Chapter 65

Lucien told Nokby to take everyone to China, And build a manor somewhere secluded them to stay.

Lucien then opened the letter from Hermione, it talked about Lucien's offer to let her stay at his place for the summer so that she could practice magic away from muggles and out of the reach of the Ministry.

Lucien chuckled to himself and called for Padkey to take him to Hermione's address.

When they arrived Lucien knocked on the door and a man with brown hair, that stood around 6 feet tall answered the door

"Hello, Sir. I am Lucien Bennett-Dubois. Hermione's friend. I was wondering if I could have a word with her?"

The man's lips formed a happy smile

"Ahh Lucien, Hermione has told us so much about you. I'm her father, Mr. Granger. Please come in. "

In the house, Mr. Granger called upstairs for Hermione to come down.

Hermione was still wearing her Pajamas when she walked downstairs and froze when she saw Lucien

"Hello Hermione, I got your letter." Lucien held the letter up in the air for her to see with a smile on his face.

"I didn't expect for you to reply so fast, let alone appear so suddenly. I haven't even got the chance to ask my parents, Lucien. You should really learn some patience" Hermione crossed arms when she stepped down from the last step.

"Well you can ask them when we get back from Diagonally," Lucien replied

Mr. and Mrs. Granger looked at the confrontation with questioning looks. Mrs.Granger walked over to Hermione and asked Hermione about she wanted to talk about.

Hermione told her parents how Lucien offered to let her practice magic at his house for the summer so that she wouldn't get in trouble by the ministry.

As parents, Mr. and Mrs. Granger asked all of the essential questions. and Lucien explained the situation of his living arrangement and how he had a muggle grandmother who happened to be the Duchess so the ministry made an exception for him. It was a ball faced half lie, but, it was enough for the Grangers to allow Hermione to go. After they meet Lucien's grandmother Dorothea.

Lucien and the Grangers spent the next couple of hours waiting for Mama Thea to arrive. Lucien had told the Grangers that she was in London with the Queen, so, if she arrived to fast it could easily be explained.

Mama Thea and the Grangers had a small chat, Mama Thea actually liked the couple, it had been a while since she talked to regular people. Going to court was different as everyone had ulterior motives there and there were genuine conversations to be had.

When the meet and greet was over, Hermione went to pack her things and the party left to Diagonally.

"Lucien, what do we need from diagonally?" Hermione asked

"Don't you remember? The first time we met, Vega scratched you and I promised that I would get you a pet of your own."

When the party arrived at the Leaky Cauldron the went directly to the back and entered Diagonally

"Do you need anything else while we are here?" Lucien directed his question towards Hermione.

Hermione just shook her head, no. Trying to contain her excitement. she had always wanted a pet, like the other students at Hogwarts.

Inside Magical Menagerie. Hermione looked around and saw many magical creatures, if it was up to her, she would take them all. Lucien then thought for a moment went to speak with the attending clerk.

Since Lucien had shut down the black market Magical Menagerie had not been selling any magical creatures above their licensing. Which mean they had creatures that had yet to be sold and patiently waiting somewhere in the store

Lucien didn't plan on revealing his identity, he quietly used the imperius curse. and made the attendant lead Hermione and himself through a spelled door that leads to a pocket space between Magical Menagerie and the neighboring shop.

Hermione didn't know how to handle herself when her eyes caught a glimpse of an Occamy.

"are these all of your beast?" Lucien asked the attendant and the attended nodded in affirmation.

Until Hermione's heart gave a big thud.

Hermione looked around with a curious face. She could feel something different, it was a magical beast, yet, she couldn't find the beast. The further she got from the beast the heavier her heart thudded.

When Hermione realized this, she used her heart to find the beast that caused her body to react so dramatically. In the furthermost corner of the room, a two feet tall six-winged, twin-tailed bird sat on a perch. It had two small horns on its head.

The bird ċȯċked its head to the side, as it looked at Hermione. She slowly approached it, stretching out her arm to place a hand on it. The bird dropped it's head, accepting Hermione's touch.

"I want this one" Hermione exclaimed

It was a Thunderbird. Hermione had resonated with the Thunderbird.

Lucien purchased the bird for her and obliviated the attendant altering his memories to leave a note to the shop owner to write Tondy. So the owner won't be in a fret about a missing Illegal Thunderbird.

Mama Thea and Padkey apparated Hermione and Lucien back to the castle, so that the Thunderbird wouldn't draw attention.

Lucien then explained to Hermione how he would be gone for a while but she was allowed to use his study and library to aid in her research this summer.

Hermione accepted everything Lucien gave her. It was more than she could ask for. Hermione didn't complain about being let alone. Hermione actually preferred isolation when she studied.

Lucien left the Isle of Mull soon after that and arrived in China where Nokby and the rest of the travel party building a Manor for their summer vacation.