RP: Safety First
Date: November 8, 2004
Characters: Hermione
Location: 33 Alpha Lane
Status: Private
Summary: Hermione works on their new house
Completion: Complete
The house on Alpha Lane was in relatively good shape considering it had been abandoned. By the time they’d arrived last night and claimed it as theirs, they’d been tired and hadn’t really explored a lot, so this was the first chance she had to really see their surroundings in detail. It was oddly constructed and, at a glance, appeared to just be one level. However, the way it was designed soon showed a second level as well as a small attic area. She liked the unique illusion to it, actually, and found it more appealing than she originally had. All they'd done last night was a general sweep, as well as putting up basic protection charms and wards, before they'd had a small meal of sandwiches and water. Hermione had written a brief owl to Professor McGonagall and Ron had owled his mum, but, otherwise, they’d each taken a room and gone to sleep or, in her case, attempted to sleep.
It shouldn’t have surprised her that sleep had been elusive. The bed in the room she’d chosen as hers was comfortable with a soft mattress and clean linen, but she’d been unable to settle. It was honestly the first time in seven years that she’d slept alone, in a room closed off from the boys, and she hadn’t been able to really sleep when every noise had her on alert. She’d eventually taken the blanket and pillows off the bed and put them on the wooden floor, which was more familiar to her.
Once she lay on the makeshift bed, she’d been able to drift off to a fitful sleep that was plagued by nightmares and frequent times of waking up to the sounds of the house settling or wind against the windows. She’d been tempted to go find Harry or Ron, knowing she might relax enough to rest if she were around them, but that was a habit that she needed to break. They were back in civilization now, no longer on the hunt with only each other, and she knew it was time to adjust to these changes.
Hermione finally gave up the pretense of sleeping shortly before dawn. There was much to be done, after all, and an early start was always best. Even back in school, she’d woken early because she was often more productive and did her best thinking in the morning. Today, there were too many thoughts racing through her mind, more so than usual, so she focused on being productive.
It was still dark outside when she walked the property and set up numerous protection charms as well as a few defensive spells, just in case. The ones they'd put up last night were good for temporary use, but she wanted much stronger wards if this was going to be their new home. There was a large garden and deck behind the house, which provided a good hiding place for anyone wishing them harm. She set up stronger wards around that area, including two powerful runes that would provide protection for the property as well as its inhabitants.
One benefit to the travel that had been necessary while hunting the horcruxes had been the opportunity to observe foreign magics, some of which she’d learned and incorporated into the things she’d learned at school and on her own. If someone attempted to break through their wards, not only would they get the nasty surprise of the defensive spells she’d set up, but they’d also find several layers of charms that would require a knowledge of India, Greece, Germany, and a hybrid charm or two that she’d developed that very few people would be likely to break. There was always a possibility of the wards being broken, however, so she was still slightly tense about it, but she’d made it as difficult as she could considering the circumstances and that, at least, made her feel relatively safe.
After the outside property was properly warded and charmed, Hermione started on the house. Various runes were placed at entry ways and windows on the ground floor, with a few added charms on each of the doors, and she also charmed a majority of the windows on the second floor, save for the two rooms where Harry and Ron were sleeping. Should they inadvertently trust the wrong person, there would be precautions in place to prevent anyone wishing them true harm from entering without invitation. She stared at the front door and considered the possibilities, knowing there could be an instance when permission might have to be given even if harm was intended, so she added a subtle, layered hybrid curse that combined three different charms she’d learned in the past. Someone could gain admittance into the home, but the curse would work on their nervous system instantly, leaving them incapacitated unless a countercurse was uttered.
The house wasn’t completely safe, as nothing could ever truly be, but it made her feel better to be prepared, just in case. Fortunately, the variety of charms and spells she’d used were so subtle that the boys probably wouldn’t even notice they were up. Harry would probably guess, but she didn’t want Ron to worry that she’d become too paranoid. In all honesty, she wasn’t; she just needed to know they were protected. They’d survive seven years on their own, and she had no intention of seeing the boys die now that it was somewhat over.
