Hermione landed on the beach with a loud thump. She let out a loud groan at the force of the impact before pushing herself up off the sand into a standing position. Hermione brushed the sand off her clothes before turning to take in her surroundings. Harry and Ron pushed themselves off the sand and moved to stand next to her. Reedsy was the only one who was unaffected by the apparition.
The elf called for the trio plus the others who he had brought earlier to follow him and together the group made their way down the beach to a small cottage in the distance. The walk was very peaceful and Hermione enjoyed the smell of the cold salty air as she knew that it would most likely be one of her last moments of peace before this whole war finally came to an end. The only thing that would've made the walk better, in Hermione's opinion, was if Bella was there holding her hand with a gentle smile.
The elf knocked on the door in rapid succession, it didn't take long until a familiar French witch opened the door. The situation was quickly explained to Fleur before Fleur ushered them inside after checking their identities. Reedsy however didn't join the large group inside and apparated back to the manor. Once inside the French witch bustled around getting everyone comfortable after calling for Bill, Sarah, and Charlie.
"What is going on here?" asked a shocked Bill when he saw the many new visitors. Bill, even though he was shocked, didn't hesitate to give his little brother a hug once he saw him.
Before any of the group sitting around the table could butt in, Fleur took charge and began to explain the situation.
"Narcissa sent them here after she managed to sneak them out of Malfoy Manor, to rest and get the help they need."
"On a first name basis are we?" questioned Bill with a teasing tone.
Fleur fixed Bill with a withering glare. "This is neither the time nor the place William. Sarah, would you be so kind as to help me with their wounds?" asked Fleur, moving to take a look at Luna's wounds. Sarah wordlessly sat next to the blondes and began to clean the smaller of Luna's wounds.
Charlie walked over to a nearby cabinet and busied himself with gathering bandages and ointments to help their new guests. Later that evening, after medical concerns were addressed, Griphook and Olivander were moved to rooms that they could rest in, the younger members of the rescued stayed with the inhabitants of the cottage and began telling them stories of what happened while they were on the run and in Luna's case, in the Malfoy dungeons. Hermione however was stuck in her own world and failed to take notice of anything happening around her. Hermione quietly snuck out the backdoor while everyone was too busy talking to take notice of her absence.
She walked out to the beach and sat down a distance from the waves, enjoying the feeling of the warm sand between her toes and the gentle lullaby of the crashing waves. It was only then, under the twinkling stars, did she finally let her emotions out. The tears came slowly at first, but soon they threatened to create a small puddle around her. Hermione couldn't stop the tears from falling as she became overwhelmed with thoughts about the punishments Bella was no doubt facing and the challenges looming in her future.
Quiet footsteps approached Hermione, she jerked her head to her right and saw Fleur moving to sit next to her.
"Fleur? What are you doing out here?"
"I could ask you the same thing. Do you want to talk about it?" asked Fleur with a kind smile.
"I can't," Hermione muttered, staring at the waves crashing on the shore.
"Can't or won't?"
"I don't know, it's just complicated ok?"
"Hermione please let me help you?"
"I-"
Fleur fixed Hermione with a sharp stare, "I will not judge you. It would be foolish in these dark times."
It was then and only then that Hermione broke down. She talked and talked and talked, until her mind went blank. There was a long silence as Fleur took in everything. Fleur pulled Hermione into a hug and began speaking.
"I will not lie to you, this situation with Bellatrix concerns me, however I must trust your judgment when it comes to her. And if she's anything like her sister then I know she is fiercely protective, loyal, and above all kind to the ones she loves. These final moments will be hard, but we must stand strong and continue fighting for our world."
A tear slipped down Hermione's cheek as she leaned upon the French witch. They stayed on the beach for a while longer before retreating into the house, desperate for a couple hours of sleep before their world would undoubtedly change forever.
The next morning the house was filled with a grim silence as preparations were made to leave for Hogsmeade. Hermione stared at the toast on her plate, trying to squash her fear. Before she knew it she was being ushered out of the house with Harry, Ron, Fleur, Luna, Charlie and Bill, Griphook and Olivander stayed behind with Sarah looking after them. Once they were a safe distance from the cottage, Bill pulled an old tin can out of his coat pocket, he held it out for the group to take hold of. Hermione quickly grabbed the port key, and with a sickening pull she arrived in the Hog's Head, Aberforth's pub.
"All of you this way," said Aberforth, completely unphased by their sudden appearance. Throwing down his towel on the bar he led them to a portrait of a young girl and whispered something to her causing the girl to disappear from the portrait. Hermione looked around the room taking in the faces of the people surrounding her. They all bore similar faces of mixed determination and fear. Hermione took a deep breath, she was ready.
