While You Slept
Lady Countryrose
Ch. 7
After the arrival of Alastor Moody. Paperwork was signed, making Hermione adopted into the Potter family on July 31, 1988. With that, Dorea had gone over to the Grangers home and packed up Hermione's room. Then came back and set up a bedroom for Hermione.
She found a bedroom that was once used by Lily, before she had married James. With a quick work of her wand. The room was cleaned and aired. She didn't change anything about the room.
Everything was a dusty rose, gold and cherry wood polish. Along with some white accents in blankets and pillows. It fitted Hermione well. Dorea then magicked Hermione's things where they needed to go. She then went back down to see the children in the sitting room.
Hermione had already said goodbyes with her parents. But they did wish she could write once in a while. With that being said, Hermione looked calmer for some reason. Like she knew her magic would scare them away, but didn't know where she would live. If they had kicked her out, before having a place to live.
She saw the three children talking and laughing with one another. She took a deep breath and walked into the room. Causing the three to look at her.
She smiled, "I have a room ready for you, Hermione. Whenever you wish, you can call on Keia for help."
"Who is Keia," asked Hermione. Before a house elf had popped in.
Causing Hermione to jump on her feet with fear in her eyes. Dorea smiled, "This is Keia, she is a house elf. One of a few within our staff."
"Slaves," Hermione looked at her with righteous anger.
"No,' hissed Keia. "I am no slave. I work like any house elf will, for the family that I have grown to love. As they protect me from losing my magic. House elves lose their magic, when we have no family to provide."
Hermione blinked a couple of times in sadness. "I didn't know," she spoke with a little voice. "I am sorry."
Keia nodded her head. Then snapped out of the room. Dorea knew then that Hermione truly had a kind soul.
"Don't worry, dear. There are a lot of things in the Wizarding World that will be a cultural shock." Dorea smiled, causing Hermione to smile back. "Other than the book on Hogwarts, I think there might be other books in our massive library that could in this instance."
As soon as Dorea had said library, Hermione's eyes lit up like it was Christmas. With a giggle, she led the children to the library, with Charlus behind them. Once there, the boys noticed a chessboard and Charlus explained how it worked. While Dorea watched a girl with wonder in her eyes.
'I finally have a girl that loves to read.' Dorea then showed Hermione the different parts of the library, where it was organized by subject and then by author after that.
"You have a copy of Shakespeare's work," asked Hermione in awe.
Dorea smiled, "Well, one must be educated. No matter who wrote it." Causing her to think. "Isn't Hermione, Queen of Sicily, is the lovely wife of King Leontes and the doting mother of Mamillius and Perdita. According to the Winter's Tale."
Hermione blushed, "My mum loved Shakespeare."
Then they found a book about the everyday creatures that witches and wizards face. While Hermione read the book. Dorea sat and watched Charlus explaining how to play wizard's chess. The boys are commanding their pieces like generals in an army. Reminding her of a time, where James and Sirius and sometimes Remus, had done the same.
'I am enjoying hearing life has come back to this haunting manor.' She is not plagued by ghosts, even at times she could have wished for it. No, she was plagued by memories long past. Trapped inside the manor, when she was alone. Missing the people that made it come alive with laughter.
'Remus,' she looked around the desk that she had been sitting at. Grabbed a piece of parchment and started to write.
Remus,
I am sorry I have not written in a while. But I have good news, Charlus is awake and living back at the manor. Harry is living with us as well. Please come and see him, dear.
Oh, I have gained a couple extra children. I don't think you can blame me for wanting extra children around. I did have extra children after James had started Hogwarts, after all.
Please come, Remus.
Love always,
Ma Potter
Dorea then used her wand to do a quick dry on the paper. Then folded it and placed her personal seil on it.
"Keia," she called softly. When a pop sounded next to her. She turned with a big smile. "Please send an owl to deliver this to Remus Lupin."
"Remus," squeaked Keia in excitement. "I need to bake chocolate right away!" She then took the letter and popped out.
"Grandma, who is Remus?"
Dorea smiled as she turned to Harry. "One of your father's closest friends. He was quite like an uncle to you, when you were born, Harry."
Harry looked like he wanted to argue, but soon clammed down. He then asked, "When do you think, my Dad, would wake up?"
"Wake up," asked Hermione with a look of surprise in her eyes. "What happened?"
With a great pain in Dorea's heart. She told three children about the night of October 31st of 1981. She told them about Lord Voldemort and his rise in power. That anything lower than pure-blood was nothing worth having in the Wizarding World. How he wanted to enslave the muggles.
Explaining that her son and his wife were hiding. Once they had heard that their son was in danger. Where Lord Voldemort wanted to kill a helpless baby. But in the end, Harry lived, only to be marked by dark magic.
It was then that Harry touched his forehead. Where the mark of a lightning bolt sits on his head. Dorea smiled softly to her grandson.
"I had talked to Headmaster Dumbledore, the man in charge of Hogwarts. He explained that become of Lily's great love for you, Harry. You were protected from a killing curse. Where that protection backfired on Voldemort, killing him. Leaving behind the mark on your head. The mark of surviving death."
Hermione turned towards Harry with tears in her eyes. Dorea could see from the girl's eyes. That she would protect Harry with all of her heart.