Disclaimer : I own everything you don't recognize, and nothing you do recognize.
Chapter Nine – At home, at last.
The ride home was a long one. Hermione ran through the day's events in her head. The kiss, the "revenge" and the kiss on the hand. He is rather charming.. For a Malfoy. Hermione thought absentmindedly. She stared out into space for awhile, wondering what she would do all summer. After awhile, she fell into a deep and relaxing sleep.
Hermione opened her eyes. Light was flooding through the window. All I remember was falling asleep in the car.. She thought groggily. Hermione turned around and looked at her alarm clock. "Only 5am?" She moaned, rolling over.
"Yes, rather early. Mind you, I would have though of you as more of a morning person, Granger." Hermione froze. That voice did not belong to her parents. She bolted upright in bed. There Draco was, leaning against her bed frame. "MALFOY!" she shrieked. "What are you doing here?" She snapped. "More importantly, how did you get in here?" She said, glaring at him. "Easy Granger. I'm not going to attack you." He said smoothly. What he said did not console Hermione very much. "To answer your first question, my mother sent me, she wants to see you." He said, pausing. "And as for the question of how I got here.. ever heard of floo powder?" he said, pointing to the fireplace in her bedroom.
"When does she want me?" Hermione said, changing the subject. Draco raised an eyebrow at her. "Don't you want to know why she wants you?" He asked. Hermione shook her head. "I already know" she said shortly. Draco shot her a quizzical glance but did not pursue the matter. "She said anytime before you mother wakes up is fine. Apparently it wont take very long."
Hermione climbed out of bed, following Draco to the fireplace. "Ladies first" he said, with a mock bow. Hermione grabbed a handful of powder, stepped into the fireplace, and shouted "The Malfoy Manor!" Draco followed shortly after her.
At the manor, Narcissa was already waiting for them. "Sorry for sending Draco so early, dear." She said kindly. She looked at Draco. "OK, im going, im going.." he said, walking up to his room. Hermione followed Narcissa to the bar room. When they entered the room, the two ladies sat down on the couch. "I'm sorry for being so secretive, but this manor is being watched. Death eaters are watching the manor, and give reports back to Voldemort. This is the only place where I can be sure they will not hear or see us." Narcissa explained. Hermione only nodded. What does Narcissa need my help with? I hope she isn't asking me to free Lucius or something.. Hermione thought. "What I am asking you" Narcissa continued "is to free Lucius, so to speak."
Hermione only stared at Narcissa. "Excuse me?" Hermione spluttered, as if she hadn't heard properly. Narcissa laughed softly. "Let me explain" she said, noticing the outrage on Hermione's face. "Better yet, let me show you the night Lucius changed.." Narcissa added. "Accio Pensieve!" Within seconds, the pensieve wizzed into Narcissa's lap. She pointed her wand to the liquid silver substance. "Go ahead, touch it." Narcissa said gently. Hermione touched it. The world around her squirrled, and soon she was in Narcissa Malfoy's memory.
"Lucius, a man is at the door for you" a younger looking Narcissa said.
A younger looking Lucius walked up to his wife, to greet his vistor. Hermione froze, realizing Lucius Malfoy was heading straight towards her. But she soon remembered that he could not see or hear her.
"Hello, how may I help you?" Lucius said to the visitor at the door.
Hermione gasped, she had never seen Lucius Malfoy with such courtesy.
"Yes, s-s-ir. My name is Peter Pettigrew. I was wondering if I could have a word with you?" Wormtail said.
Hermione narrowed her eyes. It was wormtail. The one who brought Voldemort back to power in their 4th year. The one who betrayed Lily and James.
Lucius looked the man up and down, as if he was sizing him up.
"Of course, follow me" Lucius said smoothly.
He turned to Narcissa. "Love, could you send some tea up to my study?" He asked.
Narcissa nodded. "I'll send Eeksor with the tea."
Wormtail followed Lucius up 3 flights of stairs. Hermione noticed how Wormtail kept eyeing the Malfoy's valuables. Neither of them spoke to each other until they reached Lucius's study. Hermione noticed that it had not changed at all.
