"Tomorrow at noon. We'll go to the property line and test it."

She left him standing alone in his potions laboratory, still staring at the stone floor.

~*~

Waking in her own bed at the Manor was almost disorienting. She hadn't meant to create distance between herself and Draco, but she needed space to think. To plan. She'd stayed up until two in the morning, staring up at the ceiling of her canopy bed until she drifted off with no solutions. But it was a problem she'd have to pick up later.

Her breakfast tray looked lonely without tea and a second plate. She sat in the chair closest to the window as she drank her coffee and had a few bites of toast. Then she bathed, dried her hair, and went to her wardrobe. A glance out the windows showed a beautiful spring day, the sun high and golden, the trees swaying softly. It was too warm for denims.

Her fingers drifted over the clothes Pansy had given her, and they paused on the light blue sundress she'd liked all those months ago. With one more glance at the sunshine, she slipped the dress from the hanger and slid into the pale cotton. She put the vials, quill, and parchment in a loose bag she found at the top of her wardrobe, and headed out the door.

Draco's eyes flickered over her as he stepped into the hall at the same time. He shut his door behind him and let his gaze rest on her calves.

"Going somewhere, Granger?" He lifted a brow with a tight smile.

She smiled at him, and after half a heartbeat's hesitation, she reached to take his hand.

They walked down the stairs together, the vials clicking in her bag. At the base of the stairs, he tugged her toward the back.

"Better to use the northern perimeter, in case we have any unexpected guests at the front gates. Mother's less likely to see us as well."

She nodded and let him lead her. They passed Hix's bluebells and the gazebo, following the same path she'd taken the day she'd tried crossing the barrier the first time — when Lucius had to carry her back.

Hermione tried to start a conversation with little success, so they walked in silence down the little lane between hedges. She felt his gaze on her as they walked — glancing down at their intertwined hands, or at the side of her face. She finally turned to give him an inquisitive look, but he simply stared at her.

They stopped a few yards in front of the opening to the grassy field. She pointed out past the lane. "Do these acres belong to the Manor?"

He nodded. "It's where I'd play Quidditch."

A smile tugged at her lips as she imagined it. "What else did you get up to?"

He shrugged. "There's a copse of trees just around the hedge. I used to hide there with a book."

Her smile widened, and she turned to look at him. His cheeks were pink, but he held her gaze.