Can't run from time

----

Hermione awoke to the harsh bite of the forest floor pressing into her back. Every nerve in her body screamed in pain. Blinking through the haze, she saw Grindelwald's form looming above. Blood trickled from her lip as she bit back the urge to scream. Beside her, Abraxas groaned weakly.

"Such frail creatures," Grindelwald sneered. His wand traced idle patterns in the air. "

A flick of his wrist sent more pain lancing through her. Hermione gritted her teeth. She would not break—not in front of him. 

She made her body limp, and kept her eyes shut, and he believed she was unconscious again. When his back was turned Hermione carefully whispered a spell. A small bubble formed in her hands. she whispered as softly as she could "in the forbidden forest, get dumbledore.." She released the bubble, which contained her message and watched as it flew away, towards the castle. It was a very uncommon and difficult spell so she prayed it would work.

------

Tom snarled. He and Dumbledore had searched every fucking room in the castle and she was nowhere to be seen. Dumbledore stormed down the corridor towards the garden, Tom following behind. Then, in the midst of his racing thoughts, a small moving thing caught his eye—a delicate, shimmering bubble floating toward them. It carried Hermione's voice, weak but resolute, whispering their location. Dumbledore and Tom shared a gaze of determination as they both made their way to the forest. This is the first and last time I'll ever work with dumbledore Tom thought. Though, he had to admit it felt good to have Dumbledores attention once more. He used to take care, and help Tom back when he was a child, and now he looked at him with nothing but disappointment.. and it hurt.

The second they approached the forest they heard a loud scream from within.

Without hesitation, Tom charged into the darkness.

As Hermione struggled against the torturous curses, a familiar presence ignited in the darkness. Tom. "Electrohezzitus" Tom screamed. A rush of energy and lightning crackled through the forest. His electric storm curse hit grindlewald square in the chest, causing him to stumble back. Tom stepped forward, face pale, eyes red, magic swirling around him.

"Grindelwald," he said, the word low, cold. He seemed taller somehow, more dangerous than Hermione had ever seen him.

The dark wizard tilted his head, a twisted smile spreading. "Ah, so the little heir has come to rescue his dark lady. How romantic."

Tom's eyes never left Hermione's. "Let her go."

"Only if you join me, Tom Riddle," Grindelwald said, his voice softening, almost seductive. "Imagine what we could achieve together. You have so much potential. I've been watching you build your army for months now. Let me help you..And together we will rule the wizarding world"

Silence hung heavy between them. For a terrifying moment, Hermione thought Tom would agree. His lips curled, but it wasn't a smile. "I would sooner die than join you. You're pathetic. Attacking her? bad move. If you were so high and mighty, perhaps you would face Dumbledore straight up, rather than hiding in the forest like a coward."

Grindelwald's expression darkened. Shadows shifted, and Hermione could hear Grindlewald muttering to himself. Suddenly, Dementors poured into the forest. Hermione could feel their pull, every drop of warmth and hope being leeched from her.