The next morning was interesting.
Hermione woke first rolling onto her side and pressing herself into Draco's side. He was warm laying on his back with his mouth open a smidge. Not unlike other mornings she curled against him. His sleepy groan when her naked skin touched his woke her completely. She'd forgotten about her lack of a shirt after his exploration the night before. Horrified she yanked the blanket over her exposed chest.
"Draco!"
He was up in an instant, wand poised to ward off an invisible intruder. Hair tousled with sleep, standing up on off ends, he blinked several times to clear his eyes. It took him a moment before he looked down at her. She was a sight to be had, clutching a thin gold sheet over her chest, her hard nipples pocking through the fabric. Beautiful golden curls framing her face.
"Princess?" Her answering smile was worth it.
"We need to get up."
"These wakeup calls are getting a bit ridiculous, love."
"Shut up," she giggled, "I need you to leave though, I need to finish packing and get ready. So do you."
Nodding absently he let his eyes fall to her sheet and smirked, "So shy, my brave little serpent." But he shifted his legs off the bed and stood.
"That's a contradiction."
At the door he winked at her, "See you at breakfast."
Hermione watched him leave with a lightness in her chest. He'd left the door open but she couldn't see him so she let the sheet fall and stood. She used her wand to pack her beaded bag as she got dressed. Excited at the prospect of getting to be with her family again. They hadn't written in months but she hoped when they saw her nothing would have changed. She could still hear Draco in his room when she left the common room.
Blaise greeted her at the table, "Granger! Have a good evening?"
Hermione just smirked, "Good morning to you too Zabini. I see Luna isn't back yet."
He grinned, "What can I say, the witch loves to dance."
Shaking her head with mirth Hermione started to spread jam on her toast. Pansy and Millicent joined them as the owls descended on the hall. After several months of conditioning Hermione didn't even look up, just continued readying her breakfast. It was Saturday after all, the only post she did get usually came on Wednesday. So when a letter dropped onto her eggs she let out a tiny noise that made Theo laugh. Shooting him a glare she picked up the missive and forgot to breathe when she recognized the writing.
Mrs. Weasley had written her.
With childlike giddiness she ripped open the letter, ignoring Theo asking her what the poor parchment ever did to her, and hungerly read the letter.
She did her best to mask the wave of hurt that went through her as she read the words.
Molly was asking her not to come. The day she was supposed to board the train with everyone else.
Clutching her beaded bag under the table she forced herself to breathe and smile as she folded it up. A quick glance around the table told her friends had gone about their breakfast none the wiser. Folding it as she would her other letters she put it in her pocket and went about her regular breakfast routine.
Draco entered the Hall ten minutes later beside Astoria and Hermione stared at her plate. It was like two blows and she wasn't sure how much more she could take in such a short period.
Thankfully Ginny saved her. The redhead all but dragged her from her seat after wishing them all a happy holiday and telling Pansy she would write her about New Years. They went up to the Gryffindor common room where Ginny peppered her with questions about the night before. Hermione simply smiled and answered to the best of her ability, leaving out anything to do with Draco. As far as Ginny, and anyone else, was concerned her and Draco had only slept together that one night all those months ago.
When it was time to walk down to the train station Hermione made her excuses but ended up walking beside Ginny and Harry as they chatted happily about what things they may do when they reached the Burrow. The twins were supposed to pick them up and bring them home. She was jealous but fingering the letter in her pocket she bit her cheek to keep from crying. On the journey she did her best to throw in her opinion but Harry could sense her unease. She knew he was trying to piece her sudden change of plans together but she didn't want to ruin his holiday.
Harry was her brother, he would fight for her, she knew it.
After giving them hugs goodbye she stood on the platform and bid her goodbyes waving as the train started to leave Hogsmeade station. They hadn't seen Pansy, Theo, Blaise, or Draco, thankfully and when the train pulled away she sagged with relief.
"Why aren't you on the train?"
Not taking her eyes off the train Hermione answered in a solemn voice, "Mrs Weasley wrote me this morning." Remus looked at her, she saw him out the corner of her eye, "She asked that I respect their wishes to celebrate the holidays as a family."
