Chapter 4
Waking up in Nott Manor on the second day was certainly better than the first.
Hermione took in the room around her with intrigue. The room was large and done in silver and white on the walls, the ceiling was dark blue with silver accents that once she looked closer, it was obvious that the silver was actually star constellations. There were two more doors in the room, one leading to a spacious bathroom with a shower and large bath, the other leading to a walk-in closet. The closet was bare except for a few nightgowns, she had borrowed one after exploring her room the previous night. There was a decorative table to the right of the door leading out of her room and a nightstand on either side of the very large four poster bed she was occupying. The bed frame was white but the pillows and blankets were the same deep blue and the ceiling and curtains.
Her favorite part of the room was the large bay window that overlooked a flower garden. She could almost imagine herself curled up in the nook of the window on a rainy day with a book and blanket.
Sighing to herself, she got out of bed. She felt refreshed, the bed was very soft but she had been dreaming of her parents. While not a bad dream it did make her ache with grief. She missed them terribly.
Stretching slightly she started to get ready for the day. Walking back into the main bedroom area from the bathroom she saw that her clothes from yesterday had been folded and were sitting on the end of the bed. She assumed that was Bipsy’s doing, Hermione made a mental note to thank her later.
She had just finished getting dressed when there was a knock on her door, opening the door she found a very well rested looking Theo smiling at her, his brown hair still a little messy.
“Good Morning Hermione! How did you sleep?”
“Good Morning Theodore, I slept well, thank you.” feeling a little mischievous at his obviously good mood she quickly added “That’s some impressive bed head you have there.”
Bringing a hand up, he ran his fingers through his hair trying to seem nonchalant.
“Thank you, I was going for a 'roguishly handsome' look today.” He winked at her.
Snorting lightly at his response “I don’t know about that, but you got the ‘just rolled out of bed’ look perfectly.” she quipped back teasingly.
Theo grinned at her as she spoke. He was enjoying having someone to banter with and Hermione picked up on his humor perfectly. It was a nice feeling to have someone around besides just him and Bipsy. He was going to miss her when she went home. He had no doubt that she would come visit but it saddened him a little that he wouldn’t get to have her around all the time. Waking up this morning knowing she was in the room across from him had him jumping out of bed to get ready for the day… hence the bedhead he forgot about and tried to play off.
Having her here made him realize how truly lonely these last few years had been.
“You caught me.” He sighed dramatically. “I was so excited to talk to you this morning that I may have rushed getting ready.” He still looked every bit as confident as he normally did, but there was a bit of sheepishness to his voice that had her giggling at him.
“Shall we head to the kitchens for breakfast? That is where I normally eat my meals. Bipsy was just so excited last night that she had us in the grand dining room.” He extended his elbow out for her to grasp.
“That would be lovely. I do have some questions for you, if you don't mind my asking as we walk?” She didn't want to come off as rude, but the suspense was starting to get to her.
“Of course Hermione. You can always ask me anything.” He told her, shooting her a small charming smile as they walked.
Damn him and his easy sincerity, he was going to make her cry again. Blinking her eyes a few times, she mulls over how to word her question about the ward stone last night, unable to come up with a well articulated question she decided to just go for it.
“Last night, when you were adding me to the wards, something else happened too. Didn’t it? I felt a pull on my magic and then it seemed like something more than just being added to the wards happened. Or am I just imagining things?” Her questions seem to tumble out of her mouth before she can really stop them.
She glances up at Theo to see him looking at her in surprise again. He smiles at her, almost… proudly?
“Yes. I successfully added you to the wards but it seemed like in the end I didn’t need to bother with that.”
Theo pauses as they head down a flight of stairs. Like he is trying to find the right words. Before continuing their trek at a leisurely pace.
“The Manor is sentient.” He starts slowly, like he too is not really sure how to say what he needs to.
“It's been powered and fed by the magic of the Nott family for as long as it has been built. I am the last of my family. My mother only had me before she died and my father never remarried. The family used to be huge, hence the obscenely large manor. Due to the wars of the last century and illnesses before and during that time, our numbers dwindled, until it was only me left. My father isn’t included since he is in Azkaban for life.”
Theo stops at the bottom of the stairs and turns to face her, looking directly into her eyes.
“Magic can do strange and wonderful things that we as wizards and witches still don’t understand completely.”
He says this like it is an indisputable fact, and she supposes it is.
“What happened last night is both amazingly wonderful and terrifying. Not that it is scary mind you, but that it can even happen at all. I had no idea that something like this was possible.” It’s almost like he is talking to himself, trying to convince himself that this is real.
“What happened Theodore, you’re starting to worry me.” She tries to come off as teasing but she doesn’t quite succeed.
