Some days had passed and the three friends had been sorted into their houses. Draco had been sorted into Slytherin, not a great surprise as both Blacks and Malfoys were only rarely sorted into one of the other three houses; Harry had been sorted into Gryffindor after waiting nervously for the Sorting Hat to finally decide; and Hermione had been sorted into Gryffindor when the hat had offered her the choice between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw.
The three had been disappointed at not being together in one house but thankfully, Gryffindor and Slytherin had all classes together. So beside sleeping and meals, most of the time the three still were inseparable.
September, 19th
Hermione was sitting at the breakfast table with Harry, when screeches and fluttering alerted them to the arrival of the post as dozens of owls flew into the Great Hall, carrying letters, newspapers and sometimes even parcels.
Hermione smiled at recognizing her parents' owl as well as Narcissa's crow Craven, both of them carrying a letter as well as a parcel.
Harry grinned as the mail landed in Hermione's lap, urging her to hurry up and open her presents.
With a happy smile, Hermione did, first opening her parents' letter.
"My darling girl,
Your father and I wish you all the best for your 12th birthday. We wish we could celebrate the day with you but at least we know you have Harry and Draco at your side.
Is that horrid Professor still ignoring you? Narcissa came by for tea last week and she told me all about howlers. I am considering sending him one if he doesn't drop this childish act. I could also always send your father, I suppose.
How are you coming along with your studies? Have you decided on a favorite subject yet?
Well. Have a happy birthday and reply once you find the time.
We love and miss you.
Mom."
Hermione slipped the piece of paper back into the envelope and curiously opened her parents' parcel. She smiled when she found two books, Charles Dickens' 'Great Expectations' and 'Clever Charms for the young and aspiring witch', immediately knowing that Narcissa must've taken her parents on another trip to Diagon Alley to buy the second.
Harry's excitement quickly ebbed away when he saw the books and he went back to his plate filled with pancakes and sausage.
Hermione carefully moved the books and the letter aside and opened the second envelope, smiling at seeing her name carefully written in Narcissa's elegant handwriting.
"My dear Hermione,
I am writing these lines to wish you a very happy birthday. It is a shame that we won't be celebrating this one as we did your last five, but of course this doesn't mean that you will be missing your gift.
I know that it can be hard to be a Muggleborn at Hogwarts but with my boys and your wits in your favor, I know you'll manage. However, if you ever have any questions or feel the need to talk to someone about magic and the wizarding world – or anything else really – know I'll be happy to listen.
I hope my gift will help you during the first year of your journey. Stay safe and pull the boys' ears if they don't do their homework. You have my full support.
With love,
Narcissa."
The Gryffindor grinned at the witch's last two sentences and moved the parcel onto the table, carefully unwrapping it. Inside was a beautiful green gift box with a bow, which Hermione opened as well. Inside, she found a book titled 'A Muggleborn's survival guide' as well as a box of her favorite Muggle chocolates.
"Another book?" Harry groaned from beside her and Hermione chuckled. The boys couldn't understand her aversion to flying and Quidditch – she couldn't fathom how they could see books as boring and a waste of time. Still, they loved each other dearly.
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Narcissa was finding it hard to adapt to the quietness of the house now that the boys were at Hogwarts. She was used to their steps thundering up and down the stairs, their bickering, as well as the many laughs they shared. Now, safe for herself, the house was empty. Once it had seemed tiny to her but now? Now she thought one could easily get lost in its walls.
However, now that they were no longer in hiding, she could visit her sister as often as she wished or stroll through Diagon Alley. The people who had been after them had been after the boys – now that they weren't with her, she was quite certain that no one was out for her. Safe one, maybe.
Bellatrix still hadn't come to her and it left her unnerved and with a feeling of disquiet. However, no matter what Bellatrix might think of her, her sister would never intentionally hurt her. At least she hoped that was still the case.
She quickly made her way to her front door when the doorbell rang, opening it and expecting to find Andy on the other side.
Instead, it was her other sister, the one she hadn't seen in ten long years now.
