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Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, but I'll live.
Now - a new friend, a new experience
Chapter 28
Hermione felt like her skull was being squeezed from the inside and something furry had died in her mouth. She lifted her head to see that she was on the sofa in the drawing room of Grimmauld Place, lying across the Malfoys, who were asleep at either end of the sofa. Her head rested in Draco's lap, while her legs were draped across Lucius. Looking around, she saw Severus asleep in a chair, Ron sprawled out on the floor, and Harry hanging off another sofa. Hermione tried to sit up, but the room spun.
"Kreacher," Hermione managed to whisper. The old elf popped into the room. Even his Apparition sounded way too loud, and Hermione winced.
"Yes Missy to be Lady Malfoy, bride to the last son…"
"Stop," Hermione interrupted, holding up her hand and pressing the other to her throbbing temple. "Don't say anything. I need a dose of Hangover potion immediately – and water. Also, the others will need the same as soon as they wake."
Hermione again winced at the soft pop of the elf leaving. He was back soon, but Hermione did not mind the noise of his coming, because this time, he had the potion she needed. She greedily took it and gulped the unpleasant potion down, chasing it with water. It worked very quickly. By the time Hermione had drained the large glass of water, she could open her eyes comfortably.
The others started to stir and either Hermione or Kreacher plied them with Hangover potion and water.
"I can't believe we drank so much," Harry groaned, waiting for the potion to work. Ron seemed to grunt in agreement.
"What time is it?" Draco asked, covering his eyes against the light.
"Eleven," Hermione replied. "We have to meet the chef at noon. Madame Selwyn owled his address. We can Floo over."
"I don't even want to think about food," Lucius complained as he drained the potion bottle.
"Give it a minute and you'll be right as rain," Hermione soothed. Only the stoic Severus suffered his hangover quietly until the potion kicked in. "I am going to go upstairs and get cleaned up. I suggest you two Floo home and do the same – there isn't much time."
Hermione walked off to the sound of grumbles. By the time she got to her room, she felt no ill effects of having drunk all night. It was times like this and access to potions like that that made Hermione especially thankful to be a witch.
Showering in her regular bathroom at Grimmauld Place, made Hermione miss her fancy bathroom at the Manor. She scolded herself for being spoiled already. She even missed the pretty French soap. Hermione shook her head at herself. She had been perfectly happy with her accommodations at Grimmauld Place before visiting the Manor. She would have to be vigilant to ensure she did not become spoiled and complacent, as she was sure Lucius and Draco would actively work to ensure the opposite.
Hermione wrapped a towel around herself and performed the progressive drying charms Freda had showed her. It really worked well to keep her hair sleek and shiny, rather than frizzy. She picked out a lightweight grey dress with small polka dots and a deep v-neck. As an experiment, Hermione imagined her amulet morphing from a silver and gold bracelet into a long silver necklace – just the right length to be centered in the deep v of her dress. Just as she thought it would, the amulet slid up Hermione's arm and wrapped itself around her neck – adjusting to exactly what she pictured.
Hermione picked out a pair of black Gucci heels she got when shopping with Lucius and Draco. They were very high and had a thick strap that buckled around her ankle. Hermione smiled at her new shoe collection. She was glad she had charmed all these sky-high heels to feel comfortable and keep her from stumbling in them. Now that she had started wearing shoes like this, she was not sure she could stop, especially since it got her closer to the Malfoy's eye level – not equal of course, but closer. Hermione grabbed her large black purse and transferred her necessities before she made her way downstairs to the kitchen.
Ron and Harry were in the kitchen, eating an incredibly full breakfast. Neither had changed their clothes, still wearing their rumpled fancy robes. Kreacher offered Hermione tea, which she gratefully accepted.
"All right then?" Ron asked between bites.
"No problems," Hermione smiled, sipping her tea. "You?"
"Thank Merlin for Hangover potion," Harry grinned. "No breakfast, 'Mione?"
