Hello All!

I wrote this for my wife. She is always there when I am beaten down. I owe her my life, and every ounce of love I hold in my heart is hers. You are all the best for your wonderful comments and reviews. I have never written for a fandom where you are all go generous. Thank you for your kind words. I find it gives me a positive reinforcement to keep writing these chapters as quickly as possible. I hope you enjoy the sorry but I will warn you I am writing a very different Narcissa than can possibly lead to her coldness in her future self. Be gentle, this is my first attempt as a full on story with these two women.

Thanks Again,

Snow


Her dreams were dark and filled with shapes and flashes, but nothing came from the void and solidified into something tangible in the realm of dreams. Her eye lids heated as she felt the sun stream through the windows and light the room. Her dreams slid back in to nothingness as she slowly opened her eyes to the world. She looked around and saw the grey stone of Hogwarts infirmary, the white privacy curtains between the beds, and then a lump on a nearby bed. She looked over and saw the rhythmic rise and fall on the woman's chest and didn't know why but a tear slid down the corner of her eyes and escaped into the hair at her temple. She watched the brunette and studied her profile, she had peach colored skin that looked as if it was tan at one time but she hasn't been in the sun for quite some time. Her lips were in a way medium between thin and full, and Narcissa only thought they were perfect as her mouth shaped the bottom half of her face and then her thin cheeks curved into that mouth, the mouth she, for some odd reason could not stop looking at. Her heart clenched, and reality hit her, Lucius was going to kill her. He was going to kill her and all she wanted to do was curl up in this bed and stare, rather openly and inappropriately, at the woman next to her in the bed beside her. With another sigh she began to sit up, but gasped loudly and clutched her ribs. She shut her eyes and saw shots of white and red behind her eyes lids.

"Shh, breathe Narcissa. Lay back against the bed and try not to move. I am right here," A voice in the darkness soothed. Narcissa gritted as she tried to follow instructions but was finding it difficult then a warm hand took hers and a soothing hand gently pushed her back against the pillows. She knew her face was wet with tears and she looked weak but the pain. When she was settled against the pillows but breathed shallow breaths she finally looked up and into brown eyes full of concern. The more Narcissa studied the woman's face she saw that she not only looked concerned but torn. Being a Black you had to be able to read between the lines and break down the mask of the purebloods. It was a great game that she became exceedingly good at.

Hermione heard the gasp and shot from the bed. She was relieved that the woman slept through the night and she was still in bed. She remembered when Ron and Harry forgot blasted by some hexes, and curses when they were on the run from the snatchers. Broken ribs, no matter how many potions you used, would be excruciating for about 2 days. When Narcissa finally lay back on the bed Hermione moved her hands from the woman and prepared and poured a pain relieving potion in a small cup mixed with water. She moved to the bed and sat on the edge and helped the blonde woman shift up but Narcissa went pale from the pain. Hermione bit her lip and pulled out her wand.

"This might be a little uncomfortable but please bear with the pain. I have a pain relieving draught for you to take. Just please be patient," Hermione asked softly. Narcissa nodded and then closed her eyes waiting. Hermione spoke softly, Wingardium leviosa, and then held Narcissa in the air. There were small muffles pleading for Hermione to please hurry as she grabbed the pillows from her bed and shoved them on top of Narcissa's used pillows, then she gently levitated the woman dawn onto the pillows and then to the bed. Hermione nodded as Narcissa was propped up and able to take the potion.

She went back to the bed and grabbed the mixture and urged Narcissa to drink slowly. Hermione tried to keep her thoughts on the care of the woman before her but there was something she could not deny. Narcissa Malfoy was beautiful. Hermione watched as pink lips wrapped around the lip of the cup and pulled the water potion mixture into her mouth. She observed the way her brow scrunched as she worked through the pain, and the way her cheeks slightly caved in as she sucked the liquid in to her body. When she was finished, and the color came back to Narcissa's pale skin she looked into her light blue eyes and lost her breath. It was taken from her the moment those blue eyes, starbursted with an even lighter shade of blue looked out into her brown eyes. She didn't realize she was staring until she heard the massive oak doors open to reveal Minerva McGonagall. The older witch, however grey, and worn, but still spry and quickly. She moved with the grace of her animagus and watched the new arrival to the castle. Hermione turned to the side and cleaned up her are and also turned to regain her clarity.

"Hello Narcissa. It has been many years, at least for me. How are you fairing these days aside from being blown into the future?" Hermione shook her head as she stored her potions away and smiled. Patience was not one of the things that Minerva has learned over the years. Hermione put away the items and turned around and stood behind McGonagall with her arms crossed. She had her occlamency shields up, and her face a mask of indifference as she listened to the conversation.

