Chapter 5

Christmas break was fast approaching and Hermione was struggling to find a reason to tell her parents that she wouldn't be coming home for the break. It was only when Arthur Weasley was attacked in the Department of Mysteries that she finally had a reason, though she felt awful for using the Weasleys to do such a thing. Ron would definitely hate her if he ever found out. Though she supposed it didn't matter. As far as anyone was concerned Hermione Granger was going to disappear for two weeks, especially once they'd made certain no letters would be able to reach her. The only relief she had since September 1st was that the DA hadn't been found out yet. Even that was going to come to an end somehow, she just hoped it was because Umbridge got sacked.

That last day on the train, she was glad to only be with Harry. Had Ron been around he wouldn't have taken lightly to her disappearing off the platform. He wouldn't take lightly the fact she'd been lying to him either. In fact he didn't take anything lightly, he did like a good moan. It was on that train ride that she slipped away half way through the journey, took some polyjuice to disguise herself as a Slytherin remaining at the school, and joined Draco and his conspirators in their compartment. Harry would claim that Hermione's parents came to pick her up and nobody would be any the wiser that she was going to be spending two weeks playing hide and seek with Voldemort.

It was intimidating to say the least, to know just where she was going and what she would do. Somehow they'd be experimenting with magic they barely understood. If something went wrong they'd be dead. Though if it went bad enough maybe she'd wipe out Voldemort for Harry and he could have a few quiet years to finish off his schooling. Merlin knows he needs it.

'We're pulling into the station.' Hermione pointed out, though her voice wasn't her own. It was that of a third year boy, which cracked occasionally.

'Remember the plan.' Draco whispered. 'You pull your cloak hood up and we make our way as quickly to mother as we can. We're apparating to her sunroom so no one will interrupt us. Just try not to make any sudden moves, it'll be hard enough for her to apparate both of us at once without making it any harder.'

'I remember.' Hermione nodded, pulling her bag from the shelf above her seat as the train shuddered to a halt.

'Ready to go dine with the devil?' Draco grinned, his arm rested at head height on the doorframe.

Hermione took a deep breath, pulling the bag onto her shoulder. 'As ready as I'll ever be.' She sighed, almost racing after Draco as they darted off of the train toward his mother. They'd taken a compartment next to the door to avoid as many students seeing them as possible.

'We'll exchange pleasantries once we're home.' Narcissa Malfoy whispered, holding out her hands.

Hermione and Draco reached out their hands and took one of Narcissa's, struggling to breathe against the crushing weight against their bodies. With a sharp crack they were suddenly exposed to the evening sunset, the air warmer around them, and the smell of flowers filling their noses.

The sunroom was beautiful. Ceiling to floor windows lined one of the walls with french doors leading to a balcony space, mostly closed off from view by trellises of winding ivy and white roses. The majority of the room was decorated in those same greens and whites, gold accents being brought in in the wallpaper and pieces of furniture, lit delicately by the many candles scattered around the room. Most of the walls were covered in landscape paintings, not a single animated figure in sight. Glancing at one of the larger ones and out of the windows she could tell they were likely paintings of the manor's grounds. A large fireplace stood against one of the side walls, an overly decadent pot that likely held floo powder. The room could only be described as stunning.

'Welcome home my darling.' Narcissa spoke softly, taking Draco into her arms.

Hermione took a few steps away, averting her eyes in an attempt to give them some privacy.

'Welcome to our home, Miss Granger.' The older woman turned her attention to the seemingly thirteen year old boy before her. 'While I can't say I wasn't surprised about the rare circumstances that brought you here, it's only fitting that someone as intelligent and determined as you would be the one experiencing it. Purity of your blood or not.' She extended a hand for Hermione to shake, which she did.

'I'm very grateful for your hospitality and your help.' Hermione smiled politely back. 'Though I've only seen this piece of it, I'm certain that your home is lovely.'

'You didn't tell me she was such a charmer.' Narcissa grinned, eyeing Draco with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

Draco shook his head. 'No trying to draw up a marriage contract mother, I'm sure Hermione would appreciate some choice.'

'And should you choose my son I'd be happy to arrange it.' Narcissa smiled innocently to Hermione, leading the group out of the room. The hallway was just as bright as the room she'd stepped out of, though with a glance down the hall she could see some darker colours in the house. Light wood panelling on the walls and white marble kept the space light, which was difficult with the lack of natural light in this stretch of the hall. 'This room and corridor are as far as I've allowed Draco to enter my wing. As is customary with the housing of a guest you shall be joining me in my wing of the house, warded against all men. Draco's allowance in a very few select rooms is the furthest those wards will be stretched.'

Draco rolled his eyes, shifting the handle of his bag in his hand. 'I'll put my things in my room and go visit Father.' He announced, almost running away when his mother nodded in permission.

