Chapter 33


Hello all! I hope you're well and ready for the seasons change. I love to see the trees change colour and it feels so cosy when it's time to wear sweaters and drink warm coffee.

Coincidently, in the universe of this story it's already winter, but don't worry by the time I post next it sure as hell will be snowing lol (hopefully now but I don't have a good record of regular updates haha)

Thank you for reading this still and for your reviews, it's so exciting whenever I get a notification there was a new review posted.

Lots of love!


The sun rays were getting through the long blinds that were meant to prevent them from getting inside the room, in favour of prolonged sleep that Hermione needed very badly that morning.

She turned to the side and looked at the clock. It showed her it was only 4:32 am. She sighted and pushed herself up, resting her upper body on the pillows stacked up against the head board.

Her and Regulus were working into the late night, hoping to find a solution to the newest issue that Draco would not stop pressing with. And with good reason, but her recent dreams made her feel uneasy inside. She has spoken to her aunt Amelia but the older woman told her not to worry for now as everything was going as it should be, whatever that meant.

"What if we sneak in some healing potions?" She suggested standing in front of a chalk board. They were making lists of options and crossing them out when they hit a dead end.

"They'll know." Came Regulus' husky voice, from behind a large pile of books. She turned around to see him emerge from behind them, with an open book in his hand. "Carrows ravel in the after pain so they will look for the signs of it, and if they find none, they will know the kids are using something. I don't think I need to tell you what will happen then."

"Longer practices." She said to herself.

"If only that…" Regulus sighted. He put the book down and stroked his chin in through. "No, this won't do. We must solve this." He came over to the board. He took a piece of chalk and began to write things down frantically.

"Perhaps you need to take a break? You've barely gotten any rest since you've been back." She placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I don't need break, I need answers my love." He swung his arm around her and held her close, resting his chin on her head. She put her arms around his torso. She could feel his heart beat.

"So do I but we're not getting anywhere. Let's go to bed."

"I can't, I have to leave soon." Right, he was going after the latest might-be Horcrux. Hermione came across a magical trace that was similar to that of a Horcruxes they have so far found. They've arranged for Regulus to track it down quietly. Hermione preferred to herself instead but they agreed that one of them should stay, just in case. And, since they couldn't be sure how long it would take, with her family due to arrive next week Hermione stayed behind.

Now that the insignia was all in their possession, the cloak, the stone and the wand all collected and secure, they focused on retrieving the remaining Horcruxes. There were seven of them, including the piece stuck inside Harry. They still were trying to figure out how to get it out of him or destroy it without harming Harry in the process.

The Horcrux within Tom Riddle's diary has already been ripped apart by Harry in their second year, and the one inside the Gaunt's ring was destroyed by Dumbledore. They had the Slytherin's locket and knew the location of the Hufflepuff's Cup. That left an object that used to belong to Rowena Ravenclaw, Nagini and Voldemort himself.

Because of the piece that was stuck inside of Harry, Regulus was spending most of his days at the 12 Grimmauld Place, practicing Legilimency with him. Harry's mind left the Order vulnerable to an attack once Voldemort realised he had an access to it. Harry hated that he couldn't leave and help to locate the last Horcrux, and instead had to stay inside and practice. Ron was thrilled to see Regulus around so often.

Hermione got up and put her nightgown on. Rubbing her eyes, she walked through the door half asleep and made her way down the corridor and then the stairs. It was too early to get up but nothing stopped her from getting herself a warm mug of herbal tea. Perhaps it would help her relax and maybe then she could sleep for a little longer before throwing herself into another long day of work.

Hermione entered the kitchen and flicked her fingers. The candles on the table lit up. They were much softer a source of light then the electrical brightness from the bulbs in the chandelier. It was still dark outside, as it was early December and the sun has not yet risen. She put the kettle on and prepared her tea. It was cold down here.

Hermione grabbed the mug and made her way to the warmest part of the west wing. The greenhouse, hoping to settle on the sofa hidden amongst the rarest magical plants her mother collected over the years. The greenhouse was attached to the conservatory, for Lydia's convenience when she was busy with the magical creatures she kept inside it and needed a specific plant but had no house elf around to help her fetch it.

Lydia was fascinated with the work of Newt Scamander and took great care of the creatures she brought back with her from her travels. After Hermione's father's death, Lydia needed an escape and this new hobby helped her deal with grief and heal after the loss.

