= Wands High =

Chapter 55 - 24 May 1998, Sunday

She was surprised to see him up and awake, not to mention already dressed. The first thing that she'd noticed upon entering the room were his eyes – they were unusually focused for this early in the morning. There was the guitar too, which was even more strange.

- So she is gone, then? – Daynen asked without lifting his gaze up to regard her.

Finally fed up with the actual physical carrying of the food tray, Hermione, wand in hand, flicked her wrist at the object and carefully closed the door behind her. A heartbeat later, she reminded herself that no one was still sleeping, so there was no danger of waking anybody up. Usually an early bird herself, perhaps she was the one who could have used a few extra hours of rest for a change.

It was just then when the girl noticed that Daynen was not actually playing the instrument, but rather just moving his hands up and down the neck. His lips were trembling ever so slightly, as if he was mumbling something to himself, but she suspected it was likely a melody somewhere in his mind.

- You have a very keen sense of hearing for someone who usually tends to be half asleep at this time of the day.

- Thin walls, is all. I wonder what Chris wants with me – the boy muttered, again keeping his head down. – As for Orianna, I suppose she is still quite mad about last night.

- I wouldn't be too surprised if she is, but there has apparently been a reason for her departure. Something back home, perhaps some sort of family problems? I do hope it is nothing serious.

- Maybe it was just a pretext to leave. Can't say I'd blame her.

- Daynen! – the girl gasped, giving him a stern stare, which somehow finally managed to get his attention. - What a cruel thing to say.

- Cruel... Yes, you are probably right. Apologies. I do hope it isn't anything serious. I'll try to speak to her once we are all back at Innestrad. I thought you would be slightly more upset however.

- Me? – Hermione raised an eyebrow. – Because of our confrontation? I haven't forgotten, if that's what you are hinting at. We'll need to have a talk next time we see each other, to be sure, but I am neither mad at her, nor holding any particular grudge. I still think she didn't really mean those things which she said, she was just upset herself.

After a while Daynen nodded and made a motion towards one of the two steaming cups, doing his best imitation of what the girl had priorly done, but of course, nothing happened, so Hermione ended up bringing the cup to him, rolling her eyes as she handed it over.

- If you ever managed to do that without your wand, it would be quite an accomplishment. You can't possibly be naive enough to believe it feasible though?

Daynen took a big sip of the warm liquid, afterwards making a sound that showed he was very much enjoying the taste and aroma of the herbs she had used. It was only then when he replied:

- No. But you bringing it to me after watching my vain attempt – that I considered to be quite feasible.

- I doubt you would enjoy the tea as much if it were spilled over your head, mister.

Hermione had made her usual grimace of distaste, but accepted his extended hand nevertheless, taking a seat next to him on the small couch-bench opposite the bed. Daynen's eyes had shifted again towards whatever he was still doing with the guitar, which somehow created a very serene and relaxing atmosphere around the room. Either that or the events during the last couple of days had been a bit too much for her. Indeed the weekend wasn't exactly what she'd had in mind when the idea of coming here had initially been brought up to her attention, but then again... it wasn't a complete disaster either. Especially considering the previous night.