Chapter 23: Christmas Break Part 2

Draco was right while they were at Grimwald Place, Hermione had declared war; after their return, Blaise had already started his planning. A few mornings, Hermione awoke to snakes, worms, spiders, and other skin crawling animals in her bed; she would scream and Narcissa and Lucius would come running with their wands drawn only to find the multi-legged perpetrators rather than a dangerous intruder. The boys would be behind the adults laughing and Hermione would glare in return. In her own retaliation, Hermione had charmed some of Blaise's books and other manly items to bite him, in the most resent prank, Hermione had fed Blaise some of Fred and George's experimental candies causing her and Draco to burst out laughing at the table. Narcissa and Lucius just stared, yes it was funny but it was constant and getting to be like having Blaise and Draco as young boys again.

"Hermione I am going wo gew wou for whis," Blaise said with a swollen tongue that morning.

"Maybe you shouldn't have put those snakes in my bed Blaise."

"OO had dat comin',"

"For you setting of that painting?"

"Yeth."

"Children enough." Narcissa said rubbing her temples, but her words fell on deaf ears.

"Maybe you shouldn't be such a prat."

"Maybe you should have said yes." His tongue finally returning to normal

"Is that what this is about?"

"That is for me to know and for you to find out!"

"Blaise, you are such a child, you know why I said no."

"Oh really, care to refresh my memory?"

"REFRESH YOUR OWN BLOODY MEMORY!"

"Hermione!" Narcissa exclaimed, shocked at her daughter's language.

"I DISTINCTLY REMEMBER YOU SAYING IT TO BE AWKWARD!"

"BECAUSE IT WOULD BE AND YOU KNOW IT! DON'T YOU DARE SIT THERE AND PRETEND THAT EVERYTHING IS FINE AND DANDY."

"WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM WITH ME?"

"MY FEELINGS DO NOT GO BEYOND FRIENDSHIP AND YOU KNOW THAT, YOU SAID YOU UNDERSTOOD! GOD YOU ARE SO FULL OF YOURSELF, THAT GIRLS SHOULD FALL AT YOUR FEET MADLY IN LOVE WITH YOU, AND I HATE YOU!" Hermione finally lost it and stormed out of the house slamming the door behind her.

"Blaise, mate what was that about?"

"Nothing," and he walked upstairs to his room slamming his door as well.

Lucius sighed, "Draco you go talk to Blaise, Cissy, you and I will take Hermione." Everyone nodded and went to go find their person.

Lucius and Narcissa found Hermione sitting on one of the benches under one of their trees, Lucius had charmed the house's backyard to be like summer all the time, it gave Narcissa an exit sometimes when they got in heated arguments, ironic that Hermione would choose the same place.

"Hermione?" Narcissa said.

"Go away; I don't want to talk about it."

"Baby please don't lock us out, we just want to know what happened." Narcissa took a seat next to her daughter while Lucius knelt in front of her.

"Go away."

"Mia Bear, look at me," she didn't, "Please?" that did it, she looked at her father with tears in her eyes. "My Mia Bear, what happened?"

Hermione mumbled something under her breath that neither caught, "What baby?" Narcissa asked.

"BLAISE ASKED ME OUT!" Hermione looked away from her parents and forcefully wiped away the tears.

"And you said no?" Lucius asked. Hermione nodded, "Why Mia Bear?"

"Because I don't like him like that and it would be awkward because he is my god-brother and there for it would be like dating a brother, it would be like dating Harry. I don't want that, I want someone that's not a brother, apparently he doesn't understand that." Tears were flowing down her cheeks now and she didn't bother to wipe them. "I'm sorry Daddy, I didn't want to put a strain on the family, but I didn't want to be with him like that. He's great to talk to but, I don't view him as anything more than a friend."

"Come here Mia." Lucius pulled her into a hug and waited for her sobs to subside. Narcissa looked at her daughter, her heart aching for her. She rubbed circles on her back as they sat there. Suddenly a twig snapped near them and they all looked at the direction, Narcissa had her hand on her wand incase it was needed, it wasn't, it was just Draco.

