Lyrica, Snape and the children had left Hogwarts early that Saturday morning. They'd apparated to Hogsmeade where they then took a carriage to Ashmere. There was a cool touch to the burgeoning Autumn air and that was kept at bay by warming spells inside the carriage. Although the carriage was roomy for long legs, it was still an hour's journey of close comfort. Lyrica sat with Hermione to her right and Ron to her left. Snape, his arms apparantly cemented into position over his chest, and a warning scowl plastered on his face, sat with Harry on his right and Draco on his left. Snape's posture appeared to be enough to keep the two boys staring outside their windows.

Their meagre belongings and new purchases from their recent trip to Diagon Alley had all been shrunk down and fit easily into Snape's pockets. He had put away his teaching robes and wore a pair of dark grey, pin-striped trousers, a white silk shirt, and a dark green vest of brocade satin. His outer robe was of matching dark green. The boys wore similar variations on trousers and shirts and outer robes. Ron and Harry shunned the vests, whereas Draco wore a royal blue vest of velvet that matched his outer robe. Hermione had made a fuss over the fact she was stuck in a dress since no shopkeeper would sell her pants. She'd found a simple enough dress of burgundy dyed, fine spun cotton that fell to her ankles. Her robe was of a heavy wool and a russet brown in color. Draco tried to keep his attention on the passing countryside, but he kept sneaking furtive glances at Hermione.

"Mr. Malfoy," smirked Snape teasingly, "if you don't decide upon which view you prefer, you'll get a crick in your neck." Draco's cheeks flushed crimson and he locked his eyes out the window. Harry snorted and Ron wound up unconsciously mimicking Snape by scowling and crossing his arms over his chest.

The Arcahnum ancestral manor, Ashmere, was a spacious, three story home of quarried stone over four hundred years old. It had been well-kept with trimmed lawns, gardens and a tall, iron fence that surrounded the house. Ashmere was located at the end of a long, unpaved road so heavily lined with trees that the upper branches had begun to weave and grow together until they had created a green tunnel. The surrounding land on either side of the unpaved road also belonged to the Arcahnum family.

There had been two additions to the manor, a solarium on the west side of the house and on the roof an elaborate observatory that was accessed by a glassed in, circular staircase on the eastern wall of the home. A small path through the woods led to Hogsmeade. This path had been greatly neglected since Lyrica's childhood and was overrun by ivy and blackberry brambles.

The carriage soon turned onto the unpaved road that led to Ashmere. Lyrica began to tell them about her family home. "Ashmere was built in 1472 by my ancestor Sebastien Arcahnum who was appointed Royal Physician to the House of Tudor. The house and land were a gift from King Henry the VII. Sebastien was a Potions Master who created healing potions for Muggles, many of which he used solely on the royal family. He fell into disfavor when Henry's son Arthur died in 1502. Before the king blamed Sebastien for the death of his eldest, Sebastien withdrew from the Muggle world. Sebastien had a few more random dealings with the royal family, but after his death, his children had the property and house permanently hidden from the sight of Muggles. Sebastien's son and daughter had a decidedly dim view of Muggles."

"Was it hidden because it was so close to Hogsmeade?" asked Hermione.

"I'm sure that was part of the reason, my dear, but there was also a rising fear and hatred against witchcraft." Lyrica sighed.

Hermione was about to inquire further about this area of history when she was interrupted by Harry as he caught the first glimpse of Ashmere. "It's glittering!"

Lyrica smiled. "That's the observatory, Harry. It's all glassed in. The equipment is all of brass and copper and often reflects the sunlight. A shading spell usually darkens the glass during the day, or it would roast in there, but I wanted you to see it this way."

Ron was looking toward the other side of the house at a structure that jutted away from the house like a pointing finger. "Do you have a greenhouse?"

"Solarium, Ron. Also glass, but it's stain glass. One of my favorite places in Ashmere."

When they were at breakfast at Hogwarts, Lyrica had shown them sketches of the manor's interior. The first floor was almost entirely devoted to a ballroom-like entryway with a ceiling that rose to the second floor. A wide staircase that split at the second floor landing led to the west and east wings of the manor. A hidden staircase led to the third floor. The entryway was lit by a large chandelier of crystal that hung heavily over the marble tiled floor that was decorated with the inset design of the Arcahnum family crest. The first floor also held a large dining hall, a smaller, private dining room, an intimate parlor for entertaining a few guests, a large kitchen, and the library.

