Chapter 27: The Three Broomsticks

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Whether it was the anticipation of their meeting with his mother, the full swing his classes were in, or the amount of time spent prepping for the Dueling club meetings, the next week and a half did fly by. Most of the older students had gotten some sort of shape to come out of their wands when practicing the Patronus charm in the last meeting - still no fully formed patronuses - but a vast improvement and a sign that they were on the horizon of success. Of the older students, Gabriel and Christian seemed to be struggling the most and Draco had made a mental note to try and work with them a little more at the meetings.

Today, however, was Saturday. Today, he and Hermione would walk the path to Hogsmeade and meet his mother at The Three Broomsticks. Draco had waited until the last possible moment - Thursday evening - to send the message to his mother about who his girlfriend was, although Hermione had reminded him a few times. He'd waited purposefully, however, as he hadn't wanted her to have the time to put it in one of her letters to Lucius and receive a response from him. Even if she'd written him already, there's no way she could have heard back by Saturday morning with the time it took the owls to get to Azkaban. And he hadn't heard back from her either, since his message Thursday evening, so he just had to trust she'd received his message, had digested it, and would be meeting them as planned.

Hermione was glad he'd finally told Narcissa that they would be meeting, though she'd asked him to do it a while ago now and wasn't sure why he hadn't until just two days prior, but it was done and they were on their way to the village. She knew today would be uncomfortable; how could it not be with her history with the Malfoys? But Narcissa had been pivotal in Harry's survival during the Battle of Hogwarts and she knew, as well as any of them, things could have been much different without her lie to Voldemort. So, like Harry, she was willing to give her a second chance and try to view it as just meeting her boyfriend's mother for the first time. She could tell Draco was nervous, too, though he was playing it off surprisingly well that this was as normal as ever to try and ease her worries.

They entered the town, the wind whipping down the narrow street on a particularly cold and gray March afternoon. Hermione did her best to wrangle her hair to keep it out of her face as they passed by warm store fronts on their walk to The Three Broomsticks. The walk felt longer than normal, but her head had been going through every possible scenario of this meeting, even as she kept up conversation with Draco, who was animatedly telling her about the form Zachary's patronus had started to take when he'd been working with him in their last meeting. It had been rather skinny and long and Draco was convinced it was a snake, though he couldn't imagine how a Gryffindor would end up with a snake patronus. Or Perhaps it wasn't a snake, it could easily have just been a trick of the eyes.

His excitement for learning and teaching the Patronus charm radiated from him every time they talked about it and she couldn't help but smile as she listened to him. They'd finally reached the door to The Three Broomsticks and Draco pulled it open, ushering her inside before following her in.

He looked around, spotting his mother in the far back, sitting stiffly with a teacup clenched in her hands. He could tell right away that she was anxious, even from the other side of the establishment, but this was going to happen regardless so he grabbed Hermione's hand with a reassuring look and led the way forward.

Narcissa noticed them as they approached the table and forced a thin smile onto her lips, standing gracefully and greeting Draco with a kiss on each cheek, "Good morning, son," she said a bit formally before turning to Hermione. There was a brief moment where they stared at each other, both trying to figure out how one greets someone they have such a profound, conflicted history with.

"Mother, I'd like for you to meet my girlfriend, Hermione," Draco took it upon himself to dispel the silence that had fallen.

Hermione registered her first name coming from his mouth somewhere in the back of her head but there were too many other thoughts to process it fully. She put her hand out confidently to follow up his introduction, "Narcissa, it's nice to officially meet you."

Narcissa cupped her hand with both of hers in a purposeful gesture, "And you as well, Hermione."

Narcissa sat and Draco pulled out the chair for Hermione before moving to the one adjacent to it.

"Draco, could you actually just give us a few minutes," Narcissa said as she clasped her hands on the table, "You didn't give me much warning as to what I was about to step into, and I feel it's best for Hermione and I to address the Hippogriff in the room before we sit down to lunch."