“I don’t want to scare you off. But I refuse to keep this from you. When the Ward Stone tried to take some of your magic, you gave it willingly. Thus creating a stronger bond with the Ward Stone and the magic flowing through it. In response to that, the Manor and the magic that is at the center of this family's magic, well it decides who it will pass on the family gifts to. No one really knows how that works, but apparently it just does. Sometimes magic just does what it wants. Sentience and all that.” He’s rambling and he knows it. The situation is just too much to believe.
“The only people that are supposed to be able to create a bond with the Ward Stone are the Lords, Ladies, or Heirs of House Nott. You were accepted by the family magic. I don’t know if it is because we are soul mates or what, but you have essentially been adopted into my family. Your magic will be recognized as a Nott’s would. We will have to go to Gringots to find out more information. The Goblins are closer tied with magic and so they have a deeper understanding of what would have happened. Essentially in layman's terms, you have been adopted by magic into my family. You are my sister now. We are a family.”
They were both silent except for Theo’s heavier breathing, like he couldn’t get all the words out fast enough so he just didn't bother to breathe.
She was looking at him with wide eyes, shock and confusion plain on her face. It seems like her life just keeps getting turned upside down. But for once she didn’t feel like this was a bad thing. Shocking. Oh yeah. Fucking hell. It's shocking.
But looking at Theo now, his face as shocked and confused as hers. His eyes though, they held so much hope and longing. She felt that too. So for the first time in her life she decided to go with her heart instead of over analyzing every little detail.
Holding his gaze she whispered.
“We have a family again.”
Both of their faces broke out into huge grins, eyes misty and they laughed joyfully. Theo swooped Hermione up into a bear hug, spinning her around he yelled.
“I have a family again! I have a sister!”
He eventually set her down, both of them crying. This time though not out of sadness.
“I was afraid you would leave. That you would be afraid of everything that had happened and you would not want to come back. You've had so much dumped onto your shoulders so fast.” He was gentle as he said it, barely above a whisper.
“It is scary.” She replied. “But I’m not alone anymore. We are a family now.” Smiling at Theo she can’t help but think maybe this whole thing won’t be that bad. A lot to adjust to, but maybe not so bad. Though that did explain why he set her up in the family wing last night.
“Come on. Let's head to breakfast and we can figure the rest of this out later after we visit Gringots and we have some more information. What do you say?” He asks.
“That sounds like a wonderful idea Theo.”
He extends his elbow to her again and they make their way to the kitchens in content silence, both thinking over the conversation they just had.
Just as they reach the kitchen entrance he glances at her. “Can I call you by a nickname?”
It's so random and out of the blue it startles a laugh out of her. “Sure, just not Mione. It’s what Ronald used to call me and I’m not really a fan.”
He’s quiet for a moment and then he asks “Mia?”
She instantly loves it. “It’s perfect.” she hums in agreement, smiling contently. She looks at him for a moment before grinning at him mischievously. "If you get to pick a nickname so do I, what do you think of Teddy?" Theo laughs at her in response, a wistful smile tugging at his lips. "My mother used to call me that. I never thought I would get to hear it again from someone. I love it." His new sister smiles at him sweetly in response, giving his arm a gentle squeeze.
Walking into the kitchen they’re greeted by the sweet smell of fresh pastries and tea, she sees Bipsy bustling around the kitchen.
The kitchens are not massive, so she assumes this is the family kitchen and not the ones that service the large dining room they ate in last night. It’s actually quite quaint. The walls are made of stone and the beams in the ceiling are exposed, with beautiful dark wood floors and matching counter tops. It’s a rather open design, off to the left there is a large glass door that leads into what looks to be a vegetable and herb garden, with a few fruit trees around the perimeter. A small bay window sits above the sink looking into the garden.
Really it looks more like something one would find in a little cottage rather than a huge manor. It’s wonderful.
Theo leads her over to the kitchen table, it looks to seat eight but only three places are set. Pulling out a chair for her, he offers her the seat to the right. He seats himself at the head of the table, almost like its a habit. As soon as Theo is seated tea and pastries appear on the table, not long after, eggs, sausages and toast appear as well. After everything is laid out on the table Bipsy takes the seat across from Hermione.
“This looks wonderful Bipsy, Thank you” Hermione says looking very appreciative at the elf.
“She is the best chef, I don’t know where I would be without her. Probably starving to death in misery.” Theo dramatically exclaims, earning himself an exasperated eye roll from said elf and a soft snort of laughter from Hermione.
“That's beings a strong possibility, Master Theo.” Bipsy dryly replies, reaching for some toast and eggs.
Giggling quietly to herself Hermione can’t help but marvel at Theo and Bipsy’s relationship. She isn’t treated like a house elf, more like a family member, like a sassy grandmother. From what Theo had said before, she isn't afraid to scold him for his health and makes sure he is taken care of. But they banter back and forth. Bipsy is treated like an equal and it’s amazing. Even once Dobby was free he never felt this comfortable to banter with any of them like this.
