I love getting to explore these characters. Though I'm not modeling any of the characterizations off of people familiar to me, it's been therapeutic to explore their emotions through my own experiences of vaguely similar situations.

Happy reading!

-Gina

"Hello everyone, welcome to Potterwatch, thank you so much for tuning in this afternoon. I'm your host, River, here with my co-host, Angel, and our special guest for the day, Romulus, to give you updates on the Magical Creatures Caucus and the Muggle Relocation Brigade," On a late afternoon in early April, Hermione, Harry, and Ron sat around the radio, listening to Potterwatch once again. Today, however, Hermione was anxious for the announcement she knew was coming.

"Yes, thank you, Romulus, for gracing us with your presence. We'll start this afternoon's program as usual, with the updated lists of the confirmed deceased and registered missing persons," Angelina had gotten much better at reading the lists out-loud with a level voice, though it was no less painful to hear the ever-growing number of missing people. Luna's name was joined by Dean Thomas, Justin Finch-Fletchley, and a few other members of Dumbledore's Army.

"Thank you for that moment of silence everyone. Now, on with the program. We've got a special treat for you at the end of the show, so stay tuned," Lee, Angelina, and Remus launched into their scripted banter and educational announcements. Remus, in his role as guest host, explained the political stances that many of the United Kingdom's magical creatures were taking. Hermione hadn't realized how much of a diplomat Remus was, but he'd been visiting with many Vampire colonies, Werewolf packs, Giant hordes, and had even managed to connect with a couple of Centaur tribes. It was for naught, as many of them (besides the rogue Werewolves that traveled with Fenrir Greyback) wanted to stay as far away from the war as possible and were decidedly neutral in stance.

Remus then explained for listeners the process of relocating convicted muggleborns and their muggle family members to safe, out-of-country locations. Hermione hadn't realized that the "Underground Railroad", as it was being dubbed, after the similar American concept, had grown so large. There were apparently fifteen people working to relocate as quickly and smoothly as possible. Percy rarely mentioned hosting refugees any more, and Hermione was placated by Remus's explanation of the use of a stockpile of illegal international portkeys, provided by the host-countries. Though Remus was deliberately vague in identifying details, Hermione knew that virtually all of the refugees were being relocated to Romania and Bulgaria, thanks to Charlie Weasley and Viktor Krum.

As Remus continued to explain some of the details of the operation, Hermione's mind wandered. She was quite familiar with this crusade through Percy's information. Hermione now often regretted that she'd been so hasty in her decision to independently relocated her parents. If she'd waited a couple of months, they could be safely settled in Bulgaria or Romania, memories intact, rather than on the other side of the world without a clue. Hermione's stomach twisted. No use in dwelling on the past, she supposed. Either way, they were safe. That was the most important thing.

"I'm sorry we cannot give you any resources live on the air today," Remus finished, "But you never know who is listening, and we cannot risk the anonymity of our tireless volunteers, nor the vulnerability of our muggle and muggleborn clients. If we come up with a way for you to contact us that will keep all of us safe, we'll let you know,"

"Thank you, Romulus. You're doing some really excellent work. Now, before we end our program, we have a bit of great news. Our famous Golden Trio: Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Harry Potter, who've been missing in action for months now, have sent us a message that they'd like us to share with you,"

"What?" Ron asked, but Harry and Hermione shushed him. "How did you-?" Ron tried again.

"Hush up!" Harry interrupted.

"They say: Hello everyone. The three of us are together, alive, and doing alright. We've been off the grid for several months for our own safety, and for that we sincerely apologize, as many of you have been put in harm's way. We're on a mission to bring the war to an end, and the support we've received from friends and strangers alike has been incredible. You all inspire us with your bravery, wits, ambition, and tenacity in the fight against you-know-who and the Death Eaters. The three of us listen to Potterwatch at every opportunity, and pray that we will not hear any more of your names on the lists Angel and River read aloud. Even one more person is one person too many. Soon, there will be a call to action to finish this once and for all, and we promise we'll be leading the charge with the rest of you. Until then, stay safe, brothers and sisters. Best of luck. Harry, Ron, and Hermione,"

Lee read the note Hermione had written with reverence, but somehow, Hermione recognized her own inflections and articulations in his tone.

