Disclaimer- I do not own Harry Potter or any of its characters. They are all owned by J. K. Rowling but I do own those characters, which you don't recognize.

Gossip. That is what the life of a housewife entailed. That is all you would hear, that is all you would speak, and that is all you would breathe. It was what got you through the day when there was nothing else to do.

As a pureblood, a woman went to school, got married, had children, and sat at home doing nothing. House elves did all your work for you. At least this was the life of Narcissa Malfoy. Hermione admired the woman in some aspects. She could tell that Narcissa was very clever. It was almost invisible but she could still see it. Narcissa was no stupid person and it must have pained her quite a bit to put away her studies and become the devoted wife of Lucius Malfoy. It was admirable though. She did it all to please her family.

Hermione didn't really mind listening to the woman's gossip. In fact, half of the information would be useful for potential black mail...that is if she ever planned on blackmailing anyone. She didn't really care that Pansy Parkinson's mother had been seen whispering in the ear of Theodore Nott's father. She didn't see what was wrong with that at all.

But what she did not like was when Narcissa suddenly said, "Well, I suppose you've heard enough from me today. I don't think I've ever heard you say something about anyone else."

Hermione froze for a moment before asking, "What?"

"Close your mouth dear, it is terribly unattractive." Narcissa smoothed down her hair before a devilish grin appeared on her face. "Come now, Hermione, there must have been some gossip floating around that you've heard recently."

"I...I don't gossip."

Narcissa let out a laugh that caused chills to go through Hermione. "What do you mean you don't gossip? Everyone gossips whether they realize it or not. In fact just talking about a person when they're not around is gossip in a sense."

Hermione let a frown cross her face for a brief second before sighing. Narcissa was exactly like Lavender and Parvati in that she was stubborn for information. "Err...well, when I was in the Auror department a few months ago, there was a rumor that our boss was secretly ordering-

"No, not gossip like that, Hermione. I could care less about what your boss eats. I want something juicy. Not something made up either." Narcissa's blue eyes flashed and a strange look appeared on her face. "What have you heard recently? I'm dying to know."

Hermione frowned once again and said, "Honestly? I haven't heard anything recently. Well, I did hear one thing from Charles but it didn't strike me as important."

"From Charles?" asked Narcissa. "Charles who?" Her eyes widened suddenly and she quickly took Hermione's hand. "Tell me what he said." When Hermione didn't answer, she said a little harsher, "Tell me!"

Hermione jerked her hand from the other woman's and said, "He said something about the papers in America writing articles about seeing Draco with me."

Out of nowhere, a bell rang throughout the Malfoy manor. It chimed three times and no more. "Oh hell," muttered Narcissa, shaking her head. "That must be him."

"Him?" asked Hermione, grasping her cane as Narcissa pulled her up.

"Charles," muttered the older woman. "What has he done now?" Grabbing Hermione by the hand she said, "Come, the blue study."

"He's arrived by floo? But I thought..."

"All family," muttered Narcissa, her blue eyes swirling with anger, "even family that doesn't deserver to step foot in this manor."

Narcissa thrust open the door to the blue study with a bang just in time to see Charles stumble through the fireplace with a large suitcase in his hand. He caught himself just in time and placed the suitcase on the floor. Rubbing his hands together, he looked up cheerfully at his aunt and bow slightly. "Good afternoon, Aunt!" His black hair fell gracefully to the side of his face and his blue eyes were fixed on Narcissa. "I trust Draco told you that I might drop in sometime."

"Americans wizards," muttered Narcissa to Hermione. "They act like they own the world." She turned back to Charles and snarled, "What are you doing here? Haven't your parents ever told you that they are not welcome in this house?"

Charles laughed loudly and said, "They aren't welcome. I'm perfectly welcome, if I do say so myself." His cheerful blue eyes locked with a pair of angry blue ones. He was forced to drop his once he realized that he would not win against his aunt. Jutting out his lower jaw, he said carefully, "Alright well, here's the deal." He ran a hand through his hair and said, "My parents got wind that I had a chat with Draco and they're not very happy about it." He smiled coldly and said, "Let's just say that home is not a very happy place right now."

"So you're running from them like a coward?" piped in Hermione.

Charles's eyes snapped from his aunt to the brunette standing beside her. Hermione could feel his penetrating stare upon her but she stood her ground and held onto her black cane.

