Good Intentions but Strange Situations

~Chapter 3~

A Day at the Fair

A week had passed since the Merlin Project was put into play, as the duo from the future now called it. The man in question had brought some supplies for the kids but they realised that their food stash would soon run out. Merlin was busy telling them about the facts of life in these times to prepare them for the inevitable venture out into the world. Harry and Ginny had set up a home base in the cave. They liked it there even if the temperature dropped at night, and they didn't fancy trying to get rooms to sleep in from the nearest village as they were sure to give something away. They couldn't stay in an inn either for they didn't have enough money or anything else to trade. Merlin promised they would find something to do to earn their food but he was quite content to pay for them for the time being as he was the one to bring them to that time period so unexpectedly.

Harry was still a bit wary of the old man. He suspected that as soon as he got some proof that they were indeed in the past, he would loosen up a bit more to him. He was friendly enough but the fact that he didn't trust the man could be seen. Ginny seemed to be doing better than she had been upon the revelation that they were stuck in the past; she was soaking in all the information Merlin was doling out and Harry was secretly glad she was there because he would have had no chance of remembering all of it on his own.

The cave was comfortable enough to live in. The pair had clung onto it subconsciously as something stable in their bid to fit into the past. Even their ventures down to the stream to wash didn't last long; they needed to be back in their abode before too long. Ginny had gathered all forms of cloth available: their robes and clothes, the few blankets Mrs. Weasley packed, anything that could make a comfortable bed. Harry in the meantime had gone for a hunt and brought back as much heather as he could carry. Putting the cloth over the springy plant made two good makeshift beds. In one of the back corners, their trunks were stored along with the rations of food.

Dry branches had been brought up to the cave and placed near the entrance along with some more heather to make a fire. The couple were a bit wary at first; the rowan trees still supposedly giving them protection were awfully close to the fire, but Merlin had assured them that the trees were resilient to the flames. Harry had suggested that they not sleep too close to the heat source though. The dry plant they were sleeping on could set alight if a spark were to come into contact with it, and neither of the children knew how to protect the heather from coming on fire. Merlin shook his head when he was asked and told the pair to wait for their lessons.

Despite their attachment to the cave, Harry and Ginny were longing to gain a bit of freedom. They had their clothes; linen undergarments, a sturdy tunic and solid brown boots identical to Merlin's. Harry also had some rough brown trousers to go under the long garment. Harry's cream tunic was similar to the elder man's in the length, whereas Ginny's reached the floor. She had amused Harry greatly in the past few days as she kept tripping over the hem of the material. Both of the friends had the same brown sash as Merlin but around the edges of the clothing was a pale blue trim with the same swirling embroidery. Merlin had also provided a small knife for each of them to be stored down their boots. A nervous apprehension had settled over them upon hearing there were lone bandits operating near unprotected villages and fairs, but they still prepared to wander away from their cave.

Harry was awoken by a stream of light hitting his face. Squinting, he groped around for his glasses. His movements stilled as he heard a moan from the side. Cautiously, so he didn't make much noise, he inched out of his bed until he felt the soft soil of the cave floor beneath him and then stood up. He smiled down at the redhead on her makeshift bed currently frowning at the light that was hitting her. Running a hand through his hair, he pulled on his tunic and boots and made his way past the guard trees and down the slope towards the stream. It looked to be a lovely day.

Splashing water on his face, Harry thought over to what would be happening that day. It would be his and Ginny's first trip into the communal fair a few hours walk away. He grinned at the thought of freedom, but cast a glance at the cave making sure it was still there. The last week had been unbelievable. He was really enjoying his time away from the pressures of life in his time. His grief for Sirius had taken a logical turn as well. He wasn't even alive yet, so why should Harry mourn his death? Sighing at the slightly sour tone his thoughts took, Harry once again dipped his hands in the rippling water and brought them up to his face. The water was refreshing and woke Harry up that bit more.

Ginny was just staring as he reached the cave after his wash. Smiling a greeting, Harry made his way over to the food that was rapidly running out and set some aside for breakfast.

