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"Mistress, it is time to awaken. Breakfast is being prepared, yous must shower and get ready for your day out." Lissie woke Hermione softly with a hot cup of tea. "Two sugars, cream. Come up Mistress." Hermione instinctively reached for the cup, and drank slowly. Silently, she undressed from her pajamas, and started for the bathroom, only to have to walk through two drafty and unfocused rooms naked until she found it.
The lavish tub was big enough to swim in, and the shower could fit at least 5 people comfortably, with a bench to sit on. She opened the closet door to find that it was a walk in attached to her bedroom, and four whole shelves consisted of newly laundered towels, while the next two shelves had newly stocked shampoo, conditioner, and several different body washes from the Malfoy Apothecary. She grabbed two towels, and the toiletries she needed, and went back into the bathroom. She ran the shower water, placing the towels on the dry rack, and the other items on the bench.
Turning to the mirror, she brushed her hair out. The brush never once snagged on a bad tangle, and she realized it was magicked to go through easy. She noted a bottle of Sleekeazy's on the vanity counter before she stepped into the shower. She hummed to herself as she cleaned her hair and body, then sat on the bench, allowing the water to wash over her for a few more minutes. She drained her hair out, and turned the shower off, then placed a towel around her hair and then her body.
She towel dried her hair as well as she could, then added a considerate amount of Sleekeazy's. She cast a quick blow drying spell, and was thoroughly pleased to see her curls tamed and bouncy. She magicked it into a slicked back ponytail, and smiled. She sat at the vanity, and found some cosmetics placed neatly in the top drawer for her use. She applied concealer, foundation, finishing powder, eyeliner, eye shadow, mascara, and lipstick, and found herself to look completely different from the Hermione who entered the Manor.
Returning to the closet, she dressed herself in black denim jeans, a pearl pink t-shirt, and her best pair of flats. She knew she looked muggle, but it was her best outfit that she thought of. But she knew that Narcissa would be replacing her wardrobe, anyways, and let Lissie lead her to the same room from dinner.
"Oh my." Lucius grinned as he looked up. Narcissa turned in her seat, a smile playing on her lips.
"You did your make up by hand, my dear girl. I'll teach you a spell tomorrow for it. Otherwise, you look quite lovely, doesn't she, Draco?" Narcissa asked softly. Draco looked up, annoyance one his face.
"Like the Mudblood she is." He grunted and stared at the empty plates. Hermione sat next to Narcissa and her cup was filled with Tea once more. Two sunny side up eggs, three slices of bacon, two sausages, a helping of hash, and a helping of toad-in-the-hole appeared on her plate.
"Oh this looks great. I assume we're going to Diagon Alley." Hermione said as she started eating.
"Noooo. We're heading to Paris' Couture Alley, located in their version of Diagon Alley, Witches Way. You'll love it." Narcissa was smiling ear to ear. "Gringotts here, first, though. You have to accept your responsibility as the Black Heiress, which opens the vaults for you. In doing such, you now use the name Hermione Black."
"I'll have to change my name?" Hermione whimpered, then shook her head. She could always change it back. For now, she had to better the Malfoys. "Alright."
"Once you're settled, we'll go over our monthly meal plans. For instance, one month we may do only Italian Cuisine, the next, a new cuisine every day." Narcissa was explaining. Am I running the house, Hermione thought, but kept smiling. "We'll have to add your birthdate to the calendar to celebrate."
"September 19." Hermione replied after cleaning her plate. Lucius' head jerked up.
"Mine too!" Lucius laughed. "What a small world."
"Oh indeed. We'll have to throw a ball!" Narcissa lighted up with glee. Hermione could tell Parties were here hobby.
"If you wanted a pet, mother, my bitch is in heat." Draco hissed as he, too, finished his breakfast.
"Enough is enough. Draco Lucius Malfoy. Hermione saved our lives. She's right, they would have killed us in our sleep at the Reformatory. I have the letters to prove it." Lucius hissed, grabbing Draco by the ear. "You're an ungrateful brat, and I realize it's my fault. This woman saw the good in you, in all of us. Give her a damned chance you ingrate."
"Yes father." Draco winced.
