CHAPTER NINE: DECISIONS
"I believe that is it for today," Narcissa said the night before the ball, "If you wish to get some rest before the event tomorrow night, you may go."
The two women sat in their usual positions next to each other. Hermione couldn't help that Narcissa seemed unusually more tense than normal. When Hermione had complimented her red heels, Narcissa had blushed a furious state of red, mumbled a quick 'thank you' and quickly retreated into her shell.
Hermione bit her lip, pausing, realizing she really didn't want to go home. She stayed put in her chair staring at the document in her hands, completely finished and perfected. She suddenly realized she wished she had made a mistake… or took longer to complete it. Hermione realized how incredibly unlike her that thought was.
"Well..?" Narcissa said, impatiently. Hermione snapped her head up, realizing she had just been sitting there without answering or moving.
"Are you leaving?" Hermione asked, hesitantly.
Narcissa pulled out another pile of parchment, gave a slight chuckle and mumbled, "No, I still have more incompetency to work through."
Hermione's mind internally struggled, "Would…," she paused, clearing her throat and gathering her Gryffindor courage, "Would it be alright if I stayed here?"
Narcissa raised her eyebrow at the younger woman.
"I still have some reading for the presentation."
Narcissa cast a slightly surprised glance at Hermione, "Fine."
Hermione beamed, smiling widely. For anyone else a 'fine' would have been a polite dismissal or passive aggressive 'no', but from Narcissa Black it was high praise to be allowed to be in her presence when you did not have to be. She summoned her materials quickly and nestled in beside Narcissa much like she had imagined days prior.
They worked side by side several moments before Narcissa spoke. Hermione could tell Narcissa kept eyeing Hermione out of the corner of her eye.
"Is that important?"
"Just notes I'm reviewing for the presentation, it's not critical, but I like to be prepared for all outcomes," Hermione responded.
Narcissa seemed to hesitate, pondering something. Hermione looked back down at her papers again before Narcissa asked why she wouldn't be more comfortable reading at home. She wasn't sure she would have an adequate answer for that. Instead, Narcissa did something Hermione would have never expected and asked, "Could I interest you in a glass of wine?"
Hermione's eyebrows shot up, "Yes. Sure. That would be lovely."
Narcissa pulled open her bottom, locked, desk drawer and revealed a vintage red blend and placed it on her desk. She walked over to another part of her office (Hermione couldn't help but oogle those red heels again) and produced two Ministry-stamped coffee mugs. When she sat back down, she said, "I often find a glass of wine helps me relax while digesting information."
Narcissa poured, delicately. Watching Narcissa do something while, seemingly ordinary, seemed to entrance her even more. When Narcissa offered the mug to her, Hermione smiled, accepting the glass, "Thank you."
"It's not fancy glassware, I'm afraid. This blend does well in a fine crystal round glass.."
"It's delicious," Hermione said, after taking a long sip.
Narcissa offered a small smile, her own fingers clasping around the coffee mug. Hermione smiled, sighing deeply. The two settled back into their routine prior. As she continued to ponder and make her own notes, she kept stealing glances over at Narcissa and sipping her wine. Hermione quickly confirmed to herself that this was much preferable than sitting in her office alone.
"Can I ask you a question?" Hermione asked, fearful she was treading water.
"You may," Narcissa said, raising the glass to her lips.
"Why don't you invade people's minds just to get information?" Hermione asked, bluntly.
Narcissa, almost, blushed beet red, she did not need to be reminded of late night events even if the woman in question did not have a clue it happened. It was enough she was tempting the fates that Hermione had complimented the red heels earlier, "Unless someone is thinking extremely loud, Ms. Granger, I try and stay out of people's business. I've had my share of people trying to invade my mind on a daily basis, I do not wish that barren on anyone. Occlumency is a hard enough skill to learn, most people do not have the patience to master it properly, even fewer have the power to practice Legilimency, which is a far more magic draining task. It requires significant manipulation, it drains your magic, and requires commitment and focus."
"Would you teach me?" Hermione asked.
"Trying to read my mind, Ms. Granger?" Narcissa asked, "Intrigued if I'm planning to promote you yet?"
Hermione blushed, "No. I think it would be beneficial for my… future career aspirations."
Narcissa looked up, processing the idea, "Maybe after our month is up, Ms. Granger. You're looking fatigued enough as it is. I'm already over-working you too much already."
"But I-"
"I promise we will revisit the idea after your presentation, Ms. Granger. That's my final word on the matter," Narcissa said, leaning her glasses down with that look that meant she had definitely put her foot down.
"Yes, Ms. Black," Hermione said, smiling to herself as she tried to ignore the swirl of butterflies in her stomach.
