an: You guys are so awesome - here's an early update!

musical inspiration for the second part of this chapter - "Flying" by James Newton Howard, Peter Pan (2003) Motion Picture Soundtrack. Seriously this track should feature in every HP fanfic! So frickin' magical.

Chapter Seven: Flying (Part I)

There had been much ado in the Malfoy household since the previous evening. Narcissa could barely contain her surprise and joy that Kingsley had gained a piece of Marie after all these years. It took all she had not to interrupt the much-needed time between Kingsley and the former Ms. Granger, but Lucius and Draco bade her to wait.

After Draco had retired to his rooms for the evening, Narcissa discussed with Lucius the ramifications this revelation would surely bring. No matter their families' affiliation, there was a war coming and House Malfoy and House Shacklebolt were on squarely opposite sides. She sternly warned Lucius that she would not stand by and let tragedy strike their families again after such a joyous reunion. Her husband was silent following her ultimatum, but she knew he had heard her. Lucius was a cunning man, and participated in things she rather not think about, but she knew he placed his family's well-being above all. If their Malfoys were going to accept Ms. Granger as their god-daughter, and Circe willing, a future daughter-in-law, then their family needed to have a frank conversation about their true loyalties.

Narcissa cemented the answer to where her loyalties stood as she entered the kitchens and gasped at the sight. "Have you two been up all night?" A few minutes before dawn, and Narcissa found Kingsley and his daughter seated at a breakfast nook primarily for the elves' use. "I came down to the study and you weren't there. I thought you might have left before we'd…" The Malfoy matriarch drifted off, sensing she had interrupted an important family moment. Father and daughter were huddled over mugs of coffee, and though they were haggard and exhausted, both wore matching faces of content.

They turned to her as she entered, and Narcissa felt out of place, even within her own kitchen. "Oh, I'm sorry for interrupting."

Kingsley relaxed into his seat. "No, it's alright. I imagine you want to properly introduce yourself to your god-daughter."

Hermione looked apprehensively at Kingsley and something squeezed around Narcissa's heart. She immediately sought to placate the worry found in the young witch's eyes. "Yes, I would love nothing more." Narcissa approached, with eyes only for Hermione. "Our past interactions haven't been the most pleasant, I can admit. We weren't very kind to you, dear, were we?"

Hermione frowned at the woman, and shook her head in the negative.

Narcissa held her hands before her, the picture of contriteness. "For that I apologize. On behalf of my husband and I, we are sincerely sorry for how we have treated you. I imagine we haven't completely lived up to Kingsley's standard. But if he can look past our collective faults, I hope you can find a place in your heart to forgive us as well. I would very much like to get to know you. If that is alright with you, of course."

Hermione looked to Kingsley, as if searching for permission. But Kingsley was content to let the teenager make her own decisions. He nodded to Hermione encouragingly. Now that Narcissa was not scowling at her because of her inferior birth, Hermione found the woman to be quite warm and approachable.

Hermione twisted her lips as she considered the woman's apology and then stood from her place on the alcove and offered her hand. "Hello, Mrs. Malfoy. I'm Hermione. It's a pleasure," she stated with a small smile.

Narcissa beamed, so very pleased. "Oh, dear." She moved to envelope the witch in a hug. "The pleasure is all mine." She spoke into Hermione's curls. "You've given us all so much hope," she sniffled as she pulled back, giving the young witch a once-over. "Oh, look at you. The last time I saw you, you were in nappies and just learning to walk."

Like any embarrassed teenager, Hermione had no idea what to say to that. So she just smiled, and stared at her shoes and the day old party dress she still wore.

"But look at me, blathering on about days of yore. You must be exhausted. If you would indulge me…?" Narcissa looked over her shoulder to the Auror who watched them with a growing grin. "Kingsley, you'll stay for brunch, right?" The polite order was disguised as a question giving Kingsley the illusion of choice.

Kingsley couldn't help but smile at the matriarch's 'request'. "If I'm being invited to stay, then I'll require a room to rest and change in."

