Chapter Five
Oreo's are made up of 2 parts darkness and 1 oh so very good part light.
Dear Ron,
I hope you've been enjoying your summer so far. Mine was going rather well until quite recently.
You may or may not have heard of the most recent Death Eater attack on a muggle neighbourhood, the one where they destroyed four homes. One of those homes used to be mine. Seems, the Death Eaters were after me because they also found me in Paris. We barely escaped Paris, it was only thanks to Téa that we did.
Its a much longer story that I'm certain I'll tell you all about when we see each other next. Sadly, while Téa was explaining everything to my parents, they didn't handle all the information very well. I get the feeling that perhaps they never fully accepted that I was a witch and that I belonged more to the magical world than their own. Long story short, they wanted to remove me from the magical world and placed back into the muggle world like nothing had changed and that my life wasn't in any danger. I supposed they wanted to believe that by doing so I'd be removed from the Death Eaters radar, forget the fact that I am still a Muggle Born witch and they wouldn't just stop chasing me.
They weren't providing me with any options, not a single choice in my own life and then Téa did. As Lady Potter, she's fit to accept wards under her house and as I'm a muggle-born, my parents held very few rights when it came to me. By trying to withdraw me from the magical world, Téa was able to extend the offer of wardship appointing me a ward of the Potter family. This effectively and permanently separated my parents as my guardians until I come of age in the muggle world and the magical world.
I'm living with Téa now, I can't tell you were but I'm protected and look forward to seeing you at the end of the summer. I don't think we'll be joining you this year but if nothing else, we'll have plenty to talk about on the Hogwarts Express.
Hope your summer continues to go well.
love Hermione
...
Living at Potter Manor was a different life then Hermione had ever dreamed she'd live in. The manor was enormous and required several days to explore. She rapidly found the immense library the property contained, although Téa was quick to point out the sections she would not be allowed into due to family blood wards restricting access. She'd been a bit put out by that but was learning to accept it. The house also contained an indoor-outdoor swimming pool which she found the Carrow twins lounge around.
Téa didn't join them at the pool very often, staying in her office. Resisting the urge to peek into it was hard and, finally, she'd had enough.
Slowly approaching her friends shut door, she hesitated a moment before knocking.
For a moment, there was silence. A bit put out Hermione turned to walk away when suddenly the door clicked opened, allowing her entrance. Smile returning to her face she gingerly pushing it fully open. The moment her eyes adjusted to bright light within she froze in amazement at what she saw.
The office was large, used to be one of the bedrooms on that floor but the balcony doors were open. The king bed that would usually occupy the space was replaced with an enormous wooden desk and all around the room were old fashion slate chalkboards with maps and papers pinned onto them. Papers also littered the floor, and her friend was currently hunched over her desk reading a letter, one hand buried in her hair as she nibbled on her lip. She had a frown on her face as she read but looked up with a faint smile on her face not long after.
"I should have known you'd want to see what was within my office," she remarked, causing Hermione to blush. "You're just as curious as I am. Come on in, I think - we'll need to talk anyway."
"What is all this?" Hermione questioned while moving around papers before taking a seat on one of the velvet chairs set off the side of the desk.
"This is my summer project; you're going to learn about it because I can't conceal it from you now that you're living here. Actually, I've been able to hide it from the Carrows but that's mostly because they aren't as curious as you." She remarked while setting the letter down. "But you're going to have to swear not to reveal any of what I divulge you to anybody without my permission."
"What?!" Hermione exclaimed, shocked by her friend's demand.
"Hermione, what I'm divulging to you has been a Potter family secret for so many generations. Even our allies have been left in the dark - until recently. I've been forced to inform the Longbottoms, but they have stayed strong and true as allies for generations. You, however, are now a part of the Potter family."
"Téa I think we're going to have to talk about exactly what that means," Hermione whispered feeling a bit nervous with how the conversation was going. "Exactly how much a part of the Potter family am I now?"
That had her friend sitting back into her chair a thoughtful look falling onto her face.
"Yes, we're going to have to discuss that too," Téa agreed, letting a sigh leave her lips. "You've been taken in by the Potter family, traditionally you'd be expected to behave in such a way that it would not generate a negative impact upon the family. As Lady Potter, I'd have the power to organize marriage contract between you and another suitor however I don't like the practice and see no reason to do so." Téa explained causing Hermione to breathe a sigh of relief.
"The Potter family will be paying for your education. We are responsible for housing you, feeding you and taking care of your needs. You'll be provided with a small trust vault, that will allow you to have some spending money and to buy your school supplies. It's yours to handle, however, it's expected that you take responsibility and learn how to manage your affairs." She continued causing her friend's eyes to grow wide with surprise.
"Whilst you hold the protection of the Potter family, you are also expected to defend the Potter family as well. We are currently allies Hermione and any who weds you will be expected to fall into an alliance with the Potter family. Basically, we're friends for life." Téa laughed causing Hermione to chuckle lightly at her friends over simplified last remark. "I don't care about most of that. All I care about is that you're happy."
"But I can get a job!" Hermione exclaimed, finally catching onto just how much money she'd be taking from the Potter family yet Téa shook her head.
