Chapter Four

Blinking his eyes, Draco awoke to see the sun high in the sky, and the shadows of the trees small pools around the base of the trunks. Glancing across the river, he could see the glitter of the faeries in the bright mid-day sunlight.

Deceiving bastards. If I could get them back, I would.

Looking still across the river, but downstream he noticed that the valleys were covered with patches of faeries and always in the deepest parts of the valleys. The top of the hills were free from any…glitter.

He could try and make his way through the valleys, but that certainly held more danger then he actually wanted, so he decided to carry on downstream on the side of the river where he slept for the night. It stayed parallel to the valleys for as long as he could so he decided to just follow it. It wasn't as though he had any other guides.

While he was walking, his mind stayed blank. He didn't even pick up on it for a while, until he felt his muscles getting slower and heavier. Coming to his senses he realised that the wind had picked up and was blowing the faerie dust in his direction. Getting away from it, he turned into the trees, which he hoped would stop the dust from getting to him. However, as soon as he walked into the trees he noticed that there was something very different about these trees to the ones he had been in with Granger.

It was magical.

He could sense, nay, feel the magic reaching into his core pulling and tugging at his own magic. He felt quite at home.

Of course, he had felt a magical aura in the other forest, but that had been a mere presence. This magic was in the air, it was under his feet it was pouring out of the trees, bushes and other life forms, begging for his attention.

Not wanting to wander too far from the river he inspected his surroundings. Even though the sun was shining brightly beyond the trees, inside the woods there was an eerie dusk-like glow, which Draco assumed would grow darker the further into the woods he travelled but he had no intention of going that deep.

In the tree canopies Draco could see something glittering, and for one moment his heart had plummeted and he had been ready to run for his life again.

Hang on. They aren't faeries…

Taking a hesitant step closer to the nearest tree, his head tilted up towards the sky Draco gasped and would have cheered out loud if he hadn't felt an ominous repression from the woods.

Tree Elementals!

He was in luck. The tree Elementals were as good as Gods in the woods. Standing from the ground, they reached just below his knees so they were much larger then the faeries that had chased him, their glowing light filled him with warmth and he could clearly see their pointed faces and their richly clad bodies. One of the Elementals, a male Draco noticed as it got closer, detached itself from the canopy and fluttered down to him. This Elemental was covered in a warm golden glow and his features were angelically soft. Long golden hair was braided down his back resting on an impeccably fine, green tunic.

"Human. You are far from home. What brings you to our land?" Wide green eyes observed Draco, somewhat impatiently.

"Speak!" the Elemental demanded, for Draco's tongue had suddenly become rooted to the top of his mouth and impossibly dry.

"M-my apologies", he stuttered, wrenching his tongue from the roof of his mouth. "I meant no harm, nor did I mean to trespass. As you can see I am lost. I have little food and only wish to be…pointed in the right direction. You mentioned my home. How can I get there from here?"

Ignoring his last question, the Elemental's attention was slightly over Draco's left shoulder.

"Trival, is it the human we await?" said a voice behind Draco. Not bothering to wait for a response he continued. "Well then, take him to her".

It was most defiantly a command and the Elemental named Trival turned and spoke over his shoulder, "Come. We must not keep our Queen waiting. She is eager to be acquainted with you".

With that, the Elemental flew deeper into the forest and Draco couldn't help but feel, regardless of all his intentions that he was going to be dragged into something he most definitely did not want to be involved in. Begrudgingly, he followed.

- - -

Walking through the woods, Draco couldn't help but stare at what he saw, what he was surrounded by. The wood Elementals he knew were a magical race, but he had never considered how they lived. He assumed in the trees, but not once had he thought they lived in this.

Whole canopies of trees were dedicated to extended families and walking past one he watched five children playing a game on a particularly lush branch. Unconsciously he stopped to watch them and he could pick out the brother and sister among the five cousins. Although all five had strong family resemblances, there was just something about the curl in the sibling's hair that made them stand out. One by one they noticed that they were being watched and stopped their game until Trival realised that he was no longer being followed.

