Chapter Four: Aurora Borealis
Hermione awoke groggily at nine-thirty. Then, upon realising the time, she gave a yelp and jumped out of bed. They would be leaving at ten.
When she arrived in the lobby, everyone else had already gathered and were chattering excitedly, discussing rumours about where they would be going next. Everyone was curious as they had been told to bring their swimsuits.
Parvati suddenly spotted Hermione and dragged her over to where the rest of the group – except Malfoy – was standing. Hermione smiled weakly at Dean as he tried to force her into a conversation focused on the base components of tiramisu.
Fortunately, the Land Rovers arrived just then, and they got in – Hermione once again next to Malfoy.
Crap, I really need to stop walking behind everyone else.
They were driven over through the city to the Ishetar Riding Centre. Upon sighting the building, the whole cohort immediately broke into chatter once again.
"Horses!" Lavender squealed excitedly. "I love horseback-riding!"
At the centre, they were given riding instructions and briefed on safety procedures. Then, they were led to a large paddock where fifty or so horses stood grazing. They were pure bred Viking horses, descended from those brought over by Iceland's first settlers more than 1100 years before. They were short, but the instructors assured them that the horses were incredibly steady; even on the rocky grounds of lava they would be journeying to.
When it was Hermione's turn to mount, she felt nervous and anxious. All the other students had managed it fine; although not without some stumbling and resulting cursing. Though Hermione could not help feeling slightly amused as she saw the horse she had been given. It was brown, but with a long mane of very soft, wavy light blond hair that fell over one of it's eyes. It reminded her forcibly of Malfoy.
Hesitantly, she approached the horse and slid a foot into the stirrup, hoisting herself up onto its back. The instructor led the horse out of the fenced paddock and out into the open. They had told them that it would be fine for those with no riding experience, as the horses were very well-trained and tame.
The horse, perhaps sensing her unfamiliarity, flicked it's tail lazily and bent down to graze some more. Hermione pushed her heels tentatively into it's sides; as the instructor had taught them. It blinked, shook the hair out of it's eyes, and walked a paces forward. She dug her heels in harder. It broke out into a slow trot.
Satisfied, Hermione tugged on the reins and it stopped. They were allowed to go off once their whole group had a horse. Parvati and Lavender skilfully steered their horses towards Hermione. Dean was managing okay, but Neville was having quite some trouble. His horse simply refused to move, and resolutely stayed put despite his efforts.
Finally, Malfoy emerged from the paddock, looking completely at ease riding his animal. Hermione couldn't help admiring how he moved so easily with it; like it was as simple as walking or running. In fact, he actually looked bored.
When Parvati finally helped Neville get his horse moving – by slapping it on it's thigh - they were off. The grasslands stretched as far as they could see, fading off into barren ground at the edges. The wind stung their faces with sharp needles of cold, awakening them. All they could hear was the fast-paced thud of the horses' hooves on the endless grass. Gradually, Hermione eased into the rhythm of the horse, moving her body in time with its. The adrenaline surged through her, and she felt an unrestrained laugh break free, amidst those of her friends beside her. Glancing at Malfoy, she noticed he was looking completely at peace, his features free of the smirk that so frequently resided. His hair was longer now, she realised, hanging into his eyes and swept to the side, mirroring the style of her horse. It was being blown back slightly from the speed they were rushing at, framing and accentuating his eyes. Soft rays of gold sun fell across his face, making those startling silver eyes stand out even more. They glimmered as though dozens of encrusted diamonds were scattered beneath their surfaces. He closed them slowly, as if thinking. The long lashes fluttered momentarily, and then he opened his eyes again.
And Hermione thought she saw a shadow; a ghost of a smile pass across his lips.
When they reached the rockier lava ground, they let the horses rest before heading back. The basalt lava fascinated Hermione. Occasionally, if the lava had cooled oddly, intricate patterns would be carved onto the rocks' surfaces. She ran a finger over them absently. She felt distinctly uneasy – she had, for one slight moment, actually been attracted to Malfoy, back in the fields. But she couldn't be. He was her arch-enemy. All those years of hatred and prejudice ... She just couldn't.
Hermione felt so confused. Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, she again mounted her horse for the journey back to the riding centre.
At the centre, they ate a hurried lunch, though nearly gagging from the taste of the food.
"It tastes like airplane food!" Hermione said disgustedly as she spat out her first bite.
Dean nodded agreebly as he shoved away his plate. The rest of the group, who were purebloods, stared at them with raised eyebrows.
