Author's Note: Wow! Thanks, thanks, thanks for all of your reviews! You all
give me one hell of a reason to smile a lot! Thank you once again! So sorry
for the late update, but something came up in here and I couldn't get
myself to write. But, never fear I am up and writing for all of you lovely
people once again. Anyway, please read and review! On with the show!
Chapter 9: The Leaving
In a few days, Mathilde came back, and no one was the happier than Hermione. When she came back, Hermione was the one to greet her with a hug and a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Mathilde!" Hermione exclaimed, hugging the woman who laughed at Hermione's excitement. "I'm so glad that you're back!"
"Yes, child..." Mathilde replied as the two pulled away from the warm embrace and Hermione quickly helped Mathilde with her bags.
"How is the world outside these walls?" Hermione asked as they made their way to the kitchen.
"All is well, my child."
"How is the baby? And the mother?"
"Very well, in fact," Mathilde related, setting down her things on the floor of the kitchen and sitting on a chair. Hermione did the same and leaned forward in anticipation. "I related the story of you being here in the Lord's castle... as well as the plan. Did it go well?"
Hermione laughed and nodded her head. "Yes it did. I managed to at least change Lord Draco's assumptions about women."
Mathilde chuckled. "Well, the new mother, Amelia is her name, was very much intrigued that you were in fact planning to change Lord Draco's mind about women."
Hermione's face fell. "You mean that his regard is known well over the land?"
Mathilde nodded. "They have some idea, but some brush it off. Lord Draco is fair and just... they dismiss the fact that he said that."
"Oh." Hermione replied. "Well, what did Amelia say?"
"Well, she told me to send word if you have in fact changed him..." Mathilde could not suppress her smile any longer. "And, she has named her new baby girl after you."
Hermione's jaw dropped and stared disbelievingly at Mathilde. She shook her head, much to the amusement of the other woman.
"But... she barely knows me." Hermione said, but she trailed off.
"Yes, but I forgot to mention the fact that she was once employed here. But when she got married, she left. Lord Draco gave her and her new husband a piece of land." Mathilde explained and Hermione understood. "She knows first-hand about Lord Draco's now-gone disdain for women. And when I related that you had come and was planning to change his mind, she felt that she should name her first child after you."
Hermione was still in shock. She felt the tears brimming her eyes. No one, not even her closest friends, would do that for her... and here was someone who barely knew her, who was naming her child after her. "I want to come and see her." Hermione said.
"Oh my dear child," Mathilde said kindly. "The season is getting colder and it is becoming harsh. I doubt that Lord Draco would allow you to take that journey."
"But..."
"Maybe in the spring..." Mathilde suggested. "We can go and visit her."
Hermione smiled and did an unladylike bout of letting out a short squeal. Then promptly clapped a hand over her mouth, much to the delight of Mathilde. "Thank you, Mathilde!" Hermione exclaimed, reaching out and giving the woman a hug.
"Now, now child... no need to get so giddy." Mathilde chided kindly as Hermione released her. "Now, I suggest you go and resume your tending in the garden. I will take charge over here once again"
"I will." Hermione replied, getting up and walking briskly towards the entrance of the kitchen. "Mathilde?" She called back as she was about to leave.
"Aye, Lady Hermione?"
"Thank you." Hermione said, smiling happily.
Mathilde chuckled and waved her away. When Hermione was out of sight, Mathilde got up and brought her things to the room, preparing to go back to her duties. "My word," Mathilde said to herself. "I hope that Lord Draco will come to his senses and woo Lady Hermione before someone gets her first."
* * *
"And I still find you in the gardens." Draco said as he came to stop just a few feet from Hermione, who was tilling the soil of the garden later that same day.
Hermione looked up and smiled at Draco. He gave her a nod, but nothing more. Hermione wished he could smile easily. "Yes my Lord. Does it bother you?"
"Yes."
