Chapter Two
Dramatics
One must be fond of people and trust them if one is not to make a mess of life. - E.M. Forster
Severus stood in front of the Malfoy's humble manor, humble of course being fully sarcastic and completely false. Lucius would have a fit just to hear the word in the same sentence as his name. It was easy to see it didn't belong there, as Severus scanned the grounds, he'd seen a million times before.
Whereas some would find the vast somewhat exaggerated elegance of the grounds, with manicured lawn, exotic gardens, and grand fountains, and of course you couldn't forget the albino peacocks, in complete awe; Severus just sneered at it all. Coming to the end of the narrow drive to the grand door, he knocked to be answered by a house elf, Duddy or something Severus couldn't remember his name.
Following Duddy, or whatever his name was, into the large entrance hall, of course it was luxuriously furnished and then to the drawing room, where he was told to wait. Not bothering to sit knowing Lucius would make a grand entrance any moment. One would think since he spends many of his summers with the Malfoys' he'd be custom to their elaborate need to glamorize everything they owned. One would also think that if he disliked said glamorizing that he wouldn't visit. To such people, he would simply say it's none of their concern and to refrain from prying into his affairs.
He was invited so he came, he enjoyed the company of the Malfoys, and even if he sometimes wished they'd choke on the sliver spoon they were born with in their mouth. He was invited, like it said before, but he hadn't be completely forthcoming with information or the truth, when he told Albus that they knew of Hermione. He was here to discuss the situation with them, before Happy showed up with Hermione.
So he waited for the grand entrance of the Malfoys. The door swung open to reveal not Lucius but Narcissa, who was looking as elegant if not more than needed. Her tall slender body was incased in very fashionable classy robes black and blue in color, her long blonde hair pull up in a stylish neat bun. Her blue eyes scanned the room only to rest on his figure.
"Oh it's just you, Severus." Narcissa comment, quickly pulling out her wand, she waved it over her outfit, only for it to change.
"Glad to see you enjoy my presence Narcissa." Stated Severus in a somewhat bored tone, as he watched her once formal clothing transfigure into black pinstriped dress pants and a blue blouse, her once pull back hair now flowed down her neck to her mid back.
"Of course I am Severus; I just thought it was someone of higher importance," Haughtily stated Narcissa with smirk of amusement.
Severus sneered at her before speaking, "Where is your husband?"
"At the ministry, of course, you would know that if you looked at the time before arriving so promptly, usually we have to demand your presence." Narcissa said with a sarcastic know-it-all attitude. "He should be home soon." Narcissa finished looking at the time.
"Good I have much to discuss," calmly statement Severus taking a seat across from her, him too also looking at the time.
"How are things at Hogwarts, still scaring the children I hope;" Narcissa injected, attempting to fill the silence.
"The school, is a school, I do my best to keep the children in constant…. attention; the students become more incompetent each year," Severus calmly explained earning a polite laugh in return. "How is Draco?" He questioned in attempted to be social and in light curiosity, to his friend he hadn't seen in a year.
"Oh, fabulously, he's growing to look just like his father, which Lucius is quite proud of. He learned to read and write a bit and is quite popular with children his age. He wants a broom, Lucius was going to buy it but I don't think he should be on one at such a young age, he may get hurt. Lucius speaks of wanting to send him to Durmstrang, when he comes of age. I don't want to send him so far away from home." Narcissa happily chatted; even to Severus it was easy to see the maternal glow she got when she spoke of her child.
He wondered if this is what all mothers are like when speaking of their children, was Lily like this, and was Helena when she spoke of Hermione. It didn't really matter now he supposed pushing down the feelings and thoughts associated with them.
"Severus, let us move to the library to meet Lucius, he should arrive soon." Stated Narcissa stated gracefully leading the way, even though they both knew he did not need a lead. Upon reaching the library they were greeted with the house elf, again.
"Dobby, have tea and biscuits ready for us in the library," calmly ruled Narcissa of the elf. Dobby gave a bow and then he was gone.
Sitting in the library, they waited for Lucius grand entrance. They didn't wait long, with a flash of green flames; Lucius strolled out of the fireplace, quickly scanning the room's occupants, before vanishing his robe leaving him in his business like attire, he moved to Narcissa giving her a quick peck on the cheek; before becoming comfy on a nearby chair.
"Severus, my friend, what brings you here so early in the summer, we didn't expect you for another month or so." Reasoned Lucius who voice still attained its normal authority.
"I have much to discuss with you and Narcissa." Severus said giving nothing away.
"This sounds serious," calmly stated Narcissa with a small amused smile.
"Of course, Love it must be, life or death, to have him come to our home without us having to threaten him." Lucius reasoned siding with his wife.