"Human. What do you think you are doing? To keep our Majesty waiting would be a mistake". Draco turned around just as a parent came out of their tree-house home and called the children in casting suspicious looks towards him.

Catching up he stared openly at the homes they lived in. Winding stair cases around the branches lit up with each Elemental's individual light. Front doors made of twine and leaves, some open showing off entrance halls with ancient meticulously carved symbols or wooden pillars. The elegant, unspoken grandeur was something that his home, Malfoy Manor with all its crystal and marble made no comparison to.

Trival led him deeper into the Wood, and the dusk-like light became a deep purplish glow. The noise of the Elementals in their homes began to lessen as they left the housing trees further behind them. In the distance Draco could see some sort of barrier blocking their way, but whatever it was; Draco noticed that his guide, Trival didn't think twice about it so he assumed all was well. As they approached the barrier Draco saw that it was two large weeping willows but unconsciously all he could hear was the banging and echoing of a smithery.

Wow. They are a greater civilisation then I gave them credit for. No doubt we are still far superior.

In front of the two willow trees was a crest on the ground which as he stood on a gust of wind swirled around him starting at his feet and winding its way up his leg and around his torso. As it passed his head, he could feel it in his hair and he could hear it whispering, but he had no clue what language it spoke in, nor was he given the chance to figure it out, for a soon as it passed his head the wind moved towards the willow trees and was lost in their encompassing branches. As Trival moved towards the willow, the branches parted just enough for the Elemental to pass, but as Draco approached, the branches stayed firmly shut. From somewhere within the layers of the willows' drooping leaves, he heard the same whispers in the foreign language, and the willow leaves began to part.

He walked quickly through, not wanting to be left behind. He glanced back and saw the entrance firmly shut by willow leaves and as he looked forward he was struck dumb.

Bloody Hell!

He was in the palace entrance hall, and he had never seen such an awe inspiring room. It was wide with a high arching ceiling that was carved with what he assumed were Elemental symbols, and the crest which he had seen on the floor in front of the willows was repeated frequently. All along the side of the wall stood wooden pillars and in front of each pillar stood a guard elemental dressed in armour and with a shield that once held the same crest that was on the ceiling.

Walking to the end of the room, his attention was focused on a much larger version of the crest which he finally had the chance to analyse. Two curved trees with their trunks linking at their most curvaceous point were sprouting flowers and seeds from their branches and were linked by symbols that Draco didn't recognise at the roots and uppermost branches.

"Yes, it is quite marvellous isn't it?" Looking down, he realised that he had been so focused on the crest that he hadn't noticed their arrival in front of the queen Elemental. Beside him Trival dropped down out of the air and bent on one knee. Looking around and trying to think of a suitable answer to her inaccurate assessment. He had been trying to think what relevance it had, not that it looked at all imposing.

"Ummmm…." Beside him Trival tried to yank Draco down onto one knee but he was saved from speaking or acting as she continued on over him.

"Yes, The Tree Of Life. The basis for our entire Elemental life force. Alone it provides shelter, food, water, protection and it is the foundation for the magic that we depend upon. You see", she paused to gesture at the crest behind her "the roots of the tree spread through the ground into every other tree in the wood that we inhabit. Welcome, human, to Elmetare".

"Does the tree exist still?" Draco asked, caught up in the tale despite himself.

"Why of course it does. Hundreds of years ago, when the first Elemental, Obsydian travelled here to find a home for his young wife and family, he planted the seed of the tree in the soil along with a chant which he uttered throughout that long night. Had it not been for him, this entire community before you would not exist."

In the silence that followed the Queen's face was pensive as she gazed at the nearest crest on the pillar to her right. Shaking herself slightly, she smiled warmly at Draco, "now, human, tell me your name and your business in Elmetare".

"Well, actually I don't have business here as such", he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck, not knowing if he could truly trust the Elementals. They were good in comparison to the beasts he had dealt with the previous night, but how friendly were they towards humans? "My name is Draco and…" but he trailed off at the murmer that went round the room at the sound of his name.

"Draco? Hmmm, interesting…" The queen muttered. "Do carry on…Draco".

