Author's Note: Thank you for all of your reviews! They're a great help!
And, as I have been insisting for the past chapters, please read and
review! Oh yeah, I'm sorry, but I just HAD to use one incident from Lynn
Kurland! I'm sorry, but I just couldn't resist! Anyway, on with the tale!
Chapter 6: Touring
Hermione was led first into the inner bailey, which was where Draco came from when he came into the dining hall for lunch. She wondered why she never saw it before, as the inner bailey was the main part of the castle. Before they went at close proximity to the place, Hermione could distinctly hear the clashing of swords and the grunts and howls of men. Her heart beat a bit faster, anxiety stealing its way into her body. She was hesitant.
But Draco, never adept to a woman's concerns, walked her along.
And soon, Hermione was faced to scores of men, dirty and sweaty and engaged in some sort of battle. Hermione gasped aloud when she saw them, and reflexively pulled on Draco's arm and stopped dead in her tracks. He stopped walking and looked at her.
"What ails you?" He asked. Then, finally noticing her state, he quickly reassured her. "Trust me, these fellows will do you no harm. They are my men, they are simply training. And if they ever plan to do you any harm, they are not able to pursue it."
"Why is that?" Hermione asked, still somewhat agitated. She looked up at him.
"Because you are with me." He said in a flat voice. But Hermione heard the tinge of sincerity in them.
And with that, she calmed down and turned to look at them again. But this time, they seemed to have noticed their lord and promptly stopped all their activities, partly because their lord was about to speak, and partly because they got a glimpse of Hermione.
Whether it was the fact that a beautiful lady was in their midst, or that they saw this beautiful lady with their lord, one could not determine the root of the men's sudden incapacity to move.
Lord Draco stepped up. "Hear me, this is Lady Hermione. She is a guest. I trust that you would treat her with the utmost respect that Sir Goyle has been drilling into your heads for the past years."
A chorus of "Aye's" was heard, along with a chorus of "Good morrow's." shyly directed to her. Hermione eased and smiled at all of them. Once the introductions were through, Draco sent them back into their training. The men went back, but made their training quieter.
"My lord?" Hermione spoke up as they walked further along the courtyard.
"Aye?"
"Where did you find me, or rather, where did Sir Goyle find me?"
Draco nodded and walked her over to where they found her. The place was just a little off to the side of the gatehouse. It was incredibly lucky that Lord Draco and Sir Goyle were doing their nightly rounds of the castle grounds when they'd found her. Otherwise, she would have been mistaken for an enemy by the lord's own guards and soldiers.
"Here." Draco pointed out.
Hermione stared at it as if it held the answers to her questions. A million thoughts flooded her mind, consisting mostly of her family and what they were doing right now. Hermione's father was the CEO of a company in London. She wondered how he must be handling the situation of his only daughter's disappearance. Hermione also thought about her mother... that she must be beside herself with worry. Hermione fought the impulse to cry. Interestingly, no thoughts of Ron or the wedding came into her mind until she remembered her engagement ring.
Without warning, she crouched down on the ground, much to Draco's surprise. He said not a word, it was not his style of exclaiming when surprised. And so, he contented himself to just watch her. She seemed to be looking for something.
"What are you looking for?" He asked after a few minutes of watching her feel the grassy ground and scan it. She jumped, quiet startled. She seemed to have forgotten that he was with her.
Mustering a smile, she turned to him and stood up, brushing off her hands. "Nothing important, my lord."
"Perhaps a key on how to get back to your world?" He asked, dreading the answer, much to his own confusion.
Hermione was silent for a moment. Why was she looking for her engagement ring? Unable to answer that particular question, she focused on Draco's query instead. "No, my lord. I don't know how I got here and so, I don't know how to get back." She smiled up at him. "It was not on my mind for me to look for an answer on how to get back."
Draco digested the answer and unexplainably, the trepidation seemed to lift. He nodded, then offered again his arm to her. She took it, and they continued the tour.
"Gatehouse, barbican..." He then pointed up, "Walkway."
"Oh, I've read about these..." Hermione spoke up. "For defense, the gatehouse probably leads to an outer bailey. Am I right?"
