IMPORTANT NOTE:
This story has been discontinued and rewritten as a new story called Into Oblivion (also posted under weasleygirl-ca). Read note in last chapter. Thanks guys!
Disclaimer: Own nothing that is familiar to you.
Category: Main: Romance/Angst; Secondary: Action
Rating: PG-13
Pairings: Main: Ron/Hermione; Secondary: Harry/Ginny
Summary: PART 1: A Time of War (Chapters 1-6): War rages as romance blooms. Voldemort spreads sickness faster than the Black Death. Hermione is on a mission to find an antidote for a deadly disease while Harry and Ron find their own way to fight in the War.
PART 2: The Lost Shall be Found (Chapter 7-13): The war is over but for Ron, the price of victory is too high to endure. Life passes him by meaninglessly. Only one person can save him from his emptiness but she is nowhere to be found until one day when everything changes, throwing Ron into an emotional rollercoaster that he cannot control.
Chapter 1: The Vaccine
Hermione stood in the middle of the dark dungeon of Hogwarts, her eyes locked on the contents of a large cauldron that was sitting in the middle of the potions classroom. All the student desks were shoved to the sides. She pulled her eyes away from the cauldron down to a long parchment sitting on Snape's desk and picked up a quill.
She chewed on her quill, deep in thought, before scribbling some notes that only she could decipher. Her perfectly neat printing had transformed into something barely legible over the course of the last month. She let out a frustrated sigh as she continued to go over the parchment, her mind carefully calculating something.
Putting down the quill, Hermione walked into Snape's office and fell into the chair, exhausted. She had dark circles under her eyes and her bushy hair, tied tightly back, had not been brushed in days. She just didn't have the time. She poked at the tasteless cold sandwich, which she had made earlier. She didn't feel like eating; she never did anymore. She would have stopped entirely if it were not vital. She laughed bitterly and left the office, slamming the door behind her. Anger swelled up inside her as she thought of everything that had happened after they finished school.
Again, scanning over the parchment, Hermione's face suddenly lit up. She ran over to Snape's restricted potions' cupboard. Fumbling with the keys, she opened it and ran her finger over the labels on the bottles, neatly stacked alphabetically. "Got it."
Walking over to the cauldron, Hermione's hands began to shake with excitement and hope.
"One more ingredient, come on, this has to work," pleaded Hermione to herself as she threw the ingredient into the cauldron.
She watched the potion carefully as it turned from a dark silver to a shimmering gold.
"Yes, I think I've done it!" exclaimed Hermione.
She dipped a huge spoon into the sizzling liquid and poured it into a goblet. The liquid immediately began to cool down as it hit the goblet's surface. Her hands shook as she brought the cup to her lips, pausing for a moment. With the cool metal just touching her skin, Hermione whispered a silent prayer, "Please work."
Then without another hesitation, she tipped the liquid into her mouth and swallowed the potion in one gulp.
"It's sweet," muttered Hermione as she wiped her mouth.
Her hands trembled uncontrollably as she went for the knob on the dungeon door. It hadn't been opened for a month. Hermione had gone without a single contact with any other living being for so long. The dungeon had been sealed, door, fireplace, everything. No one could get in or out, except Hermione and she dared not leave until she had finished her task—she slept, ate and worked in the closed quarters for so long.
"Here goes nothing," said Hermione as she nervously unlocked the door and stepped outside into the hallway. Her heart beat so furiously, she felt it might explode, she just didn't know what to expect—were her friends were still ok?
She swiftly made her way directly to the Hogwarts' infirmary. This was it. If she had succeeded she would not become ill. If she failed, she would be added to the endless list of wizards and witches who had the deadly Purifying Virus.
She pushed the door open and drew in her breath as she witnessed the sight in front of her. Tears threatened to flow down her face as she at last saw the magnitude of the crisis at hand. Her head became very light as she saw all her nightmares become a reality. Dozens of beds had been added to the Hospital wing and every single one of them was full. And Hermione knew it wasn't just the infirmary. The castle was full of infected people. Ron and Ginny looked up at Hermione, shocked.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?" yelled Ron as he brought out his wand, ready to force her out of the room. Hermione's heart leapt at the site of one of her best friends. All the feelings she had for him, which she had pushed aside, came rushing back like a waterfall.
"I think I've come up with a vaccine," said Hermione, her eyes moving everywhere before landing on Ron. She winced at the anger in his expression that she knew was disguising the worry in his heart.
"THINK! Hermione, if you haven't, you will risk your life. It's suicide," cried Ron, shaking uncontrollably with anger and fear.
