The bed was soft, the blankets were warm and the sound of waves somewhere outside her window crashing on rocks or perhaps a sandy beach welcomed Hermione as she came to. For once since she could remember, she felt rested, relaxed, and the moment she cracked an eye open knew that she was safe. The room looked a lot newer, more cared for than the last time she had seen it; the last time she had sought refuge from Voldemort and a war.

Knowing she was in Shell Cottage could only mean one thing unless this territory, too, had been claimed by the Dark Lord and his troops which she highly doubted as soon as she heard voices drawing close to the door. She recognized Molly Weasley's voice at once, and then after scouring her brain could place Aunt Muriel. She closed her eyes again as the door opened, as good as she felt she was not ready for them to think her awake yet.

"...I highly doubt this young girl could be capable of that. You'd have acted the same way if you were in the same situation." Molly said. Muriel sighed.

"Absolutely not. This is kidnapping, Molly. The boy you hold in your hands was taken from a family who loved him and cared for him."

"Raising him to serve only once purpose."

"What purpose could He have for a child? I doubt You-Know-Who would willingly be participating in the feeding and rearing of a child. The only purpose that boy has is to add another body in the fight."

"Then why all the trouble? Why would James and Lily put their lives on the line to even have this baby in the first place?"

"Because it's a lie. They believed a lie she told them and look where it's brought all of us."

Molly shushed Muriel harshly, Hermione made no movement. She could hear Molly walking from the door to her bed and felt her watching.

"Molly, I know its a truth you don't want to entertain, but we can't go around accepting those who claim to be from the future into our lives. It's dangerous, putting my family in danger. I don't like it." Muriel had hushed, now speaking in a whisper, but was still as tempered as ever. "For all we know she's escaped from the loony side of Mungo's."

"She's just a child." Molly stated and Hermione felt the bed shift as Molly sat down and her fingers caress her head, smoothing her hair behind her ears. "One that has claimed to marry one of my future sons and as Dumbledore had said knew enough about our family and the littlest of details that I have no doubt she is telling the truth. If she is crazy then it's because of being stuck in our time for as long as she has been."

There was a silence that stretched seconds to their edges.

"You can't afford it, Molly." Muriel spoke softly, the icy-ness had left her voice and now sounded like a concerned grandmother trying to give good advice. "You've already six children that you're finding tough to fund. Taking on two more will not help your matter improve."

"We're doing just fine." Molly answered sounding astounded. The bed shifted, Molly didn't stand but she certainly took on a more defensive position. "We make do with what we have and we are very happy. If you feel as though we're hindering you in any way then coming here was a mistake and we will gladly leave immediately."

"My family is always welcome. I will always offer hospitality and safety to my kin. Strangers who claim to come from another time, babies that are prophesied to be the downfall of an angry man, the ones that have no interest in my life right here, right now...those are the ones that I do not need my hard earned money to go to."

"She's my future daughter-in-law. That's good enough as family to me. I am sorry you feel used, Aunt Muriel, but we had nowhere else to go. If indeed you feel tread upon, then we will leave. I'll go tell Arthur to pack up the kids."

The bed shifted when Molly stood.

"Don't be silly." Muriel groaned. "Molly, I am not kicking any of you out, I'm simply reinforcing that her stay is temporary and to make sure it stays that way."

There was an awkward silence, an uncomfortable exchange of something that had happened before Hermione couldn't take it any longer and she opened her eyes. Muriel had left the room, Molly had moved to the window and was looking out of it, rocking back and fourth slowly with Harry in her arms.

"I'm sorry you had to hear that." Molly said, Hermione blushing as she didn't realize her attempt at faking sleep had been thwarted. Molly turned, the warm familiar smile filling her young face. "Feeling better?"

Hermione sat up, she was still slightly sore, but that didn't matter. She was safe with people she knew and trusted. "Wonderful." She said with a smile. Molly turned from the window and approached Hermione again.

"Aunt Muriel, she's old and a crank. Anything she says, Hermione—"

"—I know." She gave a chuckle. "I've become well acquainted with her. First time I met her she gave me an earful on standing straight and had quite the opinion on my ankles."

Molly gave a satisfied smirk.

"That's the woman."

Molly shifted Harry in her arms and Hermione looked at the both of them, remembering the last thing she could, being surrounded by people, Harry being forced from her hands. It was obvious now that she was fighting off the people that were with her, those that were trying to help her and not fight against her. No wonder she was sore.

"Is he okay?" Hermione asked and Molly nodded, turning so Harry was more visible to her. He was sleeping, looking like a doll that had been wrapped up in a blanket.

"Took some time to calm him down, but I don't think he'll even remember it. Been sleeping since then when he's not awake eating like a fiend."

"Good." Hermione nodded. "Can't say I blame him, fighting like that works up an appetite." She could feel her own stomach curling in on itself, but was in no hurry to eat; as hungry as she was she wasn't sure she'd be able to keep much down. Though she felt calm and safe, there was still an ounce of adrenaline that seeped in her bones, she couldn't help but be on high alert after spending so long in that state.

"I can only imagine." Molly said, and then let out a deep breath. "Remus had said it had turned violent even for those who didn't want to be in it. They weren't expecting that big of a skirmish to happen."

"I don't think any of us were." Hermione agreed. "Wasn't expecting one at all if I'm to be honest. I mean we were planning for something to happen, but we didn't have anything set in stone yet."

"Sounded like there wasn't much time to do much planning after You-Know-Who had sentenced you and Severus to death."

Hermione started.

"Severus..."

Molly raised a hand wobbling her head.

"...is with us, Remus pulled him out of there. He's fine, hurt, but fine."

Hermione could breathe, falling back on her pillow, but just as quickly began throwing the covers off of her. Molly pressed a hand to her shoulder.

"Easy does it." She said. "You're still exhausted."

"I'm fine." Hermione said, insisting against her hand to stand, every muscle in her body screaming as she did with lack of movement and evidence of the spells used against her.

"He's not going anywhere, there's no need to rush." Molly reminded her, but Hermione was eager. The last time she had seen Severus he had been unconscious, pale, looking as close to death as she had ever seen someone.

"Where is he?" She asked, grabbing Molly's arm for balance as she tried out her first few steps. Molly held her firmly, attempting to keep her back, but when she found it was useless walked along with her.