Hi everyone, apologies for the delay in getting this chapter out. I was unsure how i wanted to play this chapter and took time to get the dialogue right. Enjoy! Please let me know what you think!

Chapter 10 – Yellowstone

The next day, the pilgrimage packed up the camp and took portkeys to Wyoming, America, where they would experience the magic of Yellowstone. Yellowstone was known to be connected to elemental fire magic through the volcano, geysers and hot springs throughout the region.

Upon arrival, Hermione was glad that they were staying in a lodge and did not have to think about setting her tent back up. She would never consider herself high maintenance, but sometimes she did enjoy the comforts magical accommodation could provide. The lodge was rustic square shaped building that was clearly inspired by traditional muggle architecture. The exterior was made out of stone and wood, had a wrap-around veranda and was 3 stories high. Inside the lodge on the ground floor there was a large hall. Then on the second and third storeys, there were suites much like what you would find in any reputable hotel. Of course this meant that the doorknobs were enchanted to greet you personally, and the cupboards were charmed to automatically replenish whatever food item you had taken out from it.

Hermione found herself flopping unceremoniously on the bed. The room smelt of fresh pine needles and apple which instantly made her relax and allowed her mind to wander. Truth be told the ceremony the previous day had left her feeling out of sorts. She felt a peculiar combination of utterly exhausted and yet somehow nourished. When the Amazon River's glow crept up her body, it felt like a tingling sensation she could compare to putting a good muggle lip balm on wind burnt lips. She wondered if the fact that she glowed everywhere signified just how sick she was. She wondered if the river's magic would have any positive side effects which could account for her feeling nourished. Perhaps it would offer her some temporary relief from her symptoms, as truthfully, she had not felt symptomatic the past 12 or so hours. She also couldn't help but ponder the fact that Merehion had also glowed everywhere, just not as brightly. Hermione hoped that the older ladies prognosis was not as serious as hers.

A loud knock at the door that caused the windows to rattle immediately tore Hermione away from her thoughts.

She opened the door, half expecting to find Draco, however was immediately disappointed when she came face to face with the leader of the pilgrimage.

"Ms Granger" he started with a serious tone that told her this was not a casual visit.

"How can I help you?" she responded in a neutral tone.

He immediately presented her with a rolled up parchment. She eyed it with suspicion before he unrolled it. It was her medical disclosure and consent form.

"I believe there is something that you have failed to mention in your paperwork" he didn't try to hide the accusation in his voice.

Hermione narrowed her eyes.

"What are you implying sir?"

"I am implying that you have lied on this form".

"Well that is preposterous" Hermione crossed her arms defensively. She could feel her hackles rising by the second.

"Can I come in so we can discuss this further?"

The old man went to walk past Hermione but she purposely stepped to the side and abruptly blocked him.

"No I would prefer it if you kept your accusations out in the open". Hermione did not want this man anywhere near her.

"Ms Granger, the ceremony yesterday was rather revealing"

"How so?"

"You are sick Ms Granger" he said matter of factly.

"What makes you say that?" she replied stubbornly, knowing he was correct in this assertion but not wanting to give anything away.

"Do not play me for a fool. I saw how you glowed last night, I know what that can mean".

Through gritted teeth Hermione took a measured step towards him and snatched the parchment out of his hands.

With a lowered voice Hermione spoke. "I have a condition which neither muggle nor magical medicine can treat".

"You did not declare this on your form".

"Ahh.. I answered every question on here accurately, as per the requirements. I also included the details of my healers. The fact that your form is not comprehensive and does not cover my condition is not my problem". Hermione punctuated her words sharply as she pointed at the fine print on the parchment a little too violently. She could feel her snarky lawyer self rising to the surface.

The leader narrowed his eyes, huffed and turned around from her doorway. "This is not the last you will hear of this Ms Granger".

Hermione only noticed Draco when the leader narrowly avoided a collision with him in the hallway as he stormed away from her.

"What was that about?" Draco questioned a little affronted by what he just witnessed.

"It was nothing" Hermione replied dismissively, but the bite to her words and fire in her eyes said otherwise.

"It didn't sound like nothing to me". He looked at her with a face that knew full well she was full of shite.

"Well you should learn to not listen into other peoples private conversations" It was a pathetic retort. Hermione knew this.

"So private you were having it in the hallway…. Hermione, why are you being like this?" He stepped towards her with a mix of confusion and concern on his features.

"Like what?" She turned away from him. She didn't want to have to deal with this…with him. Not now.

His hand lightly touched her shoulder, trying to coax her into turning around to face him. However the gesture felt too intimate. While Draco's touch was normally the comfort that she craved, in this moment, her immediate reflex was to shake his hand off her.

"Has this got something to do with the ridiculous amount of potions that you have been taking?"

And then she knew unreservedly he had pushed too far.

"Draco, don't". Hermione whispered. She could feel her carefully crafted facade cracking.

"Don't what? Don't care about you? I'm sorry but it's a little too late for that".

She turned around, eyes glassy from unshed tears at his confession. She looked up at Draco who was now standing a foot away from her. His pale face was a little flushed and his eyes were dark and stormy, searching hers. All she could think of was he was too close, metaphorically and physically. He was so close to her that they would both get burned. There was no future here, not with him, not with anyone. Her illness wouldn't allow for a blissful romance or happily ever after. All that could come from this would be a distorted sense of obligation, resentment, and pain. She didn't come here for emotional entanglement or complications. She came for a once in a lifetime trip and some fun. So in an act that she reasoned was one of long term kindness, much like putting an animal out of its misery, she did the only thing that made sense to her.

She blinked back her tears and steeled her nerves.

"Draco, thank you for your concern, but it isn't necessary". Her delivery wasn't quite as detached as she wanted.

"Hermione, of course it is my concern". He lowered his stance so he was closer to being eye to eye with her. He moved to encircle her in his arms but she countered him and took a step backwards. He awkwardly let his arms fall to his side.

Hermione steeled herself and took a deep breath.

"Draco, thank you for your friendship".

Draco just looked at her for a second.

"Friendship?" He deadpanned in a disbelieving response.

"Yes. Friendship". She crossed her arms in front of her, trying to create an additional barrier between them. Oh how she wanted to wrap her arms around him, sob into the crook of his neck, breath him in, and have him comfort her, but she knew that reality was impossible.

Draco physically recoiled as he repeated the word again, this time as if he had tasted something sour "Friends… You think what we have here is friendship?" he spat out as he gestured between them.

In that moment Hermione saw a glimpse of the boy she knew from school, walls up so high that she may never get in again.

"Yes"

Without another word, Draco turned around and walked away.