This is a filler chapter, but it's needed. Don't worry, Ernie's punishment is coming, and I can't wait for you guys to read the next chapter. See you then!
Ernie was panicking. He was supposed to have only Obliviated the Muggle man, but somehow, he had ended up fumbling with his wand at the last second. It had pointed at Nott instead, and now, the man had lost his memory.
It was Ernie's first day on the job and he had already managed to Obliviate a pureblood wizard, one of the Ancient Twenty-Eight. Mr Davies was going to kill him, not to mention what Malfoy would do to him.
Unless…
Ernie took a look at Nott, who was sitting on the floor next to the Muggle man. He seemed to be alright, except for the dazed look on his face.
If no one found out what he did, they couldn't blame him, right? They were in Bath, far away from London, and no one really knew where they had gone today. Maybe he could still salvage the situation if he played his cards right.
Waving his hand in a swirling pattern, Ernie tried to find the city nearest to the one he was in. It was a hasty plan, but he didn't have time to think about it right now. He needed to cover his ass so he wouldn't get fired.
"It's nothing against you, Nott, I just have to save myself. I hope you understand," Ernie said, watching a map of his surroundings come into view. "And since you don't even remember anything, you won't be a problem."
He decided to Obliviate the Muggle man and send him on his way before he could deal with Nott. Thankfully, the man didn't stay around to ask any questions.
Taking a deep breath, Ernie sent a sleeping charm Nott's way; he would be easy to deal with if he's unconscious. He then grabbed Nott's arm and murmured, "Proxima Oppidum."
It was a trick spell he had learnt from his grandfather. It helped him go to the nearest place when they didn't know the place enough to Apparate there.
When their feet touched the ground, Ernie looked around them. He was in a nice residential area, which seemed to be deserted at this time of the day. Deciding to just act and not overthink, Ernie dropped Nott in the garden of the house opposite him.
If someone were to find Nott, they would probably think he was homeless, and that's all that Ernie could hope for.
While he was walking away, trying to distance himself from Nott, he caught sight of a board with the name of the city in it. Ernie had brought them to Castle Combe.