"I'll have Mipsy show you to our best room. Do you mind if I borrow this young lady for a moment?" She asked as she tucked Hermione's arm under hers.

Kingsley gave Hermione an arched brow, silently asking if she was okay. Hermione nodded back.

"Wonderful!" Narcissa exclaimed. "Brunch will be at 11am. I think everyone's taking a bit of a lie-in this morning with the festivities later this evening. Hermione, would you walk with me?" But they had already started to move out of the kitchen. Hermione had no choice but to follow.

Hermione tried to be polite and not gawk at the meticulous decorations around her, but Malfoy Manor was in fact, a splendid piece of art. It reminded her of a primary school field trip to Buckingham Palace. There were fresh flowers all around and natural light illuminated one side of the Manor and its baroque-ish trimmings.

Narcissa led Hermione through a series of halls on their way to their destination. As they turned down a corridor of portraits featuring previous Malfoy Lords, the occupants begrudgingly inclined their head to Hermione and Narcissa as they passed. Swallowing audibly, Hermione found it disconcerting, especially compared to Walburga Black's ranting and raving portrait at Grimmauld Place.

"I imagine this must be a terribly confusing time for you," Narcissa broke Hermione's reverie as they reached the main foyer and the grand staircase behind it.

"It is," Hermione admitted slowly. "But it's also exciting. There's so much my parents, I mean my adopted parents, could never tell me because they didn't know. Finding Kingsley has been like finding that puzzle piece I knew was missing. The picture is slowly being filled in."

Narcissa smiled at the curly-headed witch. "You two look happy. And that gives me so much joy. Lucius too."

Hermione retreated inward at the mention of the senior Malfoy.

Narcissa patted the arm that sat on top of her own at her god-daughter's obvious discomfort. "For all his faults, Lucius really does care for Kingsley. We were truly distraught when we thought we lost you and Marie. You have to know that."

"I find it difficult to reconcile a man who tried to kill my best friend's sister with a dark artefact, and would rather see others like me at the bottom of his shoe, with someone who cares," Hermione huffed. "He's taught his son to hate others on no other basis than birth. I'm sorry but I find it hard to believe that he really cares."

Narcissa sighed. "Yes, there are some things that can be approved upon, I do not doubt that. But know that Lucius, and by extension, Draco, will do everything in their power to protect you." Narcissa squeezed Hermione's arm. "You're one of us now. And I've not another god-daughter, so you'll have to forgive me if I spoil you senseless."

Hermione shook her head quickly, her eyes wide. "Oh, I couldn't ask you to…"

"Nonsense, dear. It's the least I could do." Narcissa stopped in the hallway and turned to face Hermione. She squeezed both of the younger witch's hands within her own as crystal clear blues sparkled with unshed tears. "You must know, I loved Marie… more than I loved my own sisters. You see, Bella was lost to the beginnings of madness and my father ordered we cut contact with Andy. After Marie's marriage to Kingsley, we grew especially close. We even planned for you and Draco to be close in age." Narcissa pushed an errant curl from the young girl's cheek. "And she was so in love with you when you arrived. We all were…" Narcissa trailed off and then dabbed the corner of her eye as a tear fell.

"I've never forgotten her," Narcissa pressed on. "I tried to keep our families close despite the tragedy that had befallen us. But with your return, it's like we've been given a second chance. And if you'd like, I'd like to share what I knew about Marie with you. I'm sure there are things Kingsley would be the better person to speak with, but…"

"I'd like that." Hermione found the admission easy.

"Wonderful." Narcissa pulled the witch into a hug. "Again, it is just a small step on the way to forgiveness and even if we never get there, dear, you will always be welcome in this home. I do hope you know that. Ah, here we are," she announced as they paused outside a set of double white and gold trimmed doors.

"Where is here?"

Narcissa chuckled. "Your room, of course." She opened the door revealing a room that faced east, for rays of winter sunshine had painted the room a brilliant shade of gold, yellow, and bright white. The room sported double-French doors that led to an open-air balcony and a poster bed made for a princess. Her travelling satchel was laid on a white and yellow chaise steps from the bed. An antique armoire and mirror outfitted the rest of the room.

