November 15th

It was necessary to wait until most of the patrons of the Three Broomsticks were too drunk to notice the comings and goings of their fellow patrons. Explaining how and why Hermione had a pregnant teenager hidden away in her bedroom was something she didn't want to imagine. No doubt it would all get back to Antonin if Thorfinn was present. For all she was aware, there were other spies in the tavern she didn't know about. Rodolphus always seemed to know when she was there after all.

To Hermione's relief, no one seemed to care about the two women. Not even her constant shadow. Thorfinn was too busy arguing with another wizard about some topic she was certain would only make her roll her eyes. Quidditch, most likely. Very little else could inflame a man's passions so. She walked confidently through the main room. Rosalind was only a step behind her, afraid to be left behind. Out in the cold darkness of the late night, Hermione grasped the girl's hand in hers and Disapparated them away from the village.

Cornwall was the only option that made the least bit of sense. Augustus lived alone in his house and very few visitors ever desired to go his way. With his wife dead so recently, he wasn't likely to be entertaining any other witches. The attic room that Antonin helped to conceal was still there. And most importantly, Hermione knew that she could trust Augustus without question. He'd been her protector once before when she was in desperate need of one. She felt confident that he would be willing to be one again if she all but asked.

"Where are we?"

There was fear in Rosalind's voice. Hermione was loathe to give her any details of her plans before they arrived just in case there were any problems. Rosalind didn't understand how important it was to remain calm and keep secrets. She'd never been forced to learn how to survive in a Death Eater's world. If Rabastan or someone else with equally nefarious plans stopped them, Hermione didn't want the girl to have knowledge of their plans in case she was easily broken under the pressure.

"I have a very dear friend who lives in that house over there. Can you see it?"

She was relieved to discover that when they arrived she was still able to see Augustus' house. With the Fidelius Charm he cast on it in the preparations for the home to be used as a safe house for her family, if necessary, she thought that maybe his late wife demanded it be redone once she moved in. Rosalind nodded. Evidently, Alecto had insisted it be removed, but hadn't bothered to add it back on. Was that because they'd had frequent visitors? It could still be dangerous to bring her there if so. This was her only idea.

"He's a kind man and I'm certain that he will let you stay here for a little while. At least until Rabastan is no longer a problem."

"Why would Rabastan be a problem?"

Her naïveté was as amusing as it was terrifying. It was tempting to not explain to her why her baby's father might want to kill her in an effort to keep her innocent, but Hermione knew that was dangerous. Rosalind needed to understand the full danger of her situation. Before they took a single step closer to Augustus' front door, Hermione gently grasped the girl's elbow and looked into her eyes. She wanted to be able to gauge whether or not she actually heard what she was about to tell her.

"You are in danger, Rosalind. As long as Rabastan is alive, you are not safe. I'm not bringing you here just because you need a warm place to stay until you get back on your feet. I'm bringing you here because you need protection."

"From what? I don't have anything. Millicent already took everything away from me that I had left. She said that if I went back she'd have me arrested."

"Rabastan orchestrated a plan to get you pregnant. Were you aware of that?"

Her wide eyes indicated that she wasn't. Was it possible that she was ever this naïve and trusting? As much as she hated to do it, she knew that she would have to give the girl a cold, hard dose of reality.

"It wasn't an accident. Rabastan is well-versed on how to prevent those sorts of accidents. His brother is trying to rebuild the Wizengamot. They wanted you to represent the Notts. Having a son that you could pass off as Theodore's would've guaranteed your right to be there. Since Millicent and her brother were able to prove that you weren't lawfully married to Theodore, you're nothing but a liability to Rabastan now. If you showed up at his doorstep pregnant, you would embarrass him in front of his wife. He sees you as just a complication."

Tears rolled down Rosalind's cheeks as she learned the truth. Maybe she already knew it, but had been unwilling to actually believe it. Hermione had certainly had enough times in her life where she'd been in the midst of denial. Likely she was in that very moment about a number of topics.

"I'm afraid that Rabastan would try to kill you. Or maybe just your baby."

Rosalind's hands touched her belly in the protective motion that expectant mothers were known for. The longer she considered Hermione's words, the less she cried. She was already beginning the process that would harden her into a less trusting adult. It was necessary. Had to be done.

"I'm going to kill Rabastan… or die trying."

It bothered her to make the statement that she might actually die in her quest to rid the world of the horrible man's existence, but it was something that she couldn't ignore for even a second. Every single person she'd recently killed, except for perhaps Rita and Marietta Flint, could've done the same or worse back to her if the tides changed. She couldn't afford to get too arrogant in her abilities.

