Chapter Eleven
Out of the Frying Pan. . .
As Adhara stepped into her Godfather's office, she saw her twin sitting in one of the armchairs at the desk, reading a large tome she couldn't see the title of.
"Draco!" She ran to her twin, hugging him as he stood to greet her.
"Hello Ada." He grinned at his sister before gesturing to the chair next to him.
"Uncle Severus said you had news for me."
"You and I are meeting Mama and Papa outside the gates tomorrow morning at ten. The family will be making a statement about my return and then hopefully we can spend some time together wandering Hogsmeade. Mama has already voiced her desire to have me 'properly' outfitted." Adhara grimaced at the thought of clothes shopping. It had never been her favourite activity and she knew the Malfoys were high fashion.
Draco laughed at his sister's expression.
"Come on Ada, it can't be that bad."
"Says the one who actually enjoys it." She grumbled, making him laugh again before he grew serious.
"Ada, Mama needs that time with you. We all do. You and Papa have the library and academics to reconnect over. That was always your niche. You and Mama will need to find a way to rekindle your relationship, and one of the ways she does that is shopping. I know your styles will be different, but maybe you could use it as a chance to show her what you love about Muggle fashion like those jeans you're always wearing. Just, when she asks to take you to Paris or Milan, because she will so accept it now, say yes.
"You and I still need to find ways to strengthen our Twin bond, but we have school subjects that we can use as common ground. I. . . I know I have a lot to answer for. My behaviour has been atrocious towards you, and I don't expect you to accept the better side of me because you remember what kind of man our grandfather was. I want you to trust that I'm showing you who I truly am. I will work for that. I want your friends to know the real Draco as well. Starting with Potter."
Adhara cut in here. "Speaking of Harry, he will be joining us tomorrow morning. I will let him tell you who he is now in our world, but I'll warn you that he won't take anything you say or do lightly from here on out. He's asked Papa to help him learn about Pureblood Culture and what will be expected of him as a Lord."
"He asked Father to help him?" Draco was shocked. He knew what Potter's opinion on Malfoys was. Adhara was the only exception to his belief that the family was Dark and irredeemable.
Adhara smirked. "Trust me, Dragon. You'll understand why soon enough." She leaned over and kissed his cheek before rising from her chair.
"I need to get back to my room. I'll see you in the morning." She stopped and turned around just as she reached the door.
"Draco could. . . " She gnawed on her lip before summoning her inner Gryffindor and continuing. "Draco, would you let Theo know that I will meet him tomorrow evening on the seventh floor corridor with the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy. Tell him he'll get his answers if he's there at seven."
She turned and practically ran from the room, knowing she would never hear the end of the teasing from her brother.
Draco sat in shock for a split second before laughing loudly. Watching his sister and best friend dance around each other was equal parts frustrating and entertaining. He gathered his discarded book from the desk and headed to his own dorm, thinking of all the ways he could take the mickey out of Ada for turning him into the messenger boy.
Theo looked up as Draco walked into their room. The smirk on the blond boy's features made Theo wary.
"You only wear that expression when something makes you particularly gleeful. Do I want to know?"
Draco snickered before answering.
"Oh, just mentally listing the ways I can mercilessly tease my sister for making me her errand boy."
"Errand boy?"
"She requested that I tell you that you'll get your answers if you meet her in front of the Barnabas the Barmy tapestry on the seventh floor tomorrow evening at seven." Draco said as he threw off his robes and undid his tie.
"Ada and I are meeting Mother and Father outside the gates tomorrow morning at ten. Family press statement about her return. Apparently Saint Potter will be making a statement of his own as well." Draco rolled his eyes at this as he placed his shoes and socks next to his trunk at the foot of his bed.
Theo hummed in acknowledgement of Draco's words, not reacting to the news that Harry was going to be next to her for at least part of the morning. He was far from happy about it but knew there was nothing he could do. Potter would inevitably stick his foot in it and muck up their relationship at some point. All Theo had to do was bide his time and continue showing Hermione that he was always going to stick by her, no matter which name she chose to go by.
