I do not claim to own anything in this wonderful Harry Potter universe that JK Rowling blessed us with. I write for fun, I hope you enjoy.

Chapter 2

Trigger - Brief talk of rape

At 5:30pm Hermione decided to go to the loo to freshen up. She cast a quick charm to fix her hair and another to touch up her barely there make up. Ensuring that the outfit she had chosen that morning was wrinkle free she went back to her office.

She was a bundle of nerves, not knowing what the meeting had in store for her, and also because she hadn't even the slightest idea of who she was meeting. Gathering her things she went to the main lobby of the Ministry and exited into muggle London.

Slipping into a back alley so no one would see her, she pulled the beautiful white peacock feather from her pocket that acted as a portkey. She looked at her watch to see that she had two minutes before it activated, which gave her time to gather herself.

A quick pep talk and a few deep breaths later, and Hermione found herself standing outside of an abandoned looking building in a part of London in which she had never been. Taking a look at the building she realized there must be muggle repelling charms in place to keep the location hidden. She still wasn't even sure where she was, but she walked forward anyway. As she did she noticed a door ajar and went ahead and pushed it open, a small gasp escaping her lips as she did so.

Looking around she realized she was in the fanciest restaurant she had ever stepped foot. The cathedral ceilings had the most beautiful chandeliers hanging from them, clearing made of crystals, and the nearly floor to ceiling windows were covered in flowing silver curtains. If the decor of the restaurant wasn't enough to show how upscale the restaurant was, then he people dining there were. Suddenly, she was very relieved that she decided to wear her nicest outfit; a black dress with a princess scoop neckline, knee length, with a belt bringing in the waist. She wore modest heels that she charmed for comfort.

Without knowing who she was meeting she didn't know where to go, so she approached the host waiting near the front.

"Hello, I'm meeting someone but I'm not sure where they are. Do you think.." She started, but before she could finish her question the host cut her off with a smile.

"Ah yes, I was expecting you. Please follow me, Miss Granger. I will show you to your table." The host replied.

As she followed along, she realized they were walking toward the back of the restaurant. When they reached a hallway, the host directed her toward a door. "Enjoy your dinner, Miss." Before Hermione could respond the host had disappeared.

With a calming breath Hermione stepped inside the room, completely thrown off by who was there awaiting her arrival.

"Ah, Hermione. I had hoped you would come, but I thought maybe you wouldn't. I am, however, so glad you did." The smile on her face reflected her sincerity and Hermione couldn't help but to step forward and respond in kind.

"Hello, Mrs. Malfoy, I had no idea the letter was from you, and if I'm being honest, I'm rather intrigued now, even more so than I already was." Returning Mrs. Malfoy's smile Hermione stepped closer and they took their seats.

"Please Hermione, after today I feel such formalities won't be necessary, call me Narcissa." Reaching for her glass of wine she smiled at Hermione, showing her beautifully straight white teeth.

With a slight frown, Hermione couldn't help but wonder what Narcissa was going on about. "What do you mean Mrs. Mal.. Er.. Narcissa? What is going to happen today that changes so much between us? We haven't exactly had the best encounters and the history I have with your family isn't one I'd like to reflect on."

Narcissa looked down at the table, a brief hint of shame covering her features before she returned her gaze to Hermione. "I do want to apologize for everything that has happened. During the war we were not exactly good people. We did the things we did out of self-preservation, our Slytherin traits are strong in our family. However, what happened to you in my home was unforgivable and not stopping it is truly one of my biggest regrets. I do hope you find it in yourself to forgive us, and trust me when I say I'm glad my sister is dead. She made many suffer, even her own blood, so she's better off gone."

Hermione's jaw dropped, she couldn't believe Narcissa Malfoy had just apologized to her for what happened, and even admitted she was regretful for not stopping her sister. "I wasn't prepared to hear that today Narcissa. In actuality, I wasn't expecting you to be the one I was secretly meeting today, so I certainly wasn't expecting an apology. I can't necessarily hold you accountable for someone else's actions though, can I? I can't forgive you for what Bellatrix did, but since you hold such deep regret, I will forgive you for not helping me. Although, I do understand why you couldn't."

Narcissa released a breath she didn't even realize she had been holding, and Hermione could visibly see the woman in front of her relax. "Thank you Hermione, your forgiveness will make what I have to say today so much easier. I do hope you'll hear me out, and that you won't leave before I can finish." Narcissa said.

Hermione, continually shocked by her evening only looked at Narcissa, waiting for her to continue. Before anything more was said a waiter approached. Hermione hadn't even looked at her menu, and quickly glancing at it decided on duck breast with gooseberry sauce while Narcissa ordered the poached salmon with dill cream sauce.

Handing her menu to the waiter, Hermione looked at Narcissa, and asked, "What could you possibly have to say to me that would have me running out on you?" Saying she was nervous was an understatement, as she was holding her hands together under the table to keep from shaking.

Narcissa watched Hermione carefully for a moment, and then reached for her wine glass again, taking a drink. "Please Hermione, have some wine. I think it will help calm both of our nerves right now."

It shocked Hermione that she was confessing to being nervous, when Narcissa was the definition of put together. So to make them both feel better, she picked up her wine glass and took a drink.

After a moment, Narcissa spoke. "I'm sick Hermione, dying actually. There's no easy way to say it, so I thought I would just come right out with it. No one knows except my healer and myself, and now you as well. My husband doesn't even know, and for the time being I would like to keep it that way."

