A week had passed since she had lost her wand, though Hermione had no way of knowing this. She'd slept though the day and most of the night following her run in with the woman on the train, and she had lost her bearing on time in her slumber.

Hermione walked the streets of London, the last of her muggle money gone several days before. She hadn't eaten since the day before, when a child had handed her a doughnut in the park as she sat on a bench. His mother had been furious with him, but the look of gratitude on Hermione's face had silenced her ranting as the pulled her son away.

Her clothes hung more loosely than ever, and she had taken to holding one of the belt loops with her thumb as she walked, the rest of her hand holding the strap of her bag close to her side. Her hair no longer stayed in the long braid she had originally worn the first several weeks, and now the strands hung free and lifeless down her back.

Hyde Park, London's most famous park, had become her new home, as she could walk the bike or horse trails all day, hiding behind the large trees if anyone passed. She found nooks and spaces in children's equipment to sleep in. Sometimes she could go hours without seeing a soul, and these were the times where she felt the most safe. She wondered how much longer, though, she could go without money or food.

Her wand, she assumed, was in the hands of whomever had chased her, and she cringed to think what they might be doing with it. She reached for it now and again, so used to it resting just in her jeans pocket.

As she rested against one of the large oaks that lined trails, she reread some of her entries in the small notebook she had been keeping. The pages were full and she had gone to scribbling notes in the margins when an idea came to her. She couldn't wait to go to Diagon Alley and buy a larger book to copy her words into. The thought brought a tear to her eye, as she wondered when she could ever return to the Wizarding World.

"Hermione Granger."

Startled, Hermione stood and shoved the book into her bag, looking wildly for the source of the voice. A lone cloaked figure stood in the middle of the path, his face half covered by his hood. His mouth was visible to her, and he was smiling. Hermione stood, frozen to the spot, waiting for the visitor to speak.

"Many people are looking for you," he said, his voice cold and familiar to her. She suddenly noticed a black cane at his side, though he didn't seem to be leaning against it. She knew only one Wizard who carried a black cane such as that one, and she prayed the figure wasn't who she thought it was.

"Why?" she asked, finally finding her voice. "Who cares about a filthy mudblood, eh Mr. Malfoy?"

The figure chuckled, pulling back his cloak to reveal pale hair and a smirk. "You really are clever, Granger, as much as it pains me to admit. Draco speaks of you often, though never in a grand light, mind you. Now, come along. You have someone to meet."

"I don't think so."

Mr. Malfoy's face became irritated, and he took a step towards her. She responded by stepping back as well. "You are weak, Granger. I know you haven't eaten in days. If you run, you will only irritate me further."

"Then I'll leave you before I really get on your nerves." Hermione forced a smile, buying time as she focused to apparate once again.

"What do you plan to do? You haven't a wand, neither can you..."

"You'll find I'm full of surprises," cried Hermione, as she crouched down and whispered her friends' names quickly to calm herself.

Before Malfoy could react, she was gone.

Hermione's eyes snapped open, only to be shut tightly against the bright light that surrounded her. She felt every muscle and bone aching, trying to lie still and retrieve her bearings. Slowly, she opened her eyes once more, this time able to keep them open and take in her surroundings.

She was lying in a grassy place, though large cement stones were placed in rows across the field. As she sat up, she realized she was in a very large and unkept cemetery. The sun was high in the sky, meaning she had been lying there all night and most of the morning.

She stood too quickly, grabbed onto one of the headstones as she scanned the field for any visitors. She needn't have worried, as the field was deserted. Wild flowers grew between the plots, and no trails had been worn where frequent mourners walked.

Hermione sank again to the ground, leaning against a crumbling headstone. Dizziness and exhaustion filled her as she rested, wanting nothing more than to lie down once more and escape into sleep. She didn't have a clue where she was, nor was she certain what day it was. Had she apparated from London early this day, or the day before?

She thought back to her escape, recalling ever cool word Malfoy had spoken. Again, though, she couldn't remember exactly how she had apparated, but she was glad she finally got something right.

A familiar pop echoed through the deserted field, and Hermione's head shot up in search of whoever had apperated. She saw only the back of him, but she stood tall with baggy jeans and a dirty sweatshirt. His hair was dark and sticking out at odd angles. She recognized him immediately.

Hermione scurried to the opposite side of the tombstone, pressing herself flat against it. She tried to slow her breathing, but the sudden movement had made her dizzy. She struggled to remained sitting upright as she heard footsteps coming towards her.

They stopped, and Hermione chanced a glance around the stone. Harry was kneeling next to a headstone not five yards from where she was hiding. She saw him place a small bouquet of flowers on the ground next to it, then drop him head for a moment. When he made to stand, Hermione forced herself against the stone again and waited for him to apparate away.

When he was gone, Hermione stood and walked slowly to the headstone he had visited. The bouquet was simple and colorful as she pushed it aside to read the names carved in the stone.

It was his parents' grave. Hermione felt a frog forming in her throat. The traced the names with her finger, wondering what Harry felt when he saw this. Was he sad? Angry? Lonely?

She ran her fingers over the fading words, tracing the name Potter with her index finger as she thought.

"This isn't a tourist attraction, you know," came an angry voice behind her.

Hermione turned suddenly, seeing Harry standing behind her. His expression changed instantly from anger to surprise, and finally a large smile formed. In an instant, he was kneeling beside her, holding her tightly in his arms. Hermione let him hold her, unsure what to do. The past weeks flooded back to her, all her work to stay away from those she loved was lost as her friend held her. Tears began to stream down her cheeks, and she wrapped her arms around his chest and cried.

"Where have you been?" asked Harry, though his voice was muffled by her hair.

"Everywhere," she said, pulling away from him. She smiled at his familiar features; his hair that fell into his eyes, the glasses that magnified his deep green eyes. She had missed him terribly this summer, and had only realized how much at this moment.

Harry looked at her, his expression revealing his joy. Playfully he took a long strand of hair that fell over her shoulder and ran it around his fingers. "I like it."

Fear suddenly gripped Hermione, and she pulled away from him and staggered to her feet. "I have to go."

"Hermione?" said Harry, still on his knees.

Hermione shook her head, grabbed her bag and put the strap over she shoulder. "I have to get away from you. If Voldemort finds..."

"Hey." Harry was on his feet, walking towards her. Hermione continued to back away, hitting headstones and she stepped. "Hermione, it's ok. You'll be safe with the Order and..."

"No, Harry, you don't understand," said interrupted, desperation in her voice. "He's watching me. He wants me to lead him to you. I have to stay away from you." She sidestepped a final headstone, unsure what to do. "Please, just go back to the Order. I'll see you in September and we'll go to Hogwarts and..."

"It's nearly September. You can come with me now," said Harry, becoming frustrated with her stubbornness. "The Order is prepared and can take care of us. Hermione," he stepped towards her and grabbed her hand, too quickly for her to step away. "I'll be safer with you than without you."

Hermione tried to get away, but he held her firmly. Before she could say anything, she saw him pull a small key from his pocket. He mumbled a spell, then pressed the key into her palm. She felt a strange pull behind her naval, and then she was gone.