A/N: Here it is, the meeting between Draco and Hermione. I actually finished it a long time ago, but it badly needed tweaking. And I've already finished the story, so the quicker you reply, the quicker everything will become clear to you! ;-)

Larthawyn: I'm good. :-) I had to have my strange looking bush. Something to add. ::shrugs:: Actually, I came up with the name "Abernillie" last year, I just hadn't found a way to use it, yet. ;-) In the books, it's kind of hinted that Luna finds Ron fascinating and perhaps likes him, so that was what I was going for here. :-/ Hope it worked. Er… the number 23? Should there be significance? ::looks puzzled:: I've fixed the little bit, coz it turns out my page breaks don't work, so I've added a little note that says the Gryffindors went into the foyer, then it crosses over to the Death Eaters. Sorry for the confusion. :-/

Dotty: Thank you for that lovely comment. I will ignore what you said about updating quickly, though. ;-)

ZuvalupaThanks so much! ::bows:: :-)

Gah! 3 reviews!! ::sobs:: was that chapter that bad? :-/

Chapter 13: Oceanbreeze

It was late Tuesday afternoon when Draco got his first sight of Evelyn Port. The sun was starting to lower itself towards the horizon and the orange that was tinting the sky fell across a small village against the backdrop of the ocean. Even Draco had to admit it was beautiful.

He stopped and hovered in the air, letting the view sink into his mind and skin. He felt strange; as if something was just out of his reach but he was pulling it closer with his mind.

Below him, he could hear people laughing and talking loudly. Looking down, several people came out of a pub, holding onto each other.

My goodness, Draco thought, slightly amused. It's not even dark and they're already drunk!

Luckily for him, no one looked up and he spotted a clear spot behind the pub to land. He looked at it carefully for a moment; one thing he'd learnt over the last few days was never to take something easy for granted. And sure enough, a man stumbled out the back door and threw up in the garbage bin. Draco tried to ignore the retching sound and only looked down when he heard the door close; the man was back inside.

Taking a deep breath, Draco dived quickly and landed gently next to the rubbish bins. He grinned and started breathing normally again; then he blanched and stopped. The smell of vomit was overpowering and it made his stomach lurch, as though he was also going to be sick.

Putting a hand over his nose and mouth, he put his broomstick down behind a bin and pushed the door open into the bar.

It was more of a nightclub. There was loud music with lyrics that were unrecognisable, women dancing and drinking and men drinking and laughing. Cigarette smoke clouded the air and Draco wondered for a moment whether he should have just stayed outside with the vomit.

Then, trying to ignore the putrid fumes, he uncovered his face and went up to the bar. He had absolutely no intention of even having one drink, but he needed to know where Oceanbreeze was.

'Excuse me!' he said loudly to the woman behind the bar. She was wearing a white tank top and her blonde hair was falling in waves down her front.

'What'll it be, sexy?' she replied cheekily, reaching toward a bottle.

Draco blinked, then ignored what she said.

'Do you know how to get to Oceanbreeze?' he asked her, leaning closer so she could hear him.

'An oceanbreeze? Alright!' she grabbed a bottle.

'No!' he yelled. So that was what Muggles named their drinks. 'Do you know how to get to OCEANBREEZE? It's an old inn –'

'Sorry, love,' she said loudly, as a man beckoned to her. 'I ain't no tourist booth.'

She sidled away from him and Draco sighed. It was almost impossible to hear himself think in this place, let alone get his point across. He turned and looked into the crowd of people around him. Surely one of them must know?

'Hey,' he said to a girl who couldn't have been much older than him. She was wearing a red leather dress and her brown hair was tousled. Her face was red and she was panting, though she looked ecstatic.

'Hi,' she said cheerfully, manoeuvring over to him. 'What's your type?'

'What? No, no type,' he told her, and she nodded, her smile fading a little. 'I was just wondering – do you know how to get to Oceanbreeze? It's an inn a little way from here.'

Suddenly, arms were around his waist from behind.

'Hey gorgeous,' purred a voice in his ear. He turned around with difficult and saw a middle-aged woman smirking at him. He was shocked. What kind of places did Muggles go to? He roughly removed her arms. Then the girl in the leather dress grabbed his arms.

'Get your hands off, Grandma, he's mine,' she said nastily. The woman pouted but moved away.

Draco was about to correct this girl, but she was already business-like.

'Yeah, I know Oceanbreeze,' she said, 'Come on, let's go out the back, I can hardly think in here!'

She grabbed his hand and led him back the way he'd come in. He was just thinking that perhaps this wasn't a good idea when she pushed the door open and pulled him out into the cold air.

