Chapter 8: Bonding

It had been a good couple of days since Hermione's confession to Professor McGonagall. She was currently off to her newly discovered uncle's estat4e with her fiancé to spend the next two weeks with her family. As Severus walked beside her as a guide to the apperation point, Hermione could feel the heat rise up her neck as their bodies got closer. A sudden shiver came up and she shook like a dog fresh out of water.

It didn't go unnoticed, "Are you cold?"

She nodded in response and slowly, Severus wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer to him and almost instantly, she felt secure. She just couldn't help but smile to herself. The smile stayed on her face until they reached the apperition point.

"No doubt you can apperate?" she nodded, "Alright just hold on tight then." In that instant, she wrapped herself around him and in two pops the view of Hogwarts disappeared and it was replaced by the Malfoy Manor. They parted, but not for long. Severus grabbed her hand unexpectedly and led her up to the gate.

The second they entered the other side of the gate, the front door opened and revealed a very expectant family of Malfoys and Lestranges. Bellatrix was the first to part from the pack to greet her only child.

"Hermione, I am so glad that you could make it." Bella turned and greeted Severus as well. Soon after, the rest of the family fallowed suit. After everyone was acquainted, Hermione found herself being dragged into the manor while Severus hung back with the other males.

After a couple of hours of talking, Hermione discovered a whole new side of the Malfoys and her parents. Things like their fascination with muggles, it wasn't a fascination as large as Arthur Weasley's but it was a fascination all the same. She also learned that Lucius is quite impressed with her intellect and that Narcissa and her mother loved to cook, the muggle way.

The family discussed other matters and they all decided that it was appropriate to go out to dinner, however, Hermione had a dilemma, "I didn't bring anything super nice to go out in."

"That's alright dear; we will just have to go out." Narcissa said. Bella shook with excitement and grabbed Hermione by the arm and in an instant; the three were gone, leaving th4e men to their thoughts.

The Women returned two hours later with their arms decked out in bags from numerous shops.

"Did you all enjoy yourselves?" Lucius asked from the entranceway from the sitting room. After all the women had replied with a nod, he continued, "Good Dinner is at 7 o'clock, so you might want to go get ready."

"But that only leaves two hours." Bella exclaimed.

Then let's get started." This time it was Hermione's turn to pull on her mother. She pulled her aunt and mom up the stairs into her bedroom.

Ten till seven had finally rolled by and every male member of the party stood in the entrance hall at the bottom of the stairs waiting. There were two female members in the waiting party; Pansy Partiskin, Draco's Date for the night and Omyrah Stane, a sixth year, Blaise Zambini's date. Lucius and the others were getting restless and just as he was about to send Pellet, the head house elf to get them, the door upstairs had opened. Narcissa came floating down the stairs wearing a beautiful black dress robe set the main dress was green with a black trim and had a cowl neck to accent the overall look. At her heals was her sister Bella wearing a reversal of her sister's robes.

As everyone 'oohed' and 'ahhed' the older women, Hermione slowly stepped down each step and her heal hit a squeaky board and it caused everyone in the manor to look at her. As Bella had predicted while on their outing, Severus was dumbstruck, and how could he not be, she was drop dead gorgeous. She was dressed in a lovely baby blue off the shoulder dress that captured every curve without making her look like a tramp. It was full length with a flowing skirt with a hem that was decorated with silver lions. Her dress was complimented by silver and clear heels and a necklace and earring set that was the same blue as the dress. Finally, she was wearing the Black family ring on her right ring finger. Just as Madam Black had passed it on to Bella, Bella had passed it on to her daughter.

Severus was in a trance as he approached the bottom of the staircase to meet his fiancé, in his opinion, she looked like a goddess. Her eyes never left his and a smile never left her face. When she reached ht4e last stair, Severus offered his hand and she took it. He gently clasped her hand and gently brought it up to his face. He gently brushed her delicate skin with his lips. To her dismay, she blushed thankfully not too much so nobody noticed.

Of course, while her blush went unnoticed, the overall scene didn't, especially by Blaise. He leaned over to Draco and whispered, "Wow, she's hot. Who knew that she could clean up so well, for a mudblood that is."

"Shut up Blaise, she's not a muggle born, she's my cousin."

"What?!"

"Bella's daughter, ring any bells?"

"Nope."

"Don't you ever pay attention at meetings?"

"No."

"What do you do in his presence?"

"Think."

"About what?"

"The evening's events to follow."

Draco looked at his best mate in disgust and said, " Blaise, I don't need those kinds of images in my head."

"Sorry man, I can't resist," Blaise said with a smile. Draco made a gagging motion and Blaise returned his eyes to Hermione. He was determined to make Hermione his.

TBC

A/N: So ya, there's chapter 8. What is Blaise up to? Up next, Hermione receives some news.