CHAPTER 4

Hermione sat herself down on the bed. Andromeda had given her a mini tour of upstairs. Her cottage was a modest 4 bedroom. Teddy was currently occupying what had been his mother's childhood room, covered in quidditch posters and hufflepuff colours. Andy had offered her the large guest room to make her own but Hermione had insisted on the small box sized back room when she had spotted it. She didn't want luxury right now merely comfort after a year sleeping in tents and forest floors. The room was small with a window looking out the back onto small orchard full of flourishing apple trees and fruit bushes as well as a small allotment of vegetables. Beyond that was only woodland. Hermione laid her small bag full on possessions onto the dresser and lay herself on the bed sighing as her body finally felt relaxed. The velvet comforter of the bed warming her as she sank into the soft mattress.

There was a soft tap at the door bringing Hermione out of here dozed state. The door had been left open after she sat down. Andy merely stood in the doorway. "I thought you would perhaps like a bath before we ate" she queried.

"That would be wonderful" Hermione answered standing up. She stepped into the small family bathroom. The large claw-footed bath looked a welcoming sight as it filled with steaming hot water. Hermione stripped her soiled clothes to the floor and propped her wand next to the pile of fluffy towels. After a good 20 minute soak and fresh clothes Hermione went back downstairs.

Delicious smells were coming from the kitchen. Hermione's attention was drawn to teddy who was now awake and crawling to her on the floor. She smiled as he looked up at the placing his hand on her foot to get her attention and gurgling a smile up to her. She knelt down and swung him into her arms. His hair had turned brown and his eyes green as she studied him in her arms she sat on the seat nearest bouncing him on her knee.

"Hermione dinner is ready" Hermione stood up still holding teddy as she walked into the kitchen, it was a large room with a small oak table in the corner, there was a plate of bread rolls in the centre and two place mats and cutlery set. Hermione placed teddy into his highchair and took a seat. Andy walked over with two steaming bowls of stew placing one in front of Hermione.

"Thank you for bringing ted through," she reached to the counter taking a bottle of milk into teds hands as he grasped out eagerly for it. They ate their meal in silence. Hermione tearing the bread into small pieces nibbling and taking small bites of stew, it had been so long since she had such a large meal her appetite diminished quickly and after a few mouthfuls could eat no more. She pushed away her half eaten bowl.

"Hopefully a few days of feeding you up your appetite should return"

Hermione smiled to Andy who had also finished. "Thank you, a year of mushrooms and whatever else we scavenged takes its toll I guess."

"So what are you plans for the future now? Will you return to Hogwarts?"

"I'm not sure yet, I could but professor McGonagall has said I could easily take my NEWT's exams at the ministry now. I know Ron and harry won't return they have already been offered placed as Auror's I'm still not sure what I want to do." Hermione answered. "What about you?"

Andy thought for a second. "Teddy is my main priority now, I'm all he has and he's the only family I have now . . . except . . . well my younger sister Narcissa. And I will carry on with my work as much as I can"

"Work?"

"Oh yes I'm a potion brewer, I have a brewing station converted downstairs, I brew the majority of healing potions for St Mungo's. Not quite on par with Severus Snape but it's quite a rare talent I seemed to gain"

Hermione smiled in admiration. "Perhaps I could assist you or observe if you don't mind"

"Of course you're more than welcome to. Oh an owl arrived for you while you were bathing" Andy handed the tied up scrolls to Hermione.

She had left the letters unopened instead enjoying an evening getting to know Andromeda and teddy. They had settled in front of the fire with a cup of cocoa. She now sat with a small candle burning rest her head on her knees as she sat on the bed looking at the letters, she could tell by the untidy handwriting they were from harry and Ron. She decided to open Harry's first.

Hermione

Just got back from southern France and found you weren't at Hogwarts, Minerva said you were staying elsewhere but wouldn't state where, hopefully this owl finds you. We managed to round up Rowle and Selwyn. So kinglsey has sent us home till next weekend before we start training isn't that great! I'm staying at the burrow till tomorrow then returning to Grimmauld place to start cleaning I need a home to move into. I have even been in touch with lady Malfoy to help and she has confirmed she will help with any hexed or cursed items within the house. Would you believe Draco helped us locate other death eaters? Seems he wants to right the wrongs I guess. Please get in touch as soon as you get this.

