A/N: I have to apologise in advance if there are any errors.
"All the love I gave didn't mean nothing
When it came to fear"
Tupac Shakur
Ten days had gone by Hermione nervously gnawed the end of her quill. Everything had settled at work. The meeting she had anticipated with her field agents went smoothly, though she was aware that they believed it was not so important for them to be lectured on theft when they could be out chasing relics. No one said such a thing though, but she felt the vibe as she spoke that day. She had spent the week scanning every single file Douglass had touched, nothing seemed out of the ordinary in terms of how each relic was processed when it came back to the Ministry. His reports were well detailed and documented. She found no discrepancies when she went through his files with the Department of Mysteries, working alongside the curators and inspecting the relics one by one.
She wrote a report and sent it to the Minister of what she had been doing with her Department as a body and what she done with Douglass' case files. He called a meeting not long after she had sent it and told her that he was pleased with her work. They discussed the future of the Department, what her goals were as the Head. She wanted to minimise the staff turnover, he agreed solemnly with her. She informed him that she changed the recruitment process to prevent someone like Douglass ever getting in. She also went further on to say that amongst the slight but needed changes in her Department, they still had the task of finding another second in charge, just in case she was sent on another mission and at that he shook his head.
She nearly fell out of her seat when he told her that she would not be travelling anymore. He did not feel comfortable with anyone else in her position, even if they were just a temporary replacement. He laughed when she said that she hoped he wasn't doing that just to keep her. He then said that until he is sure there are no more dangerous relics out in the world, she would have to remain in her position, whether she like it or not. She laughed and shook her head.
Their meeting ended on a serious note when Kingsley spoke about Lucius' funeral and how the only people that attended were a few eastern European wizards and Julio Esteves with his wife and daughter. She dragged her rear back into her office and slumped down into her chair.
That's what she was nervous about. After her date with Narcissa in her parents' backyard, the blonde made sure she wrote back to the olive woman, arranging a time and place to meet. Narcissa made no attempt at hiding her jealousy. It was arousing for Hermione but she feared it at the same time. Just the look in Narcissa's eyes, the way her mouth flattened, the evil arch of her eyebrow and the taunting way she spoke.
"We have only just gotten home, Cissa why are you so hell bent that I write to her straight away?" Hermione asked shaking her head and walking into the kitchen. She wanted to finish enjoying the night but it didn't seem as though Narcissa wanted that.
"The sooner you write to her, the sooner I will know when and where you are going to meet her." Narcissa muttered following the brunette.
"Can't I just ignore it?"
Narcissa shook her head. "No, absolutely not."
"Why? It would work out better for us if I do." Hermione argued. She was at the kitchen sink pouring herself a glass of water. She turned offering it first to the blonde.
Narcissa declined the water and shook her head again at the brunette's words. "It won't work out better if you just ignore it. I want it to stop. I want her to stop."
"Cissa, you know you have me." Hermione softened. She set the fill glass down on the bench walking forward to the blonde. She gently kissed the blonde on the mouth wondering how much sappier could she get. "You know I don't want anyone else."
"Of course I know that." Narcissa returned, her voice then turned cold. "But I want that damn girl to know that you belong to me and that I will not share you even if she goes as far as dreaming about being with you, I want her to know that you are only mine. And by the time I'm done with her she will not be able to think of you without picturing me between your legs!"
"I'm in love with a mad woman." She whispered into her empty office.
The young witch wrote a short note to Camilla agreeing to meet up with her. Over the next few days they exchanged letters arranging when and where they were going to meet. Camilla had informed her that she would be in England for two weeks, other than the funeral she along with her parents had business to attend to. Hermione knew that Kingsley would have the Estevez family watched closely, more so Julio.
Hermione did not want to meet up with Camilla, more so for Camilla's sake than anything else. Over the past few days she thought about what it would be like if the positions were reversed. She didn't like how she felt at the prospect of Narcissa flirting with another. In between her wayward thoughts it dawned on her that Narcissa saw that ideally Camilla was a better fit for Hermione. They were around the same age, the olive woman didn't have the baggage of an ex-husband and a son the same age as Hermione, Camilla also had a career. She pretty much everything Narcissa was not. She was pretty much nothing interesting to Hermione.