His eyes narrowed and much more careful of what he said he continued. "I came across your land by accident, and need to leave, to get back to my home". But his mind had suddenly wandered.

Granger. Do I tell them or not?

"Well Draco, with that we may be able to help you". The Queen's stress on the 'may' caught Draco's attention and he locked eyes with the queen. It was a battle of wills; the first to look away was the loser. Except in this game there was no chance of a re-match "You see Draco; our Tree of Life has become damaged of late…"

Say no. Say no and walk away right now. What the hell can you do that they can't? They are Elementals for Christ's sake.

But he wouldn't budge. Not a single muscle in his body responded to what his head was screaming at him. The Queen had won their silent battle. He was hooked.

"What does this have to do with me getting home?"

Didn't mean I have to be gracious about helping them.

- - -

Hermione looked over at the pup, happily munching on his dinner of fish, the extra done bits that were too charred on the outside for her to even consider eating, and smiled. It had taken her a good hour to clean out the fish, and another thirty minutes to get a fire substantial enough to spit her catch over, but she had done it and it was well worth the wait/ battle.

She had even added flavour by stuffing it with some of the roots and herbs that she had gathered. Somewhere in the collection must have been a citrus like plant that gave the fish a zealous kick, which she and the pup were much enjoying.

Every few months her mother had gone on an exotic cooking spree to fill some empty hours. Some parents read, some played golf, but her mum learnt how too cook Jollof rice and how to include black eyed peas into their everyday western cuisine. It was in one of these books that Hermione read that citrus fruits were thought of as a symbol of, among other things, eternal happiness.

At this particular point in time, Hermione would have to agree.

Her taste buds were practically weeping at the mixture of tastes, and her stomach was welcoming the food with choirs of angels. Because of this, she was taking her time to enjoy the food and to savour each moment, but she also knew she was procrastinating.

Through the trees she could detect a reddish glow, a sign which suggested the day would soon be coming to an end.

Shepherds delight… she thought happily, hoping that the next day would bring some more nice surprises…she quite fancied some duck after her delicacies of the evening. She was sure that the pup would appreciate some more meat as well.

Right on time she gave a wide, loud yawn that caused the bones in her jaw to creak uncomfortably. Deciding to let the fire burn itself out, she was NOT afraid, she discarded the fish remnants outside her little ring of a campsite, not wanting to attract any unwanted attention.

Sure they won't come anyway? But she rapidly banished that morbid thought.

Using her slightly ripped robes as a pillow – she could no longer user her satchel as it now held the razor leaves – she curled up not too far from the warm ebb of heat from the fire. The pup looked at her and clicked affectionately as it came to muzzle her face.

Petting him, Hermione spoke out loud to no-one in particular. "What am I going to do with you eh? It doesn't look like your going anywhere, and I can't keep calling you Pup now, can I?"

Lying down with the pup's head resting on her outstretched forearm, she thought of possible dog names and fell asleep to dreams of Lassie chasing her joyously in a field.

Only Lassie soon changed into a much more sinister canine with gnashing teeth and red eyes. The chase was no longer joyous and even though Hermione had a head start, no matter how fast she tried to run she couldn't seem to move quickly, as though her feet were stuck in think mud.

In front of her she saw a wide river, if I can only get to that, then I will be safe, she thought, but as soon as she thought it the river stretched away from her, it was now more then a hundred metres away.

Looking behind her the dog had grown in size and was now much bigger then her, or had she shrunk?

She was running so hard she was out of breath, but she still wasn't getting anywhere.

She could feel the blood pumping in her ears; she could feel her heart hammering in her chest.

Don't stop. Just don't give up.

She could hear the dog's footsteps' pounding on the grass behind her, only the grass was beginning to grow. Vines were bleeding out of the cracked ground. Thick vines which snaked towards her as she ran to the distant river.

It was no use.

The dog was catching up.

She couldn't run any faster or farther.

The next thing she knew she was flying through the air and landed face first on the ground and felt her nose explode. Her body hurting and her nose broken she looked down to see one of the vines wrapped around her ankle and she whimpered with the realisation that the dog finally caught up with her.

She could feel its hot breath on the back of her neck; she could hear its deep growl.