"Now, dear, are you ready to apparate? From Diagon Alley, we'll Portkey to the safe spot just outside Witches Way." Narcissa stood, and the rest followed suit. Narcissa handed her a silky blue robe, and they dressed for a trip out.
Outside in the court yard, she nodded, and Hermione disapparated to Diagon Alley, and was honestly surprised to see all three Malfoys waiting for her. She dusted off quickly, and quietly followed behind as they walked in silence to Gringotts. A few people stared and whispered as they passed, but the three in front of her acted as if they hadn't heard.
Once in Gringotts, Lucius spoke to one of the Goblins, and we were ushered to a private office. The Goblin explained all that she was now entitled to, and she signed several binding documents, and became Hermione Black, Heiress Black. She was surprised of the amount in the vault that would be all hers someday. Over 300 billion galleons, and the fear of being tricked rose with each step away from Gringotts. She shook the thought as Lucius held out a portkey, and they departed.
Witches Way was huge, and full of people. It reminded Hermione of a mall she'd seen on a trip to America once. Although each store had a real door that closed to the interior of the huge building. The center of the building was octagonal in shape, with a huge courtyard in the exact middle. Each side lead to a long corridor, each phrased as an Alley, and it hadn't taken long to find the Couture Alley.
The stores were twice as big as most in Diagon Alley, and had two floors. The men's stores were clearly marked, as were the women's, and when they stepped into the first women's store, aptly named Vetement de Nuit, there was a waiting room for the men to sit in. Narcissa ushered Hermione inside the main room.
"Ah! Madame Malfoy, donc merveilleux de vous voir!" An older witch bobbed before us.
"Indeed, Madame LeBeuax, could you please have an English speaking assistant help Heiress Black with her undergarment choice while you help me?" Narcissa was all honey. Mrs. LeBeaux turned quickly on her heel, and walked all but two feet away.
"Mademoiselle Kit, une dame anglaise ici pour assistance." LeBeaux called through a curtain. A second later, a young redhead appeared to glide into the room. If Hermione hadn't known better, she would swear it was Ginny in front of her.
"Miss, if you'd follow me." The one called Kit extended her arm towards another room. Hermione nodded, and walked silently to the room. "Now, we'll need to take measurements, and then start on your pickings." Kit waved her wand, and a tape measure started measuring Hermione. "My name is Kitten Weasley, and yours, Miss?"
"Hermione Grahh… Hermione Black. I think I went to school with a cousin of yours, a few, actually." Hermione smiled. Perhaps she could make a new friend?
"Ginevra, Ronald, Fred, the whole lot, I'm sure." The look on Kit's face showed her displeasure. Then it dawned on Kit. "You're Hermione Granger! You went against Potter and Ron, and you saved the Malfoys. It's lovely to meet someone who knows the need to save the old blood."
Hermione sighed inside. Kit was a Pureblood Supremacist. No matter, kill them with kindness, Hermione thought as the last measurement was taken.
"I am now Hermione Black, Heiress Black, Pureblood Heir to Madame Malfoy." Hermione replied kindly. Fear rippled across Kit's face.
"I meant no offense, Heiress Black. In fact, I was going to offer a 30% discount." Kit insisted.
"30%?"
"40%! 40% for the new Heiress." Kit was talking fast as she ushered Hermione to the next room. Hermione was startled to find that it was stocked with the most enticing lingerie, bustiere, and different kind of panties, including thongs, boyshorts, and briefs. "What we do, is you pick a garment, we write down the code on the tag, we finish your order, and we produce it. Then we send it to you by the end of the week, even if it's a large order."
"I… What does a proper Witch wear? Narcissa wants me to dress like a proper, respectable witch. And some of these items I can get at a normal store." Hermione stammered a little.
"These are all enchanted to fit your body. You want it to shimmer? There is a small spellbook included with your first purchase that tells you all the spells to change the color and make it shimmer or glow. However, it won't change fabric type. For instance, silk stays silk, and fur stays fur." Kit was relaxing now that didn't think Hermione was angry. She grabbed a pair of pink silk briefs close by, muttered a spell, and turned it into a glowing pair of green briefs. "Voila."
"I want one of each kind of panty. I'd like seven push-up demi-cupped bras." Hermione smiled, looking around the room.
