I've been superrrr busy, but here's an update finally! Longest chapter so far! We're starting to get into Time Skip Land! I don't have an outline, but I'm planning about a chapter or two per year until Hermione's 6th year. Even though I don't personally like it, the split POVs ended up happening against my will so I'm going to keep with it. I'm going to try not to be too repetitive with going over the same thing. I'll just gloss over some situations when I feel the opposite POV isn't necessary, as seen here.
I started a board on Pinterest for this story! Just search for jennaisperfect and the board is called Need You Now. It'll show some visuals like rooms and clothes if anyone is interested!
Without further ado, LET'S GOOOO!
Hermione walks through the dungeon halls towards the Potion's room with Neville, lost in thought.
Professor Riddle was staring at her again.
Despite her best efforts, she can't seem to figure out why. She also doesn't understand why her eyes seem to be drawn his way, too. Maybe she can feel his eyes on her and it causes her to meet them? She doesn't know.
She's brought out of her musings as they finally enter the Potion's room and sit down in the first row. She leans over her bag to pull out paper and a quill to take notes when she feels someone sit down in the chair next to her.
"Hello, you're Hermione Granger, right?" She startles as her neighbor speaks to her. She lifts her head to see a Slytherin boy with hair so blonde it's almost white.
"Um, yes. Hello."
"Draco Malfoy. Nice to meet you," he holds out his hand to shake.
She grabs his hand with a smile. "Nice to meet you, too."
Draco turns to the two boys that are sitting next to him. "These are my mates, Blaise Zabini and Theodore Nott. Guys, this is Hermione Granger."
She exchanges waves and hellos with them. Theodore tossing out that she can call him Theo. Remembering Neville, she introduces the three boys to him. They all chat silently until Professor Snape comes striding into the room, robes billowing behind him with the force of the wind from his movement.
Potions flies by quickly. Fred and George weren't lying when they said that Professor Snape only liked the Slytherins. However, he didn't seem to be as callous with Hermione. Odd.
As the class ends, she packs her things and stands to leave with Neville, waving goodbye to Draco and his friends as they stay to talk to Snape.
"Professor Snape is terrifying! I don't know how I'm going to be able to get through his class." Neville turns his worried eyes onto her.
"Don't worry, Neville! I'll be your partner. Maybe it'll even become your favorite class," she giggles.
"Highly doubtful," he mutters.
Hermione laughs as they make their way through the crowded halls and into their Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. She avoids looking towards the front of the room where she knows Professor Riddle is standing. Everything about him confuses her; and where she would normally want to start researching immediately, she instead is too embarrassed by these constant thoughts of him to want to spend any extra time thinking about it.
It's probably just a stupid crush, she reminds herself.
She sits in the front of the room again with Neville, and she turns to wave at the Slytherin boys as she hears them walk into the room.
Despite her earlier avoidance, her attention quickly snaps to Professor Riddle as he begins to speak. His voice is deep and strong and easily holds the attention of everyone in the room – especially the girls.
She's excited at the prospect of being challenged in this class. Reading their required book already had her excited about the material, and now she can't wait to get to the practical learning. She instantly knows the answers to all of the questions Professor Riddle asks, and she beams at his praise when he calls on her to give the answer.
At one point, she hears Harry and Ron making fun of her a few seats behind her. She sinks low into her chair as her face heats in embarrassment.
"Weasley! Potter! How do you expect to learn if you're too busy whispering and giggling like little schoolgirls? Pay attention and be quiet, or I'll have to ask you to leave." She's stunned to hear Professor Riddle reprimand her housemates. She sends him a grateful smile as the class around her begins to giggle.
After class, Professor Riddle asks her to stay behind. She nervously approached him, but was surprised to hear him commend her intelligence. She left his room with a new pep in her step.
That night, she settles into bed while the other first year girls gossiped about their first day. She had hoped that Olivia Adams and Sophie Thomson would be more like her and less like Lavender and Parvati, but she was wrong.
How unfortunate.
"Professor Riddle looked just marvelous today, didn't he?" Sophie asked.
