A/N: Apologies for the pump-fake last week. I was planning on getting a good chunk of MMIV going last weekend, but I found that I had too much I needed to put in to wing it. So I spent the week planning out the story chapter by chapter. Time well spent, but not enough movement on the word count front to warrant a bonus chapter.

Chapter IV

A Pureblood Party

Hermione did not wake until well past nine o'clock. The bed was warm and soft and inviting. And large. Oh, so large. Hermione could stick her hands and feet out towards every corner and still have room to move around without sticking off the bed. Maybe I should ask dad for a bed this size…

She got up slowly, stretching. The room had its own bathroom, so Hermione didn't have to go far for her morning shower. She put on her best jeans and a t-shirt and walked downstairs. Mrs. Malfoy was sipping tea at the table, penning another letter. She smiled as Hermione stepped into the dining room. "Good morning, dear."

"Good morning, Mrs. Malfoy," Hermione smiled back.

"Oh, call me Narcissa. Mrs. Malfoy sounds so ceremonial."

"Okay… Narcissa."

"Are you hungry?"

Hermione nodded.

"Villy!" The little guy popped out of thin air. "Breakfast for Hermione."

"Yes, Mistress!"

He returned after a minute with a tray loaded with eggs, bacon, potatoes, sausages and toast. "Thanks, Villy," said Hermione, "It looks wonderful."

"Oh, Miss Hermione is too kind to Villy!" he squeaked with joy.

Breakfast was indeed wonderful.

"Tell me about your family," said Narcissa.

"What do you want to know?" Hermione asked quietly.

"I don't know, do you have any siblings?"

Hermione shook her head. "I'm an only child."

"I have two sisters, myself. But I don't get to see them much," Narcissa said sadly. "My family was always… strained, even at the best of times. Holiday dinners with twenty or more incredibly proud and selfish wizards was as entertaining as it was terrifying."

"I don't have much family. No grandparents left, and my parents were also only children. They have a few cousins floating around, but no one we've kept in contact with. Family dinners for me were sitting on the couch watching the game with my dad while my mother read."

"I suppose both situations have their ups and downs," Narcissa laughed. Hermione smiled. "I was thinking we would leave for Diagon Alley in an hour or so. What do you think?"
"That sounds great, Mrs – Narcissa."

"Excellent," she smiled.

The door opened behind Hermione and Mr. Malfoy walked in carrying a newspaper. On the cover was a large, moving picture of an insane prisoner, labelled SIRIUS BLACK. Hermione had read about him. One of the Dark Lord's fanatical followers. And recently escaped from Azkaban. A prison in the middle of the North Sea. With no wand. Hermione had to admit that it was impressive. A real Houdini.

"Lucius, dear," Narcissa called sweetly as he passed by. "Can you send this letter off?"

Mr. Malfoy halted, hand outstretched. Narcissa was still finishing the letter and made him wait a few seconds before allowing him to pluck it from her fingers. He made a grumbling noise and looked at his wife.

"What is it, darling?"

"Have you told her?" he asked, glancing at Hermione.

"Hmm? Oh, yes. We'll be having guests over tonight, Hermione. The Greengrasses and the Notts. You know Theodore and Daphne, I believe?"

"Yes, ma'am," Hermione nodded.

"Which means," Lucius was eyeing her. "Proper dress will be required."

Hermione blushed and looked down at her jeans. She thought they were nice. Maybe not cocktail-party-nice, but decent.

"I'm sure Hermione will change, Lucius," Narcissa hummed. "We'll be going in to Diagon Alley soon. I don't think she wants to ruin any of her nice clothes while she's out."

Mr. Malfoy grunted and walked off.

"Villy! Hermione is done with her breakfast." The house-elf jumped to clear the table. "I think Draco is out on the pitch with his broom, if you want to join him."

"Okay," said Hermione, standing. "Um… where is that?"

"It's just around the back of the house. Can't miss it."

Hermione made her way outside into the sunny day. It wasn't yet too warm, and a nice breeze caressed her skin. The pitch was, indeed, hard to miss. Six large hoops stood on top of posts, three on either side of an oval field. Hermione couldn't tell for sure – she had never been down to the Quidditch pitch at school – but the field couldn't have been more than half-size, and it was still impressive. And up in between the hoops, robes flapping in the wind, was Draco on his broom. It took him a minute to notice her, and another minute to finally make his way down to the ground.

"Daphne and Nott are coming over tonight."