"Aye, you are correct."
She smiled.
"Chapel," He said, pointing to a medium-sized building which had those beautiful stained glass windows. "But, I must tell you now, that is hardly used."
She turned to him, a confused look on her face. "Why not?"
"I have no priest, as of the moment." He replied.
Hermione laughed... and he could not do anything but stare at her. Never had he seen such a beautiful woman laugh. The mere sound of it pierced his black heart and shed a pinprick of glorious light in his black soul. It was a pleasant feeling, he noted.
When her laughter died down, he then walked her to the garden. The same garden was the one overlooked by Hermione's bedroom window. It was located just beyond the chapel through a narrow passageway, just off to the side of the castle's main building.
"Oh!" Hermione exclaimed as she saw the numerous shrubs, flowers and greenery. "You have such a beautiful garden, my lord."
"I do not tend it, however..." He said, almost wistfully. Hermione felt that he lost something or someone very dear to him.
"Oh, I see." Then, Hermione noticed something off to the side of the garden. "My lord, what is in there?"
Draco turned to look. "Stables and a number of other animals as well."
"Oh okay." Hermione said. Then, she looked up. It was only then that she noticed the impressive round tower that was situated in the very back of the whole castle. "My lord?"
"Aye?"
"What is in that round tower?"
"That is my part of the castle." He replied.
"Oh! But why at the back?" Hermione asked.
"You shall see for yourself..." Draco answered mysteriously, much to Hermione's amusement. "Let us continued with the tour, shall we?"
"Yes, my lord."
From there, they made their way back to the entrance hall of the castle. This time, Hermione paid much notice and attention to every single detail of the castle. No portraits were hung on its walls, only those wall torches and different tapestries. The hall off to the side of the entrance hall, aptly named as the Great Hall was used to entertain guests and such. It was huge. And Hermione seemed to see more of those beautiful stained glass windows.
She walked to the middle of the Great Hall, leaving Draco at the entrance. She stood in the middle and turned around in slow circles, always looking up at the stained glass windows that almost sparkled in the afternoon sun. She smiled, feeling very much like a little girl.
Draco was in the shadows, refusing to join her. He simply watched. He was doing a lot of watching, he noted glumly, but still fascinated with her. He still couldn't understand the racing of his heart, the clamminess of his hands and the hint of a smile making its way to his mouth whenever he was near her...
"You have a beautiful castle, my lord." Hermione said, bounding over to where Draco was, snapping him back to reality.
"Ah... yes. But you have not seen it all, Lady Hermione." Draco replied.
"I know... but so far, I like what I see." Hermione smiled then took his arm. "I want to see more of it." She said, almost dragging him in the process.
But Draco, never the one to be dragged, lady or not, slowed her pace and led her to up the circular stairway into the second floor of the castle.
After showing her the other rooms; one, in the far corner of the castle was Sir Goyle's; he then led her to the one part of the castle which Hermione would only name as a loft.
The 'loft' overlooked the inner bailey, the gatehouse and barbican, the keep (which was off to one side of the castle0 and part of the outer bailey, which housed some peasants. Once you got past those, however, what you saw was only the beauty of Mother Nature. Hermione stood in awe as she saw the hundreds of trees, already turning their colors to those of fall.
"It's beautiful, my lord!" Hermione exclaimed.
"And it provides me with a vantage point for possible attacks. Not that I've used this for that purpose as of yet."
"Why?"
"People think twice before attacking my defenses."
"Oh." Hermione looked back at him, as he was staring out into the distance. She noticed his firm, almost clenched jaw that did not detract from his handsomeness, the scar which traveled from the left side of his neck down where his tunic covered it, the blonde hair being subtly blown by the breeze. She looked up into his eyes and saw something in them other than coldness. Something in his eyes was strong and steady, they reflected the castle itself. Powerful, unyielding. She had the feeling that he didn't lose many battles.
And what would it be like to be the prize he fought for?
Draco suddenly turned to her and Hermione snapped out of her reverie.
"Where to next, my lord?" She asked, masking her creeping blush with a smile.
"The tower." He said.