"Hey Mia, Blaise wants to talk to all of us in the living room when you are ready."

"I'm ready."

"Are you sure, he didn't want to rush you."

"It's either now or never," she stood and walked into the house with her family in tow. When they entered the sitting room, they saw Blaise sitting on the couch basically twittling his thumbs waiting for them. "So?" Hermione asked sitting in one of the arm chairs across from him.

"I'm sorry."

"That's it?"

"No I don't think it was appropriate, I mean the way I handled things with you telling me no the right way. It was extremely childish of me and I am really sorry. Now that I think about it, I do like talking to a girl that isn't infatuated with Draco, you know? I suppose I let my contentment around you… and my ego cloud my judgment. Now I know that you are right, it would be odd, I would much rather have you as a sister and a friend that could kick my butt then a girlfriend that has the potential to kick my butt."

"I'm sorry too; I should have noticed that you weren't ok."

"You had a lot on your mind, I can hardly blame you." He looked down for a moment before sitting up and offering his hand, "Friends?"

Hermione looked at it for a moment, "Friends." She smiled. "And no more jokes."

"Deal."

After Hermione and Blaise's deal, they were both true to their words, there were no more jokes, no more screaming, no more laughs filling the house, Narcissa almost wanted to go crazy from the silence; almost. Christmas was only three days away and the ball was two, Narcissa knew that Minerva would be there and that was the comfort she needed. A firm figure in her children's lives that could help her keep them in check. She and Hermione had gone that morning and picked out their gowns and accessories, Narcissa only hoped that Hermione would be ok with going and hanging out in the adult pureblood society. The Children were currently in the library studying and Lucius was at the Ministry working. Narcissa felt very alone at the moment but knew that her kids were doing their homework. Spuratic owls had been coming dropping off gifts of the family that couldn't be there for Christmas so when a knock came to the door, she jumped; that's not what she had expected. When she answered the door, Minerva and Albus greeted her.

"Hello dear, care for company?" Albus said.

"Hey," Narcissa leaned against the door and smiled, "Come on in, the children are upstairs hopefully doing their homework or reading."

"That rough huh?" that evil twinkle appeared in his eyes.

"Well let me just tell you, please come sit and I will fill you both in. Chyna?" there was a pop, "Hi, can you please bring us some tea and the lemon drops please?"

"Yes Mistress."

"Ah Narcissa you remembered."

"It's hard to forget with you always offering one to us every time we are in your office." Narcissa smiled at the two professors as the tea appeared in front of them along with a bag of lemon drops. She poured each of them a cup before telling the story. "Were either of you aware of the fact that Blaise had asked Hermione to be his girlfriend." They both shook their heads, "Well he did and I suppose that he let his frustration get the better of him. You both, well Minerva, you'll remember when Hermione tricked Blaise into setting off my mother's portrait," Minerva nodded, "yes well they had turned it into a full blown war in our house." Narcissa explained every prank that had happened and how it was now odd to have a quiet house.

"Well I see where your relief comes from." Minerva said when Narcissa was done.

"Yes I always knew that those two would be interesting should anything break out." Albus said popping another candy into his mouth.

"You are disgusting Albus."

"And yet you still love me."

"Yes I do," he leaned in to kiss her, "Um… no, you will not kiss me after you have had one of those dreadful things in your mouth."

"Your loss."

"Depends on what I am losing." Minerva smirked.

Albus stayed for a moment longer but made some excuse about a ministry meeting and left the two women alone. Narcissa stared into the fire and quietly sipped her tea.

"Are you alright dear?"

"What?"

"Are you ok?"

"Yeah, I mean I am actually going to get a Christmas with my daughter, why wouldn't I be?"

"You know why I am asking."

"Ok so around the holidays I have a tendency to get a bit down, but not this year."

"Really?"

Narcissa paused just a bit too long, "Yeah," She answered.

