A/N: If you liked this chapter (or hated it) let me know about it in a review! You can find me on Tumblr at crochetawayhpff or Facebook at Shan Crochetaway. My only beta is Grammarly; all other mistakes are mine.

March 2003

Forest of Dean

Death Eater Encampment

Over the last few weeks, Hermione had gotten much better at pulling up her second sight and searching for ley lines. It was hard work and often left her exhausted after just a few hours of it. There were several ley lines that converged around the tent, but none of them appeared to be damaged in the way that she knew the ley line holding the Muggle-Repelling Charms would have to be.

It was almost three weeks before she finally went to Dolohov to ask about searching other hotspots of wizarding activity within Britain.

"Not by yourself," Dolohov said gruffly. The five of them, Dolohov, Rowle, Gibbon, Yaxley, and Hermione met almost every other day to discuss goings on in the camp and Hermione's progress with the Muggle-Repelling Charms.

"I wasn't suggesting that," Hermione said. "But I need to find the ley line they were tied to. None of the books we've found mention which line. It's possible we could repair the line itself, which would cut my job in half."

Dolohov frowned as he paced his tent and Hermione sighed. She knew he was going to tell her no, and make this harder on her than it needed to be. She understood the position he was in as the leader of this camp, but she hoped he would see that nothing would change, and in fact, it would all probably get worse if they didn't figure out a way to start shielding themselves from the Muggles.

"I just—"

"You need to let her try," Gibbon said, speaking up for Hermione. Hermione stared at him almost gobsmacked. They hadn't had quite the animosity between them anymore, but they certainly weren't friends.

"Who should I send with her? I can ill afford to send Thor," Dolohov said just as Rowle had been about to speak up.

"Why not?" Rowle asked petulantly. Hermione placed her hand on his forearm. Trying to offer some comfort. She was by far most comfortable with Rowle but knew that Rowle was needed at camp. He and Yaxley were what kept most of the wizards in line.

"You know why," Dolohov said darkly. "Don't be a child."

"Send me," Gibbon offered.

"Absolutely not," Rowle growled. He stood quickly and his chair tipped over, clattering across the floor.

"Rowle," Dolohov warned.

"No, she goes with me or she doesn't go at all," Rowle said. "That's final. I can't trust her with Connor."

"Can't trust her or Connor?" Dolohov asked shrewdly.

"Oh, I trust her," Rowle said. "I don't trust Connor."

Gibbon looked irritated and Hermione sighed. "I'm right here, you know," she said, trying to remind them that not only was she there, but she was more than capable of taking care of herself.

"And you're a precious resource, as well you know," Rowle growled, not taking his eyes off of Dolohov.

Hermione was frustrated with the he-man routine and stood. "I don't care who the fuck goes with me. Figure it out. I plan to leave at dawn."

"Oh, no, you don't," Rowle said and Hermione danced out of his way as he tried to grab her arm. She slipped the malachite necklace over her head, donning her disguise as a fifteen-year-old boy named Herman.

"I've got washing to do," Hermione said, in her deep voice that still half-surprised her every time she heard it.

She left the tent and found Flint and Nott gathering the wash. She joined them and they made quick work of heading to the river.

The following morning found Dolohov visiting their tent for once. Hermione packed everything she thought she needed in her bag and donned the malachite necklace.

"Listen to reason, Thor," Dolohov pleaded.

"Talen's got it," Rowle said. "He can handle the camp. It's been quiet the last few weeks. Sooner we get this done, sooner we'll be back."

Dolohov frowned at them and Hermione decided to ignore everyone. Gibbon was glaring at them all, arms crossed over his chest as he leaned against the tent pole.

"I'm ready," Hermione said, frowning at the way her voice sounded when she wore the necklace.

"Merlin, I hate that," Rowle muttered.

Hermione nodded, she hated it too. At first, it had been strange, but not so terrible, now, she hated it more than anything.

