I'm sorry for the ungodly amount of time it's taken me to update. This was originally a 7000 word chapter, but it's currently being split into 2-3 chapters. I was almost finished with it when my computer crashed, and I lost my work. Since then, I've been too depressed/busy to do anything, and just finally got something done. I apologize for any mistakes in advance, as I barely edited it. Enjoy!
She and Ginny sat at her vanity, crowded around a scrap of parchment.
"He's so romantic and mysterious!" Ginny gushed.
"This is serious." Hermione snapped. "What am I even going to ask? What do I want to know about him?"
"Everything." Ginny responded in a breathy whisper, smiling to herself.
"There is no way that I'm ready for all of that." She rolled her eyes. "Maybe something about his past, or what he plans to do in the future."
Ginny sighted in defeat. "I guess that works, too. I still expect to be notified immediately after you get an answer. And although this is off topic, you really should start explaining some of this to Harry and Ron. They're totally clueless, but even they'll notice something's up eventually."
"I know," she groaned. "But I don't know where to start. I just can't say 'Hey, Malfoy is dead set on annoying me for the rest of my life, and I've started drawing in snakes like an exposed field mouse.' They would either a- laugh and never let me live it down, b- go murder the little git, or c- refuse to believe me."
"You're the one who's being over dramatic now." Ginny chuckled. "I'll see you later, okay?"
"Okay." She smiled weakly at her red haired friend. As Ginny left, she allowed her head to rest against the tabletop. Harry and Ron were in no way, shape, or form ready to hear any of this. The last time she had so much as gone on a date with a guy, she was ridiculed, harassed, and accused of 'fraternizing with the enemy.' If only dancing with Viktor was such a grave offense, considering marriage to a Slytherin had to full-on treason. Ron would never forgive her, despite Ginny's assurance otherwise.
However, that did not stop her from reaching for a quill and ink. There were so many questions that burned in her mind, just as there were so many little habits and mannerisms that defined a person. What was his favorite smell? Does he like coffee or tea better? Does he like to stare out the window and watch the lightning dance across the sky when it storms? Or does he prefer to light a candle, then curl up with something warm and a book to wait out the rain? He could have a thousand different imperfections and quirks to fall in love with, that she'd never know about.
On the flip side, it would be all too easy for him to lie. The best she could do was simply have faith. So, with shaky hands, she scribbled, "What is your ultimate goal in life? How do you like your tea/coffee? What was your favorite childhood memory? Do you have any pets? What is your favorite thing to do?" It was only a few of the things on her list, but if she tried to ask them all, they'd both be writing all day.
As Vega took off, her mind was free to confront another enigma: Draco Malfoy. His peculiar behavior was enough to give her a migraine. He had seemingly switched personalities overnight. He could be charming, albeit a bit roguish, and ... rather attractive, when he wanted. It was bizarre to try and reconcile the two images in hermind, and she could only ponder which of his faces was genuine.
Shoving those thoughts to the back of her mind, Hermione slowly slipped on her new grey cloak and made her way to the library. After seeing the edition of the Quibbler on the table this morning, a question had wormed its way to front of her mind; what makes muggleborns different? Logically speaking, from the point of view of genetics, muggleborns should be impossible. Without the magical gene to start with, how could any part of it be activated? Maybe she could find some sort of fault with the law, and put an end to all of this madness.
Hermione bumped into someone as she rounded the corner, a too-common occurrence lately. She jolted looked up; instead of the snake she was expecting, it was the snake's mother. Honestly, she wasn't sure who was worse.
Narcissa Malfoy was wearing a long, high-necked burgundy dress, embroidered with swirls of gold thread. Her platinum blonde hair tumbled softly to her shoulders, and the Malfoy matron smiled softly.
"Hermione, my dear, are you alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine, thank you." She responded quickly, trying to edge herself away. "Are you okay, Mrs. Malfoy?"
"No need to worry yourself." Narcissa assured, while linking their arms and towing her in the opposite direction of her beloved library. "And no need to be so formal! Please, call me Narcissa."
"Okay, Narcissa." Hermione responded tentatively. "Sorry to bother you. I really should have been watching here I was going."