Draco nodded. "Father told me. Daphne's sister, too. I think she's starting Hogwarts this year."

"I don't know if Slytherin can handle two Daphnes," Hermione laughed.

"I'd be more worried about the rest of the school," he grinned.

I-I. ⌡. Γ┐

Draco tried to get Hermione to fly with him, but she wouldn't go near a broom. They returned to the house after a while to get ready for Diagon Alley. Draco went to his room to change out of his Quidditch robes and put his broom away while Hermione looked through her trunk for her booklist and the cheque her father had given her to pay for her school supplies. She found the cheque, but it was made out for a bit more than she expected. A little note was attached to it. Get yourself something nice. Have a wonderful birthday, Love Dad. Hermione couldn't help but smile. Once stashed in her pocket, and checking she had her wand, Hermione went downstairs.

Narcissa opened the door to the dining room and smiled at her. "Ready for Diagon Alley?" Hermione nodded. "Draco?" she called. Her son appeared at the top of the stairs after a moment and then they were on their way.

The three of them stepped through the Malfoy fireplace and arrived in the Leaky Cauldron. "Gringotts first, I think," Narcissa said, briskly walking to the backyard and opening the archway to Diagon Alley. She led the teenagers towards the old white marble building at the end of the alley. While the Malfoys climbed the stairs to the main entrance, Hermione split off to a side window where an old goblin sat, reading the Daily Prophet.

"Excuse me," Hermione said as politely as she could, "I'd like to –"

The goblin grunted and extended a clawed hand. Hermione shoved the cheque at him. He disappeared under the counter, replaced with a whistle and clicking sounds. A second later, he popped back up with a brown linen sack. "Forty-nine galleons, three sickles, five knuts."

"Thanks," Hermione said, taking the money bag and leaving quickly.

Narcissa and Draco were just exiting the main doors as Hermione approached them. "There you are, Hermione. You shouldn't run off like that," Narcissa chided.

"I had to exchange from Muggle currency," said Hermione. "They only do that at the window over there."

"Oh?" Narcissa glanced over to the bored goblin. "How quaint."

The first stop they arrived at was Flourish and Blotts. The air was musky and warm and comforting. Wall to wall books made Hermione feel right at home.

"Ah, Hogwarts?" said a harried employee. He scuttled over to a cage filled with book flapping around like they were possessed. He snatched one out with a net and Draco took it at arm's length.

The man went back for another but Hermione stopped him. "Not for me. I need more civilized books."

"Whew," he looked relieved. "Thank goodness for you, miss."

Draco and Hermione went around, collecting the new textbooks for their core classes. A new book of charms, then next transfiguration volume. Snape had them get a more advanced copy of the potions manual, too. Draco already had his Magical Creatures text – if you could call it that – and that only left Ancient Runes for the both of them and Arithmancy for Hermione.

Narcissa followed them around at her own pace. "Ah, Draco, I think this is the copy of Beedle I read to you as a baby." She was perusing a large book that seemed to a kind of wizard picture book. "Ah, yes. You always loved the Three Brothers."

"Three brothers?" Hermione asked.

"Just a children's story," Draco shrugged. "The three brothers beat Death at a chess game and he gives each a gift. They all try to escape Death, but they all die in the end."

Hermione grimaced. "Not a very child friendly book."

"On the contrary," Narcissa smiled. "I found it very educational. Draco never asks for too much, lest he reaps the deadly consequences."

Draco nodded. "Like I could ask for a firebolt…"

"But he doesn't," she snapped the book shut. "All ready to go?"

Narcissa decided to split up. She had Hermione give Draco a few galleons to go refill their potions supplies, and led Hermione to Madam Malkin's.

"New Hogwarts robes, dear?" Madam Malkin asked. "New fit or a replacement?"

"Replacement," Hermione said.

"Very good. I'll just need your name and I can look up your measurements."

"Actually, I think we should go for the new fit," said Narcissa from behind her. Hermione looked at her and she smiled. "I'm sure she has grown quite a bit from age eleven. Our Hermione is turning into a fine young woman." Hermione felt a bit of a flush in her cheeks.

Madam Malkin gave an exasperated look but didn't question Narcissa. "Up on the stool, then."

Hermione walked to the stool and stood as still as possible as Madam Malkin began measuring her. Narcissa pulled a chair over and watched with a thoughtful look from her seat. Hermione felt like she was on display, but Narcissa didn't seem to be judging her.

"The robes will be ready in a half an hour or so," Madam Malkin said when she finished.

