Rewritten as of 29/06/21.

The butterflies fluttered once again in Hermione's stomach, and she fought very hard not to feel embarrassed under the Malfoys' glances after the show they put on. She promised herself that she would first go out with Draco, see if he really has changed, not melt into an incoherent puddle every time he looked at her. Yet…

There was something about this ritual that stirred the little wicked witch within her. Were they speaking in spells, maybe-

No. That didn't seem right. Draco's words were generic at best, no doubt dictated to a tee by some old rule. Hermione thought about it again, this time trying to replay the smallest details.

It started with his eyes. That half-hopeful, half-scared glance he gave her. She looked at him once again, but as he hesitantly returned to the seat next to her, he did his best not to meet her glance.

So Hermione did what every self-respecting lioness would do and quickly switched her gaze to the other source of her befuddlement.

Narcissa had set back down and now sipped her tea without care. Or at least that's what seemed to be the case. But if Hermione focused really hard, she could see the witch's eyes flicker between Draco and her. She was certainly expecting something. Hermione was sure that she had been since she stepped into her home.

Abraxas was a test. Must have been. Draco was surprised to see him, so it only makes sense that the painting isn't normally there. Could have this also been a test? If yes, what exactly did she expect to happen? Did she want to scare her away with pureblood stuff?

Hermione chased away the thought. That, again, was ridiculous. Narcissa knew she was here exactly for this. To learn about their customs and their life. They already discussed her interest in the cultural exchange!

"What do you think, Miss Granger?" Narcissa finally broke the silence. "I hope it was not too… archaic for your tastes."

Or… she did not. Hermione had to take a deep breath before answering. She really hoped Narcissa would catch on a bit more easily since Theo had praised the witch's critical mind to the skies. Maybe age was getting to her.

That gave Hermione pause. Narcissa wasn't old by wizarding standards.

Another awful thought slithered right into her mind. Maybe it was a side-effect from suffering under Voldemort for so long?

Sometimes Hermione wished she could bring back that arsehole just to kill him one more time, but this time much slower and a lot more painfully. He corrupted this entire family with his insane ideas! Maybe dulled Narcissa on purpose. Hermione could easily see him stoop that low.

Well, wherever he was rotting at this moment, Hermione hoped he had a front-row seat to this show. Because she was in charge now, and she would not rest until this brilliant witch and her brilliant son were back to their brilliant bloody selves.

She looked at the blond on her right, hoping for a small insight. But he was so fixed on the bloody teapot the Malfoy crest probably burned into his retinas by now. His tousled hair was long enough to hinder his sight like blinkers. He wouldn't even know if something were to attack him from the side.

A flair of mischief flickered awake in her heart. Maybe she could also conduct her own experiment? It was only fair, and she had to start stirring them up somehow.

She gathered every ounce of finesse she had in her and praised herself for using some sticking charms on her dress beforehand. She did not want to accidentally flash Narcissa during this manoeuvre. That would take off the edge.

She gracefully flung her legs across Draco. His head moved sharply, eyes snapping to hers with deep confusion. Too bad. If they weren't doing any explaining, neither would she.

She grasped Draco's shoulders and pulled herself into his lap sideways, so she could still look at them both. The wide-eyed look on Draco's face made her blurt out a small giggle before snuggling into his chest, quickly abandoning all form of decency.

After this, she finally gathered herself to speak up again.

"No, it was not. In fact, I found it quite beautiful." She craned her head until she could look the Malfoy matriarch in the eyes, gleefully challenging her about the 'open arms and open heart' part of her grandiose speech.

Narcissa, to her credit, took Hermione's actions in stride.

"It doesn't bother you to be reduced to a handful of qualities? I've seen other witches outraged by this simple gesture," she asked, not even batting an eyelid at how her son's arms now wrapped around her waist.

Hermione shook her head. Or at least she tried to, as she searched for the best way to put her feelings in words.

"I think it's more like a synopsis of a book. Just enough to convince, but not enough to satisfy one's curiosity."

This made Narcissa slightly furrow her brows. Did she disagree, or…?

"I am indeed curious to learn more about you, dear." Narcissa smiled, and Hermione let out the breath she was unconsciously holding. "May I call you Hermione?"

"Yes, of course," she replied hastily before the meaning really sunk in. Narcissa Malfoy wanted to call her by her first name? That was… unexpected.

Thanks to Theo's lectures, she knew that this was their version of a showing of friendship. It would be an affront not to take it.

"Then please, do call me Narcissa."

Hermione nodded. This visit was turning out to be quite a shock, in only the best sense of the word.

Maybe she would even leave with a smile on her face.