After buying her owl Hermione led Draco to the Leaky Cauldron. As he glanced at the shabby walls and murky enviorment with disgust she found him a table.
"Get some dinner...I have to find Tom and go look at a room. I'll meet you back here okay?" Hermione said softly. When Draco nodded she made her way quickly across the tavern to find Tom polishing ale glasses at the counter. She showed him the key, and gave him the note from Lucia.
"Welcome back Miss 'Ermione. Come. I'll show you the room" Tom led her down a staircase, concealed by a portrait you could only see when looking directly at it. As they made their way down a flight of stairs candles flickered on. He led her down the hall and put the key into the lock. The door swung open and he nodded to Hermione.
"The key will show you the way back, don't stray. The rooms will lock you in...Some haven't been opened in years." Reminded of Gringotts, Hermione nodded and walked into the room. The door swung shut behind her.
Hermione stood for a moment, as candles flickered on, they lined the walls around the 10 by 10 storage room. She waited a moment longer as the light spread throughout the room and then gasped a little. There were ten chests. Each one had a small label on the front, and a lock with a key inserted into it. They were all hardwood, cherry, beautifully handcrafted. And on the top of each was the Ravenclaw raven. She had to gasp, she couldn't help it. The chests were beautiful. She skimmed the labels quickly.
One was labeled research, opening it she found notes on werewolves, dementors, giants, vampires, the unforgivable curses, and many other things that had been used by Voldermort the first time around. The second one said History, inside that were family documents, the deed to the Ravenclaw estate, and her parents last will and testament. Which left everything to her. Reading it quickly, she saw Dumbledore and McGonagall were the witnesses. The third box contained an assortment of robes, all different materials, each feeling more expensive than the last. And in an assortment of colors and shades. The fourth box contained a couple of quilts, which later, would reveal a story themselves. The fifth box held parchment. The ink somewhat faded, and looking at it she saw it was dated 20 years before. It was written in lavender ink. Some of it appeared to be some type of journal, while the others seemed to letters...Love letters no doubt, written in an assorment of colors and tied together with a soft purple ribbon...It seemed Tom's story had been true, she had had many suitors. She shut the box and went onto the sixth box. It was filled with books on empathy, telepathy, predicting the future and next to the books were piles of notes. The seventh box contained small chests. She opened them to find silver and gold pieces, and exquisite jewelry. The eighth box contained photo albums filled with pictures of Michael and Lucia, their time spent at Hogwarts, their wedding. Hermione's birth...She smiled softly at a picture of her mother and father, waving as the wizarding pictures often did. The last two boxes weren't filled...She sensed that perhaps they were going to add things...And then their death had occured, and their work had been cut short.
Hermione waved her wand at all the chests, and nine of them shrunk down to miniature sizes, she fitted them all inside of the empty tenth chest, and then shrunk that to a more moveable size. Picking it up she opened the door and stepped out into the hallway. The key glowed softly, and point down the hall, she knew better than to wander, and quickly made her way upstairs, feeling like a theif of...Even though it was rightfully hers.
Draco looked at her as she approached, a single chest in her arms.
"That's all they left you in that room?" he said, though he admired the handiwork of the beautiful chest. He'd seen such in his father's chambers, but never was he allowed to touch them. They were highly expensive, and in high demand.
"There are nine more, shrunken, inside. Are you done eating?"
"Yes...But you need to eat."
"I'm not hungry. Come on...Let's go. I need to get home." Draco raised an eyebrow but followed her to the fireplace where she stepped in and threw done floo-powder. green flames surrounded her and she was gone.
Draco followed suit, carrying the owl, and he was soon facing her living room. Already the ten trunks were surrounding her. He could see emblazoned on each the Ravenclaw raven, and she was tracing one with her finger...A look on her face that reminded him somewhat of a trance he'd once seen someone go into. He sat on the couch and just watched her. About ten minutes later she blinked, and look at him for a second, as if realizing where she was.
