Room 6 on Second Floor, Maiden's Tavern, Trelium

December

It is prophesised that the Kingdom will fall under the presence of the Winged Omen. The Heir of the Kingdom must not encounter the One with Wings. For the Winged One will take the lives of many.

The man with long blond hair lay still on his deathbed, his pale face was solid grey and his cheeks hollow.

'Draco.' he whispered, his eyes weak and wild.

'I'm here, father.' spoke his blonde son quietly.

His mother's vibrant platinum hair spilled over his father's body as she wept uncontrollably and his father lay his bony white fingers on her head and his other hand beckoned him to come closer.

'I'm dying, Draco. The kingdom of Quaymoire and its people lay in your hands. You must, at all cost, prevent the Event from happening.'

'I can't do it father.' said Draco and he lifted his head up. He was only 17 years old. Tears were dripping from his pointed face. 'I don't even know where to find the Winged Omen.'

'You will, my son.' gasped his father. 'For it is prophesised that She will come to find you and when you do-'

'She? The Winged Omen is a she?'

And his father left, his last words slipped from his mouth.

'...you must slay her.'

xXx

Draco began to stir uneasily as soft light engulfed his small room. He slept fitfully, waking often because of the badly tended wound at his side.

Surely it couldn't be morning already?

His heavy eyelids fluttered as he adjusted his eyes to the increasing light source. He also felt unbearably hot, sweat was trickling down his back and when he was fully awake, he realised how much in pain he actually was.

The pain was searing through his flesh as he shut his eyes tightly and the heat of his body was not helping at all, he tried to kick off the covers but he was aching all over.

'Don't move.' murmured a sharp but gentle voice.

Draco opened his eyes for a brief moment and they lingered on a small figure in front of him.

Hermione Granger was rummaging through a small woven case. Short stubs of candles lit her working area and a small basin of steaming water was set upon the table, there was also a stack of neatly folded cloths. She was wearing a thick gown over her nightdress and her hair was braided behind her. He couldn't help noticing that her feet were bare (and would give a rare chuckle if he wasn't in so much pain) and her slippers lay neatly beside the door.

'What are you doing?' he whispered hoarsely.

'Tending your wounds.' she said simply, keeping her voice low, she pulled the wooden table slowly over to his bedside. 'I said I would come, sir.'

He groaned slightly and gave up, she wasn't going to give up and he didn't have the energy to stop her. He was grateful when she pulled back his covers and his body cooled down a bit.

'Is it morning?'

'No, sir. A few hours after midnight.'

'I suppose this is when you're available? When all your chores are done?'

She paused as she helped him pull his shirt off and gave him a small tinkering laugh, 'No Mr Malfoy. For your reputation and mine. What would someone say if they were to catch me tending a half-naked man?'

'But you're a Healer.'

'Apprentice.' she corrected swiftly. Her brown eyes swept over his make-shift bandages and she tutted quietly and sighed. She dipped a wooden pitcher into the water basin and hovered the tip over the bloody wad pressed against the wound.

'Then why are you here?'

'I told you, my duty is to heal. You're injured, I have to tend your wound because you obviously haven't bothered to do it properly.'

He struggled to open his mouth in retort but she looked at him intensely.

'I'm travelling around on my Master's instructions. I'm working here for some money...' she explained. 'My uncle, the innkeeper, doesn't like me getting too personal to his customers so I work discreetly.'

'I see.' said Draco heavily, his eyes fluttering in pain.

'Keep still. This is going to hurt a bit.' she said gently.

Hermione pressed down on the blood-soaked wad in his wound and trickled the hot water over the hard material. The wad soaked up the water fast and eventually softened.

'Keep still.' she ordered as he began to gasp and he gritted his teeth.

She peeled it off carefully, despite her efforts, the wound began to bleed freely. 'Hold this between your teeth.' she instructed as she edged a piece of tough raw hide between his teeth.

As she finished cleaning, pressing the mixture she grounded up in a mortar and dressing the wound loosely, she felt his forehead.

'You have a fever.' she muttered and pressed a cool cloth to his forehead and tried to offer him some medicine.

'I'm not taking it!'

'Come on, it's to bring your fever down.'

'It's disgusting.' he retorted.

'Mr Malfoy, I insist.'

He lay grumbling in bed as she changed his sticky sheets. She threw the dirty cloths into the waterbasin and blew out the candles; lighting a new larger scented candle.

'It'll help you breathe.' she said, reaching out and he flinched as she brushed his hair neatly out of his face. 'Sleep, sir.'

