Disclaimer: I Do Not Own Harry Potter.
AN: I am wondering whether to do a story that coincides with this one called Catch A Ray of Light, where you get to see things from Narcissa's let me know what you think in a review.
She can kill with a smile, She can wound with her eyes, She can ruin your faith with her casual lies, And she only reveals what she wants you to see - She's Always A Woman-Billy Joel.
Chapter 4: One Smile Can Erase Any Doubts.
Hermione's appetite was back so far she had eaten four slices of toast, bacon and eggs, and was now nibbling on a fifth piece of toast. She had forgotten how good it felt to feel hungry and then eat. The only thing that would make it better was if Harry and Ron left her alone.
Their questions of "Where were you yesterday?," and "If you weren't feeling well, why didn't you go to Madam Pomfrey?," was beginning to irritate her.
And when they weren't badgering her with questions Ron was complaining that Crookshanks was deliberately targeting Scabbers. She thought this too, but wasn't going to admit it.
"I mean it's your cat can't you keep it under control?," Ron asks, shoving another piece of bacon into his mouth.
"Crookshanks is not an it," Hermione replies glaring at him."And he's a cat they chase and kill rats,".
"Just kept it away from Scabbers, okay,".
Hermione bit back a retort when from out of the corner of her eye, she saw Professor Lupin enter the Great Hall. What made her fully look at him was that he frowning and walking over to Professor Snape, she saw him whisper something in Professor Snape's ear.
There was a flicker of worry in Professor Snape's eyes, then it was gone. She was curious to what Professor Lupin had said even more so when less than two minutes later Professor Snape left the Great Hall.
A tiny part of her took pleasure in seeing him worried the conversation the day before still leaving her annoyed at him sticking his nose in things that didn't concern him.
Hermione didn't have long to relish in the fact he was worried about something or ponder what he was worried about.
Because she's snapped out of her thoughts by Harry tugging on her sleeve of her robe to get her attention."If you don't hurry we are going to be late for Herbology," Harry says, and looks amused, probably because it's usually her who says that type of thing to him and Ron.
She puts the slightly nibbled but nowhere near finished piece of toast on her plate, grabs her bag and follows her two best friends out of the Great Hall.
* * * * Line Break * * * *
Hermione had been in Herbology twenty minutes the most when Professor McGonagall entered the greenhouse and told Professor Sprout that Dumbledore wanted a word with Hermione. Both Harry and Ron looked as puzzled as she felt.
Professor McGonagall looked unhappy, but not with Hermione no it was like there was invisible being beside her that she wanted to throttle.
They walked in silence to Dumbledore's office and Hermione couldn't decide if it is a good thing or not.A dozen things went through her mind as they walked. Was she in trouble?, other than not going to the lessons the day before she hadn't done anything and she'd explain the evening before to Professor McGonagall that she hadn't felt well.
The next thing that went through her mind was perhaps one of her parents were sick or they had a accident , but if that were the case surely Professor McGonagall wouldn't look like she wanted to hurt someone.
Each step that Hermione took created a new reason as to why the headmaster would want to talk her, but none of them had included Narcissa Malfoy.
* * line break * *
The word "Narcissa," is out of her mouth before she can stop herself and her tone sounds much too happy to see her, Hermione knows that when she hears Professor McGonagall sharp intake of breath.
Professor Snape looks torn between disgust and worry at Hermione's tone, Narcissa looks pleased and Dumbledore looks his cheerful self, but his eyes aren't twinkling.
"Hello, Hermione," Narcissa says, and then smiles at Hermione and any doubts that Professor Snape put in Hermione's head the day before vanished the moment Narcissa smiled.
"Miss Granger you're probably wondering why you're here?," Dumbledore asks and Hermione nods her head in response.
"Well, for generations the Malfoy family has picked the best and brightest student an helped shaped their future career. They are usually older than yourself, but Narcissa it would seem has made up her mind that it should be you,".
"What would all this entail?," Hermione asks, keeping her voice neutral this time. Her question was aimed at Dumbledore, but its Narcissa who answers.
"We would meet every week or so to discuss things like what you want to do when you leave Hogwarts. Your school work and things like. I will introduce you to the right people that can help you and things like that. Of course that is if you accept my offer and if Dumbledore grants permission for this to take place. I already have your parents, but given that you are at Hogwarts and under the headmaster care during term times I also need his,".
Hermione knows that her Professors want her to reject Narcissa's offer but she can't.
"I would like that very much,"
"Are you Miss Granger? , I know the way Mrs Malfoy makes the whole thing sound wonderful, but I am sure there are strings attached," Professor McGonagall's voice makes it very clear there is no love lost between her and Narcissa.
Professor Snape let out a snort and Narcissa glares at him, "Something to say Severus?,".
"You have made it very clear that you don't want my opinion on this matter Narcissa." Hermione was wondering exactly why he was there but she didn't ask. Maybe it was because of the conversation they had or maybe because she didn't want to appear rude.
Whatever the reason why didn't ask still she couldn't exactly see why he had to be there.
"I think it would be better if we got back to the matter at hand," Dumbledore suggests and Hermione nods her head in agreement.
"I understand that you have objections Minerva for various and solid reasons, but Narcissa has permission from Miss Granger parents, and Miss Granger has no objections. I have no grounds to say no to Narcissa's kind offer however there are some conditions," Dumbledore's voice is calm but authoritative.
Professor McGonagall looks furious, Professor Snape looks like he wants to be anywhere but there and Narcissa is smirking.
Hermione wants to speak, she really does, but she can't because she feels if she does she'll either say something that would upset her Head of House or upset Narcissa. Neither which Hermione wants to do.
"What are the conditions?," Narcissa asks, she's no longer smirking, but looks bored instead and Hermione is amazed at how easy it for Narcissa to change her facial expression.
"For the time being all your meetings will take place on Hogwarts grounds, if I or another member of staff feel that this is having a negative impact on Miss Granger then while she is at Hogwarts it comes it an end I will leave outside of Hogwarts to her parents,".
"Agreed, " Narcissa says, and Hermione can't help the feeling of being excited about getting to see Narcissa more that's until it dawns on her, she's going to have to explain all of it Harry and Ron.