The next few weeks passed by quickly. Narcissa came to Grimmauld for tea a couple of times a week in an effort to get to know her daughter. On occasion, Severus and/or Harry joined them. Hermione was surprised to find that she was enjoying Narcissa's company. The most surprising thing, in Hermione's opinion, to come of the visits was the relationship between Narcissa and Harry. They got on really well and she could see that Harry already accepted her as family. It was nice to see. Harry had been so shattered at the way the Weasleys had dropped him and it was clear that he was starving for more family. Besides herself, Harry had no family in the wizarding world. She had been in the same boat, having only Harry and Severus, until recently that is.

Hermione was standing in the doorway to the sitting room, taking in the scene before her. Narcissa was visiting, as was Severus. Harry was sitting with them as she had been running a bit late. She was completely surprised to find all three laughing at some story that Harry was telling. That was certainly an amazing thing to see. Narcissa had managed to do the one thing she herself had been trying to do for ages: she managed to get Harry and Severus in the same room, actually enjoying themselves, with none of the tension that usually existed between the two. It made her extremely happy to see them getting along. Harry looked up and saw her standing there with a smile on her face.

"Hermione! Come join us. I was just telling Narcissa and Severus about the cat incident in second year."

"Harry! You were not!"

"Oh he certainly did. I should have known it was you who stole those ingredients from my stores. Although, I must say, I'm impressed that you were able to make Polyjuice in your second year. Too bad you didn't know enough to differentiate between animal and human hair," Severus said with a smirk on his face. Hermione just groaned as her face grew red with embarrassment.

"I am so going to get you back for this, Mr. Potter. Don't forget, I know just as many embarrassing stories about you as you know about me."

Harry's face paled slightly.

"Um... right then. So, does anyone think the Cannons might actually win a match this year?" Harry asked.

Hermione burst out laughing at his lame attempt to quickly change the subject. Taking some pity on him, knowing she would get him back later, she asked Narcissa her thoughts on a recent article about some breakthroughs in Charms. Severus scoffed as the two discussed its merits, mumbling something about silly wand waving. Hermione just giggled at him as Narcissa thumped him on the arm. The way Narcissa and Severus acted reminded her very much of the relationship between herself and Harry. You could see the love between them, but you could see that it was a sibling love. Hermione found herself glad that her godfather had someone like that. As Narcissa and Severus started bickering about which subject was better, Charms or Potions, Hermione caught Harry's eye. They gave each other wide smiles and they could see the happiness showing in the other. Things were going well.

Narcissa flooed back to the Manor after another great afternoon spent with her daughter. She was ecstatic that Cassiopeia was open to building a relationship with her. Narcissa gave a slight frown at that thought. She was going to have to talk to her about which name she preferred. She guessed it was probably going to be Hermione and not her birth name, but Narcissa was probably always going to think of her as Cassiopeia, at least in her head. The relationship between Cassi and Severus had been a pleasant surprise as well. They had a closeness that suggested something had happened between them, but Severus had remained tight lipped over just what that could be. The young Mr. Potter was another nice surprise as well. Narcissa was just delighted with him and found him to be a wonderful young man. She was grateful that her daughter had someone like him in her life. She was already feeling as though he was now part of her family.

Thinking about her family gave Narcissa some pause. While Cassiopeia seemed to have forgiven her and was happy to be spending time with her, Lucius and Draco were another matter. Her daughter had not once mentioned either of them and if Narcissa happened to bring them up, she noticed that Cassi flinched slightly. It wasn't as bad when Draco was mentioned, but if it was Lucius, Narcissa noticed that the flinch was more visible. Narcissa gave a sad sigh at that. She wasn't altogether certain that she blamed her daughter for that, but she knew that she needed to come to terms with her father at some point. The same went for her brother. What she really wanted was her whole family back together, even including Severus and Harry. She giggled to herself at the thought of Draco and Harry trying to get along.

"What's so funny, Mother?"

Narcissa looked up to see Draco standing in the doorway.

"Draco! I didn't see you there. Come, come sit with your mother for a while. What have you been up to today?"

"Not much. I was out flying with Blaise and Theo. We needed a bit of a break from work. We're being run ragged at the company lately."

"Oh? Are things going well?"

