Far too long between the 4th and 5th chapter upload SORRY!
1967
Winter had taken over the English countryside, trees stood bare and black against the empty white sky. Their spindly branches reached out like Dementor's hands at the surrounding land. Narcissa sat alone on a window seat looking out at the barren world outside, a small fire was burning happily in the grate. The room was spacious a small four poster bed was pushed against the far wall, its bed spread neatly made and pillows plumped. A small teddy bear lay against the middle pillow it's paws stiffly reaching out for a hug from the young girl. Down the corridor her older sisters were fighting again. Bellatrix's voice was much louder than Andromeda's and it was clearly dominating the argument, at least no one was crying yet. She thought sliding off the seat and heading for the door, walking down the corridor she reached the room where her sisters were. Opening the door she wasn't surprised to find Bellatrix pacing up and down in front of Andromeda who was sitting on the bed with her head bowed. A letter was clutched in Bellatrix's hand, her hair was falling out of her high top ponytail and her eyes were wild with anger, worry and hurt. Andromeda's shoulders were shaking as though she was trying to prevent herself from crying, "What's going on?" Narcissa hissed shutting the door firmly behind her, they were on the third floor over looking the courtyard at the far end of the west wing. Their parents were sitting in the Breakfast room all the way on the east side of the first floor no one was going to walk in, but still you could never be sure in the Black house. Bellatrix ran her fingers agitatedly through her mass of black curls snapping her hair tie completely and letting they coming tumbling round her face and shoulders,
"Did you know about this?" She asked waving the letter in the air,
"Don't answer her Cissy," Andromeda's words were desperate almost pleading.
"Know about what Bella?" Narcissa asked her voice was calm and steady, challenging Bellatrix was dangerous even at 16 she was powerful. Although magic was not to be used under the age of 17that didn't stop her from using it when they returned after Christmas.
"This!" she howled "Them, her and that, that Mud-"
"Don't!" Andromeda cried jumping at Bella, "Don't you dare call him that don't you dare Bella." Rushing forward Narcissa grabbed Andromeda by the back of her shirt and pulled, the sound of ripping fabric caused her to stop tugging.
"Andy, Andy stop it get off you'll hurt her please, " releasing her older sister she turned and fled from the room leaving Narcissa alone with a very angry Bellatrix. "Bella what is going on, clearly it's got something to do with Ted Tonks otherwise Andy wouldn't be so upset."
"Yes it involves that filthy Mu-" catching Narcissa's look she changed her choice of vocabulary "Muggle born. Why didn't you tell me they were in a relationship, you know it's not our way what if Mother and Father find out?"
"Well they aren't going to find out are they Bella because you're not going to tell them are you?"
"Of course in not going to tell them, but honestly Cissy just look at how careless they're being sending letters in broad daylight. He sent her a present today, what would have happened if they had intercepted the owl?" Narcissa shrugged having never had a boyfriend to send her letters and presents she didn't know how her parents would react. Looking at Bellatrix she was surprised to see tears forming behind her sisters dark eyes.
"Bella what's wrong?"
"Oh Cissy you're so young I can't expect you to understand. If Andy is found out we will never be able to see her again…." Bellatrix's face and voice began to fade, a blackness crawled in from around Narcissa's vision. Everything was vanishing, the room, the light, her sister. Suddenly a scream rang through the darkness, then another and another, three people were screaming, three women screaming in pain. It was Bella and Andy and someone else. The screams began to merge turning into one and as the black took over completely Narcissa knew who the final voice was, opening her mouth she let the scream issue from it. With a great jolt Narcissa sat up, sweat was pouring down her back making her nightdress stick to it, Around her boxes stood waiting to be unpacked, her room was cold and dark, the fire that had been burning had since gone out. Running a hand through her thick blonde hair she felt some self control returning, it was a dream, just a dream she didn't need to worry. A knock at the door startled her,
"Mother are you alright? Why did you scream?" Draco's head popped round the door his fine blonde hair was dishevelled and he was clearly still half asleep.
"I'm fine Draco it was just a bad dream go back to bed darling it's too cold to be wondering around." Stifling a yawn Draco nodded and backed out of the room, hearing the closing of his door Narcissa pulled back the bed spread and slipped onto the cold floor. Walking to the window she drew back the drapes and stared out at the slowly changing countryside, a beautiful crescent moon was beginning to fade, The sky was still dark but Narcissa could tell it must be about 3 o'clock in the morning, an hour from now a bright October sun would be rising taking the place of its thin silver counterpart.
