Journey of Time
Breea
DISCLAIMER: All Harry Potter characters belong to JK Rowling, and anyone else that bought the rights to them; the others are my little creations. Plot loosely based off Michael Crichton's Timeline.
A/N: This is more of a plot mover, shorter, but I promise next chapter the snogging commences!
Chapter 4
Ginny made her way back to her room, grateful for the fresh basin of water that awaited her. She was covered in mud, her clothes and her face, and she would dread to look at herself in a mirror. Washing up as best she could, she found a new, plain dress on her bed. Putting it on hastily, Ginny collapsed in her bed, exhausted. Thoughts swirled viciously through her head, thoughts of her situation, of ways to get out of it, the people she was surrounded by…especially Damien. She had almost believed he was about to accept her, bringing her guard down against him. Then he insulted her again, a real Malfoy thing to do.
Ginny tossed in the bed, lying on her side. What she should be concentrating on was getting home, not some stupid fight she had with Dra-Damien.
The door burst open, interrupting her thoughts. Isabel rushed in, eyes flashing frantically. They rested on Ginny and her expression changed to one of relief. "There you are! Damien told me he found you," Isabel rushed over and sat on the bed. "Are you alright?"
Ginny sat up, brushing a few stray copper strands of hair from her face. "Yes, I'm fine, Isabel," Ginny assured her.
Isabel's eyes remained worried but she smiled. "Good. When Damien told me you ran off into the woods I was concerned," She looked thoughtful, as if remembering something. "Damien was as well. It's a good thing he went after you, the forest can be dangerous. What made you do something so foolish?" Isabel implored, not as an insult but she was truly curious.
Ginny hesitated. Damien had been worried about her? That was not the impression she got after her rescued her. He was probably worried about what he was going to tell his sister when she found out he practically chased her away. Leave it to a Malfoy to be worried about his own neck. Her rescue suddenly didn't seem so gallant.
"I-I was exploring," She lied. Great, now you're covering for him, she thought crossly. "I know it wasn't the smartest idea-"
"Certainly not!" Isabel cut her off. "My family is at war with a nearby Earl. Off of the castle grounds is not safe," She warned.
Ginny nodded, promising not to do it again. "Sorry, Isabel,"
Isabel held up a hand. "No apologies," She smiled. "You are safe, that's all that matters," Her eyes clouded over for a moment before returning to their happy state. "Mayhap you would like to see the gardens now?" She asked. "We could talk a bit," Isabel added hopefully.
For lack of anything better to do, Ginny agreed. Maybe she could ask Isabel some questions that would help her find some answers to the mystery of how to get home. Ginny followed her down the corridor.
The clanking of steel against steel caught both girls' attention. Isabel diverted their course, heading them in the direction the sound was coming from. Ginny followed her into a large, open room with floor to ceiling windows letting sunlight stream in. Two men were sword fighting in the middle of the large room.
Isabel giggled in delight. "Ginny," She said in her think accent, "You are witnessing two of the finest sword fighters in England. It is considered a privilege to watch them practice," Isabel nodded in the fighters' direction, sending Ginny's attention back to the two men.
She recognized them as Damien and his father, the Earl of Winchester. They were both smiling as they fought, deep in concentration, trying to anticipate the other's moves. Neither noticed they had a small audience.
Ginny could only stare, fascinated. The metal glinted in the sunlight and each swing was accented by the metallic clang of contact with the other sword. Her eyes lingered on Damien, watching his every move. Even if he was an irritating, arrogant git, he did save her life when he could have let her run off and get herself killed. Plus, he was in much better shape then most of the guys back in her time; broader chest, bigger arms; it must be from all the sword fighting-"
Ginny Weasley, her mind cut her train of thought off. You are not about to fantasize lewd thoughts about this guy who resembles Draco Malfoy and is most likely one of his ancestors. Ginny shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. Not to mention, she was in another time and didn't plan on staying any longer than she had to.
Isabel was tugged at her sleeve. Ginny followed her silently until they were out in the garden. Isabel turned to her with a sly smile. "You fancy my brother," It was a statement, not a question. Ginny looked appalled.
"I do not," She protested loudly.