Harry x

P.S Ginny says hi

She felt the guilt hit her as her friends words sunk in. always the hero harry was, how different the future would be now his destiny was filled. She wrote a quick response for posting tomorrow. Then hesitantly took Ron's letter.

Mione

Where are you? McGonagall said you were no longer at the castle. I checked your home but it was empty. Why didn't you return to the burrow were all worried! Please come home to me I miss you.

Ron xx

She stared at the words for several minutes before haphazardly throwing it into the wicker basket bin near the doorway. She knew she would have to tell Ron sooner or later, telling him was the hard part, one kiss and he assumed they were together and madly in love. Her thoughts were quite the opposite, and she knew the quicker she told him the better it would be for both. She blew out the candle opting to write a reply tomorrow deciding it would be best to meet him publicly, less likely for him to make a scene as she knew he would, Ron was always one for a tantrum when things didn't go his way. She sunk in deep under the covers letting sleep take over.

"Do you have an owl I can borrow?" Hermione asked Andy over breakfast. She had heard rumours of Andromeda's cooking skills and domestic skills. It seemed Andy was a match for Hogwarts feast as Hermione looked at the platter in front of her opting for a piece of toast and jam with her coffee. Teddy seemed more enthusiastic about breakfast and he ate enthusiastically with his fingers the small pieces of neatly cut pancakes in front of him.

"Of course, I'll take you down to him after breakfast, try a pancake Hermione, they were Dora's favourite" Hermione heard the emotion as her deceased friends name was mentioned. She smiled taking a pancake with her fork and placing it onto her empty plate, she took the jam she had used on her toast spreading a thin layer before cutting a small piece and putting it to her lips. 2 pancakes later Hermione was stuffed the dishes were cleaned away and teddy scrubbed clean of sticky hands and face. She followed Andromeda to a doorway in the back of the kitchen a small shelf area of outdoor boots and cloaks hung near the back door leading to the garden on the opposite side was a large doorway leading down steps.

Hermione followed Andy down the stone steps. The stairway was dark with a few dull candles above the banister rail. At the bottom of the steps was much lighter, the room was still of dark grey stone but more homely, Hermione recognized the large brewing station In the corner along with shelf's of various bottles and ingredients neatly stacked in order. Various pieces of parchment with recipes and orders neatly stacked on the desk to the side, in the opposite corner. Andy placed teddy down in a small playpen area. He immediately crawled over to his toy box easily entertaining himself.

"Feels like only yesterday I would be placing Dora in there when I started working as a potions Brewer for St Mungo's. Ted was a security wizard at St mungo's for years, long hours and the money wasn't the best but we got by, then we bought this cottage when I became pregnant"

Hermione listened intently, she couldn't imagine such a different world to marry a muggleborn when born into pureblood society.

Andy shook off her deep thoughts moving passed the stairway. It was only then Hermione spotted the large owl in the corner standing proudly on his perch. "Come Lazarus" Andy held her left arm out as the large bird effortlessly swooped from his perch to her arm in one swift move.

"I've never seen an owl so big!" Hermione queried. Andy chuckled.

"Yes he can be intimidating, he's an extremely rare black Eurasian Eagle owl. A gift from my family on my Hogwarts graduation. I hadn't owned him three weeks before I was disowned. His loyalty proved to me when I woke up next morning to him sitting patiently outside my window". She stroked his feathers absentmindedly as he nibbled her affectionately.

"Call him if you need him, even if he's out hunting he usually senses when he is needed. Now perhaps you could assist me make some blood replenishing potions?" Hermione nodded enthusiastically.

