She needed to wake up. Hermione wanted to wake up. She knew it wouldn't be fun. She could already feel the pain setting into her entire body as if she'd been through the wringer twice. She felt heavier than a lead balloon. Like when she first started running. Oh, how she ached. If she went back to sleep, she could put it off.

No, she couldn't.

She had to know if her family was okay. If she'd accidentally killed any of them, she would never forgive herself. The liquid luck… she asked it to work for everyone, but what if it worked by stealing the luck of those around her?

Feeling came into her toes and her fingers uncurled from clenched fists. She was still wearing her finger splints.. A foul taste settled in her mouth. Synthetic coconut. It was always synthetic coconut.

"Ngh…"

Noises moved and bumped into her as if she were underwater. Her eyes managed to flutter open and bright light cut her good one. She squeezed them shut again, dark light dancing across her vision.

Wake up, she urged herself.

Moving her head from side-to-side, Hermione managed to open her eyes again and finally take in where she was. She was in a hospital bed. It didn't seem like an ordinary hospital, though. The sink and the door handles looked to be brass, not stainless steel. Her star eye was also detecting quite a bit of magic. An ordinary hospital would just appear entirely blank.

Hermione looked down and saw bruises peeking out of the neckline of her polka-dotted hospital gown. Her wrists ached like they'd been broken and healed. She touched her nose, which was tender. Still, she pinched it shut and blew hard. Her ears popped and her hearing cleared, though now her nose throbbed painfully.

"Ow…" she whispered.

She would hate to see what would have happened without the Felix Felicis.

Voices came from the corridor. Hermione dropped her head back into her pillow and closed her eyes.

"I'm serious," said Hana. "She managed to apparate us from London to Koloa. I'd never seen anything like it."

"Nobody can apparate to the other side of the world much less with a car and eight other people," came a voice Hermione didn't recognize. "It's impossible. An ordinary witch would have been pulled apart. We found Felix Felicis in her system, but that wouldn't have boosted her powers like that."

"Well, Nia isn't just any ordinary witch," said Manuia with a tinge of pride. "Is she going to be okay?"

"Yes. Just magic exhaustion and some minor injuries. She probably won't be able to cast any spells for a few days when she comes to. Whatever magic she did—"

"We told you," said Hana exasperated.

"—it has taken a lot out of her. I recommend no spellcasting attempts for a couple days and make sure she eats small frequent meals, about six to eight a day. She should be snacking. Healthy foods, carrot sticks, bell peppers, a couple bites of chocolate if she needs a sugar shock. When she wakes up, we'll be able to tell if there's anything else wrong with her, but physically? She'll be just fine."

"Well, that's good," said Hana.

Hermione sensed them come closer and felt a scanning spell wash over her. She felt her father's hand brush her forehead.

"You're not sleeping," he said with a mixture of amusement and relief.

She opened her eyes. Manuia had a massive bruise across his cheeks and his arms and plenty of scratches, either from spells or broken glass.

"Is everyone alright?" she croaked.

"Physically? They'll be just fine. Esperanza was released from here yesterday. She's working on getting a portkey made so she can go look for Viktor."

Hermione couldn't even begin to comprehend what happened to him.

"Everyone else is still processing what happened," Manuia continued. "Nia…" he hesitated and shook his head. "Never mind, we can talk about it later."

"Sorry for crashing the car," said Hermione.

He laughed and kissed the top of her head.

"Hey, a couple repairs and it'll be just fine," he said. "And you were just trying to get us to safety. You drove so well, precious, and now we're safe from those Death Eaters."

No… they weren't. Just because they managed to get to the other side of the world didn't mean they would be left alone. Yes, it might be a while yet before a move was made but for how long? As long as she was around, sticking her nose into other peoples' business, her family would be in danger.

Since she was awake, the Healers did some tests on her and determined she was alright to go home, provided she take it easy and if there were any other issues to return to the hospital immediately.

Hermione was quiet on the boat ride home, only staring down at the brown bag containing dinner between her feet. She was so tired and so hungry.

"How long have I been out for?" she asked.

"Not even a week," said Hana. "It's not even New Years. Nia, I don't know how you did what you did… Did you tap into ley lines? I hear that method of travel is possible but takes decades to master."

