A/N: This chapter is snippets. Hope that makes sense.
"Give me the rest of you"
Six60
The next morning Narcissa found herself sitting idly on the sofa with a grin that could split her face in two. Hermione had just left for work, claiming the faster she got there the quicker she would be able to come home. Narcissa did not push it any further, she was just happy that they weren't arguing any longer.
Her thoughts drifted to the previous afternoon after Hermione's sudden admission of love.
The blonde still couldn't quite believe what she just heard. Hermione just told her that she was in love her, madly in love her. She bit her lip, her eyes shyly meeting the intense brown gaze that was waiting for her. She didn't know what was seeping through her, happiness? Relief? Joy? Perhaps all three at once? The blonde was not accustomed to those feelings that were surging through her. It felt foreign, like she had never experienced it before. She had no precedent to base any of it on. Nothing.
She felt as though she were a school girl giddy with the excitement of a first love. Yes, that's what it was. Because she certainly never felt this way about Lucius and there was no one before him. No one could make her feel so many things all at once. No one other than her son could get the icy Narcissa Black to worry, to change, to want to change. It was overwhelming. And it was all Hermione.
Hermione kissed Narcissa tenderly.
The blonde moaned softly, then her eyes flew open when Hermione backed away.
"I never want to come home and find that you have either left or are packing to leave." Hermione nearly broke. She cleared her throat to regain her confidence.
"It felt necessary." Narcissa said sadly.
With the pad of her thumb the brunette caressed her pale cheek. Her voice was reduced to a whisper when she said, "Promise me you will never do that again."
"I promise." Narcissa whispered back.
"I know it will get hard between us." Hermione's voice found its usual place. "But you need to talk to me. I'm not a mind reader."
"I understand." Narcissa returned. "And no you are not a mind reader."
"You are." Hermione smiled.
"Well in terms of Legilimens, yes I am." Narcissa smiled back. "But I will not do that again."
"It wasn't that horrible was it?" Hermione asked biting her lip.
"No." Narcissa shook her head. "But it did give me an insight into you. Now I have a better understanding."
Hermione kissed those red lips again and then whispered. "Then I'm glad it never scared you off."
Narcissa smiled.
Hermione kissed her again and then grinned when the blonde's belly rumbled. She broke the kiss. "Someone is hungry."
"I can't remember the last meal I had." Narcissa murmured shamefully.
"I've already lost my temper more times in the last few days than I ever have. So you are lucky I'm not going to lecture you about nourishment." Hermione scolded lightly before pulling away. She smirked. "I'll leave that to Draco, now that he's a doctor."
Narcissa rolled her eyes and watched quietly as Hermione proceeded to the hallway before she found her voice. "Where are you going?"
"You need to be fed and I'm betting that there is nothing here to cook." Hermione stopped at the doorway and grinned again at the blonde. "I don't feel like dinning out so I'm going to get a few groceries. Would you like to come?"
How things have changed fast. Narcissa smiled, "Yes, we are staying in muggle London aren't we?"
"Yes, no need for you to change clothes again." Hermione said dryly. "Even though you look breath taking as you are now."
(~)
"Is there anything in particular that you are hungry for?" Hermione asked as they walked through the supermarket. She smiled at Narcissa's visible amazement. The blonde had never been grocery shopping before, she never had the need to. She was adorable still in the brunette's clothes and her hair in a ponytail, curiously looking around at the many options of frozen food, fresh produce, condiments and cleaning products.
"No not really." Narcissa said distractedly.
"Good, we are going to have a chicken stir fry." Hermione announced even though she already had the ingredients for a stir fry in her basket. They reached another refrigerated aisle and Narcissa looked confused.
"They even sell alcohol?" Narcissa turned to Hermione.
"Yes, they do." Hermione assured the blonde. "Would you like a bottle of wine?"
"Yes, they do have a rather bland selection, though." Narcissa cocked her head to the side as her eyes scanned the shelves'.