"Morning," he said over his shoulder. Ginny groaned in reply. A thing Harry had discovered about his housemate was that she wasn't an early riser, much like his best friend. The only thing Ron would get up early for was Quidditch. He chuckled at her discomfort.

"Someone turn the sun off," mumbled Ginny as she tried to drift back to sleep.

"Or you could just get your arse out of bed." Harry couldn't resist a small dig, especially when his opponent was half asleep. He heard her mutter something in retort before one of the boots from by her bedside came flying in his direction, aimed surprisingly well at his head. Harry barely missed it as he ducked.

"Not up yet, young Ginevra?" came a new voice from the entrance. Merlin looked at the duo with a grin. "I would have thought you were eager to get going."

"Five more minutes," was the reply.

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The fair was a hive of activity. Stalls were crammed in between the simple wooden buildings, stocked full with vegetables and cheese. People hailed to others that they hadn't seen for a while and gossiped over the latest news. Acrobats and stilt-walkers could be seen about the crowd entertaining the children. Harry was awed at the atmosphere. Everyone seemed so friendly and eager to please.

"Welcome to Knighton Fair!" exclaimed Merlin, spreading his arms and smiling at the picture before him. "Well," he continued in an undertone. "It's a market in reality, but the townsfolk like to imitate the greater settlements by calling it a fair. This size of market only occurs twice a year, in the summer and winter months."

Harry looked around feeling extremely nervous. Everything seemed so different from what he was used to, and even then the Dursleys rarely took him out anywhere when he was younger. He was feeling even more out of place. Ginny, by comparison, was drinking the sight in. Harry cast her a sideways glance and he could tell she was itching to explore the stalls.

"Now, I have some things to acquire myself, so I will leave the both of you to fend for yourselves," said Merlin, almost casually. Harry's eyes widened causing Merlin's smirk to intensify. "I hope you have been paying attention to what I've been telling you, young apprentices. Meet me back here at the end of the day, if you would." He nodded his head in farewell and wandered into the crowd. Harry lost sight of him almost immediately.

"Well, we're done for," Harry moaned. "What are we supposed to do?"

Ginny gave him a scornful look. "What do you mean 'we're done for'? Just because you've not been listening to Merlin, it doesn't mean I haven't." She set off towards the throng. "Come on." Harry reluctantly followed her.

"What do we need?" Ginny asked.

"Food," was the grumpy reply. Harry got a punch on the shoulder.

"Alright, alright." He looked around. "Look, there's a cheese stall there. We need some more of that."

The pair set off towards the vendor not noticing that they were being followed.

Harry soon realised that without Ginny, he would have starved to death before Voldemort got a chance at him. She was a natural at talking to the people behind the stalls and getting enough food to sustain them. All he was useful for was carrying the goods. They had a sack full of cheese, vegetables and bread. They had also obtained a small pot and pan and bits of cutlery. There was also a different bag with a few small animals in it. He couldn't help but grin at the picture of Ginny's face when he had revealed that they would actually have to prepare the meat before cooking it. There were some that were readily prepared though.

Harry was quickly getting used to the different culture, but he still felt like an outsider and was wary of someone sussing them out. However, no one had given them a second glance. Perhaps they could pull this off after all.

"Hey, what's that?" Ginny pointed to a large cart with a red backdrop, which looked remarkably like a simple stage. He mentioned this to her.

"Do you want to go and have a look?" he asked, receiving an enthusiastic nod in reply.

They meandered their way through the thick crowds of people that were building around the platform. There were excited conversations occurring wherever Harry listened. From a few snatches he caught, he assumed that there was some sort of show going on.

He was right with that assumption. Two people blew a couple of horns and announced to the mass that the Travelling Theatre was to perform. There were no props or lights, or any kind of special effects, and the jokes went straight over Harry's head so he wasn't enjoying it that much. It was a new experience though, and Ginny seemed to like it so he was content to stay.

It was a good thing he wasn't paying a lot of attention to the performance, for in his glances around the crowd Harry noticed a hand quickly moving towards the money pouch handing from a portly man's belt nearby. Without thinking, he grabbed the hand and yanked down, sending a slight boy to the ground. People surrounding the scene yelled out to the Market Court, who Harry had learned were like the early days police.

