Puzzle to a Frozen Heart

Chapter 8

(I remember you)

Hermione was running out of air as she was reaching the bottom of the cold water at the Chamber of Secrets. But just as everything was turning black, a hand seized her chained wrists and hoisted her up. She realized that it was none other than Potter. As they reached the surface she noticed that his wand, located in the back pocket of his trousers, was threatening to fall. She immediately grabbed it as Harry got out of the water, only to be confronted by Voldemort.

"So, Granger has a boyfriend now? Well, no matter. Crucio! " Harry yelped in pain as the tormenting curse hit him.

Hermione got out of the water. When she realized that Voldemort was paying no attention to her, she raised Harry's wand, which was strangely throwing green sparks, but she was too frightened to care.

"....I'll grant you the same courtesy." Just as Voldemort was about to perform the killing course on Harry, Hermione made her move, taking advantage of the fact that Voldemort had let his guard down on her.

"Expelliarmus!" she screamed and Voldemort was thrown again to the floor. Hermione immediately made her way towards Harry as Voldemort set his sights on her and, more specifically, the wand she was holding.

Out of the blue, he began to scream. As far as she was concerned, all he said were meaningless words. However, in this five years' time, she would have done anything to remember what he had said.

"...Potter!" After that single name, Voldemort quieted. It was all that Hermione could make up and all she could remember of whatever things he may have said. Then, he took hold of his own wand and began walking towards him.

"Inflamare!" she shouted and his robes got covered in fire.

"Nooooooo!" he cried, falling into the water as his wand hit the damp floor before him.

"Harry!" Hermione shrieked, approaching the motionless figure of the Slytherin boy. "You okay?" she asked, bending beside him to check on him. He was unconscious, so she started checking his body for signs of injury. When she touched his rib cage, he groaned. "Harry!" Before she knew it, she was staring at deep pools of emerald green.

"Thanks," he managed to blurt out. Hermione's face was drained of all color. She looked horrified.

"What's wrong? Where does it hurt? No, you don't!" she barked when he attempted to get up.

"Don't worry. I just got a few ribs broken. Come on, let's get out of here," he commanded, removing her hand from his chest, which was preventing him from getting up. He managed to stand up with her help.

"Here's your wand," Hermione handed the sparkling green stick to him. As soon as it touched his hand, the green sparks were gone.

"Where's yours?"

"Oh, it's still in the water. Let me get it." She started to make her way towards the water when Harry stopped her, putting his hands on her shoulders.

"You're trembling. Here, I'll get it," he offered, picking up his robes and putting them around her.

"But you're wounded!"

"Don't worry Herm- Granger. One more swim won't kill me." Harry submerged into the water.

"What a gentleman." Hermione sighed. Normally, that would've made her furious. Strangely enough, it didn't. She was brought back to reality as heard some noises coming from the Chamber's entrance.

"Potter? Miss Granger?" came the voice of the Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore.

"In here! We're in here!" she screamed and went to look for him, oblivious that in doing so, she risked letting her guard down.

Suddenly, there was splash of water and she turned around, expecting Harry with her wand. But instead she saw Voldemort with his ripped robes, laughing maniacally.

"You know, it isn't nice to leave without saying goodbye. Avrada Kevrada!" he shouted

It all happened in a matter of seconds. She saw her life flash before her, Voldemort laughing uncontrollably and then, just then, a figure emerged from the water.

"Noooo!!" Harry screamed, throwing himself onto Hermione and taking the hit of the curse on the abdomen.

She landed on the hard floor with Harry on top of her. Instantly, she felt something dripping onto her stomach realizing that her robes were un-buttoned, liquid touching her sensitive skin. She reached for the substance and saw that it was blood. But wait, she wasn't hurt that badly. Of course there were a few bruised here and there... Harry! She immediately pushed him gently off her and knelt by his side. His Slytherin sweater was drenched in blood.

"Oh, well." Hermione could hear Voldemort was still laughing. She immediately took her wand from Harry's numb hand and stood up faster than lightning, pointing it at his reddish eyes. "Do not worry, mudblood. I only needed to kill one of you. Without him, you won't be able to fulfill your destiny nor the prophecy. Lily was always dumb and naïve anyway. Have a good life." He disappeared with a pop while Hermione was left there, trying to analyze what he had just said. Just then, Harry groaned.

"Harry! You're not dead! Why? How? ..." she tried to ask him but he groaned once more.

Hermione quickly realized that if he continued shedding that much blood, he wouldn't be alive for much longer.

She went to his side again and ripped off his sweater, revealing his not so white shirt, which was also drenched in blood. She ripped it off as well, finally seeing what the curse had done to him. He had a very deep wound at the left side of his abdomen which was bleeding freely.

"Professor Dumbledore!" she screamed. For the first time in her life, Hermione Granger did not know what to do. Harry stirred beneath her as she bit her lip. Where the hell was Dumbledore? "Harry? Harry, look at me," she commanded, cupping his face.

Harry opened his eyes, meeting her concerned ones. She took his robes off her and pressed them into his wound, applying immense pressure.

"God!" he screamed in pain.

"I'm so sorry Harry but if I don't apply pressure, you'll die."

"I'm dying anyway. Now, listen to me. Get out. I told Ginny to get help so it'll be only a matter of time until it arrives. Go and don't look back. Voldemort can change his mind and come back any second."

"Harry, Dumbledore's coming. Just hold a bit longer."