Chapter 14
"Father?" Norah asked seeing the man in a well-dressed suit. Hermione stared at the man, David Lee the only person that Lucius Malfoy won't toy with.
The man stared between the group and gave a nod, "I hope my daughter hasn't given the Golden Trio any trouble?" He said with a smile of a politician there was something behind that smile that Hermione didn't trust. David looked at Hermione and gave her smile as well. "The brightest witch of her age? Hmm." He said before looking at the Weasley's and then to the Boy-Who-Lived.
"Father, please stop staring at my friends. You're making them uncomfortable." Norah said as her head was hung low as if she was shy.
David looked at her and nodded, "Very well. Now if you can please hurry, I have a meeting to attend to." Norah looked at the floor then her dad and back to the group of her confused friends excluding Ronald of course.
"Yes, sir. I can just go get my luggage and we can get going." Norah said
"Halby has already taken your luggage to the manor." He said as motioned his hand towards the hidden passageway leading towards King's Cross.
"Oh…" Norah said and went ahead she stole one last look at Hermione and saw the soft smile she was giving. David gave one last nod the group and followed his daughter. He placed one hand on her shoulder and they apparated away. Hermione face fell and Ginny noticed it and grabbed her hand.
The loud pop from the disapparation echoed in the space they were in, Norah felt the uneasiness in her stomach as she still wasn't used to apparating disappeared quickly rather than the first time she did it with her brother a few months ago. She looked around and saw she was in the gardens of her home. Lying a few feet away was the Lee Cemetery. "We had him buried home." Her father said placing his hands in his pockets. Something Norah never saw, but figured his nervousness was getting to him. To think her father an important figure in the wizarding world would be nervous. "Jacob was rarely home. The thought of this was mad. Joseph told us this is where he would want to be buried." There was a heavy sigh that escaped his lips. Knowing fully well how Jacob was a rather free spirit. Norah slowly walked towards the new grave with David behind her.
"Did Joseph tell you about Cedric?" she asked
"Yes. He has a theory that Jacob took something from the Dark Lord. We're not safe from him if he's back. Luckily I placed very strong defensive wards around the grounds." David looked up and saw dark rain clouds forming. "Things will be different now."
Norah looked back at him, "How's mum?"
He stared at her, "Not well. Jacob's death has been hard on us especially her. I don't have an honest answer for you, Eleonora."
"I see…" she said as water droplets began falling. David stood next to her and pulled out his wand to form an umbrella above them.
"So, I am assuming you and Ms. Granger are a couple?" He asked causing Norah's heart to drop.
"How did you know?" She asked solemnly
"I'm not daft, Eleonora. I saw the way you two look at each other as well as the love marking on your neck." He said and knew she had mentally swore on the inside, "Do not misunderstand I am happy you are dating; however, you are still engaged."
Norah's tears began to fall at the thought of it. "Yes, sir."
"Best to tell her before you do irreparable damage, Eleonora." He said back to her, "As much as I love you and your happiness, we must maintain the pure-blood line of the Lee family. The Crouch family will fall as soon as Bartemius Crouch Jr. receives the kiss. Jacob and Joseph have both failed at this." Once again, he places his hand on her shoulder and walked away leaving her in the rain.
Norah stood in the rain and in front of her brother's grave for a while, "Mistress Norah. Please come inside already. I have the bath ready for you." A high pitch voice said and walked towards Norah holding her hand and she followed it. The manor was quiet as always after Joseph moved out there was no laughter echoing through the home. The occasional sound of cleaning by the house elves were heard but, other than that nothing. Norah reached the bath, "Thank you, Halby." She whispered and received a courteous bow and the elf left her alone.
As she finished her bath. Norah walked through the halls of the large manor the wooden walls were polished leaving a reflective light off them. She had time before dinner and stumbled into the main ballroom that they had for a few guests. The large piano sat there clean, yet untouched. "I haven't played since my first year…" Norah stated as she sat on the bench and grazed the keys. She closed her eyes and remembered the song that Jacob always played on the piano. Norah hit a key softly letting the sound resonate through the room. She kept hitting the same key until she found the right rhythm and began to play a tune. As the song resonated Norah was lost into the moment not noticing the figure standing by the door.
