Disclaimer: All characters belong to JK Rowling

Twisted Roots

Chapter 13

Narcissa apparated outside the glen leading to Andromeda Tonks' cottage just before tea time. Pulling her cloak tighter around her to better ward off the chill breeze that was blowing across the valley she slowly made her way to the little house. Narcissa was extremely nervous about visiting her sister after all these years. The only hope she had of successfully rebuilding their relationship lay in the fact that Andromeda had agreed to visit with Narcissa in the first place. Narcissa remembered well the falling out the Black family had when Andromeda announced that she was going to marry the Muggle-born, Ted Tonks. Bellatrix was quick to shun her and had never looked back. Narcissa, on the other hand, was very upset and missed her sister very much. She was several years younger than Andromeda so it was very easy for her family to keep them distanced. Narcissa had not spoken to her sister since she was a girl at Hogwarts and did not even know where to begin. It would be nice to have her only surviving sister in her life, and to get to know her grand-nephew, but this trip was for Draco.

Lucius was not going to react kindly to the news that Draco was enamored with a muggle-born witch; especially since she is the very witch that aided Harry Potter in his mission to defeat the Dark Lord. Narcissa was not sure about the girl either but she wanted Draco to be happy first and foremost. Andromeda, being married to a muggle-born, was in the same league as muggle-borns as far as Lucius was concerned. If she could warm Lucius into Andromeda she would be one step closer in warming him to accept Hermione. The plan could prove useless as far Narcissa knew, but if it worked it would benefit all parties.

Finally reaching the cottage, Narcissa looked around. It was very quaint. It had stone walls with light blue trim around the brown wooden door and the windows. There were lacy curtains hanging on the windows. They were the perfect sort to let in light while maintaining privacy for those inside. They were quite unlike the heavy brocade monstrosities hanging throughout the manor that Lucius insisted upon. From the outside the home didn't look like much, but then again, Narcissa was fastidious and enjoyed the comforts of spending her entire life among the accoutrement of the wealthy. Taking in a fortifying breath, Narcissa knocked on the door.

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"Hey, Hermione, how has your day been so far?" Draco asked Hermione as the met for lunch in the break room.

"Good, I've been doing a lot of busy work. How about you? How was your mother last night?" Hermione replied.

"I actually wanted to talk to you about that. There were some things in our conversation that you really need to hear about. Can we go to your house for lunch?" Draco said seriously.

Hermione bit her lip nervously. Draco seemed to be in really intense mood. "Sure, I hope the news isn't too grave, though." She said joking lightly.

"It's not; at least I don't think it's too bad. It's a long story though, so shall we?" Hermione nodded her acquiescence and within ten minutes they were sitting at the table in her parents' kitchen.

"So, what's up?" Hermione asked tucking into her sandwich.

"Well, my mother was very happy about the news of my father's release. I am happy too but I am still pretty curious as to how my father was able to secure an early release. Are you sure Potter doesn't know anything?" Draco asked. He had been thinking that there was something off about the whole thing. He was worried his father was plotting something upon his release and was manipulating the Ministry.

"The only thing Harry would say is that Azkaban is pretty full and they either have to start bringing in Dementors to help control the worst prisoners by kissing them, or make room by letting out those that are most likely to successfully rehabilitate. Just be glad your father made it into the last category and not the first. Is that what you wanted to talk to me about today?" Hermione asked. She was a little concerned about his father's plans for the future too, but she was trying to give Lucius the benefit of the doubt for Draco's sake.

"Not really, although it is something that will come up again I'm sure," he said reassuringly. "No, what I wanted to talk to you about involves you." Hermione's eyes widened a little in curiosity. "I told my mother about my feelings for you and that I want you to meet her, and my father of course."

"Really? You told her about your feelings for me? What did she say? What did you say?" Hermione was shocked and awed. She knew they were doing well but she had been comfortably thinking she wouldn't officially meet his parents for a long time.

"My mother is already planning dinner parties with acquaintances and business associates for when my father is released. The point of the parties is to reconnect my father with his partners and for me to mingle with them as an adult so I can start learning trade. My father expects me to take over for him eventually, and I have to admit, I am interested. But, now that I am out of school, the parties will also be used to force me to mingle with young women that my parents feel are good matches for me." Draco said watching Hermione closely. He thought he saw a flash of disappointment cross her eyes when he said the last part.