"Could I get a new uniform as well?" asked Hermione.

"Of course, dear. House?"

"Slytherin."

Hermione stepped off the stool. "I think we'll stay here while we wait, if that is okay," said Narcissa. Madam Malkin only grunted to herself. "Would you come over here, Hermione?"

She went to Narcissa, who guided her down into the chair and spun her around to face the mirror. "I love your hair," she said, gliding her fingers along a few tresses. "I hope I'm not being… I hope you don't mind me doting on you, Hermione. It's just… well, I've always wanted a daughter."

"No," Hermione murmured. "It's fine. I – I like it."

She smiled. "Sometimes I wonder… But Lucius is stubborn. He's happy with Draco – not that I'm not – I love Draco more than anything else in the world, of course, but it's not the same..." Hermione watched through the mirror as Narcissa drew a comb through her hair. After hitting a few snags, the comb found its way through the mess without difficulty and each hair began pulling on her scalp like a massage. Hermione leaned back with a contented smile and closed her eyes, her head rolling to comply with Narcissa's firm but gentle hands. "I really do love your hair. It reminds me of my sister's. My sisters were a few years older than me. I'm sure they got annoyed with me all the time, but they always let me play with their hair."

Narcissa began pulling it into sections and brushing it with care. "So, Hermione, have any boys caught your eye?"

Hermione looked at her suspiciously, but only saw genuine curiosity. "Uh… Not really… I haven't really thought about that…"

"That's okay," Narcissa hummed and started to braid Hermione's hair. "You're only thirteen. I'm sure in a few years you'll have all the boys after you, if they aren't already," she laughed, a crisp, pleasant sound like a bell chiming.

"I don't think that will happen…" Hermione mumbled with red cheeks. "They'll be more interested in Pansy or Lavender Brown."

"I wouldn't be too hard on yourself. You're very pretty, and you'll only grow into it. Besides, the right boys will be more interested in what's in here," Narcissa tapped Hermione's forehead, "And I think you are miles ahead of other girls already." Hermione could only shrug awkwardly. She wasn't sure if Narcissa was just being nice or actually thought that. "But you don't need to worry. When you find the right guy, you'll know. It may take you a while, but you'll find him. And sometimes he's hiding in plain sight. I knew Lucius for years before we fell in love. I think we just both needed to mature a bit.

"In fact, we took so long that Lucius was practically out of Hogwarts. When he graduated, he gave me this," Narcissa stretched her arm over Hermione's shoulder and wiggled a long finger on which she wore an elaborate ring. The silver band was carved to shape several serpents intertwining, each with emerald eyes and ruby tongues. "To make his intentions clear. It's a Malfoy family heirloom. Lucius wears the partner ring. The story is that his ring knows where my ring is, so he can always find me. Do you know why?"
"So he knows when you are cheating on him?" Hermione guessed.

Narcissa laughed. "I wouldn't say that. So he can always be there when I need him. It's a show of our devotion to each other. He wanted me to know what I meant to him."

"The ring ensures fidelity?"

She laughed again. "You might say it is stronger than fidelity."

Hermione watched as the simple braid was completed and Narcissa tossed it over Hermione's shoulder. "Do you like it?" Narcissa asked, tucking Hermione's stray hairs behind her ears. Hermione touched it lightly, afraid that it would all fall apart. No one had ever braided her hair for her, and she didn't want to ruin it.

"I love it."

I-I. ⌡. Γ┐

They found Draco sitting outside the ice-cream parlor, a large stack of potions supplies on the table, and an ice-cream cone in his hand. "Took you long enough," said Draco, biting in to the cone.

"You didn't get ice-cream for your ladies?" Narcissa shook her head. "I thought I raised you better than that."

Draco scowled. "How was I supposed to know when you'd be done? It would've been melting by now."

She pushed a bag into his hand, "Load everything up. I'm going on an errand. I'll be back in a quarter hour. Don't get into trouble." As Narcissa marched off, Draco pouted, looking from the bag to his cone.

"Here," said Hermione, lifting the ice-cream out of his hands. "Now you can do the boxes." She grinned and began eating the rest of the cone.

"You're impossible on your best day, you know that?" he growled, shoving box after box into the bag. But it didn't start to overflow. The entire heap fit as easily as if they weren't even there. Magic, of course, but amazing nonetheless.

"I think I want an owl," Hermione commented, watching people walk up and down the street.

"An owl?"

"Yes, an owl. My dad gave me a little extra to get myself an early birthday present. I think I want an owl."