As a mother, she wasn't the most present in Hermione's life after that tragic event, but the young witch didn't hold it against her. She was in pain too, she lost her father. Hermione took the side staircase and ended coming out of a long and wide corridor that led towards a big glass hall. The door to the greenhouse were covered in ornamentation and led into a double height space that was filled with 6 meters tall plants and trees.

Hermione entered and made her way around the round space pushing the long suspended ivy out of the way. There was a sofa set against a window that overlooked the outdoor garden, that was now covered in thick layer of snow. Hermione placed her mug on the crystal table that stood next to the sofa, and settled herself comfortably under the soft blanket that belonged to her mother.

Hermione was sitting facing the window. She took her mug and sipped her warm tea whilst watching it snow outside. She warmed up under the blanket and the Icarus plants soft signing made her eyes close and venture into the dreaming.


"My lady, my lady!" Hermione felt a rapid tugging on the sleeve of her night gown. She opened her eyes to see Tutu, one of their house elves that preferred to stay in the shadows and do her chores quietly. Hermione felt out of it and confused, being hasted out of her sleep, but Tutu's big frightened eyes made her come to her senses very quickly.

"Tutu what is it?" She pulled herself up. The elf pushed a two-way mirror onto her lap. She took it and saw terrified Harry on the other end.

"My lady something bad, very bad has happened." Said Tutu. "Tutu heard the mirror and found Miss Hermione as fast as possible my lady."

"Thank you Tutu." Hermione patted the elf hoping to calm her down a little. She turned to look into the mirror. "Harry? What is it?"

"Hermione they're coming, the death eaters are coming to the 12 Grimmauld Place! Regulus isn't here and I don't know what to do, I'm so sorry to wake you." He sounded frantic.

"What are you talking about?"

"He got inside my head I couldn't stop him, Hermione I'm so sorry! He saw where I was, they're coming for us. I woke everyone up and we're packing but Regulus has gone somewhere and we can't get a hold of him and Sirius is still trying to contact your grandfather, we don't know where to go." Hermione felt fear grow in her stomach. This couldn't be happening, not now when there was no one around. The worst possible scenario had come to life and she needed to think fast.

"Here! You can come here. Hold on, I'll be right there!" Hermione put down the mirror and ran towards the door. She pushed it only to run into half-asleep Draco who apparently was woken up by distraught Tutu when she barged into his room, looking for her Miss Hermione.

"What's happening?" He asked confused.

"Come, we have no time to waste." She grabbed his wrist and they ran to the closest room with a fireplace in it, as that was where they kept emergency kits, and inside one of those you could find teleportation crystals. They were a one-time use sort of things and weren't used much, but they would allow Hermione and Draco to transport larger numbers at one go.

Hermione dropped to her knees and pulled on a sculpture for the bottom of the fire place to release a hidden compartment with such crystals. She passed two to Draco and slipped two into the pockets of her night gown.

"Take these, we will need them, they're easy to use. You must make sure everyone you're transporting is holding hands and you must think of the place you're going to. Here's the incantation-" She placed a piece of parchment in his hand. "Memorise it quickly." She said and pushed the compartment back in.

She got up and grabbed his free hand. "Bedyrne ús! Astýre ús þanonweard!" She chanted and soon they were gone.


"Sirius, Sirius!" Harry was trying to get the attention of his godfather who was hurriedly packing the most important belongings with Molly. Arthur and Lupin were running around the house, layering up protective barriers and protections spells to slow down the incoming attack.

"Harry have you got all your things an-" The house shook. The Death Eaters got here and were trying to get inside.

"Sirius we must hurry! Finish up and go with Harry to the drawing room! Now!" Shouted Lupin as he ran past the room they were in. The house shook again, but harder, making things fall and smash.

"Here, take this." Sirius pushed two filled bags into Harry's hands and grabbed the other two. Even with the extension charm, the bags were full and heavy. Sirius must have thrown in everything that was within his sight.

"Come, let's go!" He ordered and they ran down the corridor towards the agreed meeting point.

There was a loud bang and with too much dust and destruction, two death eaters got inside after being let in by Bellatrix, who as a Black, got in after breaking only the protection spells left by Arthur and Remus. 12 Grimmauld Place had a great deal of its own ancient protective barriers in place, but they made little difference once Bella opened the door for the intruders.

One of them threw a spell at Sirius and Harry but it was deflected by Hermione who seemed to be coming back from the direction of Regulus' room, with a small bag at her side. Sirius retaliated and the dead eater was thrown back and into the nearest room wreaking havoc, judging by the smashing and breaking sound he made when landing.

