Alrighty guys... I am done messing around with Narcissa and her baggage. I think I made it clear everyone's intentions and acceptances, and I can finally move on from the little triangle of angst and get back to the story after this chapter. I hope these last few chapters were not too painful.
Thanks for hanging in there,
Snow
Bittersweet ~ Truth
"What in the hell did you do?!" roared a voice as they slammed into the Infirmary. Madame Pomfrey stood and approached Fleur as Fleur zeroed in on Narcissa.
"She is beside herself Fleur," Poppy whispered beside Fleur. But Fleur didn't give a shit. The girl was gone. Fleur wanted to follow her to the ends of the earth. She even tried to hunt down Harry, but he too vacated the castle with the red-headed clan. Now Fleur was left with her sister, yes it was wonderful, but without Hermione she was not truly whole in these trying times of tournaments and holidays.
"I felt the snap Poppy," Fleur growled lowly. Madame Pomfrey grasped Fleur's arm and took her to the office. She shut her door, as Fleur watched the other witch administer her aid to the boy.
"Explain… now," Poppy gritted herself.
"Hermione rejected her," Then Fleur sighed and then sat down in the offered chair looking from Narcissa and to the medi-witch of Hogwarts.
"I don't know what happened. After the Ball she vanished, almost without a trace. I need to find her, I need to see her, to know if she is alright, please," Fleur almost begged. Poppy sighed and then looked to Narcissa as she watched the student walk from the infirmary and then scuttle about the area tidying the area the student vacated.
"She has not talked to me," Poppy said, "And I do not need you bursting through those doors accusing her outright. Fleur, seriously, she is a healer. What would happen if she, as a Malfoy, had someone accusing her, as a person, as a witch when she is trying to heal them?" Poppy asked and then Fleur sighed.
"They would reject her healing due to trust lost," Fleur sighed.
"Narcissa is sometimes an idiot for one so capable," Poppy said, and Fleur smiled then looked at the witch, "But one thing I know about that woman is that is she loves you, with all she can, she will protect you. She WILL love you. She can't sometimes show it, but she will love you. The same goes for Miss Granger," Poppy explained trying to douse the fire of Fleur's anger.
"But Hermione fled. I felt the severing of her contact with Narcissa last night," Fleur argued.
"What do you expect from her? She could not fall into Narcissa's arms after everything. She is smart and will not let her emotions be taken advantage of, especially when Narcissa can't talk her self romantically out of a brown paper sack," Poppy smiled and once again Fleur smiled back.
"Careful witch, that's my mate you are speaking ill of," Fleur said with a smile but still cautioned.
"Everything I say is the truth, Fleur," Poppy said. Fleur nodded. And the medi-witch puttered around and got together a pouch of herbs and then gave them to Fleur.
"Gabrielle would never survive it here without her big sister," Poppy said as she palmed the herb filled envelope into Fleur's hands. Fleur looked to her and then cast her eyes down.
"I thank you wholeheartedly, and will watch my entrance and words and tone in the future, but could you be on standby in the future? I feel she will be in dire straits later," Fleur requested.
"Of course, little Veela," Poppy said with a smile and Fleur nodded and then took a deep breath and stood. She walked toward the door. But was stopped. She looked around, there was no one in the infirmary but Poppy, herself, and Narcissa.
"She is gone," Fleur said and then Narcissa pulled back.
"It is for the best," Narcissa said as she looked to the open window that Hermione was so fascinated with her one stay in the infirmary.
"Narcissa," Fleur said as she looked around and then spoke her thoughts plainly, no room for argument or reiteration, "I will love you, you know this. I will love you unconditionally except for the harm of our other half. What happened between her and yourself needs to be fixed. How? I do not know, but know it is in your power," Fleur said as she stood next to Narcissa. Both women leaned to the other so they could touch shoulders and arms but not embrace. One looking one way the other woman facing opposite.
"It is never easy little love," Narcissa breathed. Fleur felt her shoulders sag then righted as she stood tall.
"You are ridiculous and making it hard, but I understand your reservations. I am not an idiot to the situation. Hermione knows you are married, and therefore will not engage with you. If that is what this is about, I don't blame her. As for me… I don't care, but I don't want to cause you harm," Fleur then sighed, "We are more or less at your mercy, but I know we will be here for you for an eternity if you let us," Fleur stated and then she walked from the woman in the infirmary.
Home:
Hermione exchanged gifts with her parents. They loved them and chatted with her.
The next day she told her parents of loving another woman. Then she told them of loving two women at the same time, and they loved each other equally. Her parents sat in shock, nonspeaking, unblinking. Hermione left them to think.
She tested her new found 'freedom' by trying apparition in her back yard. Hermione's parents still had not spoken to her with their newfound information about their daughter.
Finally, in the middle of December 28th, in the backyard, as she practiced apparition from one end of the back yard to the other, they came to her.
"Hermione dear, can we talk?" came a voice as soon as she landed on the other side of the yard. Hermione nodded and put her wand away in her leg holster under her jeans. Her parents saw everything.
"You are different in so many ways this year going to Hogwarts. Are you ok?" asked Hermione's mother Jean.
