Chasing Reality

Lurk In The Shadows

Hermione led the way to a small motel around the corner.
"I'll pay for our stay here. And Malfoy....no messing around and no magic around muggles!" Hermione warned.
"And how do you propose we pay then?" Malfoy asked.
"There are a few things I always carry with me. My wand, a few galleons and some muggle money. And, occasionally, food." She said rather sheepishly.
"Granger, this place looks no better than the that evil giant's hut." Draco said a bit tiredly.
"His name is Hagrid. He is not evil and his gut was beautiful." Draco feigned a gagging sound.
"And plus, our options are limited here. We need some place off the beaten track." she stated.

Draco knew he'd probably suffer from mental trauma after seeing the plight of the rooms and as they entered, he silently prayed for his health.
They asked the man at the front desk for a vacancy.
Just as expected, Draco wasn't too pleased about the condition of the place.
Hermione followed the man back downstairs to pay while Draco looked around.
Once she was done, she walked into the congested room and scrunched her nose in disgust at the foul smell emitting from the furniture.
"No point whining, Granger. It was, after all, your brilliant idea." He pointed out.
"You have a better one then?" She asked, annoyed and locked the door.
He looked at her with wide eyes
"We're sharing the room?!?" He asked, alarmed.
"I couldn't waste money on two rooms. Sorry." She apologised.
He cursed rather loudly and started muttering under his breath about how one shouldn't put a cat and a dog together.
She put a silencing charm around the room and settled down.

It was only noon by now and Draco was thinking of ways to kill time.
"I'm famished, Granger." He complained.
"I knew you'd start complaining about that at some point. I have some food in there." She said and indicated the tiny purse she'd set on the table.
Draco laughed hysterically.
"Granger, that bag isn't big enough to fit a chocolate frog in it. And where..." He started but was cut off by Hermione.
"I put an extension charm on it. Like I said, a lot happened while you were asleep." She smiled.
She took the purse and dug her hands in. Hermione pulled out a green apple and handed it over to a surprised Draco.
"Again, your welcome. I knew you liked these particular ones." She said to his gawking face.
"Looks like I earned myself a
stalker." He said with mirth.
"Not exactly. Well, back in sixth year, it so happened that I walked into the kitchen at midnight to hear a certain Slytherin singing to the green apple in his hand. I think the lyrics went a little like....my precious apply dapply, so tender and green....." she was cut off, mid-song by a very red and embarrassed Draco.
"Okay. Stop! I did not do that."
"Yes you did, Snow White!" Hermione countered, very amused.
He stared at her as she realised that he wouldn't know muggle stories.
"Never mind." She said as the intensity of the joke disappeared.
"Just give me the apple!" He reached his hand out and grabbed it from her.
Draco realised that Hermione looked really tired. Dark bags hung under her eyes. Maybe she had trouble sleeping too.
"You need to rest, Granger. You look absolutely terrifying." Draco adviced.
She nodded and walked over to the bed.
She was out in a heartbeat, soft snores sounding through the room.

Draco looked at her. After all these years, she was still the same. She took into consideration trivial things and made them seem significant. She made everyone feel significant.
His expression changed. How did she do it?
Remnants of all that hatred he'd retained for so many years still lingered, he knew.
But for now, he push it down.
And he vowed he would try to be kinder to her.