"Well Professor I am well. How far into the future did I jump?" Narcissa said as she tried to hold her shoulders high. Hermione almost smiled at that high and mighty pureblood tone that spoke of her distaste at talking to the woman before her. Hermione watched the exchange. She saw the tension build between the two women and wondered what on earth happened to make them hate one another. Sure Hermione has a reason and that reason was carved into her arm, but this was different, like a seething animosity waiting to boil over and pop. Hermione watched as Narcissa's shoulders slumped forward.

"25 years?" She whispered, "How can that be?"

"That, Mrs. Malfoy, is what we are going to try to find out. Until then you are not allowed to leave this castle. I leave you in Miss Granger's impeccable care," McGonagall turned and nodded to Hermione, "She is yours, I suggest you figure out what happened and send her back as soon as possible," and then with a pop to her step she walked from women and out of the room. Hermione looked to Hermione and then took a deep breath. She pushed the thoughts of Narcissa's lips from her mind and walked to the bed.

"Please come with me Mrs. Malfoy," Hermione held out her hand so Narcissa can brace herself against it as she stood. The blonde stood up with her help. Narcissa winced and fell forward and her right ankle gave. Hermione reached out to the woman and found her in her arms. She stood the woman up and summoned a pair of crutches.

"You will only need these for about another day or two," Hermione said as she fit the supports to Narcissa, "You are quite lucky actually," Hermione smiled to the woman reassuring her everything will be fine.

"Ha, how on earth is this lucky, Miss Granger?" Narcissa shot back as she took the crutches from Hermione.

"Well, you have 4 broken ribs, a broken ankle, and lacerations to your hands, arms, and last night I was able to fix the soft tissue of your lungs as they were punctured. That is why you are having a hard time breathing right now. So please follow me," Hermione rattled off as she slowly set a pace for the corridor.

"Where are we going?" Narcissa asked as she began to inch toward the doors.

"My quarters," Hermione softly spoke and then opened the door for the blonde witch to walk through.

My quarters, rang in Narcissa's ears and she know she picked up the pace to get to the rooms. She swallowed as she ran through the reasons as to why she wanted to reach them as soon as possible. The only thing that flew to the front of her thoughts was Lucius. He would be on a war path by now but she was 25 years into the future. He could not hurt her. But… but… she shuddered as she rested against the wall to catch her breath and give her arms a break. She can still feel his hands on her, his mouth… she gulped. She felt her stomach roll and then she swallowed down her bile and began to move toward the grand stair case. She looked at which way to go and Hermione pointed toward the left.

Hermione led then up the stairs and then toward the astronomy tower. Narcissa sighed as she saw the end in sight but then her heart sank as Hermione began to ascend another flight of stairs.

"We rebuilt the castle and I wanted my own quarters, so I designed them myself," Hermione began to tell Narcissa, "I have always wanted to teach here at Hogwarts and it is my only dream. For me it has everything I need."

"What do you need?" Narcissa said as she struggled up the stairs. Hermione shook her head and cast a feather weight spell on the woman and then hooked her arm with the blondes and took the crutches. Narcissa wasn't expecting the feel of the pressure being lifted from her feet and couldn't have thanked Hermione more. With their arms hooked they made it up the stairs with no incident as they walked to the right and found a door. Hermione waved her wand but no words passed her lips and then a latch on the inside was lifted and then she gestured into the room. Narcissa walked in to a room made of blues, reds, greens yellows and browns. It was tastefully done in a sporadic and strange scheme. Narcissa walked to the green sofa and sat down and sat the crutches on the floor. She leaned her head back and shut her eyes. She heard Hermione bustle around and then the sound of running water in an adjoining room. She let the sounds of the room filter into her subconscious and the before she knew it sleep had claimed her

