Chapter 26: 'Tis For The Best
"I will not let the two of you out this night" Ruth Brenthurst exclaimed, her hands on her hips. She had placed her not inconsiderable bulk in front of the door of the cottage. "I may accept some of the fancy tales you've bin a'tellin me about potions and time and all such but you are not goin' out there on Samhain night!"
In her own way, Ruth was every bit as terrifying as Professor McGonagall could be when scolding first-year pranksters in Hogwarts.
"But…" said Draco.
"NO BUTS! There be ghoulies and beasties out there this night and Lord help me if I let the two of you out there."
Hermione put her hand on Draco's arm, and Draco lapsed into sulky silence.
"All right, Ruth. We won't go out tonight" Hermione said soothingly. "We'll go to sleep in front of the fire, won't we, Draco?"
Draco made a non-committal grunt.
"Aye, listen to your wife. The girl's got good sense. You two lie down here for the night, like good children."
"Children…!"sputtered Draco.
"Yes, Ruth" Hermione said, staring at Draco quellingly. "You go ahead to bed."
"Promise me, honour bright, you won't go out!"
"We promise." Hermione said, soothingly.
"And you especially, lad!"
"I promise" Draco said through clenched teeth.
After Ruth Brenthurst retired for the night, Hermione sat herself down in front of the fireplace and yawned.
Draco paced around the tiny room, itching with resentment. "Children! She called us children! Samhain is nothing to be afraid of! We are magic…we are quite capable of protecting ourselves!"
"Yes, but we don't have wands" said Hermione sleepily.
"Ghoulies and beasties indeed! I've seen worse things in Hagrid's back yard!"
"Will you stop pacing around? It's really distracting. Come here and rest" Hermione said, pulling at Draco's hand. He sat down beside her heavily and frowned.
"Grouchy" she said and rested her head on his shoulders. The flames of the fire glinted against her chestnut hair and for a moment, Draco almost thought her hair looked like it was on fire. He kissed her hair and relaxed.
"I'm just worried Mary Ludlow won't come through with the herbs."
"Yes, I know you are, but there's nothing we can do about it. Going outside doesn't help in the slightest."
"I needed to get some fresh air. Get the worry out of my head."
Hermione snuggled against Draco. "What's the worst that could happen? If Mary doesn't come through, we'll just have to grow our own herb garden here next year and harvest the herbs ourselves. Is another year here so bad?"
"Hmm" Draco said, "Let me see…we have no piped water, no sewage, no salt for our food, no clean clothes, no books, music or games, no real bed…on the other hand, we have lots of fleas, lots of bugs, lots of smells, lots of back-breaking labour…I guess you're right. It's not so bad after all."
"Oh don't be so silly!" Hermione laughed at Draco's outraged expression. "But don't worry, I have a feeling Mary will get the herbs. And my hunches do tend to prove right."
"We'll see if she turns up with them tomorrow." Draco said. "I don't like trusting hunches. They are too unpredictable."
"She'll turn up" Hermione said sleepily, drowsing in Draco's arms.
"Are you sure?" Draco said, his eyes closing as well.
"Stop worrying."
************************************
As it turned out, Hermione was right.
Fed up with the boy's nervousness and inability to concentrate on anything, Ruth Brenthurst had sent Draco off on an errand to a neighbouring farm in the late afternoon.
Ruth and Hermione sat on the door step together, both glad to be free of Draco's fretting for a little while.
"Mary Ludlow is the most responsible person I ever did know" said Ruth. "She was the one who always looked out for us three others when we were girls. Was a winter Hester Abagnale slipped through t'ice and 'twas Mary hung on to her while we ran for help. Mary's hands were blue and black by the time we took her and Hester out of the water, but she never did let go o'her. Hester had a hard winter, but she pulled through, and since then, we always knew Mary woudn't let go o'anything."
"Shw was a very good nursemaid" Hermione offered. "At least for the time I knew her."
"Aye, she would've bin" Ruth nodded, "But o'course if what you telled me that day with your husband were true, you wouldn't have known Mary till last May, weren't it?"
Hermione nodded. "You believe us then, Ruth?"