"And you'll need a few bustiere for the major occasions. I also suggest at least one of each of our lingerie, like this teddy. And perhaps a few night gowns, a negligee, even a slip or two." Kit smiled.
"She needs two of each kind, of everything." Narcissa replied from the doorway.
"Right away Madame Malfoy, Heiress Black. Your order will be delivered Monday by 6 am." Kit curtsied as Hermione and Narcissa exited to pay Mrs. LeBeaux.
"Both orders paid by the Malfoy vault." Narcissa called to Mrs. LeBeaux who was writing Narcissa's order down still. The older woman curtsied, and went back to writing. Lucius and Draco were talking hushed in the waiting room. "Hermione didn't order nearly enough. So I doubled it. We'll work on pureblood etiquette, you see, when you order undergarments, always order at least double, or they'll rumor you're a pauper."
"Yes, Mrs. Malfoy." Hermione mumbled.
"Narcissa, dear. Just Narcissa." Narcissa grabbed Hermione's hand and the walked to the men's undergarments next door. This time, it was Hermione and Narcissa's turn to wait on the boys. "You really think there is hope for my son?"
"I think there is still hope for even you and Lucius. I read the documents, Narcissa. I understood them. I thought once I gave you the ok, and told the court you were rehabilitated, you'd throw me out." Hermione started. The only reaction from Narcissa was a lift of her perfect eyebrow. "You feel horrible for what you allowed Bellatrix to do in fear in your home. I do not, nor cannot, blame you. You saved Harry, Narcissa. In that act alone, you proved you were at least worth saving. Draco saved Harry, the day this happened, by lying. He knew it was Harry the moment he recognized me. He proved he was worth saving. And look at Lucius. He hasn't called me Mudblood once."
"Something my son loves to do, apparently." Narcissa said as she scanned Hermione's face.
"He emulates his father. He begs his father's acceptance. He wants his father to be proud of him. So we need Lucius to give praise when Draco does well." Hermione had already formulated it all in her mind. Draco starts to do something bad, like at breakfast this morning, Lucius admonishes him. Draco does something good, Lucius tells him he is proud of him, simple. "For Draco, it will be a rough year, or two, or however long it takes. I don't plan on giving up on any of you, especially since I am legally bound family now."
"Brightest witch I've ever met." Narcissa said as she softly caressed Hermione's cheek. "Perhaps we could practice magic together. I am an unregistered Animagus, and I would love to teach you."
"Alright, Narcissa." Hermione smiled brighter. Lucius and Draco grumpily stalked out of the room. "Everything alright?"
"Yea, we're done." Draco mumbled. It had shocked all three of the others that he hadn't been rude or insulted Hermione, and perhaps, it shocked Draco himself as he held the door open for everyone to exit. The next store was simple in the fact that it had both men's and women's fashion divided by a divider.
"Mistress Malfoy, Heiress Black, welcome to Mode Ageless. I will assist Mistress Malfoy, and Mademoiselle Lucrezia will assist Heiress Black." Hermione could tell everyone knew Narcissa, and LeBaux and Kit had forwarded Hermione's name to the other shops so there wasn't another Kit fiasco. Lucrezia lead Hermione to another measuring room, but these measurements were for arm length, height, and length for what Hermione assumed would be robes.
"Hm. To make your eyes stand out we'll use some pastels, I think." Lucrezia started writing down notes that Hermione didn't bother to read. Hermione could only recall a few pastel robes she'd seen before. "As with LeBeaux's, you'll receive a spellbook that not only explains how to transform the dresses, but when, where, and how to wear them."
"Dresses? Not robes?" Hermione's eyes had widened. She would have to wear them to the formal occasions, now, wouldn't she?
"Pay it no mind, my dear. You'll look stunning." Lucrezia said as she removed Hermione's traveling robe completely. "You've hidden your body in this muggle wear. You could pull off every dress we put on you, my dear. Now, you'll wait at least a ball gown, an A-line, an empire waist, and a tea dress."
"I'll take three of all of your dresses." Hermione was remembering what Narcissa had said. Hermione also hadn't realized there were well over 50 styles stocked, but in the end, Narcissa didn't mind.
"Each dress has either a wrap or a jacket with it, so you'll not need to go elsewhere for that. There are also gloves and stockings over here."
