Thanks to WinchesterGranger without whom this chapter, hell, this story wouldn't have been possibly. She's been the bestest of the best!
And how can I forget my lovely readers who give this work comments and kudos and make my effort worth it!
As for the absence of these many months, the end notes.
No beta. We die like authors.
Let's get right into the story first!
Draco often took the scenic route to the Quidditch grounds when he went there for an early morning practice. He liked seeing the fog hanging over the pitch and the damp chill that dissuaded most from visiting the grounds. The eerie silence, only disturbed by the sound of an occasional wind blowing over the trees and the shrubs nearby. He loved this time, this smell, this feeling. It reminded him of Hermione. A peaceful chill. The only other aspects missing were the rose and the hot spiced chocolate.
He took a deep breath of the chilly fresh air when he felt a presence behind him. A slightly sour smell accompanied by smoke and… grass and… was that pepper? He sneezed, trying to clear the smell out from his nose. How dare some stupid random somebody replaces the sweet smell of Hermione!
He turned around, a snarl formed on his face when he saw exactly who was standing in front of him.
Little Weaselette.
Oranges roasted over the fire with black pepper on them in a patch of freshly mowed grass… No, he didn't like it at all. It's not unpleasant, but it is not attractive.
He sneered at her and turned to walk into the grounds when she started.
"You do know I grew up with six brothers, right?"
Draco didn't turn around to face her. He walked a step towards the grounds, "No need to update the status of the litter that your family calls children. It does not interest me."
"You do know that Fred and George are the kings of pranks, but then there's Bill who's a curse breaker because he knows how to deal with hexes and curses and then there's Charlie who deals with dragons," she continued on.
Irritated by her babble and her scent, he turned to her, "Is this a new kind of madness your family has? I told you I do not-"
"It simply means I know the spells required to make you regret the day when you thought hurting Hermione was a good idea."
His face was a pure snarl when he heard her mention his mate's name.
"What did you say?!" he roared at her.
"I said I will make you regret the day you're born if you dared to hurt my friend. After she's done hexing the shit out of you, ferret!"
There was a small nagging thought, but he couldn't really put the finger on that. He could feel himself being in fight or flight mode. There is an unknown person who knows the secret about his relationship with Hermione. This can only spell trouble.
He moved towards her, ready to use his sickly allure on her to fear him, allowing him enough time to obliviate her when a ball of light hit him square in the face.
He stumbled back and heard the familiar voice of Blaise saying, "you asshole, you're just getting the talk from a protective friend. As the secret boyfriend, you are supposed to reassure her that you'll never break Granger's heart."
Draco felt as if logic was slugging itself through the mud. What has Blaise on about?
He didn't notice the conversation going on around him for a moment, busy trying to overcome the sudden bright flash of light that nearly blinded him. Meanwhile, he could hear Blaise talking. His smell reminded him of the seaside, candles and berries.
"Weaselette, he's just dumb and defensive. Please ignore his creature brain's instinctual reaction."
"He did seem very creature-like just then. Snarling and growling," she-Weasley murmured as she glared at Draco.
"Draco isn't a morning person. Please forgive him," Blaise tried to de-escalate the situation.
He smiled charmingly at the she-weasel and stood before Draco, giving the blond ample time to calm down.
Draco looked at his hand and noticed the way the skin stretched so tight over his hand, looking so much like claws, the ashen pallor and nails that were midway sinking back. He was sure his eyes must have started changing their colours… No wonder Blaise shot a light orb at his face.
"I thought you were just doing the usual house rivalry antagonism," Draco said, scratching the back of his neck.
Wasn't this obvious? Of course, she'll tell her friends about him. Just like he 'told' his friends about her.
"Oh no. I came to warn you. If this turns out to be an elaborate joke to humiliate Hermione, I will string you all Slytherins up by your balls!"
Draco was annoyed. Friend or not, how dare this witch tell an incubus that he'll treat his mate wrong!
Before Draco snapped at her, Blaise asked an important question, "What about the ladies? They don't have balls."
Weaslette glared at Blaise and pointed her wand at him, "oh, I'm sure I'll find something on their person to hang off of."
Blaise snorted, "very Spanish Inquisition."
Draco rolled his eyes as Blaise's geek moment over history. But almost immediately, his expression softened when he realised how much of a nerd his own girlfriend is. He couldn't wait to introduce his friends to her. She would definitely love knowing people like Theo's nerdiness or Blaise's geekiness.
