Chapter 4

Music, when soft voices die,

Vibrates in the memory –

Odours, when sweet violets sicken,

Live within the sense they quicken.

Rose leaves, when the rose is dead,

Are heaped for the beloved's bed;

And so thy thoughts, when thou art gone,

Love itself shall slumber on.

Percy Bysshe Shelley, 'Music, when Soft Voices Die'

Harry's PoV

Harry Potter may not be as smart as his best friend, but he knew that something was clearly wrong the moment Kingsley Shacklebolt entered the doors of 12 Grimmuald Place. He might've faced a mountain troll, a giant, three-headed dog and a Dark Lord in disguise all when he was eleven; killed an enormous and deadly snake when he was twelve; produced a corporeal patronus when he was thirteen; involuntarily joined a dangerous tournament when he was fourteen; battled Death Eaters when he was fifteen; and faced his biggest and most dangerous adventures when he was sixteen. But never had he done an impromptu guessing game.

That was Hermione's forte.

The elder wizard had a look of worry etched on his face, and his eyes were downcast. But there seemed to be a darker shadow lurking behind them. His suspicion grew even heavier when he was cast out of the kitchens where all the elders had gathered, leaving him all confused and giddy with nervousness and worry.

It wasn't every day that a troubled wizard would knock on your door only to drop a bomb you're not expecting. And that's exactly the predicament they'd found themselves in.

Whatever they were talking about must have been a matter of great importance as it took them an hour or two before a crying Molly, a troubled Arthur, a worried Kingsley, and a bunch of perturbed Order members emerged from the kitchen. A hand and a shake of the head stopped him from asking any questions about what had transpired. And Harry knew, in that moment, that his suspicions were confirmed. Something was clearly wrong, and bad – or maybe, even worse – and it only made him thirst even more for answers to his doubts.

So he was quite grateful when Arthur, who was still consoling a now sniffling Molly, kindly asked him to fetch Hermione. But it didn't quench the tightening in his throat, or the sudden knot that settled in his stomach. He cared too much for his best friend, and he was afraid that whatever was happening right now, or whatever news was about to be broken to them, he wasn't sure if he was ready for it. If she was ready for it.

Kingsley's PoV

I waited patiently in the sitting room for Harry to come down with Hermione. I didn't want to announce this in front of everyone considering Hermione's fragile health. I had promised them that whatever it was, they'll know only after I informed Hermione. Merlin, did I hate to be the bearer of this news. She would be crushed.

I heard the quiet footsteps coming down the staircase and treading lightly on the floorboards before they entered the room.

There she was, Harry and Ginny flanking her on either side. I looked at Ginny in surprise. She thrust out her chin defiantly, and I nodded, understanding she wasn't leaving her best friend's side.

Looking at Hermione, I felt a pain fill my chest. Her face was still smeared with tear tracks, long dried and her eyes; her eyes they looked like they were dead, hollow just a dull brown instead of the vibrant twinkle of golden wisdom which normally shined in her eyes. Her hair looked like an heartless attempt had been made to fix them before giving up.

I got up from the armchair as I strode towards her. "Oh, Hermione."

"Kings," she cried out as she reached out to me. I hugged her as firmly as I could, her curls just residing by my chest. I felt the bones in her ribs on the inside of my arms. Dear God, she was stick and bones.

I pulled away from her but held her at her shoulders, peering at her intently. "Hermione, when was the last meal you had?"

She blushed but answered, "A while?"

"Sweetheart, are you asking me or answering me? Now, how long is a while?"

At that, she looked down murmuring something illegible.

Looking back at her friends standing behind her helplessly, I nodded, gesturing at Hermione. Harry immediately understood as he left.

I pulled her towards the chair, with my arm on her waist now, but changed course and went to the love seat.

There was a debate going on in my head now, whether to tell her or not. Deciding it would be better if she started fighting or at least thinking, she'd be on her way to recovery, I opened my mouth. "Hermione, do you think you are up to the news now?"

At that, I felt the scrape of the chair against the floor as Ginny pulled up a chair besides her friend.

