How the search for the horcruxes was delayed in an unanticipated, but not entirely unforseen (2)
way.
Jack Shepherd was probably the first to have any awareness of the young wizards and witch. Although having no recollection of seeing the teenagers in the jungle, he did hear rustling and later wondered if he hadn't heard voices. Hermione Granger had been in the habit of using numerous charms to conceal their location from anyone in the surrounding area. It is unknown whether she had done so at this time as all three young people were disoriented by the crash of the plane. (3) It is known that frequently thereafter, Miss Granger, although taking some basic precaution, forgot to conceal the sounds of their small group. Many survivors reported experiencing a mysterious whispering when in the jungle and this can easily be attributed to the presence of the three young wizards.
Shepherd regained consciousness after the crash of the plane and found himself lying in the jungle. A yellow lab rushed by on a mission of some urgency. He could not have been expected to recognize it as an animagus. Even Granger acknowledges that she was not at this time aware of the animal's significance.
Jack made his way to the beach and remembers being surprised by the number of survivors from what should have been expected to be a fatal accident. He was unaware of the efforts of Hermione Granger, who managed to slow the fall of both her companions and a number of her fellow passengers. Nevertheless, this alone does not account for the number of survivors. One young witch, no matter how talented, would be unable to attend to forty-some people at one time, and there was also the tail-section, which was too far removed for her to have any effect on its descent. It is speculated that the healing properties of the island may have had some relationship to the good fortune of the survivors.
Despite his surprise, Jack quickly made himself of service to his fellow survivors, attending to their needs and helping the injured, dazed, and pregnant. Meanwhile, a moral dilemma was taking place among the three young wizards. Harry Potter, inspired as he often was by brave and noble intentions, felt that they should go back and assist in any way possible. Hermione was of a more mixed opinion. While she could not help feeling for the unfortunate victims of the accident, she was much concerned by the cause of it, as yet undetected, and concerned for the welfare and safety of Harry, of whom she maintained a conviction, was the only one who could destroy the horcruxes. All three were convinced that the abrupt failure of a muggle contraption in which they happened to be riding, was too much for coincidence. It must be the work of death eaters. Miss Granger felt that in such an instant, the survivors might be most aided by them removing themselves from their proximity. Ronald Weasley may have been torn between the two arguments and the two arguers, if the following questions had not preoccupied his mind: 1. Where were the death eaters? 2. How did the death eaters know that they had been on the plane?
When voiced aloud, the first question became the issue of prime importance to all parties. As for the second, however mysterious, what was done was done, and at that moment in any case, appeared un-preventable.(4) All though all were initially baffled by the apparent absence of death eaters, Hermione was the first to come to an alternate theory. "Perhaps trapping Harry here was as good as killing him. If he is unable to continue his search for the horcruxes, than Vol- "
"Don't say it!"
"Oh, for goodness sakes! Fine! What I mean to say is that You-Know-Who won't need to rush much about it if he's got Harry trapped here." As you may have guessed, the three young wizards had already learned that apparating off the island was not possible. Hermione had brought it to their attention as the plane began plummeting. In light of this unexpected development, some quick thinking had been required to see them safely to the ground. She was still troubled by the implications of it.
"The island may be protected in a similar fashion to Hogwarts. There must be a certain boundary, that once we get around it, we will be able to apparate."
Ron seemed troubled by this and ready to argue. Well familiarized with the grumpiness that could accompany prolonged possession of the horcrux, Hermione and Harry at once suggested that perhaps he should allow them a turn at carrying the locket. It was at that point that they realized it was no longer in their possession.
(2)The event was predicted by Richard Malkin, an Australian psychic.
(3)A machine used by muggles to enable the flight of both people and objects.
(4) Many muggle participants later became convinced that it would be possible to prevent the crash. Most muggles are unfamiliar with experiencing time in a non-linear fashion. It is widely acknowledged that events already experienced rarely change, even when the person experiencing them returns to an earlier point in time.
