Home Away from Home
February, 1798
Time flew by much faster than Hermione had anticipated it would.
The four months without Lily had felt like a lifetime, and the next eight months following her return had felt like days.
As she had attended lessons at a higher level with Lily, there had not been much for the young witch to do but refine her skills and knowledge.
Her dearest friend had taken it upon herself to mentor Hermione in topics and areas that she had found of the utmost importance during her own season, during the last few months before the witches debut.
February had seen Hermione occupied by constant dress fittings, jeweler visits, and shoe selections.
Her current wardrobe had been deemed below the standard several times, with dresses worn out and stained with ink from her studies.
She was to have an entirely new selection of gowns for her time at court, to meet the standards set for ladies and debutants.
Only a week out from the season’s start, Hermione found herself nervous as ever.
Having the support of her friends and family as she approached her debut meant the world to her, but there was nothing that could truly prepare her for the unknown and unexpected.
Hermione’s parents were much like Lily’s; while they recognized the potential of familial alliance, they would not pressure their daughter into anything she did not want.
She had high hopes for a love match. Learning her parents had been one, and seeing their devotion to one another, she knew that she would accept no other matches.
She wondered if she would be successful in doing so during her first season.
..........
March 1st, 1798
As tradition dictated, Hermione’s family took the carriage ride into London that day.
Lily had managed to convince her parents to allow her to floo onto their estate this time around.
As a lady who had already made her debut in society, having witnesses for her arrival in London was deemed unnecessary.
The presence of the House of Potter in court was bound to draw attention, that much was to be expected. Euphemia and Fleamont had their children later than most in life, and had not been seen at court since their own engagement, decades prior.
The fact that the family was sponsoring several young men in court, in addition to their own daughter, had drawn extra attention to them upon their return to London.
Peter, Remus, and Sirius had traveled separately, with Fleamont in their own carriage, a few days prior to the remainder of the household.
They were to help prepare the estate for occupation, as it had gone unused for years.
To maintain the standards of propriety, they would stay in a house towards the back of the property, away from Hermione. Needless to say, the group greatly looked forward to having their own space for the season.
Clutching James’ hand in her own, Hermione found herself without words as they approached their second home.
A crowd of people had been gathered around the family’s London estate, curious to see their return.
The path had remained clear for the carriages to pass through the property gates, but a thick crowd remained on either side. Scanning the crowd, Hermione could have sworn a familiar pair of grey eyes had locked with her own for a moment before the gate closed behind them.
As the carriage came to a stop in front of the estate, she found herself more at ease.
The property in front of her was meant to serve its use for only a few months out of the year, meaning it was smaller and simpler than Potter Manor.
But the magic imbued in the ley lines of the land made it feel just the same as home.
She could envision herself spending time exploring the property, and taking tea with other ladies her age here in her spare time.
Most time on the property would serve as a time for her to take on callers, and speak to prospective husbands outside of the eyes of society.
Hermione was determined to enjoy her time there, no matter the outcome of the season.
Stepping out of the carriage, she took her brother’s hand in one of her own, using the other to hold up her skirts.
Approaching the entrance with a newfound sense of confidence, the young witch looked back, beyond the crowd behind the property gates.
There was much awaiting her beyond the iron-clad fence.