She removed the quill from her mouth then began to chew on the inside of her own cheek. She was glad that they were meeting in a public place and on a very busy night. Friday nights at the Three Broomsticks were very busy and rowdy with young wizards and witches. She was grateful for that and knew Narcissa would not cause a scene in front of so many people. Her blonde may have changed since they first met but she knew the changes did not extend to the blonde breaking the constraints of propriety in public.
"Draco, you are a grown man. You make your own decisions and I respect that. If you want to defer your studying for three months, that's your choice, not mine." Narcissa spoke softly. She had gone to visit her son. When she arrived he answered the door still in his pyjama bottoms. He looked so horribly tired she offered a rain check to meet elsewhere at another time. He yawned then smiled when he told her that he was only tired because he had spent sixteen hours in the operating room. He had slept for four hours and no longer felt the need for more. Narcissa begged to differ but her son would not allow it. He ushered her into his flat, he made sure she was settled in the kitchen with a cup of tea before dashing off to change into something more suitable. When he returned he hesitantly told her about his decision to defer his studying for three months, until he fully settled back down into a new routine. Narcissa sensed his hesitation and that's where their conversation was presently at.
"It's just been getting on top of me." Draco sounded defeated, he looked across at his mother. "I mean, I got so use to just being on my own and studying. And now I have reunited with you, I can't seem to balance both worlds. Don't get me wrong, mother, I love you fiercely and I'm over the moon that we are in frequent contact. I just need time to readjust with my life now, mostly because of the inclusion of magic."
Narcissa reached over the table grabbing her son's hand. She smiled and noticed he seemed to relax more. She did not know that the biggest reason why Draco took a deferment was because he found out about the other family Lucius had with his mistress. "I love you son, no matter what you ever decide to do."
More guilt ridden than anything Draco spoke up; "I wasn't completely honest with you."
"Oh?"
"No, I have found out recently that Lucius had five other children to his mistress." He paused and waited for the signs of shock. He got none, his mother did in fact seem relaxed. Did she already know? She had to. "I had every right not to go to his funeral but I couldn't help myself."
Narcissa squeezed her son's hand urging him on.
"Harry agreed to go with me, we used his cloak of invisibility because we knew we would easily be spotted as there weren't many people there." Draco carried on. He went on the tell his mother that he only found out about the other family because Harry told him about her giving the Malfoy heirlooms to the Ministry and everything she gave was well documented in the Daily Prophet. He finished with a small whisper, "That's the reason why I took a deferment. I want to get to know them."
The older witch let go of her son's hand, sat back in her seat and thought for a few moments. What could Draco get from that family that he couldn't get from her? What could he possibly gain? What was he really looking for? She chose to voice her thoughts, "Son, why do you want to get to know them? They were never a part of your life, you don't even know them."
"Mother, Andromeda is not a part of your life. She was a girl when she left your family, you will not know the woman she has become so you virtually will not know her either. But she is still your sister, she's still your own blood." Draco put gently. "Although I couldn't stand the thought of Lucius, his other children are still my half siblings, they are still my blood. I can't move forward if there are still people that deserve to be a part of my life plagued by the past, by saying past I mean Lucius."
The young Doctor did not realise the impact his words had on his mother. Narcissa's amazement of her son would never cease. Just by explaining why he wanted to contact Lucius' other family he managed to spark her own interest in re acquainting with her lost sister.
"I am sorry mother, if this has hurt you." He began to apologise.
"No, son don't be sorry." She smiled at him. A genuine mother loving smile. "I was over Lucius a long time ago and any hurt I received from him, died with him."
"Really?"
"Yes, as I said you are a man now and you make your own decisions." Narcissa reached for his hand again. He would never know how proud she would be of him.
"I just didn't want you to get upset, that's all." He admitted wryly. 'And I'm glad you didn't."
"I will only ask one thing."
"Yes?"
Narcissa steadily held her son's gaze; "I do not want to meet them."
