Just as Hermione had feared, without using any wizarding means, there was no way she could get the Grangers' permission and then head off to distant Romania on her own.
After all, that country had never exactly been a popular tourist destination.
So if she wanted to avoid alerting her parents, let alone convince them to agree, it would all depend on whether Draco had a solid plan in mind.
After returning home, Hermione headed straight for the fireplace that hadn't been used in ages.
What Draco had mentioned earlier was something she had read about in books before, so she understood what the Floo Network was and how it worked…
"So, you're planning to connect our fireplace to the Floo Network?"
"Of course not. Besides, even if you applied to the Ministry right now, there's no way it would be approved anytime soon."
Draco settled onto the sofa, poured himself a cup of tea, and gave Hermione a baffled look.
That unmistakable are-you-serious expression made Hermione's face darken.
Seeing her on the verge of exploding, Draco finally explained at a more leisurely pace.
"This kind of Floo powder practically reshaped the wizarding world. It even has tactical significance. Of course the Ministry keeps it under tight control, so the application process isn't nearly as simple as you're imagining."
What Draco didn't say was that installing a Floo Network–connected fireplace in a muggle household was far more difficult than doing so in an ordinary wizarding home…
Hermione plopped down beside him, clearly irritated.
"Then what are we supposed to do? We can't use magic outside of school. That pretty much cuts off every option we have."
"......"
"Don't tell me you showed up this early with absolutely no plan."
Seeing Draco fall silent, Hermione stared at him in disbelief, her eyes widening.
As for why he wasn't saying anything—
Once you noticed the way Draco's gaze subtly shifted away, the answer became painfully obvious…
...
Kitchen.
Taking in a kitchen so different from anything he was familiar with, Draco watched Hermione prepare lunch with clear interest.
Judging by how practiced she was, cooking didn't seem difficult or unfamiliar to her at all.
As for whether it tasted good… that clearly wasn't something Hermione was worrying about.
"Apparition is out. I haven't mastered it yet, and even if I had, we'd get a warning letter from the Ministry the moment we used it, so there's no point considering it."
"Hm… and summoning the Knight Bus requires magic too, so that's even less workable. Not to mention, it can't cross the sea."
"So that just leaves flying a broomstick across several countries. What do you think, Draco? We could just fly to Romania. As long as we're careful and don't get spotted, it should be fine."
Hermione rattled off her thoughts while continuing to work on the food.
Honestly, if it weren't for watching her skillfully use muggle kitchen appliances, one might have thought she was a witch who had lived in the magical world for years.
After all, plenty of young wizards her age might never have even heard of the methods of travel she was talking about.
In the end, Hermione settled on broomsticks as her final plan.
Draco didn't interrupt her once. Even when she finished, he didn't object outright, only offering a reminder.
"Broomsticks aren't impossible, but are you sure you can handle it? Don't say I didn't warn you. That's a long-distance flight at high altitude, and you won't be able to use magic."
"Then what do you suggest? We can't exactly take a plane."
Hermione slapped the table in frustration, clearly unhappy with how relaxed Draco seemed.
After briefly wondering what a 'plane' even was, Draco finally revealed the plan he'd had in mind all along.
"Floo powder."
"So it is… wait, didn't you just say—"
"I don't think I ever said our departure point would be your house, did I?"
"..."
Hermione fell silent. She turned back around, gripping the kitchen knife tightly as she fixed her gaze on Draco standing in front of her.
Draco: ???
...
Romania.
You can find this country in the northeastern part of the Balkan Peninsula in Southeast Europe.
Although it spans more than 230,000 square kilometers, the population living on this land numbers just over two million. This is largely the result of severe population loss caused by war.
As for wizards, they don't seem inclined to settle in a country this poor and dangerous either, largely because it lacks any formal wizarding system or organization.
Vast land, sparse population, and no official authority overseeing it.
Over time, the region gradually became a refuge for dark wizards, criminals on the run, and even dark creatures…
Vampires, Werewolves, Death Eaters, dragons, Magical Creatures rated XXXXX in danger level, and hunters chasing fortune. It could be said that this place is one of the most dangerous areas in the entire wizarding world.
Simply put, it is the lawless zone of the magical realm.
Yet despite all these dangers, Draco still chose to establish the organization's base here.
As for the reason… Hermione couldn't help but feel curious…
...
Central Romania.
Draco brought Hermione to a small town at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains, known as the "Spine of Romania."
When they arrived, it was naturally nighttime.
Only after the Grangers had fallen asleep could Draco quietly, without anyone noticing, sneak Hermione out of the house.
The thrill of it all gave Hermione the strange illusion that she was running away with Draco…
In short.
When Hermione stepped out of the fireplace and looked around through the window, it took her a moment to adjust. She still hadn't recovered from the bustle and brightness of London. This place felt far too backward by comparison.
The scene before her instantly shattered the expectations she had been holding onto.
Sparse, flickering streetlights and not a single car in sight made it clear that this town hadn't fully modernized. It even seemed as though the power supply itself was unreliable.
And it wasn't just the wooden houses. On the outskirts of the village, Hermione could vaguely make out dwellings built from thatch. A style that felt centuries out of place, something you would never see in London, or even in the wizarding world…
She knew she wasn't here on a real trip, and she had done some reading beforehand about Romania's condition after the war. Still, seeing it with her own eyes left her feeling disappointed.
In fact, Hermione seemed to have forgotten that this wasn't Romania's capital. And even if it were, it could never compare to London, where she lived, let alone this nameless little town beneath her feet.
At this point, the only thing that still managed to spark a sense of anticipation in Hermione was the secret base she hadn't seen yet—the one protected by the Fidelius Charm…