Hermione was taken aback by his answer. She gulped and asked him. "Why, my lord?"
"Because my gardener is now off the kitchens and not doing any work at all." Draco replied and shook his head.
Hermione breathed a sigh of relief and chuckled at the response. "I am sorry if I put your gardener out of work, my lord." She said as she briefly inspected a flower nearby.
"Don't be... I believe that you like the garden... and the garden likes being tended by you as well."
"How so, my lord?" Hermione asked curiously.
"Why, these plants of course." Draco said, gesturing to the rest of the garden. "It's beginning to grow chilly and yet they grow still."
Hermione smiled and colored in pleasure. He, unbeknownst or not, was giving her a compliment. Hermione intended to savor it. "Thank you, my lord." She replied, as she brushed the dirt off her hands and off her brown dress. She started to stand when Draco immediately went over to her side and held out a hand to her. She took it and he pulled her up with ease.
"Thank you again, my lord." Hermione said, then smiled as she was straightened up and continued to brush off the dirt from her dress. "Your chivalry is showing."
"I have been talking with Sir Goyle." Draco explained. And Hermione laughed.
Draco tried to muster up even a smile... but old memories came back to him and he couldn't.
Hermione stopped laughing and turned her attention back to Draco who was simply watching her. How she wished he could smile... She'd been briefed by Rose on one occasion or another that he rarely smiled at anyone. Rose said something about his past, but only Mathilde and Sir Goyle knew about it. All Hermione knew was that something bad had happened when he was just a child. And she was too shy to come out and ask Mathilde, Sir Goyle or even Lord Draco himself about that.
"I have something to show you, my lord." Hermione said suddenly and grabbed his hand and quickly led him towards the stables to the side of the garden. Draco, momentarily immobilized by her sudden action, could do nothing but let her lead him to wherever she was leading him.
"Look, my lord!" Hermione exclaimed as she pointed towards a white mare. Draco tore his eyes away from her and looked towards where she was pointing. "I believe she's pregnant." Hermione said excitedly.
"Aye, she is... almost 6 months now." Draco replied, leaning on a nearby post.
"Oh..." Hermione said, gazing at the beautiful horse. "May I stroke her?"
"Aye... I think she likes you."
Hermione smiled as she stepped up and began stroking the horse's neck and face while the mare looked on with interest. "What's her name, my lord?"
"Starshine."
"That's a beautiful name, my lord."
"She was my mother's horse." Draco said.
Hermione grew still. Then hastily went back to her stroking. From what she'd gathered, Narcissa Malfoy was the only woman Draco truly loved... until she died five years ago. Then Draco grew even more bitter. "Oh."
"Do you like horses?" Draco asked, changing the subject.
"Yes." Hermione replied. "I used to ride them when I was little, in my father's jockey club."
"Jockey what?"
"Jockey club, where horses are ridden." Hermione explained. Then felt a pang of sadness as she remembered her parents. But the feeling was soon gone when Draco spoke up again.
"You don't use horses often then?"
"No. We use these big steel boxes with wheels called cars." Hermione said, looking at him and tilting her head to one side as he tried digest all the information. Hermione laughed at his expression. "I'm sorry, but I can't explain to you how the world works in the 21st century. You just had to be there."
"I'd rather not." Draco said decidedly.
"Why?"
"I like the way the world works right now."
Hermione laughed once again and nodded her head. "I guess so... So, could you introduce me to the other animals as well?"
He nodded his head and started off to the horse beside Starshine. "This is Goyle's stallion. I believe he is also the father of Starshine's foal."
Hermione smiled at the huge brown horse who looked very much like its rider. "And his name is?"
"You'd better ask Goyle... I refuse to say it."
"Why?"
"Such words cannot be heard from my mouth... even if we are alone in here." Draco said.
Hermione looked at him strangely, then started to laugh. Draco looked at her and raised an eyebrow.
"Are you mocking me?" He asked almost mockingly as well.
