Tale as Old as Time

Chapter 14

After Ron, Harry, and Duncan left the bar they loaded up in the carriage and road into the night. They road in silence for a while but then Duncan went on and on about the castle and it's properties but mostly about the beast. Ron thought he was insane. Duncan was worried bout finding his daughter and Harry was just hoping Ron did nothing stupid to Duncan. Ron can be unpredictable at times. They road in silence even when they went though the woods. When they got to the spot where Duncan's carriage broke   Duncan pulled he reins and the horse halted.

"We are here." Duncan said, which woke them up.

Ron and Harry looked at each other. They didn't see no castle or anything like that at all. They definitely knew he was crazy.

"Where is here Duncan?" Harry asked sincerely.

"The road is blocked. Because there was a path and now it's gone. I know that is where it was. Now it's gone."

"How about we go home and come back in the morning when there is light?" Harry asked.

Duncan liked Harry he was always nice, "We can't! She could be dead by now."

"I would have to agree with Harry. I'm sure if you go home Grania is there and already in bad asleep waiting for you."

"You think I'm crazy. But I'm not. She is in the castle with the Beast."

"Enough!" Ron yelled. "I have had enough about this beast. There is no such thing as a beast. Yes magic yes but no beasts."

"Then why did you volunteer to come with me if you think I'm crazy?" Duncan snapped.

"Because! Because I want to marry your daughter. Why else would I risk my neck and status to help someone like you!?" Ron snapped.

Duncan snapped back, "You will never marry my daughter for as long as I'm alive."

"That can be arranged." Ron and turned and gave Harry a knowing look and then gave an evil smirk to Duncan.

After Draco heard she was awake he waited outside her bedroom door until she was ready to see him. He was so happy and relieved that she was awake. He asked how her condition was and they said she would be fine. He couldn't believe that they were that surprised that he was able to save her. What did they think he was that heartless? He didn't have to think hard about that one before the answer was clear. It didn't help the fact that he grew up being a selfish, arrogant child. He was going to try to change, at least for her in a way. The fact she bled the same color as him really got to him. All his life his father told him that muggles were different and were just filth. They were a waste and should be disposed of. He can't help but feel it well know now that he was wrong. He felt so ashamed.

"She is asking for you." Pansy told him, pulling him out of his thoughts and went back inside the room.

He followed suite and saw Grania laying in the bed looking all sweaty and tired. She sat up a little or at least tried to when Draco came in the room. Draco couldn't help but think her really cute for trying, without her trying. Once he was close enough he took a chair and sat by her side. He waited for everyone to leave the room before he started talking. He looked over at her and saw her there looking at him with tired eyes.

"How are you feeling?" He asked, in a concerned voice.

"Soar, but other than that I am okay. How long have I been out?" She asked weakly.

"Im guessing they already told you." He noted.

"Yeah. . ." She said, admittedly.

"Then why ask?" He questioned.

"Just to break the ice I guess." She suggested.

"Makes sense we didn't have a first good impression on each other." Draco chuckled.

"That's true and they say first impressions are the most important." She pointed out. Draco knew she was right.

"That's true." Draco agreed.

"I wanted to thank you for coming to my rescue and saving my life.. ." She started chuckling, ". . .I guess I was crazy to leave at that time of the night."

Draco chuckled a little bit as well, "Well in a way, it's my fault too. I should have never yelled at you and for that I am sorry."

"Don't worry about it, I'm alive and well." Smiled.

Draco chuckled and smiled back at her, "How about we put this all behind us and start over?"

"I would like that very much." She said with a weak smile.

"Hello, I am Draco, master of this castle." He told her his name because he knew she wouldn't remember him from a year ago.

"Hello sir, I'm Grania." She weakly raised her hand for him to shake.

He saw this and took her hand. Instead of a shake he took it and raised it to his lips and lightly kissed it. Grania giggled but then dropped her hand. She was too weak to keep it up anymore. He could tell she was really tired and was almost falling asleep.

"Well I shall take my leave and come check on you in the morning. Also if you would like, when you're better of course, would you like me to give you a tour of the west wing?" He asked, trying not to sound nervous.

"I would like that very much." She said honestly.

"Well then, good night." He slightly bowed and looked back up at her. He then turned around and left the room.

"Good night." He faintly heard from her but when he turned around he saw she was passed out. He chuckled and left back to his room. When he got back to his room he laid down in his messed up bed. He laid his head down on his pillow and for the first time in years he would have the best night sleep.

The staff listened at the door to what they were talking about and they all looked at each other. They thought they were going to cry. He had never in his life shown such care to anyone not even a muggle. And his mother died when he was too young for him to do anything for her so Grania had to have been the first one. They couldn't believe it. Sure they didn't talk for too long and they understood why. It was too awkward and she was very tired. To them it might not be a hallmark moment but it sure was the start of something new.