"Let's go then."
And so, they made their way around until they reached the very back of the castle. It was still brightly lit by the wall torches but the actual stairway to the top of the tower was quite dim. Hermione had to hold on tightly to Draco's arm and feel the wall to make sure that she wasn't going to fall or trip.
Soon, they were on the landing. Draco opened the heavy wooden door of his room and stepped aside to let Hermione pass. Since it was quite bright, Hermione had to squint at first. But when her eyes adjusted, she smiled at the layout.
This was no ordinary tower. It was large and very masculine, Hermione noted with amusement. From the entrance was a fireplace and a sitting area. A chess table was off to the side; Hermione went over to it and smiled at the chess pieces. They were fashioned of gold and silver.
Off to the side, in a far corner of that part of the room, was a place where Draco had his weapons. Curious, Hermione walked over to it and inspected his numerous swords and daggers. Hermione noted about a dozen knives and daggers all laid out on a nearby table. About five swords, all sheathed in hard leather, were propped against the wall. One sword, however, was laid on a stone bench. The 'bench' was up to her waist, so she didn't think it was for sitting, but she didn't know what it was called. Either way, she wondered why this particular sword was on it.
"My most favored sword." Draco spoke up, as if reading her thoughts.
"Oh." Hermione said, then ran a finger on the hilt. When she tried to pick it up, she found out that it was simply too heavy.
"Too heavy?" Draco asked her.
"Yes, my lord." Hermione said, smiling. It was only then that she noticed the engraved figure on the hilt. It was a dragon. She stared in wonder. "Your emblem, my lord?"
"Aye."
She seemed to consider it, but then finally she said, "I like it." She looked over her shoulder, when her eyes came in contact with his, she smiled.
Hermione then moved over to the other part of the room. Directly across the sitting area, was a huge bed with dark blankets and sheets. But what she was drawn to more, were the tower windows. Wide and unbarred, they seemed to invite any person to come and look out of them. And that she did.
When she peered out, she gasped audibly at the view. It was of the sea... and right now, the sun was going down the horizon.
"The view is beautiful, my lord." Hermione noted with wonder.
"Aye, why do you think I chose this part of the castle as mine?" Draco said, walking over to where she was and stopping beside her. "That view can only be seen from here."
"Oh..." Hermione replied.
Both of them stood side by side in silence, simply watching the sun set. The colors streaked across the sky. The reds, oranges, yellows, pinks and purples were blended with the sky and seemed to come right out of an impressionist's painting.
Draco watched as the sun set. He paid little attention to the colors, he was transfixed on the huge glowing fireball that was about to disappear in the horizon. His chest tightened and his hands clenched. He also had another reason of choosing this part of the castle: to remind him of the vow he had yet to fulfill.
Hermione watched as the sun set. She remembered what was supposed to happen yesterday, back in her world. She was supposed to get married to Ron. But somehow, she was neither anxious nor afraid that she was far from him or that she could not be with him. She was more anxious of her parents, not knowing where she was and what had happened to her. She tried desperately to dredge up some feeling for Ron, some love for him... but she could not.
Why? She asked herself. What does it mean?
She turned again to Draco and felt more emotion for him than what she'd shown Ron all this time. Turning away from him yet again, refusing to believe that her heart was dead-set on the medieval lord, she forced all thoughts out of her head and focused on the vestiges of the sun.
The temperature dropped and Hermione suddenly found herself shivering. Wrapping her arms around herself, she tried to generate heat, but was unsuccessful. Draco noticed this and suddenly left her side.
Hermione wondered where he was off to without any explanation, but she did not follow him. In fact, she did not even turn her head, her thoughts still caught up with what she was feeling inside and why, despite her previous attempts of getting them out of her head. And suddenly, all thoughts and all internal and external feelings were soon gone as she felt something being slipped over her shoulders.
She turned her head slightly and saw that Draco had draped a warm cloak over her shivering form. As she pulled the cloak tighter around her, his fingers pulled her hair free and let it flow down her back. She turned to face him... and they were soon staring deeply into each other's eyes, trying to read the thoughts of the other.
