Title: Their Private War

Authors: MysteriousFlower, comebacksirius, psycho-pink-faerie
Disclaimers: All the Harry Potter characters and the beautiful magical world in which they live belong to the talented JK Rowling.
Pairing: Hermione/Narcissa

Timeline: The story starts in 2006 (the year Rose is born). All the previous events have taken place but with a twist. Story will be mostly AU from start to finish.

Summary: When you believe your life has fallen into place, there is always someone who knows how to change you and the way you feel. And what if that person leaves you questioning everything you knew and believed? Do you hold on to what you know or do you choose to listen to the calling of your heart?


Chapter 1

Hermione Weasley patiently waited for the wall outside the Leaky Cauldron to provide her with entry onto Diagon Alley. It was a warm afternoon in June and that summer had been the hottest England had experienced for several years, the country was breathing heavily under the unexpected heat wave. She glanced into the pram standing beside her. Her little baby girl Rose was soundly asleep. The smile on her lips widened as she looked down on her daughter's angelic face. She had never dared to believe one day she would be the mother of such a perfect, beautiful, helpless creature. Not a day went by when she did not find herself amazed that something so beautiful had come from her. Rose was three months old. Hermione couldn't see it but her friends and family kept saying how much her daughter looked like her. She involuntarily smiled. With the size of Ron's ears, that was perhaps a good thing.

She pushed the pram onto the cobbled road of Diagon Alley and her smile widened when she set foot into the wizarding world. Since the birth of Rose, she had been too busy being a mother to even think about going shopping in Diagon Alley. Ron had returned to work two weeks after she was born and though she loved her husband dearly, having him around twenty-four-seven had practically driven her insane.

She pushed the pushchair along the Alley, quickly reaching Flourish and Blotts. There were a few witches standing outside the shop. Hermione realized there were three steps leading down into the shop and frowned. Perhaps witches and wizards were not used to prams. It would explain why Ron had frowned when she had insisted on buying it. She sighed. Sometimes being Muggleborn in the wizarding community wasn't easy. She bent over the pram, scooped her sleeping daughter and carefully placed her in the sling around her body. She realized it had been a good idea to bring it out after all, though she had only brought it for when she had to breastfeed Rose. She muttered a spell, the pram shrunk to the size that would fit in a doll house and she stored it in her bag. She glanced at Rose. She hadn't even woken up.

She stepped into the bookshop and almost instantly someone called her name. The familiar Scottish accent made Hermione turn around and she found Minerva McGonagall, her former Transfiguration teacher at Hogwarts, in the back of the shop. The older woman quickly hurried across the almost empty shop and when she reached Hermione, she instantly wrapped her arms around her.

"Hermione! How wonderful it is to see you" Minerva said when she let go. She took Hermione in from head to toe. The once bushy haired student had really grown up into an attractive young woman. Coffee coloured curly hair fell down her shoulders. Intense hazel brown eyes still held that same fire and curiosity, as they had during her school days. She was in her mid twenties now. Minerva's eyes dropped to the sling around Hermione's torso. It was the more common way for wizards to transport their new born babies. "I am so sorry I haven't had a chance to come and visit since the birth of your baby girl!"

Hermione waved away her former teacher's apology. Immediately after the fall of Voldemort, Minerva had been appointed the new Headmistress of Hogwarts and had been performing her duties as such, ever since. Though this year would be the year of her retirement. "Not to worry, Minerva" she answered and carefully lifted Rose from her sling "It is never too late for a first meeting"

With a mild gasp Minerva took Rose from Hermione's arms and carefully cradled her in her own. Behind her spectacles emerald green eyes briefly misted over. "She is so beautiful, Hermione. And she looks exactly like you" She looked up at the young mother standing in front of her. Of the three students who saved the wizarding world, Hermione had always been her favourite. The girl's intelligence matched her own; a trait she never underestimated. "How is everyone getting on?"