"Oh yes! Black really is his color. He's just so cute!" Parvati quickly chimed in with a squeal.
"Did you see the way he looked at me?" Lavender popped in from her bed. "He couldn't take his eyes off of me. I think that I might be his mate."
Parvati, Olivia, and Sophie silently look at each other before promptly bursting into uncontrollable laughter. Even Hermione gives a little chuckle at that one.
"What?!" Wide eyed, Lavender looks between the girls. "Didn't you notice? I think he fancies himself in love with me," she haughtily says, nose in the air.
The laughter grows louder.
Hermione closes the drapes around her bed and lays on her side to go to sleep. Those insipid girls only care about boys and makeup and hair. They couldn't care less about important things like books and grades.
She sighs as her hope of becoming friends with them drifts off along with her to sleep, and she tries to ignore how her heart gave a painful thump at the thought of Lavender being Professor Riddle's mate.
The next few months fly by as she's busy studying and getting used to her new routine.
One day a few weeks into term, she stopped by Professor Riddle's office to get a second opinion on her DADA essay. He offered a very compelling argument to what she had written and helped her go on a better path. Once they were done, he offered to let her stay and finish the essay in his office in case she had any other questions.
She's done her work there every day since.
Professor Riddle was easily becoming her favorite teacher. He was the only one willing and able to have a lengthy, intelligent conversation about every sort of topic imaginable. He always tested her and kept her on her toes, and he never got bored or rolled his eyes when she would get excited and babble about something she thought was interesting. Even her parents sometimes turned to polite smiles and nods when they had had too much of her.
Professor Riddle never did that to her.
She's in his office again the day before the trains leave for Christmas break. None of her assignments are due until the end of break, but she wanted to get a head start on them.
She lifts her head from her charms homework and stretches out the kinks in her neck. As she shakes the stiffness out of her hand from writing, she glances at the clock. Her eyes widen in surprise and she hops up from her seat.
"Oh! Dinner's started!"
Professor Riddle looks up from the paper he's grading to look at the time. "I suppose it is. I guess we lost track of time."
She starts to throw her things into her bag. "I haven't even begun to pack my things and the train leaves at 9 in the morning."
"You're going home for break?" She furrows her brow at his tone. It sounds almost … strained? No, that can't be right. She looks up to find that he's gone back to grading.
"Of course. I haven't seen my parents in months. And it's Christmas! Aren't you going home to your family?"
"No. My parents died when I was young, and I was an only child."
"Oh." Her face flares at her misstep. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have assumed."
His head lifts and he gives her a slight smile. "It's fine, Hermione. Don't worry about it. I'm used to the questions by now." He'd taken to calling her by her first name after her fifteenth time visiting his office.
"Do you have anything exciting planned for the holiday?" She turns the subject away from his family. Or his lack of one.
"I'll probably attend the Malfoy's annual New Year's Eve party. Otherwise, nothing too exciting for me. What about you? Do the Granger's have anything exhilarating planned?"
"Nope. Just our usual Christmas for us. Spending the whole day in our pajamas and marathoning Christmas movies."
"Sounds invigorating," he grins.
"Oh, be quiet. It's tradition!" He laughs at her vehemence. She packs up the last of her books. "I really need to head down to dinner. I'm already going to be up passed midnight packing."
She glances up and catches a frown that he quickly evens out. "We wouldn't want that, now. Hurry along. Have a Happy Christmas, Hermione."
"You, too, Professor." She throws him a wave as she heads out the door and towards the Great Hall.
Hermione sighs as she sets her book down beside her on the couch. Ever since she left school two days ago, she's been feeling an odd emptiness inside. Not that she's not overjoyed to be with her parents, but a part of her is longing to be back in the castle.
She stands and makes her way into the kitchen to make herself something to eat for lunch. She pulls out some ham and cheese to make a sandwich and goes back to look for some mustard. As she's rummaging through the refrigerator, she hears a tapping on the window. She turns around, eyes widening at the sight of an owl.
"Hello, there. What are you doing here?"
