Returning Home

Gringotts

When she woke up the next morning she was still gently holding onto his wand. Sitting up slowly and releasing the wand to keep it safe under her pillow. What was that dream? Shaking her head she gently removed herself from the bed so as not to wake her companions and quickly went to pick out an outfit for the day.

She really should not be surprised that the closet was already stocked in the basic necessities, but the small smile and whispered thank you she sent to Maeve gave her away. She quickly selected a deep purple dress, black tights and little ankle boots the same shade as her dress. She lingered one moment longer and selected an emerald colored ribbon for her hair, deciding she could just braid it again after her shower and wear all of her family's colors.

Once she stepped into the attached bathroom she gave another small thank you. Over to one side against a large window that only she could see out of was a deep walk in tub. Against the back wall a waterfall shower had been installed. Directly across from the tub was a large vanity with a small stool. Growing up away from her home had left her unused to the luxury the castle provided, but that didn't mean she hadn't missed it.

She quickly went through her morning routine, tossing her old clothes in a hamper in the corner that they quickly disappeared from. She had definitely missed the magic of house elves. Once she was done with her shower she threw the towels into the hamper as well, moving on to getting dressed and quickly braided her hair, tying the ribbon around the end. She quickly looked over her reflection in the mirror and made sure everything was in place before stepping out into her room.

'Mistress you look wonderful. What is the occasion?' Nero and Nagini both raised their heads as she walked in.

'Yes little hatchling, you do look wonderful.' Nagini nodded her head approvingly as she made her way over to her desk.

'I'm glad you both approve, today is the day I get started.' She began as she pulled out three sheets of parchment and a quill and ink pot. 'I have a lot to do and many things I need to know before I can get started. If I write them all down it will help me keep my mind better organized.' She quickly explained before either of them could ask.

They both just nodded along while she began to write. She made the first parchment a to do list that started with going to gringotts and went on to include reading through all of the beginner books, making contact with Harry and Draco and making sure all of the greenhouses were in a good working order.

On the second parchment she wrote down what little she had about Tom so far. He had made steps to ensure he would not die if his body was destroyed (what exactly that meant she hadn't the faintest idea), and she had his wand and familiar in her possession. Every wizard was deeply attached to their wand, the bond being a close second to that of a familiar. Speaking of familiars, it is known that once the bonded witch or wizard passes on the familiar is not far behind. Bonding will increase the animals life, but only so long as their partner is alive. The fact that Nagini was still here brought her comfort. Then there was that dream. She hadn't shared a dream with him since the night before that Samhain. Had that been what that dream was?

She stalled when she got to the third parchment. All she knew about Harry was that Tom had gone to help him after receiving the distress call from Aunt Lily. What was that magic? Quickly shaking her head she started to write a letter instead but only got so far as writing dear Harry before she stalled again. What do you even say to someone who you haven't seen in eight years and who might not even remember you? He did have a birthday soon, perhaps she could pick him up a gift and work that in?

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath as she scooted her chair back from her desk, suddenly feeling much older than ten years old. Reaching Harry seemed impossible without even a starting point but she wouldn't give up. She would start with things she could easily rectify and work her way up from there. With that in mind she rose from her desk and held out her arm for Nero and Nagini.