"No," said Hermione, though she wasn't sure. "I just… tessered."

"Yes, but nobody knows how you managed so far with so many people."

She did.

She'd been hosting a thousand-year-old semi-sentient entity. She'd given Hogwarts a body and a voice and it, in turn, boosted her powers even when she was far away from it. Imagine if the runes weren't in Sharpie on her calf. Even slightly faded and drawn over, she had felt the call of Hogwarts at her Chalk Farm house.

Her house.

"Mum and Dad can't go home," she stated. "It's not just a matter of safety, but there's no home to return to, is there?"

Manuia looked down at the nail he was picking at.

"I don't know," said Hana. "We saw fire, but I heard sirens as we were driving away…"

"I… I killed people," said Hermione. "I trapped them in the house… I hit them with my car."

"Hey." Manuia squeezed her shoulder. "They weren't good people, Herminia. They were going to kill us, even if you gave them that locket. You did not kill for the sake of killing, it was self-defense."

She knew it was necessary and she wasn't sorry she did it. She was mostly stunned that it had come down to that so quickly and how easily it could be done. How she hadn't even hesitated.

Hermione needed to be supported into the house. She felt so weak and tired. When the three of them entered, Roger and Beatrice leapt up from the couch and enveloped their daughter in a hug.

"Oh, I'm so glad you're alright," said Beatrice, stroking her hair.

Hermione choked back her tears and hugged them again, motioning for Papá and Mom to join the group hug. If she'd gotten them killed, she'd never forgive herself.

"I need to make a call," she said when she got her emotions in check.

"Who are you calling?" asked Roger.

"Harry."

"Oh… oh, poor Harry," Beatrice gasped, covering her mouth with her hands. "We were in the hospital and things have been so hectic we didn't even consider… Oh, when you're done talking to him, let me talk to him. We need to apologize."

Nodding, Hermione went to the kitchen and sat down in the chair closest to the telephone. As she dialed, Hana set up dinner and Manuia started working on a shopping list just for something to do. She dialed Grimmauld Place and held the phone to her ear. It rang three times before it was answered.

"Potter, Weasley, and Black, who may I ask is calling?" Harry asked thickly and sniffled.

"Harry? It's me, Nia."

There was a soft thud on the line.

"Harry?"

"Oh… oh, my God… I thought you were dead!" he breathed and she could hear fresh tears burbling up. "Everyone thought you were dead! A dark mark was found over Mum and Dad's house, the ground floor is all burned up, there were skeletons found, they didn't identify them… We didn't know who made it or not… We had a funeral… Alejandro and Bernice are beside themselves."

"Any sign of Viktor?"

"No… is he not with you?"

Hermione felt her stomach churn. "No… we… he got lost in the fray."

"Well, if it helps, there's nothing about him being dead. He might just be lying low until he can get to us. Is everyone else okay?"

"Yes, can you tell everyone the rest of us are alright?"

Esperanza leaned against the doorway, looking anxious. Hermione shook her head and her face fell.

"I will and I'll call when we find Viktor," said Harry.

"Thanks, I'm sure Viktor's just lying low like you said. Is anyone else around? Or even awake?"

"No, I couldn't sleep," he said. "Should I get someone?"

"Not right now, I need to rest," said Hermione. "Mum wants to talk to you. I'll call later to talk to the others."

"Yes, okay. Oh, erm… I collected your awards for you. Details to follow."

"Details to follow," Hermione agreed and handed the phone to Beatrice.

She hauled herself to her feet and Roger supported her to the living room. Cecilia got up so she could sit down on the couch.

"Dinner is ready if you're hungry," said Roger to the others. "Nia, stay there, I'll bring you a plate."

"Mmkay." She stared at the blank TV screen until she was given a plate of food.

"Why don't you kids watch something?" Hana suggested. "We're just talking, you won't disturb us."

"Let's see what's on," said Amalea, flicking through channels.

"I wansta watch Sesme Street," said Chibuzo from his spot on the floor.

They didn't have any Sesame Street tapes, but they did have the Muppets, so Amalea put that on hoping Chibuzo wouldn't really notice.