"If I can figure this out," Hermione said. She took the necklace back off, it was too weird to say that much while wearing it. "If I can figure this out, we can probably make more of an effort in finding wizards. If I'm able to repair the broken ley line, then the old charms will be reinvoked. Diagon Alley, the Ministry, Mungo's, they'll all be back behind the charms. It'll draw people out, hopefully."

"Right, and if you fail?" Gibbon asked.

"Connor," Rowle warned.

"If I fail, you can be the first to tell me you told me so," Hermione said, meeting Gibbon's eye. "And then I'll leave. Heaven forbid, I taint anyone else in this Merlin-forsaken camp."

"Hermione," Rowle sounded distressed.

"I'm not going to stay where I'm not wanted, Finn," Hermione said. "You're free to come with me if that happens."

"We'll discuss that if it happens," Dolohov said firmly, cutting off whatever Gibbon was going to say next.

"Fine, let's go then," Hermione said, slipping the malachite necklace back over her head. Rowle and Dolohov followed her out of the tent, leaving Gibbon and Yaxley behind.

"Where to first?" Dolohov asked as they traveled out of the camp, far enough away that hopefully, most wizards in the camp wouldn't notice that Rowle and Hermione were slipping away.

"Outskirts of London," Hermione said. "So much of wizarding Britain was based in London that I think the ley line had to be near there."

"And how are you getting there?" Dolohov asked. "You can't Apparate, you might—"

"Broom," Rowle interrupted.

Hermione shuddered, she hated brooms. But Rowle had assured her they could ride together. And it was safer than Apparition.

"Fine. I want regular check-ins," Dolohov said.

"Would Patronus do?" Hermione asked.

"What?"

"For check-ins? Can I send you my Patronus? I don't much like flying."

"We're going to talk about what else you've been holding out on, Granger, but yes, a Patronus will be fine," Dolohov said.

"Let's go," Rowle said. He mounted the broom and scooted back, to allow Hermione to get on in front of him. She did so, feeling nervous, but Rowle's arms around her made her feel a little better.

"Good luck," Dolohov said when Rowle kicked off from the ground and they rose slowly in the air. Hermione gripped the broom in front of her until Rowle pried her fingers from it.

"Hold onto my arms, not the broom. Broom won't know who's in control," Rowle breathed into her ear. "And take off that damned necklace."

Hermione snorted a laugh, but pulled the necklace off and shoved it into her pocket, before wrapping her arms around Rowle's large forearms. She felt quite safe in his embrace, safer than she had thought she would feel.

"Alright, we'll take it slow, to begin with. Let me know when you're feeling comfortable enough to speed up," Rowle murmured. Hermione took a deep breath and nodded. She kept her eyes closed as they flew toward London. Slowly, she began relaxing into Rowle's arms and opened her eyes. It was rather beautiful up here as they sped over the hills and fields.

"There," Rowle pointed down toward a small dale. There wasn't a building in at least a few miles in any direction.

"Are you sure it'll be safe?" Hermione asked.

"We'll check it out and if it's not, we'll leave in a hurry," Rowle assured her. Hermione nodded and closed her eyes as Rowle began a slow descent. London was off in the distance, they were still well beyond the suburbs, but not so far away that any ley lines passing through the area wouldn't be found. Hermione just hoped that she could fix whatever was wrong with the ley lines. She feared that if she couldn't fix it, it would be months of research into ley lines that criss crossed Britain to pick one that she could tie the new Muggle-Repelling Charms to.

The dale was definitely empty and Hermione and Rowle made quick work of setting up a few wards to alert them if anyone came near.

"Should I get out the tent?" Rowle asked.

Hermione shook her head. "It's too open and I'm hoping to get to a few sights today."

"Will you be able to handle that?" Rowle asked.

"I'll have to. Sooner we get this done, sooner everything goes back to the way it was."

"I'm not sure that's ever going to be possible," Rowle muttered.

Hermione ignored him and got to work. It was hard, but eventually, she was able to pull up the second sight. The dim blue light signifying the second sight flooded her vision and she pressed her hands to the ground, looking for ley lines. There were a few, but they were far away and they all looked healthy. She shook her head, dropping the second sight and she and Rowle took down the wards and clambered back on the broom.

