Chapter 9

They returned to the manor by one, and Hermione was very much looking forward to a quick nap in her room. Yet, once more, she was to be disappointed. It seemed that the family believed they needed at least five hours to be made ready for a gala. Well, at least for the females.

And so Hermione was disturbed with a quiet pop just past two that afternoon, she had not even laid down yet, just having finished exploring her suite and talking a bit with her brother. He had come to see if she was okay, and then told her that her suite was next to his and opposite the parents, or, her parent in either case. Her suite was the designated suite for the eldest daughter, meaning it had once been Beatrice's suite as well. Hermione felt warm with that knowledge, it meant she was the official 'daughter' then in a sense. She didn't admit her warm feelings to Euan though, she attempted at all times to maintain the expected decorum.

Hermione looked to where she heard the pop, not surprised to see Pokey standing there and fidgeting with her hands. Hermione nodded tentatively at the elf, which the elf took as permission to address her.

"Young mistress… Mistress is requesting yous presence in her suite –"Hermione frowned at the elf, "why Pokey?"

The elf glanced at the door before answering, "young mistress must be making ready for the gala with mistress…"

Hermione then realised what she meant, so with a nod again, she left the room and proceeded to the double white doors opposite her rooms from the corridor. Hermione knocked tentatively and pushed the doors open only after she was bid enter by her stepmother. Upon entering she was surprised to see the room was decorated in toffee and caramel colours, it was warm and, if not welcoming, at least comfortable. Hermione saw Lucinda standing inside another door, only a silk robe around her body.

Smiling, she addressed Hermione, "welcome to my rooms. Your father's rooms are trough the other door on my left, across from our shared sitting room. But now, we should be getting ready."

Hermione walked inside slowly as she closed the doors behind her again, looking at the other closed door she had indicated while speaking to her. Hermione nodded at her wide-eyed as she came to a standstill next to the vanity table with the myriad of mirrors from every angle. "Isn't it too early stepmother?"

Lucinda still smiled at her, but then shook her head firmly in denial. "No, Hermione. You will see yet, being a lady is exhaustive. And we Fawley ladies have high expectations that we must adhere to. Now, time to buff and exfoliate – Pokey!"

DMHG

Hermione fidgeted as they landed with a pop, her father lets go of her then from where she had side-along with him. Euan had side-along with his mother, she felt them next to her as they all straightened their robes and gowns after the apparition. Hermione looked up at the open gates in front of them, she saw a big letter "M" that was currently split down the middle due to the open gates. A Carriage stood to wait in front of them, and without realising it, Hermione's father took hold of her elbow and led them to climb into the carriage. She frowned in confusion at the fact that the carriage seemed to be charmed to pull itself as there were no horses.

"You will see next year, Hogwarts also have horseless carriages, little sis…" Euan smiled from where he sat across from her next to Lucinda, Hermione frowned in question up at her father, who sat next to her.

He gave a slight smile down at her before answering her unvoiced question. "Thestrals. The carriages are drawn by Thestrals. I won't tell you more daughter, I believe you will go read up on it tomorrow at the Manor library."

Hermione grinned and nodded, "yes, I will father… in Fantastic Beasts perhaps? Or -"

DMHG

The Fawleys were announced formally upon entrance at the ballroom, Hermione blinked in surprise at the pure old-fashionedness of the pure-blood wizarding world. It all came straight out of muggle Victorian aristocracy times. And before she could even step a foot further after being announced, Draco appeared next to her with his smirk.

She returned his smirk with her own adopted one, and then he surprised her further by bowing over her hand and kissing it. She had to stifle a giggle at her friend and instead curtsied back. Lucinda had already grilled her in the wizarding customs the whole afternoon.

She had also informed her that a wizard would bow in greeting to a witch, but would only kiss her hand when he formally acknowledged her as his cohort for the event. And so she expected the hand he placed on her elbow as he led her away from her family and into the throngs of the guest. The whispers followed the young teenagers as they chattered and laughed together, everyone knew she was the newly acknowledged, yet ultimately still, illegitimate, Fawley.

Hermione loved the ball. She loved everything about it, the glamour and the expressiveness. She met Draco's father and mother, she immediately saw that Lucinda and Narcissa were fast friends but also birds of a feather. Both were strictly born and raised in upper pure-blood society, both married their arranged partners and both fulfilled their duty. But Narcissa and Lucius had a certain warmth between them that her father and his wife lacked, she had a feeling they might actually have fallen in love with their arranged spouses at some point. Draco took her on a tour of the Manor and showed her their library, which she naturally didn't want to leave again. But, by then their classmates had found them and dragged Hermione out and away, much to her discontent. Yet, she knew it wasn't the place or the time for her to lock herself in the library, so she allowed them to drag her away in a good sense.