"Ms. Granger, I had no idea that you would be here today." Charles swiftly walked up to Hermione and grabbed her hand. He placed a kiss on it, staring into her glassy eyes. She was even more beautiful than the last time he saw her. Some would call him crazy but he knew he was not. There was something different about her. It made him go mad even though he didn't even know her.

Hermione let a small smile fleet across her face before snatching her hand away and saying, "Well now you know."

Charles looked down at the brunette completely ignoring his aunt and said, "How long are you planning on staying here today?"

Hermione raised an eyebrow as Narcissa let out a laugh. "Surely you know nephew, that Hermione is living with us?"

Charles was taken aback for a moment. He stared at the two women in front of him in utter confusion. Suddenly, it dawned upon him. He had read something about an accident in the Auror department in England. There had been an accident in which an auror had been blinded but he had brushed it off as nothing important as there were always accidents in the American ministry. He looked at Hermione and was not able to utter a single word. Finally, after a few minutes of consideration he said, "You're an Auror?"

Hermione merely nodded and gripped her cane tighter. Narcissa saw this and fixed her gaze on her nephew. "How long will you be staying, Charles?"

Charles looked at Hermione once more before turning back to his aunt. "Until it's safe for me to go home, I guess."

Narcissa turned her nose up at her nephew clearly telling him what she thought of him. With an exasperated sigh, Narcissa clicked her tongue and immediately a house elf appeared. "Take Charles's bag away to the east wing." The elf nodded and snapped its fingers causing the bags to disappear. The elf bowed to Narcissa and disappeared shortly after with a pop.

Narcissa placed a hand on her forehead and shook her head. "Oh hell," she muttered. She placed her other arm on Hermione's and said, "Show Charles around the manor. I have a few things to take care of. Narcissa pulled out her wand and with a wave, a small black purse appeared in her hand. Stepping away from Hermione and Charles, she walked towards the fireplace and threw a hand full of flew powder into it. "If Draco comes home, tell him that I've gone out." With that, she yelled something incomprehensible and disappeared into the fireplace.

Hermione shook her head and muttered, "Such a lovely woman."

"I quite agree," replied Charles, startling Hermione who had managed to forget that he was waiting for her to show him around.

She didn't want to show him around truth be told. She really wanted to sleep or eat a piece of cake at the moment. She had better things to be doing than giving a tour of someone else's house. "Do you really want a tour?"

"Of course I do," he replied linking his arm with Hermione's. His touch sent unusual tingles up Hermione's arm. She did not have the faintest idea why.

Entangling her arm from his she said, "I need both my arms, thank you."

Charles laughed causing Hermione to raise an eyebrow. He took her hand and kissed it. "Whatever you say, Hermione."

She rolled her eyes and walked out of the study with him following her.

An hour passed very slowly for Hermione. Every room she went, he stayed for at least fifteen minutes to admire every single piece of art there was. As a result, they hadn't even left the corridor with the blue study. As Hermione was getting ready to show him another room, Charles placed a hand upon her arm and said, "Is there a backyard or anything? I need some fresh air."

Hermione almost laughed at him. "A backyard? There's a garden. We could go there if you'd like."

"Perfect," whispered Charles into her ear causing her to frown slightly. "Why don't you take me?"

Hermione stepped back uncertainly. "Are you feeling alright?"

Charles smirked at the girl relishing the fact that she couldn't see him. "Of course I am. I just love fresh air."

Hermione nodded and motioned for him to follow her. It bothered her though, the way he had asked her to take him outside. His breath had tickled the inside of her ear and funnily enough, Hermione had liked it. She didn't want to though. She didn't want to like him at all. He did something to her. It made her feel very uncomfortable.

Hermione pushed open the doors that led to the garden and tapped her way down the stairs and onto the stone pathway. Charles followed behind her closing his eyes to inhale the scent of the roses that lined the path.

"And here we have the garden," said Hermione softly. Charles smirked at her and walked over to a rose bush. "I wouldn't pick any of them if I were you."

Charles looked at her astonished. "How did you…"

"I know, believe me. But don't worry, I'm only saying that I wouldn't." Hermione smiled serenely as the wind brushed past her face.

Charles watched her, his eyes never leaving her face. Slowly, he snapped a red rose off of the bush and walked over to her.

"A lovely rose for a lovely woman," he said pressing the rose into her hand.

