Journey

Okay, so I was sitting in my midieval studies class, and she was lecturing about knights and lords, peasants and what not, and I started thinking about what a handsome knight Harry would be (swoon) and what a lovely Lord Draco would be (swoon once more)...and so the story just started writing itself.

SOME FACTS AND A DISCLAIMER!!!!! I do NOT own these characters, NO NO NO NO, so please for the love of all that's good in the world, don't sue me. I'm a poor college student. Anyway, that's not the point, there's some stuff I might need to clear up right quick before you guys read...

first off, Harry is older than both Draco and Hermione, that's one big difference.
Second: Harry is a knight, and Draco is the heir to Malfoy Lands
3rd: Harry works for Dumbledore (big surprise there), not for Malfoy...so don't go thinking Draco own's Harry
4th: Ron is also a knight
5th: Because there is no magic (yes, NO magic), I decided to make Hermione Dumbledore's daughter, instead of trying to work her family into it. I'm lazy, so sue me.
6th: If you don't like historical romance, or if you don't like slash, please don't read this then flame me that you hate it. In fac,t just dont' flame me at all if you hate it. Just keep it to yourself, and pray that I live in forever ficdom exile. Okay? For the love of God, don't rant to me because you don't like my work, I don't have the time nor the patience.
7th: Just enjoy. I try not ot get too specific with the details of the time, so that even a non historian (cause I am a history major) could understand. (I'm being condecending on purpose, don't flame me for that either, it's just a joke)

~Stacy

962 a.d.
50 miles north of London

Harry Potter preferred to ride his horse bareback, without his armor, without his guards. His horse, a stallion named Hedgwig, could ride so fast Harry swore he was flying. And that was how he had originally wanted to arrive at his Lord¡¦s estate, that cool spring morning. He had lost track of time, for at least a year he had been farther north, fighting off random barbarian tribes. Not until he received a message dated March 24th, 961 did he realize that he had been gone for so long. He had been traveling non stop for two weeks, as it was of dire importance (so the letter read) that Harry arrive as quickly as possible.

"Deep in thought I see," his friend and fellow knight Ronald Weasley said, riding up close to him. "Worried that the old man will have you marry his daughter" He was teasing Harry, but they both knew that Ron was more likely to get the title of husband than Harry would. She was pretty in a bookish way, but ill tempered and controlling. Not like the lovely ladies of London, who sat docile and listened to the brave warrior stories silent (only making noise when they gasp in surprise). Harry had seen them all, it seemed, yet he had not been satisfied with many of the daughters offered to him. He was one of the most powerful knights around London, and well off with his own estate that was continually growing.

"You shouldn't be so mean to her Ron, she is like a sister you know. Besides, I believe he would bestow that honor onto you before he ever did me."

"Me? Whatever for?"

"You have a rich family name. I am but a humble son of a peasant." Hagringrinned at that. True, his parents had been peasants, but they had died at his h anh and he had been raised by the Lord himself.

"Aye, but Lord Dumbledore has all but named you his heir, which he is bound to do. If anyone was good enough to marry his daughter, then I believe it would be you."

"So it would seem." Harry mused, an idle smile playing on his lips. He stared off into the distance. "But that is not why he calls us. His letter sounded urgent." Just as Harrid tid those words, the large castle came into view. It was a magnificent sight to behold. The height was nearly as large as it's width. It looked down from a hill, across the small village that the lord had found Harry in. Harry let out a breath of air he hadn't known he was holding.

"She stands, are you happy now?" Ron asked, glancing over at Harry's still hard face. If only he smiled every once in a while he would be handsome, Ron thought in passing, girls would make fools of themselves for those emerald eyes and unruly mess of black hair, if only he would smile. And it was true, for Harry, though slightly shorter than Ron, was still lean and nimble (from his use of armor he wore almost constantly). He had strong features; high cheek bones, determined chin, and full chiseled lips. He was as one maid put it, a breathtaking masterpiece put on earth by the good Lord Himself, if only he would smile.

"Aye, she stands, but there is something amiss. Why is there no messenger to greet us at the gates? is is there no guain tin the towers?"

Ron looked to where Harry was pointing and saw that in fact there was no one watching their entrance. "How do you see so well, my Lord?"

