Chapter 25: The Portkey

"Dad." Hermione lurched instantly toward the door at the sound of her father's anguished scream, but was stopped by Ron who put a restraining arm around her waist and pulled her back away from the door. "Let me go." She struggled in his arms, beating her fists against his arm. "They have my mum and dad." She cried. "I have to help them."

"Hermione wait." He clapped a hand over her mouth, forcing her to remain silent and still against him. "You can't just go bursting out there." He said into her ear with hushed tones. "You won't be any help to your mum and dad if you're caught." Understanding the truth in his words she nodded her head unsteadily, her breath shaky and erratic against his palm. When he knew she wasn't going to struggle or cry out his arms began to loosen their hold on her. "All right." He murmured, lowering his hand slowly away from her face ready to throw it back into place if she spoke to loud again. When she remained quiet he let it drop all the way. His arm slinked free of her waist and he waited for her to turn and face him. Their eyes caught and they stared wordlessly at each other. He saw the comprehension in her eyes when he tilted his head to the side and was pleased to see her nod of agreement before he slowly turned to face her closed door.

"Silencio." He waved his wand at the wood panel, making certain it would not squeak when they opened it. He turned the handle to ease it from its cradle and was relieved when the door eased noiselessly opened. The relief was short lived however, as the silenced door had stood as a barrier between them and the activities downstairs. With the door now opened their ears were once again assailed by the anguished screams of Hermione's parents as they were being tortured.

Instinctually Hermione's hand found its way to Ron's back and settled there. Ron glanced back at her but did not object. He understood she needed the contact for both comfort and stability. He took a measured step forward and eased his head into the hall. He looked first right then left then over his shoulder at Hermione. Knowing what he was asking she tilted her head to the side, indicating that their path was to the right. Ron nodded then took another step out into the hall, pressing himself up against the wall as he went.

Ron could feel Hermione's entire body trembling through her fingertips as they slowly made their way down the hall. Their pace deliberately measured so as to cause little noise. Ron made sure that he made no sudden movements so that Hermione's hand could remain firmly on his back, acting as her anchor. The far they moved the more labored Hermione's breath became as she struggled to remain under control, fighting the need to rush to her parent's side.

They came to the spot where the hallway ended and the landing began. Ron held out a halting hand and Hermione stopped, taking a cautious step back out of sight. Ron eased his way to the end of the wall and peeked his head around the corner.

Standing in the foyer below were six Death Eaters grouped in a circle around the huddled forms of Hermione's parents. Somewhere it registered in the back of Ron's mind that the window framing the door was shattered, the glass scattered in a large arc across the wood paneled floor. The table that usually sat pushed up against the wall adorned with a lamp and several picture frames lay in splinters on the floor, some of the shards imbedded deep in the wall, the lamp and frames in pieces on the floor. Most or the photos had been knocked off the wall, presumably by a body being slammed into it repeatedly.

Finally Ron let his eyes settle on the Grangers. Blood was running from an open gash in Mr. Granger's brow into his eyes, obscuring his vision. There was another slash across his cheek and down the length of his arm where Ron could still see a shard of glass impaled deep in his flesh. Despite this he was glaring bravely at his captor; a skinny, pale boy with white blond hair who had his wand trained on the crouched man's heart.

Draco Malfoy's comrades, Vincent Crabe, Gregory Goyle, Pansy Parkinson and two other fully grown Death Eater's who Ron could not identify for they were hooded and their backs were to him, laughed vindictively as he gave his wand a precise flick, muttering a spell that Ron couldn't hear from where he stood. The red head watched horrified as Mr. Granger was lifted bodily off the ground, separating him from his wife. She screamed with anguish as she watched her husband be slammed painfully against first one wall and then another like a pinball knocking framed from the wall, littering the floor and his back with more chunk of jaded glass. With each impact his body made a jarring thud causing Ron to cringe himself. When he made contact with the final wall they heard the distinct sound of ribs creaking with the force of the blow.