"I'll need two pairs of each of them." Hermione was finally enjoying herself when Narcissa came in.
"Off to the next shop." Narcissa said as she once again took Hermione's hand and almost pulled her along, barely giving Hermione enough time to slip the robe back on.
"I order three of each dress." Hermione said, her head held high.
"I see you're beginning to understand. The next store, though, is for the men's eyes only. We will see and hear nothing. There will not even be a hint to know what they are picking." Narcissa' eyes shone wildly. It only made Hermione even more curious, as she was sure they'd spent a few thousand galleon already. Lucius and Draco came back out, and they once again departed. "This is the last store we're visiting, however, you are receiving two of everything from the other stores as well, as they needed to size us at the first two stores."
The last store was accessories and shoes. This time, it was several big rooms, and they went in as a whole group. Lucius took charge of ordering for Draco as he was sized while Narcissa took over for Hermione. In the end, Hermione found out she would have well over a hundred pairs of shoes, new clutch pocket books, several kinds of hats, and dainty socks.
"Now, we're off to a Lunch reservation with some friends." Narcissa whispered confidently to Hermione. It made her nervous as she wasn't sure which families were in the Reformatory, who was still on the run, and who was actually a respectable family. The Host escorted them through Jardin de la Sorcière to a private room, and Hermione was in for a true shock at who was there. Theodore Nott, and his father, Blaise Zabini, and his mother, Astoria and Daphne Greengrass, and their parents, and a few others she had never met.
"May I have the pleasure to introduce Heiress Black, Hermione Black?" Lucius smiled as he removed her robe, and gently pushed her forward. "I believe you've met Theodore, Blaise, Astoria, and Daphne, perhaps you would like to move the younger crowd to that table there." He suggested to Hermione, and she lead Draco, his friends, and the two young adults she didn't know to the aforementioned table where Draco took the Head and Hermione sat opposite.
"My word, Granger, I hadn't even recognized you." Daphne said in a soft voice. She turned to the girl that Hermione didn't know. She was around her own height, with flowing blonde hair, and sky blue eyes. "This is Anastasia Ublakov, from Durmstrang." And then the male. He was around Draco's height, with shoulder length black hair, and emerald green eyes. "And this Vincenzi de' Medici, of the famous de' Medici, also from Durmstrang."
"It's lovely to meet you both." Hermione bowed her head to each.
"I vould love an invite to ze coming out gala." Anastasia smiled at Hermione.
"As would I, Principessa." Vincenzi held his hand out to Hermione. She went to shake it, only to be surprised by him lifting her hand to his lips to give a soft but lingering kiss.
"No gala yet." Draco barked from his seat. Hermione hadn't realized he had seen the whole thing.
"No matter, when Narcissa plans it, I will let her know." Hermione told the two as menus appeared before them. Hermione had started looking at the drinks as a small House Elf appeared.
"For the table, a bottle of Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Grand Cru and a bottle of Domaine Leflaive Montrachet Grand Cru. For myself, I'll have a Firewhiskey Sour. The Lady across from me will have a Cotton Dragon Martini." Draco's eyes dared her to challenge him as the elf moved on to the others at the table. Hermione let him have this one victory as the elf disappeared and she went back to the menu. She realized that she would be expected to pick an appetizer, entrée, and desert. When the elf returned, he took everyone's orders first, and went to Hermione last.
"Pour mon apéritif, aïoli avec les jeunes legumes. Pour mon entrée, Paves du Mail et Bistro Pommes Frites. Pour mon dessert, Fiadone, Crepes Suzette, et crème brûlée." Hermione spoke as she put her menu down. Once the elf was gone there was a stunned silence.
"Like a true pureblood." Miss Zabini called out. There was a murmur of agreement. "May all the other young ladies take note if they want to marry a Pureblood?"
"Apparently we're supposed to eat as much as we can when we come of age." Astoria rolled her eyes.
"You missed the point, Tory. She ordered in French, fluently." Daphne hissed at her younger sister. Draco's eyes bore into her, causing Hermione to blush.