"We'll get a bottle from the liquor store next door." Hermione smiled and reached for Narcissa's hand. "They should have something you'd like."
"I hope so." Narcissa murmured taking Hermione's hand and then quickly releasing it, realising they were in public.
"It's ok Cissa." Hermione reassured the blonde and took her hand again. "Muggles tend to be more accepting with same sex relationships than our world. They probably would not even take a second glance. And besides, it's not like they know us."
"You are right." Narcissa agreed. She still felt nervous but she let the brunette take her hand and lead her to the check out. All sorts of questions were running through her brain, such as, Will we be subjected to any trouble? How many people will see us holding hands? What will their thoughts be? Would they think I am her mother? Or would they think me a cradle snatcher? Would we get laughed at?
(~)
"That wasn't so bad was it?" Hermione asked while she tossed the vegetables, Hokkien noodles and chicken in the wok.
"What do you mean?" Narcissa took a sip of her wine. She stood near the brunette while she cooked and moved around the kitchen.
"Holding my hand in public." Hermione answered as she flavoured the stir fry and then began to add cashew nuts.
"No, though that girl at the checkout seemed to like you." Narcissa muttered.
Hermione turned to Narcissa. "I guess I have a way with blondes."
Narcissa's eyebrows raised "Really?"
Hermione just laughed lightly.
"You seem to have a way with brunettes too." Narcissa leaned on the kitchen bench. Her thoughts briefly drifted to Camilla and how that woman seemed so determined to seduce Hermione. It made Narcissa angry to know that someone else was trying to take what was hers'. Even after Hermione told Camilla about her.
Hermione abandoned her stir fry and went to Narcissa. She spoke as she wrapped her arms around the blonde's slim waist line. "You are the only one I want."
Narcissa's face broke into a smile. She set her glass down on the bench and cupped Hermione's face. They kissed, lightly before Hermione broke away.
"Dinner is nearly ready." Hermione said as she returned to the wok.
"Would you like me to set the table?" Narcissa asked politely.
Hermione turned to her and scrunched her face up. "Nah, let's eat on the couch."
Narcissa smirked.
"What?" Hermione smiled. "Unless you prefer a more formal setting?"
Narcissa shook her head and then gestured at Hermione's clothes she had on. "Not in these."
"Hey, my clothes look really good on you." Hermione laughed. She turned the element off and searched inside the cupboards for two bowls.
"I know, that's why I where them." Narcissa playfully returned.
(~)
Both witch's sat crossed leg on the could eating their meal with chop sticks and washing it down with the red wine Narcissa took so long to choose at the liquor store. Hermione loved being like this. Informal. No tension between them. Dressed comfortably. Just enjoying each other's company. Just being together.
"This is really exquisite." Narcissa murmured before taking a mouth full of noodles.
Hermione smiled over at the blonde, while she devoured her food. "I'm glad you like it."
Narcissa moaned in agreement and sipped on her wine.
"I have a question." Hermione said before she placed her empty bowl on the coffee table.
"Yes?"
"Have you ever been on a date?"
Narcissa blushed and shook her head. "No, I haven't."
"Would you?" Hermione asked shyly. Her wine glass firmly in her hand before she emptied its contents into her mouth. "Would you like to go on a date with me?"
Narcissa bit her lip she remembered how harsh Hermione was to the poor woman over the phone when she went through the brunette's memories. The young witch was not like that to her. "I'd love to."
"Cool, tomorrow night after I finish work." Elated as she was Hermione's smile became infectious and Narcissa found herself grinning too. "Wear my clothes it won't be anything too formal."
Narcissa nodded. "Will we be dinning?"
"Yes, but privately." Hermione answered. She leaned over and kissed the blonde's cheek. "I don't feel like sharing you with the rest of the world yet."
Narcissa kissed Hermione back, this time on the mouth. Her lips were mere inches away when she said, "You never had to."