Draco dropped his wheezing victim on the floor to the sound of ruckus approval. With racking sobs Mrs. Granger crawled to her husband and wrapped her arms gingerly around him, rocking slightly back and forth in an attempt to comfort.

"Now," Draco's cold, malicious voice rose over the sound of the other five's jeers. "I'll ask you again Muggle. Where is your filthy Mudblood of a daughter?"

Ron watched as Mr. Granger lifted his chin in the same defiant manner he had seen Hermione use hundreds of times before. "Go to hell." He spat at Draco's feet.

"Draco," Ron instantly recognized the sound of Luscious Malfoy's voice. "Are you going to allow such treatment from a filthy Muggle?" His voice was filled with with loathing and disgust.

The blond boy forced his chin into a defiant pose. "No father." Ron wasn't sure but he thought he heard a slight stammer in the other boy's voice. He lifted his wand hand and once again trained it at Mr. Granger's prone body. "Crucio."

Ron closed his eyes from the terrible sight of Mr. Granger's body bowing off the ground in agony. Hermione lurched towards the steps at the sound of her father's anguished screams and Ron had to fling out his arm and hold her back against the wall. For several tormenting seconds the curse remained upon him and Ron had to restrain Hermione against the wall. Finally the curse lifted and Mr. Granger stopped screaming.

"How about now?" Draco asked, his wand still trained on his victim. "Where is she?"

When he remained stubbornly quiet Luscious lifted his white brow, "Perhaps Draco, torturing him is not the right avenue to pursue." He trained his cold grey eyes on Hermione's mother who cringed away in fear while still trying to protect her husbands body. "Perhaps we could use the female to make him talk." His voice lifted as if he had had a pleasant thought. "Or perhaps she's of weaker constitution then her husband and we can make her talk."

"Excellent." Draco turned his wand off Mr. Granger and onto his next victim, his eyes gleaming with renewed joy.

Beside him Ron could feel Hermione stiffen as she prepared for the tormenting sounds of her mother's agonized screams. When they came she scrunched her eyes and tucked her face into Ron's back, trying to fight the over whelming need to go to her mother, to save her. It was a battle she lost. When she pushed at Ron's back, trying to force him out of the way so she could reach the stairs he pushed her back against the wall, holding her still and covering her mouth as he too tried to ignore the anguished sounds of the tormented woman.

"Mione." He spoke quietly, trying desperately not to alert the Death Eaters to their presences. "Mione," he tried again when she continued to stare through him with terror filled eyes, her focus solely on the scene downstairs where her parents were being held captive. "Mione," he said a third time, giving her shoulders a slight shake, causing her to look and finally see him. "I need you to stay here." He said slow and deliberate, wanting to make certain that she clearly understood him.

"What?" she asked, her eyes blinking with confusion.

"I need you to stay here while I go for your parents."

"What?" She asked again, her eyes spread with alarm as his words finally registered in her brain. "Are you mad?" She asked in a harsh whisper. "You can't go down there alone."

"Mione," he gave her shoulders what he hoped was a comforting squeeze. "I have to. And you need to stay here."

"No." She said stubbornly, her anger freeing her off the terror that had made her almost immobile a few moments ago. "You're not facing Death Eaters alone." She raised her chin obstinately. "I'm coming with you."

"No." he said forcefully, his fingers inadvertently tightening on her shoulders. "You need to stay here while I go for them."

"They're my parents." She objected. "I should be…"

"Mione, there's no time to argue." His hands left her shoulders to cup her face, tilting her head up and forcing her to look into his eyes, begging her to understand. "I need you to stay here so that I can bring your parents to you." He held her chin still when she tried to shake it in objection. "When I bring your parents to you I need you to bring them to your room and use the portkey Dumbledore gave you to get them out. Do you understand?"

"Yes. But…"

"No buts." His eyes held her captive. "I need you to trust me."

