Hermione woke up to the smell of fresh clean air mingled in with sea salt. She lay in bed, eyes shut, just breathing in and out and listening to the waves of the ocean that were faint yet relaxing all the same. Stretching, she allowed her arms to spread out from her sides, one casually dangling off the side of the bed, and the other sweeping the other side and reaching up and underneath the pillow that was lying next to her. Hermione opened her eyes then and looked over to her left. She furrowed her brow, wondering where Draco had gone since the last thing she remembered was him lying there next to her, both of them trying to keep up a hearty conversation though their words were slurred and eyelids falling.

She smiled at that. Draco had fallen asleep first, but he was trying his hardest not to. He kept changing positions on the bed as if to give his body something to do so he could get some extra energy. Hermione distinctly remembered him talking and then, though at first in full sentences, his words turned into mush, running into each other until they all came to a halt and a small snore came from his lips.

Now Hermione was wondering where he had gone off to and really wished that she had been up before him so she'd know where he was. Last night was her first time being at the condo and though Draco had shown her everything there was no way for her to remember her way around. Sighing, she rolled out of bed, pulling down the shirt she had slept in so that it covered more of her legs and looked around her room.

It was a massive bedroom with a large bed, a chaise longue, two comfy chairs, both situated on opposite sides of the room, a walk in closet as well as a tall and wide wardrobe, a night table on either side of the bed, and a personal bathroom. The walls were painted a delicate light blue, all door frames painted in white, of which the two colors complimented each other beautifully. It was quite the magnificent room. And what topped it off the most was the fact that there was a balcony.

Hermione smiled at it and hugged herself as she walked over to the two French doors, lightly covered by white sheer curtains. She gently pushed the curtains aside and placed her hands on the silver handles and pushed the doors open. She immediately felt the sea air surround her and the same smell that she had woken up to, yet more profound. She stood at the edge, leaning against the marble pillars that was the railing and looked down below her.

So that's where he is… Hermione thought to herself as she saw the outline of Draco walking along the seashore. He seemed pensive. His face was serious and from time to time he ran his hands through his hair as though he was berating himself over something, then kicking the sand before being calm again. Hermione then began wondering if he did this often, and then, figuring that he did, decided that he wouldn't be doing that anymore. At least for as long as she was there for.

"Enjoying your walk?" Hermione called down to him. She wasn't sure if her voice would carry all the way to Draco, but he stopped walking, looked up in her direction and then smiled. He motioned with his hand in a "come join me" motion, and she nodded, retreating herself back into her bedroom and closing the French doors after her. She didn't bother dressing in actual clothing and instead donned a silk robe that she had found hanging in the wardrobe. After tying the sashes securely, Hermione ventured through the condo, hoping that the smell of the sea air would lead her to the front door. Eventually it did, and she put a hand up to her eyes for a moment or two until they were accustomed to the sun. By the time they were she was beside Draco, having now fallen in line with his slow steps along the shore, her feet being splattered by the incoming tide as were his.

"Did you sleep well?" Draco asked her. Hermione nodded. She took a small glance at the condo that was growing smaller behind her and she nodded once more.

"Very well… The condo's nice, Malfoy. I wasn't expecting you to do anything small, but I wasn't expecting that either." She sighed and glanced down at her feet and watched the water cover them and then retract. "I'd come here every day if I could."

"And I'd let you." He smiled. "And speaking of that, how'd you get away from Potter and Weasley?"

Hermione looked up at him and rolled her eyes. "Why did you have to say it like that?"

"Like what?"

"Like the way you did. Why couldn't you just say, how did you get away from home? Or, how did you get away without anyone questioning you?"

Draco stared at her confusedly and then chuckled. "The way I phrased the question bothers you?"

"Of course it does. Why is it that you, and just about everyone I know, seem to think that Harry, Ron, and I are just conveniently joined at the hip?"

"Because you easily could be." Draco laughed. Hermione pursed her lips, trying to keep herself from smiling, but slowly lost the fight against the muscles in her cheeks and jaws. "But to make you happy, how did you get away from everyone?"

"Thank you. And it wasn't that hard. I wasn't in England. I've been on sabbatical ever since our little adventure and travelling. I was in Australia when I got your letter."

"And you cut your vacation short just to see me? Well, I think someone likes me."

Hermione laughed and removed some of the hair that had blown into her face. "As you've already said, I'm a curious woman. Of course I had to come. And so, Darius," She emphasized. "Do you have a last name to go with that?"

"Vaughn,"

"Hmm, Darius Vaughn. I like it, though of course I like your old name better. Where'd you get it? Obituaries..?"

"It was prepared." Draco told her and Hermione scrunched up her face in confusion as to how that could possibly be. "People like me need backups, Granger; the best of us anyway. There's only so far we can go and one day, though it may be a long time away, we'll get caught. But if there's a way to get out, we'll take it, so we all have aliases."

"All of you?"

Draco nodded. "All of us… They're prepared way in advance; family last name and history researched to a tee so that it can't be traced and discredited. They're reviewed and updated at the end of every year. I've had this Darius character ready for the past five years now. To be honest I've been looking forward to using it." He smiled and motioned behind him. "Brilliant as hell condo to use that comes along with it."

Hermione agreed. Being Draco Malfoy was fine, but he didn't have Darius Vaughn's condo. "Alright then, Mr. Vaughn, what do you do around here for fun? The beach is lovely, but it can only keep you entertained for so long."

"I go to parties."

"You can't be serious."