Ginny put her hand on Ron's shoulder. "She's already done it."
Hermione could see how tired Ron and Ginny were. Ron's hair was almost as unruly as Harry's and Ginny's once silky hair was tied into a tight bun. Beads of sweat ran down their faces freely. They too had dark circle under their eyes. Their eyes looked haunted, as if there was no hope left. Hermione felt a shiver run down her spine. Shaking her head, she looked right into Ron's fearful eyes.
"I had to, it's the only way. You know that. Tell me you wouldn't do it?" countered Hermione.
Ron lowered his head and nodded. "I would do the same," mumbled Ron, tears running down his cheeks. He walked over to Hermione and was going to put his hand on her face but suddenly placed his hand in his pocket.
"You can touch me, Ron. The virus is airborne," whispered Hermione, her heart beating fiercely, dying for the human touch, for Ron's touch.
He placed his shaky hands on her face, lightly brushing the tears that had at last left her eyes. She felt weak as his hands touched her skin; she didn't want him to take them away.
"I missed you. If anything ever happened to you...to Harry...my family, I don't know how I could go on. I don't think I could," trembled Ron.
"We must be strong," whispered Ginny, almost as if she was trying to reassure herself.
"How's Harry?" asked Hermione.
Ron sighed. "I don't know. Dumbledore is being as cautious as possible but I'm scared, Hermione. I'm scared he'll do something stupid, being locked up like that. Dumbledore shouldn't have locked him into his office. I know it's to keep him safe from the virus. I know he is our only chance at peace but it isn't fair. Dumbledore knows how rash he can be. Why couldn't he be in the dungeon with you, at least he would have something to do. You know how he hates to be idle."
Ginny began wringing a wet cloth forcefully. "He's sensible enough," said Ginny, again trying to reassure herself.
Hermione and Ron looked at each other with uncertainty. Ginny was Harry's girlfriend, ever since 6th year and they knew she was trying hard to be optimistic but Hermione and Ron knew him best. They had been there with Harry through everything: from the joy of his first Quidditch match, to the pain of the Triwizard Tournament. They had been his best friends, his support, had even tried to stop him when he was being rash. Hermione's thought of that fateful day in fifth year. Harry still wasn't over the loss of his godfather.
(Awkward. With a little more detail, this sentence could be stronger. For example, '')
"Dumbledore knows what he's doing. Harry must be well when we finally face Voldemort. Otherwise, we are doomed," reasoned Hermione.
"Well we won't not know if you've succeeded for another five days," said Ginny, changing the subject abruptly as she dipped the cloth into a basin of cold water and wiped it across her forehead.
Hermione nodded. "What's being happening out here?" she asked, almost scared of the answer.
"It's bad. The number of people affected is insane. It keeps rising like crazy. St. Mungo's is overflowing. Mum and Dad have housed as many people as they can at the Burrow. Almost every room at Hogwarts is packed with patients and there isn't enough people to take care of them," sighed Ginny.
"It's so sad. Most of the healers are sick themselves and so the fate of these people is left in the hands of people who know nothing of healing, like us," said Ron.
"What's the status on Snape?" asked Hermione.
"Still missing. Dumbledore is very upset. Seriously, I don't know what Dumbledore sees in that man," said Ron.
"RON! He risked his life for the Order," scolded Ginny.
"Yes, I know. I just can't get over the way he treated us."
"That doesn't matter now," said Hermione. After spending weeks in the place where Snape lived, and worked, she couldn't hate him as much.' If he was around she wouldn't have to bear the burden of finding the vaccine. He was, after all, a Potions Master.
"Yes. Well, Dumbledore figures that he's still alive. They might have a use for him. They might be able to get information out of him or use him as a pawn. Dumbledore is really attached to him, even though he's a git," explained Ron.
"Remus and other members of the Order who don't have the virus are fighting small battles that erupt all over the place. So many people are dying in these battles. It's horrifying. Just yesterday, Remus reported finding a pit of dead bodies near the eastside of Liverpool," continued Ginny.
Hermione sighed, "I never expected them to use biological warfare. It's ingenious."
"Hermione!" exclaimed Ginny.
"It's true. I hate him so much but it's true. How did he come up with a virus that only affected those who were not pureblooded? How did he engineer the virus so that purebloods could carry it and unknowingly pass it on to non-purebloods? How was he able to make sure that symptoms weren't visible until five days after infection?" cried Hermione in frustration.
Ginny shook her head and sat down beside a patient. She brought out some soup and started feeding him. The man lay there, motionless, except for his eyes and mouth.