Hell, even Pansy is a good conversationalist about fashion, trends and consequences. Daphne, on the other hand, was a fantastic diplomat. His friends are way, way better than Potty and Weasel. His friends will appreciate her.
A slight wind blew, and that's when everything became right.
She was here.
Hermione arrived a few minutes late into their scheduled early morning hanging out by the Quidditch pitch. She caught a glimpse of the familiar redhead and quickly walked towards the small group of Draco, his dark-skinned friend and…
"Ginny, what are you doing here?"
"Making sure this prat is treating you right," Ginny replied with a smile.
"Ginny!"
"I take my responsibilities seriously," she responded.
"At least someone does," Zabini murmured.
Hermione shot a glare at him and looked at Draco, who was staring at her as if she was the most fantastic thing he's ever seen.
He ignored Ginny and Zabini and beelined towards her for a hug. Hermione didn't mind the public show of affection. There wasn't anyone she didn't mind knowing about them.
He hugged her, and she nuzzled her head into his chest. She knew he wore this very sweet perfume that's almost borderline floral that somehow went really well with his leather, broom polish and minty smell.
But today, for some reason, that floral scent had lost its intensity. Unlike usually where she only wanted to touch and be touched by him, right now, she seemed to be able to keep her wit's about. Was it the familiarity that a relationship settles into? Is the 'honeymoon' period winding down? Isn't this the time that causes the actual strengthening of their bond?
She wanted to ask him all those questions that buzzed around in her head last time. Unfortunately, with Zabini and Ginny around, it was off the table now.
"Good morning," he murmured into her neck.
"Good morning."
"Sleep well?"
"Not really," she whispered.
"Tell me."
"Later. Walk first. I love the fresh chilly air clearing my mind of every thought before the start of yet another arduous day."
He kissed the top of her head. "Everything would be just fine. You wait."
"I hope so. Although there are a few things that are going on in my mind. I know they are silly… but…"
"Hush, sweetheart. It doesn't matter if it is silly or not. If it's bugging you, then it's worth being discussed."
"Thank you, Draco."
"You're welcome, Hermione."
She let out a chuckle at that. She poked her head out from his broad chest and looked around to spot Zabini engaged with Ginny in a conversation. That was a pleasant development.
Although she hasn't had much of an introduction to Draco's friends, it was good to see them behaving amicably with each other. Hermione never did like the unnecessarily hostile house rivalries. So many missed opportunities for friendships and relationships. Just look at her and Draco.
Oh, her mind went right back to that again. She was happy, but that rational side of her wanted answers.
Hermione pulled back a little to look at Draco in his eyes, "In the evening as usual then?"
Draco smiled and kissed her lips. He pulled his head back and whispered yes against her lips before kissing her again.
Unlike what Draco said, everything wasn't fine.
If anything, the unravelling at the seams had just begun.
Lucius doesn't always pop open the Malfoy heirloom board only on special occasions. Like the time when he had to plan how to court Narcissa, the time he had to do a specific particular task for the Dark Lord… and now. To prepare the extraction of one Peter Pettigrew.
The faster he delivers Pettigrew to Black, the faster Severus would stop sulking and then they'll be able to use Black to secure their affiliation in the light side. Whoever wins, the Malfoys would be the ultimate champions.
Lucius nicked his finger on the lock of the board, and the fasteners around it plopped open. Whatever the Ministry said, some things were better off protected by blood spells. Lucius ran his eyes over the carved wooden board that looked like an overly complicated chessboard with familiar but, at the same time, different looking board pieces. Unlike chess, these pieces weren't allocated their roles or positions. These were more attuned to the situations of real life, complex cases with lots of variables. It wasn't like rune stones that helped one decide what to eat for dinner.
Lucius had to set forth a plan and assign the roles corresponding to the plan on the board; a few additional circumstances and situations added in as arithmancy questions, and the board powered by Malfoy blood gave the answers to the rate of success. The reason behind the success of noble, old families like them. They had agents of magic helping them. There was barely any chance of error in this simulation.
Unless one counts the human nature of survival… like the Potter wife who thwarted the Dark Lord.
Lucius was putting the pieces in respective places assigning roles and activities when Narcissa came to his study, chuckling lightly, "Your planning and plotting lack the human touch, dear."