"I neither believe nor disbelieve you. We'll see what happens when Mary brings those herbs to you and you make that philtrum o'yours. I knowed you two need shelter, and you need quiet, and Ruth Brenthurst was never one to turn such away."
Hermione smiled at the old woman. "Ruth, I will never forget your kindness to us."
There came a rustling from the path that led through the wood.
"Draco?" called Hermione.
"Mary Ludlow! On my life, I never did think we'd meet again!" Ruth had scrambled to her feet and was rapidly making her way over to where her old friend stood, basket on one arm.
"Mary!" cried Hermione, jumping to her feet and running to her old nursemaid, but she stopped just before she embraced the old lady, noticing the frightened look on Mary's face.
Ruth noticed it too, for she frowned and stood back, "What's the matter, sister? T'isn't bad news I hope?"
Mary shook her head and slowly put her arms around Hermione and kissed her on both cheeks, doing the same for Ruth.
"Why don't you come in for something t'eat. It must a'bin hard ridin to Aldeburgh through the night."
"Mary, what's wrong, why won't you speak?" asked Hermione, worriedly.
At Hermione's pleading tone, Mary found her tongue at last, "Oh M'Lady...I mustn't tarry here longer! The horsemen are but a few hours behind me!"
"Horsemen?" said Ruth and Hermione together, in surprise.
"Aye. Oh Ruth, sister, be warned...and M'Lady...your father's men are ridin' hard after me! You must leave this place or..." Mary choked.
"Or what?" breathed Hermione, her eyes large with alarm. It seemed Draco and her had finally run out of good luck. Their worst fears had come true- the Baron and Lord Granger had decided to chase after them.
"Or your father's horsemen will take you back for questioning! There is an envoy from the crown come to question you about the lands..."
"Is that all?" asked Ruth, "Why then our Hermione need fear nothing! She is proper wed to t'lad, nothing can undo such a union."
But Hermione found little comfort in Ruth's words. She paled. "There is something more behind this that you are not telling me, Mary!" she said, taking her old nursemaid by the shoulders and staring deep into her eyes. "What is it?"
Mary licked her lips nervously. "I listened at the door when the letter from t'Baron came. I thought it was nought but a quarrel over the land and such, you know your father has to give up three fourths of the land as your broken dowry, do you?"
Hermione was shocked, but before she could say anything, Mary continued...
"...but it were more than that. Her Ladyship, your mother, had a notion the Baron were after more than t'land. Should you go back...should you and Draco go back..."
"They would not dare!" Ruth burst out. "And they will have no chance! Hermione and Draco are not going back!"
"What will happen if I do not go back?" Hermione asked, her heart beating so fast she thought she was going to have a heart attack.
Mary and Ruth exchanged glances.
"T'would be defiance to the King- by yourself and your house." Mary said quietly. "But I bear strict instructions from your mother that you are to flee this place at once. Please, it was all your mother could do to hold your father back till after Samhain. Things are most unhappy between them over you, your mother would have it that you escape, she is willing to bear the consequences, but your father's horsemen are right behind me. Even as we speak, they draw near. Listen to your mother, Hermione, she has given up enough for you, do this last thing for her."
Ruth looked carefully at Hermione. The girl's expression was inscrutable.
"Tell me, Ruth, Mary, for I have no knowledge of this matter, what would happen if my parents were found guilty of defiance to the King?"
Both women remained silent.
Hermione repeated her question but to no effect.
Finally, Mary handed her basket over to Hermione. "Take this child. I know not why you want it, but in your letter you said your life depended on it. I have gathered it as best as I could according to your instructions. Flee."
Hermione knew she was holding the basket Mary had given her but it had no weight in her hands. Stupidly, she stared at it, then at the two women. She nodded.
"Yes...thank you, Mary. Thank you, I understand."
"Child, will you flee? You may have my horse, I left him at the edge of the wood- I can get another from The Bull's Head." Mary urged her mistress.
"Thank you. I will need an hour before I leave...after all, we must wait for Draco to return. He should be on his way now."
"Won't you come in and wait, Mary?" said Ruth.
