Pansy and Blaise arrived at breakfast the next day. "But just for today, and maybe tomorrow, and oh how about the next day too just in case? Depends on if mother notices I'm gone." Pansy announced when Hermione asked. Mrs. Malfoy smiled and gave the 'you're always welcome here' line while looking at Hermione. Inspecting felt more like it though.
Before Hermione could collect herself enough to respond, the witch spoke again.
"Hermione dear, did I hear Draco correctly when he indicated that you desire more training in wizarding customs besides reading the books?"
"Yes ma'am. I'd like to fully blend in, since this is my world from now on."
"Well, how would you like it if your friend Miss Parkinson and I aided you? You would be to help Hermione wouldn't you Miss Parkinson?" Narcissa added as an afterthought.
Both girls looked taken aback at her proposal. Taken aback being an understatement for Hermione, as she gasped and dropped her croissant.
"Oh! That'll be perfect! Thank you so much ma'am!"
"Of course my dear."
They started in the library. Mrs. Malfoy went over rules again with Hermione, even though she had Practically memorised everything she'd read. After, the girls practiced imagined scenarios to test her ability to put the knowledge to work. It was long. And boring.
"Now at a formal dinner, everything follows the host and or hostess. Follow my lead , eating, drinking, talking, everything. If there is more than one course, it is simplest-sit up a little straighter dear-to start with the outermost silver wares and work inwards-there, no there. It's called a fish you're a little older, the same will be said for your goblets and wines."
"Women in our world don't say as much as men. We convey ourselves through other means. Your attire can inform the world of your opinion-even political ones- without your needing to say a word. I'm afraid it's no more baggy jumpers for , secret groups have been able to trade secret informations without a shred of convicting evidence. "
There were endless rules on everything, and sometimes they outright contradicted each other.
"A woman is to never remove her gloves in public", "it's rude to enter open institutes and not remove your gloves." Other times, modernity allowed for modified customs in certain cases.
"In the wizarding world, marriage customs have been alleviated, to some degree though certain families may choose to retain or return to the old ways." "Good luck figuring out which to use when though," Hermione muttered angrily.
In three hours, she, Pansy, and Mrs. Malfoy had repeated as many scenarios over and over until they had less than three mistakes.
"Alright dear I think that's enough for today. If you would like, you can read the Malfoy Family Customs book. It might help you get a feel for how our world works."
At that, Hermione brightened.
"Oh yes please. Thank you ma'am."
Hermione never noticed Pansy's gasp, or Mrs. Malfoy's small nod and secretive smile.
Outside, Blaise, Theo, and Draco were cleaning their brooms after quidditch practice.
"You know we don't need to clean our brooms. I can get an elf to do it for us."
Physical labour was well and good, but that was why they hired the elves, in Draco's opinion.
Theo and Blaise shared an uneasy glance. After the Dobby incident last Christmas, neither felt terribly comfortable around any of the Malfoy elves.
"You know we'll have to do it ourselves at Hogwarts. Best practice this too while we're at it." Blaise lied smoothly.
Draco snorted at that.
"You're just feeling awkward after Christmas. Anyways, I got Father to tell me what it's all about."
Draco, Theo decided, had picked up a bit of a swagger over the summer.
"But maybe later. Not right now."
Blaise laughed. Draco was being utterly ridiculous.
"Well it can't be difficult can it? So your elf annoyed your mother and now he's on the-"
"No. Stop." Theo held up a hand. Looking hard between Blaise and Draco, he concentrated.
Mother and father had been whispering as they took him from the train station. What had they said?
"The latest regime is awfully restrictive." He whispered, glancing around in fear.
Blaise had forgotten all about broom cleaning now. That phrase was familiar…
When it came to him, Blaise feigned casualty and leaned back.
"Absolutely no respect for blood."
At the two phrases Draco looked surprised, but swallowed and gestured inwards.
"Dobby...is not a normal house elf. He wants wages. And freedom. Clothes. We've partially accommodated him until now, but…'if Dobby feels abused and alienated here, it serves our purposes.' Or, that's what father says." He finished bitterly.
Theo blinked a little. What Draco said was far from what he'd expected.
"Serves your purposes?" Blaise echoed. "What's the purpose then? We've lost a good playmate right there!"
"Blaise, he's not our elf. You need to stop."
Draco waved a hand carelessly.
"No no, it's fine. Mother wouldn't says what it was though. But I do know we aren't doing this just because he brought her the wrong type of tea."
As Blaise still looked incensed at the injustice, Theo cut in pointedly.
"Well it is your house elf I suppose."
After a moment, Blaise shrugged philosophically.
"Last one to the treehouse is a squib!" He shouted, grabbing a broom to kick off.
Inside the house, Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy stood at the bay window of their study watching the laughing boys zoom around outside.
"Lucius...are you sure about this?"
"I am without a doubt not the only one with such instructions. To fail in this is to doom our family, our son." He answered without looking at his wife. Clearly distressed, Narcisa laid a hand on his arm.
"We don't even know if he'll come back love. The odds are-"
"The odds grow higher every day as the ministry relaxes. Remember Avery? MacNair? Remember us?" He did look at her this time, drawing her into an embrace and resting his chin on her head.
"Fanaticism is an infectious poison that few can cure. His followers will not rest until his fate, dead or alive, is certain."
After several moments she spoke, her voice muffled against his shoulder.
"Dobby...was successful. The boy has been warned, and our faithful servant knows nothing but pain and suffering from us. He adores the boy."
Lucius pulled away to tip her chin up.
"I think, my love," he annunciated, "if you were against me, I would rather face the full wrath of the Dark Lord because you are as intelligent and cunning, and terrifying, as a snake. We will get through this." He added, pulling her in again and stroking her hair.
Ending with a bit of Narcissa/Lucius fluff. They're really quite perfect together. If you lot are into Dramione (which you should be if you're reading this) and if you like Slytherin Hermione, go read Colubrina's fic The Green Girl. It's my absolute favourite, the inspiration for this, and actually what got me writing. It's also hella better because she's a brilliant writer.