She opens the window and the owl flies into the kitchen, landing on the counter and shaking the snow off its wings. She unwraps a letter from the owl's leg and it nips at her fingers, asking for a treat. She reaches over for a small slice of ham and feeds it to the owl as she unrolls the letter.
Dear Hermione,
Hello! I hope you're enjoying your Christmas Holiday so far. My mother is driving me mad with all of the preparations for the New Year's Eve party over here. Why do I care whether there are roses or gardenias?
I apologize for this being so last minute, but Mother asked for me to invite you to the party. Gave me a big lecture for not inviting you in the first place. It's not that I don't want you there, I just wanted to save you from the torture of going.
Anyway, this is your official invitation. The party is New Year's Eve, obviously, and starts at 7 PM. It's formal dress, but Mother says she has something you can wear if you can't find something last minute. A dress and shoes, so no need to worry about it. Mother also mentioned that you're welcome to stay here in one of our guest suits if it would make your parents more comfortable.
Send a response back with Apollo. If you want to come, one of my parents will arrive at your house at 6:45 PM that night to side-along apparate with you here. Someone will also take you home, of course.
Best,
Draco
Hermione sets down the letter and races over to the telephone. She quickly dials the number to her parents' dentist office and asks the receptionist if either of her parents are available. She taps her foot impatiently as she waits for one to pick up.
"Hermione. Is everything alright, dear?" Her mother's voice comes floating through the phone.
"Yes, mum, everything is fine. I just had a question. I just received a letter from my friend Draco Malfoy that I told you about. His family is having a party on New Year's Eve and he's invited me to go. Could I pretty pretty pretty please?" She holds her breath as she waits for her mother to speak.
"Well … I suppose it would be fine for you to go. Your father and I were thinking about going to the Jameson's party that night anyway, but we didn't want to leave you alone."
She dances around the kitchen and squeals. "Oh, thank you, Mum!"
"Now, hold on a second," she says sternly. "How would you get home? If we're out late I don't know if we'll be able to pick you up, and I don't know how I feel about you being out so late, too."
"Draco said that someone would come to pick me up and bring me home. And Mrs. Malfoy offered for me to stay the night with them since the party is so late. I don't mind staying the night. Could I please?"
Her mother hums. "If you're okay with it, then I guess am, too."
"Oh, thank you, Mum!"
"You're very welcome, sweetheart. I've got to get back to work, but I'll see you in a few hours, okay? I love you."
"Love you, too, Mum." She hangs up the phone and rushes back over to write a reply.
Dear Draco,
Thank you for wanting to save me from having to attend your parents' party, but it was unnecessary. I would love to go! I asked my mum and she said I could go and that it was fine for me to stay the night, too. Please let your mother know that I would love to wear the outfit she has for me. Formal wear isn't exactly something that I have laying around the house. I'll see you in a few days! Have a Happy Christmas!
Best,
Hermione
The next few days pass by in a blur of Christmas festivities. She had a lovely Christmas with her parents, and they spent that evening with family for dinner. She loves school, but she didn't realize how much she missed getting together with family until she was surrounded by all her loved ones.
However, even though she had an amazing holiday, she couldn't help but notice that her heart didn't feel completely full. She was still missing something.
The only issue was that she couldn't figure out exactly what that was.
Today is officially New Year's Eve, and Hermione is currently sitting in the bathroom while her mum tries to tame her unruly curls.
It feels more like torture.
"Ow!" She winces for the millionth time as her mum pulls too hard.
"Sorry, honey. I'm almost done."
Hermione internally groans. She's been sitting here for almost two hours now. Her hair has been brushed, curled, and sprayed more times tonight than ever in her entire life.
She may be exaggerating. But she's pretty sure she's not.
After a few more tugs, her mum proclaims, "Finished!"
She turns around to finally look at the end result of her abuse. She's gasps. She doesn't even recognize herself. Her mum was able to somehow smooth out her natural frizz into sleek curls that tumbled down her back. The top half was pulled into an intricate bun with a braid woven in from each side of her head.
"It's perfect, Mum. I love it!"
