One year on from the battle and Hermione, Ron and Harry were once again returning to Hogwarts, this time it really was their finale year. The three had spent their summer at the burrow with the rest of the Weasley's, it hadn't been easy.
Every day was a constant reminder of Fred's death, his empty seat at the dinner table, his empty bed and the one half of him that remained behind, George. They were so happy to see September, they arrived at Hogwarts on the 3rd and were slightly surprised to see it completely restored to its' former glory. It looked like nothing had ever happened; with this in mind a small smile graced each of their lips.
It felt like they were in first year again, seeing it for the first time. The leaves were falling like confetti all around the grounds in the most glorious of colours, from deep oranges to gold and rich reds to faded burgundies. Hermione kicked the leaves as she walked, burying her hand in her pocket as they moved toward the school.
Much like how she spent her summer, she began to ponder the coming year. She was eighteen, soon to be nineteen and although she did not know it yet she was about to be reintroduce to someone. Within that person a new and rather unsuspected happiness awaited.
That evening the feast began with a speech from headmistress McGonagall, she looked tired but happy, she had probably done most of the restoration herself, Merlin knows she was the strongest witch around after Albus. Her speech was short and sweet, and the entire student body patiently awaited the announcements for new teachers. It seemed old Horace Slughorn would resume his position as potions master, but the next announcement came as a surprise, Narcissa Malfoy had taken up the position of DADA teacher.
The great hall went silent as everyone turned to watch the blonde witch walk in through the doors, McGonagall greeted her with a hug and she took her place at the teachers table. After that most people ate their dinner in silence, even those seated at the professor table ate in an awkward silence.
Hermione played around with her food; she really wasn't all that hungry. She chanced a look at the professors table, specifically Narcissa. "How dare she, who does she think she is?" Ron was seething; he was practically spitting venom "she has some nerve comin..." Hermione, still staring at the blonde witch cut him off, "You do realise that without that woman our best friend wouldn't be alive, her trust will have to be earned within the school, but he is alive thanks to her."
Narcissa sat shyly at the head table, dressed in a rich emerald green, also picking at her meal, rather than eating it. She seemed determined to look anywhere else but out at the students – until something broke her concentration and she looked up directly at Hermione, it was almost as if she felt her gaze.
Hermione wasn't sitting very far away and it was very obvious that she was staring but she couldn't look away. She stared right into Narcissa's eyes and stopped breathing for a second. Never had she seen such a heartbreaking colour, pale almost clear blue, staring right back at her. But both their concentration was broken when McGonagall announced it was time to head to the dormitory. Hermione took one last glimpse around at the older witch; to her surprise she was once again met by her piercing blue eyes but this time a soft smile graced the woman rose red lips.
The next few weeks were much like the first night, stolen glances between two women who had lost their way in the last year and were desperately searching for comfort, someone who would understand what they had been through but also someone with a fresh point of view.
Hermione couldn't stop thinking about her; her dreams were filled with images of the blonde witch. After all that is what dreams do, they taunt you with confusing vividness, of thoughts you have forbidden by day. They dig deep in your mind's closets, drawers, finding aspirations and hopes you had no idea you harboured. As the night began to grow colder, Hermione's dreams did quite the opposite; they became hotter and less inhibited.
She would wake in a hot sticky sweet, sitting bolt upright in bed and swallowing hard as she remembered her dream, the next innocent morning. She bombarded herself with a thousand questions, are you attracted to her? She tried to ask herself forcefully, as she lay in bed staring at the very white, very blank ceiling. She attempted to surprise herself into realising her sexual awakening. After all she had heard of these things happening.
One day at lunch they were all sitting down to eat and Seamus came across to join them, Hermione rolled her eyes. It wasn't that she didn't like him, he could just be a bit crude and mean sometimes. "Well, I don't care whose side she was on last, but I would like her in my bed. What would you say to that, boys?" he laughed and winked at Harry and Ron.
She could feel the jealousy welling up inside her, what an arrogant prat, how dare he talk about anybody like that. "What about you Hermione, you haven't quite been successful with the males, how about giving the females a chance, EH?" She had enough she removed herself swiftly from the table and towered over Seamus, she whipped her wand from her sleeve and aimed right at his face, "Hermione calm down it was just a joke," Ron pleaded frantically from behind her. "You idiot, I should just..." Hermione stopped as she felt a warm hand wrap around her own and pushed her wand down.
