Terribly sorry that I haven't posted for a year, but it's been hectic. I hope you haven't given up on me. Next chapters probably some time in September, as it's the holidays then. :) Exams coming up, so I had no time to write. Sorry again x 10000000000000000000000000.

belovedsoul

Inspiration Songs: Measure of a Man, Graduation, No more Sad Songs, and Metamorphosis

Chapter 8: Secrets and the House

Hermione dragged Draco along to explore the house, despite his complaints about how tiny it was. "Shut up for once, will you?" Hermione said wearily. "You act like a kid who's denied ice-cream."

Hermione peered into the room closest to her. It was a bedroom. Its size appalled her. It was about five times bigger than the bathroom she had seen downstairs. Apparently the whole house had an underwater theme, for the walls of the bedroom was glass, and like the bathroom, had brilliantly coloured fish swimming behind them. It was obviously magical, for as Hermione further explored the room, she came across a door set into the glass, which opened up into another bathroom, but this one smaller than the main one.

The furniture was elaborately cut and designed to match the theme. The bed was a waterbed, and even had fish swimming inside it. Hermione was starting to get a little tired of all the similarities in the design, although it was fanciful and nice to look at.

The drawer next to the bed had a mermaid lamp standing gracefully on it, the mermaid posing prettily, her hair in blowing in a whirl behind her. Across it was a wooden cupboard, painted artistically in a blend of purple and pink. The handles to the drawer were real shells, pink and white and purple all blended together. To top everything off, the room had wall-to-wall carpeting of the softest furry material. The carpet, of course, had pictures of aquatic animals frolicking happily.

Hermione had just barely finished admiring the room when Draco yawned loudly and said, "Boring! Can we go now?"

They explored, or rather, Hermione explored the other rooms thoroughly, and they found another bedroom, exactly like the other one, except, Hermione noticed, it was not a mermaid standing on the drawer but a merman. This noted, Hermione decided that this would be Draco's room. They found too a dining room, living room and kitchen. The dining room had a large 'rock' placed in the middle of it, which was actually a table. The table had been designed to look like a real rock, with shells and barnacles attached to it. The chairs had gigantic carved shells for backs and an artificial rock for the seat. However, Hermione was pleased to find that it was quite comfy.

The living room consisted of water filled armchairs and sofas, just like the waterbeds in the bedrooms. The coffee table was shaped to resemble a huge slab of coral, and the tablecloth was a long drape of fake seaweed tied together. The television was bordered with seashells and decorated with a pattern of mermaids singing. Draco began to curiously examine it, pushing buttons and touching the screen. He gave a start of surprise when it turned on, which caused Hermione to snigger.

The kitchen was much like the other rooms, with shelves and tables of coral and rock. There was a crystal tap and a delicate, modern stove. A refrigerator stood proudly beside it, bearing the usual decorations of aquatic creatures. On the counter, Hermione noticed a blender, electric kettle, toaster and microwave. Even better, an oven was fixed into the wall, new and gleaming. Hermione was feeling extremely blessed. She started to thumb through the cookbooks that lined the shelves, wondering what to cook for dinner. Suddenly Draco appeared in the doorway and began pawing the fridge. Hermione hurriedly shooed him out.

That night as they sat in the dining room eating, Hermione felt that this was the time to question him.

"Draco," she said in a small voice. "I'm feeling very curious about your ...situation. Can I ask you some questions? I've been wondering..."

Draco stiffened and said nothing for a few moments. Finally, he let out a grunt. Hermione took that as consent.

"Why did you come to my house in the middle of summer?"

Silence.

Hermione sighed. He obviously didn't want to talk about it.

"Okay, then. How come you signed up for Muggle Studies? I thought you hate them."

"Him...torture...them. I must...find out how..." he muttered in a strained voice, his face oddly bearing an expression of hatred.

Hermione was shocked and dismayed. So he actually tortured Muggles! She was about to protest when he continued, "But I didn't want to assist him in it. So he got angry...and guess what happened." Draco's eyes flashed. He gripped the spoon tightly, apparently reliving a bad memory. "And guess who he is?" Draco said shakily, his jaw set and face hardened. "My own father."

Hermione lay in bed, thinking about what Draco had said. Was it true? It had to be, judging from the expression on his face. But what if it was just pure fakery? Thoughts troubled, she fell into a confused sleep.

The next morning, she climbed out of bed reluctantly and washed up. She put on fresh clothes and headed downstairs to make breakfast. To her surprise, Draco was already up and munching toast. He glanced at her as she came in. His eyes glittered. "Look what I found," he said, and held up an envelope. "$3000...what do we do with it?"

Hermione grinned and took the envelope. "I would say it's time to shop!"

They took their booklists which they had found in their drawers, and headed out. "How do we get there?" Draco asked.

Hermione laughed. "Don't you know I have my driver's license?" Hermione opened the door. Until then, they had not even seen the house from the outside. Hermione gasped. It was like a small mansion! She noticed too, a built-in pool where the roof should have been, and made a mental note to find the doorway to it when they came back.

The garage was twice the size of a normal one. In it they found a crimson red convertible. Hermione breathed unbelievingly. She felt pampered and spoiled. All the same, she climbed into the car, sliding on the beautifully soft fur covering. She found the key in the ignition and turned it. The engine purred and roared to life. And then they were off, eyes gleaming, hair flying, their mouths open in yells of joy.