"Well, I think you should get a broom," Draco said, leaning back and crossing his arms.

"Good thing they gave the money to me, then. I'm getting an owl." Hermione stood and started off towards the pet store – or the Magical Menagerie, as it was called. It was really just a pet store.

The shop was noisy, smelly, and unimpressive. The woman behind the counter was telling a customer about skrewts or something so Hermione took a look around herself. Every wall was covered with cages and boxes containing all sorts of animals, magical or otherwise, but the owl section was a bit sparse. "There's an actual owl shop down the street," Draco drawled behind Hermione, poking a finger at an irritable owl, who tried to bite him.

"That might be better."

They were about to leave when they heard a yowling from the front counter. A large, ginger cat soared through the air, landing on the equally ginger head of one Ronald Weasley, and then pounced at the woman behind the counter. Something brown scampered across the counter, the cat in pursuit, and jumped down to the floor. Weasley, and Potter - who had been standing off to the side - ran after the little vermin. The witch shouted at the cat and stared herding it away from the door, straight into Hermione arms.

It was an odd cat. Large, lumpy, with a squished face and a tail like a lion's. The witch tried to take him out of Hermione's arms, but he hissed and clawed at her. "Sorry about that. Crookshanks gets a bit moody. Sometimes I think he attacks customers when he realizes they don't want him."

"I don't know why anyone wouldn't want him. If he can scare Weasley off like that, he'd be worth any price," snickered Draco.

Hermione grinned, stroking his soft fur.

"If only, if only…" the witch muttered, avoiding another clawed attack from Crookshanks. "Come here you little braggart."

"Actually," Hermione mused, holding the cat closer to her chest, "How much for him?"

Draco snorted. "You know cats can't deliver letters, right?"

"Hogwarts has school owls," she dismissed him. "How much?"

"How much –" The woman looked shocked. "For him?"

Hermione nodded.

"Well… Let me see… ten galleons is fair, I think."

"I'll pay five," Hermione smiled sweetly.

The witch frowned. "Nine."

"That's okay. I'll just get an owl from down the street." Hermione held Crookshanks out to the witch, who recoiled.

"No, no – five is fine," she said quickly.

"Excellent," Hermione extracted her money bag and spilled five galleons on to the counter. "Come on, Crookshanks. You've got a new family now." The ginger cat flicked his tail contentedly, perched in Hermione's arms like they were his throne.

They found Weasley and Potter pulling out a rat from underneath a garbage can. "Is the world telling us something, Draco?" she purred to Draco. "Something about trash… and Weasleys?"

He laughed. "Looking for lunch, Weasley?" Draco called.

The redhead wheeled around, red in the face and ears. He quickly pulled out his wand – this one not taped together like last year – and pointed it directly at Hermione. Her heart skipped a beat, and then she remembered it was only Weasley, and he was in a populated area. And Narcissa would be back any second now. And it was only Weasley.

"You – you –" he sputtered. "You bought that thing?"

"Who, Crookshanks?" she smiled, rocking her new cat back and forth. "Isn't he a dear? So handsome. Some men do know how to wear ginger. Others, not so much."

"Stay away from me, snake," Weasley shouted, clutching his rat and backing away.

"I try my best to."

"And keep that thing away from Scabbers!"

"Keep your vermin away from Crookshanks. I don't want him choking on that stringy beast."

I-I. ⌡. Γ┐

Hermione picked out a pink dress for dinner. It was still fairly simple, but had had a faded white floral pattern that she liked. Her only pair of heels were squat and not very impressive, but it was all she had. Hermione left her hair as Narcissa styled it and put on a soft pink lipstick to match her dress. "You have to stay up here," Hermione said to Crookshanks, who was perched on her bed. "Mr. Malfoy doesn't want you running around."

"That thing is mangy," he had said when he saw the cat. Narcissa calmed him down enough to get him to agree to let Crookshanks stay the night. The Hogwarts Express left in the morning and after that they'd be rid of him.

Hermione thought she put herself together well until she saw what the lady of the house was wearing. Narcissa was decked out in what could only be described as a ball gown, bracelets clinking with jewels and diamonds adorning her neck and ears. Her hair was swept to the back of her head in braids and then fell loose over her neck in a golden curtain.

But Narcissa didn't spend any time basking in Hermione's adoring stare. She cupped Hermione's cheeks and said, "You look gorgeous, dear."