The sound of clattering pots and pans woke Narcissa a few hours later, sun was now streaming through a gap in the drapes. Hoisting herself up she listened to the futile attempts of her son trying to be quiet, smiling she pushed herself out of the bed and made her way to where the sound was coming from. She found Draco unpacking boxes in the kitchen, the concentration on his face as he levitated a great stack of pots was amusing. A fire was already burning in the large fireplace throwing out heat filling the lo room with it. Seeing his mother out of the corner of his eye Draco turned his head and smiled, "You aren't finding that stack of pots challenging are you?" Draco shook his head and moved the pots quickly to an open cupboard,
"No I was trying not to make a noise that was all." Narcissa smiled a flicked her wand (which was always on her out of habit more than anything) the pots and pans flew through the kitchen and into the many open doors of empty cupboards. Looking at the slightly put out Draco she smiled again,
"It just takes practise darling that's all. Now have you had breakfast?" Draco nodded "Good because I want you to go back to school today, I've only just realised you've been away for almost three weeks, any longer and you'll fall behind in your studies." Seeing a relieved look pass over her si9ns face she cocked an eyebrow, "You look happy, have I been a burden to you?" Shocked he shook his head
"No of course not Mother I'm just happy to be returning that's all, I miss work and Hermione."
"You're quite fond of her aren't you?" Narcissa asked a feeling of motherly love washing over her,
"What no Mother not like that, it's just I've never had a friend like her that's all."
"Of course darling of course I wasn't employing anything," Narcissa said raising a hand in defence, an understanding smile curving her lips.
Hermione was waiting patiently outside McGonagall's office, Draco had sent her a letter earlier on saying he'd be back by about 4:30 and if she wanted would she like to go for a walk before tea. So at 4:15 she'd knocked at McGonagall's door told her she'd wait for Draco outside and left. The sound of the spiral staircase grinding around made Hermione look up a large smile greeted her, Draco looked tired but happy. "Hello stranger, how are you?"
"I'm good, how are you? How much have I missed?" Draco asked leaning in to give her a hug, a warm feeling spread through him when she wrapped her arms around his neck returning the hug.
"Oh not a lot just a few essays and a load of notes, I've made copies and written down the essay titles for you."
"Thank you Hermione I was so worried about getting left behind in classes," Draco started to walk towards the Great Hall Hermione followed, the distance between them mere inches Reaching the grounds a weak October sun shone down upon the two figures strolling over the grass towards the forest. "So you got my letter about spending a few days with me and Mother at Christmas?"
"Yes and I'm really looking forward to it but lets talk about how your new house is getting on where are you going to live, what's going to happen to Malfoy Manor? Tell me everything." Draco pushed his hands into his pockets and slowed his pace,
"Well after I got home Mother explained that Father was willing to sign divorce papers if we moved out by November the 1st." Hermione nodded, anger flared in her stomach, why did Lucius feel the necessity to kick Draco and Narcissa out. It wasn't like he'd be living in the Manor. "So anyway," Draco continued "The next day Mother went to look at a property she hoped was available and you wont believe which property it was." Hermione cocked an eyebrow,
"Which property was it?" she asked,
"The Black Family Estate." Draco said impressively, Hermione's eyes widened,
"Really wow. What's it like?"
"It's amazing Hermione, beautifully classic, with a courtyard and a fountain and three floors plus and attic and basement. You'll really like it I'm certain, the only problem is it's in a state of disrepair." Hermione looked confused
"But if it's in a state of disrepair how are you living in it?"
"We've been fixing it bit by bit, so far only the end of the west side is complete but we've managed to do that in three weeks just think of what Mother can so in almost two months."
"Are you sure it'll be ok for me to stay if the house isn't going to be ready? Wont it make your Mother feel awkward?" Draco looked down at her,
"I'm a 100% sure she will not mind you staying, she's already told me you're welcome." She didn't look convinced, "If it makes you feel better I'm sure Mother will appreciate some help repairing the house, if course if you don't want to I'm sure she will be quite happy to put off working for the week you're with us."
"Don't be silly I'd love to help out!" Hermione was ecstatic, she couldn't believe she was going to be fixing up s house with one of her closest friends in the world it was going to be so much fun.
The weather changed drastically over the next few weeks, instead of weak sunshine dark clouds descended upon the Scottish countryside covering everything in an all too familiar greyness. The evenings grew longer while the days got shorter, colourless mornings greeted everyone who in Hogwarts. Despite the downcast weather an excited buzz began to grip everyone the first Quidditch match was just days away. Draco had been practising every evening in the growing darkness despite having to catch up with his missed lessons. Hermione was concerned about his education, but she was more concerned about annoying Draco into an argument. The morning of October 25th dawned grey and daunting, no sun pushed through the thick black clouds; it was not a promising start. Ravenclaw and Slytherin sat in a subdued state, for once Hermione made her way to the Gryffindor table; she wanted to give Draco some space before the match. Ginny had been quite surprised to find the smiling face of Hermione looking down at her when she asked if the seat next he her was taken. "Not going to sit with your best friend then?" there was a hint of malice in Ginny's voice,
"My best friend is sitting right in front of me, you know Draco is just a good friend you will never be replaced Gin. Now come on budge up and let me sit down, I'm starving." Rolling her eyes Ginny shuffled up to allow Hermione to sit down,
"I hope Ravenclaw win today I just wouldn't be able to control my wand if I have to put up with Slytherin sneers and jeers for another year. Don't you agree 'Mione?"
