Delilah Moon: Thank you so much! Your review is very helpful for me :) I'm trying my best with the pace, I don't like to rush into anything, it is always good to have a bit of angst too ;)
Arial Wolf: Thanks for your review they really do crack me up! I'm really glad you're enjoying the story!
I think my mouth just opens and I spontaneously say things that occur to me - Helena Bonham Carter
Being a Head of Department had its perks, as Hermione found out; she had spent the entire morning day dreaming about yesterday's events. She hadn't had much work to do so instead she spent her time staring at the quill she bought whilst she was with Narcissa, and also how they had bonded so well together over lunch and surprising Narcissa by showing her Buckbeak. Hermione found it astonishing that she could actually bond with this witch, to her, after everything, Narcissa felt like a saint, but she was also a difficult subject to come across with her friends.
It was lucky that Buckbeak was actually in the place Hermione found him, she knew the beast was a loner, but he could've been anywhere in the forest. The brunette really did want to impress Narcissa so she was glad Buckbeak behaved. He was a good Hippogriff, she was sure that he would remember the last time she had seen him, it was when Harry and she rescued him from death and road on his back whilst also rescuing Harry's late Godfather.
If Hermione told her friends what was going through her mind every time she saw the pureblood she was sure they'd all have fits and tell her she was unhinged. Hermione really didn't care much about what other people thought of her but when it came to the people she was the closest with she knew it would matter. But was there really anything to tell them? All that was happening was herself and Narcissa, getting to know each other, even if she liked the pureblood more than the witch liked her in return.
Deciding she should get back to her work she tried clearing her head, it was one thing that she was being distracted from work, but it was another that she was getting distracted by a love interest. This had never happened to her before. Hermione had always put work first, and now she couldn't seem to do it.
Harry had taken to interrupting her to tell her that Andromeda had invited her around for dinner with himself and Ginny, undoubtedly Ron wouldn't be there as Lavender was left out of the invite. Draco on the other hand was going along with Narcissa.
Hermione had also received an owl form her former head of house and transfiguration teacher, Minerva McGonagall, she was asking Hermione if she wanted to meet up for Lunch on Saturday in Hogsmead. Hermione accepted and wrote back to her telling her that she would. Hermione had also planned to speak to Ron that evening. He had asked her that morning if she would meet him for a quite drink after work so he could fully apologise for his actions at the ball. Lavender was going to be present, which was the only downfall of the problem.
Right now all the young witch was looking forward to be seeing the pureblood again, even if it was in the company of others, Hermione was sure she could still get something out of the evening. It was also going to be nice for her to see Andromeda again despite the fact she reminded her so much of Bellatrix.
From the events of the day before, Hermione could tell that Bellatrix was still a sensitive subject for the woman that she wanted to pursue. It was to be understood, Bellatrix had done some terrible things in her short life, and Hermione knew that for sure. Seeing Neville reminded her of it too.
He was still trying to help his parents that were secluded to the metal institution in St Mungos. From the moment Hermione had set eyes on Bellatrix Lestrange nee Black, she knew this woman was trouble, the brunette couldn't thank Merlin enough for making sure Narcissa didn't turn out the same way, she didn't know how she would react if she had such strong feeling for a sadist.
Narcissa had many similarities and differences to her sisters, being the youngest did her some justice, but she also lacked their striking black curly hair, and strong features. Of course Narcissa was immensely beautiful, there was no denying it for Hermione, but she often wondered if the woman knew this herself. The pureblood always dressed to impress and she always looked sexy. Her personality brought it all together for the brunette, she was a prodigious conversationist and her entire aura was truly alluring.
Hermione didn't feel like this was just a silly attraction anymore, there had to be more going on, the Muggle-born found it exceedingly difficult to wrap her head around her feelings these days. What is happening to me?
Ginerva Weasley had still not got into contact with the brunette, basically Hermione knew that the ginger was having a hard time controlling her inner emotions, hence her jealousy, but there was absolutely no need for her to talk the way she did to the Muggle-born that night at the Ministry Ball. As Hermione was meeting Ron she was also going to apologise to him too, it was partly her fault he got into a fracas with Krum, if Hermione had just declined his invite none of this would've happened, but then again, Narcissa wouldn't have healed her and she wouldn't have been able to spend time with her.
Entering the Leaky Cauldron the brunette noticed Ron and Lavender had chosen a seat towards the back of the pub so they could stay out of ear shot, oh this was going to be a nightmare, the fact Ron was not allowed to speak to Hermione alone made her feel sick, Lavender was being as controlling as ever after the brawl.