A flash of green from the fireplace meant the floo had been activated. Narcissa and Hermione joined Draco and Mr. Malfoy in the parlor to greet their two guests. Hermione recognized Theodore Nott, so the older man must have been his father. "Edward," Mr. Malfoy said, clasping the elder Nott's arm.

"Lucius," he responded in a stern voice. "Draco."

"Mr. Nott," Draco greeted him, shaking his hand.

"Narcissa," Nott said last, kissing her knuckles lightly.

"Edward, a pleasure to have you in our home. It's been too long."

"Indeed," he said, "My son, Theodore."

The younger Nott repeated the greetings in a similarly terse fashion. He did not, apparently, lighten up outside of Hogwarts. And with a father like that, Hermione wasn't surprised.

The room glowed green again for a moment and a family of four walked out of the fireplace. A heavyset man with a beard ambled forward, a tall, thin woman on his arm. Behind them followed their daughters, who obviously took after their mother. Daphne wore a black skirt with a white blouse while her little sister wore a dark green dress. They were nearly identical, both slender, fair skinned with impeccably straight, dark hair - though Daphne was a good few inches taller - but their demeanors could not have differed more. While Daphne regarded her surroundings will a cool gaze, giving off the feeling that she would rather be anywhere else, her sister was positively bouncing, staring from one thing to another with a look of wonder.

"Nicolas, Olivia," Narcissa greeted them with hugs. "Welcome to our home. My husband, of course, and our son Draco. And you remember Edward Nott? And his son Theo."

The Greengrasses went around the circle exchanging pleasantries. "Ah yes, Draco," Mr. Greengrass said, "Slytherin seeker, I am told? Good boy! And you'll make the team this year, eh Nott?" he prodded Theodore with a chuckle.

The little Nott only shrugged. "We'll see." A heavy hand on his shoulder from Nott Sr. was an obvious signal that even Hermione could understand. 'No shrugging'.

"Daphne says you might become a great seeker one day," Mr. Greengrass continued without pause.

"Might," Daphne chirped. "Potter's the one who's never missed the snitch."

Draco reddened.

Mr. Greengrass laughed heartily. "Daph's never one to put all her money on one horse. You've got competition, son," he joked. "Let me introduce you two young men to my youngest, Astoria." The mini-Daphne stepped forward eagerly with a sweet smile. "She'll be starting Hogwarts tomorrow. I expect you to help her out when she makes Slytherin."

"Nicolas…" his wife clucked. "Don't sort her before the hat does."

Mr. Greengrass scoffed. "You shouldn't be fooled by her sugary personality. Tory's got fangs, especially when she doesn't get what she wants."

The two boys brushed their lips to her knuckles lightly and greeted her with "nice to meet you, Miss Greengrass". Daphne's reputation obviously preceded her sister.

"And this," Narcissa said, laying a hand on Hermione's back, "Is Hermione Granger. She is the girl who defeated Gilderoy Lockhart in a duel and saved the lives of three other students in the process."

Hermione gulped. Nine pairs of eyes fixed on her. "Hello," she said. "Nice to meet all of you."

"Interesting," Mr. Greengrass said, sliding his hands into his pockets.

"A pleasure to meet you, too," said Mrs. Greengrass.

Neither Nott said anything.

Astoria tugged on Daphne's blouse, asking her something. The older girl waved her sister off, glared at her parents, and then hugged Hermione delicately. "Good to see you again, Hermione. Have a good summer?"

Hermione, a little shocked, returned the light hug. "It was fine. I travelled a bit. You?"
She pulled away but didn't retreat. "Wonderful. I was stuck with Astoria the whole time."
"Daphne!" her mother scolded.

Narcissa clapped her hands. "Villy, the drinks."

Villy popped up with a tray of tall flute glasses filled with a reddish drink. The adults began to sit, so Hermione followed their lead. Draco and Theo sat on their own couch to Hermione's left. The adults all sat in their own armchairs – Malfoy, Nott and Greengrass from left to right. Hermione planted herself on a couch with Daphne. Astoria, the last left standing, quickly dropped herself next to Daphne, squeezing all three girls together.

The house-elf handed out the glasses. Hermione sniffed hers. It smelled slightly odd. She took a taste and recognized it as wine. She was about to return hers to Villy – as she was underage – but then saw Daphne take a large drink of her glass while the boys sipped. It seemed like wizards didn't object to children drinking. Or maybe drinking at all. Hermione was fairly sure that Mr. Malfoy had been drunk the previous night.