"I know you want to ask," said Hermione. "Ask."

"Season one or two?" asked Amalea.

"Two."

"How did you do it Nia?" asked Cecilia. "I mean… you're powerful, but… nobody in history is known to be that powerful. A wix could learn to travel ley lines, but it takes decades, and even then side-along is more rare."

Hermione pushed her curry around her plate and took several hungry bites. She heard the phone hang up and a conversation start up between her parents.

"Adrenaline?" she said eventually.

"That could have gotten us to France," said Esperanza. "Maybe New York."

"It's the Muppet Show with our very special guest star, Miss Julie Andrews!" Kermit chirped.

"I want to watch Sister, Sister," said Merelin.

"Too bad," Esperanza replied, her face twisted with worry.

Hermione stared at the TV, hardly noticing what was even being said.

"I don't know," she said when the opening sketch ended. "But I'd rather not do it again. I can't even feel my magic right now."

"It's okay, Nia," said Amalea, sitting down and leaning against her. "I think you're just super powerful and we can leave it at that."

Hermione set her empty bowl on the side table and wished she could curl up in her otter form.

"Mimi…" Chibuzo stretched his arms out to her. "Pick me up."

"Alright. Hang on." She adjusted to sit criss-cross and tried not to show the strain on her face as she lifted her brother onto her lap and hugged him tightly. She never would forgive herself if she had gotten him killed or captured. She wiped a bit of jam off his cheek. A remnant from his dinner. "You doing okay, Bubu?"

"Mm okay." He rubbed his eye and leaned against her. "Didn't like those bad people."

"No, I don't like them much either." She rubbed her cheek against the top of his head. "We didn't open presents did we? I probably crushed them anyway when I crashed the car."

"No, they're over there," said Cecilia, pointing to the window seat. A couple of the parcels were crumpled and wrapping had torn away from some others.

"I'm sorry," said Hermione. "It's all my fault."

"Don't say that," said Cecilia.

"But it is. I was careless. I did have the locket and I didn't hide it well enough. Now Tom knows that I know about horcruxes." She took a shuddering breath. "All of you are in danger because of me."

"Nia…"

Her parents, done with their meeting, fell into her, hugging her and her siblings tightly. Hermione squeezed her eyes shut and just let them. She understood why hugs were Hogwarts' favorite experience. So much expression and love came from them. They were more meaningful than words or kisses. The only thing second to a hug was the comforting squeeze of a hand. At least, in Hermione's opinion.

"What were you talking about?" she asked. "How to put me in a bubble for the rest of my life?"

"That was on the table," said Roger. "But we determined you'd just break out."

Julie Andrews sang in the background. Nobody bothered to even pause the TV. They weren't listening anyway.

"This scares us, Herminia," said Manuia. "What you're doing, what you've been doing, the danger you've been facing is increasing. Auē, kid! You've got more guts than most adults I know."

"We don't want to lose you again," said Hana.

"But you're growing up," said Beatrice. "You're seventeen. I look at you and I still see a little girl, but there's no denying how… capable you are."

"Yeah!" said Amalea. "You kicked Death Muncher butt!"

Hermione bit her lips.

"I'm worried that if I stay I'll be putting you in danger," she said. "Yes, our ohana is stronger when we're together, but if we keep expecting attacks… how long until they start coming? How long until Chibuzo becomes as suspicious and paranoid as I am?" She shook her head. "No. I'm not running away. I'm going to make those fascists believe that I'm not afraid of them.

"I'll wear disguises if I have to be in public. Grimmauld Place will be safe, it has the Fidelius charm. Not even a Taboo can break that and Hogwarts is under maximum security. I can still do my research there." She scrunched her shoulders and waved her hands and everyone backed off. "I'm terrified. I want nothing more than to hide away here and pretend there isn't a war going on, but I was in too deep when I captured Pettigrew. Turning back is not an option."

"We understand," said Manuia. "We don't like it, but we understand."

"We'll escort you back," said Esperanza.

"I'm not leaving you to fend for yourself, prima," said Cecilia.

"We'll bulk up protections here," said Hana. "Don't worry about us, that's not your job."

"I always will, anyway," said Hermione.

