Disclaimer: I offer all my thanks to JK Rowling who's lovely characters I
was able to borrow for this story! I'm really not writing these any more,
so this one goes for all the chapters that come after.
OBXglider – Thank you! Hope you continue reading!
Snowyangel83 – Thank you – I love encouragement, they really motivate me to keep going!
Midnight solitare – Yay! Thank you so much, you reviewed each chapter as you went along! Fluffy parts are coming real soon now...stick around! Hope you had a lovely Easter! xxx
Draco's Bloody Valentine – You're one of my favourite reviewers, it's so great to hear from you each time! I hate Pansy too, lol, she's so annoying! Hope you do end up liking what I've done with Narcissa. She's meant to be snobbish, but nice sorta at the same time...Incest with Draco! Now that's one very horrifying thought! Ewwww, that brings on bad pictures, very bad pictures...stop it! Anyway, I expect you had an enjoyable Easter yourself and is now happily reading. *waits anxiously for next review* lol. xxx
Alaranth-88 – I am so grateful for your reviews, you're a favourite of mine too!! They're lovely, with lots of encouragement and suggestions and I appreciate them very much!! Glad you like my chapters – I'm still trying not to rush the plot but I think things might be getting a little faster from here. Xxx
NitenGale – More people have told me to slow it down rather than speed it up, so that's what I'm doing really. I also agree with them coz if there's too much fluff and things at the beginning, it starts getting a teensy weensy bit boring after a little while, so I'm trying to develop the plot here before anything happens. But hitching around too much also makes it boring, so things are going to be taking more direct roots after this chapter. I promise! Xx
Elven at Heart – Thank you so much for your reviews! Do you really think I would put Pansy and Draco together eh? Lol, that would be MY worst nightmare coming true! Maybe, just maybe, I might rescue my brave, fit Draco from his misfortune if a certain reviewer reviewed again *wink, wink nudge, nudge* lol. Really pleased you like the story so far! xxx
AiRFiRe – Thank you!!~ Hope you continue to like it!
Chapter 4: Coughing fits
The door opened and a tall, blonde woman stood in front of me, wearing a black robe, which hung on her slim figure elegantly. I could remember her vaguely and there seemed to be no major change in her appearance – well, a few more wrinkles upon her otherwise perfect skin – and I found myself thinking the same thoughts that always came to mind when I saw her. She would have been nice-looking if she weren't wearing an expression that suggested there was a nasty smell under her nose.
Hurriedly brushing away my inner thoughts, I held out my hand, smiling brightly. "Good morning Mrs Malfoy. I'm Hermione Granger, working in the Defence Against the Dark Arts Office in the Mini..."
"Yes, yes. I received an owl last night, informing me of your arrival." She took one quick look at my outstretched hand, but did not take it, while adding quite reluctantly, "I suppose you have to come in."
She moved aside and I took a step forward and into their entrance hall. Narcissa closed the door behind me and before I had the chance to properly look around, she was already walking quickly along the hallway.
"This way please. Oh, and mind you don't touch the portraits hanging on the wall beside you, especially Draco's. I'm sure that he wouldn't have wanted your mud – muggle-born fingerprints all over his gorgeous face."
I stiffened considerably. Well, one could not blame Malfoy for his rudeness when he had the unfortunate luck of having people like her as a mother. I followed her into a large doorway at the far end of the hall.
There were only two portraits of Draco. In one, he looked about five and standing hand-in-hand with his mother, winking and waving as I passed. So much conceit, even at such a young age! The next one was further down and in it; he looked older – probably in his mid-teens – a deep frown shadowing his handsome features.
Narcissa was already sitting down comfortably in a leather armchair when I entered the room. The room was spotless and very beautifully decorated with more portraits on the walls, sweeping curtains and an elaborate mantelpiece on top of the fireplace.
"Well, do you want to get to work then?" Narcissa asked, interrupting me from admiring the house for longer.
She still hadn't asked me to sit down! Honestly! The state of her manners was appalling. "Ok then Mrs Malfoy, let's start on our interview shall we?" I smiled sweetly and took out my parchment and quill, 'accidentally' dropping my bag down on a shelf next to me and knocking what seemed to be a pretty expensive vase off it.
CRASH.
I plastered an expression of mock horror over my face and whipped my bag back off the shelf, searching frantically for my wand in order to fix the damage. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a pretty little crystal ornament of a serpent with emerald eyes and I thrust my elbow out in that direction while pretending to grapple around the bottom of my bag.
Another crash and the arrival of more mess at my feet.
