Hermione was deeply engrossed in her note writing as she sat at her dining room table, scribbling loosely runes and numbers that seemed to only make sense as her calculations from the large leather bound tome her left index finger skimmed across lightly. She almost missed the sound of the tapping at her window, only looking up from her work as she heard the hoot of an owl as he attempted to tap the window demanding her attention once again. Hermione stood from the table, curious, she rarely had owls come to her personal home, most reported to her office at the ministry. She opened the window as the little owl hopped in. Hermione was confused, no one she knew owned this species of owl, the little flammulated owl chirped before hopping onto her hand holding out the small tightly bound scroll.
Hermione opened the small piece of parchment, surprised as she immediately recognised the messy scrawl. It had been a long time since she had heard from Harry Potter, who now asked her to meet him for lunch. Her attention was brought back to the tiny owl purring at her and looking at her expectantly. She walked to her desk tearing a piece of paper from her notebook scribbling a reply message, sealing It with a quick spell from her wand before returning to the small owl and tying it to the small birds leg, it gave one last hoot before zooming out of the window once more.
Hermione stepped into the muggle café, browsing along the tables in search of her friend, thinking she was the first to arrive she was taken aback as she finally spotted Harry waving from the corner to grab her attention. After a double take Hermione headed over to her childhood friend.
Harry stood up from behind the table pulling Hermione into a bear like hug before releasing her and gesturing her to sit on the opposite chair. Hermione stared at him for a few moments, it was indeed her Harry he looked at her with that same grin he had from every happy moment in childhood. And yet physically he looked different, his hair no longer a mess sticking up, the back was short and his hair brushed forward and parted a longish fringe to cover his scar, and a rather impressive beard forming and the tell-tale round spectacles no longer present.
Her staring did not go unnoticed by harry, he chuckled and reached out to her hand on the table as he took in her staring face.
"Don't looked so shocked Mione, It's really me I promise" Harry smiled. Hermione swallowed pulling her hand from his.
"3 years of nothing Harry, Why now?" she asked bluntly.
His grin disappeared at her questioning. He looked down for a moment, readjusting himself as he sat up right, clasping his hands together. He returned his gaze to Hermione.
"I had to get away Hermione, I needed to go where I was just a no one for once. Training here I felt I was simply being awarded for being 'harry potter'. I wanted to prove myself, you understand that?" Harry pleaded. Hermione looked at him for a moment and nodded as he continued. "There was specialist training in Canada, I applied and I was accepted, I specialised in security and got a job as head auror for the Canadian quidditch sports league. Part of training we had to be isolated, no distractions, even with Ginny living with me she was limited to contact only immediate family and never reveal our location as we moved around. Only once every 6 months did they give us a break, I barely had time to meet up with Ron over Christmas last year"
"And yet you still couldn't give me the same courtesy?" she asked, annoyed.
"Ron was my bestest mate Hermione" harry tried to explain lamely.
"So was I harry!" she raised her voice, almost giving up on continuing the conversation and about to stand up as Harry attempted to defend himself.
"Yeh but . . . you left us" he argued. "I left you?" Hermione spluttered in disbelief, "Yeah, right after school, remember! Suddenly you and slytherins were great friends, in fact I heard you still live with one!" harry spat.
"How Dare you Harry! After everything we went through! I never left you! I stayed through thick and thin, despite the laughter from you both in first year, I never left at the first sign of difficulty or argument when we spent months starving and wandering around in woods looking for Horcrux's, I never left you when I was tortured and branded for life! Yes I didn't want a career in auror training, and yes I went back to school, but unlike your bestest mate . . . I never left you!" Hermione whispered the last part viciously. She stood abruptly ready to leave, hurt to think after all this time she meant so little, slytherin it seemed were more loyal than any Gryffindor, she envisioned a specific slytherin she wanted to be wrapped in the arms of as she turned to leave.
An arm grabbed her. "Hermione . . . please, I'm sorry, I never meant that, your right you didn't leave me, you were the main reason we actually made it" he admitted. "I didn't come to fight, I don't blame you if you turn your back on me now I no less than deserve it. But I did have reason to come back to you" Hermione turned enough to indicate she would listen within reason but made no attempt to sit back down.
