A/N: Hello again from the Community Insane Asylum! I haven't updated in a while because I have been rocking to and fro in a nice cotton straight jacket in a nice rubber room. Some really nice people in white lab coats have taken care of me. Isn't that nice?
Ok, that's not really what happened but please read Author's note at the bottom. Thanks a whole bunch!
Chapter Ten: There's No Place Like Home…
7117 Silver Torch Rd.
Rose watched the Knight Bus speed away in a flash of purple. Then she turned her attention to the mansion—no, castle—in front of her. It was seven stories tall and an acre and a half wide. The windows were the long, elegant floor length kind. The doors were large and made out of red oak. The castle was made out of gray stone and it was complete with towers and everything.
There were two main gardens. The East Garden, which consisted of a quarter of an acre of plants from China. This garden was on the East side of the castle. The other garden was a regular garden with walkways, trees, fountains and a coy pond.
The whole house looked like it was right out of a fairy tale.
Rose sighed as she gazed at the house. Home sweet home... She picked up her luggage and walked up the entry pathway. She looked longingly at the entrance doors for a minute and walked away towards the servant door.
It was a plain door hidden by a tree. She approached quietly and knocked softly.
A middle aged woman with graying brown hair in a tight bun and large blue eyes opened the door. She was wearing a dirt splattered apron over a long red dress. When she saw Rose, she smiled. "My dear Rose, is it that time already?"
"Hello Gisella. Nice to see you again." Rose stepped inside and looked about the room. It was a kitchen. "How's everyone here?"
"They're doing nicely. We've missed you so much. Let's put your things away." Gisella lead Rose to a corridor with lots of doors. She opened one door and motioned her in. Rose obeyed and walked in.
The room was a small servant's room. It had one small window with a tree just outside of it so it was hard to look out. It had a bed and a dresser. There was enough room to cramp in a nightstand. The walls were bare except for one mirror and a picture of a small little girl holding a broom with a Quidditch pitch behind her.
"No one's touched my room. Good." Rose said as she smiled to Gisella.
"I made sure of that. We have a batch of new servants who will need training. Unpack and I will inform the Master and Mistress that you are back."
"Do you have to? Can't you not tell them? I don't want them to know yet. I want to be a behind the scenes servant for a while. I don't wanna have to follow my mother—I mean, the Mistress around." Rose sighed. She almost called her mother. One very important rule: as long as Rose was to stay in this house, she is a servant and she has no relation to the Master or Mistress.
"I will inform them in three days. Sound fair?"
Rose sighed again. "Four days?"
"No, only three."
A boy with shaggy, dirty blonde hair with gorgeous hazel-blue eyes walked inside Rose's room. He looked to be about a little older than Rose. He said, "Gisella, Boris needs you in the kitchen." Then he looked at Rose and smiled. "Hi, I'm Drake." He stuck out his hand.
Rose clasped it and smiled. "Hi, I'm Rose."
"I'm new around here. Are you?"
"No, I've been here all my life." Rose shot a daring glance at Gisella. She was smiling to the ceiling.
"I think I should go now. Rose, remember our deal." Gisella left.
"Deal?" Drake shot up an eyebrow.
"I'm supposed to train some new servants."
Drake grinned mischievously. "I think I need some training. Care to show me how?"
Rose stopped smiling. "I'm not a whore if that's what you're implying. I have work to do. Now if you'll excuse me. I need to get changed and put my stuff away."
"I'm sorry. You're just so beautiful." Drake gave her an apologetic grin.
Rose let herself give a small smile. "How old are you?"
"Eighteen. Fresh out of Durmstrang. You?"
"Sixteen. My birthday is in a couple of weeks."
"What day?"
"It doesn't matter." Get him out of your mind. He's not important. Think about Ron. Drake's a nice guy so far. And not to mention extremely cute. No! Think about Ron or Draco. Yes, Draco. He has nice blonde hair. But so does Drake. "Will you excuse me now? I need to get changed."
"Of course." Drake stepped outside her door and shut it.
Rose sighed and opened her dresser. Inside was ten dresses neatly folded. All of them were either a black, dark green or dark blue. She picked up a green one and put it one. It fell past her ankles and barely swept the floor. It looked very medieval. The bodice was pulled tight so it looked a little like a corset. The neckline was a little low for her liking and the sleeves were long and elegant. It was a very medieval peasant look.
