Over the next few days Penny got used to the routine of the Manor. Each morning she would be woken by a pattern within the artworks on the wall swirling and convulsing through several colours and a soft melody filling the bedroom. Breakfast was a far more relaxed affair than dinner, with Draco and herself still dressed in their nightwear, although her aunt would still always be as smartly dressed in her robes without a hair out of place. The opposite was true of Penny, whose bird nest would be exceptionally wild in the mornings. Lucius would usually have already left for London, but on the couple of occasions he had crossed Penny's path he had nodded curtly and smiled his cold smile, most likely at the dishevelled appearance of the young witch.

After breakfast Draco and Penny were allowed to amuse themselves as they wished. Probably on orders from his mother, Draco repeatedly tried to entice Penny into activities, ranging from Gobstones, where she beat him several times, to Quidditch practice which she declined. One morning Narcissa had summoned the grooms and had two horses saddled up for the pair of them. At first the horses had both been well behaved due to strict training, after about an hour Draco had clearly grown tired of the gradual pace and decided to gallop over the creek near the boundary of the Malfoys land. Penny's horse had seen its companion speed off and quickly bolted after it. Having never ridden before Penny had clung on for dear life until the horse had slipped on the frozen edges of the creek. As the stallion stumbled Penny lost her grip and slammed hard into the ice. Winded, she could only manage a strangled scream as pain shot through her arm from her shoulder to her fingertips. Cursing Malfoy had sent up red sparks with his wand and his mother had quickly appeared by the creek. Conjuring up a stretcher Narcissa hoisted Penny onto it and mounting the stallion, trotted back to the Manor, Penny and Draco in tow. Banishing Draco, Narcissa was consulting a large volume on the desk as Penny lay on the bed.

'The spell is Ferula' Penny said through gritted teeth. Narcissa looked up from her book 'You need to fix the broken limb into the correct position before you attempt to repair the bones into place, in case of complications later on' Penny said huskily, her breath ragged from the effort of speaking. Narcissa looked vaguely surprised, but calmly closed her volume, pointed her wand at Penny shoulder and said 'Ferula'. Immediately a split fixed Penny's arm in place, the young witch whimpering as it straightened the painful joint.

'I don't suppose you know the next bit?' Narcissa asked sceptically.

'Destituo might be the best option or Coeo' Penny replied immediately, her vision becoming blurry 'There are more precise spells but they are more complicated to... carry... out' Penny finished before blacking out, leaving a somewhat bemused Narcissa.

The day after that Penny had been left to her own devices. Draco had given her a sullen apology with his head bowed and his eyes on the floor. Penny assumed he had been chastised by his mother and accepted his apology somewhat dismissively and he had left her alone in order to rest. Wondering the Manor she had found an expansive library at the rear of the lounge and she had eagerly pulled volumes off the shelves. Narcissa had found the young girl up to her eyes in the large books a few hours later.

'Most Notable Discoveries of Healing Magic in the past Millennium' Narcissa read 'I suppose that explains telling me how to heal you, though why an intelligent girl such as yourself would delve so much into such an un-ambitious subject I do not know.' Penny looked up surprised.

'Why would wanting to be a Healer be un-ambitious?' She asked puzzled 'Doctors in the Muggle world are held in high regard' she inwardly cursed herself for bringing Muggles into a conversation with her aunt. Predictably Narcissa looked disgusted, her face taking on the expression of smelling dung.

'Well perhaps Muggles find the human body difficult to understand and manipulate, but even the most simpleton witch or wizard can master basic healing spells. It's a very...Huffelpuff career' Narcissa finished, as if that explained everything. Penny didn't respond but glanced down at the volume trying to find a change of subject.

'Draco used his wand' Penny said questioning, when Narcissa didn't answer she went on 'Underage people aren't allowed to use magic outside of school'

'Red sparks are an international recognised symbol for help, so are classified as an exception under Article 5 for the Decree of Underage Wizardry' Narcissa said curtly 'Besides, the Trace cannot distinguish between adult and underage magic. It is the responsibility of the adults to ensure it does not occur. Magical households are registered with the Department of Magical Dwellings, who are a highly skilled team of witches and wizards who specialise in placing charms over dwellings, including a shield from the Trace. A far more suitable career for someone as gifted as yourself' Narcissa added stiffly.

'So I could use magic right now and the Ministry would never know?' Penny asked. Narcissa's lips went thin.

'In theory, yes, but then I could be prosecuted as your responsible adult.' Narcissa replied her expression stern enough to match even the strictest of Professor McGonagall's. 'So I suggest you do not behave so disrespectfully.' Penny averted her gaze from her aunt's glare.

'So the Department of Magical Dwellings will have placed the charm to block the Trace over Hogwarts?' Penny asked.

'Usually they do. Plus the vast amount of other charms surrounding the castle, Muggles cannot enter, nor can people Apparate, enter the grounds via the air and many other ways. The castle is very well protected from any form of intrusion or attack.'

'Usually they do?' Penny asked.

'Professor Dumbledore prefers to do the enchantments himself, rather than allow professions to do it' Narcissa said, looking as if she was sucking on a lemon 'He considers himself superior, despite the fact Sirius Black appears to have outsmarted the self proclaimed genius.'

'So...are we related to Sirius Black?' Penny inquired curiously. Narcissa didn't answer but stood up gracefully.

'Enough questions for today Persephone. I shall see you at dinner.'

With that Narcissa left Penny to her thoughts.