Assignment #5 Quidditch (Task: You have to pick one of your pairing and decide what position they would be. Once you've picked your position, focus your story regarding the description. Position Keeper: Someone who is awfully protective of their friends and family and would do anything in their power to stop things from hurting them. If incidents occurs, they prefer to take the brunt of the blame, believing that they were the ones to let it slip by them. Obviously, it wasn't their fault but you can't get that through their thick heads. Prompt: Plot – Someone bulling a member of your pairing)

-oOo-

He knew introducing her to his parents wouldn't be an easy experience, but this was just getting ridiculous. Twenty minutes into dinner at the Manor, and so far neither woman had made eye contact beyond a glare. His father was trying, but he too seemed out of his debts where the young woman was concerned. Draco just kept running his fork through the peas and counted down till they could leave.

"So, Miss Granger." Oh Merlin, his mother was talking now. Draco's mind was screaming abort. "Draco tells me you teach. Is that so?"

Hermione kept her face straight as she regarded the woman. "Yes. I teach Charms."

"And you're twenty three?"

"Twenty two," Hermione corrected.

Narcissa chewed a piece of chicken and thought on that for a moment. "I see. And may I ask what your intentions with my son are?"

Draco tossed a glance at his mother, understanding what that tone meant. Hermione, judging from the spark that flashed through her eyes, seemed to pick it up as well.

"For now, we're just enjoying each other's company," Hermione answered, using her fork to tear at her chicken.

Narcissa pursed her lips, and reached for her glass. Tipping it to her lips, she made to mutter under her breath. Draco was putting as much pleading into his gaze as he could. But his mother was looking at him. She was staring at Hermione. The young woman was staring back just as intently. The tension was beginning to peel the paint off the walls.

"I'm sorry," Hermione spoke with a sweetness, "I didn't hear you Mrs. Malfoy."

"I'm sure you did," Narcissa set her glass down. "Let me be frank Miss Granger, I don't approve of you with my son."

"Mother," Draco hissed. "Is this really the time?"

Narcissa nodded. "Yes. I have made my opinion of this clear to you Draco, but seeing as how you refuse to listen, I'll have to keep saying it."

"Narcissa…" Lucius tried to pacify the woman.

"Let her speak," Hermione held up her hand.

"My son deserves better," Narcissa spoke sharply, "than some Muggle-born teacher. That is not a remark against your birth, my dear, so don't take me wrong there. What blood you have does not matter at the moment, but what does matter is your upbringing."

Now Hermione was getting frustrated. "My upbringing?"

"Yes. It's nothing against your parents, or you, it's just the way it is. You lack the proper adequate needed for a wife. Especially a wife marrying into a family such as ours. You know next to nothing about our world. You know nothing about what you are getting involved with. If you continue this, I can assure you that you will learn that you don't belong. It's not your fault dear, it's just the way things are. The sooner you understand that my son deserves better, the better off we all will be."

The condescending tone in Narcissa Malfoy's voice sent Hermione's spine ridged. She felt Draco's hand go to her knee. The thousand and one insults running through her mind cleared. She felt that fire, a rightfully lit fire, calm its threat to burn. It surprised her, the way his touch could calm that temper of hers.

Smirking, Hermione kept her shoulders back as she regarded the woman. "I have never let anything stop me from going after what I want, and I won't change that now. Especially not for you. I like your son a great deal. Maybe not love at the moment, but it's still early and I can't say what's to come. But if this relationship work or if it doesn't, is on mine and Draco's terms. Not yours. You are his mother, and I will respect that, but this is my life. This is your son's life."

Narcissa's perfect posture and frown faltered in that moment. She stared the young woman down. "This will end in a disaster, Miss Granger."

Hermione shrugged, still smirking. "So says you. But I promise you, I'll enjoy proving you wrong."

Narcissa was without reply on that front. Pushing her plate away, she frowned. "I am feeling tired, Lucius. I think I'll call tonight early. It was good seeing you, Draco. You need to come by more often."

The woman walked swiftly out the door. Draco sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration. After a moment, Lucius sighed and regarded the couple.

"Well that was lovely. I think I'll call dinner short. Would you two like to take some to go?"

"That's alright," Draco shook his head.

"I'm sorry you two," Lucius spoke softly. "Narcissa is just… she means the best but…"

"It's alright. I apologize for ruining dinner, Mr. Malfoy."

Lucius stood, grimacing slightly at the pain in his knee. Draco was up in an instant, assisting his father and handing him his cane. The elder nodded in appreciation, before turning to the girl. "You did nothing of the sort, Miss Granger. Now, I think I'll turn in as well."

"Will you be alright," Draco asked, trying not to take note of how heavily his father was leaning on that cane.

Lucius waved his son off, already making his way towards the wide doors. "Stop worrying about me, and make sure this young lady gets home safely."

When he was gone, a set of elves appeared, and began to clear off the table. Draco continued standing there, watching the way Hermione's shoulders rose and fell.

"I'm so sorry." He sat next to her. "I didn't expect this to end well, but I never expected her to walk out like that."

Hermione placed a hand on his, and squeezed. "Not your fault."

"She's my mother."

"And you expect me to blame you for that?" Hermione smiled at him.

"She never should have said those things to you. She had no right. I just, I didn't want you to get hurt like this."

She leaned forward, kissing his cheek. "I am fine, Draco. I can take a little bullying from your mother."

Draco chuckled at her, taking her hand. "You're alright then?"

"I'm fine. I've heard worst. Now, I don't know about you, but I am still a little hungry."

Draco smirked. "I've got some cake in my fridge."

"Sounds lovely." She took his hand, allowing him to help her up. Nodding appreciation to the elves, the two made to leave the Manor.

-oOo—

Not where I wanted to go, and not my best work. This was easily the hardest chapter for me.