Yes, I have finally returned! No more waiting for Ch 18:
The Moonlight Glares
Liza Lew
Disclaimer: I don't own any of JK Rowling's wonderful world or characters.
Chapter 18
When Hermione opened her eyes groggily the next morning, her head was pounding. She didn't move at first, but stared straight out into the vast expanse of her room which was now. . . empty? Hermione squeezed her eyes shut for a second before opening them again. Still nothing. She groaned and slowly pushed off the covers on her legs and wobbly stood up.
Hermione shivered and clutched her arms realizing she was only wearing a thin silk nightgown. She went over to the bathroom and yanked a bathrobe off the rack, quickly putting it around her. She turned on the warm on the sink and let it run for a minute before taking her toothbrush out of its holder, putting some toothpaste on, and submerging it under the stream of rushing water.
"Have a good night sleep?"
Hermione whipped around, wet toothbrush in her hand, to see Chles leaning against the doorframe. Hermione raised an eyebrow. Chels was dressed in muggle jeans.
"Nice attire," Hermione said, turning around to brush her teeth, "I'd have thought you would only dress in robes."
"Just because I'm pureblood doesn't mean I can't dress comfortably during the day. Hurry up and grab some jeans, everyone else is already downstairs for breakfast," Chels turned to go.
"What time is it, anyways?" Hermione asked.
"Eleven . We have luncheon with grandmother at two. All of us- you, me, Draco and all your friends. See you downstairs." Chels left.
Hermione looked back in the mirror after her cousin left and nearly fell over. Her hair was a big, bushy mess. It hadn't been this bad since the troll first year! She groaned, spit out her toothpaste, rinsed her mouth, and ran to grab a brush and her wand.
Half an hour and many concentrated spells and painful brushes later, Hermione's hair was finally smooth and straight. She glanced at the clock, ran over to her closet, grabbed a pair of jeans and a tank top, threw them on, and ran downstairs.
As she entered the dining room, she heard Chels talking animatedly. She seemed to be the center of attention. She sat between Draco and Ron. Ginny was next to Ron, and Harry next to Ginny. There was an empty seat between Draco and Harry. Hermione sat down between them as quietly as was possible.
"Hermione!" Chels said brightly, "We were just talking about last night! I was saying how funny some of the couples were, not any of you, granted, but Miss Cornfoot. . ."
Hermione smiled and zoned out as Chels went on and on about the various couplings, deciding which ones were going to work and which ones weren't. Draco looked thoroughly bored, but Ron was listening intently, nodding his head here and there. Harry and Ginny seemed to be holding hands under the table and only paying attention to each other.
Hermione poked at her food and glanced over a Draco. He was looking outside. A breeze was coming in through window, blowing his hair around a bit. He did look hott, Hermione thought. Then she shook her head, and went back to half-listening to Chels as she stabbed her eggs.
Ding-Dong. It was exactly two o'clock when Chels leaned forward and pushed the bell next to her grandmother's door. The sound resonated throughout the grand house, bouncing off stone and wood until second later a tiny house-elf appeared at the door bowing low to the ground, stepping aside to let the guests in. Chels went first, obviously leading the way in her deep red formal dress robes covered in white lace, followed by Hermione in a dark blue with white flowers, Ginny in a dark green with ruffles at the bottom, and the boys. Hermione's eyes flitted to each side of the long hallways they were passing through and checked the rooms. They were making their way deep into a huge house which seemed to have rooms for everything. Finally Chels halted in front of a set of ornate double doors at the end of the hallway.
"Everyone ready?" Chels asked a bit nervously.
The group nodded sporadically back to her, and she turned the handles on the door and opened them. The room was empty of people. In the middle was a grand circular table set with the finest silver and china for eight. The opposite wall of the room was entirely floor-to-ceiling paneled windows. A servant's door was hidden along one wall, blending in with everything down to the crown molding near the ceiling. The door cracked open and another little house elf scooted out, shutting the door behind her and coming over to Hermione.
"Miss Granger, Madame would like you to be seated if you please," squeaked the little elf.
Hermione nodded her head, "Thank you."
The group made their way over to the table, finding their names were already written at a place setting. Hermione sat down to find Draco to her right and Chels to her left. Next to Draco was Harry, then Ginny, then Ron. Next to Ron were two empty seats. After they had all sat down, they waited in silence. After thirty minutes of this, Harry spoke up.
"I wonder who the extra place is for,"
"I'm not sure," said Chels, "Because the grand one is for Grandmother, it says her name."
"Seems kind of rude for her to be late when we were right on time, from the other side of the country," said Ron.
