Disclaimer: I do not own 1) Harry Potter 2) any of the characters 3) a monkey

                   The name of the Manor House belongs to the book Catch Me If You Can by Frank Abagnale

A/N: Narcissia might be OC; I don't know how she acts!

Hermione bit her tongue and looked up at the looming manor house ahead. It looked cold and uninviting. She didn't even know the names of the people who lived there. All she knew was to jump trains until she got to a place called Abagnale Manor, and then to ask the locals to point out the manor house.  But since everyone had gone inside to escape from the rain, she had a time finding it.

Since she was forbidden to use magic, she was lugging two large soggy trunks behind her. She wished she saw a familiar face; even Malfoy would be a welcome sight. Alright, she thought, laughing softly to herself. Maybe not Malfoy.

She found herself at the front door and took a deep breath, first impression was everything. She told herself. Hermione attempted to dry herself off somewhat, but since the drizzle had turned into a torrent of rain, it was an impossible task.  Not for the first time, she wished she had a mirror.

Not quite ready to go in yet, she checked her reflection on the door's glass. Her curly hair looked like a dead animal was sitting on her head. "I look horrid…" she groaned.

She took a large breath, and knocked on the door three times.

After a moment's pause, the door opened. The woman that greeted her looked vaguely familiar.  She had soft, wavy white-blonde hair. Her face was pale with rosy cheeks, and her tall slim body was donned with black robes with little blue flowers on them. 

The woman smiled warmly. "You must be Hermione Granger, how lovely to meet you at last," she said, sounding like a Muggle sales person. Hermione nodded mutely. "Oh you poor dear! You look like a drowned niffler! Do come inside!"

Hermione smiled and stumbled inside.  So much for first impressions, Hermione thought bitterly.

"I'll get the house elves to get your things, dear," the women said cheerily. Hermione's smile flickered. Of course they use house elves, she reasoned with herself, it's in there family.

"Fenny! Roosta! Come take our guest's things to her room, please." Two house elves scurried to pick up the trunks, and bowed low before departing, lugging the heavy trunks upstairs. Hermione fought very hard to keep smiling.

Hermione's host turned to her. "Oh I am truly sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. I am Narcissia Black. Please call me Narcissia."

"Pleased to meet you," Hermione said politely. Once again the name stirred something in her memory.

Narcissia smiled and motioned for Hermione to sit on the couch opposite her. "Would you like some tea dear? You look chilled to the bone! I do make fine beef tea, if I say so myself," she said, still sounding like she was selling shampoo.

"Yes please," Hermione said quietly; she wasn't quite sure how to respond to all the chatter.

Narcissia smiled motherly at her, but her face immediately turned to a look of horror. Hermione was about to ask what was wrong, when Narcissia cried out, running to the kitchen.

"My stew has boiled dry! I only cook twice a year; when my son comes home from school, and on Christmas! I'm so sorry!" Narcissia called franticly from the kitchen.

"That's alright, do you need some help?" Hermione said timidly.

"No, thank you, I think I can manage," Narcissia said, sounding like she couldn't manage at all.

Hermione bit the inside of her cheek, listening to the banging coming from the kitchen.  After what seemed like ages, Narcissia bumbled into the parlor room, carrying a silver tray with a tea pot and two cups. Narcissia poured Hermione a cup of tea, and then herself.

"I'm sorry it took so long; the stew was a mess. I'm simply not used to cooking. And the beef tea will need some salt, dear."

Hermione sat on the couch shivering and sipping tea, while Mrs. Black buzzed merrily about how she wanted to redecorate the parlor ("seeing as it has gone so very out-of-date") when there was a loud crashing noise coming from upstairs, followed by a squeak and a voice shouting, "Damn you elf! Get out of my room!!" Narcissia quickly stood up, spilling tea on herself. There was another squeaking, and the same voice shouting, "I don't care what mistress said, GO AWAY!!"

Narcissia looked appalled, and said "Please excuse me," before dashing upstairs.

A/N: Aahhh short again. First I write these things on paper, and it seems longer on paper then on print.  Anyway, who is shouting??? (duh) Why was a house elf in his room??? Exactly what did mistress say??? Why am I referring to Narcissia as Mrs. Black??????? Find in the next Chapter!!!

~Gm