1916 *Rewritten*
Soon enough, we are once again sitting in a thestral carriage, on the way to France, our new clothes packed into two trunks on top of the carriage.
With a flying carriage, it did not take us all too long to reach Nothern France, and soon we arrive at a small village at the Somme, where a, I’d say small manor house sat surrounded by beautiful fields. Small being relative, as it still seems like quite a big house to me. When we land, the coachman steps off the carriage and opens the door for us. With a hand held out, he helps us down the two little steps and just as my foot touches the ground, an older lady steps out of the beautiful manor. She has dark hair and wore a dark gown. She looked like the epitome of a lady. A true Black. Another woman, about the same age, follows her, always two feet behind the lady of the house.
“Welcome to ‘Manoir des noirs’. I am the Lady Elladora Black” The woman immediately starts with a scrutinizing look at us. “From this day on, you will call me Mother and nothing else, understood?”
I swallow before I answer the no-nonsense woman with a polite “Yes, Mother.”
“Good, you seem to learn quickly. This” she pointed at the woman standing behind her “is Helen. She is the Head housemaid of ‘Manoir des noirs’. For now, she will be responsible for your education. I expect you to respect her.”
After another scrutinizing look at us, she turns to the coachman. “Thank you, Mister Rilington, please make sure the girls' luggage is brought to her rooms” She expresses and starts towards the manor. I make sure to quickly follow her march into the house.
“All employees have been informed of my daughters arriving to live here from now on. They will not ask any questions. As such, you will not speak of your past either. Is that clear?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Good. Helen will see to it, that a governess is employed to educate you in a depth that is acceptable for your new status as a young Lady of the noble House of Black.”
After marching up a lot of stairs and along a long hall we finally stop in front of a winged door. Slightly out of breath, I give the woman a slightly worried look “Now, This will be your room.I will leave you to get comfortable now. Your attendant will soon come to introduce herself to you. As I have already said, I expect my, and now your, employees and servants to be respected and well-treated.”
“Of course,” I say. “Mother.” I hurry to attach it.
“Good. I'll expect you for supper.” For the first time since meeting the woman, a smile made it to her lips. It made her look a lot younger and even more beautiful. “Welcome to the Family.” Maybe it wouldn't be too bad here after all.
I open the winged doors leading to what would now become my room, revealing a bedroom as big as our dormitory at Hogwarts. It is held in creamy shades with beautiful gold accents. The first thing that catches my eye, is the gigantic bed with plenty of pillows on it and a baby bed next to it. After that, I look around, closing the door behind me. There is a small drawing room area in front of a great window and another winged door on the opposite wall. Crossing the room, I open the other door to see a beautifully tiled bathroom. I close the door and sit on the bed. Noe that I am alone I get lost in my thoughts about what will happen. How will my time here go? Lady Elladora seems like a strict woman, but she does somewhat remind me of Professor McGonagall. I hope we will get along.
Lost in my thoughts I don't hear the knock at the door and get pulled out of my own head when the door opens and a young woman steps into the room carrying my trunks. I immediately jump up, prepared to help her but it seems that someone has put a featherlight charm on the trunk, as the young woman effortlessly puts it down by the bed. My bed.
“Good afternoon, young mistress.” she greets me with a smile and a slight bow. “My name is Fiona. I will be attending to you for the foreseeable future.”