Harry, Hermione and Neville bolted through the nearest door, Hermione shouting "Colloportus" as they slammed it shut. The trio realised they had been separated from the others, but knew they didn't have much time before the Death Eaters found a way in.

"Hide!" whispered Harry. They managed to duck out of sight just as Crabbe and Rabastan broke into the room. As they began to search for the teenagers, Harry sent a stunning spell in the direction of Crabbe, rendering him unconscious. Rabastan noticed Hermione, and his lips began to form the words

"Avada Ked-" He was tackled by Harry, before a rogue Expelliarmus from Neville sent both their wands flying. Hermione sent a stunning spell, causing the Death Eater to fall backwards into a strange bell jar on a shelf. The three students didn't bother to even wonder what it might be – they were in the Department of Mysteries after all. Hermione took a moment to catch her breath, then realised the boys were already running towards a side door into what looked like an office. She picked herself up, ready to join them before noticing that Rabastan appeared to have knocked over a shelf of Time-Turners. The damage done to them had caused a loop of them falling and re-falling and a wispy, golden aura was filling the air around them, creeping closer and closer to Hermione. Sudden panic filled her – she had no idea what would happen if the mist caught her. Time was dangerous; she knew that from her experiences in her third year at Hogwarts.

"Harry – wait!" she screamed, scrambling away from the damage. The haze was inching ever closer to her, but she knew if she could just make it to the door she could escape it. And she was almost there – Harry was reaching out to her as she forced her legs to run as fast as they could, when she stumbled on a piece of debris lying in her path and felt herself trip, just slightly, but enough for her to lose her balance for a moment and slow down. A tingling sensation began to overcome her, much like the one she felt when using her Time-Turner, and dread washed over her as she realised she had been too slow. Her eyes widening, she looked up to see Harry only five metres from where she stood, his face full of confusion and terror and his mouth screaming for her. And then she was gone.