"Miss Daphne be's here." Zavi said as he popped in beside her where she stood at the top of the main staircase of the Tower and she nodded. Then smiled at the elf and jogged the long way way down the curved staircase until she found her friend in the main foyer with Patter beside her.
"Hermione. This is amazing. The shapes I mean. It lacks nearly everything that you like as far as character and tone." Daphne's voice was critical and Hermione waited for the witch to meet her eyes. The dark blue ones scanned her and Daphne smiled, then grinned. It was gorgeous and she hoped Josh got to see it one day soon. Their dinner was in two days and everyone was expectant.
"Will you give me a tour and then we can begin with what ideas you have and the papers the contractors sent over." Her friend said and so Hermione grabbed her hand and began.
"I want to begin outside. So you can see the three entrances and how the back side funnels down. I like it far more than the maze like theme that seems to be inside." Hermione said and Daphne looked thoughtful. She had never been here and it was something her friend had been waiting impatiently for.
"Lead the way. I feel like this will take some time." The witch was looking around as they walked the most direct path to the middle doors leading out to the terraces and Hermione felt anticipation when the glass paned curved double doors came into view. When they made it to door Daphne stopped and looked at the view.
"You said it was stark and beautiful but this is more than I had expected. We are inside a mountain range, or on the edge." Hermione looked as Daphne spoke and could see the appreciation on her friend's pretty face.
Applying a quick warming charm, Hermione pushed the doors open and walked out onto the lower terrace and then toward the steps leading to the large semi circular patio space. She knew she had to get past it for it to show properly so she grabbed Daphne's hand when the witch slowed down and smiled at her. When they had gone far enough she stopped and turned back to the Tower behind them. She had made sure they were here when this side was lit by the sun and the two looked for some time.
"It is not elegant but it is striking and perfectly proportioned." Were the words her friend said and then she blushed and Hermione laughed.
"You've met him. He isn't that elegant either. Neither am I." She teased and Daphne relaxed.
"Are the lintels different? I can only make out the carvings on the bigger ones." She asked.
"Yes. As far as I've seen. I like them." Hermione admitted and Daphne smiled at her then.
"Let's go in. It's cold and I want to see." Daphne linked arms with her and they started at the centre door and walked back into the reception room they had been in. Then around and through the labyrinth of rooms. Down into the kitchens which Hermione didn't like at all. There were no windows and it felt oppressive.
"I'd like to move this. I know the elves like cellars or some do but I don't want them down here for hours and hours." Hermione said quietly.
"It can be done. Have you asked them?" Daphne shot her a sideways glance and she huffed.
"Patter." Hermione said quietly and the elf appeared.
"I would like to ask the Rowle elves if they would mind if I moved the kitchens above ground." She said seriously and Zavi popped in beside her.
"Miss be's wanting elves to see sun. See sky." He said firmly and then elves came into view. They had already been in here with them and she tried to hide her smile.
"Miss not be's cooking." Twist said firmly. He had been around some but she didn't know him well and wondered now if he was the chef.
"Miss be's cooking special things. Miss be's mistress." Zavi argued. He meant she sometimes wanted to make a cake or something. She did know how and it was fun to cook sometimes.
"Twist be's the elf." Twist said and she could see the slight turn in one of his ears, probably how he got his name.
"Sometimes I like to make a cake or even lasagne once last year. Not everyday and I won't do it without asking you first." Hermione said evenly and ignored Daphne's version of an eye roll.
"Twist cooks in sky light." Was the eventual reply and Hermione grinned at Zavi who twitched an ear and popped away. He was the best.
"Alright. Let's go up then." Daphne said and they did.
Hours passed and eventually they had ink on their hands and rolls of parchment and drawings neatly beside them.
They were sitting in Sabrina's suite and at a table she thought was from the escape. With a tea service she knew was from there and some of Salty's usual offerings when it was the two of them eating together.
"Our first tea here." Daphne said and her smile was nearly lazy. They both had shoes on but they sat comfortably and without formality.
"How has this week been?" Hermione asked her friend and watched emotions play quickly across her face.