Severus sneered at them, oh how they love to rub his nose in the fact he disliked being and in fact felt uncomfortable in their overly glamorous home. "Enough of your silly banter," Severus demanded only to receive a joyous giggle from Narcissa.
"Oh Severus we are just joshing you" Narcissa defended. "Quit pouting," she scowled him much like she would Draco.
"Woman, how dare you, I do not pout." Severus hissed to keep from yelling.
"Of course not Severus," Nacrissa cooed, earning a chuckle from Lucius.
"Please continue Severus, what is it you need to tell us." Lucius encouraged taking a slip of his tea.
"Yes," Severus was at a lost of words, how to explain this situation. He opened his mouth to speak to be interrupted by a small pop.
"Daddy," everyone looked in the direction of the voice.
"Lucius is there something you need to tell me." Hissed Narcissa
"Of course not, dear." Lucius coolly stated with a smile looking Narcissa with masked endearment.
Narcissa glared at him before turning her eyes back to the small girl to find her gone.
Quickly scanning the room, she was not prepared for what she seen, the little child was in Severus's lap seemly glowing with adoration happily chatting with him, if that wasn't enough of a complete shock, Severus seemed at ease if not completely content with her there, even his eyes looked softer when looking at the small girl. Looking to Lucius Narcissa could tell he was equally shocked if not more at the presence of the child and Severus reaction.
"Severus" Narcissa said finally finding her voice.
Severus coming out of a daze looked away from the child to Narcissa. "Daddy, it's Barbie" cheered the little girl, pointing to Narcissa. Both Malfoys were thrown into more confusion who was Barbie, they looked to Severus to see his confusion melt into understanding then complete amusement.
"Severus what is going on?" Lucius calmly demanded, tired of being in the dark.
Severus, resisting the urge to sigh, explained, "Lucius Narcissa, meet my daughter, Hermione." Severus stated in a blunt matter.
Lucius and Narcissa just stared, watching the small girl play with one of Severus many buttons.
"You're serious." Lucius said, finding this all hard to believe.
"Who's Barbie" Narcissa interrupting her husband, curiosity making her momentarily forget her shock.
"Oh yes, it's a doll she plays with quite constantly, the doll does look quite a bit like you." Severus calmly explained with a smirk of amusement.
Narcissa seemly accepted this explanation, "How do you know she's yours Severus, she looks nothing like you?" Lucius demanded sounding almost like a pouting child at having his question ignored over a doll.
"Not everyone's children can look like their polyjuiced copies," sneered Severus before continuing slightly calmer, "The ministry did a Blood Root Test, as did Madam Pomfrey, she looks like her mother." Severus finished in a light almost whisper.
Narcissa looked on in awe; Severus never looked so different for lack of better word.
They were interrupted yet again by a pop, this time it was a girl elf magically carrying bags.
"Happy is here, sir, with the bags, Happy sorry, little misses had to come early, Happy sorry, Headmaster Dumbledore, assign Happy as on call nanny to little misses, he feels Sir may need help." Happy explained all to Severus smiling to the still unnamed child.
Severus just nodded, "I'll call when you are needed." With that happy bow then disappeared.
"Mother," a shout came from beyond the doors, only for them to open to reveal three year old Lucius, well at least that what it looked like to Severus.
"Over here Draco, come say hello to your godfather." Narcissa said in motherly tone.
"Who's she?" Draco rudely demanded seeing the girl.
"You get your smooth way with words from your mother." Severus coolly retorted earning an amused smirk from Lucius and glares from both Draco Narcissa, though Draco was only glaring because his mother was.
"I'm Hermione," injected the little girl with a big smile jumping out of Severus's lap in front of Draco. "Who are you?" she questioned still with the same big smile.
"I'm Draco Malfoy," He said full of pride and arrogance that as a three year he couldn't completely understand.
"And you have your father's ego." Severus commented, earning a laugh from Narcissa and glare from Lucius.
"Draco dear why don't you take Hermione, upstairs and play," Narcissa offered, with a motherly smile.
"Mother, she's a girl." Draco whined, looking at Hermione has if she was a disease.
"I know Draco, but I'm sure she'd love to see how great your boy toys are." Narcissa explained, with a hint of motherly manipulation.
"Really?" Draco questioned happily, getting a nod from his mother, he quickly grabbed Hermione's hand dragging her out of the room telling her of all the great 'boy' toys he had.
Once Narcissa seen that they were out of sight and sound, she turned to Severus with an inquiring glare. "Explain, now." She demanded.
"She's my daughter; what more could you possibly need to know." Severus coolly stated.
"Well, for instance, who's her mother, and where is she," Narcissa stated in a tone that demanded an answer.