Hermione slowly grasped the stem wincing slightly as the thorns dug into her palm. "Do you have any idea how unoriginal that was?" She brought it up to her nose to smell it and smiled.

Charles looked at her, wondering how someone as beautiful as her could not be pureblood. He had never seen anything like her. She was an enigma and it delighted him. That was probably what caused him to seize her face in both his hands and plant his lips on hers.

The kiss was rather nice but as soon as Hermione got her senses back, she shoved him away, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.

"What the hell was that?" she asked frowning at him.

Charles brushed his hair out of his eyes and said, "A kiss."

"I know that! But I-I don't even know you! You can't just kiss me like that!" Hermione shrieked as she stepped back from him. A smirk appeared on his face.

"Well, that's the fun of it," he replied stepping forward. He snaked his arm around her waist and pulled her to him. "There's something about you that makes me want to tear my hair out, Hermione." She shivered as he whispered into her ear.

"Well, I can't say the same about you," she muttered, ignoring the feeling of butterflies in her stomach.

Charles looked down at her, tracing the side of her face with his finger. He smirked slightly as she leaned into his touch. He brought his face down to hers and whispered, "Are you sure about that?" When Hermione didn't reply, he crashed his lips down upon hers once again.

Hermione was ready this time. Immediately, she brought her foot down on his and rammed her cane into his stomach. Shoving him away from her, she hissed, "I may be blind, but I'm not an auror for nothing."

"I can see that," replied Charles clutching his stomach. He looked back up at her, desire not gone from his eyes.

"You bet you can," she spat. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have better things to do than show you around this place. Find your own way back inside." Her face, extremely white, Hermione spun around on her heel, her cane clacking as she walked up the stone pathway.

Without warning, Charles caught her arm and said, "You're not leaving." There was a gleam in his eyes that seemed almost desperate.

"Let go of my arm!" Hermione's mouth was set into a grim line as she said it.

"You're overreacting, Hermione," said Charles soothingly.

"Let go of my arm!" she shrieked.

"I don't think so," replied Charles, pulling her closer to him. Just as he almost had her, a voice from the steps of the garden came.

"Is there a problem here?" Draco stepped down the stairs and surveyed the scene, his eyes growing cold as he looked upon his cousin.

Charles let go of Hermione who stumbled slightly. He shook his head and said, "Nope, no problem."

Hermione tapped her way over to Draco, breathing hard. "Thank you," she whispered to him. She shook her head and continued inside.

Draco merely nodded and said, "I hope you're not lying Charles."

Charles smirked at his cousin and said, "Why would I lie?"

The two cousins gazed coldly at each other before Draco finally turned and strode into the house, his robes billowing behind him.

As Charles watched him go, he realized that without the two of them, he was completely and hopelessly lost.

Draco shut the door behind him and immediately saw Hermione sitting on a chair that was near the door. He sat across from her and said, "Well, Granger?"

"Well?" she spat.

Draco glared at her and said, "What happened?"

"Your cousin Charles happened, that's what," she hissed. "Your mother decides to leave and makes me show him around the house and all of a sudden he's kissing me as though he's known me my entire life! That's what!"

"He what?" asked Draco, his face draining of all color. He wasn't too sure why it was affecting him so much to hear her say that. His dislike for Charles was a possible factor but it wasn't just that. It was like…possessiveness possibly.

"He…kissed me, that's what." Hermione let a small smile cross her face. She shook her head and said, "I can't believe I'm talking to you about kissing." She scowled and said, "He had no right though."

"He didn't," muttered Draco without realizing it.

"He took complete advantage of me," she exclaimed. Hermione's face was now white with rage. "Complete advantage of me…"

Draco watched as her glassy eyes darkened. He realized what she was going to say and murmured, "Granger…"

"Don't say that I'm not worthless because I am!" she bellowed. "I can't even fend for myself when it comes to something as pathetic as this and don't you dare say that I have low self esteem because I don't!" Hermione pushed her hair out of her face and continued, "This stupid blindness…why can't those damn healers just find a stupid cure? It's my eyes for god sakes and I-

"Granger! Would you shut up for a moment?" Draco got out of his chair and kneeled in front of her. He took her hands in his and said, "This is not only about you. The world does not revolve around like you think it does. Now I'll admit, St. Mungo's is not the best hospital in the world but they're trying." Draco's eyes bore into hers as she looked ahead with a defeated look. "Have hope. At least I stopped Charles before he got anywhere."

