The next morning, Hermione awakens with a start. She had been wracked by nightmares for the majority of the night and her skin felt as if it were crawling from within. The feelings seem to have faded in the morning hours, but it sets a sense of unease within her.
She quickly notices another folded piece of parchment on the bed next to her as well as a freshly served tray of breakfast, courtesy of Nibsy. She takes ahold of the coffee and inhales deeply, enjoying the rich aroma as she settles in to read the letter.
Ms. Granger,
I hope you found decent rest. I am being summoned before the Dark Lord today but shall return to you once I am finished. Nibsy has been instructed to care for you in my absence and to take you to a safe house should I neglect to return. I have endeavored to create a wardrobe for you that you may find suitable so that you will not have to continue to borrow clothes of my own. I hope I managed to get at least one item right. As the wife of a pureblood socialite, you will find that appearances matter greatly. Thus, do not be alarmed by the lack of… dingy wear I have provided.
I hope to return by afternoon.
Narcissa
Hermione scowled at the remark of her previously "dingy" clothes but dutifully began to prepare herself for the day. Upon entering the massive closet, she found herself stopped dead in her tracks, her mouth once again slightly agape at the vast and luxurious wardrobe provided.
Running her fingers across some of the garments she realized quickly just how expensive everything in there must be. She had never been a woman of fashion, certainly not of upper-class socialite fashion, but there was a sense of wonder and excitement at the many options before her.
She eventually opted for a pair of rather soft and comfortable black slacks that hugged her skin down to the ankle and a simple baby blue collared shirt that felt silky in her hands. She smiled to herself as she noticed plenty of muggle inspired outfits like the one that she chose amongst the variously designed robes.
Hermione noticed an assortment of muggle tools in the bathroom and smiled to herself as she brushed her teeth and applied makeup without magic for the first time in years. There was something soothing about the repetitive motions and the foreign familiarity of it. It was certainly thoughtful of the woman, Hermione thought, to have gone to such great lengths to provide means of comfort for her.
It was around 2 pm when Narcissa Black arrived back to Malfoy Manor, her hair slowly becoming less kept as she ran her fingers through blonde tresses. She summoned Nibsy for a report on their guest, seemingly content with what she heard as she made her way further into the home.
After a few more moments to fully compose herself once again, Narcissa made her way to Hermione's room and knocked softly upon it. She could hear the shuffling of covers from inside and a voice telling her to enter.
Once inside, worried brown eyes seemed to rake over her in a way that Narcissa was both wholly unprepared for and unused to. She took another brief pause before entering and shutting the door firmly behind her, remaining standing nearby it however.
"Are you alright?"
If Narcissa was surprised by the question she did not show it, instead crossing the room to resume her position from the night prior. She provided Hermione with a small smile of reassurance before speaking.
"I am alright. I convinced the Dark Lord that we could capitalize on this predicament and he was inclined to agree. I made sure to emphasize the need to develop trust with you, slowly and on our own terms. He has since agreed to move into the Lestrange Estate to give me the space to convince you to join us." Narcissa pauses to gauge Hermione's reaction before continuing.
"I allowed him to see memories of your fear and lack of trust in me. He also looked into Draco's mind to confirm your worth to the cause. Having one of the Golden Trio turn, let alone the only one of them that has the wit to survive this war, would be a massive blow to the Light. The Dark Lord has agreed that you are, if amenable, a rather valuable asset."
Hermione looked at her in wonder for a moment, a thin veil of distrust still present on her features.
"But you know I will not."
"Yes. However, in allowing him this hope, I have secured us more time to guard your mind for when you inevitably meet. He also…" Narcissa trailed off, her cheeks flushing for a moment in embarrassment.
"What?" Hermione asked.
Blue eyes rose to meet brown and there was evident hesitation in her next words. "He also demanded that an heir be created from our union. That a half-blood would be alright if it could inherit the Black genes and your keen mind."
Hermione simply stared at the woman in shock for a moment before stammering out, "but that's preposterous! Two women cannot bear an heir together. It simply cannot be done."
Narcissa smirked at that and waved her hand in dismissal toward the younger witch. "Ah I forget you think like a muggle still."
