Over 2,5 years ago
"Dear Ms. Black,
Please meet me at the Three Broomsticks the evening after Christmas Eve. I would very much like to speak with you.
Hermione Granger."
Narcissa was staring at the piece of paper as if it would bite or grow a head. It had arrived an hour ago and she still didn't know what to make of it. Why would the Granger girl want to meet her? She'd thought it might be about the night of the World Cup but that was half a year ago already. Then – what else could she want to talk about?
Sighing, Narcissa took a piece of parchment and quickly wrote down her reply.
"I shall be there. Await me at 19:30. NB"
She regretted agreeing to the meeting as soon as she watched Bartholomew take off into the night sky. What had she gotten herself into?
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Hermione was nervously tapping the floor with her right foot as she waited for the older witch to arrive. She'd ordered a Butterbeer and was taking small sips of the beverage, watching the people around her. There was a young couple in the corner of the room, making out without any shyness, bringing a blush to Hermione's cheeks. She quickly moved her gaze, settling onto a group of wizards instead. One of them noticed her and soon strolled over to her table, a cocky smirk on his face.
"Why would a pretty witch like you be all alone?" he drawled out, raking his dark eyes over her body in a way that made Hermione uncomfortable.
Uninvited, he sat down on the second chair, leaning over the table, his face only inches from her own.
"I can show you a great time," he suggested, grinning.
"No, I... I'm just waiting for someone," Hermione replied, avoiding his piercing eyes.
"Come on, let me show you what I can do for you," he reached out a hand to touch Hermione's arm but was startled when it froze over mid-air, unable to move.
"You shouldn't be bothering my girlfriend," a dangerous voice gritted out close to his ear, making him shiver.
A moment later a elegantly dressed blonde moved into view, observing him with utter disgust. She looked at his frozen hand, smiled devilishly and murmured a quiet "Engorgio", watching with satisfaction as his joints grew and strained against the ice until it cracked and burst. He cried out in pain as three of his fingers broke and he was finally able to get away from the menacing witch.
Smoothing down her robes, Narcissa took the now vacated chair, her eyes taking in the girl opposite of her.
"Ms. Granger," she said in polite greeting.
The girl was merely staring at her with wide open eyes. Eventually though, maybe at seeing the blonde impatiently raising her eyebrows and checking her watch, she spoke.
"I- thank you. That was impressive. I've never witnessed someone do wandless magic before."
"It would appear so," Narcissa snickered at the dumbfounded look that was still on the student's face. "Now, why did you want to see me?"
"I uh," Hermione blushed under the Pureblood's intense stare. "I never got to thank you, you know, for what you did at the World Cup. You saved my life and simply disappeared on me– I…"
"Should I have waited for the bouquet of flowers and the chocolates?" Narcissa's voice was dripping with sarcasm. "I could hardly wait another moment. My presence would've raised too many questions."
"I understand," Hermione nodded, slowly finding back to her usual, brave and outspoken self. "Still, you deserve my gratitude. I got you a present. I know it's not much and you could probably buy the whole store I got it from, but I thought you might like it." She placed a small wrapped box on the table and pushed it to the blonde. "Merry Christmas."
"What is it?" Narcissa wrinkled her nose and suspiciously looked at the small parcel, eventually picking it up with long fingers.
"Well, it's a surprise, that's kind of the point of gifts, right? You'll have to open it."
Carefully, Narcissa unwrapped the present, finding a small blue velvet box inside. Shooting a look at Hermione, she finally opened it. On a small white pillow rested a silver necklace with a beautiful pendant depicting a flying crow.
"I read it's the Black family's heraldic animal," Hermione went to explain her choice. "Also crows are said to be full of contradictions. They are a symbol for death as well as for life and birth. They are rumored to-"
"Ms. Granger," Narcissa broke off the girl's nervous rambling. "You can stop the rambling – I like your gift. I really do." She held out the necklace and moved her hair to the side, looking at Hermione with a silent challenge in her gleaming blue eyes.
Hermione gulped but took the necklace from the woman's fingers nonetheless, slowly getting off her chair and moving behind the Pureblood. Not even allowing herself to breathe, Hermione moved her hands around the woman's neck, lifted her hair and clasped the two ends of the necklace together. It took her a few seconds but she managed. Carefully, she let the strands of silvery blonde hair back down to the woman's shoulders, admiring their softness as they slipped through her fingers.
She was almost disappointed when she sat back down, losing all physical contact with the woman. But when she noticed her gift disappearing in the witch's cleavage, a warm feeling spread throughout her body, making her skin tingle with delight.
