Chapter 6

As soon as Draco left the room the Marchioness of Abernathy turned quickly to Hermione. "He is one handsome devil." Her eyes were twinkling brightly.

Hermione gave a small smile. "He isn't lacking in the looks department."

"Why have you not snagged him in your timeline? That'd be the first thing I did if I were you." She reached over and put a small tea cake on her plate.

"We weren't the closest in school when we were younger. He was more of like my tormentor. After we graduated I never saw him. The day we were thrown back here is the first time I've seen him in years." Hermione lifted her tea cup to keep her hands busy.

The Marchioness shook her head. "The times change so weirdly, it sounds like; I'm not sure how I'd like living in that time. I shall not press you for more information, however. The consequences would not be great."

"That would not be good. How long has Diagon Alley been established? I'm not sure I've ever read about it in my books." She told her.

After swallowing a small bite the Marchioness started to explain. "It has just always been as far as my knowledge. There are many other places that have same shopping places in different countries. Mayhap we shall visit those while you are here. It couldn't hurt on your quest. My husband is quite learned in ancient antiquities. I feel quite certain that his club shall be able to help you."

"May I ask why you did not mention this in front of Draco?" Hermione inquired.

She gave a delicate shrug of her slim shoulders. "He seems quite overwhelmed already in everything that is going on. I'm sure my husband can explain things better than I. He likes to tell me everything comes rushing out without a thought. I'm afraid that is quite true."

They spoke more about things of this time she thought Hermione might need to know. She spoke of who was the most prominent of the times and who to avoid. When the clock signaled it was already turning three o'clock the Marchioness jumped up.

"I fear I have taken so much of your time. I must be out of here. My goodness, how the time just slips by when you are in good company. " She slipped her gloves back on. "I do hope to see you tonight at Baroness' Quarrely's musicale tonight."

Hermione stood to see her quest off. "I shall be there tonight."

Hermione was on her way to her room when Draco stopped her.

"Do you know how to ride?" he asked her abruptly.

A brown brow raised. "It happens that I do."

"Meet me in the foyer in thirty minutes." With that he was strolling off.

She huffed at his impertinence of his command. How like him even in this time to demand she do something without consulting her if she'd find pleasure in it first. It seemed things like that never even crossed his mind.

She walked into her bedroom and smiled at her maid. "Oh, good thing you're here Milly, I need a riding habit."

The maid was bobbing at her. "I already pulled one out fer ye, miss. His Grace tol' me ye were to go ridin' wit' him."

She felt her ire rise more. How dare he tell her maid to do something that she hadn't even committed to.

She bit her tongue and had an easy smile for Mildred. It wasn't her fault that Draco was so domineering. It took her all of the thirty minutes to get dressed in the grey riding habit and to redo her hair for her hat. She was pulling on her gloves when she ran into Draco in the hall.

Her brown eyes blazed as she gave him her haughtiest look while walking past him.

Draco smiled at her back. The look he just received would make even his father proud. Her shoulders were stiff but her hips still swayed back in forth almost getting him in a trance.

At the front door the butler handed Draco his hat. The walked down the path to meet the stable lads holding the reins of their horses. Draco's black stead stomped his hooves in restlessness. Hermione's sable mare threw her head letting her mane fly.

Hermione's face went from stony to delight; her laugh rang out through the street. "She is quite gorgeous."

The stable lad smiled. "That she is, My Lady, Belle is a spirited lass."

Hermione ran her hands down the mare's mane before Draco helped her to mount in the side saddle. The look that passed on her face was quite comical. She obviously hadn't taken into account that she wouldn't be riding astride on this ride.

The stable lad handed the reins to her horse as Draco mounted his. They were off down the street towards the park. They rode in silence, but it wasn't uncomfortable. Hermione didn't speak until they were closer to the park.

"How on earth did women ride on horses on this confounded way?"

Draco's laugh was light as he looked at her. She was trying to twist to find a more comfortable way to sit atop her horse. "Where did you learn to ride?"

Hermione looked at him with the same amount of surprise that he felt. "My father has a friend from university that owns land out in the country. I learned when I was very young. I rode every chance I got." She was silent a moment before asking, "Where did you learn to?"

Draco gave a shrug of a shoulder. "My father," was all he said.

She was shocked to hear the high and mighty Lucius Malfoy even knew what a horse looked like. More so that he would want to get near such a beast that he'd smell like one later.

They entered the park not too long after that and immediately was awash people in different vehicles, pedestrians and riders on horses.

