Disclaimer: Still owns nothing.
Author's note: I dont have much to comment on in this chapter, except that we kind of get to see a little bit into Narcissa's life. Again read and review, no haters please.
Contains: Lesbian sex, swearing and more crying.
Chapter ten: Afterglow
Hermione awoke the next morning feeling more rested than she had felt in the last 6 years. Nightmares of the war had plagued her dreams and forced her to wake up screaming and sweating, but somehow laying here with Narcissa made all that go away, even if her sister was the one who she had nightmares about daily.
She considered Narcissa for a few moments, studying her features. She was the total opposite of her sister Bellatrix. Bellatrix had dark, wild hair, heavily lidded eyes, sharp facial features, and dark, cold eyes that could strike fear into the bravest person on earth. Narcissa had platinum blonde hair and a pale complexion, with electric blue eyes that could see into your soul and draw out the deepest desires of your heart. She carried herself with regal grace much like Bellatrix, but she didn't have that aura of arrogance surrounding her.
Hermione sighed and smiled slightly. She had just had the best sex of her life with a woman that she hardly knew personally. But she didn't care about that; she knew that it was a one night stand, and that after today Narcissa wouldn't want to see her again. She also knew that the only reason that she had slept with Narcissa was because she was hurting, and she supposed that Narcissa understood that, after all there was no way in reality that she could be with Narcissa full time, she was a married woman. Then there was the slightly problematic part of her older sister, Bellatrix. Hermione had no idea how Bellatrix would react to this, or if there would be a bounty on her head by the end of the day. She knew what Bellatrix was capable of, and was a little apprehensive about going back to work tomorrow to check on her.
Hermione was snapped out of her musings by a soft, musical voice. She focused her now undivided attention on the amazing woman beside her.
"Where did you go? You looked so far away just a minute ago." Narcissa asked placing a morning kiss on Hermione's lips.
"I was just overanalyzing things like I normally do, as I was replaying last night's events in my head." Hermione replied.
"I see, well it was an intense night." Narcissa said rolling over and sitting up.
Her long blonde hair cascaded down her back catching the sunlight in all the right places. Hermione smiled and got up as well.
"Why don't you shower while I start breakfast?" Narcissa suggested as she stood in all her glory in front of Hermione.
"Um…I…there is another bathroom down stairs…you may use it to shower if you need to." Hermione stammered as she stared at Narcissa's naked form.
"I think I will, see you down stairs soon." Narcissa said smiling.
She picked up her clothes from the floor and waved her hand across the air and the curtains drew back and the sun light flooded in full force.
"Wandless magic?" Hermione gasped.
"Yes, I am rather skilled at it." Narcissa said smugly.
" I haven't quite gotten the hang of it, I suppose it is because of all the stress I have been under. Would you teach me sometime?" Hermione said walking into the bathroom.
"I would love to." Narcissa smiled.
Hermione smiled in return and closed the bathroom door. Narcissa smiled at the closed door and left the room. Once she was showered and presentable she made her way into the kitchen to start breakfast. She pointed her wand at the coffee pot and coffee instantly began to brew, then she made some toast and scrambled eggs. After a few minutes the phone rang again, but this time Narcissa was prepared for the answering machine. Once she heard the beep, Ginny's voice sounded on the machine. Narcissa shook her head and went back to preparing breakfast. Twenty minutes later Hermione emerged from upstairs wearing a lavender tank top and white pajama pants. Narcissa turned off the stove and put the eggs in a bowl, poured two cups of coffee and buttered the toast. She then waved her wand and the food made its way to the table. Hermione smiled and took a drink from her mug of coffee.
"This looks delicious, thank you so much Narcissa." Hermione said serving herself some eggs and toast.
"You're very welcome." Narcissa replied taking a sip of her coffee.
They ate in silence for a few minutes. Narcissa covertly studying the younger woman. She had no idea what had happened between them last night to make them connect in the way that they did. Narcissa felt things with Hermione that she had never felt with anyone else. Narcissa supposed that it was because Hermione was emotionally vulnerable, but she didn't protest either. Narcissa was brought back from her reverie by Hermione lightly touching her hand from across the table.
"Now where did you go?" Hermione asked.
"I was jus thinking, a lot has happened in the last 48 hours." Narcissa replied sipping her coffee again.
"Can I be completely honest with you?" Hermione asked.
"Of course." Narcissa replied.