And he closed his eyes, as sleep washed over him.

xXx

'Good morning, sir.'

Draco woke up with a start, he could hear the hearty buzz of the village of Trelium outside the window. The sun filtered through the thin curtains and breakfast lay on the side of his bed.

'It's you again.' he grumbled, struggling to sit up and she helped him move slowly.

'Yes,' she laughed softly and pushed his tray closer to him, '...eat. You're not to get out of this bed at all today, unless you need to use the privy.'

'I don't really have much choice do I?' he asked annoyed.

'I suppose you don't have to listen...' Hermione said thoughtfully then her eyes lit up with a mischievous sparkle. '...if you want a gaping hole in your side.'

xXx

Every night, Hermione tended his wound and her efforts were not in vain as it began to heal faster than expected. Draco began to relax slightly, Hermione's sudden appearance in the late hours of the night no longer became a shock and he would sleep with his shirt off so that she could tend to him easily if he was heavily asleep. Other times when he was not tired at all, he would sit up waiting for her. Their conversations were mutual and often laced with witty arguments and childish whines. Despite all, Hermione Granger felt that she knew nothing more about Draco Malfoy since she first spoke to him.

All she knew was that he liked to grumble.

'Can I go out yet?' grumbled Draco as he shifted on the bed to ease the dull ache at his side. 'Miss Granger, I am a businessman after all. Because of your restrictions, I'm losing galleons by the second!'

'Stop moving.' she ordered and she cleaned the wound gently before looking at him straight in the eyes. 'Besides it's night now, you sleep don't you? Aren't you losing galleons while you sleep anyway?'

'I implied during the day...you know when I go out and do business with prospective merchants?' he said gritting his teeth, he hated this bit; the part when she started to rub salve into his hip then he returned her look; his eyes narrowing. 'Is this some plan of yours and the innkeeper's to make me stay longer and pay more?'

'Don't be absurd.' she commented, bemused at his suggestion then her brown eyes fluttered over him in a sly manner. 'Anyway it's not like you don't have the money to pay. I'd say you're quite the rich man, sir.'

Draco suddenly looked uneasy and she smirked and he quickly regained his composture. 'And what gives you the notion?'

She said nothing and pointed at his hand, where a heavy signature gold ring bearing a eagle and two overlapping spears. Draco covered his hand immediately and sat up, looking sternly at her.

'I'm just an ordinary businessman.' he announced firmly.

'With a ring like that?' she raised her eyebrow and put her hands on her hips. 'I've seen rings like that before and usually they belong to lords and other higher authorities.'

'I bought it.' confessed Draco. 'I got a good bargain for it.'

'Seems like it.' she shrugged and rinsed out the cloth. 'May I see it? The design looks intricate.'

'No.' he said, a little harsher than he intended and her beautiful face fell immediately.

'Fine.' she snapped, folding her arms then added coldly. 'Why are you here anyway?'

'I told you; business plans. Now Miss Granger, if you don't mind, please leave my room now that you've done your work here.' he said angrily. Who was she to delve into his secrets? Did she need a reason for everything he did? She was just a barmaid, nothing more.

Hermione looked upset but it infuriated him even more. He pull his shirt over his head and rummaged in his cloak, throwing a few coins onto the table.

'Here.' Draco said, climbing back into bed. 'Take it and leave.'

She left the coins where they were and fled from his room. Her tattered ribbon slipped out from her hair and fell to the stony floor.

xXx

It was bright but a cold winter's day, the salty smell of the sea lingered in the still air and Trelium was at its usual busy, if not more. Draco breathed in, it was good to be outside again. He ignored the merchant nearby calling him to examine his wares and he made way for stiff tent beside it. It was even colder inside and Draco shuddered as he gazed around inside it. A circular table centred in the middle and metal braziers stood on either side. The drapings around the walls were dark and matt, the ground was covered in thick bear's fur.

'Greetings, Mr Malfoy.'

The Seeress of Trelium was a beautiful woman. Dark hair woven with imitated silver beads and glass charms, her elegant body was clothed in the softest silk, her delicate features were refined and her lips were painted pale.

'Seeress.' he murmured and he kissed her offered hand.

'You have been injured, Mr Malfoy.' said the Seeress, her long fingers traced the crystal ball.

'I'm better now.' said Draco impatiently and he opened his mouth.

'Patience, dear Draco.' her dark eyes bore into his. 'Do you not believe me? I told you that what you seek will soon come to you.'

