"Draco?" She asked, but he was already out of the car.

He pulled open her door and all but herded her up to the front door, not pausing for a moment as he dragged her through an immense oak and marble foyer and into a brightly lit kitchen. In a glance, Hermione could tell there was a different personality at work decorating here. The old-world glamour was non-existent here, instead the finishes were distinctly modern. The source of the design stood in the middle of the room, brushing glaze onto slices of braised pork roast.

"Mom!" Draco cried, and Hermione was relieved to see that his face had returned to its normal countenance. The woman looked up, brushing her dark hair out of her face. Hermione could see where Draco got his good looks, his mother was beautiful, even in a loose sweater and yoga pants.

Abruptly, Hermione began to wonder if she was overdressed. She didn't have long to consider however, as the woman swept them both into a big hug.

"Draco! This must be Hermione!" She released them and examined Hermione with a glowing smile that made Hermione feel right at home. "Oh, you said she was gorgeous, you didn't exaggerate!" She exclaimed.

Draco turned bright red. "Mom!" He cried, gazing at the floor with rapt scrutiny.

His mother ignored him. "I'm Narcissa, but you can call me Cissy." She told Hermione as she pulled a pan of rolls out of the oven. Her gaze suddenly settled on the pie in Hermione's hands. "Oh my! You shouldn't have, is that a pie?"

Hermione smiled, setting the pie on the counter and removing the tinfoil that had been protecting the top.

Cissy gasped. "That is a lovely pie!" Hermione blushed happily. "Thanks, it's my mother's." Cissy smiled conspiratorially at Draco. "Your father and I were just saying what a good influence she seems to have on you. If that pie is half as good as it looks you never let her go, you hear?"

Draco groaned, his face on fire. "Mom! We're going outside." Cissy laughed. "Okay, okay. Dinner is in twenty, make sure you're back."

Draco was already halfway out a side door leading from the kitchen onto a large deck. Hermione half waved at Cissy as she headed out after Draco, trying to catch up. He was already down the steps of the immense deck and hurrying along a dark path that lead into what Hermione assumed was a large garden. It was hard to tell now, the sky a deep navy shade, and the black outlines of plants casting bizarre shadows in the pale glow of tiny solar lights that dotted the pathways.

"Draco, slow down!" Hermione said, half-laughing as she hurried down the path after him. He stopped but when she caught up to him that blonde satan look was back, transforming his face, making her aware of how much larger he was than her. She halted when she saw his face, gazing up at him with huge eyes.

"Draco," she began softly, but he was looking straight through her.

"Draco!" She said again, stronger and more forcefully. His eyes snapped back to her face, but they were still wild.

"Draco, what is going on?" Hermione asked, reaching out for his hand, but he pulled away from her. Hermione suddenly felt a little angry.

"Draco," she began again, and this time her voice was dangerously even. "What is going on with you? You've been like a man possessed since we got here. I'm not going to put up with you shutting me out again. Tell me what is going on." He stared at her, dumb. "Your mother seems very nice." Hermione added, and Draco's face sagged.

"She is." He said quietly, gazing back at the house. He shook his head as if to free himself from some invisible confinement. "I'm sorry. I'm-" He stopped and took Hermione's hands in his. "Everything seems too perfect right now, I just know he's going to ruin everything."

Hermione leaned against him, resting her cheek against his chest and listening to his heart race. "Listen. No, he can't." She twisted her head to gaze up at him, "You've got this."

He bit his lip. "I always lose with him."

She shook her head. "Not anymore. It's us together now."

A smile tugged on the corner of his mouth and he suddenly leaned down and kissed the top of her head. "My brave little warrior." He said laughing but his voice was soft, not mocking. They clung to one another, readying themselves for battle.