Hello, again. I hope everyone is doing well. I am confined to the bed, not because of COVID. No, months of nursing, and what lands me here- a stupid hole in the lawn that I stepped in and twisted my ankle. So, I finished the chapter instead of mowing the lawn, or putting up the pool. Heads up for updates- I'm really really going to try and post Chapter 50 on the one year anniversary of posting. (Holy crap to both of those things.) I still own nothing. And I still adore the stuffing out of all of you. (Feel free to point out errors, this is unBeta'ed and somebody got to have pain pills. Which also means I am not looking forward to the pain when they wear off.)
Chapter 48
Over the Christmas holiday Sirius managed to grab a quiet word with Theo. Neither admitted that Thoros Nott seemed to be edging off the fence, but both acknowledge which way he was likely to fall. Sirius gave him a portkey similar to Hermione's. "My best friend's parents gave me one a long time ago, and a safe place to run away to. The least I can do to repay them, and honor their memories, is provide one to you." He paused thoughtfully, "Actually, any of your friends need a safe place you send them to me. Trapped in a life you don't want is the worst place to be."
"Thank, Sirius."
"I know how it feels to be crushed under parental expectations you don't agree with, how hopeless it feels. No one should be forced to fight someone else's war." Theo nodded, mentally cataloging which friends might appreciate the escape route.
In the days leading up to New Years, Hermione contemplated her relationship. She felt ready to take the next step, she had for a while, but she didn't want their first times to be tacky or hurried, like in a broom closet. Maybe it was foolish, or stupid, but there is was. She wasn't sure how to achieve her goals. Talking it out beforehand seemed like the mature things to do, but how did one start that conversation without killing the romance?
After much internal debate, she decided to discuss the matter with Narcissa. She waited for a day blissfully devoid of male family members, one where Lucius took Draco to the office with him. She found the Malfoy matriarch in her office, sorting correspondence. Taking a deep breath, Hermione entered the room, "Mum?" Narcissa looked up, smiling at her daughter, putting aside the letters to give her full attention. "I was wondering, uh, that is," the undivided attention increased her nervousness, "that is, you know what? Never mind." She turned to leave.
Narcissa grabbed her hand, "Darling, something is obviously something bothering you. Talk to me, won't you? My mother was cold and distant. I always dreamed of having a warmer relationship with my daughter. I want you to feel comfortable being able to tell me anything."
Hermione sat down on the love seat next to the desk. She curled her legs underneath herself and hugged a pillow to her chest. "Okay."
"Now, what did you want to talk about?"
"I've been thinking of how serious Theo and I have gotten. And I think I'm ready for the next step, But I want to be prepared, and make sure we're both on the same page. At the same time I don't want to kill the romance of it all. Am I making any sense at all?"
Narcissa smiled at her. "Completely. What you're having trouble saying is that you want to be responsible, but still want your first time to be special, and perhaps, spontaneous."
"Yes! Exactly that!"
"Darling, that's easy to accomplish." She stood and held out her hand to Hermione. "Come with me."
Narcissa led her to the family's potions lab. "Long lasting contraceptive potions are simple to create." She pulled a small book from a cabinet. "Severus high recommends the potions from this book. And this one lasts six months. These instructions make enough for two doses."
Hermione nodded, "Enough to take a vial with me for the end of the school year."
"Exactly. This doesn't mean you shouldn't talk to Theo, you should, it just means you're prepared."
"Did you and Dad discuss it before you had sex the first time?"
A bright red blush spread across Narcissa's cheeks. "We did not, as we weren't each other's first. You know about Lucius's past. What I didn't mention at the time is that I knew all about all of those other girls." Hermione nodded, staring at her mother in rapt attention. "I knew that his father had expressed interest to my parents. I knew he was sowing his wild oats, and decided if he could do it, so could I."
"Really?" Hermione sat on one of the stools. "Who?"
"He was an older Ravenclaw. He was devastatingly handsome, most of the girls had some kind of crush on him. Even when we started the flirtation, we both knew that our relationship had an expiration date. It gave the whole thing a sense of urgency and made it all rather bittersweet." Narcissa grinned naughtily, "Well more me anyway. For all I know he didn't think anything passed that idea that he shagged a pureblood." She laughed.
Narcissa quickly collected the necessary supplies. "Get the silver cauldron and crystal stirring, please." Hermione moved across the room to collect the equipment. She lit the burner and looked over the instructions. Her mother was correct, the simple potion would be easy to complete. Even Neville could do it.