"NO!" said Hermione. "I mean, Ruth, you should take Mary to the Bull's Head and see to it she is proper rested and has her another horse. I do not want her meeting my father's horsemen on the way. She would be in deep trouble."
Ruth looked doubtful. "And leave you here alone lass, in this dreadful hour?"
Hermione waved her hand casually, "Oh Ruth! You have left me here alone many a-time before by myself. What have you to fear? And besides, Draco will be here any moment soon."
"Will ye be gone when I return?" asked Ruth, a little sadly.
Hermione nodded. "We must, mustn't we?"
"'Tis for the best," said Mary, "'Tis what your mother would have wanted, she loves you dearly and has given up family and honour for your sake. Do not tarry long. Leave within the hour!"
"Family and honour..." said Hermione, letting the old lady embrace her.
She hugged the old lady. "How sad that we must part again,Mary, and I must tell you once more how much I will miss you. May you have a safe path back to Aldeburgh."
Tears trickled down Mary's cheeks as she hugged Hermione.
Then Hermione put her arms around Ruth. "You have been very kind to us. Draco and I owe you sincere thanks and gratitude."
"Draco was with me as a young'un. I wanted nought but the best for him, and if he took you to wife, then you are a part of him and I would've laid down my life for you as well as him." Ruth said, her voice sounding strained. "What strange times we live in! I do not understand it at all, why life should treat us such- us who have nought but the quietest spirits and lowliest desires!"
Mary Ludlow held on to her friend's hand.
"Farewell, Hermione. And tell Draco we send him our love. Wherever you two go, our blessing goes with you."
"Tell my mother and father I love them. Especially my mother, thank her for all she has done for Draco and I."
"Slow partings are more painful" said Ruth, turning her friend towards the path that led through the wood. "Better a quick farewell and an eternal blessing, than tears and lingering regret."
As Hermione watched the two ladies disappear from view, many things ran through her mind. She saw Draco's face, pale and handsome, smiling at her. She saw Ron and Harry, laughing. She saw Hogwarts as if from a great distance, then closer, then she was running in the hallways towards Transfiguration class. She saw her future parents, in their Opel Vectra, driving by and waving at her. She was her wedding day and the smelt the roses in the Church. But the image that returned most often, was that of Lady Katherine Granger and the unborn child in her womb.
Lady Katherine and the future of the Granger line.
Draco
Lady Katherine
Draco
Lady Katherine
*****************************************
"Hermione?"
Draco carried the hammer Ruth had asked him to collect in one hand, and a late-Summer rose in another. He had spotted it when on his way back from the farm and picked it for his wife.
The door to the cottage was closed and everything looked peaceful. A comforting spire of smoke rose from the chimney to the chill blue sky.
He wondered if Mary Ludlow had delivered the herbs yet. Today was November 1st, he had already mentally calculated that if she rode off from Mildenstowe at midnight the day before, she would reach Aldeburgh around the late afternoon. He knew that Ruth had only sent him off on the errand because his irritability and nervousness was driving them all crazy, and strangely, the walk had done wonders to calm his nerves. So what if Mary hadn't managed to collect the herbs? Hermione was right- they could live out here, with with Ruth or he could build another cottage for them or something- and they could grow their own herb garden. Ruth kept poultry and wove ribbons, Hermione could help, and they would survive for another year easily.
"I'm back!" he called cheerily, pushing the door open and walking into the cottage. "Has Mary turned up yet?"
Hermione turned round from the stove to face him. Her shoulders were tense. She gave the smallest shake of her head and Draco pulled a face.
"Oh well, she's bound to be along soon...Cooking again?" he asked, teasingly reminding her of her dismal attempts over the last few weeks. "What is it tonight? Vegetable mush again by the smell of it!" The brew had a very familiar smell.
Hermione visibly relaxed and moved so that she stood with her back to the cooking hearth.
"Yes, it's... soup ...for tonight that Ruth left me to watch...What's in your hand?" she asked, changing the topic.
Draco smiled. "Three guesses."
"The hammer Ruth asked for."
Draco shook his head and pointed to the table with his free hand. "No, I've put it down over there."
"Root vegetables."
