A/N:
Sorry for the delay and the short chapter, but I'm sick as a dog. I can hardly think, not to even mention writing. Please bear with me.
—
Hermione was still in the middle of processing it all when the two Malfoys returned to the table. Narcissa picked up her tea again, seemingly undisturbed, while Draco hesitantly set down next to her.
There was a certain unease in the air. Were they expecting a reply? Or was this normally a private thing made awkward by her presence? If so, why did they even start it? Questions like this fluttered about in Hermione's mind, all without answers. She looked at Draco, but he did his best to avoid her gaze.
"What do you think, Miss Granger?" Narcissa finally broke the silence. "I hope it was not too… archaic for your tastes."
Archaic?
Oh!
It finally dawned on her. They were worried she would be appalled by some old wizarding custom and now they waited patiently, like good snakes, seeing if she would bolt.
Hermione worried her lip in annoyance. Really? After all she's been through, they thought this would be the final straw? Draco should know better by now, and Narcissa should know better in general than to underestimate her like this.
She looked at the blond on her right. He was so fixed on the bloody teapot the Malfoy crest probably burned into his retinas by now. His tousled hair was long enough to hinder his sight like blinkers. He wouldn't even know if something were to attack him from the side.
A flair of mischief flickered awake in her heart, and before she knew, she'd flung both her legs and her arms across her snake, pulling herself into his lap in one fluid motion.
The wide-eyed look on Draco's face made her blurt out a small giggle before snuggling into his chest, quickly abandoning all form of decency.
They put her to the test, now she would too. It was only fair.
"No, it was not. In fact, I found it very beautiful." She craned her head until she could look the Malfoy matriarch in the eyes, gleefully challenging her about the 'open arms and open heart' part of her grandiose speech.
Narcissa, to her credit, took Hermione's actions in stride.
"It doesn't bother you to be reduced to a handful of qualities? I've seen other witches outraged by this simple gesture" she asked, not even batting an eyelid how her son's arms sneaked around her waist.
Hermione shook her head, or at least she tried to.
"I think it's more like a synopsis of a book. Just enough to convince, but not enough to satisfy one's curiosity."
"I am indeed curious to learn more about you, dear." Narcissa smiled. "May I call you Hermione?"
Sound the fanfare! Theo described calling someone by their first name in pureblood circles as a Pretty Big Deal, all capitalized, and not at all taken lightly.
"Yes, of course," she replied hastily.
"Then please, do call me Narcissa."
Hermione nodded again. This visit was turning out to be quite a shock, in only the best sense of the word.
Maybe she would even leave with a smile on her face.
—
A/N:
I'll be back as soon as I can!
Love you all,
LydieBerry