A Lesson in Perfection
The library was quiet, with sunlight filtering through the tall windows and casting warm patches on the shelves lined with ancient books. Harry sat comfortably in an armchair, an open book in his lap, though his attention was focused on the tea he'd requested—more specifically, on Hermione's performance in preparing it.
Moments later, the door opened, and Mistress Isabell entered, Hermione trailing behind her, her gaze lowered. They both bowed deeply, their postures precise, reflecting the discipline The House demanded.
"Your tea, Apprentice Master," Hermione murmured, stepping forward to present the cup, her movements measured and controlled as she'd been trained.
Harry took the tea, his gaze meeting hers for a brief moment before he raised the cup to his lips. He took a sip, then immediately spit the tea back into the cup, his face twisting in disgust. With a sharp motion, he set the glass back on the table with a resounding clang.
"This is the second time you've brought me bitter, undrinkable tea, Hermione," he said, his voice calm but laced with irritation. "How many times must I remind you of what I expect?"
Hermione's eyes widened in disbelief, her mouth parting slightly as though she wanted to speak, but she held her tongue, masking her frustration quickly. But Harry saw the spark in her eyes, that flicker of disbelief and defiance she hadn't yet managed to hide.
Mistress Isabell immediately stepped forward, bowing deeply as she took control of the situation. "Apprentice Master Harry, I apologize deeply for this... travesty," she said, her voice steady but with a touch of urgency. "This failure is unacceptable, and I will ensure it does not happen again."
Harry kept his gaze fixed on Hermione, studying her reaction, watching the stubbornness she struggled to hide. He waited, letting the silence hang, his stare unrelenting as Hermione shifted uncomfortably.
Isabell, noticing Hermione's hesitation, acted swiftly. She grabbed Hermione's arm, pulling her sharply to the floor. Hermione gasped softly as she fell to her knees, her face flushing as she was forced into a position of complete submission. Isabell held her head down, pressing her forehead to the floor, her voice firm and commanding.
"Show respect, Hermione," Isabell said coldly, her grip unyielding. "Do not look at the masters with such insolence."
Harry scoffed, his tone laced with a quiet disdain. "It seems she still has a long way to go before she truly understands her place." He paused, his gaze hard. "Mistress Isabell, she clearly needs more training in the preparation of tea, as well as in her attitude. Fix it."
Isabell bowed her head again, her voice steady. "Yes, Apprentice Master. I will see to it personally."
Harry's gaze lingered on Hermione for a moment longer, watching as she remained frozen in her position on the floor, her shoulders tense, though her face was now blank. A slight frown crossed his face, and he turned back to Isabell.
"One more thing, Mistress Isabell," he added, his voice almost dismissive. "Ask Mia to prepare some proper tea for me—and those biscuits she's known for. Clearly, Hermione is not yet capable of meeting the standards I expect."
Isabell's expression didn't falter, though Hermione stiffened slightly at his words. "Of course, Apprentice Master. I will ensure Mia attends to it at once."
Harry nodded, finally turning his attention away from them. "Good. I expect no more mistakes."
With a final bow, Isabell pulled Hermione to her feet and led her out of the library. Hermione kept her gaze down, her face carefully blank, though a storm of emotions swirled within her.
As they walked down the corridor, Isabell's grip tightened, her voice low but cutting. "You will learn to mask that defiance, Hermione, or it will be your undoing. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Mistress Isabell," Hermione replied, her voice steady but cold.
Isabell's eyes narrowed but she said nothing more, leading Hermione back to the lower levels of The House, where the lessons in humility and obedience would begin again. Hermione felt the weight of her punishment looming, but she steeled herself, refusing to let the spark within her be extinguished, no matter how much they tried to mold her.
For now, she would play their game. But in the quiet corners of her mind, she vowed that one day, she would find a way to reclaim herself.
You said:I would like to add something at the end. When they both leave Harry Isabell sees Mia and tells her what Harry wants. She quickly goes and gets it done. Mia goes into the library and sees Harry. She sets the tea and biscuits down. When Harry drinks and eats them he is happy. And says much better. Mia is happy to hear that. ChatGPT said:
Chapter 40: A Lesson in Perfection
The library was quiet, with sunlight filtering through the tall windows and casting warm patches on the shelves lined with ancient books. Harry sat comfortably in an armchair, an open book in his lap, though his attention was focused on the tea he'd requested—more specifically, on Hermione's performance in preparing it.
