Hey Everyone,
I decided to wrap a few things up in this chapter so I can get to the final trial in the next chapter. This is a long one and all I can say is we are finally getting solid headway with this romance. Also I threw in a side story I hope you all are alright with.
Please enjoy, and as always, Stay healthy my friends.
~Snow
A Single Rose in Full Bloom ~ I Love You, I Still Love You
In the Infirmary
"Oh fuck!" sighed the girl as she fell through the doors onto a firm supple body. Poppy caught her as a little elf warned her and then zipped off. Poppy waited wringing her hands. When Hermione fell through the door into her arms with her wonderfully colorful statement, she was… Dear god Minerva need to hear this. If Hermione was coming into her infirmary like this, one if not two other people might be coming right behind her. Poppy got her to a bed, and then a boy flew through the doors.
"Harry, I'm ok," Hermione sputtered, and this time Poppy watched as a bit of blood trickled out of the corner of her mouth. The nurse began the diagnostic, and healing charm after healing charm but it was for naught.
"Hermione, I have to take you to St. Mungo's," Poppy informed, and then Hermione coughed, and her hand coated with red. The little witch nodded.
"Mr. Potter you are in charge," Poppy dragged Hermione to a Floo and they were gone.
Harry stood there with eyes wide open and spun around. He saw one bed filled and then walked to it. It was Colin Creevey. Harry smiled as he looked down on the boy.
"I have pictures Harry, if you want them of your friend and you," Colin said, and Harry smiled brightly.
"Colin do you follow Hermione?" Harry asked as he looked at the moving photos.
"Oh course, she is a hot story," Collin was met with Harry's glare.
"Colin I will buy every single one of the pictures with Hermione in them. Top pay and high Galleon," Harry said as he watched Fleur and Hermione and sometimes an irate Narcissa glaring at them.
"Oh, Harry all you have to do is ask," Collin said and then Harry shook his head.
"Now Colin, you are my photographer. Anything regarding Hermione, even if she is out of the picture, I want," Harry looked up to Colin with a warm smile, "Would you be alright with this arrangement?" Harry asked and then the underclassman nodded frantically.
"Harry, you know I would give you anything you want. You saved me, well, so did Hermione, but you did it all," Collin gushed.
"No, my friend, it was all Hermione," he whispered and then Colin pulled from Harry, "I was there to do as she instructed but she was always there to guide me. You owe her, not me, my friend," Harry informed. Colin looked at him hard.
"Then I will help you both. Sometimes one cannot help one without the other," Colin spouted and then Harry smiled at him.
"Let me pay you for her pictures. She would hate it if they got out. She is private, Colin," Harry said and then the little paparazzi nodded defeated.
"Only a few galleons, not top pay. I owe you both," Colin bargained, and Harry smiled as soon as he got every one of the pictures of Hermione in his possession. There were a lot because she was a champion, but he smiled as he looked at them with Fleur in a lot of them, and then Narcissa, and then the three. Even though it was agitation for the public conference, Harry knew better.
"Thank you, Colin," Harry said and looked about and wondered what he should be doing. He watched doors, expecting a burst from the barrier and then none came. He fell asleep and then there was a hand on his shoulder.
"Where is she Harry?" Fleur asked as she pulled her hand from his shoulder. Harry looked to the bed with Colin snoozing. Fleur nodded.
"St. Mungo's," Harry said softly and saw Fleur's panic rise.
"She was hurt that badly?" Fleur asked, and Harry nodded. Harry looked at his watch and noted that two hours had nearly passed.
"When she coughed, blood coated her palm. It was something Madame Pomfrey didn't want to take a chance on," Harry tapered off as he watched Fleur sit in a chair and cross her legs and lift her elbow to the arm of the chair and then crook her arm to lift her fist to her chin, thinking. Harry watched her. She looked divine, yet… lethal in this form of thought.
Narcissa walked through the doors limping subtly. Fleur sucked in air but never took her chin from her fist. Narcissa took in a breath and asked where Madame Pomfrey was. When he told Narcissa she took Hermione to St. Mungo's and when and why, Narcissa's blood drained from her face, but she schooled her features and went to Colin and looked him over.
Narcissa smiled as the boy left, and then fell into a chair. Narcissa pulled her robes from her body and displayed her left bicep, and then her right thigh.
"Damned girl learned how to replicate the spell," Narcissa gritted.
"Oui," said Fleur in a clipped tone from her seat, and Harry went to a cabinet trying not to look at Lady Malfoy's exposed thigh, grant it, the wound was more towards the knee, it still felt weird seeing Narcissa's thigh. Harry would like to think of himself as a gentleman, someday, and looking at Narcissa's thigh was not a gentlemanly thing to do in his opinion. She told him the murlap labeled vial would suffice and the pain reliever next to it. Narcissa got fixed up with Harry's help, but Fleur never looked her way. Narcissa sat quietly next to Fleur looking out of that infernal window. Narcissa reached out but Fleur didn't lean to her, but she didn't shove her away. Narcissa pulled from the Veela as the doors opened and found a 2nd year with a bloody nose from landing wrong in quidditch practice. Narcissa stood and quickly administered first aid then sent the girl on her way after she was settled.
Fleur had enough and walked from the infirmary to the carriage.
"She is stressed out," Harry said and Narcissa nodded. "Their challenge is in a few days and Hermione is gone. Fleur is wrecked with not knowing what happened to her, and then worrying about you. This isn't good," Harry said and then Narcissa blinked.
"Hermione should be fine," Dismissed Narcissa.