She stared open mouthed into his eyes. His blue orbs had a calming affect on her nerves and a wave of trust and comfort washed over her as she gazed into them. Understanding what he was asking of her she gave her head a short nod. "All right, Ron." She placed her cold trembling hand against his. "I trust you."

He smiled his thanks, his hands lingering on the softness of her cheek a moment longer. The renewed screams of Mrs. Granger broke them out of their trance. Ron's hands dropped away and he stepped back. "Mione." He thrust his hand into his pocket and extracted a plain ring that he slipped on his right hand, giving it a tap with his wand. "You need to stay on this side of the wall." He pulled another ring out of his other pocket and slipped it on his left hand. "If you look around the corner you will be temporarily blinded and I need you to be able to see so that you can lead your parents to safety. Do you understand?"

"Yes." She nodded, the quiver in her voice exposing her terror and nervousness.

He patted down his pockets as he turned away. "Good. I'll be right back." And he slipped past her onto the landing and out of sight.

"Oi!" Ron was half way down the stairs before Crabbe, who was facing his direction saw him coming. "Look who we have here." The other five Death Eaters diverted their eyes from the amusement that was Draco torturing Mrs. Granger to see what had caught his attention.

"Weasel King." Draco's smile was a sneer of cruel delight. "I wasn't expecting to find you here. But the more the merrier right?" He tilted his head mockingly to the side in a pose that suggested avid curiosity and consideration. "Does this mean that you and the Mudblood are together now? Disgusting." He sneered with revulsion at Ron. "How can you stand being a Blood traitor. You should be proud of your bloodline."

He turned away from Ron and craned his neck to see over the tall red head's shoulder. "Where is your filthy Mudblood anyway?" He turned his eyes back on Ron. "I'm surprised she would let you take on six Death Eaters by your self." Ron heard Hermione gasp from the top of the staircase and was thankful that the others seemed unable to hear her. "So where is she?" Draco continued. "She can't be that far away if you're here."

Swallowing the lump of fear that had suddenly rose in his throat, Ron wordlessly used his thumb to turn the gem of the ring on his left hand. There was a sudden flash of bright light followed by the helpless cries of the Death Eaters and their victims as they were blinded by the severe light. When the intense beam died away leaving Ron able to see, it showed the sixth Death Eaters thrashing around blindly, trying to protect their eyes from the harsh light emanating from the ring.

Without hesitating Ron ran forward, removing the obstacle of one of the staggering Death Eaters by binding him in magical ropes. Unable to move, the man fell forward onto his face with a loud crash, leaving a path open to the Grangers. Ron ran to the huddled couple who were similarly trying to protect their eyes from the extremely painful light. Ron placed a hand on Mr. Granger's shoulder only to have him tear it away in fright.

"Mr. Granger." Ron said quietly placing his hand once again on the older mans shoulder. "It's me."

Mr. Granger turned his head toward the sound of Ron's voice. He no longer tried to pull away but kept his eyes closed and his hand up to block the glaring light. "Ronald?" he asked uncertainly. "Is that you?"

"Yes." Ron slid his hand under the other man's arm and pulled, trying to draw him to his feet, bringing Mrs. Granger, who was clutching her husbands arm to her feet as well. "I'm going to get you out of here." Fortunately he remained unheard by the Death Eaters who were shouting and cursing as they ran into each other. Ron wrapped Mr. Granger's hand around his wrist. "Do not let go." He instructed, taking his first step towards the stairs.

Doing as the teenager had instructed Mr. Granger clutched onto his arm with an ironclad grip. Ron didn't think anything short of death would force the older man to let go of his arm. This was fine with him though. He preferred not having to worry whether or not he would loose the Grangers in their retreat.

One of the cloaked figures, Ron wasn't certain in the confused chaos which one, must have realized what was about and had shouted for his fellows to search for their intended victims. It now became more precarious and dangerous for Ron to lead the blind adults through the grasping, flailing arms of the Death Eaters, for at any moment he was certain one of them would be hit and they would be caught.

