Malfoy's warning about his mother's interest in the two of them dating rang in Hermione's head as she finished reviewing details with Narcissa at the cafe, but the older witch thankfully never mentioned the snake plant miscommunication. Instead, when they finished, Narcissa grabbed her hand and squeezed it once.
"I hope you know that you've become very dear to me these last few months," Narcissa said tenderly. "Like a daughter."
"Thank you, Narcissa," the brunette replied, caught off guard by the open affection from the usually closed off witch. "Not just for saying that, but for everything. With my mom so far away and since I haven't shared the news with either of my parents yet," Hermione said, choosing her words carefully. "I can't tell you how grateful I am for your guidance and encouragement." The blonde's face broke into a warm smile, her eyes shining, and Hermione returned the squeeze as they held hands over the table.
"I had hoped desperately that we'd get on like this. I was so worried when I learned the news that you'd never forgive us for that day at the manor." Narcissa's face darkened as she spoke, her eyes flickering to Hermione's covered forearm. It took substantial effort for Hermione not to pull away and hid it under the table. "We paid our price, of course, Draco the heaviest." The woman looked out the window, suddenly very far away.
"What do you mean by that?" Hermione asked sharply, feeling as though it were obvious that she'd paid the heaviest price for that afternoon.
"Oh," Narcissa said, shaking her head and taking her hand back. She looked uncomfortable, as though she'd shared something she shouldn't have. "Nothing, darling girl."
"Narcissa, please," Hermione asked softly, her curiosity always getting the better of her. The older witch held her gaze for just a moment before releasing a small sigh.
"Just that V-Vol- the Dark Lord tortured Draco after you got away," Narcissa whispered with difficulty. It was the first time Hermione had heard the polished witch stumble over something. Usually Hermione would have focused on that, but she was too worried about what the woman across from her would say next. "Well, first Luicius, then Draco. Bella, though she had her faults, protected me from the same punishment. Although I had to watch them both suffer, silenced by her. He tortured Draco within an inch of his life, I was terrified he'd go mad like the Longbottoms," Narcissa sniffed, pausing to calm herself. "When the Dark Lord stopped, I was certain he'd kill us all, but thankfully he spared us instead." Narcissa shrugged lightly as she finished, but at Hermione's horrified face she began to backtrack. "Oh no, please don't blame yourself. Draco knew the risk when he made the decision to lie, just like I did when I lied about Mister Potter. I know he didn't talk about the consequences during the trial, but I assure you that he consciously made the choice. It was not your fault - I didn't mean to upset you."
As Narcissa spoke, it felt like her voice was drifting further away. Hermione had always considered what Malfoy did to be brave; he saved their lives by lying to his parents and psychotic aunt. But she never considered that he had faced severe consequences for it. He'd never mentioned it, it never once came up in the trials. Surely Draco Malfoy, who cried that he'd been mortally wounded by a Hippogriff scratch in their third year, would have told someone about the pain he endured.
"Hermione?" Narcissa's gentle voice broke through her thoughts.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I was just thinking," Hermione said. "Thank you for telling me, Narcissa. I - I had no idea."
"Yes, well, war is difficult for everyone. But I'm so glad for our fresh start. I think tonight will be the first step in undoing a lot of the bad created in the last war." The women nodded at each other, before saying a quick goodbye. Just as they left the cafe, Narcissa had that familiar small smile playing at her lips as she held her head high, looking effortlessly elegant once again. As they parted ways Hemrione absently wondered if Narcissa was an occlumens and that is what she was constantly so unperturbed.
Hermione spent the next few hours in a daze, replaying both Narcissa's words and that day at Malfoy Manor. No matter how hard she tried to put it out of her mind, she kept returning to the moment Malfoy lied. The reluctance in his face, compared to the eager joy of his father. "I don't know," he'd whispered hoarsely before turning and walking towards his mother by the fireplace. "I don't know," echoed in each step she took back to her flat, with each item she placed in her charmed bag for the evening ahead, and as she threw the floo powder into the fireplace.
When Hermione stepped through the floo, she meant to walk directly to Narcissa's wing, but instead her feet took her back to the horrible door. Only this time, she didn't cry or panic. Instead she could only stare, Narcissa's words repeating in her head on a loop, interspersed with Malfoy's voice saying "I don't know." An image of an unsure Malfoy lying about their identities popped into her brain before it changed to a horrified Malfoy keeping eye contact with her as his aunt carved into. But worse, a new image came to mind, one of Malfoy withering in pain on the floor with Voldemort looming over him. Then she remembered what he'd said about medical potions, which made her wonder how many other incidents he'd endured that had required medical attention. Accidents that were never brought forth in the trials.