"Thanks, no," she replied. "We are supposed to go taste options for the wedding dinner. I imagine we will be eating a good deal. I think after the lunch, I will take the Malfoys shopping for electronics."
"More Muggle shopping?" Ron laughed. He seemed to be relishing that the Malfoys had to step so far outside of their comfort zone.
"If I am going to have a Muggle room in the Manor, I'll need to outfit it with a telly, stereo, and computer," Hermione said. "It shouldn't take too long. What are you guys doing this evening?"
"Fred and George are having a bit of a party tonight at their flat," Harry informed her, "Around eight o'clock."
"On a Monday night?" Hermione wondered aloud at the twin's judgment.
"They close the shop on Tuesdays, since they are open all weekend," Ron explained. "Most of the DA will be there and lots of folks from Hogwarts. You should come, if you are free."
"I think I will," Hermione nodded. "I haven't hung out with the whole gang in a while. Those treaty negotiations took so much time, and this time next week I'll be off on honeymoon."
"You should come," Harry nodded.
"I will," Hermione said, setting down her teacup. "I better Floo over to see the chef. I am getting hungry."
Ron and Harry said their goodbyes and Hermione stepped through the Floo, loudly and clearly stating her destination. She entered a nice foyer and saw her fiancés already waiting. The Malfoys each greeted her with a kiss. Draco not so surreptitiously looked down her dress, while Lucius gave her rear end a very subtle squeeze. Hermione wondered when they would stop behaving like horny teenagers and hoped it would not be anytime soon.
"Hullo! You must be Miss Granger and the Malfoys," said a very large, burly, bearded young wizard with sandy blond hair. He shook hands with all present. "I am Alfred Claymore – feel free to call me Alfie. It is nice to finally meet you all. Madame Selwyn has told me so much about you all. Please, come inside!"
Hermione immediately liked this big friendly chef and followed him into a large, industrial kitchen.
"Sit right here, Miss Granger." Alfie pulled out a chair at a nice solid wood table.
"Please, call me Hermione."
"As you wish." Alfie smiled and winked. "Gentlemen, please sit and let me tell you what I have planned for your wedding."
Alfie explained that he planned on eight to ten passed appetizers followed by the traditional ten-course meal that Lucius wanted. There would be food popular in Muggle Britain, like Hermione wanted. Five of the ten courses would have two options. Guests would be able to tap the menu with their wands when they were seated, to make their selections. Lucius liked having options, especially for people that did not want to experiment with Muggle food.
"The Muggle touches are not too overbearing," Alfie explained. "Some of the most popular food in Muggle London right now is international, so I've incorporated Asian and Indian cuisine. I have also included some popular Muggle food as ingredients, like in the Guinness-braised short ribs. To start though, I've got twelve appetizer samples with a goal of choosing eight to ten."
Alfie then proceeded to ply them with each with a dozen little plates. Hermione was delighted, since she was starved. Draco and Lucius managed to restrain themselves with the indifferent air of Malfoys. There were a few things all three of them agreed upon, like the little toasts with goat cheese and fig jam, seared tuna with miso and wasabi, and the tiny lobster filled crepes. Hermione adored the beef samosas and popcorn samplers. Lucius insisted upon the traditional caviar and foie gras. Draco loved the mini fish and chips and the fried farmhouse cheese. Hermione thought he just liked that both were fried. That brought them up to nine passed appetizers.
Hermione was quite full, but there was much much more. Lucius had wanted ten courses after all. After the guests were seated, they would get an appetizer followed by a soup course. Next, would be seafood, pasta, and the roast courses. After the game course, would be the salad and then cheese course. The dessert would be followed by the tenth and final course of petit fours and nuts. Hermione knew she did not have it in her to taste three or four options for each course and said so, making Alfie laugh.
