Beginning at the End ⏃ Dramione

Chapter 11: Friendship

Figuring that if she was going to wait for Draco to wake, Hermione decided she might as well read. Quietly, she grabbed her bag to search for a book, but managed to pull out his letter instead. She reviewed it again, smiling to herself, then put it back into a safe place before eventually selecting something else to read.

Even asleep, Draco must have sensed a change in the room because he stirred and began to open his eyes. He looked up to find Hermione with a large book in front of her. Stretching, he spoke a low, grumbly voice, "Granger, if you ever make it onto a chocolate frog card, your picture will be of you reading a book."

She smiled, "Good morning to you, too. Sleep well?"

Draco slowly sat up, half-facing the outside edge of the bed, "Actually, I did. I'm convinced your bed is a lot more comfortable than mine. But I gather that you knew that."

She laughed, "It is, and you better not tell Harry or Ron."

He understood that she only meant she had cheated them out of a more comfortable bed during their travels, but it gave him more information than she probably realized. First, it meant that neither Potter or Weasley had slept in her bed. Second, maybe she did not want her friends to find out that he had been there.

"Legs any good?"

She hesitated, Should I lie? I would probably mess it up if I did.

"Actually, they seem to be better. I haven't had to take any potion this morning." To prove it, she wiggled her toes and showed him the vials she had not used.

"Good to know. No potion so far... this can count as day one. Maybe we'll be leaving sooner than we thought." He began to leave her bed, but before he made it too far, he realized he had both their wands and handed hers back.

"Thanks."

Draco gave her a soft smile, "Do you mind if I use the shower? Or did you want to use it first?"

She shook her head, "No, go ahead."

She sensed the awkwardness that had arisen between them, as they were both responding politely toward one another, too politely. Something had clearly changed, and Hermione was trying to remember how to act natural around him.

If her legs did begin working for good, or even just for longer periods of time, Hermione knew she should really start preparing to meet up with the Order, or better yet, Harry and Ron. So, she changed, got out of bed, and set up some parchment and a quill on the table. After making some toast, plus tea for her and coffee for Draco, she brought everything to the table and sipped her tea while she thought. I should put together a list of what we know, see if Draco can help with things he knows about Voldemort, how to meet up if we are separated...

Hermione took this time to write down all her thoughts on a list so that she could review it with him. Then she became distracted by other thoughts, namely those along the lines of Draco in the shower.

After his shower, Draco emerged from the back of the tent and smelled coffee. Looking over at Hermione, he found her seated in front of a mug of tea and a plate of toast. At the table across from her was a cup of coffee and a plate of toast for him. It might have seemed a simple thing, but he enjoyed the small gesture as it revealed that she was actually considering of him. He had never had that kind of relationship with someone before.

As she sat, she looked up at him, "We should be prepared for when it's time to leave. I was hoping you would go over my notes, see if you have anything to add..."

After taking his first sip of coffee, Draco glanced down at the old parchment paper. On it was her list of ideas, questions, and possible strategies for finding horcruxes. Her handwriting stopped just short of cursive, but with a softness around the edges of her letters. She had crossed-out a lot of things and replaced them with other words, and it struck him that her handwriting reflected how her brain worked: purposeful, yet brave, and honest when it came to not to hiding her mistakes.