Thinking she couldn't possibly be shocked anymore today, Hermione picked up her wine glass and in a very un-lady like manner, finished off her wine. She didn't know what had Narcissa telling her this, of all people. "Why would you come to me about this? I don't understand, we weren't close, we weren't even friends."

Sighing Narcissa said, "I know, but I've put much thought into this. I watched your actions throughout the war, I know the type of person you are. You work at the Ministry, you can't possibly be happy there. I found out nearly a year ago about my unfortunate circumstances, so I, of course, have been keeping an eye on you."

Taken aback, Hermione immediately felt her anger boiling over at the confession Narcissa had just made. "You've been watching me? What do you mean you've been watching me! How dare you!"

Hermione reached for her bag and cloak, but Narcissa gently grabbed her wrist. "Please, wait. I have more to tell you. Please don't leave yet. It isn't what you think."

Taking a deep breath, Hermione replaced her things in the chair next to her, and reclaimed her seat. "Okay then, explain. I'm listening. For now."

With a small, sad smile Narcissa continued. "I just wanted to see how you were doing, how life was for you. I wanted to be sure that I had made the right decision before I jumped in and told you." She retrieved her glass of wine again.

"Told me what, Narcissa? You just told me you were dying, but I still do not see how that relates to me. You also told me you've basically been stalking me, and I don't know how I should feel about that. You aren't making any sense. Stop dragging this out and tell me!" Hermione all but screamed, trying to maintain some semblance of her calm demeanor.

"Let me start from the beginning, Hermione. My house has been full of dark magic for a very long time. I was tortured many times by death eaters in and out of my home, and even by the hand of my awful sister. I didn't escape unscathed. I started showing symptoms a little over a year ago and a few months later I was told the effects of the dark magic combined with the torture I sustained had taken a toll on me. My healer told me that, inevitably, I was going to die. You see, I was tortured more than others for being Lucius' wife, Draco's mother, and the woman of my home. Any mistakes made, were taken out on me. I was punished to show an example to others and to make my husband and son pay for their shortcomings. Then there was Bellatrix, who enjoyed practicing on me but also enjoyed torturing me because she was jealous of the life I lived. My family may have been on the side of the dark, but we still went through hell. So you see, I needed to know that you were strong, that you were confident and sure of yourself also."

At this declaration, Hermione could only stare at Narcissa. Finally remembering her words, she said, "I had no idea you went through that Narcissa. That's awful, I'm so sorry. But I still don't understand what this has to do with me. Wait, you said you needed to know that I was strong and confident? Why?"

Responding, Narcissa said, "Just to make sure I had made the correct decision in choosing you. We will get there, but please tell me more about your self. I know you are engaged. Are you happy?"

"Not at all. I don't think either of us have been happy in a very long time. Maybe he is a little more happy than I am, but its more comfort than anything. I work and take care of him and he's able to stay home. We constantly fight, usually because I stay at work late, and Ron is apparently incapable of making dinner. I just haven't left, it's been easier to stay."

Narcissa gave a knowing nod. Inclining her head, she said, "What if you had a way out? What if I told you it was all too easy, and you could leave him tomorrow if you were to choose to do so?"

"I don't think it's that easy, Narcissa. Where would I go? As embarrassing as this is to admit to you, I don't exactly have the money saved in order to leave. We went through the money we received from the Ministry for helping with the war due to Ron not working."

Narcissa was visibly angry over hearing what Hermione had to say. "You mean to tell me, he was perfectly fine with you spending your money so he could sit at home, doing nothing? He is perfectly fine with you working so hard every day to keep your apartment and is only bothered when he is hungry? What a ridiculous excuse for a man, and a pureblood one at that! Shameful!"

Narcissa could see the shame that crossed Hermione's face. Softening her expression, she took Hermione's hand, saying, "Hermione dear, do not feel shame for what you have done. You are not responsible for his behavior. Sometimes we get so caught in our comfort zones, we don't realize how bad it is for us until someone else shows us."

"Thank you, Narcissa." Hermione said, as a single tear slid down her cheek. "It's been so hard, and you know, he won't even marry me because I wasn't "pure" when made it official? I'm not sure if you know, but I was raped after Bellatrix tortured me. She gave me over to two death eaters, and only one managed to rape me before I was rescued, but it was brutal. So because of that, he won't marry me. Yet, he had sex with Lavender Brown at Hogwarts and it's perfectly fine. So we're stuck where we are. Even his mother holds it against me."

At this point, Narcissa stood, pulling Hermione into a hug. "You poor girl, I am so sorry. I had no idea. I would offer to curse him for you, but I think my offer will be much better. Although, I still might consider cursing him at a later date."

With a small smile, Hermione stepped away from Narcissa, wiping her cheeks in the process. "Your offer? What offer do you have?"

Narcissa sat back down, taking another drink, and spoke. "Move into my home, Hermione. Take my place in Malfoy Manor. I will die soon, and they need someone." She was glad they had finished their meal already with the look on Hermione's face.

Hermione nearly fell out of her chair. "You.. you want me to do what? I.. I just don't think I can do that!"

So there's chapter 2. I hope you guys like it. I know chapter 1 was relatively short, hopefully this one makes up for that.

I wonder what Hermione will say !

Please leave reviews. This is my first FF so be kind ! lol