"Long. Tiring too. I've been worried about you and Sabrina. Josh too. You've gotten me into the habit of calling him that and mother nearly went apoplectic when I said it a dinner the other night. It was just us and I was polite but still." Daphne said easily and it was one of those moments Hermione knew she had been right to push Josh. To push for a friendship and keep it up until Daphne accepted it.
"I miss you. It's been a bit lonely at the Dale. I see Josh and Sabrina but it's for short times usually. I've gone to Blaise's for an hour or so most evenings." She admitted and Daphne just held her eyes and finally nodded once firmly.
"Of course you have. The two of you are nearly siblings. No one would be surprised to find that you've done a sibling ritual or made vows." Daphne spoke matter of factly.
"We haven't." She said as easily and Daphne smiled at that.
"These tiny sandwiches are amazing. I know it's the watercress but I've asked for it at home and something is there that I can't identify. I know you haven't, there is nothing wrong with your wanting to see him and I'm sure he is worried about you too." She said reassuringly and Hermione tried tried to smile.
"What is it?" Daphne asked her quietly when she finished her sandwich and had wiped her hands.
"I want life to be easier than this. More comfortable." Hermione decided to share something but not all of it, Daphne had her own issues and didn't need hers on top of them.
"Me too. We have been waiting now it's here but not finished." Hermione looked up from her tea cup at those words. Daphne looked tired and sad in that moment and she could only reach across the small table and gently clasp her hand.
"I'll drop those off to Antoine before I go home. He has sent me three owls in the last week." She said and Daphne straightened her posture. Hermione knew the moment was over, didn't want either of them to give in and mope. They were together now and that was helping somewhat.
"Master Blaise is here." Zavi said from beside her and she smiled her acceptance at the elf. Then looked to Josh who raised a brow at her. The three of them were in the library and if he was alright with it then Blaise could easily come to them
"Here is fine Zavi. Thank you." She said and Sabrina caught her eye.
"I had expected to see him before now." Josh said quietly and Hermione met his eyes. It had been six days.
"You hadn't made any indication that you wanted to see anyone, excepting the dinner tomorrow." She answered him and he looked away from her at that.
Sabrina met her eyes and Hermione smiled a small smile. The witch didn't like how things were going and she would have to talk to her soon. Josh and her brother were different people and she didn't expect this stilted quiet interaction. It didn't seem likely and she hoped Sabrina felt the same. The two had talked about other things but not this. Waiting to see what happened.
The library doors opened and they all looked at her friend. The dark wizard didn't stop walking but scanned them, his small smirk was visible, and she watched Sabrina look him over carefully. Always looking to Blaise for clues about how she was doing or feeling.
"Cara." He said and kissed the top of her head before leaning down to kiss Sabrina's cheek and then facing her brother.
"Rosier." Blaise said evenly and held out his hand. Josh looked at him and then stood and accepted the gesture.
"Your presence has been appreciated." Josh said quietly and Blaise nodded once and then sat beside her on the low leather couch.
"It's been my pleasure." Her friend said and winked at Sabrina who laughed.
"Did you finish the book?" Blaise asked her and Josh looked up at the easy question.
"Yes. It's in my room. You can grab it before you leave." She said as casually, Blaise knew she hadn't told her brother any of this. Even if he had suggested she do so.
"Would I want to read this book?" Sabrina asked and Hermione glanced at Blaise who looked interested in what she would say.
"Yes probably. When it is time, I will make sure you have the chance." She said and smiled at the witch, who grinned at her and went back to the charm she was trying to do research on.
"How was your adventure with Daph?" Blaise asked her and she handed him a stack of the plans and notes. He sat back and picked up the top one.
"It's not fair that you haven't taken anyone." Blaise whined. It didn't sound like a whine but she knew it was, Sabrina did too and laughed quietly.
"Josh and Sabrina have been there. Daphne was there yesterday." Hermione answered him and wrote a small notation on the letter in her hand and then moved it to the send back to Stolford pile.
"Drake and I want to go. Before." Blaise said and then pointed at a place on the large plan he had stretched out in front of him, using his crossed leg to hold it up enough to see clearly.
"Is this?" He asked her and she looked up at him.
"What floor is it?" Sabrina asked without looking up.
