Sanctuary
Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognize. This is for fun only, please don't sue.
Author notes: The story is AU, has OCs and some OOC.
Chapter 3: A bid for FreedomThere was knock on the wooden door. It was Sister Francis and she was carrying a lantern. "We will need to be quite and you will have to follow me out of the grounds", she advised as she handed them two warm coats. "There is still a chill in the air tonight and we are likely to have a frost even though it is early summer".
After traversing the guesthouse cloister and then the passageways through to the nave of a church Sister Francis advised them to raise their hoods and that she was going to shutter the lantern. "Hold onto my shoulder and walk in a single file please. Remember to be quite as possible. The pathway is very narrow and there are many gravestones which you could trip over", she advised before tucking her veil into her cloak and raising her own hood. Opening a side door of the church Sister Francis slipped out leading the two Blacks out in to the pitch darkness of the night.
The walk seemed to take ages for Draco. He could feel the damp chill of the night on the long grass that Sister Francis has navigated them through. Suddenly a dim light signaled that their next guide was waiting for them. From the red lantern light of the next guide had briefly let Draco observe that the hooded figure was standing next to a very high stone wall which seemed to enclose the graveyard and the grounds of the convent.
"Blessings on your Journey. May God, Our Lady and St Christopher keep and protect you on your travels", said Sister Francis as she transferred Narcissa's hand from her shoulder to that of the next guide. As Draco passed the Sister she whispered "Look after your mother child she needs your care", before tapping him on the shoulder.
The next guide walked them along the stone wall until they reached a lynch gate. Staying against the side wall in the shadows the guide stopped to observe the roadway of the village on the other side of the village. With a whispered "Come" the hooded female quickly lead them away through the back streets of the village until they reached a wooded ruff. After stepping into the shadows of the tall trees the woman called softly for Daisy.
In the shadow of the large trees there was a soft pop and a house elf stepped into the red light of the beacon lantern. "Yes miss" the hooded and robed elf asked.
"We need to take these two to the Domina's study she is waiting for us", advised the guide before the elf took the hands of the three of them together. Using elf magic the elf appirated them into a warm cosy looking study. There was a fire and it looked like a tea tray sitting on the coffee table waiting for them.
"Well, take your cloaks off and sit down. Daisy will put them into your rooms", advised as the guide as she took off her own cloak to throw it over the back of a wing backed chair that was to the side of the fire.
"I suppose I must say welcome Aunt and cousin and this is were you will stay for the summer. I am Nymphadora Tonks. The Domina will be here shortly and you must remember Draco you that she is providing Sanctuary to you both in this her private home. You will learn secrets here in this house which you can never reveal," advised the metamorphmagus witch.
"Are you Andie's daughter?" inquired Narcissa ethusiastically as she looked over the young woman whose hair had changed from black to vibrant hot pink.
"Yes and Mum would like to see you at some stage at one of the meeting of the Spears of Scathach", the young auror advised her aunt.
Out of a shadowed bookcase came a woman in Muggle clothing and a dark robe. "Welcome to the Phoenix Nest, my your stay be pleasant and I offer the safety of my home to you Madam Black and Lord Black", said a softly spoken woman with wild untamed curly hair.
"You may call me Mia or Hermione. Please sit and let us have a supper before I get you settled into your accommodation", their hostess advised.
"Thank you Hermione for allowing us to stay here", replied Narcissa while her son looked absolutely gobsmacked that the muggleborn know it all, Hermione Granger, the Griffyndore Princess was opening her home to them.
Hermione led Draco to the settee and got him to sit down while Tonks laughed at his shocked expression.
It was over tea that Hermione explained that the estate was warded and secret kept. Only those who access to specific rooms could appirate or floo into the Phoenix Nest without the use of elf magic. All owls were directed to a forwarding agent who checked the messages for curses and poisons. All outward bound post would be checked to ensure that there was no disclosure of pertinent information of the Spears of Scathach. "I will ask you now to make a wand oath not to disclose the estate and house, the Order of Phoenix, the Spears of Scathach, the sanctuary sisters or my personal life. There are two options: take the wand oath or you obliviated and released to make your own way" requested the mahogany haired witch who had the steel of command in her quiet cold voice.
The Blacks readily agreed to wand oaths that were taken in the bonding presence of Tonks. After a pleasant and calm supper Tonks left the house while Hermione lead her guests to a suite on the second floor the house.
"Lilac" she called and a small house elf who was dressed in a neat uniform appeared.
"This is Lilac and she will be looking after you and the others who stay in this wing of the house. Please remember that the elves in this house follow standard hours and are off from 10pm. Lilac will wake you at 7am and bring you down to breakfast at 8am. I wish you good night", advised the quiet witch before the house elf took over showing the guests to their specific bedrooms in the suite. With the assistance of the elf their bags were enlarged and the clothing was packed away in the individual armoires while the pair bathed before retiring to bed.