Draco was looking at her intently, his breathing deep, hands slightly trembling. His eyes flickered over her face, as if searching for some sign of what she was feeling... or some answers to what he was feeling at that moment. Hermione too, was searching his face for signs; signs that spoke of what he was thinking. Then, Draco started to come closer to her, leaning in closer to her. Hermione's breathing stopped, waiting for what was about to happen next.
But then, Draco snapped out of his stupor and drew back. Hermione blushed as she looked away from him.
"I think that we should be heading down." Draco said in a low and soft voice, breaking the intense silence.
"Yes." Hermione murmured.
He offered again his arm to her, and together, they descended the tower.
* * *
Dinner was better than lunch, as Hermione was more at ease with her two companions. The entrance and dining hall's six fireplaces were lit and provided them with enough warmth and comfort. Wine was served, Goyle indulged himself enough in that, but amazingly, was unaffected by the effects. Draco also took part, but was careful not to take in too much.
In Hermione's case, the wine was too strong. Draco watered it down for her. Goyle, watched the scene with interest and amusement. He would have to talk to Draco about this new attitude towards Hermione.
After dinner, Hermione excused herself, saying that she was tired. Rose, her appointed handmaiden, quickly rushed over and accompanied her to her room after bidding the two men a goodnight.
It was then, when Hermione was assumedly in her room, that Goyle struck.
"How was the tour, Draco?" Goyle brought up. Draco turned to his friend and glared at him. Goyle raised his eyebrows in innocence.
"Fine."
"I trust that you showed her every part of the castle."
"Aye."
"This information about her..." Goyle began "It must be hard to believe, as you refuse to divulge it to me."
"Aye, it is..." Draco replied. "Her tale is highly unlikely. It would be best if she told you herself."
Goyle was silent for a moment; then asked him. "Do you believe her, Draco?"
"I have a feeling that there is something amiss" Draco replied. "That something is terribly wrong." Yet it seems incredibly right, Draco added silently.
"But do you believe her?" Goyle pressed.
"I have a feeling that I shouldn't... after all, how could she enter the castle gates without anyone noticing? And how could she simply appear like that... but," Draco paused. "I have nothing else to believe... except that she is here. And, like it or not, I would do anything to make her stay."
Chapter 6: Touring
Hermione was led first into the inner bailey, which was where Draco came from when he came into the dining hall for lunch. She wondered why she never saw it before, as the inner bailey was the main part of the castle. Before they went at close proximity to the place, Hermione could distinctly hear the clashing of swords and the grunts and howls of men. Her heart beat a bit faster, anxiety stealing its way into her body. She was hesitant.
But Draco, never adept to a woman's concerns, walked her along.
And soon, Hermione was faced to scores of men, dirty and sweaty and engaged in some sort of battle. Hermione gasped aloud when she saw them, and reflexively pulled on Draco's arm and stopped dead in her tracks. He stopped walking and looked at her.
"What ails you?" He asked. Then, finally noticing her state, he quickly reassured her. "Trust me, these fellows will do you no harm. They are my men, they are simply training. And if they ever plan to do you any harm, they are not able to pursue it."
"Why is that?" Hermione asked, still somewhat agitated. She looked up at him.
"Because you are with me." He said in a flat voice. But Hermione heard the tinge of sincerity in them.
And with that, she calmed down and turned to look at them again. But this time, they seemed to have noticed their lord and promptly stopped all their activities, partly because their lord was about to speak, and partly because they got a glimpse of Hermione.
Whether it was the fact that a beautiful lady was in their midst, or that they saw this beautiful lady with their lord, one could not determine the root of the men's sudden incapacity to move.
Lord Draco stepped up. "Hear me, this is Lady Hermione. She is a guest. I trust that you would treat her with the utmost respect that Sir Goyle has been drilling into your heads for the past years."
A chorus of "Aye's" was heard, along with a chorus of "Good morrow's." shyly directed to her. Hermione eased and smiled at all of them. Once the introductions were through, Draco sent them back into their training. The men went back, but made their training quieter.
"My lord?" Hermione spoke up as they walked further along the courtyard.
"Aye?"