Draco nodded, "I didn't expect that of you, Mum. But thanks for letting me know where you stand."
'You're welcome." She smiled again. She suggested that they go somewhere for lunch as she was famished. Draco happily agreed and told her that he was going to take her out for fish and chips.
(~)
"So how are you and Hermione doing now?" Draco asked before biting into a crispy chip. He was surprised at how relaxed his mother was. He told her he wanted to get in contact with the other family, she didn't mind. He took her to a fish and chip shop for lunch, she didn't even care. Hermione would never know the wonders she had done to his mother.
"We are fine, she has been very busy with her job." Narcissa answered.
"But she still finds the time for you?"
"Oh yes, we have been on a few dates." Narcissa couldn't stop the blush creeping on to her face. She focused more on her food, slowly eating her fish in small bites. She used her fork, refusing to eat with her hands in the simple dining area of the shop.
"A few dates?" Draco smirked. "Where has Hermione taken you?"
Narcissa bit her lip then set her fork down. "We had a picnic in her parent's backyard last week."
A picnic? Draco thought Hermione would have taken his mother to an all exclusive restaurant and lavished her there. A picnic was definitely surprising and not at all what he had expected. But he didn't miss the glint of happiness she saw flash through his mother's eyes when she mentioned it. Something simple like that must have pleased her. He wanted to press for more information, "What else did you two do?"
"Oh nothing really." Narcissa said evasively. She knew it didn't work when Draco's eyes left his plate and found her face in a questioning stare.
"There's nothing to hide Mother, we are both adults.' Draco laughed.
"Yes we are but I am still your Mother." Narcissa rolled her eyes. "There are something's I just don't feel comfortable talking about with you."
Draco's blonde eyebrows rose, "Come onnnnn!" He teased. "It's not like she would have taken you dildo shopping."
"I don't even know what on earth that is, but I can deduce it is of something within the realms of bedroom activity between a couple!" Narcissa hissed playfully. "And for your information, no we didn't go dildo shopping. Hermione hates shopping and said she will never go with me, even if it meant she slept on the sofa for a week."
"Ok" Draco held his hand up in a mock surrender. He couldn't help it he laughed. "You still haven't told me what you two got up to though."
"Oh for heaven's sake, do you really want to know?" Narcissa rolled her eyes again.
"Duh! I wouldn't ask if I didn't."
"She took me on a tour within the Department of Mysteries last Friday night." Narcissa muttered. Once she voiced her interest in Ancient Runes she didn't know Hermione took it seriously until that night. The brunette took her through the Department explaining that there was a section only for ancient Rune artefacts- mainly scriptures, many of which were decorated in unidentifiable runes. There were dozens of shelves littered with the artefacts, they were separated into chronological order of the date they were found and turned in. Some dated from the present year right to the middle of the third century. She was fascinated by it all, she walked around the large room in utter awe. She remembered that at Hogwarts, studying Ancient Runes was based more theoretically than anything else, what she would have done to have the chance to be in that room when she was teenager, she did not know.
That date ignited her interest in Ancient Runes. She spent a good time of that weekend reading up on every book, transcript and essay Hermione had on the subject. By the middle of the following week she had fully immersed herself into Ancient Runes.
"You went to the Department of Mysteries on a date?" Draco's voice rose.
"Yes, Draco." Narcissa muttered blandly. "There is no point in Hermione trying to impress me by fine dining or any of the other activities of the elite. I want something more meaningful and she just keeps giving, I don't even have to ask."
He smiled over at his mother. "I'm glad she is playing the part of a partner well and not just in it to lick it."
Narcissa gasped, her eyes went wide and her jaw dropped.
"Sorry." Draco smiled wryly. With his mother's shock he knew that he had crossed the line. Inwardly he cursed himself. Ginny may be able to get away with it but there was no chance in hell he would.
"I am only going to say this once Draco Malfoy. Though our relationship has become more relaxed of late, I still will not tolerate being spoken to in such a manner by you." Narcissa reprimanded. She shook her head in dismay then took a sip of water. "And no more hanging around Ginny."
