Narcissi Malfoy was walking in her garden overlooking the planting of new flowers; her name sake actually, when she heard the sound of apparition. Walking back to the house she handed her gardening gloves, which were quite dirty indeed, and her gardening robes to her house elf Prin. Wondering who it was as there was no one expected and even no one was allowed access this particular month to the Manor, also perturbed the Mistress. Their home was hosting the Dark Lord until he found another location of convenience. Narsissa did not mind though. She was loyal to her husband and thereby loyal to the Dark Lord. He mostly kept to himself in the deepest heavily warded sub dungeons holding 'court' as it were. Checking herself, in the wall mirror that followed her down the hall, she made sure she was presentable for her uninvited guest.
With a thunderclap of apparition following her Hermione walked with severe determination in her step toward Malfoy Manor. She had finally had her fill of that overbearing, under appreciative, snarky man that claimed to be her mentor when in fact she felt he was more of a dementor.
Today was perfect. Her hair behaved itself. Crookshanks II had presented her with three mice that had somehow gotten into her trunk and attempted to eat a book she kept there for safekeeping.
Thank goodness for magic or those pests could have damaged her prized never-ending diary, or in her mind a detailed account of her life from age six to present.
Her good day continued into breakfast when she and the Potions Master ordered the same meal. Bacon, hot but soft, buttered hard roll, and a glass of pumpkin juice with two ice cubes instead of the customary three. When the meals appeared at the same time, she was a bit shocked. The professor however looked at the plate and tucked in without a hint of recognition at the coincidence. Hermione did not care though.
Somehow, since she was a 6th year she discovered her attraction to the mean tempered man that lurked in the dungeons of Hogwarts, and true to her nature she looked to logic, tamped down her burgeoning feelings and physical tinglings and dove deeper into her work. She graduated with every honor and highest marks seen in 50 years. All but one. Potions Master Snape decided to mark her final grade of her schooling year's one point lower than his.
One point! Hermione had words that evening with him. She tore into the snake as viciously as a griffin. In the end he gained a grudging respect, outwardly of course, as he had admired her for years on the inside.
Soon after graduating, she was flooded with apprenticeship offers. At first, she deigned every one and stated that she would choose after she finished university. 6 years later emerged a new Hermione. She quadruple majored in Transfiguration, Potions, Spells, and Defense against the Dark Arts. She place top 2 in each class she took, graciously admitting a more intelligent student in Charms, and bowing to Harry in DADA naturally. After she graduated top honors, she accepted her first apprenticeship. Transfiguration Master Hobbie Higglespoon was the very best when it came to transfiguration and Hermione would learn from no one but the best. After two years with Master Higglespoon, and a glowing Masters degree, Hermione moved on to Charms Mistress Agatha Kadatha. Once again, Hermione had searched out the very best and attained another two-year apprenticeship and Masters Degree. When she had gotten the first two of her hopefully four masters' degrees, she was faced with the realization that the very best Master for DADA and Potions happened to be the same man. Professor Severus Snape. After logically deducing her situation repeatedly in her mind, even Harry was not enough for her as a teacher. Moreover, when Hermione Granger put her mind to something, it is as well as done.
That was the beginning to the end for her.
Just ahead were the parlor doors that lead to the reception area of the Malfoy home. Hermione could see a flash of gold slide by an opening in the heavy brocade curtains. As she reached the door, it slid open to reveal the stunning Mistress Narcissi Malfoy. A long golden dress flowed elegantly down her slight curves and hugged her nicely. Any woman would seem plain next to her. Hermione was not to be glamored today however. She was on a mission.
Hermione and Narcissi had met on a few occasions and had developed a faint appreciation for the other. Hermione saw the faint Gryffindor in Narcissi and Narcissi saw the Slytherin in Hermione.
Opening her arms in a gesture of welcome Narcissi stepped toward Hermione.
"Hermione, it is so good to see you. To what do I owe this unexpected visit?"
Hermione stopped just short of the open arms and mock kissed both cheeks in welcome.
"Cissi, I'm afraid I must be rude although I wish I did not have to be. I need to speak to Lord Voldemort. Now."
Although she spoke softly as if she were admiring a dress or flowers there was a tone underneath that shook Narcissi. Never in her encounters with the witch had she heard this, pain. Narcissi knew the sound of pain. When the dark Lord was displeased, she heard it in the whimpers of lost men and some women. Dropping her arms, she walked to a table and rang a small silver bell.
A house elf winked in and then out just as quickly. Hermione stood motionless as Narcissi placed a hand on the table to steady herself. The magical aura radiating off the younger witch was staggering and Narcissi found herself a bit disoriented.
"Forgive me Hermione, but I believe we should retire to the sitting room. Follow me please."
Hermione followed closely but comfortably behind. Passing a large wall tapestry and two doors they arrived at a heavy wooden door and Narcissi pushed it open. Motioning to a wide armchair Narcissi slid onto a rose spangled loveseat. She summoned a two glasses and floated one over to Hermione. As soon as she grasped the stem, it filled with a red liquid. Hermione looked up at Narcissi with questioning eyes.
"It is a self indulgence glass; it fills with the liquid of the holder's choice and is never ending. When you are finished just set it down and the liquid will disappear. No foul play between friends my dear."
Hermione could tell Narcissi was curious about her visit but knew better than to ask. Hermione felt bad but this was important and soon started to get agitated. Just as she took a breath to say something to Narcissi, the door opened and Lucius walked in. Quickly Hermione placed down the glass and stood facing the blond Master of Malfoy Manor. She saw Narcissi stand unsteadily and slip from the room silently. After a moment when Hermione knew she was out of earshot Lucius spoke.
"Miss Granger. To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?"
His voice slid over her skin making her wish she had a cleansing charm for creeps.
"That knowledge is for The Dark Lord and as you are not he then I have nothing to say to you. Now, get me an audience with the Dark Lord, Malfoy."
Lucius stood there in utter disbelief. This impertinent little witch was ordering him around in his own house! He would show her who was Master here!
"Crudus Nex!*"
Lucius hissed the curse and a smirk started to slide onto his face when he saw that Hermione was not falling to the ground bleeding from every opening on her body. IIn fact, she looked very peeved. Finally, he broke the curse and stared open mouthed at the witch tapping her foot on the thick carpeting.
"If you are quite finished, I really do need to see Voldemort, preferably today. I do not have time for your petty spells and sad attempts at killing me. Do you know who I am? I am the brightest witch of this age! I am a Master in the arts of 3 different magical degrees and have had plenty of practical use in each so if you continue to think I'm a 12 year old girl with her head in a book and out of touch with reality you are sadly mistaken Mister Malfoy. Now get The Dark Lord now or you will see just how much I know."
Hermione scared Lucius in that short speech and he found himself almost running down the final corridor leading to the Dark Lords rooms. Upon his practically wrenching open the door, he found his Lord to be holding a small mirror and the ghost of a smile playing on his thin lips. Placing the mirror n the nightstand, he stood and turned to Lucius.
"Well my dear boy, let's not keep the young Miss waiting shall we?"
With that, he threw a powder onto the ground, that puffed deep purple captured him into it and out of the room. A moment's disorientation and then he stood full height to address the fiery hellion.
"Misss Granger I presume?"
Hermione held back a slight shiver as the creature that materialized out of purple smoke addressed her.