The dark blue sky took all light from the forest as Draco sped across its top. The tent had to be close. He felt like he would fall from his broom if he did not find it soon. A point stuck out of the leaves, barely visible.

He circled, relief seeping into his bones as he dove down. He was barely off his broom when he swept through the flap.

Finally!

He flicked a bug off his arm. His only thoughts were of a shower and bed. He started towards the bathroom, leaving his broom propped against the foyer wall.

"Have a nice flight?"

His feet quit moving.

Sitting on the couch, freshly showered herself if one could believe the wet mass of hair, was Granger. Her arms and legs were crossed. Her back ridged straight. Her eyes fixed on him like an angry cat.

He almost groaned. Of course he was going to get an earful for leaving her in the bloody woods. Years living with his mother should have taught him that! He only hoped Granger was not in a fighting sort of mood. He did not know how well he could stand her punch tonight if she swung.

Alright. Let's get it over with.

He shuffled his feet to the living area and leaned against the back of the couch.

She stood. He braced himself.

"I don't appreciate getting dumped out in the middle of the woods," she said cross.

"We wouldn't have been in the middle of the woods if you hadn't decided on a whim to keep going deeper in."

"We found-"

"Hair," he stated wearily. "We found hair. It probably doesn't even belong to the creature in question."

"It was our first lead. It could have led us right to the deer. You just didn't have the patience to stick with it!"

"It's not like I left to come loaf about! I went in search for the thing as well! Using a faster method!"

"I had to trek all the way back here with hardly a tell-tale sign of which way was what. At least you had your bloody broom!"

He pushed away from the couch. This is ridiculous.

"It was getting late and dark. Can you see in the dark? Because I can't!"

She placed her hands on her hips and stared him down. "Well, are you a wizard or aren't you?"

Anger rolled over him. He stormed over to her, his face inches from hers. She craned her neck up. Her blazing brown eyes battled with his cool grey.

"Don't question my ability, Granger," he hissed. "I will show you what a wizard can really do."

Her eyes flicker to her wand left sitting on the couch cushion. She shifted her body slightly in anticipation to pounce for it. He blinked. She actually expected him to attack.

The sudden realization deflated him. Though he talked big, he would never hurt her or any other witch. That she believed he would stung.

He backed away. Confusion filled her face. He just shook his head and walked on to the bathroom. Maybe a hot shower would clear his head.

A high pitched scream jerked Draco from his dreams. He jumped up. The sheets grabbed his ankles and pulled him down. His elbow hit the hardwood floor, sending a sharp jab of pain up his arm. He struggled to untangle himself as the screaming continued. The sheet ripped as he kicked his feet free. He ran out the door.

This time there was no hesitation. He burst through her door.

She was doubled over on her side, curled around her left arm. Her fingers dug into the skin, drawing blood from the forearm. He rushed over.

Sweat clung to her skin. Her breath came out sharply. He tried to pry her fingers from her arm, but her grip was too strong. He grabbed her shoulders and shook.

"Granger!"

She did not respond. Her eyes squeezed tighter. He shook again.

"Granger!"

She let out another scream.

"HERMIONE!"

Not knowing what else to do, he pulled her to him. She thrashed about, trying to shove away but he held tight. He began rocking them back and forth, one hand holding her to him while the other went to her arm.

"Hermione, wake up! Its only a dream!"

He pulled at her fingers again.

"Its only a dream!"

Excruciatingly slow, her grip loosened. She quit moving. Both hands slid up the front of his shirt to bunch it tightly in her fists. She dug her head into his chest and a sob tore through her. He rocked until she quit shaking.

Draco peeked down at her arm. Four crescent moon indents still bled over a scar that clearly read "mudblood". He winced.

She pulled away suddenly. Her eyes were bloodshot and her hair matted to one side. Not thinking, he reached up to smooth it. Her eyes widened at the movement. He dropped his hand.

"Sorry," he muttered, looking away despite her still being in his lap. She did not respond. She only stared at him with a wild, lost gaze.

