Thanks tons *hug*

Thanks I had fun writing about Ania. I have this glassdoll that I picture her after And I gave her the personality of one of my good friends so it was fun to write. Don't worry Todd will be coming back. And so will Ron! I've actually had a post for him all this time. I just can't post it till..well I can't tell you. lol. You'll understand when I post it. Promise Hopefully it won't be too long till I can post it. But I made some decisions last night and I think you'll be reading about Ron sooner then I first expected. Which might either be before or after you hear of Todd agian. But don't worry you will. He becomes kinda important. *covers mouth* Must...not...say...any...more.
Thanks I just wanted it to sound cozy. What was really funny, about Crookshanks, is I had to put that in there because I had the beginning written and then later that night I was petting my kitty and it just hit me that I forgot about Crookshanks!!And I didn't know how to change the post to make her remmeber Crookshanks, so I just wrote in that she heard the meowing lol. But it worked lol. *hug*

Well I'll have the rest of the post up tonight...and maybe even another to go with it. Matters how much writing I can do today. Which I hope is a lot. I got pretty much all my homework done last night while I was having a chocolate and movie night (I just love those nights...and the cold-rainyness outside helped ) after a rather tiring week of school. My Trig class is really pounding me... Oh well. Atleast I get to write. Always makes me feel better. Enough babbling though! Lili asked about Ron and if he was going to show up agian. And the answer is most defintely YES! lol. He will. There were just some things I had to write about Hermione...building of character and stuff and to get her in Russia and everything before i could turn back to Ron. And when I do you will have a couple posts from him...with the addition of some new characters I hope, if everything goes according to plan. So I'm going to go and I'll post later.

Thank you everyone who is reading this. It means a lot to me that you still are

*Mione *smooch*

Here are some posts! Maybe some more to come tonight!

When Hermione reached the bottom of the steps the smell of the food was even more intense than she had thought she half expected her mouth to start salivating.

She glanced around the hallway unsure of were to go. She had no clue where the dining room was. Well, she might as well wonder around till she bumps into someone…

Hermione turned left and walked toward the door right in front of her. She pressed her ear against the door panel. Nothing…obviously it wasn’t that room. She back away from the door slowly and began to turn around.

“AHH,” Hermione fell flat on her stomach. She lifted her head a few inches off the ground and saw a little girl’s face particularly close to her own. Hermione pushed herself up into a sitting position and looked over at her. “Hello, I’m sorry about knocking into you.” And falling so gracelessly to the ground, Hermione added to herself.

The little girl smiled, “It’s alright. My mother sent me to get you.” She tucked a curly lock of hair behind her ear as she rose to her feet. She stuck her hand out towards Hermione. “My name’s Ania.”

Hermione grabbed her hand and stood up. Her gaze flittered across the littl—ahem not so little, girl. She had to be at least twelve years old. A very short twelve year-old.

Ania had raven black hair that curled into perfect ringlets that framed her heart-shaped face. Her skin was as white and as smooth looking as a porcelain dolls. Her eyes were large and azul in color that seemed to contain humorous but a cynical view of life at the same time (Hermione wondered if such a thing was even possible…). She was only about five feet tall and was extraordinarily petite. She made Hermione, who was petite herself, look, and feel, gigantic. She wore a blue floor length skirt and a baby blue sweater. Obviously skirts and sweaters were popular this evening…

“Thanks. I’m Hermione.”

Ania shook Hermione’s hand. “You see,” She began walking past the staircase in the opposition direction Hermione had walked. She waved her hand for Hermione to follow. “Mother remembered as we were setting up for supper, that she forgot to tell you where we eat. So she sent me to find you.”

Hermione chuckled, “Yes, I realized that when I came downstairs. I decided to just wonder about till I found someone…or food.”

Ania laughed softly.

They continued to walk down a wide hallway till they reached double-doors at the end. “And,” Ania paused to consider her words. “To warn you.”

