The roles have reversed. This chapter is both my favorite and my least favorite. Not sure how that works.
Narcissa lets Hermione prop her against the headboard with a perfect view of the bathroom. Hermione drops the towel without a second thought, and she leaves the room in favor of starting the bath. Narcissa releases a tired exhale. She didn't feel Hermione's absence until it happened, and now that she's back, Narcissa's wholly unprepared for the onslaught of feelings. These random, unknown feelings she hadn't felt in years and overwhelming emotions that threaten to explode from her chest and paint the walls of the bedroom she currently finds herself in. It's as painful as it is terrifying, but most of all, it's freeing. Narcissa feels like a teenager again. Hermione isn't forcing her into anything. Narcissa is allowed to openly experience what falling in love feels like on her terms.
Age difference aside. She really does need to talk to Hermione about that.
Lucius dying brought a certain kind of relief whenever she thought about it. Everything is lighter, calmer, and Narcissa's heart beats a different rhythm. Hermione re-enters the bedroom with her hair in a high ponytail, and Narcissa allows herself to watch. Hermione's skin looks like the sun came down from the sky and kissed it with as much gentleness as it could offer. Her hair is shinier, and Narcissa can just make out the sand splattered along the underside of Hermione's jaw. Narcissa groans inwardly once her words catch up with her. She sounds pathetic.
"I think you sound lovely."
"Are you reading my thoughts?"
"Your thoughts are written all over your face."
"They are not!"
"Oh? So you were not thinking something exceptionally corny while you ogled me?"
"I- I was not ogling you!" Narcissa sputters.
"Too bad. I would not have minded in the least considering how much I do it to you." Narcissa's heart stops. Hermione doesn't seem to notice as she gestures over her shoulder. "I came in here to ask if you wanted to take a bath with me?"
"Is that something we should do before we talk?" Narcissa asks, her voice cracking.
"Probably not," Hermione snorts. "But that does not answer my question."
"Would you hold it against me if I said I want it to?"
"Never."
"Then, yes. I would love to take a bath with you."
Hermione nods and scoops Narcissa off the bed. She carries her into the bathroom and sits her on the toilet. The room smells like chamomile and vanilla, and Narcissa lets the steam wash over her. Andromeda liked to use eucalyptus, and while the scent relaxed the tightness in Narcissa's chest, it is nothing like the one Hermione put together. Hermione unbuttons Narcissa's dress with ease and slips it down her shoulders. Her touch does not linger, and for a moment, Narcissa is offended. Then she sees the clenching of Hermione's jaw, the flicker of her eyes to the exposed skin, and back to safety at the base of Narcissa's throat. Narcissa realizes this experience is a lot harder for Hermione than she's letting on. Hermione deftly removes Narcissa's bra and lifts her off the toilet.
"Did you intend for me to say yes?"
"I had hoped you would."
Narcissa relaxes as Hermione grabs the edge of her underwear and lets them pool at her ankles. Narcissa should feel embarrassed, shy, but she doesn't. Not with the poorly hidden affection in Hermione's eyes as she quickly turns to test the temperature of the water.
"You are more of a gentleman than I expected."
"I have plans to woo you properly," Hermione says distractedly, standing to her feet.
Hermione keeps her eyes averted the best she can as she helps Narcissa into the tub. Narcissa sighs once she's in the water, and Hermione leaves her to close the door.
"Are you saying you are uninterested in looking?" Narcissa asks.
Hermione chuckles as she removes her suit, and she lets her hair down. The curls are longer, something Narcissa knows has to do with the potion Anathema's been putting in Hermione's tea every night before bed. Hermione fiddles with her hair, most of her curls covering her face, and she returns her attention to Narcissa. Narcissa does the complete opposite of what Hermione did, and her eyes roam over Hermione's naked form with a purpose. The part of her that wonders if it's appropriate to obviously and so crudely admire Hermione silences once faced with the option to do so. Narcissa doesn't even realize Hermione's in her face until curls brush across her nose.
"Have I passed your inspection?" she murmurs.
"O's all around," Narcissa murmurs back.
Hermione lets out a deep chuckle and moves Narcissa forward. She slips in behind her, and Narcissa's breath catches in her throat once they're connected skin to skin. Narcissa shifts a little from the contact, and Hermione stills her with hands on her waist.
"Are you uncomfortable?" Hermione asks.
"Yes, but in a good way."
"What does that mean?"
"It feels right." Narcissa is unable to stop the rest of her words as she adds, "It feels like I fit with you, and it's a new thing for me."
Hermione's fingers skirt across Narcissa's stomach as she says, "There is no rush for me."
"Why me?"
"Did we not have this conversation already?"
"I would like to have it again."
"Does your ego know no bounds?"
"Obviously not."