"They...they were murdered Draco."
"Yes Hermione. We knew that."
"No...They were murdered by Voldermort himself. Like...Like the Potters. He wanted me, and they wouldn't give me to him. He said that it was my destiny. He said that..."
"He said what Hermione. What did he say?"
"Nothing...I'll tell you...When I feel better. I need to puzzle through it." This time she saw the hurt look on his face. And she closed her eyes, the scene before her playing out as if she'd really been there.
I"Hand over the Girl Lucia. You know it's her destiny. She will produce the next heir. She will pass on the Slytherin blood. She will fulfill the prophesy that Rowena set aside." Voldermort slapped Lucia, who flinched as if she'd been cut by knives. "HAND HER OVER LUCIA! OR I'LL SEND YOU ALONG TO SEE MICHEAL AGAIN" She saw Lucia's eyes spill tears, but the woman never spoke. Her brilliant blue eyes flashing her will against submission. Then there was a flash of green light...After that, nothing./I
Hermione had felt, rather than saw, her mother look at her. And then in an instant, she'd seen who she was supposed to produce and heir to. Opening her eyes she saw him sitting in front of her. All the players were assembled. Harry was Godric, Draco was Salazar, Hermione was Rowena...And she didn't know yet who was Hufflepuff...But she knew she'd no doubt find out soon enough. She didn't know why she kept getting these flashes...These memories, that weren't hers.
Hermione closed her eyes again and then opened them, she could still see the hurt look on Draco's face.
"Will you help me find the value of their estate?" she asked, as she opened the chest, the way things were organized baffled her. She looked up at him and saw the hurt look quickly hidden, at least she was asking for help. He knelt down beside her and they began to go through the documents together.
The first thing that came to their interest was a map of the property. Hermione was looking it over, and tracing a line from the house to the front gate, when a path appeared. It soon zoomed in on the castle, though stone it was easy to see some of the updates that had been added through the years.
"Wow...It's almost as big as Hogwarts" she said looking at it and easily making the picture turn, getting the hang of the charm that had been placed upon the map.
"Most of them are..." Hermione looked at him and shrugged then laid the map down.
"Now where's the record of their estate..." She'd found multiple records of workers, gardeners, chefs, cleaners, stable workers/managers, grooms, all getting their pay withdrawn from the Ravenclaw account and placed into their own once a month. They continued to pour through the records until finally Draco pulled one out, a victorious look on his face.
"Jesus Mione...This estate is worth over a million dollars..." he handed her record. The "house", which was really a castle, and the land itself were worth that much. She put the record, the map and the will together on her coffee table and began to put the other papers away. Organizing it in a way that she'd be able to find it.
"Thanks Draco...I wouldn't have been able to do it without you." She kissed him lightly on the cheek...Something he hadn't been expecting. "I have to write some letters...I'll be in the kitchen. You know how to work the t.v."
Draco nodded, still pondering the real meaning behind the kiss. Usually, he didn't care, a kiss was a kiss. And if it came from a beautiful girl then it was worth it. But with Hermione, everything seemed to have double meanings. Everything seemed...Different. He looked at life differently as of late.
Hermione sat in the kitchen and quickly wrote a letter to Harry, and asked him to forward one to Ron...Since Hedwig knew the way. She then began a letter to Dumbledore.
[i]Dear Dumbledore, I've recently lost my parents in an attack by a deatheater. I have since been informed that they were my adoptive parents and given a number of papers. This is all overwhelming, but I have the records of the estate. I would like to get things back in order before school starts...I would like to see you to discuss these matters...Rather than going to the ministry. -Hermione[/i]
She retreived Archimedes and sent him out with the letter to Dumbledore. Getting a diet soda, and a couple crackers she ate her small dinner and then picked up the phone. Dialing operator she waited to be connected.
"Operator, how can I help you?"
"I'd like to connected to Michelle Roberts, Attorney at Law, please."
"One moment please." Soon she heard ringing and a secretary picked up,
"Michelle Roberts office, how may I help you?"