"Oops!" I finally took my wand out and muttered 'Reparo' as I set the objects back up onto the shelf. I blocked the mirth rising up inside me as I noticed the look of absolute fury on Narcissa's face. Let's face it, she deserved it as much as I had a right to sit down. "I'm very sorry for that little clumsy scene of mine. I am known to be much more respectably agreeable if I am able to prop my parchment upon my lap."
"Izzy!" Narcissa screeched and a house elf came running into the room.
"Yes mistress? Izzy is always willing to be of whatever help she can prov..."
"Izzy, I want you to grab a towel from one of the bathrooms upstairs – not mine or Master Draco's – and bring it to me immediately." Narcissa demanded, glaring at me as she spoke.
Izzy disappeared and before one could say 'Draco' she was back again, a fluffy looking blue towel in her little hand.
"Spread it over that seat over there." Narcissa indicated, pointing a long, delicate finger at another leather armchair. "Oh and Izzy, once the girl has gone, I want you to throw the towel away immediately."
The nerve of her! The surroundings felt suddenly warmer and I tried to think of something cold – ice – think of ice...no, that's not right, that just reminds me more of Malfoy's icy eyes...think of...
"Please sit down Miss Granger." A silky voice cut through my thoughts and I looked at Narcissa, who was smiling triumphantly at me.
Knowing that any more pointless and immature arguing between two grown-up women would result in nothing at all, I set my lips tight, sat down on the towel covered armchair and pursued the task at which I had come here to do in the first place. Before I could start however, Narcissa was already speaking.
"I've heard a lot about you. I detested you a lot as you were the only student who was keeping my son from taking the top spot in the year."
Duh, that wasn't surprising to me. I had always presumed that Draco spent his time complaining to his dear ickle mumsy about what a know-it-all mudblood I was and how he loathed having to share a common room with me while we were both head prefects.
"Interestingly enough, he complained a lot about you during his first few years at Hogwarts and then he stopped ever mentioning you at all. His father pestered him terribly for news of you and your wonder friends, but he always shook his head and was silent on the matter. Then when he became Head Boy..." Narcissa stopped and a proud gloating expression lightened up her face. "When he became Head Boy, he said in one of his letters that you were Head Girl and that it wasn't too bad because you were capable of doing your duties well." Her expression changed then and she glared at me.
That bit WAS surprising to me. He had always annoyed me during our seventh year when he sat there complaining about how frustrating it was working with me and how he would have much preferred it if the Head Girl was prettier so that he didn't have to spend all his time with bushy-haired me. Hmmm. What a useful bit of information that I could keep for later.
I hid my surprise however and smiled innocently at Narcissa. "Oh, didn't you know Mrs Malfoy? He fancied me – that's why he stopped talking about me! I never knew that he hadn't confessed his love of muggle-born Granger to his mother when he had confessed it to Professor Dumbledore! The main reason that Dumbledore sent me on this search was that he knew your son cared for me the most. As for the duties he was talking about..." I uttered a nervous giggle. "Well, they were not really head duties, if you know what I mean."
Narcissa's mouth dropped open and her blue eyes widened with shock.
"However Mrs Malfoy, I never loved him back and it caused him such grief..."
Narcissa stood up, her face turning a darker shade of magenta, her arms so rigid that I could almost see all the veins popping out from underneath it. "You are lying...he is engaged to Miss Pansy Parkinson...something that was planned when they were children...how dare you strip Draco away from his pureblood dignity..."
I tried to stop the laughter fighting to burst out, but I couldn't resist the temptation, a giggle escaping out of my mouth. I never thought that I would ever see Narcissa Malfoy looking so unattractive and PURPLE. Talk about gullible...I couldn't believe she thought I was telling the truth anyway!
Noticing my giggle, colour seemed to drain away from her face, leaving it slightly pink. "What are you playing at Miss Granger?"
"A little bit of humour doesn't hurt, Mrs Malfoy." I quickly glanced at the clock on the wall above my head. Gosh, how fast time flew – and I still hadn't done anything useful! "How about we discuss Malfoy's relationship with his father." I poised my quill over the parchment, looking expectantly at Narcissa to begin.
She had turned back to her original self now and said haughtily, "I don't want to talk of such personal matters with a girl born of your status."
I rolled my eyes towards the ceiling. "Mrs Malfoy, do you want your son back or not? The only reason I am doing this is because I want to respect Professor Dumbledore as I owe him greatly after all he did for me while I attended Hogwarts. However, I could just as easily not do the job as I myself don't really care that the prat of a boy you call your son is not in my life anymore."
Her eyes blazed. "What did you just call my son?"