“Warn me?”

“You see, our whole family lives here.”

“Alright…”

“Meaning, we all eat here. Well, with the exception of my idiotic brother at some time or another decides not to come home. But we usually are all here.” Ania’s expression looked as though she was expecting Hermione to get mad or something.

“That’s alright. Believe me, I’m use to eating with a ton of people.” Hermione thought back to the Weasley meals…with or without the entire family.

“Okay. Well you can’t say I didn’t warn you.” Ania pushed open the double doors.

The room was completely empty of people, well with the exception of Hermione and Ania as they stepped into the room. The room was large and painted in a light green, so light it almost looked white. The table was long and oval and it sat in the center of the room. China plates, bowls, and spotless silverware lay on a forest-green table cloth. Eight large chairs with puffy burgundy cushions lined the edge of the table and two extras sat on either side of the double –window that was directly across from the double doors they had just walked through. The same hardwood that covered the floor in Hermione’s room lay on the floor in the dinning room. The only difference was the dinning rooms looked in better condition and the color seemed a touch darker. Along the right side, when one was walking into the room, there was a blazing fire in a large fireplace…it must get drafty down here. To the left there was a closed door. Maybe to the kitchen?

“Where does that door go too?” Hermione asked.

“Oh, that goes to the kitchen,” Ha, she was right. “Which reminds me; I have to go and finish helping my Mother with dinner. I’m in charge of stirring the Rassolnik and if it burns Mother will kill me.” Ania chuckled as she shook her head. “And even though I did ask Dora to stir it for me it will still be my fault.” Ania walked towards the kitchen door.

“Alright, do you need any help in there?” Hermione asked.

“Thank you, but no. A resident doesn’t help! Just relax and supper will be right out.” Ania walked two steps in to the kitchen then abruptly stuck her head back out into the dinning room. “I just remembered. What would you like to drink? We have Kvas, Medovuha, Kompot, Prostokvasha, Samogon, just regular Vodka, beer, wine, and milk?”

Hermione blinked. “I don’t even know what half of those things are. So, I’ll just take a small glass of wine and a glass of water please.”

Ania laughed. “By the time you leave here, you’ll know what all of those are and you’ll love them. But sure, I’ll get some wine and water for you.” Ania let go of the door and it swung behind her as she walked away.

Hermione laughed softly to herself, this was sure going to be interesting.

She walked idly around the room until she reached the windows. She pulled back the heavy velvet curtains and gazed out the frosty window into the glittering snow in the moonlight. Hermione could feel a cold draft come from the window but it was a wonderful contrast to the heat of the fire. She just stared at the window and began humming to herself.

“Ahem,” Hermione whipped around.

There was a little girl standing in front of her. And this time Hermione was certain it was really a little girl. She only stood as tall as Hermione’s waist. She had very large eyes, large like Ania’s, except the color wasn’t a deep blue but a mixture of blue and green, they reminded Hermione of the Lake beside Hogwarts. They also didn’t quite contain Ania’s seriousness and wit either…they held a merriment that only children’s eyes could enclose. She had a wide and full smile that brimmed with happiness and laughter. Her dark brown hair, much lighter from Ania’s, was short and stopped at her chin. It also was completely in ringlets. Two ringlets from both sides of her face were drawn back behind her head and tied into a purple bow; otherwise they probably would have lain too much on her pale face. She had a lit dusting of freckles across her tiny button nose.

“Hello…” the girl mumbled as she clutched her hands behind her back and stared bashfully down at the floor.

Hermione walked closer to her and crouched down as if her butt was sitting on her heels, “Hello. I’m Hermione. Who are you?”

The girls hands went convulsively to her purple skirt which she scrunched the fabric together with her nervous hands. “I’m Feodora. My Mommy and Daddy own this house.”

“Oh do they? You must be Ania’s sister then?” Hermione asked in a friendly voice.

