Hermione rose early on most days, only to check and make sure the potion was brewing properly. About a week had passed since Hermione and Ron found the eldela and dragon blood, so that meant it was time for the next step in the potion.
Hermione pulled the eldela from her drawer and conjured up a knife. She held her breath for a moment, then began to chop. The knife sank through the thawed fruit easily, to Hermione's relief. After chopping the fruit into several wedges, she slipped them into the cauldron and began stirring. After twenty three stirs counter clockwise, the deep potion turned a shocking form of white. Hermione looked back to the book. It needed to be stirred three times an hour, twelve hours a day, for a month. At the end of the month, you were to add the venom of the baby Timdstog. At that time, it was supposed to turn a violent shade of red, then be frozen for a month.
Hermione blinked rapidly. How were they supposed to make this work? How were they going to make this work? If they were to be stirring it this much, how were they supposed to look for ingredients? Hermione pondered for what seemed like hours, stirring the potion when necessary.
Then it came to her. How could she not have thought of it? She smirked and waved her wand, muttering things every few seconds. When she pulled her wand away, she beamed to find out that the potion could now stir itself. She had made it so every 20 minutes, the potion would stir itself once counter clockwise for twelve hours, rest for twelve hours before starting again. It was easier this way. Now they could concentrate on gathering ingredients.
Lavender was now about 5 months into her pregnancy, and her belly was bigger than ever. She was still holding onto Ron for dear life, and would glare at Hermione every chance she got.
Hermione wanted to leave this house, maybe go searching for a baby timdstog? She didn't know if she could bring Ron along, Lavender would have her head. She nodded. This time she would go alone. She'd just have to be careful not to be bitten.
She didn't tell Ron or Lavender about her plan to leave and roam the deserts. She was pretty certain that Ron would have something to say about it, but it had to be done. It was a couple of weeks later that she actually decided it was time to go for it. After all, in a little more than a week, she was to add the venom and freeze the potion. Hermione poked at her dinner one night, knowing she would leave soon.
"Hermione? What's up? Are you going to eat that?" Ron pointed at a mound of mashed potatoes on Hermione's plate.
"Hmm? Oh… yes. I'll eat it, sorry."
"You seem kind of distracted. Why?"
Lavender glared at her across the table, "Yeah. Why, Hermione? My food not good enough for you?"
Hermione blinked, "No. That's not it at all. I'm… I'm just a little tired, I suppose." Hermione poked at her food and forced down a bite of potatoes.
After dinner, Ron cornered Hermione, away from Lavender and gripped her arm, "What are you planning?"
Hermione blushed, "I… I don't know what you're talking about!"
"Oh yeah? When are you adding the next ingredient?" he asked in a whisper. Hermione shuddered at the closeness of his lips to her ear.
"N-next week." she breathed back, feeling she was about to collapse.
Ron's grip tightened, "And, where are you going tonight?" he breathed.
Hermione gulped, "…I… I was going to…"
"Yes?"
"Find a Timdstog… in the desert." she admitted.
Ron grinned and pulled away, "Great. I'll pack my stuff."
Hermione glared, "You arse! I wanted to go alone, Ron! You knew you could get it out of me! And that's not fair!"
Ron rolled his eyes, "You sound like Harry. How he always wanted to do things alone. Look where that got him." Ron's voice suddenly got quiet.
Hermione frowned. Harry. She missed him so much, and if it wasn't for her, he'd still be alive. They wouldn't be in hiding. What she wouldn't give to just… see him again. She'd apologize over and over, and beg for forgiveness. Tears fell and dripped down her cheeks.
She nearly jumped out of her skin when she felt something wipe them away. She opened her eyes wide, to see that Ron was removing her tears with the gentle touch of his thumb. He was looking down at her sadly. Hermione shook her head and leaned into him, resting her head against Ron's chest, as he cradled her in his arms. This was where she'd always wanted to be, but it could never be.
It was a little after midnight now, and Lavender would probably be sleeping. Hermione looked back up at Ron, "You can't come with me, Ron."
Ron stared at her, "Why not?
"Because… this is my fault, and I have to do it on my own."
"Oh come on. Don't give me that, Hermione. We've been through it before. I'm going with you. I mean, what if you lost it out there, and you needed my help? I've come through before, haven't I?"
Hermione paused. He did make a very good point, but she didn't want to risk his life anymore than she already had. "I'm sorry, Ron. I hope you'll understand. I just want to do this alone. I'll be back by morning, I swear."