"Everyone thinks Roger and I are dead," said Beatrice. "I… I don't see how we can feasibly explain what happened without leading to the arrest of one of you. We think that it is in our best interest to stay dead, create disguises, and use the insurance money to open a practice here or, perhaps in Australia or New Zealand. Somewhere no one will think to look for us."

"I'll be happier knowing you're safe and well away from danger," said Hermione.

The family gathered close together drawing comfort and assurances. Hermione remained as she was with Chibuzo in her lap and she let her mind drift, thinking of other things. There'd be time for bad things later.

~o0o~

A portkey was the safest bet. Before she left, Hermione spent her last three days with each of her parents and siblings doing whatever: games, walking, canoeing, spelunking. The importance was in the being. She didn't know when she'd get to see her family again, but she promised to keep writing and calling. She even reached out to Nana and Clarence and went to dinner with them. She didn't like Clarence on principle, but she at least hoped he would learn her name. This also gave her time to get her car repaired.

She, Cecilia, and Esperanza took a portkey back to England. Hermione was still feeling weak and side-alonged with Cecilia to Grimmauld Place. Hermione knocked and it was quickly answered by Professor Lupin. He ushered them in and closed the door before hugging Hermione tightly.

"I'm sorry," he said. "You'll get a lot of those today."

"It's alright."

A "mrrp!" came from the other room and Crookshanks ran in, climbing up her trouser leg. Hermione hugged her cat and buried her face in his fur.

"I'm so sorry, Crookie," she said. "I didn't mean to leave you behind. Can you forgive me?"

Crookshanks meowed and purred up a storm.

"Everyone is upstairs in the parlor," he said.

They marched in a line up the narrow staircase. Once on the landing, they crowded into the parlor. Sitting in one of the arm chairs was Viktor. He looked like an escaped mental patient. He had pyjama trousers on under his hospital gown, his feet were bare, and Mrs. Weasley was fussing over him trying to get him to warm up. He still had a medical bracelet on his wrist so he must've recently escaped. He looked worse for wear, with bruises and a cast on his arm, but at least he was alive.

"Oh, there must be a God," Esperanza breathed and bolted across the room.

Viktor barely stood before he was knocked back by her. The chair tipped back too, though neither seemed to notice as they embraced and kissed.

Tonks and Bill hugged Cecilia while Hermione was tackled by Alejandro, Bernice, and Fleur. She barely recovered before Harry, Ron, and Ginny came in on her other side. Their weight was too much and Hermione collapsed to her knees. She didn't push them away though. Instead, she pressed her cheek into Alejandro's shoulder and closed her eyes.

Even after all this, she still wanted Cedric to be the one holding her this tightly. Part of her wished he would burst in the room, demanding to hear the truth that she can't actually be dead, and then their eyes would meet and they would wrap up in each other's arms and not say a word or do anything else for twenty minutes.

"How did you manage to escape?" Ron asked, breaking her from her daydream.

"I apparated," she said. "To Hawaii."

"That's impossible," said Professor Lupin. "No one can apparate to the other side of the world."

"I think two weeks ago, I would have agreed with that statement," said Hermione. "But I did it and I think it almost killed me."

"Why would you even come back after that?" asked Sirius.

"Because if I run they will never let me stop," she replied. "It would come out eventually that I survived and I still have the locket. He can at least expect that I would turn it over to Dumbledore and…"

She tipped her head and pushed her hands out, forcing everyone back by their magical signatures.

"Please don't do that again," said Bernice, rubbing her chest.

"Sorry," she said and stood up. "I think… could that be it?"

"Ah, Nia is thinking," said Alejandro, crossing his ankles and looking up at her.

"The facts," she said. "I need the facts. And the facts are… who knows I'm alive?"

"So far? Everyone in this room," said Harry. "If you return to Hogwarts then everyone will know."

"My awards?"

"The ceremony was on the 26th," said Sirius. "Harry stood in for you. The case for them is nice, I'd like to keep it for my driving glove collection."

"I'm your next of kin in this country," said Harry. "While I was there, Scrimgeour cornered me asking if I would endorse the Ministry, tell everyone that they were doing a good job."

"And what did you say?"

