Part XII

The Malfoy family owl arrived at the Granger household on a pleasantly relaxed Sunday morning. Hermione was quick to offer the bird half of her toast in thanks before she took the letter and opened the window so he could come and go as he pleased while he waited for her reply.

Dear Hermione,

My summer's been great so far, thanks. And yours?

I wish I could claim surprise over the situation, but it's a pity that Weasley is so disgustingly tactless. I'm glad to hear Potter didn't take his side, though. Was he really meant to be in Slytherin as well? Ironic, isn't it? I wonder how many of our classmates are technically "missorted".

I'm pleased to say that I can officially extend an invitation for you (and Potter) to spend time at the Manor if you'd like to. Mother's been following our cousin's trial closely. If the things Lord Riddle has presented to the Wizengamot - Father won't give me details. He doesn't think I should be worrying about it just yet, or something - are true and Black is freed, then Potter would become an honorary cousin. Maybe we'll get along better with you around?

I'm eager to hear your decision, and more than excited to see you again if you decide to come visit. We didn't get to spend much time together last term. It's irksome that I can spend as much time with some of the others - Theo Nott, Blaise Zabini, and Tracey Davis, namely. They're an alright lot - but Salazar forbid either of us get seen spending time with the "enemy". I'm sure you'd meet more of the Slytherins in our year if you came over. I think you'd like them.

Once I hear back from you, Father will begin making your travel preparations (if you decide to come, of course). Do let me know if Potter will be able to tag along. Mum wants to host a welcome home party for Cousin Sirius when he's released. Might be less odd for Potter to meet his godfather in a more public setting. I'd be nervous about it, if it were me, but I think having friends around might help.

Impatiently and dutifully yours,

Draco

Hermione rolled her eyes at his sign off. His pureblood upbringing was showing again.

She brought up the subject with her parents when she resumed eating. They listened attentively while she explained what she knew of the trial and Harry's home life.

"Well," said David, "I don't mind if your mother doesn't."

"I think it's very good of you all to be thinking of your friend," said Jean. "If you're certain this is what you want, then I don't see why not."

"You don't mind?" Hermione asked them. She felt bad for trying to leave again already. She'd barely been home a fortnight.

"It's your summer break, sweetheart," David said. "Of course we want to spend time with you, but we also want you to enjoy yourself."

Jean raised a teasing brow. "You're here on your own while we're at the office anyway. I know you like your reading time, but surely you'll get bored here by yourself after a while."

Hermione shrugged sheepishly. She did miss her friends, but she'd missed her parents too. "I can come back once Harry's settled," she offered.

David shook his head and patted her hair as he stood to take his dishes to the sink. "Not unless you want to," he said. "We have a conference to go to in France at the end of August, but it's supposed to end on the thirtieth. Which means we'll be back in time to see you off at King's Cross. I don't see any point in you being here alone for the last week of the summer if you're having fun with your friends."

"If you're sure," she said.

Jean winked and took a sip of tea. "You do what you need to do, sweetheart. You have other holiday breaks, after all. Even if it is good to have you home."

Hermione offered them a small smile before she refocused on her breakfast.

She called Harry after lunch to extended Draco's invitation.

"I never thought I'd be looking forward to spending a summer with Malfoy," he said. "Have you read the Prophet at all?"

"I have," she said. "How do you feel about the whole thing?"

"Kind of excited, to be honest. Lord Riddle has sent me a few letters with updates and to see how I felt about some things."

"Are you excited to meet him?" she asked. "Last I heard the trial was as good as over, and that Sirius is innocent."

"Yeah," he said. "It's a bit odd and all but…I dunno. I'm hoping he knows more about my family."

Hermione smiled sadly. "Tom says he was best mates with your parents, Harry. I'm sure he'll have plenty of stories to tell you once you get to know each other."

"You're probably right. Anyway, I suppose you'll call or write to let me know when we're leaving?"

"Of course I will."

"Alright then. I've got to run. Talk to you later, 'Mione."

"Bye, Harry."

Draco,

Harry and I officially accept your aforementioned invitation. Please let me know when and where it would be most convenient for your Father to meet us.

(Really? 'Dutifully mine'? What are you supposed to be, a knight?)

~Hermione

P.S. I agree that it might be more comfortable for Harry if there are a few familiar faces we're right. But I also hope that they get along easily. I think reclaiming some fraction of the magical side of his family would make him very happy.

Hermione started to worry when she didn't hear back from Draco by Thursday. Harry's birthday was in just over a week, and Sirius Black would be officially released from Ministry custody any day now, if the Prophet was to believed. They were running out of time to get together before Narcissa's rumored welcoming party for Sirius, so why hadn't Draco written back?

She was so caught up in trying to distract herself from her worries by doing homework that she didn't think anything of it when there was a knock on the door after dinner.

She'd been about to write in the diary when she heard 'Good evening, Mr. Riddle' float up from the entryway.

