= Wands High =

Chapter 49 - 23 May 1998, Saturday

- This place looks really cozy – Hermione pointed out as they were sitting down at the table at "The Plucked Broom". – Reminds me of the countryside vacations we used to have with my parents back when I was a child.

- What did that countryside look like? – Daynen asked after helping her with the chair and sat across her at the small table. It was almost 18.00h and the tavern still had just a few clients. Daynen and Hermione had spent the afternoon walking in the woods around the lodge just enjoying the peaceful setting and the fresh, crispy mountain air.

- Well, most of the time, it was cold and humid like the major part of England – the girl laughed and shook her locks. – But it had about three sunny weeks each summer, which was exactly what we needed to have a nice vacation. I can't tell you how many hills and rocks I've climbed there.

- I'm getting physically tired just by listening to you – Daynen smirked and looked around the tavern.

- You lazy cat – Hermione smiled. - Everything all right then?

- Yes, why?

- You've been looking around a lot since we got to the village – the girl pointed out.

- I've noticed some faces I recognize from school. The place – I mean the resort complex – is unusually populated, from what I've heard about these weekend practices. I'm not sure but I think I even saw some of those Horcrux wackos earlier.

- How could you possibly recognize them without those silly costumes?

- Call it a hunch. Besides, I remember all of them being tall and buff. Or at least buff.

- You reckon they'd be looking for trouble then? – Hermione asked, a hint of concern in her tone.

- Not really. But who knows what brilliant ideas those acorn-sized brains of theirs could birth?

Hermione chuckled.

- Always the smooth talker – she teased him. – And the people person.

- Sure, that's me – he laughed and took her hand in his.

- I still think you were somewhat harsh on the rest of the group though.

Daynen couldn't help but roll his eyes, and not for the first time today either.

The tavern felt like a pleasant place for once, he deducted, opting to look around rather than give out a direct response. He preferred it this way – nearly empty, with many unoccupied tables and chairs, frankly somewhat peaceful. One could actually be capable of having a normal conversation without needing to yell at the other person's ear.

It wasn't going to last, of course, Daynen reminded himself with a thin, saddened smile, as the entrance door had just shut behind yet another small group of entering visitors.

- Hey, that's not nice! – he gasped.

- You were ignoring your company again – said Hermione, now rubbing the same spot of his palm, which just a moment ago she'd pinched. – You shouldn't shut them out like this.

- I thought we discussed all that rather thoroughly already during our most lengthy walk.

- Someone is tired after just a few strolls in the wilderness? – the girl grinned.

- Most walking I've done since I've arrived at Innestrad, to be sure. Must have been hours, that walk. What is the British definition of "a walk" anyway? There must be a defined difference when it comes to walks, strolls, journeys, treks and what-not... crusades...

- I get it, you don't like walks – Hermione had to put her palm over his mouth in order to stop what was quickly turning into a tirade, though her now displayed annoyance seemed, for the majority, faked. – You are so good at deflecting when you put your mind to it.