Hello guys! Hope you're all well? Here's another update for you, thank you all so much for the reviews, lots more to come!
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The morning came far too quickly for the witches, it felt like they hadn't been sleeping that long but they had in fact been up most of the night. Hermione had to rush about getting ready for work while Narcissa being the free agent she was, just watched her paramour with loving glances.
Narcissa didn't understand why she was so afraid of telling Hermione how she truly felt, if she'd have known this would've been the outcome she would've done it months ago, now she was going to have to sit and take the jibes of 'I told you so' from her sister. Shaking her head and laughing at the thought she went back to watching Hermione fix her hair. The brunette was impeccable, her beauty and intelligence made her weak at the knees. Narcissa felt like she'd finally found her equal on every level.
"You're staring at me." Hermione spoke as she tied her hair up.
"I can't help it." Narcissa blushed.
"Am I that fascinating?" Hermione giggled and walked over to her lover.
"That you are indeed." The blonde smiled and let her hand slide over Hermione's waist.
"You're the fascinating one. I wish I didn't have to go but duty calls." The Muggle-born bent down and kissed Narcissa passionately. "I love you."
"I love you too."
They two of them giggled a little, as if they were two teenagers dating for the first time.
"I'll never get tired of saying that." Hermione winked before she left the room.
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You'd be blind not to notice the skip in the step of Hermione Granger; people thought she was in a good mood the day before but this was nothing compared to now. Her smile beamed and lit up the whole department, she had a pile of files on her desk that usually would've made her sigh loud enough for the rest of the office to hear, but not today.
The Head of Department had taken to blasting out music as she worked; it cheered everyone's spirits and got everyone humming along. Some wizards and witches weren't familiar with the origins of the Muggle music due to their backgrounds but that didn't stop them enjoying it. It was quite a change, Hermione for the most part loved her job but having Narcissa confess that she was in love with her made everything seem fantastic.
"Mam if you don't mind me asking, you seem extra cheerful this morning." Margret said as she slipped into Hermione's office closing the door behind her.
"Well Margret, I'm happy, never been happier in fact!" Hermione smiled, "will you send for Harry please, if he's not too busy?"
"Of Course Miss Ganger." Margret left her office and went to fulfil Hermione's order.
It wasn't long before the dark haired wizard was sauntering into Hermione's office looking a little dishevelled not to say the least. He did a little dance to the music before plopping down in the chair in front of her, making her laugh.
"Well I wish my department was this cheery, loving the music, what do you need me for?" He took off his glasses and made himself at home.
"Oh Harry!" Hermione leapt from her chair "Narcissa told me she was in love me last night!"
Harry jumped from his chair pulled his best friend into a tight hug, and spun her around, he couldn't have been happier to hear the news. He knew the pair would go far, he saw it from the beginning when the brunette introduced the older witch as her partner at his birthday party.
"Blimey 'Mione this is big!" He released her and she covered her mouth in shock.
"I know Harry! I never dreamt I could've ever been this happy!" she placed her hands on her head and spun around. "Things are finally working out for me."
"I knew they would 'Mione." He pulled her to him again and they danced around her office laughing with each other. It brought back the memories of the first time they'd danced together when they were on the run, searching for Horcrux's.
Before the two friends could realise what was happening the music was cut off and a cough could be heard from the entrance to Hermione's office.
"Sorry to disturb whatever this is that's going on." Ginevra Weasley said coldly as she glared daggers at Harry.
"Ginny what on Earth do you think you're doing? I thought I'd made it clear that I didn't want to speak to you?" Hermione crossed her arms. Now was not the time, she was happy, Ginny wasn't going to ruin her sensibility.
"I think we need to talk, but I see your busy getting quite closely acquainted with my ex-boyfriend." The ginger huffed.
"Oh Jesus Christ. Not this, you sound like Lavender." Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Yeah Merlin Ginny, Hermione and I are like brother and sister." Harry added. "You do sound like Lavender, is she your only friend now?" Harry chuckled at the jibe and Hermione tried to hide the smirk on her face. It was childish but Ginny was the last person she wanted to see.
"Funny aren't you Harry, can I please speak to Hermione alone please?"
Harry looked over at his best friend, when she nodded in approval he placed his hand on her shoulder and left the office closing the door behind him. He told Margret not to disturb Hermione unless it was urgent.
"Make it quick I clearly have work that needs doing." Hermione sat back into her chair and gave Ginny a scrutinising gaze.
"The serpent you're seeing threatened me the other day, yes," Ginny nodded her head. "Threatened your best friend. Are you going to do something about it?"
Hermione laughed in amusement, was this wench for real? Did it really mean this much to the ginger to try and split her apart from Narcissa? Hermione felt like she was stuck in a teen movie when it came to Ginny. Everything was so bitchy and repetitive.
"Well Ginny, I think when you collar someone who's busy getting on with their life, throw threats at them too, you're not innocent by any means, that said person is going to get annoyed." Hermione took a deep breath, "if you want this to work, meaning, our friendship, you're either going to have to leave Narcissa alone or, you're going to have to stop talking to me Ginny."
"But Hermione you're not getting it…" she was cut off.