"Our Golden Trio was able to get this note to us through a series of messengers, and we're very grateful for their inspirational words. We do not know where they are, but assuming that they are listening tonight: Harry, Ron, and Hermione-thank you very much. Stay safe, Brothers and Sister. Good evening everyone, Potterwatch will be back in six days time at 9pm. Next week's password will be "Albus". Adios, and Godspeed," Angelina's voice faded out into static.

"What was that?" Ron asked again, with remarkable restraint, "Was that really you who wrote that, Hermione?" Hermione had known this would happen, but she'd sat Harry down the other night and the two of them had penned the simple note after Ron had gone to bed. She'd copied it down in the book for Percy, who'd sent it to Alicia, who'd given it to Oliver, who'd given it to Angelina. It was a huge risk they had all taken, but Harry had thought it was worth it, and Hermione had agreed. Harry had jumped at the opportunity to get a message out to the world, especially as he'd eavesdropped on a conversation in a wizarding village in wales about "That blasted boy wonder, of course he would disappear when the going gets rough." Harry always took criticism harshly, and even more so now that people were dying.

"We wrote the note the other night, Ron," Harry began after a beat of silence, "Hermione sent it along to the right people anonymously. We're still safe,"

"Someone obviously knows how to contact us. What if they traced that owl back here to us? Where did you even find an owl?" Ron pressed.

"I didn't use an owl," Hermione said.

"Then what did you do? You haven't spoken to Angelina or Lee since they graduated, and that was almost two years ago. We haven't seen Remus for months, and Bill said that he's been off the grid a lot recently anyhow," Ron's voice was getting louder, and Hermione could tell that he was fighting to keep his tone calm.

"She can't tell you how, it's a secret," Harry said, and Hermione was grateful for Harry's intervention, though it seemed to vex Ron even more.

"But you know, don't you?"

"I don't know how she does it, not really," Harry said. Hermione suspected that Harry could easily guess her method of communication, but he was honoring her secret to protect Percy as well, and for that she was very grateful. Ron's cheeks were pink.

"I told him not to tell you Ron," Hermione spoke up, "I'm sorry we're keeping that secret from you. The reason I can communicate has a lot to do with the person I'm in communication with, and it has to be a secret to protect that person and to protect the three of us as well,"

"You're in communication with someone? Do I know them?" Ron pressed.

"Yes, you do know them. And I am not answering any more questions," Hermione responded firmly.

"Is it someone at Hogwarts?" Ron tried again.

"She's not answering any more questions. She told you why we're keeping it secret, and she told you that she won't answer any more questions," Harry intervened.

"I need a minute. I'm going to go into town and get us some groceries," Ron excused himself. He grabbed his coat and shoved his wallet and wand into his back pocket before stomping out of the tent. Hermione glanced at Harry, who nodded at her. Harry and Ron had been having a lot of long talks lately, and Hermione suspect that Ron's more temperate and rational behavior was the result of practical application of a psychology book Harry had read back in January.

"I'm glad Lee and Angelina read our note. And you're sure that...Percy and Alicia are safe?" Harry paused to cast a muffliato around the two of them, just in case Ron hadn't gone far.

"As sure as I can be. Percy wouldn't have agreed to play messenger if he didn't think it was safe,"

"How is he, by the way?" Hermione suspected that Harry knew that she and Percy were more than just friends, but he rarely mentioned it.

"He's alright. He and Alicia have been passing legislation through the Wizengamot. They're trying to set the government up for after the war is over. From what I understand, no one at the ministry suspects they're anything more than over-eager, arse-kissing assistants, so that's a plus,"

"Good, good," Harry said. Hermione moved to set the kettle on to boil. She and Harry sat across from each other to drink their tea and scout out new locations on their maps. Harry had heard that the weather was warmer in Kent than it was in their current camping ground. They chatted about meaningless things, little things, until Harry finally spoke up.

"Do you think Ginny is alright?"

