Draco puked as though all of his insides were coming out. His stomach contracted painfully as he stopped.

"Get up, Draco. Our work is complete," said Lucius, his voice was like acid.

Draco struggled to his feet and James watched him, looking apologetic.

"You go," muttered Draco, "I'll stay here... with... James a while... longer."

Lucius smiled darkly at James.

"You can defend yourself, right, James?" asked Lucius, "Draco is, after all, my son. He won't let you go so easily."

Lucius clapped Draco's back and handed him a tissue from his pocket. Draco didn't take it and Lucius' smile fell slightly but he waved at Coal, gesturing to go.

"Come on, Coal. Draco, be home before dark," muttered Lucius.

Draco shuddered as his father patted him on the back once again. James looked to Draco with unbelievable eyes, cradling his bleeding nose. Seconds later Lucius and Coal had disapparated. Draco thought maybe he shouldn't jump on James. He wasn't like his father and didn't want to be. The hesitation disappeared.

"I TOLD YOU TO TAKE CARE OF HER!" screamed Draco.

His throat hurt from vomiting and screaming but he didn't care. Pain felt real to him. Something he could hold onto. His life seemed to crumble into dust when James said that Hermione died. Without thinking, Draco lurched forwards and punched James' face again.

"WHY DID I TRUST YOU!" shouted Draco, his throat felt like it was on fire. His knuckles hurt as he punched James.

Suddenly Draco was thrown to the side and James groaned holding his nose. Blood was dripping from his face.

"Come on, man!" James yelled, "stop acting. We don't have time."

"Acting?" Draco said, unbelievably. He went up to James and shoved him, then getting in his face he said "The one girl I've ever loved is dead and you say... I'm acting?"

"Dude, please tell me you're joking!" shouted James and at Draco's confused face he said, "she isn't dead!"

Draco just stared at him. Hermione wasn't dead? He wanted to believe that. Really he did but he couldn't. James was lying. Draco shook his head.

"You sent me the letter telling me to hide her!" said James, like he was acting crazy, "so I hid her and spun off this story to your father. Unbelievably he believed me!"

"Where is she?" asked Draco.

He was still sure that James was lying but what if he wasn't?

"Come on, follow me," said James.

James and Draco apparated and James walked ahead of him and Draco, after a frown, walked after him. James turned to him and raised an eyebrow.

"You look dead," he stated blatantly.

"I feel dead," said Draco, feeling the words on his throat.

"Clean yourself up," said James.

They came onto a beach and James getsured to the water.

"No, I want to see Her-"

"You'll see her. Just clean up," said James, shoving him into towards the running sea water.

Draco washed his face and the water felt good on his hot skin. He closed his eyes and Hermione's face took up half his memory. He opened his eyes again and James told him to stand up. He did. James waved his wand at Draco's face and body, muttering something.

"What are you-"

"I'm making you cleaner," said James, "Do you want to meet her like this? She'll get worried."

"Thanks," muttered Draco as he was done.

He felt cleaner and probably looked clean too. His throat was still so painful but the rancid taste was away leaving his mouth clean. His clothes didn't stink.

"Come on," muttered James.

They walked down the beach and Draco's only thought was of Hermione. He wanted to see her. Alive and healthy. He wanted to run his hands through those thick curls and-

"DRACO!" the voice that Draco would never forget shouted.

Hermione was sitting on a rock, waiting for them. Her face lit up with joy as she saw Draco. Draco's stomach flipped as he saw her.

"Hermione," wheezed Draco as she hugged him as hard as she could.

His ribs hurt from her hug but he didn't say anything. His hands rushed through the unbelievably thick and soft curls. Hermione's breath blew onto his neck and tears followed soon after.

"Don't cry," murmured Draco, pulling back.

Draco wiped her tears away slowly and Hermione grabbed his hand.

"Guys, we need to get going or we'll be caught and-" James stopped as Draco glared at him.

"Thanks for killing the mood," said Draco, looking around, "but let's go."

He grabbed Hermione's hand and James went into the boat. They followed soon after and Draco was glad that Hermione led him into the cabin, out of the sun.

"I'm going to have a quick shower, okay?" said Draco.

"Sure, I'll be waiting right here," muttered Hermione, not taking her eyes off of Draco.

Draco got some clothes for himself from James' bag and he magicked himself a toothbrush. Never leaving Hermione's sight until he went into the bathroom.

She couldn't believe he was here but she was so glad that he was safe. Although bruises showed on his face and his throat sounded raspy. She would fix that, she promised herself.

About ten minute later he bathroom door opened and Draco stood in a orange shirt with jeans on. He looked like he was in pain but he smiled as he saw Hermione. Draco walked over to the mirror and brushed his wet hair, the water fell off and splattered on the ground.

Hermione smiled and grabbed her wand. Turning it on Draco, she said, "Turn around slowly."

Draco turned around with an eyebrow raised, looking amused. He watched as Hermione tried not to grin.

"You're supposed to be scared, Draco, not smile when someone holds a wand up to your face," muttered Hermione, going up to him, "You have so much to learn."

Hermione muttered some spell and pointed her wand at Draco's face, healing the bruises. She was aware of Draco's eyes grazing over every aspect of her face.

"He told me you were dead," whispered Draco.

Hermione stopped for a second but then carried on healing him.

"I thought you knew..." muttered Hermione.

"I didn't," said Draco, "When he said that it was like... my heart was... I can't explain it to you but the feeling was just so awful..."

"I know what you mean," whispered Hermione, "I didn't know if you were coming back or not and..."

Hermione trailed off and looked into his eyes. Draco's hand came to her face and pulled her closer. Sighing slightly Draco pressed his lips to her's, giving her the chance to pull back. Hermione grabbed the back of his neck and pulled him forwards. Draco's hand travelled down her body to rest at her lower back, pulling her forward. His other hand was tangled in her hair.

Their lips moved and felt perfect together. Hermione's heart thudded in her chest as Draco licked her lips. She opened her lips and his tongue explored her mouth.

"Draco," muttered Hermione, pulling back.

"Hermione," muttered Draco.

Their foreheads rested against each other and Draco smiled. Hermione hugged him, tight and loosened her hug as he winced involuntarily.

"Sorry," she muttered.

"Don't be," muttered Draco, his hands stroked her hair, "you made me wait too long for that kiss."

"You made me wait too long to see you," retorted Hermione.

"I waited four or five years just to kiss you," Draco pulled back.

"Really?" asked Hermione, unable to believe him.

"Really," Draco muttered.