Life is always great when you can't sleep…right? Wrong. Hermione didn't sleep a wink for the last couple of nights. The walls in her new room were paper-thin and all she could hear was Draco mumbling and talking to himself. She was always a light sleeper due to her busy mind. She wondered what Draco could be dreaming about…Mr. I don't have a care in the world. He had everything and no worries in the world. What could possibly be bothering him?
"No…I'm sorry…I didn't mean to. Help!" a garbled voice screamed from the next room, causing Hermione to jump out of her bed, her eyes sore from lack of sleep. She rubbed her eyes and got out of bed. It was Malfoy and his stupid nightmare again. She sighed in frustration. They both had to get up in twenty minutes to start their first day of training. She was excited and curious to what the day's events would be. She was eager to learn and anxious to start the day, yet physically tired. There was nothing she could do about that, except maybe kill Draco, so she could finally get a proper night's sleep. She didn't want to go to Azkaban for life and she needed his person to win this battle in the coming weeks.
Since she was up, she decided that it was time for Malfoy to get up as well. She slipped her slippers on and placed a sweater over her head to keep the morning chill off of her skin. She swept a hand through her bushy, tangled hair and wiped the sleep from her eyes; she grabbed her wand from the nightstand. She stood up and stretched her tight muscles languidly and sauntered over to her closed bedroom door that she locked the night before to keep Malfoy…Draco now…out. She flicked her wrist and the door clicked open.
Draco's door was closed, but unlocked. To play with him, she conjured a glass of ice cold water and tiptoed into his room, trying not to wake his disturbed form. She opened her eyes wide due to the dark atmosphere. She slowly closed the door behind her and crept up to Draco's bed. He was slithering under his covers.
Hermione neared his bed and nearly swallowed her heart. His face was covered in sweat and crinkled in consternation. He seemed so tortured and disturbed. Her heart went out to him, which was quite unusual. Of course they were friends, but more of acquaintances. This didn't mean that she would jump to his rescue anytime. They still had many issues to work out. Something was obviously bothering him and she had never seen Draco…the Slytherin God…so helpless…so vulnerable. It was a whole new side to him and it made her stomach uneasy. She wanted to comfort him and that scared her to death. She would never think in a million years that Draco could be human…that he could actually have feelings and his own demons to battle. His life seemed so perfect back in Hogwarts. She realized how ridiculous she sounded. She was just as bad as Draco was. She stereotyped him, like he stereotyped her. They weren't so different after all.
She forgot about her original plan of dousing him with cold water and decided to watch him unwittingly, his still form enraptured her. He was having another night terror, but it quickly vanished and his face as well as body became peaceful.
Hermione was unaware that Draco was watching her, his eyelids were slightly parted. At first, he was alarmed…it can be quite scary to wake from a nightmare and see a figure standing in front of your bed. He felt sort of relieved to see her, but wondered why she was there in the first place. She carried a cup of water. He probably figured that she was coming to wake him or to ask him something. It didn't draw suspicion. He could see that she was pondering about something. Her face was scrunched up in concern…and bewilderment. Her gaze was now on a door located on the other side of his room. It was slightly parted and a faint blue glow was coming from inside.
Hermione smelled flowers…yes flowers and the unmistakable scent of soil. Her nose brought her gaze to a door that was slightly ajar. The calm blue light emanating from the small crack lured her. She slowly walked towards it.
Draco's eyes popped open due to Hermione's retreating form. He didn't want her to see his garden. His prized possession…the only thing that he had for himself. He didn't want to seem like a pansy either…not that there was anything wrong with it.
"Hermione," he whispered. This caused her to jump, spilling the contents of the cold water over her front, which made her gasp. Draco was sitting up in his bed and laughing at her furious form.
"It's not funny," she muttered.
"To me it is," he smartly replied. His eyes sparkled in amusement, his famous smirk plastered on his luscious lips.
"Why you little cad," she glared, her cheeks red from embarrassment. She remembered why she was there and wiped self consciously at her front. For a moment she forgot that she could do magic. She seemed quite jumpy around Draco due to nerves. It was quite an odd feeling. She pointed her wand at her robes, which dried instantly. She walked over to the wall and flicked on the muggle lights that were installed for her convenience and walked back over to his bed. He was standing up from his bed, figuring that there was no more time for sleep, so he might as well get up. She turned her head away from his naked body. He had pants on, but his torso up was completely bare. She tried to hide her scarlet cheeks and the spark of interest that was probably shining from her chestnut eyes. Draco was too busy putting his tee shirt on to see Hermione's unease.
"What are you do in my room any way? Were you trying murder me or worse take advantage of me?" he sneered. He was mocking her and playing with her emotions. He loved to see her get uncomfortable and bothered. Any thing that was sexual made her very unguarded. She was too hard to talk to when she had her bossy, know-it-all façade on.