"She was coughing up blood," Harry said nailing Narcissa with a glare and then Narcissa looked at him.
"That was not one of my spells," Narcissa spoke.
"Well she is in the actual hospital three days before the last trial!" Harry lifted his voice toward the older Malfoy.
She took a deep breath.
"Alright," she said and then lifted the mask to her features.
"You are so cold. How can she love you so completely is beyond me," Harry walked to the doors and then out into the hallway. Narcissa watched and then closed her eyes. Everyone was a victim today. Narcissa closed her eyes and hoped she was able to keep the girl safe, but it seemed she could not. Fleur was angry with her, Hermione was bleeding from an injury she may or may not have inflicted, and here she sat, alone in the infirmary, waiting. She sighed, swallowed and kept her tears at bay. She can't do this anymore. Gods, and Merlin and Circe she can't do this anymore.
She woke to a hand on her shoulder. It was rough as it grabbed her and shook her from slumber. Her wand was in her hand as she blew the person back from her and then assumed a defensive position as she slipped into the open of the infirmary. She narrowed her eyes at the sight of the man before her and the smile upon his lips.
"You did well girl," he said then licked his lips, "He wants to see you," he turned knowing she would follow, but she had to stop.
"No one else is here. I have to stay until Madame Pomfrey returns," She saw his eyes narrow and then a growl emanated from his throat. "How would it look if the assistant healer was not here if something happened on the same day the Granger girl was mortally wounded. We must keep up appearances. I will see the Dark Lord as soon as the healer returns, please give our lord my response," She told the impostor.
"You will get to his side as soon as you can. He wants to reward your loyalty to him," he gritted, and she nodded but never took her eyes from his. If she looked away it would denote submission, and Narcissa was anything but submissive. He nodded and then left the infirmary.
Narcissa heard the floo and sped to the dark office It was in the wee early hours of the morning and the sky was black as pitch. Narcissa saw not one but two people. Hermione hung off the healer's shoulders. Narcissa reached out for Hermione but Poppy swatted Narcissa's hands away, and then pushed past Narcissa.
"Call your elf Hermione," Poppy said. Hermione didn't have to. The little man was already by her side. Hermione looked over to Narcissa. Her pained brown eyes looked into Narcissa's broken blue. Tears slipped from Hermione's eyes and into her hair line. Blake sat Hermione up and then popped away. Narcissa reached out.
SMACK!
Narcissa recoiled from the blow as she stumbled back from her assailant. Narcissa shook her head. Poppy tapped a broach on her chest and Minerva appeared in the infirmary. Poppy's eyes blazed.
"Have this… this … bitch removed from Hogwarts," Poppy growled and stood as if she were about to pounce on Narcissa. Minerva took a breath and stood there with her hands folded in front of her. Narcissa looked to the Professor as she worked her bruising jaw.
"I will not," the Scot said, and Poppy spun on Minerva, and then walked into Minerva's space. The Professor lifted a hand coolly silencing the healer but looked past Poppy to Narcissa. Her eyes spoke volumes.
"My advice to you is to leave for the rest of the night, recollect yourself, and return before the third trial," Minerva glared at Narcissa. Narcissa narrowed her eyes, and then began to walk out of the door.
"You will let her stay on campus after everything that she has done to Hermione?!" Yelled Poppy. Minerva didn't respond, "I can't bloody believe this, Min… Come on!" Poppy ranted and raged.
Minerva stood calmly letting the woman let wave after wave of anger roll off her.
"Poppy, she will stay," Minerva said softly, and the woman spun on her and looked the Professor square in the eyes. Then she narrowed them.
"There is something going on isn't there? There must be because you would not stand for Hermione to be harmed. Hell, you almost expelled Draco Malfoy numerous times for his treatment of Hermione. This is worse, this is abuse, this is…" Poppy was cut off as Minerva raised her hand as Poppy inched closer and closer to the professor with every point.
"You are right, there is something going on," Minerva spoke softly. The Professor knew exactly how to deal with the often spunky medi-witch. The louder she got the quieter, Minerva became. Poppy closed her eyes as a hand fell on to her shoulder. It was the same hand that Minerva held up to silence her.
"Calm down, and breathe," the professor guided the witch to a chair as she began to shake, "Tell me what has happened," Minerva instructed as she accioed a chair to sit on and then ward the doors to sound an alarm if someone got within 10 feet until their conversation was done.
"Gods Min, she was beaten bloody," the healer breathed. She wasn't crying, she was not the crying type but seeing Hermione on that bed at St. Mungo's so small, so frail, gasping and fighting for every breath. It pierced her healer's heart down to the core of a mother's heart.
"Damnit Min, she should be ours," Poppy said as she the Assistant Headmistress pulled the healer close to her, "Ours to protect, ours to claim. Why can't we tell her?" Poppy asked and then Minerva transfigured Poppy's chair into a two-seater sofa and Minerva moved into the seat pulling Poppy to her. She held the woman and cooed into her ear that everything will be alright, everything was fine.
"Why can't you come back with me?" Poppy asked softly, ever so softly that Minerva froze and then closed her eyes. She didn't answer, she wouldn't not answer until she could give Poppy the best answer she could.
"I can't, my love," Minerva whispered.
"He was not meant for me, Min," the healer said as she pulled from her source of strength. Minerva sighed and nodded.
"Yes, but he was my brother Poppy. We were both devastated when he died, and we could not find Daniel," Minerva spoke softly, "I am just happy we found him and essentially Hermione," Minerva said placing a hand on Poppy's shoulder.