"Her mother and I had drunken affair three years ago, during a dark time in my life, which resulted in her being pregnant. I knew nothing of the child, or her mother until I was informed of her death, and my new guardianship of Hermione." Severus stated in a bored tone.
"So her mother is a….mudb"
"Squib actually Lucius," injected Severus.
"What was her name," Narcissa cut in trying to break some of the tension in the room.
"Helena Granger, Granger is the muggle name she adopted, after she integrated into the muggle-world. I don't know much more as of yet, Dumbledore is looking into getting me whatever information he can find on the woman, I doubt much will be found squibs aren't required to registered and he seems to think she was the last of her bloodline" replied Severus.
Both Malfoys' took a brief moment to consider, everything that had been said, they knew more than the most the words he said rung true, they had seen many old bloodlines, be destroy with the birth of a squib, whose only real choice was to be integrated into muggle society. Very few pureblood families were lucky to have many children, most could hope for two.
"How is she adjusting?" Narcissa asked her voice soft almost a whisper.
"She enjoys Hogwarts, has most of the teachers already wrapped around her finger, perfect little Slytherin already." Severus stated with an amused smirk which Lucius returned.
"I meant with everything she's been through." Narcissa stated in a haughty tone that said she was annoyed at him for his clueless-ness .
"She's fine," Severus snapped.
"How can she be fine she just lost her mother, and then she put with a stranger that she's never met?" Narcissa snapped back, her maternal feelings outraged at his seemingly uncaring attitude about this.
Severus glared at her, a look that would have scared his own students shitless, even some grown wizards, she returned it full force.
Severus let out a breathe in a hiss, "She knows her mother is dead but beyond that she has no reaction, she fully functional, she doesn't leech, she doesn't cry, it's as if her mother is just on holiday, even her mind seems to be empty of the very thought." Severus stated in cool calculated tone.
"Has she been obliviated?" Nacrissa questioned not believing it possible.
"Not that I have knowledge of, she still retains memories of her mother and her life with her." Severus stated very much wanting a drink.
"What if she turns out to be a squib too, what will you do with her then?" Lucius injected changing the subject with little thought.
"I don't know, all that is certain is that she's my daughter" Severus answered honestly, voice strained with stress.
Narcissa smiling slightly at Severus's words, before asking some nagging questions, "What are you going to do now? Who's going to watch her while you are teaching? Where are you staying?"
Severus resisted the urge to roll his eyes before answering "I'm taking a break from the school, and I'll stay at Spinner's End like every summer."
Oddly enough it was Lucius who responded, "No offense my friend but, Spinner's End is no place for child, it essentially no place for an adult either, why you haven't condemned that 'home' of yours, still surprises me." Lucius said in his normal haughty tone laced with superiority, which once again, Severus wished his friend would choke on his sliver spoon.
"You should stay with us," injected Narcissa, before continuing not allowing Severus to respond, "at least until you fix up Spinner's End for a child, plus it give Draco someone to play with, Hermione should be around children her own age," Narcissa reasoned with a manipulative tone.
"Do I actually have a choice, in this." Sneered Severus
"No" Narcissa stated with a smile.
"Dobby," Lucius paused to allow the elf to appear before ordering. "Put Severus and Hermione's bags in the west wing guest rooms.
Lucius and Severus, continued to chat, about Ministry polices and newest article of the Daily Prophet to even gossiping about new officials and other people period, Narcissa found them to be just like chatty old ladies. That thought brought a small smile to her face, but didn't fight her mounting boredom.
Hearing a squeal of laugher from the above rooms, she decided that she'd much more be up there. Looking once more to the chatty men, she calmly left the room; obviously there was more excitement upstairs.
Reaching Draco's playroom, she quietly opened the door to peek in; she was greeted with a very amusing site, one that would probably make Lucius choke on air. Here was her son, once the growing icon Malfoy masculinity and appearance, dressed in white lace apron, with massive hat of pink lace and silk flowers sitting at a small table apparently entertaining, several teddy bears and Hermione, who dressed similar fashion but in yellow, all while pouring tea, from a fine china tea set. Yes, Lucius would defiantly be choking.
She couldn't contain the full out giggle that escaping making her presence known the people in the room. Draco blushed in embarrassment, Hermione waved.
"Mother" whined Draco.
"Want to play," Hermione shyly provided with a happy smile.
Draco just looked at Hermione shocked mouth slightly open. "Oh that would lovely, but only if Draco wants to play with another girl." Narcissa responded with small smile.
"You're not a girl, you're ….my Mother." Draco huffed, looking slightly aggravated.
Narcissa gave a girlish giggle, before responding, "Draco, of course, you're right, I can't possibly be both."
