I need to apologize in advance for a couple of things:

1) I did only have one beta for this chapter. I normally like to send a new chapter to 2 or 3 betas, so there is bound to be mistakes. I HATE having mistakes in a chapter, so I promise to fix them should I come across them after this is published.

2) I'm sorry it has taken me 2432832091913278 years to update. No excuses. I will try to update weekly from this point forward.

3) I'm sorry this is so short! This is more of a filler chapter and a opening to the major plot.

To make up for all this, chapter 5 is DONE. Not only is it my longest chapter yet, but I will also try to get it posted today! Tomorrow at the very latest. I really enjoyed writing it and the 2 betas that have read it so far really loved it. So hopefully you will as well!

Thank you again for all of your lovely reviews! I love seeing that people are actually enjoying reading my story. It's something I never imagined would happen! People actually wanting to read something I wrote and enjoying it? I really couldn't be more pleased! Thank you so, so, so, so, so, so, so much!

xx

"Once you've decided to close your mouth and stop staring at me, you may take a seat," Narcissa said blatantly while ushering her hand in the direction of the chair next to her bed.

Hermione hadn't realized the shock that had taken over her body had also taken over her face, which was now completely red from embarrassment. She was propped up in a sitting position with pillows, and blackened circles around her eyes that told the world exactly how tired and weak she had become. Nevertheless, Narcissa was still a sight to see. Even after months of being in the hospital, she was still beautiful. At least to Hermione. Her brown and blonde hair that fell just below her shoulders, her blue eyes that seemed to sparkle, and the perfect shape of her lips that looked so soft… Yes, Narcissa Malfoy was beautiful. Hermione shook her head as if she thought it would help get these images of Narcissa's beauty out of her head, and sat down. She couldn't tell if she had annoyed the older witch with her less than graceful entrance, and was determined to redeem herself.

The woman eyed Hermione curiously, "Thank you for coming, Miss Granger. I hope things have been well for you and yours?"

Hermione swallowed her nerves and tried her best to make conversation, "Yes, thank you. I was glad to here that you were doing better. How are you feeling?"

"Like my sister tried her hardest to kill me," Narcissa smiled weakly. "I hope I'm not over stepping my boundaries by jumping to this straight away, however, I need to ask you something, Miss Granger."

"Of course, ask me anything. Really, it's fine," she tried to return the smile and sound somewhat reassuring. Truth be told, Hermione was weary of the question Narcissa had for her. What could she possibly want to ask her? What could she possibly need to know? The unknown question made her more nervous than she already was. Hermione twisted a brown ringlet with uncertainty in her fingers as she waited for Narcissa to speak.

"Why did you save me," asked Narcissa seriously without making eye contact with Hermione.

Hermione was complete taken aback, "…I beg your pardon?"

"Miss Granger, you and I both know that we detest each other. Not once have I treated you with the slightest ounce of respect. Respect that you deserve, I might add. I was raised to loathe people like yourself. My husband, and my sister, has hunted down people of your blood status for years while I stood by and watched. Just as I stood by and watched," Narcissa took a sharp breath, while her blue eyes began to fill with tears, "as my sister tortured you that day in the manor. You are the same age as my son, and I did not do anything to help you. I played a part in so many horrible things that have happened to you and the rest of the Wizarding world. Horrible things that no seventeen year old should endure. You did not have to save me. In fact, if I were you, I wouldn't have even thought twice about the fact, and left me in the forest. Nothing that I have done warranted your heroic actions…"

Hermione cut her off, as a tear slid down the cheek of the older witch, "That is where you are wrong, Mrs Malfoy. You saved me first," she stated, in a matter-of-factly tone.

"I know what it's like to almost lose a child, to think that I DID lose a child. Not another child needed taken from the world that night. I was doing my duty."

"Your duty?" questioned Hermione.

"My duty as a mother."

