I'm back.
I wrote this one a few months back and wasn't too sure how I felt about it. Uploading all in one go so no waiting around.
Hope you enjoy!
Prologue
She ran as fast as she could in which ever direction she could think to run. There was no light anywhere, he took care of that. Her head was pounding in time with her footsteps on the pavement, but she did not let up. She knew he wouldn't stop until he caught her. Her wand lay discarded somewhere in the country cottage that she thought would be their saving grace. He said it would be the opportunity for a fresh start. He said it would be different. He said he would be different.
The air grew thicker, the further into nothingness that she ran. She knew that he was behind her. He wasn't calling out to her anymore, but his footsteps were heavy. The fog was thick, and it almost choked her. For a second, the morbid humour inside of her wondered which version of choking would prove to be a better way to die. At the hands of the man she loved? Or choking on the thick foggy air as she ran from her hell?
"It's incredible, truly" she said, looking upon the beautiful beach side Inn. Really, it was more like a mansion, but she decided it was best to stick with the realtor's point of view and call it an inn.
"Now, I know we talked about solitude, but this was the best I could do. There's another person who lives here. He comes and goes, is usually pretty quiet. I haven't had any trouble from him in the past" the realtor said, her flaming red hair casually ruffling with the afternoon breeze. It was off-putting. Almost triggering.
"Someone else?" she asked, swallowing, despite her dry mouth. She had specifically asked for solitude. Solitude was what she needed.
"Yes, well… At such late notice, I'm afraid it was this or a room at that odd pub in London by the railway line" she said. Hermione wondered if it was any relation to the Leaky Cauldron. That would be far too close. Too conspicuous. Too easy.
"And this other person… Doesn't come by much you say?" she asked, thinking that the idea that there was someone close by was sort of comforting.
"Well, he uses the same amenities, the kitchen, the living spaces, but there are more than enough of those to go around. The last few people who spent time here barely saw him. Some didn't even know he was there. Trust me Miss Merkins, you won't even know he's there" she said with a smile. She cringed at the absurd name she had given herself. Necessary, nothing close to her real name. Nothing to identify who she was, where she had come from, what she was doing here.
"Well…" she began, biting her lip as they stood out the front.
"Look, I'm going to be honest with you. I had to push back a family to get you in here. If you don't want it, they need to know, but I'm going to need an answer today" the woman said.
"I know, I know you have been incredibly kind to show this to me. How about we take a look inside?" she asked.
"Sure" she said opening the front door with a key.
The woman, the house, the ocean side location were all muggle, but as soon as Hermione stepped inside the house, she could feel the magic. It was in its very walls. She wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing, but the house, complete with floor to ceiling windows, polished white floors, crisp clean furniture and state of the art electronics screamed muggle elegance.
Hermione walked up the stairs accompanied by the realtor and was shown into a room that was perhaps the size of the entire Gryffindor common room. The bed was huge, European for sure, larger than the king that she had had in the home she shared with... No. She would not allow her mind to go there… she turned to look at the large bookshelf and cosy sofa that sat beside an open sliding glass door, leading to a balcony, equipped with comfy seating and a small fireplace – muggle. No one could possibly use it as a floo. The view was what caught her eye. It was stunning. If anything, that was what sold it.
As far as she could see, the ocean was sparkling blue. There were a few other beach side houses that she could see, and some higher up on the hills, but this was the nicest by far. The most secluded. The one that you wouldn't know existed unless you knew someone who knew about it. She looked down to the level below and noticed, for the first time, a hot tub which sat upon a deck and what appeared to be a dancefloor with a DJ booth and barbecue.
"It was once a high-end party house. Very excusive, invite only" the woman said when she saw Hermione look down below.
"I can see" she turned and headed back through the room and down the stairs, stopping to notice an ever so subtle S in a framed picture on the wall.
"Oh, the original couple who owned this home, their names began with an S. The new owner couldn't bring themselves to take this down. So beautiful, don't you think?" she asked.
"Hmm, I think so" she said, knowing exactly what that S stood for and having no desire to find out who the previous owners were.
The deck contained everything she saw and more. There was the DJ booth, the hot tub, a barbecue and a bar, as well as lounge chairs and a sitting area complete with fireplace and outdoor TV.
Her idea was to hide away, find some solitude and finish her writing. After an intense few years, she was desperate for some time to get her work done and be alone, away from the world for a while. Away from… everyone.
"I'll take it" she said.
"Brilliant. I have the contract drawn up, month by month and the extra few things in there as we spoke about" she said, putting down two copies of a lease in front of her.
Hermione signed in all the appropriate places and paid the entire month's rent up front, much to the joy of the realtor.
"Enjoy your solitude Miss Merkins" the woman said, as she smiled sweetly and walked out the front door.
Hermione looked around, went into the kitchen, which was fully stocked, as part of the rental agreement. Hermione didn't quite like the idea of venturing to the local store for groceries, it was too far, too visible. Too risky. The realtor had upped the rent in order to employ someone to deliver her a few bags of groceries once a week, something Hermione had insisted be in the agreement.
She had had the thoughtfulness to bring her elf, which, after much time and effort, she had taken into employment with her. Milly was a young elf who had been left homeless following the war, and never quite settled into Hogwarts like the others.
When Hermione had returned to Hogwarts to finish her schooling, Milly had been assigned to her living quarters to clean up and freshen the towels and linen, however, most nights, Hermione would find the elf hovering over her, soothing her, calming her, as she woke, drenched in sweat and screaming for her life from the terror that plagued her dreams.
Eventually, Hermione offered Milly a room and board, as well as a wage to stay with her and help her through the nights beyond Hogwarts. They truly had, what Hermione felt was a great friendship and Hermione never used Milly for anything more than what Milly was happy to provide.
Hermione sat on her bed with Milly as they both unpacked her things. She had a few bags, which she brought in, just in case anyone saw her, but in reality, her shrunken luggage consisted of many bags of books, papers, stationery, some clothes and shoes… but mostly books.
Night came by quickly and Hermione ventured from her room downstairs into the kitchen for a meal. It appeared that someone had been there since she had been down there last and made a meal, leaving a note on a covered container in the refrigerator to help herself.
She hesitated, wondering if this was a trap.
"Milly?" she said softly, after ensuring the place was vacant, causing Milly to appear with a soft pop.
"Do you think this food is ok?" she asked.
"Milly will taste it" the elf said.
"Don't be silly, just have a look and tell me what you think" she said.
"Milly thinks it is a very nice-looking spaghetti bolognaise" she said, peering into the container.
"Well, I'd ask if you'd like to eat with me, but I would hate for the muggle who stays here to see you" she said with a sad look on her face.
"Milly will be ok" the elf said.
"You'll come back if you're lonely?" Hermione asked.
"Milly will come if miss calls. Or if Milly feels lonely" she said.
"Great. Have a good night" Hermione offered.
"Have an exceptional night" the elf said, looking around the room with an odd expression before popping out of the room.
Hermione sighed as she heated up the food in the microwave. A wave of her wand would have been much quicker, however, it would be just her luck, if her idea of solitude included a month long stay in Azkaban for not being safe. Then again, Azkaban would be safer than home.
The food was delicious and as she finished and washed up after herself, she left a note, thanking the maker.
In her wing of the Inn, she showered and prepared herself for bed, wondering what the other occupant would be like. If he was young, old, what he did for a living, how he came to be here, in this secluded place. Was he running from something, just like she was? Was he hiding from the world? She knew her reasons for seclusion, for hiding, but why would someone else choose this life? Why would someone else intentionally hide themselves away?