As always, Malfoy is gone when Hermione wakes up, and his House Elf has left her some food. She eats mechanically sitting at the table, looking out over the beautifully manicured gardens. It must have snowed again in the night, because this morning white slush is melting on the grass, thanks to the bright winter sunlight streaming down and warming the earth. Hermione eats her porridge and stares out there almost unblinking, thinking that she will be happy to never see this garden ever again.