"I thought I lost my husband and my son in one fell swoop. You have no idea how that hurts," Poppy said and then placed her cheek on Minerva's hand on her shoulder she closed her eyes, "You have no idea…"
"You have no idea how it feels to want your brother's wife," Minerva whispered looking away but could not take her hand from Poppy's shoulder.
"Fate could not be crueler than she was with us," Poppy said with a sigh, "Finding your soul when your husband dies, losing your son, no she is a bitch of a mistress," Poppy felt Minerva's thumb caress her shoulder blade.
"When this is over," Minerva's reached with her other hand and pulled Poppy's eyes toward hers, "When Hermione survives this, I think we should tell her," Minerva said softly. She would live a thousand years and never see anything more beautiful that the smile on Poppy's lips, and the love in her eyes in that moment.
"I could have my granddaughter finally in my arms," Poppy said looking out over her infirmary with a soft smile. Minerva smiled and leaned back, but never took her hand from Poppy's shoulder, "You know I will not give you up, right?" Poppy said and then turned to Minerva.
"Aye, I know. For the record it is getting harder and harder to tell you no," Minerva whispered.
"Then don't," Poppy said as if it were the easiest thing in the world.
"Let's save your granddaughter, and then talk about the possibility of us," Minerva compromised. Poppy smiled and shook her head and sat back shoulder to shoulder with her best friend, her magical soulmate, and hopeful lover.
"What's going on with them?" Poppy asked and then Minerva tensed then looked at Poppy.
"In the future, Hermione will make a choice, and you have to let her," Minerva said.
"How far into the future?" Poppy asked.
"Mere days, Love," the professor replied, and Poppy's eyes grew.
"Did Narcissa intentionally injure Hermione?" Poppy asked fire lighting in her eyes.
"No, I don't think she meant to do this. I don't think it was her spell, but first thing is first, Hermione has a challenge in a few short days, and she will not be anywhere near ready for it," Minerva gritted her teeth. Poppy stroked her jaw.
"Stop, you will get a headache," Poppy said and then leaned back. They never went further than this, the small touches, the comfort, but never too far into that realm of affection that both needed, both craved.
"Yes, dear," Minerva smirked, and Poppy shook her head and sighed.
"Stay with me?" Poppy asked, and Minerva nodded as they wrapped up in each other until morning.
Narcissa
She didn't leave as directed she called the shadow elf and she felt him land on her shoulders, Invisible.
"Do not make me order you," she ground out and she heard the little man sigh. She felt the little tug and then sighed. She sped to the room and her breath caught as she saw Hermione laying in her bed pale and small. Narcissa walked to the girl and sat on the bed. She ran her own diagnostic. She was mending and breathing fine, but she looked so frail. Narcissa then ran a diagnostic of treated wounds. Cutting hex, and then another hex, she didn't know. It collapsed lung as her ribs broke. She didn't know but she must have fallen and made the ribs push into her lungs.
Narcissa's head snapped up as she heard Hermione's breathing rattle and wheeze. She ran a diagnostic and noted it was only her lung still healing, trying to re-work as well as her ribs causing her pain. Hermione's hands were on the outside of the blanket that was pulled up to her abdomen. Narcissa took Hermione's hand. Narcissa played with Hermione's thin fingers and caressed the lines in the girl's palm. She looked up and found half lidded eyes. Hermione was so far under the potions, that Narcissa was surprised to see her partially awake. Hermione swallowed, and squeezed Narcissa's fingers slightly.
"Love… you…" Hermione wheezed and coughed, making her gasp and wince in pain. Narcissa placed her hand on Hermione's shoulder and took out her wand to relieve any bit of pain, hell even shove some of her magic into the girl to expedite healing. Hermione looked at her lover, and Narcissa knew her cheeks were streaked with tears.
"Shh… Rest little one," Narcissa whispered as she grasped Hermione's hand.
"Don't … leave," Hermione wheezed.
"Never," Narcissa whispered as she bit back her sobs. Hermione took as deep a breath as she could and then closed her eyes, slumber taking Hermione before she could exhale. Narcissa stood and took off her robes and transfigured her clothes into a nightgown. She went to the other side of the bed and slipped under the covers. She turned toward Hermione, she watched the rise and fall of her chest. She listened to the even, if shallow, breathing her lover respired. Narcissa closed her eyes, took one of Hermione's hands and clutched it to her heart, hugged it unwilling to let it go.
A lonely devoted, and fiercely loyal shadow elf watched his mistress love the one person who truly respected him. He shook his head. It could have been so much worse. She stood in the shadows watching the women. He loved this girl that loved a woman he was beginning to hate. He was nothing more than a shadow elf, but he knew how to love, he was never given a reason to love. Never once, until Hermione came into his life. She was his and claimed her as if Hermione was one of his children. A child he would unlikely never have. His loyalty was more than master to servant, it was protector and father to a child. He never thought he would experience these sensations, but he was, all thanks to the blonde in the bed that put her life in peril ever moment of everyday. He nodded. He will bond with her when this was all over with.
Later in the Dark
It was dawn and a witch found her way to the room where she wished she would never have agreed to go. Many times, Narcissa wished she never agreed to take Draco's place, she wished she divorced Lucius ass when she found out about Draco. The Dark Lord would have nothing to hold over her, she could send Draco anywhere, even under a different alias if need be. But no, she took his place and in essence became the puppet of a demented sack of shriveled bones.
She knocked on a door, held her head high, but had her wand at the ready. She dared not hex the Dark Lord, but she would NEVER let any of his cronies to touch her. Peter Pettigrew, more rat now it seemed than human, ushered her into the room and she stood before the man-thing that had begun to rule her life.
