Disclaimer: Same as last chapter. Oh, I think I need someone to read my chapters before I post them… I need help… Lots of it!!!
Chapter 2: New HomeThe first thought that came into her mind was 'wow'. Her father told her that they'll live in a Manor but she never knew it would be this big. She squinted in the fading light to see more of the grounds before being ushered in by her father. The inside looked like it came out from one of those old fashioned movies she had briefly watched. The entrance hall itself was as big as her house. 'Wow, people I know would die in envy if they can see me now.' She thought, and the people she was talking about were among the richest folks from the city she came from.
"Now just leave your bags there, the servants will bring it to your room by and by. I have something to tell you before you take a rest from the trip" Her father immediately said.
"Yes Father" she replied, trying to get used to the term. Calling someone 'Father' was too formal for her liking but there's no other term she could address him. 'Dad' just doesn't seem to apply. The man beside was extruding an air that demands respect and full of authority. He beckoned her to a large room that seemed to be his study. Ordinary people would call it a library but Aquilis know better.
"My real name is Tom Riddle, but you are not to divulge that Information, not even your mother knows that.When you are living under my roof you're name is formally known as Aquilis Rochelle Riddle. Outside you can use whatever name you chose but for security reason I'd rather you use your old name for the time being when outside. The same reason applies for your surname to be Marvolo for now. You are to say that we both came from Asia when asked why they haven't heard of my name before" He looked at her straight in the eye. "Now, have you noticed anything odd happening around you?" He asked. Mara/Aquilis paused in thought.
"No...Yes...Yeah, once in a while. Never know why though. How'd you know?"
"Tell me what about those times"
"Well...one time a snake talked to me and I talked back. Another time was when my bracelet appeared on front of me after losing it for two days. I don't know how that happened but I was really wierded out"
"That's because you're are a witch and a parseltongue, you posses magical abilities and can talk to snakes, that is part of the reason why your mother didn't tell you much about me. She probably doesn't want you to know about being a witch." At this her eyes widened and her jaw just slightly dropped.
"I know it's a shock. You have to get over that and soon." The older man said when he saw her expression.
"But how? I mean that can't be, I…I..I don't know how to take this-." The surprised girl started to say but was cut off by a display of magic when her father lit up the whole room.
"Don't worry, you've quick mind, you can get used to this soon. You will be tutored in magic this summer before you officially go to school on Sept. 1st." He said with a smile while looking at the bewildered face of the girl in front of him.
"Huh? Could you repeat that?" she was still completely stunned at this revelation.
"Classes here start on Sept., which means you have a few months to catch up with your year as summer in your country started just last week" He knew her reaction would be like this and took little notice of it.
"Classes?. What, you mean I'm going to a school that teaches magic?" she said with surprise.
"Precisely. I've already hired tutors to teach you not only magic but proper etiquette as well. I will accept no less than proper behavior from someone such as yourself."
"uh uhm, yeah whatever" she was still recovering.
"Don't' worry, like I said before you have four months to take in everything I want you to learn."
"Rince! Get down here" He said. Aquilis saw a two feet tall creature scampered towards them.
"Rince, this Lady Aquilis, she is my daughter and I want you to treat her with the same respect towards me and I want you to personally be in charge of helping her around the Manor as she is new around here." He ordered.
"Yes sir" The creature intoned in a polite manner while giving a bow to the girl who just stood there staring at the creature.
"Aquilis, this is Rince, she is a houself and as you heard she will be helping you get around this house"
"Okay." Aquilis said while giving a nod to the houself.
"Now go get some rest in your room and wash up in an hour. I expect you to come down for dinner afterwards. Rince will show you the way."
Her eyes widened at the sight of her room. It was heavily furnished with furniture and muggle appliances. She was in awe at seeing a wide screen TV, what seemed to be the latest computer, air conditioner, DVD player, her four poster bed, wide walk-in closet, the stereo system, and many more stuff any other teen could just dream about. What got her was how it all ran without electricity. Wow no need to be told that this family's loaded. It turns out that there were also stuff she wasn't familiar with. One example was the portrait of her father. It was really moving. Rince told her that all pictures move in the manor. There was also a mirror that talked back to her. It gave her quite a scare when she first looked into it. The room was really big and really amazing. There was a mini kitchen in the corner and a huge fireplace next to it. In front of her bed was a sofa set with a coffee table.
'Looks like mom told him everything about my likes and dislikes.' she thought as she fingered the soft edge of her new pillowcase. It was black with a touch of midnight blue, her favorite color aside from purple. Like the pillow case, the furnishings around the room were also colored in dark colors that agree to her taste. She smiled as she laid her head to rest on the pillow while the houself lit the fireplace. 'And they call this a room. It should be called an apartment.'
"Is there anything you want more miss?" Rince asked.
"Maybe a glass of water please." Aquilis said. She was thirsty and wanted to rest. When the houself came back she downed the glass in one take.
When she went to her own bathroom opposite her bedroom an hour later she was awed for the second time that day. It was big and had a small pool for a bath tub. Everything seemed expensive and elegant. I could get used to this she thought. The closet next to the door where she was standing had a full length mirror. When she opened it, there were lots of soft towels and robes that bear her initials. She took a towel and a robe out. She then walked to the tub and opened the tap. Scented water came out and filled the tub instantly considering the size of it. Must be magic she presumed and dipped her self in it after taking off her clothes.
After her bath she came back to her room and found the houself taking out her things that had been brought up ages ago and storing them. On the bad was a set of expensive looking clothes and black robes monogrammed with a letter R on the lower right corner.
"The master asks me to tell you that those are the family robes during formal occasions and wants you to wear them for dinner tonight." The elf told her.
"Okay.." Aquilis put on the clothes with a little help from Rince on her new robes and followed her out of the room to the dining hall for her first dinner in her new home.