Author's Note: Thanks for all the reviews everyone, and I hope everbody is having a wonderful weekend.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything but my imagination and whatever else is in this story that doesn't make sense. I was inspired by another romance novel i read and J.K. Rowlings wonderful world. Enjoy!
Chapter 36
"Wrapped so Pretty"
They walked a small ways past the apothecary and then just beyond the town's wizarding bookstore. It was by no means a Flourish and Blotts, this one was much smaller, but it held just as many books to supply ones need. The cobblestone road then divided into three separate paths. Two Hermione knew fairly well, they leered to the right, The other was the unfamiliar road, it sided off to the left.
Passing an old watering well, they soon came to the restaurant, Petur had been speaking of. It was directly beside a stream. In details he could have never captured the heart of the place. Its sloping rooftop and aged lumber brought the Burrow to mind for Hermione.
She was surprised that she had never seen something so superb until now.
She put the rising truth of it out of her mind. The location was secluded, and brilliantly misplaced amongst the forest. But she knew it was sadly due to the fact that she too had been so tucked away for months now. She didn't care if it were the ugly truth or not, she didn't want to see things that way. Her months of solitude were just as much her fault, as it was his, and she knew this.
The flowing stream swept directly under the wooden lodge. The lodge had been constructed of two floors, and built with enormously large boards made of redwood. Some planks so thick and remarkable long Hermione wondered if they had been parts of a ship. Then there were other pieces that had been hollowed out to make the doors and windows for the first and second floor. The front, as large as it seemed was attached to an old mill, with two gigantic wheel-like structures. Below it were a four rows of widely laid steps that lead up onto its wooden landing. The deck ran along the entire length of the place, like a dock. She read a roughly carved sign indicating its name and founding year. The Enchanter's Veranda built in 1175.
Petur and Narcissa talked the entire time they walked.
"`ave you every been ère before Hermione?" Petur asked her as they descended upon the first few steps.
Hermione shook her head no. Although, this was the place she had been hearing so much about. Petur seemed surprised with her answer and flashed her a questioning stare.
"Vell you are in luck, The Veranda is a special place. I have a membership zust to dine ère. Tis good for me zat I know a special someone that vorks ère." he said as he lead them up the stairs and across the wooden patio.
They entered the front entranceway, where they were instantly greeting by a young witch dressed in a shortly trimmed, honey-toned cloak. Her collar was formal, high and emblazed with velvet stars. Hermione admired it cheerful colors and could tell it was a rather exquisite garment. That is, until her eyes caught the décor of the scene behind their hostess. The young waitress was only a fraction of the Veranda's beauty.
"Vell hello there doll face" said Petur as a second hostess approached her morning crowd. A party of four walked in behind the three of them. The second hostess apparated and greeted the guest. She smiled at Petur as he encircled her arm around his waist and kiss her cheek.
"Hello sweetheart," she said in a soft voice.
"Emelie. I'd like to introduce you to the Malfoy's."
"Um. . .Granger." interjected Hermione, she extended her hand for a friendly shake with the younger women. "Mrs. Malfoy and Miss Granger."
There was a moment of odd silence as the awareness of her title change was absorbed.
"Oh! how do you do Miss Granger, and Mrs. Malfoy." said Emelie now shaking Narcissa hand, unaware of the awkward moment caused by Hermione.
"Vell, Yes èr. . . Sweety pie if we could have a table. Somewhere'z cozy, the usual -Non."
Emelie smiled as Petur landed her with another brief kiss. She then turned and directed them through the restaurant into a separate dining room that looked as if it was originally designed for special occasions such as parties or perhaps the rare extreme guest.
The room they entered was spacious and furnished with half a dozen round tables, each dressed in white linen, some in dark blue, but each with it's own distinct bouquet arrangement in its center.
Four more steps led downward into a third lower room, an open area with a flat-stoned floor, more tables, a mahogany bar, and large stone fireplace whose hearth held two life-size, stone satyrs beside it kneeling. Soft music played in the background. Not deafening, but very soothing.
Emelie, the hostess led them to a vacant table near the fireplace and the flames immediately sprung to life as they approached.
Hermione had never been here before, but had to admit it would easily land a place on her most favorites list. The walls even though they were a level lower, and not as high as the entrace, were dressed with beautifully draping windows; none of the Quidditch memorabilia she had recalled from the pubs or from the bar she had gone to with Ginny and E`sa. In here, there were historical portraits instead of framed team jersey's and sports clippings from the Daily Prophet.
Petur glanced over and held out a chair for her and then for Narcissa.
"As beautiful as the view is, the food should cost a fortune," said Narcissa as she accepted her seat from Petur. "but it doesn't. In fact, they serve a superior pea soup made with sea urchin here that is beyond words."
"It is like I said to your husb- I mean to Draco, a beautiful country, vonderful food and vith beautiful vomen as well." his eyes glided over to Emelie's who blushed as she laid down their morning menus.