Beyond the Shadows

Chapter 2

Narcissa sat frozen still. She knew who Hermione was. She knew what she was capable of. She also knew exactly why she was here. She watched as the brunette sat in a chair across from her. While she did not speak, she did take the time to observe Hermione and how much her body had matured over the past 4 years.

Her bushy hair was not tamed and thrown in a ponytail. Her face was more defined. Her hands told the stories of her adventures (if you could call them that) with Harry. Hermione removed the leather jacket she was wearing and placed it on the arm of the chair where she sat. Narcissa noticed how toned her body was. Her slim fit tee hugging her curves and her arms were toned, yet had a softness to them. Narcissa continued observing the girl….woman's arms. She saw scars from her battles, then she noticed one in particular on the woman's right forearm. She started to tear up when she remembered the day that scar was made. Right there in the foyer of her own home. She remembered watching her sister carve into the girl who laid underneath her. She remembered how much she wanted to stop her sister but was in fear for her own life. She also remembered how brave she thought the young lady had been. Even through Bellatrix carving that horrid name in her arm and constantly torturing her with hexes she dare not speak of, the young woman had kept her mouth shut to save her friends and their cause.

"You're here to kill her. Are you not?" Narcissa finally found her voice.

Hermione still sat with a smirk on her face. "In time I will kill her, yes." She replied.

Narcissa sat for a moment as if she was listening to the house. She quickly put a few charms on the room to make it seem as if no one were in it. She also put up a silencing charm for extra precautions. Hermione noticed her doing this and looked at her confused. When Narcissa saw the young witches face she spoke once again.

"I want to help." She spoke with a look so sincere Hermione was taken aback.

"You….you want to help?" The younger woman asked, sounding confused.

"Yes. I want to help." Repeated Narcissa. "My sister has become….well not my sister. Ever since the Dark Lord's…"

"Voldemort." Hermione interjected.

Narcissa looked at her knowing what she meant. It had been 3 years since his death. There was no longer any reason to fear him. She gathered the courage she had and continued, "Ever since…..Voldemort's death….Bella has become more ruthless than ever. It is like she is drunk on some kind of power now that she is over the remaining Deatheaters. I cannot take it any more Miss Granger. Please. I can help in any way. I can feed you information from within these walls. Information no one else knows. She is my sister, and even though I fear who she has become, she still trust me and tells me her deepest secrets. Please." The blonde witch begged.

Hermione thought for a second, staring into Narcissa's blue eyes. She remembered Draco having the same eyes. They were not like Lucius'. His were cold and filled with hate. Draco and Narcissa's, however, held some compassion. She always thought there was hope for Draco, now she saw that same hope in Narcissa.

"If I let you help…." She started cautiously, "and I find out that Bellatrix has found out my plans then I will torture you with some many unspeakable curses that you will wish for death." Her tone was low and deep. This was not the same Hermione. She had a mission with reason. She was not going to let anyone or anything stand in her way.

2 Years Earlier

"Babe, we're going to be late!" Hermione yelled from the front door.

"I'm coming!" A voice yelled back.

Hermione was beginning to get frustrated. It was not like her to be late. She always left at least a half hour prior to arriving so that wherever they apparated to they would have enough time to fix themselves and double check they were near the place they were going. "I'm serious!" she pinched the bridge of her nose and closed her eyes, "Fleur Isabelle Delacour if you are not out here in the next five seconds I am going to…." She was interrupted by a pair of lips on hers.

"You'll what?" Her girlfriend asked her wrapping her arms around her waist.

"Huh?" was the only response she could give.

"You said if I was not out here in five seconds then you would…." Fleur trailed off giving her girlfriend a knowing smile.

Hermione recognized this smile and narrowed her eyes. Fleur suddenly felt a slap on her left arm.

"Ow! What was that for?!" She asked confused.

"You know exactly what that was for." Hermione returned sharply.

Fleur pouted and batted her eyes. She knew that Hermione could not resist her being upset. "Baby, I'm sorry. I just wanted to look as nice as my beautiful girlfriend."

"Nice try." Hermione replied knowing that her girlfriend has complimented her, but to use it to her advantage. "You forget, darling, that I know you all too well and flattery will get you nowhere." She looked straight into the blonde's beautiful ocean blue eyes. "…..but I forgive you."

Fleur smiled again and pulled her girl into another kiss. Once the two broke the kiss Hermione noticed the time. "You're going to make us late with all that mushy kissing and what-not!" She playfully slapped her girlfriend's arm again.

"I'm sorry," Fleur stated once more, "I just can't help that I have the most irresistible woman in the entire world to call mine."

Hermione shook her head with a smile and within seconds they popped out of their apartment.