"You are lying."

Narcissa fought the urge to cry, she thought, 'I don't know where to go from here, Christmas always has a tendency to remind me that I am actually an orphan, both my parents are dead, my family is so torn apart and none of it seems to matter anymore, the hate just grows. I miss my mother, she was a Bitch to say the least but I knew she loved all of us kids. She just wanted what was best for us and I agree that it was a funny way to show it but I can feel in my heart what she wanted. I miss my sisters, I miss my cousins, and I missed all of Tonks childhood because of my selfishness and pride. All I wanted was to have a normal family Christmas and now I can finally have one now that Hermione is home.' Little did she know that she had actually spoken the words aloud.

"I think that it is only natural for you to miss your family Cissy, its part of our nature, it's what we all want, and it's what we all need." Narcissa looked at her mentor in shock, "What you are feeling is only natural now that your daughter is back here."

"You really think so?"

"Yes, come here." Narcissa felt like a child again as she sat in Minerva's lap and let her comfort her like a mother should. Neither noticed that the three children had been there for the whole conversation, sitting on the steps.

The day of the ball had finally arrived; Narcissa and Hermione had spent the whole day together. They read in the study, went and did some garden walking and then three hours before they were due to leave, they went upstairs to get ready. They had each taken a soak allowing their bodies to soak up their desired scent; Narcissa had chosen lavender while Hermione had chosen Twilight Woods. When that task was done, Narcissa set to doing her daughter's hair; it was still as uncontrollable as ever but Narcissa had an idea. Narcissa grabbed her brush and pulled her hair back into a high ponytail with curls cascading down her back, leaving a few pieces out to frame her face. When she was done, she told Hermione to go get her dress on while she did her own hair. Hermione returned to her mother as she was just putting the finishing touches on her hair, she had pulled her long hair to the side and put it at the base of her skull where she proceeded to curl it extensively with her wand. Then she too went and put on her dress. She helped her daughter put on her shoes and jewelry and then proceeded to follow in the same fashion. Hermione helped her mother clasp her necklace and then they grabbed their handbags before heading down to the entrance way where the boys were waiting.

The boys were in their elegant black dress robes with black bowties and white shirts. They had been joined by the Older Weasley couple, Molly was wearing an elegant rose gown that had the mermaid skirt but it still looked good on her. Also in the group was Pansy in her black gown that didn't quite reach the floor showing off her black satin and gemstone shoes, she was Draco's partner for the night; and Chyanne who was a Slytherine was wearing a strapless salmon colored gown that was a short dress ending just below her knees, the salmon ended just above her knees and the rest was a white, she was Blaise's date for the evening. Also in the group was Ginny in Hermione's Yule Ball gown from Last year, her date Harry, Fred, his date Angelina who was in a beautiful thick strapped V-neck light yellow gown that fell to just below her ankles, and George, Hermione had agreed to be his date. Charlie and Bill were going to meet them there with their dates. The two women came down the stairs holding on to the railing; Hermione had inherited her mother's elegance while moving in a ball gown; at least that is what the Malfoy men had noticed.

"Wow Mione you look good!" Fred said, "Where was this look during the Yule Ball?" George asked.

"You guys stop it she looked fabulous at that dance too."

"Thank you Ginny."

"We weren't saying that you weren't pretty, you were but wow; now we see why Ron was all jealous of Victor Krum."

"Shut up guys, we are not to mention that prat tonight," Ginny glared at her brothers, her glare was replaced by a smile as she said, "Tonight's about fun, let's have some."

"Here-Here," all of the students said before breaking out in a fit of giggles. George walked up to Hermione, "May I Miss Malfoy?"

"You may Mr. Weasley," Hermione blushed and giggled at the same time.

The group walked out to the apparition point. Arthur shouted instructions to the children on how to get there. "George, can you apparate two people."

"I don't know we'll just have to find out, hold on."

"Oh dear, if I get splinched… I am going to get splinched."

