A/N: Appreciate everyone who has been keeping up with this fic! I know, I'm sorry I said that this was going to be the last chapter. But I didn't expect it to be as long as it was. The final chapter would be posted up soon! Please Review!
Chapter 12: Reunion and an Unexpected Visit
"Oh Padma!" Parvati cried with tears running down her face. She quickly ran up to her sister and embraced her tightly. Padma returned the hug excitedly with an elated look plastered on her face.
The rest of the group took no attention to the happy reunion, for they are now focused on another unexpected individual standing right behind her. Harry Potter stepped up next to Padma with a small, satisfying grin on his face.
Padma swiftly made her way over to each of her friends, giving a hearty embrace.
"Oh Hermione! You can't imagine what fun we've had!" Padma said as she hugged her. Without waiting for any response, she ran back over to Parvati and started describing breathlessly, the events that has happened, "Harry showed me the most thrilling places in the muggle side of England..."
Meanwhile, Harry politely walked over to Hermione and Lavender, giving them a small bow. Lavender nodded in acknowledgement before slipping over to Padma.
"May I ask how you wish to explain your absence from Hogwarts these past weeks?" a suspicious Hermione inquired in a condescending tone.
"Well, it was quite a surprise," Harry raised his eyebrows, "my, umm, my godfather happened to contact me, just a few weeks ago," He looked up, as if in deep thought, "Someone I haven't seen since I was a baby. He'd been living in America. Yes, that's it, in America. He requested my presence in London just before school started."
Hermione analyzed his body language as he explained. "What did this godfather of yours want from you?" she asked.
"He wanted to see how I've grown up," he answered, looking away, "His coming was very timely. Very timely indeed."
"Very timely," she repeated, while continuing to observe his behavior.
Harry involuntary started fidgeting. Suddenly, the rest of the group, who were all listening intently to Padma, broke out into a fit of giggles. Parvati and Padma, arm and arm walked over to include them.
"Oh dear, Harry," Parvati said, "Everything's explained to us! We're all so proud of you two, aren't we Mione?"
"Oh prodigiously," Hermione replied, releasing a hint of facetiousness.
Fudge finally spoke up, "I must say, now there are just a few more questions I-"
"Please Cornelius," Dumbledore interjected, "This has been a trying day for all of us. You will have your answers." Hermione could detect the serious undertone in his voice, "But now, I'm sure Ms. Patel and her friends would prefer to go back to their dorms leisurely and converse among themselves."
"But, I-"Fudge started to say.
"I will meet with the Ministry tomorrow to shed light on this matter," Dumbledore assured him.
Fudge realized there is no chance in pursuing this case any further tonight and reluctantly agreed, "I'll expect you in my office in the morning." With that, he marched out of the room without giving anyone eye contact.
"You must elaborate more on the details!" Parvati egged on without paying any attention to Fudge. She turned to Dumbledore, "Professor Dumbledore! Now there's no need to leave Hogwarts! People can't say anything now that they're back! We won't have to go to France!" she cheered happily.
Padma's face fell, "Why, how glum you look Professor! What's happened? What does all this mean?" Dumbledore stayed quiet while she glanced over at everyone's faces, "How do you do, Neville," she greeted upon recognizing his face, "How's your funny old lady thing a mabob?"
"Please, return to your dorms for now." the headmaster instructed, "I'm sure you must all be exhausted. I will cancel the arrangements made with Madame Maxime."
"Do you think the rest of the Gryffindors will take an interest to my stories?" Padma asked excitedly.
"I'm sure of it!" answered Parvati animatedly.
"Well, then lets all go back to the dorms!" Padma suggested eagerly, leading the way.
A second later, the door swung open. Professor McGonagall stepped in and announced, "Mrs. Narcissa Malfoy."
The students abruptly stop on their tracks as Mrs. Malfoy came in through the doorway. She started scanning the area with her eyes.
"Mrs. Malfoy!" Neville greeted, walking up to her, "Mrs. Malfoy! What an honor for this humble scho---"
"No honor was intended Neville," she promptly interrupted. She spotted the headmaster standing by his enormous claw-footed desk. "Professor Dumbledore I presume?"
"How do you do, Mrs. Malfoy," Dumbledore replied respectfully, "Such a pleasure to make your acquaintances. Do come in and sit down" he motioned over to the chair in front of his desk.
"Thank you," she said. She took a few moments adjusting herself on her seat. "I wish to speak to Ms. Granger," Mrs. Malfoy told him plainly, without meeting his eyes.
Dumbledore waved Hermione over. She walked up to the desk with an inquisitive look on her face, "Mrs. Malfoy wishes to speak to you," he relayed.
"I wish to speak to Ms. Granger alone," Mrs. Malfoy clarified, "If would kindly leave us alone, Professor."