Taking a seat opposite the 'happy couple' Hermione smiled as Ron pushed her a glass of butter bear over that he'd taken to ordering for her as he waited for her arrival.
"Hermione I am so sorry about what happened at the Ball, I honestly didn't mean to hit you it was that idiot Krum, he got under my skin and I lost it. Not to mention I couldn't see you anywhere! I thought he'd upset you." Ron stared down at his beer, Lavender had her eyes fixed on Hermione almost, if was possible, burning a hole in her head.
"Look Ronald you do not need to worry about it, it was my fault for coming with him in the first place, we'll forget any of this happened." Hermione gave him a gentle smile.
"I hit you." He mumbled as he looked deeply saddened.
"Yeah and now I know not to mess with you." Hermione laughed but her ginger best friend only seemed to smile at her. The brunette shook her head, "I forgive you, I'm a tough cookie, plus Narcissa healed me there and then!" Hermione physically straightened as she had said the beautiful witches name, it rolled off her tongue, Narcissa, I could say it all day long, head back in the game Granger.
"She did I'm glad she was there." Ron lifted his head as he caught Hermione's slight blush. He shrugged it off, but he had heard her call the older witch by her first name, he wondered when they became so informal.
Hermione placed a hand on his forearm, she had briefly forgotten Lavender's presence as she was unusually quiet, but that was short lived, as the blasted witch piped up.
"Get your filthy hands of my Wonny!" Lavender glared and grabbed Ron's arm forcefully pulling him away.
Oh here we go. "Jesus Lavender you have some serious problems you may need to see someone about your possessiveness." Hermione chose to play this out, she snorted unable to control the smirk that appeared on her face.
"Won-Won say something! She can't speak to me like that!" Her voice was becoming infuriatingly high as she squawked.
"Lav I told you, if you were to come, you had to keep your mouth shut, and did you?" Ron spat but didn't give her time to answer. "No you didn't." He looked almost as angry as he did during his brawl with Viktor.
Hermione looked amused at the domestic, 'Lav-Lav' looked like she was about to start crying, Ron looked like he was about to burst with anger, and the brunette was trying to fight her laughter away. It was hard work.
"I'm not going to stand for her touching you!"
"OH!" Ron clearly was trying to keep his anger at bay. "Do I stop your friends from consoling you? No I do not. This is getting ridiculous Lav. I owe Hermione, I showed her up at the ball and I even gave her a smack to go with it."
"Ronald really its fine, I'm fine." Hermione added as he seemed to calm at her soothing words. "Water under the bridge." He was clearly abiding by her words, he was keeping his bitch on her leash, for now, she was like a Rottweiler that needed taming.
Lavender for the time being had slouched down in her seat, she was giving Hermione a death glare, she was still the petulant little bitch she used to be in Hogwarts, there was no changing that. Maybe when Lavender and Ron finally married she would calm down a bit, that is, if Molly hadn't murdered her beforehand.
"Er Harry said you and Ginny had words after the scuffle?" Ron looked interested.
The brunette sighed loudly and rested her head on her hand. "Yeah I don't know what's got into her lately."
"I agree with you there. She was weird at the engagement." Ron ran a hand through his ginger locks and took a gulp of his butter beer.
"Well I'll be seeing her this week, Andromeda's invited me over for dinner with Harry and Gin." Hermione looked at Ron; she hoped he didn't get offended that he hadn't been invited because of his 'other-half'.
"Well good luck with that, hopefully she doesn't make another scene. When we were at mum's the other day, she was cranky and acting bizarre. When mum found out she'd said those things to you she went mad, I'm guessing maybe that's why Ginny was acting up, I feel sorry for Harry, he's to deal with her on a daily bases." Ron carried on, after acquiring the new information Hermione nodded and took it all in. Something was wrong with Ginny and she was at the blunt of it.
"Hopefully she knows when to keep her mouth shut." Hermione concluded and finished off her butter beer.
"I'm sure you'll put her in her place if she starts." He laughed and looked over at his sulking fiancée before looking back towards his best friend. "You'll be pleased to know I got a few slaps from mum as well for showing her up at the ball. I'm not sure what happened to Viktor, have you seen him?"
Hermione shook her head. "Oh Molly, and no, I haven't, I'm hoping I'll never see him again, he causes too much commotion!"
"Thank Merlin! I cannot stand him, but that's all I'll say, I've learnt to keep my mouth shut." The conversation carried on and the two ordered another drink. Lavender had luckily kept quiet thus far into their chatting.