That was the curse of the virus. After five days, a witch or wizard would lose the ability to use their arms. After two more days, they would lose the use of their legs, then hearing, voice, taste... until all that was left was eyes and mouth.
Their minds were totally functional but nothing else was. They got cold easily so the room was always heated, making it uncomfortable for those who were taking care of them. They also experienced sudden shots of pain.
No one had died yet, but so many lay helpless. Dumbledore had a feeling that death was the final stage but the virus had only been around for little more than a month. No one had died... yet. But how much longer could the infected remain barely clinging to life? In a few weeks, days, or even hours, the virus may very well succeed in 'purifying' the wizarding world.
"Even Voldemort is not pureblood. What a bloody hypocrite!" cried Ron as he fed a patient and dabbed a cold wet towel on his face. He had got over his fear of saying Voldemort's name when he saw him for the first time in sixth year. He realized then that it made no sense to fear a name.
"He must of engineered it so it would not affect him," said Hermione confidently but with so much spite in her voice.
xxxx
Ron and Hermione sat in the Gryffindor common room staring into space. Neville walked in and looked at them in shock.
"Hermione, what are you doing here?" asked Neville. He had mud on his boots and his face was a bit dirty. He wiped sweat off his face and looked at Hermione, expectantly.
"I think I may have found a vaccine."
"And if not?"
"I'll be part of the endless list," sighed Hermione. "How are you?"
"Ok, I suppose. The heat is getting to me. Did you ever think Scotland would be this hot, even if it is August?" "Global warming," stated Hermione, absently.
Ron shook his head in slight amusement. Hermione always knew the answer.
"But it's because we raised the temperature for the ill that you're hot, not the weather, right?" asked Hermione.
"I haven't been working in the sick rooms. I've been working the greenhouses. Using herbs to make remedies for the patients' pain," explained Neville.
"Are you doing that all by yourself?" questioned Hermione, sounding impressed.
"Yeah." Neville blushed. "Everyone else went home, or to St. Mungo's to help there."
"Neville, Ginny, Harry, you and I are the only Gryffindors left at Hogwarts," Ron informed Hermione. She couldn't believe it. They were all gone?
"A few people from other houses stayed behind," Neville added, "but it's still not enough."
"Funny, don't you think?" Hermione said wryly. "After we finished, we thought we wouldn't see Hogwarts for such a long time. And yet, here we are, still at school.
"Well, we may still be in school, but we all have jobs. We're part of the Order now," said Neville, seriously.
Five days later
"It worked," exclaimed Hermione as she jumped out of her chair. "I'm fine!"
Ron grabbed her and gave her a big bear hug. "You don't know how relieved I am," cried Ron. "Let's get Harry out of his prison!"
Hermione took Ron's arm and brought him to the dungeon.
x
Hermione had given Ron the potion so he wouldn't carry the virus and they got Dumbledore to let them into his office to see Harry.
Harry was sitting in Dumbledore's chair, leaning backwards and throwing paper balls at the wall when Hermione and Ron walked into the office. His face was set in an expression of utter anger.
"Harry," exclaimed Hermione.
Startled, Harry toppled over in the chair and fell to the ground. Ron grinned and helped him up.
"What are you doing here?" asked Harry, confused.
Hermione held up the goblet and smiled.
x
Harry stepped out of Dumbledore's office in a sort of disbelief.
He hugged Hermione. Hermione could see that he was happy to see them but she could also see his anger and his bitterness.
"I've missed you, mate," came Ron's voice as he pulled away from Hermione and gave Ron a rather awkward hug.
"Me too," replied Harry.
They walked towards their common room, while Hermione and Ron filled Harry in on everything that had happened since he was locked up in that office.
Ginny looked up from her book as they walked into the common room. Her face brightened as she spotted Harry. She ran up to him and flung her arms around him, sobbing.
"God, Harry, I've missed you so! I" began Ginny.
"I'm here now, Ginny," whispered Harry as he felt the soft skin of her cheek.
They looked into each other's eyes before falling into a passionate kiss.
Hermione and Ron began to move towards the stairs to give Harry and Ginny some privacy, when the portrait swung open and Dumbledore entered the room.
Harry and Ginny reluctantly pulled apart and looked up at him.
Everyone sat down on sofas and chairs, waiting expectantly for Dumbledore to start speaking.
It was the first time Hermione had seen him since she had come out of the dungeon. She noticed Harry's expression had fallen back into bitterness at the site of Dumbledore.