Jean leans down from behind Hermione and wraps her arms loosely around her. "You look so beautiful, Hermione." They perk up at the sound of a knock at the door. "That must be one of the Malfoys," Jean says. "You grab your shoes, coat, and bag and I'll go get the door."
As Jean heads downstairs, Hermione jumps up and rushes to grab her things. Slipping into her coat and a pair of winter boots for the trip. Her heart is pounding in excitement. She's been looking forward to this party and seeing her friend for days now. She hurries down the stairs and comes to a quick stop once she realizes who is at the front door with her mother and father.
"Professor Riddle!" She races the rest of the way downstairs towards the group. "What are you doing here?"
"Hello, Hermione." He smiles. "Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy were indisposed last minute, so I offered to be your escort."
"I forgot that you said you would be at the party tonight." She pivots to face her parents. "This is Professor Riddle that I told you about. My Defense professor." Twin looks of recognition cross both of their faces.
"It's very nice to meet you, Mr. Riddle. Hermione has had nothing but good things to say about you. I'm Jean Granger and this is my husband, Richard." They each hold out their hands for him to shake.
"Hermione is one of my best students. It's a pleasure to have her in my class. And please, call me Tom."
Hermione quickly masks the surprise on her face. She hadn't realized that she never learned his first name until just now. She's confused at the flare of disappointment she feels at the thought of him never entrusting her with the information. She shakes the disconcerting feeling away and returns her attention back to the conversation. She notices Professor Riddle giving her a questioning look, but it's wiped off his face as her father interrupts the moment.
"You two better be off. Party's going to be in the swing of things by the time you get there," her dad starts to shoo them out the door.
"Your father's right, dear. We should probably head off, too, Richard."
Her parents grab their coats and kiss Hermione goodbye.
"It was nice to meet you, Tom. Thank you for picking up Hermione," her father adds.
"It was nice to meet you both, too. And it's no problem. I was happy to help."
"Wait," her mother exclaims as she's slipping her arms into her coat. "How are you two getting to the Malfoy's home? I didn't see a car outside."
"We'll be apparating. It's a form of magical travel."
"Oh! How interesting! Just right here, then? Or do you need to go somewhere?"
"Here is fine. Hermione?" Hermione straightens at her name. "Are you ready?" He holds out his arm for her to grab onto.
Her face warms as she grabs onto the crook of his elbow and his bicep. As his other hand settles over one of hers and their skin touches, she gasps quietly. The empty feeling that's been in the back of her mind all of break disappears and she suddenly feels full. Like she's exactly where she needs to be.
She feels his hand tighten on hers as he leans down to whisper, "Relax and clear your mind."
She does as he directs and yelps as he turns and she's thrust into what feels like a small tube, her body squeezing and molding. In seconds, they're landing on flat land and she heaves in precious air.
He keeps ahold of her while she gains her bearings.
She tries to ignore her disappointment when he finally lets go.
"Are you okay?" He asks.
"Yes. I think." She breaths out a laugh. "I've never done that before."
He sends her a grin. "It's a little disorienting the first time, but you get used to it after a while."
Her eyes widen as she finally takes in the house before them.
A house is perhaps too quaint a word. More like a mansion, really.
They're just inside the large, imposing gates that are open to admit the long parade of carriages and other apparating guests. There's a sea of people walking up the grand steps to the enormous home. The windows were lit up and she could hear the murmur of conversation and the flow of music from where they were outside.
As they begin to walk towards the entrance to the mansion, she asks, "Why are those people apparating from outside the gate?"
"There are wards in place that stop anyone not permitted from apparating straight onto the Manor's grounds. I've been friends with the Malfoys for a long time, so the wards don't apply to me. I usually apparate straight into the foyer, but I wanted you to be able to see the outside of the home."
She hums in understanding, distracted by all the sights and sounds as they walk up the steps and through the large front doors.
Her face splits into a wide grin as she spots Draco. He's standing next to a couple with identical platinum blonde hair that must be his parents. The pair walk up to the family and Draco returns her grin.
"Hermione, hello!"
"Hi, Draco!"