"Ye have little faith Miss Malfoy."

"With good reason," she smirked at her friend. With a pop they were gone and as soon as they left ground, she felt it below her feet again, she kept her eyes tightly shut willing her stomach to stop turning.

"Are you ok?"

She opened her eyes and noticed that not only had her world stopped spinning but she was in one piece, "Yeah, nicely done."

"Thank you," George puffed out his chest which she smacked playfully. They heard a series of pops behind them and noticed that the rest of their party had joined them, Angelina with Fred, Ginny and Harry with Molly and Arthur, Blaise and Draco with Lucius and Pansy and Chyanne were with her mother. When everyone was ready they continued in a parade with her mother and father leading the group, they were followed by Molly and Arthur, then Ginny and Harry, then Hermione and George, then Fred and Angelina, then Draco and Pansy, and in the rear was Blaise and Chyanne. They entered the ministry ball room and were introduced in the same order, but with their full names, and Hermione's was changed to Malfoy. She faintly took note of all the stares that were aimed her way, but there was one that she didn't notice…

She looked beautiful, so much like her mother, but without the bleach blonde hair. He had never thought of Narcissa in that way though, she had been out of his league since he could remember, also, she was just a good confidant, a wonderful friend. Hermione was dressed in a full length ball gown that was the color of seaweed. It was a thick strapped dress that hugged her body down to her waist where the Cinderella skirt began. There was a black feather and leaf pattern that was small at the top of the skirt and then disappeared slightly in the middle and then appeared again at the hem of the skirt in a larger pattern, it was beautiful on her. He dare not stare at her too long. He took a look at her mother, Narcissa; she was dressed in a fabulous dark blue dress that hugged her feminine curves in the bodice from the thick one shoulder strap down to her waist where her skirt elegantly flowed out, the gloves and jewelry were the perfect touch.

Blaise had watched Hermione and George with a pinch of jealousy; she put her hand on his arm as she laughed at things he said. They had sat together at the dinner table chatting with the other ministry workers and their families. As soon as the feast was over, the tables were cleared and the ball room floor opened she and George joined the rest of the guests and the Minister and his wife opened up the dance, reminding Hermione of how the Yule Ball dance started. Soon other couples joined them on the floor and Hermione and George were among them. George led her in a graceful waltz around the floor, picking her up every once in a while causing her to giggle. At the end of the dance, George led her from the floor over to their party where they noticed that their Headmaster and his Deputy had joined them in conversation, when they arrived Fred smiled at his twin.

"My Mr. Weasley, you are quite a dancer, I noticed your date giggling on the floor with excitement, where on earth did you get your style?" Fred said holding his hand like he was holding a tape recorder up to his brother.

"Well Mr. Weasley, while my father has helped me clean up my steps since last year, I must give all the credit to one Professor Minerva McGonagall, she drilled me so that I would not shame the house of Gryffindor." George said over emotionally holding a hand to his heart for most of it and then whipping a fake tear from his cheek. "Thank you so much Professor, may I hug her?" Minerva smiled at the boy and walked over to him and hugged him shortly before taking her place between Albus and Narcissa. "I could never shame Gryffindor because of that marvelous woman." Again said over emotional.

"Too late," Hermione, Ginny and Harry said at the same time. This caused the whole group to break out in laughs, even Fred and George after they realized that they had just been schooled. The laughing died quickly when Ginny made note that Umbridge was heading their way.

"Quick everyone put your wands away and straighten you cloths so they fit protocol, here comes the toad." She said bitterly.

"Hey George, Fred would you too care to show Ginny and I those moves again?"

"Sure," they said, Fred grabbed his sister's hand and they entered the dance floor once again spinning and smiling.

"Ginerva," Molly quietly warned. No sooner had the words come out of Molly's mouth had Umbridge joined their group.

"Ah hello headmaster, Mr. Malfoy. Mr. Weasley, how are you all this evening?"

"Doing well,"

"Fine Dolores."

"Good."

