[Open] The same old fears

[bookish_lioness]

WHO: Hermione and OPEN
WHAT: Hermione comes back from the dark future and sees that she's short one best friend and has gained a whole lot of headaches.
WHEN: Backdated throughout Drakonis
WHERE: Skyhold
NOTES: Sad things. If we didn't get to play out something in the dark AU but you want it to have still happened, let me know and I can handwave it.

To the Library

The library is, first and foremost, a place of refuge for Hermione. After returning to Skyhold and seeing her injuries seen to, she spends the majority of her first few days back in a place that could give her some semblance of normalcy. Of course, "normal" is a matter of perspective, given that things won't be normal until she's in her proper home, whether that means her parents' house or Hogwarts.

Still, she pores over various books to see what she can find on time travel, hoping that she and the others have indeed done the right thing by opting to return to the present and doing what they can to fix matters before they become unfixable. She'll have to be excused if she's, understandably, a bit distracted if she's interrupted.

Throughout Skyhold (or Hermione Granger and the Search for the Boy Who Lived)

More so than worrying over the morality of fiddling with time, Hermione comes to worry over how long it's been since she'd last seen Harry. She assumes at first that he's out on a mission, but when she finally brings herself to use her sending crystal to try and contact him, she receives no answer. But she'd only ever used it once before, and never for a private message; perhaps she'd done it wrong?

So she begins focusing more and more of her time walking about Skyhold, asking around to see if anyone has seen him. At first she doesn't seem concerned, but as the days wear on and she doesn't hear about him having gone off on any sort of mission, she begins to worry. People go missing all the time, but they weren't Harry. Where could he be?

Throughout Skyhold, Post-Kirkwall Announcement

Though her name isn't marked off as one of those who are being ordered to go off to Kirkwall right away, the fact that she's being forced to go at all doesn't sit well with her. She doesn't have a high impression of the place, but then, she'd only ever been there during a grim future that will hopefully never come to pass. Maybe the Seeker's disdain for it had been nothing but theatrics or a personal opinion.

Regardless, Harry's name isn't listed among those being forced to move, and that only makes her that much more determined not to go. After all, what if he returns from wherever he is and can't find her? So though her behavior doesn't change and she continues to search for Harry, there's also a side of steely determination and indignation in her eyes as she goes about her business, particularly whenever someone mentions the impending move.

Wild card!

Choose your own adventure (so long as it's somewhere in Skyhold)!

Comments

[bookish_lioness]

It's not an exact answer, but given the circumstances, she doesn't feel it's right to ask for specifics. Especially since the Doctor doesn't really strike her as the emotional sort, and yet....

"Doctor!" she doesn't like raising her voice in the library, but in this particular instance, it can't be helped. Quickly getting up, she moves over to him, not wanting to grab at him but also not wanting to part ways like this.

"Doctor, for what it's worth...." Saying she's sorry sounds trite, and she's sure the Doctor would have no qualms with telling her so. So she opts for something a little bit safer, even if it's not quite what she wants to say.

"I'm glad you got your twenty-four years. Some people don't get nearly so long. Living in Thedas... Jamie and I might not. But I promise, I'll make the best of whatever time we do have."

[not_the_question]

Given their location, her crying out would be about the only thing to stop him. But he doesn't turn around until she lowers her voice. He nods in reply to what she said. And offers her the saddest smile ever.

"Everything ends and it's always sad. But everything begins again too, that that's always happy. Be happy and I'll do my best to take care of everything else."

He had said that to Grant and Lucy, but saying to Hermione in the context of talking about Jamie? It means more. He's not the most touchy-feely person. Usually opting for other expressions of his care. But this once, well, who knew what might happen in Kirkwall. He lifts his hand and gently cups her cheek. She reminded him so much of Susan.

"Take care of yourself, too. And we'll see each other again soon."

[bookish_lioness]

Hermione is in the peculiar position where things haven't quite ended nor begun, particularly insofar as her romantic life is concerned. That's part of what's making all of this feel so murky, and why she can't promise anything other than to try and make the best of what she has to work with. Granted, there's no instruction booklet on what constitutes the best, but... she'll manage. She usually does.

She's surprised when he cups her cheek, not really knowing what to make of it. While they'd never exactly had an express conversation about it, Hermione had always been under the impression that the Doctor didn't really do physical contact, at least not to the extent that, say, Jamie does. But then, it's already been established that he doesn't exactly look at her the way Jamie does, so that explains that much.

While she doesn't really want to be reminded that she'll be shipped off to Kirkwall herself before too long, she still manages a small smile, reaching up to gingerly place her hand over his. "'Soon' is a matter of perspective, really," she comments, surprised to find that she has to force herself not to cry. "But I will. Take care of myself, I mean. I'm more concerned for you, though. And I will be until we see each other again. Sorry; that's just my way."

[not_the_question]

Oh, well, he's the Doctor. He's allowed to touch others. It's others touching him that is always the problem. Besides, River had taught him a thing or two about affection, and how to show it.

He allows for her hand to cover his, until she's done speaking, then he lowers his hand from her face and slides it out of her hand. The moment broken and gone forever.

"Then I won't tell you there's no reason to worry."

He offers a small smile. He hates goodbyes. So, he waves awkwardly and turns to leave.