"Well actually Gin I'm going to be supporting Slytherin, Draco's worked so hard to get back on the team I just want to give him as much support as I possibly can." Ginny snorted
"Of course support that filthy Death-" Hermione cut sharply across Ginny's sentence
"I've told you before don't call him that, he's changed Gin and if you'd just give him a chance you'd see that." Standing up Hermione left the Great Hall without a backwards glance leaving a rather sour faced Ginny behind.
The walk down to the pitch was a lonely one, no Ginny, no Luna, no Nevil; no one. She hesitated at the stands wondering which side to take, in the end she chose the Green and Silver side. A thin drizzle began as the players walked out, Draco looked out of place amongst the other players; detached almost. As a result he played much better than usual, not concerning himself with the other players he concentrated on finding the Snitch. The final result was Slytherin:190- Ravenclaw:40; not a brilliant first match for the blues. Ginny made a point of insisting the Slytherin players cheated in the first thirty minutes of the game, which infuriated Hermione no end and resulted in a rather harsh row.
Finally after what seemed like an eternity the Christmas holidays arrived, their bags were packed and ready to be dragged down to Hogsmeade station. A constant hum of merriment was present wherever the duo went, both had a strong suspicion it was the suits of armour making the noise. Unbeknown to Hermione her very being had captured Draco's heart, she was the first thing he thought of when he got up and the last face he saw before he fell asleep. Just the mention of her name was enough to send his pulse racing, and the feeling he got while being with her couldn't be compared with anything. Never before had he felt like the way he felt when Hermione smiled at him or the way his flesh warmed whenever she touched him, he'd never known what love was until he'd looked into her eyes and saw warmth and happiness reflecting back at him. Little did Draco know that she belonged to Ron, although she'd spoken about him over the past term she gave nothing away to instigate they were involved romantically. So when she turned up in the Entrance Hall dragging her trunk along behind her clutching a letter in her hand tears streaming down her cheeks Draco was at a loss at what to do. "Hermione what's the matter? Why are you crying?" thrusting the letter into his hands as an answer she plunked down on her trunk and howled into her hands. Draco read the letter slowly taking in every word, a confused frown spread across his face, the same line kept jumping out at him…
I don't understand I thought we were happy, I love you Mione but clearly you've found someone else, Harry thinks the same by the way. When you realise you've made a mistake let me know.
Squatting down in front of Hermione he pulled her hands away from the tear stained face met her eyes and asked "I don't understand what the letter means, what haven't you told me Hermione?" She swallowed
"I'll explain on the train if we don't leave now we'll miss it," he nodded and helped her to her feet, taking her shaking hand firmly in his own they walked out of Hogwarts, down across the grounds and towards Hogsmeade.
Two hours later a very red eyed Hermione sat with her head resting on Draco's shoulder, his arm was around her waist ridged, his pulse was racing the smell of her was driving him crazy. He'd been furious with what she had to tell him about the many letters to and from Ron, to think that she'd been in a seven month relationship with that prat set his blood boiling. "Draco I'm sorry about what Ron was implying I didn't mean to upset you, you're one of my closet friends I could never jeopardise that. I wasn't viewing you like that and I can't believe Ron thought I was getting involved with you." Draco stiffened she didn't feel the same way he felt about her, he'd been foolish to think that she had any inclination of feeing for him. With drawing his arm from around his waist he pushed back just enough to look at her, taking her hand he linked his fingers with hers and said
"You didn't make me upset, he did but you didn't. I wouldn't want to jeopardise our friendship either, I just hope he sees sense soon, I hate seeing you so upset." Hermione smiled a very swollen smile,
"Thank you Draco," wiping her eyes she gasped "What must I look like?"
"Well… errr…you look like you've put pepper in your eyes but besides that you look fine." Taking her wand from her pocket she made a quick movement and the redness was gone,
"Better?" Draco nodded,
"There perfect no one would ever be able to say you've been crying your eyes out." Hermione smiled lent forward and wrapped her arms around Draco's neck, feeling a sinking sensation in his heart Draco returned the hug.
OK so first romantic revelation! :)