Hey Everyone,

It looks like a once a week update. haha. Things have begun to settle down, but it seems like I am working 7 days a week even with shut down, and social distancing. I will not lie to you all, there for about a week I hated coming over to my computer to write. BLEH! I hope you like this chapter. Its the longest chapter by far over 6000 words! I will begin easing off with the Narcissa and Hermione interactions. But not much. hehe

Enjoy,
Snow

Witch Hazel - A Spell

New Quarters and New Roommates:

Hermione felt the slow progression of healing with each and every step toward the Gryffindor Dorms. Once she reached an intersection a house elf waited patiently. She wanted more than to let go, fall back into bed, but she knew she had research. He looked at her, and eyed her with glassy eyes, and … clothes. So, he was freed.

"I am Hermione Granger, what is your name?" Hermione meant to bend down, but the still minutely healing skin pulled at her flesh and she did nothing more than a shallow bow from her waist. She couldn't do more if her life depended on it.

"This way Miss Grangy…" The little elf said suddenly animated and wanted nothing more than to help and serve.

She walked with the little helper, and then abruptly turned from a way she usually went. She paused and her brow furrowed. She didn't even know the corridor was there. She looked back, and saw the window she walked every day, the hall she walked more times she could count. She then backed up into the hallway. It looked like the wall. Solid strong stone wall.

"Only you and your roommate are allowed to come through the wards," the house elf explained.

"What about visitors?" she asked worrying about Harry, Ginny, and Ron.

"You will need to be in flesh contact and accepting of the person coming through the ward. So…" but Hermione cut off the little man.

"I anyone not wanted in these wards will be expelled, and or blocked," she sat dazed for a second. People could not stop messing with her hair in the night, or putting roaches in her bed, or hexes on her sheets. She almost teared at a solid night's sleep. She walked to her room and the little elf guided her the entire way. He never seemed to want to leave her side. She was overwhelmed. She needed time… to... No, she went to her bed in her room and threw her body over the fresh crisp sheets of her new dorm. Then there was a sound.

She walked to the disruption and saw another blonde she had never thought in her entire life she would be associated with but there she stood.

"Hello Hermione," Greeted the blonde wistfully looking around as if tracking something with her eye, and then she lazily met Hermione's, "I guess they thought we would be better suited for each other. I hope you keep the wraksports on your side of the dorm," requested the voice and she sank into the depths of the room Hermione chose.

"Luna, I chose that room first," Hermione said allowed, and then she heard a soft sigh in relaxation. Hermione accioed all her things and brought them to the new room. She didn't have a heart to kick out the younger girl. Her time at Hogwarts had been much worse. Once set up she only wanted one thing… a window.

As if sensing her desires, the room molded a window for her. Hermione smiled and then sank on her bed. She looked at the small pile on the bed, then reached for the books as she say cross legged devouring the books. She looked at one note. A list. Hungarian Horntail, Chinese Fireball, Common Welsh Green, and Swedish Short-Snout. Hermione accioed her parchment and a quill and took notes on the dragons reading the entire set of set of books Harry gave her.

When she was finished it was the early morning hours of the day, and she sighed. Then she rubbed her eyes She looked around her new room, and then shoved the books to the foot of the bed. She set an alarm for a few hours later. She would go to the library later. Find a spell hopefully, that can help her with a dragon. She tried not to think of one nightmarish thing… The trial is technically tomorrow.

Breakfast

Hermione woke and worked her way into new clothes and went down to the Great Hall. It was still relatively early, and she was surprised to see more people there this morning. But the champions all seemed to have the same idea. Eat, recharge, and study. Hermione stood at the door, and let her eyes skim between Viktor Krum's, and Cedric Diggory's faces. Victor regarded her with a cool yet burly demeanor, and a slight huff and a smirk. Hermione let her eyes drift to Cedric and the Hufflepuff tipped an imaginary hat to her. Thank you was mouthed on his lips, and she nodded. Finally she found Fleur Delecour eating silently with a dazed look up on her features. Hermione walked over to the girl and placed a hand on her shoulder. The blond jumped at the contact and Hermione lifted her hand up away from Fleur's shoulder and raised it the air as if she meant no harm. Fleur sighed and patted the seat next to her. Hermione sat next to the Beauxbaton's champion. Fleur ate a small bit of toast, lightly buttered, and a cup of very dark coffee. Hermione sighed and then her breakfast came. A hard circular disc covered with peanut butter and honey, and a lemon zinger tea.