"No Ginny you do not understand, I'm sorry but it's like dealing with a child. Now I know you've been hurt and I know I've been distant but I have my own life to live, and if I want to spend that life with the woman I love, you're not going to be able to stop that okay?"
The Weasley wench squinted her eyes at Hermione before turning on her heels and leaving the office, not muttering another word. It wasn't clear as to whether Hermione had gotten through to her or not. But she would hope for the best. If the outcome wasn't what she hoped then her life without Ginny in it would have to do. She by no means wanted to lose her as a friend, but when it came to the ginger and her mother threatening and pestering her Narcissa she would pick the blonde any day over the Weasley's.
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"Can I open my eyes yet?" Narcissa asked as she felt a cool breeze flow through her hair.
Once Hermione's working day was over, she went home and told Narcissa she had a surprise planned for her, it was last minute really, but the brunette wanted to do something with Narcissa that the blonde had never experienced before.
"Okay go ahead." Hermione took a hold of Narcissa's hand as she fluttered her blue cerulean eyes open.
"Buckbeak!" Narcissa held her hands together in surprise. It was lovely to see the Hippogriff again, Narcissa had a deep love for magical creatures that had started long ago when she was a child.
"Do you remember how to greet him?" Hermione asked as her heart skipped a beat at how her witch showed excitement.
"Yes!" The blonde nodded and Hermione gestured for her to go first.
Narcissa slowly approached the large creature and smiled before bowing and outstretching her hand for him to accept. Buckbeak remembered Narcissa and he greeted her with grace and plopped down on his stomach to let her walk over and pet him.
Hermione watched as Narcissa was in her element, the older witch even began inspecting the creature's feathers to make sure he was still doing okay. Buckbeak loved the attention and allowed Narcissa to proceed.
He looked over at Hermione and she took that as her queue to go over and greet the bird as well. She went through the same process as Narcissa and even earned a nibble on her shoulder as the creature responded as if he'd missed her.
"He never fails to mesmerise me." Narcissa let her hand drift across his neck as she felt his feathers.
"So was this a nice surprise?" Hermione asked rocking on her heels with her hands behind her back.
"It's lovely." Narcissa pulled Hermione into a kiss. Buckbeak began sniffing the blonde's hair making her pull away laughing slightly. "You've had attention."
"Buckbeak come here?" Hermione gestured and the creature laid down next to her. Hermione climbed on his back and put her hand out for Narcissa to take. "On you get."
When Narcissa looked at her wide eyed, Hermione shook her head and laughed. "Remember when I told you next time we came you can ride him, I wasn't joking."
"Hermione I'm not sure I can get up there." She said backing away slowly.
"Don't make me, make him pick you up by your Prada jacket and sling you up here." Hermione giggled as Narcissa sent a look of distain over at her.
"You wouldn't!"
"Do you want to find out?" Hermione winked and Narcissa sighed and allowed herself to be helped up onto the beast.
Hermione sat Narcissa in front so she was able to hold on to Buckbeak's neck feathers, with Hermione being behind she could hold her witch if she got afraid of the heights they were about to climb to.
"Good job you wore jeans today." The brunette snickered and she felt an elbow to her ribs as the blonde hit her playfully.
"Carry on Hermione." She goaded. "And you my dear can sleep on your own tonight."
"Ah no fair. I wouldn't be able to sleep without you next to me, come to think of it, I'd miss you far too much." Hermione let her hands wrap around the blonde's waist. "Ready?"
"I'm not suuuuuuuuuuuuuuure!" With that Buckbeak took off and flew up through the trees into the darkening night sky making Narcissa scream the last word of her sentence.
The bird picked up his speed and began flying all around the Forbidden Forest, and onto Black Lake. Narcissa had somewhat quietened down, it was Hermione that was shrieking, the adrenaline plus the fact the brunette didn't really like heights, didn't help.
He swooped down allowing his feet to touch the water; he was enjoying taking the witches on a trip surrounding the area of Hogwarts, Narcissa let go of his feathers for a moment and let her hand also trail though Black Lake feeling the energy coming forth from beneath it.
When he shot back up and began flying around the towers of the Castle, Hermione let out a scream as she held onto Narcissa, the views were stunningly beautiful; they flew all the way around the extensive grounds, sinking in the beauty of the School. They flew on past the lit up Astronomy tower, and they came close to touching the Gryffindor tower as Buckbeak skimmed the tiles of the column, Hermione wasn't fond of heights, but she didn't want to be anywhere else, in that moment she felt infinite.
Once Buckbeak decided he was bored he landed back in the Forest and allowed the witches to climb down, Hermione fed him some ferrets she had picked up on the way home from work and gave the creature a kiss to say thank you.
"That was brilliant." Narcissa said as she gasped for air, the trip literally took her breath away, just like every time she would look at Hermione, she was always lost for words.
"I'm glad you liked it. I'm still not over heights but it gets easier I guess." The brunette giggled as Narcissa looked at her sympathetically.
The pair were getting ready to apparate home but they heard crinkling of branches and leaves as if someone was walking towards them, it was becoming darker now and it was hard to see through the forest, Narcissa was the first to take out her wand as she stood in front of Hermione ready to strike.
