AN: Wow, it has been forever since I've actively written any fanfiction, other than the off-hand piece here and there for friends of mine. As an avid enjoyer of it though, I couldn't help but to be inspired to try my hand at it once again.
This is going to be a possibly multichapter work in the universe of Harry Potter. I'm going to come right off and say that it's non-cannon compliant and likely a bit AU. The endgame pairing is probably going to be Cissamione, but there is no time-turner being used here. So, if this is your cup of tea, kick back and enjoy.
Prologue
It was a curious thing, Hermione thought as she walked amongst the rubble of what had been her childhood home. That the sun would be shining on a day like this. The Battle of Hogwarts was over, Voldemort lay dead and after the incident in the headmaster's office, Harry had been pulled aside by Kingsley. Ron had joined his now fractured family in their mourning but Hermione couldn't bring herself to join them, feeling as she has multiple times, an outsider looking in.
Rounding a corner and casually flicking the Walnut want to extinguish a still smoldering fire, Hermione sighed. The weight of the last few months seemed to settle on her shoulders all at once and the young witch found herself suddenly so very tired Walking down toward a small clearing, she sat down on a large piece of wall, leaning back against the scorched stone and closing her eyes. As her wand slipped from between her fingers, sobs bubbled up from deep in her chest and soon the young witch was doubled over, her face in her hands. Tears flowed, sobs wracking her to thin frame, memories of the price of war assaulting her mind.
So preoccupied was she with her own grief that she didn't notice the sound of someone picking their way toward her until she heard, "Are you alright?" Diving for her wand, Hermione spun around to see Narcissa Malfloy standing here, her hands open and raised in surrender.
"What do you want?" Hermione hissed, tightening her grip on her wand. Narcissa took a deep breath and said softly,
"I heard someone crying and came to see if they were injured. I am unarmed Miss Granger." Her words held a tone of sincerity that grated Hermione's nerves and the young woman snarled,
"You can go on then, I'm fine." Pale, soot streaked lips pulled into a frown and Narcissa said,
"Lying is unbecoming Ms. Granger." With a small, sad smile she added, "None of us are fine, and I don't believe we will be for a very long time." Opening her mouth to retort, Hermione felt shock ripple through her when a sob escaped instead.
Narcissa watched in fascination as the Brightest Witch of her age seemed to crumble in front of her. Acting on impulse, the older witch stepped forward carefully, cautiously embracing the younger woman, fighting a gasp of surprise when she felt how frail the brave witch actually was. To her surprise, the Walnut wand clattered to the ground and Hermione's arms tightened around her. Stroking the girls hair, Narcissa muttered the same calming phrases she had used on Draco as a child, willing the girl to calm down.
An unmeasured amount of time passed between them, both taking comfort in their own ways in the odd embrace until finally Hermione stepped away Narcissa took a half step back and the girl bent to pick up her wand. After a moment, Hermione said softly, "Thank you."
"Don't thank me." Said Narcissa suddenly. "Not after… not after everything my family has done to you. I-,"
"Sometimes," Hermione cut in. "The smallest acts of kindness can change the world. You saved my best friends life. In the battle, your only goal was that of a mother trying to save her only child. I understand."
Left speechless by the understanding nature of such a young woman, Narcissa could only watch as the girl turned to walk away, Bellatrix's wand flicking in her hand to correct some of the damage along the path. An act of kindness indeed Narcissa thought as she turned to return to the castle.