"Tell her I'll be there." Theo said, putting the finishing touches on his essay for Ancient Runes. Draco huffed in response.
"Still the errand boy. You two were made for each other."
Theo rolled his eyes at Draco and stuffed his homework into his knapsack for the following morning. He laced his fingers behind his head and reclined on his bed, wishing he could be the one standing next to his witch as she returned to the public eye.
Hermione could barely eat breakfast the next morning. Harry felt useless as he was just as nervous. Suddenly Theo sat down next to Hermione, acting as if it was perfectly normal for a Slytherin student to be sitting at the Gryffindor table with their golden boy and princess.
Harry's jaw dropped and Hermione stared at Theo for a moment.
"Theodore Nott, what in the name of Magic are you doing?" She hissed.
Theo calmly fixed her a strong cup of Earl Grey, pouring half a vial of Calming Draught in the cup before handing it to her. He raised an eyebrow at her when she continued staring at him.
"Hermione, I am going to sit here until you drink that in its entirety. What I am doing is supporting the witch who has always seen me as just Theo, not my vaults or title. You attended society events with the Grangers during holidays and the summer, and from what you've told me about them they sound very similar to events that the Sacred Twenty-Eight families host during the year."
Hermione began drinking the tea Theo had handed her as he fixed her a plate of eggs, bacon, mushrooms, hash browns, and toast.
"Theo, since when do you know how I take my tea and what my usual breakfast is?" Hermione questioned.
He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye before responding.
"Simple, it hasn't changed much since our third year." He replied quietly.
Harry's mind was whirling. Theo has been paying attention to her for that long? He thought to himself. Ron's words from Quidditch practice came to the forefront of his mind, the insinuations making his stomach roll.
How am I supposed to compete with him? I don't understand the nuances of the Pureblood world, and from what Theo just said I wouldn't fit in with her family in the Muggle world either.
He angrily stabbed at his breakfast, his mood souring quickly. He didn't want Ron to be right!
Hermione didn't know what to say to Theo's answer.
Has he really been paying attention to me for that long? She wondered. While she was attracted to Harry, she had always thought Theo was good looking. And he never failed to keep up with her in a conversation, something only a handful of her peers had ever been capable of. She smiled softly at the Nott Heir, silently recognizing the added appeal that was his attention to detail.
"Thank you, Theo." She laid a hand on his arm. The Calming Draught had taken effect, and her anxiety had lessened enough to allow her to eat most of the plate Theo had fixed for her. Theo stood as she finished her tea, bringing the back of her hand to his lips briefly before straightening his spine.
"Potter." He nodded at Harry and then walked away, strolling out of the Great Hall towards the school grounds.
"Hermione, what was that about?" Harry growled, Ron's words still ringing in his ears.
She looked sharply at him, her eyes flashing at his tone.
"Harrison James Potter, do not make that more than what it was. You and I are both feeling out of our depth about this morning. Theo is a dear friend who reminded me that I am more than capable of handling the group of people who I will be expected to associate with as the daughter of House Malfoy."
"A dear friend who knows how you take your morning tea and exactly what you eat for breakfast?"
"That is not unheard of. I know how you take your tea. I know how Ron takes his! Friends notice that kind of detail Harry, there's nothing abnormal about it. Will you stop being a jealous prat? What has gotten into you?"
Harry just glared for a moment before turning back to his plate. Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Impossible." She huffed, continuing to mutter about ridiculous boys under her breath.
They finished eating in a tense silence. Both stood and put their cloaks on, heading out of the Great Hall and down towards the courtyard where they were meeting Draco.
"Hermione I . . ."
"Save it Harry. We will discuss this later." Hermione cut him off.
Harry stayed silent, knowing he would not sway her. As they walked he could almost see her switch mindsets and become Adhara Malfoy. She walked with her shoulders squared, her back straight, head high, and was close to gliding across the cobblestone by the time she finished dropping the persona into place.