"I see." She said. Hermione was a little bit worried that his parents would succeed in finding him some pure-blood witch and he would leave her. She trusted him, but his loyalties to his parents were very strong.

"That is when I told her my intentions regarding you Hermione." He said reaching for her hand. "I want to take our relationship forward. I told my mother that I intend to court you properly now and that they will have to just deal with it. Hermione, I think enough time has passed. It is getting really hard for me to be around you and not do more. I want to hold you, and kiss you, and… but I want to be open about our relationship. I know it will be hard for you but I was hoping you would be willing to come to the dinner party and meet my parents properly." He said a little desperately.

"Um, wow, Draco. That's a lot to take in. You want to court me? Sounds a little archaic." She laughed lightly, not really sure what to say yet. Draco blushed slightly.

"Sorry, it is just the proper terms that my mother would understand. If I had just told her that I liked you she would not have taken me seriously. I had to tell her I had intentions, and it is only fair that you know what my intentions are as well." He said sheepishly.

"No, Draco. I fully understand and I am very happy to hear that you are ready to move forward with our relationship. I definitely feel like we have waited long enough. But I would be lying to you if I said I wasn't scared about going to the manor again." She said looking down. The memories of Bellatrix torturing her while a frightened Draco watched flooded her mind.

Draco was by her side in an instant. The same memories had come to his mind as well. Draco kneeled down so that he was more or less eye level with Hermione and forced her to look at him by placing his hand gently under her chin.

"I understand Hermione. It was hard for me to go back and it is my home." He emphasized. "I can't promise you that it will be a pleasant experience, especially the first time, but the manor is changed now and I know you are strong enough to let those things go. The rooms don't even look the same so hopefully the reminders won't be so strong. I know a dinner party will be extremely daunting for you but all the company will force my father to be on his best behavior. My mother has already agreed to get to know you. And, my mother is going to provide you an ally, besides myself of course." Draco said reassuringly.

"An ally? Who?" Hermione asked. She was completely taken by surprise that his mother was actually trying to help.

"Just yesterday my mother visited her sister Andromeda. She wanted to make things up to her and meet Teddy. She told Andromeda about you and I, and Andromeda agreed to come to the dinner party as well. My mother said that Andromeda is still hesitant to repair their relationship but she would attend the dinner party to support you at the very least." Draco said. "I don't really blame her for being hesitant. My family did treat her poorly."

"Well, at least you are honest. But how would that help keep your father on his best behavior? How is that supposed to help him accept me?" She asked.

"Well, my father can never tell my mother no, to anything, ever. He would eventually give in and be accepting of a relationship with Andromeda, no matter how much he was upset about it. My mother is hoping that reacquainting with her sister will take some of the heat off of me and my relationship with you. It will serve to distract him a little bit and to convince him that my mother is on your side. In the end, he won't be able to say no to both of us." Draco explained.

"I guess. It doesn't really make a lot of sense to me. I want to be with you Draco but I don't want to be treated poorly by your family. I believe that is a legitimate fear." Hermione said, her voice shaking.

"I promise you that I will not let my father, or anyone else hurt you. If it gets to uncomfortable for you we can leave. I will not ask you to go back." Draco promised a pleading tone in his voice. He could not tell what she was thinking. Draco was beginning to get worried that she would say no.

"I will go Draco." He sighed with relief. "But if things go wrong I don't want you to feel like you have to choose between me and your family. I couldn't live with that even if I think you family is being unreasonable. Some prejudices run deep and are hard to overcome." She said.

"Hermione, I would give up a lot of things to be with you. Just by saying you'll give it a chance has made me very happy, and hopeful." He said hugging her more tightly. Hermione leaned into him and breathed in his scent. They were finally going to move their relationship forward and the idea left her feeling positively giddy. But she was really worried about how his family and associates would react to her at the dinner party. Draco felt her stiffening and pushed her away so he could look in her eyes again.

"It's going to be fine, I promise. All that matters is that we are together." He said softly. She nodded looking at him. In that moment all she wanted was for him to kiss her. She had been waiting for weeks and now that he had voiced his intention to move forward she wished he would get on with it already. Her eyes moved to his mouth and she lightly sucked in her breath. His lips were parted slightly as if he was thinking the same thing, but he was looking at her with slightly questioning eyes. It would be so easy for her to reach up and kiss him but she wanted him to do it. She couldn't even understand herself why it was important that he take the lead, she just knew she wanted it that way.

