Chapter 3 - Shadows in the Fog

A bright light was blocked behind her eyelids, waking her up from the uncomfortable slumber. His arm rested upon her waist as he slept next to her who attempted to gently sit up without waking him, her stomach growling of hunger. As she looked up, feeling him move against her, she saw a bright light shining from above.

Draco sat up, also, "are you alright?"

Hermione nodded, squinting her eyes to see where the light was coming from. "Draco, I think there's a way out."

He stood up, his arm blocking the light from her eyes, "it looks like it, it's just getting that far up." He dropped his head and glanced around at the bare stone.

"Wait," she realized a charm from years ago, "let me try something." And as she waved her wand pointing at a gasping Draco, he began to float.

"What the...?"

Hermione smiled very dimly, walking to him and reaching for his hand slowly. Realizing what she was doing, he reached and grabbed her fully.

"Don't be afraid, Grang... I mean, Hermione," and as she held his hand firmly, he looked up to begin floating into the stream of glistening white light.

As they reached the opening, they realized the light was indeed the sky: a gray, dark sky full of clouds of thunder and rain with the occasional peeking of the Sun. Landing on the firm ground, Draco instantly pulled her closer. His wand was found easily in his pocket, guarding her from anyone or anything that might have wanted trouble.

Her breathing quickened, but wand continued to be pointed. Walking forward into the fogged shadows, the two young wizards could not decide where they had escaped. With all visible being shadows behind the heavy mist, nothing could be seen but each other. As one of the shadows straight ahead become darker, it was obviously a small building.

"Lumos," Draco lit the tip of his wand as quietly as possible.

"Someone's going to see us, Malfoy."

Draco didn't bother looking at her, concentrating on what was ahead. "I don't think anyone is aroun..." He was interrupted by slipping on wet ground, falling forward.

"Draco!" Hermione tried to grab him, but when she reached his arm his face had already collided with the wall. She pulled him up, catching his as he fell into her.

He shook his head, "this is a wooden wall, apparently." Standing up, he lit his wand once again and tapped upon the wood, attempting to find an opening. As he continued tapping, he had not paid attention to the ground, suddenly falling into a somewhat deep ditch with Hermione falling on his back.

"Ouch," she gasped. "I'm so sorry." She quickly rolled off of him, allowing him to raise himself on his arms and knees.

"It's not your fault, Granger," he said quietly.

"Are you alright?"

Draco nodded, but Hermione still had difficulty seeing. Hermione stood, bending over and assisting him onto his own legs and holding him as if going to a formal dinner party.

As she led him forward with her wand finding more of the wooden wall, she came across a handle.

"I think I found a door," she whispered. Finding the handle with her hand, she took a deep breath and pulled. The door creaked but did not move.

Hermione felt Draco shift, "alohomora." Hermione felt his hand on the top of hers, allowing them to pull together.

"Thanks," she said softly, lighting her own wand and leading them into what seemed like a cabin.

Closing the door, she quickly scanned around the single room finding nothing of danger. A group of candles.

"Incendio," she spoke, as each with in the group lit lighting the cabin. The light also revealed a fireplace of stone. Before Hermione could light this source, too, Draco had already completed the task.

She lead him to the mattress on the floor, obviously covered in dust. Waving her wand, a strong wind blew over the mattress ridding of the dust. Draco lowered himself on the bed, lying down gently.

"Merlin, this feels good." He closed his eyes, Hermione seeing the blood covering his neck, face, and staining his shirt.

Walking over to what appeared to be a kitchen, she searched for any source of food. Packages of salty crackers, a jar of what seemed to be olives, container of sugar, a few bars of chocolate, and a moldy loaf of bread were found in the longest cabinet. She pulled out all of the edible food, placing it on the counter and grabbing the large bowl in front of her.

"Aguamenti," the bowl easily filled with water. Bringing the bowl to the side table of the bed, she sat next to Draco, who seemed to be deep asleep.

Placing her fingers on his forearm, she traced gently down his arm to see if he responded. Not moving, she began to unbutton his black shirt finding bloody slices and cuts all over his bare chest.

Dipping her hand in the water, she filled it using her hand as a cup bringing it to his chest where she dumped it and rubbed gently. The water seemed to wash the blood away; again she dipped her cupped hand in the bowl, pouring it onto his skin. One of his hands grabbed her wrist quickly.

Her eyes found his, finding his eyes full of nervousness and wonder.

"Don't worry," she placed her hand on his stomach, "I'm only washing you up. You're covered in blood and..."

"Thank you," he said gently, Hermione jumping when she felt his other hand on her cheek. She closed her eyes at his touch, her breathing steady. His thumb caressed her cheek, watching her breathe softly.

'She is beautiful...' Draco thought to himself, a smile so small only he could realize it was there. 'But why when she is really just a muggle?'

A small moan escaped her mouth, her lips only slightly parted.

'It doesn't matter. She is still smart, beautiful, and obviously, after all these years of hating each other, she has the ability to care regardless.'

"Hermione," he said her name softly, trying to awaken her from the trance.

She looked up, his hand dropping back to his side, "oh, sorry." She continued rubbing his skin with water, working up to his neck and face. When she finished upon him and he was as clean as he could possibly be in the situation, he caught her wrist before she could walk away, pulling her to sit on the bed again.

"What's the matter?" She asked.

"Lay down," he said, sitting up and unbuttoning her shirt this time, his still hanging loosely.

"Draco?" Her voice shivered, but her body couldn't move.

He glanced into her eyes quickly, but finished the last few buttons. He dipped his hand into the water bowl, rubbing her soft skin as she had done to his moments before.

Hermione closed her eyes at his touch, thoughts rushing through her head. 'How is this happening? He spoke of killing me only years ago...' She felt the tips of his fingers just barely rubbing under her bra.

As her body had been washed by him, he stood up and brought the bowl into the slightly rusted sink. He grabbed the few containers and packages of food on the counter and walked them to the bed.

Hermione opened the crackers, quickly munching on them of hunger. Draco followed, also opening the olive container. After moments of scarfing the few foods, Hermione fell onto her back as Draco lifted the snacks to the bedside table. Also, lying next to her, he stared at the ceiling.

Outside the window, the fog darkened revealing the night passing by. After few minutes, both Draco and Hermione lay on the mattress, sleeping close to each other. At least they had found shelter outside a cold, wet prison.