"That looks odd, What iz et?" Fleur asked as Hermione took her first crunchy bite. Hermione Crunched and crunched holding up her finger in a gesture of giving her a moment. Fleur smiled softly, and then pushed her food slightly away. Hermione watched this, then noted how Fleur then rest her cheek on her closed hand looking at her. There were rings below her eyes, and she was very pale.

"In the muggle world we call the base a rice cracker, rice cake. A lot of people hate the consistency and taste by its self. It is likened to cardboard," Hermione explained and watched Fleur's nose wrinkle, "But when combined with other things it is quite enjoyable. It is also light on the stomach. Would you like to try it?" Hermione asked and watched as Fleur wavered . Hermione broke the second one apart, and then into a small chunk and handed it to Fleur. Fleur took the food into her hand, and looked at it. Then Hermione began to laugh. Fleur's eyes jumped to Hermione's

"It wont bite, and its not poisonous," Hermione joked as she took another bite of her morning meal and watched Fleur politely, even daintily nibble on the end. Her eyes lit up as she looked to Hermione and popped the rest of the treat into her mouth. They both chewed in relative silence enjoying the crunch, crunch, crunch as they ate.

"You are not hungry?" Asked Hermione as she watched Fleur take a small sip of her coffee. Fleur sighed and then placed the coffee down and once more placed her cheek on her closed hand and watched Hermione.

"How are you today 'Ermione?" she asked and Hermione's eyes narrowed. She took a sip of her Lemon Zinger, and finshed breakfast.

"I am much better than I have been in a long while, thank you," Hermione answer and then mirrored Fleur's body language and posture. "Now are you going to tell me why you haven't been sleeping or will I have to guess?" Hermione said softly not provoke the girl. Fleur watched Hermione, eyes ran over Hermione's face, her lips, her eyes, and cheeks.

"You look much better. I am glad," Fleur said, and watched as Hermione nodded.

"I have a feeling your sleep deprivation has to do with dragons. Is this true?" Hermione asked quietly. Fleur swallowed and then took a sip from her coffee. Hermione saw the slight nod. "Have you thought of a plan?" Hermione asked and Fleur's eyes shot to her, distrust in those blues. Hermione sat up straight took the last of her lemon tea and sat rod straight.

"I don't want your plan. I simply do not want you harmed," Hermione let her eyes close as they begin to blur as if she could not focus. She reached out for Fleur's forearm, then opened her eyes. The world focused perfectly. Hermione looked over to Fleur, patted her arm, her thumb caressed her sleeve, and then she nodded.

Hermione took one more look around and then saw Professor McGonagall talking to Professor Dumbledore. Then her eyes shifted to Lady Malfoy. Their eyes clashed. Fleur sensed something in Hermione's posture, and then her gaze. She looked between the woman and the student. Fleur reached out patted Hermione's hand still on her arm and broke their eye contact. Hermione shook her forearm, and then stood up. Fleur watched as Hermione walked toward the staff table. She could not hear much, only a request to study for her trial tomorrow. Professor McGonagall, Dumbledore, and Pomfrey nodded and allowed her to have today to prepare. Then Hermione looked to Narcissa Malfoy. She asked something softly. Lady Malfoy nodded and told her 3 o'clock sharp.

Hermione walked back down the aisle between tables, and then nodded to Fleur, and then waved casually goodbye. Fleur sat there watching Hermione, and then turned back around and watched Narcissa Malfoy watch the younger witch leave. Then Lady Malfoy's eyes slid to hers. Fleur came from a honorable Veela heritage, and was just as well off if not better than the Malfoys in France. But when she looked into Narcissa Malfoy's eyes, she could have sworn the woman's veins were made of ice, and her gaze froze Fleur deep into the unfathomable parts of her. Fleur tilted her head to the side, curious, and then watched Mrs. Malfoy narrow her eyes. Madame Pomfrey touched the woman's forearm and leaned in, ripped that arctic gaze from Fleur.