The look of confusion, shock, and then understanding rolled across Hermione's face as she thought about it. Could magic really be used to create a child between them? Oh, Merlin does that mean she has to… with her?
Narcissa sighed at the look of utter panic on Hermione's face. "I do not want a child with you anymore than I can see that you do. I will stall on that point as long as I can. I simply wanted to warn you."
Hermione let out the breath she had been holding unaware and gave Narcissa a shy almost smile. "Thank you."
It was only a few moments before the Gryffindor could not hold back her curiosity anymore however and she asked how it would work. Narcissa seemed amused at this, and gladly obliged in educating the muggleborn witch. There was a potion through which a witch could develop certain body parts in a modified Polyjuice type of transfiguration, allowing her to produce an heir with another witch.
Hermione spent the next hour discussing the intricacies of such complex transfiguration magic with the blonde who found herself enjoying the ever-inquisitive mind of Hermione Granger. Hermione looked sheepish as they finished the discussion, seeming to notice the time that had gone by.
"Ah Madame Malfoy I apologize. I often let my curiosities get the better of me. I thought that I had learned to better control that know-it-all quality."
"Ms. Granger, a bright and curious mind is never something to be ashamed of. It is only in the presence of those who cannot keep up that you will find yourself feeling as if you are too much." Narcissa offered a polite but genuine smile at that, and Hermione felt her stomach lurch at the sight.
"Yes, well thank you for indulging me. I find it rather fascinating even if I loathe the reason that I learned of it."
Narcissa nods and stands, her poise remaining as perfect as ever. It catches Hermione off guard when she feels the sudden intrusion into her mind, and she focuses on reinforcing the defenses she has been practicing. She does better this time, even despite the initial surprise, and Narcissa gives her a nod of approval as she heads to the door.
"Keep it up Ms. Granger."
Before she can quite leave the room Hermione steps off the bed and toward her.
"May I walk with you? Or at least be permitted out of this room. I promise I will not run away nor do anything foolish." Her voice is nervous but her eyes are confident.
"Gryffindors are known for their recklessness. I hesitate to oblige." Narcissa's cold blue eyes soften for a moment before she lets her shoulders sag ever so slightly. "But alright, as long as you stay with me for now."
Hermione smiles in response and Narcissa finds her own breath caught in her throat once more. The witch is much younger that much is certain, but her beauty is striking if not understated. Narcissa berates herself as they exit the room. How foolish to admire a woman the age of her son, no matter the compulsion she could feel slowly settling in.
The pair walked together for a while, Narcissa giving Hermione the official tour of Malfoy Manor as she spoke of the manor's history. Hermione interjected every once in a while to ask questions but mostly just followed in silence. She was impressed with how much Narcissa knew of the manor's history and could only imagine how such a tour would be filled if it were to take place at a place such as the Black Family Estate.
Narcissa stopped suddenly at a wide set of dark wooden doors and Hermione watched as her lips curled into a soft, genuine smile as she pushed the doors open. It only took a second for Hermione to gasp out loud at the sight before her. Inside the room was a library filled floor to ceiling with books of varying age and subject. Dark wrought iron stairs spiraled upward to a second level and Hermione nearly died on the spot as she noticed the glass paned ceiling letting in plenty of natural light and the large fireplace that roared to life on the left-hand side of the room. Green accents of plant life accentuated the dark black of the bookshelves and railings and silver chairs and cushions could be seen scattered throughout the vast library.
Narcissa regarded Hermione's awe with a look of guarded happiness, recognizing a similar thirst for knowledge and books in the younger woman as she held herself. In fact, many of these tomes were duplicates of those in the Black family library and Narcissa knew just how impressive the collection was.
"Merlin, Madame Malfoy this is incredible" Hermione breathed.
"I am glad you like it. Feel free to peruse any book that you desire. Any old blood curses should be nullified by our…" Narcissa pauses for a moment. "Union. And please, refrain from using my late husband's name when referring to me."
Hermione blushes at that. "Of course, Madame Black."