"Sorry Mum.' He mumbled.
Narcissa tired with all her might not to laugh.
"Mum?"
"Hmmm?"
"How did you know I've been hanging out with Ginny?" He asked curiously.
"I have lunch with her once a week, but that wasn't what gave it all away." She paused still trying to hold her laughter down.
"No? What was it?"
"You're sudden referencing toward sex." Narcissa put it simply. "In my opinion, instead of taking jibes at me, go and find something to satisfy your fantasies."
Draco who had just put another chip in his mouth spat it out. He began to dry reach, he could feel his face going red and the palms of his hands getting sweaty. Ginny was right, his mother could definitely give it back and then some. Something to satisfy his fantasies, Her words lingered in his brain, making him dry reach again.
"It doesn't feel so good does it son?" Narcissa asked in between giggles.
Draco coughed then took a few deep breaths. He took a long sip of water letting the cool liquid travel down his throat before he croaked out, "I get the picture now Mother and no its gross."
"There, there my boy." Narcissa patted his hand lightly. Silently she hoped that one day she would have to find someone around her own age to converse with. She felt that she was too caught up in the presence of less conservative acquaintances. Of course Ginny and Draco will always be a part of her life, even with their smart mouths. She just wanted a friend with whom she could relate to on levels she could not do with Hermione, Harry, Ginny or Draco. Then suddenly it occurred to her that she could have that with Andy. She smiled and whispered, "There is no need to feel gross, we are both adults. And if you ever need any advice on sex I will be more than happy to help you."
By the time his mother had finished her sentence he had blocked his ears with the palm of his hands then began to rock back and forth in his seat. Never again, He kept saying to himself. NEVER EVER AGAIN
Much later that night Hermione found herself sitting alone at a table in the far corner of the Three Broomsticks, waiting for Camilla and Narcissa. She had gone to the pub straight after work, she had changed out of her robes and now wore her ever faithful green cargo pants and a grey sweater. She had arranged to meet Camilla at seven o'clock, it was now seven forty-five and the olive woman was fashionably late, as was Narcissa. In an attempt to calm her nerves she ordered a bottle of firewhiskey, pouring a generous amount into her tumbler before taking it back like a shot. She had done that three times and was beginning to feel the effects.
The pub was packed out with wizards and witches. The only table with spare seats was the one she was sitting at. She had to decline a few offers from both wizards and witches as they wanted to join her. So there she sat alone waiting and as she waited her thoughts were wandering amongst the loud laughter and drunken conversations surrounding her.
This feels wrong and I'm beginning to look like I'm going to get stood up
What if Camilla changed her mind?
I hope she did.
Where was Narcissa?
Had she changed her mind?
Probably not, she's too jealous.
She's hot when she's jealous.
She's hot any other time, especially when she bits her lip.
I hope there is nothing wrong why she's running late
She's probably getting ready
I should have gone home first
Gods I love watching her dress
It's even hotter when she thinks I'm not watching her
She really does have a beautiful supple body
She thinks there something wrong why I haven't touched her yet.
How could I after it?
I could hurt her
I never want to hurt her
Hermione's inner dialogue was disrupted by a very sensual 'Hello'. She looked up meeting the warm gaze of Camilla Estevez. The olive woman seemed dressed for a cocktail party than more for a few drinks at a pub, she wore a figure hugging strapless dress with matching heels. Her long brown hair running free and cascading down her back. She was still a beautiful picture.
"Uh, Hi." Hermione stood and held out her hand.
At first Camilla frowned then hastily shook it making sure Hermione felt her finger tips brush along the length of her palm as she released her hand. "Hi."
"I see you started without me." Camilla's gaze drifted to the bottle on the table.
"Uh, yes. Have a seat." Hermione gestured to the chair opposite her and nearly groaned in dismay when the olive woman chose to sit right next to her. "Would you like a glass? They do sell tequila if you would prefer that."
