Author's Note: Here's the new chapter. As promised, the tour begins. Frankly, every single person voted for the Encantado, so this time it was a landslide victory. Hope you like this chapter!
Disclaimer: Anything that you recognize, I don't own.
Chapter 5 Part 1: Encounter with the Encantado
They were alone in a bare room in the Ministry. Hermione absently tightened the strap of her knapsack one last time and gave a nod to Draco. Both firmly held on to each other's hands. At the soft click of an unclasped pendant, they were thrown into a hurricane of powerful magic as the portkey transported them to the shores of the Amazon. Gusts of wind seemed to tear them apart and it was with much effort that they held onto each other. And then in a minute it was over just as abruptly as it had started. The storm around them died down and they were plummeted onto a sandy beach lined by a dense forest.
Hermione immediately collected herself and after brushing off the sand sat cross legged on the sand. Producing a neatly marked map on piece of parchment she cast a quick Lumos and proceeded to identify their location.
Draco on the other hand, dispassionately decided to take a stroll down the beach. The clear night sky dazzled with the light of thousands of stars. He could make out some of the constellations his mother had taught him when he was young and he relished the flawless view that was so rare in England. A cool breeze refreshed his senses. The only sound that his ears could catch were gentle lapping of the waves, the rustle of the palm leaves as they swayed in the breeze and an irritated Hermione muttering under her breath like a madwoman. After walking down quite a distance he realised that the beach was deserted.
He literally ran back to Hermione. "The beach is deserted, we've not landed in the wizarding community, have we!", he exclaimed.
"Took you long enough", Hermione replied placidly before returning to her reading. "I believe that we've landed closer to the last Encantado sighting", she said pointing to the markings on her map. "I guess it'll be better if we just stay here with the muggles, who knows, maybe it's still around here somewhere."
"Okay, but I hope you don't intend to spend the rest of the night on the beach. If you do, you'll find me with civilization", Draco stated before promptly reaching for his backpack. "By the way, Granger, any idea what time it is?"
"Not a clue", she answered back. "Are you headed into the forest? Well, if you are, could you find some fruits? Oh! And also a local resident, too. I'm starving."
"That's a nice way of putting it, Granger. Sure, I'll find a local for you. Do you also want me to find some spices to marinade him or do you just want to roast him on an open fire?" he chucked before dodging the spray of sand she threw his way.
"I need a specimen for the language interpretation spell, idiot!" she said but stopped short when a she caught a familiar sound.
"Someone's coming", Draco stated coolly. "Remember the alias, Granger? I'm Steve Walters and you're …"
"….Serena Morgan, American citizen", she finished.
The rhythmic sound of feet grew louder and gradually the person came into view. It was a man of a lean frame. As he jogged up to them Hermione was very conscious of a pair of intense grey eyes sweeping over her. He was definitely a member of the category of the more handsome males on the planet, she decided.
"If you're done drooling over him, can you act like a normal, sane human being for a change?" Draco smirked beside her.
When they finally met up with him, Hermione would have actually started drooling if it wasn't for the simpering Malfoy beside her. The man wasn't wearing a shirt Hermione got a clear view of his chiselled abs now covered with a sheen of sweat.
"Who are you people, I haven't seen you here before?" the man asked in a deep masculine voice with a prominent Brazilian accent.
"We're traveling, just decided to camp out a bit. Let me introduce, myself. I'm Steve Walters and this is Serena Morgan",Draco said extending.
"Jack Daniels" said the man, giving his hand a firm shake. Then turning to Hermione, he gently took her proffered hand. "It's not every day that you meet a beautiful lady on a morning run", he said, before placing a soft kiss on the top of her hand.
"Itsnicetomeetyou", Hermione squeaked. What the Hell was this man doing to her. She felt all hot and bothered like a teenager at puberty for God's sake!
"I see that you are ready to leave", he said motioning to their packed bags. If you don't mind me asking, will you be joining me at the resort?" he asked.
There was a resort over here! They were saved!
"Yeah, we were just headed there", Hermione gave him a beaming smile. He was even better than a knight in shining armor, he was shirtless!
To Draco's delight, the resort turned out to be quite a hotspot. It was essentially a clearing in the forest where the guests stayed in tents. There was a large spring nearby, which was the location for the daily nocturnal revelry. Every day, a huge bon-fire was erected around which proceeded the dinner. Even though the place appeared shabby, Hermione had to say that the whole thing was indeed a clever idea. It was merely a ruse of simplicity to placate the more rustic urges of the city-dwellers who thronged to the place to experience the real Brazilian Samba. As each tent was equipped with two beds, Draco and Hermione decided to share a tent.
Upon arrival, Hermione immediately set down to work, unpacking all the important fact sheets and books. Her investigation would have to wait because the sun was yet to rise. Deciding on a little morning stroll herself, she ventured out of the tent. Draco was nowhere to be seen, so she thought of looking for him first.
"Hello there Beautiful, looking for me were you?" a voice said from behind her.
Hermione sharply turned to face the person and met with those same intense grey eyes. "I was just out for a stroll, Jack", she said sunnily before walking up to him.
"Ms Morgan, will you allow me to escort you to a most spectacular sunrise? It's a bit far off, but trust me, it'll be worth the distance", he said offered.
"Sure, I'd love to. Just let me tell Steve and then we can leave."
"If you must", he added with a wink.
"Yes, I must. It won't take a minute, I'll be back soon", she said over her shoulder as she walked back into the tent.
Taking out a piece of charmed parchment, she wrote a note to Draco and then folded it into a swan before ordering it to find Draco. Having done that, she walked out and found Jack.
The walk was a pleasant one. Jack took her on a well frequented trail through the forest. While making small talk, he told Hermione that he had just come from the city where he was researching on a rare plant species. He was here on a week's holiday and it was also his first time. Hermione on the other hand, introduced herself as an American social worker, also on holiday. He asked a fair share of question about Draco and didn't seem satisfied with the fact that he was merely a friend and co-worker.
After dodging the jagged carpet of undergrowth, slippery with moss during a tiring half hour walk uphill through the dense forest they finally arrived. Jack had without any complain, helped her over every stray root or jutting out branch on her way. He took her to the edge of a cliff. Before them the great Amazon River spread out in all its glory. Hermione was mesmerised by its still beauty. And then slowly, as if setting fire to it tranquil waters, the sun rose over the horizon. The sun's rays invoked a new life in every spot it touched. She watched in awe as the world before her awakened from its slumber.
"It's beautiful", Hermione gasped.
"Yeah, it truly is", he said quietly to himself as he gazed upon her face illumined by the golden rays.
However, neither of them noticed the pair of eyes watching them from afar.
End note: Hmmmm, I smell something fishy, do you? Nah, its probably my mum cooking dinner ;) Or is it?
Tell what you think, I'd love a little review.
Here are the creatures for this week
1. Jackalope (USA)- It's an adorable creature with the body of a rabbit and antlers of a deer.
2. Kitsune(Japan)-Its an extremely cunning shape-shifter with takes the form of a fox.
3. Hippocamp (Greece)-Its a sea creature with the front like a horse and a coiled and scaly hind part.