A/N: Penultimate chapter of part 1! Also I just realised that this is so slow burn it's actually cruel. So I offer two (2) cissamione kisses, in a chapter that I originally titled as 'sugar mommy vibes'.
Marcus gave his sister the death eater youth uniform and a timetable. With this and work, her schedule was now completely full. She woke early for the ministry and fell into bed at midnight for the Dark Lord, too tired to even do anything on her Saturday off. Hermione was almost grateful when Bellatrix pulled her out of her shift at Grimmauld place for training. Even though she was keeping up with the others just fine.
"Take that silly thing off. Here."
Bellatrix handed her a long black skirt and corset, presumably her own, and told her to change in the next room. They actually fit quite well, making her look like the perfect dark witch that everyone wanted her to be. Hermione was led to a long room on the ground floor.
"We'll check your unforgivables first. Now, would you like to crucify me again?" She snarled as the girl raised her sleek black wand and yelled the incantation, thinking about how much the witch deserved to suffer for all of the things she had done at the ball.
Bellatrix nearly fell with a pained look on her face. "Better," she grunted. Then she raised her crooked wand and conjured a small bird which flitted around the ceiling. "Well? Don't just stare at it- kill it!"
The bird was fast and hard to aim at, but it fatefully turned towards Hermione's wand and in a split second "avada kedavra" left her lips and the target fell to the floor, dead, its feet in the air and neck lolled to the side. The awful memory of Raven falling to death came to mind. Bellatrix sighed in exasperation when she spotted a tear falling to the floor.
"You're unbelievably soft, for a Flint"
"I'm not upset about the stupid bird!" She snapped.
The dark witch glared at her. "Imperius me."
Hermione obeyed. Bellatrix was visibly fighting her control, but Hermione held strong, and a twisted idea formed in her head. It was sick and awfully wrong, but the younger witch wanted to win this time.
Hurt me, she urged. It was so twisted to think that, but she knew it would be difficult for the sadist to resist. Torture me, like you want to.
They were at a standstill, the death eater's eyes were unfocused as she gripped her wand tightly, struggling to point it away from the Flint's rapidly moving chest. With a roar, Bellatrix broke the spell and disarmed her.
"Ok, then." She was breathing heavily, disturbed but delighted at unearthing Hermione's darkness. "Your unforgivables are fine. Now we duel."
Hermione retrieved her wand and met the death eater in the middle of the room, just how she'd been taught. They bowed, keeping their eyes fixed on each other, turned on their heels, and stepped away.
"Bombarda!"
Hermione shielded herself and flung two hexes at the woman's feet. A curse flew over her shoulder, singing her clothes and rendering her unbalanced, and she spent the next two minutes breathlessly blocking and dodging the death eater's unrelenting volley of spells. She hurled an armchair between them; Bellatrix demolished it. She apparated behind her; Bellatrix threw her bodily against the wall. She slipped away and rebounded a hex; Bellatrix sent it right back. The woman truly was a force to be reckoned with. She was a tempest, an awe inspiring warrior with more energy and skill than an entire army. Hermione failed to avoid a silencing spell and was sent crashing into the wall behind her, sending a couple of paintings to the floor with her.
A knock at the door put an end to Bella's gloating.
"Bella? You're making an awful lot of noise. Whatever you're doing can be continued in the dungeon- I won't have my house destroyed."
Hermione used the distraction to cast levicorpus, and her opponent was hoisted into the air by the ankle.
"You sneaky little bitch! Finite incantatem."
Narcissa opened the door and was stunned to see her sister levitating upside down.
"What is this, Bella?"
Bellatrix released herself with a snarl. "I'm teaching this whelp. Stay out of the way, Cissy."
Faster than a viper, the deranged witch disarmed Hermione and cruicioed her. She didn't have time to be surprised before she was spasming on the wooden floor, screaming in agony as a thousand knives stabbed every inch of her body mercilessly.
Then the sound of a slap echoed from a few feet away, the pain turned into an ache, and heated words were exchanged between the two sisters.
"-she's only a child!"
"Exactly. I was teaching her a lesson, showing her how its done"
"No, not like this, Bella. Get out." Bellatrix slammed the door after her.
Hermione couldn't believe what she had just witnessed. She knew Narcissa was commanding, but no one else had ever spoken to Bellatrix like that and lived. Not least actually slapped the woman without being cursed. She picked herself up, ashamed at her obvious weakness, and how she had to be saved, again.
