A/N: Sorry for the long wait. Truth is, sometimes you have to take a little time, and I just needed more time than I thought I would. The world is full of ugly, sad, painful things, and there are times when we have to take a step back to see the good in it. Tip of the day is to take some time to breathe, take some time for yourself, and do at least one little thing with your day only for yourself. Just focus on getting through today - tomorrow may be better, or even worse, but it won't be today.

1-800-273-8255 (US)

116 123 (UK)

188 (BR)

~Naralanis


The 'Vegetable Incident' was forgotten quite quickly by the vast majority of the student body by the time Edgar Davies and his crew were released from the Hospital Wing. The tips of their noses were still tinged slightly green for a few more days, but aside from that, they were not any worse for the wear.

A few professors, however, had not so easily forgotten, especially Narcissa and Hermione. Narcissa had used her influence upon the Bloody Baron to inquire as to Peeves' whereabouts when the sassafras had been stolen. To their dismay, though Peeves had indeed seen a student run off with the smelly plant, he had not seen his face, only the back of his head.

And, to thwart the two professors' suspicions over the Slytherin Muggleborn, the student Peeves had seen was decidedly not blond.

With no new leads to pursue, Narcissa and Hermione had resigned themselves to giving the young William White the benefit of the doubt. At best, he had not taken part in the ill-advised prank; at worst, he had an accomplice. Were the latter easy to confirm, Narcissa could even guess who – Spencer Wyndham – but with nothing concrete to tie to the two boys to the unfortunate occurrence, there was nothing they could do about it. Furthermore, they still had not determined how the potion had been added to the students' food – it had been done in plain sight after its appearance in the Hall, for the kitchen House Elves had not detected any tempering. Hermione had not liked the state of things of course, but even she had to admit their hands were tied thus far.

As it was, the thrill of Christmas had proceeded unimpeded through the castle. Students chattered excitedly about their plans for the long-awaited holiday, and even those very few who chose to remain at the school talked animatedly about possible snowball fights and other shenanigans.

It filled Narcissa's heart with an odd kind of nostalgia, as well as a new sort of anticipation. She had never spent Christmas at Hogwarts as a child, but this year she would be spending Christmas Eve at the castle while Draco spent it with his wife and her family. She'd get to spoil her grandson rotten on Christmas Day – she'd probably ruined a few other children's Christmas with the amount of toys she'd bought. A Black never did anything in halves.

She overlooked her office, tidying quietly after an afternoon spent in harried grading. She'd never given much thought to how much of that she'd do as a Professor – she had also not anticipated how many students would come running to her office begging for another chance at last minute assignments. Some of her sixth and seventh years were struggling; however did Slughorn accept them into his NEWT program with their abilities, she couldn't guess.

Narcissa looked over at the notice board in her office. It mirrored the one for students' use in the Slytherin Common Room, not that her students knew it. It made it incredibly handy in the event of inappropriate usage; just last week Rodney Hamptom had been baffled to be caught immediately after posting some less-than-savory adverts.

Its main use at the moment was keeping track of the students who were to stay over for the Holiday, along with her teacher's ledger. Today was the deadline for declaring their intent to stay, and thus far only a handful of Slytherin had opted to.

However, now it lit up slightly – signaling another entry – as another student scribbled on their name. Narcissa was a bit surprised to see the clumsy W's forming William White's name, but she took note of it on her ledger and did not think of it again.

Page Break

"Thank you, Ginny, but I think I'll pass."

"Not again! 'Mione, come on. You gotta say yes sometime."

"I'll agree to a blind date when I very well please, thank you. Remember last time? You set me up with a convict!"

"Ex-convict! And how was I to know? If you can't recall, he had stolen someone else's identity."

"You just made my point abundantly clear."

"And that point would be?"

"Stop trying to set me up."

The redhead groaned in deep annoyance as she downed the last of her pumpkin juice. Ginny had come to meet Hermione at the Three Broomsticks for 'drinks', though in her pregnant state, all she was allowed to have was pumpkin juice and fizzy water. It did not stop her from trying to live vicariously through Hermione, who was on her third Butterbeer of the night. Thank Merlin it was not a Hogsmeade night – having students see her inebriated would be undignified.

"Save it, 'Mione. Mum's close to a conniption fit because you're the only one not married or on your way to married."