"That's absurd! You're as much apart of the Weasley family as myself, Tonks, Ted, Harry, and Sirius."
Looking up at him she gave him a half smile, "But not by blood. I am the misfit in the family, I don't actually have a place and since my resorting that is even more true."
"What do you mean?" His eyes lightened significantly as he took in her words.
She shrugged nonchalantly and looked back at the train, "Aside from Harry, Ginny, you and Tonks, I haven't heard from anyone since the school year began. No return letters, no birthday cards, nothing. But for this," she patted her pocket. "That's enough. I know you are heading home, give Tonks and Ted my love." She withdrew a small bag from within her beaded bag and handed it to him, "For you and everyone else, if you don't mind playing owl." Giving him a half hug she gave him another small smile, "Enjoy your holiday Remus."
"Hermione," he called after her. When she stopped and looked back at him she saw his frown, "Truly?" She nodded, "If I'd have known.."
His words seemed to fail him, "It's okay. I understand wanting to be with your family. Please don't say anything to Harry, I told him and Gin my portkey to Australia was finally approved."
When he nodded she turned back and started up the road to the castle. It was a long journey and without Ginny on her elbow the chill got to her quicker. After casting a warming charm the journey seemed to go by much faster but that could have also just been the speed of which she'd started walking. She moved methodically through the caste and down to her dorms. The further into the castle she got the more appealing a shower and an afternoon with her book became. She thought she was home free but when she passed by the potions classroom someone called her name.
Pausing she stopped to breathe before gently pushing in the door. Professor Snape was seated behind his desk, Lucius Malfoy seated pristinely across from him, an amber bottle between them on the desk, a glass in front of each of them. The former was a shock to see sincec she knew he was supposed to be on house arrest.
"Professor," she looked at the elder Malfoy when he looked at her, "Lord Malfoy."
Her head of house gave her approving look and leaned back in his chair. "It was my understanding that the train to Kings Cross left fifteen minutes ago, would you care to explain why you are not on it?"
Hermione shifted uncomfortably on her feet but kept her back straight and her chin high, "My plans fell through sir. I saw my friends off, said goodbye to Professor Lupin, and was just now going back to my room to do some light reading."
"Were you not to go to the Burrow with your friends?"
"I was, yes. But it was requested I not make an appearance this year." Both men gave her a strange looks, "They wish to celebrate the first holiday since the war as a family."
"Are you not family?" Severus sneered.
As discreetly as she could Hermione wiped her cheek, catching the stray tear that had fallen, "It would seem not sir." Rolling her shoulders she schooled her expression and once more met his gaze.
"Then I take it Potter is with you as well?"
She shook her head, "No, Harry is on the train."
"And your parents?"
She almost faltered again, she stopped it but she couldn't keep her eyes from welling, "Still not themselves sir. My portkey has yet to be approved because of my status as a student."
"I see," he leaned back in his chair. "I had plans this holiday and wasn't planning on stay in this infernal castle for once."
Hermione smirked, "By all means Professor, don't let me ruin your holiday. I swear to be the model Slytherin in your absence."
He smirked, as did Lucius, "The Headmistress will be here, I am sure she would love your company."
"Thank you sir, I hope you enjoy your time away from the dunderheads. May I return to my room now?"
"Yes, Miss Granger, you're dismissed."
Hermione twisted her wrist to produce her beaded bag, withdrawing four presents she bravely approached the desk, "For you sir," she pushed a small green package towards him. Turning to Lucius Malfoy she handed him the three remaining presents, "For you and your family, Lord Malfoy. I apologize if your gift is not to your liking, I was not sure what you would like but thought it rude to send gifts to Narcissa and Draco and not you as well."
Lucius Malfoy gave her a calculated nod, "The sentiment is appreciated Miss Granger. Thank you."
"Of course sir. Have a good evening sir's. I hope you both have a wonderful holiday."
She made it into the hallway before slumping and letting her weariness show.