I stood up and prepared to put my quill and parchment back in my bag. "It has become clear to me that you do not intend your son to be found. I don't wish to stay in your house longer than necessary as it brings me no pleasure or comfort, and I have much more important things that I could be dealing with right now."
Well, in honest truth, I wouldn't have minded staying in this house longer and having a look around, especially outside in that little courtyard that I could glimpse out of the window. If only someone else owned this house – I would have done anything to live here then...as for more important things? This was my only job at the time being, all my other researches had been forwarded on to Harry and Ron so that I could focus on this – maybe sitting at a café gazing at a certain waiter...that might be more of what I was planning.
Narcissa sniffed. "He was never very close with his father. His father always wanted a great deal out of him, punishing him ruthlessly when he failed to meet his ridiculous expectations – he wanted him to follow exactly in his footsteps. However, Draco never really had the metal heart of his father. When he was very young – barely a year – he witnessed his father torturing some people and would not stop screaming and grabbing at his father's wand until he stopped..."
Hermione listened to Narcissa for what seemed like hours, enraptured at this new side of Draco Malfoy that she had not known. She used her greatly practised note-taking skills to take effective notes and when at last she had answers to every question that was forming inside her mind, Narcissa stood up.
"Do you want me to take you to Draco's room then?"
It seemed like a good idea – I could try and see if there were any clues hidden there. I also stood up and Narcissa walked again down the hallway and up a grand staircase with ornate banisters. She opened the second door to her left and waited for me to arrive.
"Here it is." She said impatiently, before turning to leave. "Mind you don't touch anything of value here either, for the same reason that you couldn't touch the portraits."
She closed the door behind her and I sighed. She was a bit like her son really. Fussed up about pureblooded rubbish and excelling in snobbery, although I could sense softness inside while she spoke of her son – something which would turn her into a great person if she was allowed to open up a little.
I admired the room with its jutting out window and exquisite view of the lake outside and turned to a book on the bedside table when I heard loud knocking.
Narcissa rushed in. "Quick! Hide yourself under the bed!"
Nodding, I frantically squeezed myself between the bed and the ground and put a hand over my mouth to soften my breathing. I heard voices floating up from downstairs.
"Antonin, how glad to see you again. I hope you bring good news about Lucius. Oh, and Pansy too! Hello dear, it's been such a long time before we last met."
"Good afternoon Narcissa. I'm pleased to see that you are in fine shape and am just as equally pleased to tell you that Lucius is healthy and well. He is still in the process of planning out his attack, but I am sure that all will be ended rightly soon enough." The voice was deep and mocking and I recognised it as the voice of Antonin Dolohov – another death eater who had escaped from our grasp.
"Would you like something to eat or drink? We've got a delightful collection of different assortments that have just been sitting there after Draco went away."
"Ye..." a girl started to say, but was interrupted smoothly by Antonin.
"I'm sorry Narcissa. As much as we would love to, we don't have much time to stay and chat I'm afraid. I've come here in the hope of finding Draco, do you have any news of him?"
I tensed under the bed, breathing in Draco's faint scents that still lingered in the room.
"No Antonin. You know well enough that I would contact any of you straight away if I heard anything. It's been five years at least – I've nearly lost hope."
"I'm sorry Narcissa. We're trying to do our best to help search for him. May we visit his room?"
I heard distinct footsteps approaching and I slid further into the depths under the bed, sliding up against the wall.
A pair of legs wearing strappy heels came closer to the crack of light that I could see and the bed above me moved as someone flopped onto it. Urgh. It must be that stupid bimbo Pansy.
"Do you mind not looking at that Antonin? That's his personal stuff." Narcissa spoke from somewhere close.
I could see two pairs of legs while looking out through the gap made by the end of the bed and I saw a bit of paper drop onto the floor. Antonin crouched down and picked it up. "Do you know what this is?"
Narcissa had obviously shaken her head.
"Are you sure? Well then, I suppose you don't mind if I keep it. Pansy, I think we better get going now, we've got some serious work to do. Good day Narcissa."
Crack.
I crawled out from under the bed and stood up, brushing the dust away from my new robes. "Did you really not know what that bit of paper was?"
Narcissa nodded. "I've never seen it before."
"Did you see what it said?"
"It was blank."
A bit my lip worryingly. It had to be important if Malfoy had put a charm on it to make it seem blank, but a powerful witch like Antonin Dolohov or Lucius Malfoy could undo a charm like that in no time. I turned back to Narcissa. "Thank you for your time Mrs Malfoy. I'll contact you as soon as possible to tell you of any improvements in the case."
Narcissa nodded. "There's no reason for you to come back is there?"