Very slowly Draco lowered his head to hers. It was just a kiss, and their conversation didn't exactly have a lot of build up to a kiss but it felt momentous to him. He wanted this and it felt right but he was nervous. It was if this one kiss would seal both of their futures irrevocably. When Draco's lips were a mere inch from hers, he laced one of his hands in her hair and looked deep into her eyes. "Are you ready for this?" He asked quietly, his breath tickling her mouth. She nodded almost imperceptibly but that was all he needed.

Draco gently placed his lips on hers. They were soft, warm, and inviting and for a moment he lost all ability to think. Jolts of electricity were rocketing through his body. No kiss had ever moved him like that before and he still had yet to deepen the kiss. Quickly regaining his thoughts he moved his lips a little on hers and Hermione opened her mouth in response.

Hermione was reeling from the feel of his mouth on hers. His lips were soft but slightly dry and they felt wonderful on hers. Her heart was racing as he deepened the kiss and she instinctively opened her mouth to allow him access.

He moved his lips over hers for just a moment more and then he pulled away before he allowed his tongue to taste. If he had done that, there was no way he would be able to stop and get them back to work before their lunch was over. Hermione let out a slightly disappointed sounding breath when he pulled away. She was practically quivering for him to go further but even she knew it was not the time or the place. Draco pulled her close and buried his face in her hair. "Hermione…" he breathed. Never in all his days did a simple kiss make him feel the way this one did. All the build up and anticipation was worth it he decided. It made it sweeter and more enjoyable somehow.

Hermione was fighting to control her breathing. Draco's kiss, as simple as it was had left her breathless. Never had any of her most heated kisses felt as passionate and intimate as the one she just shared. Her heart swelled as he breathed in the scent of her hair and murmured her name. She wanted to respond but she didn't trust herself to say anything without spoiling the moment. It was just one little kiss but Hermione knew that she would never want to feel any lips on hers but his for the rest of her days.

Draco settled back into his food smiling at Hermione. She gave him strength, and he was going to need when he went to Azkaban visit his father again that evening.

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Once again Draco found himself sitting in the visitor's room of Azkaban prison. This time he was with his mother and her presence was comforting him. He was worried that his father would react very badly to his news. For the first time ever, Draco was glad his father was in jail and would not be able to come after him for at least one more day. Narcissa was looking in a pocket mirror checking her hair and makeup while she waited. Just as Draco was about to chicken out and announce that he was leaving the guards brought Lucius into the room.

He looked much better than he had the last time Draco had seen him. Draco was grateful for that; he hadn't liked seeing his father look so pitiful. Narcissa got up and pulled him into a deep kiss. Draco politely looked away while his parents embraced and let his mind wander back to the earth shattering moment he spent with Hermione earlier that day. It was so simple, the kiss. They didn't even use their tongues but it was enough for Draco to know that he was hopelessly in love with her. If taking things slowly made each new step feel that good he would be happy to oblige, but it was definitely getting harder. He suspected that Hermione felt the same way and was glad for it. The thought of her strengthened his resolve and he stood up to shake his father's hand when his mother finally let go.

"Father, you look well." Draco said offering his hand.

Lucius took his hand, shook it quickly and said curtly, "As do you."

"Father, I would like to apologize for my childish behavior the last time I spoke with you. I should not have behaved so." Draco stated plainly.

"It is forgiven Draco. However, in the future I would advise you to not be so hasty with your accusations." Lucius replied coldly. Good, Draco thought, my mother was right. If he was angrier he would not be offering advice, he would be dictating my punishment.

"Yes sir." Draco said. Narcissa turned to Lucius and began regaling him about her plans for the dinner party. Just as Draco suspected his father was less than eager but he wasn't about to say no and disappoint Narcissa.

"Will you be inviting the youngest Ms. Parkinson along with her parents then, Narcissa?" Lucius asked eyeing Draco meaningfully. Draco inhaled sharply; the time had come to tell his father about Hermione.

"Oh, I suppose we could invite Ms. Parkinson as well but there really is no reason for it." Narcissa said nonchalantly. Draco smiled; she was playing the part well.