"No, I don't think its quite safe for that yet. With Voldemort out and about and Death Eaters attacking you in Paris, we need to be exceptionally careful. Sadly becoming a part of the Potter family has placed you in even more danger. Its why this summer, we're going to be working on your defences. You'll also be joining me for morning runs and other activities. We need to get you in good active condition so that you can hopefully hold your own."
"I'm a bit nervous about that, never was very good at PE." Hermione joked making Téa laugh.
"Hermione, you can trust me, I'll probably teach you only a few illegal things." She joked, causing Hermione to shake her head. "Now, about the history of the Potters. With you now being attached to it, like you are, you have the right to know its history."
"You speak like its a complex history." Hermione teased, making Téa's eyes sparkle.
"When is something connected to me not complicated?" She questioned jokingly before rising to her feet and making her way to one of the large bookshelves in the room.
"The Potter family history is an old one, very, very old yet we have not always been known as the Potter family." She began, hands running over delicate spines until she found a book and pulled it off the shelf.
"For centuries we've been known as the Potter family, rising from Honourable to Noble and Most Ancient Family. We've held an established alliance with the Longbottom Family for centuries and other smaller alliances. The Potter family has long been considered a Light family but we have not eternally been the Potters." She explained, surprising her friend. "We used to be known as the Peverel Family, the Noble and Most Ancient House of Peverel. Back then we were considered a neutral family, a grey family. We were the Peverels for an extremely long time. It was the first name we took to try and protect ourselves from our first name and the horrors that came with it."
"How - how do you know all this?" Hermione whispered causing Téa to smile.
"The Family Grimoire and I learned some of this during my time with one of my teachers when I was kissed. You see Hermione, I was taught by Thanatos Potter, Minister of Magic and pompous ass but I wasn't merely taught by him. I was instructed by one of the founders of my family, a name recognized by all, even today. You see Hermione, we became the Peverel sometime in the 7th century."
"7th century!" Hermione exclaimed loudly, causing Téa to laugh gently before she placed a book on the table and slid it over to Hermione. "Before we were the Peverels, we held a name that - today is associated with a Dark Witch, but Hermione I ask you a question, does Dark mean Evil just as Light means Good?"
Yet Hermione couldn't answer, her eyes were glued to the book. It was small, clearly not the family grimoire yet it was old and the name upon its cover was one of the legends.
"We were - are and will eternally be the Most Ancient House of Le Fay," Téa whispered, knowing her friend wouldn't answer yet. "Morgana Le Fay is the ancestor mother of the family. It was her grandson who changed the family name after countless attacks on our family left us wounded, fearful and angry but history isn't always accurate, after all, it is only those who win who get to write history and not the other way around. To this day, we are considered an evil family but we are not evil Hermione, we are simply dark for you cannot have light without the dark and you cannot have dark without the light. A true balance must be kept."
...
Ron Weasley let a sigh of relief leave his lips as he read his friend's letter. To know that she was safe was a large relief to the red-haired boy, yet he was also angry. Angry at her parents for forcing her to choose between herself and them.
"Letter from Hermione dear?" His mother questioned while setting a plate of biscuits on the table. "Still enjoying Paris?"
"No, no, she isn't." He grumbled causing his mother to frown. "She was attacked by Death Eaters, and that fire not long ago, that destroyed three homes, it was her home. She was lucky, apparently, Téa gave her a way to escape if Death Eaters were to attack her and she was able to get her and her parents to safety."
"Good lord," Molly whispered horrified by the news, yet her son wasn't done. "Then her parents went and basically kicked Téa's aid out the window, making Hermione chose between the magical world and her being a witch and them."
"They what?! But why would they do that?!" Molly exclaimed, now mortified by what she was hearing.
"She doesn't go in much detail but apparently Téa is taking care of her, she's extended the Potter Family aid to her and she's accepted," Ron grunted before shaking his head. "At least she's safe, she can't say where she is but she's safe, both of them. I'm going to go up to my room.,"
With that, he rose, grabbed two biscuits and left for his room. Climbing up the stairs, he arrived in the bright orange room and flopped onto his bed. Stuffing one biscuit into his mouth he grabbed his wand and tapped the paper.
"Mischief Manage - Wicked," With those whispered words the parchment's word changed and Ron was met with a new letter.
Dear Ron,
Hermione: It's both Téa and I writing now. I hope you thought of doing this.
I'm staying at Potter Manor with Téa. She wasn't staying here earlier this summer but changed her plans. We're not alone either.
Téa: I helped the Carrow Twins and their aunt. Flora sent me a letter, frantic with worry. She'd claimed the title as Lady Carrow and received information that Voldemort and his Death Eaters would want them to join him. I've been making contacts this summer, dipping my big toe in the water a bit more and thanks to these contacts discovered that Death Eaters were going to attempt to kidnap the twins and bring them to Voldemort. They would subsequently threaten them to join by threatening their aunt's life. I sent the twins a patronus urging them to leave Carrow Manor immediately.
