Hermione and Narcissa fell into an easy acquaintance with each other. If Hermione were honest with herself, she would admit that their relationship exceeded 'just colleagues' in a matter of weeks. She originally assumed that they would be meeting once a week to talk about business, but found that she quite enjoyed spending her afternoons with Narcissa. Hermione adored her time with the older witch immensely, but it often made her miss spending time with her own mum. She had to remind herself quite often that Narcissa was someone else's mother and only spent time with her so they could make a difference in the Wizarding World.
However, Narcissa enjoyed doting on Hermione, and Hermione craved the motherly affection given to here. Their relationship quickly grew into one of fondness and endearment. To the surprise of Hermione's friends, Narcissa even roped Hermione into spending more time with her outside of their lunches to do some shopping. Hermione always ended up bringing home several new robes that Narcissa vowed were just darling on her and she had to have. Every time she tried to bring up that she didn't want to spend her money on new robes, Narcissa would insist on paying for the robes herself.
It wasn't all fun and games; they still did focus on strategies to reach out to the Pureblood community during their time together. They decided eventually that the best course of action would be to host a charity ball in honour of fundraising for reconstruction after the war.
"I think it might be a wonderful idea if we set up an organization for orphans of war and women suffering from abusive homes." Hermione pointed out one afternoon.
"I think that would be excellent, but I know many women in my circle who suffered at the hands of their husbands and are either afraid of reaching out or have terrible PTSD after the imprisonment of their spouse. It would be important to not call them out at the gala, but simply let them know that they are not alone and can reach out for help. We are proud women, and no one will come forward if they believe that we know they need help."
"One of the issues we'll come across in order to help these women is the separation of spouses. Divorce is still very frowned upon in the Wizarding community, and next to impossible with the bonds that Purebloods have during their weddings. I've researched it to the best of my abilities, and the bonds tie the couples' magic to each other. Women are still seen as men's property and don't have the right to leave their husband to the Wizengamot. If we can try to change the stigma behind divorce, as well as the sexist laws, it would be a start. We wouldn't be able to really do anything helpful though until we figure out a way to unbind a married couple without harming their magical cores." Hermione stared off in thought to figure out what to do.
"I think I may be able to help with that." Her interest was immediately perked.
"My son actually is an excellent researcher. We have many old texts in the library at the Manor and I am positive between the two of you, you'll be able to work something out." Narcissa smiled smugly.
"Are you sure about that he would even want to help?" Hermione raised an eyebrow at Narcissa's smirk.
"Trust me, he has nothing going on right now. I am sure he would enjoy the stimulation. Right now he's just studying to sit for his N.E.W.T.s and overseeing Malfoy Enterprise with Lucius on house arrest in France. He usually ends up at the office for two hours and comes home to complain about the staff. Don't worry, let me deal with him and you two will be able to start soon."
"Okay," Hermione let out slowly, "You talk to him, and I will start drafting some new laws. I have a decent amount of practice with it now after this past year." The ladies finished their meal talking as old friends before heading their separate way.
. . . . .
Draco Malfoy felt indifferent about his dull life. Every day would go exactly the same; he would wake up, run for several miles around the estate, shower, go into the family business to deal with his father's orders, come home, eat, and spend the rest of the night study seventh year material he missed in order to take his N.E.W.T.s.
Occasionally his friends would insist he joined them at a get-together. He usually declined with force when they asked him to public places because there always seemed to be more trouble once he arrived. They all just wanted a bit of normalcy and to hang out and enjoy life as teenagers were supposed to. The crowd usually seemed to be left alone other than glares, but it became more volatile once they saw the person who caused the downfall of Dumbledore.
Tonight they were sitting in the back of the Leaky enjoying a few butterbeers. Draco made sure to get a seat in the corner out of eyesight. He sighed longingly as he watched Theo Nott and Daphne Greengrass stutter and blush around each other. They realized how much they would have lost during the war and decided to pursue a relationship they danced around for years. Draco desperately wished that he could find a woman who treated him as a partner, not some slag after him for his money or for the mark on his arm.
It sickened him that there were women who approached him in the bar and asked him what it felt like to be in The Dark Lord's presence. They practically salivated at the mouth when they asked to see his mark, usually reaching for it over his clothes without asking. He would sneer and dismiss their affections quite rudely, but he didn't want to be with anyone who idolized The Dark Lord after his downfall.
Then there were others who turned their noses up at him and acted as if they were any better than him. They would scowl would mumble under their breath at him, telling him that he was Death Eater scum. He could barely hold his tongue as he noticed some who stayed neutral during the war, not even brave enough to fight but still had the nerve to call him a coward. He held his head up high, but inside it killed him that people still believed that he willingly took the mark.
He tried to bring a few more mellow witches home in the past, but it never felt right. He would try to make it past feeling them under their clothes and a part of his mind screamed at him to stop. A voice so loud that he couldn't help ignore it, even if he desperately wanted to. He usually sent them home with as they screamed profanities at him, secretly enraged that they couldn't trick him with pregnancy.
Pansy had offered to help him out and take his virginity after the war, but he cringed at the idea of sleeping with a girl close enough to be his sister. He had shuddered and Pansy snorted out in laughter because she felt the same about him. She offered again that night, but he was starting to think she just did it to watch him recoil.
After a random hex barely missed his head, he decided to call it a night and go home. He walked aimlessly around the hallway, lost in his own thoughts.
Draco looked down at the object of his hatred on his arm and self-loathing thoughts filled his mind. He had tried everything to remove the mark but knew it would never be permanently gone. The scar still looked raised and angry, and he hated the dark magic he still felt running in his veins. He wished he could have lived a different life. Or even just a different upbringing. He especially wished he had a different name.
He had plopped down on the couch in the library at some point, so far in his thoughts that he didn't hear his mother approach. He snapped out of it when he felt the couch sink down and looked up to his smirking mother. He immediately let his head fall onto her shoulders, allowing her to rub his head soothingly.
He loved his mother dearly, a woman often misjudged as cold and unaffectionate. He sighed into her touch, happy to see her looking more alive and demonstrative of her emotions the past few weeks. He yearned to know the spark to the change.
I need to ask you a favor, my dear Dragon." He smiled at her. He loved when she addressed him with her affectionate name for him.
"Yes, of course mum, anything you need." She looked at him smugly and he immediately wondered what he just got himself into.
"I've been meeting up with someone important to me these past few weeks. We've begun a project that we believe will help mend the Wizarding community. I need her help because she's well respected, and well, our name isn't what it used to be." He nodded at her solemnly.
"She's such a lovely girl, Draco. You know I love you more than everything, but that girl reminds me of the daughter I always craved. She's intelligent, fierce, resilient, and incredibly beautiful. She's a wonderful conversationalist, and I've found myself growing quite fond of her throughout the development of our project. However, I don't think we can do this alone. We need help on our mission and I know you are proficient in research. Do you think you would be willing to work beside her to find what we need to continue on our objective?" She smiled at him sweetly.
"Of course I will. You have looked so full of life over these past couple weeks, and if this witch has anything to do with it, I must give her my thanks."
"Thank you, love." She kissed his cheek and began to stand up.
"Oh, and just so you know ahead of time, it's Hermione Granger. She'll be coming around tomorrow morning to start looking through the library." She smirked, patted his cheek and left her son speechless on the couch.
A/n: Revised Chapter 2! I feel so happy to finally make these edits. Thank you Reyloclaw and DiagonAli!