"You sure you're alright to fly?" Rowle asked.

"Just don't let me fall. I'll be fine," Hermione mumbled, with her eyes closed. She felt Rowle nod and they took off into the sky. Her head pounded and she sucked in deep breaths of the cold air to keep the nausea at bay.

It went like that four more times before Rowle insisted they find a place to stop for the night.

"There," Rowle said as he pointed out a small wood in the distance. Hermione opened her eyes just far enough to see where he was pointing and nodded. Her head was throbbing still, but she knew she had to suck up the pain. Finding the broken ley line was imperative and Hermione would work until she collapsed if she had to.

The wood appeared empty, but she and Rowle circled the whole thing from the broom, casting Homenum Revelio every few feet or so. When they were sure that nobody was inside the wood waiting to ambush them, Rowle landed and they entered the space swiftly. They began casting more wards, to alert them of anyone approaching, to discourage anyone from staying in the area, they weren't Muggle-Repelling Charms, just distraction charms that could be fought through if one was determined enough. They also cast several layers of warning wards. It was the best they could do.

Rowle dug through the bag he had slung across his back and pulled out a tent. Hermione took a breath and tried to help him set it up, but Rowle waved her off. He pointed to a fallen log and Hermione nodded and practically collapsed on top of it as Rowle figured out the tent.

"Alright, let's get started," Hermione said the moment the tent was up.

"Woah, maybe we should wait until morning. You're clearly feeling like hippogriff dung," Rowle protested.

"If it's not here, we'll have more sights to see tomorrow," Hermione explained slowly. Her voice was barely a whisper in an attempt to keep the throbbing in her head down to a minimum. "I'd rather start the day fresh."

"Fine, but you're taking a headache relief potion and we're getting into bed before you start."

Hermione huffed but didn't have the energy to protest. Rowle ushered her into the tent and rummaged through his bag, finally pulling out the light-blue potion. Hermione downed it in one gulp, but it barely made a dent in her headache.

"Strip," Rowle said as he flicked his wand, getting clean sheets on the bed. Hermione fought to roll her eyes at him again, but she was exhausted, and Rowle would help her relax into the state necessary to pull up her second sight.

Soon, she and Rowle were both naked and in bed. Rowle on his back and Hermione sprawled across his chest. She listened to his strong heartbeat and closed her eyes as Rowle ran his massive hands up and down her neck. He twisted her hair out of the way and massaged the base of her neck. Hermione was practically purring in his arms, her headache there, but almost forgotten under Rowle's ministrations.

Closing her eyes, she took a few deep breaths and began centering herself. This was going to hurt way worse than any other time she'd done this today. She'd never managed to bring up her second sight more than four times in a day and she'd already done it five times that day. She put the future pain out of her mind and began feeling her body connected to the earth beneath the floor of the tent. Then she concentrated on the third-eye she could feel at the center of her forehead and opened it. The dim blue light covered everything. In her immediate vicinity was Rowle, she could see the bright colors of his magic swirling in his chest, the dark, hunter green the most present. She swept her hand over his chest, watching as his magic reacted to her presence.

Taking another deep breath, she moved her head, just enough to see beyond Rowle. There were three ley lines in the immediate vicinity. A dark vermillion one, way off to the left. Chartreuse ran almost directly under her feet and Hermione reached out a hand, dipping it through the ley line. It hummed with magic and felt good. She smiled as she spotted a dark navy ley line off to the side. The ley lines near here all looked healthy. She knew she needed to drop the second sight soon, but delayed, running her hands through the bright green one that ran beneath the bed of the tent once more.

"Merlin, witch," Rowle grunted as Hermione leaned on her elbow on his chest to reach a hand over the edge of the bed.

"There's a lovely little ley line down here," Hermione murmured, playing her hand through the magic.

