Ready Ch.15
Hermione stood in the dimly lit library, surrounded by the scent of ancient parchment and the soft rustle of pages turning in the early hours of the morning. The flickering candlelight illuminated the words of the tome she was reading, but her mind was elsewhere, consumed by the weight of the message from Harry and Ron. Surbiton. October 3rd. She could hardly concentrate on the text before her as the urgency of the rendezvous pulsed in her thoughts.
Her fingers absently traced the spine of a book on magical creatures while she formulated her plan. Tomorrow was October 3rd, and she couldn't afford to waste any more time. She had to leave Hogwarts without raising suspicion, and the window was narrowing. The enormity of what lay ahead made her pulse quicken, but she forced herself to remain calm.
The first step in her plan was to ensure that no one noticed her absence. A cover story would be crucial. Hermione bit her lip, mulling over the options. Luckily, the excitement surrounding the recent Fun Day had created a buzz that might allow her to slip under the radar.
"I can say I'm doing extra research for my O.W.L.s," she whispered to herself, her heart pounding with the thrill of rebellion. "No one would question a dedicated student."
She envisioned herself in the library, surrounded by books, poring over ancient texts on magical theory while the world outside went on without her. It was plausible, and she could easily gather a stack of books to make it believable.
Next was the logistics of getting to Surbiton. She couldn't rely on Apparition or the Floo Network, which would be too risky. Instead, she'd have to go Muggle-style.
Hermione sketched out her route on a piece of parchment, her handwriting neat and precise. First, she'd slip out of Hogwarts under the Invisibility Cloak and head to Hogsmeade. From there, she could catch a train to London and then another to Surbiton. It was a long journey, but she was determined.
With a quick glance around the library to ensure she was alone, she felt the excitement of the challenge swell within her. This would be difficult, but she had faced greater obstacles before.
Hermione's thoughts turned to her supplies. She needed to pack her beaded bag carefully. It was already filled with essentials—her wand, a few spell books, and the Horcrux hidden at the bottom. But she also needed to include some food and provisions.
She pictured the beaded bag and began to mentally list the items she would need for the journey: some sandwiches, a couple of Chocolate Frogs, and perhaps a few Pumpkins Pasties for sustenance on the long trip.
As she gathered her supplies in her mind, Hermione also reminded herself that she couldn't forget the Marauder's Map. It would be invaluable for navigating Hogwarts undetected, especially at night.
Before she left the library, Hermione realized she needed to inform Ginny about her plans. If something went wrong, she couldn't just disappear without a trace. Ginny would worry, and Hermione knew that if she left without any explanation, her friend would feel compelled to search for her.
Pulling out a clean piece of parchment, she started to write:
Dear Ginny,
If you find this note, please don't worry. I'm going somewhere important and I can't explain right now. Just know that I'll be back, and everything will be alright.
Please keep this to yourself. I trust you completely.
Love,
Hermione
She folded the note neatly and tucked it under the door to the dormitory, where Ginny would find it in the morning.
Draco's POV
While Hermione was immersed in her planning, Draco unknowingly wandered through the empty corridors of Hogwarts, the echoes of his footsteps reverberating against the stone walls. The weight of his recent experiences pressed heavily on him, a constant reminder of the choices he faced.
The Death Eater meeting had left him shaken, their discussions of the Separation lingering in his mind like a storm cloud. It felt as though he was straddling two worlds, one dark and oppressive, the other bright yet out of reach. He had hoped to find a way to protect Hermione, but the closer the Separation came, the more hopeless it felt.
Draco paused at a window overlooking the grounds, the moonlight casting a silvery glow on the darkened landscape. He remembered the way Hermione's eyes had sparked with intelligence, her courage a beacon in the dark.
What if he could somehow warn her? The thought filled him with an unfamiliar hope. But he knew that doing so would only put her in more danger. His loyalty to the Death Eaters clashed violently with his desire to keep her safe.
Hermione's POV: October 2nd
The next evening arrived faster than Hermione had anticipated. As she prepared to put her plan into action, she felt a surge of nervous energy building within her. She couldn't let fear stop her. Tomorrow, she would set off to meet Harry and Ron.
After finishing her letter to Ginny, Hermione returned to her dormitory, her heart racing with anticipation. She needed to make sure she had everything she would need. She gathered her belongings with practiced efficiency, her beaded bag resting at the foot of her bed.
As the hours slipped away, Hermione felt the nervous energy escalating within her. Her mind was racing, going through each detail of her plan. She double-checked her beaded bag, ensuring she everything she would need for her journey.
The Invisibility Cloak lay tucked beneath her pillow, a reminder of the risks she was about to take. She felt a twinge of anxiety at the thought of sneaking out of Hogwarts, but she quickly pushed it aside. She was doing this for Harry and Ron, and they needed her.
The fire in her room crackled softly, its warm glow contrasting with the coolness of the evening air. Hermione glanced around the empty room, her heart swelling with resolve.
She couldn't afford to hesitate. Tomorrow would bring its own challenges, but for now, she needed to focus. There was no room for mistakes; she had to stay sharp.
After a final check of her supplies, Hermione settled down in her bed, her thoughts swirling with the possibilities of the next day. Tomorrow, she would embark on a journey to reunite with her friends, and together they would continue the fight against the darkness that threatened their world.
Taking a deep breath, Hermione closed her eyes, knowing that whatever came next, they would face it together.
With determination coursing through her veins, she allowed herself a moment of peace, ready to embrace whatever awaited her at Surbiton. The adventure was just beginning, and Hermione was more than ready to take on the challenge.