Lucius was delighted. Narcissa was the most refined mind to have on one's side when planning. "I could do with your sugges-"
Narcissa had already taken Floo powder in her hand. "I am meeting up with Meda today, or did you forget," Narcissa said with a teasing smile and tossing in the powder, getting whooshed away almost violently.
"-tions." Lucius sighed.
Ah, the disadvantages of marrying a social butterfly. "Oh, well…"
'We can do it together, human.'
"Thank you, Ralph."
'Mate did look delectable in those clothes. We should take advantage of that when she returns.'
That's when Lucius realised that Cissa definitely wasn't wearing her robe or her usual silk dress.
"Where did she go?"
'To meet our spawn's mate's mother.'
"Would it kill you to call our son by his name?"
'Yes.'
Lucius rubbed his face with his hands, "Let's get down to business first, shall we?"
It had been quite some time since Andromeda went out with her sister for some afternoon tea. There was a time when the best tea shops used to send them invites to taste their new menu or a new exclusive time or tea. Meda didn't miss those times, but she did miss the company of Cissa, never Bella, for apparent reasons.
After their decision kickstarting an… alliance with Draco's chosen one's parents. Muggle parents. Meda couldn't stop the smile forming on her face as she imagined how Cissa's plans must have been blown away.
Big bad wolf like Fate did a mighty huff and puff to topple the house of straw plans. Cissa never thought she would have to work this much just to get someone to like her. In the community, Cissa was the one who needed to impress to find themselves at a good standing but now…
Meda tried to hide that errant smirk.
"Meda… I know that you are having so much fun-"
"Oh, hush. I am enjoying myself. Don't nag and spoil my fun."
"I am just… Should we really have kept this tea invite to a muggle place?" Cissa asked, uncomfortable with the idea of venturing out to the muggle tea room that Ted had oh so graciously booked.
"Cissa, this place is in Mayfair, and that is a perfect place that will not make us stand out with our peculiar, out of time manners."
"What do you mean peculiar?" Cissa asked, sounding almost indignant.
"Wait and see, you impatient squirrel."
Cissa huffed and followed Meda, who smiled as a nice black car pulled up in front of them. Meda got in first, and Cissa followed her in. It was the most peculiar experience for Cissa, and Meda lived for that.
Meda noticed how her little sister looked out the window, taking every detail in with trepidation and wonder. They reached their destination in fifteen minutes, having Apparated very close to their location beforehand. The car ride was just a show. She watched as Cissa got out and took in the small stream of people dressed in their finest milling about. She could see the way Cissa was appraising the fashion.
She smiled softly. If there was anything that could sway this woman, it was fashion.
While they were dressed in Muggle high tea appropriate dresses, it helped Cissa was open-minded and curious about the "other side". She looked over her sister wearing lace in floral pattern overlaid on a light dove grey A-line style knee-length dress with the lace over her shoulder and sleeves playing peek-a-boo, showcasing her skin through the design.
Meda noticed that people were already taking in her beauty, and Cissa, being the smart cookie she was, got her well-deserving confidence and attitude back.
Cissa looked at her sister, looking fine in a light beige dress similar in style to hers, a move they hadn't tried since they were thirteen. Meda's dress had shimmering floral patterns in a darker shade of champagne pink with a lovely broad ribbon accentuating her waist. It felt good to be twinning in style with her sister. She had missed that.
"They are all looking at us," Cissa whispered to Meda.
"We do look pretty fantastic, I must say," Meda replied back with a smile. "Now be a Malfoy matron and own this tête-à-tête with your future in-law."
"Meda!"
As the concierge showed them and was their host for the rest of the afternoon, the Black sisters played their part in being the affluent, posh ladies out to have some classy fun.
Now only to wait for Athena Granger to grace them with her presence.
If Narcissa was being honest, she really didn't know what Meda's plan was. All she knew was to dress up in a pretty Muggle dress, follow Meda like a duckling to a nice High Tea shop, have tea and conversation with the mother of Draco's mate and befriend the woman.
How hard can it be?
Cissa sighed.
Who was she kidding? It is already hard, given this meetup happening in Muggle Mayfair. Yes, the fashion is so fresh and vibrant… Muggle. Enough said.