"Yeah, I can feel it," Rowle muttered and Hermione realized that just by virtue of touching Rowle, he could feel the magic that was running through her hands.

"You need to drop the sight," Rowle reminded her. "You're already going to feel like shit, drop it."

Hermione nodded and closed the imaginary eye in her forehead. She regretted everything she'd done that day, immediately. A wave of pain came over her so hard and so fast she almost blacked out from it.

"Oh, fuck," she whispered, grabbing both hands to the sides of her head. It felt as though her head were going to split open.

"Yeah," Rowle grunted. He Summoned another headache relief potion and just the sound of it whistling through the air and then slapping his palm was enough to set her teeth on edge. She felt miserable. "Here." Rowle held the vial up to her lips and helped her get most of it down her throat. There must have been some dreamless sleep mixed into the potion because Hermione's vision went black and she didn't wake until morning.

March 2003

Someplace Outside of London

England, UK

Three days later, Hermione and Rowle finally encountered the mangled ley line. It was their second stop of the day, they were near an abandoned farmstead. The buildings made Hermione nervous, but Rowle assured her there wasn't anybody nearby. The moment she'd settled into the old dirt floor of the barn, she could feel something wrong in the air. She hissed a breath and brought up her second sight faster than she ever had before. The blue light shimmered over everything and there it was. An ugly, jagged, rust-red line that ran through the ground at her feet. It went as far as she could see in either direction and was as large as an eight-lane highway. No wonder they had used it to anchor the Muggle-Repelling Charms.

"Found it," Hermione hissed. She dipped her hand into the line and whipped it back out when it stung her. "Fucking hurts."

"Are you sure this is it?" Rowle asked.

"Pull up the second sight and see for yourself," Hermione snapped. She knew she was inexperienced with this whole ley line business, but honestly. She'd seen enough of them in the last few days to know that this was the one they were looking for.

"Not without more protections in place. Drop your sight so we can set up a proper camp."

Hermione took a deep breath and closed her inner eye slowly. The pounding in her head increased and Rowle slipped a headache relief potion in her hand. She had no idea how he always knew, but he did. She chugged it as they went about setting up a proper camp around the barn. They decided to just set up the tent in the barn, at least they'd have a bed that way.

"Alright, we'll both go down and see if we can figure out what exactly is wrong with it," Hermione stated once they were settled on the floor in the tent.

"No, you need to eat," Rowle insisted. He pulled out a few packaged protein bars and Hermione wrinkled her nose. They'd been living off of them for a few days now and the thought of choking another one down made her want to vomit.

"I'm fine," she insisted.

"You've pulled up your sight twice already. And we're about to be down long enough that both of us will be incapacitated for a while after. I'm not taking no for an answer," Rowle told her.

Hermione glared at him. She hated when he got bossy with her.

"Fine," she snapped and snatched a bar out of his hand, ripping the plastic open and taking a large bite.

Twenty minutes later, they were both nestled into the bed in the tent. Hermione knew it was going to be difficult to stay under as long as they would need to, and her head was already pounding, but they needed to see if they could fix the line. The sooner they did that the better.

"Relax," Rowle muttered, stroking her back. Hermione slowly eased all of the tension from her body.

"Now," she murmured and she opened her third eye, seeing the magic flowing through Rowle's body first. She placed her hand on his chest, loving the way their magic looked together.

"Holy…" Rowle broke off and Hermione glanced to see what he was looking at. The burnt red line was jagged and jangled the nerves. "It looks...wrong. Like it's sick." His voice was full of horror and Hermione found herself nodding.

"I know," she whispered. "I tried touching it earlier and it shocked me."

"Well, we aren't going to fix it by not touching it," Rowle said grimly. Hermione nodded again, and together they reached out with their hands. Putting their hand into this ley line felt akin to putting it into a bowl full of thumbtacks. It was sharp and pricked at their skin.

"There's something disrupting the flow," Rowle murmured.

"I can feel it too. Did someone shove something into the ley line?"

"I've never heard of that, but I guess it would be possible," Rowle hummed.