If she keeps this up I'll never let her leave the house and I'll quit my job so that I can spend my days fucking her in every way my dirty mind can conjure up . Hermione's thoughts strayed.
Narcissa saw Hermione's eyes darkened momentarily then the brunette shook her head and began to collect their bowls, leaving Narcissa in wonderment.
(~)
After their meal was over and Hermione had cleaned up both women laid on the sofa, talking softly. Narcissa was between Hermione's legs, her frame wrapped up in the brunette's embrace, her head cradled on the young witch's shoulder. Gone were the arguments, pacing and tension. Gone was the hesitation for they touched and spoke freely. It felt liberating, for both women.
"I never told you about the events leading up to the Manor." Narcissa whispered quietly.
"No you didn't" Hermione murmured softly from behind.
"It was after the phone call I had with you."
"Which one?"
"The one involving the naughty black slip." Narcissa smirked.
"Oh," Hermione's face reddened at the memory and she was glad the blonde could not see her.
"Yes I received an owl not longer after we hung up." Narcissa murmured. Hermione felt the blonde stiffen as she spoke about how Lucius lured her to the Manor. The brunette remained silent as the blonde spoke in broken sentences about what Lucius had done to her. Hermione's heart nearly broke at the difficulty her blonde was struggling in, in having to say it all out a loud. But Narcissa ploughed through never leaving a detail out. She made it known to Hermione that Harry and Ginny did in fact save them. She even told the brunette about the disagreement she had with Harry over the unbreakable vow. And she finished with a whisper, "I don't even know why I chose to keep it from you."
"He did that just to get back at you?" Hermione asked. It was a lot to absorb. What kind of Father would do that? Kidnap his own son, threaten to kill him and then rape his ex-wife just to get back at her.
"To Lucius, I took nearly everything that he had and I shamed him." Narcissa spoke quietly. "I guess that was his only way he knew how to hurt me and it worked."
"He will never hurt you or Draco again." Hermione murmured into the shell of Narcissa's ear. She felt odd. Really odd, in some weird sense she was glad that it was she that killed him. Not only because he hurt Narcissa. Not only because she was extremely angry, but because at the end of it all, it was she who ultimately eradicated any possibility of future harm for Narcissa and Draco. Tightening her hold on the blonde more protectively, Hermione softly spoke again, "You will be fine Cissa, he will never be able to use your son to get to you. You will never have to try and guess what he is plotting next. You are able to carry on with your life, more fully than ever before."
Narcissa pushed against Hermione's tight hold and when it loosened she spun around to face the brunette. She knew she was on the verge of tears, the pooling of liquid had begun to cloud her vision.
"Leave him as your past, my love." Hermione spoke tenderly from beneath her. The younger witch's hands firmly on her hips. Narcissa tears began to descend down her cheeks. "You are free."
And before Narcissa knew it, she was pulled down into a fierce embrace by Hermione.
The brunette cocooned her. She ran her hands through Narcissa's fine blonde hair. She soothed the blonde with sweet words that even Hermione herself was having difficulty believing what was coming out of her mouth, but she meant every word.
After heavy moments of tears Narcissa raised her head. Her eyes were red and puffy and in between sobs she said simply. "I….llove..yyou.."
The sound of a loud ring snapped Narcissa out of her thoughts and physically made her jump. She paced quickly to the bedroom . Once in there she rushed to her side of the bed and retrieved the blaring cellphone off the bedside table.
"Hello?" She answered thinking it had to be Draco.
"Hello Cissa."
"Ginny?" Narcissa frowned.
"Yep." There was a slight pause. "Are you doing anything at the moment?"
Not sure where Ginny was going, Narcissa sat down on the bed. "No. Hermione only just left for work."
"Good, can we meet up for lunch?"
"Ginny, I don't think that we should be socializing given my partner and your husband aren't talking." Narcissa tried to put as gently as she could. She owed the red head a lot. But after Hermione's behaviour toward Harry it would take time before they could all be together again.