The three of them ran into the drawing room and saw Draco departing with Ron, Fred and George. Hermione locked eyes with Draco as his eyes turned gold from the incantation he used and seconds later they were gone.

Arthur got inside the room just after Sirius, shutting the door and locking it with a spell. He went to grab Molly's hand, who took Harry's hand who took Sirius' hand who grabbed Hermione. She took Remus's hand who was now holding onto Arthur.

"Gebiede ic þone feorhberend þære ealdaþ æ" Hermione's eyes glowed gold.

The door exploded turning into a great deal of dust that suddenly filled the space.

Bellatrix walked in to find an empty room. Three death eaters pushed their way in after her.

"They're gone?" Asked one of the solders of darkness.

"Where could they have gone?"

"Unless you want to tell the Dark Lord you let them escape you better find them! NOW." She shouted. Within seconds all three were gone. Bellatrix smirked.

She turned to look at the empty room once more. She walked over to the fireplace and let her fingers feel the dark magic running through it as it did through every object in this house. The whole place was saturated in it. She sighted and set fire to the place her cousins grew up in, where she used to run around carefree in her childhood.

She left without looking back.


Dowager Countess of Grantham was not having a very good day.

First the telephone, diabolical device of torture stopped working before she could inform Amelia or Lydia of her early arrival. The rainy weather was giving her a migraine and the road seemed to never end. After being stuck in traffic for over an hour, her butler Mosley was feeling car sick and they were forced to make a stop in the middle of nowhere.

Then, there were cows blocking the road, so Mosley went in search of the nearest farm and the farmer, to ask him to retrieve his animals, but it turned out that the farmer's wife went into labour. By the time the road was cleared it was too late to carry on so they drove up to the Inn and stayed for the night, but were forced to leave before dusk, due to some indescribable noises coming from the adjacent rooms.

"Oh what else is going to happen?" She sighted loudly after couple of minutes on the road. "How much longer to the Greenfell Manor?"

"Forty-five minutes my lady." Replied Mosley, keeping both hands on the wheel and both eyes on the road.

"Let's hope we won't run into any more trouble getting there. I don't think I can take any more."

After a very long and exhausting journey, Dowager Countess of Grantham was able to finally get out of the car to find that no one was waiting outside to greet her.

"Well I suppose it is still early." She grimaced looking at her watch, and made her way inside the Manor leaving Mosley to fetch their luggage.

She walked inside the empty manor and walked to the closest drawing room, but she never made it past the threshold as she came face to face with a tall man of long silver white hair and piercing eyes.

'Must be another charity project of Lydia's', thought Violet as she assessed the curious being in front of her.

"And just who might you be?" She finally asked with a scowl. It was the most reasonable expression she could muster after a day and night of disappointing travel. The man looked down at her with a frown.

"I am Lucius Malfoy."

Violet nodded. "Violet Crawley." She introduced herself reluctantly. "Malfoy, what a peculiar name." She gave him a calculating look.

"It's French." He told her with an air of arrogance.

"That explains it." She sighted. French were nearly as unsophisticated as Americans, in Violet's books. His hair and clothes were particularly very odd. "You must be one of the magicians." She concluded.

"I'm sorry?" He blinked, insulted or confused, he wasn't sure himself.

"Oh there's no need to be sorry my boy. We all have our own eccentricities." She chuckled giving him the side look. She turned and went inside the drawing room. "Where is everyone?"

"I would like to know that too." Lucius replied in a low tone, looking down at the muggle lady. She went to sit down on the sofa and gestured for him to join her on the opposite side. Lucius, unsure of the new arrival slowly sat down facing her. One of the elves appeared with two cups of tea. Lucius watched as the woman took one with a short 'thank you Felix' and set it on the table before her. She dropped a cube of sugar in and stirred the tea, before bringing it to her lips. The elf set his cup in front of his and disappeared.

"I admire men who wake before dawn." She said, but Lucius only gave her a cold smile. He wasn't sure how to handle this muggle women. He needed to be careful to not insult her in this strange house. His stay and safety were ensured if he followed the house rules set by the hosts. Rules he wasn't very happy to follow but would bare for the survival of his family, he told himself.

"Is it customary for this family to make such early visits?" He asked carefully. Violet chuckled.

"No, but it was either that or prolonging my stay at an Inn with very thin walls and indecent guests." She explained with an amused smile.

"Ah."

"Do you hunt?" She asked suddenly.

"Occasionally."