"Are you ok?" Narcissa looked at her with great concern and care.
"Yes," She muttered. "Thank you, I'll get out of your hair."
"No you won't. I'm not having you wandering around when Bella's like this." Hermione couldn't protest and was led upstairs, into a dark red and green room with gold adornments. They sat on a settee that had a large window behind it with a view of the front garden. "Tea?" without waiting for a response, Cissa conjured a steaming pot and poured two cups. "So, how are you? Apart from the duelling."
Hermione thought for a while before meeting the other witch's eyes.
"Tired, honestly. There's not much to tell you since I've been busy round the clock… but a while ago I realised… that I should just cave and get a boyfriend- not genuinely, not for love or children, because I'll never change my mind about that. I just need someone who would stop mother nagging and stop the others from… being… interested, in me."
"That sounds like a good idea," Narcissa smiled kindly. "Lucius used to be that for me. He was stronger than most others- not that I was allowed to choose a husband- but It has worked out quite well. He was protective enough without being able to control me."
Guilt flooded her at receiving such personal information. Hermione had been so wrapped up in her own problems, she hadn't spared a thought to how much more difficult it must have been for Narcissa. The enigmatic witch never showed any indication that her marriage was arranged, or that she had no control whatsoever over her own life when she was Hermione's age. To be a Black must have been a heavy burden, especially for their eldest daughter, Bellatrix, who's marriage was definitely also arranged, and seemed desperately loveless. It now made sense that Andromeda had eloped and chosen to be disowned, just to escape.
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be. So, who would you choose?"
"I think, perhaps Adrian Pucey? But he's never really noticed me before. I'm nothing like the girls in his year, so I doubt he would go along with it."
"Hermione, my darling, you are blind." Narcissa put down her tea and clawed her hands in exasperation. "You are clever beyond measurement, completely adorable, and yes- merlin, it's frustrating when you drink too much, but you're not nearly as shallow as any of the debutantes I've spoken to."
Hermione blushed despite herself.
"We can dress you up so that he won't be able to take his eyes off you. And I can- If you like- I can teach you the art of seduction."
Narcissa's icy blue eyes pierced Hermione's wide brown ones. Hermione cleared her throat and blushed harder. "O-ok, um, yes please."
"Excellent." Narcissa looked immensely satisfied and shifted close so that their thighs were pressed together. She drew the younger woman's hand into her lap so that Hermione couldn't lean back. "There are levels to it, but It's not difficult to grasp. Physical contact is necessary to convey attraction. The act is all in the face, voice, and body language- I'll demonstrate, if you promise not to run away."
Hermione gave her assent. Slowly, Narcissa traced the backs of her fingernails up the girl's arm, smiling when she saw goosebumps form, and settled at the back of her neck. It tickled a little, and Hermione fought the urge to squirm. Narcissa pulled her forward and she was forced to grasp her waist to avoid falling on top of her.
"Ah! Sorry, I-"
"Shhh." Narcissa pushed her gently onto the back of the sofa, and shifted so that she was kneeling comfortably, with a silk-clad knee in between Hermione's thighs. Their faces were so close that Hermione could taste the peppermint on her breath.
A soft kiss to the base of her neck was all it took for Hermione to gasp, a small sound catching in her throat. She tried to look away in embarrassment but Narcissa held her chin and captured her gaze.
"Are you ok? Tell me to stop whenever you want to."
When the younger witch nodded, Narcissa resumed placing warm kisses up the column of her throat. Teeth grazed her jaw and Hermione clutched onto the fabric beneath her hands, arching her back so that their bodies were pressed against each other. She caught a glimpse of dilated eyes before Narcissa's soft lips were on hers, dictating her erratic breaths and sending her heart soaring out of her chest. Hermione's hands sprung to Cissa's velvety hair as the older witch wrapped a commanding palm around the side of her neck. A hot tongue flitted out to lick her upper lip, and as soon as Hermione gasped, Narcissa entered into her mouth, kissing her so deeply and thoroughly that her head started spinning.
They drew back for air, exchanging a charged and fervent look, Narcissa's eyes widening as if surprised by her own intensity. Then the fog of intoxication dissipated, leaving the ghost of heady desire in its wake as Narcissa regained her composure. And the pretense returned to obscure that fleeting moment of intimacy.
After the ache of her love for Narcissa quietened, Hermione found it easier than expected to seduce Adrian. She talked to him as she would her friends when they were on duty together, slipping in comments about how strong his arms were, which was stretching the truth a bit, and how nice and well groomed his black curly hair was. He was taken aback at first, and was a lot less loquacious, but eventually caught on.
