Chapter Seven

Hermione groaned when she heard a knock at her door at eight in the morning. She had just got out of her shower and was about to sit down and have a cup of tea. She retied her robe and answered the door.

Narcissa stood there with a bright grin on her face. "Good Morning Hermione!" The smile faltered a little. "Oh I'm sorry, is it too early? We didn't specify a time, so I just kind of came by."

Hermione smiled and ran her hand through her curls, "Oh it's fine. Just a slow start this morning. Would you like a cup of tea?"

Narcissa nodded her consent and nodded slightly as she took in the apartment's décor, "No offense dear, but it looks like a prison in here. All beiges, no personality. If I had to guess, I would have thought this was simply a show flat, where they put a little furniture in to show potential renters what the place could look like."

Hermione took a sip of tea and chuckled when she swallowed it, "I agree Narcissa. The flat wasn't a priority though, my office is fully decorated, though. I always planned on doing this once my study was done. I guess I don't have much reason to put it off any longer." She swallowed the rest of her tea and motioned towards the hall, "I'll go get dressed, then we can go."

Hermione pulled on a pair of wide leg denim trousers, and a white camisole, and plum colored cardigan. She quickly slipped on a pair of black flats and decided against dress robes. She would just have to pull them on and off anyways. She pulled her hair back into a ponytail, and thanked Merlin that she had put her makeup on already. She put on a thin silver chain with a cat charm, it was a gift to her after Crookshanks passed away. She wore the charm daily, either as a necklace or as a bracelet.

Hermione walked into a now a light green room. Narcissa smiled sheepishly, "Sorry dear, there is a way to do white, but this room just wasn't doing it."

Hermione laughed, "I love the color, in fact, I'll probably keep it this color. You'll have to teach me the charm to do the walls, I was planning on doing it the Muggle way and paint it by hand."

Narcissa laced her arm though Hermione's and apparated her to Madam Malkin's. Since the incident between Draco, Narcissa, and the Trio in their sixth year, Narcissa had repeatedly apologized to Madam Malkin. The woman was cold at first, and understandably so, but now the two women had a warm relationship.

She bustled right up to them and embraced Narcissa, "Oh Mrs. Malfoy, how great to see you. Congratulations on your son's achievement and post."

Narcissa smiled, "Thank you so much Madam Malkin. That is actually why we are here. If you are not too busy, Hermione and I need new robes for the gala being held in Draco's honor tomorrow night. I know it's short notice, and that you probably are already swamped-"

The petite seamstress interrupted her, "Nonsense, I have more than enough time for my best customer. And Hermione, what a lovely woman you have grown into. I remember making your robes when you were in school."

"Thank you Madam Malkin, lucky for me, my hair has tamed a bit over the years." She patted her ponytail and smiled.

Narcissa's eye had been caught by something, "That lovely dress over there? Has it been purchased yet?"

Madam Malkin followed Narcissa's gaze. "That? No, not yet. It's an original by me."

Narcissa studied Hermione's frame, "I think it would look ravishing on Hermione."

Hermione looked at it and gulped slightly.

Meanwhile at the Malfoy Manor

Draco had already been owled by the Minister, insisting that he take the rest of the week off as a mini-vacation before his new post began. His father was already sitting at the table drinking a cup of tea and reading the newspaper. He didn't look up as Draco sat down.

"May I ask what it is about Hermione that angers you?"

Draco dropped the piece of toast he had picked up and sighed. He should have known he wasn't going to off free for his behavior last night. "Nothing Father."

Lucius set the down the paper and folded his hands on the table in front of him. He leaned forward slightly and said bluntly, "Bullshit. Your mother didn't see it but I did. Hermione moved her chair away from you, you gave each other dirty looks, and you invited her to be your date out of spite and not want. What is going on between you two?"

Draco shrugged, "We've never exactly gotten along Father."

Lucius' eyes narrowed, "That was when the word Mudblood was every other word coming out of your mouth. You have grown up, there should not still be this animosity between you two."

Draco blurted it out, "She was the one that got me the delegate job. Not because I deserve it, or worked for it, but because I suit her needs, and I'm a means to an end."

Lucius snorted, "That is not the case at all. She came to me about it first, the Minister had asked her opinion of his candidates. She told me she respected you, and the changes you have made, and that out of all of the people the Minister was considering, you were the only true candidate. I told her to go with her gut instinct"

Draco looked surprised. "The Minister was already considering me?"

Lucius smirked, "Not really. You were on his list, but he had more or less dismissed you because of your age. Hermione championed for your case. She didn't do this because it what was good for her, she did it because she truly thinks you are what is best for our country."

Draco remained speechless and suddenly Lucius started laughing really hard. Draco snapped, "What is so funny Father?"

"I know what is the problem! You are still jealous of her and her achievements. You thought that you finally achieved something over her, and it turned out she had helped you achieve it. You are angry because you think she is still beating you at everything!"

Draco slammed his tea down as he stormed out of the room, his father's laughter echoing after him.

At Madam Malkin's

Hermione studied herself critically in the mirror. "I don't know Narcissa. It's not really me."

Narcissa clucked her tongue as she held up a pretty navy blue dress up to herself and looked in the mirror. "Nonsense, Hermione. That dress is you, if you would just let go every once and a while. Life isn't always about studying you know?"

Hermione laughed, "Now you sound like Ron." Her smile suddenly disappeared.

Narcissa quickly set down the dress and turned towards Hermione, "I'm sorry Hermione, I didn't mean to bring up bad memories."

Hermione shrugged, "It's okay. I'm rather glad about the entire thing. I mean what if he had done that after we had gotten married, or after we had children? I'm glad he did it when he did instead of later. Maybe I'm meant to marry my books."

Narcissa swatted Hermione's arm, "Pardon the language, but bullshit! You deserve a doting husband, and a houseful of children. You have done so much for this community, that you need to do something for yourself."

Hermione turned slightly in the mirror and nodded to herself. "You're right Narcissa, and I'm going to start by buying this dress."

Narcissa beamed at Hermione, "That's my girl."