"I wouldn't think so. Once I have sorted everything out, all communications could you achieved by the usual methods of owls or fireplaces. So no, I probably wouldn't be visiting again, unless I wanted to, which is highly unlikely."
"All's well then. Off you trot Miss Granger and I'll get all my house elves to do a decent bit of cleaning up for me after you leave." Narcissa said, rather eagerly.
I forced a smile onto my face and apparated back to my little flat.
*
Ginny had arrived moments later and we were sitting on my bed, discussing the day's events. We had laughed a great deal and I had secretly told her that I was now in love with someone...something more like.
"You're in love with Malfoy Manor!" Ginny had screeched hysterically, drawing tears to her eyes.
But then I remembered the card that Dolohov had picked up and I felt my temples begin to throb. What I needed right now was a nice cup of café latte...
So here I was, sitting back at the same café and at the same table, but with Ginny sitting opposite me. I had told her all about the waiter of course and we had been searching the café with averted eyes, looking for that gorgeous smile to appear. Ginny had been very excited at the thought of seeing this mysterious waiter at last and I felt a twittery feeling in my stomach as I ordered two lattes from a different girl at the counter.
It had already been at least half an hour after we arrived, but there was still no sign of him. I felt disappointment drowning me deeply and urgently felt the need to slap myself and bring me back to my senses. I was getting depressed because a waiter, whom I didn't even know, failed to turn up?
I sipped on my latte while Ginny was still looking around. The latte was too milky this time, not enough coffee powder.
Something bumped me hard in my back and I spluttered noisily, latte up my nose, cup clattering down onto the table, its content spilt everywhere. At least none was on my robes – I had been too tired to change, the robe being too similar to a muggle dress and had come exactly as I looked that morning – with maybe my hair a bit messier than before.
"I am so sorry! Are you ok?"
I was still coughing, red in the cheeks not only because of my coughing fit and unable to answer. He quickly wiped the table down as I coughed away and patted me on the back.
I held up a hand for him to stop, as my coughing died down. "I-I'm ok, thanks." I managed to splutter. This was the second time I had totally humiliated myself drinking latte in front of him! My breaths gradually returning to normal, I looked up, embarrassed, at him.
"Are you sure? I really do apologise, it's never happened before. You can complain if you want – my name's Tom Steel."
"No, really. I'm fine." I gave him a weak smile and then groaned mentally when he smiled back. Not that infectious smile again – puh-lease, it was doing wonders with my mind.
"I'll just whip you another latte then." He took my nearly empty cup from the table and walked away.
Ginny was grinning at me. "I can definitely see what you mean. But don't you think he's a tad familiar?"
"Yeah, he reminds you of Malfoy doesn't he? If it wasn't those large sunglasses, that genuine smile or that gentlemanly manner, I'd swear that it was him."
Tom came back; placing my cup of newly made latte in front of me.
"Thank you."
"Er...I was thinking that maybe I could take you out for lunch in a nearby restaurant one day this week, just as a way of saying sorry and saying thank you at the same time for not complaining. It could have cost me my job you know." He smiled.
Was he giving me chance to think it over? No. Because he was smiling again and I knew I couldn't resist under that smile. I took a sip of the now perfect latte while pretending to ponder the suggestion over in my head.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ginny smiling slyly, her eyes glinting with laughter. "Go on Hermione. It's time you had a boyfriend for a change."
Ginny! This girl was going in for some serious reprimanding later! I blushed furiously at this comment and looked up to answer Tom, but his smile had evaporated and his face had become slightly paler.
"You're not Hermione Granger are you?" he asked softly.
Huh? I'd never told him my name. "Yeah, I am..." I began slowly.
Without warning, he grabbed my wrist and dragged me from the café. What on earth was happening here?
Nearby, a darkly clad figure draped a cloak over himself, turning invisible within seconds. Muttering softly, he watched the two youths hurrying along the street, the girl trying desperately to pull away.
"Well, well, well. Draco and Hermione is it? This sure is going to be interesting."
With that, he began to follow them, unnoticed and invisible to the naked eye.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Author's notes – Hope you guys have all had a great Easter and didn't eat too many chocolates, it's very bad for your waistlines you know and as for your thighs, well...I'm not even going to go into that subject. Anyway, things are going to increase in speed from the next chapter onwards...so please hang around and REVIEW! Whenever I turn on my computer and see that a whole pile of unread reviews are blinking at me from my screen, I cannot express the joy I feel! It really makes my day! Happy Reading! Oh and also, I would really like to express all my thanx to everyone who's put me on their author alerts/favourites list! I actually jumped from my chair in happiness! Lots and lots of hugs! xx
OBXglider – Thank you! Hope you continue reading!