She is everything I was never supposed to have, Harry thought to himself bitterly, watching the subtle changes occur before his eyes.
Draco was sitting on a bench and immediately stood upon seeing his sister and Potter. He nodded at Harry before hugging Adhara.
"Ready Ada?" He asked, looking her in the eye. His tone was vastly different from every other time Harry had heard him speak. Soft… Gentle… Caring even.
"Ready or not, time is up Dragon. I'm ready because I have to be."
In a rare show of public affection, Draco leaned forward and swiftly kissed his sister's forehead.
"Ada you have repeatedly put Father in his place in the week you have been back in our lives. A feat only ever achieved by two other people so successfully. And they had to physically harm him to make him comply. No matter what happens today, I know you can handle it."
Draco sent a wave of calm across their bond to back up his little pep talk. Adhara relaxed completely, smiling gratefully at her twin. Wondering if the little bonding they had achieved had repaired anything of their Twin Speak abilities, she pushed her mind in his direction.
Thank you, Dragon. I know standing next to Harry won't be easy for you but I appreciate it.
Draco's eyes widened in surprise and he grinned like a kid on Christmas.
"I heard you! I actually heard you!"
Adhara laughed at the joy on Draco's face. This was the boy she knew, not the serious, pompous peacock he acted like during school.
Harry cleared his throat, wondering if he had been forgotten about.
The twins turned to face him, Draco still looking slightly giddy.
"Malfoy I'm not used to seeing such a pleasant expression on your pointy face. It's unnerving."
"Get used to it, Scarhead. You're friends with my sister which means you and I have to learn to be civil."
"Fine, Ferret."
"Oi! Just because you think you're the Golden Boy."
"You call me Scarhead, I call you Ferret. That's the deal."
"Sweet Salazar what did I do to deserve this?" Adhara groaned.
Draco snickered and put her arm through his. Harry raised an eyebrow.
"Don't you mean 'Good Godric', Hermione? I was under the impression you were still a Gryffindor."
Adhara's eyes widened. "Oh for the love of the Merlin." She pulled her arm from her brother and walked away.
"I don't like you two together!" She threw back over her shoulder.
Harry and Draco looked at each other for a moment and then laughed.
"Potter, is she always this fun to rile up?"
"Only always. Just don't do it around exams. She's more likely to hex you than find it funny. Find her line and then only cross it when you know she won't kill you."
The boys fell into step with each other as they followed Adhara down to the school gates.
"For what it's worth, I'm glad she's had you as a friend, Potter. I know I don't deserve the forgiveness she's given me so freely, so brother to brother I swear I'll earn it."
Draco made sure to speak low enough that Adhara couldn't hear him. Confessing to Theo was one thing. Draco knew Theo would always have his back and keep his secrets. But Potter was unknown to him. It was a risk Draco had to take to ensure he kept his word to Ada of making an effort where her friends were concerned.
Harry looked at Draco out of the corner of his eye, trying to gauge the sincerity of Malfoy's words. This entire morning was throwing him for a loop. First Nott and his attention to detail about Hermione and her eating habits, and now a smiling and seemingly sincere Malfoy attempting to not only be civil, but promising to work for Hermione's trust and, by extension, Harry's.
"Malfoy, I can honestly say I haven't always deserved her friendship. I've been a right git many times, siding with Ron when I should have trusted her instincts and logic. I don't think anyone will ever deserve her as a friend or as more. She's too good for us mortals. All we can do is keep trying to be worthy."
"I couldn't agree more. Ugh I actually just willingly agreed with you Scarhead. What is happening to us?"
Harry chuckled at Draco's faux disgust.
"I believe you called it being civil, Ferret."
"This feels more than civil. It's almost like we could actually be. . ." Draco's face twisted into a half grimace, ". . .friends."
The two boys hadn't noticed Adhara stop in front of them, and she snickered at Draco's look of partial horror.
"Honestly you two are more alike than you think."
Draco and Harry jumped at the sound of her voice. They both scoffed at her statement.
