Devil's Adored
Prologue II
Hermione wasn't sure which was worse, coming home to one Narcissa Malfoy sitting on her sofa drinking tea and laughing with her parents, or that Narcissa Malfoy was drinking tea with her parents while her cat was curled up in the Witch's lap, purring loud enough for her to hear from her spot in the doorway.
"Hermione!" Her mum smiled upon seeing her daughter.
"Mum?"
Hermione moved over to her parents, keeping an eye on the other Witch in the room, Mrs. Malfoy seemed more interested in petting Crookshanks who had now rolled onto his back.
Something in the teenager settled a bit.
"Why didn't you tell us, Sweetie?" Mum all but pouted, when her daughter sat between her and her husband.
Hermione blinked, her expression no doubt clueless as she looked at her mother.
"Now, now, don't blame her," Mrs. Malfoy said, her voice light, "she didn't know."
".… Know what?"
Mrs. Malfoy doesn't answer right away, instead, she took a sip of her tea, humming, "I know I said this before, but this tea is just heavenly."
Her Mum's cheeks turn a little red, while her Dad nodded in agreement, "I keep telling her she has a gift," he said picking up his cup to take a sip of his own.
"That she does, makes me tempted to whisk her away along with your daughter." Mrs. Malfoy teased.
"Yeah, no, she's serious." Hermione thought, hands twitching for her wand, though she's not sure if she would use it or not; as her parents joke around with Narcissa Malfoy.
"I was just telling your parents, that you have been chosen to take part in our newest internship," Mrs. Malfoy then said to Hermione, "I say internship, but it's more of a cultural program."
"Program?" Hermione was sure that her voice held a lot of skepticism.
Mrs. Malfoy nodded as she placed her cup down, "It's no secret that those born in the Wizarding World lack the proper knowledge when it came to the Muggle world. So this program was put into place in hope of bridging that gap."
"And that means what exactly?" Hermione asked, thanking her Dad when he made and handed her a cup of tea.
"Simply put, Muggle children are chosen by a Wizarding household, who will house and learn of the Muggle World from them, the Wizarding Household will teach them of the Wizarding World in turn."
"Isn't that wonderful, Mione?" Her Mum was very excited, "You always wanted to learn more than what you've been taught in school."
"Yeah…. Mum, Dad. Can you give me and Mrs. Malfoy a moment to ourselves?"
"Of course dear, we'll leave the tea and be in the kitchen if you need us."
"Thanks."
Both Hermione and Mrs. Malfoy watch the two leave.
"Why are you here?"
Mrs. Malfoy raised a brow, "Why Ms. Granger, it's just as I said."
"Bullshit."
Mrs. Malfoy's eyes lit up with amusement, "But, I have not lied. I can't imagine why you don't believe me."
"You should ask your husband and son about that."
"Ahhhh, but I am neither my husband nor am I, my son."
"Can't say that changes much, if not, that makes it worse."
Mrs. Malfoy titled her head, "I suppose it would."
In her lap, Crookshanks stood and stretched, he nuzzled against the older Witch's hand before jumping off and curling against Hermione.
"You are a bright one, Ms. Granger," Mrs. Malfoy picked up a cookie from the plate and nibbled on it, "possibly the brightest of your age. And after the year you had, I don't blame you for your suspicion, which is well deserved, but not in the way you think."
Eyes narrowing, Hermione ran her fingers through Crookshanks's fur, "And if I say no?"
Mrs. Malfoy shrugged, which was a bit of an odd thing to see on someone so elegant, "Then I leave, and bother you no more." The Witch's expression changed to something sly, "Though, poor Harry will certainly be lonely."
Hermione's heart dropped, then she's standing, her wand in hand and aiming it at the woman, who merely reached for another cookie.
"That was a quick reaction, though I'm not sure how I feel about it. Oh, well."
Mrs. Malfoy finished her cookie, and stood, "Here's the deal, come with me, and I'll take you to Harry."
Throughout this entire conversation not once had there been a threat toward her or her parents, there was also the fact that Crookshanks had not tried to attack the woman. And if she's learned anything in her third year, it was that her cat was a pretty excellent judge of character. Still, this could be some kind of trick, but if there was that one percent chance it was not…
"I'll go."
Mrs. Malfoy smiled, "Lovely."
~.~
Mrs. Malfoy kept up the illusion of the cultural program, she even had papers for her parents to sign and promised to return in a week. Hermione took full advantage of that week, planning to ensure that someone at least knew she was missing. Finally, the day came, she had everything packed, and her wand ready just in case.
"Hello my dear," smiled upon seeing her, "packed and ready I see."
Hermione nodded, and while she was all smiles, she prayed nothing went wrong.
~.~
"Rose."
Hermione said nothing about the House Elf that had popped in, more focused on the hall they had landed in. It was lit by candles; the decor was elegant, expected of one from the Malfoy family. What was surprising was how….welcoming it felt.
"Please deliver Ms. Granger's things to her room, and have lunch prepared in my study in an hour, please."
Rose nodded, "Right away Lady Malfoy."
The Elf now gone, and no longer interested in the hall, Hermione spoke, "Where are we?"
"A safe place."
Not sure if the Witch meant for her, or something else, Hermione opened her mouth to speak again only to blink when suddenly an arm was offered to her.
"Shall we?"
Mrs. Malfoy's expression is open, and patient, after a long thoughtful moment Hermione carefully took it.
"Let's start with the major library, from what I've been told, I think you'll like it."
"What else was told about me?"
"Only good things, I promise." Mrs. Malfoy chuckled.
They walk down the hall quietly, but not uncomfortably, a surprise to the young Witch.
"Here we are."
The double doors were brown with carved roses and vines, Mrs. Malfoy grabbed the golden handles that had the same colored leaved vines wrapped around, and pushed the door open.
Now, the day she entered Flourish and Blotts and Hogwarts's library, Hermione thought she would see nothing that could compare to them.
She was wrong.
The library was enormous, bigger than Hogwarts. Sprawling stairs, and towering walls of books, an equally tall window on one end. From what she could see, some books were even floating in the air, Hermione watched as one even placed itself back on the self.
"Shall I give you a quick tour?" Mrs. Malfoy asked amused.
Awe-stuck, Hermione nodded, she didn't even react when her hand was taken hold of.
"Wonderful, let me show you my favorite little nook."
And that's how the tour began, the young Witch being lead through aisles and aisles of books, being shown little secret spots, first the first floor, then the second floor.
"And this is my favorite book!"
Mrs. Malfoy pulled out a book, and showed it to Hermione, the other Witch blinked.
"Isn't that a-?"
"A Muggle book?" Mrs. Malfoy finished for her, "yes and no, this one was written by a Muggle-born, however, there are many here that were written by Muggles."
"You have books written by Muggles?"
A nod, and once again she was being led by the hand and shown more books.
"I wonder if I've died and gone to some kind of weird Heaven."
"I believe this to be the last section of where some Muggle books are, of course, I could be wrong. This place is rather big."
It was indeed.
"Ah, look at the time! Rose has probably long since prepared lunch."
They head down the stairs, when they stopped, it was by a side door.
"How do you like it so far?"
"It's amazing, how-"
The door opened, and a figure walked in.
"Hermione?"
"Harry!"