"Last night…that was the most…the best…sex I have ever had. Never have I been made love to like I was last night. Now I don't know what happened or why, but I feel connected to you now, well, a lot more so than I used to. But last night was just…perfect." Hermione said.
Narcissa blushed and put her mug back down on the table.
"Unfortunately, I can't say the same on the sex part. However, I do agree that it was perfect. Don't get me wrong, you were amazing, it's just there was something different in the dynamics of our love making last night." Narcissa said.
Hermione's brow furrowed.
"So you regret last night?" Hermione asked softly.
She was confused and she wasn't sure why Narcissa's words had stung her like that. Of course she wasn't the best Narcissa had ever had. Narcissa was much, much older and had surely had sex many, many times in her life. But to her last night was so different and even before she dated Ginny, sex was the same with everyone, with the exception of Narcissa.
"I didn't say that Hermione. It's just that I have had a lot of experience. I will say that, you are the only person who has made me squirt like that. Never before have I done it that much. There is only one other person who has made me do that besides you. And Hermione, I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. But I just want you to know that I really enjoyed last night more than you know." Narcissa replied.
Hermione visibly relaxed at these words. So okay, last night wasn't a complete mistake, and she had at least achieved something.
"And you are probably by far one of the best kissers I have ever had the pleasure of locking lips with." Narcissa added smiling genuinely.
"Who was the other person who made you squirt?" Hermione blurted out before she could stop herself.
"Andromeda." Narcissa replied.
"Oh…I have never seen or met her…I never knew." Hermione said.
She could tell by Narcissa's tone of voice when she said Andromeda's name brought up some painful memories.
"I don't talk about her much because it's upsets Bella. Well Bella doesn't know but I have been in contact with Andie since the end of the war. And have well…re-connected. When Andromeda ran off with Ted Tonks, she dishonored the family name. We are a family of Pure-Bloods and Ted is a Muggle born. So naturally she was burned off the family tree, disinherited and lost ties with us forever. Bellatrix was furious the night she left, she set fire to Andromeda's room and laughed as she watched it burn. I cried all night, I cried every night. I have cried every night for 20 years. And when the war was over, she must have known that I wanted to see her again because she sent me a letter, and I responded at once and we got together. Bella has no knowledge of this and I am sure she would be mad at the fact that I had kept it from her. Because like me, she has a new view of the order of things." Narcissa explained.
She knew that Narcissa hadn't told anyone this and she was happy that Narcissa was able to talk to her about it. But she could sense that Narcissa didn't want to keep talking about Andromeda so she changed the subject.
"How is Draco?" Hermione asked.
Narcissa's mouth curved into a smile, she looked radiant.
"He has just secured his job as Defense against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts." Narcissa replied.
"Wow I don't think I ever pictured Draco as a teacher." Hermione said shocked.
"I always knew he had potential…and well during the war I found myself even more protective but distant from him. I prepared myself for losing him, I was so afraid that he would be killed. But now that he is alive and well, I am talking to him frequently and I am happy for him." Narcissa said.
"Yes, well that is understandable. I am sure we all felt a certain level of detachment to our loved ones during that time." Hermione said.
"Yes, well now we are able to start over. I have to salvage what is left of the Black Family name, and re build bridges that have been burned. Draco has already started his life, and settled down with a woman, and I couldn't be more proud of him." Narcissa said.
They finished breakfast and cleaned up the kitchen. After words Hermione had led her upstairs into her personal library.
"Wow, I don't think I have ever seen such a condensed library. This is really impressive Hermione." Narcissa said running her fingers gently along the spines of the Muggle and Magical books on the many shelves in the room.
"Yes, I have read every single one of these books, I can never have enough. Ginny used to complain about all the space that was taken up by the books." Hermione said sadly.
"Well now you have your own space to do with whatever you wish." Narcissa said picking a book and pulling it from the shelf.
"Hogwarts: A History?" Narcissa asked raising a platinum eyebrow.
"It's my favorite book. I think that I have read it more than any of the other books." Hermione replied taking the book from Narcissa's hands and placing it back on the shelf.
"I read that one a lot as well in my time at Hogwarts. Perhaps Hermione, we have more in common than you think." Narcissa said moving around the room once more.
"I knew that the moment we first met." Hermione said.
"You know that there is new addition of that book out now? It came out after the war, and it is a very interesting read." Narcissa said.
"I heard about that. I just haven't had the time to get to Flourish and Blott's to pick it up." Hermione said.
"Seems like you haven't had time for a lot of things." Narcissa said.
