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A/N: I am sooooo sorry that it took me so long to update. I have been really busy with Jazz Band, Tae Kwon Do, volunteering at the library, soccer and getting two teeth filled on top of school, homework and practicing my trumpet. Anyways I'm sorry that this chapter is not too interesting. Thank you so much to my awesome reviewers.

Anyways please review when you finish the chapter. Reviews motivate me and whenever I get a review I write more. So remember the more reviews, the faster that I update. Thanks!

Chapter 2: Final Goodbyes and New Adventures

"There has to be some mistake, Professor Dumbledore!" Exclaimed Hermione. "What reason could the Sorting Hat have for putting Malfoy and me together?"

Hermione and Malfoy say in Professor Dumbledore's office. All of the students had been paired up and sent with a teacher who would further explain what would be required of them.

"No, Miss Granger. There is no mistake. The reason that you and Mr.Malfoy were paired together may not be evident yet but will eventually. Now as for what is to happen. Tonight you will both spend the night in your dormitories. Tomorrow after breakfast each set of partners will be given 3 days supply of food, one spare set of robes each, a knife and matches and a small pouch of cash incase you happen to stumble across a town or a traveler from whom you can but supplies from. The professors will collect your wands and each group will be given a separate portkey that will take you to different location. All of the forests and wilderness spots chosen were picked by the professors. Along the way you may face different obstacles. Your task will be to work together as a team to survive. Now I suggest that you two head back to your common rooms and get a good nights rest. You're going to need it."

Silently Hermione and Malfoy got up out of the chairs that they had been seated in, in Dumbledore's office.

Once back in the corridor Malfoy and Hermione turned their separate ways.

"Mudblood, "he smirked as he passed Hermione. Malfoy's taunts may gave affected her during 2nd year but they didn't have much affect on her now.

"Ferret," she replied.

As Hermione walked back to Gryffindor common room she vowed not to let Malfoy spoil this. She knew that this project she was to complete with him would be very helpful in preparing her for her later life and he wasn't going to wreck this opportunity. Hermione approached the portrait of the Fat Lady and gave her the password, (Libre).

Inside the common room you could hear all of the 7th years chattering excitedly over their new wilderness survival project. With the exception of Hermione the rest of the students were quite happy with their partners.

As Hermione glanced around the common room she spotted Harry, Ron and Ginny sitting by the fireplace.

When Ginny spotted Hermione she jumped up and ran over to her.

"Can you believe it?" Ginny asked excitedly. "The Sorting Hat chose me as Harry's partner. This is going to be so exciting!"

Hermione put a smile on her face. She wasn't going to let the thought of Malfoy spoil her last night with her friends. She decided just to try and forget all about him for the time being as she congratulated Ginny.

The rest of the night in the Gryffindor common room, at least for the 7th years and Ginny was spent laughing and talking and just enjoying their last night with all of their friends, at least for a few months.

Hermione couldn't help feeling a tad bit jealous of her friends. The next few months would be tough, physically and mentally and everyone around her would have someone they truly cared for with them to help them cope. Hermione though was stuck with none other then the arrogant, pureblooded prick, Draco Malfoy.

Little by little, members of Gryffindor turned in to their dormitories to get what would be their last sleep in a real bed for who knew how long.

Hermione was one of the first to turn in. She bid all of her friends goodnight and went into the 7th year girls dormitory which Hermione was happy to see was empty except for her.

As Hermione finished getting prepared for bed and she had brushed her teeth and flossed (her parents were dentists) she climbed under the covers of her four poster bed and lay in silence as she stroked Crookshanks.

Hermione, for once in a long while was truly puzzled about something and she couldn't find the answer in any book. Hermione could not figure out why she had to be placed with the ferret of all people. What sort of reason could the Sorting Hat have? Ifit was hoping to promote "inter-house unity" or whatever else then Hermione knew thatit was sadly mistaken.

There was no way that she'd survive this trip, at least not without losing her sanity. Hermione generally held a deep respect for the headmaster but sending her and Malfoy into the forest together? You didn't have to be a genius to see how stupid that was.

This particular situation reminded Hermione of a Latin phrase, momento mori, which translated into, remember you will die. As Hermione pulled the red and gold comforter over her head she prayed to whatever heavenly being lie above, that she would live to survive this project.