"I read in today's Prophet that you went to the Yule Ball with Viktor Krum," Narcissa Malfoy curiously looked at the young girl. "You looked really lovely by the way."
Hermione blushed at the compliment and the mentioning of Viktor. "I uh… thank you..."
"Why so shy?" Narcissa softly chuckled at the girl's unwarranted embarrassment. "You make a dashing couple. Do you like him?"
Another, deeper blush. "I uh, Viktor and I are just friends. I think."
"You think?"
"I… He kissed me," Hermione looked at her hands which were folded in front of her. "It was my first kiss," she admitted, not looking up.
"So? That sounds like more than just friends."
Now Hermione looked up, meeting the witch's impenetrable gaze. "I didn't like it."
"Oh." Narcissa raised a brow at the young girl. "One would've thought he was more… skilled. But glory doesn't necessarily make one a good kisser."
"No, it uh… doesn't," Hermione was having a hard time keeping her eyes from darting to the blonde's lips. All this talk of kissing made her nervous. "I have to go soon," she then sputtered out apologetically. "My parents are awaiting me at the Burrow."
"At the Burrow… Well, where pray tell do they think you are?"
"I told everyone I wasn't feeling well and that I was going for a walk," Hermione smiled sheepishly, a trace of guilt in her warm brown eyes. "Instead, I apparated to the alley just around the corner."
"You do know doing magic outside of Hogwarts is forbidden for students your age? And where did you learn to apparate?"
"Apparating isn't under observation because no underage student should be able to do so anyway," Hermione grinned proudly. "And I taught myself."
"Impressive, Ms. Granger," Narcissa stood up, expectantly looking at Hermione to follow suit. "I'll accompany you to your apparition spot," she stated, motioning to the exit of the Three Broomsticks. "It is dangerous in the darkness for a lone girl."
Hermione smiled gratefully, wrapping her cloak tightly around her shoulders as she followed the Pureblood outside. Together, they walked to the end of a secluded alleyway.
"Why?" the brunette suddenly asked into the quiet of the night. "Why did you safe me?"
"Why wouldn't I?" Narcissa answered with a question of her own.
Then she took a surprised Hermione's face in between her soft hands and kissed her with passion. The girl was awkward but slowly caught up; definitely a promising kisser if she got some practice. She kissed the young girl until the need to breathe became all-consuming. Smirking, she let go of her and took in her heated cheeks as well as her glazed over eyes.
"I thought someone should show you what a real kiss can be like. – You should probably apparate back to the Burrow now."
...
As soon as she walked up to the Weasley house, Hermione was swarmed by her parents as well as Arthur and Molly Weasley.
"Hermione! There you are, we were really worried about you!"
"We thought you've been taken!"
"Oh dear, you don't look too well, your cheeks are flushed and your eyes glassy!"
"And she's running a fever as well!"
"Let's get her back in side and into her bed."
Hermione didn't even hear them. Her mind was circling around only one thing and that was Narcissa Malfoy and the way her lips had felt against her own.
End of flashback
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September
"My dear Hermione,
We arrived safely at Black Manor and your parents are all over the place, curiously exploring every inch of the house. They do, however, avoid the entrance hall because of my parents' portraits and the way they ever so graciously 'greeted' them…
I did give them a piece of my mind though and threatened to ban them to the back of my wardrobe – I think it worked. I haven't heard anything at all for the rest of the day. It was great fun to tell them all about my child and the woman I love. You should've seen their faces. I've never seen my mother look so inelegant. Of course I told her that as well.
The Manor is, despite the long years of neglect, in surprisingly good shape and I already chose a room for the nursery. I'll start repainting some of the rooms as soon as I can but I'll wait with our daughter's room until you can be here to help.
IKYSAYKM
I love you.
Narcissa."
...
"Narcissa,
Hogwarts already feels empty without you and I wonder what I'll do with my time now that I don't have a reason to visit the hospital wing any longer.
The boys will be happy though. Without my help, their homework is seriously suffering and I suspect it will be a long week for me, trying to get them back on point.
I would've loved to see your parents' faces but I'd prefer to see yours. You're only gone a few hours and I miss you already.
Tell my parents that I love them and will write to them as soon as I find the time.
I love you.
IKYSAYKM. Hermione."
...
"My dear child,
Black Manor is everything and nothing like I suspected it to be. The house is huge and dark and I can't help but feel like I'm being watched by the portraits sometimes. Narcissa assured me that most of them are just curious though and that they can't get out of their portraits anyway.