"My Lord," Narcissa bowed, "excuse my inability to kneel. I am unable to do so at this present time," Narcissa explained. The truth was she refused to kneel at the moment. She didn't know what to expect, and the Death Eaters know more than anyone how much damage she took in those skirmishes with the little witch.
"It is alright Narcissa," the wheezing mass told her, "Please report on her condition," the Dark lord ordered in his rasp.
"She was mortally wounded. The healer had to take her to St. Mungo's. I checked the infirmary this morning. The healer is back but there was no sign of the girl," Narcissa watched the bony serpentine face of the man in the chair.
"Is there anything further for me Narcissa?" her asked and then Narcissa held her head high.
"I have a request, my lord," there was a whimper to the side and Lucius was jerked forward in chains. She held her head higher and looked to Lucius.
"We all have our parts to play dear husband, and I have to play mine," she said as she watched Lucius and it was then that she saw his panic.
"Narcissa, please tell me of your request and I will see if the reward is equal to the service," Voldemort wheezed.
"I wish for my divorce from my husband," she announced, "I will require nothing more than two days, My Lord," she asked and this time she did bow her head slightly showing her subjugation.
"Why would you leave your husband in his time of need?" Voldemort asked.
"I cannot tolerate ill decision making, the inability to get a job done, and protect my son, let alone not be able to kill a little girl," Narcissa said and Lucius whimpered.
"M-my Lord, p-please, don't do this," Lucius threw himself before Voldemort.
"Wouldn't it be easier to kill him, my dear?" Voldemort asked and then Narcissa lifted her head.
"Purebloods want power," she looked to Lucius, "And I want Everything. I want all of what is his. If I kill him, that bounty will go elsewhere," Narcissa said and then Lucius dropped his head on his shoulders.
"True, Blacks are known for their power-hungry nature, and their absolute devotion to the Dark, to me," Voldemort said. Narcissa nodded resolute as if he read her mind.
"I am yours to command, my lord," Narcissa said with a slight bow as she slowly went to her knee. She hissed but gritted her teeth. Her knee was still slightly swollen. She didn't know what Hermione hit her with but it was slightly different than her own spell.
"Rise, I will give you two days Narcissa and you will be freed of your Husband, but… As you have said, everyone has their part to play. Do you have it?" he asked and Narcissa nodded.
"Excellent, give it here," her almost sounded human in his excited demand.
"I will give it to you two days, it is kept safe. If I can be divorced by the end of the day…" she let the statement stand for the ministry higher-ups in the Lord's court, "I can get it to you by this afternoon," Narcissa said.
"Why did you not come here with it today? I would have been more lenient on your family and their failures, girl," he asked harshly wheezing yet again.
"Because I could not simply apparate here. I must be led, and then I don't want to walk around with a vial of Harry Potter's blood. What if in one of the skirmishes it burst open?"
Narcissa reasoned as if she thought of all the possible ways of getting caught, or it got broken.
"You could have given it to my faithful servant," the Dark Lord said.
"Forgive me My Lord, but it wasn't until I took Draco's place and began planning these attacks that we finally got the wench in the hospital. We finally have her bloody and wounded. I don't see your faithful doing that," Narcissa countered and watched as the mass in the chair seethed in anger.
"You are quite right. You have it. You will be divorced by days end if you get me that vial. And Narcissa… I will know," Narcissa bowed and looked to Lucius, "I need my Husband to come with me to end this farce," Narcissa said. She looked quickly and the mass nodded, and Narcissa stood proud, never going to Lucius.
"Give your wife what she wants, everything she wants with no strife or discord. She has done what you have never done my slippery friend," Lucius looked up, "She yielded results. Off with you, but Narcissa, you may not heal him."
"Yes, my lord but may I cast concealing charms on him? I can conceal the whole man, and continue to let him wallow in his own filth and rags, but this would go easier if he 'looked' like the all-powerful Lucius Malfoy," Narcissa heard chuckles from around her and she thought she saw the little mass smirk as well.
"So be it," he waved his hand and Narcissa nodded her thanks as a Pureblood should. "Yaxley, go with the couple, and see to it that she and Lord Malfoy are taken care of with upmost haste, and have the soon-to-be Ms. Black come back with that vial," Narcissa watched cold dead eyes pierce into her.
"He will kill you if you are anything but truthful Narcissa, but I have a feeling you will be loyal. You give me no reason to believe you are anything but loyal in my service," Voldemort waved his hand, and then Narcissa, Lucius, and Yaxley popped to the Ministry.
"Isn't it early?" Lucius asked fearing his fate.
"Not as all, seeing as this is important, I can slide you in as the first admittance with the Wizengamot. This marriage will require more than just a piece of paper to be unbound," Yaxley walked them to the Wizengamot chambers. Representatives from every house were there and Yaxley looked about.
"Members, the divorce between Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy has been pushed to the morning, do you need the Chief Warlock for this decision?" he asked, and all eyes fell to a cowering, but clean and impressively dressed Lucius. Narcissa shoved him to the side as he tried to cower behind her.
"I move for this to continue immediately," a representative from the house of Bones smirked. Narcissa knew Amelia Bones and she hated Lucius.
"I second," can a representative from the Greengrass House.
"Please proceed and hold for the record we voted the Chief Warlock was not needed for this divorce," Yaxley.
"May I address the addendum in my marriage contract to Lucius Malfoy stating that if he sought to place his son or me in any danger, that is grounds for divorce and I will receive all dowries, vaults, estates, and monies herein with the Black and Malfoy ties?" Narcissa voiced clearly in the chamber.