He gestures towards his parents. "Mother. Father. This is Hermione Granger."
Mrs. Malfoy smiles and pulls her into a hug. "It's so nice to finally meet you, Hermione. We've heard so much about you."
Mr. Malfoy leans in to shake her hand. "Hello, Hermione. It almost feels like this home has been waiting decades for your presence." He sends a smirk to the man at her side and she glances at Professor Riddle to see him glaring back. She furrows her brow at the exchange, but chooses to question Draco about it later when she can get him alone.
"Thank you so much for inviting me into your lovely home, Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy."
"Darling, please call us Narcissa and Lucius. You're practically family. No need for formalities here." She smiles and nods in agreement. "Now, let's get you upstairs and changed." She feels Professor Riddle move along with them as Narcissa grabs her hand and starts to pull her up the stairs, but he halts as Narcissa throws over her shoulder, "No need to follow, Tom. Us girls can handle ourselves. We'll be back down before you know it."
Strange. Her back was turned. How did she know he was following?
She forgets the thought as Narcissa begins to speak. "The elves prepared one of the guest suites for you to stay in tonight. If you find that you're missing anything, either ask one of us, or call for Mippy. She's our head elf, and she'll be happy to get you anything you need. Ah, here we are."
She opens up a door close to the end of the hall, and Hermione gasps at the large space. The bedroom was larger than her living room and kitchen combined at home. It was decorated in light blues, whites, and gold accents. A large fireplace with two comfortable looking armchairs in front of it sat to the left of the doorway. French doors are centered in the far wall and she can just glimpse what looks like an amazing view. A large bed was against the wall to the right. It looked like Heaven; a blue bedspread, a draped canopy over the top half, and more pillows than she could ever imagine. Aside from the overwhelming beauty of the room, the most exciting part of it to Hermione was the bookcase spanning the entire entryway wall, top to bottom. It was full of books and she felt her eyes glaze over at the magnificence of it.
She wipes the side of her mouth when Narcissa isn't looking just in case she started drooling at the sight.
"This room is beautiful, Narcissa. I could sit in here all day and read these books," she confesses, voice full of awe.
Narcissa smiles. "I'm glad you like it, dear. Let's get you changed so we can head back down to the party."
Narcissa leads her over to one of two – not including the entrance – doorways in the room and opens it. Hermione is yet again shocked at the sight of a pristine white bathroom. Again, this one is larger than any of them in her own home. It's open and spacious and has a delightful looking circular bathtub surrounded by steps leading up into it that she would love to soak in.
Narcissa reaches up to grab a dress down from by the vanity and hands it to her. She steps out of the room as Hermione slips into it. It's a lovely red dress and long enough to reach to her ankles. It has a slight sweetheart neckline and is overlaid with lace that comes up closer to her neck and reaches in long sleeves all the way to her wrists. A ribbon is wrapped around her waist and ties into a bow in the back. It's the most beautiful dress she's ever worn, and she can't help but glow at how pretty she feels when she puts it on.
As she walks out of the bathroom, Narcissa clasps her hands and holds them in front of her face. "Oh, Hermione, you look lovely."
She blushes at the rare praise. "Thank you, Narcissa."
She hands her a pair of simple black flats. "Hurry and put on these shoes and we'll head back downstairs."
She does so and they make their way down to the ballroom where the music is loudest. Hermione takes in all the decorations and people as they walk into the grand ballroom.
"It looks lovely in here, Narcissa. You did an amazing job."
"Thank you so much, dear," she smiles gratefully at Hermione. "Ah, there's Draco. Looks like the boys all arrived, too. Why don't you head over that way? Trust me, you don't want to have to deal with all the mingling I'm going to have to deal with tonight." Hermione laughs as Narcissa winks and makes her way over to Draco, Blaise, and Theo.
The boys meet her halfway as they look up and see her walking towards them. They all exchange greetings and make their way over to the long table full of hors d'oeuvres to start piling food onto plates.