Hermione steps forward once more and approaches the first towering shelf, running her fingers gently over the spines as she reads their titles. Narcissa parts with her for a moment before returning with a stack of books that she lays out at one of the many reading nooks. This one in particular faced out toward the expansive garden. A sense of comfort washes over Hermione as she approaches Narcissa, glancing out the window to the soft pattering of rain out the window. Though the sky had darkened, Hermione realized that the windows must be enchanted to ensure optimal reading light as her vision never wavered.
Narcissa gestured to the books laid out and Hermione glanced to the titles. All of them seemed to be about occlumency and legilimency. Narcissa disappeared once more as Hermione settled in to begin reading, unable to resist the temptation of knowledge that this space provided.
Hours later, Hermione stood and stretched, having finished one of the books already in her eager pursuit. She glanced around the library looking for Narcissa who she found curled up peacefully asleep on a couch near the fire.
Hermione paused to look at her and felt a thrum course through her skin as she had to fight the urge to lean forward and tuck a piece of fallen blonde hair behind Narcissa's ear. Hermione could feel her magic acting up as if restless and took a step backward. The woman looked so peaceful, so beautiful in her sleep. In that moment she was completely free from the burdens of the war, of social class, of expectation, and Hermione found herself completely enraptured by the sight.
Hermione shook her head to clear the thoughts and images and took a few more hasty steps backward. She had never felt this way about anyone, and despite her logical mind reminding her of the compulsion charms in place, she could not help but recognize that the charm was not fabricating the beauty of the other woman. She breathed in heavily in an attempt to clear her thoughts and chanced a glance once more at the sleeping figure.
Tucked within Narcissa's arms was a small paperback book, quite different than the books of the wizarding world. Hermione found herself intrigued and took a hesitant step forward, bending down until she could clearly read the title of the well-worn book.
Pride and Prejudice.
Hermione was startled by this revelation and even more so by the obvious wear that the book had endured, leading her to believe that it was treasured by the woman holding it so delicately. The fact that Narcissa would read a book written by a muggle was astounding to her, that she would love it so dearly was simply unbelievable.
So, when Narcissa began to rouse to the feeling of being watched, all Hermione could do was stare with a blush creeping onto her cheeks. A sculpted eyebrow raised toward the younger witch as Narcissa sat up, immediately charming her hair and face back to its usual unscuffed perfection.
"Do you need something Ms. Granger?"
Hermione's blush only deepened. Her eyes glanced down toward the book still clutched in Narcissa's hand and the blonde adopted a rather haughty expression in return.
"It cannot be so surprising that I own a muggle book. Perhaps you thought me too evil? Too narrow minded?"
"I… well yes actually. You're – were, shit sorry – the wife of a notorious death eater, sister to the woman that carved the word mudblood into my arm not 2 days ago, need I continue?"
Narcissa's gaze grew even colder at that and she lifted her chin in haughty defiance. "But people themselves alter so much, that there is something new to be observed in them forever."
Hermione's brain stuttered as she recognized the quote so flippantly tossed at her. "Did you just quote the book at me?"
Narcissa met her gaze stoically. "I may have been raised to believe myself superior to muggles or anyone without blood purity, but it would be remiss of me not to acknowledge that there are good things that can come from any one person. I do not hold onto the ideals of my social circles as tightly as you may think Ms. Granger and I would appreciate even a modicum of trust that I am not an evil individual."
Hermione blushed at that. "I do not believe you are evil Madame Black. But I have only known you to be a blood purist and a believer in the cause of the Death Eaters. Forgive me if I cannot forget the way you watched as my arm was carved to mark my supposed status." Hermione's voice carried anger and Narcissa's eyes softened with sadness.
"There is, I believe, in every disposition a tendency to some particular evil – a natural defect, which not even the best education can overcome." Narcissa's voice was softer this time as she once again quoted Pride and Prejudice at the brunette before her. "I am sorry that I could not stop her. I often feel like a pawn in a much larger game to which I cannot remember agreeing to play. I will spend my life suffering for my sins, and attempting, even if it may be futile, to unlearn those prejudices that I carry with me."
Hermione could find nothing insincere about the statement and sighed. "I don't believe that evil is natural nor that the best education cannot fix it. You are as much a product of your environment as anything else."
Narcissa nodded, though her eyes carried a haunted weight to them.
