Anmarie Island

As the sun melted into the horizon creating a swirling palate of reds and blues on the ocean's surface, Hermione grew aware of the late hour and decided to finally head back to her room. She had left Draco hours ago in the cave, intending on starting her homework. Unfortunately Harry, who had been a little too wrapped up in an important quidditch discussion, noticed her leaving and forced her back in. She only consented since he promised to change the discussion topic.

It grew late, though, and Hermione had potions homework to do. Fighting the shocking urge to dive back in and mix with the colors of the sky, she headed for her hut without looking back. How can anyone concentrate in such a beautiful place? she wondered, breathing in the sweet and salty smell of the island.

Her delight was interrupted by someone roughly grabbing her shoulder. She spun around in surprise to find the stern face of Blaise Zabini staring her in the eye.

"Not that I expect you to know," she snarled, "but have you seen Draco anywhere? I've been looking for him for a couple hours now. He promised me he'd help me with some curses and charms concepts I didn't understand."

Hermione's glare was equally as snide as Blaise's. "No, Blaise, I don't know where he is. Sorry." She walked away slightly peeved at Blaise and her arrogant attitude. Some people, she thought.

Upon entering her cabin, Hermione lit some candles and magically opened all the windows. Her room was too hot. She could also feel the beginnings of a sunburn creeping upon her innocent skin. Sunburns always make me sleepy, she thought with a yawn. Hermione let herself fall comfortably onto her bed and closed her eyes. "I just need to rest for a second," she mumbled into her pillow before drifting off to sleep.

Knock, knock, knock. A fist pounded hard on Hermione's cabin door. "Miss Granger, open up," a muffled voice growled.

Hermione immediately awoke from her quick nap with a start. She glanced at the wall clock across from her bed which read 10:42 p.m. Groggy, she climbed out of bed and hurried with disorientation to the door.

"Yes?" she said as she opened it to reveal three concerned teachers. Actually two concerned teachers. Mme. Bargs still wore that eerie smile of hers. She almost looked happy.

"Miss Granger," Snape began seriously, "have you seen Mr. Malfoy lately? I'm afraid he isn't in his cabin and Miss Zabini hasn't been able to locate him for quite some time."

Fear crept over her body. I hope nothing's happened to him, she thought, shocked at her own concern. "The only time I saw him was earlier this afternoon, professor."

Seedly stepped in. "Well, the rest of the students are assisting us in a search of the island. We would appreciate it if you would help."

Hermione nodded. "Yes, I'd be happy to help. Let me just grab my robe."

"And your wand. You never know what you'll find here," Seedly cautioned. "Thank you."

Hermione nodded and ran inside quickly to get dressed. She threw her robe on over her bathing suit and headed toward the beach. She knew where to look first.

A gentle breeze blew through the island, giving the warning that a storm was near. Thunder rumbled off in the distance just as heat lightning flashed in the sky, making Hermione jump in surprise.

As she got closer to the coast she could hear the familiar sound of waves crashing. The only difference was that now, with the approaching storm, they had become more violent and intimidating. Horrible thoughts suddenly poisoned her mind. What if Malfoy tried to climb down from the cave and slipped into the ocean? What if the waves were too violent?

Chilly salt water poured around her ankles once she stopped at the water's edge. She looked around. No other students caught her sight. She hurriedly walked back toward the island to throw her robe off into the dry sand. She retrieved her wand from it, stuck it in her bathing suit, and made her way as quickly as possible into the ocean, which suddenly felt like liquid nitrogen.

The rocks surrounding the cave were in pretty deep water. Hermione had to swim out to where she could no longer touch the ocean floor. The prospect was unnerving. The waves were the most violent at the rocks and the water was quickly numbing her body. But she went on, gradually feeling more and more knives prickling her skin.

Approaching the rocks, the sounds of the waves crashing became almost too much to bear. She could no longer distinguish between thunder and the waves. Salt stung her eyes, blurring her vision, and the violent water kept shoving her under. She struggled and swam as hard as she could, pumping her legs and arms until they were on fire. Tossing and turning over in the water, Hermione considered going back to the coast and waiting until the morning came. But she had to know. She had to make sure he was all right.

