Hermione walked around the area within their shield she needed to get out of the tent. She couldn't figure out the book that Dumbledore had left her. She tried every type of muggle code that she could think of after she tried every spell that she could think of to reveal any message that their deceased headmaster had left her but she just couldn't figure it out. It was just a children's storybook.
She picked up sticks from the forest, she could at least grab some firewood while she was outside. The action made her realize how stiff and freezing her fingers were. The low sun did nothing for warmth in the late November weather. She had cast a heating spell earlier but it must have worn off. How long had she been out here? She should really go back but part of her didn't want to. she decided she would try and finds some food anything would help. Plus it would delay having to go back, her guilt of her mistakes just kept growing, so much was her fault. It was her fault Ron had gotten spliced, when they had to leave the safety of Grimmauld place, running from Death eaters and the Ministry, that they were always hungry and kept fighting since she wasn't smart enough to keep more food in her bag, that they even had to do this alone without the help of the rest of the order. Because it was her fault that Dumbledore was dead.
She was just a stupid girl who got used by the enemy. If Harry or Ron knew they would hate her. they wouldn't want her help not that she was much. She shouldn't be here. Her parents were better off without her. Obliviating herself from their memory was the best thing for them. without her they would be safe, would Harry and Ron be better without her? the thought kept repeating in her head as she headed back to the tent. The glow of the fire and heat greeted her. Harry sat in his usual spot in a small wooden chair he lifted his head and glanced at her in acknowledgment but then slumped back down to look at nothing. Ron lay on his cot holding his radio, turning the channels his back to her. he didn't turn to look at her though she was sure he heard her come in. She walked to the small chimney and placed a few pieces in the fire and set the rest aside for later. She went over to the kitchen area and checked on their food situation a few cans of beans a can of potato soup, and half a box of crackers. a few more scoops of coffee grounds. Dame, she really should have known better she should have kept more food in her bag. She looked back to the tent flaps maybe she should go back out and try harder to find mushrooms or even nuts hell acorns would help. She knew Ron and Harry had tried to catch fish in the pond near them but after a whole day's work, they only got one fish. She had duplicated it but it just made 6 bite-size fishes.
"What happened to your hands?" Hermione jumped when she heard Harry's voice next to her she hadn't even heard him get up and come over. She looked down and saw her nails bleeding and cracked. It must have happened when she tried digging around for mushrooms earlier. She pulled out her wand and cast a quick healing spell it helped a little but she was no healer. She really should have practiced those more. Instead of fucking a Death Eater. she turned to head back outside when Harry stopped her. She looked back at him confused wondering what was wrong. was he going to ask if she figured anything out yet? what if he thought she was a burden? She saw him looking at her intently.
" your shift is over, here I'll take it." She looked down at the locket that hung from her neck. She pulled it off and handed it to Harry he placed it over his own neck giving her a tight smile.
" you should really sleep some, we're moving out again tomorrow." He told her she nodded feeling better after giving the locket to Harry. She walked over to her own cot and sat down she stared out into space for a while trying to remember what she was thinking about earlier precisely, she knew that she was angry at herself but the intensity of her feelings was weird and how did she even start on that train of thought to begin with?
She took off her boots and changed her socks it's been a few days since she put on a clean pair. She saw her feet looking pale and dry a few blisters here and there. She quickly put on the fresh pair covering them after she cast another healing spell. the small task made her feel a little better. She looked up and saw that Ron had turned over and was looking at her. She gave him a small smile that he didn't return she let her eyes fall back down and stared at the ground for a bit before laying down and pulling her blanket up to her chin she turned her back on the rest of the room and pulled out a small glass vile from her pillow she drank some of it before tucking it back into her pillow. Allowing her eyes to close she fell into a dreamless sleep.
They all stood there listing to see if the conversation would continue but they seemed done, but that was ok they now know had some real news of the outside world. From a more reliable source than the radio whose podcasters had an agenda. This was from people they knew people who were now on the run from the ministry. Seems she wasn't the only one who knew that the muggle registration was a trap.
she was asleep for only a few hours when Harry woke her up. there were voices outside the tent. she jumped up to follow him out. Ron was already outside. she reassured herself that the shield would hold no one would know they were here. she wouldn't make a mistake like that. they were safe as long as they stayed in the shield.
Dean, Ted Tonks, and Cresswell, there were a few goblins with them. part of her wanted to let them know they were there to offer to let them join, but no. The risk was high they had to remain small and isolated. No one could know where they were or what they were doing. Harry and Ron seemed to come to the same conclusion they didn't talk much about it after they went back to the tent. The next day they packed up to move to a new location she glanced at the area where Ted and them had camped out last night. they had already left. the ash of their fire was the only thing they left behind. "stay safe." she whispered into the air.
Finding a new spot they started really getting desperate for food. She or Ron would leave the safety of the shield. there was a small village a few Km from where they set up though going into it was too risky. On one occasion they found a house with an outside chicken coop. they took a couple of eggs. She made sure to leave money behind hopefully the people living there wouldn't get spooked or report a theft. Ron seemed to like the area but there was too much foot traffic so they only stayed a few days. They decided to return to a more isolated wood location. They were only there for a day when everything fell apart.
She and Harry were listing to the radio, Ron was too but he stayed on his cot away from us. She wasn't really sure what had happened. One second Harry was making a joke then Ron was screaming he was angry his face was so red even his eyes. Harry started yelling as well. The fight became physical real quick they were both screaming she didn't know what to do. She moved by instinct she grabbed her wand, and Ron flew just a bit she was just trying to get them off each other. They just needed a moment to cool down.
But they didn't they still screamed Ron declared he was leaving. He expected her to follow him to leave Harry alone she couldn't do that. When Ron also realized this he barked out a bitter laugh. He turned to leave but Harry stopped him. Hermione felt relieved Harry was going to ask him to stay and try and defused the situation but he just demanded the necklace. She watched Ron throw it to the ground and storm out. She stood frozen for a moment before running after him but he was gone. NO NO WHY, WHY WAS THIS HAPPING TO THEM. to her?