"I taught him Luna. Well I demonstrated a charm I had used his ideas to change." Hermione spoke quietly. Unwilling to yell, even in her excitement. The unicorn census was important. They could get away with more than most people, other than children, because of Luna's affinity with them. Still, Hermione didn't want to push her luck.
"Really? Which one?" Luna was as curious as ever about Hermione, this seemed a bit more than usual though. The thought made her smile. Someone, at least, thought this a wholly positive thing.
"The coins. I knew he wouldn't take one on any of the sets I have so I made one. I did the master and each of them did their own coin. Really, it was quite overwhelming. I can feel my stomach squirm when I think about him watching me. The magics, the matrix changes that I made."
"He really gets to you, doesn't he? How come he affects you so much? More than anyone else at least." Trust Luna to ask this.
"I don't know exactly. Maybe it was way I came to know of him. Know him in some ways. Or enough about him to see that he does what I want to. He is the only person I've read about or seen use magic in the way he does. Not as an art, though it's beautiful. He also taught me things, or his paper did, at a time when I needed it. I've thought a lot about this because I've done some crazy things in pursuit of him. He was also how I hid Harry, and that's important to me. The skills warding gives me, the total change in how I use magic is all because of him. I'm ten times the witch I would have been without that paper. Every time he came up or after the Department of Mysteries. I can't explain the levels of fear and rage. Some of it is just him. Did you see him? There." Of course Hermione meant Malfoy Manor. Most she had seen or interacted with minimally.
"I've seen him but never spoken to him. He wasn't one of the Manor's inmates. More freedom than most. Why rage?" It was so like her friend to ask that question. Wanting to understand her friends emotions and their reasonings. Often when they spoke Luna referenced the past, as if clearly seeing it, her decisions or reactions.
"It was lots of things, all swirled together. I had admired that boy, the one who wrote the paper. I can scarcely imagine him as a boy though. I had also accomplished enough of what he referenced in the paper to know that the possibilities were as limitless as the caster's mind and understanding. Seeing him cast and knowing that having survived that day, didn't mean I would next time. I was angry at my fear too. He had seen and assessed us. I could see the calculation in his eyes. I was also angry that he was on the other side. Without Voldemort and blood prejudice he wouldn't be a danger, but a mind celebrated for its capabilities. Enraged too, that he thought me worthless because of my parentage." It was hard to speak of such personal feelings but she always tried to be honest with Luna. At least as honest as she was with herself.
"Hmmm." They walked in silence and Hermione could tell from the one glance she caught, that Luna was considering her, different angles on parts of the situation.
It had become a situation. The papers had exploded when the scroll was spotted by a clerk at the Prophet. The guy had actually got a promotion out of finding it. When in her more charitable moods she could be glad that someone was actually benefiting from this farce.
She had warded her home yet further, it only let approved owls through. If she hadn't felt so unsure of the situation with Lucius, asking him how to get your mail dealt with would be ideal. She didn't need a secretary but she needed something. Basically only her close circle could send owls and people who knew her pretty well just sent them to Harry.
Narcissa's event was in two weeks and Hermione was dreading it. Even in her selfish moments she knew that going was something she had to do. It would be her first big public outing since everything. Holding her head high and daring them to judge her was the only road she could see. Harry had suggested that they go together. Astoria had declined and would be attending solo, it had been only more entertaining as they progressed through their seemingly complicated courtship. Now that she could see, that's what it was. He was pursuing her and she was playing the role she wanted to. It all made more sense now.
"There will be men at the gala." Hermione spoke her thought aloud.
"Yes. These things seem to be split in half between the sexes." Luna responded as if this was not ridiculous. Hermione chuckled and Luna batted her eyelashes.
"Are you thinking of what we talked about before. How you see yourself?" She asked.
"Yes. Sort of. I don't know. I would like someone. But I want someone who understands my life a bit. I don't want to be judged, at least not unfairly, for Dolohov. I'm sure people are curious about our dynamic. That's private but I don't see how I could date anyone that didn't know, at least the very basics." Hermione wanted to hear what Luna had been thinking regarding this topic. "Have you decided to let Rolf take you to the gala?"