"Why do you sound drunk when all you've had…"

"The point is, 'Mione, you need someone to warm your bed in the winter…"

"Can one get drunk on fumes? Don't breathe in my butterbeer!"

Ginny smacked her playfully. "I'm serious, 'Mione. My mum keeps nagging us over when you'll grace the world with your litter of bushy-haired geniuses."

Hermione pulled a face. "Litter?"

"It's a Weasley thing, haven't you noticed?" Ginny laughed.

"So why is Molly so worried about me? She's got grandkids already and some more on the way."

"Yeah, but she sees you as a daughter, and wants you to get out there. She always says how you're so good with Teddy, maybe you and Andromeda should have given it a go."

Hermione wasn't expecting to spit out her butterbeer – or for it to come gushing out her nose – but that was exactly what happened. Ginny herself almost drowned in her own saliva at the brunette's reaction and resulting coughs.

"What?" the brunette practically screeched, her sinuses burning. Ginevra was still laughing.

"The look on your face!"

Hermione's look soured at her friend's amusement. "Gee, thanks, Ginny. Now I have butterbeer all over my robes." She said sarcastically.

"Oh, come off it, Granger" Ginny quipped through her giggles, deftly waving her wand and vanishing the mess Hermione's impromptu spit take had made. "Why haven't you?" she added.

Hermione raised a brow. "Why haven't I what?"

"Given it a go."

Hermione's eyes widened to the size of saucers – causing her friend to laugh even more.

"With Andromeda? Ginny, how much of my butterbeer have you inhaled?"

Ginny simply whacked her arm once more. "Why wouldn't you? You're both good-looking, bloody smart, and you're so, so good with Teddy."

"That doesn't mean I should have a relationship with her. Might I add, she's a mother and a grandmother!"

"Not that she looks it." Ginny quipped with a suggestive waggle of her eyebrows. It was Hermione's turn to whack her friend in annoyance.

"Alright, alright" Ginny relented, putting her arms up in surrender. "I'm not actually serious. But can you answer me something?"

"Sure." Hermione replied with a roll of her eyes.

"Does the age thing bother you? I mean, were it a man, would it bother you?"

Hermione took a moment to think.

"I don't think so. Honestly, I think as long as I can have a connection, a person's age becomes secondary, you know?" she chuckled. "All I want is stimulating conversation." She joked.

Ginny had her in. "Among other stimulating activities, I hope."

Hermione tossed a piece of bread at her.

Despite Ginny's nagging, it had been nice to see her friend again. With the end of term, Hermione had been busier than ever grading essays and late assignments, so it was good to take a little time to unwind.

She made her way back to the castle on foot despite the bitter cold, even deciding to forgo a warming charm in favor of feeling the gentle bite of the wind on her cheeks. The vision of the castle blanketed in snow was worth it.

Hermione had just turned a corner on her usual path leading back to the illuminated castle when movement caught her eye. There it was, the unmistakable faint flicker of a candle, coming from within Greenhouse One.

The young professor sighed in annoyance. What was it with greenhouses and suspicious movement after hours? The culprit was unlikely to be Neville – he had been with Luna at the Three Broomsticks when she left. The conclusion led her to believe there was a student messing about the greenhouse... far after curfew.

Somewhat miffed she'd be forced to play the hard disciplinarian so close to the holiday while slightly intoxicated, Hermione took out her wand as she surreptitiously made her way inside. She had barely crossed the glassy threshold when she heard the snipping of garden shears.

Hermione rounded a corner of bushes only to find William White kneeling by a short vase, pruning yellow petals into a leather pouch. The young boy seemed completely lost in his work, pruning buds and separating their petals deftly, in quiet concentration.

"Mr. White?" Hermione spoke softly.

"Augh!" the boy yipped in shock, almost knocking himself over with the strength with which he turned on his knees to face his professor. "P-professor Granger!"

Hermione sheathed her wand with a sigh. "Mr. White, can you please explain to me why you're out here past curfew, pruning flowers?"

William looked terribly sheepish. "I'm sorry, Professor. I was collecting some Arnica buds – I want to practice making some Bruise Removal Paste. I must have lost track of time, ma'am."