Draco did not know what to do now. She was awake, no longer screaming, but it did not seem any good. Her nightmare still had a hold of her.

An idea struck him suddenly. Slowly, very carefully as not to spook her, he extracted himself from her grip. He kneeled down at the edge of the bed.

"I want to show you something," he said softly. "I am going to leave the room. Get dressed if you'd like and meet me in the living area."

Then he stood and walked out, leaving her to stare after him.

Five minutes later, Hermione stood beside the couch in soft cloth pants and a pull over. Her arms were crossed over her chest and her shoulders slightly bent inward. She was more awake now and very aware of the state Malfoy had seen her in.

She had not had nightmares like that since right after the war, when life was trying to settle back into place. She had thought she was over them, that they would not haunt her now that she had more control over her life. Apparently, she was wrong.

She did not know why she was listening to what Malfoy had suggested, other than the fact that she did not want to be left alone. Bellatrix's face was still very vivid in her mind, almost as if the woman would jump out of the shadows at any second.

"Are you ready?"

She jumped; she hadn't heard him come in.

"What is it, exactly, that we are doing?"

He grabbed his broom and gave a halfhearted smile. "You'll see."

A little hesitant, she followed him out the flap.

The flight was not as bad as she expected. Malfoy kept at a slower speed and held onto her wrists with one hand as she wrapped her arms around his waist. She opened her eyes when they touched ground.

Malfoy climbed off the broom, waving his wand to make it hover before turning to give her a hand. She looked around. He had taken her to the pond. The branches above the water swayed in the breeze. A turtle scurried back into the water at their approach.

Hermione crossed her arms and stood by the broom, unsure. After all the fuss about the dark, why did he bring her here? Malfoy gave no answers as he searched the ground.

Surely we aren't here to look for more hoof prints. Maybe his idea of distraction was more research.

She was just about to open her mouth to ask when he stood straight again. He held up a smooth pebble half the size of his palm.

"Watch this."

He turned towards the pond and skipped the pebble over the water's surface. It jumped to the center of the pond, where it stopped and sunk straight down. It drew up a bit of sand as it landed on the bottom.

Hermione took a step forward, intrigued. The stone was emitting a soft white light. As they watched, the light grew until it lit the whole pond as if the moon were laying at its bottom.

She moved to the edge of the pond and bent down to get a better view. Duckweed and water lilies waved in the light. A turtle left shadows as he swam by.

Hermione took it all in, a peaceful feeling spreading through her as she wrapped her arms around her knees. Malfoy joined her. They watched the water life for a moment before the light slowly faded. Hermione sighed, resting her head on the top of her knees.

She looked over to Malfoy to thank him but didn't get that far. All around them, small green dots flitted up from the grass as the last of the light faded from the pond. The air glowed with fireflies. Hermione slowly turned on the spot to enjoy the sight of them. She had never seen so many in one place.

Some landed near the pond's bank, their lights blinking. Others took to the rocks and trees. Their little clearing seemed to sparkle for all of them. She spun around to Malfoy only to find a few had made home in his hair. The usual platinum blonde glowed lime green.

She tried not to laugh, but a giggle escaped anyways. His hand paused midair as he brushed them away. His annoyed look changed to surprise then a half smile. They shared a look.

Hermione was the first to break eye contact as something moved into her line of vision over his shoulder. She grabbed his arm.

"Draco! Look!"

His eyes widened at the sudden change and very carefully he turned around.

The deer was slowly moving into the clearing. Its head tilted up to take in the lights blinking among the trees. Its fur seemed to shimmer as it emerged from the bushes. Its tail flickered back and forth, stirring some of the bugs to fly about it. Its big black eyes seemed to reflect it all, even the two humans staring at such an amazing find.

Author's Note:

Disclaimer: I do not own anything from the Harry Potter series. Those rights belong to JK Rowling. I am only borrowing her beautiful creations.

Hey guys! Today is a little hectic but I figured I'd post a chapter to distract myself. I hope y'all enjoy!

* An ancestor enchanted the pond during a courting ritual of another pureblood to shine & attract the bugs.