"I am as well as can be expected with so many issues on my plate," Hermione answered positively but not willing to lie completely to her parents. Jean and Dan nodded.
"So, you love two birds," Dan blurted and Jean smacked his chest and she looked affronted, and rubbed his chest and looked to Jean.
"Essentially I am bonded to both of them. One of them is, well we are promised, " Hermione smiled as she remembered Fleur and then her lips slipped but the light didn't diminish in her eyes as she spoke of Narcissa, "The other is older, very much older and I wish to be her equal, but at the moment it seems she will never let me be," Hermione said and then Jean reached out.
"How old is the one you speak of?"
"Older, in her thirties," Jean gasped and then Hermione held up her hand, "Wizarding life expectancies can expand into the 100's. Please don't fear my choices, please. She is wonderful, charming with a slight rapier wit, and sarcastic when hiding her true emotions," Hermione babbled on.
"You love this woman, greatly don't you?" Dan asked.
"I love these two equally for different qualities. Can you accept me, and trust me to navigate these waters?" Hermione asked apprehensively. Jean placed a hand on Hermione's and Dan slipped an arm around her shoulders.
"We want to meet them," Dan said and then Hermione's eyes flew open.
"N-no-not yet. Please. But I am sure in the future you would not get enough of them," Hermione stated and then she smiled at her parents. For some reason they always let her do as she wished when she smiled at them lovingly. The conversation was dropped.
The next day:
Hermione took a walk in the snow, as it seemed her custom, but this time she went to the book store and got her mother's list of books. She would devour the ones she was not reading. The list was sci-fi, mystery, and romance…. But Hermione bulked at the authors. They were lesbian authors. She sighed. Her mother did try, and she loved her for that. She opened the door and then went straight to the kitchen as she heard the tea kettle whistle loudly.
"I'm home," Hermione called out.
"In the kitchen," Jean called and then Hermione smiling with the warmth of her home and the familiarity of it felt her stomach drop, walls rise, and her domain chill.
"Thank you, Mrs. Granger," a blonde said as she accepted a cup of tea from her mother. Jean looked up saw Hermione's stricken glare, and then excused herself.
"What in Merlin's shaved scrotum sac are you doing in my kitchen being served tea by my mother?" Hermione asked. The blonde sipped the tea and nodded.
"You disappeared and we worried. Also, I am here to continue your long-distance education," She turned to Hermione and saw a wand drawn on her. "Points to Gryffindor for being vigilant," the older woman sipped her tea.
"You have no right being in this house," Hermione gritted.
"You are right," the blond said as she sipped her tea and then placed the cup on the counter finished but sat there gazing out of the sliding door to the winter landscape of her back yard.
"Explain your reason for being here" Hermione gritted. She set a wordless ward to the opening of the kitchen, and then thought of about 4 spells that could help her in this instance. She went on the offensive.
Wandless Expelliarmus, and then Incarcerous. Narcissa's eyes went wide. Hermione picked up Narcissa's wand, and then walked to the island kitchen set up. She pulled the automatic kettle and refilled it to boil. She made tea, then Hermione pulled a vial from the top of the cabinet under the sink, covertly taped, and then added one drop to the mug. Narcissa narrowed her eyes. Hermione caught on and then added only one to her own. Narcissa's eyes went wide.
"Tea with one drop of veritaserum," Hermione explained. Narcissa looked from cup to cup.
"Did you need to drug your Veela to get her to love you?" Narcissa asked hoping to get a rise out of Hermione but all she got was a cheeky reply.
"Should that not be a question to ask under the serum," tisked Hermione with an impish grim while wagging her finger.
"I wish to be free for this," Narcissa said.
"No," Hermione said straight hard and cold. "I know how to beat the serum, and I will not let you. Your palms will be frozen as well as your cheeks to go numb. Pain receptors can counterbalance the effect of the serum. I'm not an idiot so no cheating Lady Malfoy," Hermione said as she turned to the ding indicating the water had come to a boil.
Hermione served tea in both cups laced with serum.
"Seeing as you unable to take the cup in your own hands are you willing to let me help you?" Hermione asked. Narcissa nodded and then Hermione blew on the top of the tea. She tested it, and winced. She blew over the tea cup for a few more moments. Then sipped. It was still very hot but manageable. Hermione tilted the cup to Narcissa's lips and she took a sip. Hermione lifted an eyebrow, and Narcissa rolled her eyes. She took a heartier sip, not fooling Hermione for a second as she took the potion laced tea into her body.
"Easy at first Lady Malfoy," Hermione said and then took a small sip of her own tea.
"Do you wish to hurt me?"
"Never, but it can't be helped," Narcissa closed her eyes as words flew from her mouth.
"Do you wish to love Fleur with all your heart?
"No, because you are half of it," Narcissa said as she looked to the winter dressed backyard not willing to see Hermione.
"What do you want?"
"Everything," Narcissa whispered
"That is an awfully big subject," Hermione didn't ask a question but she knew Narcissa would reply.