Rose quickly plaited her hair and grabbed some shoes. She looked quickly at her reflection and smiled at what she saw. She looked like a medieval servant, just the way she liked it.
In fact, about everyone's (the servants that is) clothing looked medieval. The whole house was, practically, straight out of the Middle Ages.
A knock came from the door followed by a muffle, "Are you done yet?"
Drake was outside. Rose shook her head. She had forgotten.
"Yes," she called to him.
He came in with a plastered smile on his face. "I just got here yesterday. Wanna show me around the house?" Drake raised his eyebrows up and down.
Rose sighed with a smile. "If I must." Rose shoved passed him to get out of her small room. She was pressed against him so that her breasts brushed his crossed arms. A pleasant tingle went up her spine. She started walking in no apparent direction with Drake trailing.
No, this cannot be happening! This. Can. Not. Be. Happening! He's just a guy who happens to be extremely good looking. You like Ron and maybe even Draco… Well, not Draco that much. Think about Ron. Think about his flaming red hair. It's nothing compared to Drake's though… STOP! How about eyes? Yes! Ron has soft sensitive eyes. Yet Drake's eyes pull me in. I want to take years to explore them. His mouth is soft and smooth. He must be an excellent kisser. No, bad girl. Don't think such thoughts. He's not for sale—
"Fairy?" Drake said suddenly, calling her back from her thoughts.
"Fairy?" Rose wrinkled her nose.
"I thought it suited you. You in that dress reminds me of a story book fairy. Or maybe a pixie."
"Pixie sounds better."
"Then Pixie it is!"
Rose and Drake chuckled for about…a long time. Then Drake fell silent.
"What is it Drake?" Rose asked suddenly.
Drake pointed to the walls about them.
The walls were stone, of course, but this corridor was darker than the others. Moving pictures hung about the walls of family. Every single member of the Williams clan dating date to ancient times was there, except for Rose. One picture was of a handsome man and an attractive woman who stood smiling at a torn off piece on the left side, right where Rose was supposed to go.
"This place is creepy. What is it?" Drake asked, taking her hand.
"I think it's the family room, if you catch my drift." Rose said, clasping his hand.
"Why is that picture torn?" He asked pointing to the picture with Rose missing.
"I'm not sure." Rose answered nervously. "I think the parents didn't like their daughter so they disowned her."
"How do you know it's a daughter? Why can't it be a son?"
"Maybe they're still in to that sexist 'sons are better than daughters' thing. That's really old shit."
"Maybe." Drake said, not looking all that convinced.
"Come on, you said you wanted to be trained," Rose shot him a warning glance as she said this. "And I think we should get to it before we get too sidetracked."
"I suppose." Drake pushed Rose against a wall.
"What are you—?" Drake pressed his mouth against hers. She opened hers in reply. Drake pressed against her.
Suddenly the wall behind them fell in. Rose fell backwards and Drake landed half on her.
"Ouch! Drake, get off me!" Rose said as she rubbed her head.
"Sorry, Pix." He shifted off her and sat up. His eyes were wide in the half light.
Rose followed his gaze.
It was a dark and dusty room. The darkness seemed to absorb the light like a black hole. There were spiders and cobwebs everywhere.
"What is this place?" Rose asked as she surveyed the room.
"I dunno. It's too dark to see clearly."
"Then use a spell dumb-ass."
"That would make sense. Lumos."
"Guys are so stupid." Rose muttered as the room lit up.
The room was made out of stone, like everywhere else, but the floor was carpeted with moth eaten blood red carpet. There were seven small three legged stools in one corner and beside that were seven small beds.
"Looks like this is the home of the seven dwarfs." Drake said with a chuckle.
"Seven dwarfs?" Rose cocked an eyebrow. "Where did that come from?"
"It's from a fairy tale. I used to read a lot of those when I was younger."
"Ummm, sure. Was it a Muggle fairy tale?"
"Er, yeah. I used to live in Poland in the Muggle World. Then I moved to Spain. Then I moved to Demark. Then I moved to England. Then I moved to the Sates. Then I—"
"Ok, I get the point. You've been a lot of places."
"You get acquainted with random Muggle things. I was obsessed with fairy tales and I had a brother obsessed with some hot, model celebrity named Jimmy D. My brother was a little on the crazy side."