"Here is what I was thinking," Alfie shared his proposed menu. He had very small samples, but not full plates. The first course was set, but the soup, seafood, pasta, roast, and game courses would have two choices each: one more traditional and the other a little different. Hermione was glad to see a shrimp curry and tandoori lamb as options. She really did miss London's wonderful Indian food while away at school. She wondered if the Malfoy Manor house-elves could learn to cook curry. Lucius and Draco made a few substitutions and Hermione insisted that dessert be wedding cake – which was not as traditional in wizarding culture. Of course, then the Malfoys insisted that the cake be elaborate and spectacular. Alfie assured them that it would be.
Everything was wonderful, which Hermione told Alfie. The Malfoys agreed that everything looked as it should, and that was high praise coming from those two. Either way, Hermione was stuffed.
"Plans today, gentlemen?" Hermione asked as they left Alfie's kitchen.
"The most important plans are to spend time with you, Pet," Lucius said in his most charming voice, pulling Hermione close. Draco chuckled.
"So you don't mind going back out to Muggle London with me?" Hermione looked up at Lucius, grinning as he made a sour face. "You liked Harrods!"
"I did," Lucius conceded.
"Are we buying more clothes?" Draco asked, looking excited.
"I was thinking we could Apparate to my parents' house, borrow the car, and go to the big electronics store near their house to buy the equipment for my Muggle room in the Manor," Hermione smiled. Lucius still looked trepidatious, but Draco was eager. The three of them popped into her parents' back garden and Hermione used her key to let them in the house and to the garage.
"Where are your parents?" Lucius asked.
"Working," Hermione replied. "It is Monday and they have patients in their dental clinic."
"Who is going to drive the car?" Draco wondered, looking between Hermione and her parent's wagon skeptically.
"I am, of course," Hermione said, as she looked them over. Both were wearing clothes that could pass as Muggle clothes, although they did seem foreign somehow. She snagged the spare set of keys her father kept in the garage. "All aboard!"
Hermione got behind the wheel, but the Malfoys balked.
"Time is wasting!" Hermione shouted. "I do know how to drive and have done it multiple times. Stop being fraidy-cats and get in!"
"Which seat is the safest?" Lucius asked. She knew the fraidy-cat comment would have them moving.
"Probably the back seat," Hermione shrugged. Lucius directed Draco to the back seat, for his safety, and reluctantly got in the front passenger seat. Hermione showed them how to buckle the safety belts and turned on the engine. Neither said a word as she left the garage and drove into the street. Hermione could see Lucius gripping the door handle, his knuckles white.
After she navigated a few intersections and traffic signals, both Malfoys seemed to calm down. Although, when Draco asked where they were going, Lucius told him to shush and not to distract Hermione in any way.
"I can talk and drive," Hermione chuckled. "We are going to a big electronics store. It is a chain store, so there are many locations throughout England. I wanted to buy a television, movie player, stereo, and computer."
"Do they have those cameras to make films like your parents have?" Lucius asked, perking up.
"Yes," Hermione smiled. "We can get a video camera while we are there too."
They pulled into the parking lot and Hermione led the way into the store. It was relatively empty due to the time of day, as most people were at work.
"Good afternoon," Hermione approached one of the employees. "I don't have any electronics at all and I need to buy everything new – television, stereo, computer."
Of course, the staff were happy to help, several employees helped in fact. Hermione picked out a very large, expensive television and a full entertainment system – surround sound and movie player. She also got a top of the line stereo and impressive speakers that hooked up to her surround sound. Having never seen computers before, Lucius and Draco did not really know what to make of them. Hermione sent them to go pick out music and movies while she chose one.
Apparently, Hermione took too long picking out a computer, since both Malfoys had added considerably to their purchases. Draco and Lucius admitted that they just asked the staff to show them the most popular movies and albums then added all those to their cart. Lucius had found the camcorder he wanted while Draco discovered video games. So they added an Xbox 360 and a pile of games to the purchase as well.
