A/N This story is my own plot but using the characters of J K Rowling.
This story is going to contain some OOC moments but its how I'm imagining it.
Also, the first couple of chapters have been tweaked and updated to fit with the new plot that the bunny brought to me with the help of my new Beta Gingerzrule so please give the first 3 chapters a reread.
Chapter four: A Malfoy meeting.
A few days after dinner with her new Nonna, Hermione and Severus had settled into a comfortable routine. Laney would serve breakfast at 9am most mornings, which Severus noticed Hermione did eat only rather small portions.
The pair would spend the morning learning about each other. Lunch was served in the great hall. Hermione had made firm friends with Amelia, and they sat together most lunches.
Most afternoons Severus spent time teaching Hermione the basics of magic. He had started helping her with her magic textbooks, first potions, then many of her other classes.
However today was going to be different, Severus was taking Hermione somewhere special, and she was excited. It had been just under 2 weeks since Severus had officially adopted Hermione and there were two people dying to meet the young witch.
They were going to meet Severus' brother and his family. She was nervous but excited, she had refused breakfast and was sat in front of closet trying to work out what to wear. Severus had suggested something casual, but Hermione wanted to make to impress so was searching through her dresses as she found several that were casual but pretty.
"Severus" Hermione calls out nervously.
"Yes." Severus replies heading towards her room.
"Can you help me?" She asks as she opens her bedroom door. Severus enters the room.
"What can I help you with little one?" He asks.
"What colours do your family like?" Hermione asks having pulled multiple dresses out of her closet. "I really want to impress your family."
She says biting her lip in nervousness. She holds up various dresses for Severus' opinion. He looks over and points at the silver dress, it was charmed so it sparkled and shimmered in the light.
"Match it with your special black cloak that we bought yesterday." Severus suggests. After the initial big shopping trip that took all day and a further two to unpack, they had this time headed into Diagon to purchase some wizarding clothing. Hermione rushes towards the bathroom to get changed. She steps out and spots Severus.
"How do I look?" she asks nervously.
"Beautiful little one." Severus replies.
The pair flooed to Malfoy Manor as soon as Severus had finished getting ready. The nerves were clear on Hermione's face, and he held her close as they passed through the floo. As the entered the Manor, a house elf greeted them.
"Good morning, Mr Severus. Master and Mistress are expecting you and are in the dining room." The elf says leading the way. Severus follows holding Hermione's hand. He can feel her shaking and tries his best to calm her. The elf pops away from them and into the dining room to announce the visitors and open the doors for them.
Severus strolls in, obviously at ease within the manor. Hermione follows trying to hide herself from the gaze of those sat at the biggest table she had ever seen. Hermione peaked out from between Severus' legs. She saw three blondes staring back at her. They were all so smartly dressed she noticed. The tall male looked stern and regal. Hermione decided he must have been the father of the smaller boy sat at the table. The woman was smiling, her blonde hair braided nicely. Hermione tugged one of her bushy curls wishing it didn't look so untidy. The elder man stood.
"Hello brother." He says regarding Severus kindly. "It's been too long." He chides however the tone joking.
"Hello brother." Severus responds. "I apologise, for someone has taken my time and it'd be my honour to introduce you to her." He says gently pulling Hermione out from her hiding place behind him. "Lucius, Cissy, Draco, my family... this is my adoptive daughter Hermione." He begins, taking in the faces of his family in all but blood. He kneels down to Hermione's level. "Little one, this is your uncle Lucius, Aunt Cissy and cousin Draco." He tells the young witch who smiles nervously at her new family. After a minute of silence, the young witch is suddenly encased in a hug, Narcissa had wrapped the girl in her arms.
"It's a pleasure to meet you sweetie." The elder witch whispered.
"It's nice to meet you too." Hermione stumbles over her words, cautious to say the right thing. Cissy releases her smiling lovingly.
"She's so skinny Severus. She looks unhealthy." Lucius says staring at the girl.
"I'm feeding her Luc, don't worry." Severus replies defensively.
"Severus took me for dinner at the three broomsticks the other day."
Hermione speaks up nervously. She wants to defend the man had given her all of her dreams.
"Did he?" Cissy asks trying to engage the girl in conversation.
"Yeah! I had chicken and tried butterbear for the first time ever. It bubbled up my nose and made me giggle." Hermione tells them relaxing slightly, Severus chuckles slightly at the memory as he leads her to the table. There are two spare chairs, one beside Lucius and one beside Cissy.
"Where would you like to sit little one?" Severus asks Hermione, who thinks deeply. If she sat next to her aunt Cissy, she would have to look at the stern face of her uncle. However, if she sat next to him, she would be able to see the smiling face of her new aunt, and therefore in her mind the decision was easy.
