To Brew A Scandal by stars_in_motion

Chapter 5

- NOT MY STORY!! ALL CREDITS TO @stars_in_motion ON A03!!

The Granger family holiday in Wiltshire became an unexpected sombre affair. Hermione devoted much of her days to waiting by the water, all for naught. She had almost driven herself mad when Draco never showed. For the very first time, she walked away from the tree over to the hill he would appear over, to find nothing but a sprawling field of grass. As she approached further, she could see the glimmering wards encompassing the area. Remembering the burn on her fingertips when she touched one of Draco's books, she was not foolish enough to test the ward's limits.

When she was not visiting their spot by the tree, Hermione stayed indoors with her family. Her parents grew anxious over her as she picked at her food absently, and Mr. Crookshanks looked at her with great pity when she would stare out the window on a sunny day, after returning to not find Draco there. At the same time, the Daily Prophet was growing grimmer by the day.

Disappearing muggle-borns. Muggles found dead adjacent to wizard communities. Whispers of traitors at the Ministry.

She had tried so hard to keep this quiet, country world separate from the growing fright she felt at the changing wizarding world. In Wiltshire, she could just be Hermione, lover of lemon cakes and naps under a tree, and unapologetic reader of books. Not Hermione Granger, muggle-born friend of the Boy Who Lived. Not the brightest witch of her age.

Without Draco to speak to, she was alone with her thoughts. And she was spiraling into despair.

When Hermione returned to London after her family holiday, she made arrangements to meet with the Weasley family in Diagon Alley for their routine school purchases for the approaching school year. Ron brushed the ash from his bright red hair as he stepped through the Leaky Cauldron fireplace with a wry grin. As Ron approached, his eyes flickered across her face with concern. "Is everything all right?"

"Of course! Especially being back in London," Hermione said, giving him her best attempt at a smile. The rest of the Weasley family filed through behind him, and Ron's worry was forgotten.

They made their way through the alley wall into Diagon Alley. What she remembered being the greatest revelation—stepping into Diagon Alley as a girl who had recently been told she was a witch—had turned morose. The wizards and witches that roamed the streets looked at each other with great unease. The week prior, Ollivander's had closed, and the wizard was unaccounted for. Having the greatest wandmaker in the century go missing during a time of Great War tension worried Hermione a great deal. She stuck closely beside Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, both of whom she and her parents trusted with her life.

"Come now," Mrs. Weasley said gently, placing her arm on Hermione's when she caught the girl staring at the empty wand shop. "I know there are texts we need to check our order with at Flourish and Blotts."

The bookshop. Yes, browsing for books would make Hermione feel much better. There were specific Potion texts she wanted to place an order for that could prove to be useful in the future, and it would calm her aching heart to browse without worry.

Mr. Weasley and Ron turned into the Quidditch shop, while Mrs. Weasley eyed the tailor that was the street over when they arrived at the store.

"Keep your wand on you, and do not be afraid to hex anyone that gives you a wrong look," Mrs. Weasley warned. "I will return for you very shortly."

Hermione turned into the Flourish and Blotts, where out of all the shops in Diagon Alley, she felt safest between the aisles of books.