Ron and Mr. Granger both managed to step over the body still lying bound on the floor, but Mrs. Granger caught her foot and stumbled into her husband crying out in surprise and alerting the masked group to their location. Cursing under his breath Ron hurried his steps as the remaining Death Eaters blundered blindly after them. They were only a few steps away from the staircase now and Ron's heart lifted. He was certain they were going to make it.

He had just set his foot on the first step when his ring gave the first warning flicker, indicating that the protective light was about to go out. It was at that exact moment that Goyle managed to latch onto Mrs. Granger's arm, causing her to scream in terror. Ron spun around, his wand in hand. "Rictasempra." And the beefy boy flew back several feet, taking down a few of his friends with him.

The ring gave another warning flicker. "Run!" He shouted, pushing first Mr. Granger then Mrs. Granger toward the stairs. "Hermione's waiting at the top. She'll get you out of here! Go!" he shouted when the hesitated. The ring flickered ominously again.

Ron spun around to the sound of the Grangers groping and stumbling their way up the steps. His ring gave another flicker as he thrust his hands into his pockets and his heart beat faster. He had one more warning flicker before the shielding light would go out. Heart beating frantically he searched his pockets for a small smooth box. Giving a shout of joy he pulled the container out of his pocket and tore the top off, scattering some of the beans on the floor. Sending a silent thanks to Fred and George he chucked the beans from him, dispersing them on the floor so that the fanned out in front of all the Death Eaters. When the box was empty he let it fall abandoned to the floor. The ring gave a last feeble flicker and died.

"Shite." Ron cursed as he flung himself around and raced up the steps hoping he would be out of sight before the Death Eaters got their vision back.

"What the hell was that?" Pansy Parkinson wailed as she rubbed desperately at her throbbing eyes.

Luscious must have been the first to regain his eyesight for he cried out in fury. "Where are they?" He looked about madly. "The Muggles are gone."

Draco caught sight of Ron who was now halfway up the staircase. "Weasley got them." He pointed a long pail finger at the red head's retreating back. "After him!"

Instead of using their wands Crabbe and Goyle used instinct and took a step forward after him. Almost instantly their feet were swept out from underneath them and they fell forward onto their faces, landing with a loud and painful crash. They laid there a moment in confused bewilderment, neither certain how they had managed to end up on the floor when they hadn't heard a spell be cast.

"Get up." Draco commanded irately and his two thugs scrambled to obey, trying to push themselves up off the floor. But the instant they set their foot down their feet were swept out from beneath them once again, face planting them into the floor. Again and again they tried to stand to the same aggravating result.

"Expeliumus!" Pansy cried feverishly, jabbing her wand at Ron who had reached the top of the staircase. Caught off guard the wand flew to the very tips of his long fingers before the ring activated and called it back into his grasp. Ron gave a shout of delight as his fingers tightened around the shaft, shocking the remaining Death Eaters into immobility. Having reached the landing Ron stopped to take advantage of the Death Eaters stunned state. "Portrificus Totalus." Pansy's arms and legs snapped to her side and she fell backwards, her body as rigid and lifeless as a board. The look of triumph that had spread across Ron's face dwindled from when he saw the fury and hatred that swept over the remaining pair.

Not waiting to see what hex Luscious Malfoy was going to throw at him, Ron dashed behind the wall and out of sight, leaving father and son standing in the foyer. Draco spun on his father. "Why did you let him get away?"

Luscious turned cold gray eyes on his son. "This is your mission, Draco. Your initiation, not mine. Besides," he turned back to the stairs. "They're now trapped up stairs with no way out."

Giving his wand an almost lazy wave he sent the beans lying in his and his son's path out of the way. When their way was clear of beans the lunged forward toward the stairs in hot pursuit of the youngest Weasley son, leaving the other Death Eaters ensnared in their magical traps. Crabe and Goyle were still trying to gain their footing, the unknown Death Eater was still bound face down on the floor, and Pansy was staring at the ceiling lifelessly.

