Ch. 2: Missing
Hermione could feel the blood rushing to her head. Her ankle was throbbing, but she willed herself to not give in. She heard the rustle of hundreds of capes as the Death Eaters back against the wall leaving a large opening in the middle. Here it comes.
Voldemort jerked his head, and the two Death Eaters grasping her and Ron dragged them over to the stairs leading up onto the platform. She was thrown to the ground and felt chains tighten around her hands and feet, crushing her already injured ankle. She let out an audible gasp, and Ron reached out for her hand. She squeezed it gratefully. She turned to look at Harry, and she saw fear in his sparkling emerald eyes. She fought to hold back the tears, but they flowed as the last of her resistance vanished.
Voldemort had stood up and was striding into the opening, cape billowing out behind him. A smug smirk catching his lips. He stopped just before Harry and stared cruelly down at him.
"Let them go. It's me you want." Harry's voice quivered.
Voldemort laughed again. "You know I can't do that! How can I deny you the pleasure of your friends faces being the last things you see? Plus I'm sure they'll want to bear witness to the demise of 'The Boy Who Lived!' Or what is it they're calling you now? Oh yes, 'The Chosen One!'" Hermione flinched as he cackled again and brought out his wand.
"My followers I'm sure would find them entertaining as well." Voldemort backed away slowly, his wand at the ready.
"Well come on Harry! Don't you want to play hero? Come and get them! Crucio!" Voldemort spun around faced them. Hermione had never felt pain like this before. She could feel her head splitting open, it felt like ice cold daggers were piercing every part of her. She was just hoping that death would come and free her from this torture, when the spell was lifted. She blinked through the haze and saw that Harry had attacked Voldemort. She had to be proud of him because he had mastered silent spells quite well, and was now locked in battle, sending hex after hex at Voldemort.
The battle continued for what seemed like an eternity, Voldemort clearly toying with Harry. Finally Voldemort got the upper hand and knocked Harry off his feet, sending him flying into the air only to land back on the ground in a heap. Voldemort strode over and smirked at the beaten boy.
"Get up Harry! It's no fun to kill you when you lie there like a twig! Get up! Crucio!" Hermione watched as Voldemort held the same curse over Harry. She watched helplessly as he convulsed on the ground.
"Stop it!" Hermione shouted. Voldemort froze and turned around. "You're not enjoying this eh? I figured not. Let's just take you first. Since Harry isn't going to come to your rescue!" Voldemort strode over and stood above her and Ron. She felt Ron put his arm around her protectively.
"You going to protect her? What could you possible do? You filthy little blood-traitor!
Voldemort lifted his wand to bring down the curse on them, but a loud explosion distracted him. A red stream shot past him, missing by inches. The Order rushed in wands firing at every Death Eater they could. The Death Eaters, caught off guard, were falling, and finally only half were left. Now they fought back, and the Order was too destracted to notice what Voldemort was doing.
He ripped Ron from Hermione and held onto him tight. He grinned at Harry, "See you soon Harry!" And with that he apparated.
Hermione watched Harry stand up and feeble attempt to stop him, but he had already gone. He collapsed on the ground, and Hermione was left to watch as the Order drove the Death Eaters away. They were apparating, and soon none were left.
She hardly noticed when Lupin came over and undid the chains and helped her to her feet. She couldn't believe what just happened. He's gone.
She stumbled on her ankle, and Lupin bent over and healed it with a flick of his wand. It was still sore, but she could tell that the bone was fixed. All around her she could see the Order helping others to their feet, and Aurors taking the fallen Death Eaters with them. Her eyes darted to the ones whose eyes would never open.
They had gotten to the door, when Harry and Mr. Weasley joined them. Harry just stared at the ground, and didn't make any attempt to show that he knew she was there. Mr. Weasley smiled sorrowfully at Hermione. Then she noticed a tear slide down his cheek. Ron's gone.
Lupin grabbed her arm to apparate, "Come on Hermione. We're going back to Headquarters."