Voldemort might be dead and the majority of his followers in prison or dead as well, but he wasn’t the only danger in the world, and they had to be prepared for the possibility of someone else attempting to replace him or the chance that someone would want revenge for his death or blame them for taking so long in their quest. She felt that it was just being smart to be aware that they really didn’t know who to trust anymore, not until they’d had the opportunity to reconnect and determine for themselves how time might have changed people. It frustrated her that she couldn't completely relax yet, that thoughts of danger still lurked in every shadow, but she hoped that feeling safe was another baby step along the way to being somewhat settled once again.
The interior of the house was quite nice. There was dust all over, the floors needed a good scrubbing as did the kitchen and toilets, the linens needed washed and the rooms needed aired out, but, overall, it was better than she’d expected them to ever have. There had been visions of a tiny flat most often in her mind when she dared to consider a future after the war, sharing a loo with the boys and constantly stepping on each other in the small space. This house was large, though not so big that it lost its appeal. There was a nice sitting room that was big enough for company and a smaller dining area that was a good size for them as well as a few guests. They’d make it a home, something they’ve all craved during the nights spent in random forests and campsites and days spent wondering if they’d ever be successful. Harry would love the kitchen, without a doubt, and there was a gameroom upstairs that Ron would probably rarely leave.
The sun was starting to rise by the time she finished warding and protecting the house and surrounding property. She felt accomplished and pleased with the progress, though there was still a lot of work to get done before the house would be totally repaired and completely livable. For now, though, it was far better than the majority of places they’d stayed during the last seven years, so she didn’t dwell on the negatives.
Before she started on the cleaning, which she fully intended to have assistance with once the boys woke up, she decided to write a couple of owls, one of which she really should have written before now. After those were sent, she decided that she’d check out the damage to the house and see what most needed to be repaired, then there would be cleaning and gathering items that they’d not need which could be used for trade and barter in the future.
Hermione got out an old quill that had seen better days, a nearly empty bottle of ink that desperately needed refilled, and two sheets of parchment before she sat at the desk in her new room. It was by a window, which looked out onto the garden and small pond, and she had a feeling that she’d spend a lot of time down there when the weather was more agreeable. It would make a nice place for reading, she decided before she looked at the blank sheets of parchment and picked up her quill.
Characters: Hermione
Location: 33 Alpha Lane
Status: Private
Summary: Hermione works on their new house
Completion: Complete
The house on Alpha Lane was in relatively good shape considering it had been abandoned. By the time they’d arrived last night and claimed it as theirs, they’d been tired and hadn’t really explored a lot, so this was the first chance she had to really see their surroundings in detail. It was oddly constructed and, at a glance, appeared to just be one level. However, the way it was designed soon showed a second level as well as a small attic area. She liked the unique illusion to it, actually, and found it more appealing than she originally had. All they'd done last night was a general sweep, as well as putting up basic protection charms and wards, before they'd had a small meal of sandwiches and water. Hermione had written a brief owl to Professor McGonagall and Ron had owled his mum, but, otherwise, they’d each taken a room and gone to sleep or, in her case, attempted to sleep.
It shouldn’t have surprised her that sleep had been elusive. The bed in the room she’d chosen as hers was comfortable with a soft mattress and clean linen, but she’d been unable to settle. It was honestly the first time in seven years that she’d slept alone, in a room closed off from the boys, and she hadn’t been able to really sleep when every noise had her on alert. She’d eventually taken the blanket and pillows off the bed and put them on the wooden floor, which was more familiar to her.
Once she lay on the makeshift bed, she’d been able to drift off to a fitful sleep that was plagued by nightmares and frequent times of waking up to the sounds of the house settling or wind against the windows. She’d been tempted to go find Harry or Ron, knowing she might relax enough to rest if she were around them, but that was a habit that she needed to break. They were back in civilization now, no longer on the hunt with only each other, and she knew it was time to adjust to these changes.
Hermione finally gave up the pretense of sleeping shortly before dawn. There was much to be done, after all, and an early start was always best. Even back in school, she’d woken early because she was often more productive and did her best thinking in the morning. Today, there were too many thoughts racing through her mind, more so than usual, so she focused on being productive.