When the real Draco Malfoy appeared behind her, she couldn't help but press him on the question that had kept her up at night; why did he lie? The guilt that poured out of him did nothing to reaffirm her view of him, instead making her question each interaction they'd had since she returned. Was Draco Malfoy, childhood bully and all around arrogant jerk, really the kind of person who would knowingly put himself at such risk for a reason supplemental to self-gain?
It was only once she walked away that she realized that he had asked for her help and she'd given it, adjusting the cufflinks without a rude comment or icy silence from either of them. Their encounter, combined with other little glimpses he'd given into himself over the past few months, made Hermione wonder if Draco was truly a different person than she thought he was. With a new Draco-shaped puzzle dropped at her feet, she wandered absently towards Narcissa's wing. As Hermione reached the stairs, she ran into Ginny, who was overjoyed to see her.
"There you are! Thank Merlin," her friend muttered looking around uncomfortably. "This place is creepy. Are you ready?"
"Yes, thank you for doing this with me," Hermione said, pulling herself out of her head and giving Ginny a grateful grin. "Narcissa really has been kind to me and I think she is lonely."
"Well, with Malfoy for company, I'd rather be alone too," Ginny teased as they walked up the stairs. Hermione wasn't sure how to respond to that now. "But I understand, if my dad was gone and my mom lived alone, she'd be lonely too."
"Hello Lady and Missus," Tippy greeted from the top of the stairs. "The Lady Malfoy is being waiting for you, this way," the little house elf said as she led them around the corner and down the long hallway.
"Thank you Tippy," Hermione said with great emphasis, making the house elf turn around and beam widely at her as she walked backwards. "We appreciate it." The elf began to skip as she led them to the end of the hall.
"Here we is." Tippy knocked in a rapid pattern before opening the door to a room bigger than the extended library in Malfoy's cottage. Unlike the rest of the house, which looked as though it had been designed in another century, Narcissa's quarters were sleek and hyper-modern, all black and sharp angels with large mirrors covering one of the walls. As Hermione looked around in awe of the drastic change, she spotted Narcissa seated in the corner, sipping on champagne in a silk emerald robe and talking to a woman nearly as tall as Hagrid.
"Welcome ladies," Narcissa greeted them from her spot on an angled sette as they walked through the door. "Please come in!" She gestured towards the mirrored wall and got up to join them.
When Narcissa originally extended her invitation, Hermione imagined that the three of them would chat as they put on makeup and Ginny did Hermione's hair, like she had at the Yule Ball. She did not expect a team of extremely tall, pouting women waiting in the room for them, surrounding three black chairs in front of Narcissa's massive vanity. "Take a seat, take a seat," she motioned towards the chairs. "This is Esmerelda and her team, Josie and Eloise. They took a portkey in from Paris to help us get ready." Ginny shot Hermione a wide-eyed look of surprise as they took their seats next to the older witch. As soon as they were seated, champagne flutes appeared in their hands.
"Er, if it is not too much trouble, could I get some tea instead?" Hermione asked Narcissa, hoping this was not a rude question. She was a bit jittery already and wanted to be at the top of her game when she entered what Ginny had been referring to all week as the snake pit. Tippy appeared with a crack, giving Hermione another wide smile, before removing the champagne flute and replacing it with a dainty teacup.
"Cheers!" Narcissa said happily, which Ginny and Hermione echoed quietly before taking sips. Narcissa launched into action, giving directions on hair and makeup for all three women, which Hermione was thankful for. One thing she fully trusted Narcissa with was appearance. Perhaps it was the only thing she trusted her society mentor with. As the tall women began to work, Narcissa asked after the Weasleys and inquired about Ginny's love story with Harry Potter. Ginny, usually sick of sharing details about her relationship with Harry, happily shared with Narcissa. Hermione wondered if Harry had asked his ginger partner to be kind to the woman who saved his life.
As the team around Hermione magicked her hair into a smooth updo, she worked hard to clear her mind, where Draco Malfoy had yet again taken up residence. Just as she was able to push the two strange interactions she'd had with him today out of her mind and relax, Theo popped up. In the madness of this week, she still had yet to investigate exactly how Theo had handled their father, and was working hard to pretend everything was alright with him until she did. It was hard to feel as though Theo could not be trustworthy, especially with how warm he was to her.
"Are you okay?" Ginny whispered when Narcissa turned away to give further instruction to Esmerelda as she worked on the older witch's makeup. "You've been scary quiet." Hermione only nodded, fighting for focus. She pushed Theo to the back of her mind and vowed to handle him tomorrow.
