nowhere | dramione

Alone

I didn't dare move until I was certain Greyback was far away. My freezing lips clamped together, I heaved my ice-cold body out of the murky river. Shivering, I tightened my cardigan's grip on me and emptied the water from my sludgy shoes. I now had the impossible task of finding my way back to the boys.

Squeezing my eyes shut and gripping my wand for support - thank goodness I hadn't dropped it - I focused all my effort on the spot where our tent was. Taking a deep breath, I stepped forward and... nothing. I decided to try again, although I knew our protective enchantments wouldn't allow Apparition. Instead, I focused on a spot near where I knew our tent was. Of course, nothing. Fourbe Woods, Hermione, they're magical. Of course you can't Apparate.

At least the boys are safe. Would they be awake yet? One of them must've - oh no - one of them would've got up to take over from my shift and found me missing. They'll both be blaming themselves. Will they move on without me? Probably not, knowing Ron.

"Ro-" I started, before firmly clasping my hand over my mouth. I could not give myself away like that. I mustn't be stupid. Anyone could hear me, Greyback probably called out for reinforcements. Would Harry and Ron be calling out for me? I hoped to Merlin that they weren't.

I should retrace my steps, I thought, that's what they do in books.

*

The still damp yet rough wool of my cardigan sleeve scratched my mouth as I desperately attempted to muffle my sobs. I'd collapsed against a tree as the hopeless fool I am. Harry and Ron will be thinking I've been kidnapped, when all I did was go for a stupid walk because I was feeling a bit sorry for myself. I didn't even leave a note incase I wasn't back in time. I thought of sending them a Patronus message, but I could only produce non-corporeal wisps in my distressed state.

Most of my clothes were at least half-dry now, and the golden sun was nestled happily among the treetops. How long had I been gone? It was dark when I left, around 5am. That's roughly seven hours I've left Harry and Ron to wander around these woods looking for me. Hopefully they had the sense to stay together.

Harry and Ron. That's it, Harry and Ron! I stood up and shut my eyes, picturing all our happiest memories. Ron hitting a troll on the head in the girls' bathrooms. Seeing Harry and Ron after I had been petrified. Ron standing on a broken leg to defend Harry and I. Ron watching me dance with Viktor at the Yule Ball. Our DA sessions, and Ron 'letting me beat him'. "Expecto Patronum!" I said, and a beautiful silver otter sailed out of my wand and floated beside me.

I gasped. "Go to them, tell them I'm safe, tell them to stick together, and let them know I'm looking for them. Go," I said, and she ran through the air, growing smaller as she moved through the trees. Realising she was going to Harry and Ron, I blundered after her, but she was too fast for me to catch up, and-

"Wait for me! No!"

She was gone.

In the middle of nowhere, I was completely and unbearably alone.