When they were outside on the patio with their friends, Hermione noticed white peacocks strutting around. She studied them for a moment and then started to giggle, the other teenagers turned to look at her frowningly. Hermione calmed down and smirked at Draco, "when I see those white peacocks, I realised of what you and your father remind me off…"

Draco's face morphed to disgust as he realised where she was headed, but before he could stop her she bit it out amidst the laughter of their classmates. "Peacocks! You both strut around like peacocks! No wonder you keep them… your spirit animal Draco?"

Hermione sat smirking at her friend, whom now sat sputtering at a loss for words. But when he did respond, it didn't surprise any of them with what. "Hermione! Wait until I tell my father! He will not be happy with your impression of us."

He folded his arms across his chest to pout sulkily, Hermione then patted his arm in supposed comfort. "If you tell your father then he will take it up with mine… I'm not worried then."

Everyone laughed at them, her words clearly hinting at her father giving her differential treatment and therefore she can do as she pleased. Hermione wouldn't tell them that she actually, in truth, suspected that her father would not have scruples in disciplining her if the need arose. After a while, the young witches went inside to join their female family members as custom dictated. Hermione found Lucinda in a conversation with Narcissa, in an alcove that led from the dancefloor, they didn't notice her approach and Hermione took the moment to study the two stately witches. They were in a serious discussion she saw, both sporting calculating expressions; a shiver ran down her spine. Somehow their combined calculatingly faces gave her cause for alarm.

The witches noticed her finally, and both smiled formally at Hermione as she came to sit with them on the bench. Narcissa, especially, looked at her contemplatively. "Hermione dear girl, Draco speaks very fondly of you."

Hermione smiled at Narcissa, a bit tentatively, what was she supposed to respond to that observation? She glanced covertly at her stepmother, whom only nodded at her approvingly. So, she fixed the smile more firmly in place before facing the blonde witch.

"He is my best friend Mrs. Malfoy, although he can be a tad hard work." She said the last with a small and mischievous smile at the older witch; glad when she saw her chuckling in understanding.

Narcissa then smiled more warmly at her; obviously, she had passed some unvoiced test. "Yes, my son is a bit spoiled…He needs someone with a firm hand, I think… perhaps you two will remain great friends."

Hermione saw the look and affirmative nods between Lucinda and Narcissa; that shiver came again. Yes, they were up to something definitely.

DMHG

The next day was a dead day at Fawley Manor. They had only returned at the early morning hours, around about after two, and it seemed to be the general consensus that everyone sleep in till well into the afternoon. Even Hermione had to admit she welcomed it, as a young girl she wasn't really used to late nights. Her version of a late night was at the most at eleven pm, so she was exhausted that Friday.

She finally appeared for lunch at one, although taking in her family members, she surmised it looked more like breakfast. Her stepmother was dressed in her semi-formal robes and looked every inch the impeccable lady; she didn't look like she had a late night dancing and consuming wine. But Hermione could see the slightly red eyes, indicating perhaps a hangover? She had never seen a hangover, though; her mother never had late nights and never drank more than two glasses of wine. But she was well read, and the kids at school talked a lot, so she knew what went for what. Her father on the other hand obviously adopted a more casual approach at home. He was sitting there in what was obviously his pajamas and dressing robe, reading the Daily Prophet while munching a piece of toast. His hair was mussed and his jaw was unshaven, and his feet sported slippers. She grinned at the sight, feeling more relaxed instantly.

Euan was likewise still in pajamas as well, his curly hair unruly just like hers and standing in all directions. He was stifling a yawn as he was pouring a mug of coffee. Upon her entrance both males smiled at her, Euan laughing at her attire. She was dressed in muggle jeans and a jumper, having decided it would be the safest course of action as she had no idea how the family dressed in daytime and mealtimes in general.

"Well little sis, you're definitely better at the morning after than me and dad. Except for mum of course…" he shot a glance at his mother with a grin before continuing. "I have never seen her dressed in anything less outside of her own room. Dad and I have no idea how she manages it… we have theories, though –"

Euan dropped his voice into an execrated whisper as he looked pointedly at Lucinda, Hermione had to chuckle as she sat down at her place. They were in a small family dining room; the table only seated four, one on each side. She was opposite Euan.

Lucinda scoffed at her son, "manners at the dining table Euan. And it is not appropriate to mock your mother – but do tell, what are your newest theories?"

Hermione almost gasped, this was the most relaxed she had seen Lucinda yet, she was smiling contentedly and looking warmly at her son. Euan instantly launched into a parody of their latest theories with an obvious playful voice tone.

"Well mum… dad was thinking that you most certainly must be an unregistered Metamorphmagus… at least that would explain why you always look so … healthy and beautiful, even with a full hangover." He stopped to wink at Hermione and she watched as her father grinned over the paper while nodding in affirmation. "And I, well my latest is quite simply… you're a vampire mum! Who somehow managed to achieve daytime walking –"

Lucinda laughed then and then blew a playful air kiss at her son before returning her attention to a magazine which Hermione recognised as the Witch's Weekly. After that everyone spends a few minutes eating their breakfast sans lunch, Hermione watched her father, then noticed a frown on his face as he read something. She wasn't surprised when he lowered the paper to speak with them.