At the Staff Table

Hermione walked into the Great Hall and Narcissa could not help the relief she knew could be jumping off her in sparks of joy. She would not deny it to herself that she felt drawn to the girl. She will argue it was the mother in her, the need to give a battered soul a shelter in the storm. She heard what Professor McGonagall has said about her reverence for life. What she didn't realize was that her reverence only went so far. She would be cutthroat and brutal if need be, but it was not necessary if one were to yield. She did not crave power over another person, she only wished to bend people to her will, if they would not cooperate. Bellatrix would always bend people like a willow branch, and then keep at it until the branch was either twisted into a knot or snapped altogether. It wasn't reverence for life. It was simply a different means to an end.

Narcissa watched as Hermione at next to the Veela. Narcissa felt a pang and a tingle in her fingertips. It was a strange sensation she continuously felt when around Hermione since she grasped her wrist the first day she met her. As she watched the two champions, they sat close, closer than they probably thought they were. They seemed like they were in their own world. It was rather sweet. Then Hermione and the Veela sat up, as if both would not talk more on the matter. Then Hermione looked up and caught Narcissa's eyes.

Narcissa refused to let her demeanor shift. She refused to let that small wicked part of her rejoiced in bringing Hermione's attention from the gorgeous blond. Then Fleur acted and Hermione looked at Fleur once more, then got up and walked toward them.

"Morning Professors, I am requesting permission to take today as a study and preparation day for tomorrow's task," Hermione addressed the table. There were sputters of yes, and of course, and please do. Hermione nodded and then walked over to Narcissa. Narcissa looked down at the girl. Their eyes clashed, and she saw not a little girl, but a fighter. A young woman forced to become a warrior.

"Could we please have our first lesson today?" Hermione asked Narcissa. Narcissa felt a little skip in her heart. Then she nodded.

"Three o'clock sharp. I will meet you in the infirmary," Narcissa said coolly. Hermione nodded, eyes hard, and focused. Hermione walked away and Narcissa watched the interaction between the champions and then blue eyes turned around and met hers.

Fleur Delacour looked into her eyes. She dared to gaze into the eyes of a Pureblood witch. Then she thought of it, Hermione was nothing more than a mudblood, why not a Veela who is the next in line to lead the Delacour clan. Narcissa knew the on goings in France. She made it her business to know, and the Delacour's were the Black's of Veela France. Practically Veela royalty. Narcissa's eyes broke as she felt Poppy touch her arm.

"Come now Narcissa, don't scare the girl," the medi-witch joked. Narcissa took a deep breath and nodded.

"I heard you now have the Granger girl as your apprentice?" Poppy asked and Narcissa nodded, "Does she know you could have applied for the DADA job years ago and would have been a better teacher than all of those hacks put together?" Poppy asked in a whisper. Narcissa shook her head.

"Not everyone spent most of their Hogwarts years getting healing and Defense Mastery's only a few years out of Hogwarts," Narcissa jabbed back at the nosy healer.

"Yes, however not everyone has to do those things for a war," Narcissa slowly looked at Poppy as she healer said those words.

"One can never be too careful when the climate of a country changes, Madame," Narcissa said coolly. The healer only nodded and chuckled.

"True," the Healer commented and left the aristocrat to her thoughts.

The Library:

It was midmorning and Hermione had books strewn about the aisle she confiscated as her own. Hermione sat in the farthest nook of the library from the from the door, in the quietist and most hidden crevice she could find. She saw Krum walk in and go to the right as he got a book on dragons. She saw Cedric in the corner to the left with a mountain of books on defensive spells, transfiguration spells, and dragons.

