Chapter 13: Time to settle down

Hermione let out a long yawn as she entered the room Esme showed her to. It was a beautiful room even for Hermione's taste. Everything was kept in a noble vintage style. It looked like an upper class version of the prefect room at Hogwarts she got to catch a glimpse of before. The Walls were covered with dark grey wood paneling. They had a relief pattern and in the center of each was a painting of mountains, that stretched through the whole room. Hermione couldn't tell if the floor was stone or wood it seemed like one surface without any gaps in it. It had a bronze scratchy color. As if it was centuries old and things got moved a lot over it. There was a black carpet and on top of it a big, soft double sized bed in a lighter bronze tone than the floor. A lot of pillows and blankets in creamy colors on it and at the end was a day blanket in the same color as the wall panels. On the right side of the room was a giant window and a few pillows on the ground to sit an watch out of it. A stack of old suitcases served as little make-shift table between the pillows. On each side of the bed was a lamp hanging on the wall and beneath them were little bronze cubes as night stands. Hermione walked into the room turning around herself. The wall with the door she entered through, served as enormous bookshelf and on the left wall she discovered two more doors. She assumed one of them led to a bathroom.

She couldn't force herself to close her mouth again. This whole room looked more magical than anything she ever saw and she was a god damn witch.

She went to sit on the bed but stopped when she saw a little gift wrapped basket on it. She took the note that was pinned on it and opened it.

…

"Hello new Sister,

I am sure you already got told that I saw your arrival coming I also saw that you sleep in my bedroom until you got your own ready. Don't worry! I am more than happy to have you stay here.

I made sure you have everything you might need. There are things like a new toothbrush, soaps and a few Pajamas in the basket. Also feel free to borrow some of my things, if you need.

On the left night stand are a few books of Jaspers, he thought you might would enjoy reading.

Can't wait to meet you.

Alice"

…

Hermione felt a new blush spread over her face. This was awful nice but it sort of made her feel like a homeless that got taken in. It wasn't like she hadn't her own bathroom things and clothes. But she had to admit they all smelled a little…well old. Being in the dusty trunk and Hogwarts was full of dust and it just had this certain smell that no one could deny….okay maybe this wasn't so bad after all.

She opened the basket curiously. There indeed was a nice violet toothbrush, she could tell it was a good one because it was one of those her parents would have recommended to their patients. There were really sweet smelling liquid soaps. Sweet wasn't her choice but she didn't dislike it either. And 2 sets of PJs and a few soft socks. Such you would wear instead of slippers at home.

She smiled contently. This turned better and better. She didn't feel as bad anymore. She grabbed one of the PJs, one pair of socks and the bathroom stuff and walked over to the two mysterious doors. She had to pick one and went for the left one.

Wrong choice! Instead of a bathroom she faced a scary big dressing room. She blinked a few times trying to wrap her head around the amount of clothing and then closed the door again carefully, as if this would make the whole moment disappear.

She went for the other door and got to her desired destiny. A nice equally beautiful bathroom invited her. She wanted to enjoy this nice shower and everything but she was horrible tired so she sped through everything she had to do and got ready for bed.

When she came out of the bathroom, she saw Esme placing a glass of water on one of the bedside tables. She turned around and smiled at Hermione.

"Ready to sleep ,dear? She asked in a calm voice, that coaxed another yawn out of Hermione. "Surely looks like it!" She chuckled.

Hermione walked over to her and tried to return her friendly smile. She felt as if she failed on it. She looked at the glass of water nervously, surprised how thoughtful this little act of care was. "thank you…for all of this." She mumbled.

Again Esme had clearly no problem of too much private interaction and pulled Hermione in a startling hug. "No need to thank me so much, I am glad you are here." She whispered in Hermione's hair. Before the young witch could react, Esme had her picked up, turned around and settled on the big bed.

