."
"Me?" She had always known that Ron's feelings were mutual with hers, but Ron had never been mature enough to see it. Now he knelt next to her, seeming to be a changed person, as if he had finally found strength and it was in her.
"Yes. Since the day we met, I have always loved you. I didn't realise how much I did until you were lying there, defenseless and only I could do something about it. Hermione… I love you." Tears were in his eyes.
"Ron," she took a hand and cupped his cheek. She searched his face and brought it closer so that their foreheads were touching. Her eyes flickered to his lips and a sudden urge befell her. She wanted him to know that she felt the same. That he was what she valued and would fight for. "I love you too." She moved her lips forwards and together their lips met.
It was what every girl always dreams of; their first kiss. She had always expected it to be awkward, simple yet with someone who would see past that and want to kiss her again. This was not what she had expected, in fact, what she had expected hadn't done this justice.
The kiss itself was strong and their lips moved around each other's like a doorway had just been opened. Hermione moved her hands up to his head and ran her delicate fingers through his fine hair. She felt his hands find her torso and hold her towards him before deepening the kiss.
She wanted the moment to last forever, that they could continue further but her common sense kicked in. Enjoy the moment! A voice echoed from inside her, but an alternate one said it's still not safe.
Regretfully she pulled away. Their lips parted and she instantly felt that a part of her was missing and she had an urge to pick up where she left off, but she refrained.
"Ron. What if the Dementor's come back?" She looked up at him, his lips swollen but a look of lust upon his face.
"I'll protect you Hermione. Don't worry about that" He moved forwards and kissed her on the cheek. She let out a soft sigh. She placed her hand gently on his arm, and she pulled back in alarm as he winced.
"What did they do to you?" She asked a look of concern on her face.
"I dodged falling debris and my arm sort of cracked. It hurts to move it."
"We've got to get back to school. I think I know a spell that can help, but after Lockhart, I don't think I want to try it." She grinned at the unfortunate memory. "Dumbledore will help us and we can get your arm fixed."
Wincing, he replied, "I guess so." She could tell that this wasn't the thing that he wanted to be discussing or doing after such a passionate kiss. In fact, she felt the same, but being the practical witch that she was, she knew better.
Slowly he withdrew from holding her and held out his other hand. Taking it, he helped her up. She felt a bit woozy to begin with and fell into his arms. He took her weight and held her steady. She tilted her head and looked up into his eyes.
"I don't think that you should travel like this." He looked worriedly at her.
"What and leave me here?" She grinned and straightened herself. "I'm fine. Just a bit dizzy after that piece of plaster fell on my head."
Seeing the panic on his face she quickly added, "But I'm fine! Honest!"
She smiled at him as he pulled a face as if she was going against his better judgment, but nodded all the same. Suddenly she had an idea.
"Here." She took off her jacket and ripped off the sleeves. Delicately she made a sling and tied it over Ron's shoulder so as to make a sling. He turned his head to watch her, and faces became dangerously close. She faltered for a moment before pulling her self back to admire her work.
"There," she said as Ron admired the sling. "At least that will provide some relief while we travel." She put the remainder of her jacket back on to keep herself warm.
"Your amazing Hermione." She blushed before reaching out to take his hand in hers. She held it softly before leading the way out through the hole in the wall. Clumsily, they stumbled over the fallen bricks and rubble that lay in their paths.
"Where's Harry?" She asked him as they walked. She recalled searching for him when the attack happened. Now that they were out in the street, it was lighter than there was before, and she was able to see a fair stretch down the alleyway.
"I think we should go this way," she added as an afterthought and together they ventured down the narrow path.
"I sent him for help," Ron replied, avoiding the smattered remains of a dustbin.
"You sent him for help? On his own?" Hermione stared at him is astonishment.
"It's alright! I had to send him! If the Death Eaters got him while I was looking for you it would have been game over."
"True." She looked ahead. The street was quiet and shrouded with smoke that emitted from one of the broken shells of a house further down making it difficult to see.