"Nonsense!" The older women dismissed. "It was all my fault. Let me make it up to you by inviting you to my son and I's afternoon tea"
"Oh, you shouldn't." Hermione refused politely, wishing desperately that Narcissa would give up on it already.
"I insist. I promise I won't bite." She chuckled and finally lead her into an office.
It was a beautiful room, decorated in creamy white, charcoal grey and soft pink. Much to Hermione's displeasure, she could see Malfoy lounging on a love seat, smirking in content.
"Welcome back, mother." He called lazily. "I see you've brought a guest."
"Yes!" Narcissa answered happily, while perching on a white armchair. "Go ahead Hermione, take a seat."
Rather begrudgingly, she sat in the only spot left: next to Malfoy on the just-big-enough-for-two love seat.
"Pinky will be here shortly with the tea." Narcissa continued, as if she didn't notice the tension between the pair. "It's just lovely to have all of us together, but why haven't you given her the ring yet, Draco?"
Taking advantage of her complete and utter shock, Draco pulled something out of his pocket, neatly catching her left wrist and gently sliping it onto her ring finger. "I was just having it cleaned, mum."
"But Mal- err, Draco," She choked out between gritted teeth. "I haven't agreed to anything yet, remember?"
"Draco!" His mother reprimanded with a chuckle. "You had me thinking everything was set in stone. If the girl needs to breathe a little, let her. It's only a matter of time."
"Sorry mother." Malfoy responded, his voice dripping with so much sweetness that it aught to induce diabetes on the spot. "I was just so excited that I couldn't help myself. Things have been going excellently. Haven't they, love?"
"I don't know if I'd say that..." She trailed off and gave Malfoy the best glare she could. If looks could kill, he'd be already lying in his casket.
"You're just too shy." He laughed. It was a rich, rolling sound that she was certain that she'd never heard him make before, so unlike his sarcastic chuckles and amused snorts.
Before she could defend herself, however, a small houself dressed in a frilly slip dress apparated into the room, carrying a large tray.
"Tea is ready!" She announced in a high, tinkling voice.
Still giddy as a schoolgirl, Narcissa giggled, "Excellent! What blend do we have today?"
"Red rose and hibiscus, steeped over lemon slices and diced strawberries, as requested this morning." The elf replied eagerly.
"Hmm, I must have forgotten." She mused before delicately choosing a teacup. "It's perfect as always, Pinky."
"Thank you, Mistress!" Pinky bowed. "I will return to the kitchens to finish your dinner. Enjoy!"
No sooner had the elf disappeared did Malfoy hand Hermione a cup and a strawberry jam croissant with drizzled chocolate. "Taste it." He whispered to her. "You'll like it- I promise."
Seeing no other option than to trust him, Hermione sipped the dark pink liquid and nibbled on the decadent pastry. "It's delicious." She remarked quietly, loathing to agree with Malfoy on anything, but it would be a sinful lie to say that the treat before her was anything less than splendid.
Narcissa's eyes lit up in pure delight, and she beamed. "I'm glad! You'll have to join us for dinner someday. In fact, we're having a party here in two weeks. You'll attend, won't you?"
"As long as I don't have anything I absolutely can't miss going on that day, I will." She was careful, leaving herself just enough wiggle to escape the promise, but was unable to completely reject those pleading silver eyes.
The clock on the wall chimed, and Narcissa stiffened in suprise. "Oh dear, it looks like the time has gotten away from me. I need to go back to work soon. Pinky!" She called, and the elf once again appeared, toting a beautiful silver box. "This is for you, Hermione-dear. It's a dress and some shoes for the party, if you can attend. I'm sorry to say that I have to leave, but it was a pleasure seeing you."
"Thanks for having us, mum." Malfoy replied dutifully, and the Malfoy matron pulled her son in for a hug. "Don't forget to take your medicine." He reminded her before grabbing Hermione's hand to lead her away. "We'll see you soon."
The moment they were out of the office, Hermione turned the tables; she dragged Malfoy into an abandoned classroom a little way down and locked the door. "What kind of stunt was that!" She demanded.
It only served to infuriate her further when Malfoy only shrugged his shoulders. "It wasn't any kind of a stunt. Why? Did you find my mother unpleasant?"
