So sorry for the delay, I have been really busy and will continue to be busy for the foreseeable future. I hate to say this but now updates will come when they come, no promises. Of course this happens when the story is getting interesting.
Hermione stepped into the green flames and out into a massive foyer. Hermione walked further into the room to make room for the boys as they came in after her and she swiveled her head so that her eyes could capture every detail. It was not as extravagant or glitzy as some may have expected but it was no less grand than what a family like the Malfoy's could have. They came from very old money and the atmosphere of the room let you know it. There was something else about the manor though… something familiar and foreboding…
Narcissa Malfoy was standing in the middle of the foyer and she lived up to her reputation. She was a sight to behold and made Hermione think of an ice queen. Pastel blonde hair, crystal blue eyes, and pale skin made up cold perfection. Her lips curved into the appropriate smile for a hostess as she saw Hermione making her guest wonder if she was truly welcomed here by the lady of the house.
"You must be Hermione Jean; it is so good to finally meet you. I have heard so much about you. Welcome to Malfoy Manor," Narcissa greeted.
Hermione returned the smile and wondered whether or not she was meant to shake her hand. Narcissa answered this question with a quick, unexpected embrace and air kisses over her cheeks that Hermione mimicked.
"Thank you for allowing me into your beautiful home. I'm surprised you've heard much about me, I only met your husband once."
"Ah but Severus speaks of you," Narcissa noted the light blush that painted Hermione's cheeks, "though most of the time Lucius has to force him to speak of anything but potions, he's a prodigy you know. And even before then news of your mysterious arrival was all over. Now don't look so nervous, I will not ask any questions about that. You must be sick of such inquiries."
"Thank you ma'am."
"None of that, you must call me Narcissa and I hope you will I allow me to return the favor," the tall blonde insisted sweetly.
"Of course, Narcissa." By now the boys had come in but were wrapped up in their own conversation which, by the looks of it, consisted of teasing Severus.
XXXXXXX
Lucius chanted some special words that altered his manor's wards to allow in his guests for the day. The boys watched Hermione step through first with a helping hand from Severus to step up into the fireplace.
"Careful Severus, she may begin to believe you are a gentleman," Lucius teased.
"Aren't Slytherins supposed to uphold the old standards?" Severus countered.
Lucius laughed, "Worst response you could have come up with my friend. So you still haven't told me how your night was yet."
"And I'm not going to," Severus insisted firmly before he stepped into the green flames himself. His relief from Lucius was brief though as he came through right behind the younger wizard. As they entered they heard the witches becoming acquainted and Lucius noticed the blush that was fading from Hermione's cheeks. This led to an elbow in Severus' ribs and another knowing smirk. Severus grumbled under his breath and ignored his friend.
"Oh come now Severus, stop acting like a little fourth year," Lucius whispered. "She's pretty enough so you have no reason to be embarrassed. Besides you know Narcissa will get it out of her anyway."
Severus did not get to respond as Narcissa and Hermione had finally noticed their presence. They walked over and Lucius placed a light kiss upon his wife's cheek before she turned her attention to Severus. "Severus, it is so good to see you. It has been far too long; you should have come to visit at least for Christmas."
"I am sorry that I did not, Narcissa, but it is very hard to leave Hogwarts without Dumbledore finding out."
"Yes, well once you have graduated you will no longer have an excuse," Narcissa declared. She then called for a house elf to take their robes and update her on the state of lunch.
"It'll be ready in five minutes mistress," the little elf said pathetically.
"Good, I guess then we must be on our way to the dining room. The smaller one of course, no need for such formality with our group." Narcissa lead the way through the manor's many corridors towards the room.
The rest of the mansion so far resembled the foyer, subtly elegant and cold. The temperature was warm enough but there was nothing homey about this place. The halls were quiet, the ancestor's portraits sneered, and everything was perfectly in place. It felt as if no one really lived here.
"Lucius how long has your family lived here?" Hermione politely inquired.
"Since before the Statue of Secrecy was put in place and magic was out in the open. The exact date escapes me as to when we first acquired the land. One of my ancestors updated the manor a few centuries ago and very little has changed since. The Malfoys are a very ancient and powerful line," Lucius proclaimed proudly.
Narcissa added on, "I did redecorate a few rooms after we were married including the dining room right here." She stopped in front of two elegantly carved wooden doors that swung open to reveal a small dining room that more resembled a breakfast parlor in size and formality. The sun shone through the large French windows that revealed the glittering snow just outside. The rays of light brightened the first room Hermione had seen yet with any sense of comfort. The walls were painted cream and there were light wood floors and furniture with light green accents. The table was set with four wooden chairs with comfy looking green cushions, green placemats, and shining silverware.