"Wait a minute." Hermione stopped and Ron stood beside her. It was too quiet. There were no screams of running people. Nothing.
"I don't like the feel of this place." She whispered, fiddling with the front of her jacket nervously.
"Neither do I," he clutched her hand in his as he looked around. A wind picked up and the sound rattled the broken windowpanes, and picked up the dust and ash that lay on the ground. The scene before them looked like a set of a ghost town and it send shivers down their spines.
Suddenly, there was a flash of light. Ron quickly pushed Hermione out of the way, and the jet of light narrowly missed her. Fiercely, Ron grabbed his wand and scanned for a sign of where the spell had come from.
"Who's there?" he yelled into the smoke.
Slowly a figure walked forward. He was tall and thin. His hair was blonde and sleek and a sneer of the most unpleasant lingered upon his face.
"Malfoy," Hermione hissed through clenched teeth.
"Tut tut," Draco muttered, twiddling his wand between his fingers. "Thought you would have made a better choice then that; a would-be a relationship with a Mudblood? You're a disgrace to the name wizard." He sneered at them.
Ron's face contorted with anger. "Don't you dare call her a Mudblood again or I'll…,"
"Or you'll what Weasel King? Cry to Dumbledore," he laughed. "In case you haven't noticed, Dumbledore isn't here." He grinned. "In fact, I don't think that he is even an issue."
Hermione narrowed her eyes. "What are you talking about Malfoy?" She demanded angrily.
"Hmm… You haven't noticed? Where are the people? People don't just vanish. Surely you would understand that simple fact."
There was a pause. The wind whistled through the deserted alleyway, picking up mini tornadoes of dust.
Draco sneered before continuing. "The time has come. The Dark Lord is here to reclaim power and there is nothing you can do."
"It won't be that easy. Dumbledore will stop you," Ron yelled at Draco.
Draco laughed a cold cruel laugh. "Dumbledore? I doubt it… In case you haven't noticed, he's dead."
Hermione clasped a hand to her mouth.
"He can't be dead," Ron spat at him. "Shut up with your lies, Malfoy."
"Lies? Surely, if Dumbledore were so great he would be here by now. No, my Father killed him himself. Now if you don't mind," he pointed his wand at them. "I've got more important matters to attend to. AVADA KED….!" Before he could finish performing the killing curse, Ron ran at him, barreling him over and snapping Draco's wand in two.
"You slimy little…!" He spat, holding Draco down by the front of his robes. "I should kill you right now."
Draco sneered. "It doesn't matter. The Dark Lord would avenge me."
"He wouldn't. He cares for no one Draco. Not even you. What will be gained from his power?" Hermione calmly asked, bending down to look at him.
Draco just sneered and looked at the sky. "You know nothing Mudblood." Before she could stop him, Ron punched him rendering him unconscious.
"Was that really necessary Ron?" Hermione looked at him quizzing, although a strange feeling filled her. She felt flustered and had the overwhelming urge to grab him and kiss him senseless.
"He finally got what he deserved." He looked at Draco's face where a thin trickle of blood ran from his nose. "Leave him. If what he said was true, we've got to find Harry. Come on." He helped her to her feet and together they took off, wands gripped firmly in their hands, alert and ready for a fight.
"Do you think this is it?" Hermione whispered as they turned down a particularly small pathway.
"What?"
"The final battle. The prophecy. 'Neither can live while the other survives'. What happens if Harry dies?" She slowed and placed her head in her hands. "I can't…" Tears were forming in her eyes and she turned away. She didn't want Ron to see her cry.
Ron walked slowly up to her and put his hand on her shoulders. Gently he turned her around and hugged her. Gratefully she held herself into his warm chest. "I don't want Harry to die."
"He won't." he said, tilting her head so that their eyes met. "We're here for him. We will fight for him. Won't we?"
"Of course we will." She wiped her hand across her face and smiled up at him. "We can't let Harry down."