"Yes, well I have been busy, and now this thing with Ginny…It will just take some time to recover." Hermione replied indignantly.
"Oh speaking of Ginny, she called why you were in the shower." Narcissa said.
"Oh did she? Did you talk to her?" Hermione asked.
"No, she left you a message on that little black box next to your phone, there is also a message from Harry as well, he called last night while you were sleeping…before…we made love." Narcissa finished awkwardly.
"Oh, well then I guess I should go and listen to them." Hermione conceded.
She turned and left the room leaving Narcissa alone in the library. With shaking legs she made her way down the stairs and into the kitchen. She pressed the button on the machine and braced herself to hear the words from Harry. She sighed in relief that he hadn't mentioned anything, but at the same time she was pissed that he didn't have anything to say. On the other hand Ginny may not have told him yet, she was good at the whole not telling people important information thing. Then she heard the beep and Ginny's message began to sound. Narcissa stood in the hall against the wall and listened too.
Hermione I know that you don't want to speak to me, and I know that you need time and that this probably isn't the best time to tell you anything remotely close to an apology,but Iam going to say it any ways. I broke your heart and your trust. And I knew what I was getting myself in to when I started sleeping with Harry,and I know that I shouldn't have drug you in to it. There are no words to tell you how sorry I am, and I have no excuse. All I want is for you to find happiness and peace, because you deserve it. Goodbye Hermione ,I love you.
The message ended and Hermione was in shock, she wasn't expecting an apology so soon after all this. She stared at the machine and tears began fall down her face. She knew that eventually she would forgive Ginny for this, but now was too soon, much too soon. Hearing the pain and tears in Ginny's voice was almost a first for Hermione, Ginny usually never showed any kind of emotion like that. It was then that she felt a pair of arms circle around her waist, warm breath on her neck and full breasts at her back. She sighed and turned to face Narcissa who also had tears in her eyes, and then she broke down, sobbing into Narcissa's shoulder.
"Don't worry Hermione, I know that it may not seem like it now, in this moment, but your heart will eventually heal." Narcissa said softly running her fingers through Hermione's bushy, brown hair.
"Has yours healed?" Hermione asked.
"Not yet, and it's been 20 years. But the bond I have with my sisters is a little different than this. We aren't supposed to love one another on that level and I think that is what makes it so bad because it is wrong and it is hopelessly forbidden because we are blood related. Im not saying that your situation is any less painful, I just mean that there are different and many ways to love, and the love you had with Ginny was one of a kind and young." Narcissa replied.
"Did your parents ever know?" Hermione asked.
"No." Narcissa replied simply.
"Really?" Hermione asked shocked.
"You see, we were all very close, so it wasn't unusual for us to spend the night with one another. We spent a lot of time together in front of and behind closed doors. They never gave it much thought." Narcissa explained.
"My parents adored Ginny." Hermione choked through her tears.
"And Ginny's parents?" Narcissa asked.
"It took a lot of time for them to come around. You know Ginny being their only daughter; I supposed they expected her to end up with Harry and for me to end up with Ron. But they accepted it in the end, once they found out I was shagging their daughter they got over it." Hermione replied, her voice thick with emotion.
"Ah, typical Molly. She has always been kind of a prude. I mean I was too when I was younger, Pure-Blood women usually have an air of dignity and self respect around them. She couldn't stand the thought of Pure-Blood women being gay. Because we are supposed to marry respectable men and have Pure-Blood babies and live a life that is befitting the dignity of our Blood Status. I grew up brainwashed; I was influenced a lot by Bellatrix. Andromeda never liked the amount of control that she had over me. Bellatrix took my vice and my virtue. I am now comfortable with my sexuality and so is Lucius. While Bellatrix was in prison I never gave into my urges, because the only woman I wanted to touch me was Bella. For 14 years I held in my urges and acted the way every Pure-Blood woman is expected to act. Just like Molly." Narcissa explained.
Hermione sighed; she never knew what kind of pressure fell on Pure-Blood women until now. Maybe, she supposed that is why Ginny got so caught up in Harry, because she felt ashamed of being gay. She shook the thought from her head and continued to look at Narcissa.
"Seems like it was a lot of pressure to be so noble and self sacrificing for a reputation and image." Hermione said softly.
Her fragile voice cracking a little.