"Where did you find me, or rather, where did Sir Goyle find me?"
Draco nodded and walked her over to where they found her. The place was just a little off to the side of the gatehouse. It was incredibly lucky that Lord Draco and Sir Goyle were doing their nightly rounds of the castle grounds when they'd found her. Otherwise, she would have been mistaken for an enemy by the lord's own guards and soldiers.
"Here." Draco pointed out.
Hermione stared at it as if it held the answers to her questions. A million thoughts flooded her mind, consisting mostly of her family and what they were doing right now. Hermione's father was the CEO of a company in London. She wondered how he must be handling the situation of his only daughter's disappearance. Hermione also thought about her mother... that she must be beside herself with worry. Hermione fought the impulse to cry. Interestingly, no thoughts of Ron or the wedding came into her mind until she remembered her engagement ring.
Without warning, she crouched down on the ground, much to Draco's surprise. He said not a word, it was not his style of exclaiming when surprised. And so, he contented himself to just watch her. She seemed to be looking for something.
"What are you looking for?" He asked after a few minutes of watching her feel the grassy ground and scan it. She jumped, quiet startled. She seemed to have forgotten that he was with her.
Mustering a smile, she turned to him and stood up, brushing off her hands. "Nothing important, my lord."
"Perhaps a key on how to get back to your world?" He asked, dreading the answer, much to his own confusion.
Hermione was silent for a moment. Why was she looking for her engagement ring? Unable to answer that particular question, she focused on Draco's query instead. "No, my lord. I don't know how I got here and so, I don't know how to get back." She smiled up at him. "It was not on my mind for me to look for an answer on how to get back."
Draco digested the answer and unexplainably, the trepidation seemed to lift. He nodded, then offered again his arm to her. She took it, and they continued the tour.
"Gatehouse, barbican..." He then pointed up, "Walkway."
"Oh, I've read about these..." Hermione spoke up. "For defense, the gatehouse probably leads to an outer bailey. Am I right?"
"Aye, you are correct."
She smiled.
"Chapel," He said, pointing to a medium-sized building which had those beautiful stained glass windows. "But, I must tell you now, that is hardly used."
She turned to him, a confused look on her face. "Why not?"
"I have no priest, as of the moment." He replied.
Hermione laughed... and he could not do anything but stare at her. Never had he seen such a beautiful woman laugh. The mere sound of it pierced his black heart and shed a pinprick of glorious light in his black soul. It was a pleasant feeling, he noted.
When her laughter died down, he then walked her to the garden. The same garden was the one overlooked by Hermione's bedroom window. It was located just beyond the chapel through a narrow passageway, just off to the side of the castle's main building.
"Oh!" Hermione exclaimed as she saw the numerous shrubs, flowers and greenery. "You have such a beautiful garden, my lord."
"I do not tend it, however..." He said, almost wistfully. Hermione felt that he lost something or someone very dear to him.
"Oh, I see." Then, Hermione noticed something off to the side of the garden. "My lord, what is in there?"
Draco turned to look. "Stables and a number of other animals as well."
"Oh okay." Hermione said. Then, she looked up. It was only then that she noticed the impressive round tower that was situated in the very back of the whole castle. "My lord?"
"Aye?"
"What is in that round tower?"
"That is my part of the castle." He replied.
"Oh! But why at the back?" Hermione asked.
"You shall see for yourself..." Draco answered mysteriously, much to Hermione's amusement. "Let us continued with the tour, shall we?"
"Yes, my lord."
From there, they made their way back to the entrance hall of the castle. This time, Hermione paid much notice and attention to every single detail of the castle. No portraits were hung on its walls, only those wall torches and different tapestries. The hall off to the side of the entrance hall, aptly named as the Great Hall was used to entertain guests and such. It was huge. And Hermione seemed to see more of those beautiful stained glass windows.
She walked to the middle of the Great Hall, leaving Draco at the entrance. She stood in the middle and turned around in slow circles, always looking up at the stained glass windows that almost sparkled in the afternoon sun. She smiled, feeling very much like a little girl.