Hermione looked at her watch in disbelief. "Bruise Removal Paste? William, it's the last day of term, why would you be practicing something I hear you're already quite good at?"

William blushed, his embarrassment tangible. "I... I wanted to make it a gift for my mum. I can't... I can't buy her anything from the Wizarding World, so I thought I'd make her something. I needed a few more buds for my mixture" he confessed.

Hermione couldn't help a smile at the boy's sweetness, though she had to admit Bruise Removal Paste would make an odd gift. "That's very nice, Mr. White. But why Bruise Removal Paste?"

To her surprise, William looked as comfortable as she had ever seen him. He chuckled good-naturedly, shrugging his shoulders. "It's something I'm good at" he said with a smile. "And I thought my mum would get a kick out of it, too – she's a clumsy lady, always with a little bruise here or there."

Hermione was mollified by the answer. Still, he was out of bed apst curfew, and she was a Professor. "While I admire your good intentions, Mr. White, you ought to know it does not excuse your breach of the rules. You know about curfew." she said, doing her best not too sound too severe.

William looked defeated. Hermione paused to think about what his snootier Slytherin classmates would think of the Muggleborn losing them House points – even the measly five or so points that usually followed a first infraction of this kind.

"However," she continued after pondering "since it is your first infraction, and it's practically the holidays already, I'm inclined to let you go with a stern warning." She finished with a smile. "I'm in a giving mood. Christmas spirit and all that."

William smiled back. "It won't happen again, Professor, I promise!"

"Good. Now, Mr. White, off to bed with you. Don't let Mr. Filch catch you roaming the corridors this time of night." Hermione warned.

With a quick nod, William gathered his supplies and swiftly made his way out of the greenhouse. Hermione could not help feeling a little bit of relief over their strange exchange; William seemed a lot more comfortable around her. She was even somewhat glad he was the one out of bed past curfew, other students would most likely need a firmer hand – her troublesome Gryffindor Atticks, to name one. Extinguishing the candle left by the student with a silent spell, she too left the greenhouse.

Hermione was almost through the courtyard when her attention was once again caught by movement coming from her peripheral vision. A shimmer of white dashed through the side, and she turned her head just in time to make out the snowy white fox that was Narcissa's Animagus form.

Page Break

Hermione's morning started with a dry throat and a throbbing head. Despite her care the previous night, it seemed she had become unaccustomed to drinking so late in the night. She would need a good dose of Caldwell's Crapulence Concoction if she ever expected to make it down for breakfast without hurling.

It was on her way down to the Great Hall that she met Narcissa. The blonde looked a little better-rested than she had in previous days, though Hermione suspected her late-evening stroll in her Animagus form had something to do with it.

"Good morning, Hermione." Narcissa greeted her with a smile. She seemed to be in a good mood.

"Good morning, Narcissa." the brunette responded in kind, still oddly thrilled to hear the impeccable woman call her by her first name. It had happened several times now, but somehow it always sounded foreign and so good to hear.

The two walked side by side, in a rhythm that felt familiar. Despite the early hour, the Great Hall was packed – students were overly excited in their last hours in the castle before going home, and those who were staying were eagerly planning out their holiday at Hogwarts. Hermione caught sight of Neville – Luna at his side wearing big sleigh-bell earrings.

"'Mione! Ms. Black! Come on over here, look at the size of these flapjacks!" Neville cheered, his cheeks rosier than ever.

Narcissa quirked an eyebrow and Hermione laughed as they took their seats. Luna was quick to intervene.

"Don't mind him – he's had a few too many of Hagrid's eggnog."

Hermione cackled. "Nev, I've told you repeatedly that stuff is potent. Shouldn't have it before dark."

"Pish-posh!" Neville scoffed, waving his hand. "Lookit: the pot calling the kettle black! You're the one who had a few too many last night, didn't ya?"

Narcissa's eyebrow quirked a bit more; she smirked. "Well, Ms. Granger, it seems you cannot fault Mr. Longbottom" she quipped in an over-the-top snooty tone.

Hermione laughed, happy with the air their side of the staff table carried. "I'll have you know, Narcissa, Neville imbibed just as much yesterday as he's done today." She looked at her friend. "You're just continuing the party."

"Right, right" Neville conceded, handing Hermione a goblet. "How was it with Ginny?"

