The Return Home
The ride home had been made in silence. Hermione had spent the next weeks packing up the possessions she'd be taking to the estate with her. Mainly her room. She and Mona had locked up her parents room, promising to dismantle it next summer. (By the way, I'm amending when the charm comes into play). A week before the charm was started Hermione signed the house over to Mona. The next Monday she became a friend of Mona's family. Visiting from camp. It was amazing to walk around your home town and have people greet you like they've never met you. For the most part she avoided it, though one night she walked to the cemetery and placed flowers on her parents grave. Saying a short prayer for her real parents while she placed them.
August 30th rolled around without mishap.
"Hermione!" Mona called upstairs, she pulled a brush hurriedly through her hair and then pulled it up into a ponytail. She was dressed in light robes. She hurried down the stairs and saw Bob, smiling happily she nodded to him.
"Good to see ya, Bob." "Ready to go?" "Soon as Draco comes back…His father's sending a car so we can bring over my stuff. Want a soda or something?" She asked. They'd gotten to know Bob well over the week. And she'd created a friend that she doubted she'd ever lose. He'd visited the estate and had it cleaned out, and had set up the date for her return. Hermione had also sold her horse, sadly, but with the high hopes of finding one she could form a connection with at the estate. Hermione in turn had begun the long process of healing. She sold her parents house and business, and packed her room up. Mona had moved her stuff into the guest room, though Hermione insisted she take her own. The agreed to meet the following summer and clean out her parents room. A horn sounded shortly after that and Hermione picked up the two cardboard boxes that were filled with miniatures of all her stuff.
The ride lasted a half hour and they made it with laughter and talking. When they finally pulled up Hermione could see rolling green pastures marked with white gates. The estate itself was surrounded by a high brick wall. The gate leading up was iron. As soon as they pulled up it opened, and Hermione looked to Bob.
"It recognizes Ravenclaw blood. Anywhere up to ten feet." Hermione nodded, looking impressed. When they finally reached the house…Or castle, much like Hogwarts. A groundskeeper, or so Hermione presumed, appeared. He was older looking, but when they stepped out he grabbed Hermione into a tight bear hug. Reminding her much of Dumbledore, old but fit as a fiddle.
"Hermione!" He said afterwards, acting as if they were old friends. On top of being old, he was short, barely reaching Hermione's nose. His blue eyes twinkled as if someone had just told him a wonderful joke. He shook hands with Draco, saying something about how he must be a Malfoy, and then turned to Bob.
"Be seeing you a lot with I?" he asked with a grin.
"Sure will. At least until everything's wrapped up," Bob replied before turning to Hermione, "This is Dean. He's been working the grounds since your father was a lad. He'll be you guide today. I have to go back to the ministry. Finalize some paperwork so you can 'officially' move in."
"Okay…" she answered slowly. Allowing everything to sink in before speaking again. "Sure, you'll be back?"
"Tonight. I'll bring the papers, you can sign and 'move in'. The sooner the better," he added as an afterthought. Hermione nodded lost in her own thoughts.
"So Hermione, what would you like to see first?" Dean questioned with a smile.
"The stables," she replied, her mind bounding in leaps and jumps to the beautiful horses shown in the file.
"Inherited you mothers' interest in horses did you?" He said, the ever present smile widening to show missing front teeth.
"You know it," she replied easily. She was already beginning to like Dean. She grabbed Draco's hand, as he was busy looking at the castle. No doubt comparing it to the Malfoy estate. A much smaller clan.
"How big is the estate?" He asked finally, Hermione had known it would come up.
"Large by any standards. A hundred acres…Bordering one-fifty actually…Used to be two hundred, but we was told to sell some off after their deaths. Most of it's forest though. Magical creatures and all that live there. They used to adore Lucia."
"What was she like?" Hermione questioned, it had been present in her mind for some time.
