Hi guys! For anyone who has read my Fairy Tail fanfics this is a real shock that I updated so soon. I could get used to all the reviews I'm getting! I've never gotten so many at one time before! Thank you! I hope that this chapter will clear anything up for anyone who got a bit confused ... I'll be introducing Draco into the next chapter, so look forward to it!
Disclaimer: rettoP yrraH nwo ton od I (mirror of Erised)
Hermione instinctively whipped her wand out of her pocket and pointed it at the tall wizard.
"PUT THE WAND DOWN!" She shouted, her jaw was set and her eyes switching between the two purebloods alternatively. Mr. Malfoy actually looked shocked for once and pulled his hand from his pocket, bringing out a small pouch with it.
"Now, now Miss Granger! I was only bringing out this bag! There is no need whatsoever to be so jumpy, now could you please put your wand away?"
Hermione scoffed, not lowering her wand an inch, "'No need whatsoever' indeed, have you forgotten what all of us have gone through? I think there is plenty of reason for me to be cautious around people, you especially. For all I knew, you could have been pulling out your wand to curse me! And, after you made such a statement what was I to expect?"
Lucius looked like he was about to retort when his wife gently put a hand on his shoulder, silencing him. "Miss Granger, I apologize for my husband's straightforward demeanor, this is how it always is with him. And, if it makes you feel better, he always keeps his wand in his right back pocket."
Hermione's eye twitched and she smiled slightly, "You should never keep your wand in your back pocket. Are you trying to lose a buttocks?" The Malfoys looked at each other with shocked and puzzled expressions.
"Excuse us?"
Hermione blushed, remembering to whom she was speaking. "Erm ... nothing ..." She finally lowered her wand, but kept it at her side. "Returning to the reason you two are here in the first place, what made you think that I would help you anyway?" Lucius threw the pouch onto the floor; Hermione heard many coins clattering against each other. She immediately recognized an undetectable extension charm.
"We intend to pay you for your services of course, Miss Granger. That purse holds exactly five-hundred galleons. Hermione nearly dropped her wand and her previously set jaw fell open.
"Fi-five hundred!?" Think of all the books I could buy! A voice in her head said excitedly. But she shook her head to silence the voice and glared at the older man. "I may not be rich like your family, Mr. Malfoy. But I'm not so poor that I could be tempted with such money." He raised his eyebrows in surprise and sneered, but he made no movement to retrieve the pouch. Mrs. Malfoy sighed and gave Hermione a defeated look,
"Please Miss Granger! You are our last hope in earning Draco's forgiveness! And ... If it wasn't for me none of us would even be here right now! I was the one who lied to the Dark Lord. I risked my own life to save Harry Potter's!" Hermione was taken aback by the statement. She knew it was true and that, in fact when one thought about it, the whole wizarding world was saved by Narcissa Malfoy. "I only ask for this one thing!" She continued, "I never asked for Harry Potter to stand up for me and Draco during my trail with the Wizgamot! He vouched for us of his own free will. Given, he didn't know that my husband would be freed as well after only a few years in Azkaban, but I would think that you could repay me this way!
Hermione groaned and absently scratched Crookshank's head, who had padded over at some point. "Fine." She grumbled, "I'll help you. But only because you saved Harry." Mrs. Malfoy clapped her hands together and smiled, her perfect teeth shining brightly.
"Oh thank you Miss Granger, Thank you!"
Hermione nodded and bent to pick up the purse of galleons. "Here you are Mr. Malfoy.", She said handing the pouch back to him.
"What do you mean? It's yours now."
Hermione's eyes widened, "But I refused it earlier!"
"But you agreed to help us so it is now yours. I'm not about to take it back, I would hate to feel indebted to a muggleborn." He looked pointedly at her, his eyes seemed to scream that she was not to argue.
"Um ... Alright then." She tossed the purse onto her table. "Erm, when do you want me to start helping?"
Narcissa looked at her with tears in her eyes. "Tomorrow morning would be lovely, you can apparate outside the main gate and walk in, the wards will be expecting you." And with a large smile she disapparated, her husband gave a brief nod and followed suit. Hermione plucked Crookshanks from the ground and snuggled her face into his neck.
"Me and my bloody sympathetic heart. Oh, Crookshanks, what have I gotten myself into?"
I think I'll post the next chapter in another two or three days. I'm trying to find a constant updating time that I will be able to maintain.
Reviews are always welcomed! Any questions may be asked in the form of reviews as well, I will reply in a PM.
If you got my Mad Eye Moody reference you are officially awesome.