Narcissa left Hermione to orient herself as she walked to the room's interior closets. "I'll have Mipsy come and launder your things if you wish. And they are plenty of blouses, skirts, and shoes should you require additional clothing."

"Oh, no need, Mrs. Malfoy. I brought my own." Hermione indicated to her travelling bag.

"Please call me, Narcissa, dear."

Hermione smiled, but knew she never would. She had not been raised that way. "You're too kind," she politely demurred.

"Like I said. I have sixteen years' worth of spoiling to make up for. Draco will be jealous, I'm sure. But he will understand. Please get some rest and do not hesitate to ask should you need anything. Brunch will be at 11am in the Greenhouse." Narcissa backed out the room, closing the door behind her. "Ta."

Hermione pushed her hair back from her forehead and released a deep breath. This was certainly a lot to take in. But rather than process it all now, because Merlin, she had been up since breakfast well over twenty fours ago, Hermione collapsed into the feather soft bed and snuggled under cashmere blankets and silk sheets. She was asleep in less than a minute.

When she awoke several hours later, she momentarily forgot how she had come to rest in such decadence. Then in a blink, everything came rushing back. She was at Malfoy Manor, her god-parents were the Malfoys, and Malfoy had arranged for her to meet her long-lost father. The close of 1995 was in contention for the best day ever; it was right there with the day she found out she was a witch.

While she showered and got ready for brunch, she briefly considered the clothes Narcissa placed into her closet, but once she fingered through the expensive fabric, she quickly reconsidered. She ended up donning her favorite wool skirt and a button-up blouse. When it came time to leave she refused to call for an elf to show her the way, and resolved to find it on her own.

Which was unfortunate because three hallways later, she was effectively lost within the grand Manor. Hurrying down the hall, she tried to back-track her steps when she ran into one cane-less Lucius Malfoy.

He looked more relaxed than she'd ever seen in his is blue oxford and smart trousers. She'd never seen him outside his expensive garb, complete with cane, and she drew back in surprise at his relaxed nature.

"Oh, Ms. Granger… That is to say...," he faltered a bit, before he offered a half-smile. "Just what should I call you?"

Her heart sped up at the awkward situation with her newly-found god-father. Narcissa was warm, inviting, and easier to connect with, but Hermione imagined it would be harder to come to terms with Lucius Malfoy than his wife.

"Um… well, you can call me Hermione, or Ms. Granger, if you wish. I recognize my birth name is Shacklebolt, but it is not a name I am used to. At least not yet."

His eyes narrowed as he appraised her. She lifted her chin under the scrutiny. "Yes, I imagine it will take some time for all of us to acclimate to the new order of things." He noticed her attire and then their location. "Are you lost?"

Hermione exhaled through her nose, hating to admit any kind of weakness to the man before her. "I was trying to find my way to the Greenhouse, but must've lost my way."

Lucius smirked at her obvious stubbornness. "I was just on my way. Would you care to join me on the walk over?"

Hermione gave a tight grin and nodded amidst the discomfort. "Thank you."

Though they walked side by side, the distance between the two was insurmountable.

"I'm sure my wife has spoken to you about our past …" Lucius paused as he searched for the right term, "differences."

Hermione snorted as the wizard continued.

"Yes, well it is her hope and mine that we can put that unpleasantness behind us."

Hermione stopped as Lucius continued walking on. Once he noticed she wasn't walking beside him any longer, he turned with a questioning brow. "Is it really?" Hermione asked, arms crossed. "I was nothing but a 'Mudblood' to you before last night. A blood spell and a certain surname suddenly changes all that?"

Lucius smirked, hands behind his back. "People change Ms. Granger. I'm sure if you can charm my son, then I daresay there's hope for us all."

Hermione grew perplexed at the elder Malfoy's words. She considered the sincerity of his statement before resolving to remain skeptical. "I truly hope so. For both our families' sake." She rejoined him in his walk to the Greenhouse. The discomfort had not abated, but it lessened for the time being.