It was still dark outside when she walked the property and set up numerous protection charms as well as a few defensive spells, just in case. The ones they'd put up last night were good for temporary use, but she wanted much stronger wards if this was going to be their new home. There was a large garden and deck behind the house, which provided a good hiding place for anyone wishing them harm. She set up stronger wards around that area, including two powerful runes that would provide protection for the property as well as its inhabitants.
One benefit to the travel that had been necessary while hunting the horcruxes had been the opportunity to observe foreign magics, some of which she’d learned and incorporated into the things she’d learned at school and on her own. If someone attempted to break through their wards, not only would they get the nasty surprise of the defensive spells she’d set up, but they’d also find several layers of charms that would require a knowledge of India, Greece, Germany, and a hybrid charm or two that she’d developed that very few people would be likely to break. There was always a possibility of the wards being broken, however, so she was still slightly tense about it, but she’d made it as difficult as she could considering the circumstances and that, at least, made her feel relatively safe.
After the outside property was properly warded and charmed, Hermione started on the house. Various runes were placed at entry ways and windows on the ground floor, with a few added charms on each of the doors, and she also charmed a majority of the windows on the second floor, save for the two rooms where Harry and Ron were sleeping. Should they inadvertently trust the wrong person, there would be precautions in place to prevent anyone wishing them true harm from entering without invitation. She stared at the front door and considered the possibilities, knowing there could be an instance when permission might have to be given even if harm was intended, so she added a subtle, layered hybrid curse that combined three different charms she’d learned in the past. Someone could gain admittance into the home, but the curse would work on their nervous system instantly, leaving them incapacitated unless a countercurse was uttered.
The house wasn’t completely safe, as nothing could ever truly be, but it made her feel better to be prepared, just in case. Fortunately, the variety of charms and spells she’d used were so subtle that the boys probably wouldn’t even notice they were up. Harry would probably guess, but she didn’t want Ron to worry that she’d become too paranoid. In all honesty, she wasn’t; she just needed to know they were protected. They’d survive seven years on their own, and she had no intention of seeing the boys die now that it was somewhat over.
Voldemort might be dead and the majority of his followers in prison or dead as well, but he wasn’t the only danger in the world, and they had to be prepared for the possibility of someone else attempting to replace him or the chance that someone would want revenge for his death or blame them for taking so long in their quest. She felt that it was just being smart to be aware that they really didn’t know who to trust anymore, not until they’d had the opportunity to reconnect and determine for themselves how time might have changed people. It frustrated her that she couldn't completely relax yet, that thoughts of danger still lurked in every shadow, but she hoped that feeling safe was another baby step along the way to being somewhat settled once again.
The interior of the house was quite nice. There was dust all over, the floors needed a good scrubbing as did the kitchen and toilets, the linens needed washed and the rooms needed aired out, but, overall, it was better than she’d expected them to ever have. There had been visions of a tiny flat most often in her mind when she dared to consider a future after the war, sharing a loo with the boys and constantly stepping on each other in the small space. This house was large, though not so big that it lost its appeal. There was a nice sitting room that was big enough for company and a smaller dining area that was a good size for them as well as a few guests. They’d make it a home, something they’ve all craved during the nights spent in random forests and campsites and days spent wondering if they’d ever be successful. Harry would love the kitchen, without a doubt, and there was a gameroom upstairs that Ron would probably rarely leave.
The sun was starting to rise by the time she finished warding and protecting the house and surrounding property. She felt accomplished and pleased with the progress, though there was still a lot of work to get done before the house would be totally repaired and completely livable. For now, though, it was far better than the majority of places they’d stayed during the last seven years, so she didn’t dwell on the negatives.
Before she started on the cleaning, which she fully intended to have assistance with once the boys woke up, she decided to write a couple of owls, one of which she really should have written before now. After those were sent, she decided that she’d check out the damage to the house and see what most needed to be repaired, then there would be cleaning and gathering items that they’d not need which could be used for trade and barter in the future.
Hermione got out an old quill that had seen better days, a nearly empty bottle of ink that desperately needed refilled, and two sheets of parchment before she sat at the desk in her new room. It was by a window, which looked out onto the garden and small pond, and she had a feeling that she’d spend a lot of time down there when the weather was more agreeable. It would make a nice place for reading, she decided before she looked at the blank sheets of parchment and picked up her quill.
