The most dreaded day had arrived. Today was the Christmas Eve, which meant the Christmas Ball event will be held this evening — soon — at the Malfoy Manor.
Hermione had been living in anxious as the day was nearing. Severus and she had managed to come up with an acceptable look for the event tonight. He had commented on her try out on several different looks, saying sentences such as 'not enough aristocrat' and 'look more royal' too many times to count. He focused mostly on the face part while she improved her body figure quite a bit by herself.
She settled on changing her hair colour to black, making it straight with curls at the end, where she pulled them back in a tight ponytail so the curls beautifully danced down her neck.
Her skin had the colour of tanning, not too much but enough to shadow the pale of her skin. Her hollowed cheeks were no longer, they were a wee bit puffier but still thin to be called chubby or plumpy. Her nose a little sharp instead of the usual cute button nose and her pink lips soft but plumper and looked healthier. Her eyes remained the same, she would like to be able to retain at least that part of herself, except they were shinier and looked full of life.
She donned a beautiful velvety pure white off-the-shoulders dress and black high heels to match. A shining white pearl necklace was placed around her neck. She charmed her lithe body to be a bit in full figure so the dress hugged her curves deliciously. The dress also had a slit on the front left up to the middle of her thigh so her toned leg was on the shy of playing hide and seek.
All in all, she dressed to impress.
She went out of her room and met with a slack-jawed Severus.
"You look stunning!" She blushed and clutched her purse where her wand was hidden inside. "You look... the same," she countered.
Severus looked exactly the same as always. He never really cared about his outfit much. Except for this night, Hermione had asked him to forego his black robe that always seemed to sweep the floor. They had an argument but eventually, he gave up and reluctantly agreed.
"Ready, Ms. Regina Haysiyet?" He offered his arm for her to grab. She nodded and proceeded to do just that.
"Of course, Severus. Lead the way." Hermione said and she smile at him.
The gut-wrenching feeling came as they disapparated away.
They were standing near a pair of wrought-iron gates of a large manor that were surrounded by high hedge running off to the distance. They could see an overgrown tent possibly in the garden of the manor. Lights illuminated the darkness that seemed to surround the manor and music could be heard even from the distance.
Hermione gasped upon the sight and came upon the reality of the situation. 'This is it. Tonight, may be the last night I'll live. Everyone will know who I am. Everyone will be disgusted when knowing the Muggle-born that they hate will be present. I'm going to die; I'm going to die.' She was deep in her panic attack that she didn't realize her hand had been gripping hard on Severus' arm. Her free hand was clutching her purse tightly across her stomach.
Severus noticed the change in demeanour and made an effort to calm her down. He pulled her into his arms, careful of her appearance, and rubbed her back soothingly while whispering calm words. She seemed to come back to her senses and breathe deeply. Severus let her go and pulled her chin to look into her eyes.
"Do you want to go back?" He kindly asked her, letting down his mask briefly.
Hermione shook her head and smiled at him, "I can do this. I don't want to waste all this." She gestured towards her body. They both chuckled and he put his facade back on.
"Don't leave my side and if you feel uncomfortable, tell me. Don't wait or keep it to yourself." He spoke in a stern voice, and she nodded with understanding.
They started to walk through the gate, and Hermione felt the wall of magic when she passed through it. It seemed they had cast wards around the area and it was possible that she had been allowed entrance as Severus' guest. She wondered if the wards had intended to repel Muggles and Muggle-borns as she did not feel any rejection towards her, considering the blood she had.
They moved towards the tent where music had become louder and clearer as they got closer. They were stopped by a certain young blonde Malfoy who noticed of their appearances.
"Good evening, Godfather." Draco went to shake Severus' hand.
"Good evening, Draco." The boy looked at his godfather's side and was awestruck at seeing a beauty he had never seen before.
She smirked at him. Her face not betraying the pride she felt inside her chest. "Draco, meet my cousin, Ms. Regina Haysiyet. Regina, this is my brat of a godson, Draco Malfoy." He introduced them both.
"A pleasure to meet a lovely lady such as yourself." He took her right hand and kissed the back of her hand.
"Oh, Severus. Why would you call such a handsome gentleman, a brat? A pleasure to meet you too, Mr. Malfoy." She winked at him playfully but her heart felt like vomiting.
'Oh, I'm so good at acting.' It made her laughed inside upon seeing the self-centered and bratty boy acting all good and gentleman kissing her and tried to impress her. He was such a hypocrite.