"She was a beautiful lass. Wonderful woman. But my how she strung Michael along. He damn near thought he's lost her to Sirius Black at one point. But she finally conceded to take him. Black…Now there was a flirt if there ever was one. Wonderful lad, hard to believe him a murderer," Hermione smiled lightly at this, "Now my, she attracted all the men. Women too, they tried to hate her, for the fact that the men were attracted to her. But they couldn't. There was something about her…A radiance if you will. This loving, caring, person. She truly was. Tamed damn near everything that came near her."
"I heard her parents didn't attend the wedding," Draco put in as Dean looked for something else to talk about.
"Her adoptive parents didn't sure enough. It was rumored her real parents were there…Disguised, but there. Ah, but the adoptive ones…Manipulative fools. Heard about the money and came running for forgiveness. She turned 'em away sure enough. Rumor has it that they went home and burned every trace of her from the house. Disowned her, but she didn't give a hoot."
"My father said there was questioning…As to the pureness of her blood," Draco stated finally, after a moment of silence. Leave it to Draco.
"Sure enough there was. Always is when one of the big families marries off. Rumor was true enough. Pure magical descent, but mingled with elven blood. She was as much elf as human. Ears were never pointed very much, but her eyes were almond shaped, sometimes when the light caught them right you could see the cat slit. And there was that radiance about her. True enough it was an elven presence that sparked people…and animals to tame near her." He rounded the narrative off as they reached the barn. Two horses stuck their heads out and whinnied several times, loudly. "ah…I thought they'd remember you. They do, sure enough. Remember your presence. Remember you're Lucia's daughter. They all loved her." Hermione smiled and walked to the first horse. A while mare, looking at the stall door she saw the gold name plate engraved 'Cloud Runner'.
"Hello Cloud," she said softly and the mare whickered, rubbing her head against Hermione's hand.
"You used to ride this one. With you mom. She was Lucia's show horse. She was a spirited little thing. When she was growing up at least. But you mother and her just connected, She used to calm down right when you was lifted onto her back." Hermione nodded, scratching Cloud's forehead. The next was a fiery chestnut who whinnied loudly as Hermione ran her fingers across the horses' nose.
"She was my dad's…Or my dad's mare's foal," Hermione said softly. Images of summer flooding her mind. Playing in the paddock with the foal, who knew she was different. And she'd in turn, known the horse wouldn't hurt her.
"So you remember."
"A little," she answered removing her hand and looking to Dan. "The others…Where did they come from?"
"Well they weren't born here. Lucia and Michael, they had outstanding loans. Support given to young talented riders. We sent letters, telling of their death. That you lived, these were sent as gifts to you. Adele had Secretariat blood, never raced though. Against Odds and Sky have Welton blood, and Jewel…Well she's got a mix of Affirmed and Charismatic. But she wasn't a racer. Isn't built for it. She's a wonder in the ring. Beautiful flatwork, outstanding jumping ability…We hope she passes it on to her foals." Hermione listed and nodded slowly.
"Will you show us the house now?" she asked finally.
They spent the rest of the afternoon touring the house and listening to stories. Hermione, though please and already in love with the manor, had an enormous headache b the end of the night. Everything she touched brought memories, and she was overwhelmed by the mass of images in her head. Bob finally returned, and with a flourish presented the last of the paperwork.
"I have to go…to Mona's for tonight," she said and Bob merely shrugged.
"All yours now. S'long as you keep everything cared for and we don't get complaints, you can come and go as you please." With that he took the signed paperwork and disapparated. She sighed and looked to Draco who was lounging in front of the fire and talking to Dan. The firelight played onto his finely chiseled face, his pale complexion…And she suddenly felt a longing for his. She shook her head, trying to clear it. She finally walked over to the couch, a large leather one, and sat down. She heard their voices…But only dimly, and felt herself slipping into the memories once again.
"Lucia? Lucia, are you okay?" The auburn haired beauty was holding her head in pain.
