Disclaimer: I'm not JK Rowling

Chapter Two - Truce? / Friends?

The class had covered basic healing spells for the first few weeks. Just like Hogwarts Draco and Hermione were top of the class, although this was helped by the fact that both had been using these spells for years. They were now covering basic remedies for common injuries, today being broken bones and skele-gro.

At the end of the class Healer Price advised the class that the following day they would be learning how to brew skele-gro at the hospital's private potion lab, located next door to St Mungo's. They would also be working in pairs and it would be up to them to choose their partner. Class was then dismissed and everyone stood to leave, selecting their partners and talking excitedly about the next day's class. Draco was still sitting at the back of the class when someone stood in front of him. He looked up and saw a face he didn't expect to see, Hermione Granger.

"It seems we are the only two without partners" she said quietly, "and its not like we can avoid each other forever."

"So you want to work with me?" he asked.

"Yes, I think we can be adults and be civilised, plus I want to work with someone I know has potions ability."

"Well I did finish top of my class" he replied smirking, knowing how much it would annoy her. He also knew she was right. As he saw her take a deep breath, he stood, smirking again, and said "I'd be honoured to work with you Granger" and left, leaving Hermione standing in the classroom trying to control her irritation. Draco Malfoy could still get under her skin, maybe working with him was not the best idea, but it was too late now.

The following morning Draco and Hermione and the rest of their class arrived at the St Mungo's potion laboratory and were met by Healer Roger Wright who was going to teach them how to make skele-gro. Hermione and Draco were both feeling apprehensive at working together but excited at making potions again. Each pair was assigned a work area and cauldron, and the class began. Each of the ingredients were explained and then prepared. Draco and Hermione worked in silence until it was time to start the brewing of the potion.

"I think one of use should handle the ingredients and the other should do the mixing and heating" Hermione said quietly, breaking the silence.

Draco nodded and replied "I'll take the mixing".

Hermione smiled, "shall we start?"

Draco gave a slight smile, and nodded.

Over the next few hours the pair worked together easily and were focused entirely on the potion. They were the first to finish and Healer Wright came over to inspect their potion. It was perfect. "Well I'd expect nothing less from two of Hogwarts finest potion makers" he said, before turning back to observe the rest of the class.

The next few weeks saw the trainee healers learn to theory of several key potions, as well as how to make them. Hermione and Draco continued to pair up when it came to brewing the potions. They continued to work well together and produce excellent potions. As the time passed so did some of the tension between them.

The class was given an afternoon off as a reward for all of their hard work. As usual Draco and Hermione were the last to leave the classroom, neither really sure of what to do or where to go. As they walked out of the lift towards the floo, Hermione turned to Draco and asked "what are you planning to do?"

"No idea" he replied "I'd just love to be able to get away from everyone and everything. I"m sick of being stared at, and the Manor isn't exactly a place that I feel relaxed." He sighed and looked at Hermione, waiting for her to tell him that he deserved, but instead she said "do you trust me?"

Draco looked at her stunned, "what?"

"I asked if you trusted me. I know somewhere we could go and be away from everything. I get sick of being stared at too".

Draco thought for a minute, and then nodded "I do".

"Meet me outside the Post Office at Hogsmeade in half an hour, oh and dress warm, casual and muggle" she said before stepping into the floo so he couldn't respond.

Half an hour later Hermione was standing outside the Hogsmeade Post Office waiting for Draco. She wasn't sure why but she was sure he would turn up and that thought didn't scare her. If anything Draco intrigued her. He was certainly different and she was curious to know why.

Draco meanwhile was standing in his room at the Manor wondering if he should go or not. He'd got changed into muggle jeans, sneakers and a sweatshirt, and knew he had nothing else to do. Plus he really wanted to get out of the house and away from everything. If I can hate it I can always leave he thought to himself, before taking a deep breath and appariting to Hogsmeade. Draco saw her standing outside the Post Office as she said she would be. He walked towards her feeling slightly apprehensive, but didn't show it in his face. Hermione smiled as he reached her, "shall we go?" she asked, holding out her hand. Draco nodded and took it before feeling the pull of apparition.

He looked around where they'd landed and as expected he didn't recognise where he was, but it looked like the countryside.

"Welcome to the Lake District" Hermione said "this is where I come to get away and it looks like a good day for a hike".

"A hike?"

"Yes Draco a hike. Its what I do when I want some time alone or some time to think. Its what I love about this place, you can always find a nice quiet spot and just be. Plus its beautiful".

Draco couldn't argue the views around them were stunning and they were only at the bottom of the hill he was expecting that they would be climbing.

"And you're happy for me to join you?" he asked, wondering why she was sharing something so personal with him.

"If you'd like to, plus you looked like you needed some time away, and I know what that's like".

"Then lead the way" Draco replied with a slight smile.

Together they walked towards a set of hills known as the Langdale Pikes, specifically Pavey Ark. Draco and Hermione walked together in relative silence, both thinking, contemplating and enjoying the peace and quiet, as well as the views. Once they reached the top Hermione pulled a blanket out of her bag and they sat down.

"This place is breathtaking" Draco said, as they both caught their breath, and drank some water.

"I know" Hermione replied, "no matter how many times I come here it still amazes me".

Draco looked at Hermione and saw her rosy cheeks from the climb and her wind swept hair, despite it being pulled back. She looked so natural and beautiful, and this was a thought which scared him.

"Draco" Hermione said, pulling him from his thoughts.

"Hmm" he replied

"I asked if you were hungry"

"Yeah I am" he smiled "and its getting a bit cold".

Hermione laughed "I suppose it is November".

Draco cast a warming charm while Hermione got the food out of her bag. As they ate they discussed their training. It was a safe and easy topic. Then Draco asked, "so where are we?".

"Well you've just climbed Pavey Ark, one of the Langdale Pikes in the Lake District, which is in north west England, and we are sitting next to Sickle Tarn" she answered.

"Sickle Tarn" Draco laughed "it looks like a lake to me".

"A tarn is a mountain lake or pool, formed in an amphitheater like valley head, which was excavated by a glacier, so I suppose technically you are right by calling it a lake, but its a certain type of lake" Hermione explained.

Draco looked at her with amazement, "is there anything you don't know" he asked.

Hermione thought for a moment, and then she answered "plenty, which is one of the reasons I love to read. There is always something new to learn".

Draco nodded, "I guess I understand, I've actually been surprised at how much I've enjoyed learning again at training".

Hermione looked confused "but you were always challenging me for the top grades at Hogwarts, didn't you enjoy learning then" she asked.

"That was different" he replied quietly, looking at her and still seeing the confusion on her face. "School came with pressure, Lucius Malfoy did not like his son coming second to a muggleborn".

Realisation dawned on her face, "but now he's gone you can learn because you want to".

Draco nodded "so much for getting away from everything" he muttered quietly, but Hermione heard him.

"You're right, I'm sorry. Maybe we should pack up and keep walking" she said, as she started to tidy up their leftover food. Draco didn't move, he just sat looking out over the tarn.

"Hermione" he said cautiously, causing her to stop and look at him, "do you think maybe we could just sit here, talk a bit more?"

Hermione looked at him, before nodding and sitting back down, as Draco continued "but whatever we say, it stays between us". Hermione nodded again. She had no idea what Draco wanted to talk about but she was curious. It was obvious he needed to talk to someone, she just never expected it to be her.


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