"Let me up, I beg of you, sir," whimpered the lad. Harry looked down at the boy in sympathy. It was obvious he didn't have any money or enough food looking at his slim build and scruffy appearance. Before he could do anything, the kid was hauled to his feet by a burly guard.

"It's off to the gaol for you, lad. Pickpockets and thieves, I'll be having none of that!" They marched through the crowd. Harry could still hear the man berating the boy even when they were quite far away. "Vagabonds and scoundrels..."

The man whose purse Harry had saved from being stolen was wiping his forehead with a large handkerchief. "Oh, my heavens! Thank you, lad." He mumbled something about miscreants needing to be hanged. "Here, take this as a reward." He thrust a few coins into Harry's hand, despite his protests.

When the man had gone on his way, Harry looked towards Ginny and gestured that they should move as well. The surrounding people were whispering and pointing at him excitedly. She nodded in agreement.

"Hermione was right," Ginny said when they had moved away from the noise of the performance and babble of the crowd. "You do have a saving-people thing." She grinned at his sour look.

"That poor kid. I wish I hadn't done that now," said Harry shaking his head. "He was only doing it for a bit to eat."

"Why didn't he take it from one of the stalls then?" asked Ginny.

"Because a vendor's attention is on the people but in a crowd watching a show, everyone is paying attention to that."

"Then why weren't you?" Harry arched an eyebrow. "You didn't like it? I thought it was great! I would have thought you would have paid attention though, seeing as it was about the choices between good and evil."

"Well I didn't understand it. Look, there's the jail." Changing the subject, Harry pointed to a building with bars over the small windows. "I want to apologise to that boy." He set off walking towards it, missing Ginny's look of disbelief.

"Which one do you reckon he's in?" he asked, looking at the line of windows.

Shrugging, Ginny replied, "Look in them all." A few of the cells contained drunkards passed out on the straw bedding in the corner. The last one had the lad that Harry had caught in it. He was stood at the door begging with the guard to let him out. "Please, sir! The stable master will have me lashed if I'm not back afore curfew." Harry heard the man behind the door give a curt laugh and footsteps thudding away.

"Psst!" Harry hissed, carefully not to draw any attention apart from the boy's. The lad looked up from where he had flopped down on the straw. His eyes widened when he saw who was at the window and he shrank back against the wall. "Come here." Harry was unsure of what he was going to say to the boy but he did not like that he seemed to be afraid of him. "I won't hurt you, or anything. My name's Harold, what's yours?" Merlin had told the duo to use the lengthened versions of their names, as they would fit in more in the medieval environment. Harry could see the reason behind this, but seeing as his name wasn't shortened from anything he was using a different variation altogether. A nudge in the ribs reminded him that he wasn't alone. "Oh, and this is Ginevra."

"I... I'm Richard," came the shy response.

Harry racked his brains for something appropriate to say, but he came up with nothing that sounded right. 'Sorry I got you put in jail,' did not cut it in his mind so instead he fished the coins the rotund man had given him out of his pocket and held them through the bars.

"Here, Richard. Take this," he said. The boy looked reluctant to come forward.

"Just drop them," whispered Ginny from beside him.

He complied, but still the boy stayed in the corner of the room. "Erm, well, goodbye then." Harry rubbed the back of his neck nervously, wondering what else to say.

"Bye Richard. Hope you get out before night," Ginny added before grabbing Harry by the arm and leading him away. They heard a muffled 'goodbye' and the clinking of coins and Harry smiled as they made their way to the meet-up point.

"What an eventful day," sighed Ginny as they sat down on a fallen log.

"I quite agree," said Merlin, appearing suddenly. "Well done! You did splendidly at acquiring your wares. I shall have no doubts about letting you out on your own in the future."

"You were following us!" exclaimed Harry indignantly. In reality, he felt quite relieved that Merlin had been looking out for them in case something went wholly wrong but the fact that they hadn't accomplished this on their own was a bit of a downer.

"Think of it as a test; one that you have accomplished marvellously. You may return whenever you wish."

"So what is happening now?" queried Ginny.