"So, do you have, like, a thing for Quidditch players?"
"What?!"
"Terrence, Miles, Draco, then me-"
"No! No, they're just my friends- and I'm only living with Draco, not… he's younger anyway, I wouldn't-"
"But I saw you kissing at the ball!"
"Oh, yeah, that was um, well, that was just to avoid someone else."
Adrain reached out to hold her hand as they patrolled the street. Hermione looked down and tried to hide her shock at how much lighter her skin tone was than his; whilst he looked healthy, she was so pale that her veins were easily visible. She always used to be tanned, but now she got so little sunlight it was almost vampiric.
When their shift came to an end, Hermione smiled coquettishly and kissed Adrian on the cheek before returning to Malfoy Manor.
As promised, Narcissa took Hermione out shopping on Saturday, at the same arcade as before. They maintained the farce that their kiss had merely been instructive, but Hermione was perfectly content running her hands over the fantastic array of expensive clothes, and Narcissa was happy to treat the younger witch. She was allowed as many robes as she wanted to fill her sparse wardrobe. At length they arranged to have the chosen clothes delivered, and browsed the rest of the arcade. There was a little tea room to the side with walls and counters plated entirely with gold, a decorous witches hat shop, a boutique exclusively peddling dragon hide clothing, and an enchanted antique store. Narcissa took her to the jewellers, and her charge quickly became immersed by diamond encrusted celestial watches and scintillating necklaces, while she asked the cashier to see someone's new collection.
"One moment, Madame Malfoy." He went into the back and returned with two cut emerald earrings. Pear shaped, and framed with diamonds, they conducted the light in the room. Gracefully, Narcissa picked them up and fastened the diamond studs to her ears, allowing the emeralds to drop down. They were exquisite, and elevated her pale complexion. She noticed Hermione staring and turned to her with a smug, entertained smile.
"How do I look?" She asked, kindly but almost mockingly, as she already knew the answer.
"Beautiful," Hermione breathed.
They were purchased and placed into a small leather box. On the way out, a cloak shop piqued Hermione's interest and she tried on a deep blue cape with complicated spiral fastenings down the side. It was soft to the touch, managing to be warm whilst barely weighing anything.
"Narcissa? Could I have this please- if you don't mind." She tried to suggest buying it herself but a slender finger placed on her lips stopped the words in their tracks.
"Consider it my gift, for the tragedy you've experienced." The woman caressed her cloaked shoulders. "This looks lovely on you. Take it off and I'll have it ordered like the others."
Hermione fumbled with the fastenings before reddening and raising her eyes to Narcissa's sparkling, expectant ones. "Can you-?"
"Come here." Narcissa pressed against her back and snaked her arms under those of her companion to undo the fastenings with humiliating ease. Her curves still pressed into the contours of Hermione's back. "There," Cissa said quietly, removing the garment.
Hermione turned to face her but averted her gaze, prompting the Malfoy to lift her chin with a finger, gently coaxing her into making eye contact.
"Oh, darling. You're not still scared of me, are you?" The back of Narcissa's hand was cool to her burning cheek.
"No! Of course not."
She wasn't scared, not really, just in awe. The Malfoy was subtly authoritative in everything she did- even the way she walked exuded superiority. Narcissa was so elite and renowned- not to mention incredibly attractive- that it was difficult to not be a little bit nervous around her. And now that they had become so close, Hermione feared more than ever to drive her away by prattling on about something only she found interesting; the insufferable know-it-all reputation of her first years at Hogwarts remained a troubling reminder of how quickly people could stop liking her.
Because of the euphoric memories obtained over the past few days (and a great deal of practice whenever she could find the time), Hermione finally managed to produce a patronus. A white falcon emerged from her wand at the incantation, seemingly made out of light. Narcissa was immensely proud, reflecting her student's beaming smile. But afterwards, Hermione caught her smirking to herself, with haughty smugness dancing across her lips. It took her a whole day to realise what Narcissa had deduced in that moment: The similarity between their egret and falcon patronuses reflected the sheer depth of Hermione's ardour.
In the Library, Hermione was flicking through a dusty old book out of morbid curiosity. All of the curses featured had vivid illustrations of their effects on victims. She was captured by the horrific watercolour of a crouched wizard melting; a steaming pool of blood mingled with fat had formed at his crooked feet, and a silent scream was elongated by his jaw dislocating. The flesh of his hands dripped off corroded bones like candle wax, and the red tissue beneath his distorted eyes sagged as if he was crying blood. Narcissa strolled in and halted abruptly at the sight of Hermione reclining on the leather sofa.