"Oh certainly, Mrs. Malfoy," he said, "If you wish it."
"I DO wish it," she responded coldly.
Dumbledore winked at Hermione, giving her a comforting smile as he got up from his seat. "Come along everyone," he ushered Neville out with the rest of the students and closed the door behind him.
"Be seated, Ms. Granger," she instructed.
Hermione took the seat beside her.
"Ms. Granger," Mrs. Malfoy began sternly, "A report has reached me, at the most alarming nature. I was told that you Ms. Hermione Granger, had been dating MY only son, Draco Malfoy. Of course, I could not believe this report could possibly be true. Nevertheless, I immediately resolved on setting out to see you."
"If it could not possibly be true madam," Hermione stared at her unaffectedly, "I wonder why you gave yourself the trouble of coming so far?"
"I came to insist upon the report to be universally contradictive," Mrs. Malfoy responded on the edge of annoyance.
"But won't your coming here seem rather to confirm it?" she pointed out in a rather casual manner.
Mrs. Malfoy readjusted her chair in frustration, "Insolent headstrong girl!" she scolded, "I'm ashamed of you! Is this your gratitude for my attention to you at the Malfoy Manor?"
Hermione was unable to hide that tiny smirk which now appears on her face.
"Ms. Granger, I am not be trifled with," she warned, "Has my son made you an offer?"
"You have declared that to be impossible," Hermione reminded her slyly.
"Impossible," Mrs. Malfoy dismissed, narrowing her eyes, "I have the power to make it impossible. Are you aware that as trustee to the Malfoy Manor, I can strip Draco of every galleon he will inherit? And if he were to do something against my wishes, I should not hesitate in carrying out my power." She nodd, satisfied with her delivery, "Now, what have you to say?"
Hermione merely shrugged her shoulders, "Nothing whatever. I take no interest in matters that are none of my business."
"Bold words, my girl, bold words," Mrs. Malfoy remarked, "But remember this, if you eventually marry him, you will be poor."
"That would be no novelty to me, Mrs. Malfoy," she replied plainly.
"Once and for all, are the two of you seeing each other!" Mrs. Malfoy threw her hands up in agitation.
"No, I am not."
"Ah," the woman's face lighting up upon the news, "And, would you promise me you would never enter such an engagement?"
Hermione pondered the question for a moment before arriving to her answer with a smirk, "No, I will not."
"Ah ha," Mrs. Malfoy raised her voice up an octave, "So you do expect him to ask you!"
"I have no right to expect anything," she said, looking away, "excepting, perhaps to never see him again."
"What?" Mrs. Malfoy asked, in a look of disbelief, "Do you have the impertinence to pretend that he isn't in love with you?"
"I can't imagine that he would be," Hermione said sagely, "Not now."
"Then why his kind consideration for your friend, was that the act of a man who isn't in love?" she argued.
Hermione gave her a blank look, "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Possibly you don't," Mrs. Malfoy stated sternly, "But that roscoe Potter does! Imagine it! My son Draco, scouring the courts and areas of muggle London looking for him! Dueling in the streets! Forcing him to return with that friend of yours by threatening to turn him into the authorities! He even used a memory charm to cover up the tracks to save you and your friends from disgrace!"
"Did he do that?" Hermione stood up excitedly, a huge grin forming across her face, "Thank you for tell me, Mrs. Malfoy! Thank you!"
Mrs. Malfoy scowled, crossing her arms stubbornly, "I will not be thanked! Let's have no more of this Ms. Granger. I shall not leave these grounds until you give me the insurance for which I've asked."
"In that case, Mrs. Malfoy, I have better alert Professor Dumbledore." Hermione replied, bringing up her sincerest tone up a notch as she made her way over to the door, "He will either make arrangements for you here, or if you decide not to stay, he will conduct you on your way,"
Mrs. Malfoy grew furious. She stared straight on, still with her arms crossed, refusing to dignify Hermione with any response. Professor Dumbledore entered ust minutes later. He glanced over at Hermione, who greeted him with a victorious smile, then to Mrs. Malfoy, and then back to Hermione. The wizard winked at her knowingly before speaking, "Yes, now, is everything settled?"
"Oh Professor, I have the impression, that Mrs. Malfoy wishes to take leave of us." Hermione stood waiting by Mrs. Malfoy and her mulish display. After a few moments of complete silence, Hermione gave small formal curtsey, "Goodbye Mrs. Malfoy."
Mrs. Malfoy finally stood up, still looking ahead, "I take no leave of you Ms. Granger. I send no compliments to your friends. You deserve no such attention!" She turned to Hermione, shooting her a severe glare, "I am seriously displeased." With that comment, she marched out of the office.
Thanks for reading! Stay tuned. Final chapter will be up soon. Please Review!
