She had been snug in her bed and sleeping like a rock when Mr Weasley woke them up. It seemed that the Death Eaters had gathered together and were determined to cause panic. It was working.

She hurried along with Harry and Ron, before they got separated from the rest of the Weasleys. She was starting to panic, and Draco Malfoy didn't seem to make that fear go away when they bumped into him. With his taunts and teases, her anxiety kicked in and her brain went into overdrive.

She didn't realize that she had drifted away from Harry and Ron until she found herself alone. She had just managed to clear the panic out of her head and suddenly it all came crashing back in. She stumbled through the forest some more, and wound up sitting in a small patch of dirt, crying softly.

A soft voice spoke in Bulgarian to her. She didn't quite recognize the words, being able to write better than she could understand or even get her mouth around the words. But she knew that whoever it was, probably wasn't going to hurt her.

"It's alright," she managed to say. Her throat still felt closed up. "I'm fine."

There was what sounded like cursing. "Should haff used inglesh first." The man bent down to look at her and Hermione realized that it was Viktor. "Her-mow," he started. "No. Not right. Miss Granger, how are you?"

"Fine. Fine. A little startled, and panicked, but I'm fine." She tried to brush away his question, but wondered if she was even doing a little bit to convince him.

"Not fine," he said with enough conviction that she knew she hadn't fooled anyone. She hadn't even managed to fool herself.

Viktor extended a hand to her, and lifted her off the forest floor with ease. She admired his strength, glad that the darkness hid most of her blush.

"I'm sorry Viktor," she said softly. "I got lost and then got so scared I couldn't do anything."

Part of her wondered when he had just become Viktor to her. The logical part argued that it wasn't that strange since he was her soulmate and they had met each other once before. The less logical side argued that she shouldn't call him by his first name till he would do the same.

"Is alright," he told her. "Vould feel same vay. Here I take you vhere English minister is."

They walked through the forest, Hermione holding onto Viktor's hand. It was soothing, and she needed a reminder that she wasn't alone. And it was easier to stay together holding on to him like that.

Soon enough, the stopped, just a few yards away from a clearing where Hermione could see both Harry and Fudge. From the voices, all talking at once, it sounded like there were quite a few other people there.

"You go on," Viktor said. "I vill stay here. Don't vant attention."

She smiled a tad melancholy. She knew exactly why he would want to stay out of the spotlight. But she didn't want him to be away from him. Strange.

She let his hand go reluctantly, and summoned every last bit of courage she had. But once she had walked into the clearing, things weren't nearly as scary as they had been when she had gotten lost.

"There you are Mione," Ron hissed to her. "I was hoping you were behind us."

"What's going on?"

"After we lost you, Harry realized he'd lost his wand. The minister thinks that the dark mark was set off from somewhere around here."

She looked up, seeing the snake protruding from a skull hanging in the sky. Just the sight of it made her shiver. "Who would do such a thing?" she whispered.

"Death Eaters," Ron shrugged. "Anyway. Crouch just fired his house elf since she had Harry's wand which was used to cast the spell for that." He pointed up.

Hermine suppressed another shudder at the thought that one of her best friends' wands was used for such nefarious purposes. But her heart crumbled at the thought of the now crying house elf.

She excused herself from Ron, who was still enthralled in the goings on of Harry and the minister. Kneeling down next to the elf she tried to soothe the poor creature.

"What can I do to help?" she asked.

"Master is giving Winky clothes!" the elf wailed. "Winky doesn't want clothes! Winky wants to go home!"

"What if I could help you find a new home?" Hermione asked. Her heart was breaking as tears fell down the house elf's nose.

The elf sniffled a little, but her sobs subsided. "You would help Winky find a new home?"

"Of course. I know that Mrs. Weasley certainly wouldn't object to having some help around the house. I know she couldn't pay you…"

"Oh no miss," Winky said. "Winky could never be taking wages. It isn't right for a house elf. House elves are supposed to serve. Not be paid."

Hermione thought that was just silly. House elves deserved to be paid for their services, just as much as anyone else. She would have to do something about that.

"Okay kids," Mr. Weasley said as the matter between Harry and the minister was closed, "we should all get some sleep before going home."

Hermione stayed at the back with Winky, walking at a pace where the short creature could easily keep up. Mr. Weasley dropped back to walk with them, knowing that at least Percy could lead the group.

"Who have you got there Hermione?" he asked.

"This is Winky. I was wondering if you and Mrs. Weasley might be willing to give her a home. If not, I'll find something else, but it…"

"Don't worry about it," Mr. Weasley said. "I'm sure Molly would love an extra set of hands around the house. But it will get significantly less busy once the kids go back to Hogwarts."

"That's alright, Mr. Weasley. I think Mr. Crouch probably wasn't home much either. Especially with the way that Percy talks about him and work."

"What do you think Winky?" Mr. Weasley asked. "Do you want to come home with me?"

"Winky would like that very much."

Mr. Weasley caught up to the other teenagers, Hermione and her little friend still taking their time.

"Writing on your arm?" the elf asked.

Hermione looked at her left arm that still held the writing. Her sleeve had been pushed up, and torn, revealing the inky skin beneath. She pulled it down, a tad self-conscious.

"Yes. I have a bad habit of writing on my arm. Please don't tell my friends."

"Winky won't tell friends. But Winky must let lady know that she has a soulmate. A strong one too, if you are able to talk to each other like that."

Hermione stopped in her tracks. "How do you know that?"

"Elves know more of the old ways than wizards. They have forgotten that they don't control all magic. They forget that magical creatures are more capable of handling and understanding some magic better than they. But elves know. Elves can see. And when wizards, or witches, are kind, sometimes we can share what we know."

"Thank you Winky."

The walked in relative silence back to the tents. Getting there, Hermione wanted to just lie down on her bed and sleep for hours, but instead thought of her new acquaintance.

"Do you want a blanket or something?" Hermione asked.

Winky shook her head. "I'm not tired. I have so much to think about."

Hermione flopped down, exhausted. As soon as her head hit the pillow she was asleep.