"You, my friends, are returning to your abode. I shall meet you there tomorrow after you have broken your fast. Farewell."

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Harry was finding it hard to get to sleep that night. Even though he was exhausted from the busy day at the fair, he couldn't stop his mind from whirling. They were actually in the past. Not just a few hours away either but hundreds of years from their time. Today had proven that. Harry was used to doing things on his own but this was extremely unnerving. He could link it to when he was about five and was at the supermarket with his Aunt Petunia. Dudley, despite his overly large frame, was allowed to ride in the shopping trolley. Harry on the other hand was forced to walk by the side. Unfortunately, there was a large crowd down one of the aisles and Harry had got separated from his aunt and cousin.

Being lost and alone in a strange environment; that was frightening to a five-year-old. This situation he and Ginny were in was that fear amplified, yet they were in a better position to deal with it; and dealing with it they were. Harry felt tremendously proud of Ginny for being able to handle the fair so well when he was on the verge of panic.

Seeking reassurance that things were all right, he looked over to Ginny's bed, but she wasn't there. Startled, Harry frantically scrambled up onto his elbow and fumbled around for his glasses. Shoving them on his nose, he stood up, and looked towards the opening of the cave intent on finding his friend in case she was in any trouble. What he saw at the entrance made him pause. Ginny was sat next to one of the trees, head leaning against it looking so despondent that his heart immediately went out to her. He had thought she was awfully quiet at dinner but hadn't pushed, content for her to talk when she wanted, or needed, to.

Ginny didn't react when he sat down beside her. Both stayed silent, gazing out over the dark wood at the base of the hill. The moon, half full, shone brightly in the sky. The trees stood as guards exuding a silent power over the pair of lost souls sat beneath them. Harry pinched a glance at Ginny.

"You're shivering," he stated, noticing how she was wrapped into herself. He got a shrug in response. Shaking his head, he summoned her blanket from the bed and draped it over her shoulders. "You'll not help yourself if you get ill from the cold."

Once again the pair lapsed into a comfortable silence, broken only by the nightly sounds that reached them from the woodland below.

"Why me?" Ginny asked at length. Harry was brought out of his reverie by the question.

"Hm...?" he shook his head a little and looked at her.

"Why was I chosen to come here? What's so special about me?" Harry tilted his head in thought.

"I don't think I can do this Harry," she continued before he could respond. "The spell must have screwed up somewhere along the line. I can't help save the world."

"Weren't you going to do that beforehand?" queried Harry. "I seem to remember you insisting on coming to the Ministry last June."

Ginny made a frustrated noise. "That was different." She sighed. "You know what I mean, don't you? We've been picked for a specific task, but I don't think I can do it."

"You're not expected to do anything, you know." Harry rubbed his chin in thought. "You can get the training, you can live your life until we get back to our time, you can do whatever you want to. But it's up to you what you do after that. The war doesn't have to be yours to fight. Don't worry about what other people think. Do what you want to."

Ginny rested her head back against the tree and said nothing more. That suited Harry just fine. He needed to think a bit more. A lot of what she had said applied to him as well; he realised that but was reluctant to rejoinder with this because it was obvious Ginny was hurting. Instead he sighed and placed one of his hands upon her shoulder.

"You'll not see them for a while but you will see them again," he told her, in reference to her family. "They're only a few hundred years away, that's all."

Ginny looked up at him and grinned slightly. "Because that will fly by in no time at all. I understand." She rolled her eyes and glanced across the landscape.

"Harry, I'm sorry I'm being a pain about this. Its just... nothing like this has happened to me before. Well, there was the diary, but that was me being in the wrong place at the right time and being a silly little girl." She sighed. "This is..."

"You've been specially picked. I understand what you're getting at," Harry finished for her.

There was a pause for a few minutes.

"I don't think you're being a pain, either," he tried to reassure her. "For what its worth, I'm glad you're here." He smiled shyly.

"Thanks Harry," Ginny said so quietly he almost missed it.

"I reckon you can do it too. And do it well." And as they sat there, gazing across the slightly lighter sky, Harry thought that though it would be hard, and scary, and the greatest challenge he could possibly ever face, he would do it. He would do it because he must.