As the pair of Shacklebolts and trio of Malfoys sat down to a late brunch of poached eggs, hotcakes, and a selection of meats and fruits, they discussed a variety of topics. They discussed whether they should go public with this discovery in the new year. After a robust discussion on the merits and downsides of such a move, they decided not to. Hermione wanted to finish the remainder of her 5th year with relative normalcy. They could go public this summer, only after Hermione spoke with her parents. Naricssa volunteered to go with Kingsley and Hermione to visit the Grangers, but Kingsley politely declined her offer.

Hermione also decided she was going to tell her friends. Now that she had met Kingsley, Hermione wanted to be honest with her friends about her discovery. The Malfoys scoffed at that, somewhat mistrusting of the Weasleys' intentions once they learned the truth. Malfoy openly mocked her friends and warned that her plan to go public this summer would be foiled as soon as the Weasleys found out. After a heated defense, Kingsley backed his daughter's decision with quiet finality.

They also discussed summer plans. Narcissa invited Hermione on a shopping trip with her to the continent; she wouldn't take no for an answer, but Hermione did shorten the length of the trip from two weeks to a long weekend. With her parents' blessing, Hermione wanted to spend the majority of the summer with Kingsley. He liked that idea, and the Malfoys wholeheartedly agreed.

Hermione found the conversation between them all stilted at times, but as long as they stayed away from land mines like Voldemort's return, the Order of the Phoenix, and the Malfoys' tumultuous past with Hermione, the conversation flowed well. They talked about the past often.

Hermione and Malfoy could only listen as their parents spoke of life before the first wizarding war with rapt attention. Happy to learn about her biological parents from first hand accounts, Hermione eagerly lapped up any information she could from their conversation.

She caught Malfoy smirking at her across the table more than once, ever smug. She may or may not have stuck her tongue out at him.

Several hours later found the group ready to ring in the new year. Hermione had a feeling the year 1996 was going to hold a lot of change for her, as well as for the people whose company she was somewhat enjoying. "So where do the Malfoys watch this exclusive New Year's celebration?" Hermione moved closer to the balcony's edge, her neck craned towards the inky sky above. She was ready for this impressive display of fireworks she had heard about during dinner. It was close to midnight and she was ready to begin a promising new year.

"Watch?" Lucius parroted back to her with a barely-there grin, as he approached from behind.

The younger Malfoy approached from her left and touched something to her arm. "We don't watch the celebration, Granger." She noticed a broom handle held out to her shoulder, and frowned at the object as if it offended her. "We experience it. At Crestmoor, of course."

"Crestmoor?" Hermione asked as she whirled to face the blond, but he cryptically did not respond.

"Follow us, Granger," he instructed instead. "That is, if you can keep up."

That was when she noticed Narcissa held a white painted broom, her hair twisted into a French plait. The older witch had donned sturdy travelling wear; in fact, all the Malfoys had on leather travelling gear.

"Oh no," Hermione shook her head at the broom Malfoy held out for her. "No, I don't fly well."

"Nonsense, Granger. You're a Shacklebolt now, and a Malfoy by extension. You'll fly with us." He winked at her.

She caught the broom handle Malfoy dropped into her hand, watching as Lucius and Narcissa elegantly (because there was no other way to describe it really) took off from their balcony.

"No, you don't understand," Hermione implored to the blond. "I really don't like flying, especially on something as insecure as a piece of wood."

Kingsley walked up to her, a Firebolt in hand. "Don't worry, sweetheart. We won't let anything happen to you." He mounted his broom and held his hand out to her. "Do you trust me?"

Hermione swallowed nervously as she watched Malfoy kick off with a flourish. She looked back at Kingsley, the worry surely all over her face. "I do," she hesitantly gave, as she threw one leg over the broom. "It's the laws of gravity that worry me more."

Kingsley laughed heartily as he lifted a few feet off the ground and waited for her to mount her broom. "Gravity means nothing for a brilliant witch," he gave on a laugh.