"But that's the thing, Malfoy, before he got anywhere." Hermione shook her head and said, "He's living here for a while."

Draco stared at her. "You're joking."

"No, I'm not. He brought a suitcase, I think."

Draco rubbed his forehead and with a tired look said, "That's great…"

Hermione chuckled and said, "God, he's a jerk."

Draco rolled his eyes and stood up. "You'll be alright by yourself?"

"I'm fine Malfoy," she snapped. She stood up and pulled her robes around herself tighter. Picking up her cane, she said, "Did I tell you that your mother left?"

Draco raised an eyebrow and said, "Yes…"

"Well, it seemed that she was more worried about Charles's arrival than angry," continued Hermione.

"My mother is a rather paranoid woman, Granger," countered Draco, looking at her with a smirk on his face. "She sees, remember? her visions?"

"Oh, I forgot about that…" Hermione's mouth parted slightly as she said, "Do you think…"

"…Charles has anything to do with what she saw before?" Draco looked at Hermione with a grim expression and nodded. "I have no doubt about it." Draco smirked slightly and said, "I suppose I should feel bad for asking you but keep an eye or…rather be wary of him. Make sure you know what he's doing at all times." Draco drew closer to Hermione and said, "Keep your wand with you as well. I'll get it away from mother somehow…I won't always be there to save you."

Hermione frowned slightly and said, "I wasn't expecting you to."

Draco frowned back at her and said, "If I hadn't gotten you back there, you would have been in a load of trouble."

"Well, I'm not. Besides, I already thanked you for that." Hermione twirled her cane in her hand almost poking Draco. "Don't expect it to happen again."

Draco shook his head and looked insolently at the girl. She was one of the most unusual people he had ever met in his life. Despite that, he enjoyed her company. She had the capability of holding an intelligent conversation with him which was rare in Draco's opinion. Half of the time, he was bored whenever he talked to someone. She was something unique…

Thinking of what she just said, he grinned and said, "And if it did happen again?"

"It won't," muttered Hermione smiling a horribly sweet smile at him. "I can ensure you."

Draco shook his head and said, "On second thoughts, I think I'll take you back to your room myself."

"For what? I'm not sick."

"Oh, I think you are, Granger," replied Draco deftly taking her arm and leading her towards her room.

Narcissa Malfoy stood in her sister Andromeda's house gazing out of a window at Andromeda's two grandchildren who were playing in the yard. Narcissa could see her sister's daughter, Nymphadora sitting on the grass next to her husband. She shuddered as she thought of the man. He was a werewolf. How they had been able to have children was a mystery to Narcissa.

She turned as she heard the door behind her open. Andromeda Tonks walked in, her brown hair, streaked with silver, shining regally. She was holding a tray with two cups on it.

"Tea, Narcissa?" The woman held out the tray to her younger sister who elegantly removed one of the cups.

"Thank you." Narcissa took a sip of the tea and found it to be rather nice.

"Do you like it?" asked Andromeda. When Narcissa nodded, the woman smiled and said, "What brings you here of all places?"

"Can't I visit my sister once in a while?" asked Narcissa looking slyly at her sister.

Andromeda rubbed her chin thoughtfully and said, "Now let's see, I don't get a visit from you for over thirty years and you expect me to believe that you've suddenly dropped by for a visit? I know you better than that." Andromeda narrowed her eyes at her sister and said, "What do you want?"

Narcissa sighed and set her cup down on the small table next to her. "I had a vision."

Andromeda promptly dropped her cup of tea onto the floor. A house elf appeared moments later and cleared it up. Andromeda looked at her sister with wide eyes and said, "You still get them after all these years?"

"Yes…they're mostly pleasant but not this time."

"I see…" Andromeda stood up and gestured for Narcissa to follow her. "These walls are not safe. Come."

Narcissa followed her sister out of the room taking one last look out of the window as she left. The two of them walked down to the kitchen where Andromeda opened up the pantry. Looking around, she closed the door and pulled out her wand. She tapped it on the floor and out of nowhere, a tiny brass handle appeared.

"Help me pull it?" asked Andromeda. Narcissa glared at her sister rudely before pulling on the handle. The floor opened up revealing a narrow stone staircase that led straight into the ground.

"What is this?"

"Ted made it right when we bought the house." Andromeda tucked her wand into her robes and said, "Go on, I'll come after you."