Ron was looking down at her sadly. Hermione stood up on tiptoe and kissed his cheek, hoping that it might convince him, and gripped his hand softly, "I'm not about to leave you forever. We have a potion brewing. I'll only be gone for a few hours," She folded her arms, "If anything goes wrong, I'll send you a message. I promise."
With that, Hermione let go of Ron's hand and disappeared up the stairs, not daring to look back. Once on green again, Hermione waved her wand and apparated.
She appeared in a very sandy place. She knew it would be cold here, as deserts do get cold after dark, but she wasn't expecting it to be this cold. Hermione shivered lightly and put on a pair of dragon hide gloves, and her cloak.
She walked the desert carefully and quietly, thinking of Ron the entire time. Why had she left him? He could have been a great help.. He always was.
Several creatures passed by Hermione quickly, but none of them matched the description of the Timdstog that was pictured in the book. Even in the dark, Hermione could see this. She could hear owls screeching, and coyotes howling. She began to wish Ron was here. Just him putting his big strong arms around her would be enough.
Ron…
She smiled at the thought of him. She remembered all of the times they had. All the fights, all of the arguments, every hug, their jealousy towards one another's boy/girlfriends. And of course, all of the adventures they had had with Harry.
She wished she hadn't even touched that potion. She wanted all of this to be over, she regretted it all. But that's why she was here, right? To fix everything. She wanted to go back in time, back to the age of Hogwarts, of horny teens, of schoolwork, and of being able to go out without worrying about being killed.
She imagined herself back in time. She would walk straight up to Ron and Lavender and slap her right across the face. Then she would grab Ron and kiss him with everything she had…She laughed, wondering what teen Ron would think of that.
What if it worked? Would it really all go away? Would she and Ron get married? She blushed. She saw Ron waiting at the altar as she walked to him. She saw Harry as his best man, and Mrs Weasley and her own mother crying with joy. Lavender wouldn't be in the picture at all…
She saw herself being carried by Ron to a modest, but still wonderful home. She saw herself in St. Mungo's, holding onto a tiny red-headed baby, while Ron looked at them with tears in his beautiful blue eyes…
Hermione snapped out of her thinking when she heard a small screech. She blinked and walked slowly toward the sound. She pointed her wand at a bush, and moved it to the side several feet. Immediately, about seven tiny reptile like creatures scampered from their hiding spot. Hermione gasped. Timdstogs.
She pointed her wand at one. It suspended itself in midair with one mutter of a spell. Hermione felt slightly guilty, especially when it's brothers and sisters began crying. Hermione rummaged through her pocket until she found a small vial. She was going to put the venom in this. Hermione gripped the creature lightly, trying to ignore its cries. She pointed her wand at it and whispered,"Accio Venom!" Thick purple liquid trickled from its mouth. Hermione gathered it into the vial and sighed in relief when it was about halfway filled. It should be enough.
She set the young reptile down on the sand and nearly fell backward when the moth Timdstog came out of nowhere. It leapt at her, and Hermione apparated on the spot.
She reappeared on the green and groaned loudly. She always made narrow escapes… It was starting to get annoying. She checked herself quickly for any signs of a bite mark. When she found none, Hermione nodded in approval and waved her wand, and muttered the password to get into Ron's house. It had changed to, "Fools to think it happened. The otter has returned". Ron had also programmed Hermione's data into the door, so when she put her hand on it, it accepted her and let her in.
Back inside the house, Ron was waiting anxiously on a bright purple couch. He looked at Hermione, who grinned and gave him a thumbs up. Ron returned it.
A little more then a week later, Hermione returned to the self-stirring potion and gently poured the venom inside.
"You know, you're lucky you weren't bitten by one of those things." Ron nodded behind her. He had said this after she'd told him what had happened.
Hermione shrugged, "Told you I'd be okay. " She pulled her wand out and pointed it at the potion, which was now a shade of violent red. She muttered a few things, and the potion froze itself immediately.
Ron looked at her with a laugh.
"What," Hermione asked with a questionable look.
"You know everything, don't you?"
Hermione blushed, "That was just a simple freezing charm, Ron."
"Oh yeah? How simple? When does it thaw out?" Ron smirked.
Hermione pondered, 'Well, if I did it right, it shouldn't until I use the counter curse."
He didn't answer.
Hermione was about to speak when Ron said, "You're bloody brilliant, you now that?"
Hermione flushed, 'Really, Ron. It was a simple spell." but the praise still made her heart soar. "But, you're sweet to say that."