"No," she gasped out and clung to Michael. "He's angry Michael. Angry that we hid her. He's looking for her. He wantts to believe that his soul is Salazars. But it's not. And…" her voice was short and she clutched her head in misery crying out. She squeezed her eyes shut…A few moments later opening them. "I'm sorry," she said weakly. "I know you told me not to do it. To go into his mind…But I had--I had to find out who Salazar's soul belongs to. Everyone's back Michael. Lily's son is Godric. Narcissa's is Salazar…and…"
"Who's Helga Lucia?" He asked desperately. She was clutching her head once again.
"He's coming Michael. He's mad…Oh god, I'm so sorry Michael. I'm so sorry…" She collapsed into his arms crying.
The dream faded quickly and she was once again looking into the fire. Dan was gone, and Draco was playing with a small bowl of bluish green fire on the floor. She coughed and he looked up.
"Are you okay?" he asked looking concerned. "Dan said that you were in a trance. He said…that Lucia was like that when she first came here too." Hermione smiled softly. She knew finally, the entire story- at least the important parts. And strangely not only was her headache gone, but so was much of her grief. Lucia and Michael had died to save her, yes. But on their own free will. For their love of her.
"I'm fine," she replied. And he knew it was the truth. For the first time she looked truly at piece. Her eyes were a soft brown, mourning hid behind curtains of clouds, but it was easy to see much of the pain had been lifted from her shoulders. "Let's stay here tonight," she added softly, her brown eyes sparkling for a second, for the first time since they'd left California. Draco raised an eyebrow and stood, going to sit next to her. "I made a mistake in California Draco…I didn't want to let you go. I felt…like I had to. Things would…are…so complicated. I just-"
"Sshh…" he interrupted placing a finger on her lips. "You don't have to explain. I understand. I've always understood Hermione." He leaned forward and brushed his lips against hers lightly. When she didn't pull back he kissed her again, this time longer. Hermione had not meant to, but unknowingly she had given him her heart…He just didn't know it yet. She lost track of the time they spent kissing when suddenly Draco pulled back and slightly away.
"Did I do something wrong?" she asked softly, confused.
"No just a lot of right things," he replied. He took a deep breath and then pulled her close to him. "I think that we've had enough fun for tonight. I want to take this slow…And I almost did some stuff I would have regretted," he finished. She nodded and allowed her head to rest on his chest, enjoying his presence. Reveling in it. She slowly fell asleep. The day had been harder for her, than for Draco. Though he silently was praying his father didn't realize who she was…Knowing already that he did. And knowing that there was something incredibly important Hermione hadn't even begun to tell him yet. He gazed at her for a long time, before finally drifting off and falling asleep.
The next morning Hermione awoke before Draco, a first. And carefully made her way through the maze of hallways to the kitchen. Stock full of food now. As soon as she entered a house elf appeared with a snap and bowed.
"Welcome home Mistress Ravenclaw," the house elf squeaked. Hermione flinched, but smiled when she realized that these house elves had probably never experienced anything but kindness…Lucia's own descent mixed with elven blood, but wood elves might have been a different species for the similarities between the two races. Which were few and far between. "We has been waiting for you return for a long while, ma'am."
"We?" Hermione replied, wondering if the elf was referring to another house elf, or to the house.
"My sister and me. What can I do for you ma'am?" Hermione thought for a moment and made a list of things she needed in her head.
"I don't know where anything is, so I'll need you to fetch it for me. I need a frying pan, butter, eggs, flour, sugar, vanilla, milk, baking powder, a teapot, and cocoa mix." Even while she was talking the little elf was running around, bringing her the things on the list. She also brought two plates, mugs, a spatula, and assorted silverware. She filled the teapot with water and set on the stove before Hermione could stop her. Hermione started the burner and placed the pan on to warm up before the elf could start cooking for her too. "So what's your name? And what's your sister's name?" she questioned as she found a mixing bowl and poured ingredients into it.
"My name is Isabella, her name is Maria. We've been serving the Ravenclaw clan since it was formed."