"Percy hasn't mentioned anything, and I think in that case, no news is good news,"

"I suppose," Harry hesitated, "I just...I worry about her. I worry about all of them, Neville, Luna, Dean, and all of them. But Ginny…" Harry sighs, "She's a huge target, because of her parents, and Ron, and Luna, and me. I can't imagine that she's just keeping her head down at Hogwarts,"

"She's probably not," Hermione supplied, "You remember I told you that Percy heard she, Neville, and a few of the others had started up Dumbledore's Army again,"

"Yeah, I'm sure that's going well. I'm just...anxious, I suppose. Anxious for her,"

"Me too,"

"How have you been sleeping lately?" Harry turned the tables on her.

"Not great. I keep waking up...nightmares, you know?" She admitted, "It's difficult to relax, and I keep thinking that I'm hearing things, even though I know we're as safe as we can be out here,"

"I feel the same way," Harry grinned sheepishly, "Sometimes it's nice that Ron snores, because I can't hear anything else go 'bump' in the night," They both chuckled, softly. Their small talk turned into comfortable silence as they sat at the table. Harry requested to read over Hermione's book of healing, and Hermione, though she'd been hoping for a letter from Percy, handed it over so Harry could study up on magical trauma and triage.

Ron appeared again an hour later, in much better spirits.

"Oi! Guess what? I think I found one of our old DA galleons at the bottom of my wallet," He clapped the gold coin down on the table, and Hermione and Harry pounced, "I nearly spent it, but then I saw that the numbers on the side are funky, like ours used to be, and the date on it is yesterday," Hermione squinted. Along with the numerical change, she'd done something else to all of the galleons that she hadn't told anyone about.

"The little wizard in the middle is wearing a straight tie under his dress robes, not a bow-tie," she confirmed, "It is one of ours,"

"What?" Hermione explained the alteration she'd made, and Ron grinned and praised her cleverness, which made her blush.

"Now we'll have a better idea of what they'll be getting up to," Harry said.

"Well, not really. We'll know when they're meeting for DA stuff, at least," Ron corrected.

"You'd better hold onto this," Hermione pressed the Galleon back into Ron's hands. Ron had emptied his Gringotts account discreetly with a little help from Bill, and now that Hermione's savings were gone, they were relying on Ron's funds to get them by.

"I will," He nodded. Harry got up to go and collect firewood, leaving Hermione and Ron alone in the tent. Hermione put more water on to boil for Ron while he went to go tuck the DA Galleon away. When they were both settled at the table, Ron spoke.

"It bothers me that you're both keeping this secret from me," Ron said, pouring himself a cup of tea, "It really bothers me, because it feels like that's all you're talking about when I'm not around," Hermione found it easier than she would have expected to understand and even empathize with that statement.

"I'm sorry," She replied sincerely, "I really wish I could tell you everything, but I wouldn't have even told Harry if I could have helped it. He sort of found out by accident," While not technically true, it was as close she could get, "I promise as soon as it's safe, I'll tell you everything,"

"Thanks, Hermione. That makes me feel a little better," Ron nodded, and Hermione could see that it was, for the time being, a little better, "Do you want some help starting dinner?" That was the fastest change of topic Hermione had heard all week, and she had to hide her smile as Ron began to open a can of beans while she began to fry up some eggs.

In bed that night, Hermione opened Percy's book to find a letter waiting, just as she'd hoped.

Hermione,

I was with Alicia and Penelope today and we were all listening to Potterwatch. I'm so proud of you three. Especially you, Hermione. I guess I haven't said it much lately, but I miss you a lot. Would it be okay if we were both writing in our books tomorrow night at around 9? We can try to write back and forth for a while.

Yours,

Percy

Hermione's heart flip-flopped a little at that. She had been wanting to suggest something like this for weeks now, but she wasn't sure he would want to. She missed him terribly, some days. They wrote back and forth, usually once every day or two days, but it wasn't the same as the time they'd had over the summer, or more recently on New Years Eve, when they'd been able to go back and forth for hours, talking about whatever came to mind.

Percy,

I'd like that. 9pm tomorrow. Talk to you then

Yours,

Hermione