A Deal

"You know darling, your friends really want to see you."

Narcissa was rummaging through the shelves in the dressing room, looking for something to wear for Hermione, Hermione was sitting at the vanity table, trying to get her hair in some order; it would be the first time in days that she was actually doing something other than laying in the bed, and going to the toilet that is.

Making a non-committal sound she continued with her hair, but Narcissa wasn't happy with the response and instead popped her head out from the dressing room to look at Hermione expectantly.

"What was that darling?"

Rolling her eyes she responded; Hermione had effectively decided it was time that she returned to action, her week of depression had come to an end, and she started today, with the order meeting later.

"I know... I'll spend some time with them after the meeting... Maybe dinner in the dining room? Yes that should be good, that way there will be a table between us and they can't-"

She shrugged with that, how could she say that she absolutely wanted minimal physical contact?
At this point she only accepted affection from the Malfoy's, and that were for various complicated reasons, and they weren't smothering; only hand clasps and hugs when needed.

But once again Narcissa knew exactly what she meant.

"That's a great idea yes, a dinner table between everyone for your first personal group interaction should be perfect. And trust Lucius will make sure no one over steps bounds."

She chuckled at that, and Hermione couldn't help but smile either, it was true, Lucius barely ever spoke a word to Hermione; yet he was like this ever faithful shadow, always stepping forward to remove anything that would cause her discomfort or angst.

After that Narcissa's head disappeared once more and after a few minutes she stepped out with an emerald green skirt that went down to below her knees, and a crisp white button up blouse; it was austere, but functional and neat.
Narcissa also brought out a pair of one inch black heeled pumps along with stockings, they were truly old fashioned aristocrats; and Hermione only smirked with the thought.

Xxx

It was an hour later that Hermione made her way downstairs with Narcissa, she felt apprehension at the thought of the meeting, but had once more took refuge behind her stoic expression, and prim posture; looking strong and unapproachable.

The meeting was in the drawing room once more, it was obviously the general meeting room, Hermione entered but didn't make eye contact with anyone, she and Narcissa went to the same couch as the last time; Lucius already there.

Sitting down she was once more between them, but this time there was no moment of fear or discomfort; only a feeling of safety and calm between the two regal Malfoy's.
She trained her glance on Kingsley who stood in the centre, he smiled at everyone then settled his gaze on her; nodding briefly in recognition.

"Good evening everyone, today's meeting will not be elaborate, our only matter for attention, Hermione's decision in being our face."

Everyone whispered and kept shooting Hermione glances, some curious, some in trepidation, and others confident.
She noted that the ones shooting her the confident glances were her old Gryffindor friends, today there were a lot more witches and wizards than the previous meeting.

And so she decided not to prolong anything and hesitantly stood up, locking her eyes to Kingsley's; her face still emotionless and seemingly cold.

"Kingsley. I have no interest to be your poster girl. Not for this war, not for any of you to be honest. In fact, I'd rather disappear to the Americas and leave this whole blasted island behind me..."

She realised that the proud faced old friends of her had now become pale and shocked, they were obviously disappointed in her, her speech didn't invoke much of her old Gryffindor qualities; but to hell with everyone, they had no idea what her life had been.

They would never understand.

So taking a breath, she continued once more; satisfied to see that Kingsley had in fact stiffened uncomfortably.

"You groomed me just as much as you accuse Voldemort of doing. Let's say between you two, you've stamped out my old Gryffindor personality that you all seemed to have relied on so heavily, so congratulations."

A few of the individuals glared at Kingsley and Minerva then; they obviously knew what Hermione was on about, a thought struck her, between Minerva and Kingsley, they had stepped into Dumpledore's shoes, where Dumpledore had groomed and manipulated children to fight the war; they had now groomed her and in a way Draco as well.

But she was smarter now, and knew she couldn't hate them, it was a war; and in a war you had to do what needed to be done.

As Kingsley had said, sometimes you needed to create the hero...

And with that thought she felt the resentment that had been brewing the last week for them slowly ebb away, they did what had to be done in this war.

Just as she had done what was needed to survive.

"However, luckily for you, there is someone in England that I would do this for. And I can't leave for the Americas without him. So, here's the deal. I'll be your poster girl, when you rescue Draco Malfoy."

Her face hadn't change in expression at all, and without another word, she sat down again, and instantly both her hands were taken each by a Malfoy; and then Lucius whispered in her ear while squeezing her hand.

"Thank you Miss Granger..."

She only nodded slightly, and squeezed his hand back, after that a moment of raised mumbling and whispering ensued, but Hermione didn't bother to try and hear what was being said; she was perfectly content sitting between Lucius and Narcissa, letting them hold her hands.

"Hermione... We don't know if we can get young Malfoy out, the Capitol is fiercely protected, and our sources say he is kept in the dungeons of the ministry, only unspeakables can access those dungeon's; we do not have an unspeakable in the order."

Kingsley looked flustered, he was looking at Hermione imploringly, she kept her face impassive and only shrugged.

"Then I can't be your poster girl. Get Draco. And I'll be what you want. In public."

With that Hermione stood up, followed by both Lucius and Narcissa, then she smiled stiffly towards the Weasley's and Luna and Neville.

"I'll be seeing you at dinner in a few minutes I trust?"

With their still shell shocked nods of affirmation; Hermione left the drawing room, once outside her stiff posture relaxed slightly, then she smiled wanly at Lucius and Narcissa.

"I've got no idea where the dining room is?"

Narcissa chuckled at that and then she led Hermione to double doors on the opposite side down the foyer.
The three entered in silence, Lucius led the both by their elbows to the head of the long formal table; and there he assisted Hermione into the seat on the left of the head before proceeding to assist Narcissa into the seat on the right and then fluidly sitting himself at the head.

The table was already set for the impromptu dinner party, but it was still fifteen minutes before it would begin, Hermione knew the majority of the order members were leaving now, but she didn't feel the need to see them off; not that she knew where the floo was from which they traveled to and through from the manor.

"If you feel it gets too much, just get mine or Lucius attention darling, we will take care of it."

Narcissa smiled encouragingly at her, breaking the silence, and Lucius nodded in affirmation, Hermione nodded at both and smiled warmly; the two had been caring for her like no one has for years, she was so glad that they were here, and that they had become what they were now. She had latched onto the Malfoy's, probably not the healthiest thing to do, but they were her direct link with Draco, she felt connected with him through them.

She knew the Weasley's would also have cared for her if she let them, but the honest truth was, she was too different now; and the Weasley's care is not the type of care that would be right for her now, it might have ended up doing more harm than good.

"Thank you Mrs Malfoy, Mr Malfoy, once again... I just hope that they won't expect too much from me tonight..."

Hermione worried her lip, what would she do if they started reminiscing, or expect her to tell them tales of her life?

What if they want her to be the old Hermione?

The chatterbox that would ask them about everything regarding their lives; and tell them everything?
The quickly escalating anxiety had most likely shown on her face for Narcissa hastened to calm her.

"Don't fret dear, unfortunately I'm sure they will behave as if you hadn't been gone for ten years, and they most likely will be confused that you don't; but they need to spend some time with you, if only to realise you are not that girl anymore, and maybe they will love the witch you are now once they know you again. But we promise, if they overstep the bounds, we will intervene."

Hermione only nodded and traced the pattern on her place mat, what else could she do?

Narcissa was right, they needed to get to know the witch she is now, and the only way to do that would be to expose herself to them.

And so she squared her shoulders and looked up, she smiled at both Lucius and Narcissa, albeit a polite smile, but they understood, and turned her head to face the door as she heard it open; heralding the first of their dinner party.