She got closer, and closer still, until one of the waves finally washed her up against a large rock. She grabbed at the jutting pieces of the rocks frantically, managing to find a firm grip with her right hand. She held on tightly as the same wave drew back, threatening to pull her with it. Hermione squinted her salt-red eyes and saw a small ledge for her left hand. Her feet searched and found ledges too, although they were small and not promising. The wave smashed into her again, this time forcing her head to smack the rock. She suddenly tasted copper and felt the sting of salt water on her outer cut.

Her chance came as the wave once again drew back. Gathering what strength she had left, Hermione hoisted herself up the rock. She didn't climb with much speed, fearing she would slip and fall back into the freezing water below her. After a few seconds of climbing, she reached the cave and collapsed onto her stomach. She breathed deeply for a little bit and spit out some crimson blood. She could feel the sore, busted flap of skin inside her cheek. Coughing, Hermione stood up carefully and walked to where she and Malfoy had sat earlier that day.

Lightning pierced the clouds above, zigzagging across the black palate of sky and making Hermione close her eyes in shock and fear. Then the rain finally came. It came hard. Luckily she was under cover in the cave.

"Malfoy?" she whispered into the darkness, unable to see anything. Her heart thudded more quickly when she received no response. "Malfoy are you in here?" She suddenly remembered her wand, which was sticking out of the back of her bathing suit. Withdrawing it, she muttered, "Lumos," and lit the cave up.

Seeing the site in front of her was like swallowing a strong sedative. Draco Malfoy was alive. He lay sleeping on the ground, chest heaving up and down, blonde hair tossed roughly about. Hermione's eyes welled with tears. Great, more salt water, she thought as her eyes began to sting.

She kneeled down and gently tapped his shoulder. "Malfoy," she whispered again. He didn't respond. "Malfoy," she said louder. He still slept. "You are the heaviest sleeper I have ever witnessed," she sighed before leaning down to speak into his ear. "Malfoy," she whispered gently, sending a warm gust of air into his ear.

He slowly opened his eyes and glanced around himself. He sat up, a little confused and disoriented. Then he spotted Hermione. "What's going on?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"You must have fallen asleep here after I left you earlier today," she explained. "Blaise has been trying to find you for a few hours and since she never did everyone got concerned and went on a search for you. I figured you'd be here."

The storm grew more intense. "How did you get up here?" Draco asked.

Hermione shivered. "I swam and climbed. It's a little cold in that water." She laughed slightly.

Draco inched his way over to her. "In the storm?" he asked with shock in his tone. "You came up here to find me in those waves?" he said, pointing to the crashing waves below them.

Hermione nodded. "I think they're worse now though. And it wasn't raining when I came."

"It doesn't matter, that still must have been one hell of a hard trip. Are you off your rocker?" Why would she do that? he asked himself. Why would anyone do that, not to mention someone who usually hates me?

"I'm fine in case you were wondering," she informed him icily. "I banged my cheek up a little and I am quite cold, but other than that... I'm relieved that you're okay. I was afraid that maybe you fell into the water or something like that."

"Let me see your cheek," Draco insisted, getting closer to her.

"No, really, it's just a scratch," she resisted, fearing his close proximity as well as his touch.

Draco grew annoyed, as he always did with everyone. "Granger, just let me see your damn face. What do you think I'm going to do? Laugh and poke fun?"

Hermione gave him a look as if to say "yes," but then sighed and turned her head so he could have a better look. He gently took her wand from her freezing hand and held it up against her face. "It doesn't look too pretty," he said, pulling away. "Your face, I mean."

Hermione gave him a disgusted look, ready to shove him into the water herself. "Malfoy, I cannot believe..." she began to stand up at the sight of his arrogant smile.

"I'm only joking for crying out loud," he said, grabbing her shoulder and making her sit back down. "Your face is fine and so it your little cut. Why do you take everything so seriously?"

"Excuse me, Malfoy, I am not used to taking things you say lightly," she said, with a twinge of anger pulsating within her.

"Well if we're going to get along, Hermione, I certainly hope you can learn to take a joke," he said, his arrogant smile fading into one of good-humor. She has a habit of doing this, he thought to himself. Why does she make me smile? It's Hermione Granger, it's not like she's someone special. Normally I would be pissed right now.

"So we're on a first name basis now?" she asked in her normal businesslike tone.

"It doesn't matter to me," Draco admitted. "But I prefer my first name to Lucius's last."

Hermione nodded. "Fine then, Draco, I can live with that."