'I hope you don't feel too intimidated here.' Narcissa smiled, looping her hand around Hermione's elbow. 'This wing, while only used infrequently, is far less gaudy than the main house or my husband's wing. You're free to be yourself here if you wish, but do remember to use the potion when you venture into the rest of the house. I doubt you'll need to. The guest library is well stocked enough and the books we'll be needing have been moved across. Should you wish, you won't ever need to spend more than a single daily meal in the presence of my husband, and if we're unlucky, our other house guest.'

'And where is that house guest staying?' Hermione asked cautiously. Glancing back at the hall Draco had skittered down.

'In my husband's wing, though he does roam the main house often.' Narcissa answered, leading her around a corner and up a small set of stairs. 'The library, tea room, dining room, smoking room, sunroom and small dining room are all on this floor. Upstairs is where you'll find both of our rooms.'

'Will you be spending the nights here or in your husband's wing?' Hermione asked carefully, feeling her body begin to quiver and shift. Good timing.

'As is customary I am to sleep in this wing to chaperone you.' She answered, patting her free hand on Hermione's forearm. 'Though it isn't strictly necessary, my husband understands my need to uphold tradition.'

Hermione nodded, stepping off the stairs with Narcissa, who led her down another corridor. She, however, couldn't see a long hallway to the other side of the house. More custom there? 'If I may, I've noticed you haven't referred to your husband by his name.'

Narcissa chuckled lightly, pulling Hermione to a halt in front of a door. 'I don't know how comfortable you find yourself being around him. You and I both know what he unleashed on Hogwarts three years ago, though I would not admit that in public. He will simply be my husband while in your company, should you like?'

Hermione took a moment to think it over, looking into Narcissa's eyes to notice the lack of judgement in them. 'I think I would prefer that. As much as I can avoid him I will, the same goes for your herefore unnamed house guest. It's not a comfortable thought to know who is on the other side of this house.'

Narcissa patted Hermione's elbow, a soft smile on her lips. 'You won't be expected for dinner tonight, so take as much time as you need to become comfortable. You will however be expected at dinner most nights, though I'm sure you'd be able to worm your way out of them with a bout of dizziness or feminine trouble.' She opened the door before the pair, leading Hermione inside. 'Just don't use those excuses too often or my husband may decide you're insulting him.'

The room was bright, though nothing could rival the sunroom. The room was surprisingly monotone, which she hadn't expected from the Malfoys. All creams and blush pinks, the room looked soft, even to the touch. All of the furniture was made of pale wood and the fireplace in the room was again made of marble. The main thing about the room that startled Hermione was the sheer size of it. A seating area before the fire, a desk nestled underneath a large window, and a bed far bigger than she'd ever seen. She was certain one could house a small family in this much space.

'This was my favourite room in the house to decorate, though I do prefer my neutral greens.' Narcissa commented, halting to a stop a few steps into the room. 'I'll leave you to get settled in, my room is just next door should you need me at any point, middle of the night included.'

'Thank you for all of the help you've given me so far.' Hermione spoke, slightly overwhelmed from everything she'd seen in such a short time. 'And for the help you're continuing to provide.'

'Everything I've done for the last fifteen years has been for my son, and my son alone.' Narcissa began, taking Hermione's hands in hers. 'If you have even a fraction of the power that I suspect you do, you may just be his redemption. I don't want him to walk the same path as his father. It will ruin him.'

Hermione nodded in understanding.

'I also happen to think that you're rather enchanting.' Narcissa added with another warm smile. 'Even if nothing comes of your time here, I'll be happy to do it all over again just for your company.'

'Thank you.' Hermione whispered, squeezing the woman's hands.

'I've prepared the clothing Daphne sent ahead for you, and the polyjuice is in the cabinet in the bathroom when you need it.' Narcissa dropped Hermione's hands, giving them one last squeeze. 'Sleep if you think you can, I'll have a plate sent up for dinner. My own personal elf will be delivering it so you don't need to worry about her discretion. She is loyal to me above all, and will be loyal to you in turn.'

Hermione nodded, struggling with the thought of having a house elf chasing after her.

'Rest my dear, you have a long two weeks ahead of you.' Narcissa drifted out of the room, closing the door behind her with a soft click.

Hermione took a few minutes to take in the room and unpack, watching as the early afternoon sun dipped beneath the hills outside of her window. It was early, but Hermione could feel the stress she'd been carrying suddenly catch up with her, her eyelids trying to drift shut. She took off the heavy cloak, loosened a few buttons on the dress shirt she'd been wearing and collapsed into the bed, not bothering to try to crawl under the layers of sheets and covers. She allowed the sound of the fire to drift her to sleep, though she clutched her wand firmly in her hand.