Cissa tried not to stare as she saw what looked like women wearing trousers.
What is wrong with this world?
She let out a small prayer to Morgana above.
"She's not late; we're early. Don't start counting the mistakes of manners."
"I wasn't."
"Yes, sure."
Meda smiled as she accepted a glass of Laurent-Perrier Rosé, kicking off the tea party. She enjoyed her glass of champagne as she watched her sister being told about the menu and the service. Polite questions about this and that, and just as the clock was about to hit the mark of five-thirty, Meda heard a voice thank someone for showing the direction and firm click-clack of heels on the floor.
A woman in a beautiful rich navy blue business suit with a white shirt underneath and a thin tan brown belt making her way towards them with a pretty red-maroon leather oversized tote bag.
"Cissa, I think our guest is here."
The host politely excused himself as Cissa's attention moved to look at her guest, and it was only the result of their mother's strict teaching of decorum that Cissa didn't allow her jaw to drop open. A woman with wild dark honey brown curls that reminded her of Bella walked towards them wearing a navy blue suit! And heels! A man's suit and heels!
Merlin bless their mother's soul, but she was sure her wide eyes gave away her aghast opinion of the attire.
As Miss Granger's mother walked closer towards them, she noticed Mrs Granger wore eyeglasses!
As she walked closer towards them, her list of flaws kept growing longer.
No hairdo. Her curls were escaping the bun that she had tied them into. Barely there makeup. Did she even put in any effort? Did she realise exactly who had invited a Muggle like her to tea?
Cissa sighed. Of course not. How would a Muggle know the importance of what event is taking place? How would she know how honoured she should be that Narcissa Malfoy, née Black invited her for tea. How she had blessed the forming union between her son, the only heir of the Malfoy line and the descendant of the Black family and her daughter. Yes, she was the best of the Muggleborns, but the blood is an important aspect. Something that these unfortunate souls would never be able to grasp.
Cissa noticed Mrs Granger's sharp gaze that didn't hide her emotions.
How unfeminine!
But Cissa also noticed that Mrs Granger looked so much like her daughter that it was uncanny. Although she did have more prominent cheekbones, whereas Hermione had a bit softer features. They, probably, were that of the father.
Meda noticed that flash of discomfort when Mrs Granger looked at them, but soon, the mask of confidence and formality slid in. She was underdressed for the tea, but she walked in amongst them like she was meant to be there.
She got up and greeted Mrs Granger warmly.
"Hello, Mrs Granger. I am Andromeda Tonks. It is a pleasure to meet you in person. This is Narcissa Malfoy, mother of your daughter's friend. Thank you for making time in your schedule."
Mrs Granger smiled and waved her hand as if driving the thought away, although her eyes did linger on Cissa for more than a curious moment, "Don't you worry. You saved me from a terrible conversation with Daniel's old friend... leech. And please, call me Athena."
Meda chuckled, "My daughter complains about workplace leeches too. And please, you must call me Andromeda or Dromeda for short. My husband thinks it was such a smart thing to shorten my name only by two letters."
"Us complex named women must get together to protest the unjust shortening of the name."
Meda let out a short laugh. She liked Mrs Granger already. As she took her seat at the table, the waiter came and served Athena a glass of champagne and informed them that the tea shall be served when they asked for it. Meda noticed how Cissa didn't say much except for the default happy and cordial Pureblood-gathering greeting and smile.
"So, what does your daughter do?" Athena asked after a sip of her drink.
"Oh, she is an Auror," Meda answered proudly. She noticed the micro flash of judgement from Cissa, that slight tick of her right eye. Looks like Cissa could never outgrow that habit.
"That's the police force, right?" Athena asked, despite being confident about what Auror actually means.
"Yes, correct."
"That must be so interesting… my brother-in-law is a policeman. He always has interesting stories. Hermine enjoys them a lot. The wizarding police force, what's that like?"
"I'm very proud of her, of course, but I don't half worry about Nymphadora when she's out."
"I suppose you would. I must say, though, that's a beautiful name your daughter has."
Meda couldn't help the chuckle, "She hates it; she makes everyone call her Tonks. My husband thinks it's funny."
Athena shared how her Greek name meant people teasing her to answer every question in class. "Which I did. If I'm getting teased for being a know-it-all, I better get the best marks then."
Cissa decided to drop a comment then, "I'm sure you are proud that your daughter took after you."