Hermione smiled. "Ginny says James is driving her insane. He keeps asking when his new brother or sister will be born – which could be any day now. I swear she looks the size of a small whale – I've been winding her up, telling her she'll have twins. She insists it's just the one baby though"

Minerva smiled. It was hard to believe how much everyone had grown up. Hermione and Ron had married, just two years after she completed her seventh year. An unlikely pair maybe, but they genuinely seemed happy. Harry, had of course married Ginny and they were the first to announce the arrival of their first child. James Sirius was a handful at times, occasionally driving his parents to the edge. He had definitely taken after his grandfather. "I take it you have heard about my upcoming retirement?"

Hermione nodded. "Yes. We received the invite to your party earlier this week. And we'd be delighted to be there, Minerva. None of us would have been where we are today if we hadn't had such a brilliant teacher like you"

"You are too kind, Hermione" Minerva smiled and slowly passed Rose back to her mother. Tiny little eyes fluttered open. A pair of bright blue eyes, like her father's, began to take in the unfamiliar world around her.

"Maybe" Hermione answered and the corners of her lips curled up "But her middle name is Minerva for a reason". She and Ron had deliberately chosen not to name any of their children after the fallen. But she had insisted on naming her first born daughter after Minerva McGonagall. The woman who had changed her life in more ways than one.

Minerva simply smiled as words failed her. Then, from the corner of the eye, she discovered the young shopkeeper's assistant – politely waiting with the book Minerva had asked him to fetch. "I'm sorry Hermione but unfortunately I have urgent business to attend at the Ministry before I return to Hogwarts. It was however, lovely to see you again."

Hermione nodded in agreement. "It was, Minerva. And we should not leave it so long next time." She quickly hugged the woman she had come to regard as a friend, before she turned away to look at the contents of some of the shelves. She had, after all, come here to buy some new books to read.

After having spent a good half hour roaming through endless titles of books, Hermione left the bookshop with three new additions to her already extensive collection. Rose was awake, curiously looking up at her mother from her sling. Hermione smiled as she looked down at her daughter. The innocence of such a little human being was remarkable.

"Mother, Astoria is about to give birth within the next few hours. Surely we have got better things to do than traipse around Diagon Alley?"

The voice was familiar and Hermione turned around. Two people came walking out of Gringotts. The first was Draco Malfoy; Hermione recognized him instantly; throughout the years he had changed very little. His sleek, platinum blonde hair was combed back neatly and he was dressed in an immaculate suit. His face reminded Hermione exactly of his father, Lucius Malfoy. From the same prominent jaw line, right down to the same cold, grey eyes. His mother walked a few paces behind. Narcissa Malfoy wore simple burgundy robes, her blonde hair falling freely down her shoulders. The lines on her face had changed little since Hermione saw her last, during the battle at Hogwarts.

"Draco, there is no reason for you to accompany me. I thought I made myself clear this morning?" Narcissa's tone was sharp and she grasped her son's arm. "I know you are still worried about me, but believe me, everything is fine. You should be with Astoria. I promise I will join you in St Mungo's as soon as I can. There are however, things I need to take care of first"

Draco seemed reluctant to leave his mother alone. Hermione wondered why. Narcissa Malfoy was a grown woman who seemed more than capable of taking care of herself. She watched as Draco quickly kissed his mother on the cheek before hurrying off towards the Leaky Cauldron. She had seen the announcement in the paper three years ago when he married Astoria Greengrass. And clearly they were about to have a baby too. The Malfoy family tree was extending itself. Hermione just hoped, their son or daughter didn't take after their grandfather.

Hermione was still slightly lost in her musings when she heard Narcissa's voice again. This time however, it was directed at her. "Good afternoon, Mrs Weasley"

Hermione looked up, rudely snapped out of her thoughts. Narcissa was standing a few steps away from her. Now that she had come closer Hermione realized the blonde haired witch had not aged at all. She still held that familiar Black family beauty. "Good afternoon, Mrs Malfoy"

They had all been on reasonable speaking terms with the Malfoy family these days. The first two years after the war there had been no contact whatsoever but both Ron and Harry had run into Narcissa Malfoy on a regular basis within the Ministry walls. Lucius however, still did not speak to them. Draco had been living away from most of that world and only recently seemed to have joined the wizarding community again.

