RAGE

Hermione headed for the living room where the room was empty. She walked over to the window and looked out over the grounds. She felt cold. And although she felt a little safer being in the house but still felt like she would see an infected pop out from somewhere to grab her.

She sighed, rubbing her neck. They had to figure out a plan; where they go from here. What the hell could they do? What was going to happen to the world? Britain was mostly lost to the infection. No doubt Europe was close behind, not to mention the rest of the world.

They had to find someway to outlast the infection. If it was possible. Hermione had her doubts. Who knew how far the infection spread? Was it just humans? Or were animals infected too? What about the plants and the water? How did the infection move? If its passed on through blood and liquid, then it was only a matter of time before the infection would reach their water supply.

With that scary thought Hermione walked back into the kitchen, ready to be strong again for everyone; ready to push her own feelings of hopelessness and sorrow for everybody else. She didn’t know if she would make it if she sat down and did nothing.

She stopped in front of the chair she had left. They all seemed to look up at her expectantly. All except Draco, who gave her a small smile of support and went back to his breakfast.

“Listen guys.” She said. “I know that we are all in a bad way right now. But I really think that we are going to have to get down to business and figure out a plan of action or something. Otherwise, we aren’t going to be prepared when an infected stumbles across us, or when the infection begins to move through the water ways, or if somehow the infection mutates.”

Ginny looked away from her. Harry looked deep in thought and Draco folded his arms and frowned.

“I would just feel a bit safer if I knew we were moving towards something.” She explained. “I can’t just wait here to die or be rescued. I think the chances of us being rescued are almost nought. There probably isn’t anyone to rescue us.”

“I agree, wholeheartedly.” Harry said. “I feel as restless as you do.”

She gave him a nod in thanks, which he returned.

“So, we should probably call a meeting.” She said. “I mean, if we are going to do something, we should get everyone on the same page. If we don’t there is just more room for mistakes.”

“Yeah, we should call a meeting after breakfast.” Harry said. “We need to sort out food, defence, if we are going to try and contact any survivors, etcetera.”

There was a general mumble of agreement around the room.

“I’ll let everyone know then.” Draco said.

He stood and left the kitchen. Hermione looked over to the Slytherins. Pansy just looked scared and tired. Blaise looked a bit tired, but ready to help out. Goyle just looked angry. Hermione conjured up a pen and paper.

“I suppose we should figure out what supplies we have.” Hermione said. “Eventually we’ll have to go and get more food and drinking water. Not to mention medical supplies and such. I don’t think we should take a chance on the water here.”

Ginny nodded and they began unpacking the cupboards, counting and recording. Harry left a few moments later after giving Ginny a peck on the cheek, deep in thought. Pansy and Blaise soon followed.

***

Before they knew it, everyone had taken a seat in the living room and were looking around expectantly, waiting for someone to talk. Hermione stood, ready to address them. But as she stood, so did Draco, Harry, Ron, Ginny and Luna.

“We’re all in this together, Hermione.” Harry said quietly. “You may be the brains of the operation most of the time, but that doesn’t mean you’re alone.”

Hermione smiled warmly at him.

“So…” Said Draco, facing the survivors with his game face on. “Basically the reason why we have you all here is to try and sort out a plan or some course of action. We need to figure out many things from food to defence. So I suppose the most pressing issue is whether we’re safe here, and for how long.”

“Well, I think we’re ninety percent safe here.” Narcissa said. “We have every ward up imaginable, not to mention we are over fifty miles from any kind of civilization.”

“I don’t think that’s our problem though.” Harry said. “The problem is that we don’t know enough about the infection to deem us safe anywhere. We don’t know how far it’s spread or how the magical infected came to be immune to some of our spells and curses.”

“I think we’re safer here than anywhere else.” Said Charlie. “We can’t really move this many people with out it being extremely dangerous. Not to mention, there’s nowhere to go. All of the UK is infected. I’m sure it will travel overseas somehow very soon, if it hasn’t already. And we have no means of communicating with the outside world.”

“So, I suppose we all agree on one thing then.” Ron said, grimly. “We all should stay here; this should be our base.”

“So…” Hermione said. “Everyone who is for staying here, raise your hand.”

Most hands flew up. Only a few sat with their hands in their laps.

“Can I ask why you don’t want to stay here?” Narcissa asked.

“I want to go look for my family.” Said one man.

“So do I.” Said a woman. “When I left them, they were alive. I need to go and get them. They need me…”

She stood and walked towards the front door quickly, her wand drawn. Hermione was tempted to let her go; she knew exactly how she felt. But she knew better; her parents were infected. There was no doubt.

“We need to get her back in here.” Harry said. “It’s not safe. We shouldn’t have anyone outside until we set up a perimeter and get everything under control.”

“I’ll go.” Hermione said sadly. “I’ll get her back.”

***

“Stop!” Hermione called as the woman took off through the garden. “Please stop! We will help you, you just need to calm down first!”

“I can’t!” The woman called back. “I’ve wasted too much time already. I just need to get back to them!”

“I know you do!” Hermione said, starting to run. “But this isn’t the way. It’s not safe out here. You have no chance on your own.”

“I can’t stay here.” The woman said through tears. “I can’t!”

She dropped to her knees. Hermione knelt next to her.

“I know exactly how you feel.” Hermione said, resting a hand on the woman’s arm. “I had to leave my parents behind. I know it hurts like hell, but you have to trust me. You can’t go out there alone. Just hear us out and maybe we can help you.”

The woman began to cry hard.

“I just want them back in my arms.” She said. “My babies…”

“I know…” Hermione said, a lump in her throat and tears in her eyes. “I know… they know that you love them...”

***