CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

(HERMIONE GRANGER-POTTER'S POINT OF VIEW)

It was coming time for everyone to leave Hogwarts for the winter break. The Slytherins had prepared a solstice festive not to be outdone by their Gryffindor counterparts. A log was found and wishes were attached to it by the student body. It was due to burn the night before everyone got on the train. Traditional food was adorning Christmas trees set up in the great hall, long with the usual glitter and glamour that accompanies the festive celebrations. Harry was in his element, there wasnt anyone out to kill him this year except the professors for turning in late work.

Ron and Ginny had made themselves targets of wayward curses and jinx's with their anti-Hermione slander. Molly had sent a howler to Harry about his adoption of Hermione. With their outrage Ron made himself out to be a fool as usual and earned himself detentions for his snide comments that happened to be overheard by the headmistresses herself. This also earned him academic probation until the end of graduation.

Ginny had teamed up with Padma Patai, Lavender Brown and a few other people from the Gryffindor house that thought that Hermione shouldn't be allowed to date Draco, let alone be in the school because she was too muggle for their standards.

Teaches placed letters to the board of Governers saying that they were inciting exactly what the war was fought for. And the board agreed. As much as they didnt like it what people do in their spare time is something that has no bearing on the Governers, but what they were doing on school grounds was controlled by the Governers. So for the time being a member of staff had to attend the groups that had formed. Including study groups.

Madam Sprout, took on Nevill Longbottom early as her apprentice and he was to remain behind during the break to get some lessons in on plants etc. He was delighted. And was moved into a set of apartments that the castle had previously made for them on the seventh floor. Although he loved his grandmother he didnt want to be around her while still mourning the death of her son and his father Frank.

Everything was finalised for Hermione's security. They were meeting her at the Kings Cross station. They had been engaged on a permanent basis. There was now two teams to cover her. Draco was heading to the Manor in Witshire, to leave his school trunk and pick up his overnight bag before heading to Hermione's Park Lane Penthouse. The five of them agreed to meet there that evening, to escort Hermione to the Manor after her appointment.

Until Hermione reached the Park Lane property it was a peaceful chaos, everyone knew where they were going and what had to be done. Hermione was met with four armed men, all in suits and ties and polished to shine. Swiftly as possible in a large crowd she was ushered towards a waiting SUV and whisked away. Thirty minutes later she was deposited with her trunk inside her front door as the men checked to see if the place was still empty. When the area was cleared she was left alone in an empty apartment.

Slowly she took the trunk to the master bedroom. She then put her clothes away and had a look around the room. Her vanity was in her walk in closet, the bed was in a room of its own and the bathroom was huge. A small swimming pool like tub, a three head shower and even a hot tub had been arranged there with a his and hers sink. Everything was white with polished gold fixings. She was impressed.

The floo roared to life and three men stepped out and dispersed to find their witch. Lucius was impressed by the views out of the windows since the residence was in the middle of muggle London. Severus was impressed by the modern furniture and the space it had. Draco headed for the bedroom and was already hard for Hermione. She was coming out of the bathroom and he decided to help her change her clothes. Pulling out a piece of sleep ware she had never saw before. It was long, with a slit up to the hip on both sides and had shoestring straps that held it up, the back of the garment was completely bare. The matching robe had bell sleeves and the same length.

The other two men strolled into the room and watched the couple as Draco stripped his witch. He was on his knees holding the gown open for her to step into. "Now that is the perfect reason for a Malfoy to be on his knees." Severus had to agree as he watched Draco glide the garment up her legs and over her hips. Kissing her neck he kept drawing the lace up until it was on. He went to the bed that contained the robe and held it for her to put it on.

Severus watched his partner step forward, he held a velvet box the size of half a sheet of parchment. It was a monumental moment for him as well as Draco and Severus knowing the significance of what was about to happen. He tucked her hand into the crease of his elbow and walked her out to the sitting room. It had two large deep lounges in a deep burgundy velvet, a thick room sized rug and a warm hearth. The lounges were designed to be extra sleeping areas but served as an intimate area for conversations. Draco and Severus took one side while Hermione and Lucius took the other.

"This is something that I had commissioned at the beginning of the term, when Draco sent me a drawing on a piece of jewellery that was hung around your neck. So the necklace is from Draco. The earnings and bracelets are from Severus and I. They are not heirlooms but we are hoping that maybe you can make it that way." With that he opened the box and handed it to her.

"They are Goblin made and have protections and safe guards on them to deter those that want to do harm to you." Draco explained. Hermione looked down and gasped. There lying on black silk was a silver snake necklace. Each link of the design was separated by a diamond. The head of the snake was a wonder. There was one eye made of Emerald, the other was a Ruby and the tongue was amathest. Lucius reached over and stroked the body of the snake and it moved. At the take of the snake was a chain that held five diamonds in a drop style and the Hogwarts crest. On the reverse side of the crest was the Gryffindor crest.

"I am sure that the poor snake has problems with its identity." Hermione exclaimed. Laughter was her response. The earrings were five diamonds suspended from an emerald and ruby. And the bracelets were miniatures of the necklace. Minus the crests. On closer inspection one bracelet said Slytherin and the other Gryffindor. She suddenly knew what she was taking back to school with her.

She placed the box on the coffee table and went round the room kissing and hugging the men one at a time. The silence was disturbed by a rumble, her stomach.

"Ah now that is another thing that we didnt want you to worry about. Totty." Lucius called and a house elf appeared on the coffee table. \

"I is sorry master. I didnt meant to be on the mistess' table, is servin dinner nows." Totty rambled and then tripped on her own feet as she tried to flee to do the bidding.

Again laughter filled the air at the elf's antics as everyone made their way to the dining room that was furnished with an eight person dining table and chairs, a fresh flower arrangement, candelabras, and bone china sporting the Cumberland crest, silverware and glassware. Bottles of wine had been set on the side chilling or breathing depending on the wine. Severus seated her at the table head, the rest took seats near her. When she was seated they sat. A low pop was heard in the room. And another elf dressed in a black suit and white shirt, complete with bow tie and cloth over his arm appeared to serve them.

"I is Dampy mistress. I is you butler elf mistress. Totty and me be takin care of mistress now."

"They are paid a galleon each a week, they have their own residence and have set working hours, unless your entertaining. They also get overtime of fifty sickles per hour. Their needs are told to Mr Craggy who handles anything they require, their uniforms and payment."

"I honestly couldn't see myself having elves before." She muttered.

"These two will travel to where you go. Example: when you come to the manor, they will be there. When you come back here the are here and so on."

The only thing she could say was wow. After the wine was served, her favourite soup of sweet potato and pumpkin was served. That was followed by lobster ravioli and steamed vegetables. Finally chocolate mousse for desert. This was taken in to the sitting room to be enjoyed while taking in the night time view of London, laid out below them.