"Infuriating as usual" Hermione replied, taking one sniff of the offered goblet and immediately rejecting the eggnog.

"Oh?" Narcissa interjected, stopping Neville's attempt to offer her some eggnog with a single pointed glare. "And how is Mrs. Potter?"

"Positively glowing" Hermione said. "Pregnancy suits her well, though she tends to get a bit overbearing."

"I'll say" Narcissa chuckled. "That must be why she's joined her mother in her efforts to owl me all through this month."

Hermione stopped the spoonful of porridge she had been directing toward her mouth. Molly and Ginny owled Narcissa?

"Ginny's owled you?"

Narcissa simply nodded. "All through this month and the last. Her mother does it every year for Christmas – at times Mr. Potter will join."

"What are they owling you for?"

An elegant shoulder shrug was the blonde's initial response. "Molly has tirelessly invited me to the Weasley Christmas dinner. I've lost count of how many times I've had to politely decline. They're quite stubborn, those Weasleys" she said, though her voice held no malice, only amusement.

Hermione could not quite wrap her mind around the fact that Molly had been habitually inviting Narcissa Malfoy/Black to Christmas Dinner. Had anyone ever been planning on telling her that?

"I assume you're busy with Draco and Astoria." The brunette replied, opting for tact, but still puzzled.

"Oh, but Narcissa, aren't Draco and Astoria spending Christmas Eve with the Greengrass clan this year?" Luna suddenly butted in, surprising the two other professors. They had forgotten the quirky Ravenclaw was with them.

"Is that so?" Hermione blurted out, unable to help herself. "Narcissa... you're not spending Christmas Eve alone, are you?"

The Transfigurations Professor could tell the blonde had flushed a bit at her assumption, but Narcissa had expertly reigned it in with an expression of indignity.

"Oh, stop it, all of you. I'll be perfectly content. Frankly, I could use some peace for a change."

Hermione couldn't resist rolling her eyes. What a fraud was Narcissa Black.

"Come off it. Why don't you go to the Burrow?" Hermione said defiantly. "I'm sure you wouldn't want to miss a night with your favorite Transfigurations Professor" she said smugly, hoping to defuse any potential awkwardness. Surely Narcissa would prefer spending an evening with her – and several Weasleys – than completely alone. Wouldn't she?

Somehow, Narcissa's already pale face gained an unusual pallor. "Ms. Granger... I wouldn't want to impose."

"You wouldn't be. Molly invited you, didn't she? So did Ginny?" Hermione pressed. Narcissa's face was tinged with green.

"Be that as it may, I would rather not inconvenience others that may be present at this... gathering."

Hermione figured she looked as puzzled as she felt; Narcissa's face was contorted in an expression of deep embarrassment. Was she missing something painfully obvious? Luna was the one to interject again.

"I wouldn't worry, Narcissa" the young woman said, betraying not a care in the world. "Andromeda is taking Teddy to see some of Ted's family this year."

Hermione wanted to kick herself, though the feeling didn't last long. It was replaced by her biggest asset and biggest fault in one, her morbid curiosity. Was the relationship between the last remaining Blacks so frayed they had to continuously avoid each other?

"Oh, Narcissa, I'm sorry, I didn't realize..." Hermione began. "But in all seriousness, do consider coming – you can come as my guest." She added.

Narcissa still looked like she desperately wished for the ground to open up and swallow her whole.

"Yeah! Come on, cut Molly a break. She's been inviting you since forever." Yipped Neville, who had been preoccupied with yet another serving of eggnog.

"Oh, alright, alright, if I must. I suppose it won't hurt to spend a few minutes – Mr. Potter may stop nagging me as well. That's an added benefit." Narcissa finally relented with a sigh.

Hermione could not suppress the genuine smile that tugged at her lips. She even felt a little smug – for what, she had no idea.

"And wipe that smirk off your face" Narcissa warned the brunette, waving a fork in her direction. "It's undignified" she huffed.

The Great Hall had been largely emptied out a half hour later. Neville and Luna had excused themselves, but Hermione and Narcissa had remained at the staff table, chatting mostly about the blood wards they'd been so painstakingly researching. Their work had been much slower than either of them preferred, but meeting in the lounge and apparating directly to the massive Black Library had become a pleasant sort of ritual through the weeks. Hermione was looking forward to doing even more thanks to the holiday.