Isabel only giggled. "You do, too," She teased. "I saw you looking at him just now,"
Ginny shook her head violently. "No, Isabel, he just reminded me of someone," She insisted. She realized her overreacting was only convincing Isabel more. Ginny sighed. "He is very nice looking," She finally admitted, causing Isabel to clap her hands together in delight. "But," Ginny continued, giving the other girl a warning glance. "I will not be here very long so I don't wish to get in any…romantic…entanglements…" Ginny trailed off, looking up toward the clouding sky.
Isabel was suddenly serious. "Ginny, you have not told me why you are here or where you are from," she reminded her. Ginny had forgotten about Isabel covering for her earlier.
"Oh-I, uh," Ginny stammered, not wanting to say the wrong thing. "You were actually pretty close. I, uh, am lost and I am not sure why I am here," She said vaguely.
Isabel nodded, but it was obvious she expected Ginny to continue. Ginny struggled to find something to say that would make sense. Finally, she sighed with resignation. "I'm from far away, Isabel, from a place unfamiliar to you. That's…that's all I can really say,"
Isabel looked pained but, again, nodded. "I trust you, Ginny. Whatever help you need, let me know,"
Ginny seemed to find this amusing. "Well, could you tell your brother that? He doesn't seem to trust me, much less like me,"
Isabel laughed along with her. "He is a bit harsh, is he not?" She agreed. "He is just protective of his family, it makes him slightly judgmental,"
Isabel looked up to the sky which was quickly darkening with gray clouds. "Rain," She mumbled unhappily. "We best get inside," Isabel motioned for Ginny to follow her.
Ginny felt bad for not being totally truthful to Isabel. She had been nothing but a friend to Ginny since she arrived here but Ginny also knew that telling the truth was not a possibility. No one would believe her, not even Isabel.
Isabel's words rang in Ginny's mind. 'You fancy my brother.' Ginny had denied it, but now she was reconsidering. Even though he looked like Malfoy, he wasn't him, he was a different person. More heroic, more gallant, more built…
Ginny slapped herself, mentally. Stop it! She thought irritably. He's from another time for Merlin's sake. You can't like him,
"Time for dinner," Isabel informed Ginny when they were back inside the castle, causing all thoughts of Damien to flee Ginny's mind, for the time being.
* * * *
Dinner was much the same as the night before. Rain had started and could be heard pounding on the roof above. Ginny found herself distracted, glancing at Damien every few minutes, trying to read his thoughts. More than once she caught him staring back.
Shouts from the entrance hall caused them all to look up from their meal. Ginny saw a terrified look pass over Isabel's face. Were they under attack?
Ginny, along with the rest of the table, looked toward the doorway, where the commotion was coming from. Two cloaked, dark, wet figures were flanked by two guards and preceded by a harried looking servant.
"They insisted on seeing you, sir," the servant looked none too pleased with this information.
Sir Despencer rose from his seat, however, with a pleasant, welcoming smile on his face. His kind eyes turned to the two rain soaked strangers. "What can I do for you?" he asked politely.
The two figures pulled the hoods of their cloaks from their faces. One was a man with dark hair and mustache and shifty, darting eyes. He spoke with an unusual accent. "Milord, we seek shelter for our selves and our companions. The rain is unrelenting and I fear you are the closest roof in the area." He ended his plea with a small bow.
Ginny missed most of this, though. Her eyes were trained on the other stranger, a young woman, not much older than Ginny.
Darkness.
Flashes of her dream replayed in her mind as she stared at the girl with long, curly, dark hair.
Voices.
The girl stared back at Ginny, eyes unwavering.
Door opening.
Neither girl notice what was happening around them. The Earl was telling the servant to show the gypsies to the abandoned stables on the east lawn.
Long, curly haired silhouette.
Was this the girl from her dream? Did she have answers? Ginny's eyes widened as the girl smiled at her, then nodded.
Falling.
Then, as suddenly as they appeared, they were gone, being led by the very disgruntled servant. Ginny blinded back to reality.
That was weird, she thought, taking a deep breath. She glanced across the table at Damien who was watching her curiously. The end of her dream picked up in her mind. Had that been Draco who tired to kill her? Or Damien?