"Narcissa, you mentioned you had friends who were troublemakers," Hermione started, getting the blonde's attention. "Any good Hogwarts stories to share with your fellow alumnae?" Narcissa cracked a mischievous smile, one Hermione had seen Ginny wear too many times for her liking. She told them stories of covering for Andromeda as she snuck out of the Slytherin dorms to meet Ted Tonks and how she and her best friends had snuck gillywater into quidditch games. As she spoke, she looked between the two girls with a fond smile as though remembering her own friends at their age.
"Maybe that would have been the secret to getting Hermione to actually enjoy quidditch games," Ginny teased.
"Oh, yes let's add alcohol to an already stressful situation," Hermione said sarcastically, earning a theatrical sigh from Ginny. "Anyway, I was a prefect. I would have never!"
"I was a prefect too," Narcissa smiled. "Though it did not stop my friends from trying to make things harder. My best friend was too smart, she was almost dangerous. She once snuck into the prefects bath and stole the clothes of this particularly rude Ravenclaw prefect after he spread a rather nasty rumor about her being promiscuous. She left his shoes, but transfigured them into high heels. It was a Saturday morning, so she'd gathered a bunch of friends in the hallway, all of whom saw this naked boy hurrying down the hallway, trying to cover himself with a pair of heels," Narcissa said, struggling to speak through her laughter. Hermione and Ginny were laughing boisterously with her, and Hermione wondered if Ginny was thinking of the pranks that Fred and George used to play.
"That sounds like something you'd do," Hermione said to Ginny, who was still giggling. The redhead wiggled her eyebrows dangerously in response.
"We were always keeping secrets for each other, even dangerous ones like that," Narcissa said wistfully. "But yes, Ginerva here does remind me a bit of her," she added fondly.
"Speaking of secrets, any embarrassing baby photos of Draco you'd like to share with us girls?" Ginny asked mischievously.
"I'm saving those for his future spouse," Narcissa replied, a twinkle in her own eye. "You'll have to wait for that opportunity to embarrass him until we find him the right match," her voice lilted on the last words as her eyes darted to Hermione. The brunette ducked her head and took a sip from her teacup. Perhaps Draco had been right about his mother after all. "Speaking of matchmaking; Ginerva, I understand you enjoy it? Hermione mentioned you're trying to set her up with a good wizard." Ginny nodded enthusiastically before bemoaning all the attempts she'd made that Hermione had shut down without even trying to meet any of the options. The two women began to commiserate about setting others up. Hermione smiled and nodded, thankful they'd moved the focus away from her. As they spoke, Hermione turned inward again, thinking of Draco and the cufflinks. For some reason her mind kept flashing back to his eyes trained on her as she worked and the feeling of their hands touching. It frustrated Hermione that she couldn't shake the memory, given the amount of times she'd tied a tie for Ron or helped Harry with his glasses. "This was no different than that," Hermione reprimanded herself internally.
When the team was finally done beautifying the three witches, the trio took turns using the powder room to change into their ball gowns and showing off their final looks. Ginny picked a low cut navy gown, her ginger hair pinned back to show it off, while Narcissa was draped in a clingy pale blue gown that brought out her eyes, her blonde hair swept up into an intricate braided updo filled with dazzling pins. Narcissa's sapphire earrings were bigger than galleons and Hermione guessed she'd performed a charm on them to make them weightless. The brunette went last, surprised that she felt nervous about changing. Both Ginny and Narcissa clapped when she came out in her golden gown, making her roll her eyes goodnaturedly. As the trio moved to leave, Narcissa grabbed Hermione's elbow.
"I'm thrilled you brought Ginny along, thank you for making my evening," Narcissa whispered, gently tucking a loose curl back into Hermione's updo. She felt a longing in her heart for her own mother, who had done that same action countless times. "I want you to borrow these for the night." The older witch held out a small velvet box, cracking it open to show petite diamonds encircled in gold halos. Hermione immediately shook her head and began to refuse the over the top gesture. "Oh, please stop that. I will not have my mentee looking anything less than perfection during her presentation."
"Thank you," Hermione said sincerely, knowing she'd lose the battle on this front. She quickly popped them into her ears. "What do you think?"
"You look stunning, Hermione," Ginny said as she smiled kindly. "You'll be batting them off with a stick tonight." The ginger shared a knowing look with Narcissa.
"I quite agree. Anyway, thank you both for obliging an old woman," Narcissa said to them both, earning a disbelieving scoff from Ginny. Hermione agreed with the sentiment, as Narcissa was nowhere near as old as she referred to herself. "I appreciate having some stand-in daughters for the night!"