Snowyangel83 – Thank you – I love encouragement, they really motivate me to keep going!
Midnight solitare – Yay! Thank you so much, you reviewed each chapter as you went along! Fluffy parts are coming real soon now...stick around! Hope you had a lovely Easter! xxx
Draco's Bloody Valentine – You're one of my favourite reviewers, it's so great to hear from you each time! I hate Pansy too, lol, she's so annoying! Hope you do end up liking what I've done with Narcissa. She's meant to be snobbish, but nice sorta at the same time...Incest with Draco! Now that's one very horrifying thought! Ewwww, that brings on bad pictures, very bad pictures...stop it! Anyway, I expect you had an enjoyable Easter yourself and is now happily reading. *waits anxiously for next review* lol. xxx
Alaranth-88 – I am so grateful for your reviews, you're a favourite of mine too!! They're lovely, with lots of encouragement and suggestions and I appreciate them very much!! Glad you like my chapters – I'm still trying not to rush the plot but I think things might be getting a little faster from here. Xxx
NitenGale – More people have told me to slow it down rather than speed it up, so that's what I'm doing really. I also agree with them coz if there's too much fluff and things at the beginning, it starts getting a teensy weensy bit boring after a little while, so I'm trying to develop the plot here before anything happens. But hitching around too much also makes it boring, so things are going to be taking more direct roots after this chapter. I promise! Xx
Elven at Heart – Thank you so much for your reviews! Do you really think I would put Pansy and Draco together eh? Lol, that would be MY worst nightmare coming true! Maybe, just maybe, I might rescue my brave, fit Draco from his misfortune if a certain reviewer reviewed again *wink, wink nudge, nudge* lol. Really pleased you like the story so far! xxx
AiRFiRe – Thank you!!~ Hope you continue to like it!
Chapter 4: Coughing fits
The door opened and a tall, blonde woman stood in front of me, wearing a black robe, which hung on her slim figure elegantly. I could remember her vaguely and there seemed to be no major change in her appearance – well, a few more wrinkles upon her otherwise perfect skin – and I found myself thinking the same thoughts that always came to mind when I saw her. She would have been nice-looking if she weren't wearing an expression that suggested there was a nasty smell under her nose.
Hurriedly brushing away my inner thoughts, I held out my hand, smiling brightly. "Good morning Mrs Malfoy. I'm Hermione Granger, working in the Defence Against the Dark Arts Office in the Mini..."
"Yes, yes. I received an owl last night, informing me of your arrival." She took one quick look at my outstretched hand, but did not take it, while adding quite reluctantly, "I suppose you have to come in."
She moved aside and I took a step forward and into their entrance hall. Narcissa closed the door behind me and before I had the chance to properly look around, she was already walking quickly along the hallway.
"This way please. Oh, and mind you don't touch the portraits hanging on the wall beside you, especially Draco's. I'm sure that he wouldn't have wanted your mud – muggle-born fingerprints all over his gorgeous face."
I stiffened considerably. Well, one could not blame Malfoy for his rudeness when he had the unfortunate luck of having people like her as a mother. I followed her into a large doorway at the far end of the hall.
There were only two portraits of Draco. In one, he looked about five and standing hand-in-hand with his mother, winking and waving as I passed. So much conceit, even at such a young age! The next one was further down and in it; he looked older – probably in his mid-teens – a deep frown shadowing his handsome features.
Narcissa was already sitting down comfortably in a leather armchair when I entered the room. The room was spotless and very beautifully decorated with more portraits on the walls, sweeping curtains and an elaborate mantelpiece on top of the fireplace.
"Well, do you want to get to work then?" Narcissa asked, interrupting me from admiring the house for longer.
She still hadn't asked me to sit down! Honestly! The state of her manners was appalling. "Ok then Mrs Malfoy, let's start on our interview shall we?" I smiled sweetly and took out my parchment and quill, 'accidentally' dropping my bag down on a shelf next to me and knocking what seemed to be a pretty expensive vase off it.
CRASH.
I plastered an expression of mock horror over my face and whipped my bag back off the shelf, searching frantically for my wand in order to fix the damage. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a pretty little crystal ornament of a serpent with emerald eyes and I thrust my elbow out in that direction while pretending to grapple around the bottom of my bag.
Another crash and the arrival of more mess at my feet.