"You know damn well that isn't why." She groaned.
"Enlighten me then." He quirked an eyebrow and invited her to explain. "You got a gift, had a wonderful snack, and everyone involved was friendly. What seems to be the problem?"
"This!" She held out her left hand in response.
Malfoy tilted his head in confusion. "You don't like the ring? We could find a different one, if you want-"
She cut him off. "You know that isn't it either! I'm guessing that I can't take this off, otherwise you wouldn't risk me throwing it in the lake, and as a result, my friends are going to disown me."
Malfoy clucked in disappointment. "Hermione, my dear, if your friends would disown you over a matter as simple as who you fall in love with, they're not your friends at all. Besides, you can take it off." He rolled his eyes, and gently removed the ring from her finger. "You just can't get rid of it. Say, if you do throw it in the lake, it'll just reappear on your hand, but if you keep it in your pocket, you'll be fine."
"That doesn't change the fact that we're not getting married! I don't love you, and it's going to break your poor mother's heart when she finds out."
"She's not going to find out." He scoffed. "You're going to fall in love with me; a Malfoy always gets what he wants."
"You're insane." She shook her head. "That's what your problem really is. Why was Narcissa even in the castle anyways?"
"She's staying here, for the time being." He replied brusquely. However seeing her confused stare, he continued. "I don't like having her alone at the house, you see. In the old manor, she used to just randomly seize up and have panic atacks from the memories. At night, she'd hardly sleep because her dreams were haunted by nightmares." He pauses for a moment, and she's lost in him. Like she's the snake and he's the charmer, his tale hypnotizing her as surly as any reed-flute. "When I bought the new mansion, it helped with the panic attacks, and the nightmares, to a degree. But then school started, and there was no way that I was leaving her to fend for herself. I wasn't going to turn her over to some quack healer either, who'd keep her sedated on dreamless sleep potions, so I arranged for her to stay in the castle while I finish my schooling. There's an adept potion maker and a skilled mediwitch nearby. She takes a quarter-strength calming draught in the morning, and a half-strength one in the evening. I'm close by, in case she has any outbursts. It keeps her safe and happy, which is good enough for me."
"What about after school?" She inexplicably found herself asking. "Won't you have to take over your family's business?"
Chuckling self-deprecatingly, Malfoy answered. "It's part of the reason I plan to marry so soon. She adores you and your friends already. Nothing would make her happier than to have Potter, Ginny, Weasel, and Weasel's family to invite over and entertain. She could even bridge the gap between her sister, and help take care of Teddy. With any luck, I could give her a grandchild to coddle. She needs people to feel whole, Hermione, and I thought that if there was one thing you understood painfully well, it's the need to do anything for the people you care about."
A solitary tear dripped down her cheek, and she steps closer to him. Leaning on her tip toes, she softly kissed his forehead and slipped out the door.
She throws the ring across the room. Just as promised, it magically reappears on her finger moments later. Even if only to herself, she can admit it's a beautiful ring. The band is delicate and silvery, probably crafted from white gold or platinum. The center stone is a huge, circular white diamond, throwing off dazzling rainbows and sparkles with the smallest hint of light. Set diagonal from each other, is one lone ruby and emerald. She snorts at the appropriateness of it.
Still in her hands is the box Narcissa gave her. She carefully opens it and inspects the clothes inside. The dress is a lovely shade of shell pink, with an illusion neckline of fine lace, a waist studded with tiny crystals and a tea length chiffon skirt. The shoes are dove grey suede, adorned with a tiny pink bow at the tip. They're beautiful, and she moans in defeat.
"Damn him..." She muttered. "Damn him for playing me right into his trap, for actually proving that his heart isn't all black." She growls. In one afternoon, everything had changed. Her own chest ached in response, acutely feeling the loss of her own parents. An envelope was on her vanity, almost surely from her secret admirer, but he could wait. "I'm definitely going have to take up Ginny's date offer this weekend to forget about tonigh." She murmured to herself, before wearily turning it in for the night.
Whew! At least part of it is retyped. Please leave me a little review if you liked it, and Thanks for reading! :)