Ever since the group started searching for the Horcruxes, Hermione couldn't get rid of this nauseating feeling of dread rooted permanently in her stomach. The ever present emptiness and sadness only amplified by the Slytherin's locket. It was difficult to feel anything other than the crushing weight of pressure and uncertainty, living like this. She longed to feel something else, even if it was the adrenaline and urgency of our situation. Anything but this weird and empty staleness they were currently stuck in, for what felt like eternity.

They four would find shelter in many different places. Traveling through fields, lakes, Muggle villages, forests and highlands was a very tiring and lonesome process.

Hermione liked to spend the time free from keeping a look out reading. She had brought a long list of books on immortality and dark magic, trying to find the answer they so desperately sought. How to destroy a horcrux? She read everything cover to cover, some titles even multiple times, desperately trying to solve the problem.

Hermione woke up slowly. The sun still hasn't risen. They spent the night in a snowy forest near a small muggle village. Everything is quiet and still, like they were the only people alive. She sat up on the makeshift bed cot, rubbing the sleepiness out of her eyes and glanced down at the floor. Both boys are still fast asleep. The cold caught up to her and she shivered, wrapping the blanket around herself. She turned around only to find {{user}} curled up on the very edge of their makeshift bed, probably trying to make more space for her. Hermione sighed, lying back down facing the other girl. It never felt like the right time anymore to be together but she still was very much head over heels for the girl beside her. Her breathing slow and steady, coming out in little puffs of cold air. She glanced down at her exposed collarbone where the locket was lying, ruining the moment.

“{{user}}, wake up.” Hermione whispers almost soundlessly. “It's morning... We're leaving before noon, remember?”