A/N: I have updated chapter twenty on 29/06/21, as it was way below standard, thanks to my useless, fever-stricken brain. So, go and check out the updated version - if you want - before continuing. :)

Waiting for Narcissa to pick up the thread of conversation like a good host was slowly grinding Hermione's nerves to a pulp. Not to mention Draco's constant fidgeting under her as he played an impossible balancing game, both trying to pull her upper body close, and push her butt so far down his legs that half of it was now hanging in the air.

Hermione was about to turn to Draco and snuggle up even more - in defiance to both Malfoys - when a loud noise crackled in the room. Both of them startled while Narcissa casually looked at the emerging elf, like she was expecting it.

The elf curtsied, her oversized yellow sundress forming a puddle of fabric at her feet.

"Mistress, dinner is served and Master is waiting," chimed the elf.

"Oh, is it dinner time already?" Narcissa asked, turning back to them. Her gaze had changed to that of a predator, making Hermione gulp. And to make matters worse, she wasn't even sure what caused this change. Only if she was better at reading her… or at Legilimens. "Would you like to join us? I think we're past Hogwarts's dinner time, and it would be quite boorish of me to let you leave like this."

Before she could even finish her sentence, Draco went on the defensive, giving up his balancing game and instead his fingers painfully dug into her waist.

"Mother…" he grumbled, shooting a glare back at Narcissa.

Merlin's beard… she was not a piece of meat to fight over! She swatted hard at the invasive grip, and thankfully Draco let off. Yes, it was quite nice, having a Seeker as her boyfriend, but they will have to talk about restricting the use of this death-grip to the game only.

She fully turned to him, trying her best not to just get lost in his silver eyes. Channelling her brother, she attempted to shoot the message of 'Now I face my demons and you can't stop me.' directly into his mind. She didn't bother checking if he got it, instead she swirled back to their host waiting patiently for her reply.

"Yes, thank you, Narcissa," she said.

The witch didn't wait for her to change her mind. She nodded to the elf and stood up, her teacup disappearing from her hand. "In that case, please first choose something from the bookcase as a little gift from me, then my son can lead you to the dining room. I will go ahead and inform Lucius."

And just like that, both Narcissa and the elf left, letting the room fall into an awkward silence.

They were about to have a conversation she didn't particularly look forward to, so instead of asking Draco a myriad questions, she stood up, letting the blond's arms fall back into his lap.

This wasn't fleeing. She was just prioritizing her duties, yes. Nice and organized as always.

She crossed the room, and without even looking at the selection, she snagged her father's work. She couldn't afford to be sidetracked by some unknown beauty. She needed answers. Running her fingers down the book's spine, she traced the word 'Nott' with reverence. She never had a published author in her family before.

She was about to open it up when the book vanished. What?

"The elves will take it to your room," came the answer to her silent question from Draco. He was watching her from that illustrious 'just close enough' space she designated the 'aristocrat arm's-length'. He was hunched over slightly as he leaned against the wall, the vines giving him a green halo.

Her breath escaped in a sigh, the previous half an hour hanging over her head like Damocles's sword. They really had to have a talk again, didn't they? Was there any chance they could reschedule it for tomorrow? She felt like she had used up all her adulting powers for the day.

"Are you okay?" he whispered as if he didn't want to interrupt her internal monologue. His voice was soft and his face full of worry, and it made Hermione's heart sink. She was definitely not okay, but if she said so, the blond might just side-along her back to her flat immediately.

"I'm fine, I'm just…" She was reeling, and she didn't know how to put it into words. As soon as Narcissa left the room, the built-up adrenalin that kept her going until then unceremoniously ran out, letting her wallow in her own personal hell made of unanswered questions.

So, she should probably start by getting some answers.

"What happened? Are we… engaged now?" There was no way to ask this more gently. Or if there was, she couldn't find it within her. Draco blanched and stared at her for a moment before squeezing his eyes shut and firmly shaking his head.