The library was the second room on the first floor that took up most of the area floorspace. Hermione and Snape, both bibliophiles, would find that the Arcahnum library was an impressive collection of books and scrolls from all over the world. Older, more fragile tomes were kept behind enchanted glass and the scrolls were kept in a temperature controlled, smaller room behind a hidden panel. One large desk of imported cypress stained a deep cherry red dominated the room. Smaller tables and comfortable chairs were scattered for reading and research.

The second floor was comprised entirely of large guestrooms each with their own bath. Snape had already chosen a room on the east wing of the house and forbade the children from selecting any room near him. That arrangement was fine with the four teenagers who all secretly felt a certain freedom in having the entire second floor west wing to themselves and out from under the shadowed sight of their 'keeper'. A long, open corridor, lined with ornate portraits and paintings, connected the two wings.

The third floor had once housed living quarters for servants, but Lyrica had remodeled the entire top floor for her own use. That floor was locked and completely forbidden to her guests.

The carriage finally came to a stop. Draco was the first out of the carriage, and despite the stiffness of his legs, he gave his hand to Hermione and helped her out. Snape got out of the carriage next and gave his assistance to Lyrica. Lastly, Ron and Harry tumbled out and the driver then left with the carriage.

Lyrica gathered the skirt of her black robe and took charge as she removed several sets of keys from her pocket. She handed them out to Ron, Hermione, Draco and Harry. "There is a key to each of your rooms. If you wish for additional wards on your rooms, that's up to you. Most rooms are open with the exception of the observatory. You're only allowed up there if either I or Master Snape are with you. You've each been given a main key to the house. You cannot get into Ashmere without that key. It has been enchanted to recognize and interpret your magical signature. The small key that each of you have belongs to a desk in the library. Any door that is closed or locked you are not allowed to enter. As I told you at breakfast this morning, the third floor is completely off limits. Finally, you can go anywhere outside as long as you remain within the iron fence."

Snape interjected, "The path to Hogsmeade is also off limits."

"Oh yes, I'd nearly forgotten that," agreed Lyrica.

"For now, stay in the house," warned Snape as he specifically eyed Harry. "And stay out of trouble."

Lyrica patted his arm. "All right, go and try your keys. I'm taking Master Snape down to my lab." The quartet were already at the door and making their way into the manor before Lyrica had finished speaking. Draco was the last to disappear inside. Lyrica sighed. "How long do you think Ashmere will remain standing after those four invaders take over?"

Severus extended his elbow to the headmistress. "Two days? Three, if you're lucky."

While Lyrica took Snape down below the house to her extensive potions laboratory, Harry, Ron, Hermione and Draco were allowed free rein to explore their rooms and the beautiful, old manor house. Their rooms were located at the furthest end of the west wing. Two rooms on one side of the corridor belonged to Draco and Ron and the other two rooms, opposite, belonged to Hermione and Harry.

Harry's room was richly decorated in red and gold, the Gryffidor colors. His bed sat upon a raised dais tucked into the farthest corner of the room. A large fireplace burned behind a gilded grate. There were four chairs, a table and against the wall was a shelf that held a variety of wizarding games. His window looked out over the front lawn of Ashmere. It was a tall, multi-paned window with a wide window seat. A small door to the right of the fireplace led into his bathroom. Harry jumped up onto his bed and was amazed as he sank into the softness of a heavy quilt, a feather bed, and pillows.

Hermione's room was decorated in cream, gold, and amber. Her bed, also like Harry's, was on a raised dais and tucked into the corner. Unlike Harry's, it was a grand four poster with a canopy and heavy gold drapes that pooled at the corner posts. She didn't have a window, but she had tall French doors that opened onto a narrow balcony. On the other side of the French doors was a wide wardrobe. Hermione opened it and was stunned to find it full of shoes, dresses and robes. A note was attached to the inside door of the wardrobe and she removed it.

Hermione,

I thought you might have fun with these clothes. They were mine as I was growing up and I believe most will fit you and suit your coloring.

Please enjoy,
Lyrica

Hermione could be a tomboy, sometimes too often, she thought. It came from always hanging around Ron and Harry, she supposed. Also, her parents had never encouraged her one way or the other so it struck her as funny that she was delighted to have a closet full of beautiful gowns and robes to indulge in. She finally let out a squeal when she walked into her bathroom and found dozens of fragrant oils, soaps, cosmetics, combs and more. There was also another note. She snatched that one off the gilt-edged mirror and read it.