"Second. West. It says on the top of this sheet." Blais said and looked away from her to Sabrina.
"Yes." The witch said and did look up. They shared a glance and Hermione rolled her eyes.
"These homes are hardly for us. Generations live in them." She said quietly and Josh spoke then.
"Floor plans?" He said and the two others stilled. Sabrina had her hand reaching for the ink bottle and Blaise just stopped shifting.
"Yes. For the Tower." Hermione said and met her brother's eyes.
"Why?" Josh asked her and she didn't know what to say. Blaise relaxed beside her but she knew it wasn't genuine and Sabrina turned to them, watching carefully.
"He indicated that he was fine with my making changes. Sabrina's suite was on the fourth floor. We would never see her, she would spend half of her time at home walking to and fro." Hermione decided what to say and spoke, Sabrina laughed.
"I did. It was a good excuse too." She said the last quietly and Hermione smiled gently at her. Not any more.
"Thor said you could change the layout of the tower." Josh said slowly and she looked back at him. Then at Blaise who met her eyes and she could see his uncertainty.
"She will live there." Sabrina said quietly but she was looking at Josh now.
"Not for some time." Josh said and looked at the younger witch, who didn't look down but held his eyes. Hermione was proud of her in that moment.
"Regardless, we had the contractors from the hotel." Hermione spoke easily, breaking the tension or hoping too and Blaise shifted.
"I've been thinking about that." Blaise said and she raised a brow at him.
"Putting them on retainer. Antoine and his group were fast and made the changes easily. Easy to work with." He said and she agreed.
"I don't know if structural contractors wait on retainer." She said somewhat sarcastically and Blaise gave her a look.
"Of course they will. He will just find out what they want and how to make that work for him." Sabrina said from back in her book and Hermione laughed.
"I meant we would have to keep them busy." Hermione explained and Blaise looked at her with expectation.
"There are seven properties on Diagon that we might consider." She said and enjoyed his immediate shift in interest.
"Seven. Maybe we need more contractors." He said thoughtfully. Maybe it was time to suggest something and Sabrina looked up then. Maybe knowing what she was thinking.
"I found a building. Or a potential one." Josh was watching them intently as she spoke and his papers hadn't moved in minutes.
"The building?" Blaise asked her and the plans went down on the couch between them.
"I don't know." She admitted and he just waited.
"We could go see it. I've only seen pictures." Hermione said and picked up a letter so she had something to do with her hands.
"Explain." The word was terse and they all looked at Josh. She bristled at the tone and demand.
"There is a project I've been thinking about for a while and maybe I'm ready now. Or ready to begin getting ready. Make a black folder." She answered as evenly as she could and Sabrina nearly squeaked.
"Not even red Hermione." The witch demanded and then smiled such a happy smile.
"It's been red since September Rina." Blaise said and girl scowled at him playfully.
"Hermione has several coloured files. By importance and immediacy. Category too. Black is active." Sabrina explained to the wizard who was frowning slightly between them. Or there was a furrow in his forehead.
"A library. I want to make a public wizarding library." Hermione said to him.
"Why?" Josh asked her. Seeming genuine and she wanted to scoff.
"So others have the same opportunities you did." She said quietly. Reminding him that she hadn't had access to all of this. Neither had Ron and Ginny. Many others didn't have estate libraries and vast resources.
"So it's one of your tea projects?" Her bother asked her. As if their charity organization was simple or easily dismissed.
"No. It's mine. Ours." She gestured between Blaise and then to Sabrina, who she knew wanted to take part. Others would too. She had a list of people she thought might want to dedicate time or expertise to making such a huge project come to life.
"Surely you don't need to do this." Josh said and she thought he meant it.
"I don't do too many things that I don't want to." She said quietly and Blaise was watching her carefully. She could tell he wasn't impressed with this dynamic and he looked to Sabrina for a second and then at Josh.
"She's done everything else she set out to." Blaise pointed out in an affable tone of voice. Not overt but Hermione heard it.
Josh just looked her over and then picked up the paper in front of him. Hermione kept in her sigh and handed a pile of unopened work correspondence to him and smiled reassuringly at Sabrina. Who had her mask on when she looked down at her book.