"It is a lot of pressure. So much depended on your status back in those days. But I know that it is a lot to be a Muggle born, I saw it during the war and for Andromeda. She was disowned from a very old, powerful and rich blood line, so she has had to live with the shame of that for 25 years. I am sure that it wasn't easy for her to live that way. I don't know for sure, I have never asked her. But back to you, I know that you will find someone who loves you no matter what. Because you deserve it, you have so much to offer some one." Narcissa said.
"Thank you." Hermione said softly, her mouth curving into a small smile.
"For what?" Narcissa asked raising her eye brows in wonder.
"For loving me, even if was only for one night. It still meant a lot to me." Hermione replied.
"Who says that it only had to be a one night stand?" Narcissa asked a little hurt.
"I don't want to be your Mistress, Cissa, not someone you only see on occasion or whenever you feel like it. I can't come between you and Lucius. I don't want to be the reason two people split. I don't want to hurt anymore, and I don't want to be the cause of some one's pain either." Hermione replied.
"I understand. Look Mione, I mean everything I say, and that includes everything I have said to you since you took my sister into your care. If you don't want to be involved with me sexually anymore I understand. But I would still like to have you as a friend." Narcissa said.
"I will give it some thought, but in the mean time, I should be getting to work at some point today." Hermione said disengaging herself from Narcissa's comforting arms.
"I should take my leave as well." Narcissa said a little crestfallen that Hermione's warmth had left her arms.
"Is Lucius expecting you?" Hermione asked curiously.
"No, he left for France early this morning." Narcissa replied.
"Business?" Hermione asked.
"His Mistress." Narcissa replied, and Hermione was surprised to see tears in the older woman's eyes.
"Cissa…I didn't…I'm sorry." Hermione stammered.
"It's alright, I have known about her for years. He leaves me often to be with her. Even more so now that Bella is free and I am able to see Andromeda. We don't talk about it much, I just let him do as he pleases and vice a versa." Narcissa said furiously blinking back her tears.
"Not a very glamorous life." Hermione said before she could stop herself.
"No, it isn't. Pure-Bloods don't marry for love." Narcissa said moving to sit on the couch.
Hermione followed and sat down next to the older woman.
"Do you love him?" Hermione asked.
"I do. But it wasn't always like that. I was just his trophy wife, and he my trophy husband. But in the events leading up to and during the war we grew closer together. I love him, but he may not love me, to him I am still his trophy wife. I do know that he loves his Mistress." Narcissa replied.
She wasn't sure why she was telling Hermione any of this. But she decided that since the brunette had been honest and vulnerable with her, that she should do the same thing.
Hermione said nothing, she just continued to watch Narcissa, so she went on.
"I don't ask him about her because I know he won't tell me the truth. But in all honesty I want to know everything about her. What she looks like, where she comes from, not so I can compare myself to her, but so that I can understand why a woman like her would be with someone like him out of free will. I was forced to marry Lucius; there was only a physical attraction, not an emotional one. I wasn't allowed to let my emotions cloud my judgment or my relationship. Years of training from my parents, especially my mother, forced me to lock away all emotion and not let it show. Even behind closed doors it was inappropriate to be so weak. Because I had a reputation to uphold and I always had to be dignified, even when no one was watching me. That is why to most I am known as "The Ice Queen", but in reality I just need someone who can melt the ice." Narcissa finished, this time the tears had begun to fall.
Hermione sat in a stunned silence. She couldn't believe how much silent suffering Narcissa had been subjected to her whole life. And she even felt a pang of sympathy for Bellatrix as well. From what Narcissa had said about her, she wasn't mad from the beginning. And she could see why they were they way that they were, it was because of their childhood and their society. Hermione couldn't control the emotion that was breaking free of its confines; she closed the gap between her and Narcissa and pressed her lips to hers. She could taste the salt from her tears and the coffee they had drank only a few minutes ago.
"I thought you had to get to work?" Narcissa asked breaking the kiss, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I am the head of my department. I can do whatever I want. Plus, you need this right now…" Hermione replied kissing Narcissa again.
"It can wait." Narcissa protested.
"No, it can't. Narcissa you have lived your life by rules and guidelines. You have been subjected to years of emotional solitude and forced to live a lie. I don't pretend to know how exactly your life went, but I am a smart woman and I can deduce from the details that you have given me about your life, that it wasn't and isn't a happy one." Hermione explained.
"I wasn't allowed to be happy." Narcissa whispered.
"Well times are different now, so allow it." Hermione snapped.