"What are you planning on wearing for the event?" Narcissa asked, making a small notation.
"I haven't thought about it- what does the occasion call for?" Hermione asked.
"I tend to go with business formal. It's not a party, more of a networking celebration," Narcissa said, never looking at Hermione, "Nothing risqué or flashy. Paparazzi will be outside, but it is a work function so you should behave as one."
"Of course," Hermione said, taking another small sip of her wine. She could feel the effects starting to mingle in her stomach. A warm pleasant feeling ran through her nerves. She began thinking about options in her closet.
"Bring a selection tomorrow, and I will help you choose," Narcissa said. She stopped taking her notes and briefly glanced up at Hermione, "I mean, if you would like my professional opinion, that is."
Hermione nodded eagerly, "That would be very helpful, Ms. Black, thank you."
Narcissa gave Hermione a curt nod before returning to her work. Hermione continued to sip her wine and look over her presentation notes.
"It seems only fair that since you asked a question, I ask one as well," Narcissa said, not looking up.
"Yes, that would be fair."
"Is it true you invented your own spell while at Hogwarts?"
Hermione's eyes widened, "How did you- you pulled my records?"
"I did." Narcissa confirmed, with an emphasis on the punctuation. A clear sign she was not going to give an explanation as to why.
"Yes, I did."
"That's very impressive."
"Thank you."
Another silence, still avoiding eye contact.
"It's also incredibly dangerous."
"I take- took precautions."
"Well, if you were to continue inventing, I would encourage a significant amount of precautions and perhaps, a partner, in the future," Narcissa said slowly, "There are also several books in my office on spell-making. I have not had the time to properly read them."
Finally, Narcissa turned slowly to Hermione. They locked eyes for the briefest of moments.
"You may borrow them."
Hermione's mouth turned into a slow upward smile, "Thank you, Ms. Black."
A curt nod was the only response she got.
After a few more minutes and a few more sips of wine, Hermione was feeling adventurous.
"What incompetencies are you working on?"
Narcissa cocked her head to the side, indicating Hermione move closer. And Hermione didn't hesitate. Their chair armrests sat side by side. Hermione let her notes fall to her lap as Narcissa spread her papers out over the desk.
"McGonagall requested me to look into the applicants for the new Defense Against the Dark Arts position. She wants my professional opinion on how I think each applicant would base their teaching style in relation to test scores."
Three candidates were lain before her, Narcissa quickly added, "The incompetency is the politics. Applying for such a position usually require candidates to lie on their application, or are at least presumed of doing so, rather than showing their true self."
"It makes it that much harder to tell how they will actually perform on the job," Hermione responded.
"Exactly. So, I must read between the lines."
"Do all positions have to go through such stringent processes?"
"Just this one. McGonagall wants a particular emphasis on this new Defense teacher because of several failings to provide a reasonable teacher that doesn't put several students lives in danger."
"The Ministry appointed Umbridge."
"A massive catastrophe."
Hermione nodded, no argument there.
"McGonagall wishes a stricter background check and interview process with Ministry assistance, but Hogwarts will still have the final say in the final hire."
"So what are your thoughts currently?" Hermione asked leaning in.
"Candidate A: Matilda Scorn; is an interesting candidate. She has an abundance of real world experience, but very little classroom experience. She was an Auror for several years, training the lower level Aurors before missions, but no work with children. Candidate B; Rufus Maximillion; is a bit more of a wild card," Narcissa continued, picking up each application individually and leaning into her armrest to show Hermione, "he was a former Death Eater who deflected during the first war. He has real experience in the Dark Arts, but it could be highly debatable as to whether his true allegiance is. He has been tutoring several high profile families, which is not necessarily a bad circumstance, but it raises questions."
Hermione tried not to shake as Narcissa's arm grazed her, and she realized Narcissa's face was inches from her own. She tried to hide her sweaty palms by rubbing her hands on her skirt and taking another long sip of wine. A very long sip.
"Candidate C; Fleur Delacour-Weasley competed in the Triwizard Tournament, fought alongside in the Final Battle, awarded medals of honor from multiple governments, has worked for Gringotts Wizarding Bank part-time, most recently specifically on their protection charms. She is looking for a more stable and full time position to support her growing family."
Narcissa continued to speak to all of the candidate's strengths and weakness as she explained to Hermione what she thought each one of them would bring in reflection of testing based on their interviews. Narcissa had a detailed itinerary of each interview, application, history, background checks, and much more. Hermione couldn't help but be impressed by the way Narcissa could examine mundane details and interpret based on mannerisms, explanations, the way they composed themselves.