"You do not need to do that," Lucius stood and looked at Narcissa, she lifted an eyebrow. "Save him," Lucius whispered. Narcissa Looked Lucius in the eyes and for the first time in years, she was proud of him.
"I, Lucius Malfoy, Head of the Noble House of Malfoy, herby relinquish all of my possessions to Narcissa Malfoy in our divorce. I will not contest the decision henceforth," Then Lucius turned to her. She stepped to him, placed a hand on his cheek, and looked into his eyes, he understood and dove.
"I placed a vial in your pocket. Take it when you are at the end of your rope, and make sure Severus knows. You can be free to Lucius," Narcissa pulled her thoughts from him and he closed his eyes as she stepped from him.
"How says the council?" Yaxley asked.
"Aye."
"Aye."
"Aye."
Lucius closed his eyes as he felt his doom encroach upon him. He reached out to Narcissa and she looked down. The vial was concealed in his hand and as he held her hand, she shook it and then pulled her hand away with the vial.
"I will not need it. My days are now number love. Find the girl," Lucius smirked with a whisper as Narcissa narrowed her eyes, "That son of ours. He is truly becoming a man love."
"Yes, he is," Narcissa whispered then Yaxley called for their marriage contract. It appeared before Narcissa and Lucius floating and waiting. It was Blood signed. Lucius sighed as he pulled his wand and sliced his palm. Narcissa sliced her palm as well. Together they placed their palms on the contract. Narcissa felt it deep within bones the shackles to Lucius released. She was free. She took his hand and looked down. She looked up and he nodded. He knew she could not heal him, so she placed a handkerchief in his palm. He nodded his thanks. She watched as the parchment blazed into flames in the middle of the chamber.
"Narcissa Malfoy is no longer, Narcissa Black is now the head of all Malfoy holdings and all Block dowries obtained in the marriage. Please follow me Ms. Black," Yaxley nodded to the door and Narcissa followed as did Lucius.
"Now, on to the vial, Ms. Black," Yaxley lifted his arm gentlemanly and she led them to the Floo. They flooed to Malfoy Manor and to her chambers. Yaxley and Lucius followed. Yaxley didn't trust her, and Lucius seemed to be tethered to the man. She reached into her closet and brought out a blood red scarf. She laid it on the bed. She closed her eyes and lifted her wand. She spoke the incantation and began intricate wand movements. When she opened her eyes, she walked to the bed. There lay a vile of dark red fluid. Yaxley held out his hand. But Narcissa shook her head.
"I'll give it to him myself," Narcissa denied the man.
Yaxley turned his head and worked his shoulders. He then indicated that they hold onto him and they were apparated back into the room.
"Not even past breakfast, and you are here," rasped Voldemort. Narcissa strode to him, bowed, and then held out her hand. A twisted, mangled hand reached out and took the vial of blood from Narcissa and narrowed his eyes.
"My Lord we don't even know if it is his blood," Yaxley said but Voldemort lifted his hand.
"It is. I can feel it," then eyes met Narcissa's, "Is there anything further from me you wish to ask. You have delivered as you have promised," he whispered.
"I only wish for your rise, my lord," she said as she bowed.
"I will not forget this Narcissa," he whispered once more. Narcissa stood there waiting for instruction, but the insides of her body were squirming. She only wanted to be back with her Little Witch.
"Leave me Narcissa. You have done exemplary," the Dark Lord dismissed Narcissa. She glanced once more over to Lucius. Their eyes caught. He nodded and then she strode past him. They said their goodbyes in her thoughts, and in that tender moment when he gave her the potion back to her. He was a dead man, and she felt part of her heart twinge for him. He was after all the father of her child. He was her friend. He was her husband.
Find the girl.
She walked from the room and did just that.
Hogwarts
A witch walked to the infirmary, opened the doors, and the saw something she wasn't supposed to see in her entire life. She walked from the floo and spotted them. Narcissa took in a deep breath and then summoned a house elf and asked for tea. It was time to have this conversation.
Narcissa sat in the chair and looked at her one-time professor, and then looked to her one-time master. They never seemed this close. She always knew they were friendly. Poppy was friendly with everyone, but the way Minerva McGonagall held the woman to her, soothing her even in sleep. Narcissa could see it now.
Tea arrived and Narcissa fixed her cup and sipped. The smell was glorious as a fabulous blend filtered around them. It almost as aromatic as a cup of coffee.
"Why are you here?" croaked a sleep riddled Poppy and then Narcissa looked at her and then to her side. Poppy looked over as her hand fell to Minerva's thigh.
"Poppy, I told you not yet," Minerva groaned in her sleep, and Narcissa's eyebrow flew into the air.
"Wake up Min," Poppy shook the older woman and then Minerva cleared her throat as she looked at Narcissa.
"I came to tell you of the final plans for Hermione," then she looked to Poppy, "Assuming you will let me speak," Narcissa challenged. Poppy nearly growled but Minerva placed her hand on her shoulder.
"It's time Poppy," Minerva said as she looked to Narcissa and Narcissa nodded. Poppy looked back and then saw how Minerva trusted Narcissa.
She leaned back so tired she could roll up into a blanket and sleep for a week.
"Does she know anything?" Narcissa asked Minerva, and the Scot shook her head. Narcissa nodded. Narcissa told Poppy the whole plan from living death draughts to parts in the challenge.
"Now we have one more caveat, Minerva, we have not talked about, but I would like to continue this with both Fleur and Hermione. Can you meet us there for Lunch today? There have been new developments," Narcissa said. Minerva nodded.
