The entire adventure outside of the village's wards lasted only a few minutes, but news of her attempt to flee spread quickly. Hermione assumed that her constant shadow was responsible. No doubt Wood believed he would be given permission to kill her because she stepped outside the wards. He wasn't one easily dissuaded. She reminded herself again to be more careful in the future. When she was at the height of her strength and power as a Death Eater, there was no question who would prevail in a duel. Almost a year of virtually no magic and being surrounded by enemies, she didn't have any doubt that she would lose if it came down to a fight. As hard as she might fight and as determined as she might be, she wasn't the witch she once was.