"Oh." She said softly. Her eyes were red-rimmed, and moisture clung to her eyelashes. "I didn't know you'd be here."
"It's ok, I'll go," Hermione closed the book and made to leave.
"No, no, stay." Narcissa took a seat on the other end of the sofa and exhaled a plaintive sigh. The younger witch knew better than to ask what was wrong. Everything was wrong, and who knew when it wouldn't be. She reached out tentatively to brush her fingertips down Narcissa's arm. When she didn't recoil, only tilting her head inquisitively, Hermione slipped her arms around her waist and rested her head on her shoulder. Taken aback slightly, the matriarch paused before placing her hand on Hermione's thigh. She wrapped an arm around her to pull her closer. Narcissa's chin came to rest on the brunette's head. Nothing could feel more natural or valuable than this embrace. Hermione rose and fell slightly with the passage of Narcissa's breath, and she wished they could stay like this for eternity. The woman sighed again, this time in contentment.
"Cissa?"
"Hmm?" The answering hum reverberated within her chest.
"What have you been doing, for all this time in your room- if you don't mind me asking?"
Narcissa hesitated. "You'll think me foolish," She began. "I've been brewing felix felicis- liquid luck. I- well I wanted to give it to Draco, and you, and Lucius, and Bella- though I doubt she needs it. My sister thrives in carnage."
Silence lingered between them for a minute. Hermione tucked her legs beneath herself and buried her face into the crook of Narcissa's neck, breathing in her scent.
"Music. That's one of the things I've been doing, listening to my collection."
"What kind of music?"
Narcissa raised her head and wand arm, despite Hermione's protests at the change in position, and cast the gramophone in the corner to change discs and drop the needle. The record began to spin. The song was ethereal, hauntingly so, and took Hermione out into a dimension beyond the clouds and atmosphere. Meandering violins sauntered up and down the scale teasingly in a minor symphony, tapering towards the crescendo before weaving back to lower notes- only to start back up again with more wind and string instruments, to higher peaks. The room became perfumed with impressions of conspiracy, mystery, tragedy, and deceit. Portentous and comforting, delicate and impasto- Hermione couldn't think she had ever heard anything more beautiful.
"What was that called?" She asked as the piece died down.
"The wild dove, a symphonic poem. Did you like it?"
"Oh, I loved it!"
"It tells the story of a witch who poisons her husband to marry a younger man. It begins with the funeral. Did you notice the rising and falling notes? He called them a curse-motif - Dvorak, the composer. Then the young wizard arrives on horseback and they marry, but are enshrouded by an oak tree that has grown from the dead wizard's grave, where a dove sings, reminding the witch of her guilt. The last movement is her funeral.
"I met one of Dvorak's daughters once, many years ago. She complained about the cigarette smoke in Paris all the time. Eventually, she walked around everywhere with the bubble head charm."
They laughed and Narcissa changed the record. Hermione met her chilled, focused gaze until it became too intense, and she stared pointedly at the spinning record. Through the fog of harmonious choral voices, she could feel the witch's eyes still on her, boring into her, watching intently for her reaction to the heavenly music, who's straining tones paralleled the tight feeling in her chest.
Hermione had a twinge of impulsivity and turned to kiss her, firmly pressing their lips together with as much lust as she could muster to convey her emotions wordlessly. Narcissa inhaled sharply in shock at the younger witch's boldness, and Hermione drew back.
A rambling apology was cut off by Narcissa's lips crashing down upon hers, moving deliberately and precisely to assure her that her affections were mutual. As kisses merged with one another like molasses, punctuated only by brief pauses to swallow each other's breath and moans, Hermione captured Cissa's bottom lip between her teeth and sucked until she let out a husky groan.
It was different from the first time, more desperate and raw as all of Narcissa's pent up desire flooded between them- as if she had been holding herself back until she was sure it was what Hermione wanted. And Hermione had never wanted anything more, had never craved the touch and attention of someone for so long. But now that Narcissa's hands were tugging at her hair and robes, insistently demanding more, she was torn between pulling her closer and simply looking at the ethereal witch; her usually pristine white-blonde hair frizzy from how much Hermione had been fisting her hands in it; lips flushed red and faint lines gracing her delicate features.