Chapter Four: To The Country We Will Go

Smith was sitting down on his bed staring into space when a knock on the door broke his trance. He got up as Hermione walked into the room.

"Its time isn't it? Nearly twelve thirty," said Harry anxiously.

"Smithy-" Hermione started to say.

"I'm all ready," he showed her his already packed satchel.

"Sit down a minute would you?" Hermione said with a serious expression.

"There's nothing...wrong, is there?" Smith asked nervously.

"Smithy, I've got to talk to you," she motioned him to sit down. "I won't beat around the bush. Lee won't take you."

"Wo-wo-won't take me?" he sat himself next to her.

"There was a man from the asylum in the bar just now. He told everybody about your escape. Lee feels its too risky taking you." she sighed, "I think perhaps he's right. I think perhaps you should go back to the asylum. Until you're all well again, and then-"

"Go----go-back?" Harry looked away, and resumed his trancelike state.

"It is best Smithy, you need care and doctors that understand your case. I feel dreadful about it, but it's for your sake. Lee wants to help but he said I have no right to take you. Says I'd be risking your sanity, your life perhaps. You do understand don't you?"

He nodded weakly, trying to process everything.

"You're not angry with me? You don't think I've gone back on you? Its not that I'm afraid, it's because I think its right. They were all against me, all of them. They couldn't have made me do it if I didn't think it was right. You do know that don't you?" Hermione pleaded,"Tell me you understand, that you're not angry with me, but tell me, let me hear you say it, speak to me Smithy! You can always speak to me. Speak to me!"

"I-I-I.." he tried to speak. Hermione focused into his eyes, but he turned away.

She nodded and raised her eyebrows. "Wait for me Smithy." She quickly stood up and walked out of the room. Harry didn't move an inch while she was gone. He was busy collecting his thoughts. After a few seconds, he heard footsteps coming up the stairs again. Hermione entered with her coat on, holding her suitcase."

"Come on Smithy" she said, handing him his cloak, "Get your cloak on, I know I'm right, I know it. I'm ashamed in myself for letting them talk me out of it. Here let me help you." She hastily clasped the clock around him. "We have to hurry. Don't you worry Smithy, we can't go with the others, but we'll find some quiet place so you can rest and get fit. Here take your bag, we'll go by the back door."

The two of them made their way down the stairs. "Look Smithy, I've got to see Tom. You go down that way." She instructed, pointing to the door next to him. "And don't let anyone see you. There's a door leading to the alley. Wait for me outside. I'll only be a minute."

Harry exited out the door as Hermione worked her way to the bar.

"Tom?" she called his attention. She spotted him by the window and went to him. "Here's the money for my bill."

"Running off already?" he asked.

"They want to send Smithy back to the asylum."

"No!" he gasped.

"But I'm not going to let him go, I'm taking him into the country." Hermione stated adamantly.,

"Giving up your job?"

"I'll let you know when we get settled," Hermione shrugged her shoulders, "Will you send my trunk on to me?"

"You bet and good luck to you", he shook her hand.

"Thanks Tom, you're one in a million," she gave him a peck on the cheek.

"Good luck to you!" Tom repeated.

"Bye, take care!" Hermione hurried off to meet up Harry.

Hermione opened the door and gasped. She found Lee lying completely knocked out cold on the floor and Harry standing beside him, a look of panic on his pale face. She turned behind her to see if anyone saw anything before shutting the door.

"Smithy! What have you done?"

"H-H-He-He," Harry stammered.

"Tried to stop you?" she asked.

"Yes... I ...pushed him and ...he fell."

"Lee! Lee!" Hermione shook the unconscious Lee gently, "Oh if they catch you now, we're done for!"

"I'm no good, let me alone!" Harry protested.

"No I won't." Hermione told him stubbornly.

"We...We can't just leave him"

"We must! We'll think later. Come!" She grabbed him immediately and shoved him out the exit.

They didn't say a word to each other until they got on the train.

"Bad luck the station master recognized me at Melbridge," said Hermione, "They may wire ahead to Camphor to stop us. Well we won't go on to Camphor. We'll get out at Swinton junction. From there we can go to the West Country, on to Devon, or Cornwell. We'll choose a little country place quiet and lovely."