"Yes … well I cannot Have everything. I cant let you love me, and I will be used to harm you, maybe even kill you," Narcissa finally slipped her eyes to Hermione, shadows and wetness filled them, I will loose you both." Hermione felt the pang in her chest at Narcissa's words as the gravity of the situation at school, in the wizarding world was vocalized. Narcissa will lose everything she could hope to have with Fleur and herself, all because she was dragged into protecting her son. It wasn't right.
"Do you love me?" whispered the blonde. Hermione tensed up but she stood firm. She gazed into the witch's eyes narrowing her own.
"Yes," Hermione replied but there was an edge to her reply. A coldness that even Hermione did not know she reserved for Narcissa.
"Do you hate me?" Narcissa asked softly looking to Hermione. Hermione looked away from Narcissa out the same window to the backyard.
"Yes," Hermione gritted and then she slammed her eyes into Narcissa's, "But I want you more than that but my hate will forever taint my feelings for you," Hermione took a sip of her tea and then waved her wand. Narcissa was freed. The older witch picked up her tea cup, and then sipped.
"Could you ever forgive me for what will no doubt do to you?" Narcissa asked so softly, that Hermione had to strain to hear her words.
"I am not sure," Hermione responded, "I don't know what you will do to me. I don't know how far you will go to save your son at the expense of your lover," Hermione said and Narcissa looked into Hermione's eyes.
"We are lovers?" Narcissa asked and Hermione let just a small bit of her guard down. She reached over and took Narcissa's hand and shook it.
"You know the answer to that, love," Hermione said without lying. Narcissa narrowed her eyes. Clever witch. Veritaserum made it to where you could not lie, but it said nothing about evasive comments.
Hermione took the last sip of her tea and turned to the sink washing out her tea cup and placed it on the drying rack. Narcissa downed the rest of hers, and then walked to the side of Hermione. She gave the girl her cup, Hermione rinsed it out, and then they stood shoulder to shoulder.
"Someday, I will be able to love you and Fleur the way you deserved to be loved, but right now, I cannot love you that way. Not yet," Hermione whispered as she looked into the drain. Narcissa slowly lifted her arm and placed it on Hermione's shoulders.
"Someday I hope to love you both the way you both deserve to be love as well, Little One," Narcissa spoke back to Hermione. Hermione leaned into Narcissa's shoulder.
"Do you love Fleur more than me?" Narcissa asked and Hermione shook her head.
"Not more, no, but I love her differently right now. I think it's the closeness in age," Hermione said honestly. Narcissa nodded and went to remove her arm. Hermione reached up and clasped her hand, and kept Narcissa there.
"That came out wrong. I do not discriminate against you for your age Narcissa, but I do want to be careful with you, safer with you because you have so much more to lose," Hermione whispered and Narcissa licked her lips and swallowed back tears she felt bubbling to the surface. So, Hermione did understand that Narcissa could not only loose her son, but her marriage, such as it was, her standing in the community, her fortune, her power. It made the older witch fall even more into the rabbit hole regarding Hermione. Soon she would not be able to surface, she would be lost to this girl, unable to stop herself from making a fool of herself. Blast her damned heart.
"Why did you come today?" Hermione asked as she pulled away so she could turn about and lean against the counter. Narcissa mirrored her position.
"I missed you," Narcissa spoke and Hermione looked to the blonde. The tips of her ears turned red. Hermione let out a breath.
"I wish you did not come. I am not ready to bring my two worlds together, not yet if ever," Hermione said as she watched her parents in the sitting room on the couch reading their novels. Hermione felt Narcissa tense and then make space for them and then clear her throat.
"I will take my leave then," Narcissa spoke softly, hurt coloring her tone. Hermione nodded but she reached out to Narcissa.
"Please, never again try to promise me something you cannot deliver," Hermione pleaded and Narcissa tilted her head as she reached out with her hand and cupped Hermione's chin.
"I want nothing more than to take you in my arms right this moment, and claim you as mine, but I will not do that to us," Narcissa swallowed back tears once more but one slipped and Hermione caught the bead of liquid before it ran too far down her cheek. "I promise I will never promise something I cannot make good on ever again," Narcissa said and then took Hermione's hand and kissed the palm. Hermione nodded and then stood tall in her kitchen with her parents in the sitting room, and the other half of her heart right there, within distance to be kissed. Merlin, she wanted to kiss the woman, but Hermione slid her arms around Narcissa's torso and pulled her to her. She kissed Narcissa's robe clad shoulder and then walked the woman to the door. One last look and Narcissa popped away.
When Hermione came back into the sitting room her parents looked at her.
"So, that was one of the women?" Jean asked softly and Hermione nodded.
"She seemed very… intense," Dan chimed in.
"She is, and I love her for it," Hermione said as she picked up one of the novels her mother got and began to read. It was about a woman, who, for some reason could not find love, and then one day, she met a stranger. The stranger would continue to save her, until the woman could finally save her in return. Hermione was almost done with the book. She watched her parents as their hands slipped into each other's across the space between them, and Hermione smiled. Someday, she would love to have that kind of love. Unconditional, soft, and quiet. Most of all unwavering and steadfast.