{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Courier New;}{\f1\fswiss\fcharset0 Arial;}} {\*\generator Msftedit 5.41.15.1503;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\f0\fs20 Crisp autumn leaves were falling in an array of intricate patterns into the chilly mist as one certain young woman apparated onto the deserted road in the outskirts of London. Not one in the vicinity would be able to get a glance at her face, for she was cloaked from head to toe. She had her wand safely hidden in the inside pocket of the robe for dire emergencies. Leaves crunched under her feet as she made her way up the paved path towards a barren house. For so they thought.
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\par The door opened with a creak. The inside of the house was undeniably filthy, with everything imaginable spewed out along the moth eaten carpet. She cast the items a disgusted look before entering the following room. Another young women, this one perhaps a year or two younger, was sprawled out along a wooden table, her thick dark red hair parted in spades. She awoke with a jerk. Stretching her arms with a groan, she said wearily, "This early in the morning, Hermione? Doesn't Harry disapprove of your sleep habits?" The woman identified as Hermione lowered her hood and set the cloak on one of the empty chairs.

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\par "Yes, but I came anyway. He's more of a sleeping in kind of person, and we were up late last night." Hermione looked around the kitchen with a hint of disdain, winding a curl around her fore finger. "I hope you know what you're getting into, Ginny. There's a lot of work to be done to this place before it's even livable, let alone Draco livable. Speaking of Draco, where is he?"


\par \par Ginny shrugged. "I have no idea. He was gone before I was up this morning, so he could be between working at that gym he likes so much, or worse, plucking up the courage to propose." She chuckled lightly, though there was a hint of impatience. "What are the odds of that happening? I mean, we've only been together since the beginning of my seventh year, and four years isn't way enough for us to get married, and there's a war going on." Ginny sighed with frustration. "But you don't need to worry about that. You got your Prince Charming a year ago. Now all of us can have that."


\par \par Harry, Prince Charming? Had Hermione not wanted to be unfaithful, she would have snorted unattractively and said otherwise. But instead, slid into the tiny passageway that held the old appliances. It wasn't a pretty sight, with the cupboards and their chipped paint and mold. She tugged at one of them to get it to open. The tarnished brass handle fell straight into her palm. Hermione sniffed at the greening metal after scrutiny. This was most definitely an old house. She took out her wand and tapped on the wood four times, a spell she created at the top of her head. It was easy to do once the basics were mastered.
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