Doe (#Wattys2016)

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Dechuange was waiting for them in the sitting room. Francis ran to him and he lifted her off her feet for a moment in a tight hug.

"Is everything all right?" he asked over her head to the group.

"It's fine," Draco's voice was hollow.

"I came as soon as I heard. I feared the worst when no one showed up."

"So did I," Samantha moved from a chair and met her brothers.

They clasped hands momentarily and then she peaked Draco on the cheek before leaving the room.

"Everyone is fine," Draco repeated. Sitting down on the sofa with a sigh.

"Some one isn't," Dechuange said quietly into Francis' hair.

She shook her head against his chest.

"Just shock and relief, I think," Doe mused, glancing nervously at her sister and then at Draco.

"Also because of how horrible those people were at the pub," Kitty blurted out to Dechuange.

"Kitty," both Tim and Draco warned.

"Tell me," Dechuange purred.

They all settled down. Kitty sat down on the floor in front of Draco, while Doe sat down next to him. Tim took Sam's vacant chair and Dechuange and Francis cuddled on the opposite sofa. They retold the story to Dechuange, everyone except Francis chipped in. The more they talked to him the better they began to feel. Even half-laughing at how awful their introduction to The First Lab had been.

Finally, the story was told and sat in contented silence. Dechuange asked no questions.

"Well I need to get changed," Tim said, standing up and stretching.

"Yes. You all do what you have to," Dechuange nodded, "I can go home."

"No," Francis protested. Her eyes were slightly bloodshot.

"Don't be silly, Dechu," Draco sighed, "I'll only be a moment."

"We could stay here," Kitty offered.

"You've all been through the worst and need to take time out to recover," Dechuange gave them a kind smile.

"You make us feel better," Francis murmured.

"She's right. Stay with her while I get ready," Draco told him, standing up too.

Tim left with a short wave.

"Perhaps we could go for a walk? You look like you need to get out," Dechuange suggested to Francis, "That will give you plenty of time, Draco. If I'm honest you look a little worse for wears."

Draco looked down at his dirty uniform, still soiled with blood and dust. He smiled, "You're right."

"Of course I am," Dechuange nodded, "Take a bath. We'll be over an hour or so."

"Why don't you go for a ride? Take one of my horses," Draco suggested.

Francis smiled at him.

"If that's okay?" Dechuange beamed dazzlingly them all with his pearly smile.

"Go," Draco laughed and left them to it.

Kitty and Doe walked out of the room a moment later. He heard their chatter fade as they walked in the opposite direction.

After Draco's bath, he wandered back downstairs, supposing that as they had not come to his bedroom that Francis and Dechuange must be waiting for him somewhere else. They were not to be found in their usual spots, however. He walked out to the stables and found the two horses still gone. Mentally he shrugged and went back to his room. There he attempted to read but he was feeling restless. A slow hour ticked by and he could not pretend to read any longer, so he knocked on his sister's room.