"I heard congratulations were in order" Narcissa spoke friendly, gesturing at the sling around Hermione's body. "I happened to run into Molly Weasley last week and she informed me of the birth of another Weasley grandchild"

"I don't think I have ever known a family any bigger than the Weasleys' " Hermione smiled. Narcissa's kindness surprised her a little. She herself, had only seen the older witch once or twice since the war.

Narcissa looked at Hermione. Nothing about her reminded her of the teenage girl that had once writhed in agony on the floor in Malfoy Manor, tortured at the hands of her deranged sister. Before her stood a young woman who had blossomed into something beautiful. She looked happy enough, Narcissa thought. There was a little blush appearing on pink cheeks the more Narcissa watched her. The light in the room caught the golden wedding band sparkling around her finger. Yes, Narcissa thought. That had been Hermione's only weakness. Marrying the Weasley boy.

Hermione, feeling uncomfortable under Narcissa's piercing gaze, moved from one foot onto the other. Inside the sling, Rose stirred and reached a little hand up to try and tug her mother's hair. The little hand appearing from the sling made Narcissa smile.

"Draco's wife is about to give birth. I will be a grandmother soon. Molly reassured me it is the most powerful rejuvenating feeling. Better than any potion" Narcissa said and then she took a deep breath. "Listen Hermione, I know that a lot of time has passed, there is much water under the bridge and... I was hoping that perhaps... one day... we could talk"

Hermione hesitated but then that all too familiar feeling of giving people second chances took over. "Of course..." She wondered why Narcissa would like to meet. Sometimes, she thought about what had happened back at Malfoy Manor. She wondered if Narcissa did too. But those days were long behind them all. She smiled. "Just...just send me an owl..."

Narcissa nodded, a smile lingering on her lips. "Thank you, Mrs Weasley" she answered and then she added "I suppose I'd better go. Or I'll miss the birth of my grandchild. Nice seeing you again"

Hermione smiled in return and watched Narcissa hurry off in the direction of the Leaky Cauldron, like Draco had done. She shook her head. Why had Narcissa asked to meet with her? Surely there was very little they had to discuss, if anything at all. Her mind abandoned her, leaving her without good reasons why Narcissa wanted to speak to her, and Hermione continued on her way along Diagon Alley.

Narcissa Malfoy leant against the brick wall outside the Leaky Cauldron. Her heart was pounding insanely in her chest. Running into Hermione Weasley had shaken her up. It was her secret. A secret she had kept well hidden for the past few years. Something that was never to be spoken of; she kept it so deeply hidden that she herself did not dare acknowledge it; let alone face it. A secret that, if known, would cause devastation to many and would see her life fall apart.

The first time she had laid eyes on Hermione was that one night at the Quidditch World Cup. She thought little of her then. She was just another filthy little Mudblood. She had heard Draco speak of her for years. The loathing he felt for her she shared. But then the night came when she was brought to the Manor, alongside her friends. She had been so different then. There had been a strength that surrounded her. So much more a woman than a girl. And so much more beautiful. She had forgotten what she was, who she was. Narcissa had managed to look beyond her family values; she'd seen the woman that lay beneath and everything she stood for. The look in her hazel brown eyes had left her own heart crying in silent empathy. She was forced to watch the torture her sister inflicted upon her. Hermione's screams still tormented the darkest corners of her mind these days.

Over the years that had passed she had been unable to forget those intense eyes. She would wake up in the darkness, in a cold sweat and with them etched on her mind. She would feel the cold, almost unfamiliar body of her husband beside her at night only to be reminded of the loneliness she felt inside. The day she opened the Daily Prophet and saw the announcement of her marriage to the Weasley boy, it felt as if someone had ripped her heart out of her chest. She had looked at the picture, tears dripping down on the paper. She had been unable to explain why she was crying. There had seemed no logical explanation for her tears.

