Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Bella has been pacing for the last hour. Rudolphus and his brother Rabastian are lounging on the sofa watching her. The room is silent aside from the sound of Bellatrix's heels. The house elves at Malfoy Manor have long since fled from Bella's temper.
At the sound of the floo Bella halts her pacing and turns just as Narcissa Malfoy steps out of the flames. Draco steps out not a moment later followed by Lucius.
‘Welcome home draco. How was school?’ Bellatrix asks as she settles into the couch between her husband and his brother.
‘School was fine, Aunt Bella,’ Draco says tentatively. ‘How are you?’
‘I'm doing alright but I was wondering if you had some time before dinner to help me with something?’
Draco looks to his father, who nods before leaving the room. Draco then looks at his mother who is staring at her sister before sitting in a nearby armchair.
‘Sure, Aunt Bella. What can I do to help?’ Draco asks as he also sits down.
‘What can you tell me about the group of children that were with Potter, when he left the school grounds about a week ago?’
‘Potter, Granger, the youngest 2 Weasleys, Lovegood and Longbottom? What do you want to know?’
‘Just anything that you can tell me. You can start with the girls.’
Narcissa says nothing but her eyes widen at the implication that her sister is once again trying to find information about a young girl.
‘Well, Weaslette is always panting after Potter, so it's no surprise she followed along. Lovegood seems to spend time with Weaslette and Longbottom and that's probably how she ended up with them as well. Granger is always by Potter's side. Sometimes I think they are attached. Is there something specific you are trying to ask? Because I'm not sure what information you want.’
Bella takes a moment to think of how to word her answer. ‘Tell me everything you know about Granger? Is she smart?’ Narcissa gasps and covers her mouth.
‘Smart? She has top marks and she is a prefect, if that is what you mean. If she ever manages to put her books down, it means that Potter is dragging her off to cause more trouble. I heard she got injured this time. Everyone else was walking the castle the day after they returned from whatever adventure they went on but Granger was in the hospital wing all week. She only returned last night for dinner and she doesn't look well either.’
‘Who are her parents?’ Bella has her hand on her husband's leg and she is now digging her nails into his thigh in an attempt to keep herself calm enough to continue this conversation.
The confusion leaves Draco's face as a snear appears. ‘Parents? How should I know? She is a filthy little mudblood. Why do you keep asking about her? What's going on?’
Rudolphus pats bellas hand before prying her nails out of his leg. ‘Thank you draco i think we have learned everything that we can tonight. Please excuse us?’
Rabastian nods at the look his brother has given him and rises to pull the young Malfoy out of the sitting room before closing the door behind himself.
Narcissa seems to have found her voice. ‘Bella? What is the meaning of this? Are you still searching? I thought you gave up hope?’
‘I have never given up hope. But something has happened. That night at the ministry my daughter was injured. I know because I felt it. I thought I was dying. Ever since then I have been trying to track her down. Roddy thinks she may be this Granger girl and I need more information. I can still feel her pain. I must find her.’
Bellas voice has been growing higher throughout her explanation. Rudolphus wraps an arm around her trying to help keep her calm.
‘Alright I think I understand. Lucius is on the school board so maybe he can try to find her address. Will you be staying for dinner?’
‘Thank you Cissa, yes we will stay for dinner.’
‘Good, I think dinner's nearly ready. Let's head to the dining room. I will fill Lucius in when we get there.’
*.*
Hermione woke the next morning to silence. Looking at the clock, she knew that her parents had probably left for work already. It would likely be a long day, she just knew there would be a long list of chores that her father expected her to complete. Neither parent cared when she was ill and no excuse would suffice. Hermione groaned as she crawled out from under her blanket and began to get ready for the day.
After taking her potions she went down to the kitchen to prepare something for breakfast. The note from her parents stated that they expected the listed chores to be completed before they returned home that night. Dinner was expected to be ready when they walked through the door.
Hermione decides to get started. By lunch she is exhausted. After a small lunch, Hermione lowers herself onto the couch.
A few minutes later Hermione returns to her list in an effort to get as much done as possible. Walking past the kitchen clock, Hermione's heart stops. She intended to take a small break but instead she must have fallen asleep. Nothing is done, her parents will be home within the hour. Quickly she begins dinner, ignoring her screaming muscles. She will need to go to bed early to try to get enough sleep to try to do better tomorrow.
Minutes later Jane and Dan return home. Hermione can hear her father stomping through the house. Soon, she hears him enter the kitchen behind her. Hermione takes a deep breath and turns around to greet her father. Before she can open her mouth her father begins to shout.
‘What did you do all day? Did you even try to do your chores? I don't care if you are sick. We expected you to do as you are told. Finish making dinner, then go to your room.’ Hermione nods her head and turns back to the stove. Her father's footsteps indicate that he has left the room. Hermione continues making dinner before preparing herself a simple sandwich and heading to her room.
Several minutes later Jane comes into Hermione's room. Hermione is sitting at her desk organizing the contents of her trunk.
‘Hermione, you know you are expected to be at the dinner table on time.’
‘Father said to go to my room when I was done cooking. I am only doing what I was told.’
‘You know that's not what he ment. Come down to dinner. Now.’
‘No thank you, I'm about to go to bed. I need my rest to get over being sick. I'm hoping that I will have more energy tomorrow.’
‘Fine. We expect that you will complete your chores tomorrow. Good night.’
Hermione takes a deep breath before returning to her trunk's contents. At the bottom she finds some forgotten pepper up potions, as well as the extra pain potions from Madam Pomfrey. A plan forms in her head. She will drink one of each in the morning after her breakfast and get as much done as she can. With any luck there will not be too many other chores for her to do. After setting an alarm, Hermione collapses into bed.
*.*
Then the next morning came too soon for Hermione. She can hear her parents moving around while getting ready for work. Hermione takes her potions and heads for a shower determined to start as soon as her parents have left for work.
When she heads to the kitchen she finds an even longer list. With a sigh Hermione downs her potions and gets started.
Several hours later Hermione begins dinner and has worked through about half of the listed chores. As soon as she finished dinner she writes a note and walks out of the house.
Minutes later Hermione is sitting at a coffee shop trying to relax. She cannot continue like this. She will never be able to heal if she continues to work herself into exhaustion everyday. Madam Pomfrey will not be happy with how little progress Hermione has made this week.
Hermione then walks to a small used bookstore to begin browsing. Hours later Hermione returns home and her parents are already asleep.
In her room Hermione grabs a quill and parchment to pen a letter to her healer.
Madam Pomfrey,
I am finding that I am not getting as much rest as you recommended to properly heal. Within the next week I am going to look into alternatives that will allow me the time to heal properly. Please don't be alarmed. I will continue to keep in contact so you know where to send my potions.
Sincerely,
Hermione Granger
Hermione seals the letter and places it near her window, intending to find a way to send it in the morning.
*.*