Ron stepped forward suddenly and wrapped one arm around Hermione, who wrapped her own around his waist. They faced each other, and Ron moved a hand to brush away hair from Hermione's eyes. Hermione looked up at him, her heart in her throat.
"What the fuck!?"
The two broke apart and jumped back, hearts pounding.
"Who…" Hermione began, but then stopped. Lavender stood in Hermione's doorway, wearing a look of pure hatred.
Hermione raised her hands, "Look, Lavender, I'm sorry… It's not what it looks like, I swear!"
Lavender stepped inside the room, eyes fuming, "It looked like you two were getting a little to close!"
Ron bit his lip, "Lavender, I was just trying to… I wasn't… I mean…"
Lavender faced him, "You're despicable! No-good-cheating-scum!" she raised her wand.
Hermione pulled her own out, "Don't you dare hurt him!"
Lavender glared, "Who do you think you are, Granger? This is my husband!"
Hermione growled, "He hasn't been cheating on you! Can't say the same thing about everyone!"
Lavender's grip on her wand tightened. "Quiet! I have to deal with my pathetic husband. I'll deal with his filthy whore later."
She turned back to Ron, her wand raised.
"Expelliarmus!" Hermione shouted. Lavender's wand flew to her own hand. "Don't call him pathetic! I can't believe what a hypocrite you are!"
Lavender glared, "Watch yourself. Remember what I told you?"
Hermione shook her head, "I don't care! He deserves to know!"
Ron blinked at the two of them. Hermione couldn't stand to look him in the eyes, "It's not yours…" she breathed quietly.
Ron didn't answer for a while, but then managed a quiet, "What?"
"The baby." Hermione said quietly. "Months ago, Lavender started sneaking around with… someone else. She found out the baby was his."
Ron didn't answer, but he was glaring at Lavender with utmost loathing.
"Who." was his simple statement.
Lavender glared at Hermione, then looked back at Ron, "Seamus. He was a much better lover then you could have ever prayed to be, anyhow!" she slapped Ron across the face, then lunged at Hermione. She socked her hard across the face, then picked her wand up from the ground. (Hermione had dropped it out of shock)
"You'll be sorry, Hermione Granger! And so will you, dear, dear husband!" Lavender fled from the room, and out of the house.
Hermione picked herself up and sighed, "I have to go, Ron. She's gone to get the death eaters and--" Ron was sitting quietly. "Are you okay?" she asked as she touched his shoulder.
Ron shook his head, "I knew she couldn't love me." He didn't seem upset, or happy for that matter. More… empty than anything, really.
"I'm sorry, Ron." Hermione said softly.
There was a crash on the floor above them. Hermione's eyes widened, "They're… they're here!"
Ron covered Hermione, "We have to get out of here!"
"No! It's to late, Ron!"
They would never be able to finish the potion now… She wouldn't be able to go back in time at all. It was all over, and Lavender won.
Several death eaters stood at the doorway, all holding wands. A spell was shot at Hermione, and her wrists and ankles were instantly wrapped tightly in black rope. Draco Malfoy seized her by the hair and he hissed at her, "Thought you could hide forever, traitor!?"
A second death eater shot a spell at Ron, and his arms and legs were also tied up.
"No! Not Ron! Leave him out of this! I'm the one you want!"
"Shut it Granger!" Malfoy sneered and slapped her hard across the face. "That runt of a wife of yours comes through, Weasley! She agreed to trade you and the traitor for someone else we'd been holding. We'll kill them to, but let her believe she's safe. Otherwise, where's the fun?"
Hermione gaped. Lavender had traded them for Seamus… She couldn't believe it.
"We're off to Azkaban, you two. Finally going where you belong? You'll meet up with all your own friends there." Draco's grip on Hermione's hair tightened. "You'll find out what we do with traitors."
Hermione let out a cry. She watched as the room she'd been staying in disappear from view. A darker, more frightening place began to come into view. They stood on the wizard prison of Azkaban. She kept her eyes down, until she felt herself thrown into a cold cell. She didn't even rise then. Already she was feeling the happiness leave her. She was stuck in this time forever, and nothing could be fixed.
Phew. Sorry that chapter was kind of short. I'm also very sorry it took me so long to get this chapter up! I've been kind of busy lately on the weekends. Hopefully I'll be able to update regularly now. =) What did you guys think of this chapter? Ron finally knows Lavender cheated, but now they're both in Azkaban… So, now what?
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.