Hermione spent the next couple of days helping Andromeda whether it be potions making, taking care of teddy and helping around the house with what she could. Then the dreaded days came when the funerals began for those lost. The first had been Fred's, it had been held in the village near to the burrow, a rather busy affair with over 150 people in attendance. Hermione attended but stayed clear of majority of people sitting in one of the back benches, covered in a strong disillusionment charm.

She had wrote to both Harry and Ron, telling them she was safe but needed time alone to recuperate as both themselves did, she promised she would be in touch when she was ready. It seemed Wizarding funerals were quite different to muggle affairs. Unlike Dumbledore's which had been the only funeral Hermione had attended. She observed older Wizarding families had crypts built within the graveyard, the Weasley's were no exception.

Fred had been placed in the Prewitt Family Crypt earlier. The family took place just outside in which a magical chant was spoken by all family members in front of the crypt sealing the family bond she felt a surge of energy pulse its way through the rows of people as they joined in the chant. Hermione remembered once reading about such ceremonies just before bill and Fleur's wedding. The chant was known as the "eternal bind" a mixture of love and loyalty of magic freely given to protect the dead. The pulsing sensation slowed and as she felt it disappear completely, she noticed the others around her beginning to shuffle, the chant had subsided, and the magic was sealed.

People had now started to move around her some now approaching the family, offering their condolences, others leaving the graveyard before dissaperating home. Hermione hesitated. She had observed her best friends throughout. Harry was holding Ginny's hand as she hugged her father, on his other side stood Ron an arm around Georges shoulder. His eyes red from tears which she had seem on the occasion he had turned round looking throughout the crowd, no doubt for herself. She took a few steps to her left off the threshold of consecrated ground, and left.

Hermione entered the cottage heading straight for the stove moving the kettle on to boil. She had just filled the teapot when Andy had arrived home donned in black robes holding teddy in her arms. She had attended Hermione silently poured the tea into two cups joining Andy at the table.

"Did you go?"

"Yes" Hermione answered.

"Minerva spoke on your behalf, the Weasley's and Mr Potter were quite erratic with her after the ceremony"

Hermione groaned, "Sometimes I just wish for the simple life when I could have just gone home to my parents. I will owl Ron tomorrow and arrange to meet him. I can't put it off any longer."

"Will you . . . Will you come tomorrow? I arranged a private ceremony, strictly family with a few exceptions, Minerva will be there, I also invited harry. ." Andy trailed off a tear running down her cheek. Hormone knew she was referring to Tonk's and Remus's funeral. They were to be buried in a more traditional muggle style setting in the same graveyard as Lupins parents.

"Of course I will come". Hermione didn't hesitate to answer, she herself had helped Andromeda with organising it over the last couple of days. Writing details of the event and time and tying them to Lazarus's leg who delivered them. Hermione had been intrigued by how intelligent the bird really was. The previous evening the bird had entered her room in the early hours when sleep had escaped her in the early hours and she had instead opted to read. He landed on her bed catching her attention before hopping towards the door hooting. She got up from the bed tiptoeing towards the door to open it letting the bird through. He spread his wings gliding across the hall to the door of Teddy's room and looked back at Hermione it was then she heard the faint wailing from the other side of the door. She hesitantly stepped towards the door. Next to Andromeda's room. Her door was open, Hermione could hear the shallow steady breathing coming from the darkness. She knew Andy hadn't slept well in days, the owl choosing to get Hermione's attention in favour of letting his mistress rest. She opened the door, the room had a golden glow emitting from the magic ball floating near the cot, a Wizarding equivalent of a nightlight Hermione mused.

Hermione had woken that morning, from the light touch of Andromeda tapping her shoulder. She had fallen asleep on the chair a blanket snuggly wrapped round herself and teddy who was cuddled into her chest Lazarus perched on the beam above still overlooking them.

Hermione walked out of the church. The sky grey and the rain very heavily pouring. She pulled the hood of her cloak up Following Andromeda down the pathway through the trees towards the graveyard. There had only been a dozen people in the church including the minister. Two members of the Tonks family had attended. Though they had not really known Nymphadora as she rarely entered the muggle world she had played with her cousins quite often as a child. Teddy had been left in the care of McGonagall's personal elf whom had arrived that morning. Harry had arrived with Minerva along with the minister. The others she did not know. She had felt Harry's gaze upon her throughout the ceremony but refused to look his way.