Before she could turn to see who it was, a cool, calm and elegant voice sounded from behind her, "Miss Granger, my office now, please!" She tensed under the woman's grip and when she let go Hermione turned and follow. They arrived at Narcissa's office a few minutes later, "Tea, Miss Granger?"
Hermione looked at her puzzled, "Ahh yyy..yes please." She could barely take her eyes off the beautiful woman let alone decide if she wanted tea, she didn't even really understand why she was here. "I am sorry for drawing my wand on another pupil professor it won't happen again, I am just not use to all this, after last year and..."
Narcissa laughed and Hermione's rant was cut short, "Oh Miss Granger do not worry, you are not in trouble, I just didn't want you doing something you would regret. I heard what that little weasel had to say and I nearly raised my wand to him myself." Hermione smiled at the older witch's honesty. Narcissa placed the tea down in front of Hermione and the two sipped cautiously at it in an awkward silence. "Oh well, I shouldn't keep you any longer, isn't this the day you all head to Hogsmeade?" Narcissa glanced down at her feet, "Yes, Professor aren't you going?"
"Miss Granger, very few people in the school want me here and even fewer want me in Hogsmeade... No I think it is best that a steer clear of somewhere like that. Now off you go you don't want to keep your friends waiting." She smiled at the young witch and move towards the door, "Professor Malfoy, you shouldn't let other people dictate how you live your life, after all you contributed in a big way to bringing down Voldemort, so don't be so hard on yourself. And whoever those people are, they need to get over themselves and realise that most of them are alive thanks to you. Why don't you join me for a drink?" Narcissa's head shot up and Hermione cringed when she realised how forward she must have seemed. "You want me to join you for a drink, what now?"
Hermione looked down at her feet and shuffled uneasily, "yes now – or some other time, it is up to you really." She looked up and smiled nervously at the older woman. "Ok sure lets go for a drink. What the hell? Come on then." She hurriedly grabbed her cloak from behind the door and ushered Hermione out of the class room.
They were both surprised into silence by their impromptu decision and conversation between them spluttered like an old engine. Narcissi followed Hermione out of the building and onto the damping path to Hogsmeade. She had no Idea where they were going; it had been so long since she had ventured down this leaf littered path. "So how are Draco and Astoria?
"They are doing quite well, the wedding is at Halloween, and I have so much to do. I have an invitation for you and some others, Draco doesn't think anyone will turn up but he understands. I am happy for him, they really are in love." Narcissa knew her son was not one of Hermione's favourite people but she was hoping she was still as compassionate as Draco had once described. "I...em...would love to come, I mean it's time to put the past behind us, right?" Narcissa smiled.
The finally reached the three broomsticks, "Here we go!" Hermione turned to face Narcissa, who stood frozen on the spot. This wasn't such a good idea anymore, "Professor, come on stop worrying!" Hermione boldly reached out and took the blonde professor by the hand, her hand fit perfectly into the other woman's and she couldn't help but notice it.
The older witch allowed herself to be pulled into the pub, it was pretty dead inside most of the students were in Zonkos or Honeydukes. "At least we won't have trouble finding a table." Hermione giggled. They sat a small table near the back, it was darker back there and Narcissa felt more comfortable, as she was somewhat hidden behind a partition. Not long after they sat down, Rosemerta approached them. "Ah Hermione, so good to see you... and Narcissa, Hello. Well, what can I get for you ladies?"
Hermione ordered a butterbeer. Narcissa was about to comment but checked herself and ordered a fire whiskey. When the Landlady had left, she leaned over the table. Her eyes glowing like fireflies in the darkened corner of the room. "A butterbeer?" she teased, "that's a child's drink!" Hermione shrugged unembarrassed, "Professor you seem to forget I may be of age but I am still at school, plus that stuff is vile." She pointed and winced as Rosemerta set Narcissa's drink done in front of her. "Ah you'll learn to like it, you'll need to." Narcissa giggled, "You'll have to teach me," Hermione dared.