"Hello, this is Hermione Granger. Michelle is my parents lawyer. I need to speak to her."
"Mrs. Roberts isn't taking calls right now, I'll pass along your message."
"You don't understand, this is urgent."
"I'm sure it is dear. She'll return your call on Monday."
"My parents died yesterday, I need to speak to their attorney." Hermione said, getting pissed now. She couldn't wait the entire weekend to call her lawyer, it wouldn't look right, for one, and she needed to get things settled asap.
"Hold on one moment dear." She sighed heavily and another voice picked up.
"Michelle Roberts speaking."
"Michelle. It's Hermione Granger."
"Elaine and George's kid right?"
"Yes. My parents hotel was bombed...They didn't survive."
"Oh my goodness. I'm so sorry Hermione. Of course I understand...I lost my own parents when I was young."
"Well the urgency of the matter is, is that I'll be leaving for school on the 1st."
"Well that's no problem, we'll get in touch over the phone," the lawyer said helpfully.
"I can't...I'm sorry Michelle, but everything has to wrapped up by then. You do have their will don't you?"
"Yes...They left everything to you...How we argued over trust funds, relatives...But in the end, everything is yours. No funds. Nothing..."
"Nothing?"
"Nope. We inventoried the house and the property. The offices...Everything early last year. All I need is your signiture. And it's all yours."
"Is there any way that you can come down here over the weekend...I know it's weird. But school's opening soon, and I have to close down the business..."
"Sure Hermione. I understand. I'll be by sometime tomorrow afternoon."
"Thanks Michelle."
"No problem. Bye Hermione."
"Goodbye Michelle."
Hermione replaced the phone on the cradle and sighed heavily. The tears began to pour unchecked. Slowly they stopped. She wondered when the pain would lessen. She made her way to the Living Room where Draco was watching some show or another. Sitting down next to him she leaned back, and without realizing it fell asleep.
Draco watched her nod off, and wrapped his arm around her protectively. Without meaning to he too fell asleep, his arm around her.
"Get some dinner...I have to find Tom and go look at a room. I'll meet you back here okay?" Hermione said softly. When Draco nodded she made her way quickly across the tavern to find Tom polishing ale glasses at the counter. She showed him the key, and gave him the note from Lucia.
"Welcome back Miss 'Ermione. Come. I'll show you the room" Tom led her down a staircase, concealed by a portrait you could only see when looking directly at it. As they made their way down a flight of stairs candles flickered on. He led her down the hall and put the key into the lock. The door swung open and he nodded to Hermione.
"The key will show you the way back, don't stray. The rooms will lock you in...Some haven't been opened in years." Reminded of Gringotts, Hermione nodded and walked into the room. The door swung shut behind her.
Hermione stood for a moment, as candles flickered on, they lined the walls around the 10 by 10 storage room. She waited a moment longer as the light spread throughout the room and then gasped a little. There were ten chests. Each one had a small label on the front, and a lock with a key inserted into it. They were all hardwood, cherry, beautifully handcrafted. And on the top of each was the Ravenclaw raven. She had to gasp, she couldn't help it. The chests were beautiful. She skimmed the labels quickly.
One was labeled research, opening it she found notes on werewolves, dementors, giants, vampires, the unforgivable curses, and many other things that had been used by Voldermort the first time around. The second one said History, inside that were family documents, the deed to the Ravenclaw estate, and her parents last will and testament. Which left everything to her. Reading it quickly, she saw Dumbledore and McGonagall were the witnesses. The third box contained an assortment of robes, all different materials, each feeling more expensive than the last. And in an assortment of colors and shades. The fourth box contained a couple of quilts, which later, would reveal a story themselves. The fifth box held parchment. The ink somewhat faded, and looking at it she saw it was dated 20 years before. It was written in lavender ink. Some of it appeared to be some type of journal, while the others seemed to letters...Love letters no doubt, written in an assorment of colors and tied together with a soft purple ribbon...It seemed Tom's story had been true, she had had many suitors. She shut the box and went onto the sixth box. It was filled with books on empathy, telepathy, predicting the future and next to the books were piles of notes. The seventh box contained small chests. She opened them to find silver and gold pieces, and exquisite jewelry. The eighth box contained photo albums filled with pictures of Michael and Lucia, their time spent at Hogwarts, their wedding. Hermione's birth...She smiled softly at a picture of her mother and father, waving as the wizarding pictures often did. The last two boxes weren't filled...She sensed that perhaps they were going to add things...And then their death had occured, and their work had been cut short.