"But what? I mean, it would have to be something imbued with its own magic right? Some sort of magical artefact?"

"Maybe a rune stone?" Rowle suggested.

"Oh, that's brilliant," Hermione said. "So simple, and yet…" she concentrated trying to figure out where the disruption was coming from. "I think it's west of here."

"I agree," Rowle said. "We won't be able to pull out whatever it is from here."

"We'll go west in the morning then. We can travel along the line, stopping every few miles or so to see if we can pinpoint the location."

"I think it'll be easier the closer we are to it. We should go up."

Hermione winced as she closed her third eye and the headache came roaring back.

"Oh, Merlin," she breathed through her nose and out her mouth as the nausea threatened to overwhelm her.

"Here," Rowle pressed a headache relief potion into her hand again and she hoped it was one of the doctored ones that would immediately put her to sleep.

March 2003

Malfoy Manor

Wiltshire, England, UK

"Of, fucking, course," Hermione muttered as they flew over what she immediately recognized was Malfoy Manor. They had spent the morning searching along the ley line for where the disruption was and their last stop had indicated it was about five miles from where they were. Five miles proved to be exactly where Malfoy Manor was located.

"Think he's still in there?" Rowle asked.

"Unlikely. It's not protected by a Fidelus, obviously, and it sits so close to a Muggle road," Hermione shook her head. "He's probably dead, the whole Manor is probably empty."

"He was on house arrest, right?" Rowle asked. "So wherever he did it from, it wasn't outside."

"Cellar," Hermione grimaced. She'd never seen it, but there were plenty of other places she'd seen in Malfoy Manor that she had no desire to go back to again.

"That makes sense," Rowle murmured and slowly drifted the broom downward so they were inside the gates and staring up at the front porch.

Immediately, the sight of the door of the Manor made Hermione's pulse race. Her breathing increased rapidly and Rowle gave her a strange look. Her hands started shaking and she looked down at her feet in order to not see that fucking door again.

"I-I…" she couldn't go on. She sat abruptly on the step and Rowle dropped with her.

"What's wrong?" he asked as she shivered and shook. She wrapped her arms around herself and dropped her head between her knees.

"I can't," she muttered over and over again.

"Hermione, you're scaring me," Rowle said. His voice was weirdly high-pitched and Hermione wanted to ensure him that she was alright, that it was just a panic attack and she'd make it through, but she couldn't make her tongue move, except to say, "I can't," over and over again.

Rowle pulled her close, rubbing his hands up and down her back. She found herself buried in his embrace and shuddered once more. The smell of him calmed her in more ways than she realized as she felt the panic finally release control of her body. She clung to him them, sobbing as Rowle held her tightly.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," she said into his chest. Either Rowle didn't hear her or he didn't acknowledge her. He just held her and Hermione found that it was exactly what she needed right then. He didn't try to reassure her. He didn't shush her. He just held her. As if holding her was the only thing anchoring him to earth and Hermione knew that being held by him really was the only thing anchoring her in that moment.

She finally was able to take a few deep breaths and pulled back, just enough to look up at him. His eyes were full of concern, but he didn't say anything.

"I…"

"When you're ready," Rowle shrugged.

Hermione nodded. "Let's go inside."

"You sure?"

"You know the way to the cellar?" Hermione asked, biting her lip.

Rowle nodded tightly.

"Then yes. I'll keep my eyes closed, you get us to the cellar."

"Alright," Rowle took a deep breath and Hermione closed her eyes, clutching at the back of his robes as he gingerly began moving through the Manor. He narrated their journey. Letting her know when he'd be turning and finally, when they'd be descending the stairs to the cellar.

"I chose the wine cellar, which is separate from the dungeons," he murmured as they reached the bottom of the steps. The smell of dirt hit Hermione and she was relieved that they weren't in the dungeons. Regardless of not having spent any time in them, she knew people had, and that was enough to freak her out. She didn't want to know how Rowle knew his way around Malfoy Manor. She knew the basics, it had been the Death Eater stronghold during the war.

