Chapter 6

As the sun rose, Hermione had already been up for hours. Packing their things away, leaving clothes and a cloak out for the redhead still deep in a slumber induced trance.

The older witch took the sight in, a completely calm and innocent look written all over Ginny's expression. A mass of bright red spread out, framing her face delicately. There was something about the scene that made Hermione's heart melt and worry fade. Ginny, for months had been her constant reminder, that there was still good in the world. Keeping the brunette safe, and sound within her guard. Hermione knew, she would be okay, as long as the redhead was there.

With a slight sigh, she shook the younger witch gently, stroking her cheek. "Ginny, wake up, we need to leave now" She spoke quietly, though the redhead had already begun to stir.

"I don't want to wake up" Ginny groaned grumpily, her nose wrinkling. "I'm in the middle of a dream, and..." She paused, her eyes going wide. Realisation that Hermione was indeed, actually stroking her cheek hit her. "Oh" She said happily, a grin tugging at her lips as she stared up towards the elder witch.

The brunette raised a brow, and gave a slight chuckle. "Good to know you've dreamt of me doing this" She laughed again. Shaking her head almost in disbelief, she sighed. "We really do need to get going though, before people start filling the town. There isn't one far from here, and we'll be able to walk to our next place" She smiled weakly.

"We don't know if the death eaters have been able to track apparation yet, so it'll be safer if we use as little of it as we can" she shrugged; there was no need to put the extra risk. Both girls were well aware the order wouldn't make a move without the knowledge of where they were.

Ginny gave a grumble, with a squint of her eyes she rubbed her face in an attempt to wake up further. "Okay, okay" she said with a yawn, nuzzling into Hermione's lap for a moment or so. Willing herself to move from the comfort of the brunette girl's embrace she sighed, wrinkling her nose again as she sat up. Her tired muscles stretching and panging as she righted herself. She had almost forgotten what stress could do someone's body. A grimace shadowed her features for a split second as she thought.

Hermione gave a warm smile as Ginny sat straight up, handing her a set of clothes she'd already fetched from her bag. Holding a shrug back as the redhead took the items she was handed and lazily strolled over to the small bathing quarters the tent was ingeniously enchanted to have.

Brown eyes followed the girl until she disappeared behind a fabric door. A small smile was pulled from the brunette's expression. Out of the fog came the light to draw her in, and it had taken so long yet had been so simple when it finally happened. Chewing her bottom lip gently she stood, and began packing the rest of their things away, ready to be on the move as soon as Ginny was.

It wasn't long before the redhead re-emerged, fully dressed, yet still adorning that sleepy haze dimming her normally bright eyes. It was still early; the morning dew hadn't yet given way to the bright glow of the heated sun. Rubbing her cheeks, the youngest Weasley's eyes fell on Hermione for a moment. A small soft smile took her pink lips as she looked away with a blush.

"So, are we all ready to go?" Ginny asked quietly, her voice still creaky with sleep.

Hermione looked from her things, and nodded simply. "All ready, just need to pack away the tent, I've got a route already set up for today, so we haven't got that to worry about, just trying not to get recognised will be our issue" she spoke thoughtfully, almost as if she was going to begin stroking her chin at any moment, re-plan the day, and start again.

The redhead laughed, amused by the sight. "Well, best get going then, I'm hungry, and the sooner we get to town, the sooner I eat, and the sooner we set up camp, and I sleep" she nodded, pulling her travel cloak on, and the hood up and over her head, hiding the notorious Weasley red hair. Slinging her bag over her shoulder she held the fabric door open, allowing the light to flood in, illuminating their sanctuary.

Dread flooding both women now, the thought of having to leave the safety of their make shift home was one neither particularly enjoyed. Especially now, when they had finally found their way to each other. Pushed together through unfortunate events.

With a huff, Hermione straightened up, her head held high as she pulled the hood of her cloak up, much like Ginny's, doing her best to stay confident, positive. Striding out of the folds of the tent, into the sun lit morning, "Thank you" she said happily as she passed the youngest Weasley, earning a polite bow from the girl before she too exited the home.

With a swish of the redheads wand the tent had shrunk, and was away in the safe confines of her own bag. Following the older girl on their journey into the town.

"What is it we need today" The redhead spoke softly, reaching across slyly to tangle her fingers within the grasp of Hermione's smaller ones. Holding tightly, drawing the confidence to face the day, the month, the year. They had no idea how long this would take when she thought about it.

"We need to get some basic's If we go into a muggle supermarket we'll be able to get a few more things without as much risk" The older girl began. "I was hoping to get potatoes and soups, bread, and bottles of water, things that will keep us healthy" She nodded, being on the run had taught her a lot of things. The foods they needed to focus on eating, had to provide enough energy, in small amounts.

