It all belongs to the wonderful J.K. Rowling!

Hi yall! I want to give a giant hug to my wonderful reviewers. I love you all so much. And I can't wait to see what you think of this chapter. I know some of yall think my chapters are to short, but the thing is I'm a slight profectionist and I go over every thing I write at least four times and boy does that take a while. This chapter written and revised took me seven hours so anyways you see if I make my chapters longer then the time between updates would lengthen considerably. If you'd rather have longer chapters tell me, but I can't promise much on that note. Here is my tenth chapter PLEASE read and review you wonderful people!

Chapter 10: In which there is an Earthquake! and Christmas.

Hermione sleep fogged brain barely registered the fact that her bed was shaking violently. Wait Shaking! An earthquake! She sat up swiftly banging her head against her brother's who was standing over her his large hands bouncing up and down on the bed causing Hermione's 'earthquake'.

"Oww," she squeaked holding her now throbbing head as she swatted Draco's hands away. "What was that for!" she glared at her chuckling brother through slanted eyes.

"Merlin where have you been the last week in a hole. Today's Christmas my dear little sister. Now get up we're due at the manor for brunch. We absolutely cannot be late, Grandfather Malfoy and Grandmum are coming."

"Christmas!" Hermione wailed gripping her sheets tightly, "Today! Draco I haven't gone shopping for-for father or Uncle Severus or your mum or-or you!" Her brother looked confused at her words before his face dawned with understanding.

"Hey calm down. I forgot you're new to this. Wizardring children are not expected to give Christmas gifts until they reach the age of manhood or in your case womanhood except to their friends if they want." Now it was Hermione's turn to look confused.

"But...but why?"

"It's tradition," Draco shrugged, "Symbolic somehow. You'll have to ask father. I'm not quite sure why we do that. Anyways on that Christmas you give all of your immediate relations a gift bought with your own money as a sign of independence so to speak," he paused making sure she understood, "so you see, no need to get so upset." Hermione sighed before closing her eyes in relief.

"Now get up and dressed. Formal robes if you will, whenever father's parents come over it's formal." He started to walk out the double doors before she stopped him.

"Wait, father's parents as in our grandparents." Draco nodded unnecessarily, "What do I wear!" Draco grumbled under his breath loudly before throwing the doors of her wardrobe open with a flourish and riffling through the ample array of colors.. It took him about seven minutes to decide on her outfit after holding up nearly twelve sets of robes before her body. If it was one thing Hermione had learned about her brother it was that he had inherited his mother's eye for wizardring fashion. A much better one than she had. The robes he had selected were a deep blue somewhere between a navy and a royal blue.

"Now your hair," Draco circled his sister with a critical eye after she had changed into the robes. "Have a house elf put it up. See if Severus will let you borrow a jeweled clip of your mother's. I'm sure he has some, particularly one with sapphires and maybe diamonds would do." Draco mused aloud, "Yes and the silver strappy heels should do nicely." Hermione beamed at her brother before she launching herself into his arms. A startled Draco accepted her impromptu hug as his sisters arms tightened around his neck.

"Thanks Draco, you have no idea how much this means to me. Please, please don't leave me." she whispered.

"No worries. I'll be with you the entire time," he reassured her the double meaning behind her words going misunderstood. That was fine with Hermione, she wasn't quite sure why she'd said that last part herself.

"Welcome home," Lucius announced as his children were ushered into the drawing room.

"It's good to be home father," Draco announced jovially. He liked visiting with his Godfather, but their was something about the Manor that made Draco feel slightly empowered.

"Was your stay productive?" He quarried to his only daughter.

"Uncle Severus claims I'm a natural," Hermione smiled hesitantly towards her father, "In fact he says I won't need anymore lessons because there is nothing more he can teach me."

"Really now. That's an impressive accomplishment for so short a time."

"Yes, Uncle Severus says it's in my blood." Her smile grew bolder as she spoke about her Uncle and Lucius felt a pang of jealousy at the bond the two Snapes obviously shared.

"Narcissa should be here soon, she went to welcome your Grandparents. They were flooing in through the receiving room." Lucius' watched as his youngest child's smile began to wane. What had he said?

"Do," she cleared her throat rather nervously, "do you think I look alright? Do you think they'll like me?" She sounded rather anxious her father realized. He cocked his head to the side wondering what to say he rarely ever had to encourage his already overconfident son. Even when he was younger Draco hadn't paused to worry about anything. Hermione was obviously anxious to impress her only living Grandparents favorably. Girls are different that boys. Selena's dying words echoed through his memory as he racked his brain for something to say.