"Then I was doing my duty," responded Hermione, who was growing a bit more comfortable in the presence of Narcissa now that she'd opened up a bit to Hermione. Narcissa, as Hermione had always heard and previously experienced up until the night of the final battle, was the ice queen. She did not speak often, but gave off the presence of aristocracy and that she should not be spoken to unless she spoke to you first. Up until this moment, she had seemed to be a mystery to Hermione. Now, she was becoming a little bit easier to read.

Narcissa repeated Hermione's question, "Your duty?"

"My duty as a daughter, I guess. And I was repaying the favor," shrugged Hermione.

"3 months ago I don't think I would have spoken to you, Miss Granger. I'm glad that has since changed. Thank you for all that you did for me. I ensure you that you are the only reason I am still here today," said a now smiling Narcissa.

"I probably would have had to hold one of my friends back from cursing you a few months ago, Mrs Malfoy," laughed Hermione genuinely, "I did what I had to do. All is in the past?"

"Indeed, Miss Granger. All is in the past."

Hermione couldn't help but grin at Narcissa.

"You know something, Miss Granger? I quite like you. You are truly a beautiful person on the inside and out."

Hermione felt her stomach do a back flip, "I like you as well, Mrs Malfoy. Prehaps the two of us can get together once we get you out of here?"

"Perhaps, Miss Granger. I suspect I will be seeing you quite frequently when I am discharged. Apparently you've been seeing quite a bit of my son from what I have heard," Narcissa raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, he's come around quite a lot lately. It's quite nice to have him at the Burrow. I'm glad Draco found his light."

"I see…"

Hermione realized what Narcissa had been suggesting, and how her response sounded, "OH! No, Mrs Malfoy. Draco and I are not together. He's just become a good friend. Ron Weasley and I are together, I guess you could say…" Hermione said nervously. She was embarrassed again.

"Oh, well, that's unfortunate… He's a bit of a prat, from what I've heard," Narcissa joked.

Hermione couldn't help but laugh. "Sometimes I think the same thing," she responded, shaking her head.

The two witches continued to chat as if they had been friends for years. They laughed, and Hermione became increasingly shocked at how friendly Narcissa was becoming. One or both of them shed tears when the topic turned to the battle and those who were lost. It was so easy to talk to her, Hermione thought. Everything seemed to flow easy with Narcissa. After awhile, Hermione realized that a great deal of time had passed, and Draco and Ginny were still waiting outside.

"I really should be going, Mrs Malfoy. You have other guests who'd like to visit, and I don't wish to take up anymore of your time."

"Of course. It was nice talking with you, Miss Granger."

"The same too you, Mrs Malfoy."

"I will be seeing you at the wedding then, Miss Granger? As long as they let me out of here in time," asked Narcissa.

Hermione could have sworn she detected a sense of hopefulness in her voice. Or perhaps, she just wished that the older witch sounded hopeful.

Hermione questioned her, "Wedding?"

"Your red headed friend marrying Harry Potter was kind enough to send Draco and I an invitation to their wedding. I trust that you will be there?"

"Oh! Yes, of course. I look forward to it," Hermione said as she rose from her seat. "Goodbye, Mrs Malfoy." Hermione said as the door closed behind her. Hermione had been so busy worrying about other things that she had nearly forgotten Harry and Ginny's engagement, let alone their quickly approaching wedding. The wedding she was going to be the maid of honor in! She wasn't exactly looking forward to it, seeing as how she was going to have to get all dressed up and go as Ron's date. She remembered the joke made earlier at Ron's expense. She grinned to herself as she waited outside the hospital while Draco and Ginny had their visit with Narcissa.

"Well," Hermione said quietly to herself, "At least Narcissa will be there."

Hermione didn't know what was happening to herself, or why Narcissa Malfoy, of all people, made her feel the way she did. It was as if Narcissa excited her and made her cautious of her every move at the same time. She had no explanation for this, but for once, Hermione Granger didn't feel like figuring it out. Narcissa made her feel like she was worth something other than just another girl to someone. She liked that feeling almost as much as she liked being in Narcissa's presence, despite the nerves. She wanted that to last forever. She wanted to hold onto that feeling and never let it go. She wanted to just let it be and be happy. And happy she was, at least for the time being.