gl- well it's great to know you didn't think so much of it before ;D (btw did you get my text about MK? hehe)
Thanks to:
Secretly-In-Love, Obnoxiously Peachy Twit 2008, Didi74, Hotkat144, Elo and DanCrazed
for the reviews!
Disclaimer: see chapter ten
---sorry about chapter ten people. i didn't want to leave off updating for so long again and needed to fill in little bits of info anyway so i could continue with the story. i know it's kind of confusing: all those random bits are in chrono order within a single day with a little dash of voldie to the mix. it's just so choppy because I couldn't be bothered to work it into a nice flowing chapter (plus time is a lovely gift that adores eluding me). this chapter follows immediately after the last, time wise. it just happens to be written better… more flow-y-ness… anyway, enough of my own variation of the english language (katie don't kill me! no insult meant to you and your english people :D) okay then, enough of my rambling (which i'm sure you all just love reading… just be nice and nod).---
--
A figure, a tiny speck at first, appeared at Hogwarts' gates. Slowly, but steadily, it made its way toward the castle. A gust of wind blew and the worn, tattered cloak outlined small shoulders and a petite figure that was, without doubt, female.
Draco was leaning against the ledge of the Astronomy Tower window and absently followed the woman's movements without really seeing her. Something about her was familiar, but it fluttered in the back of his mind, out of reach.
Another great gust caught the hood of her cloak. Though holding it tightly in place, she wasn't able to keep imprisoned the strands of hair that escaped the cloth's hold.
Draco immediately took interest in this lone figure.
"It can't be…" He muttered, as he turned and hurried away.
--
Hermione sat with her back against a tree, nestled in the protective embrace of the roots, staring out over the lake. A cool breeze drifted in and she closed her eyes, welcoming the whisper of wind as it washed over her.
A light rain began to fall, forcing Hermione to leave her sanctuary to hurry back inside. Replacing her book back into her sack she got up and, regardless of the rain, slowly headed for the castle. Just as she reached the doors, a cloaked figure came up behind her.
"Hermione?" A woman's voice came from under the hood, almost desperately.
"Yes…?" Hermione turned to look at who had called for her.
"Oh!" The woman flung herself toward Hermione, who found herself with a face full of blonde hair, "Oh, my dear child!"
Not sure of what to do, Hermione could only stiffly return the embrace.
"Narcissa, what brings you here on such a dreary day?" Dumbledore had appeared beside them, just inside the doors. He took in her tattered appearance without a word or change in expression; he only gave her a bright, cheerful smile, contradicting everything about the day.
"I must speak with you," she replied with a hint of urgency in her voice. Glancing at Hermione, she added, "In private, please."
"Of course, why don't we go to my office?" Dumbledore held the door open for the woman to pass through and then led her away.
"Narcissa? I know I've heard that name somewhere before." Hermione walked toward the stairs.
Suddenly, she was falling. The stone floor was coming at her fast and she closed her eyes, readying herself for the crack of bones and the excruciating pain that always follows. Her arm was yanked to the side and her body, unwilling to part with the limb, followed, causing her to land softly at the feet of Draco Malfoy. Remaining on the floor, Hermione crossed her arms and glared up at him and he smirked down.
"I see you've had the pleasure of meeting my mother."
Of course! How could she forget? Hermione mentally smacked herself. "Is she… okay?"
"Mentally, yes. Physically, I have no clue." He sighed, "Emotionally, well, I haven't seen her smile is years."
"You're being rather open today."
He chose to ignore the comment. "Why did she hug you like the world was ending? I don't think I have ever seen her show even a fraction of the affection she just did towards you."
"How should I know?" Hermione replied tartly. The same question had been repeating itself in her mind like a broken record. "She's your mother."
"Is that any way to talk to the guy that just saved you from a horrible death by smashing into the floor?"
"Yeah, the same guy that tripped me in the first place."
"And here I always thought you were just clumsy." He ducked just in time as a jet of orange light shot by his head.
"Oh, you're a lucky one," Hermione was sitting up, wand in hand. "You don't even want to know what that hex was."
"Temper, temper," he clucked, wagging a finger and shaking his head as if scolding her. "You might want to get Potter's little cloak and head over to the library. I'm sure my mother will want to see her only son who, by the way, will be waiting for her there." Draco walked off leaving Hermione staring after him, extremely confused.
--
Hermione entered the Gryffindor tower and swiftly scanned room for Harry. She found him reading in a corner and sat down next to him as he eyed her suspiciously.
"Harry, could I—?"
"If I say yes, will you tell me why you want my dad's cloak?"
She grinned, "Eventually."
Harry only raised an eyebrow in reply, and nodded his consent.
--
In the library, Draco sat at a table in a corner. Something was wrong.
His mother was at his school.
His mother had shown an unusual amount of affection she doesn't even show in private.
His mother was with Dumbledore talking about Merlin knows what. Anything with Dumbledore couldn't be good.
His mother had embraced Hermione Granger, of all people.
His mother was at his school!
Something was definitely wrong.
Something in his mind prickled and he looked up. There was no one in sight, and he was sure that was exactly the case. It was like a gentle presence in his mind and he knew that an invisible Hermione was somewhere nearby.
The feeling was strongest at his left. He glanced over and noticed the chair had been pulled out. "You do realize it might not be smart to sit down, at this table at the very least? And what if Mother decides she prefers that particular chair?"
There was a sharp intake of breath and the chair toppled over. Scrambling noises of someone picking themselves up was heard before the chair seemed to right itself.
"How'd you—!"
He cut her off with a firm shake of his head as voices drifted towards them.
"Draco, dear!" Narcissa swooped down upon her son, holding him close before taking a seat. Taking the chair on his left.
Draco grinned, to no one in particular that his mother could see, as she began with pleasantries. Dumbledore took the hint and politely excused himself, allowing mother and son to converse with some privacy.
When he was out of earshot, Draco muttered, "That's a shock, I see he's got some brains after all." He quickly moved his legs out of the way, sensing Hermione's foot coming rapidly toward his unprotected shins.
"Don't say such things about your professors, though I do tend to agree regarding some matters." Narcissa commented, looking towards where the Headmaster had been standing. Draco stifled a laugh knowing his mother would never approve, and settled for his trademark smirk instead. He could have sworn he'd heard a disgruntled "humph" from the corner.
"Mother, why are you here?"
"I'm staying for a few days, possibly a week or so." She waved a hand, casually evading Draco's question. "You're father is out of town for a little bit. Business."
He suppressed a wince. Draco knew what his father did when he was away, and the results were never pleasant. Never.
"My, my, I'm exhausted. I've been traveling for a long while, you see." Narcissa yawned behind a delicate hand and patted her son's shoulder as she stood. "And don't worry, dear, I shall be taking my meals in my room," she said, answering Draco's unvoiced question.
She left him with his mouth hanging open, staring after her.
