Beginning at the End ⏃ Dramione

Chapter 2: Journey

Draco held tight to Hermione, as the echoing crack of Apparition broke the silence of their new location. He winced as his eyes adjusted to the sunlight reflecting off the clouds just outside the Malfoy property line. He looked down to the body in his arms and scanned her to be sure she was still breathing. Hermione was alive, but remained unconscious.

His heart raced as he noted blood on his hands. Fuck, did I splinch her? Where's my wand, I- oh, that was already there... Draco stared down at his hand, covered with smears of blood from Hermione's forearm. Rubbing his fingers together as if to inspect it, the blood that seemed to be slowly drying, becoming sticky from the outside air.

He caught Dobby watching him, and nearly thanked him but before he had a chance to say anything, another loud crack signaled Dobby's disappearance.

He looked to Hermione, knowing he needed to move on. Pulling out his wand, Draco closed his eyes to concentrate and Disapparated.

His first landing with Hermione in his arms was a bit rough, maybe he had Apparated too far, but he wanted to gain some distance and quick. Draco checked her and then up at the empty field they had landed in, far from England. He knew his dark mark allowed him to break the Ministry's International Travel regulation, one perk of the Dark Lord. In the past, he had traveled to many places with his mother but one that lingered in the back of his mind, the farthest he's ever been. He did not want to take any chances in Hermione's condition, so he began to Apparate from one country to another to get closer to his targeted location.

He Apparated them to a new location every ten minutes, and was sure to check on Hermione after each time. She was still passed out but breathing regularly. He took care that all his chosen locations were quiet and deserted, to avoid being seen. He knew where Death Eaters would be on watch so he avoided them.

It felt strange, as Draco had never spent this much time with Hermione, passed out or not. He liked the idea of taking care of her but wondered if she would feel the same way.

Probably not, he thought, bitterly.

After several hours, with his arms aching, Draco finally arrived at his desired location. Taking a deep breath, Draco looked at his surroundings. He had transported them between towering hills almost the size of mountains. The ocean could be seen in the far distance as the sun threatened to dip into the water, before he could inspect Hermione and set up a type of shelter for them.

He had chosen it because he had never expressed to anyone that this was his favorite place to be. He did not have any real friends, not like she had. Not one of his Slytherin friends ever truly cared about him, unless prospect was involved. Then when the Malfoy reputation had begun to sink, he suddenly became someone to avoid, like Filch after hours. He was hardly stunned when they all came slithering back after the Dark Lord decided on Malfoy Manor for his headquarters.

Now that they had arrived, he felt more safe. The land was as beautiful as ever but he knew he needed focus back on to Hermione's ill state. He felt a pang of guilt at leaving his mother behind to deal with the repercussions of his disappearance.

How long will it take for someone to notice? Draco began to wonder. Would mother make an excuse or play dumb? He figured the Dark Lord would punish both of his parents, though his concern is merely focused on his mother. Draco's throat felt tight making it hard to swallow, maybe he should help Granger then go back for his mother. Doubt festered in his mind, She shouldn't have let me go, I can't do this. As the weight of Hermione's body lay on top of his forearm, the evening wind tickled her frizzy locks across his wrist. Just then, he swore he could feel the heat of the dark mark. Could she feel it too? Could he sense Draco's treason? Would the contact of his mark scorch her, a muggleborn?