The total was several thousand pounds, but Hermione was sure they had everything they needed. As usual, the Black American Express card was well received and the group was encouraged to return. Hermione pulled the car up and the staff filled her parent's wagon with their purchases.
Lucius and Draco were less nervous about the ride back. They even managed to look around a bit and take in their surroundings. Hermione parked the car in her parent's garage, but did not bother to unload. Electronic items did not fare well during Apparition or Floo travel. Her parents were planning on driving the two hours to Wiltshire the Friday before the wedding and had agreed to bring whatever Hermione needed. That did not stop Draco from lamenting that he would not be able to play with the Muggle toys right away.
"Dinner at the Manor, Pet?" Lucius asked as the trio walked to the back garden, each Malfoy with an arm around her.
"I am still stuffed from earlier," Hermione groaned, rubbing he belly. "Everything tasted so good. And I really liked that Alfie."
"Yes, we could tell," Draco smirked. "He is very...Hufflepuffy."
"He was nice and friendly, yes," Hermione laughed. "He also didn't seem the least cowed by you two - at least, if he was, he didn't show it, which speaks well of him. Nor did he try to suck up or kiss arse, he let his work speak for itself, which I think is fantastic. If everything goes well Saturday, I can see hiring him again for events in the future. If he had his own restaurant, I would certainly go."
"Regardless," Lucius smirked. "What are your plans for the evening?"
"Fred and George are having a party tonight at their flat around eight," Hermione replied. "I plan to go and see everybody. Want to come?"
"I don't think that is in the cards for me," Lucius smiled. "I can take the evening to catch up on some business. Draco?"
"Sure," Draco smiled. "I've never been to a Gryffindor party before."
"I'll see you there then," Hermione rolled her eyes. She gave them both kisses goodbye, first Lucius and then Draco. She certainly had been spending a lot of time with them. She loved it and the point of the engagement period was to spend time together, get to know each other – but Hermione also missed her friends.
This seemed to be another thing she would have to be vigilant about. Just like getting spoiled by her fancy new bathroom, she would have to be mindful that she did not sink into her relationship and ignore her friends. Hermione had certainly seen other people do that – become enraptured with a boyfriend or girlfriend at the expense of their other relationships. And the Malfoys were just so tempting. She had not slept alone in five nights, not that she was complaining.
Hermione Apparated back to Grimmauld Place. It was late afternoon and she had about four hours until the party. She had a few pieces of post waiting for her in the front hall, so Hermione stood and went through them. Pansy had owled to confirm, again, their shopping trip the next day. Hermione sent a brief note, confirming that she would meet Pansy at the Leaky Cauldron at eleven. Professor McGonagall wrote her a thank you note for the donation her foundation made to Hogwarts. That made Hermione get to thinking about the foundation again and all the good things she could do if she set things up properly. She could lobby for new laws, raise money for worthy causes, start assistance programs for any number of the needy – war orphans, magically injured, werewolves.
"Oi there 'Mione, give us a hand," Ron grunted under a load of boxes. He was trailing behind Harry and Remus. She was just thinking of werewolves and there was her werewolf friend!
"Oh Remus!" Hermione exclaimed aghast at herself. "I totally forgot you were moving in today! I am so sorry! If I had remembered, I would have been here earlier to help."
Hermione felt a rush of guilt. She always helped friends in need and she had not even remembered that Remus was moving, let alone offer to help. This was what she was afraid of, being distracted by her relationship and new obligations, that she neglected her friends.
"Don't fret, Hermione," Remus soothed, setting down his box. "Andromeda is watching Teddy while Harry and Ron helped me shrink most of our things. We are just taking them upstairs."
"So many stairs," Ron groaned.
"Let me help," Hermione reached for her wand to levitate some of the boxes away from the wizards. "I am not exactly dressed for manual labor, but I can lend some support."