The conversation drifted from politics to economics, to Hogwarts and gossip. Draco even managed to derail the discussion into Quidditch, and effort to which Theodore and Daphne contributed greatly. Mr. Greengrass evidently thought that a full team of Firebolts at the World Cup was a terrible idea, though he was shouted down from all sides. Other than Quidditch and little forays into the conversation here and there, the younger guests kept quiet, allowing the adults to steer things. Several times, Hermione saw Astoria peering around Daphne at her, but she was always pushed back by her sister with a hissed warning.

Hermione had been sipping her drink every now and then, trying to acquire a taste for it, but not succeeding. She was about a third of the way through her glass when Narcissa called for dinner. They were seated at the dinner table in a similar formation. The adults were grouped at the head of the table, the teenagers down towards the middle.

Dinner was what looked to be expensive cut of steak, potato wedges and green beans. The conversation continued as it was, though slower than before. Hermione saw that Daphne had refiled her glass, whereas Hermione was only halfway through her own, just about on pace with Astoria and a little behind Draco and Theo. The adults were probably on their second as well. Or even third.

Hermione tuned out whatever they were talking about up the table. They would probably not pull her in and she was not particularly interested in broom-twig regulations or Gringotts withdrawal fees. Instead, she focused on her food. The potatoes were seasoned extremely well, but she found the steak lacking. Perhaps she just wasn't a fan of red meat, which was entirely possible, but it tasted too bland to her. The others didn't seem to think that, though, as they wolfed theirs down. It was probably just her.

As Hermione finished her first glass of wine – deciding not to continue to a second – she saw Daphne reach for a third only for the glass to be intercepted by her mother. Daphne pouted for a moment, then reached over and took Astoria's nearly full second glass. That, too, was soon confiscated by her mother and Daphne settled back in her chair, a bored look on her face.

When dinner ended, the whole party moved outside into the warm evening. The adults stayed near the house on a patio while the teenagers were ushered towards the Quidditch pitch. Hermione couldn't help but scowl. The idea of flying on an empty stomach upset her. Flying right after eating was a disaster waiting to happen.

But the boys took to the idea with gusto. Draco dragged them all to a shed near one of the posts and handed out brooms. Theodore and Draco jumped into the sky, but the girls stayed on the ground. Astoria was considering the broom with a perplexed face, Hermione dropped hers to the ground, and Daphne still looked bored. A minute of hovering above the pitch and realizing none of the girls would follow, the boys returned.

"What's wrong? The brooms can't be broken," said Draco.

"No," Daphne replied casually, checking her cuticles. They'd be perfect, as always, but it never hurt to look.

"Then what?" he asked.

"I don't know how to fly…" Astoria said in a soft voice.

Draco looked at Hermione, who only shook her head. They'd been over this.

"Come on, Miss Greengrass. Scared of heights?"

Daphne looked up from her nails. "Very well." She put her foot in the stirrup, leaned against the upright broom and pushed off, hovering about a foot in the air.

Nott snorted.

"What?" asked Daphne, lowering herself to the ground. "You may be hoping I start flying around in a skirt, mister-creeper-man, but it's never going to happen. Not with two glasses of wine, not with a whole bottle of firewhiskey. We're ladies, not strumpets. Go play your little game. We'll stay down here."

Draco frowned. He turned to the little Greengrass. "We can teach you to fly…"

"Really?" she smiled.

"Astoria, no," Daphne snapped. "Give Draco the broom."

Astoria's face fell and she handed the broom over. Draco glared at Daphne. "Always have to ruin our fun. Come on, Theo. They're probably terrible at Quidditch anyway." The two boys zoomed away, leaving a gloomy Astoria, an obstinate Daphne, and an uncomfortable Hermione.

"I wouldn't have flown high…" Astoria moped.

"And what if you crashed? Or thoroughly embarrassed yourself? Mum would be furious and I'd never hear the end of it. Let's find some place to sit." Daphne slid her arm into Astoria's, turning her towards the garden. "Coming, Hermione?"

"Oh, sure…"

Daphne took Hermione's arm in her own as well and led them forward. They meandered through the hedges and bushes until Daphne selected a bench on the side of a fountain. They sat in silence for a minute. "I'm sorry," Daphne said quietly. "But I need you to know what you should and shouldn't do."

"They teach us to fly, Daph," pouted Astoria. "At Hogwarts."

"It doesn't matter. You shouldn't be doing it."

"Why not?"

"Because I'm the one who'll get in trouble if you get hurt."

Astoria sniffed, not pleased with the answer.

