Have you decided what you're going to wear for the Ministry gala, dear?"
Narcissa watched as the young witch poured their afternoon tea with all the grace and aplomb of a proper Pureblood witch and not for the first time, Narcissa wondered if the Muggle Aristocracy was more in keeping with the magical one as far as certain traditions went.
It was definitely food for thought.
"I haven't." Hermione lamented with a small frown. "I've been rather busy with my job at the Ministry and taking care of things at home—that I haven't had the chance to go out shopping. Pansy did mention though, in our last correspondence, that Draco had asked her to put a few pieces together and she will be here tomorrow."
"I must admit," Narcissa began hesitantly, "that my knowledge of Muggle fashion is rather limited. Draco mentioned a few times that Miss Parkinson works for an Italian Muggle fashion house. Perhaps it's time that I see for myself just what these fashions have to offer."
Hermione smiled inwardly at the curious gleam in Narcissa's gaze.
There was nothing like fashion to bridge the gap of certain deep seeded prejudices.
"There are many couture fashion houses in the Muggle World. Here in London yes...but Paris, Milan, New York...each designer has their own style if you will. Some design for both casual and evening wear but others are strictly high fashion. The more exclusive a label, the more expensive it is and the higher quality of said items."
"Hmm," Narcissa thought for a moment as she took a delicate sip of her tea and nodded her thanks to her guest, "Do you have a favorite?"
Hermione shook her head. "Not especially. My Grand-mere always told me that style is something that is innate in all of us, but the trick is finding it and then having the confidence to own it. I think my problem for years was I didn't have the confidence for to just be myself and own who I was. I was always trying to please those around me, or worse...trying to blend in so I wouldn't be noticed for standing out. This world didn't exactly make it easy for me to be myself."
"And yet you not only succeeded dear, you did so in spite of the ridicule you faced. I must take ownership of my own shortcomings not only in how I looked upon you, but how I allowed my son to torment you in school. I had my suspicions where Draco's affections we're back during your fourth year, but I'm afraid Lucius and I were rather uncompromising on certain aspects of Draco's life."
"And I'm the exception, not the rule...yes?"
Narcissa smiled genuinely at how clever this young witch was. It was easier each day to see why her Dragon had fallen in love with the Gryffindor.
"That is true," Narcissa admitted, "and I commend you for how well you've handled the adversity you've faced. I'm afraid there will always be those who will still look down upon your heritage even despite your status as a War Heroine. It is difficult to change centuries of indoctrination, Miss Granger. Perhaps in time, and with the changing of the old guard—Scorpius generation might find some balance in their way of thinking."
"That is why I'm doing what I can, Lady Malfoy. I just want Scorpius to be happy and accepted for who he is—not because of his last name."
"Commendable, my dear—if a bit sanguine."
"Well, I'm notoriously stubborn and strong-willed."
"Draco has mentioned it a time or two." Narcissa chuckled before taking another measured sip of her tea. "I don't suppose you have given any consideration to whether or not Draco will be attending this soirée on your arm?"
"I have and he has expressed interest in doing so. Unfortunately there is the issue of Scorpius and I'm afraid Draco isn't keen on leaving him with Mippy for the evening, nor am I."
"I would be happy to take him for the evening."
Hermione's gaze narrowed at the older witch before she sighed in resignation. She knew that it was mostly due to Draco refusing to allow Scorpius to set foot in Malfoy Manor that he'd never once asked his parents to watch their grandson.
She also wasn't ignorant of the olive branch currently being offered and Scorpius did need his grandparents too.
As loathe as she was to admit to such a thing.
"You would be willing to watch him in Draco's home?"
Narcissa's smirk fell easily onto her face as she nodded regally. "I would. And before you insist I take some ridiculous vow to protect my grandson, you need to know that what happened to Draco under this roof was not of my own choosing nor desire. A Malfoy bride that is magically bonded to her husband cannot directly interfere in the direct line of succession and as such—my hands were literally tied in stopping Abraxas from enacting punishments as he saw fit. I did eventually find a way around the marriage spells intent and as such—when the first opportunity presented itself, I had Draco's grandfather removed permanently."
