Chapter 11

Narcissa woke up feeling well rested. When she called Milly, the house elf appeared to help her dress. "Is Draco here, Milly?" she asked.

"No, Mistress. He did not come back home last night."

Narcissa hid her delight from the house elf. "Thank you, Milly. I'll be right down for breakfast."

Milly disappeared with a crack, and Narcissa was able to express her glee with a wide smile.

She had seen Draco's attachment to the young muggleborn healer perhaps before he had discovered it himself. Hermione was not only a skilled healer, but a delight to be around. Aside from the fact that she'd saved Narcissa's life, Narcissa genuinely enjoyed the younger woman's company. Hermione was compassionate and intelligent, gentle and accommodating, as well as pretty.

Draco had been attracted to Hermione from the first, Narcissa was sure. She didn't know much about how he'd fared while she was in prison – he seemed reluctant to reveal anything negative – but she assumed that he was having a hard time now that the Malfoy name was disgraced.

Hermione didn't seem to care anything about that. Even though she was a muggleborn, and had been tormented for years by Draco, she had showed them compassion and kindness from the first, without expecting or asking for anything in return.

She was different from any of the girls Draco had been with in the past. Narcissa had silently watched the attraction between them grow and had hoped they would realize it themselves and act on it.

It was to her delight, therefore, that Draco had finally worked up the courage to ask out the pretty witch. Narcissa had been hoping the evening would go well, and, judging from the fact that her son had not yet returned home, it had indeed. She couldn't be more pleased. She was looking forward to having grandchildren, and Narcissa couldn't think of a better mother for Draco's children.

Andromeda had promised to join Narcissa for breakfast this morning, so she prepared for her sister. The two had grown much closer in the last month since their reunion, and she could only be thankful that her sister was so forgiving. She still remembered the cruel words she had hurled at Andromeda when her sister left to marry Ted Tonks. She felt ill now, thinking of them. Andromeda, like Hermione, was a better person than she to forgive such a thing.

Andromeda appeared in the fireplace with a whoosh, and came forward to give her sister a kiss on the cheek. Narcissa was still weak, and it was tiring to walk more than short distances, but she rose to return her sister's greeting.

"Where is Draco?" Andromeda asked, expecting to find her nephew joining them for breakfast. She and Draco had grown closer in the last month, and Andromeda seemed genuinely fond of him, which delighted Narcissa.

"He went on a date last night and hasn't returned home yet," said the proud mother smugly.

"A date?" asked Andromeda with raised brows. "I wasn't aware he was dating anyone."

"It's Hermione Granger," Narcissa confided.

"He's dating Hermione?" Andromeda was obviously shocked. "Why didn't I know about this?"

"It was just their first date," Narcissa said. "I don't think they've told anyone yet."

"Well, it must have gone well if he's still not home," said Andromeda with a smirk.

"My thoughts exactly."

"And you don't – mind?" asked Andromeda hesitantly.

Narcissa knew at once what her sister meant. Narcissa had been prejudiced for so long that it was a fair question. "On the contrary, I think it's a perfect match. I couldn't have picked someone better for Draco."

Andromeda raised her brows in surprise. "I'm glad to hear it."

Just then, Draco strode into the room. He was still wearing the suit he had worn when he left for his date last night. He was looked disheveled but smiling broadly and Narcissa had to hide her own grin.

"Good morning, Mother, Aunt Andromeda," he said.

"Good morning, Draco," they said.

"Did you have a nice time last night?" Narcissa asked, although she already knew the answer.

A grin spread across Draco's countenance, lighting his features in a way Narcissa had never seen before. "Yeah, it was great. In fact, I want to take Hermione to the library at Malfoy Manor today to look at the books. She's doing some research and I think it might help her."

"That's very nice, dear. You think she'll be all right going there?"

He nodded. "Yeah, I'll just apparate us straight into the library. She says it'll be fine."

"Well, I hope you have a nice time, Draco," Narcissa said with a gentle smile. "Don't worry about coming home for dinner. I'll understand if you want to spend the weekend with Hermione."

Draco smiled. "That sounds great then. I'd better go change. Have a good day, Mother, Aunt Andromeda."

"You too, Draco," said Andromeda.

After Draco had stridden from the room the two sisters looked at each other. "Goodness me," said Andromeda, "I've never seen the boy so happy."

"Isn't it wonderful?" said Narcissa gleefully. "Hermione will be the making of him, mark my words!"

With a pop, the two apparated into the Malfoy Manor library. Hermione looked around her in wonder. Aside from the Hogwarts library, she had never seen one so extensive. She felt she could live here and never be bored.

