Crouching Muggle Hidden Wizard
"Even if I was banished to the darkest place, my love would never let me be a lonely spirit."
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon
Ron's P.O.V
It was now twelve in the afternoon and Ron and Hermione were making their way towards the large muggle settlement Crastina, the nearest apparating point to the travellers' rest. They had talked late into the night about their past, present and future and had eventually fallen asleep at about four in the morning; both as equally surprised about the other. They had woken on the same squashy seat as they had fallen asleep on the night before at about three hours ago and had been walking ever since. A light drizzle was falling down around them but unperturbed they carried on trudging along the winding goat-paths. They were almost at the summit, were they had agreed that they would eat the lunch the landlady of the travellers' rest had prepared for them at a small additional fee. Ron through a quick glance at Hermione, who he reflected, is gorgeous and it's not fair that Krum should have her, when he treats her so badly. She needs someone, someone who she can rely on, who's loved her since…
"Ron, we're here. Oh, Gryffindor, isn't it stunning." Breathed Hermione. The altitude was high here, although it was bearable. Hermione sat down on a large, flat rock and with a flourish pulled a large cooked ham, a wheaten loaf and a sharp knife out of her rucksack. Ron decided it wise to join her as she was brandishing a sharp steel blade in his direction. He then decided to take a look at the majestic scenery. It was, as Hermione had said, stunning to say the least. He could see for about fifty miles around and the lush green plains looked greener, the lakes bluer and the muggle towns dirtier with smog rising high above the tallest building. Ron suddenly felt a sharp poke in the side and turned to see Hermione offering some of the food, which he proceeded to eat, like a starving man.
"Ron, do you know what this place is?" without waiting for an answer she continued "It's a Ktazir Yurj – the Mountain of the Sword of Light."
"Like were Harry died – the Valley of the Shadow of Death?" Ron did not need Hermione to answer; the look on her face was worth more than a million words. They then sat, for what seemed like an age, but could only have been a couple of seconds, in silent reflection for their lost friend. Then without a signal from either, both got up and gathering their belongings continued on their way towards Crastina.
Georgian nights were long and cold at this time of year and on arrival at the village of Gregornavich Ron and Hermione found it silent and empty, the only sign of life in the hamlet was a single candle burning in the window of each home. This was, they supposed a sign of welcome. Gregornavich was the place in which Wormtail had been last spotted, only several days before and both friends hoped beyond hope that he was still in the vicinity.
"Hermione, where are we going to stay tonight? There doesn't seem to be a bed and breakfast anywhere." Ron inquired.
"There isn't – I checked my map. Why don't we try one of the houses? Okay?"
"'Kay," he smiled at her. He started to walk towards the nearest cottage and she followed, not far behind. Hermione knocked twice on the warped and ancient door that seemedto shudder under her attack. From behind it there was a sudden scurry of activity and it was a short time before someone came and answered the door. The man who responded to the knock at the door was old, grey and wizen and he stared at the strangers with apprehension.
"Do you speak ENGLISH?" Ron shouted at the old man, treating him as if he was a deaf, stupid child. The man, petrified of these loud strangers, shook his head and shut the door as swiftly as possible.
Hermione looked at Ron with a look of disgust but this soon faded away into tolerance of his naivete. She laid her hand on Ron's arm, sending shivers through his spine. "How about you let me do this." She said patiently, like the diplomat she was. However she also failed to find a place for them to lay their heads for the night, each person they talked to seemed to be terrified of them.
They had almost decided to give up on ever finding another soul in this place, and with the snow starting to fall, Ron decided that they would have to sneak into a farmer's hay-barn to sleep tonight. Then they saw it – a fire on a hilltop, burning bright against the dark. Hermione looked at Ron for reassurance and smiling at her they set off towards the light.
As they reached the top of the embankment they realised that this fire had been heaven-sent for not only had someone who would welcome them but someone who they knew and that someone was Wormtail.
"Wormtail?" Hermione had walked close enough to the fire so that her features were visible, as striking in the firelight as Mad Eye Moody's.
"Who…who… Are you?" a startled Pettigrew stuttered. "Granger? Hermione Granger is that you?"
"And me." Ron said bluntly.
"Granger, Weasley. How are you?"
"Sorry Pettigrew, we've no times for niceties. We've come to make you a proposition." Hermione responded with uncharacteristically mean tone to her voice.
"That's right Wormtail. Remember Harry Potter in the Valley of the Shadow of Death? How's your new master now? Oh, that's right he's dead. Well if you want to redeem yourself here's your chance. All you have to do is go to the Ministry of Magic and turn yourself in. Oh and clear Draco Malfoy in the process. All right? I thought so." And with that outburst Hermione lay down on the ground, disappearing, quite literally, under her demiguise coat and fell sound asleep, not waking until the new morning sunlight kissed her cheek a golden hue.
A/N: thanks to the whole Two people who review the last part esp. by lovely faithful reviewer HGW. I am serious thinking of ending this story really quickly i.e.: in one or two really short chapters if I don't get more reviews. But anyway I hope you enjoyed this part et cetera, et cetera. Did you like the new side of Hermione? Please REVIEW please.
Disclaimer: I own nothing – J. K. Rowling owns the Harry Potter stuff and the Crouching Tiger… is owned by Ang Lee (I presume).