"What brings you to the Malfoy Manor?" Lucius asked curtly.
"My master, soon to be yours" Wormtail said with a twisted smile. "Imperio!"
The curse hit Lucius Malfoy straight in the chest.
Hermione looked through the glass door of his study. Outside, was a horrified looking Narcissa. She had seen the whole thing.
"Find Narcissa!" Wormtail snarled. Lucius obeyed.
"Narcissa! NARCISSA!" Lucius bellowed, much like his present-day self.
"Yes, dear?" Narcissa said softly.
"Don't dear me. WHY HAVEN'T I GOTTEN MY TEA YET?! ARE YOU INCAPABLE OF GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS?!" Lucius yelled, causing Narcissa to shrink back into the shadows.
"CRUCIO!" Lucius screamed.
Narcissa crumpled to a heap on the floor, screaming in pain. It was too much for Hermione to watch. After Lucius had ended the curse, Hermione opened her eyes.
"Did you like that?" Lucius sneered with a malicious smile.
Narcissa wimpered.
"How about a little more?" Lucius said in a dangerous voice, getting closer and closer to Narcissa. He tugged at her robes, tearing them off her.
"Imperio!" he said, pointing to Narcissa. Hermione was afraid to watch. But Narcissa's face was blank.
"I am at your service." Narcissa said, in a flat monotone.
Lucius smiled, ripping her shirt off. Narcissa did not push him away, nor did she participate. Her face was expressionless.
Then, all of a sudden, the world around Hermione swirled.
Hermione looked at Narcissa and hugged her. "I can't believe you went through all of that .. For so long.." Hermione said, nearly at tears. She felt so sad for Narcissa. "Don't worry about me. I'm fine now, its all over." Narcissa said. There was a hesitant look in her eyes. "But Lucius .." She started, unsure of Hermione's response. Hermione's face was thoughtful. She was rethinking the memory. "I'm assuming you never told anyone he was under the Imperius?" Hermione asked, regaining her intellectual attitude. Narcissa nodded. "But .. why? Surely someone could have helped you.." Hermione asked, confused. Narcissa sighed. "That is the thing, Hermione. This place is always watched. I don't mean to sing my praises, but the Malfoys are very powerful wizarding families. As are the Blacks. Voldemort would, of course, want to keep tabs on them." Narcissa said slowly. "Ever since Lucius was put in Azkaban, I've been watched constantly. They severely dislike me, but wouldn't dare hurt me in fears of raising suspicions. Voldemort thinks I dislike Lucius, because he never knew I seen him placed under the Imperius curse. That's why I cannot publicly express my care for Lucius." Narcissa explained sadly.
"I understand now. Forgive my confusion, but what does this have to do with me?" Hermione asked politely. Narcissa smiled weakly. "I've heard a lot about you from Draco" Narcissa explained. Hermione raised her eyebrow. "What kind of stuff?" Hermione asked, interested. Draco talks about me? To his mother? Hmmm.. Hermione though. "He tells me you are ahead of your class, exceptionally smart" Narcissa said. "That is why I was hoping you would be able to help me." Hermione blushed. Her arch-enemy telling his mother that she was "ahead of the class" and "exceptionally smart"? It was unheard of.
"I understand if you don't want to help. After all, Lucius, and I'm sure Draco, have been absolutely horrible to you. But you see, that wasn't really him. He has been on the Imperius curse ever since. There has been times when he was close to fighting it, but his controller has been gaining steady power." Narcissa continued "I myself could not have removed him from the curse, because I am constantly watched. You, however, have an advantage." Narcissa explained, looking at Hermione. Hermione thought furiously. Helping Lucius Malfoy? What if he doesn't change once I remove the curse? And who even says that I CAN remove the curse? Hermione thought.