She poured the lily water into the silver cauldron. While she waited for the base to boil, she ground the Queen Anne's Lace seeds into a powder, and diced the rue stems.
"Now, the two most important things to remember: one, keep the second dose in a dark place, and two, do not let your father know we did this." She paused, "Unless he discovered you've become sexually active. Then, of course, reassure him you are being responsible."
Hermione nodded, "Or Draco."
Giggling, Narcissa agreed, "Or Draco." Once the base began to boil, Hermione added the ingredients. Silently she counted the strokes. "Now it simmers for twenty-eight minutes."
"Do you have questions about the actual act or foreplay?"
Hermione felt the blood rush to her cheeks. "Um, does it seem weird for me to say I don't feel like I know enough to have questions?"
"No. Would you like some advice?"
"Yes, please."
"Do not overthink things. Relax, turn your brain off and experience the moment. Just let things happen naturally."
"I suppose that makes sense."
"Don't be afraid to try new things. You'll like some, others you might not. As with all things in a relationship, communication is key. Speak up about what you want, or don't want. And encourage Theo to do the same."
"Got it." Hermione's timer expired, chiming loudly. She removed the cauldron from the flame. Once the lilac potion had been decanted, Narcissa hugged her tightly.
"Thank you so much, darling."
"Isn't that my line?" She returned the hug. "You're welcome, and thank you."
"You are most welcome."
Remus arrived quite early one morning to escort her to London to sign the paperwork from Orville Granger's estate. He created a portkey to Bridge Tower.
The large house mixed Elizabethan and Georgian architecture. The E shape layout formed the foundation, the modernization added a fantastic Gothic touch. Hermione instantly fell in love. She understood why Monica wanted the house.
Remus ran his finger through the thick layer of dust on the banister. "You might want to consider having one of the house elves tidy up."
She nodded, "I'm sure Kreacher, or Winky, could have this place spotless in no time." As she finished speaking, Kreacher appeared.
"Kreacher has been waiting for mistress to call. Master told Kreacher of mistress's new house. Kreacher will clean it for mistress."
"Well, that's settled." Hermione said in a bemused tone. "Padfoot told me he thought Kreacher could use a project."
The two explored the house, finding numerous treasures. The library contained leather bound first editions. Baccarat crystal decanters and brandy glasses sparkled on newly polished silver serving trays. Past generations stocked the wine cellars and liquor cabinets with many finely aged vintages.
Upstairs, personal belongings filled drawers and wardrobes, leftover remnants of those who once lived in the house. In a south facing bedroom, Hermione trailed her hands over the delicate lace blanket covering the bed. The furniture had a feminine feel. Before opening the wardrobe, she looked over at Remus, "I apologize in advance for any high pitched noises. Please don't think less of me." He chuckled as she began going through the clothing.
Upon discovering a Dior Junon dress she did, in fact, make several happy noises. Iridescent sequins helped form the ombre design on the pale silk panels. Layers of panels resembled peacock feathers. Hermione pulled the dress from the box, holding the dress against herself, trying to determine if the dress would fit her.
"Again, Hermione, you have magical resources."
She rolled her eyes, "You will excuse me if magic is not my first response to every quandary." She sighed and tucked the dress back into the tissue paper. "It feels wrong to keep these things. They should belong to Wendell, he is a Granger."
"Hermione, if you had never seen that article, you would have always believed you were a Granger."
"Still."
"If Orville Granger has contacted you because he needed something, would you have helped?"
"Of course." she replied instantly.
"Why?"
"Because he needed help. And who else would help him? He didn't have anyone else."
"Shouldn't that have been Wendell's job?"
"Merlin knows where they've gone, he might not be able to send anything anyway."
"If Orville had only left you the belongings in his room, would you be upset that's all he left you?"
"No!"
"I met him, remember? I saw the two of you together. Both of you considered the other family. He's treating you like family. If you would enjoy wearing that dress, he would want you to do just that. He wanted you to have this house and enjoy it."
Hermione nodded slowly, "Intellectually, I know that. Emotionally, I feel guilty, like I'm stealing." She held up a hand, "I know, I know. Baby steps to start, just ten books and this amazing dress."
"Only ten books?" he teased.
"That's how many I can safely carry." He quirked an eyebrow. "You're carrying the dress box." Remus laughed, obediently picking up the long white box to follow her.