'I know but-'

'Then wait.' she said simply then she smiled, withdrawing her eyes from the smokey globe. 'You seem to have offended a young lady, Draco. Perhaps you should occupy your time trying to gain her forgiveness. Besides she was only trying to help.'

He stepped out of the tent and drew his cloak around him tighter; his visit to the Seeress proved pointless but he knew that this was the place to be. After all, the Seeress confirmed it a few weeks ago but he could not help but feel desperately impatient. She gave him no indication of time and it was known that 'time' meant very little to Seers, it could be months, even years before the Event could happen! And the Seeress even expected him to apologise to Hermione Granger!

'A pretty ribbon for your sweetheart sir?'

The old lady thrust her small basket full of coloured ribbons under his nose. Draco opened his mouth to reject but sighed.

'Give me two.'

xXx

She was quiet while working on him, he could hear her breathly softly. He tried to catch her eye but she avoided his gaze and only open her mouth to instruct him.

'Has someone angered you, Miss Granger?' he asked in conversation.

But he got no response. She left him to put his shirt back on and packed everything into her basket.

'It was busy today in the bar.' he commented. It was true for he sat downstairs eating his dinner and had a small keg of ale which she did not try to object to though she did refuse to give him a glass until the innkeeper fetched one for him hurriedly.

She turned around and pressed a small bottle of healing salve into his palm; averting her eyes from his naked torso as he had yet to put on his shirt.

'It's to reduce the scar. Use it sparingly and rub it in well.'

'Are you still mad with me?' he sighed as he closed the door shut when she pulled her slippers back on.

'Mr Malfoy!' she protested. It was her rule that the door remained open at all times when she was there at night.

'Answer me.' he said tugging her basket from her and setting it on the floor.

'No.' she blinked and tears gave away from the corners of her eyes.

'I was harsh last night.' Draco said and he swallowed, looking awkward. 'I'm...erm...I'm sorry, Miss Granger.'

She looked up at him, her eyes still glistening with tears. Her brown curly hair was tied together with a piece of twine and she was wearing a soft lilac cotton shift. Her gown was too hot to wear and lay folded on the stool.

'You're right. I'm here on important plans but you have to understand I can't tell you.' he confided hoping to make her feel better then he remembered. 'Oh, I bought you something.'

He pulled out two shiny ribbons, one royal blue and the other pale pink. He twisted them between his finger tips and reached out to her hair and pulled it loose. Her hair felt like warm silk between his fingers, he began to braid it clumsily and she giggled.

'Allow me.' she whispered.

But he already had her against the door.

'No, allow me.' he whispered and he bent his head down to kiss her.

She jerked violently and bent down suddenly to rummage in her basket.

'Oh Hermione.' he laughed softly and he knelt down beside her, tying the ribbons to the handle.

'I have to go...'

'Where to...?' he asked mischievously.

'I have...erm...I have work to do.'

'It's hours after nightfall, Hermione.' he said, her name felt like honey in his mouth.

'I can't. We can't...' she said and she looked up at him fearfully and when she caught him looking at him smiling, she blushed.

'Are you bonded*?' (*Bonded: Married)

'No.' she stammered.

'Any suitors?'

'No.' she said thoughtfully.

'Well then.' he said, she was shaking slightly and he felt the desire to kiss her again. He lifted her up into his arms and she squeaked in shock; only her mouth was covered immediately by his. She was clutching his shirt tightly and he walked towards his bed, his tongue begging for entrance into her mouth.

She allowed him to do so when he lowered her onto the warm covers. His tongue rolled over hers and he bit down gently on her lip and scattered gentle kisses over her lips, jaw and neck.

She mewed like a little cat as he kissed the top of her heaving cleavage covered by her modest dress.

'Are you...?' she said suddenly.

'No.' he murmured. 'Not bonded and not courting anyone.'

It had been such a longtime since he felt like this. As a handsome and wealthy youngman, he enjoyed a little bit of pleasure every now and then but since his journey, he barely had time for anything personal. Let alone girls.

'Stop.' she stammered. She looked beautiful, her curls were spread over the pillow and her lips gently swollen, he could feel her breathing fast and he sneaked a peek down. Her dress was slightly hitched up her thighs and he could see a bit of her undergarments over her thin long socks.

He lay back against his bed and watched her adjust her clothes and smooth her hair.

'I'll see you tomorow morning.' she blushed.

'Alright.' he drawled.

Then she fled once again from his room.