Feodora looked up from the floor at Hermione, “Yes I am!” she said excitedly, “Ania is my big sister.”

“You two sure do look alike. How much older than you is she?”

“Six years! I’m six and a half years old!” She said proudly as her smile widened.

“Wow, a full six and a half years?” Hermione placed a hand on her chest and her eyes widened in feigned shock…oh, how she loved children.

“Yes, yes, I am.” Feodora snatched Hermione’s hand and tugged on her arm. “You are sitting next to me at dinner!” She pulled Hermione over to the table. “This is where I sit. You can sit here.” She pointed the seat to the left of her own.

Hermione laughed lightly, “Alright.”

Feodora looked up at Hermione, “I like you.” Then she turned around and scurried out of the room towards the kitchen door. As the door was swinging close behind her Hermione heard her yell, “Mummy, I talked to her! She is sitting by me at supper! Hey guess what Ania--”

Hermione smiled.

No sooner had Hermione pulled out her chair and sat down had a boy bounded out of the kitchen door. My goodness, how many people where in there?

He too looked younger. He stood a few inches taller than Feodora had been. He had a round face and a head full of rumpled light brown hair, a drastic contrast to Ania’s and even Feodora’s dark hair. His eyes were the same color as Feodora’s and held the mischief of a trickster. His smile was wide and he was missing his two front teeth. A spattering of freckles covered the bridge of his nose and his cheeks.

Hermione turned in her chair to look at him, she smiled. “Hello.” This was starting to become comical.

“Feodora was bragging that she met you and threatened to call me a chicken if I didn’t come out to meet you.” The boy stared straight in Hermione’s eyes with his own comical ones.

“Well, you certainly aren’t a chicken.” Hermione stuck her hand out to the boy, “Name’s Hermione.”

He took it and shook it enthusiastically, so much so that Hermione was scared her arm would fly out of its socket. “I’m Dimitri. Ha! Now I can tell Dora I’m not a chicken.” He raced out of the room yelling, “Oy, Dora! I told you I’d do it--”

Hermione laughed openly to herself.

“Oh good,” she heard a voice behind her. “I was scared you’d be crying from fright. But I see you’re laughing. Which is a good sign, a very good sign.”

Ania walked up to the table and placed a wine glass and a cup of water beside Hermione’s plate. “Especially considering you haven’t met everyone yet.”

“You have more siblings?” Hermione asked.

“Yes. My older brother Lev. I mentioned him. The one who never shows up for dinner?” Hermione nodded. “And then my littlest sister Nadya.”

“Oh. Is your brother here for dinner tonight?”

“Nope,” Ania said with a shrug. “He’s probably doing something crazy with that pack of hyenas he calls friends in the city. We probably won’t see him till tomorrow.” She glanced out the window, “That is if this snow stops.”

“It didn’t seem too bad when I was out there.” Hermione turned towards the window.

“Yeah, but you never know.” Ania paused then asked, “So did you like Feodora and Dimitri?”

Hermione laughed and her lips formed an infectious smile, “Of course I did. They are both adorable. You all look so alike.”

“Just wait till you see my Father and Mother together with all of us. You haven’t seen anything yet.” Ania smiled back and leaned against the chair beside the one Hermione was sitting in. “Have you met my Father yet?”

“No, just your Mother.”

“You’ll like Father. He is very quiet but when he does talk he is hilarious. He always says that he doesn’t like to speak much because he only speaks when he has something good to say.”

Hermione laughed, “Sounds like a good policy to me.”

“Yes. But sometimes he can be harsh. He and Lev always argue. They have such a strange relationship. They are either throwing daggers at each other or they are laughing away.” Her face scrunched in confusion. “I just don’t get it.”

“I think most father/son relationships are like that though.” Hermione lightly patted Ania’s hand. “So don’t worry too much about it.”

