Hermione yawned as she poured herself a cup of coffee. She had stayed up late the night before, making lists of everything she needed to do in the upcoming week before the wedding. She had also spent a long time on the phone with her parents, trying her best to explain what was happening. They weren't happy, to say the least, especially since she waited so long to tell them. She was worried this was going to ruin their relationship, but in the end, they said they understood and would be there for her on her wedding, even if it wasn't to someone she loved.
As she poured some of her favorite hazelnut flavored creamer into the coffee, an eagle owl swooped in and landed neatly on her table.
"Oh? And who might you be?" she asked. She knew it wasn't a regular post owl, since those were mostly barn or tawny owls. She noticed that it had a collar on of sorts and saw the Malfoy crest on it. She untied the note from his leg and ran a finger along his head towards his collar. She flipped it over and saw that it had a name on it.
"Artemis," she said softly. Then she looked at the bird and smiled, "Well, nice to meet you, Artemis. Did Malfoy send you?"
The owl hooted and ruffled his feathers. She got out a bowl of water and placed it next to him before finally opening up the letter:
Your presence is requested at dinner tonight. I can give you a tour of the manor and you can choose your room so we can prepare for it for when you move in. Dinner is usually at 6, but we both know you won't leave the office until after that, so we can make it 7.
Send your response with Artemis.
-D.M.
P.S. You can floo directly to the manor. I have changed the wards to allow you in.
After reading the letter, Hermione got out a piece of parchment she kept in one of her kitchen drawers and responded:
Dinner at 7 sounds fine. I'll try and be there by 6:30. I'll floo directly from work.
-Hermione
P.S. Thank you for the sandwich yesterday, it's actually one of my favorites.
She tied the note to Artemis and watched from the window as he flew off. She drank the rest of her coffee then got ready for her day.
At six o'clock that evening, the alarm charm she set on her wand went off. She was buried in paperwork and was thankful she actually remembered to set it, or else she would have been there for at least another hour before she remembered she had plans. Her office door was already shut, so she cast a locking charm on it so she could change out of her work clothes. She was sure what she wore to work would have been fine for dinner at Malfoy's; a light blue button down top with a navy blue pencil skirt; but she wanted to wear something a little less office-y. She rummaged in her bag and pulled out the simple knee-length dress. It was in her favorite color, purple, and while it was just one solid color, she always felt very pretty and confident in it. She needed all the confidence she could get tonight if she was going to the manor. She hadn't been there since before the war ended, and what she remembered was not all that pleasant. Plus, she was going to meet Mrs. Malfoy, and for some reason, the thought of that terrified her. So, she put on her favorite, confidence-boosting dress. She re-applied the little make-up she usually tossed on in the mornings; mascara and lip gloss, then ran her fingers through her hair. She charmed the back of the door to act like a full length mirror. She deemed herself acceptable, grabbed her bag, and walked out towards the atrium where all the floo's were located.
As she stepped up to one of the many fireplaces, she chided herself about how she shouldn't be nervous. It was just dinner… with her future husband and mother-in-law. No, not awkward at all. After a few calming breaths, she stepped into the hearth, closed her eyes, and said, "Malfoy Manor," before tossing the floo powder at her feet and whirling away to her destination.
She didn't open them again until she felt her feet plant firmly on the ground. She opened her eyes and stepped out of the huge fireplace, which was so tall that she didn't even have to bend over to step out of.
She brushed herself off absently and looked around the great sitting room. It seemed lighter then she remembered, like maybe it had been painted, and the windows were open to let in the last of the day's light. She looked in front of her and was surprised to see that there was a large couch not more than five feet from her, with Draco sitting on it, a book opened in his hands, though his eyes were on her. She gave him a small smile and walked over, "Hi."
"Evening, Granger," he took out his pocket watch and glanced at the time before quirking an eyebrow at her, "You're early. Didn't expect you for at least another five or ten minutes."
"I put an alarm charm on my wand so I would make sure to stop working in time. Glad I did too because I was really immersed into some paperwork I got this afternoon and I hadn't set a timer I-"
"Rambling again," he said, closing the book and setting it next to him.
Hermione chuckled, "You're the only one that calls me out on it. Everyone else just lets me talk."
"Does it annoy you when I do that?" he asked, standing up and facing her.
"Surprisingly, no," she looked nervously around the room, her mind trying to place if she'd been in here before.
He watched her and knew what she was thinking, "Don't worry, it's not the same room. That one has been sealed off and locked. Has been since after the war. Not before stripping it of all dark magic, of course."
He motioned for her to follow him as he walked out of the room.
"You like... nice," he said, conversationally, though she felt like it was particularly hard for him to pay her a compliment since all he was used to doing was the opposite during their whole time at Hogwarts.
Knowing he was trying, she gave him a small smile, "Thank you." Then she looked him up and down and said, "You like nice tonight too, Malfoy," she said cooly.
"Well, naturally," he said smugly, turning to grin at her. She shook her head in amazement which caused him to frown slightly, "What?"
"You're just… different. A good different, but different. You don't sneer nearly as often as you used too."
He rolled his eyes sarcastically, "I can sneer at you if you want."
"No, that's quite alright. I much prefer this new Draco than the old one."
