Hermione strolled confidently into Malfoy Manor on Monday morning. She was the embodiment of professional perfection dressed in a conservative dark grey pantsuit, plain black pumps and hair pulled back into a severe bun. To her surprise, she was greeted by Meena, who handed Hermione a small piece of expensive-looking parchment.
Granger,
I'm away on business. Back on Friday.
Meena is at your disposal.
DM
DAMN IT!
How was she to put her plan in place if the ferret wasn't here to cooperate? Narrowing her eyes as she read the short note again, she smiled slowly. He was hiding! Her grin widened further. For Merlin's sake, the bastard was afraid of facing her, she realized.
Good!
Hermione squared her shoulders, straightened her suit minutely then turned to thank the little elf. She also let Meena know she could find her way easily to Draco's suite of apartments. She made her way up the stairs and through the portrait gallery, pausing to apologize to Cecilia for her hasty departure on Friday. She assured the worried lady that all was well and that she was now fine. With Draco away on business, she expected it to be a very quiet week. And a quiet week it was.
She arranged to have lunch at the Manor everyday, taking small breaks to visit Cecilia and the other portraits in the gallery. Given she only had her office to contend with in the mornings, she adjusted her wardrobe and dressed herself in grey or black smartly tailored suits and equally conservative shoes. The suits lent her an air of quiet authority as well as the feeling that she was solidly back in control.
Monday seemed to fly by without incident. Tuesday, she managed to get further along on the cell phone charm. The phone worked for an hour before completely dying. Wednesday brought not only cloudy weather but also an interesting visitor and invitation. Hermione was enjoying tea at the long table in Draco's apartment. The fragrant aroma of calming Flowering Jasmine and Lily tea filled the air. Flaky scones along with raspberry jam and the most decadent clotted Devonshire cream had been laid out when she heard a knock at Draco's door. She set her tea cup down and slowly rose. She frowned in confusion and curiosity, as she strode over to the door. Who would knock? Certainly not Draco.
She opened the door and found herself completely flabbergasted. Standing before her was a smiling Narcissa Malfoy. Hermione resisted the urge to point her wand at the older witch. After all, she wasn't at war with the older Malfoys just the ferrity one. Breathing deeply she fisted her hand in an effort to control herself. Hermione greeted the lady of the house with a small polite, painted smile that didn't quite reach her eyes,
"Mrs. Malfoy. Good afternoon. Draco's not here today."
"Good afternoon, Ms. Granger. I'm not here to see Draco. May I come in?"
Hermione stepped back to indicate that Narcissa Malfoy should indeed step into the suite. Hermione really couldn't be sure but it appeared that Narcissa Malfoy's smile appeared genuine.
"Of course, Mrs. Malfoy. This is your son's suite and your home; after all, I'm but a guest. Come in."
Narcissa Malfoy's beauty was both regal and aristocratic. She seemed to command any room she graced with just her presence alone. She gracefully glided past Hermione and made her way to the settee seating area which Hermione had avoided all week. She sighed in resignation as Narcissa Malfoy looked to her before seating herself. Hermione motioned with her hand and nodded.
"Please sit. Would you like some tea Mrs. Malfoy?"
Hermione asked politely as she walked towards the long table holding the tea service.
"Oh goodness, Mrs. Malfoy was my mother-in-law and I never could stand the old bird. Please call me Narcissa. May I call you Hermione?"
Hermione looked at her in wide-eyed wonderment. This was decidedly strange. However, Hermione smiled again and nodded.
"Yes, of course."
"Thank you for the lovely offer of tea but I must decline, I know you're busy, dear. Cecilia tells me you're making great strides on your project. She's very impressed."
Narcissa settled herself comfortably on the settee. Strolling back towards the settees to sit, Hermione had the odd the feeling she was in an alternate universe. Was Narcissa Malfoy actually attempting to have a civil conversation with her?
"Cecilia is too kind. The work can be, at times, tedious; however I have been able to make progress while your son has away on business."
"He returns Friday, I believe."
"Yes."
Hermione sat with hands on her lap, calmly waiting for the Slytherin beauty to continue.
"Draco's not expected back until the late afternoon. I would very much like to invite you to have tea with me this Friday."
Cruciatus, Imperio or even Avada Kedavra was what she expected from Narcissa Malfoy. Instead, Hermione felt as if she'd been hit with a Confundus Charm.