"That's nice to know. I—"
Suddenly a squeaky voice interrupted them from behind. "May I be of assistance?
Drake and Rose spun around to find a really fat House Elf standing behind them holding a try of cookies.
"Would you like a cookie?" The House Elf held up the try.
"Pass." Rose and Drake said simultaneously.
"Yes." The House Elf bowed and then snapped its fingers. The tray disappeared.
"What's your name?" Rose said, trying to avoid the question she knew was coming.
"Fabioannadreameryolivioparkswalkertonyukono." Replied the House Elf. (A/n: Fabio-anna-dreamery-olivio-parks-walkerton-yukono.)
"So, Fabioannacreameryolivewalksinparksyounka, what's this room?" Drake asked.
"This is Fabioannadreameryolivioparkswalkertonyukono's room. He shares it with Moonalunasolieomannaclapper, Solsticesunnerbeaverlickermen, Hebecliouraniathaliamelpomenevenus, Hellogoodbyesolongfarwellwelcomenicetomeetyou, Jeyericaloontenmenos and Xia."
"Do you have an easier name?" Rose asked desperately.
"Yes, I am known as Fabio. Moonalunasolieomannaclapper is known as Luna. Solsticesunnerbeaverlickermen is known as Sunny. Hebecliouraniathaliamelpomenevenus is known as Thalia. Hellogoodbyesolongfarwellwelcomenicetomeetyou is called Linkon. Jeyericaloontenmenos' other name is Barney. And Xia's name is Vivatonamanelekaelekaotootonaman."
"Fascinating." Drake said sarcastically.
"My I ask why you knocked down Fabio's door?"
"It was an accident. We didn't mean to. I just gave away." Rose said in a blush.
"Young Miss's cheeks are turning a lovely cherry red. It's the same color of your lips, which make you look beautiful.
Rose cocked and eyebrow while Drake gagged.
What is House Elf for real?
Oh Merlin! This guy's screwy. He's hitting on me! Rose thought to herself as she fought down the urge to gag. EEEWWWWWWWW!
"Er Pixie, do you hear Gisella calling? I think I do." Drake grabbed my arm. "Nice meeting you, Fabio."
Rose smiled. Drake is my savior. No! He's just a guy with a totally sexy body…
"The pleasure was all mine." The House Elf bowed.
"Bye." Rose said as she practically ran back to the corridor.
"That was strange." Drake said as he smiled.
His teeth are perfectly aligned. So white…
"Yeah. I—"
"You there, girl! What are you doing?" a high pitched voice shrieked.
Rose winced and turned around. "Yes, Mistress?"
"What are you doing standing around? Shouldn't you be at work?" asked the voice.
Rose looked at her "Mistress". She was thin and pale. Her hair was black and fell to her lower back. Her face looked exactly like Rose's.
Rose curtsied. "I am at work, Mistress. I am showing this new servant how to clean and fix things. Right now we are fixing this wall." She curtsied again.
"Very well." Sapphire Williams' eyes went cold when they met Rose's. "When you are done, come into my parlor. I need a better maid. The one I have now is horrid."
"As you wish, Mistress."
"But first make sure this boy has found his job in the kitchens. I'm sure the cook needs some assistance." With that she stalked away.
"Pixie, did you know that you two look—." Drake started.
"Go to hell. Actually, go to the kitchens. Bye."
Rose walked away, leaving Drake to silently go to the kitchens.
Ah, home sweet home. I just can't wait to be there to serve my mother's every needs. I came home for this? I guess everyone is right. There is no place like home. Man this sucks.
A/N: Very short chappie, yes I know. I had many things happening at home so I shall tell you the main one. I had to get a freakin cast on my leg. Fun stuff. And I also I found out that my aunt has cancer. But no worries! It was caught early enough so she'll be fine.
Any-who, time for the reviewers:
Trojan Cheese: You are so very welcome, you freak of nature you!
Saxifrage: Now the wheel has turned around, Jean Valjean is nothing now… Lol. Sorry, a Les Miserables moment. But it's true, the wheel has turned. Don't you agree? Now a moment from Ping-Pong: Do vo have de ko kard? LOL!
Jessica: Wow… you must be bored.
DrunkenBuddie: Sure it wasn't you… Yes, she is very weird when she is drunk, but aren't we all? Even when we are not drunk? Lol!
To everyone else out there: please review!
Ta!
S.S.