"Ah…Well I'm probably different-"
"No. Ma'am is just like her mother. She treats Isabella as if she is equal. Isabella is pleased that ma'am can look at her as equal. Isabella is pleased to serve someone who is as nice as ma'am is."
"Call me Hermione, and thank-you." The house elf squealed in excitement.
"Hermione is very much like her mother…Very much so." Hermione smiled softly as she began to cook the pancakes. As the first one was finished Maria appeared with a pop and frowned at Isabella, who was sitting on a stool talking to Hermione and drinking tea.
"Isabella is a disappointment to our line! Look at you! Sitting and relaxing while your mistress does all the work!" She shrieked. Hermione's smiled turned quickly to a frown.
"Isabella does not disappoint me. I asked her to tell me about Lucia and Michael. And I like cooking." Maria looked abashed and stepped back.
"Maria apologizes for making such a terrible, terrible mistake. She is very sorry." Maria glanced at the pancake that was rapidly becoming cold, and frowned at Isabella again. She went through the cabinets and appeared with a fancy gold plate and cover. Placing the finished pancakes on it she put the cover on. "This is a charmed food warmer." Hermione smiled her tanks, and Maria disappeared with a pop.
When she was done cooking, Hermione poured two glasses of juice and had Isabelle fetch her a tray. Piling the food onto two plates she picked up the tray and carried it to the living room. She placed the tray on the floor and shook Draco lightly. After a couple tries he woke up. He looked at her and she though she saw emotions flicking through his eyes…She could almost read them in her mind's eye. But then they were masked. Gone. He kissed her lightly.
"What smells so good?" He demanded looking for the food.
"Breakfast. I made it myself," she said with a smile, the first sincere smile she had given since she had arrived in the UK.
"What time is it?"
"Seven. Tomorrow we go back to school. And I need to go through the house. Give instructions and all that." Draco nodded and they lapsed into silent as they ate.
a/n: I know this kind of just runs off...There's more to it, but I'm putting it into the next chapter because I don't have it typed. R/R!
The ride home had been made in silence. Hermione had spent the next weeks packing up the possessions she'd be taking to the estate with her. Mainly her room. She and Mona had locked up her parents room, promising to dismantle it next summer. (By the way, I'm amending when the charm comes into play). A week before the charm was started Hermione signed the house over to Mona. The next Monday she became a friend of Mona's family. Visiting from camp. It was amazing to walk around your home town and have people greet you like they've never met you. For the most part she avoided it, though one night she walked to the cemetery and placed flowers on her parents grave. Saying a short prayer for her real parents while she placed them.
August 30th rolled around without mishap.
"Hermione!" Mona called upstairs, she pulled a brush hurriedly through her hair and then pulled it up into a ponytail. She was dressed in light robes. She hurried down the stairs and saw Bob, smiling happily she nodded to him.
"Good to see ya, Bob." "Ready to go?" "Soon as Draco comes back…His father's sending a car so we can bring over my stuff. Want a soda or something?" She asked. They'd gotten to know Bob well over the week. And she'd created a friend that she doubted she'd ever lose. He'd visited the estate and had it cleaned out, and had set up the date for her return. Hermione had also sold her horse, sadly, but with the high hopes of finding one she could form a connection with at the estate. Hermione in turn had begun the long process of healing. She sold her parents house and business, and packed her room up. Mona had moved her stuff into the guest room, though Hermione insisted she take her own. The agreed to meet the following summer and clean out her parents room. A horn sounded shortly after that and Hermione picked up the two cardboard boxes that were filled with miniatures of all her stuff.
The ride lasted a half hour and they made it with laughter and talking. When they finally pulled up Hermione could see rolling green pastures marked with white gates. The estate itself was surrounded by a high brick wall. The gate leading up was iron. As soon as they pulled up it opened, and Hermione looked to Bob.
