If I thought Bones Manor was impressive, it doesn't even compare to Malfoy Manor. After being told what had happened and a lengthy questioning by the healer, Mrs. Bones, and Mr. Scrimgeour about the events of the day and more questions of the Malfoys when they arrived to pick me up we left the Abbott's. Instead of using the floo I was side-along apperated to the front courtyard, no doubt a blatant way to show off the grandeur of the building, which was a complete success. I was playfully scolded by Mrs. Malfoy when she said "Young ladies do not gawp, my dear." Her tone was hard, but she had a warming grin and twinkle in her eye as she said it, which caused me to giggle, after I snapped my gaping mouth shut, and that got a small chuckle from both her and Mr. Malfoy.

"Holly, I do hope you feel at home here. I would love to help make sure you get settled in, but I am already running late for a meeting. If you ladies will excuse me, I will see you both later this evening." With a 'pop' Mr. Malfoy disappeared, leaving me and Mrs. Malfoy alone to walk the short distance to the house, which was more like a small castle in all respects to size.

The short walk was in silence, which I appreciated as my head was still overwhelmed by the massive size of my new home… well, temporary home. The front doors opened on their own, at least I didn't see any wand waving on the part of my escort, revealing a foyer elaborately and expensively decorated with suits of armor, magical and muggle paintings, and sculptures. The floor looked to be marble, and the walls were lined with silver filigree.

"Draco is out on the Quidditch pitch but should be joining us shortly. Why don't we have a cup of tea and you can tell me about yourself."

"That sounds great." I said, as I followed along to a sitting room, passing a few other rooms, one of which being their library.

"There will be plenty of time for reading, especially over the summer." Mrs. Malfoy said. She must have eyes in the back of her head, as she was ahead of me and couldn't have seen me lingering just a bit.

"That will be wonderful. How did you know I like books?"

"That, my dear, is one of the few things Draco has mentioned." She stopped at a doorway and gestured for me to enter. There was a small table with a kettle and two teacups already sitting on it and two identical chairs, both plush sat on either side.

I felt that this may be a test, that everything since I arrived was a test to gauge my adapting to wizarding customs. I was about to take the seat further away, but noticed that it was angled ever so slightly to face the doorway than the other, so I chose the chair closest to me. I made sure to smooth my dress as I sat and waited for Mrs. Malfoy to take the opposite seat. I noticed that the handle of the kettle was facing me. "Shall I be mother?" I asked.

Seeing the slight furrowing of her brows I clarified. "I'm sorry. It's a muggle expression. Shall I pour the tea?"

"I have to say it's a strange saying, but yes, that would be lovely." I picked up the kettle and filled her cup and then mine. "Do you know where that saying originated? It seems a little… demeaning."

"I didn't mean any disrespect. I believe it came from little girls having tea parties, and those parties being just for girls, it fell to the mother to pour the tea to keep from the kids spilling it."

"That's understandable. Sometimes I forget that you were raised by muggles given your parentage. I can understand not wanting to live with muggles, but I have to ask, don't you miss them?"

I tried to mask my emotions the best I could. I can't reveal the truth yet, and I don't want to be rude either. "They never cared for me, and I never cared for them. I'm better off never seeing any of them again."

"You would do well in politics, you know. I could barely tell by your response how much disdain you really have for them. Give it a few more years and some Occlumency training and you'll be a force to reckon with."

I was stunned. Was she reading my thoughts? To my knowledge I've only had one person enter my thoughts, and it hurt.

"Relax, Holly. While I could read your mind, you would know it. Legilimency training can't really be turned off. We can passively read strong emotions, but that's all. With just a little training you could shield those emotions."

"Would you train me?" I asked.

"You may be too young. I'll have to confer with Severus."

"Professor Snape? Draco made a point to say that he is his godfather."

"Yes. We have known each other for a long time."

"Can I ask you a question?" She nodded. "Why would someone send me a cursed letter compelling me to not trust you?"

She placed her teacup back on the table as she seemed to be pondering her answer, or maybe the best way to phrase her answer. "It seems you were the innocent victim in a political game. There are many wizards and witches that don't like us, and having you refuse our hospitality would be used against us. I can assure you that such an event will not happen to you while you are here." She picked up her cup and took a sip. "So tell me, aside from your wand and using magic, what's your favorite thing about the wizarding world?"

Part of me was glad for the change of topic. I thought about everything I've seen and experienced so far over the last ten months. "Honestly? Those boots you saw me trying on in Twilfitt and Tattings."

This got an honest laugh out of her. "You remind me of my sister. She always loved shopping for clothes. And she would have loved those boots."

"Which sister?" I asked. I realised I may have made an error as her laugh stopped abruptly.

"How do you know I have more than one?" She asked, very serious now.

"I was looking at all the previous duelling champions. Bellatrix Black was the youngest Hogwarts champion in like a hundred years. It made me curious and I found a picture in a yearbook of the Black sisters. You, her, and…"

"Andromeda… I remember that picture. It was my first year at Hogwarts. Simpler times."

I could tell from the expression on her face that it was an emotionally charged subject and so it was my turn to change the topic. "If you don't mind me asking, why did you invite me to stay with you?"

Mrs. Malfoy smiled. "You can thank Draco for that. I had just gotten your letter about attending our end of year party, and I asked Lucius why you would be staying at Hogwarts over the summer. When he explained that you might not have anywhere else to stay, Draco just blurted out that you could stay with us."

This got both of us laughing again. "And of course you said yes? Don't you think you might be spoiling him too much?"

"Oh not at all. It will be nice having another girl here. And besides, it will do him good to be around someone he wants but can't have. He does fancy you, you know."

That statement made me choke on my tea. When I was done coughing my face was red as could be, I'm sure. Draco chose that time to come into the room.

"Hi mum. Hi Holly."

I couldn't hold back the giggles, which set off mrs. Malfoy as well.

Draco furrowed his brows. "What's so funny?" He asked, but was only met with more giggling.