Hermione waved her wand at all the chests, and nine of them shrunk down to miniature sizes, she fitted them all inside of the empty tenth chest, and then shrunk that to a more moveable size. Picking it up she opened the door and stepped out into the hallway. The key glowed softly, and point down the hall, she knew better than to wander, and quickly made her way upstairs, feeling like a theif of...Even though it was rightfully hers.
Draco looked at her as she approached, a single chest in her arms.
"That's all they left you in that room?" he said, though he admired the handiwork of the beautiful chest. He'd seen such in his father's chambers, but never was he allowed to touch them. They were highly expensive, and in high demand.
"There are nine more, shrunken, inside. Are you done eating?"
"Yes...But you need to eat."
"I'm not hungry. Come on...Let's go. I need to get home." Draco raised an eyebrow but followed her to the fireplace where she stepped in and threw done floo-powder. green flames surrounded her and she was gone.
Draco followed suit, carrying the owl, and he was soon facing her living room. Already the ten trunks were surrounding her. He could see emblazoned on each the Ravenclaw raven, and she was tracing one with her finger...A look on her face that reminded him somewhat of a trance he'd once seen someone go into. He sat on the couch and just watched her. About ten minutes later she blinked, and look at him for a second, as if realizing where she was.
"They...they were murdered Draco."
"Yes Hermione. We knew that."
"No...They were murdered by Voldermort himself. Like...Like the Potters. He wanted me, and they wouldn't give me to him. He said that it was my destiny. He said that..."
"He said what Hermione. What did he say?"
"Nothing...I'll tell you...When I feel better. I need to puzzle through it." This time she saw the hurt look on his face. And she closed her eyes, the scene before her playing out as if she'd really been there.
I"Hand over the Girl Lucia. You know it's her destiny. She will produce the next heir. She will pass on the Slytherin blood. She will fulfill the prophesy that Rowena set aside." Voldermort slapped Lucia, who flinched as if she'd been cut by knives. "HAND HER OVER LUCIA! OR I'LL SEND YOU ALONG TO SEE MICHEAL AGAIN" She saw Lucia's eyes spill tears, but the woman never spoke. Her brilliant blue eyes flashing her will against submission. Then there was a flash of green light...After that, nothing./I
Hermione had felt, rather than saw, her mother look at her. And then in an instant, she'd seen who she was supposed to produce and heir to. Opening her eyes she saw him sitting in front of her. All the players were assembled. Harry was Godric, Draco was Salazar, Hermione was Rowena...And she didn't know yet who was Hufflepuff...But she knew she'd no doubt find out soon enough. She didn't know why she kept getting these flashes...These memories, that weren't hers.
Hermione closed her eyes again and then opened them, she could still see the hurt look on Draco's face.
"Will you help me find the value of their estate?" she asked, as she opened the chest, the way things were organized baffled her. She looked up at him and saw the hurt look quickly hidden, at least she was asking for help. He knelt down beside her and they began to go through the documents together.
The first thing that came to their interest was a map of the property. Hermione was looking it over, and tracing a line from the house to the front gate, when a path appeared. It soon zoomed in on the castle, though stone it was easy to see some of the updates that had been added through the years.
"Wow...It's almost as big as Hogwarts" she said looking at it and easily making the picture turn, getting the hang of the charm that had been placed upon the map.