Then they hopped once again into the Land Rovers. Hermione stared out the window for awhile, but then heard Lavender gasp in awe. An enormous stretch of milky-white water lay in front of them; so still that it looked like ice. Large billows of steam rose at regular intervals. It was surrounded by hills of soft, grassy earth. Walkways and mini-bridges were connected from the spa and rental buildings to a large oasis in a corner of the lake. Walkways bordered the island-esque region, leading out to more smaller platforms.
Practically jumping out of the Land Rover, the group gaped at scene with their mouths hanging open.
"Ah, yes, the Blue Lagoon," said a voice behind them, chuckling. They turned around to find the crew captain, who had appeared out of nowhere. "Magnificient, isn't it? I remember my first trip to a lagoo-"
"Can we just go in now?" Malfoy interuppted irritably.
"Yes, yes, of course," said the captain briskly, eyeing Malfoy warily. "Go, go, don't bother to listen to an old fool like me..."
"Okay," they all said, and ran off without a second glance.
Blue Lagoon was even more beautiful up close. They changed into their swimsuits at godspeed. Dean was the first out. He sped along the wooden walkways and cannonballed into the water. Neville stuck his toes in first, causing Dean to roll his eyes and yank him in by the ankles. Malfoy ignored both of them and slid in smoothly. The girls came next, all with conditioned hair to prevent it from drying out from the lagoon water.
Dean, like the master of pull-you-in-by-your-ankles he wasn't, swept up suddenly from the cloak of the opaque water and hauled them in swiftly – cackling madly all the time.
To get back at him, the girls launched an full-out attack against him – namely, a water fight. When he finally surrendered, choking and spluttering, they just relaxed, submerged in the warm, calming water.
Then Hermione felt someone tap her shoulder.
"Harry! Ron!" She enveloped them in hugs. They laughed had a mini water-fight, then parodied water aerobics. Then they had the bright idea of doing Olympic dives off the wooden walkways. It was only after Ron tripped and clumsily fell headfirst into the water that they decided to take a break. Still chuckling and pretending not to notice Ron's glares, they hoisted themselves onto the wooden platform and sat there, talking.
"So, how's everyone's group?" Harry asked.
"Horrible," Ron scowled darkly.
"They're really nice," Hermione said, smiling. "Malfoy actually hasn't been that much of a prat."
Whereby Harry and Ron asked her if she was feeling alright, which evoked another one of those notorious splashy-splashy boom-boom water wars.
Lounging on a platform nearby, Malfoy watched them silently, muttering under his breath.
"What is it with Gryffindors and water-fights?"
Later, they headed back to the hotel for a short rest. They would be going out once again at six. Hermione was practically falling asleep. They had been told that they would be going to a restaurant for dinner, so Hermione wearily selected a random dress before collapsing on her bed.
She was awoken by her alarm clock at five-fifteen. Groggily, she took a fast shower and threw on the dress that she had picked. It was a simple, elegant black strapless that ended in a slit. Yawning, she slid on the silver chain that her mother had given her for her birthday. She half-heartedly curled her hair, and put on normal black pumps. Content, she headed out the door.
Draco stopped in his tracks as he sighted a slim, beautiful girl with wavy hair stepping out of her hotel room. He slapped himself mentally for not noticing her before. But ... how could he have not? If she went to Hogwarts – then the girl shifted her head and he realised it was Granger.
They were piled into Superjeeps and driven along the island's lava landscape. The stars sparkled calmingly in the pastel black-violet sky, but Draco had eyes only for the girl sitting next to him. Granger was admiring the stars with a tranquil smile and didn't notice him staring. The vehicle bumped quietly along the rocky terrain. Mountains of craggy rock rose around them like titans. Draco could sense magic in the air. But it wasn't the magic of wizards – no; it was the magic of the planet. He could hear faint whispers of the earth speaking to him through the sulphur and ash, though he was sure the Muggle driver could not. It spoke to him softly; peacefully. He felt his eyes closing, gradually; slowly...
When Draco awoke, the driver was announcing that they were in the small seaside village of Stokkseyri, where the rustic restaurant Við Fjöruborðið was located. He then realised that something was leaning against his shoulder. Looking round, he felt himself flush with shock and embarrassment. Granger, like him, had fallen asleep, and had tilted against him in her slumber.The rest of the group had noticed, too, and were smirking.