Hermione settled in next to Narcissa as she continued to talk Hermione through her work, offering examples and advice on dealing with hiring and the interview process. Both getting a warm sensation and feeling from the close proximity and slight buzz from the wine. Hermione watched as Narcissa slowly relaxed against it. Soon, their entire arm lengths were against each other. Hermione could feel Narcissa's breath against her face. It was causing a storm inside her, but it was so rare Narcissa opened up and relaxed with her like this. She didn't want to move a muscle.
For the remainder of their time, they sat drinking wine, working on their respective work, while engaging with each other over topics they found interesting.
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The night, Hermione had sent Ginny an urgent owl demanding her presence at her apartment immediately.
"Bloody 'ell, Hermione," Ginny said, stepping inside the flat, "What do you need at eleven thirty at night?"
"I need your help picking choices for the Ministry Ball tomorrow night," Hermione said, ushering Ginny into the small, modest bedroom.
"Choices? As in plural?" Ginny asked, clarifying.
"Well, I need to bring in a couple different options and then Narcissa is going to help me select the best one," Hermione said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"So let me get this straight… you need me to help you pick out some outfits so that Narcissa can choose the best one?" Ginny asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes! What? Why are you giving me that look for?" Hermione asked defiantly, crossing her arms over her chest.
"I just think that's a lot of consideration for a work event," Ginny said.
Hermione kept her arms crossed, she wasn't sure how to respond to that, "This is the biggest promotion of my career thus far. I need to look as professional as possible."
"Why is Narcissa giving you advice? And then why do you need me?" Ginny teased.
"I want to impress her, Gin!"
Ginny raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
Ginny raised her second eyebrow.
I hate when you do that."
"You just seem to be spending a lot of time with Narcissa lately, I even heard the two of you went out for tea," Ginny drawled.
"It's nothing, Gin," Hermione said, "She simply offered to help me select an outfit."
"Hermione Jean Granger, name me one time when Narcissa Black offered to help anyone that didn't involve her son," Ginny prodded.
Hermione huffed, "You're as bad as your mother, do you know that?"
Ginny gasped, "You take that back right now, Hermione Granger!"
This time, Hermione got to raise her eyebrow.
"Ugh, fine, well! It gets results," Ginny said, "Now, can we just skip all this and get to it, then? What the hell is going on with you and Ms. Black?"
Hermione sighed and sat down on her bed, "I don't know! She's so bloody confusing to read. Sometimes she so button up, and other times she completely surprises me! Sometimes it seems like she wants to help me, but I still feel as though I have to impress her for the job.."
".. And yourself?"
Hermione cradled her head in her hands, "Yes!"
Ginny reached out and hugged Hermione, "Was that so hard?"
"I hate you."
"No, you don't, bookworm," Ginny patted her back.
"You can't tell Harry!"
"Why not?" Ginny asked.
"It's Malfoy's mum!" Hermione emphasized, "They still haven't talked since the War. Bloody hell, I haven't seen him since the War, and I'm working with his mother."
"I think he will be far more understanding than you think," Ginny said, placing a hand on Hermione's knee, "Give him some more credit."
"Just, please, don't tell him. Yet. If anything happens, he will be the first one I tell- ow ow! Okay! You will be the first one I tell, then Harry. Blimey!" Hermione said, rubbing the part of her arm where Ginny had pinched her, "Just not yet. I'm not even ready for you to know, and you basically mother-guilt-tripped me into it."
"You're welcome!" Ginny said, happily clapping. Hermione smiled at her friend's enthusiasm, "Now! Let's look at these outfits!"
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The next day, instead of discussing their usual criteria, Hermione stood in Narcissa's office with the pre-selected choices.
"Those are your choices?" Narcissa asked, studying the two choices Hermione had brought with her. A well fitted, white lace, modest dress and a floor length, deep purple, semi formal dress. Hermione nodded. Her tone didn't sound too disapproving, it looked like Narcissa was trying to solve a puzzle.
Hermione stood by Narcissa's door, fidgeting nervously.
"The white would look lovely on you," Narcissa said quickly, "Wear the white. It will make you look innocent when people will be trying to dig up dirt on you and it will… compliment your features."
Hermione nodded as Narcissa handed her the dress, placing it up against Hermione for inspection.
"Yes, the white will be lovely," Narcissa said, under her breath.
"The white it is then," Hermione responded, taking the dress fully from Narcissa, "Will I see you tonight then?"
Narcissa rounded back to her desk, "Yes."
Hermione nodded.
The air lingered, as if something more should be said, but neither knew where to go. They made eye contact. Hermione nodded again, "Tonight, then."
Narcissa nodded back, "Tonight."
Tonight.