'OK,' she said. 'When you leave here – by the front door –' her eyes twinkled '- turn right and keep going down this road. When you reach the T-junction, turn right -'

Ten minutes later, Draco was on his broomstick and following a deserted road out of Evelyn Port. In the short time he'd been in the bar, night had fallen. He was still feeling a little shaken about the bar – that was an experience he never wanted to relive.

Wait, he thought suddenly, there's the road –

He turned right sharply and had to dive lower so he could skim under the thick branches on the trees that hung over the road. He was nearly there. He was surprised at how business-like the girl was – and also very grateful. He didn't feel like himself, and he certainly didn't feel like charming his way into information. It was lucky he'd met her – it might have been hours by the time he got directions otherwise.

Suddenly, he felt as though he was being watched; the hairs on the back of his neck stood up and he broke into goose bumps. He looked quickly over his shoulder but saw no one. Not even a flicker of movement followed him, but he still sped up – there was something there and he had the feeling once again as though he was running out of time.

He followed the road as it curved right – then the trees disappeared. He was still above the road, but it had turned to gravel and the trees had ended – he was looking at an inn that had gone out of business years ago – Oceanbreeze.

It was two-story, but the upper floor looked as though it comprised as one or two rooms. A wide veranda ran all the way around the house, with steps at the back and at the front. The house itself was white weather-boards, but the paint was peeling; the veranda a shade of light blue. Half the posts looked rotted, but it hadn't collapsed yet, so that was helpful. The windows were covered from the inside with black cloth, but around the edges of one of the windows, Draco could see flickering fire-light.

He suddenly felt as though the thing that was following him was closing in. Panicking, Draco landed by the steps that led to the front door and got off his broom rather clumsily. He looked around, scanning the darkness carefully, before depositing his broom and bag in a large bush. He figured they'd be safe there.

He ran up the steps and walked to the front door, shaking slightly. He reached out to the brass handle and tried to turn it, but it was locked. A crunching sound on the gravel driveway made him jump and look around. Seeing nothing, he pulled out his wand. He may not be able to see it, but he was sure it could see him, and he wasn't going to be attacked. Not now.

Glancing back into the dark, he turned and ran around the corner and down the outside of the house, his footsteps pounding on the wooden veranda. As he skidded around the last corner, he could have sworn he heard loud laughter – it sounded far away, but it gave him an odd chilling sensation; the girl had said no one had been here in years. So why was there laughter?

He slowed to a walk once he had the back door in sight and let out a long breath he hadn't realised he'd been holding. Reaching out his left hand, he grabbed the door handle turning it cautiously. The door opened silently. Draco held his wand up and peered into the gloom.

'Lumos,' he muttered and light sprung to the end of his wand. He walked into the room, shutting the door behind him – he didn't want whatever was out there to get in. The room had a sofa and some small tables – there was a card table set up in the corner. There was a fire, but it didn't look as though it had been lit for years (which, he reminded himself, it probably hadn't.). The whole room was spotless, which confirmed some of his suspicions. Nothing was out of place; there was not a scrap of dust or any other rubbish.

After giving the room a quick look, Draco proceeded into the next room, moving quickly.

This was the room where the fire was on; there was a pool table sitting in the middle of the room; a bar on the left side and the fire was on the right. There was an armchair next to the fire and it looked as though there was something in it –

'Hermione?' Draco asked softly – his voice seemed to have stopped working.

There was a quick movement and the something jumped up – Hermione was in her school uniform, minus her cloak and looking tired and extremely stunned.

'Malfoy?' she said incredulously, staring at him. If she expected anyone to come for her, it certainly wasn't him!

He could have hugged her – here she was, tired, messy and pale, but she was alive and unhurt! That was more than he'd hoped for. However, Draco thought better of it and instead crossed the room to her.

'What are you doing here?' asked Hermione, taking a step back.

Draco blinked.

'I've come to save you,' he said blankly. Then he started getting angry. He had thrown away all comforts and logic to travel for days to find one of his enemies, not to mention getting chased by dogs and Death Eaters, and here she was throwing it all back in his face!

'Save me?' Hermione repeated, looking at him as though he was ill. 'Why would you want to save me?'

'Because they think I've kidnapped you, and by saving you I'm saving me,' he snapped, glaring at her.

Hermione glared right back.

'And what about Harry and Ron?' she demanded. 'Why haven't they come to get me?'

'How the hell should I know?' Draco said angrily. 'Look, there's a plot among the Death Eaters to kidnap you for their own purposes and I have a feeling –'

'I know about the Death Eaters,' Hermione interrupted.

'You do?' asked Draco.

'And I know about you,' she said, taking another step back.

'What are you talking about?' said Draco exasperatedly. 'How do you know about the Death Eaters?'

Hermione opened her mouth, but there came a loud laugh from behind Draco. Hermione's eyes widened in horror and Draco spun around.