Lucius pulled out a chair for Narcissa and went to stand behind the chair at the head of the table directly across from his wife. Severus also pulled out Hermione's chair before going to his own and then both men sat.
As soon as they did food magically appeared in front of them, fresh from the kitchen. First course was soup and salad followed by beef wellington cooked to perfection. Water and wine appeared in their glasses and Lucius gave the signal to begin eating.
"This is excellent Narcissa."
"Thank you Hermione. Our elves are trained to be even better cooks than those at Hogwarts," the hostess boasted as she took a sip of her wine. "Now my dear, you must tell me where you got that dress, it is lovely in a simple sort of way."
"Thank you, I bought them from the boutique in Hogsmeade after I first arrived. I'm afraid it is nothing though compared to yours."
Narcissa preened at the praise, "Yes well you have been limited in choice. I will just have to take you to where I shop someday soon." Step one: impress Narcissa, check.
"I would be very grateful, I'm afraid my wardrobe is rather limited at this point due to my… situation."
Severus was rather impressed that Hermione appeared to have befriended the older witch but then Narcissa knew what was happening today and was probably just trying to see what she could find out about the new girl.
Severus' thoughts turned from Narcissa's motives to her husband's as he asked Hermione if she had found any clues as to her past.
"No I'm afraid not, my memory is as blank as before. Madame Pomfrey has already tried everything she could think of and it seems I will just have to remember naturally if I ever remember it at all."
"Now Lucius, I told her earlier that I would not bother her with such questions, I would like for you to do the same," Narcissa scolded before giving Hermione another small polite smile.
Hermione accepted the smile but cautiously, if Narcissa was anything like other Slytherin females than she should be an ice queen subtly insulting. And while there were a couple hints as to her lack of wealth there was nothing too bad, she was acting much nicer than Hermione thought she would. This was at the forefront of her mind but in the back there was a little tickling feeling, her intuition saying that Narcissa should definitely not been acting this nice to her. But then she was openly the enemy in the future, Narcissa didn't know now. Hermione was having a hard time ignoring her intuition while also trying to heed its advice. That foreboding feeling from earlier was still there and it was causing Hermione to become anxious though she tried not to let it show.
Lunch was coming to an end and the remaining conversation had been light. But both guests knew that the subject would change soon and were preparing themselves. As the food disappeared they were joined by an older wizard. His hair was more silvery and his face had a few wrinkles but there was no doubt that this man was Lucius' father, Abraxas Malfoy, head of the Malfoy family and one of the original Deatheaters.
Lucius and Severus stood quickly to greet the man. "Father, I did not realize you would be home so soon."
"That would be because what I do is none of your business," the senior Malfoy said coldly. He turned to look at Severus and raised a brow at the skinny. "So this is the half-blood that you will be presenting to the Dark Lord?"
'What a pleasant man,' Hermione thought, 'rather straight to the point with that.'
"Yes Father, and this is Hermione Jean."
"The mystery girl?" Abraxas asked as he looked her over. "The Dark Lord will enjoy meeting you my dear. But now on to more pressing matters, Narcissa would you take Miss Jean on a tour of the manor while we talk?" The question came out more like the order that it was.
"Of course, sir. Come along Hermione, let us leave the men to their business." Narcissa waited for Hermione as she told Abraxas that it was 'a pleasure to meet him' and he vaguely acknowledged her comment with a nod. The two witches then left the room side by side.
"Father-"
"I would prefer," Abraxas interrupted, "if we spoke in my study."
XXXXXXX
The wizards walked into Abraxas' study where he sat behind his desk in his large leather chair as if he were a king and did not wait for his son or guest to sit before he began asking questions.
"Why should a half-blood like yourself be allowed in our ranks?"
Severus expected this question and answered promptly, "I have talents that could be of use to the Dark Lord. I am more than happy to serve him and his cause. I have seen the evils that come from muggles and magic mingling and wish to stop it." Severus hated to say these things but he had to. He didn't really hate muggles or muggleborns. He hated his father but that was different.
"I have heard that your father snapped your mother's wand," the older wizard stated.
"I would not be surprised, he is a drunken fool and my mother has lost any spirit she once had. It was horrid living in that muggle house but at least I knew from the beginning the cruelty of muggles. Mudbloods," he spat the word out of a different kind of disgust than what his companions interpreted, "defend them but I know they are not worthy of it."
"And your opinion on mudbloods themselves?"
Severus felt disgusted about himself and what he had to say, "They are unnatural. Something as beautiful as magic should not come from scum."
Abraxas smirked, "How right you are. So is Miss Jean a mudblood?"
"I do not believe so," Severus answered, "She is far too talented and powerful though I doubt that she is a pureblood."
"A shame but if she is truly as great as I have heard than I believe she will one day make a great asset. The Dark Lord wishes to meet her but he will not brand her, yet. You on the other hand will not have to wait for the honor."