"Bella," she breathed out, concern, fear and happiness warring within her at seeing her eldest sister on her doorstep.
"Won't you invite me inside?" Bellatrix asked after a long moment of silence, gesturing at the door, her piercing dark eyes unreadable.
Narcissa nodded and stepped aside, allowing her sister to step into her home.
She noticed how Bellatrix' nose wrinkled in disgust at taking in the small and humble Muggle home, how her eyebrows drew together in visible anger at seeing an unmoving framed photo they'd taken last Christmas, showing her and the boys together with the Grangers.
She quietly followed Bellatrix through her own house, through the living room and finally into the kitchen, where both witches sat down around the table.
For a long time, none of the sisters said a word.
"Mother died yesterday," Bellatrix eventually opened, at the same time revealing her motif for visiting her.
And Narcissa, who knew her mother had never really deserved her love, knew she would've disowned her if she'd ever seen her with Lily, broke down, a crying mess. She hadn't seen her mother in ten years and now she would never see her again. Behind everything Druella had and hadn't been, she was still her mother.
Bellatrix sat in her chair, ramrod straight, unblinking as her youngest sister fell apart in front of her. "She removed you from her will, from the family tree as well. I suspect it hardly comes as a surprise to you, given what you have done."
"But what have I done, Bella?" Narcissa angrily shouted between the tears. "What have I done? Is it so wrong to love?"
"You shouldn't have chosen her," Bellatrix stated matter-of-factly. "A mere Mudblood."
"Love doesn't give you a choice!" the youngest Black sister threw back. But she knew it was pointless. Her sister didn't know love. Straight after Hogwarts, Bella had been married off to Rodolphus Lestrange, a cruel and vindictive man, a man without moral and with cold eyes. Soon after the marriage, her sister had changed and not long after, she'd joined the cause of the blood puritans, of the Dark Lord.
"I just came to inform you of mother's death. And to tell you that I will not harm you if we find ourselves on different sides. The Dark Lord will rise again. You'd do better to join him once the time comes."
"Join him? Bella, this is madness, don't you see?" Narcissa reached for her sister's hand but Bellatrix pulled her hand back as if she was burned. "Bella please."
"Join him. Join me."
"I can't," Narcissa said with finality, her heart breaking at knowing that this might well be the moment she last saw her sister without having to fight her. "He killed Lily. He would've killed my son. He-"
"From me, no harm will come to you or Draco."
"And what of Harry?"
"If my Lord wants him dead once he returns to me, I will do as he asks."
Bellatrix didn't bother to use the door this time around. With a swirl of her black robes, she apparated away, the last thing Narcissa saw of her her dark unfeeling eyes.
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The first few months of the school year had passed in a flurry and tomorrow morning, Hermione would sit in the Hogwarts Express on her way to London for the Christmas break.
She was eager to see her parents as well as Narcissa. Over the years, the two families had grown close and more often than not, they'd spent the Christmas days together at the larger Granger home, the blonde and her sons staying at their house.
As Hermione had no siblings, she always found herself looking forward to these three days. With Harry and Draco in their guestroom and Narcissa on a mattress in her own, it felt almost as if she had two brothers and an aunt. And for Hermione, they might as well be.
Smiling to herself, she closed the book on Transfiguration she'd borrowed from the library and set it on her nightstand. Tomorrow would be a long day.
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When Harry, Draco and Hermione reached London, they were already standing in front of one of the train's exits, anxiously waiting for the doors to open. After being parted from their parents for close to four months, each of them was eager to see them on the platform.
So as soon as the doors of the Hogwarts Express finally opened, the three students hurried out, pulling their suitcases after them as they bounded towards their waiting parents.
Harry was the first to reach the three adults and with a grin, he threw himself at his mother, nearly knocking her over with his force.
Laughing, Narcissa held him as tight as she could, only easing her hold to let Draco join in on the hug. Only now did she notice how much she'd truly missed the two of them.
"I missed you," she told them as she reluctantly let go so they could finally leave the train station and head over to the Grangers' home.