Draco, seemly didn't catch the irony or understand it, seeing he just smiled and looked proudly to Hermione, you was looking at Narcissa with a three year version of a knowing smile.
"Since I'm not a girl I can join right, Draco." Narcissa questioned with a motherly smile with subtle hint of manipulation in her tone.
"I guess so." Draco stated, taking a slip of his tea.
Narcissa nodded, with a big smile, "Well I must change this is outfit for sure, isn't suited for such a grand tea party," Narcissa explained as she waved her wand and changed her outfit to a match theirs, in blue. She then sat in one of the now empty chairs; one of the teddy bears had been moved to make room.
They sat chatting, about the important subjects, like coloring, books, animals, toys and of course magic, and when they'd be able to do it. Narcissa took this time to ask questions to Hermione while, Draco interjected with the questions he thought really mattered.
"How old are you Hermione" Narcissa asked with a smile.
"Three" Hermione said with a happy smile
"Me too" Draco said proudly.
"What's your favorites color, mine's green and Mother's is blue." Draco asked proudly.
"I like them all." Hermione responded after a moment of thought.
"Pick the one you like the most." Draco stated almost as a demand.
"I like them all"
"Pick one" Draco demanded short tempered.
"Purple" yelled Hermione, all but glaring at Draco for yelling at her.
"That's a girly color."
"I'm a girl."
"Really" Draco mocked.
Hermione just put her nose in the air only before sticking her tongue out at him in the true three year fashion.
Draco of course outraged returned the gesture.
"Hermione dear what do you think of where you've been staying." Narcissa asked interrupting the fighting.
"It's really neat, everything is alive and Santa gives me candy, and I get to be with daddy" Hermione explain her face lighting up with happiness.
"Santa?" Narcissa questioned slightly confused.
"You met Santa!?" shouted Draco really excited.
"He bought me to my daddy." Hermione stated happily glowing in happiness.
Draco looked utterly amazed, even a bit envious.
Narcissa putting the dots together had to bite her tongue to keep the laugher that was fighting to be released.
"How do you like living with your father?" Narcissa questioned, curiosity getting the better of her.
"Its." Hermione began only to be interrupted.
"Woman what have you done to my SON!" Lucius yelled from the hall storming in looking torn between shock and anger and complete disbelief.
"Well Lucius you know I've always wanted a daughter," Narcissa, reasoned laughing loudly, eyes tearing up in amusement.
"This is completely unacceptable," Lucius ranted
"Oh Lucius it harmless fun," Narcissa supplied
"This is not harmless; you're going to turn my son into so fluttery pansy." Lucius raged, in completely scandalized.
Severus, who was watching from the doorway in complete amusement, came to realization this was one of the reason he came here. Many people would think him insane if he ever described his summers here. Those same people saw Lucius as a calm level-headed, self-righteous, impassive, manipulative, honorable man of the community whose family was close to royalty in the magical world. Very few knew Lucius like Severus, who'd known him since Hogwarts, even before Narcissa, Severus knew Lucius was very much a drama-queen, more so than Narcissa. There was always the advantage that, if Severus was a cruel man, he would have tons of blackmail, should dear friend Lucius ever cross him.
So the arguing continued……much to Severus enjoyment, Lucius continued to be more dramatic as it progressed if that's possible.
AN: Standard disclaimer applies! I apologize for the malfoys being OOC but I didn't want to make them evil, and I prefer them this way, for this story anyway. I grow tired of the abusive Lucius and the evil Narcissa fics, so I tried a different angle. Hmm is there anything else. I don't think so……. Thanks for the support,
Special thanks to
Readerforlife
RedsAttic:
ile noir
C.A.Q
notwritten
eac-dudette
Angelique Collins: Thanks for the support, sadly I know little about Terry Boot, I'll look it up see if I can pull it off. I prefer to write a pairing that isn't over used like Hermione/Draco, Hermione/Harry etc., plus I love crack pairings. –smiles-
MoreThenMyself: Me too I'm surpise this isn't a bigger thing, it could be that SS/HG is a semi popular pairing.
URNAMEGOESHEREI'm not sure about the Blaise/Hermione pairing, maybe a friendship could be possible .
Dreamette: Thanks for the super long review, I love those! Thanks for the support. Hope this chapter helps a little with the confusion. Still has some plot holes, I need to fill, need to get a beta. –smiles-
Blackangle2011: I'll try, though I not very good at that.
classygyrl
minerdude
kymie29
jessirose85: I love your pairing ideas, and I think it a possible though I know little to nothing aboutMarcus Flint, Theo Nott, Terry Higgs or Adrian Pucey, I'll look up more, know any good sites let me know.
Thanks to all readers and people who added me favorites/alerts, ya'll rock!