They spend the beginning of the night floating around the room and avoiding people who tried to talk to the boys so that they could make a connection to get to their parents. They make jokes about the stuck up guests and giggle behind their hands. Hermione's having a great time and is so happy that she was able to come.
While they were laughing about the most outrageous mustache they had ever seen on a man on the dancefloor, they startle as a deep voice comes up behind them.
"I hope you're all behaving yourselves."
They spin around and look guiltily up at Professor Riddle.
"Hello, Professor," they all greet.
"Boys. Hermione." He nods at them all, hands clasped behind his back. He turns his attention to the boys, "Lucius was looking for you three. He wants to introduce you to the Puddlemere United seeker."
Their eyes get wide and they race off in the direction Professor Riddle points towards. Hermione rolls her eyes at boys and their fascination with Quidditch.
The now lone pair silently stares out at the other guests. Hermione looking on longingly to the dancefloor. She loves to dance, but she felt too uncomfortable asking one of the boys if they wanted to dance with her.
She jumps as an arm is suddenly thrust in front of her face. She looks up at Professor Riddle as he asks, "Would you like to join me for a dance?"
Her eyes widen and she hesitates, almost saying no thank you, but she decides to grab his arm anyway. This may be her only chance to dance at this party.
He pulls her onto the dance floor and starts to gracefully move to the steps of the song being played by the band. It takes her a moment, but she quickly picks up on the pattern. He's quite taller than her and he has to bend down somewhat awkwardly. After a minute of this position, he huffs and she squeaks as she's suddenly picked up and her feet are deposited onto his own. He relaxes into this new position, able to hold onto her and move around more easily.
She blushes at how close this brings her to him.
A distant click and a flash and she flinches. She turns towards the source and sees a photographer moving on to the next dancing pair, taking their photo.
"How was your Christmas?"
She jerks her head up at his question, catching his gaze. "Lovely! We did exactly what I said. Never left the couch or our pajamas." She grins at his amused look. "Did you do anything Christmas Day, Professor?"
"I've been here all break, so I spent it with the Malfoys." His face seems to strain slightly. "And please, Hermione, call me Tom. We're not at school, we don't have to be so formal."
"Okay. Tom." Her face warms and she looks down at their feet, missing the awestruck look that takes over his face. "You're very close with the Malfoys then? I know you said you've been a friend of the family for a long time."
"I went to school with Abraxas, Lucius's father. His mother couldn't stand that I didn't have anyone to spend holidays and breaks with, so she made sure that I was always welcome at their home. I've been coming around ever since."
Hermione smiles, happy that even though he didn't have a family of his own, he had people that he could call family.
"Abraxas is around here somewhere, actually. I'm sure he would love to meet you." A secret smile crosses Tom's face.
Bemused, Hermione asks, "Me? Why would he want to meet me?"
"Narcissa's already decided you're part of the family. She would be appalled if he didn't introduce himself."
Hermione feels like there's more to it than that, but she decides to let it go.
As the song ends, he helps her off his feet and guides her over to a corner of the room towards a regal looking couple. The man looks exactly like Lucius, but aged about twenty more years. She instantly knows this is Abraxas Malfoy.
Nervous butterflies start flying around in her stomach as Tom walks them up to the couple. She's never seen such a regal pair of people, and she almost feels unworthy to speak to them.
Her nerves fade away as the biggest smile she's ever seen stretches over the face of Abraxas when her and Tom step into view. He steps forward and grabs her into a tight hug. "Hermione, it's so great to finally meet you. I've heard so much about you." He pulls back but still holds onto her arms, looking over her over from head to toe. "You look very lovely tonight. I've heard you've got a brain big enough to challenge ole Tom here too, eh?" He chuckles and straightens back up. "This is my wife, Catherine."
Catherine smiles and leans down to also give her a hug. She smiles at the pair and greets them both. She doesn't know why she was so nervous. They're some of the nicest people she's ever met.
The Malfoys ask her about herself, school, and her family. She answers every question with a bright smile. They talk until Draco comes striding over and tugs her away to go back to the boys. She waves her goodbyes to the three of them and runs off with Draco. Throwing one last glance towards the group, she sees Abraxas clasp Tom's shoulder as Tom looks down bashfully.