He leaned back and rested on his hands, staring once again at the ocean, occasionally illuminated by lightning. "So how the hell are we going to get off of this cave and back to the island?"

Hermione shrugged. "I guess the same way I got here. I'm warning you now though, it's really violent out..."

"No, we're not going tonight," he cut her off.

"What?" she asked in surprise.

"Look at yourself," he said. "I think you were tossed around enough tonight. Plus you're freezing. Let's just sleep here tonight and head back to the island tomorrow morning."

"Everyone will worry sick about us!" she protested. "Plus, can you imagine the shock on their faces knowing we spent the night together?"

"I don't really care what they think. I'm only suggesting it for your benefit. I didn't realize public opinion was so important to you."

Hermione's face was painted with nervousness. "It's not, I just...I don't know. I don't want people to start nasty rumors or anything about you and me."

Draco looked at her in defeat. "I suppose you're right. It's too bad too. I was hoping we could snog if you stayed."

Smack! Hermione's hand slapped against Draco's arm. She could hear him laughing after she did it, and her utter resentment subsiding, she too consented to gentle laughter. He had that affect on her. "Well that's not going to happen," she said before piercing him with her eyes. "I should have brought you a mirror to snog with."

Draco's smile faded instantly. "Yes, that would be the reputation I have."

Hermione could sense his frustration and knew she may have crossed a line. "I'm sorry, I was only joking. You know, like you were with my face. A joke."

"I know," he sighed. "But my narcissism is an ongoing joke to the entire student body. It gets a little tiring after a while, you know. It's not true, it really isn't. In fact, most of the rumors and general knowledge about me are untrue as well. 'Draco Malfoy wants to be a Death Eater,' 'Draco Malfoy loves his daddy so much,' 'Draco Malfoy wants to be just like Lord Voldemort someday.'"

Hermione didn't wince at his name. She had mastered that and it was news to Draco as he looked at her with mild surprise.

He continued. "Just because I'm in Slytherin and I don't like Potter, I'm branded as evil and sinister with the desire to rise up and become the most feared wizard since Voldemort. Truthfully, being a Death Eater used to intrigue me. But that was back when Lucius was a hero to me. No one takes note of change." He glanced at Hermione, who was genuinely listening to him. She looks like she actually cares, he thought. That's not too common.

She had a look of concentration on her face, as if she was trying to diagnose him. "Well you need to show off your change more," she suggested. "Because to the rest of Hogwarts you still seem like the prat we all knew and despised. If you have genuinely changed, then prove it. Maybe then your reputation will be better."

Draco looked at her for a moment, contemplating her words. "You're pretty good at giving advice you know," he admitted.

"Well, with Harry and Ron around I always have to give it," she said with a smile.

Draco sneered nastily. "For your sake I won't reiterate my repugnance toward them."

"Repugnance?" Hermione asked, impressed. "Nice word choice." She refused to go any farther, not wanting to hear her friends slandered.

The once powerful rain was now a slight drizzle and thunder only rumbled every once in awhile, and it was off in the distance. "We could try to go back now if you want. The waves aren't as bad," Hermione suggested.

Draco nodded. "That's fine. Do you think you'll be okay?"

"Yes, I do. Thanks for asking," she smiled.

"No problem." He stood up and offered Hermione his hand to hoist her up. "Do you want to go first or do you want me to?"

"Why don't you go first?" she suggested.

"Okay, that's fine with me. Here, give me your hand."

Hermione put her wand back into her bathing suit first. Everything was washed in blackness again. She felt blindly for Draco, flailing her arms gently. Her left hand finally hit something soft. She moved her hand down slowly, tracing the lines of Draco's face. When she reached his cheek, she could tell he was smiling, which made her grin too. "Sorry," she said, as he grabbed her exploring hand with his.

At the ledge Draco turned to Hermione, whom he could barely see. "Okay, I'm going in. Don't get in until I tell you to so you don't land on me."

"Okay," she agreed, letting go of his hand. After a few seconds she heard a loud splash amidst the crashing waves and after a little while longer heard Draco's familiar voice say, "Okay, come on in."

She could barely make out his silhouette in the water. Thank God he has that blonde hair, she thought, before jumping into the icy water. As she surfaced she felt Draco slide his arm around her waist. "Are you okay? Can you make it?"