"Then, how about a quick one before breakfast?" She suggested. Lucius blinked. The woman looked ancient and fragile, would she even be able to ride a horse, not to mention shoot when mounted on top of it? In the end, he could not find a good enough reason to decline the offer. He felt stuffy in the house anyway, it would do him good to get some fresh air.

"If you insist." He replied before getting up and following her out of the house and into the stables.


The next time Hermione opened her eyes, she was standing in the biggest drawing room of Greenfell Manor. Arthur and Sirius were still panting. Remus let go of her hand as she watched him let out a big breath he was holding until now. She noted the change in his eyes as he was looking around the space they were in. This made her remember that none of the new arrivals have ever been inside her house. Most of them were looking around to familiarise themselves with their surroundings at first, but soon gave up in favour of finding a chair or space on a sofa near the fireplace to sit and rest.

They've all been awoken in the middle of night and forced to hurriedly pack. Their bags were all discarded in the corner of the room. Tutu was already tending to every new guest, offering them a hot beverage and something to nibble on, while they waited – waited for Hermione to tell them what's next. It was her call, she realised.

Hermione turned to look at Harry who went over to slightly limping Ron. It appears he hurt his left leg in the chaos of it all, and was now sitting on the sofa awkwardly gawking at Draco, with whom he arrived here few minutes earlier. Harry dropped on the sofa next to Ron and began checking on him as Draco's eyes met her own.

She watched as he strode towards her with a frown on his face.

"Are you feeling okay?" He asked as she felt the tinge of concern materialise in his gaze. She must have looked tired or at loss with how to handle the situation, since he was looking at her like that.

"I'm fine Draco. Tired, but glad we got there in time. And got out unhurt, all of us." She gave him a faint smile.

"What's your plan now that they're all here?" He looked at her with the intensity that seemed to hint at the reality of the situation and what it now meant. The unspoken question in the air, hanging between them like an axe. Draco seemed to be asking; what is your plan now that they are so close to what we've been doing here?

There was a lot that they've been up to that the Order wasn't really told about. There was a lot about this place that they would find strange. This large Druid muggle house with unmoving portraits, different elves and secrets.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry Sirius. We lost your childhood home because of me." They turned to look at Harry speaking with Sirius, who went over to sit with him.

"Harry listen to me, you did well, you told us in time to save us, you contacted Hermione and got us out. We're all safe now, you're safe. We can figure it out." Sirius rested a hand on Harry's shoulder.

"It's my fault, if I didn't let him inside my head, he wouldn't have seen…"

Hermione opened her mouth to say something but Draco was faster.

"Don't be stupid Potter, you did what you could. He attacked when your mind was most vulnerable, no point thinking about it now."

"Draco is right. We must focus on going forward, I say we call a meeting. Tomorrow, once we've rested and everyone is here to attend it." Said Remus in a voice that couldn't hide his exhaustion.

"That is, if we are welcome to stay here until we find another place?" Sirius turned to Hermione. Few other pairs of eyes looked to her.

"You are welcome to stay as long as you need, Sirius." She saw relief wash over some of their features. "As long as you respect others who live or are staying here in this house." She added. "You will be provided space to sleep, food and are welcome to use the grounds, but I must ask you to not try to enter into rooms that are locked. They are locked for a reason."

"Understandable." Said Sirius turning to others around the room, who only nodded or gestured to show that they understand.

"Will you kick us out if we break the rules?" Asked Ron with a strange expression on his face.

"If you break the rules Ron, there will be very little left of you to kick out of this house." She replied with a smile that did not meet her eyes. "Those rules are there for your safety as much as letting us all live here in peace." She meant to ask them to not cause any trouble once they realise Lucius Malfoy was staying in this house, once grandmother has arrived, and later the rest of the family invited for Winter Solstice celebrations.

To keep away from her mother's conservatory when she's not there, to not go into Claudius' study alone. To treat their elves with respect and to accept Amelia was the head of this house, and had to be obeyed at all times. But, this house albeit muggle in appearance, was soaked in old magic that was long asleep. It would do no good to wake it up. To go poking into rooms that have not been opened in decades, rooms that stored what was long forgotten and should be left undisturbed.

"Tutu will show you to your rooms. Take time to bathe and rest. Breakfast is at 8." There it was. The voice of hostess they were not accustomed to hearing come out of her mouth. Nobody had the energy to smile, they have all just been forced to abandon their beds, Weasleys for the second time this year. The Order's Headquarters have been compromised, it was a major loss, a great step back but – but Hermione couldn't help but feel it somehow was a push towards the inevitable end they were nearing towards. And it was up to them to decide how it all would end.

