Chapter Text
So hold on, Hold on to what we are, Hold on to your heart.'
Your Bones – Of Monsters And Men
"Mr. Nigel-Murray, I need you to take a closer look at the bone fragments," Brennan said as she looked at her young intern, "see if the indentations are consistent with those found on the latest victim. Call me when you finish," and with that, she and Booth left the forensic platform where most of the team had assembled. The others scattered after a few words, Cam returning to her office and Vincent heading to the bones room to carry out his task.
Angela and Hodgins walked to Angela's office, "I think something's going on with Vincent," he said as he sank into a chair.
Angela looked confusedly at her husband, "Why?"
"He's been really quiet. Have you met him? That's not normal. And it's almost," he broke off to check his watch, "3 o'clock and I've had one fact."
She laughed softly and returned to her work, "Just because he's having an off day on the fact front doesn't mean that something's wrong. He could actually be doing his work…"
"He turned down an experiment."
"That's odd, but it doesn't mean that something's wrong," she said, putting down the remote once more.
Hodgins sighed and stood up, "He's acting strangely lately, Ang, it's like he's anxious all the time and…I don't know…"
"Have you tried asking him?" Angela suggested.
"Yeah, that's what got me a fact about dung beetles. It's as if he's distracted by everything but the bones. He's working more too, I checked the schedule and he's got more shifts than usual this month."
Angela walked over to her husband and pulled him into a hug, "Maybe you should have a 'guys night', it always works for us. Well, mostly it does…if you and some of the guys go over, maybe you can see if something's going on," she suggested.
"Ok," he shrugged, "I'll see you later, I've got to run some more tests," he pressed a kiss to her forehead and darted out of the office.
Hermione was lying in bed, with Fleur hovering beside her casting spells quickly to heal her wounds. They had apparated from Malfoy Manor to Shell Cottage and were recuperating in the Order safe house. "Thank you, Fleur," Hermione said softly, looking from the bandages on her arm to the woman.
"Eet is no problem-oh!" Fleur cut herself off as an owl landed on the windowsill, a letter attached to its leg. "Zis is from Molly," she informed Hermione at her confused look.
"Fleur, could I send a letter? I won't divulge any information, it's just-"
Fleur put a hand on her shoulder and smiled, "No one is worried about you 'divulging' anyzeenk." Her accent was gentle and soothing, "I understand, you 'av been out of reach for quite a while. I'll get you some parchment."
Fleur returned quickly with parchment, a quill and an inkpot for Hermione. Hermione smiled gratefully at her and began writing her letter. A little while later, she heard the sound of a new arrival and recognised the happy voice of Remus Lupin announcing the arrival of little Teddy Lupin. She finished her letter quickly and headed downstairs to meet the others.
Hermione entered the kitchen where the others were gathered and Fleur silently handed her an envelope, she smiled her thanks, tucked the parchment inside it and began addressing the envelope.
"Mr. Vi-" Ron read over her shoulder before she blocked it from his view. "Are you writing to Krum?!"
"No, I'm not. Don't be nosy, Ronald," she continued writing the address and tied it to Iris' leg and whispered her instructions. She watched as the owl took off, not wanting to face Ron's questions right then, but that couldn't be helped.
"If you're writing to your boyfriend, Krum, and then someone finds us then it is my business!"
Hermione turned around, not hiding her irritation, "Viktor isn't my boyfriend and I'm not writing to him! This letter isn't dangerous, I just…I just need to make sure that…" she trailed off, obviously upset.
Harry saw her distress and interrupted, "Ron, just leave it."
Hermione took a seat next to Remus who poured her a cup of tea, "Not Viktor then?" he asked quietly with a small smile.
"Nope," she returned the smile, accepting the tea that he passed to her.
"Am I to assume that 'Vi-' is Mr. Nigel-Murray?" he asked quietly, looking at Ron who hadn't heard them.
"Yes, I haven't been able to contact him, I just don't want him to worry. I said I would owl when I could."
Last Christmas, Remus had gone to check on Hermione when the rest of them were staying at the Burrow, knowing that she and Ron had fallen out but she was still a potential target for attacks, being Harry's friend. He had arrived at the Grangers' home to find that there was no one there. Fearing the worst, he ran to a neighbour's house to ask if something had happened. An elderly woman answered the door with a smile and told him that the Granger's normally go skiing with the family next door but the kids hadn't wanted so go, so they went alone. Remus asked where Hermione was, explaining that he was her old professor, she answered that Hermione and "the young lad, Vincent" were staying at his flat in Leeds. After owling her later that night, Remus dropped by to ensure that the flat was safe and Hermione's wards were stable. Hermione was slightly nervous about Remus meeting Vincent, she had grown close to her professor since meeting him again at Grimmauld Place last year but only Ginny and Harry knew about Vincent and she preferred it that way. Remus was surprised that Hermione had a muggle friend that knew about her magic, but saw how she and the young student and was happy that she wasn't interested in Ron as Mrs Weasley thought – he felt that she needed someone more intellectually stimulating, not to insult Ron, but Vincent definitely provided this. Hermione was pleased that Remus approved of Vincent, and indulged his inquisitive nature he was bombarded with questions.
"It's ok, Hermione," he assured her with an arm around her shoulder. Before turning to answer Fleur's questions about how the other Order members were.
Hermione turned to the window and saw the silhouette of the large owl disappearing into the distance.