"Oops!" I finally took my wand out and muttered 'Reparo' as I set the objects back up onto the shelf. I blocked the mirth rising up inside me as I noticed the look of absolute fury on Narcissa's face. Let's face it, she deserved it as much as I had a right to sit down. "I'm very sorry for that little clumsy scene of mine. I am known to be much more respectably agreeable if I am able to prop my parchment upon my lap."
"Izzy!" Narcissa screeched and a house elf came running into the room.
"Yes mistress? Izzy is always willing to be of whatever help she can prov..."
"Izzy, I want you to grab a towel from one of the bathrooms upstairs – not mine or Master Draco's – and bring it to me immediately." Narcissa demanded, glaring at me as she spoke.
Izzy disappeared and before one could say 'Draco' she was back again, a fluffy looking blue towel in her little hand.
"Spread it over that seat over there." Narcissa indicated, pointing a long, delicate finger at another leather armchair. "Oh and Izzy, once the girl has gone, I want you to throw the towel away immediately."
The nerve of her! The surroundings felt suddenly warmer and I tried to think of something cold – ice – think of ice...no, that's not right, that just reminds me more of Malfoy's icy eyes...think of...
"Please sit down Miss Granger." A silky voice cut through my thoughts and I looked at Narcissa, who was smiling triumphantly at me.
Knowing that any more pointless and immature arguing between two grown-up women would result in nothing at all, I set my lips tight, sat down on the towel covered armchair and pursued the task at which I had come here to do in the first place. Before I could start however, Narcissa was already speaking.
"I've heard a lot about you. I detested you a lot as you were the only student who was keeping my son from taking the top spot in the year."
Duh, that wasn't surprising to me. I had always presumed that Draco spent his time complaining to his dear ickle mumsy about what a know-it-all mudblood I was and how he loathed having to share a common room with me while we were both head prefects.
"Interestingly enough, he complained a lot about you during his first few years at Hogwarts and then he stopped ever mentioning you at all. His father pestered him terribly for news of you and your wonder friends, but he always shook his head and was silent on the matter. Then when he became Head Boy..." Narcissa stopped and a proud gloating expression lightened up her face. "When he became Head Boy, he said in one of his letters that you were Head Girl and that it wasn't too bad because you were capable of doing your duties well." Her expression changed then and she glared at me.
That bit WAS surprising to me. He had always annoyed me during our seventh year when he sat there complaining about how frustrating it was working with me and how he would have much preferred it if the Head Girl was prettier so that he didn't have to spend all his time with bushy-haired me. Hmmm. What a useful bit of information that I could keep for later.
I hid my surprise however and smiled innocently at Narcissa. "Oh, didn't you know Mrs Malfoy? He fancied me – that's why he stopped talking about me! I never knew that he hadn't confessed his love of muggle-born Granger to his mother when he had confessed it to Professor Dumbledore! The main reason that Dumbledore sent me on this search was that he knew your son cared for me the most. As for the duties he was talking about..." I uttered a nervous giggle. "Well, they were not really head duties, if you know what I mean."
Narcissa's mouth dropped open and her blue eyes widened with shock.
"However Mrs Malfoy, I never loved him back and it caused him such grief..."
Narcissa stood up, her face turning a darker shade of magenta, her arms so rigid that I could almost see all the veins popping out from underneath it. "You are lying...he is engaged to Miss Pansy Parkinson...something that was planned when they were children...how dare you strip Draco away from his pureblood dignity..."
I tried to stop the laughter fighting to burst out, but I couldn't resist the temptation, a giggle escaping out of my mouth. I never thought that I would ever see Narcissa Malfoy looking so unattractive and PURPLE. Talk about gullible...I couldn't believe she thought I was telling the truth anyway!
Noticing my giggle, colour seemed to drain away from her face, leaving it slightly pink. "What are you playing at Miss Granger?"
"A little bit of humour doesn't hurt, Mrs Malfoy." I quickly glanced at the clock on the wall above my head. Gosh, how fast time flew – and I still hadn't done anything useful! "How about we discuss Malfoy's relationship with his father." I poised my quill over the parchment, looking expectantly at Narcissa to begin.
She had turned back to her original self now and said haughtily, "I don't want to talk of such personal matters with a girl born of your status."
I rolled my eyes towards the ceiling. "Mrs Malfoy, do you want your son back or not? The only reason I am doing this is because I want to respect Professor Dumbledore as I owe him greatly after all he did for me while I attended Hogwarts. However, I could just as easily not do the job as I myself don't really care that the prat of a boy you call your son is not in my life anymore."
Her eyes blazed. "What did you just call my son?"