Hermione's eyebrows rose in surprise. "I thought Draco's grandfather died of Dragon Pox."
"That was the official story, yes."
The young witch nodded as she thought about all the variables before she returned the elder witch's smirk with one of her own.
"Black family spell?"
Hermione was stunned as Draco's mother threw her head back and laughed gaily, her eyes sparkling with mirth as she considered the young witch with an almost fond look.
"And please regale me Miss Granger? If I couldn't have intervened directly, who might I have asked to do so on my son's behalf."
Ah, this one was too easy...Hermione thought with satisfaction.
"I don't imagine Professor Snape would've had a problem taking care of any problem you requested of him, including this one. The man did take an unbreakable vow to protect Draco sixth year at your request?"
Hermione relished to look of shock that stole over the older witch's face for the briefest of seconds before her expression once again—became a placid mask of feigned politeness.
"You truly are rather clever." Narcissa hummed with a firm pleased nod. "But yes, Severus was many things, but loyal was foremost amongst them. I wasn't unaware where his true allegiance laid, but even so—he was Draco's godfather and as much as I wished things could've been different for Severus—I don't think it was ever his intention of surviving after all was said and done."
"He was in love with Harry's mum."
"Yes. Lily Evans was quite intelligent like you and Severus loved her from the time they were children. He was devastated when she'd been killed and anyone who truly knew Severus, would've known that his own fate and allegiance was sealed that day."
"You don't condemn his choices."
"No, because in the end he spared my son and for that alone, I will always be grateful to Severus."
"There were a lot of bad choices to go around, I suppose."
Narcissa chuckled but couldn't help and agree. "Unfortunately, you are correct. When one is fighting for ones survival or that of those they care for—it is easy to want and second guess those decisions."
"Did you?"
Narcissa thought about this for a few moments as she sipped her tea thoughtfully and pondered what other options might've wrought for her and her family but in the end...her answer was simple.
"No. I did what I had to do, to protect my Son. I'd do it again, I'm afraid. Does that mean I'm not capable of regret? Only inasmuch as I wished better for Draco and now Scorpius. I don't expect you to understand my choices, Miss Granger—and I will not seek to explain myself to you. I will only say that everything I've done from the time Draco was born until now has been to protect my Son from the choices of his Grandfather and Father. As much as I love Lucius, I am not blind to his shortcomings. I would imagine you understand Draco in much the same way, yes?"
Hermione smiled softly and nodded in response. "Draco as a child was rather unpleasant, but I'd be lying if I didn't acknowledge that much of his bullying was due to his jealousy of Harry and his overwhelming need to prove himself. The man he's become...the Father that he is to Scorpius is the Draco I think he'd always wished he could be—but didn't believe he had the freedom to be. I love him, so I can look past those contentious years and choose to focus on the man he is now. I'm rather fond of the man he's become."
Narcissa's face softened immediately and she sighed softly. As much as certain things were difficult to get past, in this one instance she could make the exception because the young witch across from her had earned that right. She loved her Dragon, had forgiven him and chosen to see the good man he was and always had been—if given the choice to be. Draco loved her desperately —Scorpius adored her too, and as such—Narcissa found herself actually beginning to like the Muggleborn witch.
"I'm glad to hear you speak thusly, Miss Granger. I know you will need to discuss it with my Son, but know that I would be happy to take care of Scorpius at Draco's home while you both take the Ministry by storm. I'm sure he will want his own reassurances too, and that is fine."
"I will let him know, and I thank you for the offer no matter what Draco decides."
"Good." Narcissa called for her house elf to bring a fresh pot of tea and the conversation moved onto Ministry issues and the Lady of the Manor had to admit—she was growing more and more used to the idea with each passing day—that this young witch would soon be a member of her family.
Her ancestors would be writhing in their graves, but perhaps that wasn't necessarily a bad thing. Some of the Black's were downright vile and could do with a bit of everlasting torment—if she did say so herself.
The thought brought a pleased smile to her face.