"Did you enjoy the books I gave you?"
"Yes, very much. Do you mind if I take them to my room? I won't let anything happen to them I swear."
Narcissa gave a short laugh at that and nodded with a wave of her hand. "Of course."
Hermione spent the rest of the night after dinner reading her new books in her room. It was a routine that she could easily fall back into, an escape from the discomfort of their current predicament. She let herself wonder only briefly how Harry and Ron were doing without her. Whether they assumed her dead or were off somewhere planning a reckless break in to rescue her.
As night fell and she grew tired, Hermione felt the return of that buzzing sensation under her skin and frowned. Upon getting into bed, she found that sleep was unlikely to come as her body seemed unable to get warm no matter what covered her. As the hours passed, it only worsened, and Hermione grumbled in annoyance as she slipped out of bed.
They had decided on the walk back to the library that Hermione be allowed to leave her room, though it was known that such a privilege would be revoked immediately if she did something brash or harmful.
As she made her way down the massive hallway, Hermione could hear a strange noise coming from one of the rooms. Drawing closer, she could hear a familiar voice crying out in fear.
"No Bella please! No I promise my lord, I am not betraying you." The voice cried out in pain and the sound of tossing and turning could be heard. "I can stop this, I know I can! Bella don't give in to it please. I cannot lose you, not again."
Soft sobs and heavy breathing spurred Hermione onward as she opened the door to an unfamiliar bedroom. The sight of Narcissa tangled up in the sheets crying and whimpering in her sleep tugged at heartstrings the Gryffindor didn't know she had for the woman, and she found herself stepping forward hesitantly.
"Madame Black? It's okay it's just a dream." Hermione gently touched the other woman's arm and startled backward as the blonde sat bolt upright with wide, panicked eyes, drawing her wand from somewhere unseen.
"Madame Black. It's okay, it's Hermione. You're okay it was just a bad dream is all" Hermione repeated slowly and gently. It took a few moments for realization and consciousness to fully set into those azure eyes, but Hermione sighed in relief once she saw it.
"Ms. Granger, what in Salazar's name are you doing in my bedroom at this time of night?"
"I couldn't sleep so I took a walk and I heard you. You must have been having a nightmare and I" Hermione exhales "I couldn't let you continue to suffer through it."
"How very noble of you." Narcissa's voice was teasing but lacked its normal bite. The older woman sighed deeply and closed her eyes for a moment, leaning back against the pillows more heavily. "Do you often find difficulty sleeping?"
Hermione shrugged and shifted from foot to foot. "This feels different somehow. I am unable to get to sleep rather than being haunted by nightmares which is usually what causes my restless nights."
"Describe it to me." Narcissa relaxes a tad bit more and gestures for Hermione to take a seat next to her. Hermione hesitated for only a moment before she too settled against the large comfortable pillows.
"It feels as if there are bugs beneath my skin and I can't keep warm no matter what I do. I had half a mind to go lay in front of the library fire."
Narcissa chuckles at that and Hermione glances toward her.
"It is the bond. Our magics are unsettled being apart, I suppose. It would make sense." Narcissa hums to herself in thought. "If you are comfortable, you are more than willing to sleep here. The bed is certainly big enough for us both and I can even transfigure a barrier of sorts if you prefer."
"Oh, uhhh… Yeah sure if you don't mind. It's good to test the theory." Hermione stops for a moment. "Wait this isn't your bed, is it?" Her face scrunches to queasy unease.
Narcissa looks at her strangely before realizing her reason for hesitation. The collected mask falters once again as her lips quirk upwards.
"No Ms. Granger, I bought myself entirely new everything for this room and had Nibsy deliver and arrange it all earlier today while we were in the library."
Hermione breathed a sigh of relief before looking a bit sheepish for even asking. She carefully climbed underneath the comforter alongside Narcissa and was immediately taken aback by the heat radiating from the other woman's body. The chill that seemed to have settled into her bones was soon abated and the feeling of crawling skin was nowhere to be found.
As the two women fell asleep, neither noticed the gradual gravitation of their skin nor the deep peace that overcame them.
AN: As always let me know what you thought and enjoy!