"There is a good man who lives in that house. He will keep you protected. Keep you and your son protected."

Seemingly pacified by Hermione's assurances, Rosalind didn't hesitate to follow her to the front door. At the late hour it was entirely possible that they would catch Augustus asleep. She would have to be careful that he wouldn't try to attack them straight out of the gate. With so many Death Eaters dying in recent days, he could very well be on edge. Standing with her body shielding Rosalind's and prepared with a shielding charm on her tongue, she knocked on the front door.

"Hermione? What the devil are you…?"

Augustus' sleepy eyes widened at the sight of the teenage witch standing with her. Whether he recognized her from being a guest at her wedding reception, she wasn't sure. At least he didn't seem in a rush to send them on their way. He stepped backwards a couple of steps to allow them inside his home. When he closed the door, Hermione leaned up on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek in greeting.

"I'm so sorry to come by in the middle of the night, but I didn't think it would be wise to come during the daytime."

"No, that's all right. I understand. Hermione, what..?"

He was at a loss. Not that she couldn't understand his confusion. She asked Rosalind to make herself comfortable on the sofa while she and Augustus spoke privately. Taking him by the hand, Hermione pulled him down the corridor to the privacy of his bedroom. It felt wrong to be alone with him in the room again, but she wanted a quiet place where Rosalind wasn't able to overhear their conversation. There was a small possibility that Augustus would send them both out of his house.

"That's Rosalind Nott. She's in danger and needs a place to hide for a little while."

The entire story came rushing out of Hermione's mouth in a torrent. She explained everything about how Rabastan was responsible for making it impossible for Theodore Nott to consummate his new marriage and the danger that put his widow in when Hermione killed him. She told him about the pregnancy, how she'd been left alone in that horrible, drafty house until the day Millicent and her brother kicked her out with nothing.

Augustus was sympathetic to the girl's plight. More than a few times when he heard a bit of the tale that was difficult to hear, he'd clenched his jaw or grit his teeth. Even gasped once or twice. Despite being a Death Eater for most of his life and spending over a decade and a half locked up in Azkaban prison, he still had compassion for those he knew that were in trouble. Maybe a part of him would always be like he was when he was seated outside her broom cupboard.

"You protected me when I was alone in the world, Augie. I know I have no right to ask you, but can you offer her the same protection? She has no one and she's pregnant and terrified and I can't help her myself because…"

"Shh."

He stopped her rambling with a finger across her lips. Embarrassed at her show of vulnerability, she stared at the buttons on his pajamas until she was brave enough to look him in the eye. There was a twinkle in his eyes that she hadn't seen in a long time. He moved the finger from her lips and gently brushed the back of his knuckle against her cheek.

"When have I ever been able to deny you? Of course I'll help."

She wanted to kiss him in gratitude, but stopped herself before she made the dangerous move. All that would do was give him the wrong impression. As much as she cared about Augustus and still loved him in a way, it wasn't how it used to be. She knew that she would only bring him misery and pain. Hadn't she hurt him enough?

"It won't be forever, I promise. Just until Rabastan is dead. She won't be safe until I can get rid of him."

"You've been busy lately."

There was an odd note in his tone that she didn't recognize. Was he more upset by Alecto's murder than she realized? Maybe she misread him and maybe he was lying when he told her over and over again that he was only using Alecto for information and to try to get in Rodolphus' good graces.

"Are you angry with me for killing Alecto?"

His loud laughter dispelled the last of her concerns that she'd upset him. A weight was lifted from her shoulders and she allowed a small smile. He really did have a nice laugh.

"Did you know Allie saved every knut she's ever earned? Made some good investments too. You're looking at a new independently wealthy widower."

It was Hermione's turn to laugh. The news of Alecto's bulging vault wasn't exactly a secret to her, at least. Because she was born very, very poor, Alecto was obsessed with money. She hoarded gold like a dragon in the fairy tales. Her rundown flat in London with the secondhand furniture was her home only because she was too cheap to spend a sickle more.

"Her nieces are furious. They thought they were going to get it all."

The mood in the room grew serious again. Augustus placed a gentle hand on Hermione's shoulder.

"I would do anything for you, Hermione. I'll keep Rosalind as safe as if she was my own daughter. As long as its necessary, she can stay here."

"Thank you, Augie."

"What are you going to do next?"

She'd spent a good deal of the day while they waited for darkness thinking about that very question.

"What I have to do, whether I like it or not."