And it wasn't until now that she understood why. Narcissa's eyes fell shut as desperation washed over her. She squeezed them tight, not wanting to feel the tears that burned behind them and in her throat. Everything she had felt throughout these years fell in place. How she was unable to look at Lucius, in the same way he looked at her. How she had begun to realize her heart held no love for him. Seeing Hermione Weasley had made her realize she had feelings for her. And she had done her since that fateful night back at the Manor. Somehow, through the darkness of that night, Hermione had managed to find her heart and capture it. Somehow somewhere, she had fallen in love. It was what had made her lie to the Dark Lord. She lied that Harry was dead. And she knew it would save her son. She knew it would save her too. She had loved her unknowingly, silently. She had loved her so secretly, she herself didn't even know. Until now. Until she found those same hazel brown eyes again. They now belonged to a woman who was no longer the Hermione Granger, she had seen that night. This was Hermione Weasley. Married to Ronald Weasley. The golden ring around her finger had been a cold, silent reminder.

Narcissa glanced at her own wedding ring, glistening around her finger. It was a lie. A life she had been forced to live for all these years. A choice made for her. It was never what she wanted but it seemed like the best she was ever going to get. Night after night she used to lie awake as Lucius' side of the bed remained empty. His loyalty to the Dark Lord meant more than the vows he made to her. There had never been two in the marriage of Narcissa Black and Lucius Malfoy. And not until now did she realize how true that really was.

She pushed herself away from the wall, swallowed back the painful tears that threatened to fall and regained her composure. She straightened her back and with quick steps she hurried into the Leaky Cauldron. From there she used the Floo Network to travel to St Mungo's. The moment she stepped out of the green flames, there was no room for the emotions she had felt before. But with every step she took along the maternity ward of St Mungo's, she could feel hazel brown eyes following her.

Hermione watched Rose sleep peacefully in her little crib. It was just after ten and Rose had had her final feeding. She had started to sleep through the night, much to Ron's delight. With a tired smile, Hermione turned off the light in the nursery and walked down the stairs of the house she and Ron owned. It was located in the suburbs of London and was easy for work and family access. She walked into the living room. Ron was sitting on the sofa, the remote securely in his hand. He was flicking through the various TV channels but looked up when his wife walked in.

"Is she asleep?" he asked as Hermione sat down. She nodded, looking tired. "How would you feel about having another baby?"

Hermione sat up, eyes widening in surprise. "Did another Auror erase your memory or something today? Rose is only three months old!"

"It would be cool for them to be close together in age" Ron said "You know, like with my brothers and sister"

Hermione doubted whether any of them were that close together in age. Even Mrs Weasley would not have had her children so close together. She shook her head. "I don't think we should even consider having another baby till Rose is a year old, Ronald. You have no idea how much of a handful a newborn baby is. I am not sure if I want to deal with having two of those little ones around so quickly. That aside, I quite like not being pregnant. I am not a breeding machine"

Ron pouted. Hermione hated it when he did that. He put the remote down. "But it would be fun, for them to have each other to play with!"

Hermione adamantly shook her head. "Ronald, the answer is no. Apart from the fact that it will be me who has to clean and change two sets of nappies, do double the amount of feeding and have no chance of returning to work for Merlin knows how long... I just don't want another baby so quickly" She sighed and decided to change the subject. "Guess who I ran into today?" Ron shrugged. Clearly Hermione's answer had left him in a stroppy mood. Hermione sighed, deciding to ignore it. "Narcissa Malfoy"

Now Ron looked up. "What did she want?"

"To talk" Hermione answered simply. Ron's instant jealousy about anyone who came near her was annoying to say the least. "And she informed she was about to become a grandmother"

"Draco Malfoy has produced offspring? What did he give his wife - Amortentia?" Ron snorted, causing Hermione to shake her head in disapproval "Just what the world needs; another snobbish and arrogant Malfoy"

Hermione ignored Ron's childish comment. "She asked to meet with me some time" Ron pulled a face. "And I said I would" Ron's eyes now snapped up, looking at his wife. Clearly he did not approve. She sighed, irritation clearly detectable. "Second chances, Ronald? We all deserve them..."

He shook his head, his eyes drawn back to the football match on the TV. "Even Narcissa Malfoy?"

Hermione thought back to the blonde witch she had met today. Somehow, she looked forward to meeting with her. For whatever unexplainable reason. She nodded, a smile appearing on her face. Since Ron was watching TV she picked up one of her newly bought books. She remembered Narcissa's smile. "Even Narcissa Malfoy"