Hermione got the large bath going and put in salts to relieve some of the pain and swelling and bustled around her room to make sure any mess she had was packed away. She was not expecting a guest but she was grateful her parents instilled in her the unlikely possibility someone could drop by. So she was always prepared for company especially since she had regular visits from Harry and Ron, and off night for a nightcap McGonagall. She looked out the window and sighed. She was thankful for the headmistress for allowing her to build a room all the way up here, away from the hustle and bustle of the students and others. She had to stifle a scoff at the thought of the perks of being a war hero floated forward. She knew it was something to do with her special treatment and request but she also knew she sacrificed everything for the wizarding world. It owed her, Harry, and Ron everything. She was happy with a room. She turned from the window that looked out over the Forbidden Forest and the vast grounds of Hogwarts and looked at the woman in her apartment. She went to check on the water and then found it good and turned off the faucet. Narcissa slept on the sofa and Hermione walked over to the couch. The Narcissa's words struck her, what do you need? Hermione's had stretched out slowly and then slid some of Narcissa's messy hair back behind her ear and out of her face. She caressed her cheek and looked as the cut on her forehead. Then her hand dropped to the woman's shoulder and she gently shook her awake. Narcissa popped awake with a gasp startling Hermione and then grasped her side. Hermione helped the drowsy woman to the bathroom. The tiles in the bathroom were made of the same stone as the castle and the bathtub actually stepped down into the floor. To the side of the tub was a separate shower with frosted glass to provide privacy. Hermione conjured a chair for Narcissa to disrobe safely and then scoot into the bath.

"Soap is here, shampoo and conditioner is here," Hermione looked around her bathroom and then cocked her head to one side and then snapped. A brand new towel came out of the cupboard and floated to her outstretched hand then she dropped the towel near the bathtub close to where she can get out. Hermione smiled a left the woman to her privacy.

Narcissa looked around the bathroom and instantly loved it. It was dark but she loved it. She found a floor length mirror and hobbled to it. She stared at her reflection and groaned. She looked a fright, and shook her heard. She shed her clothes and stood before the mirror. She looked at her feet, her ankles and noted the broken one was swollen and a deep purple, she looked up her smooth legs and saw bruises and cuts. She looked to her torso and noted the blue red and purple of her ribs, and shoulder. She did know how she made it all the way up those stairs without feeling it in her shoulder with those crutches. Then she saw her arms. Cuts, and gashed littered the limbs as well as small burns from the explosion. Then she looked harder and saw the faint yellow. She looked at her arm running her fingers over it and then let her tears come. She cried. And wailed as she saw the hand print and the fingers. It was as if a ghost still wrapped his hand around her and yanked her and forced her here and there. She slipped into the water and let the warmth spread over her. She inhaled the steam and instantly sank deeper into the water as spearmint and eucalyptus encased her. She still felt the rivulets of tears slowly down her cheeks and then down her neck and into the water. She rested her head against the wall of the tub and slipped off to sleep once again.

Hands, pushed her down, lifted her robes, and shred her blouse. Hands grabbed at her chest and squeezed brutally, and feet threw her legs apart and then a pressure lay across her body. Pain, Fear, and horror as hand ripped into her flesh. She screamed, screamed for any help.

'Wake up Narcissa, come on, wake up!" There from the depths was salvation, was warmth, and was her safety. Her eyes popped open and she found brown. She lunged forward into Hermione. She wept into the shoulder of a complete stranger. She laid bare her pain to a woman she had known for less than one day. She felt Hermione release her and she shuddered. She looked into the water ashamed and lost. Then soft hands and a terry cloth rubbed slow circles up and down her arms. Carefully to her shoulders. Narcissa pulled her eyes from the water and looked to Hermione as she sat back, fully clothed in the water, and picked up her foot and added more soap to the cloth. She ran the cloth up to her knee caps and then back down and then did the same to the back and the other legs. She took Narcissa's hands and then wash then softly carefully. Narcissa didn't look away as Hermione lifted up and conjured two stools. She edged Narcissa up onto the stool and sat behind her. She gently washed in long vertical strokes up and down Narcissa's back. Then she let loose her hair from the tie Hermione put in her hair earlier to assess her injuries in the infirmary. Then she took the towel and wrapped Narcissa up.

"I'm getting the towel wet. Isn't that counterproductive?" Narcissa asked confused then Hermione smiled a wide soft caring grin.

"I'm sitting in a bathtub with my clothes on. Isn't that counterproductive?" quipped the brunette. Then Hermione stood. Narcissa stared as the water made the clothes of the woman cling to her curves. Narcissa knew she blushed. How could she not when perfection was sitting right before her? Hermione held out a hand and told her to stand and then helped her out of the tub then helped her to the shower. Narcissa tugged the wet towel and made sure her bruised and battered body remained covered. A long time ago she would have used her body to tease the other girls, and get what she wanted from both sexes. Now after so much, she didn't like to show anyone her body. She was ashamed. When Hermione turned the shower head on she waited as Hermione smiled and held her hand making sure she didn't fall. Then Hermione in all of her wet clothed glory motioned for her to stand under the spray. Narcissa closed her eyes as hot water hot her scalp and shoulder. Then hands. She flinched at first and then shot her eyes to Hermione who had shampoo in her palms then she turned around and faced Hermione.

