It's been a long day. Tonight they stayed late to trial a new evening yoga class, and by the time they lock up and drive home, it's nearly 8pm. Narcissa bends down to pick up the post laying on the mat as she swings the door open, a sinking feeling in her stomach when she recognises the familiar handwritten envelope.

Hiding it behind another more official looking letter addressed to her, she stands up again and moves into the cottage.

"Anything important?" Hermione asks, gesturing to the pile of envelopes in her hand with a nod.

Narcissa quickly sorts through the stack, handing Hermione the pile meant for her. She opens the other letter addressed to herself and allows herself a small smile, even as she tries to ignore the letter underneath it.

"My provisional licence arrived."

"Hey, that's great," Hermione says excitedly. "We should go out for a ride tomorrow. You've done really well across the fields, so we'll book you in for your basic training day and then I can take you out on some of the quiet roads around here? You'll pass your main test in no time."

"Thank you, that sounds wonderful." Narcissa smiles, but she knows it hasn't quite hit its mark when Hermione looks at her with concern.

"You'll be okay, I promise. As long as we don't get too far apart our helmet comms will still work, if you want to be able to talk."

"I think that might be a good idea, just until I get used to being on the road," Narcissa agrees, heading towards the stairs. "I'm going to go and shower but I'll cook tonight, if you want?"

Hermione frowns. "Are you sure you're alright?"

"Just tired, darling. I won't be long."

Narcissa knows that Hermione is staring after her as she makes her way up the stairs and along the hallway to her bedroom. Shutting the door behind her she sits on the bed, taking the letter that had been hand delivered. She'd thought they'd stopped when she moved, but the fact that someone now knows that she is living here is worrying.

Ripping the envelope open, she flinches when she sees the words on the page. Whoever is sending these letters obviously has a lot of anger judging by the deep indents the pen has made in the thick paper, nearly tearing it in places. This person obviously believes they will never be caught or is relying on the fact that Narcissa isn't going to report them, considering they appear to have done nothing to disguise their handwriting.

Narcissa,

I lost everything because of you. Soon you're going to find out just how that feels. By the time I am done with you, you will be begging for me to kill you.

I'm coming…

The Snake Charmer

The Snake Charmer? That has to be a reference to Tom Riddle, leader of the Death Eaters. He was obsessed with snakes and not only had one as a pet - Nagini, Narcissa remembers with disgust - but he also has the slippery serpents tattooed all over his body.

So, whoever was sending these letters must be someone who had been close to Tom and maybe even believed that they had some kind of control over him? The list of people that had any influence on the man is only made up of a few names.

Bellatrix is one of them. However, she is still locked up in a maximum security prison and she won't be eligible for parole for another ten years. So that rules her out, considering the letters are handwritten on rather expensive stationery.

Anathema Zambini is a consideration, but since the arrest of her husband she appears to have settled into a life free of the old gang. The last Narcissa had heard from Draco, Anathema had moved to a mansion the next town over and was starting a new life living with her son.

Lucius was only ever a lackey and the man is dead now, his life taken by his own hand.

Every other name that runs through Narcissa's head is either dead or in prison. So who else could it be? Someone local from town who wants her gone? Someone looking for petty revenge? But who?

The blonde rubs her temples tiredly and wonders not for the first time whether or not she should tell someone else about the letters. She doesn't want Hermione to regret letting her live with her and decides with a little guilt that she is better off not knowing. It's not like Hermione is at risk and the person threatening Narcissa is probably just trying to scare her, right?

Draco is so busy with his wife and child, and he worries about her enough as it is. The last thing he needs is a bigger burden on his shoulders and she certainly doesn't need more of his well intentioned fussing.

That only leaves the police, but she can't imagine that they will be too helpful. Considering just how under the thumb of the Death Eaters the police and legal system had been, with threats carried out more than once to some of their families, she can't imagine them wanting to help the widow of a Death Eater.

Sighing, she gets up and adds the letter to the stack that she brought with her, hidden in the top drawer of her vanity.

Realising how long she has been sitting up here worrying about it, she makes quick work of shucking off her clothes and heading into the shower. With the heat as hot as she can handle, she scrubs away the stress and concentrates on what Hermione has been teaching her about being present. As much as she tries, it is more difficult than normal to just allow herself to be in the moment and she gives up.

More than a little frustrated, she turns off the shower and gets out, donning her new favourite outfit for an evening at home; yoga pants and a t-shirt. It's not something she ever considered wearing before she met Hermione, but now she relaxes in a similar outfit every night when it's just the two of them at home.

-xXx-

Hermione gets out of the shower. She'd followed Narcissa up the stairs a few minutes after the woman had left, but all had been silent. Something is worrying her, she's sure of it, but Narcissa tends to keep her cards close to her chest. Hermione could ask her outright, but from experience she knows that unless it's broached carefully, it will cause Narcissa to shut down entirely.