Hermione,

You'll find that you have an extra key the boys do not. If you go to the portrait over the fireplace, tap the lower left corner with your wand once, it will swing aside. Try the key on the door you find behind the portrait.

Lyrica

Hermione ran out of the bathroom, went over to the fireplace and tapped the left corner of the heavy wooden frame. The portrait swung ponderously aside and there was a small door with a silver lock. Taking out her set of keys, Hermione found a small silver key that she fitted into the lock. The door popped open and tucked inside the small space was a simple wooden box. Hermione tugged the box out and went over to the round table that was surrounded by four chairs. She plunked the box down, flipped up the clasp and opened the lid. Hermione nearly fell backwards as she stared at the wealth of jewels that glittered, sparkled and winked from within. There was one last note tucked within the lid of the jewelry box.

Hermione,

These belonged to my mother. Please enjoy them, with the dresses, during your stay here. I would like for you to choose three pieces that you like the most to keep as my gift to you.

Sincerely,
Lyrica

"Oh my...! But I couldn't!" Hermione, her eyes dazzled by rubies, emeralds, opals and pearls, cautiously dipped her fingertips into the glittering treasure.

Ron's room was orange. It was tempered, just barely, by beige, pastel coral and white. Despite that, the orange in the room still managed to announce its presence in no uncertain terms. Orange, of course, was Ron's favorite color as it was the color of his favorite Quidditch team, the Chudley Cannons. They weren't in existence, yet, but that didn't mean he couldn't support them in spirit. Ron had a large window, just like Harry's that had a view of the back lawn and gardens.

Draco's room could have been plucked directly from the palace at Versailles. It was blue, white, gold and silver. The bed was hung with heavy blue and gold drapes and rich gold fringe around the canopy. The floor was covered with thick, plush carpet in blue and white. The four chairs surrounding a marble topped table were white and silver brocade satin. The window took up an entire wall and at its middle were a set of doors that led out onto a wide balcony. On either side of the cut glass doors were cushioned benches.

The Slytherin padded quickly across the floor, slowly opened the door to the lavatory, peeked around it and abruptly slammed it shut. He grimaced.

"Is this the room of his highness, the Little Prince?" quipped Harry as he took a look around. Ron was right behind Harry. He rubbed his eyes.

"This is a nightmare!" groused Draco.

Ron then snorted. "You forgot what the headmistress said about these rooms, Malfoy."

Draco glared at Ron. "No I didn't. She said these rooms tailor themselves to the guest." He dropped into one of the chairs and slid right out of it onto the floor. "Bloody hell!"

Hermione came in to the room and walked to the center, spinning slowly. "Oh my this is just... there aren't words for this."

"It's hideous! This doesn't suit me at all!" Draco picked himself up off the floor and kicked the chair he'd slid out of.

Hermione giggled. "I think we can fix this." She grabbed Draco's hand and dragged him back out into the corridor. "Harry, Ron, come on out." Harry and Ron joined Hermione and Draco and then she shut the door to Draco's room. "Hmmm, you should probably lock it, too." Draco took a second to look for his room key, found it, and then locked the door. "Good. Now, this time, unlock the door with your key, but have an idea of what you'd like for your room. When you think you have it, then open the door."

Draco shrugged, "Couldn't hurt." He unlocked the door, put his hand on the doorknob, waited a few seconds and then opened the door. "Wicked! Now that's more like it!"

The blue Versailles monstrosity was now gone. In its place was a much simpler room that reflected comfort without overdoing it. The dominant color was again blue but it was more of an accent color along with cream against dark panelling, and dark furniture. The window was much more modest, narrow and tall with a cushioned window seat. The chairs were upholstered in a lighter blue tapestry fabric that matched the carpet. The bed was also simple, without a canopy or tall, corner posts. It was a wide sleigh bed with a patchwork quilt and lots of pillows.

After spending time exploring each other's rooms, they went out to the corridor and began wandering aimlessly. Boredom was settling in, and that wasn't good. Just as the boredom was threatening to send them down to the library, Ron discovered that the rugs in the second floor corridor slid perfectly over the highly polished and waxed floors. It wasn't long before he, Harry and Draco were running and sliding the length like seasoned hooligans. Hermione made a decent show of disapproval, but she was soon laughing and cheering each of them on.

Suddenly, the hallway rumbled ominously and a deep voice came down from above. "Whaaat is this meaning of this foolishness?"