She one thing Hermione wanted was to make sure she had counter spells to counteract all Dragons. Not just one or two. She found that impossible. They all had different strengths and weakness. Only a few spells worked on them, and even then, you had to be beyond powerful in order to cast spells on Dragons. Hermione had a strategy, but it was risky.

Slamming of chairs, quick shuffling, and panting made Hermione stand and walk to the end of her aisle then look up to do her best impression of Madame Pince. A flash of blue and a horde of black followed the blue uniform like a bunch of wolves after a bunny. Then the girl came around the corner into Hermione's nook. Hermione grimaced as her back slammed to the floor. She noticed flushed featured, and a panicked expression. Fleur looked over her shoulder and then scrambled off Hermione looking around for any cover, any hiding place, breathing and not so quiet whispers where getting closer.

Hermione looked past as saw Ron, Seamus, and a few others in search of the blonde. Fleur went to stand, but Hermione pulled her back down and placed a finger to her lips, and then shoved her behind a small wall of books she had been sifting through. A few wand flicks later she had a book in her hand and her quill in her hand scratching on parchment next to her small mountain of books blocking an illusion spell.

"Oy, Mione, have you seen anyone come by here?" asked Ron looking around. Hermione pulled her eyes from her book. She made sure to rub her eyes, and blink a few times, as if he jogged her from the books pages.

"No, is everything ok?' Hermione asked but was ignored.

"Oy, lads she didn't come this way," then Ron shot over his shoulder, "Thanks, Mione," then the boys scuttled off.

Hermione looked back down to her pages and listened to the stomping of loud boys. After a few moments Hermione pretended to get up and retrieve another book from the end of the aisle and then walked back to the corner she inhabited. She took off her Hogwarts robes, and unzipped a jumper she always wore, for it was frightfully cold within the stones of the school, especially lately. She dropped her hoodie into her illusion and heard a sigh.

"Its all clear but put that on and raise the hood over your hair," Hermione instructed as the girl sighed and did as she was told. Hermione waved her wand and the illusionment spell vanished, and then she saw a very put out Fleur, breathing quickly, and looking disgruntled. She touched the fabric, felt the inside of the small yet warm jacket.

"Pink iz not my color," Fleur complained with a small smile.

"Yes, so you say, but in this school, it seems Beauxbatons Blue might not be your color either," Hermione jabbed back good-naturedly. Hermione sat on the floor, and Fleur sat across from her legs facing each other. Hermione picked up a book and sighed and then picked up her quill and hovered over the parchment. She knew Fleur would be able to read everything she put down. It was not an uncomfortable silence, but there was something under laying that moment that Hermione could not put her finger on and for the love of Merlin she did not have time to care. Maybe tomorrow night, if she survived, she would care. Hermione couldn't help but watch Fleur though. Her eyes darted up every time the door opened, and Hermione sighed. She looked at her Jumper and narrowed her eyes. She softly said a transfiguration spell and Fleur sat there in a Ravenclaw Hogwarts robe. Fleur looked down at the robe and then looked up.

"You will get around much easier if you wore that," Hermione said as she scribbled another spell on her slowly growing list.

"Why ze Ravenclaws?" Fleur asked.

"You sit at their table, and you both wear a variation blue. I thought it was semi fitting. Also, I haven't noticed many Ravenclaw boys chasing you about," Hermione said not taking her eyes from the book, and then wrote one more spell.

"You are right. I didn't realize that," Fleur said and then looked to Hermione with narrow eyes, "What iz ze matter wiz your boys here at this school?" Fleur asked coolly then looked around as she heard the door shut. Hermione snapped her book shut, and stood. She had a list of potential spells. She organized the books except for one, she kept hat one, and levitated them to the table to be automatically sorted and shelved after 30 minutes of disuse.

"MY, boys, as you say, are not accustomed to someone quite as beautiful as you," Hermione paused and went for the kill. She had to admit she cross-referenced lust, and lure and came up with something interesting. Then Fleur looked up with bright eyes, and a tint of pink. Hermione held out her hand, and Fleur took it. They came into each other's space. No breath could be expelled without fluttering over the other lips. Hermione never took her eyes from Fleur's, then they shifted to her cheeks, lips, and hair.