"Alright," she nodded and opened her eyes. The vaulted ceiling was low and there was rack after rack of wine as far as she could see. The floor was dirt and in front of them was a circle drawn in the dirt.

"This is where he did it," she breathed.

Rowle nodded. "Seems likely."

"What's the circle for?" she asked. She knew a little about circles, but not a lot.

"Supposedly it's a conjuring circle, for protection against whatever you are conjuring. I have no idea why he would have used it to fuck with the ley line. But maybe he conjured something to do it for him?"

"But what?" Hermione asked.

"You are incorrect. He cast the circle to put up a silencing charm," a disembodied voice from behind them stated.

Hermione screamed and whirled around, pointing her wand at whoever was behind them.

"Don't fear, witch. I can't hurt you," the voice said.

Rowle cast a Lumos and drew closer to what appeared to be a portrait.

"Arsenius Malfoy," the portrait said and did a complicated looking flourished bow. Hermione raised her eyebrow at him, but let Rowle take the lead on talking to the portrait.

"Thorfinn Rowle," Rowle bobbed his head. He didn't introduce Hermione and she knew why he didn't, but it didn't stop it from stinging. She turned her back on their conversation as she inspected the circle.

"What did he do?" Rowle asked Arsenius.

"Well, I'm not entirely sure, but Armand thinks he shoved a rune stone into a ley line. Can't pull up our second sight as portraits, you understand."

Hermione nodded and tuned out their conversation. If he shoved a rune stone into the ley line, hopefully they would be able to pull it out. She swiped her boot at the circle drawn in the dirt. They didn't need it and it creeped her out to think about stepping into the same circle that Lucius Malfoy used to fuck the entire wizarding world over with.

Rowle joined her shortly and they knelt facing each other.

"Ready?" Hermione asked. Rowle nodded and she took a deep breath to focus before bringing up her second sight. Rowle and his magic looked gorgeous as always. Hermione held up her hand and Rowle matched it. She loved the way their clasped fingers looked together in the psychedelic swirl of magic.

Glancing down, she could see the ley line running between them and there right in the center was a carved rune stone. Hermione grit her teeth and pushed her hand into the jangly magic of the ley line to turn the rune stone over. And found two more behind it. Malfoy had shoved three rune stones into the ley line.

"Merlin," Rowle breathed. "Can you read them?"

Hermione shook her head and tried pulling one of the stones out of the ley line, but it was stuck. She could move it around within the magic of the ley line, but pulling it free wasn't working. She flipped the stone over and gasped.

"Hagalaz," she said.

"For wrath of nature," Rowle grimaced. "What are the others?"

Hermione turned the other two rune stones over. "Nauthiz and Thurisaz."

"Delay and restriction and destruction?"

"I didn't know you took Ancient Runes," Hermione said, peering up at Rowle.

"Not the time, little witch," Rowle reminded her. "Can you pull them out?"

Hermione shook her head. "They seem to be stuck pretty fast. I tried to pull Hagalaz and it didn't budge."

"Maybe they're bundled in some way?" Rowle suggested. "Trying pulling them all out together."

Hermione took a deep breath and pulled slowly at first, hoping that a slow approach would make the ley line release the stones, but no luck. The moment the stones got within an inch of the edge of the ley line they snapped back toward the middle.

"You try," Hermione said, releasing the stones. Rowle winced as he placed his hands into the ley line and Hermione brushed her finger across one of them in sympathy. He gathered up the rune stones and gave an almighty pull, but they didn't budge.

"No, go," Rowle frowned. "Sticking charm you think?"

Hermione shook her head. "How would he stick them to pure magic? Seems more likely that having been stuck in the ley line for months that the ley line has grown over them."

"Even if they make the ley line sick like they are?"

Hermione shrugged. "I don't know."

"Time to go up," Rowle said. "Let's get out of here then we can send a Patronus to Antonin."