Hermione grimaced as she ordered the broom up within her mind. She held on for dear life as she lifted to where Kingsley hovered above the balcony. "I think I may be the only one here who flies irregularly."

"Well, there is no better time than the present to catch up," Kingsley offered. "Are you ready?"

"You'll be close by?" she found herself asking, fear starting to creep around the edges.

"I promise I will."

And so, the small travelling party took off for Crestmoor. Since she and Kingsley had no idea where they were going, Lucius took point, his dark cloak flapping in the wind as his son adeptly stayed on his tail. The Malfoy men picked up in speed and begrudgingly, Hermione lowered along her broom to increase her speed as well. It would do no good to end up lost now.

She was surprised to see how easily the men flew around in and around each other. Of course she lagged behind them all, the least skilled in flying, but she could not deny that the Malfoy men and Kingsley Shacklebolt knew how to handle a broom. It must've been from their collective time playing Quidditch.

They were currently imitating Quidditch moves, Hermione was sure of it. She couldn't name the move to save her life, but she had watched enough matches to recognize the fancy footwork. A few meters above her, Kingsley imitated something akin to a stunt she'd seen on one of those extreme boarding competitions. The Auror demonstrated it twice and to her horror-surprise, Draco and Lucius executed the move perfectly in succession.

She sulked on her broom like a right witch watching the three of them execute fancy moves, one after the other.

Glancing about, Hermione saw that Narcissa had took up residence on Hermione's left.

She had to do a double-take. The graceful witch was flying side-saddle; it was the only way she could describe it. She had two legs properly folded to the right side of the broom, but steered the broom easily with one hand before her and the other, behind to anchor her.

Her god-mother winked at the fish-like impression Hermione had to be sporting at the moment. Quickly snapping her mouth shut, Hermione marveled as the witch's elegance even in the midst of flying. Chancing a quick look to the speeding ground below, she found they were about 100 meters above the ground. Her stomach flipped and lurched.

"Look up, Emme!" Hermione heard Kingsley's voice from somewhere above her.

She lifted her head and almost threw her heading off. With two hands, she steered the broom hard to the right to course-correct. It took her a moment, but when she did, Kingsley praised her maneuvering.

She swallowed back bile from shot nerves.

"Alright, back there, Granger?" Malfoy called as he pulled up beside her, his pale hair matched the moonlight.

"Just fine!" she shouted through clenched teeth. The blond had the audacity to fly parallel to her. She cursed them all for making it look so easy. But as long as they were flying straight, she gathered she could handle that much.

Hermione focused her concentration on keeping her broom straight, and not running into any sudden obstacles.

"We're about two kilometers out, straight ahead. Want to make a go of it?" His blond air whipped from his head in waves as they zoomed through the night wind. The bits of his travelling shirt not fastened by leather billowed and flapped ferociously in the wind. Malfoy sat up on his broom then, using one hand to steer, furthering show off his skill. So he could perfectly execute complex Quidditch maneuvers and fly one handed? Hermione would have rolled her eyes if she didn't need to see where she was going.

"Straight ahead, you say?" She turned to Malfoy, and cursed that she hadn't thought to tie up her hair like Narcissa before they left. Wild curls obstructed her view, but she could see the blond had levelled his broom out along with hers. Hermione smirked and lowered along her broom to match Malfoy's position. "You're on."

And with that, she took off. Her broom seemed to read her internal command and with an extra kick, it took off at seemingly warp speed. Her heart raced, and her hands grew sweaty as they clung to the broom's handle. Her lips were chapped from the biting wind, but it was … Exhilarating. White-knuckled, teeth-chattering, lip-biting exhilaration took hold as she noticed out that the edge of her broomstick begun to edge out Malfoy's, as the unlikely duo flew just beneath the clouds and the stars.

Suddenly prior fears lessened as her competitive nature took hold. Eyes narrowed in determination as she tried to defeat Slytherin's seeker in the one aspect he always exceeded in. In the distance, she could make out a crop of hills. And on top, sat a country cottage, or Crestmoor, Hermione assumed. The beginnings a smirk, worthy of any Slytherin, started to rise when suddenly a curtain of blond fringe obstructed her sight.