Narcissa looked at Hermione with tears in her deep blue eyes, and closed the remaining distance between their lips. Hermione moaned as Narcissa removed her tank top and pushed her back on the couch, moving between her parted legs. She moved her lips down the column of Hermione's throat down to her collar bone. One hand in her bushy hair, and the other moving to gently squeeze her exposed breast. Hermione gasped as Narcissa's tongue swirled around her erect nipple, and then her lips closed around it. Hermione arched and she could feel the wetness flood her groin. She could fee Narcissa smile against the sensitive skin of her breast.
"Do you like it when I do that?" Narcissa asked in a low, sensual voice.
"Yes…please Cissa…lower." Hermione pleaded in a throaty whisper.
Narcissa smiled again and sat up, expertly removing her shirt and bra. She leaned down and kissed Hermione once more, her full breasts pressing into Hermione's. Both women let out a shuddering gasp as their nipples became hard against one another. Narcissa moved one of her hands down passed the waistband of Hermione's pants and smiled into the kiss. Hermione was soaking wet, and dripping already.
"You're so wet my love." Narcissa whispered.
Hermione groaned as Narcissa slipped two fingers between the wet fold of Hermione's sex, parting it and entering her. Hermione groaned even louder as Narcissa kissed down her torso and lightly blew hot air onto her throbbing erect clit.
"Say it Mione…tell me what you want." Narcissa whispered.
"I want you to eat me Cissa…please fuck me with your tongue." Hermione groaned impatiently.
That was all Narcissa needed to hear; she at once brought her lips to Hermione's clit and lightly sucked on the sensitive nub. Hermione moaned softly and began to move her hips in rhythm with Narcissa's tongue. She had felt slightly embarrassed by the fact that Narcissa was seeing her this way. She didn't normally shave down there. She and Ginny had watched videos together, and usually all the women were shaved, but she quickly shook the thought from her head as Narcissa added another finger and began to hit her g-spot with expert precision.
"Fuck…Cissa….Narcissa…ahnn…" Hermione moaned loudly.
The blonde could feel the tension increase and feel Hermione's legs begin to tremble, she was close. Narcissa smiled at how responsive Hermione was, but then again she was also young, Narcissa smiled into Hermione's sex and began to suck hard on her clit. Hermione's sharp intake of breath told the older woman that she was doing something right. Narcissa picked up the pace, curving her fingers into Hermione, she could feel the fluid squirting out, Hermione was writhing and moaning as she had the most orgasm she had ever had.
"Fuck…Narcissa! I'm…cumming!" Hermione moaned loudly.
Hermione continued to ride Narcissa's fingers, as the older woman drank down the fluid that was still squirting out of her sex. After a few minutes Hermione's hips slowed and her breathing had returned to normal, Narcissa's lips were against hers again. Hermione could taste her cum on Narcissa's lips and proceeded to suck it off. Narcissa moaned and broke the kiss, lightly laying her head on the younger woman's chest. Hermione ran her ringers through Narcissa's platinum blonde hair and sighed contently.
"Cissa…" Hermione started but Narcissa brought a finger to Hermione's lips forestalling her, Hermione's words died in her throat.
"Don't say it Mione…I…just please, don't say it." Narcissa said softly removing her finger and replacing it with her lips.
Narcissa knew that the words 'I love you' were about to leave Hermione's mouth, and she felt like she had confused Hermione at this point. But she also figured that Hermione knew this wasn't something that could go on forever. Saying those three words made it final to Narcissa and the only person she would let say them was Bellatrix. Andromeda too, would say them, but for some reason they meant more coming from the eldest of the Black sisters, Bellatrix. Narcissa figured it was because she and Bellatrix had a different bond, and since Andromeda had left the family there was a great rift that developed between them. And now that the war was over, there was an opportunity to fill it in and reconnect with the middle sister.
Hermione knew that she shouldn't have even thought about saying those words. She knew that Narcissa didn't love her, she cared for her, and there was a fine line between them. And for some reason un be known to Hermione, she was okay with that, this thing had with Narcissa didn't come with all the complications that Ginny came with. This was easy and she had the opportunity to walk away if she wanted. She closed her eyes and took in Narcissa's sent of rosemary and peppermint, and drifted off to sleep with the older woman still lying in her arms. Narcissa looked up at the sleeping woman under her and murmured something under her breath. The couch enlarged making it big enough for Narcissa to roll of Hermione and lay comfortable beside her. One more whisper and a blanket covered them, and with that Narcissa put her head back on Hermione's chest and fell asleep.