"It recognizes Ravenclaw blood. Anywhere up to ten feet." Hermione nodded, looking impressed. When they finally reached the house…Or castle, much like Hogwarts. A groundskeeper, or so Hermione presumed, appeared. He was older looking, but when they stepped out he grabbed Hermione into a tight bear hug. Reminding her much of Dumbledore, old but fit as a fiddle.
"Hermione!" He said afterwards, acting as if they were old friends. On top of being old, he was short, barely reaching Hermione's nose. His blue eyes twinkled as if someone had just told him a wonderful joke. He shook hands with Draco, saying something about how he must be a Malfoy, and then turned to Bob.
"Be seeing you a lot with I?" he asked with a grin.
"Sure will. At least until everything's wrapped up," Bob replied before turning to Hermione, "This is Dean. He's been working the grounds since your father was a lad. He'll be you guide today. I have to go back to the ministry. Finalize some paperwork so you can 'officially' move in."
"Okay…" she answered slowly. Allowing everything to sink in before speaking again. "Sure, you'll be back?"
"Tonight. I'll bring the papers, you can sign and 'move in'. The sooner the better," he added as an afterthought. Hermione nodded lost in her own thoughts.
"So Hermione, what would you like to see first?" Dean questioned with a smile.
"The stables," she replied, her mind bounding in leaps and jumps to the beautiful horses shown in the file.
"Inherited you mothers' interest in horses did you?" He said, the ever present smile widening to show missing front teeth.
"You know it," she replied easily. She was already beginning to like Dean. She grabbed Draco's hand, as he was busy looking at the castle. No doubt comparing it to the Malfoy estate. A much smaller clan.
"How big is the estate?" He asked finally, Hermione had known it would come up.
"Large by any standards. A hundred acres…Bordering one-fifty actually…Used to be two hundred, but we was told to sell some off after their deaths. Most of it's forest though. Magical creatures and all that live there. They used to adore Lucia."
"What was she like?" Hermione questioned, it had been present in her mind for some time.
"She was a beautiful lass. Wonderful woman. But my how she strung Michael along. He damn near thought he's lost her to Sirius Black at one point. But she finally conceded to take him. Black…Now there was a flirt if there ever was one. Wonderful lad, hard to believe him a murderer," Hermione smiled lightly at this, "Now my, she attracted all the men. Women too, they tried to hate her, for the fact that the men were attracted to her. But they couldn't. There was something about her…A radiance if you will. This loving, caring, person. She truly was. Tamed damn near everything that came near her."
"I heard her parents didn't attend the wedding," Draco put in as Dean looked for something else to talk about.
"Her adoptive parents didn't sure enough. It was rumored her real parents were there…Disguised, but there. Ah, but the adoptive ones…Manipulative fools. Heard about the money and came running for forgiveness. She turned 'em away sure enough. Rumor has it that they went home and burned every trace of her from the house. Disowned her, but she didn't give a hoot."
"My father said there was questioning…As to the pureness of her blood," Draco stated finally, after a moment of silence. Leave it to Draco.
"Sure enough there was. Always is when one of the big families marries off. Rumor was true enough. Pure magical descent, but mingled with elven blood. She was as much elf as human. Ears were never pointed very much, but her eyes were almond shaped, sometimes when the light caught them right you could see the cat slit. And there was that radiance about her. True enough it was an elven presence that sparked people…and animals to tame near her." He rounded the narrative off as they reached the barn. Two horses stuck their heads out and whinnied several times, loudly. "ah…I thought they'd remember you. They do, sure enough. Remember your presence. Remember you're Lucia's daughter. They all loved her." Hermione smiled and walked to the first horse. A while mare, looking at the stall door she saw the gold name plate engraved 'Cloud Runner'.
"Hello Cloud," she said softly and the mare whickered, rubbing her head against Hermione's hand.
"You used to ride this one. With you mom. She was Lucia's show horse. She was a spirited little thing. When she was growing up at least. But you mother and her just connected, She used to calm down right when you was lifted onto her back." Hermione nodded, scratching Cloud's forehead. The next was a fiery chestnut who whinnied loudly as Hermione ran her fingers across the horses' nose.
