Waking up she felt like a car had run over her. Her head was aching and she felt sick. Slowly waking up, Hermione tried to shake this feeling of heaviness off that loomed over her. She had done nothing wrong and he knew it, yet she felt obligated to feel something.

Hermione had felt something, fear and her survival instinct kicking in, grief about losing her innocent and naive self, but no guilt. Harry had felt guilty about everyone who died, yet Hermione couldn't bring herself to feel guilty for the people whose death she was directly responsible for.

It was probably better for her mental health, she had just always thought that she was better. Does feeling guilty make one a better person or was it her actions and beliefs? Hermione could still fight for a better world, for more fairness and better living conditions.

She might not be able to free all those Elves, nor was that something she still wanted to do as she lacked the conviction that this was actually in the best interest of the House Elves, but that didn't mean she tolerated abuse.

Hermione washed her face and went downstairs. She was surprised to find that Lucius wasn't in the breakfast room. He hadn't been next to her when she had woken up either. Hermione scratched her neck. Her heart rate increased and she went looking for him. Hermione picked up the speed. The longer it took her to find him the more uneasy she got.

He was sitting in his office petting Shirone. Hermione sighed, for some reason that had really stressed her out. He didn't look up to her as he kept stroking over Shirona's long fur absently.

She wondered what he was thinking. Should she interrupt him? Standing there, leaning against the door, she watched them. Shirona was wriggling her tail as he caressed her white fur. Hermione was surprised that he hadn't shoved her off his desk. In a very cat-like fashion, she was lying right on top of his work.

"Are you managing?" Hermione slowly approached him. "Do you want to talk?"

Lucius shook his head.

Hermione placed his hand over his. "If your father-" His facial muscles twitched. "If Abraxas and the lady from the wedding were long divorced by the time you were born then why are you so worried about what she had said to me? She knows you less than I do and I can make my own decision. I don't need anybody to tell me what to do."

He nodded, not looking at her.

She looked at him for a moment, trying to piece the little information she had together. "Was your… Abraxas mistreating her?"

"Borko is a capable witch she can take care of herself." He lifted Shirona up. The kitten was protesting as he handed her to Hermione. "I have to finish the speech for tonight," Lucius said.

With Shirona in her arm, she left his office, closing the door behind her. Hermione buried her nose in her textbook. Not only did it help her get her mind off, but it also made her feel accomplished if she managed to do more than attend the anniversary.

Hermione never fought that she would be the kind of person who attended functions like the anniversary of a bank, but here she was.

The make-up wasn't a problem, but the lady was pretty lost about what to do with her hair. She had tied it up neatly, but in the moist air, it wasn't long until her hair broke free. Lucius ensured her that it was fine, but the older witch didn't give up easily. She redid her hair three times before moving on to putting golden ornaments into it to hide the mess.

Lucius handed her a paulownia box. Opening it, Hermione found in paper wrapped, the beautiful tomisode, they had commissioned two months ago when they got married.

Holding her breath, she removed the kimono from the box. The lady placed it on a stand to display it properly. Seeing the work of art on the ikou, she got to see the full design.

There was a golden tiger embroidered on the black silk. The tiger was playing with a red ball of wool and there was a maple tree in the background. The simplified version of the Malfoycrest on the neck. Her family crest, Hermione reminded herself.

She was just standing there looking at the kimono with awe. She wondered how much time and effort had gotten into it.

"Time to dress you up."

Hermione swallowed hard, she had almost forgotten that she was supposed to actually wear this thing. It looked like something that belonged into a gallery or a museum and not on her body. She held her breath as the tomisode was tied around her body. Opening her eyes slowly, she looked at herself in the mirror.

Hermione was mesmerized by the subtle movement of the embroidered leaves. She could just stand there and watch the falling leaves forever. The tiger was playing with the wool just like Shirone did when Hermione wanted to knit.l

"It suits you."

The older lady and Lucius were telling each other how well she looked. Hermione was so elegant, almost like a proper lady, a married woman in her tomisode. She wasn't going to embarrass him,m she would fit in just nicely.

Walking to the entrance hall, Hermione was grateful for her tea ceremony lessons. She hadn't had many of them yet, but they made her a lot more confident in the luxurious kimono.

Lucius placed a kiss on her cheek. "You look gorgeous."

She blushed. Hermione placed her hand in the crook of his elbow and he apparated them to a shrine.

People had gathered in the garden. A House elf pressed the program in her hand. First was asking the deities for the blessing on the list. Then there was a short break with a tea ceremony, Next, they would relocate to the bank for everyone's speeches, and then there was a gala dinner. The last point was drinks.

It wasn't just that there was an endlessly long program, but also the way it was planned. There were a few intermissions, but it felt like she was handed her schedule at the beginning of a school year. It was cramped and loaded.

Hermione was already exhausted. There were so many things she had to keep in mind. She didn't want to embarrass herself and this was going to be a long evening with many speeches.

More and more people gathered around the shrine. They were chatting and buying souvenirs and medallions. Lucius drew a long paper with his oracle. Not liking what he got, he drew another one. Watching him pick and choose was hardly making divination more believable. He then tied the white paper to a string.

Entering the shrine, she held her breath. There she was, having to kneel again. Hermi8one wasn't considered graceful in her own cultural circle and now she had to somehow lower

herself to the floor without humiliating her husband.

Closing her eyes, she recalled the spell Lucius had thought her. While she had been practicing, her attempts at wandless magic were still far from discreet and effortlessly. Wiping over the beautifully crafted kimono, she sat down, hoping that she didn't show any discomfort.

The monks were singing the monotone song and Hermione tried to sing along, but she couldn't read Japanese quickly enough.

Despite the charm, kneeling got quite uncomfortable as time went by. She started feeling dizzy. It was crowded and smelled weird. Incense sticks were slowly burning down. She wanted out of here. Hermione was slowly fading away. She couldn't breathe properly and bowing until her head touched the tatami was strenuous.

It was far too long until the ceremony finally ended. It took her all of her strength to get back on her own feet. Her hands clenched around Lucius' arm. Her knees were weak and her muscles spammed. Biting her tongue, she forced herself to smile as she held onto her husband for stability. Her breathing was labored and she needed to get out. Now.

Still holding onto Lucius, she fished for her slippers. Finally out in the open Hermione took a deep breath. Her gaze wandered over the wonderful scenery. If it wasn't for the crowded chatting, the garden would have oozed tranquility.

He apparated them back to the bank for the next part of the festivities. Standing in the entrance hall, she spotted Monsieur Fukui. Lucius went off to talk with his business partners and she approached him smiling.

"You look fabulous," Fukui said, smiling at her.

Hermione's cheeks were glowing. She couldn't say what it was, but something about him made her always feel calm and appreciated.

"So, what has Europe's most gorgeous witch been up to lately?"

She gave him a gentle tap on the shoulder. "We're currently renovating Tora-jou. The roof needs to be fixed and the old master's room are just a mess. Also, I've enrolled for Tokyo University," she smiled proudly, "Both of my parents are muggles so it was really important to them that I get muggle education as well."

"Both of your parents are muggles? How's that even possible?"

Hermione giggled. "That's what I'm going to find out, I study genetics."

"Impressive."

They entered the big hall and took their seats. It was awkward at first, but Hermione got the commands down. She could stand up and bow down when she was told to.l It was late and shat listened to quite a number of speeches, including Lucius'. He had looked so calm, but Hermione was a bundle of nerves the entire time.