She sat up on her broom at that and almost collided with Draco Malfoy… who was now upside down, flying backwards, and just above her!

How in the hell did he manage that?

He was smirking, which upside down to her looked like a crooked frown. His wind-whipped hair flew out from his face towards her. He looked quite proud of his feat, but it was what he did next that caused her heart to leap into her throat.

With one hand steady on his broom, he reached down to grab a hold of hers. She felt her broom jerk at the new command that had just taken ahold of it.

"Malfoy!" she warned, as the apprehension she left previously behind began to make an appearance. Cold dread started to curdle in her stomach.

"Trust me, Granger, you're going to enjoy this," was all he gave before he pushed the handle of her broom.

She screwed her eyes tight as the world lurched to the side and then dipped. Then she felt the sensation of falling. A scream of unadulterated fear pushed passed her vocal cords, out of her throat, and into air as she felt her world spin and upend.

She was going to fall. She knew it; she could feel her legs slipping as she turned upside down. Curls now flew passed her face and all around.

"Hermione!" Malfoy jubilantly called. "Hermione, open your eyes!"

She didn't know why she did, maybe it was because he used her given name. Or maybe she just wanted to curse him with her eyes before she fell to certain doom, but she stopped screaming and opened them.

The first thing she saw was his eyes. Grey irises, outfitted with silver specks widened the instant they met hers. She registered nothing but pure shock as she and Malfoy stared at each other across the distance. The tips of her curls danced on his cheeks as a pink tinge spread from out from his nose.

Since she was now flying backwards and upside down in his place; he was right-side up to her. He still held onto her broom handle and his, guiding them through the night air. Then to cap the moment, explosions sounded somewhere to their side as vibrant colors illuminated their faces.

But in the midst of the celebration, they only held eyes for the other. Hermione's heart raced, from fear and something else as he held her gaze.

The trust in the moment was implicit, he would not steer her into harm she couldn't see and he would not let her fall. She didn't know when she'd reached this point of trust with Malfoy, but there it was, new and fragile. Blood rushed to the tips of her ears as he reached forward to pull wayward curls that had stuck to her parted lips.

The celebration of the New Year sounded all around them. Each boom and resounding bang shook their brooms and reverberated in her chest.

Cold finger tips brushed the underside of her chin, her lips and cheek as he pushed her hair away from her face. Her stomach flipped. Her mouth fell open (or was it down) in shock and maybe a little air-sickness too, before Malfoy pushed her broom handle again. With a whirl and a dip, she was right side up. After she had made the full three-sixty, Malfoy released her broom and spun away from her.

With two hands, she pulled up on the handle to slow her speed, her heart struggling to find regularity. Malfoy lowered until he was few meters from her, panting heavily from the exertion and … maybe, maybe something more.

Below them and above them the night sky had been painted red, blue, and white in successive explosions as the official New Year was rung in across the countryside. Fireworks she could reach out and touch deafened her ears to all sound, save that of her thundering heart.

Hermione didn't care for the beautiful, and quite impressive, show of New Year's fireworks all around her.

She still had eyes for Malfoy. Dimly, she was aware that she should be angry at him for pulling such a stunt, yet she found herself unable. She was simultaneously numb and aware of everything.

Malfoy hovered closer to her, his eyes reflecting the starbursts and searching as if he just noticed something for the first time. "Happy New Year, Hermione," he said after a beat.

She gripped her broom until her knuckles turned white, her head still reeling. "Happy New Year, Draco."

Below on the grounds of Crestmoor, three adults observed the scene before them, brooms in hand, as celebratory fireworks and a spark of another kind ignited in the sky above. Necks craned skyward, Lucius and Kingsley met each other's gaze over Narcissa's head. Kingsley frowned at Lucius' knowing smirk.

an: No one was harmed as I practiced the mechanics of this in-flight maneuver for research purposes. I got a few awkward stares from the hubby as I sat on my broom. You should try it out.

More is coming soon...