the_debt_of_time

"But we don't know if Severus alerted the Death Eaters to its existence," Remus
finished her thought with an understanding nod. "Good thinking."
"Thank you. So, we'll meet back here tomorrow at six and go over everything again
before leaving?"
"Sounds like a plan to me." Tonks stood up quickly and embraced Hermione. "Can't
wait. I love surprises," she said with delight. "You will eventually tell us what you're
planning, yeah?"
Hermione smiled nervously. "If it works, I won't have to."
"Go on then." Remus gestured to the fireplace. "I can't imagine you've told anyone
else about this plan of yours, which means you've lied to Molly about your current
whereabouts." His eyes flashed with mischief for a moment, and both Tonks and
Hermione grinned a little, though the latter flushed with embarrassment. "Better get back
before she catches on. Tonks will owl later to ask for your help with something tomorrow
morning. Something for Bill and Fleur's wedding, perhaps. I imagine that'll put Molly at
ease with letting you out the door."
Hermione chuckled. "Might be the only thing that would do it. If I were one of her
children, she wouldn't let me set foot on the front porch unless I was there to sweep it."
She hugged Tonks once more and then moved to embrace Remus, who looked hesitant to
return the affection at first. As he gave in to her hug, it felt as though he were holding his
breath. "Thank you both so much."
"All right, safe trip back, Hermione," Tonks said as she moved toward the kitchen,
stopping to turn and level a teasing glare at her husband. "Remus, get in here and eat some
bloody breakfast! You're still much too skinny for your own good. I like a wolf with some
meat on his bones." She winked at him before leaving the room.
Hermione smiled as Remus turned—an embarrassed blush on his cheeks—to offer
her a look of apology on behalf of his irrepressible wife before retreating after her.
Stepping toward the fireplace, Hermione reached for the Floo powder when her
beaded handbag fell from a pocket in her robes. She cringed on instinct, wondering if
Remus and Tonks would have heard the sounds of shifting objects as the illegally-charmed
bag tumbled over itself on the ground. The Undetectable Extension Charm had been
essential considering all the necessities packed inside of it for the Horcrux hunting trip. She