Disclaimer: I just taught my little 4 year old sister how to talk in a British accent. See, she usually speaks in her hick-ish Indiana accent. This is because my family speaks in a hick-ish Indiana accent and it rubs off on her. This is because we live in hick-ish Indiana. JK Rowling has a British accent. Nobody really sat her down and taught her how to use a British accent; she's just British. So, since I always have to pretend when using a British accent, I'm not JK Rowling, whose accent is authentic.

AN: I feel like Krispi Kreme Doughnuts... Er... Where did that come from? Anyway.... I was going to update sooner this time, but then I got in this really huge fight with my mom, and up and moved to my dad's house. My dad isn't getting a computer until next week, so that was my problem. But, I was really aggravated with myself for not saving my fic on a disk and finishing it up at the Library... But anyway, I'm at mom's house for Mother's Day weekend, so I figured I'd finish up the scene I'd left off on, and post so you wouldn't think I was dead...


Draco and Hermione had been sitting in one of the Parlors with Draco's mother discussing school for around half an hour when they heard the front door open. Almost immediately after, little footsteps ran by the Parlor door towards the entryway.

"Father's home," Draco told Hermione quietly as Narcissa eyed the doorway.

There was muffled yelling from the hallway and soon the little footsteps came again, a little slower and uneven this time.

Moments later, broad, dignified footsteps breezed by the room.

"You won't meet him until dinner," Draco informed her as Hermione looked at him quizzically.

Narcissa suddenly stood up. "I'm sorry to cut our discussion short, but I really must go see your father, Draco."

Draco nodded at her with a small encouraging smile as she left the room.

Hermione just looked at Draco with her head tilted. "I'm so confused."


Shaylee and Severus walked in the back door from outside. Severus had just finished showing Shaylee the small yard, and the children's park down the street. Shaylee's cheeks were red from the cold weather, and she waited a few minutes before taking her coat, gloves, and hat off. When she finally did, she left her scarf on.

Sissy looked up from the stove as they entered. Her face broke into a grin. "Have fun out there?" she asked her brother mockingly, noticing the pink color of his own cheeks. Severus shrugged. "It's cold."

"That's what the Winter is usually like, Sev," she answered back swiftly.

Severus ignored her as he tossed his coat on the coat rack. "Sis, where are we sleeping? We should probably unpack before dinner."

Cecilia cursed. "Um... There's only one guest room."

"Shit. I forgot about that," Severus said, frustrated, as Shaylee was looking on amusedly.

Severus turned to her. "You may have the guest room. I'll take the Living Room."

Shaylee was about to protest when Cecilia cut in. "Severus Snape! Stop it right now!" she scolded. "Sera will sleep in my room, and you may have hers."

Severus opened his mouth, but Shaylee slid her hand in front of it. He glared at her, but then sighed and turned to get his shrunken trunk out of his cloak pocket.

"Follow me," he said to Shaylee. "I'll show you your room."


Draco took Hermione back upstairs to get ready for Dinner. "Wear anything to the table, as long as it is not Muggle clothing. Plain dressrobes would probably be the best," he informed her before she entered her room.

"Thank you for helping, Draco," Hermione said sweetly, giving him a small peck on the mouth before she went in her room to change.


Shaylee took out her wand and simply waved it to unpack into the drawers provided for her in the guest room. She closed her trunk by hand and plopped down on the bed. The room was done in Slytherin colors, which showed that being Sorted into Slytherin must have been a tradition in the Snape family. The quilt on the bed felt homemade and Shaylee took a mental note to ask Sissy later if she had made it herself.

She stood up, hearing a door open. She went to open her door, thinking that it was Severus exiting his own room, but instead saw Sebastien and Severino coming out of a room down the hall from her.

They had been talking before she had opened her door, but stopped as soon as they saw her. Severino's nose wrinkled, but Sebastien glared at him, mentally telling him to shut up.

"Hi," Bastien said, not very polite himself.

"Hello, troublemakers," Shaylee answered kindly. "What are you making in there? Maybe I can help?"

'Rino looked at his brother doubtfully, but Sebastien seemed to be coming up with an idea. "What do you know about creating spells?"

"It depends. What kind?"

Severino and Sebastien exchanged a look for one short moment, then turned back to Shaylee. "Follow us," Severino said as they turned around to lead her to their experiment.


Hermione and Draco paused as they reached the formal Dining Room.

"He probably won't be in there yet. He usually doesn't seat himself until everyone is there to watch him enter," Draco whispered to her, thinking of his father disdainfully.

Hermione nodded and Draco opened the door for her, letting her enter first.

The dining room was decorated simply, but elegantly, and had a long oak table running from one end to the other. There were only four places set at the far side of the table. Draco led Hermione to her seat, holding it out for her as his mother sat across from him, smiling at him approvingly.

They waited for Lucius to enter. Finally, minutes later, the door to the room opened and Lucius Malfoy strutted in arrogantly, seating himself at the end of the table.

He waited before he was seated and his staff/wand was leaning against his chair before acknowledging anyone at the table.

"Narcissa," he said with a short nod. He turned to his son. "And Draco. I see you've returned from the dump that they try to pass off as a school."

Hermione clenched her mouth shut to keep herself from saying anything.

"Yes, father. I'm home. And I brought a guest, as I had informed you."

Lucius looked at Hermione for a few long moments. She saw the small glimmer of mockery in his eyes that was quickly shut out as he nodded towards her as well.

"Hermione Granger, isn't it?"

"Yes, fath--"

"She can speak for herself, can she not?"

Draco declined from saying anything, but nudged Hermione's foot to tell her to answer.

"Yes, sir. My name is Hermione Granger, and I am able to speak for myself," she said determinedly with impeccable posture, looking straight into his eyes.

A demented half-smile came onto Lucius' face as he stared back at her.

"She is certainly a Gryffindor, Draco. Perhaps that is acceptable in this case."

After he had said this, he turned to look at a different door situated inconspicuously to the left of his seat. Not one second later, food appeared before them, just as they were used to happening at Hogwarts.

Draco reached down to squeeze her hand assuredly, signifying that he would explain everything later.

Hermione put some food on her plate, thankful that her parents had forced her into 'Miss Manners' courses as a child.

"Do you two have plans for New Years?" Narcissa asked Draco as she delicately held her fork.

"Not as of yet," Draco answered cautiously.

She beamed at them. "You should go down to Merlin's Trove. Dahlia told me about the New Years celebration her husband is setting up down there."

"Let them decide on their own, Narcissa," Lucius intervened quickly.

Narcissa looked slightly confused, then nodded, mumbling an apology silently.

"That's quite alright," Hermione said, not wanting her to feel bad for something she did not know about. "I'm sure it is supposed to be a lovely time."

Narcissa smiled at her briefly, then looked away.


OK... This chapter was supposed to be MUCH longer, but I just wanted to get it up. I'll have a comp at Dad's house soon, so DON'T FEAR!!! I LOVE EVERYONE!!!!!!! (thanks for reviewing! )