They were the spectacle of many put Draco didn't seem to notice. He had the upper snobbery that suited him so well. Hermione felt self-conscious around it all. She wanted to turn her horse and race back to the house but she rode as proud as she could through it all.

Again she was stopped by so many people that she didn't remember their names and titles. She didn't need to, because it seemed Draco knew who everyone. How? She nodded and smiled and talked to those that asked her questions out right. Other than that she was still at a loss of what to say.

After the circus of the park they headed home and Hermione bathed to prepare for that night. As she laid back in the bath the puzzle came to her head.

"Two hearts beat together

Two souls entwine

Two who need the other

They soon become one"

What did it all mean? It held all of the mystery to get back home.

But did she want to go back? She wasn't exactly happy there. She felt more relaxed than she ever had in this place. She didn't carry the everyday stresses that seemed to plague her. She wasn't noticed everywhere like home. She knew she couldn't stay, but that didn't mean that the idea didn't stay in the back of her mind.

How she wished people would forget who she was.

She wanted anonymity.

Hermione entered the home of Baron Quarrley's for the musicale much later on the Earl's arm. She was taken aback by the beauty of it all again. Why couldn't life be this grand at home? They went through the receiving line and Hermione saw Draco stiffen out of the corner of her eye.

As soon as she turned her head she realized the same. She was staring at the smiling faces of Arthur and Molly Weasley with Ginny and Ron next to them. Her chest tightened where it was almost too painful to breathe. She forced herself to look away and take small breaths.

"Your Grace," Baron Quarrley said loudly," How nice it is to make your acquaintance. I hear you've already had the pleasure of meeting my lovely daughter and wife. May I introduce you to my son, Lord David."

Draco bowed and nodded. "Lord David it is a pleasure to meet you. Lady Victoria you look stunning tonight, as does your Mama."

Hermione watched in astonishment. She wondered how bitter those words must have tasted on his tongue. The tone of his voice nor the look on his face gave him away. Even his body language was relaxed.

Lord David bowed over Hermione's hand and murmured some unintelligible words. He seemed to look through her and she was able to breathe easier.

They moved through the line and Hermione moved to a far corner of the salon. Draco brought her a glass of champagne. "Drink up; I believe both of us are going to need it for this evening."

She didn't get a chance to say anything before she was surrounded by her admirers. The Earl of Canton elbowed his way to her side and bowed over hand, "Ever your loyal servant, My Lady."

Hermione blushed rosily and Draco walked away in disgust. He realized his mistake as he was immediately cornered by Lady Victoria.

"Oh, Your Grace, glad I am that you have decided to grace us with your presence for our little musicale Mama has decided to put on. Tonight shall surely be wondrous."

Draco shuddered as she latched onto his arm and wouldn't let him go. She maneuvered him through the salon introducing him to people he'd yet to meet. He started to feel hot around the collar like he was caught in a trap. Good manners dictated he go along with her, however. What a huge oversight not finding out whose daughter she was in this time.

He was kicking himself as everyone began to take seats. He guided her towards seats next to Hermione and the Earl of Canton. Hermione gave him a laughing smile as he gave her a look that could possibly kill. She was too amused at the fact that he had Ginny Weasley on his arm.

He flinched as the many people who got up to sing or play demolished all the classical songs he loved. To his astonishment Lady Victoria got up to perform. Her brother moved to sing a duet with her as she played the piano prettily. If he was even honest with himself she had a lovely voice and Lord David wasn't so bad himself.

He looked over to Hermione and she had a smile on her face but such sadness in her eyes. A lump formed in his throat as he studied her. Whatever Weasley had done it pained her a great deal even now.

He only knew what so he could kick the idiot.

He leaned over and whispered close to her ear, "Whatever he did to you he should be shot for."

Hermione jumped to the whisper of breath that crossed over her skin. She looked up into his smoky blue eyes and blinked back the tears, "It's nothing that time won't heal."

Draco searched her eyes. Her hurt went deeper than she let on. He longed to pull her tight against him and kiss away all the pain that she felt at that moment. He somehow restrained himself and patted one of her hands. "Sometimes time doesn't help."

Before she could reply to him the Earl of Canton leaned over oblivious to the look in her eyes and said, "Rather lovely, don't you agree?" His eyes pierced Draco's with unspoken challenge.

Draco clenched his jaw and turned back to the musicale. Oh how he hated that man.

From here the story is going to start picking up. Time to get some action in this bit. :)