"Hmm... let me see... yes!" Hermione answered, then continued to laugh. Draco shook his head.
"Disrespectful wench..." He muttered, causing Hermione to laugh harder. "Come now, otherwise you'll disturb all the other horses."
Hermione shook off the laughter and then followed Draco around, knowing all the other horse's names when they finally reached the end of the stable... and she came face to face with a huge black stallion, who looked at her with grimness.
She gasped.
"This is my horse." Draco said.
"Oh... what's his name?" Hermione asked in slightly terrified voice.
"Dusk."
Hermione did not say anything. She was still kind of mortified at the imposing stature of Draco's horse.
"You're not afraid of him, are you?" Draco asked, looking at her.
"Umm... well, he does, kind of."
"Good." Draco replied. When she looked at him in confusion, he added, "I trained him to never show any acceptance to any other person other than me."
"So, that means that he never gets along with anybody, except you?" Hermione asked.
"Yes. Until I myself tell him to."
"Oh." Hermione thought for a moment. "Can he be friendly towards me, then?"
"That depends, only under one condition." He proposed.
Hermione was almost afraid to ask. She swallowed. "Which is?"
"Call me by my name." Draco said. "No 'my lord' when we're alone together."
Hermione at first was confused. Then she smiled and nodded her head. "Okay. I'll promise to call you by your name whenever we're alone together."
"Say it."
"I beg your pardon?"
"Say my name."
"Draco."
And with that, he turned to Dusk and nodded. Instantly, the horse came over to Hermione, as timid as little kitten. Hermione smiled and let out a short laugh as she began to tentatively stroke Dusk's face.
They continued to talk after that, never minding that the sun was setting and that a rider was approaching.
* * *
It was almost dinnertime when a message had arrived for Draco. After parting ways, as Hermione had to change for dinner, Draco was confronted with the personal messenger of Phillip Wharton just outside the door of the entrance hall.
Phillip Wharton was a man whom Draco considered as an old friend and a mentor. He was the kind of friend that never failed to teach Draco important lessons about running the castle, surviving in the wild and so on. Having traveled for many years together, in the attempt to restore peace in the northern part of France, they knew each other well.
"A good evening to you, Lord Draco." The messenger said respectfully as he bowed. "Lord Wharton wishes to give you this urgent message."
Draco nodded as he took the bit of parchment. It read:
'Draco,
Opposing forces and some ruffians from England have been invading the south of Normandy. I fear that they will attack Touraine next. I am asking for your help to secure my piece of land. Bring as much men as you can, I fear a full-fledged war if we do not stop this intrusion at once.
Leave as soon as possible... There is not much time.
Phillip'
Draco quickly noted that Phillip must be in true danger, as he had not taken much time or thought in the writing of the letter. After telling the messenger that they would be leaving at first light the next morning, the messenger nodded and went on his way.
Draco took a deep breath. Then quickly went to the soldier's quarters and small training area and rounded up a hundred or so of his best men, telling them to pack their gear and horses, ready for the journey to Touraine. After this, he went to the dining room through the kitchen, wondering how would he explain the whole thing to Hermione.
Dinner was less than uneventful. Draco had briefed Goyle on the plan before Hermione came down and Goyle understood at once, having been a friend of Phillip's as well.
Hermione, for one reason in which she could not determine, felt the immense tension at the dinner table. And so, she kept quiet all through the meal.
When dinner was through, Goyle excused himself and went to prepare for tomorrow. That left Draco and Hermione at the table, wondering what the other was planning to do. But this time, Draco took the initiative.
"Hermione?" Draco called tentatively. Hermione was surprised, he didn't usually call her by her first name... except when he meant to say something important.
"Yes, Draco?"
"Would you care for a walk outside? I... I want to talk to you about something."
Hermione nodded as she pushed away her chair and stood up. Draco offered his arm out to her and she took it. The walk towards the outside was silent; Hermione being confused and Draco being anxious.