"Good to hear it. Now Mr. Malfoy, what is that that I hear you have a daughter?" She asked as she looked around for her intended topic of conversation. Minerva and Narcissa glared at the woman with strong distaste, "Is she here?"

"Yes, she is on the dance floor with her friends."

"Oh good, I hope that she will be brought up in proper society like your son."

"Of course." Narcissa said.

"Good, will I get to meet her?" just as soon as she came out with the words, Hermione came bustling up to her father.

"Are you alright Hermione?" Minerva asked, she noticed Hermione's flushed cheeks.

"Yes Ma'am, those twins, they are just such a hoot… Oh excuse me Professor Umbridge, I didn't see you there." She smiled and curtsied to the woman that she despised.

"Miss Granger." Dolores said. "So where is this fabulous daughter of yours Lucius?"

Lucius put a protective arm around Hermione's ribs, "This is her Dolores, Hermione Jean Granger-Malfoy." Hermione smiled at her father, she loved how he recognized her upbringing when introducing her to the toad, and she curtsied again.

"Oh my apologies Miss Malfoy."

"Think nothing of it Professor, it is not how you have known me for the past semester, I can hardly expect you to change that in one night." George came running up to the group and almost ran Hermione over. "George where's the fire?" she asked laughing.

"No fire, just umm… well…"

"Spit it out George."

"It's Gin."

"What about her?"

"She found Ron."

"Here?"

"Yeah, talking to Percy, she is livid."

"Uh-oh."

"Uh-oh doesn't cover it."

"I'll go talk to her." Molly said.

"Oh don't be silly Mrs. Weasley, it is a night for you and Mr. Weasley to enjoy yourselves, Harry and I will take care of it." Hermione smiled grabbing Harry's arm and pulling him away from the group with George in tow.

"Such a sweet girl, she has taken Ginerva under her wing as if they were blood." Molly smiled at the retreating trio. "So Madam Umbridge, are you enjoying your holiday?"

"Very much so thank you. I bet it's nice to have a full house again."

"Oh yes." Molly smiled.

"You know Lucius, when your son told me that Miss G… Malfoy was coming home with him for Christmas because she was of family relation, I thought he was joking. You know, I thought that she was his girlfriend and he was surprising you with her presence."

"Oh no Draco doesn't joke around with family matters, he is just like his mother, family first, self second." Lucius looked at his son with pride. "Much like Hermione herself…."

"YOU ARE SUCH A PRICK RONALD!" came a shrilled female voice, causing the group to turn their attention away from the short lady in pink.

"Ginny you are making a scene," Percy said.

"SHUT UP YOU, YOU LEFT US BEHIND BECAUSE YOU WERE TOO GOOD FOR US. YOU DON'T GET TO PUT IN YOUR TWO CENTS!"

"Gin don't," Hermione said grabbing the young girls shoulder, "They aren't worth it, just let it go."

"I'm hurt Hermione, we were once friends."

"Key word once." She said calmly.

"You turned my family and my best mate against me."

"NO you did that to yourself," Hermione said keeping calm.

"You always were more trouble then you were worth." Stepping closer to her. "I didn't want to save you from that troll, I didn't want to find the chamber to kill the beast that paralyzed you, and last year, I didn't want to go to that ball with you. You were such a Bi…"

"SHUT UP RONALD!" she shouted a bit louder then intended taking a step back.

"What are you going to do about it? Your brother isn't here to defend you."

Hermione was quiet for a moment just staring at him, "Come on guys he's not worth making fools of ourselves." Hermione said as she turned Ginny away from her two older brothers.

"Well well, look at the Malfoy Mudblood taking my sister in like she was her own." Ron shouted causing the rest of the hall to look in their direction. Hermione turned and decked him right in the nose. He fell backward into the wall behind him. George grabbed Hermione before she could go after him some more, he didn't want to but he didn't want her to get into trouble; he wanted her to save it for school. George and Fred took either side of Hermione leading her to the group while Harry led Ginny away while Ron nursed his newly broken nose.

