Darkness Falls

Nineteen

1993 - Second Year

Hermione perched on a bench in the height of summer in the middle of Hyde Park, overlooking the small lake that sat before her. She welcomed the occasional gust of wind that blew past and cooled her down temporarily.

It had been four weeks since she had last seen Draco. They had communicated on a daily basis, more frequently than she had written to Harry or Ron. The pair had been unsuccessful in finding a time to meet each other without being caught.

After the first week of the summer holidays, Hermione had received a letter from the Improper Use Of Magic Office, warning her that she was not supposed to be doing magic outside of school unless she had been granted permission to do so or it was specific for homework. Since then, Draco had been sending his owl, which would have to wait for Hermione's response before leaving as she didn't own one herself. This meant that her replies were sometimes very rushed and she became frustrated with the current situation very quickly.

Finally, Draco had had enough of trying to find ways to meet up with her and had told his parents that he planned to go to London to meet up with one of his friends in Diagon Alley. Each time he had tried this, his father had told him he would accompany him on the way as he also had business to attend to, so Draco always had to cancel on her.

In one last attempt, Draco waited until his father left for the Ministry and told his mother he was leaving to get some supplies for the Masquerade party. She didn't fully believe the lie, but didn't question it as she smiled and nodded at him. He quickly left for the Floo where Draco was able to finally leave the manor without his overbearing chaperone.

He Floo'd to the Leaky Cauldron, his first stop before he made his way through muggle London, something he hadn't done since he was a child. Trying not to get lost in the busy streets, he followed the signs and made his way to Hyde Park and excitement buzzed through his veins the closer he got to his destination.

Once he arrived at the entrance, he made his way towards to bench he had told her to meet him at. Thankfully, the park wasn't too busy and it was just early enough that there were only a few dog walkers and the occasional jogger wandering around.  

'Less chance of us being caught,' Draco thought.

Draco arrived at the opening of a small lake where, in the distance, he spotted Hermione sitting on a bench. She looked towards the trees and flowerbeds to the side of her, the wind blowing her hair away from her face. She looked picturesque and a small smile crept on his face at the sight of her.

Picking up the pace, he made his way towards Hermione. She was oblivious to her surroundings and hadn't yet noticed Dracos arrival until he tapped his foot gently against hers, causing her to jump.

It took a moment for her to register that it was him, somehow in the four weeks they had been apart, he had changed so much already. He stood taller, yet again. His face and body had filled out slightly, he was becoming leaner as opposed to the skinny, small boy she had met first year and his hair was more ruffled and slightly longer as it fell over his eyes. She looked up into his grey eyes and a smile spread across her face before she jumped up and embraced him.

"It's good to see you too," Draco laughed as he hugged her back. Hermione was the first to pull away and sit back down on the bench, gesturing for him to sit beside her.

"I swear you grow so much every time we have some time away from each other," she said, looking him up and down.

"Well I am a growing boy, Hermione," Draco chuckled as he moved his arm to rest along the back on the bench behind her.