Moments later, the door opened, and Mistress Isabell entered, Hermione trailing behind her, her gaze lowered. They both bowed deeply, their postures precise, reflecting the discipline The House demanded.
"Your tea, Apprentice Master," Hermione murmured, stepping forward to present the cup, her movements measured and controlled as she'd been trained.
Harry took the tea, his gaze meeting hers for a brief moment before he raised the cup to his lips. He took a sip, then immediately spit the tea back into the cup, his face twisting in disgust. With a sharp motion, he set the glass back on the table with a resounding clang.
"This is the second time you've brought me bitter, undrinkable tea, Hermione," he said, his voice calm but laced with irritation. "How many times must I remind you of what I expect?"
Hermione's eyes widened in disbelief, her mouth parting slightly as though she wanted to speak, but she held her tongue, masking her frustration quickly. But Harry saw the spark in her eyes, that flicker of disbelief and defiance she hadn't yet managed to hide.
Mistress Isabell immediately stepped forward, bowing deeply as she took control of the situation. "Apprentice Master Harry, I apologize deeply for this... travesty," she said, her voice steady but with a touch of urgency. "This failure is unacceptable, and I will ensure it does not happen again."
Harry kept his gaze fixed on Hermione, studying her reaction, watching the stubbornness she struggled to hide. He waited, letting the silence hang, his stare unrelenting as Hermione shifted uncomfortably.
Isabell, noticing Hermione's hesitation, acted swiftly. She grabbed Hermione's arm, pulling her sharply to the floor. Hermione gasped softly as she fell to her knees, her face flushing as she was forced into a position of complete submission. Isabell held her head down, pressing her forehead to the floor, her voice firm and commanding.
"Show respect, Hermione," Isabell said coldly, her grip unyielding. "Do not look at the masters with such insolence."
Harry scoffed, his tone laced with a quiet disdain. "It seems she still has a long way to go before she truly understands her place." He paused, his gaze hard. "Mistress Isabell, she clearly needs more training in the preparation of tea, as well as in her attitude. Fix it."
Isabell bowed her head again, her voice steady. "Yes, Apprentice Master. I will see to it personally."
Harry's gaze lingered on Hermione for a moment longer, watching as she remained frozen in her position on the floor, her shoulders tense, though her face was now blank. A slight frown crossed his face, and he turned back to Isabell.
"One more thing, Mistress Isabell," he added, his voice almost dismissive. "Ask Mia to prepare some proper tea for me—and those biscuits she's known for. Clearly, Hermione is not yet capable of meeting the standards I expect."
Isabell's expression didn't falter, though Hermione stiffened slightly at his words. "Of course, Apprentice Master. I will ensure Mia attends to it at once."
Harry nodded, finally turning his attention away from them. "Good. I expect no more mistakes."
With a final bow, Isabell pulled Hermione to her feet and led her out of the library. Hermione kept her gaze down, her face carefully blank, though a storm of emotions swirled within her.
As they exited the library, Mistress Isabell spotted Mia in the corridor and quickly relayed Harry's request. "Apprentice Master Harry wishes for you to bring him a fresh pot of tea and those biscuits of yours. Make sure everything is perfect."
Mia gave a small, confident nod, her expression calm but pleased. "Right away, Mistress."
Back in the Library
A short while later, Mia entered the library carrying a polished silver tray with a fresh pot of tea and a small plate of her signature biscuits, their rich, buttery scent filling the room. She set the tray down carefully in front of Harry, who looked up from his book with a neutral expression.
With a graceful bow, Mia poured a cup and handed it to Harry. He accepted the tea, bringing it to his lips with an air of expectation. This time, as he took a sip, his expression shifted to one of satisfaction. The tea was warm, perfectly steeped, with a hint of sweetness that balanced the flavor just as he liked.
"Much better," he said, his tone relaxed as he took another sip, his expression softened by the familiar comfort of the drink. He reached for one of the biscuits and took a bite, the taste bringing a faint smile to his face. "Thank you, Mia. As always, you've delivered exactly what I wanted."
Mia allowed herself a small, pleased smile, a glimmer of pride in her eyes as she bowed again. "I'm honored to hear that, Apprentice Master."
Harry gave a nod of approval, his demeanor calm. "Make sure Hermione is taught properly. I don't want this standard compromised again."
Mia bowed once more, her expression steady. "Of course, Apprentice Master."
With that, she slipped quietly from the room, her satisfaction evident in the way she moved. Harry returned to his book, savoring the tea and biscuits, the peace of the library restored to his liking, and all thoughts of Hermione's earlier failure forgotten for now.