"Sir, I cannot wait to be of service but I do not know how much use I will be until I graduate."
"Yes, yes, we do usually wait until after graduation otherwise my son would have been branded by the time you met him. The Dark Lord though will be the one to decide when you will join, whether it is convenient for you or not," Abraxas stated seriously.
"I understand sir."
Lucius spoke for the first time since entering the study. "I realize Hermione is reluctant to reveal her memories to me but has she said anything useful to you."
"From what I know she only remembers spells and has retained some fighting instinct," Severus insisted, "I know as much as you. She thinks that she is eighteen and from London but that is it."
"If she is from London than she should have already been attending Hogwarts," Lucius remarked.
"She must have been homeschooled."
"Which would prove that she is at least half-blood," Abraxas commented. "Has anyone tried to enter her mind?" he asked.
Severus was a little surprised that Abraxas asked this, he didn't think he would have to confront it until they met the Dark Lord. He decided to go with his instinct and answered, "Yes I have attempted but I have only begun to learn Legilimency and only saw her memories after she arrived at Hogwarts."
"Hmm, no matter the Dark Lord will be able to see into her mind without a doubt."
Just then a house elf popped into the room. "Mini is sorry Masters but Master Snape is wanted in the drawing room."
"And why is that?" Abraxas demanded.
"For Mistress Jean, she is pain."
XXXXXXX
Narcissa led Hermione down the corridor and gave her a little tour of the manor. First she showed her guest where some of the gardens were kept under heating charms throughout the winter.
"The gardens are my favorite place to be but I detest walking out in the snow to get to them. You will have to return in the spring to see them."
"I would enjoy that very much Narcissa."
The blonde witch took Hermione's hand and placed it on her forearm as if they were close confidents. "Tell me, how did you meet Severus?" she innocently inquired.
"In class," Hermione answered. She had to work to keep her voice steady, the anxiousness was beginning to become serious. "I didn't have a potions book so I had to share with him."
Narcissa chuckled, "I can't imagine Severus sharing, but then he is rather fond of you."
Hermione blushed, "He was not at all fond of me then, he only shared because Slughorn made him."
"That sounds a bit more like him," Narcissa noted. "He has always been such an introvert, it is hard work to be his friend as I am sure you know." She paused and appeared to be thinking for a moment, "I don't believe you two are friends though are you? Now don't be embarrassed, I am aware of your blushes. I am happy Severus has found someone. Tell me everything," Narcissa demanded, eager for gossip.
"Well I…" Hermione trailed off and began to tremble as she look at the room had just entered.
"Hermione what is wrong?" Narcissa asked.
She did not answer though as her mind slingshot her into her past. Her eyes were fixed to the spot on the floor that would one day be stained with her blood. Closing her eyes did nothing to stop the flood of her memories. She felt each letter being carved into her arm by a mad woman as an older Narcissa, Lucius, and a boy, possibly their son, stood there and watched. The boy was the only one to show any uneasiness as Hermione was tortured. Every nerve ending was raw with pain from the hours of cruciatus. Hermione was beginning to lose herself to the nightmare when Narcissa shook her out of it.
Hermione gasped as she looked up into the young face that had watched her be tortured without any emotion and tried to gather her thoughts. "Get Severus please."
"What's wrong?" the witch asked letting some worry appear on her face.
"I need to go back to Madame Pomfrey, please just get Severus," Hermione pleaded.
Narcissa sent a house elf and soon enough Severus and the Malfoys came. "What is wrong?"Severus demanded.
"She says she needs Pomfrey."
Severus nodded and took the trembling witch from Narcissa. "I am sorry that our visit is being cut short. I will be in touch." Then Severus took Hermione to the nearest fireplace where an elf gave them their coats and he flooed the both of them back to Hogsmeade.
Severus hurried her through the Hogs Head and into the carriage as quickly as possible. Once in, Hermione clung to him just as she had after she woke up from her injuries. "Hermione you need to tell me what is going on," he asked softly as he stroked her hair, trying to calm her.
"My arm… The drawing room… I had seen it the other day but actually walking into that room… It was horrible."
"Your arm? You mean your scar?"
Hermione nodded, "It is horrible, why do I have to remember that? Why don't I have any good memories? Surely something good happened."
"I'm sure it is only a matter of time before you remember them. The bad things just tend to leave deeper scars, figuratively and literally." Severus pulled the witch closer, "I promise I'm not going to let anything like that happen to you ever again. I promise, I will protect you."
This isn't an excuse for my tardiness but do you have any idea of how hard it is to write Narcissa? It took me forever to write the beginning of this chapter because I kept scrapping what I wrote. If you comment and say my Narcissa was horribly written I wouldn't be surprised and ask for some feedback on how to fix it.