"Absolutely. I am very proud of the strong woman she's developing into." As Athena said that, her gaze turned hard for a moment, almost as if challenging Cissa.
Meda knew that Athena knew of the history between Cissa's son and her daughter. There was no hiding it. But she was willing to see how far the politeness goes and when the big spells would kick in. She also wanted to see how Cissa would deal with someone she underestimated just because of her blood. People are, after all, more than the blood flowing through their veins. Life is more complicated than that.
"How Gryffindor," Meda cut in, sensing her need to dilute the forming tension, "if I'm already convicted, might as well do it."
"I know right," Athena shot back, smiling.
Cissa, meanwhile, almost clapped her hand when a strange, metallic sound distracted her, and she tried to find the source. A Muggle pulled out a small black block of something in a table next to there and started speaking into it.
"Ahh… the newest gadget, they've only become almost affordable recently. That's a cell phone. You use it to communicate wirelessly without anyone around the globe. Or text."
Meda and Cissa looked at Athena in communication.
"Around the globe?" Cissa asked.
"Yes, as long as the other person has a cell phone and cellular network to connect."
"Like having a Floo connection and Floo powder," Meda supplied.
"More like Floo powder is attached to the fireplace, and it's portable. Then you have the Floo connection to establish the link of communication."
"Muggles have come so far without magic. It fascinates me," Meda murmured in wonder, looking at the woman apologising for disrupting the peace of the place.
"And a lot further we have to go," Athena added.
The host arrived, much to Cissa's relief, and the tea courses were soon served. With the tea poured, plates of finger sandwiches served in front of them, fresh scones and pastries looking dainty in their serving stand, the ladies enjoyed the hot tea and delicious food until Athena decided to get straight to the point.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of this lovely tea?"
Meda smiled. Her esteem about this woman only grew, "Could this not be tea just for the sake of socialising?"
Athena smiled, "No... Not really. You're witches. You do not mingle with us non-witchy folks. Not even the ones that do not have a problem with us. Like the Weasley. Not a damn invite ever." Athena, then, decided to not beat about the bush anymore, "In fact, if I remember correctly, Mrs Malfoy, your son has been my daughter's persistent antagonist. Well into the point that he needed a punch from my daughter to drive home the warning."
Meda could barely stop her chuckle as she watched Cissa pale slightly at being charged so openly. Master of underhanded, subtle mind games, Narcissa was not ready to be accused like that.
Athena noticed how Mrs Malfoy took a generous helping of moments and blinked to realise that her precious boy got punched. By a girl. Do they regret this tea now? Athena wanted to know.
"He was...your daughter did what?
Andy murmured in her cup. "Kinky"
Cissa looked at Meda in disbelief. Her own sister said that! In front of the company!
Andy snorted.
Who was this woman, and what had she done to her sister? A Black lady never snorts!
Athena repeated with a tinge of pride in her voice, "My daughter punched your son. A lovely right hook, Hermione said. Those boxing lessons with her uncle really paid off."
Meda added, "as I said. Kinky."
Cissa seemed to have gotten herself together at that time because she asked, "was that in the third year?"
Athena replied coolly, "I suppose so, yes."
Meda decided to bring the conversation to neutral grounds. "That'll explain the change in Draco's behaviour."
"Really?"
Meda continued, "Yes. Cissa, tell him how Draco made amends for his despicable behaviour."
Cissa glared at her sister for a moment before she turned to Athena.
Meanwhile, Meda smiled into her cup of tea. This is what she would get for spilling to their mother about Ted before she could elope.
Athena was confused, "Why are you vouching for your son? Why is this in any way related to Hermione or me?"
"Allow me to give the context," Meda began, ever the shit-stirrer, "it must have been a powerful punch enough to set the boy straight and finally, sometime along this year, they became good friends. Now Cissa here is as pureblood and prejudiced as they come." Cissa shot a look of betrayal at her sister, but Meda wasn't paying her any heed. "But she has decided to overcome the ingrained ideology that was whipped into us since we were mere babies. And I thought, what could be a better way than to befriend a Muggle?"
Athena looked at the two women. "Good friends? Funny, Hermione hasn't mentioned anything to me."
"It's a relatively new thing," Meda started, delicately unfolding the topic, "You could say... Romantic."
