Minerva sat staring listlessly out the window of her private rooms. A mental war waged in her mind over Hermione and the recent decision she had made to leave the two women she loved most. She hadn't slept well since she had made that choice, plagued constantly by worry over the young woman and indecision about the entire situation. She had thought, many times about asking Rolanda he opinion about the three of them entering a relationship together, but every time she sat down at her desk to write a letter to the woman, her hands froze and she couldn't bring herself to put quill to paper.
Triads weren't common in the wizarding world, though not frowned upon in the slightest and completely legal. Minerva however, knowing that Hermione was a muggleborn and was raised on muggle beliefs, had no idea how to broach the subject at all. So, instead of doing anything about it, she simply waited, staring into space, wishing that things were different, that she had been the one that Hermione had chosen.
Hermione was seated at a long table in the dining hall of Malfoy Manor. Draco was seated to her right and grabbed her hand to stop her fidgeting with the napkin in her lap.
"Relax, Mia. My parents won't hurt you. I promise."
"I am going to give them a chance. I promised you I would."
It was then that the doors to the hall opened and in walked Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy. Hermione froze at seeing the face that haunted her dreams. Fear coursed through her and she grabbed her friend's hand, seeking the comfort of someone she knew she could trust, though, since her talks with Helena, which had helped immensely, she no longer felt the heart stopping terror that she had initially felt around these people. The blond merely squeezed her fingers in reassurance and stood to greet his parents.
They all sat in relative silence for a few minutes, before Mrs. Malfoy spoke up, "If you don't mind Ms. Granger, I asked the elves to hold dinner until we called for it. I was hoping that we could talk, perhaps make you more comfortable, before we began our meal?"
"Of course, Mrs. Malfoy."
"Please, call me Narcissa. How are you parents? I heard they are-hm- den-ticts?"
"I honestly wouldn't know how they are. I haven't spoken to them since before the war. They are dentists, though. They fix muggle teeth."
"Is that considered a good profession in the muggle world?" Lucius asked, seeming to be genuinely curious.
Hermione stiffened, but Draco's hand tightened around hers and she smiled tightly. "It is a good profession, much like a healer. When teeth aren't properly cared for, as I am sure you know, it can cause infection and pain and sometimes disease. My parents help to prevent things like that from happening to their patients."
"I see. And like being a healer, does it require schooling, this den-tist job?" Narcissa asked.
Hermione couldn't help but chuckle a bit. "Yes, my parents both had to go to school for 8 additional years in order to obtain their dentistry licenses."
Draco turned to her, "Do you miss them?"
Hermione thought for a moment about that question. "No, honestly, I can't say I do. They never really wanted a witch for a daughter. They wanted someone more normal, someone who could follow in their footsteps. I suppose I am a bit disappointing to them. They tolerated me, until I sent the to Australia. After that, I was disowned." The brunette shrugged, very nonchalant about the issue. Draco commented on that fact.
"I suppose that, when it came down to it, my parents haven't been an influential part of my life since I was twelve. I don't see a point in mourning the loss of people who never really cared." Her thought turned momentarily to the stoic headmistress. Had she cared? Was she thinking about them at all? With a forced smile, she turned her attention back to the Malfoy's. "While I appreciate the conversation, I think we all know that we are dancing around the elephant in the room."
"Of course." Lucius looked uncomfortable. "Hermione, I don't know how to apologize. The things that you suffered in my company, in my own home were-"
"Unavoidable."
"Atrocious and, I'm sorry? What did you say?"
"Let me explain, Mr. Malfoy. I have spent the last few months with your son as my best friend. While he and I have spoken numerous times about the incidents that happened in your drawing room, there is only one other who knows. I have been speaking about it and it does get easier each time. I have accepted your circumstances in the war. You did what you had to in order to keep each other alive. I greatly admire that, but it doesn't change the fact that the man that…" she coughed and took in a heaving breath. There wasn't a person in the room who didn't know what happened to her. She could do this. "The man that raped me, took on your appearance. While my brain knows that you are innocent of the crime, I am still trying convince the fear within myself that it is misplaced. I hope, that with time, we can accomplish that."
The entire table sat stunned, none more so than Draco. He had no idea that his friend had been planning a small speech of, not forgiveness, but understanding for his parents. They all gaped at her and Narcissa burst into tears. Draco could swear that he even saw his father's eyes shining a bit more than normal.
"Thank you." Lucius whispered softly. "My family has taken so much from you over the years and you still show compassion and understanding. Thank you."
Narcissa continued to sob and reached across the table to grasp Hermione's hand. Feeling incredibly sorry for the older witch, the younger stood and carefully wrapped her arms around the upset blonde. "I believe that everyone deserves a second chance," she said quietly. "So I am giving you that chance. Though Draco is probably on his thousandth chance." she laughed.
Narcissa chuckled wetly against Hermione's stomach. "Let's call for dinner shall we?" She snapped her fingers and several elves appeared, setting the table and filling plates with delicious food. "Hermione, you must tell me where you acquired that dress. It is simply wonderful on you."
"Oh, honestly I don't remember where I got it. It is just something that was in my trunk."
"You still live out of your trunk?" Lucius asked.
"I am staying at the Hog's Head, Mr. Malfoy. Aberforth offered me a room in exchange for help with the pub." Hermione said softly as she took a sip of wine, an effort to calm her nerves in front of the blond man.
"No!" Narcissa hissed, scandalized. "You are really living in that horrible little pub down in Hogsmeade?"
"Yes, I was uncertain of leaving the school and there are reasons why I wanted to stay close."
"No. Not anymore you are not." Narcissa snapped.
"Uhm, I'm sorry?" the brunette blinked at the blonde people around her. "I don't follow."
"Draco, tomorrow you will help Hermione pack her things. She will move in here with us." Narcissa said, her tone authoritative.
"No, no, Narcissa, Mr. Malfoy, I really couldn't."
"Call me Lucius, Hermione, and I don't think you will be getting out of it. I know that look well." He arched an eyebrow at his son with a sly smirk.
Draco, for his part, couldn't hide his excitement at the prospect of his best friend moving in with them. "He is right, Hermione. Once she gets an idea in her head, there is no talking her out of it."
"But-"
"No, I will not take no for an answer, Hermione." Narcissa said.
"I wouldn't want to impose." Hermione reasoned. "Besides, you hardly know me, and considering our history, is it really a good idea?"
"I think that, since we are trying to fix what happened in the past, having you move in will only allow us more time for you to forgive what happened. You will be able to get to know us better. As far as us not knowing you, my son trusts you implicitly. That is good enough for me." Narcissa took a sip of her wine before she continued. "As far as being close to Hogwarts, the floo in the library is connected to the Hogwarts floo network. You may come and go as you please."
"I really can't think of another reason to refuse." Hermione glanced nervously at Lucius. "If you have no problem with it, I can't see why I shouldn't."
"I have no problems with it at all. I several meetings that will have me out of the house for most of the day for the next few weeks. That should give you time to settle in without the discomfort of my presence."
Hermione had the decency to blush. "Thank you. I suppose, if Draco is free tomorrow, I could get my things and move in."
"Excellent! I greatly look forward to getting to know you better, Hermione."
Draco grinned. "This is going to be great. You'll see."
A/N - WHAAAAT?! Another update for this one already? NO WAY! :D Read and review as always, lovely people.