She dresses, smiling to herself when she realises that Narcissa is probably about to reappear wearing a variation of the same outfit. Hermione pulls her hair back into a ponytail, applies a little lipgloss and heads downstairs to wait for her.

Looking up when she hears footsteps padding towards her, Hermione's mouth dries. Narcissa has changed so much since they have been living together. She no longer looks gaunt, her face and body have filled out slightly and her skin has a glow to it that was noticeably absent before. Her arms are less skeletal and more defined, and the first curve of muscle is starting to appear, giving her thighs a shape to them that has taken them from skinny, to slender and toned.

"Wow…" Hermione breathes. "You look amazing."

Narcissa blushes right on cue and Hermione holds back a smirk.

"Really? In this?" Narcissa looks at her doubtfully, pulling on the hem of her t-shirt self-consciously.

"You look beautiful, Narcissa. You're glowing and you look really healthy. It looks good on you."

The blonde squirms where she is standing. Hermione knows she is not used to appreciative comments being sent her way, and it's a sign of progress that she doesn't immediately dismiss her words, instead, choosing to accept them graciously with a small curling up of her lips. "Well, thank you, I guess."

Hermione smiles warmly. "I mean it."

Blue eyes flick up to meet hers and Hermione can see the surprise in them. "Really," she reassures her.

Narcissa looks at her from under long lashes and Hermione has the instinct to say so much more. She wants to tell her that she is not just beautiful in a traditional way, but also attractive. That she is attractive to Hermione and she wants to be so much more than the good friends that they have somehow become.

The urge to kiss the older woman becomes stronger with every day that they spend together, and sometimes Hermione gets the feeling that Narcissa feels the same way that she does. But… what if she is wrong? Or she makes a move too soon? There is so much at stake.

Draco asked her to befriend his mother because she needed help, something that Hermione was all too happy to provide once she got over the initial hurdle of who Narcissa is and the influence she has inadvertently played on her life. If she scares her away now then Hermione will have failed in her mission to help her. And there is nothing more important than helping Narcissa.

"Hermione? You're staring."

Hermione blushes and when she looks up she sees the questioning look on Narcissa's face.

"Sorry. I was lost in thought."

"Anything you want to share?" Narcissa asks and Hermione feels so proud. Narcissa was so closed off when they met, but her whole demeanour has changed lately. She is so much more open than she used to be and she automatically expects the same in others now.

"No. Thank you, but honestly my thoughts are not important right now," Hermione reassures her friend. "Now, I do believe you offered me dinner…"

Narcissa grins. "What would you like to eat?"

Hermione pauses, ultimately thinking better of what she was about to say, though she can see from Narcissa's face that the woman might guess where her thoughts have taken her. Does the woman find her crush flattering? Or is there more to it than that? Is there any chance that her feelings are returned? Sometimes Narcissa says or does things that can be perceived as flirtatious, but immediately afterwards the boundaries are redrawn and Hermione makes sure she doesn't cross them again for the rest of the day or night.

"You're doing it again," Narcissa says with a smirk. "You're still staring." And Hermione finds herself blushing yet again, having been caught out with those particular thoughts.

"I'll eat anything you put in front of me, Narcissa," Hermione tells her, licking her lips and taking great satisfaction in the fact that the blonde woman is now the one with pink cheeks. Maybe she isn't imagining the connection between them, after all.

Narcissa bites her lip and takes a step towards her, but Hermione can see the panic that crosses her face as she abruptly spins on the spot and turns back to the pantry. Sighing inwardly, Hermione gets up and walks into the kitchen area.

"How about we cook together?" she suggests, hoping Narcissa won't refuse her offer of help.

"Perfect," the blonde replies. "Can you finely chop a couple of onions?"

Half an hour later, they are sitting at the table with empty plates in front of them.

"What do you want to do tonight?" Narcissa asks a very content Hermione who has just finished the last mouthful of food.

"Nothing that requires me to move in any way," Hermione replies with a groan, rubbing a hand over a very full stomach. "You've broken me."

Narcissa rolls her eyes affectionately. "I did tell you not to have seconds, darling."

Hermione levels her with a look. "You literally went and got it for me."

"You asked," the woman defends with a smirk. "Your wish is my command."

"Oh really?" Hermione leans forwards in her seat, smiling mischievously. Narcissa's eyes widen, and the brunette laughs, sitting back again.

"I didn't mean it like that," Narcissa hastily clarifies.

"Spoil sport."

Narcissa narrows her eyes, a wicked smirk curling up her lips. "Hermione Granger, if you want to sleep with me, you're going to have to pull up your big girl pants and do something about it."