Severus tried to hold back his laugh but could not stop his snort. "Where is your mother, Draco?"
"Mother and father are talking to Mr. and Mrs. Greengrass. Allow me to lead you both to them." He seemed to not be able to stop staring at her as he spoke and led them away.
Hermione could easily saw Narcissa Malfoy even from the distance. She was beautiful in her elegant soft blue dress robe that brought out her blue eyes and hugged her curves deliciously. Her blonde with black streaks hair was pulled up in a tight bun, making her looked every bit the Ice Queen she was famously known as.
It looked as though Narcissa had also sensed her presence even before they were near to each other. The older witch was looking at her from top to down, back to top, all over her until she settled looking in her eyes again.
Hermione's heart was beating uncontrollably in her chest, and it was a wonder that she had not fallen down yet as her knees were getting weaker with each step she took. The trio stepped close to the little group who had stopped their chatting.
"Pardon me for the interruption mother, father, and Mr. and Mrs. Greengrass. Allow me to introduce Ms. Regina Haysiyet, cousin of my godfather."
It seemed that Draco was quite taken on her, to make himself introduce her to the group instead of Severus. If the said man was taken aback by the gesture, he did not show it, but he simply raised his eyebrow and a small upturn of his lips in amusement. Hermione did not make any eye contact with Narcissa as she plastered a charming smile to the group.
"A pleasure to meet you, ladies and gentlemen. Please, call me Regina."
She extended her hand to shake with the lot, both the men kissed on the back of her hand while introducing themselves and complimenting her, to which she blushed slightly. Then she went forward for a cheek-to-cheek kiss with the Greengrass matriarch as she had read in a book about pure-blood customs. Draco introduced her to the two sisters, Daphne and Astoria. She was glad to see that even Daphne could not recognize her. She felt at ease and hope that her disguise tonight would not be discovered.
Suddenly the family took their leaves, saying they wanted to have a chat with other guests, while Draco took both sisters away to his group of friends. He promised to introduce her to them later. Lucius wanted to speak with Severus in private, possibly about the matter regarding their dark circle.
Severus looked at her, his eyes steely but she saw the flash of concern in them. He meant to ask if she would be okay to leave her with Narcissa alone. 'I'll be fine.' She said to him through their minds and he was surprised, but quickly masked his expression. 'Okay, don't hesitate to call for help. And don't do what I wouldn't do!' Off he went. Hermione mentally smacked herself for hi joke.
"So, Ms. Haysiyet, was it?" Narcissa's voice broke the awkward silence.
"Oh, where is my manner? Forgive me, Lady Malfoy. It is such a pleasure to meet with you." She went to kiss the older witch on both her cheeks, slightly different kind of kiss compared to with Mrs. Greengrass just now. She ignored the electricity coursing through her skin at the touch of her lips against the smooth skin of Narcissa's.
"Thank you for having me, even though it was rude of me to invite myself to your event. You have a magnificent manor and garden. As stunning as the owner, herself." She knew she was rambling and she blushed, her heart was beating erratically and she was glad the music was able to hide the sound from reaching the woman's ears. Narcissa caught her rambling and blushing and raised her eyebrow, her lower lip was between teeth to bite back the amusement she felt. "Thank you, Ms. Haysiyet. You look not so bad yourself. Can't say I'm not impressed." She looked at the girl up and down again, could not deny the strange feeling she had towards the stranger. She could only remember feeling that way towards one person — a person whom she could never be associated with.
"I totally could not defeat you in this department, or any department for the matter. You look like someone who would be successful in everything." Hermione smiled embarrass and tucked her stray hair behind her ear. She was flirting with the beautiful witch, and she could not stop it, damn it!
"And you appeared to me as someone who is intelligent and confident in herself. I'd like to invite you for a tour of our extensive library, but only if you would be interested in it. You are allowed to say no if it's not your cup of tea."
Narcissa saw a small fire lit up the girl's eyes and was glad to have made the offer. She did not know why she felt the need to bring the girl to her library, a place where she spent most of her time in, her personal space.
"I would love to, Lady Malfoy." Hermione smiled excitedly. It was a dream come true for her to be allowed in the Malfoy Manor's library since she knew they had more books than the library in Hogwarts. She had read the ranking that was once written in the Daily Prophet, and Malfoy Manor's library topped many.
As if on cue, Draco came to her mother's side and looked between them. "Mother, may I ask for permission to bring Ms. Haysiyet to my friends?" His smile was genuine and full of love towards his mother.
