"Since when can you speak French!?" Mara asked incredulously, but Daniel was already speaking fluid French to the older man sat opposite them, and did not hear her question.
She leant back in the comfy bench and sighed, not understanding a word of what the pair were saying.
"-You will be staying at a branch of 'ze Three Broomsticks, in a village near 'ze castle." the man said suddenly, surprising Mara at the abruptness of his accented English. "I'm 'ze gamekeeper of Beauxbatons, and your guide." he continued "Your room at 'ze inn has already been booked. At nine in the morning I will come back in ze carriage to pick you up, be sure to have breakfast and drinks."
"Now, will you be attending ze feast?"
Mara frowned and looked at Daniel, who was looking at her inquisitively "I-I was kind of hoping to just, you know...go straight home-I mean, back to Hogwarts.."
The gamekeeper scowled but said "Of course, Madam Maxime wasn't fully expecting your attendance, but ze invite is there to take neverzeless. If you change your mind, be sure to tell me tomorrow morning." he began to speak in French to Daniel again, Mara glanced out of the dark window, thinking miserably of the coming morning...
They stopped outside a derelict looking building Mara suspected was the pub. The sign above her confirmed this for her, for it had the same symbols of broomsticks but the words were different, stating 'Les Trois Balais'.
Nervousness set in as they entered the building, it was dawning on her that the funeral was only a few hours away now, and she was beginning to feel nauseous.
"I will get ze drinks, find a seat won't you." the gamekeeper said gruffly, and made his way over to the busy bar.
Daniel led the way over to a table by the fire, where a crowd of old men sat nearby, a couple were smoking out of pipes, wearing berets and robes of light coloured silk. She looked past the younger group of people, who chatted animatedly, and took in the décor of the Inn, which looked similar to the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade but smaller and cosier.
"Mara," Daniel patted her shoulder, drawing her attention back to him. "Um, how's your neck?" he asked, Mara felt the green scarf she hadn't taken off since leaving.
"It's fine..I should take another potion soon, though." she said distractedly, Daniel shifted in his seat.
"Mara.." she glanced back wearily at Daniel "I..I need to tell you-"
"Here you go." They both jumped as the Gamekeeper returned, setting a tray down on the table. Mara leant forward and grabbed her glass, Daniel sighed a little and took his mead.
"Cheers." The Gamekeeper rose his glass and took a gulp, Mara lifted her own to her nose and sniffed twice before determining it was clean, and took a long needed gulp.
"Well," the gamekeeper began, setting down his drink moment later "it seems you two'll be sharing a room-" Mara choked before the mead could hit her chest properly, a look of disbelief crossing her paling face, Daniel inhaled noisily, drawing many looks from the nearby customers.
"Ah not to worry, ze beds will be separate. It'z a good thing, really. Under ze current climate, it will be ze best protection."
Daniel looked away nervously, but knew the old gamekeeper was right, he wouldn't be able to protect Mara very well if they were separated.
"Here's Timothee now," a thin bodied man walked over, he pushed his long ruffled red hair back from his eyes and smiled warmly. "Zis is Timothee, barman and owner of zis fine establishment. He will take you both to your rooms." said the Gamekeeper, Daniel stood and mumbled
"N-nice to meet you." he shook the barmans hands, and looked away as he shook Maras'.
"We will 'ave time to talk more tomorrow," said the barman "please, zis way."
After draining the rest of their drinks, Daniel fumbled after the barman, almost tripping on the chair leg, Mara followed the pair upstairs, worry consuming her...
After settling in the room, Mara sat down on the end of her four poster, single bed and looked in concern at the frilly closed curtains.
"...you alright?" Daniel asked, as he re-emerged from the bathroom, a towel over his wet hair as he dried the water out.
"...yes, but.." she bit her lip and looked down at her hands for a moment "It's just, what if you hadn't taken the job to escort me. Me and Professor Snape would be sharing a room right now!" she said in a panicked tone.
"I guess you just got a lucky escape," Daniel chuckled but received glare.
"It's not funny!" Mara snapped, shooting up with balled fists. "What if there weren't separate beds!"
Daniel pursed his lips "I'm sure Snape wouldn't have it, he'd force a room with separate bed's at least." Mara turned with crossed arms "Try not to get yourself worked up, it didn't and won't happen."
Mara lowered her arms and gripped the bed post "I'm sorry.." she muttered, Daniel shook his head. "Don't worry, anyone would be upset at the prospect of sharing a room, never mind the same bed, with Snape." he sniggered, Mara looked back at him.
"Wasn't there something you wanted to say to me earlier," she said, changing the subject "before the gamekeeper returned with the drinks?"
Daniel froze a little, and Mara noticed him play with the a necklace around his neck, hidden under his nightshirt.
"Um..." he watched Mara for a moment, who gazed at him curiously "...I can't remember." he shrugged, letting go of the chain and walked towards his bed without looking back at Mara.
"Oh.." Mara said "Alright.." Daniel watched as she grabbed her bathroom supplies and headed for the shower.
He sighed and sat on the end of the soft mattress when the door shut behind her, He just couldn't bring himself to tell her what was on his mind, with everything she was going through right now...
"Mara, it's time to get up."
Daniel shook Mara gently on the shoulder, and a thump on the floor made him jump. He walked around to the source of the noise, and noticed a book lying open on the floor, he knelt down to pick it up, and looked at the open page curiously.
'November 9th' was written on the top corner, today's date.
Daniel stared at the seemingly blank page and wondered, was this Maras' diary?
He felt, intrigued to read it, but shook his head and shut the book up, which made a clicking noise..
"Mara." he repeated
"Leave me alone, Draco!" She snapped sleepily then jumped awake, she looked around to see Daniel looking at her curiously.
"Draco who?" Daniel asked, Mara huffed and reluctantly pulled herself up against the headboard, pulling the ruffled bed sheets over her satin pyjama's.
"Ugh, just the boy I live with." she shrugged.
"You mean the Malfoy's?" Daniel asked.
"Yes." she said stiffly, Daniel wanted to know more about her time there, but felt it wise not to push her.
"Alright," he replied "anyway, I've brought your breakfast up."
"Huh?" she looked to the side and saw a silver platter filled with food "Oh, uh, thank you." Daniel smiled at the confusion on her face. "I'll leave you to eat, join me downstairs when you're ready."
Mara watched him leave, and pulled the plate to her. She had never been served breakfast in bed before, back at the manor the servants weren't permitted to do so, which suited her well since that would mean less work for them.
She glanced at the platter, there was a wide variety to choose from, bread and toast, a jar of jam and some butter, some chocolate bread and orange juice. It looked and smelt delicious, but she wasn't sure how much she could stomach...
After eating, Mara finished putting her hair into a bun and glanced at her reflection in the door mirror, she thought she looked older, the black sleeved dress didn't make her look any younger-but fashion wasn't exactly a priority, she figured it was suitable enough and made her way downstairs.
Daniel was waiting at the door with the Gamekeeper and he looked oddly, melancholy and peaky, did he just feel bad for her or did he not like funerals in general?
"Are we ready?" the gamekeeper asked "Follow me."
"You alright?" Daniel asked "Have you had your potion?"
Mara nodded "I've had my potion." she said and passed him to the exit, Daniel frowned and followed her out, not looking forward to the funeral at all.