As Time Ticks Away

Chapter Ten

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The moment Ron and Harry's hands pressed into her skin, a burning sensation erupted. The pain was more than she could bear as she let out a terrifying scream, grabbing everyone's attention in the house. Everything was out of control as once more she tried to stand so that Ron and Harry didn't have to see her like this. She made it two steps before falling back to the ground.

Hermione wasn't sure how much longer this would last. It was certainly the strongest surge of pain that she had felt yet and was beginning to last longer than all other instances. She could feel her body beginning to slip into unconsciousness but fought to hold on, not ready to become helpless. Suddenly, without warning, the pain escalated causing Hermione to scream out once more. Then the worst of the pain began to subside, still leaving plenty of side effects for the young girl to feel. She was left on the ground, breathing deeply, trying to stay conscious. Her vision still hadn't come back and the pain was now a strong ache.

After her final scream, Arthur Weasley flicked his wand, causing Hermione to be lifted into the air. She felt her body become weightless. She thought that she was dying, her body giving in to the pain. It's too soon, she thought to herself. It couldn't be time already. She hadn't even told Ron and Harry what was happening to her.

"What's happening?" Ron exclaimed, having no clue how to help his girlfriend. "I know you know so tell me!" He wasn't holding anything back. Seeing Hermione in that much pain scared him and not knowing how to help her killed him inside.

Arthur and Molly exchanged worried glances. "It's not that simple Ronald," Mrs. Weasley tried to calm her son.

"I don't care how complicated it is, we have to do something!" No words were comforting him, not that anyone had said anything comforting in the first place.

Hermione had been listening to the chaos around her. She heard Ron crying out for help and the eldest Weasley's not knowing what to do or say. She was still feeling the pain as it fought to knock her out, but she wouldn't allow that. Deep down, she knew what she had to do.

"Ron," Hermione practically whispered. Everyone turned towards the silent voice. "I know what's happening." She opened her eyes and look towards her blue-eyed boyfriend. Then she turned towards his parents. "And I know you do too."

Mr. Weasley's eyes opened wide. "Hermione, don't do anything you'll regret," he said with a certain fear in his voice.

Hermione gently shook her head. "What's there to regret?"

"You'll lose valuable time," Molly joined in.

Ron was listening eagerly. He needed to know what was wrong, how to help. He walked over to his girlfriend and held her hand. "What's wrong?"

She took a deep breath, not knowing exactly how to break this news. More than anything she feared the loss of time that was inevitable at this point. There was no turning back. "I'm sick," was all she was able to get out before another attack of pain began to set in. This time, however, she was able to hide it from everyone in the room.

"What do you mean sick?" Harry asked as he moved closer to Hermione. His eyes, along with Ron's, continued to stare intently at his best friend.

"M-Malfoy cursed me w-when he was here the f-first time," she stuttered nervously as the pain began to slowly increase. "It's dark magic. I had n-never heard o-of it before. B-but it's meant to c-cause pain, kind of like the Cruciatus c-curse."

Ron and Harry finally broke eye contact with Hermione and turned to each other, Harry giving a small shrug. "So you've been in pain this whole time?" Harry asked.

Hermione nodded in response. She closed her eyes, trying to suppress the pain that was bubbling under her skin. The pain had to be coming from telling Harry and Ron. It was like she could feel her time slipping away. She had no idea how much longer she would have but she knew she was going to make the best of it.

"So how do we make it stop?" Ron asked.

No one answered. Hermione looked down as tears began to fill her eyes. Molly and Arthur averted eye contact from Harry and Ron. The two boys were left looking around aimlessly, confused.

"Well?" Ron pushed further, wanting more than anything to solve this problem that his girlfriend was facing.

Hermione squeezed his hand. "We can't," she whispered knowing these words would break his heart.

He was dumbfounded. "What do you mean we can't? There has to be something."

Molly decided to step in and give Hermione a moment to compose herself. "It's dark magic Ronald. No one who has ever suffered from it has lived for more than a year."

The words weren't sinking in. He refused to believe that there wasn't a cure. Maybe they were all wrong, maybe there was someone who was affected and did live but hadn't told anyone.

"There's one more thing," Hermione said, interrupting Ron's thoughts. "I wasn't supposed to tell you or anyone for that matter."

"And why's that?" Harry asked, making his presence known.

Hermione took yet another deep breath in. "Because it cut's my life expectancy even further. Now I don't have as long as I previously had."

Ron was becoming furious. Not at Hermione, but at the situation and those who caused it. "So what you're telling me is that," he paused; afraid of what was about to come out of his mouth. "That you're dying and there's nothing anyone can do to help you?"

All she could do was nod. Her eyes were squeezed shut and she was biting her lip. The pain intensified once more and she was doing her best to hide it. Ron was already going through enough right now; he didn't need to know what she was feeling at that exact moment.

"This can't be happening," Ron whispered as he slowly stood up, finally releasing his girlfriend's hand, and turned towards his parents. "I won't let this happen. I'll do anything."

"Son," Arthur said, putting his hand on his youngest son's shoulder, "we wish there was something that could be done. Believe us, we do. But there's not." He gave a weak smile. "We have to make her comfortable and happy. Unfortunately, that's the best we can do."

Nothing was helping. He knew his father was doing his best but he just didn't understand. This was his Hermione and he was going to fight for her.

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A/N: So I know this took a while but I have bad news for you guys. I'm back at school. This means slower updates. I wish I could change it but I have 4.5 hours of class a day plus 4 hours of work at least on top of that. Throw in some parties and a new townhome that gets me about 4 hours a night for sleep. I'm certainly not abandoning this story but I'm giving you fair warning. You will have to wait a little longer for updates, at least while I'm getting back into the swing of things! Sorry everyone! But do please review and continue to show your support :]