A/N Hello, my dear readers! It's time again for an update. I did a lot of research for this chapter and I got all my information from the official Pottermore website. Just so you know. Coming up in this chapter we have some lovely bonding time between Hermione and Narcissa. Exciting! We will be exploring Hermione and Bellatrix's bond in later chapters.
Enjoy!
"Cissa, can you teach me to Apparate? It would be beneficial if I was able to, that way I'm not stuck if something happens," Hermione asked the blonde witch. They were in her workroom experimenting with the samples Narcissa had taken from her castle.
"Of course, Hermione. I will teach you anything you wish to know. If I am unable to then I will find someone who can," she responded, looking for any change in the plants at being subjected to Fiendfyre. She banished it quickly, taking note that most samples were unaffected. Narcissa looked at the samples in awe. Most plants caught fire or turned to ash but these didn't.
"Thank you, Cissa. Do you think they have the ability to make a person temporarily immune to Fiendfyre?"
"I suppose it's possible but I'd rather not test that."
"Perhaps there is another book in my libraries. I'll be sure to ask Squil next time I'm there. What about a regenerative potion for burns? It looked like one of the plants was replacing itself as it was burning."
"That is much easier to experiment with. We are going to go school shopping for Draco today. Would you like to come with us? It will give you an opportunity to get out and you can see the cabinet you are meant to repair."
"I'd love to Cissa. With Bellatrix on a mission, I think I would be rather lonely if all of you were gone. And it would be nice to do a bit of shopping. I have been thinking of getting a new wand."
"Why would you need a new wand, Hermione? Does yours no longer work for you?"
"It works fine, Cissa. Do not worry. My wand chose me before I learned all I know now. My magic has felt different and my wand doesn't feel as right as it did. I'd like to see if there's a better fit, that is all. Not that I need a wand at all but the Order doesn't need to know that and I'd rather keep it secret until it's time to reveal it."
"I shall accompany you to Ollivander's while Draco and Lucius are shopping for Quidditch gear, then. We shall see about getting you a more fitting wand. You have changed drastically in the last year and your magic would reflect that. Wands are not capable of changing as much as you have."
Narcissa was quietly surprised at Hermione's casual admittance of not needing a wand. She knew Hermione had been practicing but it normally took years before a wand was no longer needed for anything. Her sister had mastered it rapidly, too, she used her wand because it was chilling and Bellatrix loved it. It made sense that Hermione would need a new wand. Her current one had chosen a shy, optimistic witch and her wand reflected that. She wasn't that person anymore and Narcissa only wondered what kind of wand Hermione would get.
"Let us finish this and then we shall go. I'm sure Draco and Lucius are getting restless," Narcissa said. The two witches placed the samples back in their containers, cleaning the workspace thoroughly before going to the entryway where Draco and Lucius were waiting impatiently. Upon seeing the two witches, smiles spread on their faces, their eyes lighting up.
"Hermione! Are you coming with us?" Draco asked excitedly.
"Yes. Is it safe for me to go without a disguise?"
"You have not been charged with anything. So long as you stay with one of us you will be fine. Should anything happen we will be there," Lucius said, holding out his arm to Apparate them to Diagon Alley. They appeared outside the Leaky Cauldron. The streets were filled with students shopping for school supplies. Hermione could tell it was mostly pureblood families by the way they were given space and walked unhindered. Their status and affiliation with the Dark Lord were not without benefits. It made shopping for Draco's supplies easy, they had no trouble getting into stores and families would let them go ahead of them. When the group split, Hermione and Narcissa found their way to Ollivander's. The building was exactly as she remembered it, the gold paint of the sign was peeling and the interior was packed with precarious stacks of wands.
"Ah, Hermione! Madame Malfoy! It is so good to see you again. What can I do for you today?"
"Good afternoon, Mr. Ollivander," Narcissa greeted with a nod.
"I'm here to see about getting a new wand."
"Oh, dear. What happened to yours? It was one of my favorite wands I've ever made."
"Nothing happened to it. I have it with me today. It has been a fine companion. I have felt some changes recently and while the wand has no problem with my magic, it does not feel the same as it did when it chose me. I thought that warranted a visit to see what can be done."
"Yes, of course. May I?" he asked, gesturing to Hermione's wand. She placed it in his hands and watched as the wandmaker assessed Hermione's wand. It was still in perfect condition and he could sense the bond between it and Hermione but it had degraded somewhat. It was still loyal to her but the compatibility had changed ever so slightly, enough for a witch as talented as Hermione to sense the difference. He glanced at the young witch. She was so different from the day she had first entered his store. In place of a timid, intelligent, and talented girl was a strong, young woman with an easy confidence that suggested she had grown comfortable with herself. She was still incredibly intelligent and perceptive and she knew it, without being cocky. It was astounding, seeing such changes. Her magic had changed as well, it was controlled and reliable rather than the easily excited aura of so many years ago. Pondering for a moment, Ollivander decided on the perfect wand for Hermione. He handed the vine wand back to her and she took it gingerly, waiting patiently for his assessment.
