A Gift

Her short ride around the paddock quickly turned into a 2 hour long self taught lesson. With Dameon being on his best behavior, it was easy for her to slip into his rhythm as he trotted along the fence line. When she finally finished and had rubbed him down, he was gently lipping at her hat. She laughed softly at him, patting his neck affectionatly as she carries the saddle away from his stall.
Once all had been put away, she heads back to the cottage with thoughts of a nice hot bath in her head. She opens the door, stepping inside before pulling the hat off. She notices the quiet in the room and looks around in fear.
\"I hoped you would come back soon enough to join me for lunch.\" He eyes her from his chair, hands clasped in his lap.
Her eyes drift to her feet, sure he will start yelling at her at any moment. \"I thought you didn\'t wish for me to....\"
He holds up a hand, silencing her. \"What you said out there admittedly angered me but you were playing a part, Miss...\" He stops and sighs softly. \"Hermione. I should know all too well the pitfalls of playing a part to the letter. I do it everyday of my life.\"
She looks up, her eyes widening in shock.
He waves her to the couch. \"Please sit and eat. I am sure you are famished by now.\"
She walks over and settles onto the couch, lifting a delicate sandwich to her lips. He watches her closely as she bites into it, her tongue darting out to catch the crumbs from her lips.
\"That will not do.\" He shakes his head. \"I will teach you the table manners you will need as well.\" He lifts a brow at her. \"Can you dance with a partner?\"
\"Dance?\" She nearly spits out her bite. \"I really don\'t know.\"
He nearly laughs at the blush spreading across her cheeks. \"Very well. First lesson, eating.\"

For the next hour he shows her the proper way to eat finger foods and to hold various glasses. They then prosed sed onto table settings and how to remember what each fork was for. By the time she had it mastered, he was becoming very proud of her ability to usr har hands eloquently as any Lady born of pure blood. Evening had fallen and he could see in her eyes how tiring the day had been to her.
He holds out his hand, helping her from the chair as a gentleman would. \"Now for a quick lesson in dancing.\"
\"Are you sure you want to do this?\" She laughs nervously. \"I\'m positive your feet will not thank you for it.\"
He leads her into the livingroom, all of the furniture having been moved against the walls. He taps a small section of wall near the bookcase with his wand and it disappears, showing a muggle stereo system. \"Sabine brought this the last time she was here. She used it to irritate me with her music.\" He picks up a CD and drops it in. He turns back to her and holds out his hands for her to step into. \"I am sure the aches I will feel from your shoes will be worth the effort.\"
\"Alright.\" She says softly as she steps closer to him, letting him wrap one arm around her waist.
It only took a few tries for her to get the basic steps down, a smile of delight lighting up her face. One song bleeds into another, their mutual enjoyment of the moment causing them to forget any sense of time. He smiles as she nearly trips over her skirts, having never changed from her riding habit.
\"Enough for today.\" He bows low to her, happy to see her curtsey inurn.urn. \"I think it would be wise of you to rest now. Tomorrow will be another early day.\"
She gives him another curtsey, her eyes dancing with amusement. \"Good evening, Professor.\"
\"Good evening, Miss Granger.\" He bows to her again as she walks to the stairs and head for her room.