"Do not call me that." Harry growled, digging his knees into Hedgwig's side and urging him faster. He could hear Ron's laughter echoing in his ears. The front gate opened to Harry and Ron and would have welcomed his men, if Harry hadn't sent them to the village to see if they needed help. Most of his men grumbled about doing a peasant's work, but not loud enough for Harry to hear. They r crr cross their leader, and the few that had didn't live to see another day.

Off his horse Harry felt wary. His hand automatically went to his belt where his sword was stationed. He didn't like to be so defensive, but all caution was necessary. If the castle had been besieged before he arrived... "Ah! Harry, Ron, I am glad to see you have finally made it."

"We came as fast as we could my Lord." Harry smiled, resting his hands at his sides instead.

"What is all this nonsense about my Lord. You know better than that Harry." As usual the older man was dressed in a weird concoction of an outfit. There were Frankish, Germanic, even Roman influences in the one outfit. Harry hugged himhe che came forward. Pulling away, Ron merely bowed his head in acknowledgement. "I am glad you arrived so quickly boys. I have a rather large problem."

"Do tell. It isn't more Barbarians is it?" Harry asked, being lead over to a small wooden table. As they were seated large mugs of Ale were shoved in front of them.

"It might as well be." Dumbledore's voice was hard, with an edge of bitterness. "The Lord that borders mine, Malfoy, has been allowing his knights to plunder my neighboring villages. Seven children were murdered last week, women have been raped, and when I talked to Lord Malfoy about the actions of his knights, he laughed and did nothing." The old man looked weary, aged. He had changed since Harry had seen him last. "I care about my people, though I know most at my station do not. But there's not much an old man can do. Which is why I need you."

"To talk to Malfoy." Harry's ale was half gone when food was placed in front of him. He hadn't had a freshly cooked meal in ages, and he went to eating with vigor.

"No." Here he paused, taking a long drink of his ale. "He has a son. His only child. Named Draco I believe. No one has ever seen the son, but we do know that he is to be taking whe whence Lord Malfoy dies. It is rumored that the boy his horribly disfigured, which would be the only reasonable explanation of why he has been kept in hiding. He is set to wed Lord Parkinson¡¦s daughter in a year."

Harry took a breath, swallowing his food. "And what can younger Malfoy do that the older one can not?"

"Nothing really, not a thing. Which is why I want you to kidnap him."

Both Ron and Harry choked on their food. "You can not possibly be serious!" Ron cried. He looked as stunned as Harry. Never had they heard Dumbledore plan such an underhanded and sneaky thing "I "I don't want him hurt! You look at me as if I want you to kill the boy. No, I merely want you to take him and hold him until Lord Malfoy will control his men."

"And what if he does not agree? What if he cares naught for his son?"

"He does, trust me lads."
hat hat does this boy look like?" Harry asked, finishing off his ale.

"As I have heard, he is sallow of the skin. Short, sickly possibly. I imagine he has his father¡¦s blonde hair. I believe he is but nineteen. But that is all I know."

Harry nodded, trusting Dumbledore. The man had yet to steer him wrong. "We will take leave in the morning. As of right now I would love a soft bed and a bath."

"Father, you didn't tell me you had guests." The voice came from the open door way. Harry turned his head first, catching sight of a woman he hardly recognized.

"Hermione" Ron asked his mouth slightly gaped. Hushyushy hair was now sleek, falling down her back in waves. She had grown an inch, her body curving in all the right places. Her lips were full, her face soft and smiling, her eyes on Ron. Harry looked at them, trying to suppress his grin. When he looked over at Dumbledore, he noticed the man was smiling.

"Harry?" She rushed over, flinging her arms around his neck. He was ten years older than her, as well as a few inches taller, and she had always seen him more of an older brother than her father¡¦s vassel. "I did not know you were coming home!"

"And I shall be leaving on the morn." He pulled back. "You look quite differen

"Aye, I turn6 th6 the summer you were gone. I will be 17 in a month."

"A beautiful woman." Harry kissed her temple. "And you remember Ronald?"

Bowing her head, one to hide her blush and another to acknowledge him, she lifted herself from Harry's arms. "How do you do?"

"Wonderful." This time Harry couldn't hide his snicker.

"Well if I may be excused, I have an appointment with a bath." Only Dumbledore heard him and smiled once more. When Harry left the room, it seemed quite obvious that Ronald was quite taken with Hermione.

I am so sorry about the weird ! stuff...for some reason it won't load it right. Please don't hate me...I'll try to fix all of it by this afternoon, but i have to get to class R/R? Please?