"I told him he was mad, but that I'd say they were on the right track if they gave everyone suspected of Death Eater activity a fair trial and pardoned Cedric of all outstanding crimes with an apology for accusing him in the first place."

"And?"

"He agreed."

"I oversaw it," said Percy. "I am still the Minister's assistant, so I made sure he didn't just toss it in the pile."

"We sent him the letter telling him you were dead and he could come home," said George. "He should be home any day now. I think he'll be relieved to know you aren't dead."

Hermione smiled. "Small price to pay."

"Yeah," said Harry. "I gave my statement to Rita Skeeter. I still hate her guts, but I can count on her for one thing. She can make anybody look bad."

"Alright, so I will show up to school, air quote, by myself," she said. "Everyone will act like it's a surprise I'm alive. Everyone cheers, we party, yadda, yadda, yadda. I don't want anyone coming after my parents, so I need a diversion. I'd like them to be believed dead, but someone will find out eventually they're alive. Our good friend Morty knows I've got his locket, but if we make him think I don't have it…"

"I have solution," said Viktor, his face and neck covered in lipstick marks. "I am pureblood, my family are not considered blood traitors. I will bring super, secret parcel to family vault in Bulgaria. Very small, but very important that it remains safe. If he is getting outside help, he will hear of it and it will keep our family safe."

"You're so clever," Esperanza gushed and returned to kissing him.

"Brilliant, Viktor," said Hermione. "I'll have Sirius arrange a package pick-up at Gringotts for you. That will get their attention."

"I'm game," said Sirius.

"Now they might expect a diversion," said Hermione. "So their backup thought won't be that the locket is with my family. These people seem to be under the impression that I follow Dumbledore and would likely turn the locket over to him. Harry, perhaps that is what Draco is supposed to be doing. His secret mission that you heard him talk about. I bet he's meant to retrieve information from Dumbledore or Morty suspects that Dumbledore has horcruxes in his possession and must therefore retrieve them."

"Why would he make him do that?"

"It's meant to be an impossible task, Harry. Villains tend to do that to punish those who step out of line and provide an example to others. Ms. Black betrayed their cause, Mr. Malfoy bumbled some things by letting the diary get destroyed, Draco is the only connection between both of them therefore he gets the shit end."

"True or not, is it strange I almost feel bad for him after that?" said Ron.

"It's a little strange, but it's a crappy situation," said Hermione. "I wouldn't wish it on anyone." She snapped her fingers and continued pacing.

"That might make sense," said Professor Lupin. "Draco has been spending a lot of time on the seventh floor according to the Marauder's Map. Perhaps he's been trying to figure out a way into the Headmaster's office without a password. Maybe via the Room of Requirement."

"If that's the case, then I guess we don't have to worry much about him," said Harry. "Nia was right, he's meant to be a flounder."

"The term is "red herring" Harry."

"Still fishy."

"You shouldn't have to worry about this in the first place," said Mrs. Weasley fretfully. "You're just children."

"So were we," said Sirius.

"Mrs. Weasley, they're not giving me a choice," said Hermione. "None of us are getting a choice." She took a deep breath. "Either way, I'm tired. Why don't we resume planning tomorrow—no—next Thursday."

"Actually, they're summoning everyone back to school early," said Professor Lupin. "Your death has scared a lot of people and they're convinced Hogwarts is the last safe place. At least, for those who can't leave the country. We'll be sending Harry, Ron, and Ginny back via the Knight Bus in three days and I, of course, will escort them."

"Alejandro and I have Portkeys out for tonight," said Bernice.

"Tomorrow then," said Hermione. "Let's…let's talk about things a little less upsetting. How about presents and weddings?"

"Ah, oui!" said Fleur, bouncing over to Esperanza so they could gush over each other's engagement rings.

"Nia is your Maid of Honor, yes?" said Esperanza.

"Yes, but I do hope you and Viktor will be a part of the bridal party."

"Aww, of course we will! Did you pick a designer for the clothes yet?"

"No, I was going to look at dresses soon, but I think—"

Esperanza gave her the same look Abuela got when someone said they weren't hungry.

"I ask if you found a designer yet."

Fleur blinked in surprise and tipped her head. "You will be my designer? You are not too busy?"

