Chapter 2: The State
...
The Malfoy state was practically a kingdom. The opulent and ancient mansion stood at its center, surrounded by forest, impenetrable and daunting. Beyond the high walls lived the Malfoy citizens. Or that's how Hermione's mom would call them on chilly nights while sitting by the fire. "We are their serfs and villeins, paying homage," she would mutter. Dad would then grumble absolutely medieval in an exasperated tone to appease his wife. Still, Hermione knew he was as contemptuous in life as he could be, knowing his family was safe within the county's borders.
Options outside the state were limited, and most would rather live in a Feudal System at Wiltshire than risk absolute misery in London or Plymouth. The work was harsh, and Hermione's father would often come from the fields with sore limbs and a neck burned by the sun, but there was bread and wine on their table, and Hermione was allowed to attend the all-girls school.
It was here that she found herself. A whole world opened before her eyes when she learned to read and write. Hermione discovered travelling with her mind while devouring the books that Madame McGonagall would let her borrow from their small library. She swam in the Nile River and ventured into the Amazon forest; she could almost feel the frost on her eyelids when reading about the frozen lands north of America. When she discovered you could travel to places where undulating waves of green, purple and red lights could be seen dancing across the sky caused by particles travelling millions of years from outer space, she promised herself she would witness them all one day.
A head full of wild dreams and covered by equally wild hair, Seamus's dad would tease her. His strong accent had slowly softened after several years at the Malfoy state. He worked with Hermione's dad at the field crops. He had lost his wife when Seamus was still a baby, but despite this, he had managed to raise a good-natured boy. Seamus's most immense pleasure was sweet pies after class and chanting songs he had heard Professor Lupin hum while they all sat contemplating the yellow fields on warm harvest evenings.
Contempt, warm hugs, laughing under the sun, that's how Hermione would remember her first ten years.
...
"I apologize, Monica. I did not believe this would catch the attention of Lady Malfoy." The way Madame McGonagall spoke to Hermione's mom was not only apologetic. It sounded almost remorseful. "She has requested to meet the avid reader who has read our whole library and for whom I have been requesting new textbooks."
Madame McGonagall thought she had been careful in requesting new tomes. Excusing it as the ones in the library were outdated, and the girls needed much new material, but Lady Malfoy had seen through her in a matter of months. "You had never asked for such specifics, Minerva, so I wonder why."
Minerva was protective of her pupils but was wise to know the limits of her protection. Enraging Lady Malfoy would benefit none, and honesty was her only policy.
"Her name is Hermione, my Lady, and she has devoured all our tomes. She is still too young for a skilled trade; I am trying to keep her occupied, so her family can continue to work hard for your husband's state." The answer had pleased the Lady but had not sated her curiosity. And for that, Hermione's dirty knees had been washed, and her hair brushed so she could meet the Lady of the Manor.
Hermione had seen the imposing iron gates before. It was far from her regular commute to class. She had seen them when hunting for fairies and gnomes across the forest with Luna and Seamus, tall and intimidating barriers they had seemed. Only authorized personnel were allowed inside, those who kept the grounds and the house itself. She had never thought much of it, like a faraway universe, not part of her own reality. Crossing those gates felt like a hollow forming at the bottom of her stomach, pulling her down to the ground. "Smile softly, nod gently, speak only when they address you and keep your gaze down; it will be all right." Mom had said this with unease and a trembling voice. Hermione wanted to reassure her, "Mom, it will be alright; they are not monsters; I will be back for dinner," but the look in her mom's eyes had been nothing but reassuring.
...
The first time inside the manor felt like a doomed novel, sad with a heartbreaking ending. Despite entering through the smaller back doors meant for servants, the hallways looked intimidating and hollow. Servants passed them with stone and pale faces, no wrinkles caused by the sun. Hermione had never felt more out of place before.
A stiff butler took them to a sitting area, where they waited for what felt like hours. Hermione stared at the wallpaper with small constellations and dragons, and if she stopped blinking, she could almost tell it was enchanted.
When called inside the study, Hermione remembered her mother's words. Smile softly. Keep your gaze down. But the moment her gaze looked up, and her eyes saw the thousands of rows of books adorning the walls, her gasp choked her and her neck almost cracked by the immensity of all, by the overwhelming sensation of feeling sublime.
"I see why you go through so much trouble, Minerva. Her fascination is most endearing."
It took Hermione several seconds to stop gawking at the shelves filled with books. A ladder was on each side of the room, and a whole staircase led to a second floor.
"It is my Lady, although I have warned Hermione that daydreaming won't serve her well in a few years."
Lady Malfoy's eyes were a piercing grey, like clouds in a storm, with wrinkles softening the corners of her eyes. She smiles sometimes, ten-year-old Hermione thought.
"Let her dream while she can, Minerva."
Hermione stared at the Lady of the Manor. Hermione was scared, yes, but so very curious as well. Mom had warned her to keep her gaze down, but Lady Malfoy was oh so beautiful that Hermione's heartbeat would not let her look away. "Do you have Siren Land in your collection?" Hermione asked softly but eagerly. After learning of Capri Island, she had been waiting to ask Madame McGonagall for weeks.
Madame McGonagall stiffened by her side, worried that Hermione had spoken without being asked to. Speak only when they address you.
But Lady Malfoy's sweet laugh broke Hermione's panic. "I am unsure, dear child. You can review the catalogue, and if you do not find it here, we can always check the main library afterwards."
Hermione would learn this was Lady Malfoy's private collection and that Lord Malfoy himself possessed a grander one on the east wing.
"As much as I like providing new tomes for our girls' school, I believe filling it with tomes that only you will be reading is very unpractical. You will be able to borrow them from my collection instead. You will come here once a week and tell me about them."
Hermione's chest had never felt so warm.
"My Lady, are you sure? Please do not go through all that trouble; I can always..."
"Minerva." The voice was not ungentle, but it was firm. The voice of the Lady of the Manor, "The child will come here once a week; she will discuss the books with me directly and borrow the ones I see fit."
Hermione had never seen strong Madame McGonagall flinch. It was most out of character.
"As you please, Lady Malfoy."
They were dismissed, and Hermione's life changed forever.