Disclaimer: Not unless my name has been changed to JK Rowling and I live in Europe.

A/N: Sorry I haven't updated for a while. Camp is murderous. Here's the next chapter! Enjoy!

The death eaters brought Ron and Jeremy to a large, curse bound arena. It was filled with young boys, all around Ron and Jeremy's age or older. The boys were all wearing ragged robes, most of which bore their school crest. Surprisingly enough to Ron and Jeremy, only half the arena was filled, the other half seemingly bare.

"In ya go, you rotten' brats!" grumbled one of the death eaters as Ron and Jeremy were thrust into the cursed place. Jeremy cursed at the death eaters but Ron just stood there, a blank look in his eyes.

The death eaters shut the gate to the arena and Ron and Jeremy took a seat next to the barren area. But to Ron, it was no longer barren. It was full to the brim of girls around the same age as the boys. And two girls were sitting right next to Ron. One had blonde hair and freckles and the other had very bushy hair.

"Hermione!" Ron shouted at the girls.

He tried to get to them but received a powerful shock. Jeremy turned and cried out, "Liz!" but before he could hit the invisible barrier, Ron blocked his way and explained what had happened to him.

"But how do we get to them?" Jeremy asked concernedly. "Hermione isn't looking to good and she needs to get out of here ASAP!"

Jeremy was right. Hermione was pale, her lips were blue, her eyes dead. The whip wound was bleeding severely and was being whipped by the cold wind. Liz was sitting over her, tears trickling down her face. Ron couldn't stand it anymore.

"Hermione! Liz! Over here!" he called.

Liz turned her head and saw Jeremy and Ron. She let out a cry of surprise and, just like Ron and Jeremy, tried to reach them but hit the shocking barrier.

"Ow!" they heard her shout.

"Liz, you okay?" Jeremy said loudly.

She nodded her head.

"What about Hermione?" Ron asked.

Liz shook her head sullenly. "She's, she's..."

"What?" Ron asked angrily.

Ron and Jeremy leaned in to hear her whisper, "She's dying, almost dead."

All the color from Ron's face drained. No, this couldn't be. Hermione, his Hermione, can't be dying. She was too strong for this.

"No," Ron gasped. "NO! Hermione!"

Jeremy tried to calm Ron down, but was pushed away by Ron. Tears flooded his eyes. All he could see was Hermione's face. And soon she would be gone. Unless he did something...yes.

Ron stood up, knowing what he had to do. He had rapidly recalled the prophecy made about him and Hermione.

The smart one stays live,

Living off his love.

That was it.

Ron walked forward into the invisible barrier, but this time, it did not shock him. Instead, he went straight through it without feeling a thing, and in doing so, the barrier was broken. He did not notice, however. All of his thoughts were on Hermione.

As soon as he broke the barrier, all the guys and girls went to find their friend or sibling on the other side. Jeremy ran to Liz and Ron went straight to Hermione.

"Hermione, hey..." he said quietly once he had reached her. He sat down next to her and gently lifted her into his arms.

She did not say anything.

"Mione, you can't do this. You can't die." He pleaded.

"It hurts too much." She rasped.

Her breath was coming in short gasps now.

"No, Hermione don't die. You just can't die!" Ron was frantic now, trying to hold on to the one thing that he loved most in the world.

"Why?" Hermione stared up at Ron hopelessly.

"Because," he began while choking back a flood of tears, "because if you leave me, who will I marry? Who will be the mother of my children? Who will be with me and watch our grandchildren grow? That's why I need you to live through this."

Hermione began to cry. Tears flooded down her pale face.

Ron couldn't hold it back any longer. He too began to sob and he grabbed Hermione and pulled her into his arms.

"Don't die, Hermione. Don't die."

Oh, cliffhanger. Aren't I evil! Don't worry. The next chapter will tell you what happens to Hermione. Review away!