"She was my dad's…Or my dad's mare's foal," Hermione said softly. Images of summer flooding her mind. Playing in the paddock with the foal, who knew she was different. And she'd in turn, known the horse wouldn't hurt her.
"So you remember."
"A little," she answered removing her hand and looking to Dan. "The others…Where did they come from?"
"Well they weren't born here. Lucia and Michael, they had outstanding loans. Support given to young talented riders. We sent letters, telling of their death. That you lived, these were sent as gifts to you. Adele had Secretariat blood, never raced though. Against Odds and Sky have Welton blood, and Jewel…Well she's got a mix of Affirmed and Charismatic. But she wasn't a racer. Isn't built for it. She's a wonder in the ring. Beautiful flatwork, outstanding jumping ability…We hope she passes it on to her foals." Hermione listed and nodded slowly.
"Will you show us the house now?" she asked finally.
They spent the rest of the afternoon touring the house and listening to stories. Hermione, though please and already in love with the manor, had an enormous headache b the end of the night. Everything she touched brought memories, and she was overwhelmed by the mass of images in her head. Bob finally returned, and with a flourish presented the last of the paperwork.
"I have to go…to Mona's for tonight," she said and Bob merely shrugged.
"All yours now. S'long as you keep everything cared for and we don't get complaints, you can come and go as you please." With that he took the signed paperwork and disapparated. She sighed and looked to Draco who was lounging in front of the fire and talking to Dan. The firelight played onto his finely chiseled face, his pale complexion…And she suddenly felt a longing for his. She shook her head, trying to clear it. She finally walked over to the couch, a large leather one, and sat down. She heard their voices…But only dimly, and felt herself slipping into the memories once again.
"Lucia? Lucia, are you okay?" The auburn haired beauty was holding her head in pain.
"No," she gasped out and clung to Michael. "He's angry Michael. Angry that we hid her. He's looking for her. He wantts to believe that his soul is Salazars. But it's not. And…" her voice was short and she clutched her head in misery crying out. She squeezed her eyes shut…A few moments later opening them. "I'm sorry," she said weakly. "I know you told me not to do it. To go into his mind…But I had--I had to find out who Salazar's soul belongs to. Everyone's back Michael. Lily's son is Godric. Narcissa's is Salazar…and…"
"Who's Helga Lucia?" He asked desperately. She was clutching her head once again.
"He's coming Michael. He's mad…Oh god, I'm so sorry Michael. I'm so sorry…" She collapsed into his arms crying.
The dream faded quickly and she was once again looking into the fire. Dan was gone, and Draco was playing with a small bowl of bluish green fire on the floor. She coughed and he looked up.
"Are you okay?" he asked looking concerned. "Dan said that you were in a trance. He said…that Lucia was like that when she first came here too." Hermione smiled softly. She knew finally, the entire story- at least the important parts. And strangely not only was her headache gone, but so was much of her grief. Lucia and Michael had died to save her, yes. But on their own free will. For their love of her.
"I'm fine," she replied. And he knew it was the truth. For the first time she looked truly at piece. Her eyes were a soft brown, mourning hid behind curtains of clouds, but it was easy to see much of the pain had been lifted from her shoulders. "Let's stay here tonight," she added softly, her brown eyes sparkling for a second, for the first time since they'd left California. Draco raised an eyebrow and stood, going to sit next to her. "I made a mistake in California Draco…I didn't want to let you go. I felt…like I had to. Things would…are…so complicated. I just-"
"Sshh…" he interrupted placing a finger on her lips. "You don't have to explain. I understand. I've always understood Hermione." He leaned forward and brushed his lips against hers lightly. When she didn't pull back he kissed her again, this time longer. Hermione had not meant to, but unknowingly she had given him her heart…He just didn't know it yet. She lost track of the time they spent kissing when suddenly Draco pulled back and slightly away.
"Did I do something wrong?" she asked softly, confused.
