"We'll be walking to the resort to just relax a bit and you may do a little bit of exploring on your own and I trust you know the rules and that you have your Galleon-coin in case of emergency," Professor McGonagall said.

"I wonder if there are any Daberlimps here," Luna said in her dreamy voice as she stepped beside Hermione. They were walking through the trail, chatting merrily except for Malfoy, Blaise and, Pansy. Hermione could see them up ahead standing close to each other and whispering. Malfoy looked furious and Blaise seemed weary while Pansy seemed to be in a combination of fear and sadness.

Hermione tried to listen to the conversation but the noise around we was filling up her ears. She eventually gave up and just walked, observing Malfoy, Blaise and Pansy. Hermione didn't know why but something about the way they were acting was very intriguing. Malfoy was clutching an envelope tightly in his hands and was waving it angrily at Blaise's face.

"What do you reckon they're fighting about?" Hermione asked Luna unknowingly. Luna looked at them and tried to catch something in mid air and went back to Hermione.

"There must be some very bad things going on. Pansy's crying," Luna said indifferently.

Hermione focused and that indeed, Pansy was crying and sobbing on her hands. Her face was puffy as she whispered something to Blaise's and Malfoy's ear. Blaise and Malfoy didn't seem to mind Pansy and wasn't showing any sign of comfort. Hermione figured they all needed it since they looked so…scared.

After a few more minutes of walking, they finally reached the resort. It was big, slightly-old fashioned but most importantly, there were no muggles. The resort had a red wood theme and looked old but furnished. In a way, to Hermione, it looked sort of beautiful. It's surroundings were clean and green and very well-surrounded by nature.

"We're here. You may do whatever you like. You will find the boy's room and the girl's room upstairs. Professor Snape will precede putting enchantments around for safety measurements. The enchantments end in the start of the trail. Do no not go beyond the trail. Also, some areas here are part mountains so be careful!" Professor McGonagall called out. Hermione, Luna, and Neville headed inside the resort to find it completely deserted except for some house elves that were cleaning for the last minute and with a crack, vanished.

"We should go explore the mountains!" Luna said excitedly.

"L-Let's just stay here. Safer, you know." Neville suggested. Hermione knew Neville was sort of clumsy.

"I think I'll go take a nap. I'm exhausted from the walk," Hermione announced to no one in particular. She headed upstairs the wooden staircase and went in the room with the red door as opposed to the blue door beside it, figuring the red one was for the girls. No one was inside the room. There were a dozen of beds lined up with drawers beside each bed. A fireplace was lit up magically when Hermione entered. The walls were made of brick and a portrait of a lady was sleeping soundly on the corner of the wall. It was like Hermione stepped into a cozy fairytale.

Hermione crashed at the nearest bed at dozed off.

• • • • • •

Hermione woke up from the thundering noise. She blinked a couple of times and realized it was raining hard. It was also night time. She didn't realize how long she slept. She peeked through the window but couldn't see any stars because of the rain. She rubbed her eyes and combed her bushy hair. Finally, she trotted down the stairs and saw everyone was just chilling at the lobby by a fire place. They were all sitting in groups, some playing games. Professor McGonagall was walking among them, a worried look etched on her face.

"Oh goodness Hermione! We've been looking for you!" Professor McGonagall said in exasperation once she saw Hermione.

"I'm sorry professor. I was taking a nap." Hermione apologized.

"No word, Severus?" Professor McGonagall asked Snape when he joined them.

"No. Zabini and Parkinson claim that they don't know." Snape answered.

"Goodness, we need to find that boy." Professor McGonagall said in worry.

"Malfoy?" Hermione asked, her intuition activating.

"I'm afraid we can't find him. When it started raining, I called everyone to go inside through the coins but everyone except you and Malfoy came back." Professor McGonagall answered.

"The boy hasn't called us either through his coin so we can't locate him. I can't sense him under the enchantment either. He must have gone past the trail." Snape said.

"Let's go Severus. We need to look for the boy. Hermione, you stay here and make sure no else gets into trouble." Professor McGonagall ordered sternly.

Hermione didn't even hesitate in thinking.

"I'll go with you!" Hermione blurted out.

"No. You will stay here." Snape said in an impatient voice.

