I'm back! Haha. Sorry for the delay guys. Life got in the way. :/

Thank you guys for all the reviews though. Unfortunately, I'm too tired to count and declare this time's winner. Hope you guys enjoy this one!

=]

Dinner Table Poker Dynamics

The Burrow,

That evening saw a new drama unfold in the Burrow. Hermione had suddenly decided to return to the Manor and was packing her meager belongings into a transfigured overnight bag. For those who weren't aware of her current mental turmoil, it seemed like she'd caved in a day. To those in the know, there was only sympathy to be seen radiating for her predicament.

Hermione had decided since her little trip that until and unless she found out the complete truth, she wouldn't mention her trip to any of the others. Percy had told her seriously that by telling her this before the world, he had actually risked his job and hence hoped that she wouldn't reveal anything till he told her to. She had gladly consented; unwarranted publicity was the last thing that she needed right now.

"You don't have to go, Hermione. You can stay here as long as you like, you know that. The Burrow is your home!"said Ginny, watching her move about the room, collecting her things.

"I know that Ginny, but imagine the embarrassment that Narcissa will be feeling right now! it has already been a day and everybody who was at the party would've already concocted wild tales about the incident. Besides, I only came here to clear my head. And my head is now cleared!" replied Hermione, feigning a grin. Ginny narrowed her eyes.

"There is something that you are not telling me. What is it? Did he threaten you or something? Because we can totally take him," she said, sitting up straighter. Hermione only gave the look that clearly said as is.

"But really, if you want to go back, you can go back tomorrow! At least have dinner with us tonight," she pleaded.

"I can't. I really need to get back. I even missed work today. McLaggen would've had field day with the Youzhny case," sighed Hermione.

The Manor, an hour later,

Narcissa Malfoy sat in her patio, sipping tea and watching the sunset. It had been her favorite pass time as a young girl, and it remained so today. She smiled slightly, remembering the time when her family hadn't been torn apart by Andromeda's rebellion and Bella's dark magic.

She felt a sudden buzz in the air, signaling that someone had just floo'd in. Frowning slightly, she tried to recall if there was someone expected today. It wasn't like her to forget social meetings like this. It couldn't be Hermione, could it?

At first she considered calling on her personal elf, Robin to check. But somehow curiosity won her out. She got up and walked briskly to the main parlor. There was nobody there. She narrowed her eyes and apparated to Hermione's wing. As she entered, she noticed a hand bag tossed onto the bed and smiled broadly.

"Hermione?" she called out before entering the bedroom.

Hermione started. She hadn't quite expected anybody to be home at this hour. Lucius was usually away on work, as was Draco. Narcissa usually had social calls to attend. Why oh why was she home today? Taking a deep breath, she walked out of the bathroom to greet her future mother in law.

"Oh dear, it is such a relief to have you back! You had me and Lucius worried!" Narcissa said, as she drew her in for a hug. Hermione stiffened in shock. Narcissa wasn't one to hug usually.

"Yeah, about that. I am sorry if I had you worried. I just needed to clear my head after all that happened," she replied, feeling truly sorry. In the days that she had spent in the Manor, she'd actually come to like Narcissa. Narcissa frowned delicately and guided her towards the sofa.

"I would like to personally apologize for that wretched man's behavior the other night, love. I have made sure that his name will not be included in future invites," she said, trying to stall the Draco issue.

"Oh no, that's fine. It wasn't your fault. And thank you for that. I wasn't quite sure I could tolerate this man in any other events anyway," replied Hermione, giving her a half-hearted lopsided grin. Narcissa noticed her dull expression and decided to address Draco's behavior as well.

"Look, I know it isn't much of a consolation, but I would like to apologize for Draco's behavior as well. Growing up, I tried to keep him as far away from hatred as possible. But it wasn't possible all the time. I just wish that this doesn't change anything. He's a good boy, he just needs some clarity in life and thought, something I know you will be able to provide if you give him a chance. Please don't write off completely yet," she pleaded, looking into Hermione's eyes directly. They looked pained. But the girl, to her credit, managed to smile, however insincere it seemed.

"Of course Narcissa. I understand," she said. Narcissa's expression brightened.

"Now, you go take a bath. I will go and inform in the kitchens that it is a meal for four tonight, alright dear?"

Hours Later,

Draco sighed heavily as he apparated into the parlor after work. His father's warning still rang loud and clear in his head. He had truly failed.

Dejected, he trudged to the dining room to eat before he went upstairs. he felt jittery, almost as if his body could anticipate the sheer humiliation he was about to face. Stupid father and his stupid smug face sipping the stupid wine after the stupid glass.

He sat down in his usual place and didn't look up, expecting the cursing to begin. To his surprise, Narcissa smiled at him and asked him how his day was. Lucius didn't say anything, but he didn't look smug either. What on earth was happening?

Narcissa was actually enjoying herself. She had already told Lucius about Hermione's arrival earlier this evening. Fortunately for them, Draco had chosen to eat before retiring to bed. Was he in for a surprise. Hermione had chosen to eat upstairs, claiming that she was tired. Narcissa could barely contain her excitement.

Draco narrowed his eyes. Something was up. Lucius looked deceptively calm. If one looked at Narcissa carefully, she seemed to be suppressing her excitement. For the love of Merlin, could somebody please tell him what was going on? But no. he would not beg. He would not break. He was still a Slytherin after all. He wouldn't let Lucius have the satisfaction.

Lucius was secretly feeling very proud of his son at this particular moment. Proud because he could tell that Draco knew something was going on yet he chose not to grovel or beg to know. Proud that he hadn't broken yet, even though he was trying very, very hard not to. His wife, however, was a different story all together. She looked like a sugar rushed child! He frowned mentally at her. Women.

Draco cleared his throat. "I think I will be retiring to bed now. I have another long day tomorrow. I'll probably be stopping over at the Burrow before I go to work," he said, mentally bracing himself for the verbal onslaught. Lucius sighed mentally, shaking his head. His idiot of a son had finally broken.

Narcissa smiled and wished him good night. Lucius nodded curtly. Draco frowned. WHAT IN THE WORLD WAS GOING ON?

Their Wing, 5 minutes later,

Draco entered his wing to find it dark. Usually, when someone entered, it automatically lit up, provided someone was already in the room... He drew out his wand slowly, his eyes adjusting to the lack of light. While it was highly unlikely that someone uninvited would get past the millions of wards around the Manor, he was not going to take any chances.

"Lumos," he whispered. There seemed to be something/someone on his bed, but he couldn't be too sure from this part. He crept slowly in the dark, letting the wand light and the moonlight coming in from the French windows guide him. He passed by the drawing room and slowly entered the bedroom. The figure moved. Wait, it couldn't be Hermione, could it? He waved his wand once more. The lights came on. Hermione stirred. For the love of God!

Draco saw her signature wild bed hair and sighed with relief. That was why mother and father didn't say anything. She was back already. But she seemed to be asleep. He felt like he should wake her up talk, apologize, anything. But he couldn't. Not now, not like this. He walked into the bathroom to change, after switching the lights off.

Hermione lay beneath the covers with her heart hammering against her chest. She had actually expected him to say something. Obviously, she would not have listened. But still, she'd expected him to try. Now, she was nursing a bruised ego.

Do I see a 200, 200 anyone? =P

Let me know what you thought in your reviews!