Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or anything related to it. The title names are also not unique and brought from the challenge itself.

This Makes Life Worthing Re-thinking
By Mynthia Fae

Chapter title: Blame it on my Biology
Character/Pairing: Hermione/Draco
Word Count: 1173
Prompt: 149 Blame it on my biology
Summary: Caught in the rain, Hermione runs into someone she wasn't expecting.
Also, a reponse to the "Thunderstorm Romance Challenge" by imdeadsothere. I hope you like it.

What had been a bright and lovely day has suddenly taken a turn to the wet and cold. Out in the middle of the Dark Forest, an educational no-no, she had to seek cover as the rain was coming down in buckets. Where had these clouds come from?

She ran quickly between the trees, stumbling over roots and rocks. If she remembered right, there was a small cave which she had found a few weeks earlier while she had been examining the unique flora of the forest. Figures, the one day I don't think I will need a jacket. Should really listen to mother more often and "always be prepared."

Deciding she would only get lost, she sought shelter in the cave which was a quarter hour walk from where she had been, a much better alternative that the hours it would take to make it back to castle, assuming she didn't get lost.

A twig snapped behind her, echoed by thunder distant in the sky, causing her to whirl around towards the sound. Nothing moved around her other that the vegetation bending to the water falling from the sky. Just the thunder. Don't be so jumpy, 'Mione.

She turned back to the cave and proceeded inside where she spelled her clothing dry and a waterproof fire to keep her warm. Pulled the Ziploc bag containing her samples out of her pocket and held it open under the rain to fill it partially with water. She sealed the bag and placed it well away from the fire so that they would not dry out, ruining a whole day of work.

The sound of rocks sliding and someone stumbling on them rumbled. "Who's there?" She tried to call out, though it came out a lot quieter than she had anticipated.

"What?" the voice was sharp, masculine, and too familiar for her comfort. "Oh, great, the only dry place within 10 miles happens to be inhabited by Mudbloods. Fan-freaking-tastic."

Hermione sighed. "Not a nice thing to say to someone who has the enchanted fire."

Draco ignored her and came inside without an invitation and sat across from her, stretching his hands out to warm them on the fire between them.

Just pretend he isn't there, she chanted over and over to herself mentally. She watched the orange flames dancing, fumeless, on the ground. It left no scorch marks, as it was intended. Easy magic that 8 year old witches could do with a little help from their parents. Heat and light, nothing more.

In silence they sat, with only the pounding rain in their ears.

With no warning thunder rumbles, loud and boisterous, right above the cave. Draco shrieked and jumped up, landing in Hermione's lap and burying his head into her shoulder.

"What in the bloody hell are you doing, Malfoy!" Hermione shrieked, outraged by the sudden intrusion on her personal space.

He looked up, his pale complexion burning bright red. "Uh…" He hopped up and moved back to his side of the fire. "Nothing." He nervously eyed outside, his eyes dancing about as if expecting a sudden attack.

"You're soaking wet," Hermione remarked as she dried her own clothing again. "Certainly you're not daft enough to have forgotten the drying charm. Or, for Merlin's sake, you could have apparated home if you had half a brain."

Draco hit her with an angry stare. "What?" she asked after a few moments had passed.

"Must have escaped your notice that I have hung with the wrong crowd," he bared his arm, revealing the dark mark, "and have been branded a traitor. My magic has been locked up tighter than your chastity belt."

"My what?" she shook her head. "No matter, the ministry bound your magic?"

A nod.

"That is horrible. How is a person who has only known magic supposed to survive? I mean Muggles do it every day, live without magic I mean, but someone who has known – are your teeth chattering?"

The blond clenched his teeth. "No."

Rolling her eyes, she waved her wand over his clothing to help them dry. Once the task was complete she looked him over. Rolling her eyes, she moved to sit behind him, wrapping her arms around you.

"Granger, what are you doing?" He was tense.

"Preventing a thing called hypothermia. Muggle thing most wizards don't have to deal with because they can magically keep themselves warm. Keeping you between two warm forces should warm you up quickly. No need to worry about lost appendages."

They sat in silence, Hermione was sure that they were both a little awkward. Here she was with her arms wrapped around someone she had considered to be an enemy. He tensed with each roar of thunder, his eyes darting outside.

"What are you so afraid of, Malfoy?" she asked, getting tired of the relative silence. Curiosity killed the cat.

"Not exactly loved by the ministry, and the Death Eaters believe me to be a traitor after I bumbled offing the headmaster. Not just one side of the war wants my head."

"Oh." Pity welled up inside. What must it be like to have no one to protect you? To be all alone in the world. His father must be disappointed as well.

"What brought you to this shit hole of a cave?"

"I happen to think this is a nice little shelter." She was defensive over her cave, which she believed it to be as it was someplace that until now, was known only to her. "I was collecting Angels Light for Madame Pomfrey. Something to do with homemade remedies for the infirmary."

He raised an eyebrow. "Why not just apparate home after collecting it then?"

Hermione laughed so hard her body shook. "If you had paid attention in Herbology, you would know that this plant is highly sensitive to the residue that apparating and disapparating leaves behind. How did you manage to pass your lessons?"

Once she finally had herself under control, she resumed watching the fire, not admitting to herself that she liked the feel of the boy in front of her. He was comfortable, and her arms wrapped perfectly around him.

He tilted his head and looked up at her. "You're not so bad, Granger." He lifted up and kissed her chastely on the lips. He pulled back and watched the surprise spread across her face.

Warmth spread throughout her whole body. She had always wanted to not be hated by the boy. Had never understood his hatred for those different than he was. She sighed, content.

"For a Mudblood." A grin slid into place on his lips.

"You are such an inconsiderate ass."

"Blame it on my biology. Goes back generations. Possibly to the beginning of time."

She kissed him. "Oh shut it, Malfoy."

A/N: A Hermione/Ron chapter is in the works, with only a small mention of Draco. Happy Reading, and reviews are always welcome and appreciated.