"12:00 sharp?" the transfiguration professor asked, Narcissa nodded.
"You might want to cancel your afternoon classes, Professor," Narcissa said, and Minerva's brow furrowed.
"Alright, I will trust you," the professor said and then a hand fell to her thigh.
"I don't trust you," Poppy said, "I gave you access to her. I gave you opportunity, and I let so many things happen to her. I feel responsible, and all of this is my fault. I will take responsibility, but I do not trust you Lady Malfoy," Poppy gritted, "You were not there, you did not watch as red tinted foam gurgled from her lips, you were not there when those healers had to open her up to fix her because they need to see what was wrong. There was so much wrong," Poppy finally did it. She broke.
Minerva didn't hesitate as she took the woman into her arms and uttered assurances to the woman. Narcissa saw the look in Minerva's eyes, and knew she was on her side, but to go against her lover would be like taking shards of glass from her heart. She nodded and walked from the infirmary. She needed to stretch her legs, even though she needed a bed more. She felt like she could sleep for a year. Too many things happened in such a short period of time, but one that was important, was she was free. She almost wanted to skip, laugh, and smile like a little girl. She went to the Great hall. She knew breakfast was almost over but stood in the open doorway looking for a specific blonde. She lingered and found blue eyes. She sighed, and then thought better of breakfast. She wasn't sure she could keep it down. But she also knew that Fleur would come for her.
She walked toward Hermione and Luna's small little dorm and then she heard steps. Kept walking and then a call. Narcissa stopped walking.
"Luna Lovegood, a pleasure to see you," Narcissa said in greeting and then to Fleur. The French girl was still very rigid concerning Hermione and her.
"I was wondering if you would like to see Hermione?" Luna offered and Narcissa smiled and let the girl lead them. She walked next to Fleur and the Veela let their arms swipe the other.
"You left her," Fleur gritted quietly.
"I had to. I will explain everything my love," Narcissa said. And Fleur paused. She looked at Narcissa. Narcissa looked around and then cast a notice me not spell. She pulled Fleur to her, caught her lips, right there in the middle of the hallway in the school. Then Narcissa broke away and then ushered a shocked Fleur to their destination.
"Here you are, oh and congratulations Ms. Black," Luna said and then skipped back through the barrier. Narcissa's mouth dropped and then Fleur pulled her back.
"Ms. Black?" Fleur asked as she looked at Narcissa's confused expression.
"How did she know?" Narcissa asked and then looked to Fleur. "I need to talk to you both," Narcissa slid toward Fleur and smiled, bright and radiant, full of love, "I am free," Narcissa said and then Fleur pulled away. The woman that stood before her was not the brooding bitch everyone knew of. She was a vibrant wonderful woman who was so extraordinary that she seemed years younger. Fleur grabbed her hand and pulled her to Hermione's room.
Narcissa pulled back slightly and looked at Hermione, still struggling, but healing. Fleur went to the opposite of the bed, and leaned over and looked down on Hermione, and Narcissa sat on the edge of the other side. Together they would heal her, cocoon her in warmth and love.
"I don't want to wake her but we do have a meeting with Poppy and Minerva at noon sharp," Narcissa whispered, then she looked up to Fleur, "But I have to tell you something, both of you before any one else knows. Well other than Miss Lovegood, that is," Narcissa smiled.
Fleur looked at Narcissa. She was light, and bubbly. Hell, the woman was effervescent. It was amazing. She was completely changed from yesterday, and Fleur wanted her. God, she wanted to feel her inside and out. She wanted to know her, love her. Worship her. But she wanted to know what happened more than anything.
"Let's wake her," Fleur said smiling, and Narcissa grinned back. Narcissa and Fleur leaned forward and kissed the corners of Hermione's lips, then her cheeks and then her jaw and then throat. Nothing. Fleur harrumphed. Narcissa smiled and then she took Fleur's hand. She whispered in Hermione's ear. Slowly, eyes worked under eyes lids, and then eye lids cracked open. Narcissa lifted and found Hermione's half cognizant eyes look at her. Hermione then flinched back, but then placed her hand on Narcissa's Cheek and then felt on the other side Fleur's warmth and then her hand found Fleur hip.
"I… don't… care..." Hermione closed her eye and pulled Fleur into her more and Fleur wrapped around Hermione as if she was a blanket. Hermione pulled Narcissa to them by the gentle pressure of her fingers on her neck when she had let her hand slip. Narcissa slipped into the bed and then curled into Hermione.
"I don't care. I love you," Hermione said as she settled into her girls, "If I survive this, we will bond," Hermione opened her eyes and looked and found Fleur's and then Narcissa's. "I don't want to go another day knowing I am not yours. I want us together. We can figure things out."
"About that," Narcissa sat up and she helped Hermione lift into a half sitting position supported by a transfigured oversized pillow by combining the two pillows on the bed. Fleur sat up as well. She looked to Hermione and grasped her hand delicately.
"You asked me not to leave you last night, but I did leave this morning," Narcissa felt Hermione clench her fingers, "I know, I lied, sweet love but what I did was best for everyone," Narcissa clenched Fleur's fingertips and she looked down into Hermione's eyes, and then up into Fleur's blue.
"I am free. I'm divorced, " Narcissa grasped their hands, "I am utterly and completely yours," she looked to both girls, then her eyes dropped, "But it came at a great cost, in which I fear would end this relationship before it gets started," Narcissa looked at the blanket.