Time passed quickly with all of their fun. At one point, Narcissa dragged them over to take pictures. She was surprised to be ushered into a few, instead of just watching from the sidelines. She was pulled into a family photo with all of the Malfoys and Tom, her and the three boys, and just her and Draco. Then, to her shock and embarrassment, Narcissa made her take a photo with just her and Tom. She blushed as she was pushed into his side to pose, but she relaxed and smiled as he sent her a wink and a smile behind Narcissa's back.
Before they know it, it's time to countdown to midnight. She yells out the numbers and screams "Happy New Year" and blows in wizard party horns surrounded by people who she's starting to believe she'll know for the rest of her life.
She's never been happier.
Not too long after midnight, her energy wears out. Draco, Blaise, and Theo falling along right with her. They all say their goodbyes and plan to meet up at the Hogwarts Express to share a compartment in a couple days. Blaise and Theo plod along to find their parents, and Draco leads Hermione upstairs after they say goodnight to his family and Tom.
Hermione changes and lays in the big bed that is just like Heaven and falls asleep with a smile on her face.
Sunlight shining in through the French doors wakes Hermione up in the morning. As she stretches and sits up, she remembers where she is. She grins and hops out of bed, happy at the thought of all the fun she had last night. She makes her way towards the bathroom, but jumps when she hears a pop sound next to her.
"Good morning, Miss! Mippy is to be telling Miss to go downstairs to the dining room for breakfast when Miss is ready." A small house elf with floppy ears and bright, big eyes advises her.
"Hello, Mippy! Thank you for telling me. I think I'm going to take a quick bath and then I'll be down. Is that alright?"
"Of course, Miss! Miss is having plenty of time to bathe! Breakfast is to be serving in thirty minutes." Mippy's eyes grow even wider if possible and she grabs her ears in her small hands and starts to twist them nervously. "If Miss is to be needing anything at all, please call for Mippy, yes? Mippy is very happy to be serving Miss and to be helping her with anything Miss be needing."
Hermione smiles at the wonderful elf. "You have my word, Mippy. Anything at all and I'll be calling you."
Mippy grins and with another pop she disappears from the room.
Hermione continues into the bathroom and fills the tub. Jumping in once the water is full enough. She relaxes for as long as she can and then hurries out to dry off and get dressed.
As she leaves her room to head down to breakfast, she realizes that Mippy didn't tell her exactly where the dining room is. As she opens her mouth to call for the elf, the door next to her own opens and Tom walks out.
He spots her and his mouth turns up into a smile. "Good morning, Hermione. Headed down to breakfast?"
She grins sheepishly. "Morning. I was headed that way, until I realized I don't actually know where I'm going."
He chuckles and holds out his arm to her. "No problem. I'll escort you there."
She hesitantly grabs onto his arm and lets him lead her to the dining room where they walk in to find Narcissa, Lucius, and Draco already seated at the table. Lucius at the head and Narcissa to his right, Draco in the seat next to her. Tom pulls out the chair next to the seat on Lucius's left, and holds it out for her to sit. She thanks him as she takes her seat and he pushes the chair in, moving to sit in the empty chair beside her.
They make small talk throughout breakfast, mostly the Malfoys asking Hermione questions about herself. As they finish, she runs upstairs to grab her things and comes back down to meet everyone in the foyer.
Narcissa hugs her tightly. "I'm so glad you came, Hermione. It was so great to meet you. You're welcome here anytime you want, dear." She pulls away with a quick squeeze to Hermione's shoulders. Lucius gives her a quick goodbye and she hugs Draco quickly with a parting reminder about meeting at King's Cross.
She grabs onto Tom's arm and prepares herself for the feeling of apparition. With a twist, they land in front of her house, a Notice Me Not charm already on them to keep her neighbors from seeing their sudden appearance.
"Goodbye, Hermione. I'll see you in a couple days."
"Goodbye, Tom." She waves as he turns and disappears and she walks into her house, bursting to tell her parents all about her night.