"I'd be honored! Now, do you have a theme or just sticking with a color scheme?"

"Well, Bill and I have been looking at magazines." Fleur went over to the card table where some things had been laid out.

"I've been busy at work," said Bill. "I'm afraid I haven't been much help in the way of planning."

Hermione sat down at the table, eager to help in any way she could as the Maid of Honor.

"Viktor and I barely started," said Esperanza, keeping her fiancé close as if he'd disappear the instant she let go. "I think at this point we might elope and then have a formal ceremony. Honestly, it's likely our wedding would double as a family reunion so we would have guests coming in from Nueva York and Mexico. And that's before we get into friends."

"If we don't elope, it would be a long engagement," said Viktor. "But we are still talking about what we want to do."

"Bill and I decided December 27th," said Fleur. "That was the day we could get the Temple de l'Amour at my home village."

"Smart," said Hermione. "Less likely to get 'party crashers' that way."

"Harry agreed to be a brides person and when Cedric gets here I will ask him as well," Fleur continued.

"It's more traditional to have bridesmaids," said Mrs. Weasley.

"Mum, we've been over this," said Bill, looking slightly exasperated. "Cecilia is my best man and Tonks is in my groom party. We're not keeping it gender-restrictive and— Nia, are you scrapbooking as we're planning?"

Hermione stilled her glitter glue. She had been in the middle of compiling Fleur's color scheme ideas using scraps from Esperanza's overturned purse in a scrapbook. "Yeah?"

He worked his jaw, then shook his head. "Never mind. Proceed."

"Bill, which ones do you like?" asked Fleur.

He looked at their choices. "I dunno. They're all nice."

Fleur sighed and held up color swatches to his cheek.

"Maybe this one with the navy?" Hermione suggested.

"Mm… it will be winter," said Fleur. "Blues might make everyone feel cold." She paused and held the sage back up. "Esperanza?"

"I like it."

"Okay, sage, rose, champagne, and pearl," said Fleur.

"So, the dress," said Esperanza. "White is traditional, at least since Queen whatsherface made it popular, but the thinking that you have to wear white for virginity or purity just… rubs me the wrong way."

"I do want white," said Fleur, bringing out the catalogue. "But I would not be opposed to some color. I saw this one gown with swan embroidery, it was divine!"

Viktor shook his head. Swans were Esperanza's thing.

"Either way," said Fleur. "Bill and I can be in all white we can put the groom's people in sage and the bridespeople in champagne. Use the pink as an accent color."

"As long as it isn't all pink," said Harry. "Last time I saw too much pink, I couldn't breathe and then I threw up."

"Well, if you have your heart set on white, I have a dress that could work for you," said Esperanza. "The bride canceled her order. Something about the groom running off with his school sweetheart. You're around the same size, so it'll require minimal tailoring and I can just charge you for the skirt. It'll look amazing and be below budget to give you a little wiggle room elsewhere."

"Wouldn't it be bad luck to wear another woman's dress?" asked Mrs. Weasley.

"Not for as much work as I put into it." Esperanza summoned a chest from her bag and opened it, lifting the bodice she had no doubt been meticulously beading and decorating for months.

Fleur shrieked and giggled upon seeing it, making grabby hands at it.

"Oh, you want this?" Esperanza teased, wiggling it so the light caught off it. "I can add long sleeves, no extra charge because you are my friend."

"We are focused on the marriage, but it doesn't hurt to look good on our wedding day," said Bill.

"Plus it's pretty," said Fleur, running her fingers over the designs.

"What are these?" asked Alejandro, touching one of the gems. "Diamonds?"

"Diamonds are so last season. These are moissanite. Much more sparkly." Esperanza brought out a loose diamond and a moissanite to demonstrate the refract.

"I like to use gems for extra sparkle," she continued. "I already used up most of the ones Nia made for me, and had to make new ones and found moissanite to be more sustainable."

"You got skills. Do you grow them or use alchemy?"

"Arithmancy. It cuts the diamonds in the process whereas Alchemy just makes hunks of raw crystal. The process smells like burnt toast, but I can still make them on the go."