Soon they were all taken up to their rooms. First Harry and Ron, Fred and George. Then Arthur and Molly, Sirius and Remus. Remembering he was still in his nightwear, Draco retreated upstairs to his room, leaving Hermione on the sofa watching the flames dance in the fireplace, wondering what the next 24h would bring.


Two hours later, it was time for breakfast. New guests turned up refreshed and wearing a change of clothes. The tiredness was still present in their eyes as they sat around the long table. It turned out Violet had arrived earlier than anyone expected, and gave everyone a startle as her and Lucius walked past the dining room in muddy boots and muggle riding gear, stopping shortly to announce they will be down in a couple of minutes and to not wait for them.

"I must be dreaming or have hit my head because I swear I just saw Lucius Malfoy." Said Arthur.

"No you're awake and well. Father is staying here, Lord Greenfell brought him here." Said Draco, making himself a sandwitch.

"His stay is conditioned under the same house rules as anyone else staying here. He will not cause you any trouble."

"How do you know he's not a spy for Voldemort." Glowered Ron.

"He's not." Said Lydia entering the dining room.

"Morning mother."

"Morning Mrs Greenfell." Draco sent Lydia a warm smile, unlike Hermione who focused on stirring her coffee.

"Good morning everyone. Tutu told me what happened, I'm very sorry you've lost your home Sirius, stay as long as you like." She smiled reassuringly at everyone around the table, before sitting down in one of the empty chairs. Sirius thanked her. Molly only smiled mildly. She ventured into the kitchen today, convinced she was expected to help out. She was very disappointed when the elves did not let her in and insisted she returns upstairs.

"Grandmother is here." Said Hermione.

"Yes I saw. Your aunt Amelia, Klaus and I ran into her and Lucius at the door. What a curious sight the two of them together on their way back from the stables."

"How did your trip go?" Asked Draco. The three of them went over to Egypt for a few days to pick up a rare species of moonlight Fwooper. A magical African bird with brightly coloured feathers. Lydia already had a pink and orange couple she brought back 5 years ago from the same licensed sanctuary keeper. He agreed to working with her after becoming one of the keepers registered under Lydia's own foundation. It was ensuring that several sanctuaries around the globe had the funds to save magical creatures, and all were run by trusted wizards.

"It went well. I've never seen such beautifully coloured bird. She is one of the 18 remaining Fwoopers of such colouring. It will be an honour to look after her until they locate a male for her. We hope that once they do, the birds will like each other enough to work towards preventing their own extinction."

"I had no idea you were interested in magical creatures." Said Remus, looking at Lydia as if he saw her for the first time.

"We all have our own hobbies here, to keep us sane." She smiled sweetly. "I assume Hermione informed you of Amelia's house rules?"

"She certainly did." Sirius winked at her.

"Good."

"What are we meant to do here?" Asked Molly. She seemed to still be put out by for the first time in her life not being allowed in the kitchen. Everything she took care of at the 12 Grimmauld Place, was taken care of by elves.

"Do whatever you like." Lydia smiled. "Explore the grounds, go for a walk, train, fly, use the library, paint. If there is anything you need just ask our elves, they will fetch it for you."

"What about me?" Asked Harry.

"What about you, Harry?" Lydia turned to the cowering boy. Hermione's eyes met Draco's.

"What if he gets inside my head and sees this place?" He asked with desperation in his eyes. Hermione had no doubt Harry would get up and leave right this minute if it meant protecting the order. Unnecessary sacrifice as he was keeping the order and everyone else safer by staying here at the Greenfell Manor.

It would do no good to anyone if he got caught and revealed all he knew about the order and the Greenfells. Because he wouldn't have a choice, he was not strong enough to defend himself, to protect his mind against an interrogation when in their clutches. And once they got all they wanted from him, they would kill him robbing the wizarding world of their saviour.

"He won't. We are safe here. This house stands on sacred druid land, soaked with our blood and magic. Voldemort or his followers will not set a foot here, nor will they ever be able to find it or look inside your mind as long as you stay here."

"If that's true, then why didn't you bring Harry here in the first place?" Asked George with genuine curiosity.

"It is not up to me. Besides confiding Harry or anyone to this house is not a solution. Regulus is out looking for one as we speak, as is Claudius. We can hold a meeting once they are back, until then take your time to settle in and rest."

"Where are Regulus and Claudius exactly?" Asked Remus, meeting Lydia's eyes.

"I do not know." She said after a moment.

"I don't believe you for a second." Smirked Lupin, as Klaus came into the room with Amelia, Lucius and Violet.