"Never so beautiful and never so alluring," Hermione said softly, but Fleur jerked her hands from Hermione, and backed from the girl tense at the comment. Hermione picked up her supplies and stowed them away, doing small functions to take away the sting of Fleur's retreat.

"If I were a betting girl, which I am not, I would say you have Veela ancestry," Hermione said nonchalantly in a whisper, still in a library. She watched as her words hit Fleur and hit her hard.

The blond finally lifted her head and blue glared into Hermione's brown orbs, and then Hermione turned her eyes back toward the bag in her hands. Fleur didn't back away, but Hermione dared not get closer.

"Please remember, I am not a betting girl, and I really don't care what you are. I only care about who you are," Hermione said as she watched Fleur out of the corner of her eye as she looked to the doors of the library. There was a shift, and Hermione felt Fleur's shoulder slightly press to her own.

"You are strange 'Ermione Granger," Fleur whispered, "Everyone cares about the monsters they keep," then Fleur paused as Hermione spoke.

"Sometimes the truest monsters are the ones who claim to do right, who claim to be truest of blood and intentions," Hermione swallowed. This was the strangest interaction they have had. It wasn't like them, it was off, and cold.

"Thank you, English girl," Fleur said softly.

"My pleasure, French Girl, until next time," Hermione said, and Fleur finally looked to Hermione. Fleur's hand reached out and her hand clasped her forearm, and then her thumb stroked the fabric of her robe, just as earlier. Hermione stepped closer, and then reached out. Blue eyes watched every moment as Hermione came closer. Hands fiddled with the transfigured robes and pulled a hood over Fleur's blonde head. Hermione kept her hands on Fleur's shoulders.

Once more there was a tug, a clarity. Hermione brought her hands from Fleur, and then looked to the doors.

"Would you like me to walk with you?" Hermione offered. Fleur smiled softly.

"No, thank you," Fleur said and then she felt something in her hand. Fleur looked down to find a book. Fleur's eyes slipped up to meet brown.

"Page 426 is interesting," Hermione said and then walked past Fleur. Fleur blinked and looked from the retreating girl to the book.

Fleur opened the book to the page and found a list of four names. She gasped and went to call out, apologize for being cold, and unwilling to speak. Alas, the girl was gone. Fleur narrowed her eyes. She felt the loss of Hermione's presence almost physically. She didn't understand, but she shook her head, and looked at the list. Then she turned over the book. Lexicon of the Dragons of Romania.

Practice

It was three o'clock. Hermione walked through the infirmary door at exactly three and looked around. She didn't have to look far. She sat there in an armchair waiting as if bored looking out the window that Hermione was mesmerized with yesterday. Hermione looked at the woman, truly looked at the woman and she would not deny the schoolgirl crush she was beginning to develop on the woman, but she could not trust her, not with her Son being a twit, and her husband propagating Pureblood radicalism. No, she was beyond done with the Malfoys, but this woman kept drawing her back to the edge of… maybe. Maybe they were not as bad as they seem. Or maybe she was not as bad as she seemed.

Blonde hair, blue eyes, and gorgeous features left Hermione entranced, but when she spoke, Hermione's psyche shifted into defense. Hermione looked on the woman, and watched, unabashed. Her lips were full yet thin, pale, but plush against her skin, and the way her face tilted toward the sun spoke volumes of the freedom, of a person yearning for warmth.

"If I know anything about you Miss Granger, you have a list," Lady Malfoy began with her questions.

"Yes, Lady Malfoy," Hermione said as she brought her parchment from her robes. Then Mrs. Malfoy's eyes hit Hermione's. The woman stood like a cat unfolding upon itself and Hermione found the woman before her, less than a step away. Her hand stretched out between the small space between them. Hermione gave Narcissa the list. She took one look at it and a slight upturn of her lips quirked then disappeared.

"Follow me," Mrs. Malfoy directed, and Hermione couldn't do anything other than follow instructions. They walked to the shifting stairs. Hermione followed the interim healer as she led Hermione to the seventh floor. They took a left then a right, and then another right. Finally, across the portrait of Barnabas the Barmy Narcissa stood.