Hermione just pretended like the blonde wasn't there, she quickly lost all sense of anything and everything as her heart skipped a beat
as Narcissa entered the pub. As always she looked amazing, she was accompanied by Draco, he must have time off university, Hermione thought, as her eyes wandered up and down the purebloods body she had forgot her own company.
"Alright 'Mione?" Ron waved his hand in front of her face, Hermione blinked and laughed, "did ya space out for a second there?"
Giggling she proceeded "Yes sorry got a lot on my mind."
"Haven't you always?" Ron asked rhetorically.
"Hmm you know me." Risking another glance at the older witch who had taken her seat at a table with her son, Hermione found the woman to be smiling at her. Blushing slightly, she smiled back and looked down into her half full glass of butter beer.
Ron turned around to see who she was staring at, upon noticing the purebloods he gave them a small nod. "Draco's growing on me ya know, I think he's turning into a really nice guy, though I heard Harry tried to set you up with him."
"Yeah he's a nice guy but, that, that is not going to happen; he's definitely not my type." Getting control of her body again Hermione couldn't help but letting her eyes linger every so often on Narcissa.
"What was that blush all about then when he entered the pub?" Ron teased, he has mistaken her flush of redness as information that she harboured some sort of feelings for the platinum blonde.
"I was just a little warm, like I said, he's not my type."
"NO your type, is my soon to be husband." Lavender sat up and scowled.
"Lav." Ron warned.
"I'm not as deranged as you Lavender, I can think for myself, Ron is my best friend. How many times do you want me to say that to you?" Hermione stared back icily. "Shall I write it down for you so you can carry it with you everywhere you go to remind yourself?"
"You little bitch!" Lavender flipped and stood leaning her hands on the table staring down at Hermione.
"What are you going to Lavender? Sit back down like the good tame little pup you are." Hermione was tired and she wasn't backing down. If she wanted to play dirty then fine.
"What am I going to do?" the blonde mimicked before standing up to her full height, she picked up her glass of, whatever it was she was drinking, and threw it over Hermione.
Well that did it; the brunette sprang to her feet and slapped the blonde around her face. "How dare you." Hermione picked up her own glass and threw it right back at her.
Ron was hit by some spray back from the force of the throw but he quickly stood up to try and calm down the situation. Once again, Hermione and Lavender happened to be centre of attention. Hermione tried calming herself down but the next move Lavender made provoked the, now wet, brunette.
As she felt a hand collide with her own face Hermione stepped around to the woman and pushed her, if people wanted a show then fine, they were going to get one. Lavender fell back into the awaiting arms of her fiancé, and tried fighting out of his embrace. Narcissa had taken to rushing over to the scene and grabbing Hermione's arms and pulling her away.
"Outside, now." The older witch whispered in Hermione's ear causing her to shiver. Hermione gave Ron an apologetic look before being led out of the pub.
As they exited the pub Hermione freed herself from Narcissa's touch and ripped her wand from her sleeve and cast a cleansing charm on herself. She brushed a now curly hair out of her face and glanced briefly at Narcissa before turning away to try and sort herself out.
"What are you doing Hermione? Do you want to be banned from the Leaky Cauldron for causing a ruckus?" Narcissa folded her arms and looked at the younger witch.
"I didn't cause that!" Hermione spun around and out her hand on her hips.
"You provoked her, I heard you."
"She deserved it, I'm not taking her shit anymore, and she's an absolute fool if she thinks she can run with me." Hermione's anger hadn't subsided and her chest was heaving as she took in heavy breaths, Narcissa's perfume was alluring it soothed her, a little.
"Be the better person and leave it be, everything was fine until then. What will people think?" Narcissa was trying to look out for the younger witch, she cared a great deal about her, and she didn't want to see Hermione get into trouble although she was very, very provocative when she was angry.
Hermione shook her head, and folded her arms, she stared at Narcissa and tried sussing out what was going on here. "Look Reputation is an idle and most false imposition; often got without merit, and lost without deserving." Quoting Othello had caught the pureblood off guard Hermione knew she had read it from the time at Daunts. "I'm not bothered what people think Narcissa, and neither should you."
It broke Hermione a little to know that Narcissa still cared about public image, times had changed, in the wizarding world.
"You cared at the Ball." Narcissa caught eye contact with the brunette.
"That was different."
"Not really, you were upset that you had to deal with all the attention, but this time you caused it." It was the truth, Hermione was so blinded by rage that she too had showed herself up. Nice going Hermione.