She gave a magical camera to your father and showed him how to use it properly and I swear he's turned back into a little boy. He's running wild around the whole house – and the gardens as well – taking photos of everything that moves. I know that you must miss her so I enclosed a photo I thought you might like to have.
Your father says 'hi'.
We love you, Hermione.
Take care. Mom."
Hermione curiously took out the picture frame and gasped upon seeing the photo beneath the glass. It showed Narcissa dancing through a room as she moved a paint roller over a wall, smiling to herself until she'd obviously realized her father, her face morphing into a shocked expression at being caught, her cheeks reddening. Then, it started from the beginning. Hermione wasn't sure how long she'd stared at the photograph, just watching Narcissa dancing with herself, but by the time she placed the frame in her night table – disappointed that she couldn't showcase it on top – day had already started to slowly creep over the horizon.
"Mom,
I absolutely love the photo you sent. Give dad a kiss for taking it.
I can almost imagine his childish amusement; he's always loved to learn something new. I never knew muggles could use magical cameras as well. I'll have to read up on the subject.
I wish I could join you all already but I am sure you already knew that. Look out for her for me, will you?
I love you, too.
Yours, Hermione."
...
"My dear Hermione,
I am starting to regret my decision to hand your father a camera. I feel like I've given him the weapon to my ultimate demise. Nowhere is safe.
Just joking. I'm glad he's found something to kill some time with.
Your mother's took a shine to the gardens and more often than not, you'll find her outside, digging holes and planting seeds of some kind. I've offered numerous times to do the holes using some gardening and household magic but she always refuses. I think she likes to do something that lets her feel normal.
I've thrown out some of the rather depressing furniture – I believe we got our surname for a reason – and took down many of the heavy drapes.The house already feels brighter without all of it.
I can't wait to see you, Hermione.
IKYSAYKM
Love, Narcissa."
...
"My love,
Don't you dare take away that camera from him. The photo he took of you has turned into my most treasured possession and I look at it every night before I go to bed, sending you my thoughts and love.
Mom had a beautiful garden at our house and I think it makes her feel more at home to be doing it. She's always liked doing things with her hands and especially gardening always seems to relax her. I am glad you haven't killed each other yet, I was fearing something of the sort as soon as I heard about your plans. Is it awkward at all to share your house with them? You know, with them being my parents…
Here at Hogwarts things have returned to normal. Draco is avoiding me at all costs but I guess it's better than what I expected. Professor Snape is still the same bastard as always – and here I thought your friendship with him would cut me some slack, make him see the good in me.
Has our daughter kicked you yet or moved at all? Huh, it feels really weird writing this. But a good weird.
IKYSAYKM.
I love and miss you. Hermione"
October
"My dear Hermione,
I wish I had a photo of you to keep me company. But then, it isn't the real thing, is it?
Your mother and I do get along fine. Yesterday, she helped me paint one of the many rooms. Painting is really the only thing I enjoy doing without the use of magic and I guess that's what made her more comfortable to join in. She's rather queasy around magic but I suppose it's only understandable. Especially taking into account what happened to them and your home. It must be scary.
I think your father is slowly coming to terms with the whole situation as well. He's asking after the baby every once in a while and though he always seems rather awkward about it, he's making an effort.
Our daughter. I really like the sound of it. She hasn't kicked yet but the hiccups are really plaguing her - the tickling often keeps me up at night.
What's new in your corner of the world?
I love you, Hermione.
Narcissa"
...
"Narcissa,
I told the boys. I felt guilty about keeping this big secret from them and wanted them to know, you know, as they are my best friends. Right now, Harry is behaving rather awkwardly around me and Ron doesn't speak to me at all. Ginny says it's because he's in love with me.
I allowed Harry to tell her, I hope you don't mind. Ginny won't tell anyone though. So far, she's the coolest of the three and she even asked me all about having sex with a woman and if you're a good kisser. We've grown closer over this and it feels good to have someone to talk to. Did you know Ginny thinks you're hot?
She said, and I quote, 'I'd totally do her if I wasn't with Harry. And she wasn't with you, obviously.' I swear, I never knew what jealousy really meant before. I think I could've drowned her in the Black Lake or pushed her from Gryffindor tower at that moment.
I look forward to your next letter.
IKYSAYKM.
Love you, Hermione."
...
"My dear Hermione,
Are you per any chance able to get out tonight? I will be waiting for you at our usual place at the usual time.
I love you and I'll hopefully see you soon.
Narcissa."
AN: The next update will probably take some time but I promise I'm working on it. Thank you everyone for the lovely reviews, I try to respond to them whenever I find the time. I do hope you liked the little flashback to their past.