"You do indeed require a new wand. I believe I have one that will be perfect for you. You may keep that one, of course. It will always be yours unless it is won or freely given. I shall be right back." Ollivander rummaged through the stacks of wand boxes, searching for the plain black box that contained the wand he believed to be a proper fit. Spotting it, he coaxed it out of the stack before returning to the waiting witches. He had seen the papers about Hermione being supposedly being a Death Eater but she had never done anything against him and he knew she would not be easily swayed to a side of purported evil without reason. He had no reason not to supply the young witch with a properly bonded wand.
"This is a cherry wood wand with the same core and length you currently have. Rigid flexibility. Cherry wands are very rare and extremely picky but I have reason to believe it will be a good fit for you." He opened the box, revealing a nearly black wand with deep shades of red coloring it. It was twisted around itself like a serpent around a pole before coming to a semi-sharp point at the tip. The handle was plain and smooth, the dark wood fitting snugly in her hand. With a precise flick of her wrist, Hermione levitated the box off the cluttered counter. The core was comfortable and she immediately felt the bonding as the wand chose her. Ollivander smiled as he recognized the immediate bonding of the wand to Hermione's magic.
"Thank you, Mr. Ollivander. It is a perfect fit. How much?"
"Consider it a gift, Hermione. As a celebration of your newfound self. Congratulations."
"I shall not forget this, Mr. Ollivander. I will personally ensure no harm comes to you as a result of the war to come."
"That is most kind of you, Hermione."
"We must take our leave now, Mr. Ollivander. Thank you for your professionalism in light of recent events. Take care," Narcissa said, moving away from the door. She had not missed the exchange between the two and she was proud of Hermione's reaction. It was not surprising she had her own allies in the Order. She inspired trust and loyalty because she gave it. Her intelligence made her intimidating to others at times but those that looked past that always had her on their side. Ollivander gave them a farewell nod, understanding the gravity of Hermione's promise. It had been unexpected but he appreciated it and took comfort in knowing the girl was not fundamentally changed. They took their leave with a final wave which he returned.
"You handled that perfectly, Hermione. It is no wonder people are so attracted to your side. I daresay I could not have done better," Narcissa complemented as they stepped outside. Hermione's face colored slightly at the praise from the blonde witch.
"I just did what I felt was right. Ollivander did not have to supply me with a new wand. It was the most valuable thing I could offer him."
"That is why it was so important. You have ensured he will not come to harm in any exchange between Death Eaters and should we win, you have ensured his place in the new world. Wandmaking is everything to him and you could give him nothing more essential to him than the promise it continues."
Hermione said nothing, a smile on her face as Narcissa guided her back to the Leaky Cauldron, where they would be meeting Draco and Lucius before making their final stop at Borgin and Burke's in Knockturn Alley. They had no trouble walking against the flow of people, people parted for the two witches, even those that did not know who they were. It was in the way they walked, the confident stride that was not arrogant and the self-assured posture. Draco and Lucius were already there, waiting patiently for the two witches, talking of Quidditch before abandoning the subject upon seeing their companions. They rose to meet them before heading to Knockturn Alley. Hermione saw a flash of red and black hair behind them as they walked through the crowd, immediately recognizing the two boys she had considered brothers just a year ago. They were following from a distance, trying not to be obvious but not entirely succeeding.
As they entered the dark shop, Hermione could sense Harry and Ron's magic across the street, slightly elevated. Looking through the window, she saw the ledge on the roof across the street that they were likely hiding behind. Discretely, she cast a charm that would keep the boys from observing the true reason they were there but allowed them to see her purchasing a certain necklace. All she had to do was make sure it was actually bought. She did not need to be told their mission needed to be kept from the Order, it was obvious. She felt her wand react perfectly. Satisfied, she turned to follow the Malfoys to the back of the store. The owner of the shop was telling them about the Vanishing Cabinet and its lack of functionality without its twin.
"Mr. Borgin, the lack of functionality is not a concern. We shall purchase the cabinet regardless. I expect it to be delivered by tomorrow morning," Hermione cut in, not having the patience to deal with the man. They could not linger, debating over the cabinet. The charm she placed would only work for so long and Hermione did not want to see just how long it lasted.
"Of course, Ms. le Fay. My apologies. It will be delivered within the time frame. Is there anything else I can do for you?"
"Yes. The necklace at the front of your store, I should like to purchase it."
"Of course. This way, please."
"What's going on, Hermione?" Draco whispered once Borgin had left.
"Two certain troublemakers are spying on us. I placed a charm that allowed them to see me purchasing the necklace I was talking about. It would be suspicious if I didn't have it. And I have a plan to propose to the Dark Lord."
"Well done, Hermione. Let us finalize our purchases and head back home to the Manor," Lucius said, leading the group to the counter. Hermione's display had been impressive and he was glad she had stepped in. Borgin would have taken more convincing if she hadn't. It helped that Hermione had been on the cover of the Daily Prophet with his sister-in-law for the past week now. She could be intimidating, especially when she had subtly pushed her magic into the small space to help persuade the shopkeeper. As they exited the shop, Hermione released the charm she had placed before resting her hand on Narcissa's arm to Apparate back to Malfoy Manor. The group appeared in the entryway and Hermione was unsure of what to do. She was not in the mood to read but she did not have much else to do.
"Would you like to begin learning Apparation?" Narcissa suggested, recognizing the lost look on Hermione's face. The young witch smiled gratefully, nodding before following Narcissa out into the garden.