"Is that so? Draco, are you seeing someone?" His father asked curiously. Lucius didn't know Pansy very well, but he worked closely with her father and they had talked frequently about marrying their children to each other when they were little. Lucius was pleasantly surprised when Draco started dating her off and on throughout his last few years of school. Lucius wasn't really comfortable with treating his son's marriage like a business merger even if that was what it would essentially be so he was happy to see Draco take an interest in Pansy.

"Yes Father, I have been seeing someone, for a couple of months now." Draco said slowly.

"Well, out with it then, who is it?" His father pushed slightly annoyed.

Draco debated looking away before he answered. He used to always look away before admitting something to his father that he would not like. This time however, he knew how important it would be to maintain eye contact. He needed to show him that not only was he serious, but that he was grown up enough to make this decision and be confident in it.

Summoning all of Hermione's Gryffindor courage he looked Lucius straight in the eyes and said, "Hermione Granger, sir." Draco almost visibly flinched as he saw anger flash briefly across grey eyes that were so much like his own.

"You cannot possibly be serious." Lucius said looking to Narcissa for help. She looked completely calm. Draco wished he could feel half as calm as she looked.

"Why are you looking at me like that, Lucius? I was going to tell you but I thought it was best if you heard the news from Draco. I assure he is quite serious." She said giving Draco a reassuring glance.

"I am quite serious Father. I have intentions of pursuing a long-term relationship with her and she will be attending the party. It is going to be very difficult for her so I ask that you do not make it any more so than is necessary." Draco stated in an even voice.

"And Lucius, she is not the only guest you might not be pleased with." Narcissa interjected. Lucius looked at her with a cocked eyebrow as if to say, oh, yeah? Narcissa pressed on. "I have recently begun speaking with my sister Andromeda again and she has agreed to attend as well."

Lucius clenched his fists on the table and his face colored slightly. "I cannot imagine why you two feel the need to associate yourself with these people. I am at a loss. Have things changed so much in my absence. Have all the values I have instilled in my family been completely for naught?" Lucius ranted with barely suppressed fury. Draco slipped a little lower in his seat but Narcissa held her ground.

"Don't be ridiculous Lucius. The Dark Lord is not coming back and the time has come to start behaving as such. Repairing broken relationships will only help you re-establish your good name. Right now the Malfoy name is a mockery; trampled in the mud of wizarding society! Draco is at the ministry working very hard to fix things and you could do your part as well." Narcissa said shrewdly. Draco was surprised. He had never heard his mother talk in such a commanding tone to his father before. "It's like Draco said that night, we need to LEARN from these punishments. I can't bear to see you in here another day! And if you do not learn you're just going to keep coming back. We lost the fight and it is time to put our heads down and behave. Things will be easier for us all if we begin to assimilate!"

"But Granger, and your sister, represents everything that I have spent a lifetime fighting against. How can I possibly accept them into my home? Oh, wait; I see what is going on." Lucius said his eyes lighting up in realization. "Narcissa, you expect me to welcome your sister and half breed grandchild as a way of forgiving her for marrying a Mudblood isn't it? If I give you that, then you would expect me to forgive my own son for wanting to be with a Mudblood as well?" Anger was dancing behind is eyes. Lucius did not like being manipulated.

Draco stood quickly. "Do not call her a Mudblood; she has more intelligence and magical talent in half her body than most of your Death Eater friends had in their whole family. And you should forgive Andromeda, not that there is anything to forgive. She is your wife's only sister for crying out loud! I am only asking you to politely tolerate Hermione at this point and nothing more. If you absolutely refuse to accept her as part of my life than you will be leaving me with a choice I do not want to make." Draco said resolutely.

"I thought I just told you not to be so hasty with your accusations." Lucius snapped.

"I am not being hasty. I am asking you not to be so hasty in your judgments, Father." Draco said quietly.

"Lucius, I know this is hard for you to understand right now, and it is for me as well," Narcissa said soothingly, "But I will not let you do anymore to hurt our son or ruin his chances for happiness."

"It was never my intention to hurt either of you." Lucius said in defeat. Draco watched him interestedly. He had never admitted so much in such a short sentence for as long as Draco could remember.

Narcissa placed a hand on Lucius's arm. "Nevertheless dear, you did, but our world is changing and our son with it," She looked at Draco with tenderness, "and I don't want to lose him."

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