Well, this is my first ever fic, so please, it would be much appreciated if you could review. Criticism is welcome as long as it's not too mean i.e. flames.

Disclaimer: I own everything, mwahahaha. No, I wish. The wonderful world of Harry Potter belongs to Rowling, but one day I hope to have created something as magical.

That said…On with the show!

I hope you enjoy it.

Chapter One

In a clearing, two children, or so they seemed, bickered over the fire they were attempting to kindle. From only a short distance away, covered by mere shrubbery, a conversation that centred on the foolhardy actions and most likely demise of the said youngsters was taking place, utterly unnoticed by the human cubs.

"Why do they insist on shouting? Surly common sense would suggest that bellowing about ones presence is not ideal in here?" The shrew's tut-ing fell on disdainful ears that were pinned back in anger at the presence of the intruders.

"Why should we care what danger they invite. Had they not strayed so far from their own homes, and not disturbed us, they would not be in this situation. Humans do not belong here. Do not pity them or else you invite an altogether different form of danger on yourself. Do you want to be banished?"

The shrew looked up at the wild hare, eyes wide with fear at the prospect, "Banishment!" He looked around in terror in case somebody had overheard them. "Rizel, do not speak of such things, please. I meant no insult, only, well… it's frustrating, how naïve-"

"NAÏVE? Oh Aiolos, it shames me that you think they are naïve. Ignorance is what it is. They chose to be blind to us. Do you not remember? In the beginning, they shunned us as mere animals. Because of their arrogance, it is blind they shall stay. Do not believe they are innocent, even at a young age they would hunt us, kill us, and eat us. They have been taught to live they way they do, and so have we. Remember your lessons. Let us move on, we need distance between them and - us. They sicken me. Lets hope their end comes quick…we do not want them attracting His attention".

Without a further look at the children, Rizel turned and fled further into the trees surrounding the small clearing. Aiolos, hesitating, vented his frustration with a small squeak, a puff of air, and then disappeared into the trees after Rizel, the feeling of dread far from abating regardless of the distance between him and the clearing.

- - -

"Malfoy, you're doing it wrong. Let me do it, it needs to be more-"

"Listen Granger, the last thing I need is you telling me what to do. I know what I'm doing now move the hell away from me". In one final attempt to light the fire, Hermione made a lunge for the stick Draco was holding, which only enraged him further. His teeth gritted, almost howling in anger he pulled back and caught her chin on the stick, "Don't you dare touch me Mudblood, you make me sick".

Bloody Slytherin! They're all the same, friggin arseholes.

Rubbing her chin and with a sigh of much more than just frustration, she left him to light the fire on his own, 'I'll watch him fail, and then laugh when he does', she thought to herself and then rapidly mentally chided her own brain. Immature pettiness was not going to help her here.

She looked again at the spot they had chosen - not amicably - for the night and congratulated herself on her pick. It was open, it had a stream and the grass was soft which meant, space from Malfoy, water and a comfortable place to sleep. She unconsciously admired the glow of the setting sun as the amber light trickled through the tree canopy; momentarily happy at the memories it brought back to her of the sun setting over the Quidditch pitch at Hogwarts, illuminating the stands and the fifty-foot hoops. Her good mood rapidly deteriorated, as Malfoy let out a real howl of rage as the stick he was using to create friction, and then in theory fire, snapped in half. With a frown, she turned to see him stalk of to the edge of the clearing to find another stick of suitable thickness and leverage, muttering violently the whole way.

Her frown deepened as she considered the situation she was in, well, the situation she and her worst enemy had somehow got themselves into. It had started with detention after bickering in the hallway outside the office of the formidable Transfiguration teacher had rapidly turned into a vicious verbal battle that had a first year running in fear, tears streaming down her face and Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy standing a metre away from each other, both wands pointing between the others eyebrows.

"Say it again Malfoy, and I swear I will do it". However, Malfoy wasn't given the chance to say it again. In fact he wasn't given the chance to say anything, neither was Hermione. A door opened and the next thing they knew, both were marched down the corridors and stairs until they reached the entrance hall, and from there down more stairs until they were outside Professor Snape's office with professor McGonagall screaming the whole way.

"Utterly disgraceful - Most ashamed. To think, Hogwart's head students incapable of being civil. Both of you deserve to be - Professor Snape, we have a problem!" As Snape opened the door he took in the situation, quirked an eyebrow, sighed and opened the door further, knowing that resistance was futile. He knew his favouritism would have no place here and so he settled himself down for McGonagall's rage.

With a small sigh Hermione reflected on the nature of their detention; picking potions ingredients from the forbidden forest - in the company of Snape and Malfoy. Her fear that both would push her over an abyss and put it down to an unavoidable encounter with a poisonous engulfing plant was clearly not unfounded considering her current predicament. Snape had momentarily left them to track a rare species of ivy, that true to form, crept around. It only appeared at certain times of the lunar cycle and moved through the forest until it settled on a dark, damp alcove to 'hibernate' until the same time next cycle. Within a few moments of his departure, Malfoy's one comment, 'ugly Mudblood', had given her a moment to channel her anger - towards hurting him - and then she swung round and attacked him. With her full weight behind her, she launched herself at him and on hitting his chest both were propelled backwards into the hollow base of a huge oak and then…out the other side. After a brief scuffle where it took him a moment to get in control, Draco raised his head and gasped.

From that point on they had been alone. It had been two full nights and they were facing their third with a much depleted food source. They had picked on berries and fruits that they had found scattered among the bases of trees or shrubs, the ones they knew to be safe, and both had small satchels that had contained the ingredients for Snape's supplies that they had been searching for. Apart from that, they both carried a water bottle. Snape had ordered them to take one, to avoid dehydration in the forest. Apparently he spoke from experience judging by the tone of his voice.

Oh, not mention the point…neither of us has a clue where we are, and both lack the necessary camping skills to survive in said wilderness. Puffing out air from her nose in amusement she looked at Draco, at least I have the sense to admit that to myself

However, jokes aside unless they ate something more substantial soon, they would have little chance of finding their way home. On their first night, they had made a terrible discovery, one that made them realise there was a chance they had left the forbidden forest and Hogwarts altogether. Their wands would not work. After trying to create light, cast a protection and heating charm and conjure food they had given up. Not after Malfoy had attempted the Cruciatus curse on her, "just for good measure", he had said. In retaliation, she had simply bent down and picked up the biggest rock at her feet and threw it, as hard as she could, at his head. As a result Draco was now sporting a dark blue bruise above and to the right of his right temple. Whether it was a pointless attempt at magic or not, she was incredibly uncomfortable with the knowledge that had his wand worked, her muscles would be quaking under the effects of the unforgivable curse in an instant.

It was times like this when his presence truly scared her, but whatever you do girl, DON'T let him think that, she commanded herself.

Their situation did not appear to be improving by any measure. Yes they had water, but without food they would only be able to continue walking at the pace they were for a limited amount of time before their bodies and minds started to become delusional.

At a yelp of surprise from behind her she turned to see Malfoy's smug face turn towards her as his fire finally caught alight. However, within seconds the momentary flash of light and heat died, leaving them in a dusk that would rapidly turn into a dark which would engulf them. With another sigh, she walked over to the bed of dry leaves and sticks surrounded by rocks where Malfoy had once again taken up abusing the fire (and her) under his breath. It was clearly going to be a long night regardless of her success at choosing a peaceful resting place.

- - -