"But I could help—" Hermione said but her voice was cut by Professor McGonagall.

"Hermione, I understand your concern. Severus and I are more than capable of finding one boy. Stay here and make sure no other trouble is made. Are we clear?" Professor McGonagall said in a serious tone.

"Yes, Professor," Hermione nodded. Inside her head, she knew what she was going to do.

"Good. We leave now," With that, Professor McGonagall and Snape disappeared out the door.

Once the door closed behind them, Hermione half-ran to where Pansy and Blaise were sitting quietly.

"Up and follow me." Hermione ordered her voice snappy.

To her surprise, Blaise and Pansy followed her to a corner, their expression solemn.

"What, Mudblood?" Pansy asked, trying to put poison in her voice but she just sounded tired.

"Where's Malfoy?" Hermione asked.

"We don't know." They both answered in unison as if they've said this a thousand times.

"I don't have time for this." Hermione snapped. "Where's Malfoy? Tell me the truth."

"We don't know and it's not your business!" Blaise said angrily.

"I can help him." Hermione said softly. She didn't know what their problem was but she took the risk of giving them the idea she knew what it was.

Blaise and Pansy shifted uncomfortably and Hermione knew she hit it dead on.

"He left," Pansy answered, looking as if she might break down.

"Where to?" Hermione asked, fidgeting. Where would Malfoy go and why?

"He said that he has to go somewhere to do something," Blaise answered. Hermione knew that no matter how much she'll try, Blaise and Pansy won't give Malfoy away.

"Fine. Just tell me where you last saw him and which direction he headed to." Hermione said.

Blaise and Pansy looked at each other sadly and Pansy gave a stiff nod, tears rolling down her face.

"The river is out of Snape's enchantments. That's where he went. He said he'll leave from there." Blaise answered. Without a word, Pansy and Blaise walked back to their place. Pansy sobbed silently and Blaise buried his face into his hands. That was all information Hermione needed.

Hermione grabbed her wand and whispered to Neville and Luna's ear.

"You two are in charge. Keep everyone away from trouble." Hermione whispered. Before they could ask Hermione, Hermione went out the resort's door and out into the pouring rain. Hermione casted a charm on herself so that she wouldn't get wet under the rain.

Hermione half-ran under the rain. She had to get quickly to the river before Malfoy got far or before anything happened to him. She didn't know why but she had a bad feeling about it.

"Malfoy!" Hermione called even if her voice was drowned by the thundering rain. Hermione ran this time in desperation to find Malfoy.

Why was she even bothering? Malfoy could take care of himself. Why did she have to look for him? Why is she doing this? Where is Malfoy? Why did it matter to her? Why did she care what happened to him? Why does she care about him?

These thoughts crossed Hermione's mind as she ran under the rain. She called his name repeatedly even if no one could hear her. Hermione tripped on a rock harshly on her left side. She shakily stood up and winced. There was a rough wound on the side of her left arm. Hermione didn't even brush herself off and started running again to look for Malfoy. Hermione didn't know how long she ran. An hour? Maybe two? She didn't know but she was certain she's been running for more than an hour now and even if her legs felt like they might come off any second, she never stopped running.

"MALFOY!" Hermione shouted louder with no results. She finally reached the place where she heard an earlier nearby. She couldn't hear it now but she remembered where the sound came from. Hermione stepped off the trail and went into the thick forest, hoping to find the river.

"Lumos," Hermione murmured so she could see through the dark. A roar of thunder made Hermione fall but she caught her balance.

"Malfoy!" Hermione called. She didn't know why she kept up with calling his name but a part of her hoped that If she called, he would come. The forest was going downwards and Hermione scrathed herself a dozen times with the branches around her. She frantically had to hold on to a branch to keep her from sliding down due to the slippery mud caused by the rain.

Hermione, from a distance far below, see a body slumped against a tree, not moving.

"MALFOY!" Hermione cried once she recognized who it was. His clothes were dirty and messy. He had a cut on the side of his head. His eyes were shut tight. He was drenched in the rain.

Hermione put a hand on his chest and let out a cry of relief to still feel his heart beating.

"Wake up, Malfoy," Hermione said softly, shaking him. They needed to go somewhere dry and fast.

