As Time Ticks Away
Chapter Five
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"Harry, have you noticed anything different about Hermione?" Ron asked his best friend.
Almost immediately Harry gave a nod and said, "I have but I thought it was just me. She's really worrying me. She's never acted so…" Harry paused, searching for the perfect word. "Distant." He finally responded. He didn't need to explain, Ron knew exactly what he meant.
"She's always loved reading books and taking part in our conversations, even if it was to prove somebody else wrong." Ron sighed. "Maybe this is too soon to say, but I miss the old Hermione. She's almost like a completely different person. I don't know how I feel about her right now."
It took a short while for Harry to respond; he didn't want to say anything bad about Hermione, she was still his best friend. But she was acting differently, almost as if she was hiding something from them. If that was the case then why would she hide it? He was always honest with her and he expected the same in return. Reluctantly he nodded and responded, "It's true."
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On the other side of the door stood a tearful Hermione, who had heard every word that had been said. She slowly backed away from the door, ran down the stairs, and headed out the front door, no one seeing her leave the Burrow.
She couldn't get the words that Ron had said out of her head. It pained her greatly to even think he felt those hurtful things about her, and Harry having agreed only added to the pain. She didn't know where she was going but she certainly wasn't ready to tell Ron that she overheard his conversation.
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"I can't say that though because I do know how I feel. I still like her," Ron said. "Sure she's different but she's still my Hermione. Nothing will change the way I feel about her. I might miss the old Hermione but that won't stop me from trying to understand the new one. She's going through changes, everyone does. And if she needs help she has to know I'm there for her, right? She has to know she can always come to me and tell me anything."
Harry nodded. "I'm sure she knows that. But maybe you should remind her. I'm sure she would appreciate it. And it might even win you some bonus points."
Ron didn't respond; he didn't need to. Harry made a very good point. Instead of talking, Ron nodded and headed out to find Hermione to let her know how he really felt.
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She had only been walking for 15 minutes, but Hermione was beginning to become weary. Turning back wasn't an option for her; she wasn't sure how she would react to Ron, so she laid down on the ground. The sky was cloudy. Rain was going to come down at any moment but she didn't care. Maybe it would wash away her pain. She felt as if she had been betrayed by the two people who meant more to her than anything.
Without warning Hermione began to cringe in pain. She had almost forgotten everything else that was going on in her life, she was grateful for that. Yet, it came back with a vengeance. She clenched her hands into fists, hoping that would help dissolve some of the hurt she was feeling.
In the distance there was a loud pop. Hermione knew that sound all too well; she was no longer alone. She flipped over onto her stomach, pain encompassing her whole body with every movement. As she looked out in the distance she saw only a few trees moving with the breeze. But she knew she wasn't alone so she stood up and turned around. There, she was met with a familiar, unfriendly face. Lucius Malfoy had his wand pointed at her, his grin larger than she had ever seen before.
Hermione didn't mind that death could come so easily to her at that moment. What she wanted more than anything was answers. She needed to find a cure for the curse that plagued her. She had been imagining ways to find the eldest Malfoy and here he stood 10 feet away from her.
"How are you feeling Mudblood?" He taunted, the smile on his face becoming maniacal.
Rage engulfed Hermione and she lunged after him, ready to smack him as hard as she could. But Malfoy's wand reacted faster as the Cruciatus Curse took control of her body, causing her to fall to the ground crying in pain.
"I imagine this is what your life has consisted of the past few weeks. My only regret is that I was there to witness your pain," Lucius snarled as he released the fallen girl from the curse.
"What did you do to me," Hermione whimpered between breaths. The Cruciatus Curse may have been lifted but the other curse that haunted her had begun again immediately after, causing more pain to encompass not only her body but her mind as well.
"I did to you what you deserve you filth!" Lucius shouted. "Not only are you a mudblood but you protect that Potter boy. You're merely a test. I think my next victim will be that Weasley boy."
Without hesitation, Hermione reached down and pulled out her wand and shot a spell at the blonde man. She watched as his body flew several feet, falling with a loud thud, pain still lingering in her body. Ignoring it, Hermione stood up and walked over to the fallen wizard. Her wand remained firmly pointed towards her victim, anticipating anything and everything.
"What did you do to me?" She asked again as she got closer.
Once more a malicious grin appeared on Lucius Malfoy's face. "I thought you were supposed to be the 'smartest witch of your age.' This just goes to show that no mudblood can be."
"Where did you find out about it?" Hermione asked, unfazed by the previous statement.
"The Dark Lord knows some very powerful magic. If you weren't pure filth I'm sure he would have loved to teach you some of it, but instead we decided to test it on you. He'll be very pleased to know that it's working splendidly."
The teenage girl was growing impatient and angrier. "Who says you'll make it back to him?" Just then Hermione was sent flying back 10 yards. Malfoy quickly returned to his feet and headed towards the younger witch.
"Because I know how the curse works." With that, the older man disappeared, leaving Hermione on the ground writhing in pain with no one around to hear her screams.
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A/N: Hey all! Hope you enjoy this installment! As always thank you for your reviews and please continue to leave your thoughts, they're always interesting to read and thoroughly appreciated.