"I am attracted to you because you're beautiful, yes, but there's also your heart. It's bigger than you let people see, and I can always tell the depth of your emotion through your eyes, which are my favorite color, by the way. But you're kind-
"Are you seriously going to say it word for word?" Narcissa interrupts.
"Yes, now hush." Hermione runs her fingers up and down Narcissa's arm. "You're sweet and creative and so fucking brilliant. I can debate magical theory with you for years and never get tired of it. You're the first and last thing I think of every day. I have a journal dedicated to all the questions I can't wait to ask you because I want to know everything about you."
"Not something I recommend," Narcissa quips.
Hermione nips at Narcissa's ear, and she says, "Stop. Talking."
"Okay," Narcissa murmurs.
"I want to know every dream, every ambition, and every desire of your heart so that I can do everything in my power to make it come true for you. I want to travel the world with you, see all that this life has to offer, and I want to love you as you deserve. Narcissa, no one on this planet will ever make me feel as whole as you do. I'm on the outside looking in and hoping for a single moment where I can show you how much I care and adore you. And if Fate decides we are better off as friends, I would still be the luckiest witch on the planet. Having you in my life is the greatest treasure I could ever have. I would give up my magic for a lifetime to be with you."
Narcissa shudders and leans her head back on Hermione's shoulder.
"Again," she whispers.
Hermione lets out a loud laugh and wraps her arms around Narcissa. Narcissa glances back at Hermione, and she sees the younger witch has her head against the wall with her eyes closed. Narcissa caresses Hermione's cheek.
"I think I might have a bit of a crush."
Hermione opens one eye and says, "That is very juvenile of you."
"We've switched places."
Hermione traces the outline of Narcissa's jaw and leans down.
"I'm sorry I ran away," she says.
"Why did you?"
"It was too much at once."
"Were you scared?"
"There was so much happening in my head, and I knew I needed to reset before I approached you."
"You took your brother."
"He is my lifeline."
"And what am I?"
"My anchor."
"Is there a difference?"
"You keep me grounded, and he keeps me from drowning," Hermione answers.
Narcissa can lift her leg enough to shift to the side, and she says, "I would like to get to know you."
"Do you not want to talk about Lucius?"
"Why? He's dead."
"He was your husband, Draco's father."
"And also a pain in my ass, an abusive fucker, and the worst wizard in existence. He was a coward, a loser, and I would love nothing more than to dance on his grave."
"Did you just say fucker?"
"I have a less stringent vocabulary now that I am free of my bond," Narcissa says cheekily. "You do realize that I am a Black through and through, correct?"
"I am torn between being aroused and being impressed." Narcissa turns red, and Hermione winces. "That was meant to stay in my head," she adds.
"But it didn't, and now I will hold it over you for as long as I can."
"Did you ever love him?"
Narcissa exhales sharply and says, "I'm not sure. I want to say yes, but at the same time, I can't love someone who lied about who he was. The real Lucius was a monster, and the one I was forced to marry was a gentleman for a night."
"Did he-
"Not then, no. But after…"
The water in the tub freezes for a moment before Hermione mutters an apology and stretches out her hand. It returns to its normal state, and the sudden warmth chases away the chill that Hermione's subconscious actions brought.
"Would you like to take me on a date?"
"I- what?"
"A date, Hermione. You do know what those are, right?"
"But Lucius-
Narcissa feels a different type of strength course through her body as she forces herself upright to glare at Hermione. "I have not been attracted or invested in my marriage for quite some time. Now that I am free, I would like to spend time with the person Fate deems my soulmate. And for once, nothing about the decision seems implausible. Yes, I will have to adjust to a life without Lucius once we return. I will have to get a divorce, come up with an explanation for his disappearance, and find a new place to live. There are many, many things we will have to battle soon, but for now, in this bathroom, I want to pretend like I'm eighteen again with my crush. Is that alright?" she says in one breath.
Hermione blinks, and she pulls Narcissa back against her chest.
"A date with you sounds like the most wonderful idea in the world," she whispers.
"Good."
Later that evening, the family sits around a fireplace with stacks of presents in front of them. After an emotional reunion with Hermione, Luna slumps down in front of the couch next to Draco. The mood changes when Severus sweeps in with Bellatrix in tow. Bellatrix kneels in front of Narcissa and lays her head in her lap.
"I thought you were gone," she sighs.
"Still here," Narcissa says.
