Seraphina Montgomery and the Enchanted Friendship : A Harry Potter fanfiction

Chapter 02: The Montgomery Estate

"Aaron, we're home," Adeline called out into the hallway of the main entrance. Adeline placed the trunk with the new purchases on the ground. She opened it and took the potion ingredients she had bought for her own use and made sure Seraphina had plenty for her schooling needs.

"Pilmy," Adeline whispered. A house elf appeared from the sitting room, her ears perking up as she jogged to Adeline. She was wearing an orange-colored cotton bag she had turned into a dress. Pilmy had learned to sew quite well and her dress looked almost fashionable. Seraphina knew some house-elves of other families looked down on her and Mordey for dressing well with the garments they found and reformed. If anything, it helped her learn to sew better. All of Seraphina and her parents' clothes were well fitted to them and looked like they were made for their body.

"Did you use the onion skins to dye your dress," Seraphina asked. "Yes, Ms. Montgomery. Pilmy got the skins from the kitchen. Such a lovely color it is," Pilmy said in a squeaky voice. Seraphina nodded. "The hot chocolate is waiting for you in the kitchen, Ms. Montgomery," Pilmy said pointing towards the kitchen.

"Ms. Montgomery, what can Pilmy help you with," she asked in a tiny squeaky voice. "Take these and put them in my potion room on the table. I'll need to separate them out for Seraphina's schoolwork too. You know how I prefer this done," Adeline said, handing her the two bags of potion ingredients. "Yes, Ms. Montgomery," Pilmy said happily, taking the bag carefully. She had learned that magical ingredients were delicate and that they must be treated as such. Especially if Adeline was going to use them. "What does Mordey have to say," Adeline whispered, talking about Grandma Fawley's elf. "Mordey has nothing to report, Ms. Montgomery. Ms. Fawley is still taking her nap in her bed," Pilmy said with a meek smile. "Although, Mordey says Ms. Fawley is awfully disappointed with Ms. Fawley's daughter. Tis what Mordey says," Pilmy continued, looking down.

While her mother was talking with Pilmy, Seraphina carefully carried the beautiful silver cage inside the home. The red and white screech owl was quiet as he examined his new surroundings, his feathers finally settling down. He had been quite vocal at Eeylop's Owl Emporium. Adeline had tried to convince Seraphina to purchase a large eagle owl or one of the brilliant snow owls, but Seraphina was adamant on the smaller scruffier looking bird that was going through a molt. "Take him up to your room," Adeline whispered. She knew her husband and knew he would rather Seraphina not have a common, cheap looking owl. Especially one that small who probably could not carry parcels the distance between the school and the Montgomery Estate. Truth be told, Adeline would not put up much of a fuss if she was directed to return the beast that had bitten her when she tried to pet him in the shop. He glared at Adeline as if he knew the secrets she kept from his new owner. The only reason Adeline relented was the smile Seraphina had as the bird pushed his head into her hand.

"Seraphina, come to my study. Bring your things," Aaron called from his desk. Seraphina obeyed, she set the owl in the living room. "I'll be right back," she told him as if he knew what she was saying. She couldn't carry the cage and the trunk at the same time and her father would probably want to see her wand and books first anyway. The owl tucked his head under his wing to take a nap. Seraphina smiled at the owl she had gotten.

She went back to grab her trunk; the box was heavy despite not being completely full. She contemplated using the wheels on the end to drag the trunk to her father's office but dismissed the idea. Seraphina didn't want to dirty the wheels so soon after purchasing and Pilmy had just waxed the floor. Her old trunk had been taken to a discount store to be resold on her father's orders. While it was still a good trunk despite its age, Aaron Montgomery wanted to be sure the other families didn't whisper among themselves that he could not afford the best for his daughter. Appearances were important to Seraphina's father, and she made sure the trunk looked nice so she opted for the black smoothed dragon hide of a breed from Russia with a name she could not hope to pronounce instead of the one made from the Common Welsh Green. It was quite beautiful with the silver edged scales gleaming when they hit the light and she was happy with her choice.