"Why can't I?"

"You're supposed to be in hiding, Malfoy, not living it up."

"I am hiding." Draco argued. "Hiding in plain sight,"

"A surefire way to get caught if you ask me." Hermione shrugged her shoulders and tied her robe tighter around her. "Aurors are on the lookout, daily, for anything new or strange. A rich young man who suddenly pops in from nowhere is certainly new."

"I can understand that, but look at it this way. What looks more suspicious? The rich young man who goes out, has a good time and mingles once in a while, or the rich young man who sticks to himself, locked away in his condo, a complete recluse?" Draco coked a brow at her to gain an answer, but he began to smile as Hermione rolled her eyes, apparently seeing his point. "The one who sticks to himself looks a hell of a lot more suspicious than the one out in the world. The one out in the world obviously has nothing to hide."

"Alright fine," Hermione gave in and cupped her hands behind her back. "I suppose going out to a party or two during the week isn't that bad."

"I'm glad that you think so." Draco grinned as he fished into his pants pocket and pulled out what appeared to be an invitation. "There's a party tonight, and it says here that I can bring a guest."

"Oh really? And let me guess, black tie?"

"Naturally,"

"And I suppose you just thought that during my sabbatical I went to tons of ritzy parties and happened to have a few gowns in my trunks?"

"No offense, but I don't think that you've ever been to a 'ritzy' party."

"Oh yeah, Malfoy, like that didn't offend me at all." Hermione chuckled, and Draco laughed along with her to ease the tension and then subtly turned their walk in the opposition direction back towards the condo.

"Well, have you?"

"No, but that's entirely beside the point. I don't have any gowns at all-"

"Yes, you do." Draco countered. If Hermione wasn't mistaken she could see him blushing slightly as he took a second to massage the back of his neck with his hand. "I had a bit of an early start this morning. They're all in your closet, six of them."

Hermione was astounded. She didn't know quite what to say, though "thank you" would've been the appropriate response. Instead, she replied coyly, "You don't know my dress size."

"I guessed." He crossed his arms and gave a triumphant smile. "And I don't think I was wrong."

"Damn good guess," Hermione said to herself as she stood in front of a large mirror. After her and Draco's stroll on the beach shore, they had come back to the condo and fixed themselves something to eat. They had had a minor competition in the kitchen after Hermione became thoroughly amused that Draco knew how to cook something that wasn't a cheat like ready-made meals. He went on to say that cooking wasn't that hard of a thing to do, and Hermione went on to comment that of course it wasn't hard when magic was involved. She continued in saying that food was one thing that magic shouldn't touch, and that it was better if done by hand. To that Draco laughed and challenged her that they each make a portion of the breakfast their own way.

"And if mine is better, you have to wear the sapphire gown, no exceptions." Draco had told her, and Hermione cocked a brow, asking if the gown was something she would object to in the first place since his winning the bet would make it obligatory. He then promptly shook his head and said no.

"They're all lovely. I just want to make sure that you wear that particular one tonight."

And because Hermione's body was covered by soft sapphire blue fabric it was obvious that Draco's part of the breakfast was better. But whether he had won or not, she would've chosen the dress. Like he had said, all of the dresses were lovely, each having its own distinct style, a wonderful color, and quality that didn't come cheap in the slightest. But there was something about the sapphire gown that had caught Hermione's eye instantly when she had opened the closet doors; aside from the fact that it was placed at the very front of the closet.

The top part of the dress was a corset-like fit, diamonds (faux or not, Hermione wasn't sure) embroidered at the top of the bust line and some sprinkled all around from chest to waist. From the waist down to the floor, the dress left a gentle trail. The outer layer was a sheer material, a heavier set of soft fabric layered underneath.

Accessories had been within the closet as well; four silver bracelets so two could be on each wrist, a delicate silver necklace with a lone diamond-drop pendant, and diamond-drop earrings to match. With her hair gracefully in curls, reaching an inch or so passed her shoulders, and some tied back by a sapphire clip, Hermione couldn't imagine herself ever looking like this again. How Draco could piece something like this together was beyond her when she knew that it was near impossible for her to do anything like this for herself.

Instead of ruminating on this idea, Hermione decided to live it up and take it all in. She stayed in front of the mirror for countless minutes until there was a knock on her bedroom door.

"All dressed?" Draco asked from behind the door. She called that she was and turned in the door's direction as it opened. He had looked good as well; a fancy suit to match the lavishness of her dress, hair done to perfection, and cufflinks properly placed. As he fully stepped into the room and spotted Hermione, he stopped and smiled, not being subtle in the slightest in sizing her up and down.

"Now do you see why I wanted you to wear that one?"

Hermione smiled and nodded, taking one last look in the mirror. "Yes, I do. It's a wonderful dress, Malfoy, truly." She turned to him and gave a complacent sigh. "And I think that you're doing my clothes shopping for the rest of my life."

Draco laughed. He walked over to her and extended his arm. "I accept. Shall we go then?"

Hermione gave a small nod, picked up her silver clutch that had been on the bed, and linked her arm with Draco's. Apparation was far better than Floo, especially with how dressed up they were. And soon they were off, more than likely to be the talk of the year.

Author's note: Hello! Welcome to the sequel to Aurors vs. the Condemned. Just have to start out saying thanks for sticking with me and all of your support is fantastic. This story has a bit of...mystery to it I would say and a bit of twists and turns. I encourage all sorts of hypotheses of what you think will happen as the story goes along :D

Happy reading!

-WP