"Let's hold here for now." After a quick look at Daphne and Astoria, Jon made the call.
They were out of the uncanny cavern, but still dropped in the middle of nowhere. This could be Greece, or Albania, perhaps even Italy. There wasn't a single landmark they recognized, which meant no safe Apparition. They hadn't brought brooms or carpets, either. They'd have to walk out of these trees and find a Muggle town.
After more than two hours slogging underground, Daphne and Astoria were spent. Harry Potter didn't look much better. Jon was the only one still steady on his feet, watching the treeline. The wood wasn't exactly welcoming, but compared to the cave it felt almost kind.
"Here?" Daphne glanced into the black tangle beyond with a worried frown.
"It'll have to do. If we're staying out here, we need protections," Jon said. He raised his wand and paced a wide circle around the girls, murmuring as he moved.
Heat shimmered up from the air, ripples rolling over the clearing in overlapping bands.
"Salvio Hexia."
"Protego Totalum."
"Muffliato."
Ten yards in every direction seemed to peel away from the world. The weave of charms would at least keep wildlife and stray ears off them while they slept.
He tapped Astoria's and Daphne's packs, then flicked his wand. "Accio." Two crushed bundles of canvas forced their way free, dragging ropes and poles behind them.
"Good thing you two came prepared," Harry said to Jon, a little of the strain easing from his face.
"We were traveling," Jon answered simply. He swept his wand in a more complex pattern. The two canvas lumps lifted on a breath of air and settled on an open patch by Harry. Pegs shot out of the girls' bags and thudded home one by one, lashing to guy lines and poles as they struck.
"At least we can stop here for a bit." Jon gave each tent a final settling tap, then lowered his wand.
There were only two tents, so the division was obvious: two men in one, two women in the other.
Jon ducked under the left-hand flap. Inside was wider than it looked, like stepping into a cramped old three-room flat. There was even a kitchen and a bath.
He dropped his pack and let himself breathe. The night had taken more out of him than he'd have liked. Still, the worst was behind them. The tents were up, and between the three packs they had enough food to feed four for a week.
After a brief rest, he stepped back out.
"We need water, then something to eat, then a proper sleep for a few hours," he said evenly. "Last night cost us."
The girls were stowing their things.
"I'll get the water," Harry offered at once. Wandless, there wasn't much else he could do. He grabbed the big bucket by the guy rope and jogged toward the river's edge.
"Thanks, Harry." Jon nodded and slipped into the girls' tent to check on them.
It was a shade smaller than his. The sisters were sitting on their beds.
"You two alright?" he asked quietly.
"I'm fine. Just a little tired," Astoria said with a smile. "We'll count it as part of the trip. It's… oddly fun."
"Jon…" Daphne wasn't as sanguine. "When do we get out of this wretched place?"
"Soon. Soon," he told her with a steady smile.
Harry was back quickly with a sloshing bucket. Daphne took out the kettle and big mugs, and headed to their little kitchen to brew tea for everyone. Astoria joined her and worked up toast and bacon.
Breakfast, at least, was sorted.
They ate like people who'd been up all night. Simple food, but it tasted good.
When they were done, Jon sent everyone back to their tents to sleep. It was five-thirty in the morning. It had been nearly twenty-four hours since any of them had closed their eyes.
The plan was to sleep until noon. Then he'd recon the area and decide whether to look for a nearby Muggle town or sit tight and wait for help.
Exhausted as they were, no one argued.
The mattresses weren't as comfortable as home, or the Slytherin common room, but Astoria still dropped into clean, heavy sleep. They might be lost, stranded somewhere she'd never seen, but she wasn't afraid. With Jon and her sister here, they'd handle whatever came.
A light pat on her cheek pulled her up from the dark. She blinked to find Daphne's face, tight with worry, hanging over her.
Astoria started to speak. Daphne pressed a finger to her lips. Astoria shut her mouth and listened.
Faint sounds, outside the tent.
More precisely, from beyond the line of protections Jon had laid.
Heavy footfalls. Stone and deadwood kicked aside. More than one person, by the rhythm of it. Moving toward the river.
"Is it around here?" A rough male voice, close enough to carry.
"Should be. I saw the mark." This one sounded tired, and sure.