"Oh please."
"Yeah, right."
They spoke at the same time and sent Adhara into a fit of giggles.
"You might as well accept that you're going to end up friends."
"But it's Malfoy, Hermione!" Harry whinged.
Ada merely raised an eyebrow at him.
"And what am I then?" She questioned.
Harry growled and grit his teeth.
A bright laugh split the air, making the three teenagers jump. Lucius and Narcissa looked highly amused as they walked towards the children, and Narcissa had not been able to hold back at once again watching her daughter so easily control one of the males in her life.
"Mama! Papa!" Adhara ran the short distance to her parents and hugged them both, her nerves about the day resurfacing. They each hugged her tightly, their magic wrapping around her own with the love and protection only a parent is capable of.
The group of five headed down towards the village, Narcissa linking her arm through Adhara's.
"I know we haven't had the chance to really talk but I want to thank you for being so understanding of me trying to mix the world I was raised in with this world. I know it can't be easy to see how different I am to what you would have expected of me had I not been kidnapped."
Narcissa squeezed her daughter's arm gently before replying.
"Sweetheart, I am just glad to have you back. I want us to be close and I will do my best to understand the Muggle world that you love so much."
"Draco spoke to me last night about how you would want to take me shopping when the opportunity arises. I'll be honest Mama, I'm really not a fan of long shopping trips. However I would like to propose a trade of sorts."
Narcissa's face had fallen at Addy's admission of her dislike of shopping, but a trade could be interesting.
"Well, dear, you always were more like your father in this regard. Preferring politics and academics to fashion. What sort of trade did you have in mind?"
Adhara chewed her lip for a moment before replying.
"I want to take you shopping in Muggle London. Draco mentioned you may want to go to Paris or Milan at some point as well. I am willing to shop with you in the Wizarding Districts of any city you choose if you're willing to explore the Muggle side with me."
Narcissa's face lit up at this opportunity. She silently thanked Morgana that Draco had talked to his twin and swore to buy him whatever chocolate he wanted the next time she was on the continent.
"Adhara, I think that is a wonderful idea. Wizarding Paris is gorgeous. Do you speak any French?"
"Oh yes! The Grangers took me to France every summer to visit my Grandmère and Grandpère. I would love to see the Wizarding District of Paris."
Adhara smiled brilliantly at her mother. Her suggestion had gone better than she could have dreamed.
Draco deserves something extra at Yule for his suggestion of taking Mama shopping in Muggle London. She thought to herself.
"Wonderful, I'll plan a trip to the continent for the summer holiday." Narcissa was almost giddy at the thought of exploring new sites and fashions. Yes, this trade would be wonderfully beneficial for all involved.
"Mama, are you hosting the Yule Ball or New Year's Gala this season?" Adhara's mind supplied memories of the Manor decorated for the holidays, and she didn't realise how much she had missed it.
"Yes dear, we're hosting the New Year's Gala. The Yule Ball is being held at the Greengrass Estate this year."
"Could we shop Muggle for New Year's? I'll let you put me in whatever you want, within reason, for Yule, but I want to show you what Muggles can do with ballgowns. I also want to put Draco and Papa in Muggle formal wear."
The glint in Adhara's eye was just mischievous enough to spark Narcissa's own Slytherin nature. She grinned slyly at her daughter.
"I think that would be perfectly acceptable. We can look at Gladrags today and see if they have anything we like for Yule."
The two Malfoy women continued to walk in companionable silence, their plan for the day mostly formed. Behind them, the three wizards had been walking in silence for the most part. When Hogsmeade came into view, Harry swallowed nervously.
"Lord Malfoy, what's the best way for me to go about this? I'm not a member of your family, our Houses have no alliance that the public is aware of, and I'm not officially courting your daughter. I feel like it will look really odd if I make a formal statement immediately following your family."
Lucius and Draco looked at each other before replying.