"Walk three time across the area and think hard, with all your might, of what you need," Lady Malfoy directed. Hermione furrowed her brow. She began to pace back and forth and thought of a place to practice new spells and a place to use those new spells in practical instances.

"Stop," the blonde said then walked to Hermione placed her hands on her shoulders, "One cohesive thought. You have paced by 6 times, and yet the door has not opened. What do you need?"

"A place to practice spells," Hermione said. The older witch nodded and then faced her toward the wall. Finally, the door opened. Hermione gasped.

"It heard you, it just didn't know what you wanted, "Lady Malfoy guided Hermione into a room, "For this room you must solidly visualize, and firmly think of your needs. You can't change them," Narcissa looked around, "I am a little surprised what you think your needs are."

Hermione looked around and saw a cavern, made of stone as if it were a cave.

"If I shot off a part of this cleft here do you think the castle would feel it?" Hermione asked as she placed a palm on the cavern looking room. The stone warmed and the older witch placed her hand over Hermione's and closed her eyes. They both felt the warmth. But it wasn't negative, it was … encouraging. Lady Malfoy brought her hand from Hermione's and walked to the side.

"I think you have your answer," the woman looked to the list of spells and wand movements, "I see you know your next task?" she asked, and Hermione looked around and then nodded.

"Dragons, four in particular, are a part of it. I don't know the full task, but I am willing to bet we are to disable a dragon. Seeing as they have to be on loan from somewhere, maybe Romania because Charlie Weasley is a dragon tamer in Romania, I will bet we are not to harm them if at all possible," Hermione said but swallowed. Narcissa watched the young woman, yes, that's how she is in her eyes. Not some girl. But a vibrant, intelligent, strategic, and beautiful young woman.

"Hermione," the older witch raised her voice and the girl looked to her. Their eyes met as if they were like magnets.

"Yes, Lady Malfoy," Hermione responded giving the woman her undivided attention.

"You will respond to me as Narcissa in this room," Narcissa saw the witch shift, "Its less to say than Lady Malfoy, and in this room, we are master and apprentice until we are equal. Drop your bag by the wall and you will have your first lesson with me. I will be your dragon," Narcissa said, and Hermione's skin grew cold, and pale.

"How …" the questions fell on her lips as Narcissa somehow shut off the lights. Hermione struggled. She placed her hands out in front of her and went straight into the cavern. There was a scrabble to her right and her wand shot off a stunning spell and it illuminated the room slightly, but she was still disoriented. DAMN DAMN!

Narcissa immediately cast a spell to allow her to see in the dark. Then she watched as the girl paled as she told her she was the dragon. Honestly, she was much more formidable than a dragon. In that afternoon she will learn to assess terrain. That will save the girl. Thinking, not reacting. She saw the girls spell list and possible strategy and moved to make it work.

Narcissa took in the terrain as soon as she walked in. Call it some crazy paranoid PTSD from growing up with Bella, but every time Bella came at you if was from anywhere and anytime. Unexpected. Until this day, Narcissa was on her toes, and assessed each and every bit of her environment, the people in it, the traffic. Hell, she even had an inkling as to how Hermione would die, but if she taught her … she might survive. Narcissa shifted along the rocks. She knew where Hermione was. Merlin, she could hear her. She deliberately made a ruckus behind a tall set of rocks as she chipped a few stones into her palms. She saw the stunner go wide.

But the girl didn't expand on the light in the cavern. She didn't use the illumination from the magic to see into the darkness. Narcissa peeked around a ledge and saw the girl. Narcissa stood easily and threw a pebble to Hermione's left. A red stream flew there. Hermione began walking and Narcissa threw another pebble to her right and a blue stream rocked into the stone blowing it into oblivion. Narcissa winced. Thank Merlin she wasn't there.

Narcissa silently slipped behind Hermione. She cast a silencing charm on her robes, so she couldn't hear them rustle. She decided to end it. She threw all of them into an arc from right to left leaving Hermione confused. Blue, red, purple. All at once, no words. Impressive.

