Chapter 7
Twigs cracked and the ground seemed to creak and move under their bearing weight. Breaths were shallow as the incline of the slope they were moving up got steeper. More challenging for them, but there was no way they could stop yet. They couldn't set up camp on the slope of a hill, and risk the entirety being lopsided.
Their ascent was met with a comfortable silence, as both women dare not waste their breath on small talk. The wind stealing their breaths from their throats before they even had time to breathe the air within their lungs out into the open.
With a huff the redhead paused, as her hood whipped off and exposed her cheeks for the fourth time. 2Can we stop and set up camp at the top?" Ginny's voice was taken, as soon as it left her mouth. The wind whipping it up and away, taking it to Hermione's ears.
"We can if you want to yes" Hermione replied, scanning the top of the hill as she too came to a pause, allowing herself to catch her breath. Holding her hood tight around her face.
"Let's keep going, we don't want to waste any more time" She spoke loudly, so the redhead could hear her.
Hermione began the ascent once again, hurrying her pace slightly in an attempt to reach the top quicker. With a nod, the youngest Weasley began following once again, scanning around them as she did. Not bothering to pull the safety of her hood back around her head.
The sun had gone completely down now, and the moon was swiftly taking its place in the sky. An almost completely rounded glowing orb, illuminating all in its wake with an eery iridescent glow.
Neither of the girls wanted to be outside in the open much longer, exposed to the elements and any of those who came across them. There was nowhere to be hidden, high above the tree's. The city they had left far behind them, gone from their thoughts now.
The wind had started picking up, violently whipping their cloaks around, stinging exposed cheeks. Ginny's eyes streamed as she fought hard to keep her balance against the swirls of air battering them.
Hermione in front apparently not faring any better, her fists clenched tightly around the sides of her hood, keeping the wind out of her space. Doing her best to keep herself warm as she battled against the elements.
Another twenty minutes had passed, and they drew closer and closer to the highest peak of the hill. To their pleasure they found it levelled out nicely, and drew onto flatter land on the other side, a gentle slope easing back down onto the terrain of the forest bellow.
Ginny began pulling the small tent from her bag, as Hermione started on the concealment charms, in an attempt to keep their sanctuary just that.
With a smile and a wave of her wand the redhead had the sanctuary set up, and enlarged. "Well, I think setting the tent up is the easiest part of this" she laughed, rubbing the back of her neck as she watched the older witch place charms around the entirety of the perimeter.
They would be protected here, with the height advantage if someone did happen to locate them, they'd be gone before their assailants even knew it.
With a final huff the brunette turned, with a bright smile and tilted her head to the side ever so slightly. Taking the redhead's wind swept appearance in. "It looks like you could do with some warming up" she said gently, moving to the girl slowly. "Your cheeks are red I told you to put your hood back up" the elder witch spoke, worry written in her voice as a hand came up to gently stroke the wind chapped cheek of the taller of the two.
"I know, I know, the bloody wind kept blowing it off and I couldn't be bothered to keep putting it back up" The redhead huffed, poking her bottom lip out slightly as she whined. Her warm eyes glued to Hermione's, staring with a stare so intense, and unknowingly so, it would make even the coldest of hearts melt.
"It's frustrating" She stated, as a last stand as Hermione kept her gaze. Not saying a word, just stroking her cheek. A smile tugging at the brunettes lips as the redhead protested, much like a child would. So innocent, was the way Ginny acted, even whilst submerged in a world riddled with evil.
"You still should have put it back up, your cheeks are raw" Hermione sighed, rolling her eyes as she pulled herself from her trance, the awe of the girl seemed to always induce. Taking the youngest Weasley's larger hand in hers she tugged her gently into the warmth and the security of their little sanctuary. The walls closing them in, holding them captive within the dwelling. A captivity that was more then welcomed by both of the girls.
Hermione wandered over to the fire pit, waving her wand in its direction. With a softly spoken "incendio" sparks fly from the tip of her wand, igniting the blaze without much effort. Rummaging around in her beaded bag, she retrieved a few items. Ginny placing a pan over the fire, holding it to heat up.
"So, what have we got for dinner?" She asked, licking her lips hungrily as her stomach started to growl and twist with the mere thought of a soon coming meal.
With a smile the older girl pulled a can from her bag and held it out to the redhead. "Tomato soup and crackers should warm you right up" she said happily. Beaming from ear to ear. Opening to can she tipped the contents into the pan Ginny had been heating up.
"Sounds good to me" she smiled, pulling the older girl into her as she swirled the liquid around within the metal pan. Allowing the slow warmth of the fire seep into the liquid.
The heat the fire emitted warmed the space, thawing the chapped cheeks the redhead adorned. A normal pale colour seemed to re-gain it's rightful place along her features, banishing the irritated red look she had been wearing.
"I don't thin we should stay here long, as soon as the sun rises we should be on out way, If we've been seen then it's not a good idea to stick around." Hermione sighed, rubbing her temple gently before she fetched bowls and two spoons, from the depths of her bag, setting them down ready for the heated liquid to be poured into.