Draco was in the shadows, refusing to join her. He simply watched. He was doing a lot of watching, he noted glumly, but still fascinated with her. He still couldn't understand the racing of his heart, the clamminess of his hands and the hint of a smile making its way to his mouth whenever he was near her...
"You have a beautiful castle, my lord." Hermione said, bounding over to where Draco was, snapping him back to reality.
"Ah... yes. But you have not seen it all, Lady Hermione." Draco replied.
"I know... but so far, I like what I see." Hermione smiled then took his arm. "I want to see more of it." She said, almost dragging him in the process.
But Draco, never the one to be dragged, lady or not, slowed her pace and led her to up the circular stairway into the second floor of the castle.
After showing her the other rooms; one, in the far corner of the castle was Sir Goyle's; he then led her to the one part of the castle which Hermione would only name as a loft.
The 'loft' overlooked the inner bailey, the gatehouse and barbican, the keep (which was off to one side of the castle0 and part of the outer bailey, which housed some peasants. Once you got past those, however, what you saw was only the beauty of Mother Nature. Hermione stood in awe as she saw the hundreds of trees, already turning their colors to those of fall.
"It's beautiful, my lord!" Hermione exclaimed.
"And it provides me with a vantage point for possible attacks. Not that I've used this for that purpose as of yet."
"Why?"
"People think twice before attacking my defenses."
"Oh." Hermione looked back at him, as he was staring out into the distance. She noticed his firm, almost clenched jaw that did not detract from his handsomeness, the scar which traveled from the left side of his neck down where his tunic covered it, the blonde hair being subtly blown by the breeze. She looked up into his eyes and saw something in them other than coldness. Something in his eyes was strong and steady, they reflected the castle itself. Powerful, unyielding. She had the feeling that he didn't lose many battles.
And what would it be like to be the prize he fought for?
Draco suddenly turned to her and Hermione snapped out of her reverie.
"Where to next, my lord?" She asked, masking her creeping blush with a smile.
"The tower." He said.
"Let's go then."
And so, they made their way around until they reached the very back of the castle. It was still brightly lit by the wall torches but the actual stairway to the top of the tower was quite dim. Hermione had to hold on tightly to Draco's arm and feel the wall to make sure that she wasn't going to fall or trip.
Soon, they were on the landing. Draco opened the heavy wooden door of his room and stepped aside to let Hermione pass. Since it was quite bright, Hermione had to squint at first. But when her eyes adjusted, she smiled at the layout.
This was no ordinary tower. It was large and very masculine, Hermione noted with amusement. From the entrance was a fireplace and a sitting area. A chess table was off to the side; Hermione went over to it and smiled at the chess pieces. They were fashioned of gold and silver.
Off to the side, in a far corner of that part of the room, was a place where Draco had his weapons. Curious, Hermione walked over to it and inspected his numerous swords and daggers. Hermione noted about a dozen knives and daggers all laid out on a nearby table. About five swords, all sheathed in hard leather, were propped against the wall. One sword, however, was laid on a stone bench. The 'bench' was up to her waist, so she didn't think it was for sitting, but she didn't know what it was called. Either way, she wondered why this particular sword was on it.
"My most favored sword." Draco spoke up, as if reading her thoughts.
"Oh." Hermione said, then ran a finger on the hilt. When she tried to pick it up, she found out that it was simply too heavy.
"Too heavy?" Draco asked her.
"Yes, my lord." Hermione said, smiling. It was only then that she noticed the engraved figure on the hilt. It was a dragon. She stared in wonder. "Your emblem, my lord?"
"Aye."
She seemed to consider it, but then finally she said, "I like it." She looked over her shoulder, when her eyes came in contact with his, she smiled.
Hermione then moved over to the other part of the room. Directly across the sitting area, was a huge bed with dark blankets and sheets. But what she was drawn to more, were the tower windows. Wide and unbarred, they seemed to invite any person to come and look out of them. And that she did.
When she peered out, she gasped audibly at the view. It was of the sea... and right now, the sun was going down the horizon.
"The view is beautiful, my lord." Hermione noted with wonder.
"Aye, why do you think I chose this part of the castle as mine?" Draco said, walking over to where she was and stopping beside her. "That view can only be seen from here."