"I'm sure things will go over well." Hermione nodded though she didn't look properly encouraged so Lucius tried once more to placate the newest member of his family, "You look lovely by the way." Hermione felt the sincerity in her father's voice and it eased her nerves somewhat. Obviously that was the correct thing to say as Lucius watched her muscles relax.

"Thank you, Draco picked out my robes," she blushed before Draco elbowed her sharply. She elbowed him back playfully grinning.

"Indulging in your feminine side son?" Lucius let out a laugh as his son scowled halfheartedly. They were interrupted by the arrival of Narcissa and their guests.

"Father, It is good to see you again," the two elder malfoy men shook hands solemnly before Lucius turned to welcome the woman beside him, "mother it has been too long," he smiled gently at the older woman before kissing her cheek. He obviously cared for this petite woman "Now I believe introductions are in order." He stepped aside so that Hermione was in plain view.

"Father, mother this is my daughter Accalia Gwen Hermione Snape Malfoy. Hermione these are your Grandparents Roderick and Lenora Malfoy." Hermione gave a small curtsy as she had been taught and tried not to shrink under the silent scrutiny of her Grandfather. He was a broad man more so than his sons elegant form and despite his age health seemed to vibrate from his mere presence. He was powerful man much like her father Hermione realized. His hair had obviously once been the signature blonde of the Malfoys, but now it was a snow white cropped short unlike Lucius' long locks. She thought she remembered reading somewhere that long hair was a sign of the head of a family.

Lenora was the only person in the room with a shock of dark hair. The color was a brilliant chestnut not a streak of grey to be seen despite her age. She had aged well, the only sign of her mounting years was the small creases in her forehead and around her hazel eyes and the laugh lines that were etched around her wide mouth. Her hands also showed her age they were withered slightly and the joints were more prominent than they had been in her youth. She was the first to speak.

"She's beautiful, Lucius," Hermione couldn't keep the pink blush from tinging her face though she did cut her eyes towards the floor hoping to hide her coloring cheeks. Lenora would have none of it as she embraced the young woman tightly, "I'm so glad to meet you darling. I've always wanted a granddaughter, and I was thinking my son here would never give me one. But here you are," the woman pulled back to look at her holding Hermione at arms length, "all grown up. How I wish I hadn't missed it." Her eyes were fogged with tears as she wiped the corners with a handkerchief.

"Oh look what you've done to me you darling girl. I've fallen in love with you already." Hermione felt her eyes burn at her words, but she didn't cry.

"Please, please don't cry Grandmum," she pleaded already feeling a strong connection with this woman who had accepted her so readily. As soon as the words had passed her lips Lenora let out a strangled cry and locked the girl in another hug.

"Nora you mustn't be selfish let me take a look at our granddaughter as well." The sniffling Lenora released the young woman and stepped behind her husband with a huge smile still directed towards Hermione.

"How are her grades Lucius?" Roderick asked studying her critically.

"She's top of her class," Lucius looked decidedly serious to his father's face, but when Roderick turned once more to face Hermione. Lucius rolled his eyes dramatically. Seeing that his daughter had caught his expression he smirked roguishly and sent her playful wink. Draco's eyes widened as he watched his father drop his so carefully guarded facade and wink at his sister. Hermione giggled causing her Grandfather to look at her sharply she jolted at his gaze and her smile dropped. Draco closed his eyes a smile tinging his lips it had been so long since his father joked with anyone. Not since Voldemort's return and Draco had missed his father's playful moods.

"Do you find something amusing Accaila?" Roderick asked. Hermione thought swiftly racking her brain for what might be the correct response to pacify her Grandfather. Okay what had she learned so far about him. He liked to be in control, um he enjoyed the art of intimidation, Lenora was submissive to a degree, he wanted to be respected, he was...bored? Hermione nearly mirrored her father's smirk as she realized Roderick's blank face was not entirely impassive. She was boring him. Time to wake Grandfather up, she thought.

"I find your interview of me terribly funny Grandfather. But to save time I have a resume somewhere. I could fetch it for you if you'd like. Then you may see if I am acceptable enough to be your Granddaughter." For a moment Hermione thought he was going to hex her, but suddenly his face broke into a grin and he let out a short bark of laughter.

"I'll give you one thing son this girl of yours has spunk. What nerve. If I had known your children would have turned out like this, I would have let you marry that Snape girl Lucius. She does have your magical signature does she not?"

"Fortunately," Lucius nodded. That last part went right over her head, but Hermione refused to let that show. Cataloging that away for future questions.

"Scuse Trolly mistress, but brunch is being served." A house elf announced to the group. Hermione heaved a sigh of relief, she had passed her first test it seemed.

Well what do you think?