As it leaned in closer to make the killing bite, she jerked awake. Her heart was still hammering, her blood was still rushing through her veins and she could still hear growling in her ear.

Shit! That's not supposed to happen.

Opening her eyes in fear, she looked around and saw the pup next to her. His hackles were raised and his teeth were bared, he emitted a noise she had never heard him make before.

Then her ears picked up on another noise. It was somewhat familiar, as though from a distant dream or nightmare she realised, as she recognised the eerie whispering from the last night she had spent on watch with Malfoy.

Too afraid to move, she sat and waited hoping it would vanish as it had that night, but this time she saw images moving in the dark. Some large, some small, all of them sinister in the night light.

The whispering became louder, and if she strained her ears she could hear what it was saying…

"Leave. Get out".

Oh, Soooo not good.

Grabbing the strap of her satchel and her robe, she stood up; the pup close at her heels, still growling.

"Leave".

"Out".

It was no longer a whisper now. The shapes in the dark were chanting. How many of them were there, she had no idea but she didn't wait to find out. Bending down and scooping up the pup in her arms she turned and ran.

Among the chant she could hear mocking laughter. Turning to look was when she made her first mistake.

Behind her were animals.

Slowing down to look, completely entranced, she heard the pup yelp. Glancing ahead she saw that her path was clear.

Probably what the bastards want she thought, and who am I to deny them that. Not a chance I'm going towards them.

Behind her the chant was getting louder. It completely surrounded her, and overtook all her senses. It wasn't long before she could hear it in her head as well.

"Leave. Get Out. Out. Out! Leave. Get Out. Out. Out!" If she wasn't in a state of high panic and frankly wetting herself, she could have made a beat to go along with it.

Running in the opposite direction, her belongings and the pup clasped close to her chest she was haunted by the memories of her dream and looking behind her she realised it was more of a premonition.

Some of the animals had taken to chasing her, the largest of which was a wolf that would catch up quickly and then drop back. He would get so close to nip at her heels and then bound to the side, away from her. Even some of the smallest animals in front of her, field mice and shrews ran in between her legs as she ran, hoping to trip her up.

She realised their game was not to hurt her, but to scare her. Shitless. She had no intention of stopping to see if she was right. The chant had picked up a tempo, and she could indeed hear a drum like banging from somewhere behind her, which only encouraged her to run faster, dodging the looming objects that were practically impossible to see in the darkness until she was on top of them.

Another smaller wolf had joined in the game and one would run ahead and wait for her while the other chased her so close that she could feel its front paws on the bottoms of her trainers. The wolf in front would prepare to pounce, and then would jump just shy of her and even though she knew they weren't aiming to hurt her, the wicked gleam in their eyes, and their crazed howl was enough to make her cry out and swerve.

Just as she felt her breath beginning to hitch and her muscles protest, she heard a voice clear in head, above the chant calling her.

"This way".

"Over here".

And instantly she knew where to go. Dodging between trees, she hurdled a bush of medium height and heard a scrabble behind her which she thought meant one of the animals hadn't been so lucky, but she didn't turn or wait to see.

Still running she could see a light that was almost blinding to look at in the darkness. Not knowing if it was good or bad and not caring, she ran straight towards it.

The chant in her head lessened. It was still around her, but she had room in her brain to think for herself now, and not to just react.

The wolves that were chasing her so keenly had dropped back and had not returned and some of mice were running towards her, away from the light with no intention of hindering her progress towards it.

The pup was cheeping desperately, but she couldn't tell what he meant by it. She could feel one of his tails straining against her arms which suggested he wanted to wag it – a good sign.

All of a sudden she was inside the globe of light. The chant had stopped and she was completely surrounded by it.

Shading her eyes she looked around and saw the figure of a lioness. Her two front paws were on a rock which elevated her slightly so that Hermione had to look up at her.

Their eyes connected which spread a calming warmth through her aching muscles. Smiling in relief, not knowing if the lioness would do her harm, but somehow feeling that she was safe, she collapsed to the floor dropping the pup and her belongings, already asleep before her head hit the floor.

- - -

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