"Yeah, really well actually. We are making some plans to expand after the first of the year. Hasn't Father told you?" At Draco's question, Narcissa looked down at the floor, surprising him. His parents were usually fairly open with each other. "Are things okay between you two?"

"It's been... tough. However, I'm sure things will get better soon! Now tell me more about how Blaise and Theo are doing!"

Draco eyed his mother suspiciously. He had some concerns that things between his parents weren't exactly on the up and up and was surprised his mother was confirming it, in so many words.

"They are fine. Are your problems because of the situation with Cassi?"

"Draco Abraxas Malfoy! I am not going to discuss my relationship with your father with you. It is not any of your business."

"It is my business if it affects the family, the family I happen to be a part of as well. I know you've been seeing her. Why is she refusing to see Father and I, but not you?"

"You don't understand, Draco. There are things you don't know, things that I didn't even know. I haven't even told your father yet as we disagree about the best way to handle the situation. And it's not exactly that she is refusing, she hasn't really brought it up."

"Have you?"

"No. It's a difficult situation–"

"She's my sister, damn it! I've been patient and now I want to see her!" Draco interrupted.

"I don't think that's a good idea, Draco. Like I said, there are things you don't know. I'm not sure we should rush into anything that could possibly push her away again. Harry said–"

"Harry? So what, now you are listening to the great savior Harry Potter? Why are you siding with him? First he has my sister – and Merlin help him if they are dating – but now he's stealing you as well?"

"Draco, please, calm down. You are acting like a child. No one is stealing anyone, for Merlin's sake. If you really need to see her so badly, maybe you could try writing her a letter. If she still refuses to talk to you, I'll see if I can convince her or maybe Severus can. I will warn you, Draco, things aren't exactly as they seem. And, no, I can't tell you more as I promised I would not."

With that, Narcissa strode from the room, leaving Draco to wonder why his sister didn't want anything to do with him.

A few days after her last visit with Narcissa, Hermione found an owl pecking at the kitchen window. She didn't recognize the owl, but upon taking the letter, did recognize the Malfoy seal on the back. Thinking that maybe Narcissa was canceling their plans for tomorrow and finding herself slightly disappointed at the thought, she opened the letter. Seeing who it was really from gave her a bit of a shock.

Cassi,

I've thought about what I wanted to say to you for a couple of days now. I admit, I'm still not entirely sure, so I'm hoping this makes some semblance of sense. I know you've been getting together with Mother and while I think that's great, I'm very disappointed that you won't meet with me. I need to see you, please. I will even go so far as to beg it of you (and Malfoys do not beg). Please, Cassi. I promise you that I won't push you for anything, just please meet with me. Send an owl with your response.

Your brother,

Draco

'Well, that was interesting,' Hermione thought. She had to admit that she was greatly surprised by the tone of Draco's letter. It sounded almost... desperate. A swift feeling of heartache went through her at the thought of him being so distraught. That was surprising and certainly new. Hermione let out a sigh. Maybe it was time to finally meet her twin and see what he had to say. With some uncertainty, Hermione began to pen a response.

Draco,

I will meet you. Two days from now, at Kensington Gardens. I'll be there at 2 pm if you want to see me.

Cassiopeia

Hermione thought her letter might have been a bit to the point, but she didn't really know what else to say at this point in time. She sealed the letter and sent it off with her owl. She wasn't sure what exactly was going to come out of the meeting with Draco, but it was sure to be interesting.

Two days later

Hermione sat on a bench facing the pond, a book in her hands. She had been trying to read while she waited for Draco, but she was too nervous. She hadn't mentioned this meeting to anyone, not even Narcissa. Since she hadn't brought it up either, Hermione assumed that Draco had not told their mother about the meeting either. Looking at her watch, she noted that the time was 1:59 pm. Hoping that Draco showed up before she lost her nerve, she picked up her book once more in an attempt to keep her mind occupied. That did not last long as not a minute later, she noticed Draco entering the park and looking around for her. She could tell when he noticed her as he began making his way over to her. When he reached her, he sat down next to her, both of them looking out at the water. She calmly shut her book and placed it next to her, still not saying a word. It was Draco who spoke first, surprising her with his words.

"I'm sorry."

A/N: Edited 11/2014 with my awesome beta, erbkaiser. Please read and review!