"Most of them are..." Hermione looked at him and shrugged then laid the map down.
"Now where's the record of their estate..." She'd found multiple records of workers, gardeners, chefs, cleaners, stable workers/managers, grooms, all getting their pay withdrawn from the Ravenclaw account and placed into their own once a month. They continued to pour through the records until finally Draco pulled one out, a victorious look on his face.
"Jesus Mione...This estate is worth over a million dollars..." he handed her record. The "house", which was really a castle, and the land itself were worth that much. She put the record, the map and the will together on her coffee table and began to put the other papers away. Organizing it in a way that she'd be able to find it.
"Thanks Draco...I wouldn't have been able to do it without you." She kissed him lightly on the cheek...Something he hadn't been expecting. "I have to write some letters...I'll be in the kitchen. You know how to work the t.v."
Draco nodded, still pondering the real meaning behind the kiss. Usually, he didn't care, a kiss was a kiss. And if it came from a beautiful girl then it was worth it. But with Hermione, everything seemed to have double meanings. Everything seemed...Different. He looked at life differently as of late.
Hermione sat in the kitchen and quickly wrote a letter to Harry, and asked him to forward one to Ron...Since Hedwig knew the way. She then began a letter to Dumbledore.
[i]Dear Dumbledore, I've recently lost my parents in an attack by a deatheater. I have since been informed that they were my adoptive parents and given a number of papers. This is all overwhelming, but I have the records of the estate. I would like to get things back in order before school starts...I would like to see you to discuss these matters...Rather than going to the ministry. -Hermione[/i]
She retreived Archimedes and sent him out with the letter to Dumbledore. Getting a diet soda, and a couple crackers she ate her small dinner and then picked up the phone. Dialing operator she waited to be connected.
"Operator, how can I help you?"
"I'd like to connected to Michelle Roberts, Attorney at Law, please."
"One moment please." Soon she heard ringing and a secretary picked up,
"Michelle Roberts office, how may I help you?"
"Hello, this is Hermione Granger. Michelle is my parents lawyer. I need to speak to her."
"Mrs. Roberts isn't taking calls right now, I'll pass along your message."
"You don't understand, this is urgent."
"I'm sure it is dear. She'll return your call on Monday."
"My parents died yesterday, I need to speak to their attorney." Hermione said, getting pissed now. She couldn't wait the entire weekend to call her lawyer, it wouldn't look right, for one, and she needed to get things settled asap.
"Hold on one moment dear." She sighed heavily and another voice picked up.
"Michelle Roberts speaking."
"Michelle. It's Hermione Granger."
"Elaine and George's kid right?"
"Yes. My parents hotel was bombed...They didn't survive."
"Oh my goodness. I'm so sorry Hermione. Of course I understand...I lost my own parents when I was young."
"Well the urgency of the matter is, is that I'll be leaving for school on the 1st."
"Well that's no problem, we'll get in touch over the phone," the lawyer said helpfully.
"I can't...I'm sorry Michelle, but everything has to wrapped up by then. You do have their will don't you?"
"Yes...They left everything to you...How we argued over trust funds, relatives...But in the end, everything is yours. No funds. Nothing..."
"Nothing?"
"Nope. We inventoried the house and the property. The offices...Everything early last year. All I need is your signiture. And it's all yours."
"Is there any way that you can come down here over the weekend...I know it's weird. But school's opening soon, and I have to close down the business..."
"Sure Hermione. I understand. I'll be by sometime tomorrow afternoon."
"Thanks Michelle."
"No problem. Bye Hermione."
"Goodbye Michelle."
Hermione replaced the phone on the cradle and sighed heavily. The tears began to pour unchecked. Slowly they stopped. She wondered when the pain would lessen. She made her way to the Living Room where Draco was watching some show or another. Sitting down next to him she leaned back, and without realizing it fell asleep.
Draco watched her nod off, and wrapped his arm around her protectively. Without meaning to he too fell asleep, his arm around her.