Hermione splutters as Narcissa gets up from the table, taking the dishes with her as she calls over her shoulder, "I play to win, darling."

"You play to win, but you don't play fair," the brunette whines, a pout forming. "I could never get away with saying something like that to you."

"You were thinking it though," Narcissa teases. "Your face is incredibly easy to read, sometimes."

Hermione frowns, eyes flicking to the mirror on the other side of the wall, but it's too high from where she is sitting to see herself. "It is?"

Narcissa nods, standing at the end of the table.

Frown deepening, Hermione asks, "Is this something that we need to talk about?"

Narcissa just smiles, shaking her head fondly. "Your attraction to me is incredibly flattering. It's been a long time since anyone looked at me that way."

"But it's not fair on you. God, you must think I'm such a letch."

Narcissa grins. "I never said I didn't feel the same way."

Hermione is left speechless as Narcissa walks over to the living area, with far more sway in her hips than usual.

-xXx-

Narcissa leaves Hermione sitting at the table, and walks away absolutely mortified. Why did she just say that? She's known about Hermione's feelings for a while now, and it's not like she's oblivious to her own. She didn't expect things to develop this way with Hermione when she first moved in, but she isn't adverse to it. There is only one question that needs to be answered; is she ready?

She wants to be closer to the brunette and she wants to explore what is building between them, but for all her teasing, she's absolutely terrified. It's been a long time since she was intimate with someone; her one and only sexual partner was Lucius and that was not a happy relationship. She's never had sex with a woman, but that worries her less than just having sex again, full stop. Being under someone's control with the expectations that particular relationship had placed on her, has left her sour.

Narcissa knows that things will be different with Hermione, the woman is nothing like Lucius. She will be treated with care and respect, she's sure of it, but the lingering feeling of being possessed still remains and she doesn't know whether she will ever be able to open herself up to another person. For all intents and purposes she was sold into marriage; Lucius gained a wife and her father gained a business partnership.

"Hey, are you okay?" Hermione asks, reaching out to touch her shoulder.

Narcissa realises that she has been standing staring at the wall and turns round with a smile. "Sorry, I was lost in thought."

Hermione opens her arms and the blonde steps into them willingly, taking comfort in the strong arms that wrap around her shoulders.

"Don't overthink this, okay?" Hermione speaks softly in her ear. "There's no rush and we're just getting to know each other. There is no pressure and no expectation and if you decide that you don't want anything to happen, then you'll still be one of my best friends. That won't change, Narcissa. I'm an adult."

It's like Hermione has read her mind. She certainly knows exactly what to say to put her mind at ease. "Thank you," Narcissa replies, tightening her arms around Hermione's waist, and lowering her head onto her shoulder, content to just enjoy the moment.

Hermione pulls back and after pressing a soft kiss to her cheek, breaks the embrace. "How about we watch a film?"

"I'd like that."

Hermione takes her hand and leads her over to the sofa, pushing her down into the corner, giggling when Narcissa huffs dramatically. She pulls the footstool over in front of them and then sits next to her, passing Narcissa the remote.

"Lady's choice?" Hermione offers.

Narcissa takes the remote and turns on the TV, scrolling through various streaming services until she finds the one that she wants. Without looking at Hermione she selects the LGBTQ section and starts browsing. She can feel Hermione's burning curiosity next to her, but she can't bring herself to speak. What's she meant to say? 'I don't know what I'm doing so I'm hoping I can find some guidance?'

"Do you know what you're looking for?" Hermione asks gently.

Narcissa curses as her face betrays her yet again, heating up rapidly and no doubt sporting a rather revealing shade of red. "I'm not sure."

'Liar,' she rebukes herself.

"Well, do you want something that's cute and fluffy? Or do you want something with a little more… um… action in it?"

Narcissa turns to look at the woman, but Hermione just smiles back, anticipating her question, an answer seemingly ready on her tongue. "Action. You know, like sex and stuff. More adult, if you like."

Feeling brave, Narcissa nods determinedly. "Action would be good."

"I know just the thing," Hermione replies with a grin, taking the remote and searching for a film that Narcissa has never heard of. She presses play and sits back against the cushions, throwing the remote haphazardly onto the cushion next to her.

Narcissa watches carefully as two women meet on screen and have an immediate connection, much like she has found with Hermione. One of the women is straight, or thinks she is until she meets the other woman, but Narcissa knows all too well how wrong you can be about your own sexuality. She always assumed that not wanting to be intimate with Lucius was because she just wasn't attracted to him, not that she wasn't attracted to men in general.

The only vague experience that Narcissa has of real attraction is the one girl in secondary school, but she's always put that down to something that teenage girls go through. Now, with all these feelings and emotions that Hermione is awakening in her, she knows better.