We met up, and I was able to bring them to Potter Manor with little trouble. They're shielded here. Potter Manor is extremely safe thanks to the Potters ability with wards.
Hermione: It's magnificent and safe here at the manor. Although I do miss seeing you. I wish you were here with us. Téa is working to try and get something in place for you to do a visit and hopefully we're able to but I don't know how well the Order will take it considering she has no desire of them knowing anything about Potter Manor, at least right now.
Téa: Its why I'm giving you this amulet. It's meant to help in protecting your mind from unwanted intruders. I have a feeling that our most beloved Potion Master has the ability as well as our dear meddling Headmaster. I'm going to be teaching Hermione during the summer, and something tells me she'll have little challenge with it. I wanted to help you with it when we return to school if you'd like.
We'll continue to write with more details soon.
Love you.
Téa and Hermione
At the end of the letter was a rune, gingerly pushing magic into it, he was amazed when an amulet dropped out and onto his chest. The amulet was round, and a dark blue sapphire encased in gold. It hung from a brown leather strap and looked sturdy.
"Merlin Téa this is ancient." He whispered while surveying it over before slipping it over his head. He was fortunate the thing was big enough that it went under his clothes with little trouble.
...
Charlie Weasley was enjoying a rather mellow day. With the fact that he'd been injured only the other day, he'd been placed on bed rest for two days. This allowed him to enjoy a bit of peace by staying in his tent - his home.
His tent wasn't a normal tent by muggle means. It held all the comforts you might want in a small home on a dragon reserve. All dragon Handlers slept in a row of tents, it was a studio tent with a solitary bathroom per tent and a small kitchenette. You weren't allowed to prepare food in your tent, its why they had their mess hall plus the food was included in their pay but you could have a nice cup of tea or whatever else you'd like while in your room. His room contained a nice queen-size bed, a small sofa with two chairs, and a writing desk.
"Hey Weasley, got a letter." came a gruff voice that had him turning his head to see Farel at the flap of his tent/chambers a bunch of letters in one hand and a single letter in the other.
Swinging his legs out of bed, he rose gingerly. The burn on his left side was a bit worse for wear but was healing well enough. Wobbling over to the other man, he accepted the letter.
"Get better soon, that damn dragon is hard on everyone." The man grunted before leaving him to his peace and quiet.
Shuffling back over to his bed, he slumped onto it before heaving his legs over so that he could rest against the pile of pillows. Settling into place he looked down at the letter only to blink with surprise when he found that it was sealed with the crest of the Potter family.
Curiosity peaked he unsealed the letter and began to read.
Dear Charlie,
I know it might be odd to hear from me considering we merely met a handful of times however I'm writing to you on the topic of the House of Prewett. With your older brother in line to take over for the Noble House of Weasley, you would be first in line to seize the Noble and Most Ancient House of Prewett - if the magic accepted you and I have a feeling you were accepted as its heir.
The Potter family have held a small alliance with the House of Prewett until both your uncles and my parents perished during the first war. I'd like you to know that if you chose to claim lordship over the Prewett Family, I'd be honoured to maintain the alliance our elders put in place and would be happy to help in any way I can.
I hope you are doing well and that the dragons are also doing well.
Sincerely,
Lady Téaleon Potter
The Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter
Settling the letter down, Charlie let a sigh escape his lips.
She was right, he was the first in line to take over the Prewett Family name and its Wizengamot seat. He should have claimed it long ago but hadn't. It primarily came from the fact that his parents didn't know. He never told anybody but Bill that his name came up as the next in line for the Prewett Family. He just knew his mother might not be thrilled that he'd have to leave the Weasley family name behind. He had a feeling they didn't think any of them (those of age) were accepted to be the next Lord Prewett since they'd not claimed the seats yet.
He'd been debating claiming lordship for a few years now although his career choice as Dragon Handler wasn't exactly politically motivating. He preferred working with Dragons then dealing with Politics but he'd been telling himself that he could make it work. The wizengamot met once a month with exception to significant matters or higher level court cases. He would be apt to continue working as a Dragon Handler but then again if he accepted the position as Lord Prewett, he would more then likely need to find somebody to settle down with and marry to continue the name.
"Bloody hell, barely know the girl and she's making all these thoughts run through my brain." He grunted while running a hand through his clipped hair. Looking out the window of his room, he heaved a deep breath before letting it out.
Author note:
Hello everybody, hope you enjoyed the - small in size - chapter. I've taken care to read through it more thoroughly this time so I hope I was able to catch some of my mistakes and I am using various online tools to help.
Anywho - there wasn't much to this chapter - no action at least - but it was informative for Hermione's sake and Ron's as well.
Note: I have yet to start Chapter 6.
Hope you are all staying safe and sound out there. We in Ottawa are going through a bit of heat. It's a pretty good start to the summer when you're feeling like 35 degrees with the humidex and it isn't even full-on summer yet. For those who don't get the humidex, I can say that if it was just heat at 30 degrees that could be manageable, but the humidex just makes things oh so sticky and heavy. Sadly people aren't getting much of a relief at night either with the heat only dropping to 20.
Well, that was my little insight into Ottawa life.
Cheers!