"Tis pleasing to see a Lady with an appetite." Vincenzi cooed in her direction loud enough for the table to hear, only causing Hermione to turn redder. Vincenzi turned to Blaise and Draco and joined in their conversation while the other three girls were animatedly talking. She sat in silence, her mind making mental notes. The adults had accepted her thanks to Narcissa, but her peers seemed less interested. Yet her thoughts were interrupted as their appetizers appeared on their plates and the two wine glasses were only partially filled with the red and white wines. Her vegetables has a sauce on it, and she was in love with the first bite. "As a Medici wife, she'd have whatever she wanted."
"If she were even interested in you. Hermione surely has a more robust taste." Blaise retorted. Hermione smiled and tried to refocus on her food.
"She shops like a typical Pureblood. She eats like a typical Pureblood. She belongs with a Sacred Twenty-Eight member." Draco responded, and ended the topic. As she finished her plate, she couldn't help but think that all three boys were interested. She had finished both flutes of wine before the entrée appeared, and immediately regretted it.
"Think she wants Draco?" Astoria wasn't very good at whispering.
"You're not even contracted, so it doesn't matter." Daphne hissed back.
"Perhaps she likes ladies?" Anastasia pointed out. Hermione was open to experimenting, but liking Draco? The thought turned her stomach. Or were those butterfly flutters? No, couldn't be.
"Narcissa, love, I'd like to extend an invitation to your family to stay a week at our Villa." Mistress de Medici said over the room. There were no rules in the court's guidelines against it, so if the Malfoy's wanted to, Hermione would follow.
"Have the olives come?" Narcissa smiled, a true deep smile.
"Everything has bloomed early." The other women replied.
"Then the four of us would gladly accept your invitation." It was a joyous smile that spread even wider across the woman's face, and this time, there were butterflies in her stomach. The entrée appeared, and her flutes were filled once more.
"Love a woman that likes steak." It was Blaise's turn to make her blush as she divided her mustard sauce covered steak, spear a French fry on to the fork with the steak, and took a bite. Her mouth was salivating from the pure ecstasy of the food.
"Next time, Blaise, order it." Hermione retorted over the table to him. Vincenzi made a low whistle, Draco turned red, and the girls resumed their whispers, and she ignored it as she ate. As she finished her plate, and her wine, again, she noticed that the "adults" each had cigars in their hand. The women had dainty pink ones, while the men had the normal robust ones. "I hadn't been aware Wizards smoked tobacco."
"It's not that muggle bullshit. It's a blend of Gar, Vit, and Salm. You're not allowed one until after you're coming out." Daphne explained quickly as the desserts and drinks arrived. Hermione stared at the drink Draco ordered for her. It was a cotton candy martini! There was no way Draco could have known about her secret love for cotton candy. Yet she slowly drank it as she ate her dessert, and hadn't realized that the drink never seemed to get empty, even after she finished her desserts. Yet she kept drinking, and was thoroughly smashed by it was time to leave. The girls each gave her a hug, and a kiss on the cheek, and the room emptied out as her vision blurred.
"Draco, dearest, what did you give her?" Narcissa hissed as she helped Hermione put the robe on. There would be no portkey or apparition with Hermione in this state so Lucius had ordered a carriage.
"Cotton Dragon Martini. I hadn't realized it was never ending. I just knew she liked the flossy thing." He replied innocently as he supported her out the door.
"If I didn't know any better, I'd think you liked her." Narcissa had stopped for a second.
"I'm glad you don't think." Came his short reply as Lucius' carriage pulled up. The two men carried her into the carriage, and laid her in the large chair. Draco sat across from her as his parents sat in the farthest seats from the two.
"What did he pick?" Narcissa was curious.
"What didn't he pick?" Lucius retorted as the carriage started forward. The two looked fondly on the pair in front of them. "I swear, he bought the whole store! Didn't even ask me if it were okay, either. He'll make a great Head someday."
"I'm glad fate picked her, instead of the reformatory. I'm also glad to see you're changing, you've accepted her. Even before." Narcissa had grabbed her husband's hand.
"I didn't always hate Muggle-borns. There was a girl, before Hogwarts, before that man. She was my first crush, and she broke my heart. I don't think they're different from us, they want love and respect, too. They want to belong. She also reminds me of you. All fire, all passion. Hard not to accept the girl." Lucius confided finally.