Chapter 9

The day after Christmas Adrianna found Hermione pouring over books in the library. "Looking for anything in particular?" She asked her daughter, eyes quickly gliding over pages of the books that Hermione had opened. "Snape has given me and Draco a project for when we finish our classwork early, finding out what makes spells and potions 'dark' and how to work around that." Hermione explained to her mother. "And the Hogwarts library is great, but there isn't much to go with in there. I was hoping to find something here to take to school with me." Hermione gestured to a stack of three books. "So far that's all I've found." Adrianna made a noise of thought as she looked over the books Hermione had selected and the books in front of her.

"I will talk to your father, he might have a better idea, since this is his family's library. Why don't you ask Draco? His family's library is much larger than ours." Hermione's head snapped up at that.

"It is? This one is about as big as the Hogwarts library."

"Yes," Adrianna chuckled. "In other news, I was wondering if you would accompany me to Diagon Alley tomorrow, Daphne and Pansy made sure you had plenty clothes to fit your new life but you need some wizarding clothes as well. Especially before we go to the Malfoy's on New Year's."

"We're going to the Malfoy's for New Years?"

"Yes, we try to alternate every year, just like with Christmas. Technically they are supposed to come here for New Years, like they did on Christmas, but since Lucius is in Azkaban, we figured it would be easier on Cissa if we went over there. And she would prefer it if you wore a traditional wizarding dress, instead of your muggle attire."

"Fine," Hermione grumbled.

"Thank you darling." With that, Adrianna kissed Hermione's head and left the library.

That evening the Notts all sat around the dinner table eating quietly. "Oh," Adrianna said looking at Hermione. "I spoke to Daphne; she will join us tomorrow."

"What are you doing tomorrow?" Theodore asked his wife and daughter.

"Going to get wizarding dresses for Hermione," Adrianna responded. "She needs something Cissa would approve of before going New Year's Eve."

"Then may I go to Drake's?" Theo asked. "As much as I love having my sister home, I haven't really had time with my friends."

"At least you have your friends," Hermione muttered. "Ron's still ill with me for coming over the holidays. And since Harry is staying with the Weasleys…"

"I thought Misses Weasley was okay with us." Adrianna asked.

"Kind of, I think she just wanted Ginny out of the house. Gin and her soon to be sister - in - law aren't exactly getting along." At the confusion on everyone's face Hermione continued. "Gin's eldest brother is marrying Fleur Delacour from the Tri-Wizard competition back in fourth year. And neither Misses Weasley nor Ginny like her. The men in the house love her though."

"Ah yes, Miss Delacour," Theodore said. "If I remember she was quite pretty, not that I took any major notice." He added, noticing the look Adrianna gave him.

"Anyway," Hermione said. "There was something I wanted to ask you." With that she turned her attention to Theodore and Theo. "I am doing a project for Snape, and while the Hogwarts library is amazing there isn't much on what Draco and I are doing. Can you two help me find some books? Mother said that you," Hermione looked at her father. "Might have a better chance, since it is your family's library, and I thought you, Theo, could talk to Draco for me about looking in the Malfoy's library."

"I don't know about him looking, but I can probably get you over there to look for yourself." Theo said. "He kind of has his own projects he's working on." Hermione did not miss the look Adrianna and Theodore shared. "I'll ask while I'm over there tomorrow."

"Also," Hermione looked at her parents. "I was wondering if it would be okay if I went by my birth name now." Adrianna made a gasp. "I think it's time, and I think I'm ready."

"Of course," Adrianna said, getting up and walking around the table to hug her daughter. "We will gladly start calling you Tabitha."

"Great, well I'm going to go to bed," Tabitha stood up. "I'll see you at breakfast." With that she left the dining room and walked up to her room.

The following day around mid-morning Tabitha side apperated with Adrianna to Diagon Alley, meeting Daphne in the Leaky Cauldron. "Hey Daph," Tabitha said hugging her friend. "How was your Christmas?"

"Fantastic, how was yours?" Daphne asked as the three girls headed to Madam Malkin's.

"Good, Draco and I came to an agreement and are going to play nice. Also, I have decided to go by Tabitha."

"That's great, hm, now we just need to figure out a nickname for you. As Hermione we could call you 'Mione, but as Tabitha…"

"Let's just focus on picking something out for Tabitha for now." Adrianna said.

"Of course, Misses Nott." Daphne said and the three ladies started sorting through dresses. In another part of England Theo Floo'd to Malfoy Manor, meeting Draco in the drawing room.

"I don't know why you decided to come." Draco said as the two boys walked to the library. "I'm not much company right now."