Ron cried out in revulsion as he and his rug slid right through a very angry looking spirit. Right behind him was Draco, who let out his own cry of icky exclamation and promptly collided into Ron.

"Is someone going to explain this nonsense or am I going to have to do some old-fashioned terrorizing?" demanded the ghost in a voice that thundered right through their bones.

The ghost was a great giant of a man, with a broad build and square jawline. His hair and beard were a red-gold auburn, fashionably cut short for a man who succumbed at the end of the Tudor days. The fingers of his hands were decked out with a wealth of rings and his clothing was just as rich in red and gold velvet, gold embroidery and trim. Upon the man's head was a hat of matching velvet trimmed with teardrop pearls and emeralds. The man's legs were clad in gold velvet trews to the knees and a pair of leather boots. For a ghost, he appeared rather more colorful than the silver wraiths that haunted Hogwarts.

"Wellllllll?" he roared so loudly that the occupants in the paintings in the corridor left their frames.

"S-s-s-..." Harry gulped, took a deep breath and began again. "S-sir, we didn't think..."

"I can see that thinking had very little to do with this tomfoolery, young man." The ghost floated closer to Harry and he stepped backwards until he bumped into Hermione.

"Harry, that's..." Hermione whispered into his ear.

"Who? Him?" Harry gaped as Hermione identified the ghost.

"Here now, young lady," scowled the ghost at Hermione. "Surely your mother taught you that whispering before your elders is rude. Speak up!" Hermione let out a squeak. "What secret did you impart to your friend?"

"Your majesty, I only told Harry who you are." She swallowed once. "I told him that you're Henry the VIII. Although, I can't imagine what you're doing here. Shouldn't you be haunting Whitehall?" Hermione was shaking inside, but she wasn't going to show her fear to this ghost.

The ghost yawned. "Whitehall is filled with stuffy politicians and the noise of the city. I much prefer the countryside. My father and brother also had a fondness for Ashmere." He swept closer to Hermione, his face inches from hers. "So, you know who I am, do you, my lady?"

Hermione nodded and her tone was disapproving as she said, "I've read all about you." Henry's eyes narrowed in warning. Hermione narrowed her own eyes and prepared to stare down the once feared King of England. "Don't think that just because you're bigger than I am and can shout louder that I'm going to flatter you. You beheaded two of your wives!"

Hermione wasn't sure what she expected as a reaction, but she was certain that uproarious laughter was far down on her list. "You're a feisty young lady, aren't you?" Suddenly the king spun about and managed to cast dark looks upon the three boys. "Now tell me, what's all this nonsense about in the hallway? Young boys your age ought to be tearing up the lawns outside."

Draco griped, "Snape won't let us outside."

"Snape? Tall, thin caricature of a man? Has the beak of a raven and rather the same sort of bearing?" asked the king.

Draco, Ron and Harry all snickered at the description. "That's the slimy git!" laughed Ron.

"Have more respect for your elders, boy," snapped Henry. He softened the rebuke with a smile and a wink. "Now, before I give you permission to terrorize the countryside, tell me who you are."

"I'm Hermione Granger, your majesty." Hermione gave him a gracious curtsy that he approved of with a smile. She then went on to introduce the boys. "Sitting on the floor are Ronald Weasely and Draco Malfoy." Both boys smiled weakly. "And this is Harry Potter."

"How do you do, sir..." Hermione nudged Harry in the back and hissed something in his ear. "Uhm, I mean, your majesty, sir?"

Henry Tudor floated around Harry and regarded him with a twinkle in his ghostly silver blue eyes. "Harry, are we? My brother called me Harry when we were young. A goodly name. Strong."

To Harry's horror and disbelief, the ghost's large hand came down and thumped him squarely in the back. Harry flew forward and just caught himself before he landed on his face. He righted his glasses and stared back at the ghost. "Your hand didn't go through me!"

"I've been dead a long time, young Harry. I've learned a ghostly trick or two." Putting his hands upon his hips, he glared good-naturedly at them all. "Enough of wasting today's good weather. Snow is on the horizon, so get outside. GO!" He roared with laughter.

Hermione and Harry didn't need to be told a second time. They sprinted down the hall past Ron and Draco and were soon thundering down the staircase. Ron and Draco scrambled to their feet and were quickly bringing up the rear. Henry the VIII vanished through the wall, leaving the disarray for the house elf to clean up.