I stood up and prepared to put my quill and parchment back in my bag. "It has become clear to me that you do not intend your son to be found. I don't wish to stay in your house longer than necessary as it brings me no pleasure or comfort, and I have much more important things that I could be dealing with right now."
Well, in honest truth, I wouldn't have minded staying in this house longer and having a look around, especially outside in that little courtyard that I could glimpse out of the window. If only someone else owned this house – I would have done anything to live here then...as for more important things? This was my only job at the time being, all my other researches had been forwarded on to Harry and Ron so that I could focus on this – maybe sitting at a café gazing at a certain waiter...that might be more of what I was planning.
Narcissa sniffed. "He was never very close with his father. His father always wanted a great deal out of him, punishing him ruthlessly when he failed to meet his ridiculous expectations – he wanted him to follow exactly in his footsteps. However, Draco never really had the metal heart of his father. When he was very young – barely a year – he witnessed his father torturing some people and would not stop screaming and grabbing at his father's wand until he stopped..."
Hermione listened to Narcissa for what seemed like hours, enraptured at this new side of Draco Malfoy that she had not known. She used her greatly practised note-taking skills to take effective notes and when at last she had answers to every question that was forming inside her mind, Narcissa stood up.
"Do you want me to take you to Draco's room then?"
It seemed like a good idea – I could try and see if there were any clues hidden there. I also stood up and Narcissa walked again down the hallway and up a grand staircase with ornate banisters. She opened the second door to her left and waited for me to arrive.
"Here it is." She said impatiently, before turning to leave. "Mind you don't touch anything of value here either, for the same reason that you couldn't touch the portraits."
She closed the door behind her and I sighed. She was a bit like her son really. Fussed up about pureblooded rubbish and excelling in snobbery, although I could sense softness inside while she spoke of her son – something which would turn her into a great person if she was allowed to open up a little.
I admired the room with its jutting out window and exquisite view of the lake outside and turned to a book on the bedside table when I heard loud knocking.
Narcissa rushed in. "Quick! Hide yourself under the bed!"
Nodding, I frantically squeezed myself between the bed and the ground and put a hand over my mouth to soften my breathing. I heard voices floating up from downstairs.
"Antonin, how glad to see you again. I hope you bring good news about Lucius. Oh, and Pansy too! Hello dear, it's been such a long time before we last met."
"Good afternoon Narcissa. I'm pleased to see that you are in fine shape and am just as equally pleased to tell you that Lucius is healthy and well. He is still in the process of planning out his attack, but I am sure that all will be ended rightly soon enough." The voice was deep and mocking and I recognised it as the voice of Antonin Dolohov – another death eater who had escaped from our grasp.
"Would you like something to eat or drink? We've got a delightful collection of different assortments that have just been sitting there after Draco went away."
"Ye..." a girl started to say, but was interrupted smoothly by Antonin.
"I'm sorry Narcissa. As much as we would love to, we don't have much time to stay and chat I'm afraid. I've come here in the hope of finding Draco, do you have any news of him?"
I tensed under the bed, breathing in Draco's faint scents that still lingered in the room.
"No Antonin. You know well enough that I would contact any of you straight away if I heard anything. It's been five years at least – I've nearly lost hope."
"I'm sorry Narcissa. We're trying to do our best to help search for him. May we visit his room?"
I heard distinct footsteps approaching and I slid further into the depths under the bed, sliding up against the wall.
A pair of legs wearing strappy heels came closer to the crack of light that I could see and the bed above me moved as someone flopped onto it. Urgh. It must be that stupid bimbo Pansy.
"Do you mind not looking at that Antonin? That's his personal stuff." Narcissa spoke from somewhere close.
I could see two pairs of legs while looking out through the gap made by the end of the bed and I saw a bit of paper drop onto the floor. Antonin crouched down and picked it up. "Do you know what this is?"
Narcissa had obviously shaken her head.
"Are you sure? Well then, I suppose you don't mind if I keep it. Pansy, I think we better get going now, we've got some serious work to do. Good day Narcissa."
Crack.
I crawled out from under the bed and stood up, brushing the dust away from my new robes. "Did you really not know what that bit of paper was?"
Narcissa nodded. "I've never seen it before."
"Did you see what it said?"
"It was blank."
A bit my lip worryingly. It had to be important if Malfoy had put a charm on it to make it seem blank, but a powerful witch like Antonin Dolohov or Lucius Malfoy could undo a charm like that in no time. I turned back to Narcissa. "Thank you for your time Mrs Malfoy. I'll contact you as soon as possible to tell you of any improvements in the case."
Narcissa nodded. "There's no reason for you to come back is there?"
