Disclaimer: In case you didn't already know this, it all belongs to JKR (hence fan-fiction)
Chapter 6: "Well done Harry." I smile, "the wards have accepted you". As I say this the gate opens and we walk up the path towards the Manor. I look up towards the big oak door, hopefully Harry can heal here.
As we mount the steps towards the house I marvel in its beauty. We eventually reach the top and I stare. The floor is marble and the double doors gleam in the sunlight. Both doors open as if to invite you in. I step in front of them and notice the hallway is colossal, a mirror adorns the wall and by looking the wall hangings it is obvious the house was clearly decorated expensively. I notice Severus taking his shoes off and I hurriedly do the same. When I place them on the rack them disappear. This reminds me how much I love magic. I suddenly I hear a loud pop to my left. A house-elf appears and bows to Severus.
"I welcomes you Master Severus Sir, it has been many years since I is seeing you."
"Harry, this is Rani. She is my personal house-elf. She has no specific job. You will see more elves around as I am not sure exactly how many work here..."
At this Rani interrupts, much to the disbelief of Harry. Weren't house-elves afraid of interrupting their Master? "Sir there is being twenty elves cleaning, seven elves cooking, four elves serving and eighteen elves gardening. This means there is being fifty elves here Sirs, including myself."
Severus laughs. "I see you haven't changed Rani! Harry, this is Rani, she is very loyal but isn't scared of any Master. She won't worry about interrupting me and is one of my best elves. She has served me since I was a young child. Thank you for the information Rani." He smiles at me before looking back to the elf.
"So Rani, this is Harry. He will be staying here for a few weeks; you are to treat him as you treat me. Show him to one of the rooms on the same corridor as mine, perhaps the one at the end?"
"Rani thinks young Master Harry should be having the room opposite Master Severus; with young Master Harry will be much happier in room suitable for a young boy, rather than a guest room. I believe that room was yours once Master? I will go and prepare Master Harry's room at once. Will Sirs be wanting dinner?" At Severus' nod of approval Rani disappears from view.
Severus gently steers me up the remaining stairs and through the enormous oak front door. When we enter I look around. We are standing in the hallway, though I use the term loosely for the size of the room is bigger than most sitting rooms.
"Shall I give you the tour?" Severus asks. I nod, too eager to speak – this is almost as exciting as seeing the Castle for the first time!
Severus leads me along a never-ending corridor. When we finally reach the end I see an enormous staircase. The banister is long and oak making the room look particularly grand. The carpet is luxurious; my feet sink in to it making it extraordinarily comfortable. Severus begins to talk again so I take notice to listen carefully, knowing from lessons he does not like to repeat himself.
"On this floor you can find a large sitting room, a parlour in which there is a floo connection, a lounge for relaxing, the kitchen, which I do not expect to find you in, if you need anything you can call one of the house elves. Also, I will expect you in the dining room for each meal. You will get a warning about 15 minutes before to give you time to get ready. I do not tolerate tardiness, I expect punctuality."
At this he carries on up the staircase I notice the pictures on the wall; all showing elegant, refined people. From the graceful walk and poised stance I can undoubtedly tell they are Severus' ancestors. They each look at me with curiosity; some even question my presence aloud; what is my business in Prince Manor. Severus ignores them. When he pauses at the upstairs hallway at the top of the stairs I nearly collide in to him.
"This is the highest floor you will be going. This floor contains the library," at this he gestures to a door on his left, where I can see shelves piled high with books. That would need to be explored at some point. As if he could read my thoughts Severus smirks. "Don't think you will be getting up to any mischief in there; any visits I will supervise. That library is worth a small fortune! This," he indicates a door on his right, "is my study". He continues down a bit further and points out a closed door. "This is my room, which you are not to enter without either a good reason or my consent". He waits for me to nod before carrying on. Then he stops. "This will be your room". He opens the door and my mouth drops open in surprise.
The walls are decorated in an ocean blue and there is a bay window opposite the door which I can just about see has a view of the vast land behind the manor. I walk through the door and notice the four poster bed; the drapes are velvet, coloured in a midnight blue. The bed looks so inviting. There is a desk in the corner and next to it, my trunk. I turn around speechless.
"Thank you so much Sir, this is the best room ever!" he smiles at me, a genuine smile. "It's alright, but please remember that it is Severus now Harry."