Once they were outside, Hermione felt the cool air, but paid the chill no mind. They were alone in the middle of the grassy lawn. The torches were all lit, giving everything a eerie feeling. Hermione shuddered slightly.
"What did you want to talk to me about?" Hermione asked as they stopped walking and Draco faced her.
"I am leaving tomorrow." Draco replied.
"What?"
"My ally, Lord Phillip Wharton of Touraine, had asked for my aid in a battle against some opposing forces that threaten his home and land. I will take with me my personal guard, along with a hundred of my men." He explained.
Hermione fell silent and looked down at her fidgeting hands.
"I am giving you full authority over the castle. You may spend you time with doing whatever you like, provided that you do not leave its gates." Draco warned. "You may go up to the tower if you wish to look out from time to time. Do you understand?"
Hermione nodded as she still was too dumbfounded to speak.
"Say something, Hermione." Draco said, looking at her intently.
"I'm sorry, Draco. But this is all too sudden..." Hermione began. "Do you really have to go?"
"Aye, I do. Lord Phillip has been an old friend and a mentor. I'm sure he would do the same thing if it were me in his place."
"I see." Hermione replied. "When will you be coming back?"
"In a month, I guess."
Hermione nodded; then fell silent again. Too much was on her mind. From the information she's gathered during her classes in college, Touraine was a small feudal state below Normandy. Draco would have to ride long and hard to the journey there... and back as well.
"You will be careful Draco, right?" Hermione asked, looking up and feeling her heart thump wildly at the fear for him getting hurt or worse.
"I will." Draco promised.
"Is there anything I can do other than pray for you and the others' well- being?" Hermione asked.
"Just sleep well tonight and every night after. No need to worry about me." Draco assured. "We will be gone by first light tomorrow."
"Please be careful, Draco." Hermione said. "You're the only one I have in here, if anything happens to-"
"Sssh. I know. I'll be back, I promise you."
After a few silent minutes, Draco announced that they had better get some sleep. And together, they went back to the castle, hoping that promises would be kept and everyone would return safe and sound.
Chapter 9: The Leaving
In a few days, Mathilde came back, and no one was the happier than Hermione. When she came back, Hermione was the one to greet her with a hug and a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Mathilde!" Hermione exclaimed, hugging the woman who laughed at Hermione's excitement. "I'm so glad that you're back!"
"Yes, child..." Mathilde replied as the two pulled away from the warm embrace and Hermione quickly helped Mathilde with her bags.
"How is the world outside these walls?" Hermione asked as they made their way to the kitchen.
"All is well, my child."
"How is the baby? And the mother?"
"Very well, in fact," Mathilde related, setting down her things on the floor of the kitchen and sitting on a chair. Hermione did the same and leaned forward in anticipation. "I related the story of you being here in the Lord's castle... as well as the plan. Did it go well?"
Hermione laughed and nodded her head. "Yes it did. I managed to at least change Lord Draco's assumptions about women."
Mathilde chuckled. "Well, the new mother, Amelia is her name, was very much intrigued that you were in fact planning to change Lord Draco's mind about women."
Hermione's face fell. "You mean that his regard is known well over the land?"
Mathilde nodded. "They have some idea, but some brush it off. Lord Draco is fair and just... they dismiss the fact that he said that."
"Oh." Hermione replied. "Well, what did Amelia say?"
"Well, she told me to send word if you have in fact changed him..." Mathilde could not suppress her smile any longer. "And, she has named her new baby girl after you."
Hermione's jaw dropped and stared disbelievingly at Mathilde. She shook her head, much to the amusement of the other woman.
"But... she barely knows me." Hermione said, but she trailed off.
"Yes, but I forgot to mention the fact that she was once employed here. But when she got married, she left. Lord Draco gave her and her new husband a piece of land." Mathilde explained and Hermione understood. "She knows first-hand about Lord Draco's now-gone disdain for women. And when I related that you had come and was planning to change his mind, she felt that she should name her first child after you."