"The permission is not mine to give, Draco. Ask the lady herself." Narcissa's smile was equally affectionate and full of warmth. It was undeniable to see the love she had for her son, her only heir.
"Ms. Haysiyet, may I introduce you to my friends?" Draco smiled at him and offered his arm for her to take. He really thought highly of himself, but she nodded nonetheless and politely took his arm.
"Well then, Ms. Haysiyet, I will come for you later for the tour I have promised. Enjoy your night!" Narcissa smirked before she walked away with sway in her hips. Hermione managed to catch a glance of it as she was dragged away by Draco to a group of her fellow Slytherins.
"Guys, this is Ms. Regina Haysiyet, the one I told you earlier. Ms. Haysiyet, meet Pansy Parkinson—" the girl looked quite green with envy, probably at seeing her and Draco.
"Millicent Bulstrode—" who did not really give a damn about anything.
"Tracey Davis—" who looked at her in awe.
"Daphne and Astoria Greengrass, who you have met earlier—" they both smiled at her.
"Blaise Zabini—" whose head held high and eyes looked down on her.
"Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle," they both had their arms and mouths full of pastries. They were as worse as Ronald Weasley when they ate.
Hermione tried to hide her feeling of disgust and pent up loathe she felt since her first year being bullied by them. It did not do good to give a bad 'first' impression.
"Nice to meet you all. Please, call me Regina." She sent a friendly smile and waved her hand gracefully.
They all exchanged pleasantries, awkward and all. The boys were fools, she did not really need to act much to fool them, just threw some flirty comments or gestures and they were almost kneeling at her feet. But the girls were tough to crack, especially Pansy. However, complimenting them on their appearances and looks really did wonder, and soon enough they warmed up to her.
A new song started up in the background, Draco took the chance to ask her for a dance.
"May I have the dance, Regina?" She did not want to. She wanted to reject him and shooed him away. But she could not. Luckily for her, Severus came to her rescue.
"I believe I owe her first dance, Draco. Would you do me the honour, milady?" He bowed his head slightly and extended his hand. She chuckled and accepted the gesture. They both went to the dance floor and he started to lead.
"Everything alright so far, Regina?" He whispered close to her ear.
"I hope so. The brats didn't know me. And Draco, he's totally different. I feel like I want to vomit." They continued to dance; their face did not relay the feelings of the conversation.
"I think he has a teenager's crush. What about Narcissa? Did she notice anything?" Severus twirled her around and while doing so, her eyes caught up with the said woman, who was watching her intently.
There was a look in the woman's eyes that Hermione could not decipher. But she felt her body growing hot and burning to her core. She came back in Severus' arms and added more sway to her dance steps to make it sexier. Severus caught her intention and raised his eyebrow, but he totally supported her.
"I don't know, Sev. There's just something about her and I would like to explore more." She blushed at the smirk on his face.
"You're playing with fire, dear." As the song reached the end, he tilted her back parallel to the ground and she grasped hard at his hair. To the others watching, the pair were quite seductive and had just displayed a very sensual dance. "I know. But I'm not me if I don't like to play with pain." She smirked at him as he pulled her back up. They were both panting and trying to keep themselves straightened out. The crowds cheered and clapped and Hermione was blushing furiously.
So, she went to the cocktail bar and grabbed a glass of champagne before standing at a secluded area. 'I think I can make an exception for tonight'. She sipped slowly while trying to calm her heartbeat. The crowd had gone about to their business and Severus had gone somewhere again.
Suddenly she felt a presence behind her back, not too close but she could feel warmth radiated from the body. She felt goosebumps erupted on her neck. A smell of rich and sweet fragrance entered her nose, and she immediately knew who it was.
"You danced so well, Ms. Haysiyet. It's as if you are trying to entice someone." A breathy voice whispered in her ear. The silkiness of the voice sent tingles through her spine. She clutched the champagne glass tight in her hand, careful not to break it.
"Lady Malfoy," she greeted and turned around. The intense look in the woman's eyes took her breath away. She could not speak of anything else — neither could she breathe properly — as she saw the lust in the woman's eyes. It burned her inside and her own eyes started to darken.
"So, how about we proceed to the library, Ms. Haysiyet?" And just liked that, the intensity had died down. She knew the feelings were still there, but it was suppressed. Hermione shook her head to get out of her trance and agreed to follow the woman.
