The Girl Who Lived (Draco Malfoy x OC)

The Shelter

October 10th 1997

They were by the coast of Dorset in southern England and their campsite was overrun with nature. The weeds grew freely, surpassing the height of all the teenage wizards. Harper brushed her hand over the itchy sprouts, in a way they elevated the mood higher than a row of perfect roses. Perhaps she'd grown to be a wildflower in their months on the hunt. Messy and untamed, just like them.

The day was only breaching the afternoon, yet the sky was heavily clouded from the strongest of grey. Harper sighed, she could tell it promised a heavy downfall of rain soon. Their current space offered very little cover and she only hoped it would be a downpour their tent could withstand. It didn't change the fact that once again, they were going to have to move with no destination in sight. She was sick of feeling hopeless and useless, she needed a clearer path to take.

She dug her heel into some wet dirt while a butterfly made its presence known before her. It was a bright life amid a drab sky as it fluttered into the air. She watched the small creature pass, fast despite an erratic path, choosing her direction by the serenade of blooming weeds. When she tore her eyes away, she spotted Draco and Hermione talking nearby. She smiled at the sight, Hermione seemed to be talking freely and comfortably, expressing herself without caution. While Draco nodded, head engaged and attentive to what she spoke of.

It'd been two weeks since he'd joined them on their quest and Harper was astounded by the progress he'd made with Hermione. She knew it was difficult for him, ignoring an ideology that drove him since birth. Yet there he was, trying, for her. He and Ron still struggled to see eye to eye, but they argued less, and that was a start. Irregardless of it all, Draco seemed to treat Harper with utmost care, treasuring every moment they had together. He was different compared to when they were together at school. Loving her unconditionally, unafraid of public affection and never hesitating to dote on her.

Like the romantic novels all said, absence makes the heart grow fonder.

"What are you smiling at?" Draco said as he approached her.

"You," she chimed, "and Hermione."

"What about it?" He frowned, ready to spew defense.

"It just brings me so much joy to see you two getting along," she admitted.

"Yes, well, she's okay," he said indignantly, "in small doses. Before she talks too much. Loves a chat, that one."

She laughed, "it's okay, Draco, you don't need to say any more."

Thunder then cracked upon the air, making Harper pause her laughter and jump in fright. It was long and rolled like the ash of a volcano, a rolling booming rumble. She inched the tiniest bit closer to him, peering at the becoming charcoal sky.

"We should head in," she said, not about to get soaked.

"Granger was just telling me a storm is coming, Weasley heard it announced on the radio," Draco said.

"What are you saying, we need to move?"

"Or at least seek better shelter. The camp won't hold if it's anything like she explained and I don't fancy spending the night casting spells to keep everything on the ground," Draco said.

"I worried that would be the case," she said as she hugged her arms to herself. "What are we going to do when the snow hits? We can't keep going on like this."

"Will we still be hunting for horcruxes then?" Draco asked.

"It's only two months away, at this pace, I'd say so," she gloomily answered.