Athena looked at them in surprise and a tad bit of shock.
Meda could see Athena starting to become defensive. Was she expecting a threat to call her daughter off of their son? Oh dear… she was, wasn't she?
Athena sounded a bit on the angry side of the mood, "Does your son know that pulling a girl's hair to get their attention isn't the healthiest way to start a relationship?"
Narcissa frowned, "I...there was no hair pulling as far as I am aware."
Meda murmured under her breath, "Hmm... early days, yet he might get into it." Looking at her bewildered sister, she explained, "It's an expression, Cissa."
"You can blame Draco's behaviour entirely on his father," Meda supplied.
"Oh?"
Cissa quickly jumped in to explain, "We're quite embarrassed about the ideologies we taught our son... We merely passed it on without any consideration."
"Embarrassment is hardly what I should call it," Athena sat her cup down. "Do wizards have no concept that racism is toxic? Frankly, we had a World War over it, and there are still assholes who say they look a certain way or were born in a certain country are better than others. Embarrassment is when your child says a naughty word in front of their principal or a family secret out loud. What your son is is a racist; it's what you are. How do I know my child is safe with you?" When Athena stopped speaking, there was an indignant fire in her eyes and a righteous demand for answers.
Cissa was not ready. At all. She was speechless, so out of her zone. She looked at Meda for help.
But Andromeda was busy stirring her tea.
Yes, Narcissa was the baby of the family. Yes, she needed help with this situation, but Meda kept stirring her tea.
Cissa will have to be as honest as possible. There's no beating about the bush for this one. She was there only to make the situation for Cissa, but Cissa would have to work for this. She needed to put reasonable effort into this. So she'll let Cissa handle this on her own.
Now that Narcissa knew she wasn't getting help from Meda, she took a deep breath and began, "In our world, I am not sure what your daughter has said...bur your daughter is an oddity...a-"
"Mudblood, I know. Funnily enough, we have horrible words like that too… some my husband too had to hear. Depending on who he was talking with."
Cissa tried her best to explain herself without coming off as a complete jerk, "I come from an extremely privileged family. As does my husband. The social class we belong to... We've always believed ourselves to be better than others because of the blood in our veins. Because we didn't know otherwise. We didn't believe otherwise. But of late... We...began to see our learnings in a different light."
Athena had a slight scowl, "I find that hard to believe. I would have expected you to threaten me to teach my daughter to stay away from your son and the like."
Meda mentally did a fist pump on guessing Athena's reaction accurately.
Cissa decided to push on, "My son is stubborn, and I am sure he has been the one driving this connection more than your daughter."
Athena looked curious but wary, "Any specific reason why?"
Cissa knew this was the only slim chance to get this woman's very fragile trust, "He has always admired her. Ever since he met her on the train. It was... Unfortunate how our teaching was the reason why he was so hostile with her. But I am glad he could grow beyond that." Cissa seemed to be pleading her case.
"My son is the reason why I thought I should be making an effort too. It's not the Salem trials anymore... Perhaps I, too, can move forward with time. Perhaps my son would reconnect with his mother again, given how our differences already created a gap. I do not want my son to move away from me just because I couldn't tolerate someone because of their birth."
Athena looked at the woman who was almost begging her for a chance. For her son and for a better future with no hostile or bad blood. It's been four years since they learnt that their daughter was extraordinary. That she had something, they could never be a part of. All they could be is supportive of her. Despite how she talked of the Weasley family for being friendly and humble and the sorts… parent to parent, they never tried to include their son's friend's parents. Hermione had told them how interested in the Muggle side of the world the patriarch was. No invite or interest for small talk ever.
Even that World Cup broomstick sports event didn't mention any desire to meet the parents. Their actions and behaviour were contrary. On the other hand, there was a woman who by every definition is a racist, married a racist and is in the process of raising a racist, inviting her for tea. She made an effort for conversation in a non-magical London, wearing modern-day clothes, not lashing back despite Athena not cutting them slack.
Maybe… just maybe… they had something they could work with.
Athena picked up her cup of tea and sipped it.
"Sounds like a dual effort on our part then," Athena extended an olive leaf, not a branch yet.
"I can promise you my efforts will be earnest and honest," Cissa looked at the other woman warmly.
"I guess I can appreciate some more friends in my life. God knows I do not get enough breaks from my work and household chores."