Lucius Malfoy stood in front of a small group of Death Eaters and they were all smirking at them.

'She knows because of the house-elves,' Lucius said silkily. 'Surely you've figured that part out, haven't you, son?'

'What – yes, but –' Draco was really confused. How had they gotten here? They must have followed him – but he hadn't seen them – loud laughter – them!

'Thanks for leading the way here, boy!' laughed Jugson, who was standing between Nott and Mulciber.

'What?' Draco took a step back. He didn't like the way they were looking at him – as though he was a bug they desperately wanted out of the way. Behind him, he heard Hermione hiss, 'I knew it!'

'Knew what?' said Lucius conversationally. The group of Death Eaters took a step forward as one. At the same time, Draco and Hermione took a step back. Draco's heart was beating too fast and it was almost choking him.

'I knew he was in this with you!' Hermione said loudly. Draco stopped and turned to face her.

'What?' he said. 'I'm not in this with them – it's because of them I had to come get you in the first place!'

The words were barely out of his mouth before he realised he'd said the wrong thing. Her eyes widened and she took a step away from him, her mouth open.

'No, that's not what I meant!' he said desperately.

'Enough talk,' said Lucius from behind him. 'Get her.'

Hermione screamed and Draco spun around again. Travers was launching himself toward them, a hungry look in his eyes. Draco raised his wand and bellowed, 'Petrificus totalus!' Travers' arms and legs snapped to his sides and he fell with a thud on the ground in front of them. Lucius looked furious and he raised his wand. Draco knew his father would not go easy on him, not now.

He turned, grabbed Hermione's arm and ran with her into the next room, which was the dining room. A curse hit the doorframe as they ran through it and dust and wood fragments showered them. Hermione threw her other arm over her head and Draco kept his head down. He pointed his wand over his shoulder and yelled, 'Stupefy!' There was a crash and he knew he'd gotten someone.

'Behind here!' Draco said as they reached a huge round table. He pushed Hermione behind it

and crouched next to her, pushing the table over to act as a shield. He looked over the top of the table and shot a curse at Mulciber. The man yelled and collapsed, his leg swelling painfully. Stimmons leapt forward furiously, pointing his wand at Draco and yelling 'Crucio!'

Draco ducked and the curse hit the table instead of him. He looked over at Hermione, who was sitting curled up, her brown eyes gazing at him uncertainly.

'Help me!' he said furiously, as Nott called, 'Come out, come out, little Draco! We don't want to hurt you, boy, just let us have the Mudblood! What is she, anyway? You hate each other!'

'I may hate her,' Draco yelled back, looking at Hermione, 'but if I go back to Hogwarts without her, I'll be taken to Azkaban. And if I don't go back to Hogwarts, I'll be caught and sent to Azkaban anyway! It's not really a winning situation for me! Help me,' he added softly.

'I can't!' Hermione whispered back. 'The house-elves took my wand. I can't do anything!'

She looked as though she was about to cry. This just made Draco feel even more exasperated. He looked around and nodded to the next room; the kitchen.

'Get there,' he said, 'I'll hold off these goons: get into the kitchen and hide. Then get to the front door – it's locked, but smash a window if you have to.'

He peered over the top of the table; the Death Eaters were approaching, laughing.

'I can't!' Hermione whimpered. 'They'll get me.'

'No they won't,' he said, 'I'll follow you; I'll protect you –'

'Why?'

'What?'

'Why are you going to protect me?'

'I just told them,' he said angrily. And she was the smartest person in their year? 'I'm as good as dead without you. Come on!'

He crawled to the edge of the table and Hermione followed him. She seemed to accept that she needed him for now.

'Run!' he yelled, and they both leapt up and sprinted toward the door. There was yelling behind them and Hermione screamed as the Cruciatus Curse hit her in the back. She collapsed on the floor and Draco grabbed her arms and hauled her up, glancing behind them. Dolohov was laughing cruelly, his wand pointing at Hermione.

A surge of anger stabbed through Draco and he suddenly hated them all more than he ever had before. He lifted his wand and pointed it at Dolohov.

'Rimorus!'Draco bellowed. He had promised himself that he would never use that curse, but desperate times … Dolohov yelled loudly as a large gash ran down his torso. Blood spilled from the wound onto the floor and his clothes.

Draco took the opportunity and lifted Hermione's trembling body from the floor and set her on her feet. 'Come on,' he said, pushing her forwards. He looked around and Lucius – his own father – made a quick slashing motion with his wand and a gash appeared in Draco's right shoulder. It was cold and stung a little, but it wasn't too bad.

They reached the kitchen while the Death Eaters clambered around the large table. Draco opened the door and pushed Hermione through.