Hermione's eyes grew wide. Esme was concerned by her expression. "Sorry dear. I didn't mean to scare you" It hurt Hermione as if there was a knot turning in her stomach, to hear the woman that was nothing but nice to her sound so hurt. "No no." The girl tried to defuse the situation. "I knew you are fast I just never actually saw it before." She wasn't sure if this explanation helped or made things worse. If it did lesser, then Esme didn't show it, because she put her motherly smile back on and tucked Hermione in.

"it's okay I know you need to get used to us." Esme said and even though she was still smiling, her eyes looked really sad when she spoke.

Hermione sighted she didn't want to be complicated for those nice people. "And you have to get used to me too I guess." Was the best she could manage. She was thinking. Harry always cheered Ron up when he was a pessimist…..what would he say? She let her head sink deeper into the soft pillows. "I am sure this won't be as hard as it seems right now." She offered and Esme's face lit up.

"Carlisle already said that you are a bright one." She said, a hint of pride swinging with her voice. She stroke softly over Hermione's cheek. "Sleep well, we can talk tomorrow. If you need anything I will be downstairs all night long."

Hermione didn't even notice that Esme was gone, until she turned off the lights and closed the bedroom door a little bit. She had to smile into the pillow. Her mom used to do this, leaving the door open a tiny bit. This small gesture made her feel warm and happy, she took in the foreign scent from the sheets and the room. A mix of something spicy and something sweet. And while wondering how things would be from now on she drifted off to sleep.

…

Downstairs, Carlisle waited for his wife to come back to him as he finished putting away the last things from their travel. He wasn't feeling exhausted literally but somehow he felt as if a shower and a few hours of doing nothing specific was in order.

But first he had to talk with Esme. As she came into view she was laughing to herself softly and he wondered why. Maybe he should have listened when she went to say good night to Hermione.

She walked over to him, placed her arms around his neck and placed her perfect lips on his in a deep, passionate kiss. As she finally let go again, Carlisle was sure he would have been breathless, if he would have been in need of air at all. "Now, welcome home." She smirked and dropped gracefully on the couch. "You want to tell me now what all this is about?"

Carlisle felt like a schoolboy that got caught breaking the rules. How did she do this to him? He forgot how he wanted to start this talk.

Esme took his silence as a sign that she had to lead on the conversation. "Since Alice already dropped the words 'newest addition' I assume she stays with us?" She tried to pull any reply from him.

He nodded. "Yes….If you and the kids agree with it that is…and if she agrees with it." He saw Esme's hesitating look and tried to go more into detail "I mean we never lived with a human for longer than a weekend…and even then, Bella is a lot older and more independent and Hermione have to see if she actually is fine with a house full of our kind." He stated a little uncomfortable. Up until now he was sure Esme would love the idea, but her face gave no emotion away. God what would he give right now to have Edward or Jasper here.

"How does she know about us?" Esme asked in a neutral voice.

Carlisle felt the need to loosen his collar and opened the top button as he sat down as well. He rarely saw his Love being that commanding. Was this a mistake after all and Alice was wrong? "She is a witch." He said plainly.

Esme's lips turned into a thin line. "I thought so." She was thinking. Or was she waiting for him to go on?

Unsure Carlisle continued. "I met her a few times when I was working at the Hospital there and after a while learned that her parents passed away not long ago and she had the wish to visit a school in America to start over." He explained. "And when I learned that all that was missing to her luck was a family, I felt as if I had to offer her the same chance we offered all our kids." He didn't dare to look at her right now. "We agreed on her staying here until she met everyone and then she should decide if she wants this or not and I thought if I give you the same deal then it's a fair chance for everyone." He still stared at the ground. "The school she will be attending is a school for wizards and witches and a boarding school, so…."

He got interrupted when two slender arms wrapped around him and a kiss was pressed on his forehead. Esme seated herself on his lap. Confused he looked up and met her soft, golden eyes.

"You are the kindest man, I've ever had the luck to meet" She said, not breaking their eye contact. "I love you and you did the only right thing, there was to do."

A stone dropped off his heart as she spoke. He was so scared that she disliked the whole idea. He pulled her closer.

Alice was right, it would be fine.