Pure joy
She collapsed to the ground dizzy.
Her belly hurt from laughing so hard.
Glancing around, Hermione noticed her favorite flower everywhere. Oh! She could make a crown to wear! Maybe another for mother!
Sitting up, her nimble and quick fingers worked… she had been creating the little floral crowns as far back as she could remember. Mother had shown her how.
They never wilted.
Magic…
Hermione knew it wasn’t true, but mother told her this type of flower just fought death. It simply didn’t wilt easily. So she loved it seemed to be everywhere. It was so comforting, the color of sunshine to soothe her soul any given moment.
It wasn’t normal.
Hermione read a lot. She knew.
She noticed a small rabbit.
A butterfly.
Birds sitting on branches.
A doe, her fawn.
A tiny frog.
Humming contently, she finished. She set her mother’s crown on the grass next to her leg, and lifted her own to place it on her head over her curls.
Princess!
She was a princess today!
Too bad she had no prince.
“Wish I had a prince…” Hermione muttered softly towards the rabbit who’d moved slowly closer.
The breeze whipped slightly harder. Draco heard her words.
Prince?
Princess?
Such childishness…
She was pretty though, for a muggle. Not as hideous as he thought they’d be? He expected more plain features, or even ugliness? Claws.. snagged teeth. Warts?
The scent drifted.
Intoxicating.
Were the daffodils poisonous?
He wasn’t… in control!
Draco felt his feet moving without his permission. Away from the safety of the thick brush, around the rocks near the falls. Into the wide open, towards the boundary between their properties. He could clearly see where she now sat.
She didn’t see him yet.
She probably couldn’t… wouldn’t, not unless he crossed through.
Was he?
No…
He wasn’t that reckless.
Well, in his mind he wasn’t… apparently his feet were.
”hello.”
Hermione startled.
A boy’s voice scared her. “I heard you, saw you. I live just through there…”
He pointed.
She glanced over. “Oh, I didn’t realize, my parents never mentioned our neighbor.”
She remembered he was a stranger, to stay alert… wary. Trust had to be earned. Those types aren’t always what they seem. Her father spoke of mysticism.
He nodded. “I know, me either. My mother and father know of your family I’m sure, but not details. We don’t leave our property often. If we do travel, it is certainly not to be nosey of everyone near us… it is with a destination in mind.”
Hermione giggled despite herself.
The boy was seemingly her age, he seemed friendly. Maybe he was ok. “My name is Hermione.”
”my name is Draco, I was headed to my waterfall to climb and swim. You distracted me.” He stated playfully.
She smirked. “I snuck away from my tutor’s boring lessons. I usually ride my horse or paint, but many days I explore the forest too. It’s so beautiful.”
Draco contemplated. “My family has… horses as well, a large stable. We have many creatures living here who roam free. I also explore, until made not to.”
She shyly looked up at him through her lashes. “Maybe you can show me your waterfall sometime… or your horses. I could show you ours too.”
That was a dangerous idea.
Insane.
”quite lovely.” Draco replied. “Does this plan make us new friends then? Secret friends Hermione?”
She blushed brightly.
”yes, of course.” She tugged a bracelet off her wrist. Held it out toward the young wizard. He stared at it like it was on fire for a moment, confused.
It reflected sunlight.
”take it, it’s a friendship symbol.” As she smiled warmly, he reached for it.
Draco looked the strange little circle over. It was created from thread, beading, a piece of stone…
It apparently meant something to this muggle.
”Thank you.” He allowed her to show him how to secure it.
He stared at it a moment, then unhooked his cuff links. They held the Malfoy crest and a Slytherine serpent. Silver metal and emerald stones for eyes. “Here, for you. Make a similar bracelet for yourself from me… as my friend.”
She impossibly grinned wider.
His chest tightened.
It felt like energy was swelling around them, but he knew that couldn’t be true. She was just a muggle girl?
The energy was neither dark nor light feeling, Draco wasn’t sure how to describe it.
His heart beat faster.
His skin hotter, the breeze seemed to slow down. “You never take a friendship bracelet off, it’s part of the magic. Ok?”
Her instructions hit his ears almost at a echo.
”yeah… yes, ok. Thank you Hermione.”
She stood, turned away. “I will try and swim next time. My mother has guests coming for lunch, so I need to go home to get cleaned up.”
Draco waved as she disappeared.
”Romy senses something is not right Master Draco…” the elf warned.
Draco dismissed his elf.
”come on Romy, a kid is just another kid. She’s a muggle, no big threat. Father doesn’t need to know. I’ll be careful. I promise.” Draco knew even as he said the words he was lying.