"Oh..." Hermione replied.
Both of them stood side by side in silence, simply watching the sun set. The colors streaked across the sky. The reds, oranges, yellows, pinks and purples were blended with the sky and seemed to come right out of an impressionist's painting.
Draco watched as the sun set. He paid little attention to the colors, he was transfixed on the huge glowing fireball that was about to disappear in the horizon. His chest tightened and his hands clenched. He also had another reason of choosing this part of the castle: to remind him of the vow he had yet to fulfill.
Hermione watched as the sun set. She remembered what was supposed to happen yesterday, back in her world. She was supposed to get married to Ron. But somehow, she was neither anxious nor afraid that she was far from him or that she could not be with him. She was more anxious of her parents, not knowing where she was and what had happened to her. She tried desperately to dredge up some feeling for Ron, some love for him... but she could not.
Why? She asked herself. What does it mean?
She turned again to Draco and felt more emotion for him than what she'd shown Ron all this time. Turning away from him yet again, refusing to believe that her heart was dead-set on the medieval lord, she forced all thoughts out of her head and focused on the vestiges of the sun.
The temperature dropped and Hermione suddenly found herself shivering. Wrapping her arms around herself, she tried to generate heat, but was unsuccessful. Draco noticed this and suddenly left her side.
Hermione wondered where he was off to without any explanation, but she did not follow him. In fact, she did not even turn her head, her thoughts still caught up with what she was feeling inside and why, despite her previous attempts of getting them out of her head. And suddenly, all thoughts and all internal and external feelings were soon gone as she felt something being slipped over her shoulders.
She turned her head slightly and saw that Draco had draped a warm cloak over her shivering form. As she pulled the cloak tighter around her, his fingers pulled her hair free and let it flow down her back. She turned to face him... and they were soon staring deeply into each other's eyes, trying to read the thoughts of the other.
Draco was looking at her intently, his breathing deep, hands slightly trembling. His eyes flickered over her face, as if searching for some sign of what she was feeling... or some answers to what he was feeling at that moment. Hermione too, was searching his face for signs; signs that spoke of what he was thinking. Then, Draco started to come closer to her, leaning in closer to her. Hermione's breathing stopped, waiting for what was about to happen next.
But then, Draco snapped out of his stupor and drew back. Hermione blushed as she looked away from him.
"I think that we should be heading down." Draco said in a low and soft voice, breaking the intense silence.
"Yes." Hermione murmured.
He offered again his arm to her, and together, they descended the tower.
* * *
Dinner was better than lunch, as Hermione was more at ease with her two companions. The entrance and dining hall's six fireplaces were lit and provided them with enough warmth and comfort. Wine was served, Goyle indulged himself enough in that, but amazingly, was unaffected by the effects. Draco also took part, but was careful not to take in too much.
In Hermione's case, the wine was too strong. Draco watered it down for her. Goyle, watched the scene with interest and amusement. He would have to talk to Draco about this new attitude towards Hermione.
After dinner, Hermione excused herself, saying that she was tired. Rose, her appointed handmaiden, quickly rushed over and accompanied her to her room after bidding the two men a goodnight.
It was then, when Hermione was assumedly in her room, that Goyle struck.
"How was the tour, Draco?" Goyle brought up. Draco turned to his friend and glared at him. Goyle raised his eyebrows in innocence.
"Fine."
"I trust that you showed her every part of the castle."
"Aye."
"This information about her..." Goyle began "It must be hard to believe, as you refuse to divulge it to me."
"Aye, it is..." Draco replied. "Her tale is highly unlikely. It would be best if she told you herself."
Goyle was silent for a moment; then asked him. "Do you believe her, Draco?"
"I have a feeling that there is something amiss" Draco replied. "That something is terribly wrong." Yet it seems incredibly right, Draco added silently.
"But do you believe her?" Goyle pressed.
"I have a feeling that I shouldn't... after all, how could she enter the castle gates without anyone noticing? And how could she simply appear like that... but," Draco paused. "I have nothing else to believe... except that she is here. And, like it or not, I would do anything to make her stay."