In the end she stayed in her room until well past dinner. Hermione had struggled internally when deciding what to do. For a moment she almost went into the Draco's room and curled up on his bed surrounding by his familiar scent. Instead she crawled onto her bed, cuddled around his pillow with her transfiguration textbook after changing into a pair of more comfortable clothes. Darcey brought her dinner when mealtime in the Great Hall passed. Just after she was forced to cast a lumos to continue reading a knock echoed through her common room. Marking her place she stood and stretched her sore muscles.
"Headmistress," she greeted opening the portrait hole, "How are you? Would you like some tea?"
"No thank you dear, I just came to deliver this," the older woman held out a letter, "It came for you during dinner."
"I apologize for missing the meal, I was a bit caught up in my reading."
Handing her the letter the Headmistress waved her off, "Think nothing of it. Severus explained on his way out. Go on, open it. I was asked to stay with you until you made a decision."
Frowning Hermione nodded and opened the letter, the familiar wax seal making her smile. Her eyes darted across the page quickly as she took in the message. Looking up at the Headmistress she smiled, her frown long gone.
"Do you know who it's from?"
"Ei, Mrs. Malfoy included a letter to me."
"Am I allowed to go?"
McGonagall's eyes twinkled like her predecessors, "It would be no different than you or Mister Potter going to the Weasley's. You are also of age Hermione," her tone turned maternal, "you are capable of making your own decisions. This included. If you trust the Malfoys, I support your decision. "
"Thank you," Hermione breathed.
"You should pack. I can wait and we can walk to my office so you may utilize the floo."
"A-Actually, I have Darcey," the elf popped into the room at her name. Hermione closed her eyes and took a deep breathe, "I still need a moment Darcey, I was just explaining to the Headmistress my route to the Manor." Looking at the Headmistress Hermione blushed, "She is Draco's elf," Darcey made a pained noise making Hermione amend her statement, "and mine. She can take me there. With your permission of course."
McGonagall had her hand over her mouth to mask her snickering, "Not at all. If that works best for you and Darcey is amendable, feel free. Will you take the train back?"
"Yes Headmistress."
Her look became concerned for a moment before returning to normal, "Should you need to return for any reason, you may floo into my office."
"Thank you."
"Happy Christmas Hermione."
She left in a flourish of robes worthy of Snape.
Hermione stood frozen for a few minutes before Darcey pulled on her hand, "Mistress?"
"Yes, sorry Darcey, my bags are still packed, I just need to change."
Darcey looked excited, "Go, Mistress, go!"
Hermione laughed as she raced into her room. Throwing on her clothes from that morning Hermione grabbed her beaded bag, stuffing her textbook inside. In the common room she gave Darcey a finger, telling her she needed one more moment and hurried into the bathroom. In front of the mirror she gasped at her hair. Charming it into a braid she nodded at the look and rejoined Darcey in the common room. "Oh wait, sorry," she disappeared into her room once more reemerging moments later, "Okay, I'm ready."
Darcey held out her hand with a wide smile. The moment Hermione took it the pull of apparition kept her from breathing. One second she was in the common room and the next she was in an extravagant library.
"Oh my..."
Letting go of Darcey's hand she approached the nearest set of shelves. It was truly magnificent. The room could be considered two story with floor to ceiling shelves and two sets of spiral stairs that lead wrap around balcony of the second story. From what she could see their was a small seated area on the balcony with a set of comfortable chairs flanking a set of windows. Where she was, there was a grand fireplace with a couch in front of it. There were also two desks, one in each corner opposite the fireplace. The shelves and desks were a dark mahogany. Mixed with the marble flooring and the cream colored upholstery it was inviting and positively homey.
"Mistress."
Remembering herself Hermione turned to Darcey with a shy smile, "Sorry.."
"Master Draco says yous loves books, Darcey picked a good room to bring you."
"You did," Hermione giggled, "I may never leave," she said dreamily turning in a circle to take the room in again.
Darcey stood with a wide smile at Hermine's proclamation. "Follows me Mistress, I takes you to Master Draco's mother. She's be waiting for you."
Hermione followed dutifully, fidgeting with her beaded bag in front of her. Darcey led her through the house with a pep in her step chanting to herself. Not unfamiliar with the home she was walking through Hermione wondered if Draco knew she was here. Narcissa hadn't mentioned that he was aware of her invite, just that Lucius had mentioned her unfortunate circumstances and couldn't bare the thought of her spending the holidays alone in the castle.