Fleur reluctantly handed the bodice back, but only after Hermione pasted the polaroid of it into the scrapbook. Fleur tore skirts she liked out of the catalogue to add in and think about.

They talked about nice things and weddings until Alejandro and Bernice had to leave to catch their portkey.

"Leaving so soon?" said Hermione.

"It was meant to be temporary," said Bernice apologetically. "Do you get time off for autumn… spring? Well, the Hearthstone Festival?"

"Yeah, everyone's invited back to maintain their titles," said Alejandro.

"I'll think about it," said Hermione. "But I don't think I could."

He shrugged. "There will be others."

"Oh, before you go," she said, handing them wrapped parcels.

"Thank you." Alejandro unwrapped his and Bernice put hers away since they were clearly the same gift.

"You can write to me directly with it," said Hermione. "Instant Messaging Notebook."

"Ah, clever," said Bernice.

"I'll see you guys… someday."

"Someday," Alejandro agreed and hugged her tightly, pressing a kiss to her cheek. "Take care of yourself."

"You too. Write me when you're home, so I know you're safe." She hugged Bernice and kissed her cheek.

Tonks and Cecilia left with them to escort them to their portkey. Hermione was sure the pair would then go to Tonks' flat and spend some time together. When she returned upstairs, Viktor and Esperanza were sitting in the armchair together. Fleur was teaching Ginny how to play a card game while the guys were pretending to know how to play Billiards. Through the house, she could see Mrs. Weasley, Sirius, and Professor Lupin in the kitchen, no doubt cooking a late dinner.

Hermione didn't quite know what to do with herself, so she laid down on the couch and stared into the fireplace. She thought about the entrance she was going to make, what she would say to her friends and to Char. Plus what she'd say to Cedric when he came home.

She didn't even remember falling asleep.

When she woke up, the room was empty, the fireplace was dying, and a blanket had been draped over her. Hermione stretched and flexed, feeling into her numb fingers. She should eat something, she wasn't supposed to go this long without food. She crept into the kitchen and poked around the larder for something to make.

"Can Kreacher get Mistress anything?"

Hermione gasped sharply and turned around.

"Oh, Kreacher," she said. "Sorry, if I disturbed you. I was hungry so I was getting something to eat."

"Mistress who fulfilled Master Regulus' last request is too good for house-elf work," Kreacher creaked. "Kreacher will make something."

Hermione sat down. She was in no state to argue.

"I don't need anything grand," she said. "It's not healthy to eat a large meal before bed."

"Kreacher knows." Kreacher snapped his fingers and went about making oatmeal. "When Master Regulus was sent to bed without supper, Kreacher would sneak him hot cereal. It is the only food Kreacher was allowed to eat and Mistress Walburga never forbade Kreacher from feeding Master Regulus elf food, only human food."

"You really cared about Regulus didn't you?"

"Of course." Kreacher stirred the pot. "Master Regulus was a kind soul, much too kind for wretched Kreacher, but he insisted he loved Kreacher. Does Mistress like strawberries?"

"I'm allergic, I'm afraid," she said. "I swell up."

"Mistress is allergic to strawberries? Kreacher must banish them from the house immediately."

He snapped his fingers and the larder opened. A tray of strawberries zipped through the room and out the window. An owl used that as an opportunity to fly in. It landed on the kitchen table and stuck out its leg.

"Hello there," said Hermione, standing up. "Let's get you some water."

She placed a saucer on the table and while the bird drank, she untied the letter from its leg. It was just an envelope. She hesitantly opened it and quickly turned it over, only to find a ring clattering out. She snatched it up and looked at it.

"Oh, please no," she whispered. Her gut dropped to her knees when she recognized it.

Hermione plunked into her chair and stared at Belphoebe's ring. Why would he send it back? What did all this mean? Was he alive? Was he being held hostage somewhere?

"Is everything alright Mistress?" Kreacher asked, shooing the owl away and placing the oatmeal in front of her. He had sliced up a banana along the top and added honey and cream to it.

"Fine," she said. "Junk mail."

She couldn't risk being unable to remove it. She was sure she'd cut her finger off if it came to it. She also didn't want it to fall into possession of anyone else, so she brought out her horcrux hunting kit and placed the ring inside for safe keeping. She brought out a piece of paper and wrote a note.

