Perhaps it allows the characters to move on to a new location or encounter different characters. Maybe it's a turning point that brings unexpected plot twists.
It could lead to a new adventure or reveal hidden secrets related to the crocodile's past.
She might be used as a hostage to bargain with Harry Potter and his friends. The Death Eaters could try to extract information from her about the Order of the Phoenix.
Well, one possibility is that Hermione uses her intelligence to outwit the escaped Death Eater. Maybe she sets up a series of magical traps. She could use her knowledge of spells like the Stunning Spell or the Binding Charm to keep the Death Eater at bay until help arrives.
Well, one possibility is that Hermione uses her quick wits and magic skills to defend herself. She might immediately cast a stunning spell or a protective charm. For example, she could use the Protego spell to create a shield between her and the Death Eater. Then, she would likely try to find a way to escape or call for help. Maybe she'd use her Time - Turner (if she still has it in the fanfiction context) to go back a few minutes and avoid the encounter altogether.
Another idea is that Draco becomes involved in some sort of underground magical movement. After Azkaban, he may be disillusioned with the established magical order. He could join a group that aims to reform or even overthrow the current power structures in the wizarding world, leading to all sorts of adventures and conflicts.
After Dios death in a fanfic, his followers could split into different factions. Some might realize the wrongdoings of their former leader and try to make amends, while others could become more radical in their beliefs, vowing to carry on Dios' legacy in a more extreme way. The fanfic could also explore the emotional turmoil of those who were close to Dios, like his family or closest aides.
A 'Naruto After Death' fanfiction could show Naruto's journey in the afterlife as a way to bring peace to the souls of those who died with grudges. He could use his unwavering will and the bonds he formed in life to help resolve the negative emotions of these lost souls. He might also meet his parents in the afterlife and finally have a proper family time that was cut short in his living days.
She might be greeted by a worried or angry spouse. If she's been out for a wild story - related adventure, there could be a big argument about her whereabouts and actions.
He could start hallucinating about his past battles or his dreams due to the fever from the cold. His friends might get really worried and call in Tsunade to check on him. Tsunade could discover that Naruto's chakra is also affected by the cold, which leads to some interesting plot developments about how to get his chakra back to normal while also curing the cold.
In a fanfiction scenario, perhaps the Death Eater has a change of heart when he sees Hermione hiding. He could be secretly against Voldemort's ways and decides to help her. They might form an unlikely alliance, with the Death Eater protecting Hermione from other dark wizards. Or, the Death Eater could be under a spell or curse that makes him act differently when he encounters Hermione, leading to a very strange and unexpected encounter.