Hermione was still in shock. She felt the tears brimming her eyes. No one, not even her closest friends, would do that for her... and here was someone who barely knew her, who was naming her child after her. "I want to come and see her." Hermione said.
"Oh my dear child," Mathilde said kindly. "The season is getting colder and it is becoming harsh. I doubt that Lord Draco would allow you to take that journey."
"But..."
"Maybe in the spring..." Mathilde suggested. "We can go and visit her."
Hermione smiled and did an unladylike bout of letting out a short squeal. Then promptly clapped a hand over her mouth, much to the delight of Mathilde. "Thank you, Mathilde!" Hermione exclaimed, reaching out and giving the woman a hug.
"Now, now child... no need to get so giddy." Mathilde chided kindly as Hermione released her. "Now, I suggest you go and resume your tending in the garden. I will take charge over here once again"
"I will." Hermione replied, getting up and walking briskly towards the entrance of the kitchen. "Mathilde?" She called back as she was about to leave.
"Aye, Lady Hermione?"
"Thank you." Hermione said, smiling happily.
Mathilde chuckled and waved her away. When Hermione was out of sight, Mathilde got up and brought her things to the room, preparing to go back to her duties. "My word," Mathilde said to herself. "I hope that Lord Draco will come to his senses and woo Lady Hermione before someone gets her first."
* * *
"And I still find you in the gardens." Draco said as he came to stop just a few feet from Hermione, who was tilling the soil of the garden later that same day.
Hermione looked up and smiled at Draco. He gave her a nod, but nothing more. Hermione wished he could smile easily. "Yes my Lord. Does it bother you?"
"Yes."
Hermione was taken aback by his answer. She gulped and asked him. "Why, my lord?"
"Because my gardener is now off the kitchens and not doing any work at all." Draco replied and shook his head.
Hermione breathed a sigh of relief and chuckled at the response. "I am sorry if I put your gardener out of work, my lord." She said as she briefly inspected a flower nearby.
"Don't be... I believe that you like the garden... and the garden likes being tended by you as well."
"How so, my lord?" Hermione asked curiously.
"Why, these plants of course." Draco said, gesturing to the rest of the garden. "It's beginning to grow chilly and yet they grow still."
Hermione smiled and colored in pleasure. He, unbeknownst or not, was giving her a compliment. Hermione intended to savor it. "Thank you, my lord." She replied, as she brushed the dirt off her hands and off her brown dress. She started to stand when Draco immediately went over to her side and held out a hand to her. She took it and he pulled her up with ease.
"Thank you again, my lord." Hermione said, then smiled as she was straightened up and continued to brush off the dirt from her dress. "Your chivalry is showing."
"I have been talking with Sir Goyle." Draco explained. And Hermione laughed.
Draco tried to muster up even a smile... but old memories came back to him and he couldn't.
Hermione stopped laughing and turned her attention back to Draco who was simply watching her. How she wished he could smile... She'd been briefed by Rose on one occasion or another that he rarely smiled at anyone. Rose said something about his past, but only Mathilde and Sir Goyle knew about it. All Hermione knew was that something bad had happened when he was just a child. And she was too shy to come out and ask Mathilde, Sir Goyle or even Lord Draco himself about that.
"I have something to show you, my lord." Hermione said suddenly and grabbed his hand and quickly led him towards the stables to the side of the garden. Draco, momentarily immobilized by her sudden action, could do nothing but let her lead him to wherever she was leading him.
"Look, my lord!" Hermione exclaimed as she pointed towards a white mare. Draco tore his eyes away from her and looked towards where she was pointing. "I believe she's pregnant." Hermione said excitedly.
"Aye, she is... almost 6 months now." Draco replied, leaning on a nearby post.
