Wow I can't believe it, over 200 reviews!!!!
First i must apologise to all my faithful readers about the excessively long time that it has taken me to update this story! Rest assured that i do intend on completing this story, alot has been happening here at home. I had severe writers block when it came to this chapter and i re-wrote it nearly ten times, i'm still not entirely happy with it, but i decided that since it had been so long since i updated that i had better just post it and move on, i don't think that i could stand to re-write the whole thing all over again.
Also being 7 months pregnant i find it hard to sit at my computer for long periods of time to write the chapters. I'll try to get the next chapter out before Christmas, bt if i don't it won't be long after (I hope)!!
Thankyou all for your wonderful reviews and support and if i don't manage to get the next chapter out i hope thatyou all have a very merry Christmas and a happy and fulfilling new year.
Disclaimer: i own nothing to do with Harry Potter!!
Chapter Fifteen: Shopping With Narcissa
Hermione and Narcissa walked side by side down Diagon Alley ignoring all the shocked whisperings that followed in their wake. Narcissa smiled and shook her head in amusement as she heard someone whisper 'Is that Narcissa Malfoy walking with a Muggle born?'.
"Honestly some people" Hermione muttered under her breath. Narcissa laughed at the young girls comment and turned to Hermione.
"It appears that news doesn't travel as fast as we thought it did"
"Apparently not" Hermione replied with a smile as she followed Narcissa to Gringotts. Upon entering the wizarding bank, a goblin hurried to their side and addressed Narcissa.
"Mrs Malfoy, what can I do for you today?" Narcissa smiled politely.
"Good Morning Griphook, I would like to exchange some galleons into Muggle currency please" Hermione glanced at Narcissa in confusion as the goblin bowed and hurried to a desk. Narcissa seeing Hermione's expression smiled, excitement shining in her silver eyes. "After we finish in Diagon Alley, I want to head to muggle London and get a couple of things for Lucius"
"What sort of things?" Hermione asked curiously.
"After Lucius got to know you and the way you were brought up he became curious about muggles and their technology. He dragged Lily Potter out to muggle London a couple of weeks ago because he wanted to buy, in his words 'One of those confounded boxes that showed moving pictures like wizarding photos'! He came home overly pleased with himself, with nearly a dozen boxes, and lecturing poor Lily on the Malfoy family rules. Apparently she had asked him about his sudden interest in Muggle things and he replied with 'A Malfoy is always well informed and always knows everything'. Lily helped him set it up and charm it to run off magic, before escaping back to Potter Estate" Narcissa replied with a laugh, shaking her head at the absurdity of her husbands actions. Hermione's eyes were wide in shock and surprise, although amusement was twinkling in the amber depths at the thought of Lucius in muggle London.
"Lucius bought a television?" she finally asked.
"Yes, as well as some other things, Lily wrote them down for me" Narcissa answered as she pulled a piece of parchment out of the pocket of her tailored beige pants, "Ah here we are, Lucius bought a wall mounted plasma screen, surround sound system and a DVD player, whatever those are. The screen is huge, It nearly takes up one whole wall of the sitting room, but Lucius said it was the best and Malfoy's always have the best" Hermione was slack jawed in astonishment. "Of course we haven't been able to use it yet as we don't get reception or something, so Lily suggested that I buy some DVD's, whatever they are" Narcissa continued, unaware of Hermione's astonishment. Hearing this, Hermione snapped her jaw shut and she began thinking about her own dilemma of what to get Lucius and Narcissa for Christmas.
"Narcissa, when I was in the library yesterday I noticed that there were quite a few muggle fiction novels, Lord of the Rings, War and Peace, Gone with the Wind and Pride and Prejudice" Narcissa replaced the parchment into her pocket and smiled at Hermione.