Annoyed and deeply red, he pushed her away and got up hurriedly. Malfoys are never humiliated, he thought scathingly. He was seriously irritated by those bloody Gryffindors – and besides that, he was hungry. Those Muggles had better get that dinner quick.
They, of course, were forced to sit according to their groups. Draco made his way to a table with the plaque card 'Sapphire' placed on it, and waited, fuming for the rest to turn up. Which they did, still sniggering. At least until he shot them one of his best Malfoy glares. Hermione was still looking bleary and apparently didn't know - and didn't care - why the others were behaving even more idiotically than usual.
Then, the captain, who had appeared out of nowhere to give them handy information as usual, stood up and announced that they would be having Við Fjöruborðið's specialty – Stokkseyri lobster.
Thank God, Draco thought, patting his complaining stomach.
Three steaming lobsters were placed in front of them – apparently, they had to share. Draco scowled. Even worse, the others had carefully arranged themselves so that Hermione was sitting next to Draco, as usual. Picking up his knife and fork, Draco transferred some of the lobster onto his plate and began to eat, completely ignoring the girl next to him. Hermione followed his lead sleepily.
The lobster was one of the most delicious things Draco had tasted, and that was saying alot, considering how he only ate food and drank water mail-ordered fresh from the mountain-tops. It was cooked in butter and garlic, accompanied by a specially made sauce and bread.
When he was full, Draco closed his eyes and leaned back into his chair. They left the restaurant soon after and just sat in the Superjeeps. When five minutes had passed and the jeep was still catatonic, Draco yelled to the driver irritably.
"What's going on? Why aren't we leaving?" he shouted, eyes still closed.
"You'll see," the driver answered in an accented voice.
Then, suddenly, a pale green light began to streak across the sky. Curious muttering surfaced as a few of the students noticed it. Then, the green was joined and merged with red; then yellow, then white. It streaked and shot across the sky, flashing and dancing in a motley wave of colour. Everyone was fully awake now, clambering out of the jeeps and pointing, shrieking excitedly. Draco watched the light arch and ripple, and inexplicaby, felt tears surface. The whispering of the planet was clearly to be heard now. Fully immersed in the depths of nature, he felt emotions he hadn't felt for years rush to the surface, threatening to spill. It reminded him of his carefree childhood, and of the burdenless nights he used to spend watching the night stars twinkle from his window; small, awed face pressed against the glass. He remembered running around the grounds of the mansion after thunderstorms trying to dig up earthworms. And ... floating paper boats along the drains on rainy days, watching in fascination how they ducked and swerved with the current.
The light had faded to a pure silver; a white dragon against the dark night sky, spanning and fading to avoid the harsher and bitter times of life...
It was then he felt tears release and slide down his cheeks, leaving a cloudy mark against the dark ground.
On the quiet ride back to the hotel, Draco saw that everyone else had fallen asleep. He closed his eyes and sighed deeply, shifting to a more comfortable position.
Just then, Hermione's head drooped once again onto his shoulder. Draco stiffened, but then decided he didn't really mind.
As he let himself drift off to the coaxes of the earth, the stars in the sky watched him as he had watched them.
Sorry it took a week, but I've been busy writing other stuff for another competition my teacher is forcing me to enter. Bleh. I stayed up all night to write this, and I'm dead tired. Need to get some sleep because I have to go shopping in the afternoon to get stuff for the Graduation Ball. Hee. Review please:) It makes me update reeeeaaaal fast.
A/N:
lra-dragonfruit: I'm sure you didn't mean to be rude, but the way you phrased it didn't feel very nice. But thanks for taking the time for reviewing my fic.I'm sorry if you feel ... er ... slanderized? (That's not even a word, is it:P)
Blazeing Star: Oh of course not! I thought you were amazingly polite! Sure they can go to Canada, since you and Zarroc keep requesting:) Actually, I made it take place somewhere in late September to early October. Because in summer you don't get the Northern Lights. Hehe. I like winter best too. :P
Yeah, I'm noting all the countries you all want. I'm still concentrating on Iceland though. They have one more day. At the rate I'm going, it'll take me three years to finish this. :(
This chapter was meant to give more depth to Draco. Because I like him. Bwahahahaha. Iceland is so beautiful, I can't even describe it. Google Blue Lagoon and the Northern Lights and you'll know what I mean.
And thanks to all those who reviewed! I give you bread! Or cookies. Whichever. :)
P.S. The phrase 'mail-ordered fresh from the mountain-tops' was taken from Mythical Detective Loki. Just so you know. :P