Knight Manor
Today was the day; finally Anya was going to Zarian's house, well Manor for the remaining week of her holiday, before travelling back to school together. She hadn't had the chance to go back to the Shack again she had been busy getting ready for her week away, to go investigate more. Again she didn't have the courage to speak to her father, with the trip so near she didn't want him to get angry and ban her from going, not that he could really stop her.
The door bell rang, Anya quickly threw the last of her clothes into the small suitcase she had and glanced into the mirror, checking her reflection, never before could she remember being this excited.
As she walked down the staircase, she could hear the familiar voices of Zarian and her father in the hall. Quicken her pace without even realising she had done so Anya reached the hall and caught his eye. He smiled at her, his deep green eyes bore into hers and she returned his gaze just as strongly as well as the smile.
"Anya!" he said catching her in a hug. They stayed locked together until her father cleared his throat, where they broke apart embarrassed the way only parents can make you feel.
"Are you ready?" he father asked her, once the awkwardness had lifted.
"Yes, I am" she replied.
"Very well"
He summoned Jones to come to collect her suitcase and put them in the car that Zarian had travelled in to get here. Anya placed her arms around her father in a tight hug; she knew she wouldn't see him till the summer months.
Her father waved them off as they got into the car for the long journey ahead. Sitting in the backseat, Anya snuggled into Zarian's chest as he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her forehead.
"Excited?" he mumbled into her.
"Definitely" she sighed, perfectly content for the first time in months.
The journey was long and Anya had fallen asleep sometime into the journey, it was unusual for her and she would never have had she been in anyone else's company. She awoke to Zarian's face smiling at her, and a blush appeared on her cheeks.
"Were here." He said as the door opened.
Straightening up and smoothing herself free of wrinkles, she let him help her from the car.
Knight manor, was a large but modest size and was made entirely of white brick. It had many windows and by the look of it large grounds. Not what she had expected but it suited him in so many ways all the same.
"Do you like it?" he asked from beside her. Anya turned to him and nodded, not knowing what to say to him.
He wrapped his arm around her shoulders as he led her to the front door, which opened to admit him. It was odd being in a wizard's house, and Anya was unsure of what to expect but it looked the same as any house she had been in or so she thought, until she saw a house elf holding out his arms for her coat, the little creature only reaching her knee.
"I'll give you a tour if you'd like but first I think my parents would like to meet you" Zarian said gesturing to a room to the right of the hall way. She followed him into the room where Mr and Mrs Knight were standing in front of the fire.
Zarian led her over to them and made the introductions. Their looks were of curiosity, and Anya had a feeling of being looked over, but she kept her face impassive and proud she wouldn't be intimidated.
"Welcome Miss Riddle, it's nice to have you with us." Mr Knight finally said after a moment of tense silence and looks. He smiled slightly obviously trying to lighten the mood, and make her feel more welcome.
Zarian was nearly glaring at his mother who was silent and still staring, her mood deep in thought. Suddenly she spoke "I hope you enjoy your time here, I imagine it's quite different from your home…" Anya didn't notice the accusation in her voice but smiled politely and reserved to keep her tongue and temper in check.
"I would imagine so. Magic is mostly banned in my household, not that I have much use for it at home regardless."
Mrs Knight merely nodded, and gave a slightly forced smile.
"Well why doesn't Zarian give you a tour, he can show you to your room where you can freshen up, dinner will be at 7 O'clock.
Anya looked at Zarian, who still looked unhappy about the way his mother was addressing his girlfriend. He caught her eye and nodded. "Of course…father…mother" he said respectfully as they excited the room.
"Are you alright?" Zarian asked as he led her down one of the many corridors, he pointed out rooms as they went along.
"Yes, why wouldn't I be?"
"Well, they weren't being overly welcoming. I hope you weren't offended?"
Anya thought for a moment, she had been slightly offended by their tone especially his mother's. "It's because I'm not a pure blood isn't it?"
"That may have something to do with it; I suppose you wouldn't be their first choice for me." He stopped to think for a moment, before smiling "if only they knew."
Anya smiled to, yes if only they knew, they wouldn't be so quick to judge her if they knew who she was, what she could do and whose blood ran through her veins she was more than worthy of the son.
He led her up the stairs once he had shown her the downstairs of the large manor, Anya was able to take in what she needed as she was used to large houses. The upstairs was just as elegantly designed as the downstairs had been, portraits lined the walls.
Finally they reached an elegant looking door, which Zarian opened "This is your room." He said simply leading her in and letting her look around. The room was amazing, decorated in green and silver. It was a little bigger than her room at home and had an amazing view of the grounds outside.
"Its amazing" she said as she turned round with a slight jump, he was right behind her looking down into her eyes, wrapping his arms around her he stole her lips with a kiss. When they broke away, he whispered in her ear "I'm glad" and then kissed her again.
The clock chimed half 6, and they broke away startled by the sudden noise.
"Damn" he cursed under his breath. Anya just laughed at him, truthfully she was annoyed at the interruption but she knew she needed to get ready for dinner.
"Well you had better leave, I need to get ready and so do you." She said pushing him towards the door.
"Your kicking me out of one of my own rooms?" he asked with a mock shocked expression on his face.
"Too right" she replied, kissing him quickly and pushing him out of the door and shutting it. Giggling she started getting ready for dinner.
Outside the door Zarian was shocked before he smirked, and walked down the corridor to his own room. She was defiantly one of a kind.