"I'm sure she has an explanation," Hermione said, looking tentatively at the doors, starting to get worried. Lady Danforth did not strike her as the type to be late.
"I'm going to go check with the house-elves," Chels said, abruptly getting up from her place and walking out the servants' door.
Hermione looked down at the table, worry creases across her forehead.
"Hermione," said Draco
Hermione's head shot up and she met his eyes.
"Everything's going to be fine," there was a look in his eyes then that she couldn't explain. He was comforting her in a way, with the look. Whatever it was, it made her feel a little better.
"Thanks," she squeaked.
Ten minutes later the servants' door banged open again and Chels came out in a fume. She rolled her eyes.
"Stupid elves can't follow directions," she said, "Grandmother told them to feed us luncheon first, to tell us she wouldn't be back until four o'clock with a special friend. Apparently she had to pick him up."
Chels sat down, and then a parade of house elves started coming out of the servants' door, carrying trays of delicious food. Hermione breathed a sigh of relief, and everyone began to eat and talk again.
Right before four o'clock, all six teenagers were brought into an adjacent sitting room that looked out onto a beautiful patio. Just as they sank down into cushy pillows or sat down primly on straight-back chairs, a house-elf came in with wide eyes.
"M-Messieurs and Mademoiselles, Madame has returned. She will be here any minute," the elf said nervously.
Chels, Hermione and Draco shot up like rockets out of their seats, followed by Harry and Ginny, and lastly Ron. The girls fussed over their robes, and every single one of them attempted to stand up as straight as was humanly possible. As Hermione was smoothing her hair, the doorknob turned to reveal another house elf, who opened the door wide to admit Lady Danforth.
"Oh my dears! I am so sorry I had you dine without my esteemed self! Come, come, please sit! There is someone I must introduce!" Lady Danforth waved her hand and a boy came into the room. He was dressed in formal dress robes, and fairly tall and gawky. His eyes were a deep blue, and his hair was a very dark brown, and slightly long. He smiled and gave a small bow.
"I am Jean Bleu, of France. Lady Danforth has invited me to stay the rest of the summer here in Britain," as he spoke, his eyes flitted around the room and landed on Hermione. Draco noticed. His fists clenched.
Hermione was the first to step forward with a curtsy, "I am Hermione Granger, of Lane, Danforth and Black."
Draco stepped up immediately next to her, taking her arm, "And I am Draco Malfoy, of Malfoy and Black."
Jean nodded, "You two are the premier couple this year. Congratulations."
Harry stepped forward next. Jean didn't even wait for an introduction.
"You are Harry Potter," he said, then looked at Ginny, who stepped forward, "So you must be Ginerva Weasley."
Ginny nodded, and hung of Harry's arm. Jean then turned his attention to the last two in the room. Ron stepped forward smiling, he seemed to be happy to meet Jean.
"Ronald Weasley," he said, "Nice to meet you."
Chels peeked out from behind Ron. Lady Danforth motioned her forward and she stepped out front of everyone bashfully, with her knees locked, rocking back and forth a bit.
"I'm Chels Arina Copalia, of Copalia and Danforth."
"Pleased to meet your acquaintance," Jean said, bowing fairly lowly.
"Well!" said Lady Danforth, coming in front of Jean, "Why don't we all go outside on the patio and have some lemonade? It's beautiful this afternoon!" She smiled, and the group of teens left the room in pairs- down to Chels and Jean, leaving Ron lagging behind with Lady Danforth.
"So Mr. Weasley, I haven't seen your family in society in a very long time. Not since your grandmother, I believe."
"Yes, our family decided to step out for a bit," Ron said, peering ahead at the rest of the group.
"Yes, I remember when your grandmother handed her official letter of departure. We were all so sad to see her go, such a wonderful lady."
At this point they had finally gotten outside, and Lady Danforth sat herself down, chatting to Ron, who was looking in the direction of Chels, who was blushing as she sat next to Jean, who was glancing at Hermione, who was smiling at the way Harry and Ginny were being so cute, who were oblivious to the fact that Draco Malfoy seemed to think the two of them were disgusting. What a happy group!
Well, there goes chapter 18! I am sooo sorry it took me forever to update, I've been really busy!
Thanks for the reviews I got! You all reminded me to keep writing!
And thanks to my awesome beta, Flo, who has made sure I don't make your eye bleed! And helps me when I have writer's block, naturally!
And, the question this time, well I've decided to mix it up again. What do you think of Harry/Hermione pairings?
That's all! See you next chapter!