Before they could leave however, there was one thing left to do. Smiling, she extended her arms, raising a brow at a hesitant Hermione. The brunette smiled and stepped into them, letting herself be hugged. "And I missed you as well," she announced to the girl, briefly stroking one of her slightly freckled cheeks before letting go.
"Well, let's head home and get dinner started," William Granger explained, wrapping his right arm around his wife's shoulder, his left taking hold of the trolley holding Hermione's luggage as well as Crookshanks.
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At the Granger house, Hermione and the boys settled into their rooms, packing their suitcases away and unpacking a few things they'd need during the holidays.
As Hermione was sifting through the contents of her trunk, a brief knock sounded from her door and Narcissa entered the room soon after.
"Hermione," Narcissa said in greeting, sitting down on the girl's bed. "I hope you don't mind me staying here?"
"You know I don't, you've stayed here the last years as well. It's not like something has changed."
"Just checking. You are growing older, you know."
"I may be, yes, but that doesn't mean that you would no longer be welcome to share my room."
"I am glad to hear that," Narcissa patted the bed, gesturing for Hermione to sit with her. "So tell me, Ms. Hermione Jean Granger – did you meet any cute boys?"
The girl blushed but shook her head.
"Girls perhaps?"
Now Hermione laughed. "I did not. I'm only twelve, Cissa."
"Again – just checking." Narcissa squeezed the girl's shoulder and stood up. "I'm going to see if your mother needs help in the kitchen."
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After dinner, the two families were sitting in the cozy living room, the adults indulging in a glass of wine – or two – as their children told them all about their first adventures at Hogwarts, chattering away without pause.
"I hate Ron Weasley," Hermione suddenly announced to the room, the parents exchanging amused expressions.
"A Weasley, huh?" Narcissa was the first to react. "Why do you hate him?"
"He makes fun of Hermione," Draco said before his friend could answer. "Belittles her for spending so much time at the library and for being smart."
"Draco's right," Harry confirmed his brother's accusations. "And he doesn't seem to like me or Draco much either."
"Well," Narcissa sighed, a frown on her face. "The Weasleys never much cared for the Blacks nor for the Malfoys. For him, the two of you probably resemble both – because of me. – As for Hermione," Narcissa's brows drew together in thought as she gazed at the young witch. "Have you considered the possibility of him having a crush on you? Boys that age do behave quite irrationally when fancying a girl."
"Ronald Weasley? Fancying me? Urgh," Hermione spat, a disgusted expression on her face. "I'd rather eat snails than ever kiss him."
"Well, I for one am glad to hear it," William butted in, playfully nudging his daughter's side with his elbow. "If it were up to me, you'd never consider kissing a bloke."
Narcissa and Diane chuckled at his words while Hermione blushed and looked rather mortified.
Soon, the conversation moved onto other topics and about an hour later, Narcissa excused herself, stating that she was tired. Hermione soon retired as well and was surprised to see the blonde woman still awake, standing at her window, staring out into the starry night.
"Narcissa?"
"Oh, Hermione. I didn't even hear you come in."
"Not able to sleep?"
"No, it's not that. I merely decided to take in the beauty of this night for a short while longer before I went to bed. – You are quite welcome to join me, you know? It is your room after all."
Hermione thought about the offer for a moment and finally decided to take Narcissa up on it.
For the next hour or so, they stood next to each other, silently, watching the stars.
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"I am sorry," Andy stated, her regret sincere. "Me and Bellatrix were always fighting when we were little; she and I never had a bond like the two of you shared... – Yet I felt great pain when I lost her. I can't even begin to imagine how much you must be hurting."
Narcissa nodded, keeping her eyes on her knees. She didn't bear to look at Andromeda, who looked so much like their oldest sister.
"I just wish she would –" Narcissa's voice broke off and she shook her head.
"I know, little sister. I know. I have wished the exact same thing for so many moons."
"She isn't coming back, is she?" the blonde finally looked up, meeting dark eyes.
"No. I don't think she ever will," Andromeda said with finality. "Bellatrix has made her choice a long time ago. And she didn't choose us."