"Malfoy, you wish."
"We're back to that. I dream it every night…Hermione," he joked. He tried to say her name seductively, but it came out awkward.
Hermione's eyebrows raised. "Oh really...every night. Well, in your dreams I must be torturing you because it doesn't sound like you are having fun." She realized she cut to deeply when Draco's eyes turned dark.
"What'd you mean? What do I say?"
"Jeez don't have a cow Draco. I I should /I be, considering I never get any sleep do to your cries for help and insistent mumbling throughout the night. You've nightmares Draco."
Draco averted his haunted gaze elsewhere. He knew he had nightmares, but he didn't think that Hermione heard him at night. He didn't want her to know his problems…he was too damn proud.
"Sorry," he grumbled.
Hermione gave Draco a sympathetic look, trying to catch his gaze. When she did, she shook it off as nothing. She could see that something was bothering him…it wasn't a time to tease. Something she learned over the years, especially with her blunt attitude. She knew that Draco could have a really bad temper if he was prodded enough…just like her. She wanted to ask him what was wrong, but knew that it was the wrong time to ask. They haven't been friends long enough. They still didn't trust each other with their thoughts. It would take time before they could confide in each other. It could be tomorrow, next month, or forever before they trusted each other with their deepest secrets. Hermione sighed at the reality of the situation.
"I wanted to let you know that the Minister is coming here in a half-hour. We start training today."
"Perfect," he sarcastically remarked. Hermione took this as a cue to leave.
Draco plopped himself on his bed and placed his head in his hands. Today would be a very long day for the both of them.
--
Twenty-five minutes later they were both showered and dressed for action. The Minister didn't tell them what type of training they were going to do. Just to be safe they were wearing flexible clothing…that could be used for both physical and mental strain. They both left their new home and walked up to the ninth level.
The Minster for Magic was waiting for them at the top of the strenuous climb.
"Ah. How are we doing this fine morning?"
"We are doing well, sir," Hermione answered for the both of them. Draco didn't object. His mind was in its own little world. Hermione noticed this and poked him in his side, getting him to pay attention to the Minister's instructions.
"As you already know, today is the start your training. I know you are curious to what you have to do, but I warn you that the next two weeks will not be easy. This training is designed to help improve you both mentally and physically." He took a deep breath and continued. Both Hermione and Draco had their eyes on him, absorbing each and every word.
"I would like you to know that only a few people know of this mission. I am one of them. Dumbledore and a few Aurorswho will be helping with your training." His eyes glinted in mischief. There was something that he was keeping to himself. They would soon find out.
"Can you trust these Aurors with this secret?"
"Hermione, you mustn't underestimate Dumbledore or my judgement when it comes to our decision. Yes I do trust these Aurors. Dumbledore even trusts them with his life. Now can I continue." His face was passive.
She nodded and her eyes downcast, knowing that her comment may have offended his pride. Draco held his tongue.
"Today is rather simple. We will start with basic physical training. No magic will be used today…that is tomorrow. I have made a special room for you on this floor of the Ministry. Don't worry, it will not affect the Department of Mysteries. This is where I leave you."
"Where do we go?"
"Smart question. I almost forgot Ms. Granger. You see that wall over there," he pointed to the wall about ten feet down the hallway. Hermione nodded and Draco followed with his eyes. "Walk in front of it three times and think about a training room."
"This reminds of the Room of Requirement," Draco mentioned.
"Excu—oh yes. Dumbledore designed this room as well as the one in Hogwarts."
Hermione's gawked at the Minster. She assumed that the room was always there. Draco shook it off.
"Anyway, I must be on my way. Pressing matters await me in my lovely office," he smiled as if he meant it. Really, he was excited about getting back to work. Mustn't be a normal wizard. Then again he was a wizard…they were never normal.
"What are we supposed--"
"Ah…ah…Hermione not to worry dear. My Head Auror, on this mission, will be there." He winked before he disappeared into the lift.
What was that about?
"Let's go Hermione. Time's a wasting."
She followed Draco to the wall and repeated the Minster's instructions. A few moments later a door appeared. Hermione and Draco looked at each other and nodded. Draco reached his hand out and opened the door. A big stream of bright white light leaked through the door, nearly blinding them.
They winked their eyes and stepped into a gigantic stadium. It was completely silent; the empty stands seemed to smother them. Multiple courses were set up over the 300-yard long stadium and two people were walking towards them. One of them seemed to look very familiar to Hermione. He was too far away to see. When he neared, she nearly fainted.
"Harry?"
b A/N: /b Sorry guys. I could have continued this, but there will be a part two to 'Training Day One'. I don't have time to finish tonight and I am anxious to get another chapter out for my fans. Don't worry I will update soon. Please leave a review. I don't mind the criticism.
Liadan Lightflower