Golden

Everyone was occupied with preparations for the wedding. The boys were diligently setting up tents and tables on the vacant field. She retrieved the Tales of Beedle the Bard from her beaded bag, a cherished possession left to her by Dumbledore. Seeking a moment of tranquility, she settled down by a tree and attempted to immerse herself in the children's book. As she flipped through the pages, she noticed a peculiar marking, a symbol that piqued her curiosity. She wondered if it could be a rune or something of significance.

"So, where's your scary boyfriend?" A voice said, prompting her to look up. It was Fred, she used to have a crush on him back in third year it felt like he understands her better than anyone else until a certain wizard had wooed her along with multiple banters they had.

"What ever do you mean Fred?" She laughed pretending she had no clue on what he's talking about.

"Oh come on off it 'Mione, your secret is safe with me," he grinned.

"And what secret is that Fred Weasley? Do tell." She challenges him with a smirk plastered on her face.

"That you and that Malfoy git are dating," he mused as the grin he's wearing grew bigger and the smirk on her face vanished.

"Wh-what do you mean dating?" She choked, still pretending to be clueless on what Fred was talking about.

Fred let out a laugh as he settles beside her. "George and I saw both of you sneaking throughout the corridors at night, what a bunch of prefects you both are." Hermione couldn't say a word; she was baffled to think that someone had seen them going to alcoves and broom cupboards for a snogging session.

"So Granger," he smiled teasing her. "Where's your scary boyfriend?" He asked again.

"Probably out doing scary boyfriend things." She gave in with a huff as she chews her inner cheeks.

"You know he saved me last night," He tells her.

"What do you mean?" She mused.

"He was firing curses, a bit sloppy if you ask me, he wasn't even trying to hit me. Though he ended up knocking one of their own." He said.

Hermione didn't say anything; instead, she kept quiet, waiting for Fred to continue. "He deflected didn't he?" He questions, Hermione could only give a nod as answer.

"I see— he deflected for you."

"They did." She corrected him.

"The Malfoys had fully deflected then?"

Hermione shook her head, "It's only Narcissa and him, of course they still have to play their part on his side." She paused before continuing, "Lucius was shipped off to Azkaban before he could tell him that we are dating. After what happened in the Department of Mysteries last year, I don't think Draco would want me to be associated with the likes of his father." She scoffed at the end.

"He treats you alright?" Fred asked.

Hermione smiled at the thought of Draco," he does, and I truly love him."

"Well that's good, but remember if he makes you cry or made you feel like shit he'll see the end of my fist on his face." He laughed .

"Mhm, I'll rely your message to him," she hummed.

She was thankful. Growing up, she didn't really have any older siblings to look up to, but having Fred and George around made it feel like they were the big brothers that she never had. They protective nature had provided her with a sense of security.

⋆˙⟡

The wedding ceremony of Bill and Fleur had come to a close, and everyone was now celebrating their joyous union. Some guests were dancing, while others engaged in pleasant conversation with old friends. Members of the Order took turns guarding the perimeter of the tent, ensuring that the atmosphere remained peaceful and secure.

A familiar face caught her attention; it was the gentleman she had the pleasure of meeting during her fourth year. "Hermiyoninny," he called out her name as he approached her. Even after all these years, he still had difficulty pronouncing it correctly.

"Viktor!" She greeted him.

"You look as beautiful as the last time I had the pleasure of seeing you." He commented as he gently kiss the back of her hand.

"And you as well," she compliments him.

"Herminoniny, vould you like to have a dance vith me?" He asked, bowing.

"I'd love to," she smiled, accepting his hand which led her to the dance floor. 

For a fleeting moment, she had momentarily forgotten the ongoing war. She found herself immersed in the dance floor, experiencing a rare moment of enjoyment and embracing her youthful years. However, her reverie was interrupted when she felt a warmth emanating from her wrist. It was a message from Draco, sent through their matching charmed bracelet.

Run

Run

The message came through one after the other.

Ministry has fallen

They're coming

Run

"Viktor, I apologize, but I– I have to go," she said, attempting to maintain composure and avoid panic.

"It vas lovely seeing you again Hermiyonini." He said as he kiss her hand once again before leaving.

She gazed around the tent, searching for Harry and Ron. They've got to get out of here before the Death Eaters starts to arrive and blast everything in sight.

A patronus made an unexpected appearance in the center of the dance floor. It served as a cautionary signal.

"The Ministry has fallen," says the voice. "Death Eaters has taken over the Ministry... They're coming... They're coming." The voice faded, and the patronus disappeared.