Draco looked over at Hermione who nodded at him and he gave his mother another look, "Alright, I'll order us a couple of butterbeers from the bar and I'll be back."

He pushed his chair back in and headed back to the front of the restaurant, hoping whatever conversation was about to ensue was a productive one.

Once they were alone again, Narcissa looked back at Hermione, her eyes boring through her, "I'd like to acknowledge that your experience with with me up until this point is not a positive one," she began, "And our family's history is obviously complicated, at best, when it comes to your kind."

"Muggleborns," Hermione said strongly, not being a fan of the term she'd chosen.

Narcissa shifted uncomfortably, "Yes, sorry, muggleborns. Obviously the Malfoy, and Black, families have had a history of unfortunate relationships with muggleborns. One that I'm not proud of. One that dates back generations, not that it makes it any better, but it's been long rooted in our families that purebloods marry purebloods and anything else would be unacceptable. Clearly the war shed a lot of light on that way of thinking and I've spent the last five years reconsidering everything I was raised to accept. As has Draco, of course."

Hermione just listened, still unsure if she knew where this conversation was going or not.

"Regardless of everything you know about Lucius, when we were younger, he was a charming man, smooth and sweet, and politics - or morals, I guess you could say - never even came up in conversation until I'd already fallen head over heels for the man I'd met. I never outwardly denounced muggleborns in the way that he did, although you could say I depicted a silent acceptance of those beliefs, and of course you know I stayed by his side during the war, so I'm not trying to relieve myself of what guilt I deserve on that matter, just trying to paint you a fuller picture. It's important for me to explain that it wasn't the dark arts, nor my own need for blood purity that I stood by the Dark Lord for, it was my love for Lucius. It was my love for my family and my devotion to do whatever it took to keep that family whole and safe. But all that is over now and we are a changed family. Lucius is doing his time and from our correspondences, it seems he is doing well and eager to come back home, so I am sure he has grown from his experience and I look forward to the conversations we have upon his return about how we, as the Malfoys, can give back to the wizarding world."

"Has he mentioned in his letters that his views are changing? That he acknowledges that muggleborns and muggles have as much value as wizards?" Hermione kept her tone neutral, truly curious if Lucius had vocalized a change of heart since in her last conversation with Draco about him, he seemed to think his father would still be a challenge to their relationship.

Narcissa paused for a moment to take in the strong woman across from her. "We haven't talked much in our letters about personal views or politics, honestly. I wish we had now that you and I are having this conversation so that I could say more definitively. I just always try to keep our correspondences light and positive since he's exposed to so much despair in Azkaban with the dementors. But here and there I've told him about some of the things I've done to provoke change in myself — books I've read to educate myself on issues, talks I've had with our close friends who've had similar experiences, things like that. And of course I've mentioned the change I've seen in Draco to grow and pull himself back up from the dark. So I think he must know we're focused on moving forward. I've seen the error in our ways, as I'm sure Lucius has as well, and we're going to put in the work to change what's associated with the Malfoy name."

Hermione nodded as she realized Narcissa was just projecting her own growth onto Lucius without any real proof that there had been any. And maybe there had, it was possible, but without any written evidence of an acknowledgement that his views were wrong, it was hard for Hermione to fully believe he would take all of this quite as seriously as she was; that he would be open to a Malfoy dating a muggleborn.

"You know, I was always closer with my sister Andromeda than Bellatrix up until I started seeing Lucius and she gave me an ultimatum between them," Narcissa noted, pulling Hermione's focus back to their conversation, "I've reconnected with her recently, though Lucius will always be a point of contention. She's helped me to learn to grow, despite our upbringing, and see other perspectives. I'm hoping his return doesn't cause another rift in our relationship, but I think it's stronger than it has been in a long time," Narcissa was looking off as if a bit lost in her thoughts before she blinked a few times, turning back, "And Draco has done so much to make himself a better person and a well-respected professor. I support him, as Lucius will as well. And if it's you he loves, I need you to understand that I support that. I want there to be no question in your mind as to how I feel about my son dating a muggleborn. I accept you as I would any other worthy woman. And from what I know about you, you are just that."