"And I don't want you to get hurt," Daphne added. She turned to Hermione. "Your dress is pretty."

"Really?" Hermione looked down. "It's not much compared to yours…"

"It suits you," Daphne felt the dress on Hermione's leg. "I like the fabric."

"It's just cotton."

"It's nice." Daphne looked back at her sister for a second. "Sorry about the family drama."

"It's okay," Hermione shrugged. Her plan was to ignore it.

"She's been asking about you a lot."

"What?" Hermione blinked, and looked over at the girl. She was doing her best to avoid eye contact, though she chanced a peak every few seconds. How does she even know me?

"I told her about what you did last year, with the Basilisk, and now she won't shut up about it."

In the fading light, Hermione swore she saw the girl blushing. "I really didn't do much to the Basilisk."

Astoria was fidgeting now, looking between Hermione and Daphne, a pleading look in her eyes.

"Is it okay if she asks you some questions?" Daphne asked her.

"Oh… uh… I don't know…"

"Please?" Daphne said, a soft smile on her lips. "I'd owe you."

Hermione bit her lip. On the one hand, she didn't quite know what she was comfortable to talk about regarding the Chamber. On the other, Daphne Greengrass owning her a favor was awfully enticing.

"I guess so," Hermione said hesitantly.

"You figured out it was a Basilisk by reading a book?" Astoria blurted, and Hermione nodded after a moment. "That's brilliant! Why didn't Dumbledore think of that? Did you kill it yourself?"

"No, that was Potter."

"But you knew how to kill it and told the boy?"

"Well, I knew how –"

"And you stopped Lock–" Daphne grabbed Astoria's wrist hard enough to stop her tongue.

"Did you ever figure out who was the heir? Are you sure it wasn't Potter?" asked Daphne, who was either mildly interested or tactful enough to skirt questions that Hermione had no intention of ever answering. Either way, Hermione was grateful.

"Yeah, I found out. And it wasn't Potter."

"Who?" squealed Astoria, bug-eyed.

"It was… some sort of book that possessed people…" Hermione ventured, not quite sure how much she was supposed to give away.

"A book?" Astoria clapped her hand to her mouth.

"And that's why you never go into the restricted section," Daphne commented, eyeing her sister. "And you are positive it wasn't Potter?"

"Yes."

"How do you know?"

"Because… I asked him."

"And he told you?"

"No… he told Parvati Patil."

Daphne frowned. "I don't follow."

"I… looked like Parvati, well, Padma, her twin, but I was playing Parvati. And I asked Potter, and he said he wasn't and I believe him."

"You… looked like Patil? What, did you dye your whole body and straiten your hair?"

"No, I took a potion."

Daphne's frown increased. "But the only potion... No… Snape wouldn't have made it for you…"

"He didn't. I made it," Hermione couldn't help but grin.

"Made what?" Astoria asked, lost.

"No… you couldn't have…" Daphne looked shocked.

"Yes, I did. You can ask Draco."

"Made what, Daph?"

Daphne was speechless for a moment. "How?"

Hermione shrugged. "I'm good at magic."

"Daph? Daphnee! Made what, Daph?" Astoria begged, tugging at Daphne's arm.

"Polyjuice potion."

Astoria's mouth made a big 'O'. "But that's… like… hard to make."

Daphne snorted. "Yes, Tory. It is."

"And you made it?" Astoria was ecstatic. "You're brilliant!"

Hermione giggled. "It wasn't that hard. Just took a while."

"You're absolutely brilliant!" the girl shouted. "I'm going to be Slytherin, and you'll teach me how to make Polyjuice and find Basilisks and then you'll be head girl, and then I'll be head girl, and then you'll be headmistress–"

Daphne put her arm around her sister and pulled her away from Hermione. "Okay, you're done."

But Hermione was grinning. She quite liked this. "I can do more than brew potions and find monsters. You want to see?"

Astoria was bouncing from one foot to the other. "Yes, yes, yes! Can we, Daph? Pleeease?"

"I suppose. What is it?"

Hermione took their arms in hers. "Come on, I'll show you." She pulled the sisters along through the garden, back past the manor and gravel drive towards the outer boundary. Hermione pulled up at the old hovel and knocked at the door. She took out her wand and Masey opened the door. "Imperio!" Masey went rigid. "Do a backflip. Do a cartwheel! A handstand!" Hermione giggled as the man did everything she said.