"Nice to see you haven't lost your touch," Draco remarked as they rejoined the group.

"SHUT UP or I will punch you again only this time I will break your nose." Hermione pointed her finger at her brother.

"Sorry, I was just saying that it was a good hit." Hermione thought about this and lowered her arm.

"Sorry, my emotions are a bit haywire right now."

"And with good reason," came a familiar voice behind her. She turned and saw it was Severus. "I would have jinxed him but you beat me to the punch… No pun intended."

Hermione smiled, "Sorry I took that from you."

"Are you ok?"

"Angry but fine."

"Understandable."

"Professor Snape, how are you this evening"

"Good Professor Umbridge, I trust you are enjoying yourself."

"Oh yes thank you."

A familiar song started to play and Severus said, "I hate to take you away after what happened but would you care to dance Hermione?"

"Of course Severus." Hermione took his offered hand allowing him to lead her onto the floor. The group watched them dance for a few moments before Umbridge ruined it.

"You know, those two look awfully content being that close to each other."

"What are you implying?" Narcissa asked a bit angrily.

"Nothing, dear."

"Are you insinuating that we would allow our daughter to have a secret affair with her professor and Godfather?" Narcissa's voice had escalated and became high pitched. Minerva put a comforting hand around her 'daughter.'

"Cissy I don't believe that was what she was implying at all, she was just making note of their familiarity with one another."

"She is right Cis, I would know if they were having an affair seeing as I am the headmaster. I can tell you with upmost certainty that Hermione has never been alone with Severus this year. She is always with her brother and Harry in the Library." Dumbledore pointed his statements at Umbridge.

"Of course, we all know that you take good care of your students Albus," She glanced at Minerva.

"Yes I do, now if you will excuse us I believe that the father daughter dance is next and I would like to take Cis out now. Have a good evening Dolores."

"You too Headmaster,"

Albus grabbed Narcissa and led her to the Floor as Lucius went to grab Hermione and Arthur grabbed Ginny. Pansy, Chyanne and Angelina went and grabbed their father's for the dance. Draco watched his mother and sister spin around the floor with Minerva at his side. "They look so happy."

"I believe that they are Draco."

"You really think so."

"I know so." She smiled at her godson.

Albus and Narcissa swept the floor but Narcissa's heart wasn't in the dance like it usually was. "What's wrong Cis?"

"I just can't believe that that TOAD implied that I would allow my daughter to have an affair with Severus at such a young age. She is a child with still so much to learn."

"Don't worry dear, she will learn all she needs from you in due time, she has grown quite an attachment to you and her new found family. She would never do anything to jeopardize what she has built up or disappoint you." Narcissa nodded. "So relax and enjoy yourself, Dolores is just trying to get at me thinking that I am after the position of the Minister of Magic."

"That's silly."

"So I have been told." He smiled at her, "We know the truth and that is what truly matters, let them try and get under our skin."

She relaxed and allowed Albus to sweep her around the floor like he had done numerous times in years past. They glanced at Hermione and Lucius occasionally and noticed how happy she was dancing with her father.

Hermione had loved to dance and dancing with her father was just amazing.

"So we need to talk," he said as they neared the end of the dance.

"About?"

"You and Severus."

"What about it?"

"You need to stay away from him while in school."

"Why, what about my extra studies?"

"Those are not until this summer. Dolores is trying to find a hole in Albus' wall and get him fired and possibly anyone who stands beside him in the return of…"

"Oh yeah I can do that, I want him around as much as Minerva I'm sure. But what does that have to do with Severus?"

"Dolores made the mistake of implying that you two might be having a student/teacher affair around your mother."

Hermione Laughed, "That's silly, Albus would have Severus' head if that was going on. Besides, I am perfectly content with books and school; I don't have time to focus on a relationship right now." She and Lucius laughed together as they continued to dance.

A/N: Dear Readers, thank you so much for all of your wonderful reviews, please keep them coming! As always I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Pup