Cissa smiled softly and raised her teacup as a toast, "To new friendship."
Meda raised her too, "Hear, hear."
Athena had left some minutes back. She said she had an appointment with a patient to take care of. She was a teeth healer. What an incredible job.
As they took their leave, coat comfortably on their back and sitting snugly in the back seat of the comfortable car, Meda commented, "No wonder mother always believed you went you ardently confessed that it wasn't you who ate from the cookie jar."
"There's a reason I am who I am in our society."
Meda smiled, "Treat Miss Granger well, Cissa."
"I will, sister. I will. I will make sure her family is okay too. It'll be a good gesture as a mother-in-law."
"You sneaky, pretty snake."
It wasn't that Hermione didn't like to sleep in; it was more to do with the fact that she'll rest when she's done devouring the knowledge the library could provide her with. That is precisely why she woke up early to grab her breakfast in peace, reading some book, just enjoying the sustenance and the entertainment in the form of literature material.
Of late, the added benefit was some early morning sweet nothings with her boyfriend. A nice walk down that side of the Black Lake that is hidden from direct view.
She loved spending time with Draco. She felt a sense of peace with him. She never thought about how this happened, but it did, and she's glad for it. With how everything else was going at school, his presence and support meant a lot to her.
Those sneaky looks across the classroom, slight hand brush as they pass each other in the corridors… Hermione smiled, remembering the smirks he threw her way when he managed to touch her in the passing.
She wasn't blind to the way puberty was hitting him. He was already taller than most boys and broad… so broad. He was going to be such a handsome guy. His pointy features were softening to grow chiselled.
She doesn't remember much of how Mr Malfoy looked, but he sure was tall and broad and handsome, and Mrs Malfoy was so beautiful. Draco sure inherited the best of them and had grown so much more from that skinny brat she had punched not a year back. Oh, how the times had changed.
She heard the slight rumble of the parchment and recalled the last note he had written to her last night thanking her for the Muggle chocolate goodie box she had gotten him.
'I never knew there were so many types of chocolate from all around the world. Thank you so much. I'm going to have to hide them before Theo or Blaise find me eating them.'
The heart-shaped note just turned into lips, made a loud smooch sound, and turned into a heart again.
He really was a thoughtful boyfriend. He made studying fun for her. He was an intelligent partner to have by her side, but she loved when he was in a playful mood and would wrap her up in her arms, pulling her close to him, her back to his chest as he read whatever she was ready over her shoulders. Sneaking in kisses to her face or her head. He was a loving guy, and she loved that. She was used to being cuddled by her parents so many times a day, and she sorely missed that. Not that their love can be replaced, but it felt nice to be loved by a guy for the girl she is.
Today wasn't any different from her usual walk routine, breakfast with a book, and then classes. But the more she thought about Draco, the utter bliss of his company seemed a bit too blissful. Almost… unnatural.
She remembered being very pissed off about something that Ron had said just yesterday, and that evening when she was in his presence, she forgot all about her anger. She didn't remember being angry until Draco left first.
Yes, he was great company, but why did she forget all about the world with him? Was this what love felt like? Undoubtedly magical if those bodice rippers were to be believed. Those magical cheesy romance stories sure did talk at lengths about forgetting the world around their paramour. She should speak to someone about this.
Ginny? She dated, but she wasn't in love with anyone. Harry was a hero crush, but she seems to have grown out of it. Who in her year seemed to be in the same boat as her anyways?
Why couldn't she shake off the feeling that there was something… She just couldn't put her finger on it. She was being honest with herself; this feeling has been occurring for the past few days, if not weeks.
She raised her head and looked around the Great Hall, taking in her milling peers. It wasn't until she noticed Draco's… gang, as she had come to name them as a collective in her head.
That ebony-skinned guy, Blaise and the quiet one… Nott maybe. They were looking at her. She looked around, thinking perhaps they were looking at harry. They did do that often, Harry being their primary source of issues. But today, it seemed they were clearly staring at her.
Her eyes went over to the girls next to them.
Great, Pansy Parkinson was rolling her eyes at her.
Hermione really didn't need Parkinson to bully her in the hallway. She wanted a peaceful, loving day.
Maybe she could drop a message to Draco… Or not, she was a big girl. She can handle her own problems. She has never needed anyone. Where did this thought of depending on Draco even come from?