Malfoy grogged and opened his eyes. He let out a cry of pain and his hand flew to the side of his bleeding head.

"Don't touch it," Hermione said, pulling Malfoy's hand away from his head. Malfoy blinked, his senses alert.

"Where are we?" He asked Hermione.

"Just sit still and I'll call the Professors," Hermione said shakily as she reached into her pocket. She fumbled in her pocket but she couldn't feel anything.

"Damn it! I must've dropped my coin somewhere!" Hermione cried in frustration. She checked Malfoy's pockets but the coin wasn't there either.

Malfoy wrapped his arms around himself and shivered as the rain poured heavily on him. Hermione slid her arm around Malfoy and hoisted him to stand up. Malfoy's arm was slung around Hermione for support.

"Can you walk?" Hermione shouted through the thundering rain.

"I-I can. My head just hurts." Malfoy replied.

Together, they walked slowly, Malfoy groaning now and then. Hermione looked frantically for any place they could rest for a while. Malfoy hold Hermione's wand for light and Hermione supported Malfoy, not knowing where to go. The resort was too far and with Malfoy's condition, they wouldn't reach it until daylight.

"There! A shed!" Malfoy rasped, pointing at a distance. Hermione squinted her eyes and saw that there was indeed a small shed. Hermione felt relieved as she and Malfoy went there.

"Alohomora" Malfoy murmured with Hermione's wand. The lock of the shed opened and they both fell of exhaustion. Hermione shakily stood up and flinched at the sound of the thunder as she closed the shed's door.

Hermione looked around and saw the shed didn't contain much except for a few fishing rods, boots, a coat, hooks and, various odds and ends. Hermione figured it belonged to some muggle fisherman.

Hermione slumped down beside Malfoy who was still shivering from the cold. Hermione grabbed the muggle's coat and wrapped it around Malfoy. He was soaked and desperately clung on to the coat for the warmth. Hermione was dry but that didn't mean she wasn't cold. She was freezing but Malfoy needed it more than she did. It was dark and Malfoy took out his wand and ignited it.

Only the two wands gave light in the shed.

"Let me see your cut," Hermione said as she gently tilted Malfoy's head. Hermione took her wand from Malfoy.

"Ferula," Hermione muttered. Bandages appeared and Hermione wrapped it around his head. She wished she had some dittany at the moment but this would do for now.

After a few more minutes of silence and heavy breathing, Malfoy turned his face to her.

"How did you find me?" Malfoy asked.

"Blaise and Pansy," Hermione answered. Malfoy didn't say anything for a while.

"Where were you going?" Hermione asked.

"I have to do something…" Malfoy said, his voice trailing off.

"I can help you," Hermione offered. The sound of his voice calmed her. He was back. He wasn't in a good condition but he was safe.

"You can't." Was all Malfoy replied.

"What did you mean when our lives are cursed?"

"I can't tell you that either," Malfoy replied with sad laughter.

"You haven't been telling me much lately," Hermione said, giving a smile.

Malfoy held Hermione's hand and Hermione didn't pull away. It felt nice even if they were both cold. There was warmth circulating between them somehow. Malfoy didn't say anything except gave her a small smile.

"You came for me," Malfoy said, meeting Hermione's eyes. Malfoy was damped and he looked terrible but Hermione could still see his beauty underneath the mud and the bandage. His eyes still glittered.

"How did you end up that way, anyway?" Hermione asked; glad that he couldn't really see her blush.

"I…I was going to leave." Malfoy said, looking frightened. "I was going to apparate from the river. Before I even got there, someone attacked me. I wasn't prepared and I fell and hit my head,"

"Who could've attacked you?" Hermione asked in alarm.

"I don't know either…" Malfoy said, his voice trailing off.

"Malfoy, if someone is after you, you aren't safe. You have to tell us so we can help you," Hermione pleaded.

"Please, Granger. I'm too tired to think or even talk about it now. You'll find out soon. You always do for now, can we…can we just not," Malfoy said in a weary manner.

Hermione considered pushing on but she sighed and nodded.

"Hermione," Malfoy said after a while. "Do you still fancy Terrence?"

"Yes…No…I don't know, honestly," Hermione answered. It was the truth. She didn't know anymore. Hermione knew deep in her heart, even if she didn't like Terrence anymore, she would help him no matter what.

