Wednesday marked an odd turning point in the Potter household. Up until that point the week had been joyful and happy, filled with celebrations and laughter, on that day it was quiet, almost solemn. The morning had been as the others and it was only in the afternoon that Harry realized he, and everyone else in the house, were paying more attention to the clock than ever before.
Like a countdown to his execution, each minute ticked by faster than the one before it until a knock sounded on the front door. By then Harry had packed away everything he would need for the remainder of the break, including the school supplies for the remainder of second year.
Harriet and Amaryllis stood stricken nearby, looking as though they wanted to hide him away sowhere or shout at the woman they all knew waited on the other side. His parents were not much better, but with a deep breath Jas forced a comforting smile. "It's only for a few days Harry then you will be back on the Hogwarts Express…" he trailed off as if realizing for the first ti that this ant he wouldn't see him until the next break. "I, we, are so happy you ca ho for the holidays this year, and hopefully you will for spring as well."
The boy nodded, forcing away any uncertainty building in his stomach and rembering the week he had spent. "That's the plan, I…" this ti he paused, searching for the right words. "I just want to thank you for the past week. This has been the best Christmas I ever had."
Both parents took turns pulling him into hugs, followed by his sisters who he reassured he would see them in only a few days on the train.
Another knock, and this ti with one last nod Harry turned, opened the door, and left with his Head of House.
****
It wasn't what he had expected.
True, Harry didn't think Grace Riddle lived in a mansion or anything, considering she had no husband or children, but he didn't think it would be an apartnt that she apparated them to.
"Make yourself at ho, I'll start so tea if you'd like." With that she made her way towards the kitchen, imdiately starting the stove with a kettle on top.
anwhile Harry did as she suggested and began to examine his surroundings. The walls were lacking any real personal objects, with a few scattered generic paintings being the only decorations. There were a handful of pictures in fras in the living area with the owner in various stages of her life.
One, he imagined, was graduation from Hogwarts, another was her receiving so sort of award at a later age. Nothing during her school years or prior, and nothing which even hinted at any family or close friendships.
"What do you think?" a voice inquired, causing him to jerk towards the woman who was standing nearby offering a cup of steaming liquid which he accepted.
"It's… nice."
A knowing smile twitched on her lips, "Not what you expected I take it?"
He shrugged in response, "Honestly, I didn't know what to expect. I never spent any ti with a professor outside of Hogwarts."
"And certainly not with the other ." Harry didn't answer, instead taking a sip of the prepared liquid instead. Noticing the desired change in topic the woman moved on. "I'll show you to your room in a second. Mine is across the hall and there is one bathroom between the two of them. Not exactly easy to get lost here."
He snorted a bit at the joke, "It does seem a bit small."
Riddle humd in agreent, "I suppose you can thank my mother for that." Seeing his confusion, she continued, "The Gaunt ancestral ho is sprawling and extravagant. She always put so much emphasis on appearances, especially for one's living space. I like to think this is one of my ways to spite her."
"Is that a common the, doing the opposite of what she would want?"
This ti the smile was noticeable, and a bit sad. "I think everyone makes their choices based upon their parents or upbringing, whether they want to or not. I'm sure you have made your fair share in both worlds."
It brought him to a halt, mories returning faster than he could stop them. It was only when she called out to him monts later that he realized he had been staring off in silence for at least a minute. "More than you would imagine."
Grace looked him in the eye for another few seconds, as if trying to determine if he was truly all right, before giving a small nod, "Most of my personal effects I keep at Hogwarts, I live there most of the year anyway, so it doesn't make sense to bring them ho for a few days during the breaks."
"What do you do during this ti then?"
"A bit of catching up on recent events. I subscribe to so catalogues on dueling and there isn't much ti during the school year for leisurely reading. Mostly this is just ti I use for myself to unwind and relax."
He frowned, "And now you have to put up with ."
The response was a shake of her head, "It's not putting up with you Harry, I'm glad you're here, it's nice to have so company for a change."
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