"Right," he said using his hand to wipe some of the remaining tears from her face. She looked up at him and thought, 'And I won't let anything happen to you either. No one will hurt you while I am here.'
"Come on." Ron whispered in her ear before removing himself from the embrace. "Harry was heading back to the school. Our best bet is to find him there."
She nodded and together they ran towards the gates.
"Oh no!" Hermione yelled, crumpling into a heap by the lake.
Hogwarts castle that once stood grand and tall was now ablaze with the yellow and orange flicker of flames reaching hungrily up to the now darkened night sky. Many of the castles's once proud turrets were tarnished in charcoal black. Hermione eyes stung from the overwhelming heat as she looked hopelessly at the wreck. She watched the north tower crumble down and smatter into pieces at the bottom of the hill. The smoke filled her lungs and she coughed. She felt that the fire was consuming her and all was lost.
She felt a hand on her back and tearfully she looked up. With his free arm Ron pulled her up and held her close, and she took comfort in his embrace as she tried to collect herself. She closed her eyes as the image danced before her.
"Why?" She mumbled into Ron's chest.
"It looks like were too late."
"It can't be too late. Harry's still alive. I know it." She gritted her teeth determinedly and collecting herself she stood up high. "We just have to find him."
"How?" She turned to face him. His face was white from the crumbling image that lay before him and she shuddered at the look of hopelessness that lingered on his features.
"I don't know," she stared at her feet. She didn't want to believe that what she was seeing was true. She had to stay strong. There had to be a way. She just had to think.
"What about the Galleons that you gave the DA?" Ron said.
Hermione's eyes opened. "Ron you're a genius!" Quickly she hugged him and kissed him on the cheek. He blushed a deep crimson and smiled.
"Now let's see." She reached into her pocket and withdrew the Galleon.
She felt its rough ridges thoughtfully. She knew that the galleon would grow warm when she changed the date on it, but what good was that? It wouldn't exactly help them find Harry, unless…
"Maybe if the Galleon gets warm and Harry has it, he could give us a signal as to where he is?"
"That might work." Ron looked up at the castle hopefully. "But it's a bit of a long shot isn't it?"
"Better to try than to give up!" She grasped the galleon tightly in both hands. She looked at it and tapped the side with her wand. The side glowed for a second before the numbers changed and began to give a radiating heat. "Now we wait."
Together, they scanned the skyline. Desperate for a sign, a hint of where Harry might be.
"Look!" Ron yelled excitedly. A shot of red sparks faintly shimmered from the far side of the lake. Hermione heaved a sigh of relief.
"Quickly! He could be in trouble!" Together, they sprinted towards the lake before skimming to a halt in front of it.
"It'll take too long to go around," Hermione cried out desperately.
"Actually, I don't think that you will be going anywhere," a cold voice came from behind them. Together they spun round and faced the cold Lucius Malfoy emerging from the shadows. He was dressed in his Death Eater robes with the hood pulled down.
"I'm afraid the Dark Lord has asked me to get rid of you. Can't have anymore hiccoughs in his plan now can we? Now, to bring Potter to his knees; his weakness is his heroism, and what better way to exploit it then to take one that he holds dearly." He chuckled.
"You won't get away with this!" Ron yelled, drawing his wand.
"Yes I can, and I only need one of you." Lucius glared at them, an evil glint in his eye. "Your family has been too much of a burden on the wizarding world - a disgrace. Goodbye Mr Weasley." With that he cast his wand in one clean swoop and sent a jet of light at Ron. The spell hit Ron in the chest lifted him up and flung him into the centre of the lake.
"RON!" Hermione screamed as his body fell into the water with a mighty splash. He couldn't swim, not with that broken arm. Tears clouded her eyes, and blind fury coated her.
"YOU BASTARD!" She screamed at Malfoy. Who merely chuckled and grasped her arm with a gloved hand.
"Come my dear. Don't make this harder than it already is."
She recoiled at his touch and spat at his face.