Minerva McGonagall made herself known as she looked at the two and saw Buckbeak trotting off in the distance. The elder witch studied the pair before she spoke.
"Professor, have you come out for a late night walk?" Hermione asked as she put her arm around Narcissa. The blonde's perfume was strong as the wind blew her hair about.
"Not quite, would you care to explain why you think it is okay to fly past my window screaming like a Banshee?" Minerva folded her arms.
"Sorry, I still haven't got the hang of heights yet, I just want Narcissa to experience what it's like to ride Buckbeak, she's quite fond of him." The brunette recounted.
Narcissa smiled and nodded her head, she felt quite silly, she felt as if she were back in Hogwarts and Hermione and herself had snuck out and been caught. It was quite funny to her that Minerva McGonagall had come all the way down to the forest to scold them. She also couldn't exactly keep a straight face as all she saw was the Dowager Countess from the series she watched the other day.
"Something amusing Ms Black?" The Headmistress asked.
That did it, Narcissa couldn't help the laugh that escaped her mouth, even Hermione thought it out of character as she watched her paramour with confusion. Narcissa was in guffaws of laughter within the minute and the other witches just glanced at one another.
"I'm really sorry." Narcissa said wiping her eyes. "You just look so familiar." She stopped as she carried on laughing. "To someone… Off the television."
Hermione's eyes widened as she realised why Narcissa was laughing. "Okay, sorry about disturbing you Headmistress won't happen again. We should get going."
"Not so fast what does Ms Black mean?" Her attention was on the blonde who couldn't talk for laughing.
"Er nothing, she's just reminiscing." Hermione grabbed Narcissa and apparated them back to their home.
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Once their feet hit the hard marble flooring of the foyer of their home, Narcissa dusted herself off and looked over at Hermione. It was a good job the brunette knew how to save the situation, otherwise they could've ended up having to deal with a very pissed off Minerva McGonagall.
"Tea?" The blonde asked as they made their way to the kitchen to sit down.
"That would be lovely." Hermione followed.
Bengt brought the witches two cups of tea and they sat down and reminisced about the ride with Buckbeak.
"Have you ever thought about joining the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures?" Hermione asked sipping her tea.
"Hermione darling, do you really think they'd allow me in the Ministry?" Narcissa laughed a little. "Kingsley would laugh in my face if I mentioned it."
"I don't see why? You're fantastic with beasts. Plus you can speak Mermish!" The brunette frowned. "If he said no, then he'd be missing out on how valuable you'd be."
"Listen love, most people have learnt I'm not who I was sought out to be, but some haven't, there's no place for me in the Ministry." Truth being told, Narcissa had never thought about joining the Ministry.
Most departments would be lucky to have her, she was a skilled healer, and she could speak multiple different languages including Mermish as Hermione had said. She was an exceptional dueller and a connoisseur when it came to magical creatures. Narcissa just couldn't see any place for herself in the Ministry due to her past actions.
"I beg to differ; if you try I'm sure Kingsley will see how beneficial you'll be. Plus it might get you out of the house a little more."
"If what you're saying is true, I wouldn't want to work ungodly hours." Narcissa raised her eyebrow in question.
"Then take part-time hours. Two or three days a week would be enough for you I'm sure?" Hermione smiled and placed her hand on Narcissa's.
"That would be more than enough of course." Narcissa didn't disregard the idea.
It wasn't something she had ever even seen herself doing, sure dealing with Magical Creatures would take up some of her free time, and it would be nice to help out. She could also show the Wizarding World she wasn't as cold hearted as they all thought. Narcissa didn't need the money either, so it wasn't as if that's all she could be seen for.
The pair spent the rest of the evening on the sofa watching Muggle Television. Hermione had her arm around the blonde and Narcissa's head was resting on her chest, it really was a beautiful sight, they looked completely serene from being in each other's company. Every now and then Narcissa would comment on the show they were watching. It was still new to her the whole Muggle TV set; she'd never forget the first time she watched the strange contraption at Hermione's apartment. Since then she'd worked out how to use it and even record things and find box sets to watch.
The show they had settled on that evening was Murder, She Wrote. Narcissa chose it because she had become quite the fan of mystery series'. Hermione didn't mind, her father used to be a huge fan of the show when she was a child and she would often watch it with him.
"This Mrs Fletcher is very smart, but I find her too nosey, this is why she keeps getting caught up in all these murders." Narcissa said sighing loudly.
"I think that's the whole point love." Hermione giggled. "Nosey people find out everything sooner rather than later."
"Hmm I know a lot of witches like that." Narcissa snorted.
"Don't we both."
Crookshanks hopped on the sofa and snuggled himself under Narcissa's arm, the half-kneazle had become very attached to his mistress' companion, he found her very caring and he sensed that she was very protective over Hermione.
Narcissa was soon meeting Morpheus as she fell asleep on Hermione, her dreams took her to places' she wanted to go but was too afraid to in the real world. The Ministry would be a new hobby for Narcissa to take up, her love for Magical Creatures was strong, and her dreams even stronger. With a little push from the witch she loved; maybe this could happen for her.