She is absentmindedly munching on a pastry when a low hooting brings her out of her thoughts.
Sitting on the perch outside she hadn’t noticed before, is an owl with a letter in its clutches.
Sighing Theo gets up but before he can make it to the door another owl lands next to the first. Much to the first owls distaste. Making a surprised noise under his breath, he opens the door and retrieves the letters, giving each owl a treat from the jar next to the perch. Both flying off once receiving their prize.
A surprised hum leaves Theo as he reads who the letters are addressed to. Sitting back at the table he hands one of the envelopes to Hermione. Normally you would have to write the address of the person receiving the letter. But if you didn’t know their address you could just write their name. It would take longer, but it worked non the less.
Surprised, Hermione takes the envelope from Theo and reads its messy scrawl. She knows that writing anywhere, it’s from Harry. Sighing she sets it down. Not even bothering to open it and going back to her breakfast.
“Is Miss Hermione not going to open her mail?” Bipsy asks curiously.
Looking up at Bipsy she can see that Theo had set his letter to the side, uninterested in his as well.
“No. I know who it’s from. I just really don’t know what to say to him. I don’t want to know that he took Ronald's side in all of this. I just.... I don’t want to know.” Hermione responds somberly but resolutely. She really just doesn’t want to confirm that she lost her best friend.
“Have you read any of his letters?” Theo asks cautiously. He doesn’t want to push her but something doesn’t seem right. He may not personally know Potter but he doesn’t seem like the type to turn his back on his friends, a little dense and oblivious sure but abandoning a friend during their time of need doesn’t sound right for the Gryffindor Golden Boy.
“Yes, the first one. Ronald apparently told everyone I had gone barmy and just left to go off gallivanting around the world. Telling them he tried to stop me but I left anyway. Harry wrote to me asking if we could all just sit down together and talk about what was going on with me. Like I really was just touched in the head. I never wrote him back, just threw his letter away.” She tells him angrily. Just remembering his letter makes her so frustrated and hurt.
“Did his letter ever imply that he knew you broke up with Weasley?”
Looking up at Theo she can see he looked as angry with the whole thing as she feels, but his question gives her pause.
“No, I don’t think it did. It just made it sound like I disappeared and that Ronald didn’t understand why. Making him out to be the victim, like always.” She practically spits out the last part. Ron was great at playing the victim.
It’s all so infuriating, she left Ron. Broke up with him. Yet it still feels like he is trying to control her life.
Reaching over to her, Theo puts his hand on her arm getting her attention. “Mia, I think you should read his letter. See what he has to say. Maybe tell him what actually happened with you and Weasley and if he responds to you positively, then ask to meet up on neutral grounds.”
She’s quiet for a moment, thinking over his words. Looking down at his unopened envelope she says. “What's your letter about?” It’s a diversion tactic, she knows… but she needs more time to think over what Theo has said. He makes sense but she’s still hurt, and for once she doesn’t want logic right now.
Glancing down at his own letter he laughs awkwardly. “Well, I guess I should take my own advice…” He trails off staring at the unopened letter on the table. Sighing, he runs a hand through his hair and looks back at Hermione.
“Do you remember when I told you I didn’t really have any friends.” he asks her.
She hums in agreement.
“Well I had friends, kind of, when we were in school. Draco, Pansy and Blaise. But after the war all I could think was ‘I’m so tired of pretending to agree with all this blood purist crap’. I know that Draco believed in it and it seemed like Pansy and Blaise did too. I didn’t want to get my hopes up that they were like me. Just pretending to be awful to survive. There were times that they would look like they were disgusted by what was said in the common room, but it was always gone before I could blink. So after the war I just shut them out. I never respond to their owls and well, they don’t know where Nott Manor is and I have the floo disconnected so no one could drop in.”
He sounds regretful, but she understands why he did that. Isn’t that almost exactly what she had done to Harry? Never taking the time to ask the important questions, assuming that he was going to react a certain way and just cutting him out of her life.
Hearing it from a different angle, she felt like a coward, and a bit of a jerk.
“You're right, I should owl Harry. I think you should read your letter and maybe owl them back as well.” Trying to lighten the mood she smirks at him, “You give great advice Teddy, you should follow it sometime.”
Theo makes an indignant squawk, flicking a chunk of toast at her. “How dare you throw my words back at me!”
“We’s will not be throwing foods at the table Master Theo.” Bipsy chides. It's said sternly but she is smiling at them with relief clearly shown across her face.
Turning to Bipsy he winks at her, receiving an exasperated eye roll in response. ‘Sassy grandmother indeed.’ Hermione thinks to herself.