"I don't know when we'll be able to stop again, so we'll have to put charms on them so they don't spoil" She added, looking up to gauge the redhead's reaction.

"I like potato's..." Ginny beamed, nodding "we can get some of that weird muggle stuff, in the tins" she added.

This sent a wave of relief through the shorter girl. She was sure Ginny would have grumbled at the thought of eating small amounts for the next however long.

"We need to think about things we can eat while moving, we can stop every time we're hungry" Ginny sighed, rubbing her forehead in thought, "and we need to save as much money we can, I know breaking into banks is your thing Hermione, but I don't think it'd do much for my Quidditch reputation after this is over" She winked at the brunette. Laughing as Hermione swatted at her playfully.

"I don't think you need to worry about your quidditch reputation, even if you were a mass murderer, every team would still fight over you, I'm sure" The brunette smiled, a wide sincere smile.

Shaking her head Ginny sighed, giving the hand she held within her own a gentle squeeze.

They continued this way for a good while, wandering through the trees, then streets. Avoiding the odd person they came across, keeping their heads down and voices low. It was a muggle city, but they couldn't take any risk. One slip up could cost them everything.

With a final consultation of Hermione's map, they had eventually found their way to a supermarket. Lucky for Ginny, Hermione seemed to know exactly what she was doing. The sight awed her, she had been around muggles, sure, but never had she seen shelves full of food. Stacked and packed like simple items.

Hermione gave the taller girls hand a light tug, and pulled her along, carrying a basket in the other hand. When Ginny looked back, the girl's hood had come down, and a dark mass of curls was exposed. "It's okay, in here it looks more suspicious if we have our hoods on" The older girl whispered, and gave a reassuring smile and nod.

The redhead hesitantly removed her disguise, her protection. The fabric of the hood flopping down against her back. Following the older witch down corridors lined with food on both sides.

They paused in front of cans, Labelled with different kinds of "soup", Ginny reading the labels carefully, curiously. "If we get cans of things, we'll have a definite warm meal every night, and soup is always good for the lighter sides of things" Hermione said quietly, leaning up to peck the youngest Weasley's cheek.

"It sounds like a good idea to me" Ginny agreed, pulling a few cans off the shelf to drop into the basket.

The trip went on much like this for a while, nothing interesting really happening to the duo. Ginny had gone on to complain that she was tired, while Hermione had continued to plan out their meals, and ways they could eat healthy and quickly. Worried fatigue would set in differently.

"We're done? Already?" Ginny asked, a slight tone of shock lined the words she spoke.

"We have everything we need, and enough to keep us going for a while as long as we ration" The brunette replied, heading for the tills.

The shop had begun filling up, more people meant more risk. And they had to do their best to keep the risk to a minimum.

A movement out of the corner of Ginny's eye had her breath caught, and her heart stop in panic. Turning to stare at a man stood in line for the till next to them, she looked him up and down. She could have sworn she'd seen a wand. She had, seen a wand. She was sure of it. But now as she looked again, and again. It wasn't there. Not in a pocket she could see, or up a rolled up sleeve.

"Gin?, Gin what's wrong, come on, we need to hurry up, you're blocking the que" Hermione's voice rung in her ears, heated her cheeks in nothing but frustration. It had been there! She knew it. Something in her couldn't help but panic. They hadn't gone early enough; they had exposed themselves to someone of the magical world. Someone who would know exactly who both of the women were.

She forced her legs to move, to walk, to follow Hermione, Keeping her body in any space she could, so it would mean if a spell was fired at the two it would hit her and not the smaller woman. Hermione would have time to get away, and that was all that mattered.

"He had a wand" the redhead whispered as she drew near enough, so there was no risk of anyone overhearing. "We've been seen, I know it" Her words didn't fall on deaf ears, Hermione seemed to stiffen, but continued walking. Her hand going to her wand, getting a good grip on it just in case.

"We need to put the supplies away" the brunette spoke, logical once again. They could duel, but not with their hands full. They could duel, but risking their supplies was something they couldn't do.

Hermione began walking towards a small side street. Ginny following close behind, never letting too much space get between the pair. Afraid if she did they would lose each other. As they rounded the corner, both scanned the area, making sure there was nobody else around. Pushing the bags into their own enchanted ones, they pulled their hoods up and made a quick move to get away. Walking quickly in the direction they needed to. Avoiding the newly formed crowds of people.

Their paranoia was up now, heightened. Constantly watching behind themselves, checking to see if they were followed, and checking to make sure there was nobody behind them as they made their way out of the city and into the countryside.