"It's wonderful, Draco," she breathed when she found he was looking at her for her opinion.

He smiled. "I'm glad you like it. I used to spend many hours in here when I was younger. It was my escape."

Hermione nodded, understanding. "I can't wait to explore it."

Draco stretched out a hand. "Go right ahead. What's mine is yours."

With a smile, she stepped forward to run her hand over the ancient tomes. "How are they organized?"

"We have a catalogue here," he said, waving his wand over a large blue book that lay on a carved walnut table. It opened and the pages fluttered. "You're looking for relief from damage caused by the cruciatus curse, right?"

Hermione nodded.

"I'll just ask the catalogue, and it'll tell us what books are relevant."

Hermione came over to stand beside him as he pointed his wand at the book. A moment later, swirls of ink emerged to form words on the page. It was a list of the names of books and their respective authors.

"That's amazing!" she said.

He smiled at her. "Yeah, it's pretty helpful." He picked up the tome and carried it over to one of the shelves. "They're mostly books on the dark arts, which are centered here. Feel free to look."

With the help of the catalogue, they spent the next several hours looking through the books. When they were almost at the end of their patience, Hermione found something. "Here, Draco! I think this might be it!"

He moved to sit next to her and look at the pages. "You found it?"

She nodded. "I'm pretty sure. It's a potion, not a spell. Maybe that's where I've been going wrong. It looks pretty complex, though."

Draco smirked at her. "I'm sure you can handle it, Granger. After all, you successfully brewed Polyjuice potion in only your second year."

Hermione appreciated his confidence in her abilities. "Could I borrow this book?"

"Absolutely. Take it for as long as you need."

"Thank you," she said, putting it in her bag. "St. Mungo's should have the ingredients. I can brew it there. According to the instructions, the potion should take about two months to make and steep properly."

Draco's brows rose. "That long?"

She nodded. "It's a complicated spell."

"I know you can do it," he said with a smile.

She smiled back at him, then stood. "We'd better leave. You need to get back to your mother's for dinner so she doesn't worry."

"Oh. Actually she told me not to worry about her and to enjoy the weekend with you."

Hermione's brows rose. "Really?"

"Really. She likes you."

Hermione smiled. "That's great, then. I'll make dinner for us at Grimmauld Place. Harry will be at the Burrow so you won't have to worry about him."

Draco smiled slyly. "At long as I get to see your bedroom afterwards."

Hermione chuckled. "Absolutely."

They lay together, Draco's arm stretched over her naked torso, catching their breath. The lovemaking had been just as intense and passionate as the night before. Hermione had made dinner for them, and Draco had even helped her chop ingredients, although he clearly didn't fully understand why she preferred to cook the manual way without using magic. She'd tried to explain that the food just tasted better that way, but he remained skeptical.

She'd only gotten halfway through her strawberry ice cream for dessert when Draco had swept her off to bed. Apparently watching her enjoy her meal had turned him on.

It was thrilling to be wanted so intensely. She was very happy with the way their relationship was progressing. She was concerned about one thing, though.

"Draco?" she asked, looking over at him.

His blond hair was disheveled from its usual impeccable style after she had run her fingers through it repeatedly. It hung across his forehead in a way that made him look undeniably sexy. He looked well-fucked, and she was thrilled that she was the one who had made him so.

"Hmm?" he said drowsily, running his hand down her flank.

"Are we – exclusive?" she asked hesitantly.

That got his attention immediately. He sat up, looking at first surprised and then almost angry.

"Fuck yes, we're exclusive!" he snapped. "Don't you even fucking think about sharing that sweet arse or tight cunt with anyone else!"

Hermione exhaled, relieved. "Okay then."

Draco paused. "Okay?"

"Yeah. That's good."

Draco seemed to relax. "So you won't see anyone else?"

"No. And you won't either?"

"Fuck no. How could I want anyone else after I've had you?"

Hermione felt a thrill at the words, which were undeniably truthful, even as he slid his hand up her side and cupped her breast. "Maybe you need a reminder of how good we are together," he said seductively. "Do you need my hard cock inside you, making you come over and over until you remember who you belong to?"

At any other time, Hermione would have objected to the idea of "belonging" to a man, but he spoke in such a husky purr, and his hands were doing such amazing things to her body, that she just didn't have the will or concentration to do so. "Draco... please…" she moaned, arching into his touch.

"Don't worry, Granger, I'll give you what you need," he said, leaning forward to kiss her.

And over the next half hour he proved to her the truth of his words.