Hermione stood outside the gates of a depressing looking manor house in Berkshire. The winding lane that stretched behind her seemed to go on forever. Where it went she didn't know and at the moment she didn't care. Zavi had brought her here as requested and then after a firm order, finally left her there alone. It was her lawyers suggestion to have the elf bring her instead of trying to floo. She hadn't asked why but had taken the advice.
Pulling her wand, she rapped twice on the gate and waited. Two minutes and then she rapped again. Ten minutes later her hair was frizzing in her agitation and she was getting angry. Knowing this was his aunt and not much more, she had wanted to start off as she meant to go on. Politely. This hadn't worked though and she felt her face flush in anticipation before she pointed her wand at the gates and let a roar of battering spells into the intricate wrought iron. This made three of these she had seen. Malfoy Manor, The Dale, and this one. Perhaps ten spells hit it dead on before they opened and she quickly pulled back her last spell. Not wanting to blast the big oak tree in the circular drive. A huff was all she let out and then she began walking quickly and with purpose up the drive and toward the door.
Three gargoyles perched on the eaves made her uncomfortable and she wondered who this lady was. The fact that none of the few she had asked had even heard of her was surprising. The lawyer had her address and contact information but she wasn't a client of his and had never met her.
The door knocker was a smaller gargoyle but the expression on its face made her reluctant to touch it. Deciding that her wand would do, she rapped it and watched it bang against the metal circle mounted behind its curled tail.
An elf opened the door and immediately Hermione was uncomfortable. It was dirty and so was its pillowcase. Not filth but a layer of dust or grime.
"I have come for Miss Rowle. Fetch her immediately." Having decided that this wasn't a good situation and angry from the discourtesy of waiting without being granted entry she made it the demand it was and stared at the elf's big eyes.
"My mistress will not agree." The elf spoke quite clearly and she wondered at the differences between them.
"She will have no choice." That was firm and she pushed at the door. Not wanting to be left on the stoop of the creature slammed it closed. She would prefer not to have to execute a warrant through the DMLE. That would make the papers and she didn't want the girl to have any extra publicity. The foyer was dim though looked clean and she blinked as her eyes adjusted. No sign of Sabrina and she couldn't hear a single sound, which was odd.
"If you demand your mistress know them bring her to me." Impatience growing at the lack of action, she stared at the elf who wasn't moving but was watching her as if she might steal the carpet she stood on.
"You goes to her. Follow." This elf was strange but Hermione did as she was bid. Wanting to get out of here.
The drawing room she entered was quite lovely and she was surprised by the pale blue on the walls. It had all been dark mahogany. Nearly overwhelming on both floor and walls. The witch sat in a dainty looking chair in front of a fire that flowed a dim orange of coals without flame. Dark grey curls and a sneer were what she noticed before the black dress with countless frills came to her attention. Hermione could only blink at the person who looked from two hundred years ago at least. Then the sneer registered and she lifted her chin.
"I have come for Sabrina. Here is the paperwork." Another jab of her wand and a scroll appeared on the small table beside the elderly witch.
"You are an impertinent chit. What claim have you to a Rowle?" The tone was scathing and disbelieving. Hermione gestured to the scroll and waited. The witch didn't reach for it and she felt her anger swell again.
"You know precisely who I am, Rowle is my betrothed and I have rights to his dependents and their care." She didn't emphasise rights but the woman stared and then stood slowly.
"A base raised muggle girl could hardly lay claim to the brides rights." Unwilling to argue with this woman who was not going to listen, she didn't reply.
"Sabrina. Now." She demanded and the woman let out a laugh that wasn't far from a cackle.
"You can't fool me. Somehow you've been credited with things no girl raised in the gutter could manage. Schemed your way into a family that was better off without a tramp like you. Living with boys for years and then claiming a purity you never had." That was enough and Hermione flicked her wand again. Silencing the witch and then petrified her before levitating her carefully to her seat and manipulating her position with care. She was old, Hermione couldn't guess her actual age and she didn't want her to fall or break a brittle bone. Bitchy or not. Mental even. For a second she thought of Mrs Black on the wall of Grimmauld and decided that they would get on.
"Elf." It came of course and she could see its rage at its mistress's current condition.
"I will not hurt her. I will also not leave here without Sabrina. Fetch her now or I will and won't be too careful about how I do it." Barely beleive und that she was threatening an elf with destruction she just lifted her chin and tried to imitate Andromeda. Who had assured her that she was within her rights. Amazed that Hermione had done it and revelling in the traditional magics she had used. It was interesting and she had enjoyed the way Andromeda had spoken of it, like a legend almost. Now though she felt like she was faking her composure but not the threat. Blasting a few things after a homenum revelio sounded a fine idea.