Panic ensued among the people shortly after the patronus vanished. Everyone began to disapparate, and Death Eaters arrived, attacking anyone they encountered. Their intention was not to maim or severely injure people, they were ordered to kill.

"Harry!" Hermione exclaimed with concern as she searched for her best friend.

Curses were cast in her direction, causing her to bumped into people in search of Harry while skillfully dodging and countering the spells that were being hurled at her.

"Harry! We have to go," she tells as soon as she found him.

"Ron, Where's Ron?" Harry asked, both were searching fot him.

"I'm right here mate." The red headed boy said, almost out of breath.

"Come on we've got to leave." Hermione said as he both grabbed the boys' arm and shove them to each to her side before disapparating.

⋆˙⟡

They landed in the middle of a busy street, nearly being struck by a double-decker bus. She quickly grabbed both of her best friends wrist and drag them to a nearby alley. It was the only place she could think of, Oxford street, it was the place where Draco and her first had their real date, away from the wizarding eyes.

"Blood hell, Hermione where are we?" Ron asked, looking confused by the surroundings.

"Oxford street" she tells, as she reach out pieces of clothing for each of them. "My parents used to take me a lot here when I was younger." A partial lie, she handed out the tshirt and jackets to both Ron and Harry.

"Quickly, you both need to change and we've got to move!" She proceeded to a more secluded area of the alley to change, ensuring her privacy from the boys.

⋆˙⟡

The three emerged from the alleyway, seamlessly integrating into the bustling street as they navigate their way. Hermione, with her keen observation, identified a café that appeared to be unoccupied. "Come on, let's go in and figure things out from here."

The three of them took their seats at the corner of the café, each exchanging glances with a sense of awkwardness. It was a complete silence till the girl from the counter ask the for their order. "I'll have a capucino." She says.

The girl looked over at Ron, who was looking confused about what a cappuccino is. "We'll have the same." Harry answered for Ron instead. The girl took their orders and went back to her station.

"Should you think we should go back?" Ron asked.

"No!" She firmly said shaking her head, "I don't think we should." 

"Mum's there! So is Dad, Ginny, Fred, George and Bill!"

"I know that Ronald, we have strict orders that our top priority is Harry! Wherever he goes we go, it's our utmost priority to keep him safe." She explained.

"I know that! It's just, I don't want to hear or see any of their names in the prophet and learned that Voldemort has killed or tortuted them!" He argues.

"Hush Ronald, your too loud!"

Out of the corner of her eyes, she observed that two men had entered the building, appearing somewhat familiar. Both were pulling something out from their pocket.

"Get down!" Harry exclaimed, and the sudden burst of spells erupted from the wands of the two individuals.

"Stupefy!" Hermione retaliated, successfully incapacitating one of the individuals, who remained motionless behind the counter.

Spells were fired repeatedly until Harry threw the full body-bind curse. "Petrifcus Totalus."Both individuals remained stiff, they all took a good look on their faces. Finally recoginizing them.

"This one is Rowle," Ron said. "I recognize him from the daily prophet."

"What should we do to you both huh?" Ron stared at them.

"I think it's best we wipe their memories." Harry suggested.

"Hermione, your best with spells." Ron moved allowing her to fully analyze the two individuals.

"Obliviate." She said, barely a wispher as  she alters their memories.

"We should leave," Harry suggested, Hermione and Ron both agreed as they quickly departed from the scene.

Hermione apparated them somehere along Islington, London. "Where are we?" Ron who wasn't fully knowledgable about muggle places asked.

"Grimmauld Place is near here, we could stay there until we figure where to go." Harry suggested.

"That great Harry, we could take whatever we may need from there as well. Make sure we're all stocked up with everything we need." Hermione added.

They all agreed to walking to Grimmauld Place. As they entered the building they we're welcomed by an unfriendly curse. The tounge-tying curse, courtsey of Mad-Eye no doubt.

Grimmauld Place has been abandoned for quite a while. Since Sirius' death, no one from The Order has dared to return, even Remus refused to do so as it is too painful for him. Since the passing of Sirius, the noble house of Black has been inherited by Harry, making him the current head of the well-inbreeded lineage. If Harry were not to inherit it, the house would have belonged to Draco.

Hermione ponders whether the house would recognize him, and wonders if Draco has ever visited the former childhood home of his mother.

"Let’s just bunk here for tonight and then explore the house in the morning." Harry said, both Ron and her nodded agreeing.