A/N: thank you again for the reviews; do you think the story's developed more? I was re-reading and really have a strong aversion to the first chapter now. It may be changed…

Also, thanks Squid (Fippets) for being such a wonderful beta!simper She's got a new story up, chaptered this time, called Harry Potter and the Power Within, which is quite foppuliscious. (I.e. bloody amazing!) So go read now. nowI tell you!

Chapter 8: Mysterious Times

Draco ran swiftly, thanking his natural agility, with his wand lighting the way before him. He leapt over the uneven areas of the ground and skidded to a halt where the tunnel met the cavern. Breathing heavily Draco bent over for a minute, trying to regain some oxygen before he crept into the cave.

"Silencio tota." He muttered, pointing the wand at himself. The spell would wear off shortly, but for now he did not want to be detected. Years of practice at home had given him the ability to silence all noises made by his body, including footfalls. He approached the area where he knew her sanctuary was and cast around for any sign of intrusion, but there were none.

He looked up quickly as he heard a stifled sob. Could it be that the Dark Wizard was here already? That he had stolen into her 'safe place', her sanctuary and was, at this very moment, hurting her?

Draco shook some sense into himself. Although silent, he was not invisible, and a wizard of such strength would not allow Hermione to betray his presence so easily as with a sob. He clicked his fingers to check that his spell had worn off before he tried to approach her. The muffled noises stopped at the sound.

"Her…Granger?" He wasn't going to be that familiar with her. Yet.

"Granger, are you alright? Will you let me in?" Draco's inner self rebelled for a moment at the emotion his tone barely concealed.

"I…I don't know how. I cast the spell for myself only. I d…don't know how to include others."

Draco was shocked. He expected and outburst, or silence, not a pondering of how to let him in. but he recovered quickly. Her acceptance of him was enough, and he pushed gently on the invisible barrier and felt a slight resistance as he penetrated through to the other side.

He was not surprised at the chaos within. She had enlarged her belongings again, but her robes and books were strewn all over the floor. Hermione was sitting on a blanket clutching a pillow, her head bowed. Draco once again felt his stomach clench at the thought of her in danger. For once at a loss as to what to do, he knelt down next to her and started folding up her clothes.

As if noticing him for the first time, Hermione looked up at him before dropping her head again. But she continued watching him out of the corner of her eye, amazed at his actions. Draco Malfoy was doing what could only be described as a chore, by hand! Seeing as he didn't seem to be about to strike up a conversation she raised her head once more.

"How did you do it?" he cocked an eyebrow at her, continuing his folding. "I mean, how did you get in here? I thought my spell was impenetrable."

"You acquiesced to my wishes of entering, and so I could enter. You had given permission." Hermione looked confused at his seemingly sound knowledge of the spell she had cast. He sighed at her expression.

"In a family like mine, you learn these spells pretty early on. We have enough secrets we want to hide, so I was exposed to them very young. I found they were useful when hiding from people too.

Hermione didn't know what to say, despite the questions buzzing around inside her head. Did his revelation that he too sometimes had to hide possibly mean his home life was not in fact as great as he bragged? Or was he just sympathising? And, if so, why was Draco Malfoy of all people sympathising with her? He hated her, didn't he?

Looking up she saw the floor was now clear of clothes, and Draco was leaning against her trunk, smirking at her.

"I couldn't resist using just a little bit of magic to finish off the job."

She smiled thanks, still at a loss for what to say. She had rarely been helped like that; she was usually so on top of things. And this new, helpful Draco was unnerving.

"You didn't have to do that. So thank you." Hermione stopped as her stomach gave a loud growl. What with last nights spell and today's arguments she realised she hadn't eaten for over twenty four hours. She decided to see how far this new Draco would go.

"I'm hungry." 'Oh subtle Hermione' she thought to herself. "And we must have missed dinner by now. I was wondering if…"

"If I would be your little slave and find you something to eat? Not a chance Granger. But I will wander down a certain tunnel that could possibly lead to the kitchens…and I can't stop you if you decide to follow me of course." Draco smirked again. This was a weird, new game he was playing. Not quite flirting, but with none of the animosity of the bickering they shared when they were enemies. 'When' he thought. 'I've already accepted the fact that we're not enemies any more.' But whereas before he would have covered up with some cruel remark, this time he felt no inclination. In fact, if he hadn't known better, he'd have said he felt glad.

He grinned at her as he pushed back through the barrier and made his way to the back of the cavern, her footsteps following behind.