Tom's here?

She hopped up, thankful that she hadn't changed into pajamas yet, even though her 'day clothes' consisted of an old Quidditch jersey of Harry's, a pair of lounge pants, and socks. She ran to the top of the steps just before Tom followed her father into the kitchen.

She wasn't surprised that he noticed her right away.

"Hello, you," he said. "I think your father's putting the kettle on. Why don't you join us?"

"Do I…" she trailed off and bit her lip. The other Tom usually wrote her while he was at dinner, and he should be out of classes by now. "Should I grab the…"

Tom shook his head. "It won't kill me to be bored for an hour or so," he said, dropping his voice when she reached the base of the stairs. "Besides, I'm fairly certain tonight will be an eventful evening in the great hall for me. I'll tell you all about it later." He paused. "Younger me will, that is."

It was surreal seeing Tom in her kitchen, chatting with her parents while her father made tea. Hermione didn't realize they'd already met, multiple times it seemed, and watched the three of them in quiet fascination until they'd all settled around the kitchen table.

Tom was across from her parents. Hermione was to his right and her mother's left. It seemed ironically fitting for her to be in the middle.

When Hermione went to fill her teacup, Tom held out a hand to stop her, his lips twitching. "Wandless practice," he said.

She blinked at him. "But…I can't do magic outside of school. Won't that set off the trace?"

"Doubtful," he told her. "Besides, you're in the presence of a Ministry official. I'll just get it struck from your record if it does pop up. At best, they might get pinged and assume it was me."

At David and Jean's confused, but patient expression, Tom chuckled quietly. "Forgive me. I should explain. Wandless magic is part of her IMPP - her Individualized Magical Proficiency Plan. It takes a lot of power, focus, discipline, and practice to master magic without a wand as a conduit. Most wizards will never learn how do something as simple as levitating a feather without their wands, but Hermione's been learning the fundamentals of wandless magic with me this year." He gave her a fond smile. "She's the first witch in the last thousand years to successfully learn wandless casting at her age."

Hermione blushed and looked at the table. "They don't teach it anymore," she muttered.

"Still, darling, that's incredible!" said Jean. "Well done!"

David grinned at Hermione. "Don't be shy, love. Show off a bit. We rarely get to see what you can do."

A quick peak at Tom through her lashes yielded an encouraging nod in the kettle's direction. She took a deep breath and focused, slowly pouring first her own cup, then topping off Tom's. Setting the kettle down again and levitating sugar into both of their drinks was easier, and thus she managed to do it faster.

She didn't tell him she would wandlessly make the sugar cubes break apart and dissolve. When he moved to stir his tea, he cut himself off in the middle of thanking her for her courtesy.

"Very sneaky, Hermione," he teased.

She smiled around her teacup while basking in her parents' praises.

It was still odd having him present in the muggle world, but by the time they'd moved on to the purpose for his visit, she'd grown used to his presence.

He explained her sorting issue to her parents, made sure they were fine with him proceeding without them if she chose to change houses in the future, and gave them one of his bee-charmer smiles when they agreed.

"The only other thing I came to discuss were the logistics for getting Hermione and Mr. Potter to Malfoy Manor," Tom said.

Hermione perked up, and Tom gave her a look that told her he knew what direction her thoughts had turned.

"I promised Draco I'd come speak to you," he said. "This is easier than trying to coordinate your plans by owl. Lucius can meet you and Harry in Diagon Alley on Saturday. I suggest taking the Knight Bus, just so you're familiar with it. It also gives the pair of you an afternoon out. I've already suggested to Harry that it will be prudent to purchase any new clothing or supplies he needs during that time frame, in the event that he chooses to move in with his godfather."

"Is Sirius going to be released then?" she asked hopefully.

Tom's smile softened. "He was released this morning. I requested he give himself a few days to get his affairs in order, with my help of course, before his reunion with Harry. That also gives us a day for the remodeling agency we've contracted to fix up his childhood home."

Hermione grinned. "It gives Mrs. Malfoy time to plan the party Draco mentioned."

The roll of Tom's eyes told the Grangers his opinion of Narcissa's plan. "The small gathering Sirius and I agreed to will be hosted by Narcissa, yes. But he has adjusting to do. I don't want to overwhelm him the moment he's released."

After ensuring the everyone was fine with the travel plans, Tom polished off his third cup of tea and stood. "Thank you for the hospitality," he said to her parents. "But I must be off. I'm sure you'd like to return to your evening's activities as well."

"You haven't intruded at all," David assured him. "Your company's been far more interesting than the telly, Tom."

They thanked him for stopping by and shared an amused glance when Hermione jumped up to lead him to the door.

"Until next time," Tom called down the hall. He smiled at Hermione as he left. "And I'll see you in a few days."

"Yeah," she said. "Bye, Tom."

He threw a wink over his shoulder as she shut the door. "Bye, Dove."

Happy Friday! :P