Ron reached the door at the end of the hall recognizing it as Hermione's room. He flung open the portal and stepped inside, freezing in shock when he saw Hermione still standing there, wand raised and pointed at his heart. The color drained from his face and a cold, heavy weight settled around his heart. "Mione," he stumbled father into the room. "What are you still doing here?"

She let her wand hand fall. "We were waiting for you." She explained, holding up the spun glass ball in her other hand for Ron to see.

He would have responded but the sound of feet stomping their way up the staircase drew his attention back to what was happening in the hall. Reacting quickly on instinct he stepped out of the way of the door and slammed it shut giving, Hermione room and time to imperviate it against intruders.

"Search every room, Draco." They heard Luscious order his son. "They have to be here somewhere."

Ron and Hermione backed away from the door as they heard the heard the father and son team make their way down the hall checking every room for their pray. Within what had felt like seconds someone had reached Hermione's door. The handle jiggled and was followed by the thud of a shoulder colliding with it. "They're in here father." They heard Draco call from just outside the door, his voice raised with delight. Almost instantly the door was under attack. It shuttered and quaked under the volley of spells that were thrown at it, rattling the hinges and causing the calendar pinned to the back of the door to come free and fall to the floor. The wood door groaned and shuttered and the seal that Hermione's impervious spell had made began to crack, making the door penetrable once more.

"Mione," Ron spun around, placing both his hands firmly on her shoulders. "Take your parents and get out. I'll hold them off."

Hermione could feel renewed terror rise in her chest as visions of Ron's battered and bloody body lying broken on the floor swam through her mind. "Ron, no." She clutched at his arms, her fingers digging into them in her terror. "You can't face them alone and…"

"Mione, the doors not going to hold." Ron flung her hands off so that he could turn back to the battered door and cast the charm once again, barely managing to reseal the crack the volleying spells had made before the seam began to split again.

"Then come with us." She pleaded, holding her hand out to him.

The door gave another groan, most of the seal coming undone. He cast the charm again. "Hermione, if I leave this door their going to get in." He threw the spell at the door again. With each passing second the door became obviously weaker. "Your parents can't defend themselves against magic. You have to get them out." He said reasonably.

"I'm not leaving you here." Hermione shouted stubbornly as she cast the impervious spell once again. Despite her effort the door gave another frightening shutter. "That's a death sentence." She turned back to him. "If you think for one moment I'm going to…"

Her argument was silenced by Ron abruptly taking hold of her face, drawing it quickly to him and capturing her lips hungrily with his. For a moment the two were caught by the sensations running rampant through them. Fear and desperation melded making them frantic for the others touch. It was Mrs. Granger's cry of fright as the door gave another grate shutter, the seam splintering open further, that drew the two apart. Hermione whimpered at the loss of contact. Ron spun away and sealed the door once again. "Now go." He ordered without looking back.

"But Ron…" she stammered. "I'm not…"

"Go!" he shouted angrily, giving her a purposeful shove towards her parents.

Hermione stumbled back in shocked surprise. Her heel caught on the edge of her rug and she lost her footing. Flinging her arms out as she desperately tried to catch her balance; she lost hold of the spun glass ball. It flew from her grasp and bounced off the wall, rolled across her desk and dropped to the floor, coming to a stop in the center of the bright rug.

Mr. and Mrs. Granger lunged forward in a desperate attempt to catch their daughter before she landed, but only managed to take hold of her hands before she made contact with a loud thud against the hard floor. Hermione closed her eyes as the sound of spun glass shattering beneath her broke through the racket, piercing her heart.

Her eyes flew open and caught Ron's in an instant. And in that moment they both knew. "No!" She screamed in anguish, trying frantically to push herself up off the floor. "Ron!" she cried when she felt the familiar tug of the portkey activating behind her navel. The last thing she saw before the room dissolved into a diffusion of blurred images and colors was the sight of Ron tilting his chin in a resigned yet brave and defiant manner toward the door that had just burst open to admit Draco and Lucious Malfoy.