Bellatrix swipes at her face and moves to sit next to Daniel. Anathema flicks her on the nose in greeting, and Bellatrix winks. Once everyone is settled, Daniel picks up the first gift. The first box goes to Anathema, the second to Bellatrix, and Daniel systematically passes out the presents to each person they belong to until his stack is gone. Anathema repeats the action, then Hermione, then Blaise, and so on until each person has an entirely new collection in front of them. Narcissa ignores the teasing smiles when Hermione passes her a small box with no wrapping and no bow. Just a velvet box that holds an unspoken promise until Narcissa gathers the nerves to open it. Everyone else opens there's in silence, offering laughs or gasps when appropriate, and Narcissa fiddles with the wrapping paper, too shy to ask for help. Draco leans over and starts peeling open her gifts, and she has never loved her son more.
"Holy shit! Mia!" Blaise exclaims.
Several hands smack Blaise on the head, and he grimaces before he holds up his gift. It's a hand-crafted dragonhide holster. Narcissa can only imagine how much it cost. Hermione shrugs at him, and Blaise smacks her on the leg.
"I told you not to buy it!"
"Yes, I am aware."
"This is bloody expensive!"
"It was, yes."
"So-you- why?"
"I died." The room shifts at the reminder, and Hermione smiles at Blaise. "It's repayment for the torture you went through," she adds.
Something passes between them, and Blaise gives a short nod.
"Yes. Well. Next time, don't die."
"Okay."
Draco hands Narcissa each gift, whispering the name of the person who gave it to her, and she laughs at the trashy novel Andromeda got her. The title of the novel, Young Lover, is a little too accurate, and she asks Draco to hide it. He chuckles at the request but does so anyway. Bellatrix gets a new cloak from Anathema, one with the Zabini crest on the sleeves, and Anathema heaves a sigh at the confusion on Bellatrix's face. Daniel, Blaise, and Hermione smile widely, and Narcissa feels a burst of love for her sister.
"All members of the Zabini family have this cloak as a reminder-
Bellatrix cuts off Anathema's words with a blindside hug, and Anathema rolls her eyes in good fun. Elena smiles at the locket from Mathias with a picture of Daphne and Astoria in the center. Severus clutches the hundred-year-old scotch Xeno managed to find against his chest in reverence. Xeno claps in excitement at the new book full of muggle and wizarding creatures Luna made for him. Draco kisses Daphne on the cheek for the scarf, and Astoria hugs Elena when she gets the shoes she'd been asking for. Andromeda gasps at the collection of vials and potions in her lap, and she looks up at Narcissa with tears in her eyes.
"You remembered."
"How could I not?"
Andromeda lets out a watery laugh, and Narcissa jumps when Hermione appears beside her. Hermione plucks the velvet box from Narcissa's lap and holds it in the air. Narcissa glances at her, and the look of amused adoration in Hermione's eyes makes her heart stop again. Hermione opens the box, and Narcissa snorts before she collects herself.
"Did you think it was a ring?" Hermione teases.
"I did."
"Not yet."
The casualness of the statement catches everyone but Blaise and Anathema off-guard, and Narcissa wheezes out a cough hidden behind a laugh. Hermione places the bracelet around her wrist, and she kisses each knuckle on Narcissa's hand.
"To remind you of my love whenever we are apart," she whispers in her ear.
Narcissa inwardly swoons, but beyond a twitch of her lips, no one would have guessed. Hermione does, though, and the knowing smirk on her face is too cute to be annoyed at. Daphne throws an empty box at Blaise for the gag gift he put in her pile, and he throws it back. Luna takes the box from Daphne before an all out war occurs… and promptly throws it at Hermione. Hermione cocks an eyebrow, and Luna giggles before she scrambles from the room. Hermione follows, and Blaise, Daphne, Draco, and Astoria are right behind them. Anathema pouts a little, and Daniel blows glitter in her face. The pout turns into a glare, and Daniel copies Luna as he runs out of the room. Anathema rises without rush, smooths down her dress, and glides out of the room into the hallway.
Moments after, there are twin cries of shock and multiple splashes. Xeno helps Narcissa to her feet without hesitation. The group crowds around the windows to see Daphne, Astoria, Hermione, and Anathema in front of the pool with Draco, Luna, Blaise, and Daniel hovering above the water. Narcissa isn't even surprised when Bellatrix runs out there and pushes Anathema into the pool. What turned into a war between two factions soon became every wizard/witch for themselves battle. Narcissa gladly sat on the chairs with tea with Elena and Severus. Now and then, Hermione would glance over at Narcissa and blow her a kiss. Narcissa rolled her eyes each time, secretly enjoying the game, and she purposely ignored the smirk on Severus' face.
"Seems like someone is in a better mood," he drawls.
"I will drink your Christmas gift," she whispers.
"Have you given her yours?"
"No."
"Why not?"
Narcissa gestures with her head to the bracelet on her wrist and says, "I may have to make a few changes to it."
Severus frowns, and then it hits him.
"You got her the same thing?"
"Similar to it, yes."
"Fate has laid a hand on you both."
"And I am forever grateful."