"Thank you for bringing in an entire team to help us get ready for this," Hermione replied, gesturing at herself. She still felt ridiculous, but hoped that she could pull it off with confidence as she dealt with potential donors. The witch patted her arm before she led the two younger witches to the floo. "Applewhite Gallery," they each exclaimed before walking through the green flames.
As Hermione entered the art gallery off Diagon Alley that they'd booked for the event, she gasped in delight. The gallery had been transformed with floating candles and climbing ivy covering the walls. The ceiling was enchanted to reflect the night sky, though Hermione thought the full moon that was included was rather insensitive given that the event was about fundraising to help werewolves. Hoping others weren't offended, she started looking through the horde of people as gentle music from the live band played. Narcissa gave her a silent wave goodbye as she slipped away.
As Hermione's eyes swept the crowd, she picked out Harry moving quickly towards Ginny, a huge smile on his face. Her friend broke off quickly, nearly running towards him. As the couple kissed, she found Ron talking to Blaise in the corner, Neville and Hannah already dancing alongside Molly and Arthur Weasely on the dancefloor, and George by the refreshments talking amicably with Lord Greengrass, who Hermione knew was also a Diagon Alley patron. She wondered what the twin knew about the patrons and made a note to ask him later.
The easiest friends to spot were Theo and Luna. Her brother bought his paramour a dress for the occasion, against Hermione and Ginny's advice. However, looking at her Hermione realized how perfect it was. Brightly colored flowers were sewn into her blonde hair, a braid crown that looked like a halo, and continued down the puffy white ball gown. Theo's dress robes were bright blue to match the predominant flower she wore. Her brother's smile was brighter than their loud outfits, making Hermione grin automatically before it dissolved as she thought again of Malfoy's comment about their father. Taking another sweep, Hermione realized with a pang of disappointment couldn't spot Malfoy anywhere in the crowd. She dismissed the feeling as quickly as she realized what it was and walked towards Harry and Ginny to start mingling.
As the evening went on, Hermione grew more thankful that her friends had shown up in full force. She'd overheard them schmoozing and convincing attendees to increase their donations. Even Harry, Godric bless him, had pulled out all the stops tonight, attending as the Boy-Who-Lived and protector of the wizarding world, and raising an astonishing extra 500 galleons alone when she checked in with him halfway through the evening.
Hermione still hadn't seen Draco hours after arriving when Narcissa grabbed her and pulled her into a conversation with Marcus Bullstrode, mentioning that she was going to act as the Nott patron for Diagon Alley. The chilly exterior of the Wizgamont member that Hermione was so used to when he directly shut down her legislation melted into a friendly reception. As they spoke, a smile plastered on her face even when he leered at her, she internally stewed. "It pays to be in the in-crowd," she thought bitterly. The shift in demeanor towards her was repeated with other influential London wizards and witches over the evening, only strengthening her resolve to use this newfound insider power to help anyone left on the outside.
After what seemed like an endless loop of the same conversation, Hermione was able to excuse herself from the buzzing dance floor under the guise of getting herself a drink. Walking down the long hallway to the second ballroom in the gallery, she found the balcony that stretched the hallway abandoned and took the opportunity to quietly slip out to have a moment alone. Resting against the railing, Hermione took a deep breath and stared into the dark. As the ballroom filled up with potential donors and elites eager to meet her, it had gotten overwhelmingly warm. She was grateful for the private moment in the cool summer breeze.
"Miss Granger," a deep voice asked behind her. Hermione braced herself, pasting on her fundraising smile Narcissa had trained her on, ready to work another person over for more donations.
"Yes?" she asked, turning towards the voice. In the doorway stood a muscular wizard with dark hair in all black dress robes holding two champagne flutes. She cocked her head, trying to place his vaguely familiar face.
"Marcus Flint. We went to school together, but I was a few years ahead of you," he smiled, showing an attractive set of teeth. Hermione noted the improvement since she last saw him, returning the smile.
"It is a pleasure to see you again Marcus," Hermione lied, remembering what a horrid bully the Slytherin boy had been, as well as a cheat in quidditch and rather dimwitted. She wondered how long she'd have to talk with him in order to gain a donation.
"I hope you don't mind, but I saw you standing out here and thought you looked like you could use a drink. I grabbed one for both of us," he said as he offered one of the glasses to her.