"That's them, Narcissa." Ginny said equally softly. "They are the ones that are quarrelling. Not you and I, well I hope not."
"No we are not." Narcissa confirmed.
"Then have lunch with me." Ginny begged.
Very hesitantly Narcissa agreed.
"Yes!" Ginny beamed and then told Narcissa where and when to meet her.
(~)
They had been in each other's company for over an hour. Ginny was shocked to learn that Hermione had walked after the Manor. Her jaw dropped when Narcissa told her that Hermione had gone to the Minister and tried to hand herself in. So much had happened when she actually thought that Narcissa and Hermione would be fine, because, from what she saw at the Manor, Hermione was only angry with Lucius and then Harry. She didn't think Hermione would storm off when Narcissa told her about the unbreakable vow. The red head, just sat back in her chair, drained her glass of water and then shook her head. "You two are alright then?"
"Oh, yes."
Ginny looked across at Narcissa. The blonde was, as usual, elegantly dressed. She seemed relaxed and not stiff with tension. Her eyes even sparkled for they were not the ice cold orbs they had quickly become after the events at the Manor. Ginny was glad, she assumed the blonde finally took the leap of faith with Hermione and truly immersed herself into the relationship.
"How is Harry?" Narcissa asked carefully.
"Worried that Hermione will get jailed and that she will never speak to him again." Ginny answered as simply as she could put it. "But I think it will just have to take time for her to forgive him. It was pretty explosive what she had to say to him, and then what she done."
Narcissa only nodded her agreement.
"He keeps saying that he should have just called her after it had happened." Ginny carried on. "He regrets it."
"I don't want to meddle between them." Narcissa murmured. " But I want to get them at least to talk."
"No." Ginny shook her head. "That cannot happen, at least give Hermione a few weeks. She will have another fit. It's too fresh Narcissa. I know that she's forgiven you. But she may not be ready to forgive Harry and those two go way back as you know."
"Hmmm." Narcissa agreed to a certain degree. "But don't you think that since it was I who forced the vow, which inevitability broke their friendship, that I should at least try something?"
Ginny cocked her head to the side. "Ultimately it's up to you. But you must understand that there could be repercussions if you followed through. I'd suggest not to, at least not for a while. In the meantime, I can handle Harry."
"But- Narcissa tried to protest before Ginny interrupted her.
"Just enjoy being with her, for now." Ginny said encouragingly. "Focus on building a relationship with her. Let her quarrel with Harry be, for now."
"Very well." Narcissa relented. How could this young woman have such a mature outlook on relationships?
"Cool." Ginny smiled.
Narcissa genuinely smiled back.
"How is Draco?" Ginny asked.
Narcissa thought for a moment before she answered. "He is well, given what he has been through. Oh, Ginny, he is much more the man I could have ever hoped for him to be!"
Ginny beamed. "How so?"
"Our relationship has grown so much from what it used to be." Narcissa took a sip of water and then continued. "He would have never spoken his mind so freely than what he has since we have been reunited. Like you he is mature on his views in a relationship, he actually convinced me to go to Hermione's office and see her on Monday morning. He has become far too wise for his own age!"
"That's fantastic!" Ginny smiled.
"Yes it is." Narcissa agreed wholeheartedly.
"I guess that he would be like that given his profession." Ginny mused.
"Yes, yesterday I told Hermione that I couldn't remember the last meal I had and she said that she was going to leave the lecture of nourishment to Draco since he is a Doctor." Narcissa admitted. "I hope she doesn't tell him. It was bad enough taking relationship advice from him."
Ginny giggled.
Narcissa changed the direction of their easy conversation to something more troubling when she asked, "Do you think that I should tell Hermione about meeting with you?"