"Yes. I think he is the opposite of your problem. He likes things that are similar to my own passions." Hermione nodded sympathetically. The young magizoologist was smitten with her friend. "I do think dancing with him will be nice." That was it. Whether Rolf knew or not, her friend had decided. Not very much would change her mind on decisions like this.
"There are people who meet your requirements." Luna put in about half an hour later. Hermione was paying more attention to the trail and the possibility of drills for speeding up her casting when her friends voice brought her back to their past conversation.
Yes there was. One. Well there were more than just him but he was the only one that came to mind. It had been happening more lately and she had been telling herself that she would pay more attention now. Attention to other people. Allow herself to meet people and consider men. Not all of them, but some. Already she wanted to drag the suitable candidate behind the nearest tree by that cabin and feel him lift her to her toes.
"It's proximity." Was her brisk reply. Luna snorted indelicately and Hermione giggled at her.
"That's an evasion. We can allow it for now, if you want." Luna pointed out fearlessly. "How's the broom coming along?" In her hurry to move on she began speaking.
"It's good. I've only done one since I started but Rowle has done two a day. At this rate it will be a couple months from now when they are all done. We will have to cast the next part together, which I haven't read of broom makers doing. That will be interesting. It's so nice to know there are people I can ask magical questions of, and expect a helpful answer. Eventually and not necessarily politely, but it's better than I've ever had.
Luna was devious. Now her mind was on casting the attachment spells with him. The nameless temptation.
"Do you think he will forgive himself, in time?" This broke Hermione out of her thoughts and for a minute she wasn't sure who or what time Luna was speaking of. Deciding to try deciphering Luna, as her friend des to her, she took a stab.
"Rabastan." It wasn't a question. No response, so yes. That was something Dolohov and her beautiful blonde friend had in common, their uses of silence. Luna didn't do it as often though, not with her.
"In time. I hope it's in time for him to have a life. The life he should have. Can't you just see him with a home and maybe a dog? Magic and a family. He just suits being a country gentleman." Hermione trailed off. Luna wasn't looking at her but there was something in the tightness around her mouth, unshielded by her curtain of silvery hair. Hermione thought through her words again. Changing the context a little bit, until she saw a possibility. Then something clicked and she wasn't sure what to think. After a minute she braved being wrong and being right.
"Moon, is he the prince? In your story?" Luna had told her many stories, Hermione had told her friend some too. Both had told parts of their lives in fairy tale theme, it was easier to speak in third person or to cloak real evil in a story. Both knew enough to be able to understand. Sometimes technical questions were asked, even those were answered as if they were speaking about a very detailed plot.
The didn't speak until they got to the campsite. Once things were set up and their packed dinner was set on the picnic blanket in front of them her friend spoke again.
"I think he is. It will be hard to wait. Until it is my turn, you could tell me what you meant about wards that might help me. I'll admit I've had some ideas. I didn't want to encourage you though." The look in her eye told her that she meant encourage her taking risks. That was understandable. It was so Luna not to say anything. To support her even when it must have been the last thing she would have wanted her best friend to do.
Narcissa Malfoy was not a witch to be trifled with. In her life she had allowed others power over her and that hadn't turned out well. When her father told her she would be marrying Rodolphus Lestrange, at the tender age of fourteen, she told him that if she could not come up with a suitable substitute in a years time, she would. Of course within six months Lucius had asked Abraxas to approach her father and the contracts were better than the drafts her father and Rondo Lestrange had tentatively drawn up. Lucius had already been entangled with Riddle when they married and little could be done about that. Brushing away the memories of her sister and the other things she had lost due to letting herself be swayed she called for her elf.
"Trudy. Please tell Lucius and Draco I require their presence. Theodore can of course come if he is finished with his meeting." With that she looked out the window into her gray garden. It was wet and she had done most of the seasonal preparations. Her time was better spent in her greenhouses over the cold months. Two new varieties of roses and one of a night blooming lily were keeping her busy enough. Also she had been curse breaking more, Hermione had revitalized her interest. No need for a reason to use her magic. Minutes later both men entered, Theodore behind her son. They arranged themselves and looked to her.
"We will have tea after this discussion. I was under the impression that all three of you wanted Hermione, as a part of this family, officially." That was enough. Her son pouted and Theodore looked pensive. Lucius of course showed nearly nothing but she could see his mixed feelings.