"Tell me," Hermione said and Narcissa looked sharply to Hermione, "The Dark Lord, he needed blood, Harry Potters blood to be exact. I was planted here to acquire his blood to bring back the Dark Lord," Narcissa focused on Hermione's fingers but her eyes filled with tears and dropped like diamonds until they splashed against her robes.
"You did not plan on falling in love, did you?" Asked Fleur. Narcissa shook her head.
"Today I got my freedom, all of it, no bond whatsoever, from Lucius, but I had to give the Dark Lord Harry's blood. I am so sorry my love. I tried, oh gods I tried to find a way, but…" Hermione let go of Narcissa's hand, making the woman gasp then Hermione looked at Fleur.
"Kiss this woman as passionately as you can because I cannot. She…" Hermione looked to Narcissa, "Is extraordinary, and we will figure it out," Hermione smiled as Fleur wrapped around Narcissa and consumed her lips. She licked, sucked and bit and when finally, Narcissa relented. Hermione was privy to the site of seeing her lovers together. They will soon be hers. They will be hers to love, and be loved by, completely, soulfully, emotionally, and physically. Hermione placed her hands on the back of each woman. She was in so much pain and she cursed her body. Or she would have been right in the middle of that phenomenal kiss.
She didn't care, she would love the women, but she wanted all information to do damage control. Her hands nudged and pushed and both women looked at her. Blue eyes found brown, and wanton desire filled both blue sets of eyes. Hermione smiled.
"Would you like another room lovers?" Hermione joked.
"No, we want you," Narcissa declared this time and Hermione looked over her shoulder as Narcissa kissed her cheek then lips. She was different.
Hermione shoved her away.
"When I met you first this year what did you tell me to do?" Hermione gazed into Narcissa's beautifully lust blown eyes.
"I told you less flick and more swish, then took your arm and guided you through the movements in which you jerked away," Narcissa smiled and the Hermione looked at Narcissa.
"When you found me in the infirmary the first time Fleur brought me there what did you do?" Hermione was not completely convinced, then Narcissa sat up and looked down on Hermione. She took her whole body from Hermione, but still stayed within touching distance.
"I am happy Hermione, truly happy to finally be able to follow my heart," Narcissa said and looked to the Fleur.
"I understand that, but a total attitude and demeanor change will make your mates wonder. Please answer the questions," Hermione pleaded.
"Questions, plural?" Narcissa asked and then sighed. "I held you I pulled you to me as you spoke of your abuse and then gave you an option to be my apprentice for dark arts lessons," Narcissa said then looked to Hermione.
"How did we solidify the recognition bond?" Fleur asked. Narcissa looked down on Hermione and sighed.
"We both thought of Hermione and how much she meant to us as we kissed," Narcissa said looking away. Hermione looked to Fleur and Fleur nodded with a bit of a blush.
"I am sorry to put you through that my love but the times we live in, and the sudden change in demeanor, either you where possessed of not yourself," Hermione reached out and took Narcissa's hand. Narcissa took and shook it.
"Honestly I am glad you had precautions, and I think we should continue these precautions in the future because there is a little more," Fleur and Hermione looked to each other and then to their lover waiting.
"He expects me to be a part of his circle," Narcissa watched as Hermione's eyes grew. She lunged forward, "No, No, No sweet one. He wants me to be one of his death eaters, but I can't, and I have a plan," she said and Hermione looked to Fleur... Fleur nodded as if to admit her opinion and plan. Inwardly it hurt but they knew nothing.
"You will not be the only one with Living Death potion love," Narcissa said as she smoothed hair from Hermione's forehead. "I have a feeling the cup is the prize, and it will take you to us. Fleur, and you will be inseparable in the final challenge, but the cup. It is brought up a lot. So, get the cup, and if I am correct it's a port key. Standoff with us, Fleur will watch our battle, furious and crazed, that is how you have to be. I cannot hold punches, and neither can you. We take the potion and Fleur takes us back. How do you feel about this?"
"There are too many holes," Hermione said.
"Oui, what if I don't find her, or get to her."
"We will plan it to make it happen. No matter what Hermione and I 'die' that night," Narcissa says. Fleur lifted her brow.
"Why you?" Fleur asked and Narcissa turned soft eyes onto Fleur.
"You have the whole world at your fingertips love, and less than a month till you graduate. Graduate, and then come back. I will have her safe in the confines of one of the Black properties. No one will know where she is while she heals and makes her way on to Hogwarts for her fifth year," Narcissa added and then Hermione lifted her hand.
"I don't want to go back," Hermione said softly and then both women looked down. They stared, "Maybe I can do everything by correspondence. I am much better off dead than alive." Hermione argued and then both women looked to her.
"I will go forth and finish, my love," Fleur said, "But you, must go back. Even I know Harry needs you especially with the blood that Narcissa gave Voldemort," Fleur responded and then Hermione closed her eyes.
"If you want, I can be here for you every second of every day," Narcissa said and then Hermione looked to Narcissa, and then to Fleur.
"I want and unregistered floo for you both, to a place of my choosing, as for staying here, I am tired and I want more time to think about it. Please…" Hermione pleaded and then Narcissa and Fleur let the girl lean into the pillows. They looked to each other and Fleur nodded to the common room. Narcissa and Fleur walked in and sat.
"Is she healthy enough to do the final task? It is in 2 days," Fleur asked and Narcissa looked to the room.
"She could be, but I don't think it's right," Narcissa said and then Fleur lifted her head and gazed at her.
"We bond," Narcissa said and Fleur's eyes dropped in hue, she licked her lips, and yet she stayed the beast within.
"What makes you think that?" asked Fleur quietly afraid that if Hermione heard them, she would rush into the room and simply bond just for her health and survival, and not the love that is backed by their bond.
