Chapter Three – High Flying

Hermione could not out run Draco's broom [it was the latest and best one around] and was soon being grabbed by the waist and was lifted up. He placed Hermione on the side of the broom and flew up into the clouds.

"What was that for?" he asked.

"What was what for?" Hermione giggled.

"You like laughing a lot, don't you?"

"Only when I'm happy," she replied.

"That doesn't sound like it happens often," he said. Hermione's mood suddenly flew. Had he touched a soft spot? He lowered the broom down again and placed her onto the sand. She walked away a few steps, her back facing him. He put his broom against a rock and began to walk behind her.

"I'm sorry if I've hurt you," he said.

"No, it wasn't you. It's just...everything's being happening so quickly lately. Voldemort's getting stronger and soon enough, me, Harry and Ron are going to have to fight and...I'm not ready. I don't want to grow up yet. I dont want to fight," she turned to face him. Tears were trickling down her face, "tonight was the first time in a long time that I have enjoyed myself. Lately, everything's just been about keeping updated bout where Voldemort is or trying to find the best ways to stop him and I just want to..."

"Get away?"

"Yeah..." she pulled her mouth into a small smile. Draco moved closer to her and placed his hands on her face. Pulling her in, he kissed her deeply.

"I know how you feel. My father's being trying to get my to join the Dark Mark and I don't want it. I want it all to –"

"- stop?" she looked up at him. They were both on the same page. Both going through the same thing. Neither were coping with it very well. They wanted it to all go away. They wanted it to all end. But it wouldn't.

"Lets forget about it all, just for tonight. Tonight let's just have fun, together," he offered.

"And what about after tonight?" asked Hermione, biting her lip in worry.

"We'll just have to keep this as a memory. Nothing more..."

"I think that'd be the best."

"But let's forget about that right now."

Draco took her hand and squeezed it tight. Hermione grinned and let go of his hand, "catch me, without a broom," and on that note she ran down the coast, looking back and laughing. Draco laughed and ran after her. It wasn't hard to catch her and when he did, he lifted her up and spun her around but lost his balance and she fell on top of him. With her hands on his shoulders she kissed her way up his neck and to his lips.

"You're a strange one Draco."

"Well you're a geek Granger."

The night soon became a small sunrise and the pair woke up in each other's arms, nothing but the rays of sun to warm them up. Hermione was the first to wake up. She shielded her eyes from the sun with her arm and looked up at the person who was holding her. We'll just have to keep this as a memory he had said to her.

"And a memory is shall be," she whispered under her breath. She slowly moved Draco's arm from her back and placed it on top of his chest. She stood up quietly and looked at where the school was. It towered over the shore. She took a breath and began to make her way back to Hogwarts, not taking the broom with her; instead she walked up the rocks and over the top. She smiled all the way back to the school. She had overcome her fear of flying after all. But a worry grew in her mind. Just a memory, she thought, that's all it'll ever be.