Disclaimer: Fan made by fans for fans. I do not own these characters; JK Rowling does. Please don't sue.

Summary: "Where are we, Granger?" "Just a field in the middle of the countryside." Hermione shares a memory with Draco.


Escape

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"Where are we, Granger?" Draco asked as he looked out at the wide expanse of tall grass, blue sky and fluffy, white clouds.

"Just a field in the middle of the countryside," Hermione replied as she slowly started walking, the tall grass brushing her knees, her eyes fixed on the horizon. "One of my earliest memories is running and laughing in this field. When everything gets to be too much or I just need to relax, I come here. It's peaceful."

"And I thought you retreated into your books," Draco said jokingly, a slight smile ghosting across his lips.

Hermione smiled. "I do, but this place is special and reserved for those few times when I'm at my wits end."

Draco nodded to himself as he watched a little girl with curly brown pigtails chase after her bonnet, which had blown away with the wind. She squealed with delight when a pretty young woman, her mother he presumed, picked her up by the waist and spun her about in circles. The scene was so idyllic. He could see why this place, this memory, was special to Hermione.

"But why am I here?"

"Because it helps sometimes... to get away from it all," Hermione softly said as she closed her eyes and turned to face the wind and feel the heat of the sun, her hair streaming behind her. Opening her eyes, she tilted her head back to look at the blond man with a gentle smile. "You need to find a place like this to escape to."

Draco slowly stepped forward and took Hermione's hand, intertwining his slim fingers with hers. Gazing into her soft brown eyes, he murmured, "I already have."


A/N: My first attempt at dmhgchallenge for July; prompt was "Innocence." I just couldn't bear to cut this down to 100 words, so here you go. Enjoy.