Draco grinned. "Oh come on, Hermione. Don't make such boring guesses. Has a month here turned you into a housewife? Because back at Malfoy Manor, you'll be lady of the manor and never have to step into kitchen again unless it's because we're fooling around there when the house-elves aren't looking! Make a good guess."
Hermione smiled. "Okay... Hogwarts: A History, First Edition, printed in 1879 by Stainwell and Stainwell."
Draco's slapped his head in mock-horror. "No, Miss Granger...nothing like that at all!" Beaming, he held out the rose to Hermione.
"Where did you find it?" Hermione said, taking it from him and breathing in it's lovely scent.
"It's a gardener's boy's secret." Draco grinned. "You'd better look after it, this was the last one on the bush, the rest had decided that Summer was over."
He sat down and watched appreciatively as Hermione stuck the rose into her hair.
Something was odd about the place, but he couldn't figure out what. Was it the smell? No, it was too quiet.
"Where's Ruth?" he asked, suddenly realising the old lady was no where to be seen.
"After you left, she remembered she needed to go over to the Johnson's about those eggs she promised. She'll be back soon" Hermione said, sitting down next to Draco.
"How soon?" said Draco, smirking, "I still have lots of nervous energy that I need to work off."
Hermione blushed. "I think we have a good hour" she said, starting to kiss Draco hard. "I miss my gardener's boy."
Draco gathered her into his arms. "This is your last chance, M'Lady. I intend to tender my resignation tomorrow, and apply for the post of Head of Malfoy Manor again."
"But what about my roses?" Hermione said softly, letting Draco's hands touch her in places that made her shiver.
"There are plenty in Malfoy Manor's hot houses" said Draco. "You have never seen them, but you will very soon."
"Will I?" said Hermione, clutching onto Draco so hard he was surprised. "You promise?"
"I promise" said Draco, "Of course! We're married now, I'm going to take you back with me, my young bride, and show you all of Malfoy Manor and I don't care what anyone says...on one condition."
"What?"
"Don't cook vegetable soup for me ever again."
Afterwards, Draco was dimly aware that they should get up and get dressed before Ruth came home, but this was his favourite time- just holding Hermione after they had made love. Whenever he was scared of the future, or worried about the consequences of breaking off his engagement, in these few moments he was able to remind himself that it was all worth while. And besides, this particular love-making session with Hermione had taken his breath away, there was an edge of urgency and need about her that had completely overwhelmed him.
"Where are you going?" he murmured, eyes half closed as Hermione got off the straw pallet beside him. He could still smell the rose in her hair. "Should we get up?"
"Hush," she said, "Rest just one more minute, I've only gone to get a sip of water."
Draco drowsed lazily on the bed, his eyes half closed. He should get up soon, but secretly, he harboured thoughts of one more little session before Ruth came home.All around him was that familiar smell he smelt when he first came in, vegetable soup? Hmm...maybe, but not really. Where had he smelt it before?
He felt Hermione sit down next to him and he reached out to put an arm around her waist...
"Mmm," he said, "Would you say we have at least a half hour more?"
Hermione bent to kiss him. "Draco, look at me" she said.
Surprised, Draco opened his eyes and saw Hermione staring down at him.
"I love you" she said. "No matter what happens, never forget that I married you because I love you."
Draco grinned. "Hey, what's this all about?"
"Do you trust me?" she said, her eyes brimming with tears. "Please say you do."
Draco got up on one elbow. "What's this all about Hermione? Of course I trust you. What is it?" He frowned.
"I can't tell you right now" she said, trying desperately not to cry. "But I'll tell you as soon as I can, I promise."
"What is the matter with you?" Draco sat bolt upright. Hermione's jaw was set, and though he noticed her eyes were bright with tears, she did not cry. "Why can't you tell me now?"
"I have something I need to do, but I cannot let you come with me. Wait for me, I won't be long." she said, moving away from him. Something in her manner scared him beyond words.
Draco tried to scramble to his feet. "By the gods, Hermione...How long can this thing..."
Hermione flung something hot and wet on him from a cup she had held behind her back. Draco's eyes widened in shock - "What the .."
Slow partings are more painful
Better a quick farewell
and an eternal blessing
than tears
and lingering regret