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Gather firewood. Draco repeated blandly. You want me to gather firewood?? He looked at her incredulously. Where am I supposed to find that?

Hermione gave a snort of amusement. Look around you Draco. These big things are called trees. They shed little things called twigs---

Okay, enough already. I get the picture. He glared at her as he made his way down a rather steep slope.

Watch your step, you don't want to step on a snake or something. Hermione decided to have fun.

Draco scoffed. You forget who I am, Granger. I am a Slytherin; the name alone should tell you that I am have no problem whatsoever with reptiles. He looked at her derisivly, stepping with a little more strut, to show just how confident he was.

Pulling items from her bag, Hermione muttered innocently, loud enough for him to hear, Even a Slytherin can't contend with the big poisionous ones. She then turned her back to his still observant form, and busied herself with the contents of her bag.

Pretending he hadn't caught that last part, Draco hurried down the slope, praying that he wouldn't trod upon any aggresive reptiles, or any reptiles for that matter. Truth be told, he wasn't all that fond of the blighters. He was so busy concentrating on not stepping on anything, that he didn't notice the rock he placed his foot onto was loose. Down he skidded, via his bum, until he reached the bottom of the slope. Bloody hell.... He picked himself up form off of the ground, gingerly removing the pine needles' from his personage and glared up the hill, only to find Hermione looking down at him.

Alright Draco? She was doubled over, gasping with laughter unsucessfully repressed. Don't forget the firewood while you're down there! She retreated to her work area, laughing merrily.

How I hate that wench... Draco stalked off through the trees.

Hermione settled herself onto a log, having first investigated it for possible lurking inhabitants, and finding none. Draco sure is a trip, especially when he was embarrassed. Though, if we are going to be stuck together for who knows how long, it would probably be wise not to provoke him. Atleast not too much.

In a short time, Hermione had dug a fire pit, and constructed a primative yet hopefully functional protective wall. The fallen pine bows, along with stones, which were thankfully rollable, created the structure. As she stepped back to survey her work, she felt proud. Ha! Betcha that little git couldn't build anything even close to this! She settled down again, upon her log, and waited for the missing Draco to return. Minutes ticked by and crawled along until they formed a half hour, then nearly an hour. How long does it take to retrieve a few measly sticks? A dog can do it...but then again, it's Draco Malfoy we're talking about. She began to mutter to herself in agitation. Maybe he had gotten bit.....or maybe he, stupid git, decided to leave me here, or---EEEEEEEEEEEEEYYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!! Her thoughts were wiped clear of anything except instantaneous terror, as Draco popped out from behind a tree and grabbed her shoulders with a shout. You JERK!!!!! She whirled around to face an extremely smug-looking Draco.

Really, Granger, where has your vocabulary got to? He drawled, smirking, You've had your laughs, and now I've had mine.

Still glowering, albeit halfheartedly, Hermione pointed to the freshly dug fire pit. Put the wood over there. Her heart was still attempting to free itself from her ribcage. What would you have done if I had had a cardiac? Then where would you be, hmmm?

Jumping for joy, seeing as I'd ooomph--- he doubled over, winded. Hermione had taken one of the sticks from his pile, and jabbed him in the belly with it. I was only kidding, Granger. Pull in your claws. He heaved, looking highly offended, You really shouldn't set yourself up like that.

Hermione gave a hmph' and raised an eyebrow amusedly, So was I, Malfoy, so was I. Holding her newly acquired walking stick/Draco-jabber, she grinned. Come on, we have to find something edible before dark. Unless you fancy going hungry.....

Grumbling, yet not actually irritated, Draco snatched a stick from out of the pile and set off with Hermione.

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