Hermione knew Narcissa had likely been thinking about what she wanted to say for the last couple of days and was appreciative that it at least seemed important to her to clear the air. That was a good sign, "I'm happy to hear you've taken some time to reflect on the past and have been open to change. I've seen it in Draco since the moment he returned to school. I know his past and what he was a part of, but I see who he is now, and I love him for the changes he made."

"We were a part of some truly terrible things," Narcissa said, her voice quivering almost unnoticeably, "And some of those things directly involved you. So I'd like to follow up that statement with an apology."

"You don't have-"

"I do have to," Narcissa cut her off, "I'm sorry you were a prisoner in our home. And I'm sorry for what my sister did to you," her eyes glanced down at Hermione's arm, which was fully covered by her jacket at the moment, "Those things that happened that night, I'm sure they will stay with you forever. How could they not. To know we were a part of something that you'll carry with you for the rest of your life is something that I will have to come to terms with, should you and Draco continue to date. As of now, it's incredibly difficult to sit here with my head high knowing what your memories of me include. But that is a burden far less than what you bear."

"You weren't the one holding the knife," Hermione stated, "I know that."

"And we didn't stop it, either. I honestly don't know how you have it in you to even sit across from me like you are. I don't think that I would be able to do the same in your position."

"Forgiveness and compassion are a fickle thing," Hermione responded, "I've spent years reflecting on my experiences in the war, as you have, and I know where I place my blame and I know who I saw making the right decisions in the end, even if they were a little late. And I know in my heart who deserves a second chance. Draco didn't give us away when we were at the manor even though he recognized us, and you lied to Voldemort-" Narcissa couldn't help the gasp that escaped her lips at the name, "-in the moments that mattered most. I've seen the change in Draco and perhaps there will be chances for you and I to sit down and reacquaint over time and I can see the change in you as well."

"I hope we do get that time," Narcissa replied, her glance shifting behind Hermione as Draco returned to the table with two butterbeers.

"Can I sit now?" he asked.

"Yes," Narcissa gestured to his chair as he set the drinks down on the table.

"So did you have a nice chat then?" he asked as he looked between them to figure out the vibe.

"Yes, thank you, I just had some things I needed to say to hopefully turn our past to a new page now that you're dating," Narcissa said, giving Hermione a small smile that she returned.

"Wonderful," Draco said, trying to shift the mood, "So mother, how was Nice?"

"Cold," she sighed, "But beautiful, as always. We stayed at the Parkinson's villa in the wizarding community outside of town."

"And how are the Parkinsons?"

"Very well. They were saying they thought they might meet Pansy's boyfriend soon. Sounds like things are getting pretty serious."

"Granger actually went out with her a couple weeks ago," Draco said, looking over at her, "She was still seeing the Wasps player then?"

"Yes, his name's Nev. She seemed quite smitten."

"That's nice you had a chance to sit down with Pansy," Narcissa said, "She's a sweet girl."

Hermione had an awkward moment of internally acknowledging that her boyfriend's mother was now talking about what a nice girl his ex-girlfriend was.

"So, Hermione," Narcissa started, looking like she was trying to decide how to phrase her next question, "What is it that… your parents do?"

Ah, trying to figure out how to ask about muggles, "They're dentists. They tend to people's teeth. It's not quite as easy without magic."

"Teeth? I've never considered how that worked in the muggle world. My parents just did a quick charm on my teeth to straighten them when I was young, and the teeth cleaning spell is so easy I barely even think about my teeth."

"Yes they're always very impressed with my teeth now that I use magic to take care of them. Used to take a lot to impress them."

"I'm sure. So do you have any brothers or sisters?"

"No, I'm an only child."

"Ah, yes, like Draco. Sometimes one is enough of a handful," she raised her eyebrow at Draco with a smile.

"I was a perfectly well-mannered child," he huffed.