Ania half smiled at her. “Alright. I just worry about them that’s all. But they usually clam down when they listen to Jazz music together. It’s so cute when they do. They usually do it every night after supper…well unless Lev decides not to show up.”

“Ooo, Jazz music? I adore Jazz music.” Hermione gushed.

“Well then Father and Lev are going to love you.”

After a few moments of silence Hermione asked, “When is supper going to start? It way past quarter after seven.”

“As soon as the bread is done in the oven. Which shouldn’t be to far from now. I should probably go check up in the kitchen. I’ll be back.” Ania disappeared behind the doors.

Two seconds later Mrs. Petroff strolled into the room holding the hand of what appeared to be Nadya and carrying a highchair.

Nadya looked like every two year old did. She had a round face and a ready smile. The little bit of dark brown hair she had in pigtails. She had a little pink dress on that contrasted adorably with her dark hair. She had saucer shaped eyes that were a deep gray.

“Do you need help Mrs. Petroff?” Hermione asked as she rose from her chair.

“Oh no, no. I’m just fine. Just getting Nadya in her chair because dinner is ready. Are you hungry?” Mrs. Petroff beamed a smile towards Hermione.

“Oh yes, very very hungry.” Hermione smiled back.

“The hole gang should be out in a second with the food.” Then she mumbled, “Except one…”

“Alright. Thank you.” Hermione pretended not to hear what she added.

“Of course dear.” She strapped Nadya in her chair then pulled out the chair beside it and slumped in it. “I am so hungry. I could eat all the Rassolnik by myself!”

Upon saying this Ania came into the room carrying a large pot of soup, followed by Feodora who was holding a basket of warm bread, who also was followed by Dimitri carrying a bowl of what looked like to be some kind of white cream and some noodle dish. Through the double-doors a very tall and broad man walked in. He had to be Mr. Petroff.

He had black hair that was buzzed-cut and the same deep gray eyes Nadya had. They held something Hermione couldn’t quite place…he almost seemed witty and cynical like Ania but there was something humorous in the twinkle of his eye as well. He had to be at least six foot five. Just a couple inches taller then Ron. He had large hands and his fingers looked like sausages as he shook Hermione’s hand. He had a quick and small smile, drastically different from that of his wife and children. His voice was a deep rumble as he asked “How do you do?”

After introductions they all sat down. Hermione had Feodora on one side and Dimitri on the other. From the opposite side of the table Ania tried to hide her amusement.

Mrs. Petroff collected everyone’s bowls and filled them to the very brim with soup and then slopped the white cream that Hermione had seen Dimitri carry in.

When Hermione’s bowl reached her Mrs. Petroff explained what the white cream was. “That’s smetana on the top. And the soup is Rassolnik. It has beef, potatoes, parsley, rice, carrots, onions, cucumbers, and tomatoes. It’s very good. And the Pelmeny on the plate in the center of the table is a pastry with beef inside. Also very good.”

“Sounds delicious.” Hermione reached for the Pelmeny and placed a few on her plate. “Everything smells and looks delicious.”

“Yes it does,” Dimitri agreed as he began shoveling soup in his mouth.

“Dimitri! Slow down.” Mrs. Petroff scolded.

“Yes, please do Dimitri. Or I might get sick seeing you eat like a pig!” Feodora leaned against the table and looked over at him.

“Well then, don’t look!” Dimitri retorted and stuck his tongue out at her.

From across the table Ania covered her mouth with her napkin to keep from laughing.

After everyone was served they began to eat.

The dinner was mostly uneventful…except Hermione was positive she saw a small piece of bread arc over her head. But she wasn’t sure she wanted to find out for sure. Mr. Petroff talked of his day at work at the store they inevitably had down the street from the house. Feodora and Dimitri bickered and laughed with each other. Mrs. Petroff tried to keep a messy Nadya from dropping her food on the floor. And Hermione and Ania talked of books they have read and debated about books they both had.