"If we are bonded, we can trust one another more completely, know the other inside and out, and heal the other from any and everything. Isn't that what you said that night we healed Hermione's shoulder and arm?" Narcissa argued.
Fleur sat back and looked at Narcissa. Even though Fleur was only a few years older than her son the way she looked at her, took her apart, and devoured her with her eyes, only meant that Narcissa was not meant for saying no too long to Fleur, and never to Hermione.
"Yes, I did, and we can do the same thing to Hermione once more but… "
"But Hermione would heal faster if we solidified the bond. She could find you in the third Challenge, basically we would be a part of each other in each other's minds. I also have a trick up our sleeve," Narcissa grinned.
"No one on the planet knows what my animagus is," Narcissa smiled teasing and playful. This was a side of Narcissa Fleur and Hermione had never seen. Never once had Narcissa been playful.
"Narcissa, I have a question," Fleur began and then narrowed her eyes at Narcissa, "How different are you now that you are not bonded with Lucius?" she asked.
"Since I was 18, I was wedded to Lucius, under that bond, both of us were," Narcissa looked away into the space, "We were bound not my marriage, but my magic as well. Now that we are both free, we can be the people we were meant to be," Narcissa looked to Fleur and then stood up, she winced as her knee twinged, so she sat across the girl in her arm chair as Fleur lifted her arms around Narcissa.
"Fleur, I am me. I am Narcissa Black, and now I am able to love whom I want," Narcissa paused, "If I theoretically die with Hermione, I can set us up with a life. I can help us. Sweet love, I want to be a part of this," Narcissa said as she leaned her head against Fleur's shoulder.
"You were shouting and spouting you couldn't the other day and now you are so completely immersed in this…." Fleur tilted her head back and looked as the ceiling. "Forgive me when I say that it is a very fast change in perspective, world views, and wants…" Fleur looked to Narcissa and then cupped Narcissa cheek and brought her lips closer to her and without further preamble she took.
It was in that kiss she knew. She knew everything. Narcissa was hers and Hermione's this was their lover just set free and had no other way to contain her joy.
"Did you prove your point lover?" Narcissa asked.
"Password for everything from now on is pineapple, and then cherry, and mango, at least for me. If it goes far enough it will hatefully be beast. Do you understand?" Fleur said and then went on to validate memories. Narcissa nodded but pulled Fleur to her and their eyes locked.
"Mine are azure, chocolate, and earl grey, for those are the things I love the most next to my son," Narcissa kissed Fleur's lips and then there was a knock on the door. Narcissa cast a Chronos spell and sure enough it was noon. Where did the time go? She nodded, evidently Blake was there for many things and retrieved the venerable Scot.
"How do I look?" Narcissa asked and Fleur was floored. Fleur looked at her and cast a spell to freshen up her hair, robes and lipstick.
"Ready," Fleur said with a confused smile. Narcissa nodded her thanks and sat opposite of Fleur on the other side of the fire in the small common area.
Minerva came into the small common room to Fleur on one side and Narcissa on the other and Minerva smiled.
"You do realize I am not a moron. The amount of time it took to answer the door and then admittance was too long," she smiled as she narrowed her eyes, "interesting when bonds crave to be solidified, eh?" she cheekily asked and Narcissa rose and shook her head and then pulled Minerva into the room onto the comfortable two seat. Fleur excused herself and then came back with Hermione, and sat the girl next to her most trusted professor.
Minerva McGonagall looked like she saw a ghost in the child that Hermione was.
"Oh, my Merlin," McGonagall whispered as she saw Hermione. It wasn't the sickly wounded Hermione, it was the new strength she saw in the brunettes eyes.
"Minerva, do you have something to share with us," challenged Narcissa getting the upper hand. The professor was shaken and then pulled from Hermione's thoughts.
"Soon, but not now," McGonagall said but she clenched on to Hermione's hand as if it were life support, "I arrived when asked and cleared my afternoon classes. I hope they do well with their exams," the professor said shaking her head.
"Honestly professor do you think they are worrying about their exams right now?" Hermione asked with a smile.
"I bet you are," Minerva jabbed back. Hermione smiled and waved her wand and accioed a leather folder.
"Just in case, can you give this to my other professors. I know I don't know the end of year exams so I did a in depth study about specific findings in each subject," Hermione said as she handed over the folder.
"Why are you giving me this?" Minerva asked softly.
"Just in case," Hermione replied and then motioned to Narcissa and Fleur. Minerva looked to the other witches and felt her hear wall away.
They explained everything with the witch. She had inputs and they were welcomed. By the end of the afternoon there was a plan. Minerva looked to the sleeping Hermione. She softly placed her hand upon her cheek and then closed her eyes. Then she took her hand from the girl.
"Someday," Narcissa said sharply, "You will have to tell us your association with our lover," Narcissa bit to the woman.
"Aye, and if she survives," she looked at Narcissa, bore her gaze into Narcissa's "I will tell you all, but for the moment she needs her lovers, her support, and people there for when her bottom drops out. She will need you both. When she meets me next, she may not wish to see me further," Minerva said softly, painfully, then she nodded and left the room.
Fleur and Narcissa nodded then looked down to Hermione. She will be prepared. She felt a warmth on her shoulder and knee. She looked to the left. She smiled as Fleur slowly waved her wand over her wounds. She could finally heal. Oh, Lucius, she loved him one upon a time, but right now, she sighed in bliss as her lover waved her wand and slid her hands over her body's healing her wounds. Soon, hopefully they can breathe easy.