The only thing that was swirling through Hermione's mind at that moment was the delicious taste of Severus' mouth when it had met hers. The wizard's lips had been softer than she could have imagined and the warmth that flowed through her was a welcome change. She could still feel the slight pressure of his mouth on hers; still feel his warmth as he enfolded his arms around her. The he'd be interested in her was a welcome piece of knowledge and she couldn't wait to get him alone again so they could explore the notion a little further. Her whole body seemed to be alive with the prospect, attuned somehow to where he was and how he was moving.

She stole sideways glances at him as they navigated the deserted streets. His movements were precise, accurate and careful. Hermione couldn't help but wonder if he was that careful with his walking, how careful he would be as a lover. The thought made her cheeks flush and she hastily turned her head away from both her companions. It wouldn't do to have them spying her blush and asking about it. The last thing she needed was Rolanda commenting and then laughing about her new infatuation. Dismissing the thought for the moment, she focused on the dark, looming houses around them. She couldn't sense anything wrong with the place, no more than normal at least. There was no sign of life, or unlife either, for that matter for which she was glad. If they could make it in and out without seeing anything it would be a small miracle.

Rolanda nudged her shoulder and snapped her back to the present. She was still painfully aware of him at her side like a pervasive, dark presence. Tall and comforting alongside her, he was a stark contrast to her usual lonely forays. "What is it?" she whispered.

Rolanda jerked her head to the side and grinned a little. It was a Lloyds Pharmacy. The same one they had hit last time. Hopefully, the supplies they'd stashed would still be waiting for them and they could grab it and go. Hermione looked up and down the deserted street and gave a curt nod, not needing to reply verbally. Carefully, they crept towards the front of the building. The window had been smashed since the last time they were there and a couple of bottles of asprin were scattered across the road. Hermione tried the door; locked. Exchanging a glance with Severus, she crept carefully through the window. Her companions followed without a sound.

Inside, the place had been torn apart. The shelves had been pulled down, their contents scattered across the shop floor. Bottles and jars of a multitude of medicines were strewn about carelessly and the contents of several packets had been trodden on. Rolanda led them into the back room, where they'd stashed some of the supplies. Once in the back, the older woman kicked aside a heavy trunk and revealed a hatch. "You really are a resourceful bunch," muttered Severus. Hermione nodded a response as Rolanda disappeared down the hatch. She swallowed the urge to push him against the wall and shove her tongue down his throat. The thought was strong but she blinked a couple of times and cleared it away. It did make her think for a moment and she returned to the front of the store. Rummaging around the floor, she found what she was looking for and slipped a couple of packets into her pocket, as well as a few boxes of painkillers and basic headache tablets.

Returning to her companions, she noticed Rolanda was still down the hatch. A few supplies were now resting on the edge of the hatch and Severus was bent down looking at She hunkered down next to him and scanned the supplies. "Will this be enough?" she whispered. A sudden wave of guilt washed over her. She'd been so caught up thinking about him that she'd forgotten about the reason for their trip.

"I can't say without seeing how the wound has progressed," he replied. She gave him a glance and he placed a warm hand on her bicep, giving it a squeeze. The contact made her heart speed up and she sucked in a breath. She bit her lip but knew he was doing his best to reassure her.

"I hope so."

"Me too," he nodded. He withdrew his arm as Rolanda's head pocked up from the gap.

"Little help?" she tilted her head to the side and heaved up a pack full of the required goods. Hermione grabbed hold of it and hauled it up. Placing it on the side, she then held out a hand to help Roland up. Accepting it, the woman nimbly hopped up onto the floor once more and then shut the hatch.

"Is there much left?" Hermione asked.

"A fair bit," Rolanda replied. She nodded before rising from her crouch, Severus followed.

"This should ensure infection is less of a risk in the future," he said. Hermione watched as he stretched his arms over his head and yawned. His grace was undeniable and she flushed, turning her head away quickly.

"We should go," Hermione said. Rolanda nodded and all at once, shouldering the pack they began moving towards the exit. The chill had permeated the room and the day had darkened significantly when they crept back into the street. It was still deserted at least. However, Hermione's eyes were drawn down the long high street. Several bricks were lying in the road, which was now cracked and looking as though it was in need of repair. As she was squinting against the brightness of the day, she thought she saw movement at the far end of the street. Leaning forward for a better look, the movement, whatever it was, was gone. The sooner they were the better.

"What is it?" Severus laid a hand on her shoulder and followed her gaze.

"I don't know." She whispered turning back the way they'd come.

"We need to go," Rolanda said. Hermione nodded and they began stalking back out of the town with as much speed as they could muster.

It all went wrong when they were less than a hair's breadth from the outskirts of the town. Hermione could even see the fields they were aiming for. A snickering laugh was the only warning they got. A sharp crack followed by a cry of pain from Rolanda was it. Hermione spun round, raising her crossbow but there was nothing there. No one to own up to the assault, she knew Severus was alert as she was but with nothing to see…

"Run!" Rolanda shouted. Hermione snapped out of her daze and began sprinting towards the fields. She scooped Rolanda back onto her feet and they all began the headlong dash. Laughter, cold, cruel and devoid of mirth followed them. Severus had his arm under Rolanda as well and they seemed to be on the verge of reaching their destination. It was not to be. Another sharp crack sounded and the laughter intensified. Another scream from the witch they carried sounded and this time, she went limp.

"Come on Severus!" Hermione hissed, trying to drag the now unconscious body of her companion. When they reached the long grass he stopped and they hunkered down. "What are you doing?"

"I know that laugh," he said.

"So?"

"We'll not get away."

Hermione's eyes widened at his apparent giving up and she shook her head, "What about Moody?" she asked.

"You take Rolanda and go."

"I'll not leave you!" Her heart pounded in her chest and she felt suddenly cold. How on earth could he suggest something like that? After the mornings events too?

"I'll catch you up," he replied. She gave him a flat look, not believing a single word he said. If the Death Eaters got him, he was as good as dead. Shaking her head, she opened her mouth to speak. "Go to the safe house, I'll meet you there later on. She needs your help too," his eyes flicked to Rolanda before he took her hand. "I know these people, I will be fine," Severus said.

"You better be!" she muttered as she hoisted the unconscious Rolanda up once more. The woman groaned a little but she found her feet as she came too.

"Go!" Severus whispered fiercely before rising to his feet. Swallowing, finding her throat dry, she nodded and began a scamper into the long grass. She dared not look back to see what he was doing. The laughter receded into the background and it seemed as though whatever it was he had in mind was working. She only hoped that he knew what he was doing and that he'd come back to them safe and in one piece.

It took most of the day to arrive back at the safe house. As soon as they did, Hermione hoisted Rolanda up the ladder as best she could and saw that she was settled in one of the beds. Reeling in the ladder, she crossed to the room she had shared the previous night with him and threw herself down on it. It was going to be a long wait and with nothing to do but think, it was going to pass slowly. Her thoughts chased themselves round and round, all that was left for her to do was hope he would turn up. Still, Moody was also waiting on their return and there was only so long they could wait. They would be out of food within a couple of days and by then; they would need to be long gone. Hermione buried her head in the pillow that smelled strongly of him. It was oddly comforting and she found her breathing becoming steadier and even. Before long, she was drifting into a restless, uneasy sleep.