Hermione grimaced as she dropped the second sight. She immediately began dry heaving and the moment she was done, Rowle had his arms around her and a headache relief potion in her hand.

"Don't you also feel like shit?" Hermione grumbled after downing the potion.

Rowle shrugged. "Azkaban isn't a walk in the park. I'm used to feeling like shit and still having to function."

Hermione groaned and rolled her eyes as Rowle led her up the stairs and into Malfoy Manor proper.

"Close your eyes, little witch," Rowle reminded her and Hermione did, placing her forehead against his back. She shuffled forward, but when she tripped over his feet, he sighed and swung her up in his arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck to hold on and he placed a kiss on her forehead. "Don't get used to this," he muttered.

Hermione laughed weakly.

March 2003

Forest of Dean

Death Eater Encampment

"Dolohov," Granger's voice announced from a tiny, silvery otter that had gamboled up to Antonin in his tent. "We found the ley line, but it's too badly damaged. I have a contender for a replacement. Runs through the camp and seems to run through London too. I'll work on it on our way home."

The otter disappeared as Granger's voice faded.

"That's a neat trick," Connor scowled. Antonin suppressed a sigh and ignored him.

"They'll be home soon, good," Antonin said. "In the meantime, we need to figure out what we're going to do with all of these Muggle scouts that seem to be gunning for us."

"Kill them, just like we've always done," Connor said.

"We can, however, don't you suspect that gives away our position? They'll never leave us alone if they know we're in here."

"Well, when they never return, they don't know what happens," Talen grinned.

Antonin threw up his hands. Death Eaters were entirely too hellbent on murder and what he needed was strategists. He couldn't wait until Granger was back.

March 2003

Forest of Dean

Death Eater Encampment

A few days later, Granger and Thor returned. They looked sickeningly sweet at each other and Dolohov had to suppress more sighing. Couldn't they see what they were doing to Gibbon? It was hard enough to keep Gibbon from murdering one or the both of them.

"I've done it," Granger said when she saw him.

"Done what?"

"Anchored a new ley line for Muggle-Repelling Charms. It's not perfect, but I'll keep working on it. It usually works after the third or fourth iteration."

"That's… less than ideal," Connor sneered.

"I'm aware, Gibbon," Granger said coldly. "However, at least I have something working." Clearly implying that Connor hadn't done anything.

Antonin stepped forward before another fight could ensue. "Good. Connor, Talen, come with me, I think I've figured out what we can use to test the variations that Granger comes up with."

Connor glared at Granger once more before following Antonin out of the tent.

"By the way, I've set up a new tent for you two next door," Antonin addressed Thor and Granger. "Stop antagonizing Gibbon, would you?"

He led Connor and Talen to the last place they had run into a Muggle patrol. He had an idea to test Granger's Muggle-Repelling Charm. But to test it, he needed a Muggle. It took them almost two hours of walking to get far enough from the encampment. The last thing Antonin wanted was to lure Muggles anywhere near where the camp was located.

"What are we doing out here?" Talen asked sullenly. Talen was usually not the sullen one of the bunch.

"What has your knickers in a twist?" Antonin snapped. Connor smirked and Antonin glared at him as well. He flicked his wand and the tent he'd been carrying set itself up. Talen slumped onto a log, kicking at the underbrush as he did. Antonin really didn't have the patience to deal with his attitude today. When Talen didn't answer, Antonin continued, "We're attempting to lure some Muggles today," Antonin said pointedly. "Granger indicates that the charm may not work the first time, so be ready with a Stunner if needed."

"How are you going to get a Muggle?" Connor asked crossing his arms over his chest and leaning against a tree.

"Well, they have those magic detecting things, so I figure we start casting the biggest, most magic-expending charms we can, and we'll get one soon enough," Antonin said.

"And then still have energy to cast the Muggle-Repelling Charm and Stun the Muggle if necessary? What if there are a lot of them?" Connor asked.

Antonin felt like an idiot, he was usually better than this. "What do you suggest, Connor? Because clearly, you have something in mind."