"We're moving back to England, I got new job, I am now second in command of security for International Magical Sports, and based in London, and well me and Ginny got married last week . . " Hermione was about to interrupt but harry cut her off. "It was just me and her and the ceremonial registrar, we invited nobody, we had a bit of a shock as we prepared to come home you see. Ginny is 5 months pregnant, we only found out a week ago. We had no idea! It's a boy Hermione!" harry chuckled as if he couldn't believe the words coming out of his mouth. Hermione softened as she sat down. "Congratulations harry" she offered.
He smiled. "Thanks . . . anyways I wanted to ask you personally. We're having a get together at the burrow, just a small party to celebrate, you know how molly is, and well it's on route begging her for forgiveness for never getting married with the family" harry offered.
Hermione Grimaced, she had not visited the burrow for several years since her graduation. The non-existent relationship Ron had made up contributed as well as her defending of her slytherin friends after she had visited one Christmas, it was just easier to avoid conflict. She still saw Arthur and Percy with a polite hello in passing at the ministry.
"I'm not sure that's a good idea Harry . . ."
"no Hermione, its fine they know you will be coming, and you can bring a plus one!" Hermione contemplated for a moment. She looked at her old school friend. Could she really do this?
"Harry . . . let's order coffee, we're going to need it . . . There's something you need to know . . ." they ordered their drinks, and sat in silence as they waited for them to arrive. Harry took a sip of his latte as he waited for Hermione to talk.
"It's just . . . well, I have met someone . . ." she tailed off. Harry laughed.
"It's ok Hermione, I knew you and Ron would never work out even if you did try, he told me he ran into you a few weeks ago. I'm guessing his suspicions he was telling me that you are seeing someone was true I guess" he smiled.
"Technically I wasn't then" she corrected him, slightly irritated that Ron assumed just because she had rebuffed him that day.
"But I am now and well it's someone you know" she continued.
"Oh?" harry answered as she went silent. Hermione was unsure how to continue, or where to even start.
"Is he someone I know Mione?" he asked.
"Well sort of yes, but . . ."
"but what?" he looked at her sideways waiting"
"it's not a he" she answered gulping down a mouthful of cappuccino.
She looked up at harry, he looked slightly stunned, his eyes widened in surprise. "Wow, well I wasn't expecting that, have you always liked girls?" he asked after a moment.
"No, it was as much as a surprise to me when we got together, but it happened and I can't imagine being without her" Hermione spoke. Harry could see the emotion in her voice as she spoke almost passionately, he couldn't help but admire her.
"Mione, sounds like you're really in love" he smiled. She smiled back, before turning serious. "I trust you to understand this is important to me Harry, don't judge so quickly it's all I ask of you."
Harry looked at her. "Who is it Mione?" he asked gently.
Hermione paused a moment taking a slow breath calming her nerves as she whispered. "Narcissa Black"
Hermione apparated into the narrow alleyway, its high walls and large ancient overhanging oaks from the neighbouring gardens provided excellent cover. She strode quickly to the entrance crossing the road as she made her way to Draco's home.
It had been a week since the slytherin had become aware of his mother and Hermione's relationship and silently accepting of it. A few days previously he had changed the layout of the upstairs allowing his mother more privacy in the wing she occupied. Including thicker walling and silencing charms. The changes seemed to be priority a couple of days after the surprise of his mother's new relationship, Draco had returned home in the early hours after a late business meeting in Brussels. He had only stepped through the door and was ascending the large staircase when he heard a rather distressing wail from his mother's chambers, without hesitation he ran towards the room barging the door open with wand ready. With a face of horror Draco soon realised his mother's 'distress' it seemed was infect caused by a semi naked muggleborn deeply imbedded between his mother's thighs. Narcissa continued to moan as she eyed her son barging through the door.
"Out" she half shouted and ended in a whisper as she continued to pant so close to tipping the edge, not catching the beginning of an apology from Draco as he was caught in a daze watching. Her hand raising slightly as she wordlessly and wandlessly sealed the door shut, half throwing her son out of the room as it did so.
Hermione entered the front door without knocking, an elf apparating into the hallway as the door shut behind her.
"Afternoon mistress" it squeaked in eagerness.
