One year later)
Hermione sat in the back of the truck, dust was flying everywhere as they raced down the track. Throwing back her head she laughed. She would never get tired of travelling. She had started in France, then she went to Italy and from there she had gone to Africa. She was currently in Zimbabwe, on her way to see Victoria falls. It had been a year since she had talked to anyone from her past life and she had never been happier, cheesy thoughts to have she knew but Draco had been right when he had said that one was enough. Suddenly she felt a pair of eyes on her. Surprised she turned around from her gazing out the window to see a blonde head and grey eyes staring at her. Was that? No it couldn't be, he was supposed to be thousands of miles away, in another continent. Maybe she could pretend she hadn't seen him? Nope, she was definitely caught.
"No way." the man said laughing, "Hermione Granger in this truck? I feel like I've seen a ghost!"
She joined him laughing "Me too, what are you doing here Malfoy?"
"What I imagine you're doing here, enjoying the scenery" Malfoy replied with a smirk.
He had changed in a year, he'd cut his hair and he had clearly been working out more. Wait why was she noticing that. He had gotten a tan too, clearly he had been out here a while, which prompted her next question
"So how long have you been out here?"
"Six months, I stayed at home to sort some stuff out after you left, then decided there wasn't much left for me at home so decided to try out long-distance flying. Ended up here."
She raised her eyebrows at that, her hatred of flying in Hogwarts had been pretty notorious.
He continued, "I've been helping out building houses."
"Muggle houses?" She said surprised.
"Yeah, I figured I was young and healthy and I should be doing something to make up for all the times I've hurt people in the past. I only intended to stay for a month or so but met some great people and it was surprisingly satisfying. But hey, I want to know more about you, what have you been up to?" He said with a grin.
"Well where should I start. A year is a long time." She paused, reflective, "I went to Italy first and stayed in Rome for a week. Saw all the muggle sights that most of us would find really boring. "
"Oh did you see the Quartiere Coppedé?" He exclaimed.
Hermione looked at him, surprised into silence once more,
"Ok take that look off you're face I actually love Italy. The food, the people, the architecture especially. It was my guilty pleasure when I was at school."
"Ok, ok I'm not judging. Anyway yes I did see the Quartiere Coppedé. I loved it, all the different periods of architecture all meshed up into one square! I spent ages there."
"So first Italy, then where?" He asked.
"Do you really care?" She asked,
"Granger you spent the last year travelling, I bet you've got lots of exciting stories tucked up you're sleeve. And besides we've got a long journey you can't avoid me."
"Who said I wanted to?"
What did she just say? Did she just flirt with him? But he seemed so different out here, and so did she. She felt so free and unbound to anyone. Chances were they would go on their separate ways after today.
The falls had been spectacular. No, spectacular wasn't a strong enough word. They were immense, beautiful, strong and intimidating somehow all at once. They were surrounded by a lush green forest which contrasted so deeply to the dryness that surrounded the area. Rainbows, filled with every colour, got caught in the spray that leapt of the falls, soaking everyone and everything. Her and Malfoy had wondered around together. She shook her head in amazement, remembering the story he had told her, apparently someone had gone down the falls in a box. They had survived which was just incredulous. Unbelievable. Not that she could talk, she was a witch, which was to most people something probably more incredulous and unbelievable. Malfoy and her wondered towards the exit of the park. She dragged her feet, unwilling to think about the long drive back home.
"So are you planning on heading all the way back?" Malfoy asked.
"Unfortunately yes, what are you doing?" She replied with a grimace.
"You can't go all the way back tonight. To start with you just missed the last bus.
"Merlins beard" she swore to herself. What was she going to do?
"I'm staying in the Victoria falls hotel, I'm sure I could get you a room, if you wanted?
Hermione raised her eyebrows at that, the Victoria falls hotel was the most expensive hotel around.
"I really can't afford that..."
"Hey its fine I'll pay"
"No, I can't ask you to do that, I'll just, i don't know find someone to take me back home tonight."
"You didn't ask I offered, these days I have more money then I know what to do with. Besides you'll earn your keep I want you to finish your tales of daring deeds. I've got a taxi."
Persuaded by the thought of a comfy bed for the night and a cool shower she was easily swayed into accompanying him as they sped of into the quickly gathering darkness.