"No just a lot of right things," he replied. He took a deep breath and then pulled her close to him. "I think that we've had enough fun for tonight. I want to take this slow…And I almost did some stuff I would have regretted," he finished. She nodded and allowed her head to rest on his chest, enjoying his presence. Reveling in it. She slowly fell asleep. The day had been harder for her, than for Draco. Though he silently was praying his father didn't realize who she was…Knowing already that he did. And knowing that there was something incredibly important Hermione hadn't even begun to tell him yet. He gazed at her for a long time, before finally drifting off and falling asleep.
The next morning Hermione awoke before Draco, a first. And carefully made her way through the maze of hallways to the kitchen. Stock full of food now. As soon as she entered a house elf appeared with a snap and bowed.
"Welcome home Mistress Ravenclaw," the house elf squeaked. Hermione flinched, but smiled when she realized that these house elves had probably never experienced anything but kindness…Lucia's own descent mixed with elven blood, but wood elves might have been a different species for the similarities between the two races. Which were few and far between. "We has been waiting for you return for a long while, ma'am."
"We?" Hermione replied, wondering if the elf was referring to another house elf, or to the house.
"My sister and me. What can I do for you ma'am?" Hermione thought for a moment and made a list of things she needed in her head.
"I don't know where anything is, so I'll need you to fetch it for me. I need a frying pan, butter, eggs, flour, sugar, vanilla, milk, baking powder, a teapot, and cocoa mix." Even while she was talking the little elf was running around, bringing her the things on the list. She also brought two plates, mugs, a spatula, and assorted silverware. She filled the teapot with water and set on the stove before Hermione could stop her. Hermione started the burner and placed the pan on to warm up before the elf could start cooking for her too. "So what's your name? And what's your sister's name?" she questioned as she found a mixing bowl and poured ingredients into it.
"My name is Isabella, her name is Maria. We've been serving the Ravenclaw clan since it was formed."
"Ah…Well I'm probably different-"
"No. Ma'am is just like her mother. She treats Isabella as if she is equal. Isabella is pleased that ma'am can look at her as equal. Isabella is pleased to serve someone who is as nice as ma'am is."
"Call me Hermione, and thank-you." The house elf squealed in excitement.
"Hermione is very much like her mother…Very much so." Hermione smiled softly as she began to cook the pancakes. As the first one was finished Maria appeared with a pop and frowned at Isabella, who was sitting on a stool talking to Hermione and drinking tea.
"Isabella is a disappointment to our line! Look at you! Sitting and relaxing while your mistress does all the work!" She shrieked. Hermione's smiled turned quickly to a frown.
"Isabella does not disappoint me. I asked her to tell me about Lucia and Michael. And I like cooking." Maria looked abashed and stepped back.
"Maria apologizes for making such a terrible, terrible mistake. She is very sorry." Maria glanced at the pancake that was rapidly becoming cold, and frowned at Isabella again. She went through the cabinets and appeared with a fancy gold plate and cover. Placing the finished pancakes on it she put the cover on. "This is a charmed food warmer." Hermione smiled her tanks, and Maria disappeared with a pop.
When she was done cooking, Hermione poured two glasses of juice and had Isabelle fetch her a tray. Piling the food onto two plates she picked up the tray and carried it to the living room. She placed the tray on the floor and shook Draco lightly. After a couple tries he woke up. He looked at her and she though she saw emotions flicking through his eyes…She could almost read them in her mind's eye. But then they were masked. Gone. He kissed her lightly.
"What smells so good?" He demanded looking for the food.
"Breakfast. I made it myself," she said with a smile, the first sincere smile she had given since she had arrived in the UK.
"What time is it?"
"Seven. Tomorrow we go back to school. And I need to go through the house. Give instructions and all that." Draco nodded and they lapsed into silent as they ate.
a/n: I know this kind of just runs off...There's more to it, but I'm putting it into the next chapter because I don't have it typed. R/R!