Hermione looked up, interest and curiosity etched on her face. Glad that her blank mask was gone, I started gently but without coating it, "Hermione, that night, the car accident, our sources say it may not have been a car accident. Some rogue death eaters who were not accounted for immediately after the battle are thought to play a role in that. Do you remember anything of that night?"

Her breath hitched, as she looked at me, holding my eyes looking for something, for what I don't know.

"I, I think there was something in the trees, that I caught a glimpse of, for just a second but then there was nothing afterwards. My senses had been alert but I thought that was just because of the heavy thunderstorm and lightnings."

Harry returned with a plate of buttered toasts, potato chips and some sauce. Along with a tray, with tea for all, no doubt Molly's doing, levitating behind him.

He placed the trays on the table, serving us tea, before taking the armchair on my side.

"Would you mind if you let us look at your memories in a pensieve for any clues?"

She shook her head mutely as her hand reached towards a slice of toast.

After a moment, she looked up at me, "Why?"

I understood it had nothing to do with her memory for the pensieve.

"We don't know, revenge I suppose, but I promise you," I emphasized "I promise you I'll personally ensure that whoever did that won't live once once he or she is caught."

"Good," she replied, her voice hoarse.

Harry spoke up then, "But Kingsley, why was your message urgent? Couldn't this have waited? I'm sure the Aurors are already on the trail."

"Thank you Harry, for your confidence. Yes, you're absolutely right. I am here because I am afraid whoever did that, will look to finish the job once they find out Hermione's alive. At the moment only the nurses at the Muggle hospital, and the authorities involved, know that Hermione here is alive. Here in the Wizarding World, I assume only us along with the Weasley's know about her. Now I need your vow that what I am about to reveal would not go out, yes Ginny, even your family. If you think, both of you, if you'll be unable to keep this secret then I suggest you leave us to it. I wouldn't blame you if you left right now."

I waited for both of them as Hermione observed her friends silently, not influencing their decision in any way.

"I am not going anywhere. She's my best friend. It isn't as though I haven't kept secrets from my family before." Ginny said, straighting her shoulders.

Harry smiled, "Well, how could I break your or Hermione's trust, in the matter of her safety? She's always stood by me, it's time I returned a small favour."

Hermione smiled at Harry and I began, addressing her, "I am thinking that you should leave the country, until all the Death eaters are caught. We'll plant a false trail. Even if they realise you are alive, they won't be able to catch you immediately. I realise you just spent a whole year on the run, and I don't want for you to go through that again. Even the Order won't know your true location. Unfortunately, this means we won't be able to keep contact with you, even the three of us, but you'll be safe."

I had barely finished that sentence, when Ginny jumped up, "Hey, where do you think she's going on her own? Harry and I are going to be there with her too. If the death eaters do catch up to her she won't be able to fight them off alone." She said with a nod, as if confirming this mentally.

Harry too joined in, "Kingsley, as much as I merit the idea, I think Ginny's right. Me and Ginny, we both, can help her if the situation arises and she will also have us for company. She can't go off to the middle of nowhere on her own. Familiar faces would help."

Hermione glared up defiantly, some fight showing in her, "I won't have you guys in danger because of me. Now, sit down both of you and listen to what Kingsley has to say."

Harry for back to her, "Hermione, I too didn't want you and Ron with me on the Horcrux hunt but you were stubborn. Just for that, I will stick with you this time, and no, I am not asking." He waited for her to argue.

She sighed in defeat, knowing already that Ginny was a lost cause and Harry wouldn't take no for an answer.

"Where are we going and when?"

"Well..."

A/n: So you guys know it'll be Hermione going somewhere, but is it going to be Forks or not? That is going to be answered within next 2-3 chapters. You'll just have to wait and see! You guys are the best motivators ever! A huge thanks to all those who reviewed the story: I really appreciate your thoughts on this story! Thank you to all those who added this to favorites and alerts!

To all those who're celebrating Kite Flying Festival tomorrow, stay safe, and look out for the birds! Have fun:-)