"You are the same age as my son, right Hermione or have you turned nineteen already?" she took a large swig of her drink, Dutch courage never hurt anyone. "Actually I turned nineteen two days ago on the nineteenth." She took a sip of her butterbeer and Narcissa smiled, "Well Happy Birthday Hermione, Ah to be nineteen again, my teens are long gone as are my twenties and soon my thirties." Narcissa took another large gulp of the golden brown liquid. "If you don't mind me asking, what age are you professor?"
"Ancient. Thirty-nine." Thirty-nine, Hermione thought, like everything else, of course, it was perfect. It sounded wise; well travelled: sophisticated, yes the woman was twenty years her senior but Hermione couldn't have cared less. "Well, I purpose a toast." She lifted her glass, her own brown eyes alight now. "A toast," Narcissa answered, "To what?" Hermione giggled at the older woman's surprise, "To thirty-nine." Hermione clinked her glass against Narcissa's. "It is a beautiful age. In my opinion." The words captured Narcissa and softened her. Warmth moved her into a heart shaped pleasure. "Cheers," She replied, with a sudden shyness that made Hermione swoon. "To nineteen, ditto."
The two women had been talking for hours, neither of them realising the time, pupils had ventured in and out all day, most took no notice of the two. Others couldn't take their eyes off them, there was a lot of whispering and sniggering but the two woman chatted away completely oblivious to it all, so engrossed in each other. Finally Narcissa caught a glimpse of Hermione watch, "Merlins beard, when did it get so late? We should have been back half an hour ago, I was enjoying your company so much I didn't realise what time it was." Hermione stood quickly and beckoned Rosemerta over to square her up for the drinks.
Narcissa wouldn't let Hermione pay a single penny, she felt slightly humiliated. Like a child. "Oh come on...I invited you...you shouldn't." Retreated rapidly back into nervousness. "Leave it, Hermione. I've got it." Hermione fell silent. Then they began their trek back to the castle, half way back, Hermione caught Narcissa shiver out of the corner of her eye, she unravelled her scarf from her neck. "Here take this." She advanced to place the scarf around Narcissa's, "No Hermione I'm fine you'll catch you death out her." She smiled at the young witch's gesture but pushed the scarf back at her, "Professor, I spent last year sleeping in or outside a tent, I think I can handle a walk back to the school without a scarf."
Narcissa relented and allowed the scarf to be placed over her head and wrapped gently around her neck, then they walked back to the castle in silence but not an awkward one, it was comfortable, like they were old friends. They reached the castle foyer and Narcissa began to unravel the scarf, "No, keep it; I have two others in my trunk. You are going to need it when the snow hits." Narcissa pulled the scarf tighter around her neck. "Thank you Hermione, for this afternoon, you have every reason to hate me, yet here you are." This line led to an awkward smile from Hermione and with a speed that Hermione couldn't later reconstruct, a very awkward candlelit embrace goodbye.
The weeks went by and Hermione had spent countless hours in the company of Narcissa Malfoy, tea in her office after class and even in her rooms on the weekends. The two had grown quite close, much to Harry's surprise and Ron's jealousy. And he had no queries about letting her know he was pissed off. She still hadn't told them she would be attending the wedding, instead of going to the burrow for Halloween. She had merely told them she had more research and work to do and Halloween break would be the best time to do it. That didn't go down well either.
The wedding was to be on the 29th of October and they got off on the 26th for their break, the two boys had said their goodbyes and quickly jumped on the train to head home. Hermione did spend the first day doing work, along with taking a trip to Hogsmeade to find an outfit for the wedding. When she return she found a letter on her bed, obviously delivered when she was out. It read:
Dear Hermione,
I am awfully sorry but I had no idea who else to turn to. Everything is going wrong; the wedding is going to be a disaster. I need help, I tried Minerva but she is caught in meetings till Thursday. I need someone with a lot of talent in the spells department and I thought of you, if you could help it would be much appreciated. Again I am sorry, but come to the manor this evening and I will make it up to you; I'll teach you how drink fire whiskey, promise.
Kind regards,
Narcissa Malfoy.
Hermione was so wrapped up in the fact that Narcissa had asked for her help, she had completely over looked where she was being asked to return to. Malfoy Manor, a place she had fought all summer long to forget.