Georgiana followed her grandmother from the courtroom, and the Aurors escorted them to the private security floo at the end of the hallway as the Queen watched her granddaughter closely: poised, confident, regal. She had felt many things over the past month, but now looking at Georgiana the one emotion that filled her heart was pride. She was so proud of the woman Georgiana had become.
"Dearest, I am going to return to the Palace but you are welcome to stay and wait for Mr. Potter. I'm very proud of how you handled yourself today. I would like you to come home this evening and stay with us for the remainder of the summer. There are some balls and charity events that would be prudent for you to attend with the family."
Georgiana nodded, "Of course. I would like to say goodbye to Harry and make arrangements for him to come visit. I would also like to invite another friend, Ginny Weasley if that is alright."
"Of course, dearest. I'm sure we can arrange some time for your friend to visit."
With that, the Queen, escorted by one of the Aurors was taken back to Buckingham Palace. Georgiana walked back towards the courtroom when she saw Harry coming towards her with a large smile on his face. "Hey...there you are. So you alright, Hermione?"
"Yes Harry, I am fine. What happened after we left?"
"Lucius will be sentenced next week. I'd imagine he will be spending quite some time in Azkaban. Draco and Narcissa will also face sentencing, although I'm sure they'll end up with probation of some kind."
Georgiana nodded at her friend. "Well, that's to be expected I suppose. I just wanted to tell you I'm heading back to Kensington for a while. My Grandmother mentioned some official duties that I'll have to fulfill this summer. If you wouldn't mind Harry, could you come over tomorrow and drop off the Daily Prophet and the other papers. I'd like to see what vitriol Rita Skeeter is going to try and get away with."
Harry laughed. "I don't think she'll set a toe out of line, Hermione. She may be a vile woman, but she's not stupid. She'll end up in Azkaban if she tries anything foolish."
"Well, I for one would not be sad to see her rot. Please give my love to the Weasleys and tell Ginny I'll write later to find a time for us to get together." The two friends hugged and Harry told her he would let everyone know, before he walked away. Georgiana stood by herself for a moment to collect her thoughts, and sighed in relief. She was glad to have this day over and done with and just wanted to go home and take a nice long hot bubble bath. As she went to move back towards the Auror who would be seeing her home, she felt as if someone was watching her. She looked around and her blue gaze met grey, staring at her from the other end of the hallway. The look on Malfoy's face was honestly, one she had never seen before. Usually he would sneer at her in open hostility, but his face held no hostility nor contempt. If Georgiana had to put a name to it, she would say it was fear. She shook her head wondering why Malfoy would be afraid of her.
Narcissa Malfoy was whispering something to her son and noticed that he had stopped listening and was staring off at someone. She turned to follow his gaze, only to see the young woman for whom he had been pining for years in his dreams. Narcissa decided that perhaps she could help Draco, so she rested her hand gently on his arm to gain his attention, and then released his gaze slowly before walking over towards the young Princess. She noticed Miss Kensington's eyes widen as she approached. The Auror tasked to guard her made to intercept Narcissa, but Georgiana stayed him with her hand and subtly shook her head.
Narcissa took a moment to consider the young woman. She was truly a beauty, and she could see in the way in which she carried herself as she watched Narcissa with caution, that she was curious but also hesitant in interacting with her. Narcissa couldn't blame her after everything that had happened in their family home, but she was impressed with the regal way in which Miss Kensington held herself, never breaking eye contact for a second. Yes, she would be a worthy witch for her son.
When Narcissa had reached Miss Kensington she curtsied respectfully. If the Princess was surprised by the show of deference, she did not show it. "Your Highness." Narcissa said meaningfully.
Georgiana looked over the Malfoy matriarch and noted that she seemed oddly subdued, worn and tired. "Lady Malfoy, what can I do for you?"
Narcissa sighed genially. "I wanted to ask you if you would please pass on my thanks and gratitude to Her Majesty for sparing my son. She had no reason to offer himself nor I her kindness after how horribly you were treated in our home. I am truly sorry for what happened. Draco wanted to help, and I stopped him. All I can say in my defense is that I am a mother first, and I love my son and only sought to protect him. I hope you can forgive my actions."
Georgiana was shocked to her core, but years of training allowed her to remain in control of her emotions. She considered the woman whose son had tormented her for six years. Who'd called her 'mudblood' and wished her dead. Who, at this very minute, was staring at his mother with nothing but awe and love shining from his grey eyes. Georgiana didn't have it in her heart to be bitter anymore. That life was behind her, and if she was ever going to potentially move forward as herself in the Wizarding world, this was as good as any place to start.
She smiled graciously at the older woman. "Lady Malfoy, I accept your apology and will pass on your sentiments to my Grandmother. Frankly, I am rather tired of the needless hate and prejudice, so I thank you for your heartfelt words. I hope that a new way can be paved forward for everyone in the Wizarding world and I wish you and your son the best."
Georgiana made to move away but was stopped by the woman's next words. "I'm sorry Your Highness, please forgive me if I seem a bit forward, but you're not planning on remaining here in the Wizarding world?"