When she looked back at the sisters, Astoria was jumping up and down with a look of pure joy on her face. Daphne's mouth was hanging open and she was staring from the man to Hermione. "Brilliant!" Astoria shrieked before charging Hermione and wrapping her with her small arms.

"You should put him back," Daphne said softly, pulling Hermione's wand hand down. She was flushed and looking at Hermione with a weird look in her eyes. Hermione made the man go into his house. "It's getting dark. They'll be expecting us back." Daphne took Hermione's hand, Astoria the other. They walked back to the house, Astoria repeating "brilliant" over and over and Daphne giving Hermione furtive glances the whole way.

Narcissa met them at the door. "Ah, there you are, girls. Where are the boys?"

"Still on their brooms, I think," Hermione said.

"Tsk, tsk," Narcissa shook her head. "Boys… At least you three have some sense in you." She turned away and joined the others in room Hermione suspected was Mr. Malfoy's study. The three girls made their way to the sitting room, Daphne scooping up a couple more glasses of wine for herself and Hermione, and plonked themselves down on the couch.

Hermione finished about half of her glass with Astoria, not wanting to make Daphne feel uncomfortable to be drinking alone. Astoria began quizzing the older girls on Hogwarts, managing to extract a promise to sit together on the train in the morning before slipping off into a slumber, curled up on the end of the couch. "I thought she was going to go all night," Daphne murmured, downing the last of her drink before setting her head on Hermione's shoulder with a sigh.

"She seems lovely…" responded Hermione, picking the wineglass out of Astoria's hand and placing it on the coffee table.

Daphne nuzzled her neck. "Why've we never talked at school?"

Hermione bit her lip. That was an awkward subject, so she took the easy way out. "You've… always been with Tracey."

Daphne nodded. "Tracey's my best friend." She snaked her arms around Hermione's midriff and pulled her tight. "You can't replace my best friend. But that doesn't mean we can't be close, too."

Hermione hugged her back and smiled. "I'd like that." She rested her head on Daphne's and closed her eyes. Hermione was up to three friends and the school year hadn't even started yet. Things were looking up.

Sometime later, Hermione was roused from her doze as Daphne was pulled away from her. Mr. Greengrass picked up the sleeping Astoria and his wife prodded Daphne until she was alert enough to be pulled to her feet. "Wonderful party, Narcissa," Mrs. Greengrass said, supporting Daphne as they walked toward the fireplace. "The kids will have a good night sleep."

"Yes. Have a good night, Olivia, Nicolas." Hermione felt a whoosh and green light filtered through her eyelids.

"Edward," she heard Mr. Malfoy say, "I'm sure I'll see you tomorrow."

"Indeed. Theodore, come." Another green breeze hit Hermione and she felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Hermione, dear," Narcissa said, "You can't sleep on the couch. Let's get you to bed."

"It's a nice couch…" Hermione complained, but pushed herself up. Narcissa walked with Hermione up to her room and helped her into bed. Crookshanks jumped up onto the bed and nuzzled her. Hermione looked up at her face as Narcissa undid her braid. "You're very kind…"

Narcissa laughed that ringing laugh. "And you're a sweet girl. Get some rest."

Wow. Nearly seven thousand words. Easily the longest chapter in MM history! Probably won't hold that title til the end, though.

I hope I have put a somewhat original spin on Daphne. She always gets typecast as 'ice princess', to the point of cliché (like actually referring to her by that title). Which is unfortunate because I think it helps balance against Pansy's... exuberance. Anyway, maybe this chapter provides some intriguing developments for our dear princess. There are clues to her motivations, if you look for them. (I also probably put Daphne on the list of main characters solely on the basis of this chapter. I don't think she features a lot more than, say, Theo or Astoria or Ron. Don't be too disappointed if she isn't out there kicking ass and taking names with Hermione).

Another goal of this was to humanize the ostentatiously 'aristocratic' Slytherin pureblood families. They're still people, too! Don't forget.

Ah, Narcissa... hasn't seen her sisters in nearly 15 years. Hermione doesn't have the best relationship with her mother. Perfect fit. One of my favorite pairs to write scenes with.

Perhaps my biggest oversight in this installment is dear Crookshanks. I predict he will be the biggest continuity problem I will have in MM, as I keep forgetting he exists. Please accept my apologies in advance.

Brownie points for anyone who can guess why these specific people are at the party. It might be obvious, might not. Depends on how you think.

-I always feel the need to ruminate on my chapters and rant to you. Anyone have a problem with that? Are these A/Ns too glaring or do you appreciate them? I'm curious.