Chapter Nine:

What Women Want

Narcissa stood there with arms folded across her chest.

"Draco," she started in a tone that could have passed for meek had it not been for the expression of stern motherhood plastered upon the woman's features. Hermione looked over at Draco to see that he was just as surprised as she was to see the mysterious woman in a Muggle home – let alone their presence.

"What are you doing here, Mother?" Draco answered, his stance rooted to the floor and his expression just as stern as hers.

"You ran away!" Narcissa continued as though Draco hadn't spoken. "How could you do this to us?"

"Oh – so this woman actually is your mother and not some crackpot off the street?" Mr. Granger chuckled as he walked past the ensemble to his armchair where he heavily took a seat. "I hope you don't mind if I watch the telle?" he stated more than asked and clicked the remote. A rather obnoxious cartoon program was on and the group tried to talk over the nonsense.

"Mother, I don't think you're seeing this through my perspective."

"Oh, I'm not?" Narcissa replied exasperatedly. "You just give up on your father and me and go off to gal avant with Muggles?"

"Wonderful to hear that term again." Mr. Granger added from the peanut gallery.

"Dad, it's not a derogatory word." Hermione piped up.

"Dear, you're not helping." Mrs. Granger managed.

"I did not give up on you and Father," Draco argued back. "Do you know what he did to me at the Quidditch match?"

"I - " Narcissa started, but Draco cut her off.

"Oh, that's right. You weren't there. Good job."

"Slam." Mr. Granger added from the armchair.

"I will not have you take that tone of voice with me!" Narcissa said sternly. "I am your mother!"

"Tell me something I don't know."

"Actually, I change my mind, Hermione," Mr. Granger cut into the opening. "Draco's not that bad." He looked back at the television and changed the channel. "Wait, just kidding."

"Dad!" Hermione chimed.

"Mother, I've been disowned." Draco stated bluntly. "What makes you think that father would change his mind about any of this? He never changes his mind."

"Men are always the same." Mrs. Granger added to the conversation. "Not to undermine your masculinity, Draco." she added quickly when Draco shot her a look.

"Finally, someone who sees it from my side!" Narcissa exalted as she threw her hands up.

"Will you all please shut up?" Mr. Granger raised his voice from his seat. "Can't a man watch television in peace?" He cranked up the volume a couple notches.

"Dear! Please turn that down!" Mrs. Granger raised over the din of the television.

"Excuse me," Mr. Granger shot back. "Who made the money and bought the television?"

"Dad!" Hermione hollered over the argument.

"Draco, I still cannot believe you!" Narcissa continued, tears brimming in her eyes.

"Mother -" Draco attempted to get out.

Mr Granger cranked up the volume a couple notches.

"Dear!" Mrs. Granger shrieked once again and ripped the remote from his hand.

"Hey!" Mr. Granger bellowed. "Give that back!"

"ENOUGH!"

Hermione turned off the television and stomped between Narcissa and Draco. She stared both of them down in turn.

"This is completely insane!" she stated angrily. "This is supposed to be a pleasant vacation away from the madness of school. I don't feel like I'm on vacation – and I'd rather be at school than listen to any of this! Look at me! Do I look calm or relaxed? No!"

Her hair was wilder than ever as she glared at everyone.

"This is terrible!" she continued. "All I wanted was to show you the clothes I bought, and I can't even freaking do that!"

And with that all staid, Hermione stormed up the stairs and into her room.

"Well," Narcissa added without missing a beat. "She's a fiery one, isn't she? And she's the one you like?"

"Mother!" Draco groaned.

"No, Draco," Narcissa pressed on. "I will not rest until you return home and make amends with your Father for the way you've been acting lately."

Draco could see that the confrontation would get them all nowhere. So, he decided to give his mother what she wanted to hear.

"Fine."

Narcissa was shocked.

"What?"

"I said fine, Mother." Draco went on. "I'll make amends with Father. But you have to let me do it on my own time, all right?"

Narcissa just stood there in disbelief.

"I... All right..." she managed finally. She stepped forward and gave Draco an awkward hug before taking her post at the fireplace, pouch of flu powder in hand. "I suppose I will see you again when I do."

Draco nodded.

"I will come home, Mother."

Narcissa nodded.

The green flames enveloped her figure, and in a flash she was gone.

"Well, that was...pleasant." Mrs. Granger spoke into the silence.

"Dear, you are so dense." Mr. Granger muttered as he stepped out into the kitchen.