"Tea?" She asked in surprise.
"Yes. Tea."
"Friday?"
"Yes, my dear, is that a problem?"
Narcissa smiled a little wryly as if she somehow knew of the thoughts that played within Hermione's head. Knowing it would be very rude to decline, Hermione found herself returning Narcissa Malfoy's decidedly sincere smile,
"I don't believe it's a problem at all. What a kind offer, Mrs . . . Narcissa. I would love to join you for tea."
"Lovely. Shall we say three o'clock? It shouldn't interfere in your time with Draco should you need to meet with him that afternoon."
"Three is perfect."
"Wonderful. Meena will escort you to the Solarium. Thank you for your time, Hermione. My apologies again on the intrusion."
She stood up and smiled. Thanking her in return for her kind invitation, Hermione walked Narcissa Malfoy to the door and bid her a good afternoon and evening. She closed the door behind her then leaned against it and blinked in amazement.
"How surreal." She smiled a little bemusedly, shook her head slightly and went back to work.
Thursday came and went with little to no surprises, leaving Hermione with a some free time in the afternoon.
She thought it would be an ideal time to see if she could glean a little more on the man, Draco Malfoy. Knowing she was being a tad naughty, she decided to snoop. Nervous but resolved she first rifled through his desk, finding nothing other than parchment, quills and ink. She made her way slowly around the suite finding nothing of interest until she found herself standing in from of his bedroom door.
Did she dare? This was Draco's inner sanctum. It would be a very personal intrusion. Wait, after what that git had done, all his manipulations and machinations, she certainly did dare. The damn sod. She bit her lower lip as she placed her hand on the door handle. Surely, it would be charmed to prevent intruders? This was Draco Malfoy after all. But the handle turned easily. Hermione could feel her heart beat wildly as she gently pushed the door open and stuck her head inside to glance into the bedroom.
Her eyes widened in awe at the sumptuous, modern luxury that greeted her. The room was enormous and decorated in hues of whites, beiges and dark blues. Three beautiful and narrow floor-to-ceiling French windows lined the far side of the room, all opening to what appeared to be a wrap around terrace. Gorgeous white shantung silk draperies flanked each window. To her right was a small fireplace with two cozy white leather chaises framing either side of the hearth. A thick, lush carpet swallowed the sounds of her footsteps.
To the left, she noticed two doors. One was a double door to what she assumed to be his closet, the other probably led to his bathroom. She'd find out shortly. A small desk and chair sat by one of the windows, next to the desk was an owl perch.
The only other piece of furniture in the room was the massive dark oak, intricately dragon-carved four-poster bed. Merlin, it looked like it could easily fit four or five people comfortably. The bed was piled high with pillows. Hermione blushed thinking of him sleeping in the bed, wondering if he preferred pajamas or did he wear nothing at all.
His room was not at all what she expected.
She made her way towards the double doors and opened them to find his closet. Suits, shirts, trousers all hung in neatly coordinated rows, shoes lined the wall. He had built-in shelving where she assumed he kept his undergarments and jewelry. She stepped into the closet feeling as if she was entering a forbidden inner chamber. She walked along his suits and shirts, occasionally taking a deep breath to see if she could grasp his scent. Although quite tempted to open the drawers, she didn't.
She stepped out of the closet and closed the doors behind her. Strolling over to the other door, she opened it to reveal a stunning tumbled stone bathroom with double pedestal glass sinks. A massive sunken bathtub with dozens of nozzles, jets and faucets sat at the far side of the bathroom. To her left, was an oversized, glassencased shower with a built in stone seat. A giant rainfall showerhead was affixed at the ceiling and duosteam showering systems lined both sides of the walls.
Merlin, all this for one man.
She stepped out of the bathroom and moved back towards his bed. She ran a finger along the comforter. Gingerly, she sat at the foot of the bed then slowly lay back and closed her eyes.
The realization that she was lying on top of Draco Malfoy's bed, in his bedroom and intruding on his private sanctuary finally hit her. She shot up and quickly retreated; ensuring that everything she had touched was back to its original order. She certainly didn't want him to know she'd been there snooping around. Who knew how he would react.
Hermione returned to her desk, cancelled tea and decided to finish her workday early on Thursday afternoon.