Narcissa walked just one more moment with the girl, and then felt the girl lash out. Narcissa watched as spell flew to the back of the cavern and Hermione paused. Narcissa grasped the girl to her around the waist and pressed her wand to Hermione's neck. Hermione gasped, breathing heavy, and shallow. It sounded like heard of elephants. Narcissa felt the frame of this young woman's body against hers and something lit. It boomed in her core and the sheer lightning like sensation made Narcissa threw her away. The older witch waved her wand and the lights came back on.

"Breathing Miss Granger. Steady, and slow," Narcissa scolded and then stood back from the girl.

"Where were you?" asked Hermione as if cheated.

"You need to figure out your space. Your terrain. I will let you in on a secret for survival anywhere, and at any time. To know one's terrain will guarantee at least a fighting chance or absolute victory," Narcissa looked away, "I assessed my surroundings and terrain. I assessed my opponent," Narcissa confided and Hermione sighed.

"You played me like a fiddle," Hermione looked at the ground and then clenched her fists. Before Narcissa could comfort the girl, she turned Narcissa, "Narcissa I wish to try again but this time I would like it we can begin at random places per interlude? Is that possible?" Hermione's prospect of terrain changes excited her.

"I don't see why not. When the lights go out, think of a terrain change. Just think of a change, non-specific and let's see if that will do," Narcissa then clenched her wand at the ready.

The lights went out and Hermione thought of the change. Hermione thought of the cavern, but changes in position. There was a small whisper of air, and then there was silence. Hermione began. Slow, steady breathing. In... out... through the nose... in 5…. Out 7. Slow steady breathing. As soon as she found that pace, she heard silence. Not like the quiet, but she heard the definition of silence. The vacancy of sound. Then her head snapped to the right. Soft, but there, pads of shoes on rock. She didn't know where her opponent, but it was there soft and silent. Not even a scuff or a shuffle after moment. She found a rock formation about a halfway up her body and she crouched down. She closed her eyes, and calmed her breathing, her heartbeat. She listened. Fabric to her right, 40 meters away. She stayed. If they can't see if she can't. Hermione reasoned.

A pebble hit rock to the right. But she fell for that last time. Then another to the left. That means she is…

"Stupify!"

Right up the middle Narcissa Malfoy barely dodged the spell as she dove behind her own rock formation. Then Hermione tried one she was working on.

"BOMBARDA MAXIMA!"

The formation crumbled and exploded. Hermione heard a grunt and a hiss. Then a scuffle and then Hermione followed the sound….

"IMPEDIMENTA!" the spell went wide, but she saw a glimpse of the woman. Then she waited. Then there was whoosh and a wand to her neck as soon as a soft pop sounded in the air.

"Much better Miss Granger," Narcissa praised yet still held her.

"Hermione call me Hermione if I am to call you Narcissa in this room," Hermione said and then woman nodded against her head. Hermione was completely aware of the arm around her waist, and the lips on her ear. She swallowed. Then was left to herself as the lights came on.

"We need to try something. Since you claimed you are now untethered by the trace, and are now considered an adult, you are able to perform upper level, aka adult magic. Hence apparition. Come this will save you," Narcissa said and then Hermione followed her.

"Wait, is that how you got me this last time?" Hermione asked as she followed Narcissa.

"You shot your spells off without moving. I knew where you were at and just waited for the next glow of magic. For a split second I could see your area, so I apparated and then took you," Narcissa inwardly cringed at her words but left it alone.

"Please think of a place with accurate distances," Narcissa told Hermione and they both closed their eyes and felt a wisp on the wind as everything shifted around them. Narcissa raised an eyebrow then looked and Hermione.

"A golf range, seriously?" Narcissa looked in front of her as she saw little flags 100, 150, 200 and so on yards apart then she reached out, "Actually this is perfect well done."

She looked to the green range in a room that should not be able to do this and then look to Hermione.

"It's easy, get the flag and come back, but only by apperating," Narcissa said.

"I don't know how to apperate," Hermione retorted. Narcissa raised her brow.