"Afternoon Olli" Hermione replied as she pulled her cloak from her shoulders.
"Can Olli take your coat miss Hermione" he continued eagerly.
"yes thank you" Hermione handed over the cloak before continuing "is miss black home yet Olli?"
"yes mistress black is in her study on the second floor"
Thankyou Olli" Hermione answered as she swiftly moved passed the elf jogging up the stairs.
Narcissa was sat at her mahogany desk dressed in a more casual attire of jeans and a long sleeved lavender top, she had recently been introduced to the comforts of modern muggle fashion by her future daughter-in-law. Her hair in a loose but neat bun which never seemed to move as she scribbled ferociously on a piece of parchment. She did not register anyone entering till she heard the door shut behind her. She turned around with a look of slight surprise to see the brunette had entered her study.
Before Narcissa could comment, soft pink lips landed on her own kissing almost too harshly. Hermione pulled back after a few seconds Narcissa gathering her breath and looking at the brunette in confusion.
"I thought you were working until late this evening?" the blonde questioned. Hermione had told her the previous evening should would be working from home with the intent of making progress so their weekend would be free.
"Things didn't go as planned" Hermione answered as she turned and placed her hands against the desk she was leaning on as she turned towards her lover. Narcissa remained silent as she waited for the brunette to continue.
"I had an owl this morning, it was a letter from harry" Hermione continued, crossing her arms in front of her chest.
"oh" was all that came from the blonde, Narcissa was aware Hermione was no longer close to either of her school mates but they had never really discussed that topic.
"He asked me for lunch, I was so shocked I sent one straight back and met him this afternoon" Hermione continued.
Narcissa remained silent despite hearing the slightly high pitch and slight nervous laugh of disbelief from Hermione. She stood up and slowly paced back and forth in front of Narcissa. "3 years since I last spoke to him, and he came to ask me to his party! Apparently has now married and has infect remained in touch with Ronald but not me!" Narcissa stood up blocking the path of the brunette as she continued to pace, she grabbed her hands and looked into her eyes. Hermione realising the blondes attempt to calm her smiled.
"What did you say?" Narcissa asked. Rubbing the palms of the brunette.
"well we argued then calmed and he apologised, then we got onto the subject of talking about me seeing someone" Hermione answered as she moved her hands down resting loosely on the blondes waist her eyes lingering as she took in the blondes clothing and how it shaped her so nicely.
"Did you answer him?" Narcissa asked, an eyebrow slightly quirked.
"Yes I told him I was seeing a woman and it was you" Hermione nodded not taking her eyes away from the blonde's body her fingers splayed and rubbing up the hem of the shirt skimming over flesh. Narcissa gasped slightly beginning to feel hot from the movement.
"Then what happened" she whispered breathlessly.
"nothing, Harry seemed more surprised when I said I was dating a woman than when I actually told him it was you, made me think he knows something" Hermione spoke as she leaned forward starting to pepper kisses along Narcissa jawline distracted.
"So what now?" Narcissa managed to gasp out as pleasure began to build as Hermione began pulling the shirt further exposing her torso.
"We have to be at the burrow, tomorrow night at 7pm" Hermione whispered before nibbling an earlobe.
"We?" Narcissa squeaked, attempting to pull back, "mhmm" Hermione confirmed as she continued to nibble the blonde's clavicle, her hands now lowering towards the tight clad jeans.
"Is that why you came to tell me instead of returning to work? I thought you had a lot to do" Narcissa continued despite enjoying the attention as nimble fingers began to unbuckle her belt.
"Yes, I'm much too stressed" Hermione whispered moving forward as she guided Narcissa's back towards the mahogany desk. Narcissa didn't miss the glazed look in Hermione's eyes, she had only seen it a few times, determination, to finish a task she has begun.
"What will you do instead though" Narcissa smirked as she asked almost innocently.
Hermione grabbed Narcissa's rear and lifted her abruptly onto the desktop, crumpling parchment that was spread across the top.
"Right now?" Hermione asked rhetorically before continuing "you, on this desk" she answered a feral look in her eye as she divesto'd Narcissa clothing before diving in for yet another ferocious kiss.
SlytherinEnigma