Giving herself more time to think, Hermione asked "How do I have an advantage?" Narcissa looked triumphant. "This thought never occurred to me, until Anna-Marie was telling me how hardworking and dedicated to your studies that you were" Hermione smiled, a blush creeping over her cheeks. "First of all, you are muggle-born. As you probably know, under the Imperius curse, Lucius severely dislikes muggle-borns. Voldemort would never expect a muggle-born, especially a best friend of Harry Potter's, to help a Malfoy. Second of all, you are only a student. But I have heard a lot about you, and I believe you are quite powerful. Perhaps powerful enough to throw off an Imperius curse" Narcissa said. Hermione smiled. Narcissa seemed to think highly of Hermione. Just then, a horrible thought crossed Hermione's mind. "Wait a second. You're not just befriending my mother just to be able to talk to me, are you?" Hermione asked, slightly horrified. Narcissa was taken back. "Absolutely not. I didn't even know Anna-Marie was your mother until you came up to her. We just started talking while we were waiting for the train, and hit it off right away. Unbeknown to lots, we have quite a few things in common." Narcissa reassured. Hermione visibly relaxed.
Narcissa glanced up at the large clock over the fireplace. "6 am already!" Narcissa gasped. "I'd better get you back home before your parents find you missing. Remember—Don't tell anyone yet" Narcissa said hurridly. Walking over to to the fireplace, Hermione grabbed a handful of floo powder. "Hermione Granger's Bedroom!" he commanded as the world around her spun.
Narcissa returned upstairs as soon as Hermione left. Draco sat upstairs, in the living room. "Where is Hermione?" He asked, almost too enthusiastically. Narcissa smiled. "Getting attached to her?" Draco made a face. "Certainly not. She has no meaning to me whatsoever." Draco said defensively. Narcissa laughed. "She just left for home" she replied. "Oh" he said quietly. No one could miss the slightly disappointed look in his eyes.
Hermione arrived back in her bedroom, as planned. Perhaps her summer would be more exciting than she had ever hoped for. However, somewhere in the back of her mind, she was reminded that helping Malfoy Senior only meant spending more time with Malfoy Jr.
Boy, was she right.
Author's Note: I hope this chapter was far more exciting and eventful than the last. I think it clears up a lot questions. If not, let me know and I'll work it into the story or answer it when I respond to your review. :) Now, I can probably see where you DM/HG fans are getting annoyed. 2 chapters without any HG/DM scenes! But please, be patient. It will come, believe me. Most likely in the next chapter or so. Thank you all so much for reviewing. I have to admit, I was so tied up with my other fanfic (What goes on in the teacher's lounge) that I started paying less attention to this fanfic. Never fear! I will update either tomorrow or the next day.
Dumdumditz23 – Hehe thanks, I will!
Mir – That's good to hear, thanks :)
Crazee – Hehe I know, shocking, huh? Thanks :)
Tigersmeleth – Awww! I feel so special!
Ilovetom – I know! I'm happy too. I hate it when people write a story that I like then finish it too quickly, without a proper ending.
Alex Felton – Thanks! :)
AtLossforWords – Its something you don't hear about too often. Glad your excited lol :)
Dark Angel – I will!
Daniel-Radcliffes-Girl – I love you too! (for reviewing! :P)
Harry-Potter-Fan145 – Yay! You rock too! One of my more devoted reviewers :) Hyper is good –thumbs up-
Nevermind2 – Me too, Draco is obsessive material :) Its good to hear you have faith in my story hehe
Georgie-mini – I know! Its not fair .. Why can't Draco be real? –pouts-
Alenor – Thanks for your honesty. I agree completely with you! hehe :)
FlavaGurl – Wow, that's good to hear. Thanks! :)
NikkiEvans – Hehe, thanks for your honesty as well. Like I said before, I agree! lol
AngelPrncss07 – I will, I will!
Draco-Obsessed-Girl – Awww! –grins- glad you enjoyed it!
Draco's all mine – I will hehe
Mara342 – Your new favorite fic? Wowee, that means A LOT –big grin- I usually update every day or every second day with short chapters, and if I write a longer chapter (like this one) then I'll update every 2-3 days. I try to write everyday, though. I'm glad you love the story! :D Luv ya too :)
WOW!! 19 reviews! That must be a record! If I forgot anyone, let me know! BUTTERBEERS ALL-ROUND! –grins insanely- Keep the reviews coming!