"I agree, That guy gave me a funny feeling, and not the good type" It was Ginny's turn to speak now, brushing her red hair behind an ear. Giving the liquid another swirl.
"Even if he wasn't part of the uprising, its not a good idea to hang around" the older girl stated, a sigh of frustration escaping her lips. "If someone finds him and uses legilimency, they'll know we were here, and stocking up". The redhead grumbled, remaining quiet as she allowed the steaming liquid to drain from the pot, into the two bowls.
"Let's not think about it right now, Hermione, we're always thinking about it, and I just want to eat, and shower then sleep, and we'll carry on tomorrow, let's just have tonight okay?" The younger girl spoke, her words reaching the elder witch's ears as her eyes seemingly pleaded. She was right, and the brunette couldn't deny her that.
With a small smile, she nodded. "Tonight, we relax" Hermione finally spoke. Taking her now full bowl, lifting a spoonful to her lips in order to blow a stream of cool air onto it.
"I'm glad you see it my way" Ginny grinned happily, giving a cheeky wink causing the brunette to blush a slight blush. A gentle red creeping up her cheeks.
"Oh hush you" she retaliated, with an equally cheeky grin. Taking in the first spoonful of the soup, allowing it to warm her and relax her from the inside out.
The two sat like this for a while, just eating, talking. Enjoying the others company in its entirety. With a sigh, the redhead stood, stretching her tired muscles out. "I'm going to have a quick shower, and get ready for bed" She said quietly, leaning over to press her lips gently to the brunettes before a reply could be spoken.
Waving her wand in a wordless 'Accio' she summoned her sleep wear from her bag easily. With a smirk the redhead began wandering away towards the bathing quarters, disappearing behind the fabric door.
Hermione smiled to herself, a sigh of relief escaping her lips as Ginny disappeared. Around the youngest Weasley, she felt as if she could breathe again.
Ginny's lungs took the steam from the water in. Her breathing slow as she stood under the flow of the heated liquid. Humming a gentle tune as she massaged and lathered the long red locks she wore. Washing the dirt and grime their walk today had left with her, allowing the thought to relax her. Calm her down.
Rinsing the foam from her bright locks she blinked. Reaching out to take the soap from the shelf she ran her hands down the length of her body, soaping away the stress built up within her quidditch toned muscles. Content within the embrace of the steam, for a while. Years seemed to pass, though it was only a few minutes in reality.
Finally she emerged again, from the fog of evaporated water. With a wave of her wand she dried herself, and her hair. Pulling an oversized t-shirt over her head, and a pair of long surfer type shorts up her legs. This way if need be she could transfigure the choice of clothing into something more fitting for going on the run.
Yawning heavily she shook her head, moving back from out of the bathing quarters. Her eyes immediately falling on the brunette waiting patiently for her turn to use the shower. With a warm smile Ginny rubbed the back of her neck. "You didn't have to wait..." She mumbled awkwardly, unsure as to why exactly the elder witch felt the need to wait rather then just join her.
"Oh... Well I wasn't sure if you would have appreciated the company, and, well," Hermione paused, obviously taken back by Ginny's comments "I didn't know if you'd appreciate the company" she looked away, wrinkling her nose as she did. Though she was older now, some things she still did reminded the youngest Weasley of when she was a teenager.
"You, Hermione are always welcome" she smiled, moving towards the shorter of the two.
Wrapping her arms around the girl's waist, kissing her cheek softly. "Always" she spoke in a whisper. Earning a nod from the older girl who had buried her nose in the crook of her neck. The brunette mumbled a soft "I'm glad" before pulling away, looking up with a smile twisting her lips.
"Go, and I'll be here when you get back" Ginny smiled, Kissing the shorter girls forehead gently. The brunette beamed a winning smile up at her, before turning to make her way towards the bathing quarters. The youngest Weasley watched until she disappeared like the redhead had done previously.
Turning towards the bed in the corner, the redhead made her way towards it. Pulling the sheets back enough so she could climb under them, and submerge herself in their comfort until Hermione made her return. With one last look around, she slid underneath the soft fabric legs first. Pulling the rest around her chest before she folded her hands behind her head.
She wasn't sure how long it was that she lay there, waiting. But her eyes had drifted shut, and her body calm as she had lay there. So much so her awareness of her surroundings had depleted and she was shocked back into reality when she felt another warm body next to her. As her eyes fluttered lazily open, she saw the mane of curls she knew so well. Felt the girl she was stranded with cuddle up next to her.
"Sleepy?" Hermione spoke, stroking her thumb down the redhead's cheek as she cuddled closer to her side.
"More than I realised I think" The younger witch replied, rubbing her eyes before wrapping an arm around the older girl.
"Me too" The brunette spoke, trying to fight off a yawn. Wrinkling her nose as she did. Leaning up to place a tender kiss on the redhead's cheek as she seemed to drift back into the slumber she had been in when Hermione had returned.
"Goodnight" The brunette whispered quietly, resting her head on the comfortable shoulder.
It wasn't long, before slumber lay claim to her next. Willingly allowing herself to drift off into the sleep she had so wished for, and needed. The prospect of an early morning far from both of their minds.