"Homenum Revelio." She cast the spell and watched a circle glow at least one story up and at the houses opposite end. Again she looked to the elf and waited. It popped away and Hermione began to count. She would give it a minute and then head up the stairs.
"What are you." The words were cut off as Sabrina noticed her standing there and then looked at the older witch. Then blinked and Hermione just smiled weakly.
"I'm sorry for the rush but we have to go. Do you need anything from here?" The elf had vanished and popped back with what looked like her school trunk and Hermione decided they could get whatever they needed. The lawyer had assured her that any of several vaults would suffice her needs and the goblins had merely looked her over and stated that she could use any vault she now had a key for. It was a bit overwhelming but everything was lately and it was nice to know that anything at all that was needed was not something the two of them had to worry about.
The girl just looked at her and Hermione felt a pang of concern. Her appearance was put together but strange and the dress she was wearing, it was reminiscent of the older witch. What had been going on here.
"Do you remember me Sabrina?" Her tone was kind and Hermione was relieved when the younger witch tossed her blond head and snorted at her.
"Yes. Of course. We are leaving? Now? I'm ready." She then stopped speaking and Hermione felt so much better. She had just been surprised and she supposed it was surprising to have someone you sort of knew just show up and demand you leave with them.
"My wand please Aunt." The tone of forced politeness was telling and Hermione stared at the frozen witch. That wasn't something that was easily replaced, or not without heartache. She decided not to try reasoning with the dreadful witch who had forced this girl into that dress and taken her wand. Letting her magic overpower a summoning spell she shot it into the air without speaking and waited. Ignoring the noises from upstairs and the elf who popped back in and started yelling obscenities. The box came down the stairs about thirty seconds later and Hermione opened it. Sabrina reached for it and then stopped and looked at her. Her eyes told the you her girl that of course she would take it and her smile was reward for coming. Even for the publicity this would cause.
"Let's go then." Another wand wave shrunk the trunk and she pocketed it before looking to Sabrina. Who was watching her with delight if not understanding. She just grinned and then turned to the door and offered her hand to the younger witch. It felt like the right thing to do and she took it easily. In silence they walked down the hall and into the still dim foyer. At the door she waved her wand once it was opened and then quickly pulled the girl out and slammed it shut on the immediate shriek of noise.
The two hurried down the drive and when they reached the still open gates with burn marks on them Sabrina let out a giggle and then laughed openly and hermione chuckled along with her. It was a bit funny and that was better than tears.
Fifteen minutes later Hermione stood in the foyer of The Dale and wondered what to say. Sabrina was just looking at her with curiosity and didn't seem surprised to be here.
"Can I change?" The question startled Hermione and she was relieved that the silence had been broken.
"Of course. Come on. Do you have clothes or we can spell some of mine to fit you and go shopping. I've got a few pair of leggings if you want to be comfortable. I've never seen them at Hogwarts bit took dance for a few years and they are the best for lounging around." The two girls walked up the stairs and Sabrina stopped Hermione did too.
"Am I staying here with you?" The question was direct and the emotions in the blue grey eyes were clear. Uncertainty was the most prevalent one. This witch was only sixteen or so and had been through a lot. She was only eighteen or whatever she was and it was more than she could deal with sometimes. Wanting to know the basics of what would happen was a need and not a want. In a moment these thoughts crossed her mind and she smiled reassuringly.
"Yes." Still the girl was tense and Hermione started speaking quickly but clearly. The younger witch watching her face with concentration.
"If that woman let you read papers then you'll know that I'm a Rosier. The story is longer but it boils down to the fact that I signed a contract to take up my name and a betrothal one. Your Brother. So, as he is not available right now you are in my custody." She watched carefully though tried not to let on. Unsure how the girl would react and what she would understand.
"Your betrothed to Thor?" She asked and blinked in her surprise.
"Yes." Again she tried to keep it simple. That was the bare bones and how they had gotten here was not important to Sabrina's situation. They were here and now she was too.
"Alright. I'll try the leggings. I've got a few things but the elf kept taking them." With that she turned and began up the stairs more quickly and Hermione grinned at her back before jumping two to catch up.
Both girls were wearing tight leggings and comfy hoodies, though both were Gryffindor, one gold and one crimson. They sat on two deep armchairs with a table in front of them. Dinner had been cancelled due to the continuous trays of snacks that had been coming for the last hour. Hermione was waiting for her to ask questions or talk about something at all. Sabrina had been quiet but looked comfortable enough and time was something they had.