"I came for two reasons," Theo said, taking a seat on a couch. "First, to see my best friend in a nonsocial setting. Two, my sister wants to know if she can use the Malfoy library to look for books for your project."

"She wants to come over here?" Draco asked, giving his friend a look of disbelief.

"No, she actually asked if I could see if you could look, but since you have other...projects…" Theo trailed off as understanding covered Draco's face.

"She can come over here tomorrow if she wants." Draco said looking back down at his book. "I can show her around if she comes by after breakfast and she can come anytime she wants over the rest of the holiday."

"You must really like my sister to let her come over anytime she wants."

"Not really," Draco said. "I just have to work on this project, and if she can find some things for Snape's project that'll make my life easier." Theo made a sound like he did not quite believe him, but he let it drop.

The next day Tabitha stood in the drawing room, wringing her hands together nervously. "You're going to be fine." Theo told her. "Draco won't let anything happen to you."

"Logically I know that" Tabitha said. "But it's still nerve wrecking." Taking a deep breath Tabitha stepped into the green fire. "Malfoy Manor." With that she arrived in the Malfoy's drawing room with Draco standing in front of her. "Welcome to Malfoy Manor, follow me to the library." With that, Draco turned and led Tabitha through the Manor to the multi-story library.

"Holy crap." Tabitha said as she looked around. "This place is amazing."

"Thank you, my family has been working on it for many generations," Draco said. "The books for our project will most likely be found in that section over there, mother is going to visit father today and will ask if he has any other ideas on where to find books. Now if you'll excuse me, I have my own project to work on." With that he went to a desk in the corner. Tabitha looked around for a moment then walked over to him.

"Can I sit with you? I won't bother you but this place makes me a bit uncomfortable." Draco looked at her for a second then sighed.

"Sure, just sit on that side of the desk and be quiet, I need to concentrate." Tabitha smiled as she put her notebook and pens down on the desk then went in search of books, returning with a stack of ten and sitting down. The rest of the morning followed that similar route, with both taking turns getting up and grabbing more books. Around lunch time a house elf appeared and informed them lunch was being served in the dining nook. "Dining nook?" Tabitha asked as she followed Draco through the house.

"Our house has multiple dining rooms, the nook is usually just used by me, mother, and father. Occasionally by my friends when they are over." They entered the room to find Narcissa sitting at the table, she made a quick glance at Tabitha's dress, a light blue ball gown with ruching at the top, a square neckline, and a triangle ruching at the front. "I see you finally got some appropriate clothing, good." With that Narcissa returned to her food as Draco held out Tabitha's chair for her then sat down himself. The meal went fairly quietly, with minimal comments from Narcissa or Draco. After lunch Draco and Tabitha returned to the library, at around mid - afternoon Tabitha left to return to her own house.

The rest of the week during the mornings Tabitha was in the Nott library looking through their books, then after lunch she would go over to the Malfoy's and look through their books, making small talk with Draco throughout it. On New Year's Eve Theodore, Adrianna, and Tabitha went over to the Malfoys, Theo went over to the Greengrass' to spend it with Daphne. Once they arrived Tabitha nervously flattened her emerald green dress. "Are you sure this is okay? It's not too Christmassy?" Tabitha asked her mother as they walked up to the door.

"No, you're fine," Adrianna reassured her daughter. "You look gorgeous, I even like what you did with your hair."

"It's just a braided crown," Tabitha hesitantly touched her hair. "Ginny taught it to me not long after my birthday, since I couldn't do it with my Hermione hair."

"Theodore, Adrianna, and Tabitha," Narcissa greeted as she opened the door. "Thank you so much for coming, I have cocktails in the sitting room with Draco." Narcissa gave Adrianna and Theodore a hug and a weak smile to Tabitha before walking away.

"I don't think she likes me." Tabitha muttered as she followed her parents to the sitting room. Theodore and Adrianna sat down in a love seat while Tabitha stood awkwardly as Narcissa walked in. "Go sit beside Draco." With that she went and sat in a chair between Theodore and Draco. Tabitha sat on the couch beside Draco. "How are you?" She asked awkwardly.

"Not bad, and you?"

"Good," Tabitha answered, she gave Draco a hard look. "Are you okay? You're looking more pale than usual."

"I'm fine, don't worry about it." Draco said, as his mother called everyone to dinner in the dining room. Narcissa sat at the end of the table with Theodore beside her and Adrianna beside him, Draco and Tabitha sat on the other side. The dinner went by quietly, the only conversation came when Adrianna asked about Narcissa's sister and brother - in - laws; Bellatrix, Rudolphus, and Rabastan.

