Hogwarts

Winter break started today and students were busy packing their things, happy to spend the holidays with their families. The corridors were crowded and filled with the sounds of friends wishing each other a merry Christmas. The happy atmosphere was dulled by Hermione's thoughts.

Hermione slowly packed, trying to take as much time as possible. She had been informed by Draco that his mother had a room ready for her. She was not aware that she would be staying the entire break when she agreed to meet with Narcissa. Nonetheless she had professor McGonagall contact her parents to let them know she would be with a friend and she herself told Harry and Ron that she wouldn't be joining them at grimmauld place.

She feared her friends were getting suspicious. With her not going to meetings and talking to Draco, how could they not be. She sighed as she placed the last thing in her suitcase and latched it. She had given Narcissa her word and she would not go back on it now.

With a flick of her wand she shrunk her suitcase down and slipped it into her pocket before making her way out to the corridor where Draco was waiting. She looked at him and smiled.

"Are you ready Draco, we can use the fireplace in here."

Hermione stepped back into the gryffindor common room, holding the door open as Draco came in, his eyes scanning the room.

"Alot of red, eh Granger?"

He looked at Hermione to see her shifting on her feet, her eyes fixed on the fireplace. He could feel just how nervous she was.

"Hermione, she won't be there, at least not today. It will just be you, me, and my Mother."

He put his hand on her shoulder, earning him a small smile as Hermione stood straight, trying to shake her nerves off. He held out a pouch of floo powder and Hermione took what she needed. She walked to the fireplace, looking back at him for reassurance. He nodded and smiled a bit making Hermione feel a bit better.

"Malfoy Manor."

Hermione's eyes took in an elegant and very tidy study, sitting on the sofa was Narcissa. She had her hands folded in her lap as she sat tall but Hermione could see her fidgeting a bit. She was nervous too.

"Hello, Mrs. Malfoy."

"Hello, Ms. Granger."

As they finished their greetings the fire behind Hermione Flared up in an emerald light and Draco stepped toward his mother. She rose, embracing her son in a warm hug.

After they greeted each other Narcissa looked at Hermione and gestured for her to come to the sofa, which she did. She sat down still feeling a bit awkward. Narcissa sat beside her and opened her mouth to speak, hesitant as if searching for the right words. Finally she found them.

"Ms. Granger, I'm sorry. I can only imagine how you must feel...you and Bella. I am not here to force anything on you or her. I-I just. I have seen what she goes through while trying to fight this and I can't imagine that it's any better for you."

"It's quite painful actually, Mrs. Malfoy."

"Please, call me Narcissa."

Hermione looked at her surprised.

"Yes.. Narcissa."

"Hermione, my sister wasn't always how she is now. She has had her happiness ripped from her at a young age. Every choice was made for her. Honestly I'm under the impression that she doesn't think she deserves to be happy.

"I see, I'm sorry. That can't feel good to see your sister like that."

Narcissa sighed and looked down at her fidgeting fingers.

"I believe she thinks that is how it should be."

Hermione stayed quiet, she looked over her shoulder to see Draco standing behind the sofa. She had forgotten he was even in the room. Her eyes met Narcissa's sad ones and she sighed.

"May I ask what I could do, Narcissa?"

"All I ask is that you stay these two weeks and see if you two can come together."

Hermione shifted a bit and looked at Draco before Narcissa spoke again.

"Like I said, I will not force anything, you are free to stay or go. If you stay, she will not hurt you, you are my guest as well as Draco's. Dinner is at seven and Bella should be here in two hours."

She smiled softly at Hermione and excused herself from the room. Hermione sat frozen in place with her nerves skyrocketing.

"Draco, you said she wouldn't be here today."

He sat by her and embraced her in a tight hug, apologizing profusely.

"Hermione I swear she wasn't supposed to be i'm sorry, you can go if you want."

Hermione inhaled sharply, letting a shaky breath escape past her lips.

"No. as I said, I gave your mother my word."

He let her go and looked at her, studying her face for any sign of fear. Of course she was scared but she gave a smile and pushed her hair behind her ear.

"Alright Granger, but know your limits, you can leave if you feel the need."

"Noted. Will you show me to my room, Draco?"

The two of them walked up the stairs and Draco led her down a hall. Hermione felt something strange flow through her body and she stopped and looked toward a door. Draco, noticing she had stopped walking, turned to see what she was doing.

"Ah yes, that would be aunt Bella's room when she is at the manor, come on Hermione."

He took her wrist gently, pulling her a bit further down the hallway. She shook her head a bit and blinked, the weird feeling soon fading as they came to a stop. Draco opened a door and gestured for her to go in.

"This one will be yours."

Hermione walked in and her jaw dropped. The room had black walls with silver detailing. The floor was a beautiful grey marble with not a single crack. The large windows were cascaded by deep green curtains that matched the sheets on the king sized bed against the far wall. She ran her hand over the black duvet as Draco leaned on a large writing desk in the corner of the room.

"This is beautiful, Draco."

"I suppose I'm used to it, being around it so much.

She laughed lightly, not knowing if he was being genuine or just bragging.

"Anyways Hermione, you have your own lavatory and feel free to put your clothes in the closet, I doubt you want wrinkles."

"Thank you Draco."

He went to leave the room but stopped at the door. He stared at the floor for a moment before looking back at Hermione.

"I'm serious, if you feel the need to leave then you need to go. Don't wait until things get worse."

"I will, thank you."

He smiled and left the room shutting the door, gently behind him. Hermione sat on the bed. She ran her fingers through her hair and let herself fall back soaking up the cool feeling of the duvet. The bed was so comfortable, she could stay in it forever. But she opened her eyes, looking up at the ceiling as she reminded herself that Bellatrix would arrive at the manor in less than an hour and a half.

She sat up against the headboard, checking the time. Not only did she have Bellatrix's arrival to look forward to she also had dinner in Four hours. She tilted her head back, letting it lay against the headboard. She closed her eyes as she thought 'this is going to be an eventful day'