Flying Assignment 8 (You're trying something new and your pairing should as well! One of your pairing should be showing some nerves and discomfort but in the end, would try it. Prompt – (Dialogue) "I'm sorry, for everything I've done")

-oOo-

"Just breathe you idiot, you'll be fine." Hermione didn't bother looking up from her book. She could feel the blonde next to her practically vibrating in the seat. It had been cute at first how nervous he was, but that had worn off quickly. "People travel this way all the time."

Draco was glaring out the window. He reached up, pulling the thick shade down before pushing it back up. The outside world was busting with activity as people boarded. "We could already be at your grandparents by now if we had just apparated. It's so much quicker. So much safer than this thing."

Hermione closed her book, turning narrowed eyes onto her fiancé. He wasn't looking at her though, but instead was still messing with the window shade. "Safer? You like to fly circles on a piece of wood and an airplane is dangerous?"

Draco turned to face her. There was a clear lack of amusement in his eyes at the way she was smirking. "I don't know how Muggles do this. How is this thing even supposed to stay up in the air? It's huge. And heavy. How does it even fly?"

Hermione reopened her book, making a note to tune him out. Draco had been freaking out for the last two hours now. And they had only been sitting on the plane for twenty minutes. She wanted to express some sympathy for him, but she wouldn't allow herself that. He had agreed to this after all. He had muttered that he would not be scared off by some stupid muggle machine and had insisted. Besides, this was her revenge for him putting her on that broom.

The click of the com system turning on ran through the airplane. A slightly too sweet voice traveled through the space. "Good afternoon, passengers and thank you for flying Air One. We will be departing in just one moment. In that time, I would like you to follow along with a few safety regulations. In case of emergency you will find-"

Draco turned a glare onto Hermione with that last line. "Emergencies?"

She waved him off. "Basic protocol. You'll be fine."

He didn't seem convinced by that, but turned his attention back onto the stewardess never the less. He listened closely as the woman listed off the safety measured should several of instances occur. Draco was sure this was supposes to be comforting, and maybe it was to some, but every time she mentioned the plane coming down, he debated if apparating out would be worth the possible exposure of magic in a muggle plane.

Hermione was still flipping through her book. She paid no mind to the woman speaking in the front of the plane, nor her fiancé who was trying desperately not to show his nerves. Her calm was comforting to him. She had flown in these things dozens of times and came out fine. She sat there as if being in a giant metal tube flying through the air was a common Tuesday activity.

As the stewardess continued instructing on oxygen masks, Draco took the moment to glance out the window. He felt Hermione slip her hand in his. The action didn't completely erase his nerves, but it made it easier to breath.

"Please latch your seatbelts, we will be taking off shortly."

The plane hit a level of commotion as the passengers began discussing among each other. There was an elderly couple behind them debating about rather or not their granddaughter will make it to the reunion. To the front of them, was a young boy who earlier had turned in the chair to introduce himself as Tom, and that he really loved planes. The row across from them was a young couple, recently married who were embarking on their honeymoon. The noise around him was a welcomed distraction from what was about to occur.

"You sure you're okay?"

Draco turned to the question, offering the most reassuring smile. "Ya. Just nervous. I'll be fine."

Hermione squeezed his hand. "It's as safe as a broom. Probably safer."

He wasn't going to debate her on that. The plane began moving. It was a slow forward movement that reminded him of a train. He relaxed, finding comfort in the familiar movement.

Then the plane got faster. He glanced out the window, watching as the world went by. He was fine with this. He flew faster on his broom.

The plane started angling upwards. There was a rough rattle as the plane shock to the side before continuing its climb. Draco had one hand tight on the arm rest, the other holding Hermione's hand.

The stewardess came across the speakers assuring them that everything was alright. The plane felt as if it were vibrating around them so Draco didn't believe her. Glancing back out the window, he watched the ground quickly leaving. And leaving. And the plane was still shacking. None of the other passengers seemed affected by the violent vibration of the plane. They all kept talking, or sleeping, or reading.

Draco was sure they were all crazy. The plane started tilting to one side.

"If we die," he whispered, "I want you to know that I'm sorry, for everything I've done. I know I've apologized, and we've gotten past all that, but I'm going to do it again."

"We're not going to die," Hermione reassured him. "This is normal. The movement will steady in a few moments."

Not a second after she spoke, did the plane level. It grew still, and Draco had to look out the window to check if they were even still moving. He could barely make out London below them. There were clouds surrounding them and the city looked so small. He had taken his broom pretty high before, but this was pushing it.

The stewardess came on again. "You are not free to move about the cabin."

Seatbelts were unclicked and people began to get comfortable. The little boy in front of them, Tom, turned around to flash a bright smile. He pushed his hair out of his face and smiled at Draco over the seat. "Wasn't that so much fun? This was your first time right? I hope that wasn't too scary. I remember my first time. I was a lot littler than I am now. I wasn't scared though. We're you scared?"

Draco was thankful when the boy's mother had him sit back down. Turning to his fiancé, he breathed a sigh.

"You okay?" Hermione asked. The genuine concern in her voice was ignored due to the smirk she was giving him.

Draco glared out the window, watching as a thick cloud formed around them. "That wasn't so bad. I don't know why you were so nervous."