Narcissa led her into the huge manor through the front entrance. The interior was as Hermione had guessed, large hallway dimly lit and sumptuously decorated. Pale-faced portraits lining along the walls of the entrance hall and a grand staircase stood in the middle. They walked up the staircase and turned left to the west wing, stopping in front of a huge gold decorated door and the lady owner led her inside.
Hermione gasped upon entering the room. The library was expansive and had two floors full of shelves with a vast amount of books. It was even larger than Hogwarts'; she could not see the end wall. A corner of the room was decorated as a lounge, with a big fireplace and several sofas and plush carpet covering the floor. This was heaven. Hermione had found heaven, and she could die here. Her slack-jawed gave away her astonishment and excitement of being there, and Narcissa chuckled at seeing the look on her face.
"Make yourself at home." The blonde witch said before she proceeded to sit at one of the sofas. She called upon a house elf and asked him to bring some tea and snacks for her and her guest.
Hermione took her own sweet time wandering around the spacious library and immersed herself in the feeling of textures from different books and her favourite smell of parchments. She could get lost in here for ages and she would not even mind one bit.
She went back to the other occupant and took a seat on the opposite of the blonde. Crossing one leg over the other, the amount of skin of her leg was exposed through the slit in her dress. She caught Narcissa's eyes wandering on the display of skin and the lick of her dry lips. She cleared her throat and startled the woman.
"Would you like some tea, Ms. Haysiyet?" Narcissa attempted to hide the blush forming on her neck.
"Yes, with two sugars, please." The woman handed her a cup of tea and she thanked her.
"What do you think about the library, Ms. Haysiyet?" Narcissa asked as she sipped on her own tea.
"It was lovely, Lady Malfoy. I believe I had died and gone to heaven, or simply lost in the wonderland." Narcissa raised her eyebrow at the catch of phrase. She simply smirked and changed the topic.
"Honestly, I never knew Severus had a cousin before. He had never said anything about you."
'Here it comes.'
"The same goes for me too." Hermione shrugged to make herself appeared nonchalant. "My parents had to go to Asia for their business, but I told them that I wanted to travel somewhere less cold but not as hot as the place they were going to visit. So, they told me about Severus — a distant cousin I apparently had — and we started changing mails. He seemed to be kind and can get what I wanted."
The lies had come easily to her, but it was still quite logical and believable. Hermione hoped Narcissa would buy it.
"Somewhere less cold? Where do you live?" Narcissa looked intrigued, so maybe she had taken the bait.
"In Geneva, Switzerland. We have our own wizarding world over there, just like here in London." The woman nodded her head.
"How are you finding London so far? Is it up to your expectation?" Narcissa asks as she look at Hermione/Regina for the matter.
"Of course! London is so lively compared to our place. I wished to visit other places too, but it seems that my excitement had diverted towards the lovely library that you have, Lady Malfoy." Hermione winked unabashed.
"Oh please, this is nothing much. But I do take great pleasure in my collections. I spend as much time in here compared to the other parts of the manor." Narcissa's eyes wandered around the vast room.
"Why is that, Lady Malfoy? Surely you have other places or activities that you find enjoyable, rather than being cooped up in here reading?" Hermione said again.
Narcissa looked at her hands, seemingly hesitant to answer the questions. She was the Ice Queen, damn it! But the girl appeared to be able to read her easily.
"So, how about we proceed to the library, Ms. Haysiyet?" And just liked that, the intensity had died down. She knew the feelings were still there, but it was suppressed.
Hermione saw the emotions running through the blonde's eyes, and decided not to probe more. She stood up and moved closer to the older woman, her hand touched that of Narcissa's.
"May I have this dance?" Narcissa raised her head and looked into the girl's sincere eyes.
"But there's no music," she said with a frown.
Hermione grabbed her hand and pulled the woman into her arms. She snapped her fingers, and suddenly soft music echoed around them.
Narcissa was shocked, eyes widened at the display of wandless and wordless magic from the girl. Narcissa moved closer to Hermione, putting one hand in the girl's and another on the hips, leading them through the music. Her skin tingled at the touch of the girl's hand on her shoulder. The young witch's breath hitched at their closeness.
"You never fail to impress, do you, Ms. Haysiyet?" Narcissa's eyebrow raised and a smirk was plastered on her lips.
"I'm honoured, Lady Malfoy. But please, call me Regina." Hermione beamed with a chest full of pride.
'Yes, everything has gone well tonight.'
"Regina, huh?" Narcissa asks as they dance.