Draco's lips tugged at the sides at the use of his name. He led them towards the front doors where they boasted a huge entryway that led to a set of grand staircases on either side. He started walking up the right side as he began talking, "At the top of the stairs are two wings, the east and west. My mother currently has a room on the east wing, the very last one on the left. All the others are empty. At the top of these stairs here," he said, as they reached the landing, "Is the entry to the manor's library."
Her eyes widened in surprise, "You have your own library?"
Draco shrugged nonchalantly, "Of course. You'll be welcome to use it anytime you wish. There are a few comfortable arm chairs and a sofa or two throughout, as well as a fireplace and a balcony for your reading pleasures."
She wanted to stop in and take a look, but he gripped her elbow and tugged her along while he kept talking, "The west wing is essentially mine, since I'm the only one that uses it. My room is the last on the right . There are four others on this side, but one in particular I think you'd like best of all."
They walked down the hall and passed a few rooms until they reached the end. He opened the door that was across the hall from his own.
She knew exactly why he thought this room would suit her. It had two huge bay windows that nearly touched the extended ceiling, with a bench seat beneath them; perfect for reading or to just simply daydream. The walls were white in color and the only things in the room were a gigantic bed, a desk, and an armoire twice the size of normal ones. There was also a small door to the left at the end of the room and Hermione gaped as she walked into a massive bathroom, complete with sunken clawfoot tub, walk-in shower, porcelain sink, and a vanity.
She walked back out of the bathroom, her mouth still agape, "This room is gorgeous."
"It's yours then," he said with a decisive nod.
She bit her lip, "You don't care that it's directly next across from yours? If you want more privacy, I can get one of the other ones in the other wing-"
"It's fine," he said simply and with a shrug.
She nodded then looked around the room, "I guess I should start packing my things soon, huh?"
Draco nodded, "You can bring things over any time you want now that you have floo access, or you can call upon one of the house elves to help you transfer things from your place to here. Millie!"
"Oh you don't need too-"
A loud CRACK resonated through the room and a house elf, dressed in what looked like a brand new green pillowcase with the Malfoy crest in silver, appeared before them. She bowed slightly before looking between Draco and Hermione, "Master Draco called for Millie, sir?" she squeaked.
"Yes, Millie, thank you. This is-"
"Ooh! Millie knows who this is, she does! You're to be Master Draco's Miss!"
Hermione smiled awkwardly towards the little elf, "Yes, that's right, but-"
"Millie can get you anything you like, Miss!" she squeaked happily.
"Thank you Millie," said Draco, "Miss er, Hermione is not quite ready to move into the manor yet, but she's going to start packing her things and she'll need someone to help her get them here," he said.
Millie's eyes widened, "Oh! Millie would be happy to help! Oh yes, Millie would!" She looked to Hermione with wide, excited eyes. Hermione knew if she told the little elf that she didn't need help that she'd break her heart. So, she smiled and said, "I'd be honored to have you help me, Millie. I'll call for you when I need assistance, ok?"
Millie squealed and jumped up and down before hugging Hermione's leg.
"Alright Millie," said Draco, a small smile forming on his lips, "Can you please find Mother and tell her that we'll be down for dinner soon. I just need to finish the rest of the house tour first."
Millie nodded, "Yes, Master Draco." She gave another small bow then disappeared from the room.
Hermione looked to Draco, "She seems very….energetic."
Draco grinned slightly and nodded as he led her down the hall towards the staircases again. He saw her look longingly towards the library and he rolled his eyes, "If I let you go in there now, you'll never emerge. After dinner I promise you can check it out, ok?"
Hermione blushed, knowing that what he said was true. She smiled and said, "Ok," as they walked down the steps.
"On the main floor is the entry way and the parlor, which is where you entered from. The dining room, kitchen, and two studies are down here as well on the west side. On the east side is where we hold our banquets that we host. There are a few bathrooms down here as well. We have a basement, which is where the house elves sleep and there is also a room down there that I use as my lab. We can store your belongings there from your flat if you wish as well."
He led her towards a set of double doors, "The garden is through here. Mother planted so many different kinds of flowers after the war that it seems like a botanical garden now. If you follow the path a ways, you'll find the pool, which is heated to the perfect temperature so you can use it year round."
Hermione took in all the pretty colors and scents as they walked through the different types of flowers. She looked ahead and what she saw made her gasp. She walked quickly towards the towering tree, which was in full bloom of cherry blossoms.
"I can't believe you have a cherry blossom tree. It's so pretty!" she said, standing under it. She looked around in amazement. Draco walked towards her, his hands in his pockets. He could just see her mind ticking away.
She glanced at him and nibbled her bottom lip.
"Let me guess… you would like to have the location of the wedding to here now?" he asked.
Hermione nodded, looking back towards the tree, which was swaying slightly in the light wind. "I just love this. You don't find many of these types of trees just anywhere. I've only ever seen pictures of them and always wanted to see it in person." She glanced at him again, "Would it be alright? Having it here? Could… could my parents come?"
"I don't see why not," he said with an indifferent shrug.
Hermione nodded then looked back at the tree once more.
Draco took out his pocket watch and checked the time, "We should head back in. Dinner will be ready in just a few moments."
"Ok," she said walking back towards him. He led her towards to the house towards different set of double doors, which were already opened. A tall, blond woman was standing there, looking at them coolly, waiting for them to join her.
Thanks again to all the reviews/favorites/follows! Please continue to do so! ~HufflepuffMommy
