i started to fall, and the silence deafened

[honestlyrubbish]

Glass shattered in every which way as Hermione felt her legs give out from under her, knees colliding unpleasantly with the ground while she managed to instinctively cover the back of her neck. Even as the pain shot through her body, some remaining with a dull ache that dug too deep in her bones, her immediate thought was that she was free to

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[honestlyrubbish]

Hermione had been focusing so intently on the mess in front of her, nearly dropping to her knees to examine it all (if it weren't for the fact, of course, that her legs felt very much like they'd just been the recipients of a Jelly-Legs Jinx) and try and determine the reason for the failed charm. The natural assumption was that she was in some place where magic was being suppressed, thorough enough that it even bothered to throw off an extension charm; the pounding in her ears, however, made it very hard indeed to concentrate on the idea

[honestlyrubbish]

It very nearly unnerved Hermione, how quickly Draco was offering up answers and explanations alike, one of her hands growing pale as she gripped the strap of her bag tightly. Her heart lurched at the thought of Neville, just for a moment before she felt herself swell with an unbridled pride. Of course he'd be at the final battle, of course any battle at Hogwarts wouldn't run in Voldemort's favor without a true fight. But those knots in her stomach remained where they were, because regardless of what everyone else had experienced, until Hermione saw it all with her own two eyes, it was only ever a story. Clearly, time was no longer a barrier. That which had occurred in the past could be written and rewritten, if they were all pulled to this place from different dates and places

[of_badfaith]

Her constant stream of questions, her curiosity and need to puzzle out every single uncertainty, was almost comforting. A part of his childhood he hadn't missed, but that he'd never quite forgotten.

"Somewhere in the Pacific, is the most specific answer anyone seems able to give," he said, shifting the weight of the rucksack and leading her down the main stretch of boardwalk.

"Some of the others claim they're not from Earth. Personally, it's rather difficult not to assume this place is Hell. Or something like it. Of course, some people seem perfectly happy here, though they're clearly out of their minds."

[honestlyrubbish]

The Pacific Ocean. Hermione's brow raised with incredulity at the information; the tropics were a pretty large region, even if she was limited to the span of the Pacific Ocean. And the knowledge that she had moved so far, not only in time, but physically as well, was more overwhelming than Hermione had expected for it to be. Not to mention that no matter how helpful Draco was being, the very thought of him being helpful at all made Hermione's mind swim. She stared over her shoulder one last time, as though still expecting one of the boys to fall from the sky in the way that Draco had alluded to, or at the very least to find anything that might lead her back. Nothing

[of_badfaith]

"It's the stars, or something," he shrugged dismissively, because to be honest, he couldn't give a fuck where they were or weren't. It wouldn't change the fact that they were stuck, and apparently wouldn't be leaving until the island was through with them.

"I suppose those are only minor annoyances," he admitted with a reluctant sigh, "Being unable to produce even the simplest of charms? That is torture."

[honestlyrubbish]

Immediately looking up to the sky, Hermione sighed as she realized that it would be impossible to try and make out much of anything in the sky at that time of day. Fortunately, she thought to herself, she'd paid close attention during Astrology and would probably be able to determine where they were, draw up some type of star chart. The thought also came to her that surely, there must have been a way to sail out if this was just some island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. But if there was one thing Hermione could have said for Draco over the years, it was that the young man was far from stupid; in fact, he was one of the top in their year, and was probably a better consult for such ideas than either Harry or Ron

[of_badfaith]

"The Manor ran on a series of charms and spells and a large staff of House Elves. This is nothing like being underage," he reminded her, and while he would always compare his home to those of Muggle-borns with a hint of haughty disdain, it had dulled significantly. It had become difficult for him to feel any sort of pride in his family.

"It shifted from learning experience to way of life long ago, Granger. I cook, I clean, I do it all without the aid of magic. I'm sure you would consider that a great accomplishment."

[honestlyrubbish]

Hermione's jaw clenched at the mention of House Elves, particularly about those who had lived and served at the Manor. Dobby had been example enough, showing that Draco's family had never treated them humanely, truly thought of them as lower than themselves. But as much as she was tempted to bite at Draco on the matter, she stopped, because he didn't seem much like himself to begin with. Maybe she'd just talk it out with Bill later, once she knew where Bill was at all. Surely, there was a place on the island where everyone could commune for meals.

"It's an accomplishment," Hermione managed, keeping her voice as light as possible. "Although it doesn't seem like the biggest chance. Don't tell me that three years' absence made your heart grow fonder."

[of_badfaith]

"I still feel as though there's a piece of me missing. I doubt that will ever fade. You might have grown up among Muggles, but magic has been a part of me since I was born," he reminded her a bit stiffly, and even with the distance and time, and living as a Muggle himself, there were prejudices that he would carry with him forever.

No matter what happened to him, no matter what changed, being without magic would always seem to be the inferior way of life.

[honestlyrubbish]

"But all of us have pieces of ourselves that are missing, don't we?" Hermione asked then, raising her brow, before looking away within a few seconds, refusing, refusing to delve too deeply into the matter with Draco Malfoy. As much as she was trying to believe that he'd changed, and as much as he truly seemed to be somehow different, it was asking too much to speak to him precisely like a peer. In some way, he was an indelible mark in her world, one she had no desire to ignore had ever been there, but that was a far cry from friend, and even further from family.

Which was the loss she felt most deeply then.

"That said, I hope this place leaves me with some means of conducting research. Of course, observing the peculiarities of this island shouldn't require the use of magic, but I've, I mean we've all grown to depend on it." Her lips pressed firmly together. "Do you still want to go back?"