Narcissa rolled her eyes at her sister and dolefully went down the staircase. It was rather drafty but smelled decent. It seemed endless though for the more stairs that she traveled, the more stairs appeared.

"Just a bit more to go," called Andromeda.

Narcissa sighed as the staircase ended revealing a room clothed completely in blue and black. There was an armoire, a bed, and a table. She watched as her sister's brown eyes sparkled with excitement. Andromeda seemed right at home in this room. She glided towards the back of the room in such an elegant manner that Narcissa felt almost ashamed of the way she walked. The darkness caused her skin to appear rather pale but extraordinarily radiant.

"What is this place, Andy?" asked Narcissa, her eyes never leaving her sister's form.

Andromeda rose an eyebrow upon hearing her sister call her by her old nickname. "It's just a basement…a safe room rather. Why?"

"You look different. Younger would be a better word," replied Narcissa hesitantly. At the moment, she felt very foolish. She felt like a child in the presence of her sister. Narcissa felt very out of place and it scared her for it meant that she wasn't in control of her surroundings.

Andromeda chuckled. "Ted always said I looked different down here." She gestured for Narcissa to take a seat at the table. Once they were both seated, she said, "Tell me about your vision."

Narcissa frowned and said, "I can't really explain it. I see it but when I try to explain it, I just…"

"You remember them though?"

"Of course," replied Narcissa. "I'm not a seer."

"That's what made me wonder in the first place," murmured Andromeda. Her brown eyes narrowed with concentration. "I was going to ask father about my theory before I married Ted but I never got the chance." Andromeda looked at Narcissa and said, "Have you ever tried to remove the vision from your head and put it in a pensieve?"

"Of course I have," snapped Narcissa, her blue eyes gleaming.

"That's what I thought. Then I remembered something. It's nothing big really and I'm surprised that you haven't already thought of it."

"What is it?"

"Transfer it to someone else. Let another person see it. That way it becomes a memory in the other person's head."

"That doesn't make any sense," exclaimed Narcissa.

"It makes perfect sense," replied Andromeda sharply. She whipped out her wand and said, "Play the vision in your head."

"How will you get it?"

"I know Legimency and Occlumancy, sister dear. I'm not as stupid as the lot of you thought I was." Andromeda smirked at her sister who had the grace to look abashed.

Narcissa looked at her sister for a moment and closed her eyes. Immediately, she saw the vision playing out in her head. Every second of it was so vivid that she felt as though she was standing there. Out of nowhere, she felt a faint itch in her head but as quickly as it had come, it was gone. She opened her eyes and saw Andromeda looking at her with wide eyes.

"Did you see it?"

Andromeda nodded mutely before saying, "Do…do your visions always come true?"

"Most of the time."

Andromeda nodded and looked at the table. "The dark haired boy, he's Ruin's son isn't he?"

"I'm surprised you remembered what he looks like."

"And…" she breathed in sharply not even able to say the name. "How is he alive?" Narcissa shrugged in reply.

"We have to stop it from happening, Narcissa."

Narcissa stood up and said, "I can't. We can't."

"Why not?" demanded Andromeda. "We know what's going to happen. We can stop it."

"We don't know when it's going to happen." The desperation was evident in Narcissa's voice. She grabbed his sister's hand and squeezed it. "I will not let this happen to my son. He's been through too much already." Andromeda nodded understandingly. "And Hermione, she's a wonderful girl and you saw what's going to happen to her." Andromeda nodded mutely and looked at her sister's eyes, which were brimming with tears.

Andromeda looked away from her sister with a dark gaze. She held knowledge in the palm of her hand that no one would ever know about. She could not even tell anyone about it because no one would believe her.

She looked back at her sister wondering how she had been able to put up with this gift, you could call it, for all these years. She pitied her sister for it. Shaking her head, she said, "Why did you tell me of all people?"

Narcissa looked back at her sister with an ashamed gaze. She leaned towards her sister and said in a low voice, "You are the only person I can trust at the moment, Andy. I don't have anyone else."

Andromeda's eyes widened out of shock. She took her sister's hand in hers and said, "I promise you that I will do anything I can to ensure that nothing happens to either of them."

Narcissa squeezed Andromeda's hand and nodded. The two sisters looked at each other neither realizing that what they had seen had far worse consequences than either of them could ever imagine.