Hermione was about to submit and apologise before Draco Malfoy bounded through the doors of the pub and nearly bumped into the brunette, "ah sorry Miss Granger." He looked at his mother who shook her head. "I really thought you were going to kick her arse, I was gunning for you Granger! Mother why'd you have to split it up?! Everyone wanted to see a bit of girl on girl action. Tom wasn't going to split it up!" The platinum blonde whined as his mother gave him a glare. Hermione just shook her head.
"Draco how very rude of you don't be absurd, Weasley needed a hand splitting them up." Narcissa looked ashamed at her son's dirty outburst.
"Hermione would've knocked the air out of her! She needs it frankly." Draco scoffed and leant against the wall.
Narcissa frowned at his informality, the brunette hadn't given her son the option to use her first name.
"Yes well it's probably a good job I didn't." Letting out an audible sigh Hermione wrapped her arms about her; maybe she should just leave and call it a day. She felt like she'd shown herself up in front of Narcissa.
"Are you kidding? I thought you were a feisty one." Draco stood up and nudged her arm. Hermione's brows knitted together as she casually moved away from his touch. "What's wrong Granger? Feeling sentimental?"
"Draco!" Narcissa hissed.
"What mother? She comes across all flirtatious and then knocks me down!" He shrugged still leant against the wall.
"WHAT?!" Hermione threw her hands up in the air, "When the hell have I ever flirted with you?" The brunette was seriously confused, she'd never even looked at Draco that way.
"At Weasley's engagement party! You so wanted me!" Draco was showing his arrogance and he was smugly looking at Hermione.
"You are mistaken." Hermione crossed her arms and glanced a look at Narcissa who was glaring at her son.
"You're just playing hard to get, I get it Granger… Or maybe I should call you Hermione?"
"Or you could pull your head out of your arse?" Hermione spat, now wasn't the time to rile her back up.
"Excuse me?"
"You heard! You arrogant little prick!" Well shit, you let that one slip. Hermione saw his wide eyed expression and he looked towards his mother before turning and charging back into the Leaky Cauldron. Serves him right for all the crap I took off him in Hogwarts. I probably shouldn't think like that.
The Muggle-born stared hopelessly at the spot Draco had accompanied before deciding she should apologise to Narcissa, well she probably wasn't going to Andy's for dinner this week, not after that quarrel, Draco had seemed to have changed but he was clearly his father's son when it came to trying to get what he wanted, or simply what he couldn't have.
"I'm sorry." Hermione looked at Narcissa whose gaze was piercing into her, had she just fucked up the one thing she was enjoying so much? Yes she couldn't have Narcissa as a romantic acquaintance but she wanted her friendship.
"Don't be, I shall be having words with him, I do not know what came over him, are you alright?" Narcissa looked reassuringly at the younger witch as her eyes searched the brunettes face for any hint of emotion.
"Well, no, but I guess that's what I get aye, bad karma and all?" Hermione nervously laughed and pulled her hair to one side. "I'm going to go, I need to get out of here."
"Hermione" Narcissa called before Hermione could apparate, "take care won't you?"
Smiling and nodding as she unsheathed her wand and apparated straight into her apartment. Take care? What the hell does that mean? She thought to herself as she poured a glass of water and took a seat on her sofa, turning on the TV. Her mind briefly drifted to the last moment again, with Narcissa's words swimming through her mind, what did she mean? Was she just over thinking this?
()
Hermione peeled her eyes open and craned her neck, she had fallen asleep on her sofa, it was now dark and she peered down at her watch to check the time, three in the morning, great, Crookshanks was next to her he was sound asleep. The brunette quietly switched off her TV and stood up, she walked to her bathroom to undress from her now stained clothes, Lavender was such an arse, that was her favourite top, nothing a bit of magic couldn't fix though. Jumping in the shower she washed herself still feeling unclean from having the drink over her.
In the shower Hermione contemplated three things, firstly was the last words Narcissa had said to her, did this mean she wouldn't be seeing her again? Then Draco's inexplicable behaviour, what the hell was his problem maybe he just needed to get laid? Then she let her mind wander to the dinner at Andromeda's, would she still be invited? The brunette so badly wanted to see Narcissa.
Climbing out of the shower she wrapped a fluffy towel around herself and made her way into her bed room. She had to be at the Ministry for work in five and a half hours, she got dried and put her pjs on and got into bed. The Muggle-born knew she wouldn't be able to sleep with her mind clouded with thoughts, but she was at least going to try.
Waking up to the sound of her blazing alarm, Hermione groggily slung her arm out of bed knocking the alarm ceasing the racket. Throwing her blankets back she slowly sat up and rubbed her eyes, she hadn't realised she had just buried Crookshanks in the sheets as he had slept on top of her quilt. He scurried out and gave her a pout before leaving the room.
