New Beginnings

Party-Time

Draco was say on the sofa, practising the flute. His skin was paler than normal, with a greyish tinge. His hair was limp and fell into his dull eyes.

Draco took a breath and paused to scribble music notes on the parchment next to him. He frowned, crossed it out, then put the flute back to his lips.

'Is that the "Lord of the Rings" theme?'

Draco leaped to his feet. He spun around, brandishing the instrument. Hermione was stood in the doorway.

'Oh. It's you.' Draco turned his back to her and sat down.

'I didn't know you'd seen that film,' Hermione faltered.

'I've had a touch of spare time recently, hadn't you heard?' Draco sneered. 'A girl from work loaned me a bunch of movies to watch.'

A towering pile of films was stacked next to the TV.

'I...I like how you rearranged the furniture. Where did the exercise equipment come from?'

'Borrowed it.'

'Oh. Cool.' Hermione sat awkwardly on the beanbag. 'So, I'm, uh, I'm sorry about ditching you for the last three weeks...'

'Has it been that long? Hadn't even noticed,' Draco shrugged.

'Yeah, well, I just wanted to apologise. It was selfish of me. I was just sick of arguing with Harry and-'

'It's fine. Really. It's been great. Had the apartment to myself, just like I wanted. I've loved it.'

'Right...well...I'm back and Harry let me be the one to tell you that you're free to go, so...here's your wand...'

Hermione thrust Draco's wand at him then stalked off into her room. As the door closed, Draco saw tears glistening on her cheeks.

'Dammit,' he muttered, running a hand through his hair.

'Granger?' He called through the spell-warded door, his hand buzzing from trying to knock.

'What?'

Draco frowned, hearing the hitch in her voice.

'There's this thanksgiving party tomorrow,' Draco mumbled, 'and, well you're welcome to come along, if you've not got plans, y'know, with Potter or something...'

There was a pause. Draco turned away and slouched to his room. He heard the door open behind him.

'Where is it?'

'In the forest, up one of the mountains. The invite is on the table, if you wanted to take a look.'

*****

'Bloody hell, it's cold,' Hermione shivered as they apparated into Central Park. Her breath rose in silver tendrils in the early-morning air.

'Drake, hey, over here!' Cody and Krystel waved at them from a park-bench as they stepped out from behind a tree. 'Wow, are you Hermione Granger?!'

'That's right,' Hermione smiled brightly, shaking their hands. 'It's a pleasure to meet you both.'

'So, how do we get there?' Draco cut in when Cody held onto Hermione a little too long.

'Ah yes, right this way mis amigos,' Cody offered his arm to Hermione. She glanced at Krystel who shrugged.

Hermione walked arm-in-arm with Cody through the twisting paths. Draco stomped beside Krystel, scowling.

Checking no-one was around, Cody led them under a giant weeping willow tree. The branches swished around them, concealing the park from view. He tapped the trunk with his wand and the ground shuddered. A hole in the base of the tree appeared, revealing stone steps. The narrow walls were lit by glowing crystals set into the dirt.

The bottom of the steps opened into a long passageway. They walked for just over a mile, until they reached a giant cave.

More tunnels were leading off from it. Each one was signposted with carvings above the entrance. Draco saw a tunnel showing a potion vial, which he guessed led to the tree at work.

In the centre of the cave was a large circle of runes. They all stepped into it, Hermione pointing out how grooves were worn into the stone over the centuries.

A bright, white light lit up the runes. Cody drew a symbol with his wand and blue flames sprung up around them. A whooshing sound filled the cave and it began to spin. With a jolt, they landed inside a circle of trees, squinting in the sunlight.

Krystel staggered slightly, looking green. Draco steadied her and she smiled weakly. Cody slipped an arm around her and supported her as they walked up the mountain path.

Hermione shivered and pulled her coat tighter. The air was even colder here. Draco unwrapped his scarf and shoved it into her hands.

'Thanks.'

'The cold doesn't bother me much,' he shrugged, his ears turning pink.

It was his old Hogwarts scarf, soft and a little worn after all these years. Hermione caught the scent of his cologne as she wrapped the green and silver wool around her.

As they climbed higher, the sound of a party floated down to them. They stepped into a clearing and the party appeared, seemingly from nowhere.

Tables lined one edge of the clearing. Picnic blankets and log-stumps were arranged around campfires, with a variety of humans and creatures sat chatting and eating. A giant screen was strung up in the trees, showing the pre-parade commentary.

'You made it! Welcome!' Spartacus trotted up to the group and shook their hands enthusiastically. 'If you brought a dish for the pot luck, add it to the table over there.'

They pulled the plates out of their bags, which were spelled to be larger on the inside. Krystel brought a tub of pumpkin soup and three pumpkin pies. Cody produced a roast ham with mashed potatoes.

Draco and Hermione had chosen to bring traditional English dishes. Draco had cooked a large steak pie, he was exceptionally proud of it. Hermione had baked a Victoria sponge cake, and was relieved it survived the journey.

'It's starting, we're just in time!' Cody dragged them to a fire-pit near the screen and squeezed onto the picnic blanket.

'Happy thanksgiving,' Draco smiled, shyly, raising his cup of coffee to Hermione.

'Happy thanksgiving,' she grinned, tapping her paper cup against his.