Foss, the laundry elf, clapped her hands in delight at the sight of the aged gown. "Oh, challenges! Foss loves challenges. Thank yous. Missy Hermie. Foss wills make dress beauteous agains."
"Thank you, Foss."
Upstairs she found Theo reading by the fire in the sitting room. "Hello, handsome. Fancy seeing you here. I thought Thoros wanted to bond over the holiday?"
"By bond, he meant to indoctrinate me in his archaic world view. He keeps inviting over his old drinking buddies. When none of them brought their sons tonight, I made a break for it."
"He wasn't suspicious?"
"Sweet, the only thing he wants more than power, is the ability to amass more power. Formally tying House Nott to House Malfoy means way more power."
"I feel so cherished." she deadpanned.
"That's not my interest or intention. I liked you when you were Potter's muggleborn best mate. I adore you. You're brilliant, sweet, kind, loyal, vindictive, and stubborn."
"I love you, too, I think."
"I'm not blind to your flaws, I find them adorable."
"I think you may have taken too many bludgers to the head."
"Nonsense." He pulled her onto his lap. "We have the whole wing to ourselves, whatever should we do?" His eyes roamed over her comically, his leer joking.
"Actually, I wanted to discuss something with you. Or, rather, I have something to tell you for your consideration."
His stomach twisted, he swallowed hard. "Okay." He tried to sound nonchalant and failed.
She moved off his lap to sit next to him, turning so she faced him. She took a deep breath and forged ahead before her nerves could stop her. "I feel ready to take the next step in our relationship. I brewed and took a contraceptive potion. We don't have to do anything immediately, in fact, I would prefer we didn't. I just wanted you to know."
He shifted uncomfortably, her words having had an effect on him. "Let me get this straight, you're ready to have sex, just not this very second?"
"Yes. I know how twisted that sounds. I wanted you to know that I want to, when you're ready to. I want to feel like we're doing it because we're on the same page, not just because I said I wanted to."
"I understand and can accept your logic. I'm ready, too, I just didn't know how to bring it up. I never want you to think I'm pushing you."
"Me, neither." She leaned forward and kissed him passionately, causing delightful stomach flutters. Eagerly, she wrapped her arms around his neck, as he ran his hands under her shirt and up her back. Their tongues tangled, caressing one another. She pulled back and pecked his nose. "I understand what you mean. And I will defend your honor to all and sundry. You employed no coercion, pressure, or emotional blackmail. I would, however, enjoy some seduction."
He laughed and kissed her forehead. "Thank you, sweet lady.
"My pleasure, good sir."
"Would the lady like to go out and about in town?"
"I would be delighted. I'll go fetch my coat so we're not limited to destinations." They both laughed and went to collect their coats.
As they walked through the streets, Hermione told him of her plans to use Orville's money to benefit underprivileged kids. "It feels so horrible to call them that. Like I think I'm so superior to them because the people I was born to have money." she spat out disgusted.
Theo nodded, "Having discovered the amazement that is roller coasters, anyone who cannot experience them regularly is less fortunate and underprivileged." She swatted him playfully. "The same could be said for lots of wizarding children. They never get to fly brooms or play quidditch. Beyond the expense of brooms and the balls, they don't have the room to play where muggles wouldn't see."
"Huh." Hermione nibbled on her bottom lip, lost in thought.
Theo groaned, "Sweet, you've got to stop that."
"Hmmm?" She glanced at him, noticing his expression. "Sorry?"
"No, you're not."
"I am, too." He tilted his head and cocked an eyebrow. "Okay, not really."
"What were you thinking about?"
"I know what I'm going to do at Bridge Towers. Uncle Orville would have loved it." She bounced on her toes in excitement. "I'm going to make it into a wizarding summer camp!" She grabbed his hand, swinging it excitedly. She even twirled herself under his raised arm. "They would be able to play quidditch, garden, star gaze, maybe even horseback riding, or the like."
"And you don't even like quidditch."
"I can appreciate that other people do. Mostly it would be a chance to get outside the city and see your friends. Or in the case of kids too young, or home schooled, meet kids your own age."
"Sounds brilliant."
"I'll have to discuss everything with Dad to figure out what needs to be done."
"I'm sure he'll help you."
"He usually does." He turned the topic to the Malfoy's upcoming New Year's ball and she let him change the subject.