"Oh no, I'm fine with whiskey." Camilla smiled. Hermione was more than a good sight. She had been waiting since they arrived in England for this meeting. She only came because of the woman next to her, she didn't care about the funeral. She didn't even know him, she had only seen pictures of Lucius and Narcissa from her father and that was it.
"How have you been?" Hermione asked as she poured the witch a drink.
"I have been well." Camilla answered. She took the glass lifting it to her lips, slowly sipping on the alcohol and then setting it back down on the table. "How have you been?"
"Busy." Hermione answered.
"Really? With your job?" Camilla queried.
Hermione looked across at Camilla and nodded. "Yeah and an array of other things."
By other things Hermione must have meant her girlfriend. Camilla thought disdainfully. Hermione had mentioned in one of her letters that her partner would be joining them, the olive woman was glad there was no one else with the English woman when she walked into the pub. She smiled across at Hermione.
Hermione smiled back.
(~)
Narcissa was ready to leave Hermione's flat to join the young witch at the Three Broomsticks. Everything was set in place, she looked in the mirror again and smirked at her outfit knowing the effect it would have on her young witch. She walked into the bedroom, saw the time and smirked again. She knew she was late.
After her lunch with Draco she came home spent a few hours in spare room reading more to do with Ancient Runes. Though her curiosity was still at its absolute peak her mind wandered to the night before when she asked Hermione why they hadn't already slept together.
'I think it's too soon for us.' Hermione said strongly.
The pair were already settled in bed, they lay on their own sides not touching.
'It was too soon for us the night of the Ball but that did not stop you.' Narcissa gave back.
Hermione rolled on to her side facing Narcissa. 'No it didn't, but I can't help but feel that we should wait, especially after what happened. You may not have healed properly.'
As touched as she was by Hermione's concern it wasn't enough to stop her from wanting the brunette. 'It was not like I had baby and we have to wait six weeks, Hermione.'
'But it has only been four weeks, Cissa.' Hermione whispered into the dark.
'And I am healed, trust me.' Narcissa whispered back.
When she got no reply but a simple sigh from Hermione it was then Narcissa knew what was really holding the young witch back. 'Don't be afraid to touch me, Mione.'
'I'm not afraid.' Hermione denied.
'Oh yes you are. You are sacred of the rejection because of the reception you got when you came home.' Narcissa rolled on to her side so that she was facing the brunette in the dark. 'And don't you dare pity me because of what had happened with Lucius.'
After a while Hermione whispered, 'How did you know?"
'It was simple, you keep backing away whenever there is a slight possibility we would end up making love.' Narcissa brushed her lips up against Hermione's she sensed the young witch's hesitance. "The Hermione I knew before Guatemala would not have wasted anytime."
Hermione pulled back. "I'm sorry Cissa, I can't."
Feeling defeated Narcissa sat up.
"That doesn't mean I love you any less." Hermione said pulling the older witch back down. "I'm just not ready, Cissa. But when I am, make sure you are.'
At present Narcissa grabbed her hand bag and her wand she had never been so sexually frustrated in her life. The night they went into the Ministry, she thought then they would finally end up in bed together. When they didn't she presumed that sex was all they would do over the weekend and it wasn't. She anticipated that during the week Hermione would come home and ravage her, it nearly happened, but again the young brunette pulled away.
She smoothed her hand over her skirt, she was going to make sure that when she arrived at the Three Broomsticks that the only thing on Hermione's mind would be getting her naked.
With those thoughts in mind the blonde left.
(~)
It was nearly eight thirty Hermione had been talking to Camilla for half an hour. She had relaxed a little. She changed her drink to a Butterbeer more so to remain sober than anything else. Camilla opted to stay with the firewhiskey. Hermione noticed the looks of admiration Camilla was receiving from some of the other patrons. Nearly every wizard turned his head when she walked in. Hermione couldn't help but voice it. "Looks like you have a few admirers."
"Oh?" Camilla sounded surprised.
Hermione laughed and nodded toward the bar.
Camilla followed the brunette's gaze, sipping her drink. She shrugged when she saw the young blonde wizard checking her out. She was used to the attention but it went by wasted. She rolled her eyes, "I remember telling you that I don't like men."
