A Gift

I know it\'s short and I\'m truly sorry. Looks like my bad luck is still going and i got fired Sat and been sick with the flu since so... But at least this means I have more time on my hands to write now! ::smirks:: Hermione\'s time will be going quicker now. I\'m going to compact it a little so the days aren\'t so strung out. You will still get to see more of Sabine and all that though so bear with me! Thanks to all those that reveiw! You keep me writing!


She sits quietly, chewing her lips as her mind races over what he had just told her. She finds that there really is no choice as her safety relies totally on him. With a soft sigh she finally slides her chair away from the table. \"Sarah? I know you don\'t want to be apart of this but I need an opinion.\"
Sarah slowly appears next to the sink, her eyes turned down to the floor. \"What is it you wish, Hermione? I cannot promihat hat I have to say will be gentle.\"
\"I know.\" She bites her lips again, unsure of where to start. \"You said this is something he and I have to discuss but what I want to know is how Sabine really was. Was she really that horrible to him?\"
\"Yes, she was.\" Sarah looks up at her, ghostly tears in her eyes. \"You have no idea the damage she did to him.\"
\"Then how am I to play her?\" Shekes kes her head. \"It is the safest course, yet I know nothing of her. Not even the slightest inflection of her voice. I would have to see her somehow to be able to copy her.\"
Sarah slightly tilts her head in thought. \"There is a way.\"
Hermione\'s eyes brighten suddenly. \"Of course! Now if I can get him to agree to it.\" She turns and strides out the door after him, quickly placing the hat and veil on before exiting the cottage.

His eyes scan the south pasture, narrowing against the bright sun. It had been years since he had stood in this spot, leaning against a tree he had once climbed as a boy. His hand caresses the bark, remembering how it had torn his clothes and skin when his boyish antics would get out of hand. The sound of soft steps coming towards him breaks him from his thoughts and he turns enough to see her walking towards him. He waits, unsure of what she will say, until she is standing at his elbow.
\"I saw the gardens while we were riding.\" She coughs softly. \"I ws wondering if you would mind walking me through them.\"
\"Of course.\" He stands straighter, giving her his arm.
She walks quietly with him til the reach the first path between the roses. \"I think it would be best if I knew more about Sabine. There is no way I can truly pass myself off as her unless I have seen her demeanor first hand.\"
He stiffens next to her, his eyes going slightly wide. \"Do you know what you are asking?\"
\"YI doI do.\" She looks up and sees the barest hint of emotion leaking through his usualy mask. \"But if you want me to pull this off, I have to know. I only ask for you to show me what you wish to. I won\'t ask for anything too personal.\"
He stops beside a blood red rose, deftly breaking it from the bush. \"Very w\" H\" He hands it to her. \"We will call our differences at a truce for now and work on this matter together. I will have something for you in the morning.\"
She nods to him, her hand closing over his for a moment as she takes the rose as the peace gesture he is offering it. \"Thank you. I hope to live up to your expectations of me in this.\"
He regards her for a moment, his eyes drawing down slightly. \"Do not take this the wrong way, but I do hope for once you do not excel in this with your usual fevor. I am not sure I wish to hate you more than I already do.\"
She stares at him in shock as he turns and walks back towards the cottage.