A/N: Here's the next part. I got a review Hooray! Thanks to chameliongirl!
Don't sue me ok?
Here goes….
Part two
After what seemed like hours swimming in icy water, they reached the shore of the island. Draco staggered and collapsed on the sand, gasping and coughing. "You," he said after a few moments, "You are insane, Granger."
"I saved your life Malfoy." She said, "If not for me, you would be a pile of ashes by now."
"Well at least I'd be warm!" he shouted, standing.
"That's the thanks I get." She replied, throwing her arms in the air. "Come on, we've got to get out of sight."
"Oh, no way. You've done enough for me, thank you." He walked a few paces away from her.
"I don't think you understand the situation." She said, stomping after him. "Those—Those things are out to kill you. How long do you think you'll last without my help?"
He stopped, staring across the lake. In the distance he could see his house, now burnt down to cinders.
"Fine." He said, "But you'd better explain some things to me."
"Fine, but lets get set up first." Silently they walked up the beach and into the woods. They found a small clearing. "I'll get a fire started." She said.
At that moment, lightning flashed across the sky and it began to pour rain. "I'll just use my wand." She pulled out her wand and muttered the fire spell, but nothing but there was only a flash and a pop. "Or not."
"Great." Malfoy snapped. "What good is a wand that's not waterproof?"
"Oh well," Hermione sighed, trying to sound optimistic, "Plan B." She produced a small bag from under her cloak. She opened the top flap, set it on the wet ground, and stepped out of the way.
A small sort of tent unfolded, it was a simple overhang with a back, and it was barely big enough for two people. She got inside and pulled away a small sack in the back. She pulled out a few blankets and spread one out on the ground. "There." She said, looking up at Malfoy. She patted a spot at her side. "Come on. It's nice and dry."
He mumbled something and crawled in next to her. He took one of the blankets and wrapped it around himself tightly.
"So, what the hell is going on here?" he demanded.
"I work for the ministry of magic now." Hermione began, "Things are getting…complicated. We've been receiving intel that indicates…well…"
"What?"
"Well, we're not quite sure. All we know is that something is going to happen. Something big. And soon."
"Ok, so what does it all have to do with me?"
"I don't know that either." She continued, "A few weeks ago I received an assignment to find and observe you. It took awhile to find you—"
"And you've been watching me? For how long?"
"Only about a week." She said innocently.
"Oh my God." Malfoy mumbled, dragging his hands through his soaked hair, "I can't believe this!"
"Well, it hasn't exactly been a picnic for me. You know, as big as you talked in school, I never thought you would grow up to be—" she searched for the right words, but soon gave up. "—A boring old man!"
"And I'm sure your life is so interesting. That's why you've spent a week watching my every move."
"My life is plenty interesting." She said indignantly, "I have a great job…a good…um…"
He snorted. "Yeah, real interesting."
"Shut up Malfoy." She said.
They fell into silence for a few moments. "You never told me why they were after me."
"I told you I don't know. For all I know the attack on you and the ministry have nothing to do with each other. I don't even know why I was assigned to you."
"Yeah, seems like a pretty dull job for someone as important and influential as you." He said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
She sneered at him. "I've had plenty of important assignments before. Lately I've just had a few…conflicts with my superiors."
Malfoy's eyes widened. "Little Ms. Prefect has a problem with authority?"
"No, I just—Hey, I don't have to explain myself to you."
"Fine. Neither do I then."
"Fine."
They sat for a long time in silence. Hermione closed her eyes and listened to the rain fall on the roof. She shuddered in the cold. She was soaked and freezing and exhausted. She ventured a sideways look at Draco; he looked even more miserable than she was. He was shaking badly, but he was trying to hide it as if he didn't want her to know.
"Are you tired?" she asked, the animosity gone from her voice, replaced with concern.
"No." he lied.
"Cold?"
He hesitated. "No."
She sighed, and opened her arms. "Come here." she said flatly.
"What?"
"Come here." she said firmly, "We'll stay warmer if we sit together."
"You're dreaming." He said. She could tell that his sarcasm was failing.
"It's my job to protect you Malfoy. Fudge'll have my head if you freeze to death."
Defeated, he sighed and moved in close. She wrapped the blanket around them
both. "You are freezing." She said. Soon though, she began to feel his body
warming up and relaxing.
Draco yawned.
He closed his eyes and was soon asleep.
His head fell onto her shoulder.
She sat in thought for a long time. She was tired, but she knew she'd have to stay awake and keep watch. Suddenly though, she didn't mind.
She had almost let something slip to Draco, something she didn't want anyone to know. The truth is that she had had big problems with authority. She just didn't agree with some of the methods of the Ministry. The more she found out in fact, the more she thought that the organization that she believed in all these years was…well…corrupt.
Draco's head suddenly slipped from her shoulder. She sighed and readjusted him so that he was lying in her lap. It felt a bit awkward, but she supposed it didn't matter. It was almost comforting to not be alone. It was…nice…
* * * *
Do you like it?
Oh, and one more question. Is it just me, or does my handle not show up on the search engine? Does anybody know why that is?
Later,
Eveie