Hermione got dressed and did her usual routine before feeding Crookshanks and leaving for the Ministry, when she arrived most of her staff were already at work. The brunette made her way to her desk and sat down, it was a complete mess from yesterday, unable to tidy it because of her foggy mind she sat back in her chair and sighed.
Ginerva Weasley had decided to make her way up to Hermione's office, she wanted to talk to her Muggle-born friend, when she entered her office without knocking on the door and ignoring Margret, the brunette's assistant, she saw Hermione leant over her desk with her head in her hands.
"Hard at work I see." She muttered as she shut the door behind her and slouched in a chair in front of the brunette's desk.
"What do you need Ginny, I am rather busy." Hermione wasn't ready for round two after the ball. Narcissa's words were still fresh in her mind and all she could think, was the fact she had probably messed things up because of what she had said to the pureblood's son.
"Clearly" Ginny scoffed "what's up with you?"
"Nothing"
"It's obviously not nothing, I've seen this look on you before. You're hung up over someone aren't you!?" Prying into other people's business was one of Ginny's traits. The ginger was eyeing her friend suspiciously.
"No I'm not Gin." Hermione was still waiting for an apology from the horrible words she got at the Ball.
"You can't hide things from me, it's written all over your face! Tell me!" The ginger never gave up easily.
"No certainly not."
"Why not?"
"You cannot hold water if your life depended on it." Hermione pretended to shuffle some papers in order to prove to the pureblood she was busy.
"Come on Hermione! We're best friends!" The Weasley pressed as she leant on Hermione's desk.
"Are we?" Hermione raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow in a questioning manner before going back to shuffling her papers.
"What?" Was the shocked answer Ginny gave her before leaning back into her chair.
"Well you berate me in front of an audience of our friends at the Ball, you come in here demanding to know about my personal life, you spend half your time moping about because Harry won't marry you. Do you have nothing better to do?" Well that struck a nerve, Ginny flinched at Hermione's words.
"Don't be so ridiculous, I was proving my point, and as for Harry, you clearly don't know him like I do."
Hermione raised her eyebrows and threw her hands up, "I'm sorry, did you spend seven years fighting against Voldemort with him? No, all you did was try get involved in the battle, and what did you do? Nearly throw yourself to the wolves when you thought Harry had died."
"How dare you Hermione Granger! Where is all this coming from?" The ginger looked frustrated in front of her. She nervously looked around the room.
"I want an apology for the night of the ball. That's where that came from."
"Fine!" Ginny spat. "I apologise." Pushing her chair out so she could stand she looked down at her friend. "I'll see you at Andy's tomorrow night, and I'm not forgetting about your secret boyfriend." Typical Ginny, pretending everything's hunk dory. Hermione shook her head.
Boyfriend? If only she knew, she'd definitely be shocked. "Thank you, and yeah, about that, I don't think I'm still invited."
"What did you do?" The ginger looked at her shocked and retook her seat.
"It's a long story." Hermione rubbed her neck to ease the stress.
"Spill."
After filling Ginny in on her fray with Lavender part two, Hermione ordered her friend a tea as they continued to talk, apparently that's all Hermione did at work these days, talk, and think.
"Well Draco has always been a twat, but I agree, his mother should've let you take out Lavender! God I'd have paid Ron to see that memory!" The ginger laughed before looking at Hermione smiling back at her.
"Great, anyway, Draco stormed off, so either I upset him, or I don't know."
"Don't worry about it, Andy won't uninvited you. She likes you, and Draco should be the one apologising not his mother. Oh she'll be there tomorrow too, little Teddy is excited to see you as well 'Mione, so please don't back out of going."
At the mention of Narcissa going, Hermione perked up, she smiled, if she was still invited then she was definitely going. She needed to make sure that the pureblood was still okay with her. "I'll come, if Andy will have me, I mean what if it's awkward you know, with Draco."
"Leave it to the Blacks to sort him out. Now stop faffing with those papers and actually do some work." The ginger then looked at Hermione's watch, "oh its lunch time, I best be going Harry and I have a scheduled romp in his office."
Hermione scrunched her face at this new information. "Ew Gin that's disgusting I do not need to know that!" She heard the other witch laughing as she walked out of her office. "I hope someone catches you!" Hermione yelled as the ginger closed her door.
Getting back to her work Hermione knew she had another long day ahead of her. The best part was being able to interact with Narcissa at Andy's. Also she was definitely going to have to stop wearing her emotions on her sleeve if Ginny had picked up on something, that couldn't happen again, Hermione slowly got began to work.
