Hermione was safe. That's what she kept telling herself. She was stationed in an old abandoned cottage, hidden deep in a grove of trees. It was reasonably secure and so, she was safe.

It was easier to focus on that than her fear for Ron and Harry, who had left earlier that afternoon to track down a new lead on a Horcrux. She had been left behind to guard their base and research new spells and other information they could use in their travels. That hadn't taken nearly as long as she would have liked. It was now twilight, the boys had only been gone a few hours, and there were more lonely ones to come.

She pushed aside her books and notes and looked around the cottage. It was a simple, one bedroom affair that had once belonged to a wizard. She knew that based on the old bottle of Floo Powder they had found tucked into the hearth and the musty spell books that lined a bookshelf in the living area, but what had happened to the occupants was a mystery.

The room grew darker as the light outside faded, and Hermione lit the few candles they'd been able to find stored away. She inhaled deeply and smiled. Each candle had been charmed to have a different scent each time it was lit. Tonight the cabin was filled with the spicy warmth of cinnamon apples and sweet pumpkin, perfect for the cool autumn night.

She wasn't, however, content to just sit with the company of candles. She pulled on her boots and jacket and headed outside. The bit of sky she could see was swirled with dark clouds and the air was heavy with moisture. Winds were picking up, rustling leaves and whistling in the flue behind her. She propped the wooden door open with a large rock and headed towards the woodpile, determined to get enough inside to make a nice fire for the boys before the storm hit.

The fresh air was chilly and invigorating, and Hermione breathed in the familiar dank, earthy scent of dirt and moss as she carried the logs inside. It reminded her of her overnights with the Girl Guides, one of her favorite pre-wizarding memories. The leader had been pleased with her preparation and knowledge of the woods' history, and had always made her feel very welcome.

It didn't take long before Hermione had her stack of logs ready and then a fire crackling merrily. The aroma of burning wood mingled with the candles and created a cozy, welcoming room that reminded her of being back in Gryffindor's common room. She curled up on the sofa with a worn red and gold afghan, and propped Hogwarts, A History on her knees. Nothing like a bit of comfort reading when you were alone in the wilderness, a thunderstorm on the way and your best friends out in the war-torn world. She wasn't a chapter in before the heavens opened with a window rattling crack of thunder. She shivered as a flash of lightning brightened the room a few beats later.

She sincerely hoped the boys had found some sort of shelter, because this was looking to be a bad one. The winds were whipping the branches of the trees outside in a wicked dance and she jumped as one snapped against the window along with the pounding rain.

There was another crack, this one inside. Ron Apparated into the room, bedraggled and dripping wet. He shook himself, not unlike a dog, as Hermione leapt to her feet. "'lo," he greeted her.

"Ron! Are you all right? Where is Harry?" She brought him a towel from the kitchen area.

"I'm fine, and so's Harry," he said, drying his long hair. "We didn't find anything, but Slughorn arranged for Harry to stay with some family he knows that might help. Harry only." He finished with the towel, draped it over a chair and plunked himself down by the fire. He sniffed the air. "Hey, that isn't too bad. What is it?"

"The candles." Hermione sat across from him. "You two didn't find anything new?"

"I wonder if they have any good smells in them. Chocolate or something." He held his arms to the fire to warm them. "No, nothing. Nothing was dark magic or hexed or even charmed." He paused as thunder clapped. "How about you?"

Hermione shrugged. "I've found some new spells that might be useful. I also learned how to charm the candles and make moth repellents."

"Good, then we can make some chocolate candles." Ron yawned. "I'm going to rest, before we find something to eat." He leaned forward and touched Hermione's knee gently. "Thanks for the towel. And fire. Night."

"Good night," she said, watching him head towards the bedroom. She sighed and sat back onto the couch with her book and blanket. Alone again. At least the big oaf was safe.

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