Chapter Seven
"Wake up, Hermione, we're almost to Geneva," Lucius said in her ear a few hours later. Hermione stirred, and realized she was wrapped in his arms. She groaned, half in protest and half in pleasure, as he bit the ear he'd been whispering in, and Lucius chuckled as he let her go. "Up, up, up, miss adventurer. You're not going to have much of an adventure lying there—at least, not the kind of adventure we were planning on."
"Lucius!" she gasped, her eyes popping open rather quickly after that comment.
"I rather thought that might do the trick," he said with a wicked grin as he pulled her onto her feet. They started slinging all their belongings onto their arms and then headed for the exit so they could leave the train when it pulled into the station. The whistle blew and Hermione's body swayed slightly as the train began to slow. Lucius's hand shot out to steady her, making her whole body tingle from the simple touch.
"Geneva!" the porter called, and the two of them stepped out along with four other people. It was still dark outside, and they could hear crickets chirping.
Hermione picked up a map from a stand near the station entrance and held it under the light to have a look at it. She glanced up at Lucius as he watched her, and said, "There's a campsite about three kilometers that way, we could trek on over there and sleep till daylight if you like."
"Three kilometers that way," he drawled with amusement at the way she'd so casually said it. Hermione cast him a withering look, and he gazed back at her innocently. "Well then, lead the way, bookworm. And bring the map with you."
"Good idea," Hermione agreed, and laughed at Lucius as he almost put a galleon in the money slot to pay for it. He stopped in time, and stepped back to allow her to pull out the proper amount of Muggle money instead, bowing to her as she did so. Hermione pulled a face at him as she slid the crisp bills into the slot, and then the two of them began their trek.
"Exactly how long does it take to walk three kilometers, anyway?" Lucius asked curiously.
Hermione started to laugh. "I suppose it depends on the company—and the mood. It sometimes helps if you occupy the time somehow, maybe sing a song or something."
"Sing a song?" he asked. "Pray tell, what song does one sing to walk with?"
Hermione started to laugh even more.
"What is it, Miss Granger?" he insisted, laughing with her.
"Sea shanties," she chuckled. "My Dad loves 'em. We used to sing the things while we walked. Do you know any?"
"I know a few that could make your ears burn," Lucius commented with a grin.
"Well, I think we'd better sing the ones I would know," Hermione said with a blush.
Lucius started singing in a smooth, velvety baritone, "Let's go find the camp, my pretty witch lady, let's go find the camp and bed down on some grass. Let's go find the camp, my sweetest witch lady, and if there's some time, might I get me some—"
"Lucius Malfoy, I said no naughty ones!" she said, swatting him right on his backside. When he tried to swat her back, Hermione squealed and giggled, running away from him.
"Oh yes, we should get there much sooner this way," he chuckled as he stalked after her. "Good idea, Miss Granger."