Darcey led her to a sunroom that Hermione was more familiar with. Narcissa was seated under the glass ceiling, moonlight illuminating her blond hair, drinking from delicate china while reading a petite book.
"Lady Malfoy, Mistress is here!"
"Darcey," Hermione huffed through a laugh, "I'm not your Mistress."
The little elf just gave her a smile and snapped away. Narcissa laughed. Looking back at her, Hermione saw she'd stood.
"Hermione, I'm so happy you could make it. I was beginning to worry."
When the Malfoy matriarch opened her arms Hermione walked into her accepting the hug. Hermione had been a bit shocked to receive a letter from the aristocrat a few weeks after their trials finished but hadn't hesitated to respond. Narcissa had sent a simple apology for the atrocities she had faced in her home and thanked Hermione for her testimonies. The bigger surprise was the second letter. After that, they hadn't stopped and the pair formed a close relationship.
Narcissa was one of the few people who knew of Hermione's parents. They took tea every month in the East gardens of the Manor until it became too cold, in which case they met in this same sunroom just off the gardens.
"That is my fault. I got distracted with a book and missed dinner in the Hall. Minerva brought me the invitation just a few moments ago."
"I'm just glad you're here," Narcissa pulled away from Hermione, putting her hands on her arms as she looked her over with a sad look, "Lucius told me what happened. I'm very sorry your family wrote you off for your house. Quite the role reversal."
Hermione gave a weak shrug, "I would like to say I understand but it hurts."
"Alas, it brought you here! Now are you sure you're comfortable? I don't want you doing anything that might trigger something for you!"
"I'm perfectly fine. Not a single flashback on the journey down here from the library, which might be my new favorite room."
That made Narcissa laugh, "I'll have Draco show you how to get to it from your room in the morning."
"Does he know I'm here?"
"No, he went to Theodore's after dinner and returned rather late only to drop into bed. It shall just have to be a surprise."
That ate at Hermione's nerves. What if he didn't want her here? Surely, he would find out about her relationship with his mother, would it displease him? Narcissa seemed to sense Hermione's train of thought.
"He won't care, dear. Now, I set up the same room you got ready for the ball in for you. It is right across from Draco and near the rooms Theodore and Blaise use when they stay. Will that be sufficient?"
Hermione giggled, "More than sufficient."
Narcissa smiled beautifully, it was a smile Hermione was used to at this point, "Wonderful! Lets get you settled. Then I can drag Lucius from his study to sleep. The man is obsessing over a new legislature Kingsley brought to him."
Despite their own comfortability with one another, Hermione had yet to fully interact with the Malfoy patriarch. He had made himself scarce during her tea times with Narcissa and the night Narcissa insisted on helping Hermione dress for the ball, he had made a brief appearance only to hand Narcissa the earrings she'd requested from their rooms. He'd given Hermione an approving nod and bid them well. Narcissa had insisted he would warm up to her and was just being cautious because of their past so Hermione tired to be openminded. In turn, Narcissa spoke of him in their conversations, filling Hermione in on the terms of his house arrest and the different things he did to occupy himself. One of which was revising with Kingsley, who hoped to take office as Minister this year.
Narcissa spoke more of the current bill as she walked Hermione to her room. Hermione listened but tried to take in the route. She caught sight of a dinning room and parlor before they reached the stairs. Two flights, one past the library, and they turned right down a long hallway. Hermione recognized the bedroom door that led to 'her' room. Narcissa didn't come in but she bid Hermione goodnight, giving her a kiss on the cheek and told her they would see her in the morning for breakfast.
Left to her own devises in the vast room Hermione readied herself for bed. Despite having been there before she still marveled at the size of the room. It was almost the size of the girls dorm in Slytherin but with rich purple bed sheets on a too big bed, delicate floral curtains with purple and yellow flowers, and dark furnishings. The bathroom was of course her favorite. The day before she had soaked in the expansive claw foot tub for an hour before Darcey made her vacate it so Narcissa could tend to her hair.
The memory made her smile as she got into the plush bed.