"Yes, Lucius and I have always enjoyed reading muggle fiction, they are much better at writing it than wizards are. Lucius will never admit it, but 'Lord of the Rings' are his favorite books, he has read them several times over. I personally enjoyed Gone with the wind and Pride and Prejudice, but I enjoy a good romance" Hermione nodded in understanding as Griphook returned with a pouch full of muggle money. As they left the bank, Hermione was deep in thought as she contemplated the information that she had just received. Her maternal grandmother had passed away a few years ago, leaving her a small inheritance to use as she saw fit. So it wasn't the cost of items that had held her back, just lack of inspiration. Thinking it through, Hermione decided to splurge a little and purchase the DVD titles to the books that she had seen in the library, and possibly a couple of others as well for Lucius and Narcissa. As for Draco, she already knew what she was getting him. She had ordered it before leaving Hogwarts, and just had to pick it up. Heading towards Florish and Blotts bookstore, Hermione and Narcissa once again ignored the gaping and surprised looks they received and entered the shop. Narcissa headed straight to the Quidditch section to look for a certain book that Draco had expressed an interest in, While Hermione, thinking of Professor Snape, headed towards the potions section. Glancing through the titles, Hermione was about to give up on finding a book that Snape didn't have, when she saw a small thin dusty volume poking out from between two larger books. Pulling it out, Hermione gasped when she saw the title of the book. Knowing that the Hogwarts potions professor didn't have the book, Hermione tucked it under her arm and moved to another section to continue looking while Narcissa finished making her purchases.
Leaving the bookshop, Narcissa and Hermione headed to the Leaky Cauldron for lunch before heading out to muggle London to purchase the DVD's for Lucius. In the store, Narcissa displayed a child like enthusiasm that Hermione found amusing.
"Hermione dear, what titles do you recommend?" Narcissa asked as they were browsing the shelves.
"What type of books does Lucius enjoy?" Hermione asked as she collected the titles that she wanted to purchase for the Malfoy family.
"He enjoys books that depict action and history" Narcissa answered as she picked up a copy of Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.
"Well in that case, the movie you have is a good choice" Hermione stated as she hid her choices from Narcissa's gaze.
"What's it about?" Narcissa asked.
"Have you ever heard of the muggle legend of Robin Hood?" Hermione asked quietly, checking to make sure that nobody overheard them. Narcissa nodded.
"Yes, he was a muggle outlaw that robbed from the rich to feed the poor"
"The movie you have is a very good version of the story, its true to history and very entertaining"
"Wonderful" Narcissa exclaimed as she placed it under her arm and continued to peruse the titles. Hermione smiled and headed towards the Sci Fi section, she wanted to get all six of the Star Wars DVD's, thinking that Lucius and Draco, might enjoy seeing the movies. After finding all six DVD's, Hermione added them to her pile and returned to Narcissa, who was still in the Action/Adventure section of the shelves. Hermione glanced over the titles that Narcissa had chosen and smiled in spite of herself. Narcissa had mostly chosen popular titles that would appeal to Lucius, the four Lethal Weapon's as well as Armageddon just to name a few. Moving on to the comedy section, Narcissa chose a few more titles before finally stating that she was ready to pay for her purchases.
"Just a moment, I want to pick up a couple of things for my parents and then we can pay for our items and head back" Hermione made a final selection of a Christmas CD with all her favorite carols on it then headed over to the cashier. After paying for their purchases, the two women left the store and headed back to Diagon Alley. After shrinking all their purchases and placing them in their bags, the two women headed towards Madam Malkin's to pick up some new robes that Narcissa had ordered for herself. They had just reached the store when Hermione noticed a familiar face coming out of the Quidditch store.
"There's Blaise, I thought that Draco said that he was visiting his relatives in Italy over Christmas" Hermione commented as she pointed out the raven haired Slytherin to Narcissa" Narcissa frowned as she followed Hermione's gaze to where Blaise was standing.
"He looks quite upset" she commented.
"Yes he does, I wonder what went wrong in Italy" Hermione mused.
"I'll let Draco know when we get back, he'll head over to Zabini Manor and find out what happened. Its best that we don't try to approach him, the relatives in Italy are not the nicest people" Narcissa sighed with a sympathetic glance at Blaise as he scowled at passersby and headed towards one of the apparition points.
"Narcissa, while you're in Madam Malkin's I just have to collect something from the Apocothery for school, I'll meet you back here when I'm done" Hermione stated as she remembered that she had yet to pick up Draco's present.
"Alright Hermione dear, I shouldn't be long" Narcissa agreed then went inside the store as Hermione headed down the alley towards the Apocothery. After picking up the potions supplies that she needed for school, she headed into the small gift shop next door and collected Draco's present before shrinking them and placing them in her bag. Narcissa was waiting for her when she arrived at the robe shop and smiled at her affectionately.
"Did you get everything that you needed?" she asked when Hermione reached her.