Remus led the group up the steps. Ron was right; there were a lot stairs. Grimmauld Place was a narrow, long house and it made up for the lack of space in height. The kitchen, Floo, and storage areas were downstairs. The formal dining room and drawing room were there on the ground floor where one entered off the street. Up one flight was the master bedroom that Harry had taken to sleeping in, Hermione's room, a hall bath, and the Black family library. The third floor had three bedrooms, one of which Ron had been using. The fourth floor had two very large bedrooms, which had been the childhood bedrooms of Sirius and his brother Regulus. Then at the top of the house, was a very large attic space mostly filled with junk.
"We are headed all the way up the fourth," Harry called back to Hermione as she followed them. "Remus and Teddy are going to take Sirius and Regulus' old rooms. I think Sirius would have loved the idea of Teddy living in his old room."
"I think you are right," Hermione smiled. "Plus the fourth floor has the most space available. Teddy will have plenty of room to run around and play with his toys."
"Which he has plenty of, thanks to his Uncle Harry and Aunt Hermione, who spoil him," Remus added as they walked.
Hermione deposited the boxes in the fourth floor hallway, unsure of where everything would go. From the weight, the guys had shrunken and packed a considerable amount into the box. It was no wonder they were tired. It took a lot of energy to shrink so much, then add considerable lightening charms, and levitate the boxes.
"You all look beat. Why don't you three rest for a minute and have Kreacher bring you some refreshments?" Hermione suggested. "I can go change clothes quickly and then start unshrinking things for you. I've hardly used any magic yesterday and today. I'm starting to feel antsy."
The wizards nodded their agreement. Kreacher had popped in when Hermione said his name. He was quickly off to get drinks and a few snacks. Hermione made her way down to her room and changed into an old, frayed pair of shorts and t-shirt. She swapped her heels for trainers and pulled her hair up into a high ponytail.
Soon Hermione was back upstairs, where the guys were sitting on the floor in the hallway having a picnic. She giggled at the sight. Her laughter turned into a snort of disgust when she opened up the door to Sirius' old room. It was much too dusty and neglected for sweet little Teddy to sleep in. She imagined Regulus' room was the same, if not worse because it had not been used for longer.
"Kreacher," Hermione called. The old elf popped in immediately. "If Remus and Teddy are going to use these rooms tonight, we've got to get them cleaned up. You and I can start now."
Kreacher grumbled something about animals and their cubs defiling the Noble House of Black, but he did start working. Hermione was not surprised that the old elf knew some powerful and effective cleaning charms. The difference was noticeable after only a few minutes. Kreacher banished the cobwebs and layers of dust from every nook and cranny. The wood floor shone, the walls were spotless, and the windowpanes clear, flawless glass.
"Wonderful! I am sure they will be sorry to lose you when you come with me to Malfoy Manor this week," Hermione praised the elf. Kreacher positively glowed at the reminder that he would be leaving to serve the Malfoys, as he desired. "Have you been able to find a new elf for Grimmauld Place?"
"Kreacher does not associate with free elves," he sniffed disdainfully - saying the word free as if it were some disgusting, contagious disease. "But Kreacher is finding one for Lord Potter. She is having clothes and is coming for an interviewing tomorrow with Lord Potter at eleven. Kreacher will go clean Master Regulus' room and then the bathroom."
Kreacher left to perform his tasks and Hermione looked around, thoughtfully. While the room was clean as could be, it did not seem very child friendly. She wondered if it was too drab.
"Wow, this is clean!" Remus exclaimed from the door. "I thought I was going to have to spend time getting out all that dust."
"Kreacher did it," Hermione replied, still critically surveying the room. "He is doing your room now and then the bathroom."
"Thanks for that. The elf doesn't respond to me," Remus chuckled.
"He can be a nasty old elf. He was taught such prejudiced views," Hermione nodded before bringing up what was on her mind. "This room isn't very...kid like. Did you think about doing something different to the walls?"
"I guess it is a bit dark, huh?" Remus agreed. "Teddy doesn't need darkness in his little life."