"Oh..." Hermione said, gazing at the beautiful horse. "May I stroke her?"
"Aye... I think she likes you."
Hermione smiled as she stepped up and began stroking the horse's neck and face while the mare looked on with interest. "What's her name, my lord?"
"Starshine."
"That's a beautiful name, my lord."
"She was my mother's horse." Draco said.
Hermione grew still. Then hastily went back to her stroking. From what she'd gathered, Narcissa Malfoy was the only woman Draco truly loved... until she died five years ago. Then Draco grew even more bitter. "Oh."
"Do you like horses?" Draco asked, changing the subject.
"Yes." Hermione replied. "I used to ride them when I was little, in my father's jockey club."
"Jockey what?"
"Jockey club, where horses are ridden." Hermione explained. Then felt a pang of sadness as she remembered her parents. But the feeling was soon gone when Draco spoke up again.
"You don't use horses often then?"
"No. We use these big steel boxes with wheels called cars." Hermione said, looking at him and tilting her head to one side as he tried digest all the information. Hermione laughed at his expression. "I'm sorry, but I can't explain to you how the world works in the 21st century. You just had to be there."
"I'd rather not." Draco said decidedly.
"Why?"
"I like the way the world works right now."
Hermione laughed once again and nodded her head. "I guess so... So, could you introduce me to the other animals as well?"
He nodded his head and started off to the horse beside Starshine. "This is Goyle's stallion. I believe he is also the father of Starshine's foal."
Hermione smiled at the huge brown horse who looked very much like its rider. "And his name is?"
"You'd better ask Goyle... I refuse to say it."
"Why?"
"Such words cannot be heard from my mouth... even if we are alone in here." Draco said.
Hermione looked at him strangely, then started to laugh. Draco looked at her and raised an eyebrow.
"Are you mocking me?" He asked almost mockingly as well.
"Hmm... let me see... yes!" Hermione answered, then continued to laugh. Draco shook his head.
"Disrespectful wench..." He muttered, causing Hermione to laugh harder. "Come now, otherwise you'll disturb all the other horses."
Hermione shook off the laughter and then followed Draco around, knowing all the other horse's names when they finally reached the end of the stable... and she came face to face with a huge black stallion, who looked at her with grimness.
She gasped.
"This is my horse." Draco said.
"Oh... what's his name?" Hermione asked in slightly terrified voice.
"Dusk."
Hermione did not say anything. She was still kind of mortified at the imposing stature of Draco's horse.
"You're not afraid of him, are you?" Draco asked, looking at her.
"Umm... well, he does, kind of."
"Good." Draco replied. When she looked at him in confusion, he added, "I trained him to never show any acceptance to any other person other than me."
"So, that means that he never gets along with anybody, except you?" Hermione asked.
"Yes. Until I myself tell him to."
"Oh." Hermione thought for a moment. "Can he be friendly towards me, then?"
"That depends, only under one condition." He proposed.
Hermione was almost afraid to ask. She swallowed. "Which is?"
"Call me by my name." Draco said. "No 'my lord' when we're alone together."
Hermione at first was confused. Then she smiled and nodded her head. "Okay. I'll promise to call you by your name whenever we're alone together."
"Say it."
"I beg your pardon?"
"Say my name."
"Draco."
And with that, he turned to Dusk and nodded. Instantly, the horse came over to Hermione, as timid as little kitten. Hermione smiled and let out a short laugh as she began to tentatively stroke Dusk's face.
They continued to talk after that, never minding that the sun was setting and that a rider was approaching.
* * *
It was almost dinnertime when a message had arrived for Draco. After parting ways, as Hermione had to change for dinner, Draco was confronted with the personal messenger of Phillip Wharton just outside the door of the entrance hall.
Phillip Wharton was a man whom Draco considered as an old friend and a mentor. He was the kind of friend that never failed to teach Draco important lessons about running the castle, surviving in the wild and so on. Having traveled for many years together, in the attempt to restore peace in the northern part of France, they knew each other well.
