When We Were Beasts

The Water is Fine

The wards were stronger than she thought Neville capable of making.

Hermione and Malfoy had asked for an explanation, but both Neville and Pansy said it would be best to join the rest of the group back under the protection of the wards and protective spells, where they could speak freely and safely.

They Apparated, and it had been so long since Hermione had felt that sensation in her belly that she had to take a second and breathe before they could walk the rest of the way.

Our Haven. Neville had called it in passing. He had a wand as well, and both him and Pansy beamed with relief and excitement when they realized Hermione carried one. No one in The Haven had a wand besides Neville.

It was why he always went out on missions. Him and one other chosen partner, according to Pansy.

As the wards shimmered and shook to let the four of them enter, Hermione understood why it was called The Haven.

Five comfortably large tents formed a semi-circle around a large bonfire, and in the distance Hermione could hear the babbling of a river.

Hermione heard hushed conversation coming from one tent, but she could see the other members of camp lounging beside the fire.

Blaise Zabini, his body comfortably curled inside a hammock while he read a book.

Lavender Brown, sprawled out on a large rock in her Hogwarts skirt and bralette, as if she had been sunbathing before it grew dark.

George Weasely, filleting a fish against a flat stone.

"I'll get Luna and Theo," Pansy murmured, and she squeezed Neville's arm as she passed by.

Hermione and Malfoy exchanged a quiet, confused glance over this.

Neville cleared his throat as Pansy disappeared into the tent.

Zabini was the first one to look up, and at his startled reaction upon seeing Malfoy, he proceeded to fall out of his hammock.

"Arresto Momentum!" Hermione called out just in time.

Zabini spared her or his fallen book no glance as he walked towards Malfoy in a daze.

He stopped just shy of him.

"Is it really you, mate?" Zabini asked quietly.

Malfoy smirked as he held his hand out. "The Dark Lord couldn't keep me down." Malfoy said with a wink.

Hermione wasn't able to witness Zabini pull Malfoy into a hug because something orange and black barreled into her.

"Ow what the- George!" Hermione wrapped her arms around him as she laughed, despite her throbbing hip and the dirt that now coated her left side. "George, it's so good to see you!"

He pulled back and gave Hermione a stunning grin. "Merlin I've missed you, Hermione."

"I've missed you too." And she meant it.

Hermione couldn't help but hug him back. He smelled like every summer she'd spent as the Burrow. Grass, wood fire smoke, cheap tea.

It both comforted and shook her.

Because it smelled like Ron, and Harry, and hiding from Voldemort in the Burrow or Grimmauld Place while planning another war. It smelled like all she'd ever known and everything she wished she could change.

"Let her breathe, George," Neville helped them both to their feet, and Hermione caught Malfoy watching her and George out of the corner of his eye as he spoke with Zabini just a few paces away. Lavender was now nowhere to be found. "She's likely been through hell like the rest of us, though it seems her and Malfoy were able to ditch the uniforms."