"Yes, just don't leave me," she said, her words slightly slurred due to the cold mass engulfing her.

"I won't," he promised, removing his platonic grip.

Hermione quickly grabbed his hand, entwining his fingers with her own. "Can you swim like this?" she asked, squeezing his hand.

"Yeah, sure. That way we won't lose each other. Are you ready?"

Hermione's jaw quivered as she choked out, "Yes" and they began to swim to shore.

The trip went smoothly and both were relieved when they finally sunk their feet into the sand and were able to stand up. "There's my robe," Hermione said, pointing to a soaked black lump further up the beach.

The two walked over to it, unaware that they were still holding hands. Hermione bent down and grabbed the sand-covered robe, still latched on to Draco. The two became aware of their bond then, and each withdrew quickly. "I forgot we weren't in the water anymore," Hermione laughed uneasily as she rang out her robe.

Together they went to the professors' building, where Snape and Seedly were pacing the floor anxiously, both worried for their missing students. Snape more concerned for his favorite Slytherin's well being. Bargs sat filing her nails and absentmindedly bobbing one of her legs up and down. Seeing her, Draco and Hermione had the same thought: She looks like she could care less about us.

Draco strolled up to the door and knocked gently. It flung open with fury and Snape glared at the two. "Where have you two been and what have you been doing? The entire island's been looking for you, do you realize that?" He eyed Hermione with more indignation.

"Professor, I went looking for Draco..." Hermione began.

"Draco?" Snape interrupted. "Are we on a first name basis now?"

"Yes," Draco said solidly, "we are."

Snape squinted his eyes in suspicion. "Go on Miss Granger."

"I went looking for Draco and found him out in one of the caves in the ocean. We ended up staying there for a little while because the storm had gotten so bad and we didn't want to end up drowning. So when it died down we headed back to the island. That's the only reason we've been missing so long. We would have been back earlier if the storm had been less violent," she finished.

Snape nodded and then turned his gaze to Draco. "Why have you been in that cave for so long?"

"I fell asleep, professor," Draco answered truthfully. "I apologize for putting you all through such hell trying to find me."

Seedly nudged his way into the conversation. "Look, we're just relieved that you're both okay. But let this be a warning about venturing into such places. You need to be more careful. Hermione, dear, is your cheek okay?"

Hermione touched her cheek at his comment. "Oh, yes sir, it's fine. It's just a scratch."

The professors nodded and, though Snape hated to admit it, he was quite relieved and happy to have them both back safely. The two students were sent to their cabins with no punishment, surprisingly.

Hermione and Draco walked to Hermione's hut together, even though it was past Draco's. He wanted to make sure she made it all right. Once they got there he smiled and said, "Well everything looks good here. I think you'll be safe."

"Thank you," Hermione said, smiling also. A brief pause ensued until Hermione broke the silence with, "This is so weird. I would have never in a million years thought Draco Malfoy would care for my safety."

Draco nodded. "Me neither. Change."

He seems like a good person, she thought to herself. If only he weren't a Slytherin. It's his dad that's really the pompous prat anyway. Hermione screwed her face up. She suddenly looked concerned. "That Bargs woman...is it just me or did she seem to not care about us?"

Draco's eyes lit up. "I was thinking the same thing. She almost looked disappointed that we were okay."

Hermione grew serious and suspicious. "I don't trust her."

Draco nodded in agreement. "Yeah, but who knows? Maybe she's just a nutter."

Hermione laughed gently before yawning. "I need to get to bed Mal--er--Draco. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Okay," he yawned too. "Yeah, see you tomorrow Hermione."

Draco left, filled with new, odd feelings toward Hermione that he had never felt before. He seemed to have a friend in her, someone he could possibly trust. But she also stirred extreme contradictory emotions within him. He didn't know whether to scream at her seriousness or smile at her good heart. He sometimes wanted to jinx her, while other times he could imagine kissing her. Shaking his head as if to force the feelings from his mind, Draco reached his hut and went inside, ready for a long, relaxing night's sleep.

Hermione had her share of strange emotions that night as well. She had felt a new and interesting pang within her stomach when he put his arm around her in the water. Then again she still saw him as the Malfoy she had always known a lot of the time. Deep down she knew he was different, but forcing his old persona from her mind was difficult. Her mind weighing with all these jumbled thoughts, Hermione settled down for the night, hoping to remove him from her head for a while.