English

'thoughts'

'thoughts of Sesshomaru's beast'

They were sitting in the old priestess's hut and sipping tea. Sesshomaru did not know this tea, so when he asked about it. The strange woman had said it was a tea from her country called Earl Grey. It tasted different than the ones he normally drank, not meaning it was bad, just different. He was not sure yet if he liked it or not. Ah-Un had stayed in the forest, but Jaken had followed him and was now sitting near him sipping tea as well. Sesshomaru put the cup down in front of him an took a parcel out of his clothes, handing it to Rin who opened it with great enthusiasm. Out came a beautiful orange and white kimono. As she unfolded it to be able to see the pattern, she also discovered a book he wanted her to read. It was the first time he gave one to her. He had ordered the priestess to teach Rin how to read and write, assuming that now she should be able to understand it. Rin opened the book and looked curiously at the characters and pictures.

"Thank you very much, Lord Sesshomaru,", she said while bowing to him, which made him very pleased, "The new kimono is beautiful, and Rin likes the pictures in the book, but Rin is unable to read them."

Sesshomaru turned to glare at the priestess and growled: "What is the meaning of this?! This Sesshomaru has been assured by you that his ward was able to read and write."

The old woman gently took the book from Rin and looked at it.

"Forgive me, Lord Sesshomaru. I taught Rin to read and write kana and not Chinese. I don't know Chinese or anyone who could teach her. I am deeply sorry."

He could hear a throat being cleared, and then the foreigner said: "I could teach her; if you want me to?"

He turned to watch her.

"You are able to understand Chinese? You do not look like you are from the mainland."

He looked at her with narrow eyes.

"You are right, I am not. I come from a land further away, but I am still able to understand other languages. I learned them because I was interested in some research texts. Learning languages comes easy to me. So, if you want, I can teach Rin."

"Hn. What would you want from this Sesshomaru in exchange?" he asked cautiously.

Jaken spluttered and started to say something but was interrupted by the woman.

"Nothing."

"What?" asked Sesshomaru surprised, arching a silver brow. Was it possible that this woman did not have a hidden agenda? Did she not want silks and jewels like other female humans? Was she not interested in his wealth and power?

"While I will be teaching Rin, I will also be able to read the book for myself; that is enough for me. I love reading."

He nodded slightly.

"You will teach Rin. This Sesshomaru will bring more books when he visits next. If Rin agrees, you will be allowed to read them as well."

She nodded.

'What a strange woman.'

This time Jaken was able to rant.

"How dare you not answer properly to my great lord? You filthy human are not worth the dirt he walks on! You…!"

Sesshomaru interrupted him with a sharp 'Jaken'. He had seen the woman flinch and her eyes becoming slightly hunted.

'How intriguing, why does she react in that way? This is unusual.' 'Bad memories perhaps', supplied his beast. 'Hn.'

The woman concealed her upset with a blank face, but her smell changed. 'She is upset.'

"Please excuse me, I have some things to take care of."

She coldly bowed to them and left the hut. He looked to the other two females. They seemed worried now. A few moment later the smell of the woman disappeared. His eyes widened, he jumped up and stormed outside, searching for the foreigner. He followed her scent, but as he arrived at the back of another hut the smell just vanished as if its owner disappeared into thin air.

'How? I cannot sense her anymore? How did she do that?' 'Looks like she's no ordinary human.'

He returned to the priestess's hut; his exterior calm as always, but he was confused nevertheless.

"She disappeared. How?" he demanded.

"I do not know how she does what she does."

"She is no ordinary human."

"Ye'll have to ask her. They are not my secrets to tell."

He narrowed his eyes and glared at her but decided to let it go. He would ask the foreigner next time he saw her.

Jaken was spluttering again, but Sesshomaru decided to ignore him. Sipping at his tea he realised it had become cold. He sighed internally and put the cup down again. He tried to listen to Rin, who was telling him about her time in the village, but he couldn't quite concentrate, for his thoughts wandered to the strange woman.

HxS

Hermione appeared on a clearing a few miles away, trying to calm her breath and push away the memories. Hastily she put up wards around her that would hide her presence as well as masking her scent and doing a silencing charm. She collapsed to the ground clutching her head, memories trying to overwhelm her again. She could hear her voice screaming at her saying similar things as the little toad. From the stories Rin had told her she knew that Sesshomaru and Jaken weren't like Voldemort and Bellatrix. Voldemort would have never taken in a child and treated her like Sesshomaru still did, but the words from that green imp were just too similar to Bellatrix's, and it had triggered her memories. Tear began to roll down her cheeks as the screams and images became louder and clearer. She started to rock back and forth. She fought the memories back and tried to meditate.

After a while her breaths came slower and she was able to calm down. She had successfully overcome her panic attack. Not wanting to fall asleep on the ground, she took out her bag and wand and summoned her tent and a Potion of Dreamless Sleep. Fortunately, she had still left one from her last badge, but she would have to brew it again. With a flick of her wand the tent was built, and she stepped inside. She went to her bed, drowned the potion and let herself sink into it. Moments later she was fast asleep.

HxS

The next morning when she returned to the village, she was scolded harshly by her friends, for they had been worried. They were glad to see her unharmed, but she had to promise to at least let them know when she decided to disappear for a while. She had also learned that Lord Sesshomaru had left with the other two demons and expected to see progress in Rin's studies when he returned.

Before she began teaching Rin, she tended to her garden and brewed the potions, so she would have them when needed.

In the next few days Rin made great headway. She was an eager learner and Hermione suspected Rin would have been in Ravenclaw if she possessed magic and lived in England.

Sadly, her sleep did not improve at first, instead it worsened. She only slept with the help of the potion, and she couldn't take it every night because it was addictive. So, she went to explore in her Animagus form farther and farther away from the village. With the ability to apparate it was possible to return to the village in the morning before someone would be worried.

Her sleep began to improve again after a few weeks, but sometimes she would still spend the night in the woods, exploring in her Animagus form.

AN: Thank you for your support! I hope you continue liking the story! I am always thankful for your feedback. If everything works as planed I will post another chapter tomorrow. So, look forward to it!

This story is now betaed by Pyo-Kiyo, I am very grateful for her help.

Thanks, and enjoy.