All in all, as Hermione walked slowly back up the stairs afterwards she couldn’t help thinking she had made the right decision coming. She had started to doubt her decision. But now she knew for certain, she had made the right decision. For an entire meal she hadn’t reminisce of Ron for one moment. No thought of the two years had crossed her mind. No mind and body numbing memory came fleetingly back to haunt her.

She had only thought of what was happening now.

She reached her room and closed the door silently behind her. She stripped of her clothes and just tossed the on the floor. She pulled on some jimjams and crawled into her comfortable bed. The comforter was like a fluffy snow around her. At the bottom of her bed there was a small heater that sent waves of heat through her bed. She sighed as she stared at the ceiling, her eyes slowly drifting into sleep.

w

WOW!!!!!!! What a wonderful story. PAMS

holy moly. That was a lot of posts!!! The Petroff family sounds awesome! I love the name Dimitri. I had a ballet instructer named that once, but I couldn't understand him because he had such a thick Russian accent, but that's beyond the point. Hermione seems to be happy!! Ooo..Todd is going to be important?? Is he gonna kiss her...then Ron shows up and gets mad?? What's gonna happen?!?!?!?!?! PAMS PAMS PAMS PAMS PAMS PAMS!!!!

Lili

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mione Okay, that is not, I repeat, not the entire post! I just wanted to give all my loverly readers something. Because I love you all. And because of Shan's birthday

Aww...thanks Mione! I loved all the posts! Excellent! Can't wait for you to post more...
*love and huggles*
Shan
XoXo

ooo
so many wonderful posts
the family sounds so simple, love it
dont forget ron hermione
hope you had a nice holiday
PAMS

Roshni

Wow, that was quite an update.....5 posts! That must have taken quite a bit of time. That family sounds so wonderful, I'm sure Hermione is going to have a fun time there; I can't wait till we meet Lev. PAMS!

New reader here! Wonderful story! I love it! You sure seem to know alot about Russian food!!!! Sounds delicious! Can't wait to read more!!!!

Hope you post soon! This is an amazing fic!
Shan
XoXo

Just read all you last post. Amazing and the family dose sound nice. Can't wait for more.

Hey everyone!

Thanks so much!

lol! You dance? lol *coversmouthwithhand* I can't say! lol But you will know I promise!! *hug*

You're welcome Thank you tons!!*huggles*

Thank you I had fun with the family lol. I had a wonderful holiday thanks...I wish I was still on holiday *die school die*

Yeah it did take some time, but I loved it. I would spend all day writing if I could...but school just doesn't let me . Thank you!! You'll meet Lev soon! *hug*

Hey! Thank you so much for reading!! I hope you enjoy it! Lol yeah, I did A LOT of research lol. It all sounds so good I'm going to try and make it some time. *hug*

HEY!!! Thank you! I know I havent been there forever. Schools been pounding me, I'm lucky I can update this...which is something I barely do lol. Hopefully I'll be back soon. I miss it lol.

Thank you *hug*

Hey all School has been merciless lately. But I did found a wonderful time to write!! During history class! lol. See my teacher is a complete bore and talks the whole time but you really don't have to listen to him just read the book and stuff and you'll be fine...so thats what I'm doing and writing in there. I have a lot written. Then it occured to me about Wed. or so, that writing it isn't enough. I actually have to post it for my wonderful readers! I got so caught up writing it all for you I didnt post it! lol. So here is one today and I'll post tomorrow too. And be warned: tomorrows is long. In my notebook it is *counts* 5 1/2 pages long in my notebook. Sooo. lol. I've been busy writing it haha. I hope you enjoy the lastest post. And I hope you all are well and not sick from this wicked winter. I don't know about all of you but I'm being hit pretty hard with snow and cold. *yay* I love winter lol. *huggles and smooches to you all*

*Mione

Hermione bolted awake from the distinct sound of her alarm clock. She hit the “Off” button to cease the annoying beeping. Sleepily she turned towards her window. “What the…it’s still pitch black outside!”