Georgiana was stunned, as she didn't realize what she'd said might have been interpreted in such a way. She'd be lying if the thought hadn't crossed her mind since she had spoken with her grandmother about her possible future succession as Queen.
"Please forgive me Lady Malfoy if I gave that immediate impression. I am planning on returning to Hogwarts to finish my final year. Beyond that, I'm not making any definitive plans, I have a year to decide." Georgiana didn't know why she was sharing this information with Malfoy's mother.
"I see," said Narcissa, "well whatever you decide, I'm sure you will excel at it."
Georgiana smiled at the compliment. "Thank you for your kind words, but if you will excuse me, I must be returning home."
"Of course, Your Highness. Thank you for taking the time and speaking with me."
Georgiana nodded regally and gestured for the Auror to escort her to the floo. Today had been a bit surreal and she just wanted to go back to her family and have a bit of normalcy, as strange as that sounded. As she called out for Kensington Palace, her eyes caught and held grey eyes once more.
Once Georgiana had disappeared into the floo, Draco sauntered over to his mother. He was astonished by her boldness in approaching the Princess, but what shocked him even more was that they seemed to have a pleasant conversation. He stopped at his mother's side, eager to hear what had been spoken between the pair of witches...But before he could speak, his mother stayed his questioning with her hand. "Perhaps, my son, your curiosity can wait until we reach the privacy of our home." Draco nodded at his mother and took her arm and together they floo'd back to Malfoy Manor.
Upon arriving in the main study of the Manor, both Malfoy's were greeted by Rupee, who was the senior House elf. "Greetings missus and young master. Would you be liking something to eat this evening?"
Draco smiled at the elf, who seemed relieved to see his Master's returning home. "That would be lovely Rupee, thank you. Please make something light and have it served in the solarium. We will be there shortly." The elf bowed and popped out to get dinner prepared. Draco went over to the liquor cabinet to grab a firewhiskey and gestured to his mother, asking if she would like one. To his surprise she nodded and sat down on the sofa, removing her cloak.
Once Draco handed her drink, he sat down next to her and asked the question he'd been dying to have answered. "So Mother, what did you and Georgiana speak about?"
Narcissa smiled at her son, a genuine smile that lit up her eyes. "I asked her to pass on my thanks to her grandmother for showing us mercy and allowing you to keep your birthright. I also asked her for forgiveness for what transpired here during the war."
"And what did she say, Mother?"
"She was most gracious Draco. She accepted my apology and said she was tired of the hate and prejudice from the war. She offered us her best wishes."
Draco sat back gobsmacked. Never did he think that forgiveness of any kind would be forthcoming from Georgiana. It was strange, how comfortable he was thinking of her as Georgiana. Not Granger nor Hermione. "She just forgave you? No conditions, no demands?"
"Yes. She was quite subdued but gracious nonetheless. It was strange however, when she offered her best wishes for us, before she left, it almost felt as if she was not planning on returning."
Draco looked at his mother in panic. "What do you mean, not returning? As in leaving the Wizarding world?"
"Yes, that is exactly how it sounded at first and I asked her if that was her intention." Narcissa noticed her son's panicked expression and realized it was clear he desperately wanted a chance to properly court Miss Kensington. If his dreams and visions were any indication, he wanted much more than that. Now that he'd discovered that the object his fantasies was actually flesh and blood, she had no doubt that Draco would stop at nothing to make her his.
"What did she say Mother? If I didn't know better, I'd think your torturing me on purpose!" Draco harrumphed impatiently.
"Now, now my Dragon. You will need to learn patience if you are going to attempt to win over Miss Kensington. She told me she is planning on returning to Hogwarts to finish her final year. She did mention something about having a year to decide. I thought that was telling."
Draco stared at his mother in confusion. "A year to decide what exactly?"
Narcissa shrugged elegantly. "I'm not entirely sure. However, I do believe it may have something to do with her family. I'm not terribly familiar with the Muggle aristocracy, but I would imagine her role as a member of the Royal Family requires her to attend many kinds of functions. I think we need to do some research my dear. If there is any chance that she will have the choice to keep her ties to the Wizarding world, we must assure that is exactly what she will decide."
Draco nodded at his mother thoughtfully. His mother was the consummate Slytherin, and if there was anyway to figure out how to make Georgiana his, his mother would be instrumental in helping him achieve his goals.
"Firstly, we need to insure that you will be allowed to return to Hogwarts this fall to retake your seventh year. I think it might be safe to assume that Miss Kensington might be offered the position of Head Girl. It comes with its own set of rooms that are partially shared with the Head Boy."
"But Mother, there is little chance that the Headmistress will allow me to be Head Boy, if her favorite student is Head Girl...Especially not after everything that has happened."
Narcissa patted her son's arm gently. "You let me worry about that, my dear. Your mother still has a few tricks up her sleeve. I just need to figure out how to manipulate the situation to your advantage. Don't fret, my Dragon...come September 1st you will be returning to Hogwarts as Head Boy and Miss Kensington will be working closely with you all year as your counterpart. You'll have one year to woo the witch Draco." Just then Rupee entered the room and announced that dinner was served and for the first time in a long time Draco was famished. He would have to trust his mother and hope that he could win over his witch before they graduated next June.