Forsaken Bloodlines {HP x GOT}

Chapter 3.14: Innocent Black

The sun set, dropping behind the mountains in the distance. Hermione turned, seeing a frenzied spray of crows stain the bloody sky, their primal shrieking rising like a curse. Slowly, Hermione's hand fell onto Ron's shoulder, and as her hand slid down, a drop of blood hung from his finger before dropping like a tear to the ground.

Ron stared at his hand, the blood running down his finger. "He bit me," he murmured, his eyes shifting to see Scabbers streaking away.

"Ron! No!" Hermione cried as Ron pelted after Scabbers. Harry, Lyanna, and Hermione gave chase.

Ron reached the summit and disappeared over the top. Hermione, Lyanna, and Harry followed, stopping as they reached the top of the ridge.

"Guys, you do realize what tree this is..." Hermione began, a note of fear in her voice.

Ron, cradling Scabbers in his bloody palm, scowled. "Now behave yourself."

They realized with horror that Ron was kneeling under the Whomping Willow.

"That's not good," Harry said, his voice urgent. "Ron! Run!"

Ron spun around, looking toward his friends. "Harry! Run!"

Harry's eyes shifted, catching sight of an enormous, pale-eyed, jet-black dog bounding toward them in the gathering gloom. Harry shielded himself as the dog leaped clear over him.

"Aaaahhh!" Ron screamed as the dog's teeth flashed and snapped, closing on Ron's foot and dragging him toward the trunk of the tree like a rag doll.

Instantly, Harry dashed forward, leaping out to grab Ron's hands, but they both kept skidding along the ground.

"We've got you!" Hermione yelled, pitching herself onto Harry's feet, followed by Lyanna. The four of them skidded along together.

"Harry!" Ron shouted, his voice full of panic.

Harry raised his chin, eyes wide with desperation. The dog vanished into the gap at the base of the tree, beginning to pull Ron through.

"Hold on, Ron!" Harry cried, but it was no use. The dog was too powerful.

Lyanna recognized the dog. It was the same one she and Fyrion had encountered in the Forbidden Forest. Realizing they were in far more danger than she had thought, she glanced around desperately. Harry found himself looking directly into Ron's eyes, reading his mind.

"No, Ron..." Harry pleaded.

One by one, Ron released his fingers from Harry's forearm, sacrificing himself.

"Nooooo!!!" Harry screamed as Ron closed his eyes, releasing his hands fully and disappearing into the hole. His voice echoed deep into the earth.

Harry and Hermione rose, peering into the hole. WHOMP! The Whomping Willow swept first Hermione, then Harry, into the air and FLOOMPH, dropping them on their backsides. Lyanna barely managed to dodge the branches, staring in horror at the gaping hole where Ron had disappeared.

"We have to go after him!" Hermione said, her voice shaking with urgency.

"There's no other way," Lyanna agreed, determination hardening her features. They gathered themselves, preparing for the dangerous path ahead, each realizing that their friend was in mortal peril and they had to act swiftly to save him.

The Whomping Willow's branches thrashed violently, making it nearly impossible for anyone to get close. Harry and Hermione exchanged determined looks, ready to dive into the chaos. Lyanna, standing beside them, tightened her grip on her wand.

"We have to time it right," Harry said, his voice barely audible over the tree's furious rustling.

"Ready?" Hermione asked, her eyes darting between the flailing branches and the dark hole beneath the tree.