She glanced at her clock again. The large red numbers 8:09 am shinned through the dark room.

Hermione pushed the warm covers off and scooted out of bed. Shivering slightly she walked towards her windows. Pulling back the velvet curtains a touch, she looked out. “Whoa,” The scene before her was shocking yet beautiful at the same time.

It still looked like a night sky above. But the bright stars could barely be seen through the swirling snow. The snow rose so high from the ground that it rose halfway up the small entrance gate.

Hermione could feel the cold seeping through the small crack along the windows edge. She hugged her arms around her tightly. She let go of the heavy curtain and faced her bedroom. Hermione looked hesitantly between bed and the door. “Well! I am on vacation, right?” she said to the empty room.

She ran towards her bed and the soft patting of her socked feet on the floor echoed in the empty room. Hermione jumped face-first into the fluffy covers. “Ahh,” Rolling over she pulled them over her. Hermione stretched her toed so they were less than an inch from the small bed heater at the end of the bed. Hermione snuggled closer to her pillows and closed her eyes, “This is heaven.”

The chill she had felt by the window evaporated from the hot waves that rose from the heater. Hermione shivered from delight and pulled the golden comforter to just beneath her chin. “Mmm, lavender.” The covers smelled like a garden of lavender all around her.

Hermione felt the mattress dip slightly as Crookshanks walked towards her. He laid lazily in the curve of her stomach. His rhythmic purr was like a tender melody lulling her into a soothing slumber.

What seemed like five minutes to Hermione, but in all truth was two hours; she heard a tapping on her door. Grudgingly she scooted out of bed, much to the disgust of Crookshanks who then grumpily jumped off the bed.

Hermione rubbed the sleep from her eyes then opened the door. Ania stood in front of her holding a wooden tray piled with food.

“Mother sent me up,” she shifted the tray. “We were cleaning up breakfast and she thought you would want something to eat…so here I am.”

“Oh,” Hermione moved aside and Ania walked in. “Thank you.”
“Of course,” Ania dipped her head in a short nod.

“I guess I kind of, umm, slept in.” Hermione said, rather stupidly in her opinion.

“Yes well, it’s not too hard to do in this weather. Still seems like night time when it is really part of the day.” Ania jerked her thumb towards the windows.

Outside it was still a blizzard. But the dazzling stars were gone and all that remained were dark rumbling clouds.

Ania set the tray down at a little side table beside Hermione’s armchair. “It’s always snows bad at this time of year. I’m afraid you came at the wrong time.”

“I think it’s beautiful though.” Hermione sat down in front of her breakfast.

“It’s very pretty, don’t get me wrong. But we will probably be stuck in this house for the next week. You won’t be able to do much sight seeing.” Ania lightly leaned against the wall.

“Well, I can get some reading done and maybe write some.” Hermione answered brightly.

“You are determined to remain optimistic, aren’t you?” Ania’s gaze gazed over Hermione in astonishment.

“I’m determined to enjoy myself. I made sacrifices to come on this trip and I don’t want them thrown in my face.” Hermione replied with a small shrug.

Ania eyes her curiously, “Right. Well, I have to go. I’ve been assigned shoveling duty because Lev isn’t home. Not that shoveling is going to help! It’ll be all covered again by tonight!”

“Do you want help? I would love to help you!” Hermione asked.

“I’d love the help…but is that really how you want to spend your holiday?” Ania’s dark eyebrows rose questionably.

“Sure. Like you pointed out there is nothing else to do because of the snow. It’ll be fun.”

“Alright then,” Ania glanced at the clock. “Can you be ready to go outside in about thirty minutes?”

Hermione nodded.

“Okay. I’ll meet you in front of the door.” Ania left.

Hermione smiled and began eating her breakfast. She had no idea what it was but it was delicious anyhow. And she’d never tasted such delicious coffee before.

w