Cold and dank, and not very bright; but it was safe. In the middle of nowhere, with no one to bother them.
Great. Just what we need...more alone time.
Draco was honestly surprised that he hadn't said the words aloud, as he looked around the little shack that Granger had led him to. He wondered again if he had been better off in the cave where they'd found him. Perhaps they should have left him there.
"Malfoy, come warm yourself by the fire. You'll need to before we get cracking."
"Get cracking? You must be off your rocker again, Granger. Unlike you, I didn't get a wink in for the seven hours we were trekking about the jolly countryside to take the long way around to get to our nice, cozy little cottage here!!"
Hermione covered her mouth, trying to contain the giggle that was bubbling up. Malfoy had been so good up to this point, she'd wondered what it would take to make his quiet facade crumble.
"A bit cranky there, wouldn't you say, Harry?"
Malfoy blinked, as Potter came into view from the dark shadows of the room. Draco was so tired he hadn't noticed the green-eyed wizard was even there. And now, his childhood enemy was grinning, looking as if he'd captured the golden snitch again.
"Yes, Hermione. I told you not to interrupt Malfoy's beauty sleep, now did I not?"
Hermione and Draco rolled their eyes in unison; the latter groaning lowly.
"Guess what? You two can fly away for all I care. I'm going to lie down, and when I've had a rest, we can discuss the next stage of 'Drive Draco Malfoy Crazy' in a committee."
That was it. Hermione could hold it in no longer. She burst out laughing, holding her midsection as tears streamed down her cheeks. The normally emotionless Harry had a big grin on his face, shaking his head as they watched Draco walk down the hallway in search of a place to sleep.
"Yeah, Hermione. I think he's cranky."
Several hours later, slightly rested and extremely famished, Malfoy stretched his arms above his head as he went back down said hallway. In search of food, he stopped short of the kitchen, hearing whispers coming from within.
"I don't care if you think he can be trusted. I don't. I never have, and I never will."
"Ronald, I'm telling you...he can be. Draco wouldn't do that. I can feel it in my bones."
"Draco now, is it? What, have you been getting cozy with him, too? First my own brother and now..."
"Ron!"
The sound of a very irritated Weasley twin was accompanied by a large hand slamming the surface of the thick wooden country table.
Ron started sulking, as he mumbled his version of an apology.
"Well, you know... I'm just saying..."
"Save it, Ronald."
Hermione got up from the table and started for the hallway. Draco quickly went in the closest door, which was the lavatory. He grimaced as he realized that was were Granger was heading for, too.
The light went on, and he could feel his face beginning to redden.
"I...um...I can explain..."
Hermione rolled her eyes impatiently. She needed to use the facilities and wasn't going to wait around to have a discussion. She pointed toward the door, waiting for him to exit.
"Malfoy, I have to urinate, and unless you wish to stand here and watch, I would appreciate it if you would get out. We can talk about what I knowyou overheard in just a minute. Go back to your room...I'll see you in a bit."
He nodded, beginning to leave the small closet-sized room before he turned around, wanting to say something.
"Draco... I trust you."
Hermione closed the door in his face, and he had no choice other than to do what he was told.