Narcissa twirled the girl around and closed their distance, her front met with the girl's back. Her hands circled the girl's stomach, and she could hear the heavy breathing coming out of the girl.
They kept swaying to the music.
Hermione intertwined her left hand with the woman's right hand on her hips, her right hand went up to touch the woman's neck. Her head fell on the shoulders behind her, every movement between them felt sensual to her. She felt the swell of breasts pressing into her back and warm breaths on her skin. She bit back a moan as she felt a soft pressure on her pulse point.
Narcissa kissed the girl's neck and up to her earlobe before she whispered, "but you're not Regina Haysiyet, are you?" She felt the girl stilled, and she continued with the doubt she had since earlier this evening. "In fact, I know who you really are." She grinned as she felt the girl had frozen completely.
Hermione's heart was beating even faster than before. Her eyes widened as the moment she had been dreaded, finally arrived She tried to school her features, and slowly turned her body facing towards the older witch, taking a step back to create a distance between them. Her body had missed the warmth of the blonde woman already.
"I don't understand what you mean?" She tried to say in a calm voice, though a bit shaky.
"I said, you are not Regina Haysiyet, and I know who you really are." Narcissa stepped closer and Hermione stepped back, maintaining the distance.
She felt the fear and dread filled her heart. She needed to get away, now! Her back met the wall. She cursed inwardly.
Who I really am?" She stuttered. Her whole body was shaking. "Yes. You are Hermione Granger. A filthy Mudblood in disguise." Narcissa's scowled and looked at her in disgust.
Hermione's eyes widened in shock. "What— How?" Hermione stammer as she walks backwards.
"Strangely enough, the only person who had ever evoked these feelings in me was you, Ms. Granger. Since the moment I saw you for the first time in Diagon Alley years ago, I have yet to understand them and why. Why does it have to be you?" Narcissa said as she smiles not in a predator way as she remembers the time, she saw her.
Hermione could totally understand and relate to what Narcissa was saying. But what she did not understand was how Narcissa could see through her disguise? Maybe the witch was powerful enough to have that skill.
She jumped when both Narcissa's hands were on either side of her head. She was trapped! And Narcissa seemed to be getting closer to her. 'Severus! Help me!' She screamed in her mind.
"So, I decided to indulge in your little game and waited to see when you would cower. But alas, you managed to up the game instead." Hermione froze as Narcissa was inching closer to her as she spoke.
'Severus! Please come now!' She scream in her head.
Narcissa whispered in her ear, "but my dear, oh how ravishing you look tonight. You look as though you are willingly ready to be eaten." Her hand moved to touch the exposed skin of Hermione's thigh.
Narcissa chose the wrong words to provoke the girl as Hermione suddenly screamed "NO!" and pushed her away. The girl wen to her purse and searched for something. Her eyes and movements looked frantic, and Narcissa had her own wand ready in her hand.
Hermione pulled out a small blade instead. Her eyes no longer had the shine in them, but were filled with fear and loss. She looked like she was lost in her own world. She did not look at the blonde witch as her grip on the blade tightened.
The library door opened and Severus halted in his steps. He watched between the two witches, trying to grab a sense of the situation. Narcissa looked alarmed and confused, but Hermione was almost losing herself. He rushed towards the young witch.
"Hermione! Hermione, look at me!" He whispered harshly. He did not really care if the older witch heard him.
"No! Stop! Don't come closer!" Hermione pointed the blade at the two people she could see in her vision, but her mind could not register them. In her mind, the memory from the past came haunting her, taking her sanity that she was trying to grab.
"Hermione! Look at me! It's me, Severus. Please, Hermione, I am not him!" Severus wanted to grab the girl but she was still unable to recognize him. He could not risk what would happen if she lost control of herself, or yet to her demon.
"Stop! Nooo!" Hermione shouts as her tears starts to fall down in fear at she see "him".
"Please Hermione, come back to me..." Severus said in his pleading voice.
Hermione recognized the voice that kept calling her name. She slowly came back to her senses, realizing where she was, and what had happened. She broke down at the thought of losing herself to her demon, to her dark past. She found Severus' pleading eyes and let out strangle cries.
Her knees gave in and she felt down to the floor.
Severus immediately caught her and pulled her in his arms. He threw the blade away and lifted her up; her hands clutched on his shirt and she hid her head in his chest, wanting to feel invisible to the world.
"Let's go home." Severus moved past the stunned Narcissa and rushed towards the front gate of the manor. They were grateful to not have any more encounter along the way, and he quickly disapparated them from the area.