"Does he have a favorite color?" she asked. Teddy was a baby, just starting to walk. Hermione was not sure if he had preferences yet.
"Hmmm." Remus leaned against the wall. "When he is calm and contented his hair turns sky blue. When he is clapping and laughing it is bright orange."
"Calm and contented sounds about right," Hermione smiled. Teddy had inherited his mother's talent as a metamorphmagus, but he only made very minor changes in hair, skin, and eye color so far. Hermione held up her wand. "Pigmentum Paries Caeruleus."
Remus laughed aloud as the graphite colored walled turned to a lovely sky blue. Hermione figured it should last a good five years before it started to fade and the charm would need to be refreshed.
"You are a wonder, Miss Granger," he smiled as he pulled into a big, warm hug. Hermione smiled too, happy that Remus was happy. She had not heard him laugh in a long time.
Remus brought in the box that had all of Teddy's things. Hermione started unshrinking the furniture and Remus arranged it in the room. There was not too much - a crib, dresser, changing table, rocking chair, hamper. Harry and Ron joined them, having polished off all the food. Ron charmed a very nice, cartoonish mural of a forest on one of the walls. There were unicorns and dragons running through the trees from time to time. Harry hung the drapes, which Hermione had changed to a bright orange color, and then set up a nice play area for Teddy. Shelves and baskets held baby books and toys that Ron and Harry had a bit too much fun with. On impulse, Hermione cast a very mild softening charm on the hard wooden floors. The charm would not last too long, only a few months - but by then Teddy's walking should have improved and he would be less prone to falling over. Her application of a charm traditionally used to soften hard, unspreadable butter made Remus laugh again and wonder at Hermione's ingenuity.
It only took about an hour for all four of them to get the room ready. Hermione smiled in satisfaction. Now it looked like a little kid's room. They moved over to Remus' room next, which Hermione noted Kreacher had cleaned very thoroughly. Although Remus insisted he did not need any decoration, Hermione cast the same painting charm - except she made his walls a nice sage green. Hermione unshrunk all of his things, although he did not have much - just a bed, dresser, and bookshelves. Like Hermione, Remus had an abundance of books. She tried to focus on shelving them, not leafing through them. Remus was such a smart, good-hearted man and Hermione resolved to be more helpful to him.
Hermione surveyed the room when they were done. It was clean and bright, but looking around, Remus' room seemed at bit bleak. The paint and chocolate brown drapes gave the room warmth, but it still felt Spartan to Hermione. Remus did not have a lot of personal items, which made her a bit sad. Hermione went over to Remus and wrapped her arms around his waist.
"I am glad you are here," Hermione said as she leaned her head against his chest. "So many things are changing."
"I know," Remus sighed, hugging her back. "That is life – change is inevitable. We can all still be there for each other; that is constant."
"Are you coming to the party tonight?" Hermione asked, still hugging Remus.
"No," he chuckled. "I think I'll leave the partying to you young folks. I am going to go pick up Teddy, come back here and let him get used to his new room before bedtime."
"How about I arrange dinner for us all?" Hermione offered. "What does Teddy eat?"
"He's got a fair number of teeth now," Remus shared. "He can eat most things we eat, just cut up small."
Hermione and Remus walked down to the kitchens arm in arm, so Remus could Floo and Hermione could convince Kreacher to feed them all. The elf did not need too much cajoling and got to work. Soon, Hermione, Ron, Harry, Remus, and Teddy were sitting down to dinner – Teddy in his high chair. They had a lovely, simple dinner. Hermione told them about Alfie Claymore and how much she liked the chef. Ron was pretty excited about the food for the wedding, well food in general. Teddy was adorable and Hermione loved spending time with him. He managed to smear more potatoes in his hair than he actually ate. It was a very comfortable and happy dinner.
Remus went to bathe Teddy and Hermione figured she should do the same. She got a bit messy helping Remus before dinner and she had a party to go to!
Next - a party!
