The Beautiful Curse

Hermione opened the door of the old, forgotten house. She dragged in a shaky breath as she walked into the dusty kitchen.

"Where do you think it is?" Harry asked, running his hands through his hair.

"I don't know," she opened a cabinet, knowing it would not be there. "Dumbledore said it would be here somewhere." Harry grunted and left the room. They were looking for the last and final Horcrux, in the form of a locket.

Suddenly the front door opened and Hermione flew around whipping out her wand. She sighed, relieved as she noticed it was the same old man she had just mentioned.

"Miss Granger, good you're here." He looked around.

"Harry's here too, somewhere." She responded, knowing his question.

"I'm afraid I've some grim news Miss Granger." His face was painfully serious and Hermione found herself reaching towards her wand again. He was rushing, pulling her to the next room where Harry was searching about the room.

"Dumbledore, what are you doing here?" He said as he saw the old teacher.

"You must prepare yourselves," he said looking at both of them, and at that moment Hermione felt a blast of coldness, not physically however. "They are coming and there's no time!" he started whispering frantically bolting up all the doors to the small house.

Hermione trembled and looked at Harry. He too was frightened.

Then they heard it, the sound of footsteps, many of them, coming up the street. The front door was then blown off its hinges. Hermione tensed, wand at the ready. Harry stepped in front of both her and the headmaster.

Then Voldemort and his followers glided in, bringing with them the essence of death.

"Ah, Harry, how wonderful you are here." Voldemort said, circling around him. "And you brought your grandfather and girlfriend along with you? Odd choice of defense." He snickered, the death eaters did too. Then he came towards Hermione. He looked at her, confused.

"I've seen you somewhere before." He smiled viciously. "Have I tried to kill you in the past, dear? Or have I tried something else?" He was mocking her.

"Get away from her, Voldemort!" Harry reared and faced toward the experienced wizard, he laughed.

Just then, Dumbledore caught her eye. He was saying something to her, but she couldn't read his lips. He pulled his wand slowly out of his pocket and pointed it at her. He shoved something into her hand.

"Change it, Hermione. Change the past." He said as a bright green flash came out of his wand and hit her hard on the chest.

She felt like she was flying, floating in the air and yet there was blackness surrounding her. Then she couldn't breathe or see or feel.