Time seemed to glaze over, Hermione stood next to Andromeda unconsciously taking her hand when hearing the older which sob as they watched the caskets lowered into the ground. Hermione observed those standing around her. She caught Harry's eye giving her a questioning look, she looked back shaking her head, now was not the time. She felt her hand being let go of as Andromeda stepped forward kneeling down as she threw fresh earth onto the now lowered coffins, side by side.

Hermione was still looking around trying to suffice who else was staring at her, that's when it caught her eye. A tall slender figure stood in the very back in a long silver and black cloak. Hermione didn't register as Andromeda joined her side again noticing the girl's attention was elsewhere. Hermione heard the gasp come from Andy as she looked at the figure Hermione was staring at. Hermione finally registered when she saw the glint of long blonde hair from the hood, and was confirmed as she heard the whisper from Andromeda's lips

Narcissa.

And just like that the figure disapperated and disappeared. "I must get home to teddy" Andromeda announced it rather abruptly and left on the spot. It was then Hermione felt a tap on her shoulder, turning to a rather annoyed looking harry potter.

"Where the hell have you been?"

"Now is not the time harry" Hermione hissed back.

"Really never seems to be a good time with you nowadays! You just disappeared no word where you went or anything, you didn't even come to Fred's funeral, how could you be so selfish Mione!" harry shouted.

"I was there! I just didn't want to be seen, how dare you call me selfish harry potter! After everything I have been through can't you understand that for once I just need some time alone?"

"But Hermione we need you . . ."

"No Harry, now is not the time, I've just watched two people I care about be buried, I will come back when I am ready" Hermione stomped off, she needed to be alone. She turned on the spot quickly feeling Harrys attempt to catch her.

She wasn't thinking clearly when she left, only that she wanted to get away. She landed collapsing on the spot and bursting into tears. Feeling the world on her shoulders, she curled into the foetal position as tears seemed to endlessly flow, not know how much time passed as weeks of sorrow was finally released.

Suddenly she heard a shuffling sound she sat up, realising she was lying in the dense scrub of a forest. It was fairly dark despite it only being early afternoon when she had left the graveyard. She scrambled to her feet looking at her surroundings the shuffling sound grow louder at an alarming rate. She could see nothing beyond the first line of trees, except for the spider web glistening in raindrops between two trunks.

Spider web? Oh No! Shit! Hermione's mind went into overdrive.

The forbidden forest, large webs, spiders

The sight of a large acromentula coming towards you is enough to frighten most people. So when a dozen are scuttling through a forest at an alarming rate it's positively terrifying, with natural adrenaline kicking in Flight over fight kicked in first. Hermione ran for her life.

She blindly ran through forest, she had no idea what part or where she was heading, away from the direction of the spiders. She kept going, not looking back until she was so exhausted but refusing to slow down, she did not see the moss covered stump as she ungracefully tripped over it and fell to her knees. Her wand falling out and rolling away on impact. She heard it drop, desperately searching for it amongst the rotted leaves. Stopping abruptly when the large arachnid approached her hissing, raising its front legs and opening its fangs wide ready to attack.

This is it Hermione thought, she closed her eyes waiting for the inevitable.

The high pitched squeal from the beast was not expected. She looked up cautiously opening one eye to peak out. It was backing up attempting to raise its front leg to its head before it collapsed to ground.

Hermione stared in confusion, finally grasping her wand from the dirt she stood up, cautiously stepping forward towards the carcass, she could tell it was dead straight away. It was only on closer inspection she could see the glinting object sticking out just about the spider's eyes. Hermione slowly reached forward grasping the metal and pulled it out in a swift movement.

She gasped in shock at the blade in her hand as she registered what it was. This blade was 4 inches long shining silver with a jewel encrusted handle, the same blade used to carve the obscenity in her arm.

The same blade that belonged to no other than Bellatrix Lestrange.