Hermione giggled, "He wasn't the only one looking."
She turned her attention back to Hermione and shrugged. "One can only do so much with staring."
"True." Hermione knew their conversation was heading into dangerous territory so she steered it elsewhere. "How was the funeral?"
"Long winded." Camilla sighed. "There were not many people that attended. I didn't expect it to be after which side he stood on during the war. My father is still upset he wants to catch whoever killed Lucius."
Hermione's eyebrows rose, "Does he now?"
"Yes, it is stupid really he keeps on about how glorious they could have been." Camilla dismissively waved her hands around. "How they had so much potential and he feels as though it is wasted."
Then it's a good thing Hermione thought.
"Enough about my family, how about-
Camilla was cut off when the entire room went quiet. Hermione was looking at the door, her gaze uttered awe. Camilla followed the direction of the brunette's eyes and gasped. She turned to the young English witch and whispered; "Is that not Narcissa Malfoy?"
By the time Camilla had finished asking her question Hermione was already standing, her eyes still glued to the blonde Slytherin. Her heart beat tripled as she scanned the blonde from head to toe and then back up again. Narcissa had chosen to very publically wear her clothes. Hermione didn't bother suppressing her low groan. That grey pencil skirt was like a second skin, hugging even the curve of her hips. The white frilly blouse of hers', Hermione felt her inner walls clench down there as she knew just how silky that blouse was. Then there were the black heels that perched Narcissa's butt. Then there was her fine blonde hair elegantly pulled into a French roll. Then the red lipstick painted on those inviting lips. Oh dear God
"That is Narcissa Malfoy?" Camilla asked again trying to get Hermione's attention.
"It's Black now." Hermione said still looking at the most beautiful witch in the world. Without another word she walked over to Narcissa. She didn't notice the looks that came her way. She didn't hear the whispers as she passed through people to get to Narcissa. She even forgot about Camilla, her vision was tunnelled only to Narcissa.
"Ms Granger." Narcissa smirked at Hermione when she came to stop only inches in front of her.
"Ms Black." Hermione growled low before briefly kissing the blonde's cheek. Before she moved away from the blonde, she whispered low in Narcissa's ear. "If your intentions were to get me wet then you better make sure you're legs are spread when we go and sit down."
Narcissa tried to keep her face as straight and icy but inside she felt as if she were about to explode. This was the reaction she was after and how arousing it was. Before she done something totally wrong she quickly whispered back to Hermione; "Then let's go and sit."
Hermione gently reached for Narcissa's hand leading her through the pub, pass many curious eyes to their table. The brunette only remembered Camilla until she saw the olive woman's confused gaze. When they got to the table Camilla hastily stood, she looked unsure.
"Camilla, I'd like you to meet my partner, Narcissa." Hermione said as Narcissa came to stand next to her.
Narcissa nodded curtly
So did Camilla.
All three witches sat down at the table. If one was watching, and there were many, the tension at that table was incredibly thick one could cut it with a knife. There were a few moments of silence. Hermione suddenly felt uncomfortable. She saw the way Narcissa's cold blue gaze was flashing at Camilla, she was sizing her up. She felt she had to intervene before Narcissa hexed the poor woman.
"So this is how purebloods greet each other?" Hermione tried to joke. When she didn't get a response from either witch she sighed in failure. Narcissa was still eyeing Camilla and vice versa.
There is no way you will ever get her. Narcissa dismissively turned away from the olive woman to Hermione. She was well aware of the fact that many believed her to be the Ice-Queen so she made sure she spoke lovingly when she said to Hermione; "Darling, do you know if the wine selection here is any good?"
"Uhh..I'm not too sure.." Hermione mumbled helplessly. This woman was turning her into a puddle of mush. "I could go and inquire."
"That would be…lovely." Narcissa bit her lip and nearly moaned when she saw Hermione's nostrils flare.
"It was rude of me not to ask before we sat." Hermione said looking into those trance inducing blue eyes. She stood quickly leaving the table. Leaving Camilla alone with Narcissa, she did not know then that it was time for her blonde to stack her claim.