"It is so nice of you to finally grace us with your presence, Draco. It really has been too long."

She gave a pointed look towards his father, who was too busy peering at Agatha to notice the exchange.

Draco accepted the tea his mother offered.

"Yes. With thing being the way they are, almost losing my wife and possibly my daughter, it would be difficult to go on social visits, wouldn't it?"

He took a sip, his eyes never wavering from his mother's.

Hermione withheld a sigh.

She knew this wouldn't be easy for him, but she had hoped he would try to be cooperative.

"Yes," Lucius drawled, accepting his own cup and finally looking away from the youngest witch. "There has been some talk about the... woman losing her mind, even in the cages of Azkaban."

His eyes narrowed as he looked to Hermione. She held his gaze, ignoring the look of contempt sparkling so clear.

"My mind is still intact, even if my memories are not, Mr. Malfoy." The name fell from her mouth like slime. She had to remind herself that she now shared it.

"Indeed." His eyes flickered to her forearm, making her want to tug at her quarter sleeve to hide the bit of scar still showing.

"Agatha, dear, how are your studies coming? Draco tells me you are quite the student, though you are not yet enrolled."

Agatha jerked her head up, eyes wide as the Malfoy matriarch addressed her for the first time. She glanced to Draco who nodded slightly.

"Yes, I enjoy studying very much. I turn eleven in August so I should be old enough to go to Hogwarts this year!"

Her excitement died down as she remembered where she was.

"At least, that is what I hope for."

Hermione took Agatha's hand and squeezed encouragingly.

"Of course you will. And you'll be the brightest witch there."

Agatha's eyes lit up.

Narcissa smiled politely, though it did not reach her eyes.

"Which house are you hoping for?" She asked, keeping an air of innocence to the question.

Draco heaved a sigh.

Agatha's brows came together as she considered the question.

"I honestly don't have a preference, ma'am. I would be fine with whatever the sorting hat thinks fits best."

"Please, dear, call me grandmother. After all, you will be part of the family soon enough. Won't she, Draco?"

The unspoken command was clear to all in the room. The malfoy family needed an heir.

"That is yet to be seen, Mother. There are a few medical issues that need to be taken care of before we bring a child into our home." He smiled to Agatha. "Although that does not diminish our involvement with her life."

Narcissa was not pleased, though she did not speak anymore on the subject. She turned towards Hermione.

"And you, Miss Gran- Hermione? How is everything working out for you?"

Hermione was taken aback by the question.

"My research is proving difficult, truth be told."

Narcissa nodded, taking a sip from her glass, the china clinking as she settled it back onto the plate.

"Memory spells can be quite tricky. You have to understand the caster to understand the spell. I imagine it makes it difficult, given your situation."

Hermione ignored the feeling that came over her at those words. Instead she smiled as pleasantly as her emotions would allow.

"Yes, difficult. Not impossible."

Lucius cut his eyes over to her.

Draco caught the look and abruptly stood.

"Well, this has been lovely. But we promised to have Agatha back at a decent hour. Mother, I hope to find you well upon our next visit."

He overlooked his father completely, causing the older man to glare at the wall.

Draco helped Agatha to her feet and led her quickly from the room. Hermione stayed where she sat, her eyes flicking from one Malfoy in-law to the other.

Narcissa raised an eyebrow, expecting her to scurry off too, but Lucius bore a hole into her. His eyes burned as he sneered, his lip twisting into a snarl like a mad dog.

Hermione suddenly felt as though she were falling. Her head became light and darkness threatened to overtake her vision. She tried to take a deep breath, to push the feelings away, but found she having issues inhaling. She closed her eyes.

You disgust me. Your kind will always taint the water.

The voice continued for what seemed like forever, though it was only a moment.

As her head began to clear, the hands snaked out from the darkness, a wand gripped tightly in one. This time, strands of silky blonde hair flowed behind them.

Hermione shook her head, breathing as deep and steady as she could. When she opened her eyes, she was met with icy blue eyes.

"You'd better run along." Narcissa said cooly, all the air of a loving family member disappeared. "Draco will not wait forever."

Hermione looked from one to the other. An queasiness settled into her stomach.

She nodded, mainly to herself, and walked out. Draco and Agatha stood on the stone pathway.

"Did you find what you were looking for?" Draco asked, offering her his arm.

She gratefully took it, feeling a bit shaky on her legs. Her gaze found Agatha and she gave a weak smile.

"It's like our brilliant girl said: Follow the thread."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Hi guys! I hope ya'll enjoy this little tid-bit.

Author's Note:

Disclaimer: I do not own anything from the Harry Potter series. Those rights belong to JK Rowling. I am only borrowing her beautiful creations.