"Bach's Prelude #1? Jacob did love changing things from their original instrument to the piano."
"Mother… I didn't see you there." Norah said immediately standing formally. Her mother waved at her
"That was Jacob's favorite. Keep playing it if you must." She said and walked off
Two Days Later
The two days after coming home were miserable. Norah finished her drawing of Cedric and placed a charm on it where here he would smile from a neutral pose. Other than her drawing she would sit in the gazebo of her family's garden as the suns ray sprinkled with warmth to her. Apparently, this was supposed to be the hottest summer in history. Norah sat on a marble bench with a sketch pad as she drew the surroundings in. Halby apparated in the garden with mail. "For you Mistress." He said as he placed it on the open spot next to her and he skittered away as he normally does. She flipped through the envelopes trying to find a familiar handwriting. Norah didn't want to admit it, but she really missed Hermione. As Norah saw the letter from Ginny, both Weasley twins, Harry and Hermione there was a peculiar letter from Dumbledore.
"Well, shit…" She said when she opened it as she began walking to the gazebo.
"Ms. Lee, I am personally writing to you and others regarding what happened at the end of the Triwizard Tournament. Seeing as it's a very high chance that the Tom Riddle – The Dark Lord has returned and the history he has with Harry Potter I would like to request you distance yourself from Harry Potter until the beginning of your 5th year here at Hogwarts. As a safety precaution. Alas this is not request I am telling you to avoid contact with Mr. Potter for your own safety." Enjoy your summer break Albus Percival Wulfric Bryan Dumbledore.
Norah immediately scoffed at the letter and put at the bottom of the pile. The next letter she read was from Hermione as she opened, she saw multiple things on the letter scratched off probably due to her thinking about what she wanted to write. "Is it shameful that I am distracted by missing you than actually studying. If I fail my O.W.L's next term I'm dumping you, but in all seriousness, I really do miss you. Please make sure you're sleeping properly like I said on the train." Norah sighed as she read the last part. She wasn't sleeping properly Hermione was what she needed at night someone to hold tightly instead a comfortable pillow there was a difference. Norah wrote a letter back to Hermione and folded it in an envelope. The next letter she wrote to was towards the Weasley twins who were informing her that Harry donated the entire winnings of the Tournament to them to help them fund a store. They asked Norah if she wanted to be a partner it was George's idea.
"I'm so going to regret this. Halby are you around?" At the sound of his name he apparated in front of her
"Yes, mistress?"
"Can you make a deposit to this vault today?" Norah said and scribbled something on parchment
"Of course, mistress." He said as he apparated away.
Norah leaned against the cool stone of the gazebo as a cloud rolled over the sun. "I'm going to die of boredom." She groaned
"Dramatic much aren't we?" Someone said as they leaned their body on the stone.
"It's about fucking time, Joe." Norah sighed,
"Why are you so hostile?" He asked
"She gets that from you." Another voice came from the other side a flash of bright blonde filled Norah's left view.
"You know, Pens. I take offense to that I am a wonderful sibling." Joseph said in defiance,
"You'll be fine. Anyways Norah you ready to hang out with your favorite sister-in-law?"
"Penny you're the only one in that position." Norah replied
"Not the only position she's been in." Joseph replied and heard a snort from Norah and a very embarrassed Penny
"Why did I marry you?" Penny folded her arms
"I ask that all the time. I figured it was my dashing looks and heroic stature." He replied.
"Oh God you're doing this again." Penny sighed and smiled at Joseph, "I said that once when we were younger. Your ego has definitely grown over the years."
"You both are disgusting. Can we go now?" Norah complained,
"Sure, where do you want to go?"
"Muggle London?" Norah smiled