"I doubt that for some reason," Hermione said smartly, taking a sip of her butterbeer and making sure to lick her top lip to lower her chances of a butterbeer mustache.

"As I heard it, you were top of the class, is that right?" Narcissa asked Hermione, hands back to coddling her teacup in what Hermione assumed was a comforting mechanism, as the cup was empty.

"I was, Draco was always right behind me, though."

"Oh yes, we kept tabs on his progress at school. Always very proud of his academic successes. And what do you teach at Hogwarts?"

"Transfiguration. I always enjoyed the complexity of it."

"It's a very precise art. Such a pivotal time in your life, to be taking over teaching positions and molding the minds of a new generation of witches and wizards. It's been going well so far?"

"Very much so. Draco and I also lead the school's Dueling Club."

"A little competition never hurt a good relationship," Narcissa quipped.

They spent the next hour or two at the Three Broomsticks with Narcissa. She seemed keen on asking Hermione all the details about herself that she could think of. It felt like she was trying to make a point that she'd left her bias in the past, but even if that was the case, it was still clear she cared to put the time in to get to know Hermione, whatever the motivation and it was a good first step.

As they left, Narcissa swooped down with a kiss on each cheek to Hermione, similar to her normal greetings to Draco before she pulled back, her hands still on Hermione's shoulders, "It was lovely having a chance to talk today. I do hope we do it again soon. Perhaps just the two of us sometime."

"That would be very nice," Hermione said, giving her a warm smile of appreciation.

"And Draco, I'll be getting an owl in the next month or so with the details of your father's release. I'd like for you to be there the weekend he comes home," she glanced quickly at Hermione before continuing, "But of course Lucius and I can meet you for dinner somewhere, perhaps, instead of at the Manor and Hermione can join us. I'd like to do something special for his homecoming."

Hermione tried not to make too much of a reaction at the mention of the Manor, simply breathing in a little deeper on her next inhale and keeping her gaze focused.

Draco felt his chest pull tight at the mention of his father as the words in his letter scrolled through his mind. He knew, unlike Narcissa and Hermione, that Lucius' views on muggleborns had not changed at all in Azkaban and that their meeting would be less than amicable if he even agreed to let it happen. He forced a smile, mentally preparing himself for the conversation he'd have to have with Hermione later to explain, "Granger, how would you feel about meeting with my father?"

"I'll be by your side" she said simply, not wanting to dampen Narcissa's positivity at having them all together with her disdain for Lucius, especially since she'd made a point that she wanted her there. She'd known this would happen eventually and she would do her best to be strong and try to give them each a chance to reconcile and move forward. Even Lucius. Besides, maybe he had learned a thing or two in the last six years like Narcissa hoped.

Draco watched her an extra second for any sign of hesitance, but was instead met by a look of resilience. He turned back to Narcissa with a nod, "Alright, mother. We'll be in touch."

They'd returned to the castle that afternoon and had each pulled out a stack of student papers to grade as they settled in around the coffee table. Draco did his best to focus on his work even as the hypothetical conversations played in his mind. He knew Hermione had her seventh year essays to get through before he could bring it up, and so, he went on with the grading of his students' short essays on the Pepper-Up Potion and its strengths and weaknesses against common colds, stealing glances over at Hermione here and there as she furrowed her brows or made a humming noise, fingers drumming against the table as she considered a response, actions which were normally followed by the scratching of quill against paper as she made notes in the margins or crossed out a sentence. Draco's lip pulled up as he watched her, engrossed in her work, cute sighs falling from her lips, her full concentration on teaching and helping her students learn.

Hermione looked up, feeling his eyes on her, "What?" She said with a small smile.

"Nothing," he said airily, "Just enjoying the experience of watching you in your happy place."

"Well I've got about twelve more essays to get through, so enjoy the show."

He chuckled as she looked back down at the essay in her hands, shaking his head and returning to wherever he'd left off. The silence somehow felt comforting with her there and he relaxed into the couch to get some work done.

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