Beside Parkinson was some Greengrass. She gave her a constipated smile.
Did she have a crumb in her hair? Sauce on her mouth?
Fortunately, Ginny dropped in next to her right at that moment with all the energy of a disgruntled cat. She would know; she's the witch of a very temperamental half Kneazle.
"Ginny?"
"Uhh…"
Hermione asked her conspicuously, "Is there something on my face?"
"Wha…?"
"Is there something on my face? A crumb or sauce or something? Maybe a memo?"
Ginny squinted at her and replied in the cavewoman talk, "Nuh."
But her morning cavewoman brain must have enough cognition to be curious about the request because she next asked, "Why?"
"Draco's friends are staring at me."
"Uhh…You pretty. They stare."
Hermione nodded, "Thank you for your eloquent reply."
Ginny nodded and slumped forward on the table, trying to catch some more precious minutes of sleep. Hermione couldn't help but smile at her. That's when a fluttering paper crane decided to land on Ginny's hair and make a mess in the hurried ponytail the redhead had tied.
That crane was Draco's signature style.
She quickly picked the crane out from the tangle of hair it was trying to make a next out of and unfolded it to read the message.
'Our usual haunt. Evening. Can't wait. '
She smiled at the message and looked up to find Draco staring at her with mirthful eyes.
She nodded and blushed, happily digging into her breakfast.
Albus watched the short and effective conversation take place between the two students from two deadly rival houses.
Today, he'll have a talk with Lucius.
It's about time he started moving his pawns into positions. Foresight and all that.
It took him time, but he finally managed to track down that Beauxbaton girl he had Imperio-ed for the sole purpose of getting some intel regarding the Malfoy family. He knew they were up to some shit. He just needed to know what. He hadn't been able to prove their impurity last time.
They had more important work to do for the Dark Lord, but this time… this time he will make sure the Malfoy stand trial for their lies of being a Pureblood family. He had no doubts about Narcissa. A Black will kill one of their own to maintain purity but a Malfoy? A filthy lowly upstart from across the continent?
They had secrets. Bloodline related secrets. Old families knew of stories of how the Malfoy family sold their souls for magic, how their magic doesn't come from the ley lines but the hell beneath the earth.
As the Dark Lord rises again, his most faithful shall unveil how they had a creature in their midst. How pleased his Master would be with his work...
Barty Crouch Jr. threw his teacup against the wall in rage. Nothing? That chit found nothing unusual about him?! He had set everything up! EVERYTHING!
And nothing came out of it?
HOW?!
He had heard rumours of the siren-like lure, the voracious hunger for sex and their inability of discriminating against their victims. They were a monster in the skin of a man. They were lower than a vampire, for he treated humans as his food. But these...these incubuses… they pretended to be powerful wizards, used their victims, and left them sick and ailing, granting them the most painful deaths.
Barty would know.
After all, that's how his mother fell sick and slowly, inch by inch crawled her way to Death's doorway.
Where do I start from?
Yes, August had the last update. And soon after that I had a chokehold of assignments. Staying up until 4am in the morning to finish an assignment isn't fun. Having 3 deadlines in one day doesn't help creativity either.
That's how September went too.
And you know what happened right upto 28th of Oct? My semester exams. An entire freaking month!
I couldn't write anything for Halloween.
But now I have an entire November free because Placement season and mine is already over (yes, mesa has a job in queue too. Wish me luck. I'll be starting after my 4th semester gets over by May, 2022)
I am taking part in NaNoWriMo too and my entire focus is this story.
I will finish this story. Even if comes out to be a humongous 50 chapter epic. I will get this done.
Chapter 22 is 80% done. Chapter 24 is outline is underway.
I am writing 1.6k words everyday. Trust me, I am working really hard for this story.
Before you worry, I am also taking care of myself- mentally and physically too.
This month long break was a definite requirement. I am happy and positive after all really long time.
This story has been a witness of so many changes in my life. I started this in 2018 as I started my job, left it to pursue post graduation and now I am going to start a job again soon. And here I thought it could be done in 7 chapters and now, it's just at ch21 by 4th year.
My growth is reflected in the chapters of this story. I do cringe as I read my earlier chapters and I wish so much to just go back and change it but that's a thing for a later time.
Enough monologuing now.
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Twitter- QVulca
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And as always, review please!