The Shattered Dragon

Chapter 31: Nooks and Crannies

They dressed warmly at Draco's request and walked the quiet grounds of Oktoberfest, Draco in horrified awe at the dangerous thrill rides that muggles willingly subjected themselves to, (I trust magical engineering far more than muggle handiwork, love) Hermione telling him the history of the festival itself as they strolled hand in hand down the midway. Just being outside and breathing the crisp Autumn air with her fingers laced with his was nearly birthday gift enough, but it didn't really make sense.

"Is...this my big surprise?" She asked as they made their way to the center of Munich, heading into the busy train station.

"Why yes, of course," he said, rolling his eyes. "I brought you to a German beer fest that isn't even open yet. Isn't it what you always wanted?"

Hermione huffed and rolled her eyes.

"Come on," he said, looping her hand through his elbow. "I want to grab a cheese pretzel and we're going to be late."

They bought breakfast in the bustling food court, Hermione breathing deep the fragrant steam of a strongly steeped tea with a hint of sugar while Draco threw back tiny cups of espresso until he was nearly buzzing out of his seat. The excitement and anticipation in his eyes as the minutes ticked by were making her own heart race, but she knew better than to pester him; he'd tell her when it was time.

A nondescript staircase on one of the platforms in the center of the Hauptbahnhof was roped off as restricted; but with a tap of his wand the rope disappeared and they descended, unseen two floors below where a hub of magical trains waited, hissing out steam, horns wailing, announcing their departure while crowds of wizards bustling through to points throughout Europe. Draco walked the platforms as if he did it every day, tugging her along behind, weaving through the crowds, making his way to a beautiful silver and black steam engine.

"Swots first," he said, holding out his hand. "I obviously secured a first class compartment, even though it's only an hour's journey."

She ordered another cup of tea and Draco smiled as she cooled it with her wand, practicing her spells like working old muscles. She tied and untied his shoes, even cast a cooling charm and quickly reversed it, feeling the magical energy bubble through her bloodstream like a drug, renewing her energy, her hope, her strength. Outside the train the landscape quickly changed, leaving the populous city and suburbs of Munich out to the green and rolling hills of Bavaria. They approached a narrow tunnel, pitch black and short, dipping deep into the land and when they emerged Hermione gasped.

Ahead of them, rising out of the wooded hills was a white castle with five turrets sprawling over acres of land surrounded by thick groves of pine trees. The sun glinted off the stained glass windows in the various towers as the trained slowed, coming into the station with a deafening whistle. Draco squeezed her hand and pointed to the station sign, white with bright gold letters:

Malfoy Academy of Magic

"Draco! What is this?" She asked, smiling, jumping from her seat as soon as the train stopped.

"Oh sorry darling, could you not read that? I always forget you're just a Gryffindor."

She pinched him just beneath his ribs and he took her hand as they alighted onto the platform. All around them builders and painters, designers and administrators all gathered in groups, picking up luggage and heading for the portkey cubicles within the station house. Out on the road outside the station carts waited while workers loaded in cages filled with frogs and birds, chimeras and nifflers, a menagerie of animals, magical and muggle.

"So this is my project. Ever since Hogwarts closed there have only been two magical schools that allow muggleborn or halfblood wizards, and no schools at all that allow halfbreeds...Veela, Werewolf, Merfolk. This would be the first. Of course the school itself isn't open yet," Draco explained, strolling the long narrow platform. "We're still preparing for the first year of students, but we're close. Some of the teachers and support staff are living in the dorms as we put on the final touches. Maybe by next Fall term."