"Thor loves brownies." A tray with two of the brownie sundaes she had begun to look forward to already had appeared and each looked perfect. The whipped cream was already melting down the hot chocolate sauce and each and a cherry on top.
"He recommended these to me." She answered easily and wasn't surprised when the girl looked up at her.
"You've seem him?" The eyes exactly like his looked at her with hope.
"Yes and I'll see him again. I don't think you can come but we will see if maybe before school you could see him once. I don't know. It's not nice there." She spoke thoughtfully and then watched her lick her lips and reach for the sundae closest to her. Hermione did the same and they each ate in silence for a moment. It was very good.
"So he knows about the betrothal?" Hermione thought about not telling her somethings but decided that was stupid. Even if she was young, Hermione had been too and would almost always prefer to know than have people who considered themselves wiser than her try and hide things for her own good.
"I opened a vault after my sixth year. It was stupid in hindsight and embarrassing. I knew we were leaving and I wanted a vault. It felt a bit legitimizing and I knew that I was of age to open one alone. Then I got a letter and it said my blood matched another vault." Sabrina was spooning small bites into her mouth without looking and watching her with open interest.
"It was Josh." The girl nearly breathed it and then looked sorry for speaking.
"It was. I was scared. I knew your brother was marked and assumed he would be too." Observing her carefully she noticed the slight flinch but girl didn't look away and hermione was assured that Sabrina knew plenty and had seen enough to be able to basically understand. So she carried on honestly until she got to thinking of the witch for the first time.
"I hadn't thought of you before that and I'm sorry." Hermione could feel her cheeks heat and she didn't drop the younger girls gaze. Needing to admit her feelings and have the girl know she was sorry.
"That's alright. You did think of me. So she told you to go to the lawyer?" Sabrina moved past Hermione's upset without any sign of anger or hurt and she felt relieved.
"Yes and he said Rowle would have to sign a custody agreement. I have a lot to learn and he's been as patient as he could be with me. The lawyer I mean. It turned out that it would take to long because the Wizengamot is in shambles. If I petitioned them for it, then he asked if I was a virgin." Hermione expected the pink colour on Sabrina's face and felt it on her own but didn't break eye contact or anything. Her own mother had said that speaking of things was important. Being able to ask questions and acknowledge these things that seemed taboo was safest. If she was all Sabrina had at the moment then she wanted her to be able to speak to her about anything at all. If she needed to and when she was ready. A sister. She had never had one before nor even someone close.
"And told me to ask the lawyer about the bride rights." She finished and made a hand gesture indicating that she had and here they were. Sabrina did put her spoon down at that.
"You promised your virginity to him, so you could get me?" The tone was hard to read. Incredulous but also sad or something close and Hermione too put down her spoon and then whole dish.
"Yes. What's wrong?" Hermione was trying not to panic at the tears that looked as if they would fall from Sabrina's pretty eyes. Her hair was still in an old fashioned and intricate curled style and it looked ridiculous above the gold hoodie with the Gryffindor lion across the chest in burgundy.
"You didn't have to do that." It was nearly yelled and hermione jumped before sitting up straight.
"Sabrina. It's fine. I don't like that everyone will know I've never had sex and talk about that the same way they do everyone they think I have slept with. Other than that, nothing changed really." She tried to speak assertively so the witch would calm down a bit.
"Nothing will change. You've publicly declared you are marrying my brother and have saved yourself for marriage. That's something Hermione!" As the witch turned red and looked frustrated, Hermione just nodded and then waited. Unsure of what to say. Eventually after a minute of nothing but occasional tears she decided to venture a question.
"What part of this upsets you personally?" Really wanting to know it wasn't hard for Sabrina to read her sincerity. The scoff was unwelcome in its derogatory tone but she was glad when she spoke.
"Our house has done nothing to deserve this." It was said in a low tone and with her eyes down. At this Hermione bit her lip and her posture deflated a bit.
"That seems irrelevant to me. Things have happened and this is my doing in a way. I could have picked Theo but instead I picked Rowle and took his choice away. This is where we are and I'm trying to see if I can make a life here. A real one. It's what I have now. I'd rather have you than anything else so far. I'm glad you are here and hope you will want to be here. We can get to know each other while we wait for news on what will happen with our brothers. I don't know much. Forever doesn't seem likely but I don't know how long it might be." The eyes came up as soon as she started speaking and the tears were still falling but the girl looked more comfortable and was nodding when she finished. Deciding that she wanted to and the girl seemed okay and in need of one, she walked over to the identical chair and squeezed in beside the witch before hugging her tightly and the two sat there in silence until the crying stopped and hermione suggested they finish the sundaes.