"A good evening to you, Lord Draco." The messenger said respectfully as he bowed. "Lord Wharton wishes to give you this urgent message."
Draco nodded as he took the bit of parchment. It read:
'Draco,
Opposing forces and some ruffians from England have been invading the south of Normandy. I fear that they will attack Touraine next. I am asking for your help to secure my piece of land. Bring as much men as you can, I fear a full-fledged war if we do not stop this intrusion at once.
Leave as soon as possible... There is not much time.
Phillip'
Draco quickly noted that Phillip must be in true danger, as he had not taken much time or thought in the writing of the letter. After telling the messenger that they would be leaving at first light the next morning, the messenger nodded and went on his way.
Draco took a deep breath. Then quickly went to the soldier's quarters and small training area and rounded up a hundred or so of his best men, telling them to pack their gear and horses, ready for the journey to Touraine. After this, he went to the dining room through the kitchen, wondering how would he explain the whole thing to Hermione.
Dinner was less than uneventful. Draco had briefed Goyle on the plan before Hermione came down and Goyle understood at once, having been a friend of Phillip's as well.
Hermione, for one reason in which she could not determine, felt the immense tension at the dinner table. And so, she kept quiet all through the meal.
When dinner was through, Goyle excused himself and went to prepare for tomorrow. That left Draco and Hermione at the table, wondering what the other was planning to do. But this time, Draco took the initiative.
"Hermione?" Draco called tentatively. Hermione was surprised, he didn't usually call her by her first name... except when he meant to say something important.
"Yes, Draco?"
"Would you care for a walk outside? I... I want to talk to you about something."
Hermione nodded as she pushed away her chair and stood up. Draco offered his arm out to her and she took it. The walk towards the outside was silent; Hermione being confused and Draco being anxious.
Once they were outside, Hermione felt the cool air, but paid the chill no mind. They were alone in the middle of the grassy lawn. The torches were all lit, giving everything a eerie feeling. Hermione shuddered slightly.
"What did you want to talk to me about?" Hermione asked as they stopped walking and Draco faced her.
"I am leaving tomorrow." Draco replied.
"What?"
"My ally, Lord Phillip Wharton of Touraine, had asked for my aid in a battle against some opposing forces that threaten his home and land. I will take with me my personal guard, along with a hundred of my men." He explained.
Hermione fell silent and looked down at her fidgeting hands.
"I am giving you full authority over the castle. You may spend you time with doing whatever you like, provided that you do not leave its gates." Draco warned. "You may go up to the tower if you wish to look out from time to time. Do you understand?"
Hermione nodded as she still was too dumbfounded to speak.
"Say something, Hermione." Draco said, looking at her intently.
"I'm sorry, Draco. But this is all too sudden..." Hermione began. "Do you really have to go?"
"Aye, I do. Lord Phillip has been an old friend and a mentor. I'm sure he would do the same thing if it were me in his place."
"I see." Hermione replied. "When will you be coming back?"
"In a month, I guess."
Hermione nodded; then fell silent again. Too much was on her mind. From the information she's gathered during her classes in college, Touraine was a small feudal state below Normandy. Draco would have to ride long and hard to the journey there... and back as well.
"You will be careful Draco, right?" Hermione asked, looking up and feeling her heart thump wildly at the fear for him getting hurt or worse.
"I will." Draco promised.
"Is there anything I can do other than pray for you and the others' well- being?" Hermione asked.
"Just sleep well tonight and every night after. No need to worry about me." Draco assured. "We will be gone by first light tomorrow."
"Please be careful, Draco." Hermione said. "You're the only one I have in here, if anything happens to-"
"Sssh. I know. I'll be back, I promise you."
After a few silent minutes, Draco announced that they had better get some sleep. And together, they went back to the castle, hoping that promises would be kept and everyone would return safe and sound.