Hogwarts: A Home

Chapter 1 | Blood and Runes

April 13, 1999

"Fuck," she hissed into the darkness. A sharp throb pulsed up her lower leg. Hermione leaned against the cool cave wall to relieve the weight off the foot that she had just slammed into a rock.

"Alright?" Theo whispered behind her, guiding a hand up to her side from behind. She felt the warmth of his touch as it pressed against the fabric of her blouse, the only heat on her skin amidst the damp air surrounding them. The reassuring touch calmed her nerves slightly, soothing the fraying edges of her sanity back into place.

How is he always so calm?

"Fine," she breathed out, stepping tentatively to continue the length of the narrow passageway.

Lumos.

Not even a spark from the tip of her wand. Her heart was pounding, a harsh thrumming in her throat as if it was attempting to crawl out of her body and flee this place. Like it was the only organ in her body with any shred of self-preservation left.

A faint glow up ahead distracted Hermione from her racing heartbeat, the sight of it stopping her abruptly. In sync, Theo scuffed to a halt behind her. They both remained still for a beat. He was pressed against her back, his hand still warming the side of her ribcage. "Let me go first," he muttered. She felt the breath of his words fall from his lips onto her ear. Too quickly, Theo moved away from her, sidestepping to take the lead. Hermione winced at the loss of his warmth.

He quickened his pace ahead of her, the echoes of his steps becoming distorted as they exited the passageway and entered a small clearing. The pale green glow in their new surroundings seemed to lack a discernible source. It simply existed.

Hermione kept her wand gripped tightly, although, it was about as useful as a wooden stick in that moment. The familiar hum of magic from the Vinewood, which she had grown so accustomed to over the years, had vanished. It left her feeling empty, vulnerable.

Running his hands along the cavern wall in the clearing, Theo began checking for magical signatures. "Well, Granger, as much as I enjoy our little field trips, I do wish you'd take me on a more romantic getaway."

Hermione snorted. "Right, I'll keep that in mind for next time."

Turning to face her, Theo's sharp jaw and wide grin were illuminated by the inexplicable glow.

My parents would have loved that smile.

He knew how to provide gentle distractions. Months of isolated time together would do that, she supposed. Given their current circumstances, she was grateful that he knew her so well—the right things to say, when to push, when to pull.

"Yes, I'm sure Tom hid a piece of his soul in Ibiza. We can check there next. Wouldn't mind seeing you in one of those muggle bikinis. All tan legs and wide hi—"

He stopped sharply, causing her to tense. His fingertips twitched slightly, as if a faint pulse coursed through him. Suddenly, the rock began to brighten at his touch.

Hermione stepped back in awe as the wall lit up, revealing a circle of seven ancient runes, glowing in the same tint that her eyes had been adjusting to—that eerie green. She quickly scanned the symbols, her head nodding in understanding as the pieces started to fit together.

"Of course he would," Hermione sighed, recognizing the blood magic spell.

"You'll have to enlighten me, darling. I only know these here," Theo muttered as he retreated a few paces to stand next to her, observing the newly revealed script and gesturing towards two of the runes.