"Yes Thankyou"
"Alright, lets head home then, my feet are killing me, but at least I have everything that I need and don't have to get anything else" Narcissa stated as they headed towards an apparition point.
"Same here, I can't believe that tomorrow is Christmas eve" Hermione smiled as they reached their destination.
"Oh yes, I'm looking forwards to baking those cookies and decorating the tree" Narcissa exclaimed as she and Hermione prepared to apparate back to Malfoy Manor. Hermione grinned happily and then with two loud 'cracks' they disapparated out of Diagon Alley.
When they appeared in the foyer of Malfoy Manor, Tilly and Ziggy were there to greet them and to take their purchases up to their rooms for them. After handing over all their bags, and hanging up their winter coats, Hermione and Narcissa headed into the sitting room, where they found Draco and Lucius engrossed in a game of wizards chess.
"Who's winning?" Narcissa asked as she sat down next to her husband. Draco smirked and Lucius scowled.
"He is, this is our third game, he's already whipped me soundly twice" Lucius grumbled as he moved one of his pawns. Draco sent his queen to attack as Hermione sat next to him on the love seat.
"Checkmate" Draco grinned as his queen cornered Lucius's king.
"Merlin, I taught him too well" Lucius grumbled as he slumped back on the couch in defeat. Narcissa smiled and patted his leg consolingly. Draco meanwhile grinned triumphantly.
"What can I say dad, when it comes to chess, I'm unbeatable!" Lucius grumbled under his breath about gloating offspring while Hermione quirked an eyebrow at the younger blonde.
"I'll believe that when you can beat Ron at wizards chess. He has never lost a game since I've known him"
"Sounds like it would be a great game, I'll have to challenge him when we get back to Hogwarts" Draco nodded. Hermione smiled, not at all surprised at Draco's reaction. Before the Manticore attack, his reaction would have been the entire opposite. Hermione frowned as she remembered seeing Blaise in Diagon Alley.
"Draco have you heard from Blaise since you saw him on the train?" Draco frowned at the sudden change of subject and turned towards the brunette at his side.
"No, why do you ask Mia?"
"Narcissa and I saw him in Diagon Alley today, and he didn't look at all happy" Hermione replied.
"That's strange, he said that he was going to Italy for Christmas" Draco mused.
"Obviously things were too tense with those no good relatives of his, I heard at the Ministry that they were petitioning for control of the Zabini fortune" Lucius stated with a scowl.
"What? But Blaise is the heir" Draco protested.
"But as he is not yet seventeen, his Uncle and Aunt believe that they have sufficient grounds to petition for control" Lucius stated.
"That's ridiculous" Draco grumbled as he crossed his arms over his chest.
"Yes it is, but I'm positive that their petition will be denied due to the fact that Blaise turns seventeen in January and his Uncle is under investigation for illegal business ventures and practices" Lucius replied.
"Well that's good to know, though with the situation between them, its no wonder that Blaise came back to England" Draco replied.
"Poor Blaise, what a way to spend your Christmas! Finding out that your relatives are trying to steal your inheritance out from under you" Hermione sighed.
"What will he do for the rest of the break?" Narcissa asked her son.
"He said that he would probably head back to Hogwarts after Christmas, but as for Christmas itself, I wouldn't be surprised if he spends it alone in Zabini Manor" Draco answered.
"You should floo over to Zabini Manor and invite him over for Christmas" Narcissa suggested with a quick glance at her husband who nodded in approval.
"May I?" Draco asked eagerly.
"Of course, nobody should celebrate Christmas alone, we would love to have him here for Christmas"
"Alright Mum, though from what Mia said, he may not come over until sometime tomorrow"
"That's fine dear, whenever he wants to, and he can stay for as long as he likes"
"Thanks Mum, I'll be back soon. Do you want to come Mia?" Draco asked Hermione as he rose to his feet.
"Thanks for asking Draco, but I think I might just take a rest, all that shopping with Narcissa wore me out, besides, Blaise might feel uncomfortable with me there, he may want to talk to you about all this stuff" Hermione declined.
"You may have a point Mia" Draco nodded before he headed to the fireplace and flooed over to Blaise's.
There you go, i hope you all enjoyed that chapter, unfortunately not one of my best but everyone has their off chapters!!
Please read and review but no flames please!!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!
Luv angelrider93