Narcissa nodded, defeated. "I was afraid you would say that." She tiredly rubbed her eyes and took another sip of her black tea.
"Don't let it ruin your Christmas, Cissa. Enjoy your time with your sons and the Grangers." Andromeda got up and squeezed her sister's shoulders. "Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas, Andy," Narcissa replied, pecking Andromeda's cheeks.
"I will see you on New Year's – you're still celebrating with us, right?"
"Of course," Narcissa smiled. "I am looking forward to spending it with you."
"Great. I'll see you then, Cissa." Andy walked to the front door, passing a pyjama clad Hermione on her way out.
"Merry Christmas, Hermione."
"Merry Christmas," the girl called after the witch as she slipped out of the house and jumped into her car. Andromeda Tonks preferred Muggle transportation to Apparating, swearing she could never get it quite right, always ending up in a lake or in a tree. Hermione was already looking forward to learn how to apparate, even though it was still years in the future.
"Ah, I thought I heard your voice," Narcissa smiled as Hermione entered the kitchen. After just getting up, the girl's curls were even more unruly than usual. Narcissa thought it looked really sweet. Sometimes, Hermione's wit and intelligence made her forget she was still very much a child.
"Good morning," Hermione said accompanied with a small yawn. "And Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas to you, too, Hermione," Narcissa vacated her chair and hugged the girl. "Are the boys still asleep?"
The girl nodded. "They are."
"Well, then it's just us for now. Your parents went for a jog. – Would you like a cup of tea?"
"Yes, please."
Narcissa waved her wand and a cup of steaming black tea flew through the room, setting itself down on the table in front of Hermione.
"So," Narcissa began, raising a brow. "Is anyone else giving you a hard time – besides the Weasley boy, I mean?"
"Well, Professor Snape –"
"– and Severus. He may be behaving like a git towards you, but believe me, I am rather certain he merely feels irked at meeting a student as well-read as himself. He was a lot like you, you know? When he was still a student. Always top of his class, never without at least one book."
"You were friends?"
"We were. Even though most of my other 'friends' didn't approve. Even though we fell in love with the same girl. – All I'm saying is, he is a good man, Hermione, even if he hides it really well."
"I shall keep it in mind," Hermione said, still pondering over the fact that Snape had apparently loved Harry's other mom as well. Lily must've been a very special person.
"So?"
"So?"
"Anyone else?"
"Well, Pansy Parkinson and some of her friends are always giggling behind my back. And they call Draco a blood traitor."
Narcissa's eyebrows drew together in anger. How dare that insipid girl!
"It's really not that–"
"Yes it is! And I will not tolerate this kind of behavior. I'll have a word with her mother. Trust me. She won't be bothering you any more once I'm done with Eugenia Parkinson. Luckily, she's always been afraid of me."
"What did you do?"
Narcissa lightly chuckled. "Oh trust me, you don't want to know."
"Well, now I really do."
"I kissed her."
Hermione seemed confused. "You… what?"
"She discovered mine and Lily's relationship one night after following after us. She was going to tell," Narcissa explained, nipping on her tea. "She called us an 'abomination', called me a blood traitor for being with a Muggleborn. So I kissed her. – And I didn't let go until she actually started kissing me back. Then I pulled away, threatening to tell everyone how much she'd enjoyed kissing me if she ever told anyone about Lily and I. Of course, Lily was mad at me afterwards; she even slapped my cheek. But we already laughed about it a week later. And Eugenia never told anyone. In fact, she stayed out of my way for the rest of our time at Hogwarts."
"You're not going to kiss her again, are you?" Hermione asked with a laugh.
"Only as last resort. Believe me, I'd rather eat snails before I'd ever kiss her again."
AN: There will be several bigger time jumps in the following chapters but there will be some pieces about every school year.
Next up: You haven't forgotten about dear old Lucius, have you? And the Chamber of Secrets, of course...
Thanks to everyone who is reading this or even leaving a comment - I love to hear from you and I'll try to reply to your reviews whenever I can.
-np