"Thank you, a drink would be much appreciated," she replied, gratefully accepting and taking a rather large swig. She had abstained from drinking anything alcoholic the entire evening, anxious enough about her debut and things going off without a hitch. Now that the worst was over and she'd met her overarching goals, Hermoine felt like she could indulge a bit. "Oh, this is interesting," she remarked as the bubbles fizzed strangely on her tongue.
"I believe it is fairy-made, but don't quote me on that," he said, giving her a charming smile. Hermione smiled back, noting again that his teeth were certainly an improvement. "Tonight seems like it's been a wild success."
"Thank you, I think the fundraising is going quite well. This is the first time I've hosted an event like this," Hermione offered, thankful that the small talk was about the event rather than more questions about her involvement in the war, which was the topic most of tonight's attendees wanted to know more about.
"I understand you're focused on werewolf matters at the Ministry?" Hermione felt like surely that much was obvious, given that she'd organized the Wolfsbane Subsidy Fund Charity Ball. However, she cut the man some slack and nodded.
"I work on all magical creatures, but I've been focused on the Wolfsbane Subsidy Act for several months. When Lady Malfoy heard about the potential funding issues, she offered her support and we arrived at this," Hermione waved her hands around at the pristinely decorated hall behind them. "I thought with my new position, I could capitalize on the attention and turn it into something positive for our community."
"Admirable. How has the adjustment been?" As he asked Hermione realized he'd inched much closer over the course of their conversation. "Becoming a Nott, I mean."
"More difficult than I expected, if I'm honest," Hermione said vaguely, realizing she was alone with a male member of high society and hoping she could avoid saying anything wrong. Her mistake with the plant had thrown her this morning and she wasn't sure what other antiquated pureblood nonsense she could accidentally walk into. Plus, Theo had never mentioned Marcus, even though they were housemates in school. She wasn't sure if he even knew Theo.
"I have no doubt. I'm sure it was a shock to be forced into society like this," Marcus chuckled, looking out into the dark.
"Well, Theo has been extremely gracious. I'm thankful I can call him my brother."
"We don't know each other well, but I've heard that Nott is a standup man. I've also heard he has been harassed by countless wizards to formally pursue you," he paused, sneaking a look at her. Her stomach curdled as the wolfish expression he wore. "A girl as beautiful as you deserves a real wizard," he stepped closer.
"And I suppose you are this wizard?" Hermione rolled her eyes at the transparency. Thankfully, Narcissa had warned her to expect this kind of behavior from wizards from certain families. She hadn't had a lot of experience in this realm; before she went to Australia she'd only truly been pursued by Viktor Krum, who was, by all accounts, a gentleman and sweetheart. She and Ron had pursued each other, she supposed, though it was more like fell into each other after years of dancing around something. Narcissa explained that she should expect men to start approaching her and Theo once the article broke. Hermione was grateful that Narcissa, and originally Draco, had overexaggerated the issue of proposals because until tonight, no one had bothered her at all, let alone proposed.
"If you'd like me to be," he wrapped his arms around her, stroking the small of her back, which made her skin crawl. Hermione shifted back, trying to squirm away and say something, but her tongue was like peanut butter in her mouth. Instead she shook her head as she tried to back away. "I know you didn't grow up with the traditional courting process. Most of us don't follow it anyway, indulging here and there. I'd love to give you a taste of my skills tonight," he leaned close to her ear, whispering the last sentence too loudly in her ear.
Finally breaking an arm out of his tight grasp, Hermione shoved him, her open palms connecting with his chest with a loud smack. "Leave me alone, you vile creep" she said loudly, finally finding her voice. She'd left her bag with Ginny, and in it her wand. She'd have to wordlessly hex him if he didn't leave.
"Bitch," Marcus muttered as he stumbled back a step, a confused frown on his face. Hermione wondered if no one had ever turned down his creepy advances before.
"Proud of it," Hermione spat back, trying to step around the wizard.
As she moved to go, he grabbed her wrists roughly, bringing her close. "I can show you a good time. You'll be begging for more, just give it a minute."
Hermione struggled to yank her arm back, starting to feel nauseous. "Let me go!"
"I think it's time you went back inside, Flint," After an evening of remaining elusive, Draco Malfoy appeared out of nowhere. He was behind Marcus, his hand grabbing the wizard's shoulder and pulling him. Hermione stumbled a bit, feeling dizzy and looking at the ground to find her bearings.
"How is this your business, Malfoy? Can't you see we're busy here?" Marcus' voice was full of annoyance. Draco ripped Flint away from Hermione as the floor suddenly started spinning violently below her.
A/N: We're finally at the ball! This + the next two chapters are extremely self-indulgent, so thanks for coming along for the ride. As always reactions/thoughts/conspiracy theories appreciated!