"I won't hurt you," Hermione whispered, "I just want to help you," Hermione coaxed the frightened woman toward her and then Narcissa reached out her hands. Narcissa held Hermione's shirt in wads of fabric inside tight fists. She bowed her head and then sighed as Hermione lightly scrubbed Narcissa's platinum blond hair clean of caked on dirt and blood. Hermione told her everything she was about to do as she did it and then instructed Narcissa to tilt her head back to rinse her hair. She felt a cold breeze and then opened her eyes. She saw Hermione turn from her and step away. Narcissa craved her safety and reached out. But her foot got caught up. She looked down and saw her soaking wet towel at her feet. She tried to bend over and get the towel but she couldn't reach it. Hermione heard her shuffle around and then conjure another towel and looked away as she handed Narcissa the dry towel. Narcissa could have sworn there was a tint of pink on her cheeks. Then Hermione led her into the living room where she gave her some altered pajamas to fit the blonde and promised to be right back. She stammered as she grabbed a pair of pajamas and fled to the bathroom. Narcissa dropped the towel and then twisted the towel into her hair to dry then pulled the pants on. It was painful but she managed then she buttoned the pajama shirt and then sat on the sofa once more. She was happy she wasn't able to fall asleep as Hermione opened the door and came into the living room.

She got back to the bathroom and sucked in a deep breath. She was feeling things, yes. She was beginning to care for a known Death Eater cohort. The way she shrank away from her hurt. Why would the cold, ice queen of the Death Eaters have a reason to cower in fear? Why would she wail behind closed doors as if she was a haunted human waiting for the other shoe to drop and result in her demise? Why was she here? Hermione could only think that there was a potions experiment gone absolutely wrong, of course because she exploded into the potions lab. Which by the way needed to be repaired. Hermione washed up quickly and then threw on her pajamas. She walked out to an unsure Narcissa Malfoy. To Hermione, Narcissa Malfoy was the strongest and coldest witch she had ever met. How could this woman be the same person? How could this woman give birth to Draco?

Hermione sat down on the sofa and leaned her head back. It was early evening but it felt like midnight. She was tired and parts of her body ached from the impact of the time traveler in her own lab. She looked over and saw Narcissa watching her. Then Hermione smiled and got up. She came back and stood behind Narcissa and began to work. Stroke after soft, long stroke, Hermione detangled white platinum hair. When Hermione finished it looked like silk. She put the comb away and came back with two fire whiskies and sat down she found watery eyes stare off into space.

"You do that a lot ya know?" began Hermione as Narcissa look the tumbler with the amber liquid filling half way.

"Only recently," Narcissa replied defensively.

"Why now?"

"Because this was the first time I could," Narcissa whispered. Hermione scooted closer and put her arm around Narcissa as Ginny had when Ron broke it off with her. Narcissa sighed and leaned into Hermione. Hermione put her glass down and took Narcissa's and held her.

"I don't know why you cry, honestly in my time is strange to see Narcissa Malfoy show emotion. Just know this, I'll try to help you any way I can to get you back to the people you love, the place you need to be, and to the people who miss you dreadfully." Narcissa let tears fall once more as she rested her head against Hermione's shoulder.

"Why do you cry?" Inquired Hermione.

"I cry because no one has shown me such kindness, thank you," Narcissa softly confessed as she let the warmth of Hermione's arms wrap around her. When Narcissa passed out into the realm of dreams Hermione looked at the tumbler and saw half the liquid remained. Dreamless sleep draught laced the fire whisky. It should be enough to keep Narcissa's nightmares at bay. Hermione laid her gently down on the couch and walked to the door way to her room and stood there with her arms crossed. She was an enigma, wrapped up in a conundrum, packaged in a paradox. She couldn't help but sigh as she pulled back the covers on her bed down to the very foot. Then she walked back and levitated the woman to her room and settled her onto her bed. She pulled covers up to her chin and then grabbed a blanket and went out to the one part of her tower accommodation she absolutely loved. It was a low walled balcony she sat on and fought with her thoughts especially on sleepless nights. Hermione conjured a cup of chamomile and lavender tea and curled up into a chair. She looked at her arm and ran her fingers over her arm. When she replayed that scene over and over again she focused on Narcissa instead of the psychotic screams and cackling of her insane sister.

I begged for help. If this was the same woman, what had driven her to let this happen? It must have been my blood status.

With that conclusion she pulled the sleeve of her pajamas down further hiding the one thing that could possibly make Narcissa turn on her. Hermione breathed in the chilled air and then let the last remnants of summer evening blanket her and take her off into Morpheus's dominion.