"I see Skeeter accosted you yesterday." Hermione glanced at her stepmother, warily noticing that she smiled serenely at the mention before responding politely. "I trust she didn't publish anything unsavoury Xavier?"

Her father then chuckled and lifted the paper once more to continue reading. "Of course not, it is a lovely piece describing your moment of bonding. The picture is quite charming as well."

Hermione heard the veiled sarcasm even as young as she is, yet she knew it wasn't directed at her or Lucinda, merely to the wizarding population at large.

DMHG

The weekend flew by. The Saturday was spent in the company of only her father. He had declared they needed time by themselves. So her Saturday was spent with him at the family company, he gave her an in-depth tour, and then they had lunch together at some restaurant in Diagon Alley. Hermione loved every moment. Her father was a brooding man, yet charming and truly warm towards her. She felt the bond between them strengthening every minute that passed.

The Sunday they floo'd back to Hogwarts early, the return time having already been booked the prior week. So it was that all the students who left for the weekend trudged back tiredly together once more. Some chattering, but in general they were all exhausted. Hermione was next to Draco again, and Euan again lugged her trunk with his free hand while catching up with Alex Parkinson.

That night as everyone was converging in the great hall for dinner, Draco plopped down next to her excitedly. Hermione turned to look at him, noting the malicious smile as he looked at her expectantly.

"Alright, spill it Draco. What did you find out?" She raised her brow at him, waiting for whatever made his world go round now.

Draco took a gulp of his pumpkin juice, obviously trying to let the expectation built. "Gryffindor lost twenty points on Halloween! And Ravenclaw lost ten as well –"

Hermione frowned, excitement budding now inside of her as well. "Potter and Weasley? And who at Ravenclaw?"

Draco smirked, "yes, apparently, they went after the troll that got into the castle! And it was a second year Ravenclaw that was with them, Chang or something I believe…"

Hermione coughed on the piece of roast she had swallowed just as he spoke, tremulous eyes then landed on her friend. "A troll? A troll came into the castle? How did that happen!"

Draco nodded ostentatiously, obviously thoroughly enjoying being the one to impart this scandalous knowledge to her. "Yes, I can't wait to tell my father. He will definitely report this to the rest of the governors."

Hermione frowned in contemplation, letting Draco absorb himself in the regaling of his tale to the rest of their classmates. She had the niggling feeling that something more was going on, and she wanted to know what it was. Her father had confided that he was also on the board of governors, he just didn't advertise it as the Malfoy's did, so she was sure that whatever was going on that the governors didn't know about it. Yes, she had to find out what was happening at school, because her father would definitely want to know if irregularities were happening.

DMHG

Hermione followed the annoying duo after dinner, making sure they didn't realise it. She wasn't surprised when she followed them right to the third-floor corridor entrance. They only stood looking at the door, and within minutes a girl joined them. Hermione deduced from her Ravenclaw attire that she was the Chang girl.

Hermione sidled closer to hear what they were talking about, glad that they didn't whisper. " – so you definitely think it's Professor Snape, Harry?" Hermione frowned at the girl's inquiry, "Yes – his leg was injured that night the troll came in, he definitely tried to go after whatever Professor Dumbledore is guarding in the castle –" Her curiosity now peaked even more, she knew it! " – but Harry mate, why did Professor Quirrell then find the troll first?" She listened in earnest, she didn't like their DADA professor, he was weak, but he also creeped her out. Although, she would never utter any disrespect for a teacher out loud. "I think he knows Snape is after it, I think he is watching Snape himself… Perhaps Snape wanted the troll to get Quirrell –"

Hermione wanted to scoff, was the boy so idiotic? If anyone was after anything in this school illegally, it wouldn't be the Professor that had been teaching here for ten years. It would be the new and unknown teacher with the dubious background. And besides, Professor Snape might be snarky and even blatantly unfair to Gryffindor, but he was an excellent teacher and it was quite obvious that the Headmaster respected him. No, she quite firmly made the logical conclusion that Quirrell should be the one watched…

With another frown she listened as the duo said goodbye to their Ravenclaw friend, she wondered how this friendship had developed but decided it was the least of her interest. After ensuring the duo was far gone she left her hiding place, she gave the closed door a hard long stare before turning around to return to the dungeons.

That night Hermione mulled the thoughts around her mind as she lay in her bed. She would wait before she wrote to her father; first investigate the matter a bit further. She will get Draco involved as he loved spying on the annoying duo, he wouldn't know the full reason as he still tended to talk too much, though. Hermione settled more comfortably in her bed, happy with her plan, she closed her eyes and let herself drift off into a dreamless sleep.