"INSOLENT BRAT!" He cast his hand and slapped her in the face. She crumbled to the floor and rubbed her red cheek with a hand.
"You may think that you have won but the fight isn't over yet. You have no power over me." She leered up at him, hatred in her eyes. Ron was dead and she was going to make this son of a bitch pay for it.
He stood over her. "And what would a filthy Mudblood like you do about it?"
He grabbed her hair and pulled her to her feet and Hermione grimaced in pain. He pointed his wand to her throat. "Now be a good girl and come with me."
"I can't let it end like this," Hermione thought to herself. She felt that part of her was missing. Ron was gone, most likely dead, and it was her fault. She scrunched up her eyes at the mere thought of it. She had to avenge him, no matter what the consequences. She sidestepped and stamped on Lucius's foot that was protruding from his robes.
He recoiled at the pain and she took her chance to turn and point her wand at him.
"EXPELLIARMUS!"
Lucius was blasted on to the grassy heaths, where his head collided with a rock and stunned him. Hermione charged up to him and held him by his robes and pointed her wand at his chest.
She gritted her teeth, her eyes mad with anger and breathed heavily. She wanted to kill this man - This disgusting excuse for a man.
"Can't do it can you Mudblood?" he sneered through his daze.
She pondered for a moment. Could she do it? Would it make her any better than him? A cold chill tickled her spine and the images of Ron being flung into the lake returned. Hermione looked up for a moment to regard her surroundings and grinned.
"I am not a murder Malfoy. I wouldn't ever be brought so low."
"So what are you going to do? Leave me here? I'll kill you as soon as your back is turned."
"I may not be able to kill you, but they can."
What Lucius hadn't seen but Hermione had, were the dozen of Dementor's heading their way over the grass to their current position.
"I bid you farewell. Petrificus Totalus." She cast him in a full body bind.
"What are you doing girl?" He could not see what was silently drifting his way. "Let me loose or you will suffer the consequences."
But Hermione was no longer listening to him. She had fallen into a cavern of remorse and nothing mattered anymore. Slowly she got up, took a last look at Lucius before turning and running around the lake. She knew that she had to help Harry, but what of Ron? Was there anything to save? Her gaze drifted to the silent and calm lake. A silent tear trickled down her cheek.
A harsh scream echoed over the lake, yet Hermione did not turn round. She knew what it was. She knew that it was the Dementor's sucking out his soul. She deathly grinned, if anyone deserved the most horrific of fates, it was him.
Suddenly she stopped as she realised that there were more Dementor's heading her way; far more than she could handle on her own. Shakily, she drew a breath and ran her hand over her matted, untamed hair. She watched and knew that her situation was grim. The Dementor's were closing in now and there was nowhere for her to go.
There were too many being drawn towards her. Why were they here? A thought crossed her mind before she turned to face the lake. A shining light burst from the far off trees and warmth fell over her. She felt reassured and calm as a soft song fell through her heart. It felt as if a voice was whispering in her ear, 'don't give up.'
The Dementor's were drawing nearer and she could hear their rattling breath. She backed up to the lakes edge and felt the reeds brush her legs. The only way out for her was by the lake. This was her only chance. She closed her eyes and collected her remaining strength. Then she jumped.
Before she had a chance to start swimming she felt something grab her leg and she was pulled under. Bubbles of precious air escaped her mouth as she gasped at the rush of being pulled downwards. She was dragged further, down and down, in a rapid spiral until she became disoriented as to where she was and felt as if she were about to pass out. Colours danced before her eyes, the coldness of the water engulfed her body and her lungs were screaming for the air.
Suddenly she felt that she was being pushed upwards. In a dramatic movement, she burst through the layer of water. She spluttered and coughed, and quickly swam to a near by ledge. She clung to it, taking in deep breaths of fresh air. She felt weakened and dizzy as she pressed her forehead on the muddy ledge. She steadied herself before opening her eyes.