Cedric,

I am alive. Please, come home. I miss you. I love you.

Yours,

Hermione

She folded it up and secured it to the owl's leg.

"Send this to the one who sent you," she said and it hooted, flying off.

The oatmeal was delicious. Best she'd ever had. When she finished her second helping, she bade Kreacher goodnight and went upstairs.

~o0o~

"Sirius, I need a favor."

"What do you need, pup?" he asked.

"Tattoos."

He looked up from his paperwork and stared at her. "Alright, but I draw the line at tramp stamps."

Hermione mimed scratching a line out from her list and he laughed and held out a hand. She gave him the sheets with the actual designs. One of them was something her sister drew based off their father's tattoos, the rest were just blocks of texts detailing what she had in mind, though the last was the runes she drew so many times on her arm.

"Alright," he said, looking through them. "Where do you want this last one?"

"My spine. It's the best placement for it because no one will see it."

"Is this going to hurt you?" he asked. "I'm all for making bad decisions, they're learning tools, but if this will be bad then it will be horrible to remove."

"I've been drawing them on my skin with a sharpie," she said. "As long as they are precise, I should be just fine."

"Well, 'precise' is my middle name," he said. "That's not true, it's actually Elizabeth."

"Elizabeth?"

"Yes, because I'm a queen."

Hermione giggled. "When can we get started?"

"I'm not busy. If you're alright we can start in an hour. I'll set up."

"Great."

Hermione was nervous about the tattoos. They were a permanent decision after all, but it was also her skin and she could do with it what she liked.

"Can you tattoo dark skin?" she asked.

"Sure," said Sirius. "Anyone who claims they can't is not a good artist. But I tattooed James and—though he'll lie if you ask—Kingsley. Got a lovely pair of white swallows. We'll start with the spine first. It will hurt so we'll take it in sections, alright?"

"Okay."

"Here." He handed her an apron. "Put this on and put your hair up while I get the needle set up."

Hermione went behind the room divider, changed into the apron, and piled her hair on top of her head. The apron kept her modesty which she was grateful for. She stepped out and Sirius gestured to the chair that she straddled and rested her arms against the table.

"Alright, I'm going to draw out the runes," said Sirius. "I'll warn you when I'm about to start and just let me know if you need to take a break."

"Alright."

When the needle did start, it was horrible. Hermione fixed her eyes on the pages of her book and tried not to tense up. There were eight runes in total and she could tell he was keeping them as small as possible while still maintaining the uniform size and space. They took a break after two so he could draw the tattoo around her bicep, then he made sure Hermione drank some water.

"Still alright?" he asked.

"Yeah. I've faced worse. It kinda feels like that time I got stabbed with a fork."

"Really? When I got my first, I cried like a baby."

"My hands hurt more. That's why I've got these splints."

"I was wondering about those. Didn't think they were strictly fashion. Ready to keep going?"

"Yeah."

"The lyrics you want on your ribs… any significance?"

Hermione tried not to sigh too heavily.

"It's from our song," she said. "I can't… I can't just forget him."

"I understand." He dabbed at her skin with a cloth. "You know… he didn't plan on leaving you. He was worried that things would be difficult but… if he didn't love you he wouldn't have gotten the anniversary of the day you met tattooed on his wrist."

"He said it was until he was free."

"Yes. And now he's coming home."

"No… he's not." Hermione blinked back the tears that threatened to spill. "He… He sent his mother's ring back. Why would he take it then send it back?"

"I don't know. He might have taken it thinking it might make the break up easier." Sirius paused the tattoo gun. "I'll reach out to him. Perhaps he thought it was a trick to lure him back."

"Perhaps."

The door flung open with a bang.

"BRAH! Don't you knock?" Hermione demanded.

Fred's eyes widened, his face flushed, and he jumped back into George.

"Sorry!" he said. "We wanted to see that you were okay for ourselves."

"I appreciate that, but I'm not really in a position to accept visitors. We'll catch up later okay?"

"Okay, yeah sure."

"Can't wait to see the final product!" said George with a playful grin.

"Uh-huh. Don't forget to shut the door on your way out."