'Hide,' he commanded and Hermione ran through the kitchen. He was about to go after her, when Lucius yelled:

'Draco!'

He ignored him and was about to go into the kitchen when his father continued.

'Are you turning soft like Adeon?' he called. Draco stopped and slowly turned around.

'What?' he said softly. Lucius was looking furious and betrayed.

'Adeon, Draco. Do you remember him? He was soft, and that's why he died! You – I thought I'd raised you differently!'

Draco was about to say something really scathing – but a fist slammed into the side of his head and he was knocked sideways into the wall. His wand slipped from his hand and he leant against the wall as his head spun and a throbbing took over all other senses, clouding his mind and vision. Everything went black for a second, then he yelped as his head gave a particularly painful throb, then there was a loud yell followed by a scream.

He opened his eyes and saw Hermione holding his wand on Nott – apparently the one who'd punched him – who was crumpled on the floor. Lucius' face was contorted with fury.

'Get her!' he spat.

Draco, coming to his senses, grabbed Hermione and they ran down the narrow hall that ran alongside the kitchen.

'Malfoy –' she panted, as they ducked a hex. 'We can take them!'

'With one wand?' he argued, pulling her around a corner. 'You don't know what they can do, Granger! I've seen them – I've been with them through training – you don't know what we're dealing with!'

He pushed a door open and they shot into a large room.

'How big is this place?' he gasped as they stopped.

'Huge,' said Hermione. 'I still don't know my way around very well.'

'Draco!' came Lucius' sneering voice. 'Don't force us to kill you! We only want the Mudblood – we won't kill her, anyway. Yet.'

There was cold laughter. Draco looked into Hermione's pale, frightened but determined face and large dark eyes – there was nothing for it. He had to do it.

He took the wand out of her hand. She looked at him, trying to slow her breathing. As the Death Eaters' footsteps drew closer, Draco took up his position behind the door, wand at the ready. He was trying to calm his own breathing – they wouldn't be able to get in all at once – he could do this.

Suddenly, there were several loud cracks and a dozen house-elves appeared in the middle of the room. Draco recognised three of them: Dobby, Lopps and Flipsy. They looked from Draco, pale, bleeding and wand raised, to Hermione, then Dobby hurried over to Draco and pulled him away from the door and over to Hermione.

'Sir and Miss must go!' said Dobby in a voice full of authority.

'We can't,' said Hermione desperately. 'There are Death Eaters out there, and they're blocking the exit!'

Lopps clicked his fingers and they turned around: the black cloth that covered the window was gone. Another click and the glass disappeared.

'Go,' Dobby said, and the elves started pushing them towards the window.

'But what about the Death Eaters?' Draco asked them.

'We will take care of them,' said Flipsy. 'That's why we brought Hermy here in the first place; so we can protect her.'

'Go,' Dobby repeated firmly. The footsteps outside the room had stopped.

'Draco? Mudblood? You can hide no longer!'

'Go!'

Hermione ducked through the window and landed on the veranda – luckily they were only on the ground floor. Draco pulled himself onto the ledge and dropped down beside her.

'Good luck, Dobby,' said Hermione as the elf stuck his head out of the window.

'Dobby will see Miss at Hogwarts,' he said, grinning. Then his head disappeared and there was a loud bang followed by yelling and more banging.

Draco and Hermione ran down the veranda, rounding the corner near the front door. Draco led the way down the steps to the bush.

'How are we going to get away?' Hermione cried as there was a loud scream from the inn.

Draco reached into the bush and pulled out his broomstick and bag. He swung the bag over his shoulder and mounted the broom.

'Hurry up,' he said to Hermione, who hesitated then climbed on behind him. 'Hold on to me,' he added and Hermione wrapped her arms around his waist tightly. 'You OK?'

'Fine,' she squeaked, and took a deep breath. Draco almost grinned, but concentrated on getting out of there. He kicked off from the ground and the wind whipped his face as he got them some height. Then he leant forward on his broom and accelerated over the trees – he knew where he was going now and height would be an advantage.

Hermione was still shaking as she clung onto Draco. She hated flying, but that wasn't her main concern – she'd never felt such pain as the Cruciatus Curse. She hadn't trusted Draco, and he'd saved her anyway – he'd nearly died for her. He probably would have, too, if the house-elves hadn't come.

'I'm sorry,' she said to him.

'What for?' he asked, as he turned sharply onto the main road.

'For not trusting you – I'm sorry.'

Draco didn't say anything and Hermione closed her eyes. The wind was freezing on her skin and it whipped through her jumper and across her legs. She shivered and huddled closer to Draco, never happier to be near him.

A/N: Da-da-da! :-) There we are. Did it live up to all your hopes and dreams? I hope so. Please review. ::bats eyelids:: ;-)