"Come now, the brightest witch of her age doesn't know how to apperate in 4th year? Why Bella could do it in third, and sent the Ministry into a frenzy," Narcissa chuckled dryly then faced Hermione, "What I am saying is I am sure you have looked into the logistics, and have practiced the theory behind it, but not applied it. Here we can apply it. Since we are apperating within the room alone it should be fine. Essentially, we are not going anywhere. Please, Hermione, show an old witch what you got," Narcissa challenged. She found out a long time ago if you challenged her skill or intelligence you would sucker her into almost anything.

Hermione stood back and took a deep breath, thought of the incantation, waved her wand, then let the wand settle in her hand. This was mental more that wand work. She felt the sensation of her belly button being ripped out, turned into her body, and thrust forward out into the universe. She opened her eyes. She looked at a brown grey ceiling of stone. She looked to her right and saw green grass and a flag in a cup. She sat up. She didn't splinch. She stood and got the flag. She turned to Narcissa and smiled. She closed her eyes once more and the sensation, nauseating as it may be, left when she took deep breaths. She didn't feel arms around her shoulders as her head bowed into another's chest. She didn't feel the sensation of warmth as the person who comforted her accidentally let flicker a spark upon Hermione's skin.

Hermione never knew how she ended up in her chambers until she woke and then walked to where a Ravenclaw did her homework.

"Hey Luna, how did I get back here?" Hermione asked.

"Lady Malfoy carried you into the dorm and tucked you in. She left, looked at me and asked for me to watch you. I promised I would. Speaking of which…" Luna produced a full patronus. Then sent it to Lady Malfoy. Not long after a small elf came back with dinner and a letter. Luna took them and thanked the elf. Hermione loved being around another who didn't take the elves for granted. The elf places Hermione's dinner in front of her and placed the envelope on the table next to her plate. Hermione eyed the envelope but refused to be rude and read it while they ate their dinner.

"Go ahead. She cares for you. So, does another but I will let the nargles guide you on that one," Luna said and smiled as she looked around and then ate her dinner. Hermione looked at Luna.

"Luna are you happy to be here with me?" Hermione asked as she nibbled on beef pot pie.

"I have not had many instances where I have not woken, and my shoes have not been there. I woke and today they were there. It's nice. I suppose I will get bored of this, but something that can be filled," Luna said with a dreamy yet easy smile.

"Do you think you would be comfortable here with me Luna?" Hermione asked and the girl smiled in her easy lucid dreamy way.

"I don't see why friends cannot be comfortable with each other," Luna replied.

"Are we friends Luna?" Hermione asked slightly nervous.

"Of course, Hermione, and …" her gaze clouded over, stared off into space, and then refocused, "And we will be more than just friends."

"Explain, "Hermione said as she took another bite.

"Family Hermione, we will be like family, great friends, and family, now eat. You have a task tomorrow with a Hungarian horned tail," Luna said, and Hermione's eyes went wide. How did she know that? Hermine shook her head. As most people did with Luna, they just let everything flow, and be. Who knows what she will face tomorrow? Once dinner was over, she bid Luna good night. Once her door closed. She opened the letter.

Hermione.

Your magical core dropped slightly causing you to feint. Get rest and meditate on your task tomorrow. Do not use your magic until you confront your dragon. Remember terrain, focus on the environment. I will not lie and say that I am not anxious for you. Be courageous like the lion your house deems you. Close your mind. Use your strategy. Yes, my young witch I deciphered your plan, I think, and it will be great. Breathe. Channel your heartbeat, slow and steady into your actions. Now… as a master to her apprentice, a teacher to student, and a friend to friend, survive little witch. I am not done with you.

A Friend.

Hermione found it strange that Narcissa signed her letter as a friend, but then she thought of it. Her husband must be on the side working with Voldemort. Where did that Leave Narcissa? Once again Hermione found herself at a loss as to where Narcissa Malfoy stood in her life. Hermione let the letter sit limply in her grasp and then decided to hide it, cast a variety of spells so that someone could not find it, not even house elves.