Ginny frowned. The frown deepened as she thought. One part of her was screaming that the blonde should tell the brunette. But the other part of her lingered in a repeated whisper that the blonde should not tell the brunette. In the end she decided that it really wasn't her choice, Narcissa was her own person. "It really is up to you, Cissa. If you want to tell her, then do so."
"Ok."
Within the next few moments they had settled the bill, grabbed their coats and walked out of the restaurant. The stood on the footpath as the foot traffic of wizards and witch's passed by. The air was slightly cooler than normal and the clouds covered the sky, threatening to burst out in rain. Narcissa smiled across at the strong red headed woman. Ginny Potter proved to be a great listener, an unbiased advisor but most of all, the blonde acknowledged, Ginny was a wonderful friend.
"Thank you for meeting with me, Cissa." Ginny murmured lightly.
"No, thank you, Ginny." Narcissa smiled. "Thank you for everything you have done to help."
"Even with the kinky phone sex?" Ginny laughed. "I never did get around to asking if you had done it or not. But judging by the blush that's filling your face, it must have happened!"
"Oh, shut up Ginerva." Narcissa hissed and began to turn away.
"That good eh?"
Narcissa ignored the comment but did not take offence to the comments. She smirked at the still laughing red head and said, "Same time, same place next week?"
Ginny could only manage a nod as she was still caught up in her laughter.
"Oh and Ginny?" Narcissa said before she left.
"Y….Yes?"
"Good is not a word I'd use." Narcissa smirked as Ginny's eyes widened. "I'd rather prefer the term spell binding."
With that the blonde left a shell shocked Ginny Potter in the middle of the footpath.
()
Hermione prepared herself for the meeting she had organised with her in house staff. Countless heads turned as she entered the department's board room, the loud racket of talking and laughing quietened as soon as she was seen weaving her way through the jungle of wizards and witch's that littered the room. She had never called a meeting like this and she could see the curiosity in the many faces that stared at her. She took her place at the head of the table and took a deep breath before she began.
"I was made aware yesterday by the Minister of an act of attempted theft." As soon as the words left her mouth, she saw a mixture of reactions. Some people looked shocked, others looked bewildered. "It will not be tolerated at any level."
"Who was it?" Asked James Berger. He was tall, blonde, skinny and had a knack for pissing Hermione off, even just looking at her.
"That's none of your business." The brunette retorted. She eyed him sharply and then turned her attention to the rest of the room. "As I was saying, it will not be tolerated. Given the importance of this department and the dangers in the relics that we recover, there will be a new screening for any future applicants. We will work in conjuncture with the Department of Mysteries and their curators to ensure the safety of the relics and above most of all, the safety of the public."
Hermione surveyed her staff once more before she asked, "Are there any questions?"
"Why are we getting a lecture on theft?" Came from the back of the room.
"Because some got caught trying to take a relic." Hermione shot back.
"Must have been really important." Came a mutter from around the table.
"Yes, that important that he is now serving time in Azkaban." The brunette snapped. She turned her attention to her staff once again. "There is a memo that will be sent out, it will be the new regulations and procedures of when we receive relics back here at the department. Read it and get familiar with it because it will be set in place at the beginning of next week. Now get back to work."
As her workers rushed out of the board room Hermione remained behind. Amelda her assistant stayed as well.
"Miss Granger, was there anything I could get for you?" Amelda asked warmly.
"No thank you." Hermione smiled and then asked. "Has there been any mail for me?"
"Oh, yes." Amelda nodded and followed Hermione to the door. "A letter came in not long after you left yesterday."
()
Hermione opened the letter as soon as she closed the door to her office and nearly dropped it when she saw the hand writing. She recovered it quickly and began to read it;
Dear Hermione,
I am writing to inform you that I will be in England by the end of the week. I will be attending the funeral of Lucius Malfoy alongside my parents. I was wondering if we could meet up sometime? It will be good to see you.
Camilla
Hermione threw her head back and muttered, "God, Narcissa is going to kill me!"
A/N: Sorry for the shitness and any errors!