As she trod water, she realised that she was in some sort of cave. The walls were domed and loomed in a low ceiling above her. The room was illuminated by walls of self-preserving light and she was able to look around her. She almost screamed as she noticed the two eyes looking at her.
"Giant squid?" she chocked.
The giant squid blinked its giant watery eyes. They looked at each other, before the squid bowed its domed head and vanish beneath the water, leaving rippled waves from where it had disappeared.
She clung to the side, breathing heavily letting the things that had just happened wash over her. Had the giant squid just saved her life? It seemed so, and where had he brought her?
Quickly, she gathered all her remaining strength and hauled herself out of the water. Her legs felt thick and waterlogged and quite quickly, the icy cold fingers of the air around her gripped her body and she began to shake.
She tried to calm herself as she wrapped her arms around her. Her teeth chattered and she began to doze. She let her torso fall only for it to touch something soft and warm.
She quickly arose, a startled intake of breath brushed her lips and she looked down at what it was. A hand flew to her moth. In the light, she could make out a figure. She crawled over to the face and tears welled up in her eyes as she saw the familiar red hair, the many freckles and the sweet lips that she had enjoyed only a few hours before.
"Ron," she mumbled to herself, brushing a hand over his face delicately and tenderly. His face was pale and his skin was barely warm.
"Ron! Wake up! It's me, Hermione." Her eyes darted frantically. What had Lucius's curse done to him? Using both her hands she slowly rolled him onto his back, revealing a pool of dark red blood.
Her eyes widened and her hands began to shake. "No, no," she chocked as she tried to steady herself. Her fingers clawed at his t-shirt. She pulled it back to see a deep wound in his side – His perfect muscular side. The wound was red with blood, but a green rim sunk dully around its edges. Hermione knew well enough that this was no ordinary battle wound. This was a wound that would slowly eat away at its victim until nothing was left.
Hermione collapsed on his chest, her arms cradling his body. "Don't you die on me Ron," she sobbed through increasing tears.
Deep down she knew there was nothing that she could do. All she could do was watch as his breathing grew shallower and his skin growing increasingly pale. He was going to die and all she could do was watch.
"You saved my life," she bushed her fingers through his hair. "I'll be damned if I can't do the same." She closed her eyes and gritted her teeth in determination. Mentally she recalled every book that she had read. There had to be something. Anything would do.
Her eyes snapped open and she drew herself up. Carefully she took his hand. She didn't know if this would work as she had only read about it in books. Her life could very well be in danger but there was no other choice. There was no Madam Pomfrey to help, and if she didn't do something soon, Ron's life would fade before her eyes.
Hermione took a deep breath before reciting.
"Forever mine, forever yours, I love you with all my heart,
A bond we share can't be broken, not even when we're apart,
We will grow even stronger; nothing can tear us in two,
With this gift our lives we share, my heart and soul go to you,
My pain is your pain; our fates are now one,
Together we'll stand, a bond to stay strong,
So take my hand and hold it tight, you are a part of me,
A problem shared is a problem halved, so mote it be."
A tear trickled down her face at these last words. She looked down to see a blue light illuminating from where her hand held his. She felt pain in her stomach and she threw her head back in anguish. She fell to the floor beside him and her hands clutched her side. She looked into Ron's face beside her and the pain began to ease.
Ron's eyes flickered open and Hermione smiled at him. He looked at her for a moment.
"Hermione?" he croaked his eyes tying to focus on hers.
"Shh…" She whispered as she placed a finger on his lips.
"Hermione what have you done?" He slowly shook his head from side to side.
"I've just bought you more time," she whispered.
"Hermione, why?" He gave her a pleading look.
"Because… I love you." Slowly she shifted over and hugged him, feeling his heat against hers. The sound of lapping water echoed over them as they held each other.
AN: How mean of me to leave it there! Don't worry! There will be one more chapter but that will focus on Harry. There will be an epilogue for Hermione and Ron so stay tuned! Hope you enjoyed it!