Chapter 2: The Journey

A new day meant the start of a new journey or so Hermione hoped that would be the case. She was becoming giddy to the prospects of arriving to Terra and scoping any potential candidates that could meet her urges and curiosities. She knew that many of Harry's Knights were good-looking men with a physique that could be compared with Aquiles. If it wasn't their physique that could show the heat of desire in their eyes, their cunning mixed with their stunning pronounced face features made them just as sinful to look at.

"My lady, we should be arriving at Terra before nightfall", Sir Longbottom ensured her. They had grown up together and when he was old enough, he made sure to join Aquarias Knighthood as to stay by her side to protect her.

"Thank you Sir Longbottom. Is there time to stop by Silver River and freshen up?" Hermione was starting to feel the heat. It was beginning to make her dizzy and she desperately needed some refreshing.

"Of course my lady. Right this way", as Sir Longbottom said this, he looked to Hermione's right and smiled at Ginny who didn't throw him a smile back but she didn't have to. Hermione could see how her eyes beamed back at him. On Hermione's left, she heard Luna whisper to her, "My Lady, the warspurcks are in heat. Seems like fire awaits us". Hermione found the statement odd and decided to ponder on it later. She dug her heels and her horse, Ember, hasten his pace.

Sir Longbottom stopped by a small mound and awaited them. As they were nearing the river, Lady Hermione felt her pulse quicken and the desire to moisten her lips and feel the cold-water fall from her face down her throat to her chest, made her breath catch. Sir Longbottom thought Lady Hermione's red coloring of her cheeks was related to the humidity and temperature of the day and the ride to Terra, but handmaiden Luna knew otherwise. Fire was definitely making Lady Hermione start to feel the heat as they approached Silver River.

"I shall wait for you three here. The rest will follow after you've returned. Do not stray far. Even though we are nearing Terra, the All Hallow's Eve ball is well known and there are some awaiting their turn to bring you harm, my Lady".

"Do not fret so much Sir Longbottom. We know how to make any who approach us think twice before they dare harm us. Should the need arise, I am sure you are close enough as to come to our aid as the rest of your companions", said Ginny with a daring look toward Sir Longbottom.

Only handmaiden Ginny knew what those instead words were doing to Sir Longbottom. He knew he needed a very secluded yet long time in the cold water after that.

As the women dismounted, a young yet good-looking knight was coming out from under the waterfall of Silver River from another long and strenuous training session. Draconis couldn't help and feel wrapped within the river's depths and coolness. He always felt at ease after a nice shower and swim. He knew the calm wouldn't last long as he noticed his horse Araxie become impassive. He swam to shore to gather his things and calm Araxie.

As they walked, Luna slowed her pace as to hold Ginny back. The redheaded maiden looked up at her and scrunched her eyebrows in a questioning gesture. Ginny suspected Luna of something wicked since she had a sixth sense about things and would include Ginny in her heinous and sometimes absurd occurrences.

"My lady, would you mind continuing without us both for a little bit. I think I hear the warspurcks over those trees and would like a closer look. You seem to be of need of a dip more than us and I don't wish to hold you back from such a steamy welcome", Luna said passively.

Ginny was trying really hard to read between the lines of Luna's words.

"Very well", Hermione replied with a raised eyebrow and just shook the strange notion she felt when she heard the word steam.

Hermione continued on since she was close to the tip of the waterfall. She decided to strip from her dress but keep her undergarments. She took in the moisture and the sounds of nature. She closed her eyes and concentrated on the sound of the splashing water rising as falling, of the current moving downstream wetting the rocks or the earth. It gave her calm and once that calm seeped through her, she extended her arms to each side and jumped to feel the air rush through her as she fell and reach her destination. A smile was on her face as she felt the water come around her.

As Hermione swan, she did not notice how Draconis went on alert thinking an enemy was upon him. As he ideally searched and saw no weapons, no army and no charge of attack, he decided to scan the river, but still couldn't see anything. Just because he couldn't see anything, did not mean he couldn't feel a certain shift in the water.

He has dressed after soothing Araxie. He had put on a light brown cotton shirt which he left unbuttoned and dark green trousers that he specially requested be made for him. He decided to scout the perimeter but the water rippled and he couldn't help but feel as if a siren called to him and him alone. He felt his temperature rise as he approached the water and started to go in. As cool as it was to him when he initially went in, he warmed it up. At that moment he noticed a shadow within the water that was slowly coming nearer. He focused on it and saw how that very siren rose from its depths.

Hermione's head came out of the water for air. Her hair clung to her body and her wet undergarments, not only showing off her curves, but all her distinguished lady like features. She had her eyes closed as she enjoyed the fresh air but was a bit startled and she began to feel the water become warm. When she looked up, she saw a figure looking straight at her.