"No, no," he said, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

"No?"

If it was anyone else, Hermione would've said they were squirming. But Draco just stilled to a statue-like level, maintaining the outward appearance of a perfect pureblood.

"Well, halfway," he bit out, finally.

"Halfway?!"

How can you be halfway engaged? Did they agree to something behind her back, or during that strange declaration? They didn't say anything like that. Merlin, was it really the flower?

The questions battered her mind constantly, but she could not allow herself to overthink this, and instead waited for Draco to explain himself.

"Technically, as I took over as the male head of the house, she is now the beata mater and as such, she has the power to accept an engagement in my stead," he said reluctantly.

Her head was spinning. "But she accepted it."

"She accepted the gift, not the intentions behind it. I know you may not believe this, but my mother is not a monster. She would not push an unrequited marriage on you."

Would it be unrequited? That was the question of the day, but Hermione couldn't make heads or tails of her feelings as the butterflies in her tummy and the dread in her mind battled it out.

It was definitely fast. Way too fast. For Merlin's sake, they just started dating today!

Before she would truly have a panic attack, she pushed her brain to the planning corner. It was comfortable there. Cosy, but organized. And most certainly colour-coded.

Sticking to the facts, she thought about everything she knew. And Draco was right. Even if Narcissa tried to force it, she had another ace up her sleeve.

"She would have to push it on Theo if I have my pureblood courting laws correct. He is the head of my house, no matter how ridiculous and dated this custom is, right?"

If Draco was still before, now he must've stopped breathing. Hermione stepped closer to him, watching his face frozen in this trance-like state like he was clouding his thoughts with occlumency.

She reached up, tracing his jaw with her fingers. "Draco? What's wrong?"

He shuddered violently and took some shallow breaths. The emotions that suddenly all flickered on his face were too fast for her to decipher.

"Nothing. You're right as always," he smiled weakly, then surprised her by pulling her into an embrace.

She had to steady herself by grabbing onto his robes, letting a waft of apple-scented air wash all of her thoughts away. It was all good. Narcissa couldn't hurt them. Lucius couldn't do much, either. All those other bigots were small fish.

She finally found a piece of happiness, and she dared anyone to try and take it from her.

Draco's fingers caressed her back in a soothing motion, and she had to fight the urge to lull into sleep. Surely the couch would be big enough for the both of them?

"Thank you."

She felt the low rumble of his chest more so than heard him say it. She looked up at her snake and arched her brows.

"Why?"

"For not running away, even after mother's best attempts. That portrait and this whole spiel was to chase you away, you know?"

Yes, she was quite sure they were. "Tell her to up her game. She's playing with lions now."

Draco's eyes twinkled. "I'll make sure to let her know."

Hermione could feel his breath on her nose, the calming scent of the chamomile tea still lingering. She stared deep into his eyes, lost in the pools of silver. He was so close, so warm and inviting…

Draco pulled away at the last second, letting her teeter back a few steps, while he sunk back to the wall. They were both out of breath.

What in Morgana's knickers was he doing?

He cleared his throat. "I don't think freshly snogged is the way you want to present yourself to my father."

No, it surely wasn't, but she was at the point where a locking charm on the door and an extension charm on the couch would've been preferable to a meeting with Lucius.

Still, he was right, and Hermione had to admit it.

"Hmm, no, I don't think your father is prepared to see that." She smirked as Draco stifled a surprised laugh.

A/N: So, I've been getting more and more questions regarding Hermione's past and her connection to Theo. So just to clean things up: we know that Nott Snr was borderline insane, so it's not like he would've left a pretty letter in the middle of the manor explaining everything. (Or would he? ;) ) Anyway, maybe if Hermione asks the right person, we can finally figure out what happened. Or start to, at least.

We only know one thing for now: they are full siblings.

I am also fully recovered now, so chapters should be back on schedule. :)

Love y'all,

LydieBerry