The Girl Who Disappeared (Harry Potter Fan-fiction)

Chapter 73

After escaping the Manor, thanks to Dobby and Maurelle, the trio and the other hostages managed to safely appear at a small cottage. Unfortunately, Dobby did not make it and was properly buried. It has been a few days since that encounter.

In the middle of the night, Hermione can hear someone calling her name. She thought it was in her dream, but when she fixed herself up from her bed, she could still hear it. She turned to Harry and Ron, but they were still asleep. She got up quietly and looked outside. Before heading out, she looked at the boys to see if she woke them up. Harry slightly moved, but it looked like he was still out of it. Hermione walked out of the cottage and cast Lumos on to her wand.

"Hello?" she said.

"Hermione." a soft voice said, almost blending in with the sounds of the waves crashing onto the sand.

"Where are you?" Hermione said.

"Come." the voice seemed farther away.

Hermione followed the voice. As she walked further away from the cottage, she could make out a dark silhouette.

"Expelliarmus!" Hermione cast. Her Patronus shined the way ahead of her, towards the dark figure.

When the Patronus hit the figure, it showed signs of discomfort but didn't eradicate it. Hermione sees the figure move closer to her and casted an incorporeal Patronus. The figure moved quickly and appeared in front of her, it grabbed her arm gently and push it down, trying to lower her wand.

Her wand shined towards the figure, and Hermione realized it was Maurelle.

"Put it down!" she hissed.

"I'm sorry, Maurelle. I thought you were a dark creature or a death eater!" Hermione hugged her.

"It's fine." Maurelle said.

Maurelle wore a cloak, using her hood to cover her face. Every time Hermione tried to get a good look at her, Maurelle would turn her face away.

"Maurelle are you okay?" Hermione tried to reach for her hood.

"I'm good." Maurelle quickly moved away and stared at the beach, "How is it with the Horcruxes?" she said bluntly.

Hermione dropped her hand and responded, "We are getting there. We think that one of them might be hiding in Bellatrix's vault. When they captured us back there, she kept insistently asking questions. We plan to sneak in the vaults with the help of Griphook."

"I'd be careful around him. " Maurelle said.

"We'll keep that in mind." Hermione said, but then quickly changed the subject,"What's wrong with you, Maurelle? You are acting strange?" She brought her hand up again.

Maurelle grabbed her hand and had a firm grip, "I'm doing fine, Hermione. I've already said that!" She yelled.

Hermione was taken back and then realized she was hurting the scar that Bellatrix gave her. She showed she was in pain and Maurelle gently released her hold. She faced the hand towards her, reading Bellatrix's tattoo she gave Hermione.

"Would you like me to rid of this scar?" Maurelle asked.

"It's alright" Hermione retracted her hand and pulled down her sleeve, "It's a good reminder that I shouldn't let it get the best of me."

"Brave." Maurelle said.

This didn't change the fact that Maurelle never yelled at her before. Now that Hermione thought about it, hearing her yell back at the Manor surprised her too. She never saw her act so aggressive.