"Can I sit next to your brother please Severus?" Hermione whispers. Cissy looks a little taken back but smiles.
"If that's what you wish little one." Severus responds as he pulls her chair out for her. Hermione sits nervously and she feels someone push her chair in. she looks round and sees Lucius behind her.
"Thank you" she whispers.
"Your welcome princess." He replies almost as nervous as she was. Hermione blushes, and lunch appears on the table with the help of magic.
Hermione tries to keep quiet throughout the meal, not liking it when the attention rested entirely on her. However, Lucius kept bringing her into the conversation without making her feel embarrassed or overwhelmed.
"So, princess." Lucius starts, Hermione looks round at him nervously.
"What's your favourite hobby?" He asks.
"Reading." Hermione says confidently and quickly.
"You'll love our library then." A small voice pops up. Young Draco gives Hermione a small smile. He had been quite up until now, only really conversing when one of the adults had brought him into it. Mainly talks about Quidditch and school. "We have an amazing collection of books." Draco adds.
"Really?" Hermione asks smiling wide. "I love books."
"Maybe after lunch we could show you?" Lucius suggests.
"I'd like that. Thank you." Hermione replies, trying not to act to excited. She didn't know how Severus' family would react to her bookish lifestyle.
"It would be my pleasure to escort you after lunch." Lucius says seriously and Hermione giggles nervously once again struggling to deal with everyone staring at her.
"Father loves books." Draco pipes up happily.
"We can all explore the library as a family." Cissa adds, obviously desperate to be part of the discussion. Hermione smiles kindly at her new aunt.
"I'd love to go as a family. I'm very happy to be part of family that loves books as much as I do." Hermione says happily. "Also, aunt cissy…" Hermione starts nervously stuttering the word 'aunt.' She was still struggling to deal with family names like that.
"Yes dear?" Cissy answers her face lit up with the joy of being called aunt.
"I like how your hair is braided. It's very pretty." Hermione says tugging one of her unruly curls again, without realising. She sighs nervously.
"I can help you tame your curls sweetie; it'd be a pleasure." Cissy replies smiling happily.
"Thank you." Hermione replied.
As the plates disappeared from the table, Lucius rose from the table, followed by Severus.
"A tour then princess?" Lucius asks holding his hand out to Hermione. She smiles nervously as she goes to take his hand but it's shaking an awful amount. Her nerves becoming obvious to both of the men. Severus sighs internally. He doesn't know why she's so scared but he hopes one day, she'll be able to tell him.
"Little one…" Severus says softly trying not to startle his child. Hermione takes a deep breath before faking a smile and attempting to be brave. She accepts Lucius' outstretched hand.
"Thank you… Uncle Lucius." She says nervously. Severus smiles as he watches his brother escort his daughter around the house.
They made it to the library a short while later.
"Close your eyes." Lucius demanded in a serious but also jovial tone. Hermione does so with bated breath. She hears the doors open and feels someone lead her into the room. She's shaking again but this time from excitement. She loves libraries. The smell, the safety, nothing bad ever happened in a library.
"Open your eyes princess." She hears her uncle ay and with nerves and intrigue she opens the quickly. The room is massive. She doesn't feel like she's ever been in a room this big. Oh, and the books, Hermione's mind is spinning so fast, she's never seen so many in one place. Shelves are the size of the room, from the floor to the ceiling covered in books.
"Oh wow" Hermione whispers. Cissy giggles. This girl's reaction to their library was something divine, something she had never seen before.
"There are so many, where will I start?" Hermione says forgetting the fact that the rest of her family was watching her. Lucius leads her into the room.
"However little one, there are a few rules. They are the same rules that Draco has in place for this room as well." Severus says.
"Of course." Hermione says calmly, books require order and order requires rules. Severus chuckles softly.
"The section behind that wall is off limits to you. There are multiple spells placed on the area, but they will hurt you if you attempt to enter it.
There are books behind there that are not suitable for young eyes and minds." Severus starts and Hermione nods, that made sense to her.
"Secondly, you must ask before you borrow any books in here, some books have powerful magic attached and may need to be handled in the right way. However when we are sending time her with our family…," Severus continues stressing the word 'our'. "With permission you may spend time in here." He finished.
"I understand." Hermione replies. "No going behind the wall, they are not child friendly books. Always ask before I take a book out of the library and when we're here, I may be allowed time to browse the amazing place that is this library." Hermione says smiling.
"Perfect little one." Severus says leaning down and kissing Hermione's forehead softly. "Now me and your uncle need to go and have a conversation. You'll stay here with your aunt and Draco and she will decide what you're going to do." Severus says to his child.
"Ok, Severus." Hermione replies smiling at her aunt, as Severus and Lucius leave the room.