"They are with the Dark Lord," Narcissa responded, eyeing Tabitha. "He had a mission for them tonight, so they left mid-afternoon for a meeting with him."

"I see," Adrianna said with a polite smile. "Have you seen Lucius?"

"I saw him this morning, Draco has gone to see him a couple of times too."

"Yes," Draco said. "I had a few questions about mine and Tabitha's project, he helped me find some books for her."

"Did he know they were for me?" Tabitha asked, earning confused looks from everyone at the table. "Well, Mister Malfoy and I don't really get along, since I'm friends with Harry and the Weasleys."

"You're better behaved than the Weasleys," Narcissa said. "Now that you're a pureblood and know your manners, he has no problem for you." Tabitha paled.

"If you'll excuse, I'm suddenly not feeling good." With that she left the table and walked back into the sitting room. She sat for a few minutes taking deep breaths.

"Are you okay?" Draco asked as he walked into the room. "My mother was just being honest."

"Yes, but imagine how I feel?" Tabitha asked standing up. "A few months ago you were my enemy at school, now I have to play nice because I have a twin brother who happens to be your best friend. No offense Draco but I still don't like you."

"Trust me," Draco said. "The feeling is mutual. But you're Theo's sister, and no offense to your little friends Weasel and Potty, but I'm more worried about Theo getting mad at me for calling his sister a know - it - all snot than them." Tabitha groaned.

"You make me so mad," She yelled. "You still think you're better than everyone because you're a Malfoy. News flash, you're not."

"What's gotten into you?" Draco asked. "We've been pretty okay all week, suddenly you're being a bitch."

"Maybe I have a problem with your mother acting like I'm worth something now that I'm a Nott. I know she's trying to be nice but still."

"That might be so, but like it or not that's how most of your parent's friends are going to treat you." Draco snapped at her. "Most of us hate muggles, always have always will. Your darling brother hates muggles." Tabitha slapped Draco. He growled as he took her arms and slammed her against the wall. "Don't ever, ever, slap me again, this is not the year to be messing with me. You slap me again and I will gladly lose my friendship with Theo over it. Am I understood?" Tabitha gulped as Draco took a half step closer pinning her. "I'll give you a break today, it is New Year's Eve and my mother will kill me for ruining a dinner party, but this is your only warning. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to return to my mother. Play nice when you return." With that he released her and left the room.

"Holy shit." Tabitha muttered falling to the floor.

The rest of the night went quickly for Tabitha as she placed on a smile and played nice with Draco and his mother. Once the Notts returned home Tabitha quickly said goodnight to her parents and went to her room, packed quickly for the return to Hogwarts, and went to sleep. Tossing and turning throughout the night she'd wake up in a panic anytime her dreams turned towards a certain platinum blond and his grey eyes. The following morning, while half asleep, she said her goodbyes to her parents and floo'd with Theo into Dumbledore's office. She quickly put her stuff in her dorm, looked to see if Ginny had returned yet, then decided to go see Hagrid. The visit was quiet as Hagrid could tell she was distracted, and a little confused about why she wanted to be called Tabitha. "I know you heard the news," Tabitha told him. "I think it's only fair that I go by my birth name, isn't?"

"I don't know Her-Tabitha." Hagrid said. "I don't know things like that, you know that." Tabitha smiled at Hagrid.

"You're still very sweet Hagrid. Now I'm going to see if Harry and Ginny have arrived yet." With that she said her goodbye to Hagrid and walked back up to the castle. She found Harry, Ginny, and Ron in front of the portrait into Gryffindor, after letting the trio in and talking quickly with Harry about Snape, Draco, and Rufus Scrimgeour, Tabitha went in search of her best friend, finding her arguing with Dean. "Excuse me, Gin, may I steal you for a moment." Ginny glared at Dean for a moment.

"Sure 'Mione, I'll talk to you later Dean." With that Ginny and Hermione walked to her dorm room. "What's up?"

"First I want to be called Tabitha, second I have to tell you what happened the rest of holiday." With that Tabitha quickly ran through the rest of her week at the Notts, earning a gasp from her friend when she talked about her final encounter with Draco. "What do you think that outburst was about?" Ginny asked, earning a shrug in response. "Was it at least hot?"

"Ginny!" Tabitha exclaimed, blushing.

"What? He's still the hottest sixth year in school, tell me it wasn't hot."

"Let's just say he was a frequent member of my dreams last night." Tabitha said, her face bright red. Ginny cheered as Tabitha started telling her about her dreams and the two stayed up chatting for a while before Tabitha left for bed, preparing for classes the next day.

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