"Honestly Potter, you're correct that it will look off. Personally I would say mingle throughout the crowed and allow any reporters to approach you for a statement. That way it seems more authentic and much less rehearsed, and you control the situation on how much information they get. They would be unlikely to ask questions about whether or not you two are together since you wouldn't be seen standing with our family."
Draco looked to his father for confirmation of his suggestion. Lucius looked proud as he nodded.
"Draco is correct. Well said, son. If you're worried about what to say, keep it vague. Talk about how you trust her judgment and recognize she is her own witch and you support that. Don't mention anything of your own personal feelings on the subject, always redirect to point back at Adhara. If they bring up your friendship with her and if you feel betrayed, simply say that her story is not yours to tell but that there was no betrayal or conscious omission of information from you."
Harry released the breath he didn't realise he'd been holding.
"Thank you, both of you. I don't like how complicated being a Lord is, and I am grateful for all the help."
Lucius clapped Harry on the shoulder briefly.
"While I am unable to show it properly in public, I am grateful for the trust you've placed in Adhara and, by extension, my family. The world will be better once Dumbledore and the Dark Lord are both taken care of."
"I couldn't agree more."
Draco watched this exchange in shock.
"Wait a minute. What did I miss yesterday that has you two talking like allies?"
Harry smirked at the blond boy.
"Oh, did Hermione not tell you about dinner last night?" He asked with faux innocence.
"Dinner? You all had dinner? Without me?" Draco practically shrieked.
Lucius released a long suffering sigh at his only son's melodramatics. Adhara heard her brother's shout and exchanged an equally putupon look with her mother.
"Come with Theo tonight and I'll fill you in." She called over her shoulder.
"Hermione, you never said anything about meeting with Theo tonight, when was that planned?"
Harry did his best not to sound like a jealous boyfriend or jilted lover, but it didn't work. Adhara whirled away from her mother and faced him, her hair sparking with energy as her irritation flared.
"Harrison, you will do well to remember that you are not my keeper. I promised Theo answers to as many of his questions as I am capable and your permission is not required for me to meet with other friends, be they male or female. Whatever you think is going on between Theo and I is all in your head. You'd think after this last week that would be clear to you."
Adhara's hand twitched towards her wand. She was dying to hex him into next week after this morning. Her nerves were raw as it was and Harry's inferiority complex choosing this day to rear its head was too much. She began walking towards him, her voice cold.
"Pull your head out of your arse and realize that it's you I want. I chose you, intentionally flying in the face of a betrothal contract already set up for me because I don't love him! But if this is the behaviour I can expect when friends of mine come around, then maybe we aren't as good a match as I originally thought."
She was breathing hard as she stood in front of Harry, her brown eyes unyielding as they stared into his. He swallowed thickly at the look on her face. There were few constants in his life, but the most consistent had been Hermione's temper and he had just entered dangerous territory. He steeled his nerve as he kept eye contact with her.
"Hermione, I know you don't need my permission to spend time with your other friends. But I don't like the way Theo looks at you. And this morning he admitted he's been paying attention to you since third year! Whatever I am to you, he's still the Pureblood that you are still set to marry and I wasn't raised like he was, or how you were for that matter. As your friend he concerns me, but with whatever else we are he's the competitor trying to get your attention and this, us, is the first thing that I can truly call my own other than my wand."
The fire in Hermione's eyes instantly extinguished, knowing that he was correct. She sighed, a sound far older than should come from a sixteen year old girl.
"I know Harry, and I understand that. But you still need to trust me. Instead of flying off the handle or being petulant with me, bring it up when we can actually discuss it. Not times like now when I'm already set to go around the bend."
She leaned her forehead against his for a moment before kissing his cheek and stepping back.
"I'll find you later, alright? I'm not meeting Theo until after dinner so we'll have plenty of time to talk before then."
Harry took her hand and gently kissed her knuckles before letting her go back to Narcissa. He nodded sharply at Lucius and Draco before turning on his heel and heading towards the Shrieking Shack. He needed space to clear his head and organize his thoughts before facing whatever reporters would be in the village center square.