Somehow, the conversation turned to Christmas. Hermione was not the least surprised at how formal and stiff the Black celebrations turned out to be. She was, however, surprised to learn how Bellatrix and Andromeda had been fond of pranking a young Narcissa by hiding all of her presents, year after year. The blonde's reminiscence made Hermione itch to ask about the situation with Andromeda, but the young professor held her tongue.

"And so it went," Narcissa continued the story she had been telling previously. "Bella enchanted the reindeer decorations to do all sorts of unspeakable things on Christmas morning. Merlin, I thought Father's head would explode right then and there."

"Hah!" Hermione laughed, choosing to ignore the weird feeling she got in the pit of her stomach whenever she heard of Bellatrix doing anything even remotely human... or fun. "I'm sure similar things happen at Hogwarts all the time – Fred and George certainly would have loved to do something like that."

"Did you not spend your Christmases at the castle?"

"Uh, maybe one or two. I spent some with my parents, others with the Weasleys... Once in a cemetery." Hermione recalled, a shiver going up her spine. Everything that had happened, so long ago now... It did not bear thinking about.

"This would have been my first Christmas spent at the castle" Narcissa confessed. "I can't help but admit to feeling ever so slightly curious."

Hermione smirked. "It's good fun. The Christmas Eve banquet is incomparable – but don't you dare tell Molly I said that."

"My lips are sealed. I'm surprised by how few students are staying behind; I always thought more would like to spend the holidays here." Narcissa pointed out.

"Not really" Hermione said, her tone a little sad. "It's a time for families. Those who stay behind usually don't have a ton to look forward to in that regard. At the very least, they've got their Hogwarts family here to welcome them."

Narcissa turned pensive. "I wonder then, why William White is staying behind. Perhaps he feels alienated by the Wizarding World? I'm uncertain of how a Muggleborn would deal with such a situation."

Hermione paused and turned to look at the blonde in question. "William White? But he's not staying; he's going home. He told me so last night, when I caught him out of bed after hours."

Narcissa's eyebrows shot up. "That cannot be. It was only yesterday when his name was added to my list." She paused to take her wand out of her sleeve and discreetly waved it under the table in a movement that resembled a Summoning Charm to Hermione. Suddenly, a bulge appeared in Narcissa's side pocket, and the blonde gingerly lifted a book from it.

"My ledger" she explained to Hermione, who at once understood. Teacher's ledgers were incredibly useful – attendance, notice boards, grades, even detention slips – practically everything was enchanted into it. It was a great way to keep track of everything. She calmly flipped through a few pages. "William's name appeared on my notice board early yesterday evening."

The blonde found what she was looking for, given her sigh. "And sure enough - it was crossed out."

"That's very strange." Hermione commented. Why would he sign up to stay and then change his mind so suddenly?"

"I'll tell you what else is strange" Narcissa added. "You say you caught him after hours? I see no record of a detention slip or a reduction of points for the infraction."

Hermione gave a sheepish sigh. "Oh, no, that was me. I let him go with a warning."

Narcissa pursed her lips. "What was he doing after curfew?"

"Gathering some plants at Greenhouse One. He was using them for a gift for his mom, I believe."

"That's a serious infraction, Ms. Granger. You should have deducted points, even if just a few. This could be interpreted as preferential treatment on your part. What would his traditionalist classmates think?"

Hermione bristled – she had been precisely trying to avoid issue with said traditionalist classmates. One look at Narcissa's expression, however, and she decided to let the matter drop. The woman was an expert on the Pureblood modus operandi - it would be best to defer to her.

"I'll keep that in mind. My apologies."

"No matter" Narcissa said, deftly flipping the ledger and vanishing it wordlessly. We have another matter to discuss. It's of great urgency and importance."

Hermione was all years - it sounded serious. "What is it?"

"I face the strangest of predicaments." Narcissa turned to pierce Hermione's eyes with her steely gaze. "What in Merlin's name shall I bring to a dinner hosted by Molly Weasley?"

Hermione laughed. "Anything related to Celestina Warbeck."


A/N: Thank you to all my readers for your continued support. I am tirelessly working on my life at the moment, but Perhaps and For The Better WILL continue.