"Let's just go into town and kidnap one," Connor shrugged.

Antonin pursed his lips, he could just imagine what Granger would have to say about that if she knew. But, Connor wasn't wrong, it would at least be faster and less energy consuming.

"Not sure that's a good idea," Talen said.

"Why not?" Connor asked.

"Just going to take an innocent Muggle?"

"Innocent? You think they are bloody innocent? Where the fuck have you been?" Connor exploded. "In case you have missed it, the Muggles are hunting wizards down because we have magic and they don't like it. They would kill you in a heartbeat, Talen."

"Still, whatever Muggle we kidnap wouldn't necessarily be one who attacked us. I like Antonin's idea of luring one to us. Let's lure one of those military types. I'd have no problem torturing and killing one of them."

"You're all going bleeding soft," Connor hissed. He stalked away from camp.

"Connor!" Antonin shouted after him. "Gibbon! Get back here!" Connor kept going and Antonin cursed under his breath. Hopefully, Connor was just going to cool off and would be back. He needed wizards like Connor and hated that Connor was right. Apparently, Dolohov had gone soft."

"I'll cast a few Bombardas," Talen said. "That should be enough power to lure someone in.

"Right," Antonin nodded. Talen began blowing up trees in the clearing while Antonin cast the new version of the Muggle-Repelling Charm on the tent.

It didn't take long for a pair of Muggle scouts to come creeping through the woods. Antonin and Talen had set out several wards to alert them of the presence of someone else.

"How are we going to figure out if they see the tent?" Talen whispered once the first ward dinged in their ears.

"I'm hoping once we catch sight of them, one of us ducks into the tent and the other observes."

"Who's the sitting duck in the tent?" Talen asked. "Oh, Antonin, seriously? Why does it always have to be me?" he pouted once he'd asked the question.

Antonin clapped him on the shoulder quietly. "Sorry, mate. I'll make sure they don't fire any of those Muggle weapons into the tent. You'll be safe as houses."

Talen scowled at him and moved from their hiding spot under a Disillusionment charm and toward the front flap of the tent. The second and third wards dinged rapidly together and Antonin waited, soon two men dressed in Muggle military garb came into sight. They were totally silent and communicating by hand signals only. Talen had his back to them, but one of the Muggles accidentally stepped on a branch that cracked rather loudly.

Talen whipped around, spotted the Muggles and dove into the tent. The Muggles then circled the tent and raised their 'ray-gun' at the tent. Antonin would have no word for that device had Granger not told him what it looked like to her. They still could only guess about what exactly it did.

"We know you're in there," one of them stated. "Come out with your hands up and your wand in them and we won't hurt you."

"Der'mo," Antonin swore and he stunned both Muggles. "You can come out Talen, they're down."

Talen stepped out of the tent with a mighty scowl on his face. "Could have warned me what direction they were in," he grumbled. "Hurt my shoulder diving into the tent."

"Well, Granger was right, the first iteration of the spell didn't work. They could see the tent alright. Let's levitate them outside of the perimeter of the wards and try again."

"Think they'll still creep this way once you wake them up?" Talen asked pointing his wand at one of the Muggles.

Antonin shrugged. "Worth a shot at least." He put the Muggle-Repelling Charm on the tent again, this time using more intent in his spell casting.

They levitated the men to outside the third ward and once back in their hiding place, Antonin shot a Rennervate at them, hoping it would hit them both. It did and soon the wards were ringing once more. This time Talen knew what direction to expect them and was waiting for them.

Again, the Muggles were able to see the tent and again Antonin Stunned them before they could hurt anybody.

It took two more tries before the Muggles wandered around the clearing, wondering where the man they'd seen had gone. Then one had suggested moving off about twenty yards and the other complied quickly. Antonin let them go and he and Talen went back to camp happy. The Muggle-Repelling Charm wasn't perfect, but it worked if Antonin put enough intent and magic into it. Perhaps, Granger could improve the method somehow. He'd have to ask her when they returned to camp.