The room filled with a warm glow as the morning sunlight seeped through the curtains, rousing Greg from his slumber. As he gradually regained consciousness, he became aware of a tender pressure on his chest. Lowering his gaze, he discovered the crown of Lena's head, adorned with soft, light brown locks, creating a heartwarming scene. After planting a gentle kiss on his sister's head, he gingerly extricated himself from the bed. Hoping that Granger, or rather Hermione, was already awake, he made his way towards the bathroom, in dire need of its facilities.

To his relief, Greg discovered Hermione already awake, leisurely savoring a mug of hot liquid. She sat at her desk, engrossed in an unfamiliar gadget, which she balanced between her shoulder and ear. Interrupting her concentration, Hermione gently placed her mug on the desk and picked up a peculiar-looking quill. "Alright, that sounds perfect. I'll meet you in an hour. Thank you so much," she said into the device, then pressed a button and set it down beside her mug.

Greg cleared his throat, catching Hermione's attention as she turned towards him. "Good morning. Did you sleep well?" She inquired.

"Yeah, thanks. Is the bathroom available?" Greg asked.

"Go ahead. I need to make another call anyway," she replied, offering him a warm smile.

After freshening up, Greg returned to the sitting room to find Hermione reclining in her chair, cradling her mug in her hands.

Curiosity piqued, he asked, "What was that device you were talking into earlier?"

Hermione chuckled and replied, "That's called a telephone. It's much faster than using owls for communication. Think of it as a sort of floo call, except you don't see the person you're speaking to, and you're not being partially engulfed in fire."

She paused, then continued, "It's just one of the ways that Muggles communicate."

"I've prepared breakfast. It's on the kitchen counter under a stasis charm. I need to step out for a bit. I managed to locate three of the books on my client's list. You're welcome to stay here if you'd like. Alternatively, there's a Muggle village nearby with some shops and a play park. You and Lena could explore there if you're interested. When I return in a couple of hours, I can show you around myself. I've closed off my floo, so you won't receive any surprise visits from Harry or any of the Weasleys," Hermione explained, providing options and reassurances.

"Uh, thanks. You didn't have to make breakfast, but I really appreciate it," Greg expressed his gratitude. "I was actually planning to go to Theo's for a while, but I'd definitely love a tour when we get back."

"Of course," Hermione nodded in agreement. "The apparition point is located at the end of the pathway, in the grove of trees. You can't miss it." She informed him.

Once Hermione had left, Greg roused Lena from her slumber. He watched intently as Lena consumed the breakfast Hermione had prepared, consisting of eggs, sausage, and toast. Greg couldn't help but notice Lena's healthy appetite, along with her newfound alertness and vitality. The absence of dark circles under her eyes and the cessation of trembling caused by the curse were clear indications that none of the usual side effects lingered.

"Lena, I need to step out for a bit. Would you mind staying with Theo and Susan?" Greg asked, his voice filled with concern.

Lena looked up at her brother, her eyes reflecting a mixture of longing and apprehension. "Can Poppy come with me?" she pleaded, her voice soft and hopeful.

Greg hesitated, weighing the options in his mind. He understood Lena's attachment to Poppy, the sense of security the elf brought her. With a sigh, he finally relented. "Alright," he agreed. "I'm sure they won't mind. Let's ask Theo and Susan if Poppy can join you."

After finishing breakfast, Greg set the dishes to wash and changed into fresh attire. Together, they departed from the cottage and apparated to Nott Manor.

Theo and Susan greeted them warmly They recognized the comfort Lena found in having her elf companion by her side and allowed Poppy to accompany her for the day.

Susan, Lena, and Poppy made their way to the greenhouses, ready to immerse themselves in a day of plant care and cultivation. Susan had been looking forward to tending to her beloved flora, and Lena kindly offered her assistance in any way she could be of help.

Seizing the opportunity for a private conversation, Theo pulled Greg aside. "How did it go with Granger?" he inquired with curiosity.

"Everything went fine. Her potion worked wonders for Lena. No lingering side effects," Greg replied, relief evident in his voice.

"That's fantastic news," Theo responded, a note of awe in his voice. Then, with a mischievous grin, he added, "So, Greg, did you catch a glimpse of Granger in her knickers?" He let out a hearty laugh, wiggling his eyebrows playfuly.

Greg shot his friend a stern look, his annoyance evident. "No, I absolutely didn't," he retorted firmly. Retrieving a folded piece of parchment from his pocket, he continued, "I'm planning to persuade Father to sign this. It's an official document provided by Mr. Goldstein—a notice of

temporary custody. Once it bears the signature of the head of our family, it will supersede Irma and her family's rights."

He paused, contemplating the situation. "Mr. Goldstein mentioned that he doesn't need to know the specifics of how I get the signature, as long as it's authentic. That should be sufficient," Greg explained, "But he's still prepared to pursue legal recourse with the Wizengamot against Mother if necessary."

Theo inquired, his curiosity piqued, "Do you have any idea where your father might be hiding?"

Greg responded, his expression determined, "No, not exactly. But I believe I have a plan to track him down."