"He's a lucky bastard," Malfoy said with an ironic laugh.

"I don't think he's lucky with his father and all…" Hermione said, curious at the turn of the conversation.

"He's got you." Malfoy answered. Hermione was aware they were still holding hands and Malfoy squeezed hers.

"I-I don't know what to say," Hermione said pathetically. What was she supposed to say to that?

"You know, Granger, we've been through a lot. I remember the first time I met you at the train looking for some damned frog," Malfoy said laughing. Hermione didn't reply.

"Then there was the time I called you a Mudblood and all the mockery and teasing up to the Second Hogwarts War and then we're Head Boy and Head girl…all of that." Malfoy continued, laughing.

"Such pleasant memories we had together," Hermione said sarcastically, feeling enlightened that he was laughing.

Malfoy shifted and faced Hermione, his eyes gazing into hers. Hermione didn't look away but kept her gaze. The sides of their heads were both leaning against the wall, facing each other but their hand no longer entwined.

"I'm sorry for all the awful things I did to you," Malfoy whispered. Even with the thundering rain, Hermione heard that.

"You're forgiven," Hermione breathed. Malfoy raised his arm and traced Hermione's face gently as if he was mentally taking note of every feature. Finally, he dropped his hand.

"Blaise warned me this would happen." Malfoy said, a small smile forming upon his lips.

"What would?" Hermione asked, never taking her eyes off his.

"That I might fall for you," Malfoy said with a childish smirk. Hermione felt her whole body tingle and color rose to her cheeks.

She didn't say anything but she took a deep breath.

"Is that bad for you?" Hermione asked, fidgeting a little.

"It could be," Malfoy answered truthfully. Hermione didn't answer and just gazed into his gray eyes.

"I didn't plan it you know. I didn't expect it. I was raised to hate muggles and I did. I detested you. As we grew, I kept on that but I had to admit, your actions…your charm…it was hard to resist. I was in denial. I wasn't aware of it until at that time in the Malfoy Manor. I didn't want you to get hurt but I was a coward. I didn't do anything. And now, for a whole year, I had to live with you." Malfoy continued.

"What's next?" Hermione said in anticipation. Malfoy laughed.

"That's where it really began. I tried to distance myself with you but as the fates have it, I fell for you. Hard. I...I fell in love, Hermione." Malfoy made a nervous laugh. "You don't know how hard that was for me to admit but it feels good. I fell in love with you, of all people,"

Hermione felt like bursting of mixed emotions. Instead, she contained all of them, gulped, and focused on Malfoy's lips as he continued.

"After all the hatred, the mockery, I fell for you. It's odd, really. I never thought this would happen but I'm glad it did. I…I never really felt what love was like. I thought it was rubbish at first for pathetic people but now, I know. I was jealous of Terrence because you were with him. Even if I kept denying this to myself, it's true. Love…what an amazing thing it is." Malfoy whispered.

Hermione knew that Malfoy wasn't used to saying this kind of stuff but she felt touched when he actually spit it all out.

"I love you, Hermione," Malfoy said with more courage, meeting her in the eyes. Hermione surprisingly felt calm. It was as if a thousand pounds of burden was lifted from her shoulders. There were no more doubts or questions. Malfoy already said it.

"I don't know what to say," Hermione said, laughing. She could have said she loves him back but she wasn't sure yet. Yes, she loved Malfoy but she didn't know how to say it. It sounded so simple but for Hermione, it was so hard to do.

Hermione looked up and Malfoy was gazing at her. His eyes were soft. He reached out and took her face gently in his hands. Malfoy and Hermione leaned in close and their lips met. Their soft lips synchronized together perfectly. The kiss was gentle but they could both feel the love between them. Malfoy and Hermione broke apart.

Malfoy gave Hermione smile. A smile that said "Finally," There were no games this time. There was no dare of because they had to. They kissed because of love.

Malfoy wrapped Hermione around his arms and before they slept, Hermione heard Malfoy whisper into her ear,

"I have no memories without you. I hope I never will."

• • • • • ••

That's it guys! Well, that was an ice breaker. I'll be updating soon! :D REVIEWS PLEASE! :D