"She doesn't know, none of us do." He admitted as he slid on a seat next to Hermione, and stuffed a bagel into his mouth. Amelia sat at the head of the long table and Violet made her way towards the other end, which was usually occupied by Claudius. Lucius sat on her left, next to Draco who was facing Hermione.

"Now that we're all here, allow me to make the introductions. Everyone, may I present Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham. Mama, you've met Lucius, this is his son Draco Malfoy. Draco's uncle Sirius Black. Remus Lupin, Arthur and Molly Weasley, their sons George, Fred and Ron Wesley and Harry Potter, Sirius's godson."

"How did she know"? Fred whispered to George who was looking at Lydia with wide eyes. It was a rare day when someone got their names right. Lucius and Sirius were looking anywhere but at each other after Lydia introduced Sirius as Draco's uncle. It appeared to have made things awkward between the pair of enemies as that specific blood relation was never acknowledged, especially not at a breakfast table and never in introductions.

"Draco, Harry and Ron are Hermione's classmates." Added Lydia. "All are present except for Claudius and Regulus Black, Hermione's fiancé."

"Black?" Violet looked to Sirius.

"My younger brother." Admitted the wizard meeting her eyes with confidence.

"Oh?" She looked from Sirius to Hermione, who only smiled at her grandmother. Violet looked around the table at all new faces. "So, what do you do?" She locked her eyes on Arthur, who looked unsure what to say.

"She knows." Said Hermione. Her grandmother lived long enough to witness many magical things in her life, but she was more than aware of the nature of Greenfell family and she was certainly told all about the Wizarding world when Hermione left for Hogwarts. She demanded to be told.

"I work for the Ministry of Magic, I'm the head of the Office for the Detection and Confiscation of Counterfeit Defensive Spells and Protective Objects." Violet nodded.

"You work for the magical government?"

"You could say that, yes"

"And is it a lucrative position?" Hermione could see Lucius snigger in his seat, but Arthur didn't falter. He was proud in his job.

"Ah, well, it does have its merits. I do enjoy it very much." He smiled, but Hermione choose to stop this path of conversation before she went around the table, asking them all one by one. She didn't want to hear what Sirius would have said, but most of all she wanted to spare them the torture of Grandmother Violet's curiosity. She elbowed Klaus, who knew exactly what his cousin needed from him.

"How was your morning hunt, Lady Grantham?" Asked Klaus flashing a big grin.

"Better than the travel here."

"Yes I've heard you ran into some trouble on your way." Said Amelia with mirth hidden behind her eyes.

"Let's not speak of it, I would very much like to hear if you're planning to attend the funeral."

"What funeral?" Hermione's focus snapped away from her food.

"You haven't heard? Your great aunt Amelia's and grandfather Claudius' cousins Edward and George have lost their only sons to a sinking ship." Revealed Violet with a sad look gracing her features.

"It's quite a tragedy for the Greenfell family." Said Amelia. "We only just heard about it yesterday and wanted to wait for Claudius to return before we tell you." Hermione felt shivers go down her spine. If James and Patrick were dead, having left no children behind and neither Edward or George had any more children to inherit their wealth, nor did their sister Giselle, then all that would fall down the second child's family tree.

Edward's George's and Giselle's father Charles II Greenfell had a brother Dominus and sister Tabatha. With dread Hermione remembered it was Dominus, Amelia's and Claudius's father who was the second eldest, which meant all of it would fall to Klaus upon Edward's and George's passing. She felt the small relief at the fact that her late father Sorbian was two years younger than Klaus' late father Brendan. She almost felt bad for Niklaus, all this responsibility and pressure.

"I'm very sorry about poor Patrick of course, he was a nice boy." Said Violet.

"We were all so found of him." Sighted Amelia. Patrick was her godson.

"But I never cared for James, he was too like his mother and a nastier woman never drew breath." Sneered Violet and suddenly everyone stopped eating, looking either shocked, amused or uncomfortable. Then Sirius started laughing.

"You have clearly never met my mother." He flashed Violet a big grin.


That's it for today. Can't wait for you to meet the rest of Hermione's family, which was my intention for this fanfic from the beginning - to introduce more of Hermione's family members into the plot.

Violet Crowley is a tribute to my favourite character in Downton Abbey played by amazing Maggie Smith. It's a bit weird in my head as I imagine her as Dowager Countess of Grantham and Professor McGonagall.

If you enjoyed this chapter, leave a review! And if you didn't also leave a review.

Until next time!