The next morning in the Great Hall was filled with mixed emotions, ranging from excitement and nervousness to sadness at the thought of having to leave friends for a few months.

The mood at Gryffindor table was a cheerful one. The happiness and excitement was so contagious that even Hermione was put in a good mood.

"Can you believe it!" Ginny squealed in excitement. "This is going to be so much fun! No teachers, no Snape, and no schoolwork for a few months!"

"Yeah," replied Hermione. "You're not the one stuck with ferret boy."

Ginny gave Hermione a sympathetic look and a pat on the back.

"Yeah, I suppose that could put a damper on things." Ginny agreed.

"Do you have any idea why the Sorting Hat chose you to be with Malfoy?" Harry asked as he sat and ate his breakfast. "Didn't Dumbledore sat there was a reason for our partners? What d'you suppose the reason is?"

"Dunno, probably Dumbledore wants to promote inter-house unity or some other crap. I mean it could have been worse, I could have been stuck with Crabbe or Goyle or Pansy or something," Hermione said trying to look on the bright side of the situation despite the obvious lack thereof.

"That's true," commented Ron as he finished clearing his plate and reaching for second helpings. "I may hate Malfoy but at least he's smart. Imagine being partnered with Neville? No offense to him but the bloke's a walking disaster. I would hate to have to rely on him in the wild."

"Yeah, I guess your right," Hermione replied.

"Yeah don't worry Mione," Harry reassured his best friend. "If anyone can survive Malfoy it's you."

Hermione smiled at Harry's comment.

"Thanks Harry."

Harry just smiled but before he could reply Dumbledore stood to give another announcement.

"After the mail is complete I would like all 7th years and participating 6th years to go with there respective partners and prepare to leave."

"Are you ready Mione?" Ginny asked.

"Truthfully," Hermione replied as she glanced at Malfoy who was smirking and glaring at anyone who dared interrupt his meal, "I couldn't be farther from it."

Ginny got a mischievous grin on her face that could easily rival Fred and George's. "Well, if the Mal-ferret just happens to suffer a… tragic fatality, you could just write it off as an unfortunate accident."

Hermione laughed at Ginny's attempt to cheer her up.

"Thanks Gin," she said, "That cheered me up."

After the meal had ended which more correctly was a feast prepared by the house-elves for the 7th years departure, Hermione slowly got up and said a sad farewell to her friends.

Surprisingly Malfoy didn't have a rude comment to make.

"Let's go," he said in an almost bored tone.

Hermione followed him in silence. The two had almost arrived at Dumbledore's office when Hermione realized that she didn't know the password.

"Acid pops," Malfoy said in a monotone.

"How'd you know that?" Hermione asked furrowing her brow in confusion.

"McGonagall told me," he said smirking. "I guess she felt you didn't need to know."

"Ugh!" Hermione exclaimed. "You are unbelievable!"

Malfoy just smirked and entered the Headmaster's office.

"Ugh!" Hermione exclaimed again in frustration. "I can't believe I'm going to have to work with him for the next couple of months! Maybe Ginny's idea wasn't so bad after all," she mused.

Inside Dumbledore's office, Hermione tool a seat in the chair that Dumbledore had conjured up beside Malfoy's.

"Lemon drop?" he offered.

Hermione politely declined but surprisingly Malfoy accepted one of the muggle candies Dumbledore was so fond of.

Dumbledore handed each student a pack. Inside was a spare robe, for cold weather, a few days worth of food, a pack of matches and a knife. Also included was a pack of muggle money.

"And one more thing," Dumbledore told the two. "These, are for you."

Dumbledore gave each what looked to be a coin on a chain. "Put these on," he said. "When they heat up, that means your partner is in danger. As you both are aware, you are each responsible for each other's well being. If ever a time comes when either of you are in very, very severe danger and your partner is not able to help just grab your coin and whisper the name of one of the professors at Hogwarts. That professor will immediately take one of our emergency portkeys we have set up and come to your aid. Now, does either of you have any questions?

Neither of the two said anything so Dumbledore continued.

"Good. Well if you two would both just grab this," he said holding out a portkey.

Malfoy looked at Hermione, "Scared Granger?"

"You wish, Ferret boy," Hermione replied before the two 7th years were whisked off into the wilderness.

A/N: Please review! They motivate me to write.

Next chapter: Hermione and Malfoy in the wild.

Thanx,

Kaydotsidot