Wanting to be closer, Narcissa edges toward the brunette and rests her head on Hermione's shoulder, feeling a warmth bloom inside her chest when an arm is wrapped around her, hugging her against Hermione's strong body.

Narcissa feels her whole body come alive when the two women eventually have sex, more than a little shocked that they would portray it so graphically on screen. If she didn't know better, she might assume that they have stumbled onto a porn channel by mistake. It's arousing in an unexpected way. It's not like Narcissa can't use her imagination to figure out some of the ways that someone might like to be pleasured by another woman, but seeing it all play out in front of her is another thing altogether.

Hermione's hand starts stroking her arm and Naricssa begins to purr. She wants to jump the woman next to her and rid her of all her clothes. She squirms in the seat wanting the film to be over so she can get away from the torturous fingers that are now moving up to her neck and tangling into her hair. At the same time, she doesn't want it to ever end. She long ago gave up on the idea of anything like this in her future and for her body to be reacting this way, is both a torment and a wondrous surprise.

Narcissa turns to face the young woman next to her not expecting to see warm brown eyes staring back at her, lips parted. Without time to talk herself out of it she leans in, relieved when Hermione meets her half way and connects their lips.

Hermione is soft and careful, and Narcissa is grateful for her caution, but right now she wants more. She needs more than this tentative touch because she is burning inside. She presses her lips more firmly against Hermione's and parts her lips slightly, shivering when a hot tongue touches hers and Hermione deepens the kiss. It's the most erotic thing she has ever experienced in her life, heart thudding erratically in her chest as she feels a flood of moisture in a place it's been lacking for years.

Hands encourage her out of her seat, breaking the kiss momentarily and she finds herself on Hermione's lap, straddling the brunette.

"You're amazing," Hermione tells her, eyes shining with sincerity.

Narcissa answers by kissing her fiercely, though where this sudden confidence has come from, she isn't sure. She tangles one hand into Hermione's hair, pulling them ever closer together and delights in the moan that escapes the young woman's lips. Who knew that she could be the cause of that kind of noise?

Hermione's hands are never still. One arm is wrapped around her back and the other hand is on her thigh, her thumb rubbing her sensually through the thin material of her yoga pants. She wonders how Hermione will feel touching her other places and as if the woman is indeed a mind reader, she moves her hands to Narcissa's waist, fingers slipping up underneath the fabric of her t-shirt. Her stomach muscles tense as the brunette drags her fingers down over the newly formed abs that are starting to become noticeable, and Narcissa aches. She aches for Hermione to throw her down on the couch and teach her everything there is to know about making love to a woman.

As soon as she has these thoughts, Hermione's fingers start to explore higher up under her t-shirt and Narcissa freezes.

Hermione breaks their kiss, pulling back to look at her with a question in her eyes.

"I…" Narcissa takes a deep breath, trying not to panic. "I…"

"You're not ready for me to touch you," Hermione guesses, smiling gently as she removes her hands, placing them back on the relatively safe area of Narcissa's thighs.

"No," Narcissa confirms guiltily. "I'm not. I'm so sorry, you deserve so much more, darling."

"What? No, Narcissa, that's not how this works. It's not about what either of us deserves. It's about having boundaries and respecting them. I will never pressure you to do something that you're not ready for."

She can see the absolute sincerity in the younger woman's eyes and feels a little foolish, but she can't help how her body reacted. She leans forward and rests her forehead on Hermione's shoulder, allowing herself just to be held as she relaxes again.

After a few minutes, she looks up again, shyly meeting Hermione's eyes. "Thank you."

"No thanks needed, Narcissa. You set the pace and if you decide that you are never comfortable with more than this, then that's okay too. You have a right to protect your body and you should always be comfortable with what is happening. What's the point, otherwise?"

"My husband would have disagreed with you," she mutters bitterly.

"Then he was an idiot. It doesn't matter if you are married or not, consent should be present at all times. You should always feel comfortable saying no."

"Are you sure you don't mind waiting?"

Hermione grins. "I know you'll be worth the wait."

"How do you know?" Narcissa asks, tilting her head. Her question is a genuine one, and one which she has pondered a few times late at night when she has let herself imagine what it might be like with Hermione. "I've never done this before, I could be awful."

"Someone that kisses the way that you do, Narcissa, could never be awful."

"Cissa."

"Huh?"

"Call me Cissa."

Hermione nods her head. "It suits you. Cissa. I like it."

"Can we kiss again? I don't want to, what is it they say? Blue ball you? Is that a thing for lesbians?"

"You can kiss me as much as you want, Cissa. In fact, I hope you will."

Narcissa smiles then, her whole body relaxing as she leans in and captures the brunette's lips once again.