Dumbledore smiled wearily at Hermione and Harry, ignoring Harry's glare. "I want to congratulate you on the success of your task."
Hermione nodded mutely.
"Where are Remus and the others? What are they doing?" asked Harry.
"Fighting battles," said Dumbledore, seriously.
"Well I want to help him. I'm not going to stay here any longer," said Harry.
Ginny let out a little squeak and looked pleadingly at Harry.
"There is a lot to do here," said Dumbledore.
"I am going to help Remus and that's final!" said Harry firmly, ignoring Ginny.
"Harry, it might be wise for you to stay here. You know the prophecy. You're our only hope," pleaded Hermione.
"The prophecy said that either I kill him or he kills me. I will be careful and anyway, I'll be fighting Death Eaters not Voldemort, and they can't kill me. Voldemort hasn't shown his face, he gets others to do his dirty work," said Harry bitterly.
"Harry..." started Ginny.
"I'm sorry, Ginny, I have to do this," he said before running towards the boys' dormitory. Ginny quickly ran after him.
Hermione looked at her feet, trying hard to will herself not to cry. She didn't want to think about what Harry was getting into. She didn't want to think of the possibility of him—. NO! Don't think like that! Harry is strong, stronger than anyone else," reasoned Hermione.
Dumbledore sighed. "That's what I get for keeping him in that office." Hermione and Ron looked at each other—that was the first time Dumbledore had ever voiced his doubts in front of them. It saddened Hermione to think how the war had changed people.
Hermione looked over at Ron and could barely read the look on his face. She decided it was somewhere between longing to join Harry in the fight and fear for his best friend.
"Can I not go with Harry?" asked Ron.
There it was; just what Hermione knew Ron was thinking. She looked at Dumbledore, hoping, hoping he would refuse his request. It was bad enough having one best friend throwing himself into a dangerous fight.
"No. We need people here. We are fighting for the people. We can't just let them die," said Dumbledore.
"But—" started Ron.
"You are needed here, Ron, not out there. Don't you see that? Not everything in this war is about fighting. You and the others here are extremely essential to the Order," said Dumbledore.
Ron nodded solemnly.
"And you, Hermione, I was wondering if you could go back to the dungeon and work on an antidote."
"That's what I was planning to do," said Hermione. "It will be less stressful now that I can leave the dungeon once in a while and sleep here."
Dumbledore rose to leave. Just as he reached the door, he turned back. "I only came for a short while, I must leave tomorrow." He turned to Ron. "Send out the vaccine instructions to our international Order members." Ron nodded, taking the roll of parchment from Dumbledore. Hermione watched the exchange with curiosity, wondering how Ron was going to accomplish the task without further instructions—he couldn't just owl the top secret information all over the world, that was too risky.
Ron unrolled the long parchment and began scanning over the names.
"This must be kept secret for as long as possible. Tell Harry to meet me in my office before he goes to bed. I don't think I can change his mind so I will need to prepare him for what he is going to see out there," continued Dumbledore.
"Yes, sir," muttered Hermione and Ron in unison.
"I will be in touch, Ron. Goodnight," said Dumbledore before leaving.
Ron looked down at the parchment and sighed.
"Ron," said Hermione softly, placing her hand on his shoulder.
"I feel useless, Hermione," muttered Ron.
"No, Ron, you have to understand. Harry has been through so much. He doesn't see any other way to help but to fight, and who could blame him? His life has been so full of tragedy. He's angry. I don't want him to go but maybe it is the only way that he can release the anger."
"I know," said Ron sadly.
"WHY, HARRY, WHY? DON'T YOU CARE? I WORRY ABOUT YOU EVERY DAY! WONDER IF YOU WILL DO ANYTHING RASH! I WAS RIGHT TO WORRY!" came Ginny's trembling voice from the boys' dormitory.
Ron and Hermione looked at each other, concerned.
"Ginny," pleaded Harry.
"No, Harry. I know that you have to kill him or...or h-he'll k-kill you and you just go out there like you're saying, 'Come and get me!'"
"Please..."
"No, Harry, you shove people away, you think you're protecting them, that they don't understand. Now you are willing to go out there and...and...oh, Harry, don't you understand how much I love you? How much this is tearing me apart?"
Suddenly, Ginny came out of the dorm, slamming the door behind her. She looked down at Hermione and Ron before running towards her own dorm.
"I'll go talk to her," said Hermione, heading towards the 6th year girls' dorm.
xxxxxxxxxxxx
Next chapter up soon! Feedback is really appreciated! Please Review