"I wouldn't think so. Once I have sorted everything out, all communications could you achieved by the usual methods of owls or fireplaces. So no, I probably wouldn't be visiting again, unless I wanted to, which is highly unlikely."
"All's well then. Off you trot Miss Granger and I'll get all my house elves to do a decent bit of cleaning up for me after you leave." Narcissa said, rather eagerly.
I forced a smile onto my face and apparated back to my little flat.
*
Ginny had arrived moments later and we were sitting on my bed, discussing the day's events. We had laughed a great deal and I had secretly told her that I was now in love with someone...something more like.
"You're in love with Malfoy Manor!" Ginny had screeched hysterically, drawing tears to her eyes.
But then I remembered the card that Dolohov had picked up and I felt my temples begin to throb. What I needed right now was a nice cup of café latte...
So here I was, sitting back at the same café and at the same table, but with Ginny sitting opposite me. I had told her all about the waiter of course and we had been searching the café with averted eyes, looking for that gorgeous smile to appear. Ginny had been very excited at the thought of seeing this mysterious waiter at last and I felt a twittery feeling in my stomach as I ordered two lattes from a different girl at the counter.
It had already been at least half an hour after we arrived, but there was still no sign of him. I felt disappointment drowning me deeply and urgently felt the need to slap myself and bring me back to my senses. I was getting depressed because a waiter, whom I didn't even know, failed to turn up?
I sipped on my latte while Ginny was still looking around. The latte was too milky this time, not enough coffee powder.
Something bumped me hard in my back and I spluttered noisily, latte up my nose, cup clattering down onto the table, its content spilt everywhere. At least none was on my robes – I had been too tired to change, the robe being too similar to a muggle dress and had come exactly as I looked that morning – with maybe my hair a bit messier than before.
"I am so sorry! Are you ok?"
I was still coughing, red in the cheeks not only because of my coughing fit and unable to answer. He quickly wiped the table down as I coughed away and patted me on the back.
I held up a hand for him to stop, as my coughing died down. "I-I'm ok, thanks." I managed to splutter. This was the second time I had totally humiliated myself drinking latte in front of him! My breaths gradually returning to normal, I looked up, embarrassed, at him.
"Are you sure? I really do apologise, it's never happened before. You can complain if you want – my name's Tom Steel."
"No, really. I'm fine." I gave him a weak smile and then groaned mentally when he smiled back. Not that infectious smile again – puh-lease, it was doing wonders with my mind.
"I'll just whip you another latte then." He took my nearly empty cup from the table and walked away.
Ginny was grinning at me. "I can definitely see what you mean. But don't you think he's a tad familiar?"
"Yeah, he reminds you of Malfoy doesn't he? If it wasn't those large sunglasses, that genuine smile or that gentlemanly manner, I'd swear that it was him."
Tom came back; placing my cup of newly made latte in front of me.
"Thank you."
"Er...I was thinking that maybe I could take you out for lunch in a nearby restaurant one day this week, just as a way of saying sorry and saying thank you at the same time for not complaining. It could have cost me my job you know." He smiled.
Was he giving me chance to think it over? No. Because he was smiling again and I knew I couldn't resist under that smile. I took a sip of the now perfect latte while pretending to ponder the suggestion over in my head.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ginny smiling slyly, her eyes glinting with laughter. "Go on Hermione. It's time you had a boyfriend for a change."
Ginny! This girl was going in for some serious reprimanding later! I blushed furiously at this comment and looked up to answer Tom, but his smile had evaporated and his face had become slightly paler.
"You're not Hermione Granger are you?" he asked softly.
Huh? I'd never told him my name. "Yeah, I am..." I began slowly.
Without warning, he grabbed my wrist and dragged me from the café. What on earth was happening here?
Nearby, a darkly clad figure draped a cloak over himself, turning invisible within seconds. Muttering softly, he watched the two youths hurrying along the street, the girl trying desperately to pull away.
"Well, well, well. Draco and Hermione is it? This sure is going to be interesting."
With that, he began to follow them, unnoticed and invisible to the naked eye.
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Author's notes – Hope you guys have all had a great Easter and didn't eat too many chocolates, it's very bad for your waistlines you know and as for your thighs, well...I'm not even going to go into that subject. Anyway, things are going to increase in speed from the next chapter onwards...so please hang around and REVIEW! Whenever I turn on my computer and see that a whole pile of unread reviews are blinking at me from my screen, I cannot express the joy I feel! It really makes my day! Happy Reading! Oh and also, I would really like to express all my thanx to everyone who's put me on their author alerts/favourites list! I actually jumped from my chair in happiness! Lots and lots of hugs! xx