"I will speak since none of you seem to be ready. When she came here to tell me her good news, I was at first overjoyed for her. This is after all the culmination of years of work. A prestigious opportunity for a witch of such potential. Of course, this was tempered by my trepidation as to your reactions." Three sets of eyes were on her and still no outward reactions.
"Have you changed your minds?" This was all she would say. It was becoming clear to her that they were not set on the witch. Or if they were then their way of courting her was flawed and showed no understanding of the complex witch and woman they were dealing with. Perhaps this was an example of how deeply spoiled her husband and son were. Theodore too, though less overtly.
"Rowle was in her house." Draco tried to keep the seething anger and jealousy from his voice but all in this room could read it easily. A small noise from Theodore drew her attention to him. Observing his dark head of hair, she waited for his dark blue eyes to meet hers. When they did, she was a bit surprised by the emotion visible in them. Usually he was much more contained than this.
"I have come to the conclusion that Hermione, herself, is not what Draco wants in a witch." There was some anger in his voice too and her son looked away. Morgana and Nimue, what was going on. Usually they were so understanding of each other. Theo did not react to her sons immaturity.
"Draco?" She asked, gently. If she was critical he would close up further. Nothing. Merely a slightly hurt look in his eyes. At this she met her husband's eyes.
"Perhaps, your wife isn't her place." A bit surprised by his musing tone and his words, she waited for him to expand on that thought. This has been her thought too, after she had left the other night. Narcissa knew that the witch had noticed the slight shift in her bearing and it had surprised her, that she felt uncomfortable with it. In the last month or so she had begun to think of the young witch as her friend. A peer. There were few witches in her life, that had fit into that category.
She had social equals and people of both genders that had equal status or breeding. The last true friend she had was Theodore's mother, Celeste. After her death when the boys were eight, there had been a hole in her life. Hermione couldn't fill it, there was such an age gap, but there were things about their relationship that fed that part of her soul. A witch to discuss magic with and more importantly, social topics. Someone who could see the need for social programs and who also felt strongly about the needs of the young witches and wizards to come.
"Miss Granger has made it clear that she will not change her behaviour or bearing for political or social reasons moving forward. Her circle of friends, that seems to be what they are, is varied and quite unacceptable to the public. The last meetings she has taken part in at the Ministry have been quite combative, unless she will bend I see no political future for the witch. Not that she wants one. Perhaps an ally of our House instead of the Lady of it." Lucius was serious and Narcissa let a bit of her pride in him show. His eyes flashed in recognition. Theodore looked a bit pained but he nodded. Maybe she should speak to him alone. Her son could be difficult and the other wizard bore most of his difficult temperament.
"When you see her at Mother's gala you will change your mind. She is everything you could want. When she wants to be, she is heartbreakingly beautiful and she plays the crowd with such skill. The magic is nearly palpable around her. Seeing her is worse now, knowing I am not enough. We are not enough." Draco sounded as angry as before but there was no petulance, only certainty.
"Draco, she isn't a prize. I know sometimes we both have a hard time understanding her. You don't want to this time. Your jilted attitude is also unfair. I should have gone around you last year when I noticed her feelings change. It was your decision to wait, sure that once she no longer had the Minister holding her back it would be her chasing us." Theo put in. Narcissa hadn't known this had been going on for so long and she allowed herself a slow blink instead of the frustrated groan. Several times she had asked her son, he had denied and tried to put off her desire to build a relationship of her own with the younger witch. Perhaps regular conversations with Theodore would be needed, regardless of Hermione.
Lucius met her eyes and she could see the incomprehension and frustration there. Sure it was mirrored in her own.
"We will speak of this after the Gala. She is attending alone, though Mr Potter is escorting her. Each of us can use this opportunity to interact and observe." Lucius ended the conversation and dismissed the children. It was clear to her that he wanted to speak to her, privately.
Author's note: I want to say thank you for the encouraging reviews! It really helps, with keeping up writing the other stories I've got on the go. Would you guys prefer i finish them first or just drop them in when I feel like it. Sometimes I just want to share everything. Happy New Year and best wished to all of you!
-Maybenotahufflepuff