Trigger Warning: Sexual assault is mention, no details are given, in the chapter below. Please skip if needed.
Narcissa's POV
We lay exhausted. Fascinated with one another. My hands are buried deep in golden unruly curls. Hermione's thumb ghosts over my bottom lip. She's absolutely beautiful, and I didn't want this to end. Her growling stomach had other thoughts stopping us both from our exploration. We both laugh.
Reluctantly we rose and after a quick meal, if a few crackers and cheese can be called such, we are back in bed feasting on each other.
Following a third session of mind blowing sex, I lie on my back staring at the ceiling panting. The previous orgasm has me lightheaded and from her heavy breathing and the way she's stretched across me, I can sense she's spent as well. I smile to myself, the thought I can keep up with a twenty year old has my confidence on a ten.
There's a light tap at her window and I recognize the bird as a Ministry Owl. The small creature looks imposing with the Ministry insignia across its chest. Hermione heads over not bothering to cover herself and I watch her body illuminated by the afternoon sun. My girlfriend is gorgeous. I pause where did that come from? My girlfriend?
Hermione's POV
What is the look for? Have I done something wrong?
I am about to ask until I glance down at the open letter. It's an official order. I am to report to my post at Malfoy Manor. Mrs. Narcissa Malfoy has been placed under protection.
"My love?"
Narcissa's POV
She's looking at me now her expression serious. Her term of endearment is not lost on me.
"Umm, things have changed and you have to go home. Soon. Very soon." She's holding the letter to her breast.
"What is it?" I sit up trying not to panic.
"Nothing serious but..." she trails off biting her lip.
"What is it?" I can't stand the suspense and stand taking the top sheet with me. I don't have as much confidence to parade around nude like she does.
Hermione's POV.
"Well, it seems like word has gotten all the way to Kingsley that a war heroine is being threaten," I try not to laugh as she rolls her eyes, I'm not a fan of the title myself, I continue once her gaze is on me, "you've been placed under ministry protection and this is an order for me to report to my post within 24 hours. Ron has been assigned to your detailed as well."
"How long?"
"I'm not sure more than likely until whoever is sending you these threats are found."
She doesn't look too sure. It can't be easier for her having two strangers invade her privacy.
"Well, I better get home and prepare." She looks down searching for her clothes.
I stop her efforts.
"No, stay. I will go to Kingsley and speak with him and when I come back I'll take you home. Okay?"
She nods.
I shower quickly wanting to understand Kingsley's rationale behind this order. But I know him. Out of all the aurors at his disposal he chooses myself and Ron. He has other motives than Narcissa's protection. Given my love for her it would be good for me to know which ones. I will make sure Narcissa isn't caught beneath the axe he has to grind with Lucius. My love? I shake my head adding to the droplets against the glass. I'm not sure where these thoughts are coming from and I surely don't want to scare her off by moving too fast.
I'm told I'd have to wait thirty minutes before the minister would see me. At least that was the case until she looked up. Her scowl quickly morphed into a beaming smile and she stood swaying. I thought I would have to catch her.
"Auror Granger, please forgive me. Let me make sure he's free," Stephanie giggles before spinning on her heel and disappearing beyond a large door. Within seconds she's back. It's unbelievable but her smile is wider than before.
"He will see you Auror Granger." Her dark green eyes watch me and I give a nervous wave.
You'd think I'd be used to that by now.
"Hermione," he rounds the desk his arms open wide and I embrace him. This man is like a father to me and I can't help the feeling of safety I get every time we hug. I pull back and he's beaming down at me.
"So, what can I do for our War Heroine? Sit, sit."
We quickly sit down he crosses his legs waiting expectantly for the reason to my visit.
"Narcissa Malfoy."
"Ah, you got the order."
I nod, "I would like to know the reason she is being placed under protection."
He sighed, "well since you are on her detail now you should know. When the aurors arrived to Malfoy Manor post attack on Mrs. Malfoy, the aurors removed several items journals and such. Several were removed from what appeared to be Mrs. Malfoy's personal bedchamber."
My eyes grow large, "sir, that is not procedure Mrs. Malfoy isn't under suspicion of anything." He held up his hand preventing me from going further.
"No, she is not but it was done as a precaution. Given that the wife of a former high ranking Death Eater was attacked in her home and her husband nor son were no where to be seen it leaves a lot of questions to be answered especially given all of the upheaval in toward the East. Istanbul in particular."
He stood before continuing, "not to mention," he took a deep breath, "Mrs. Malfoy's journal contained some rather sensitive material. That's why I specially wanted you on this case; you've worked with these type of victims before. I haven't finished going through everything but I believe there is something in there that will nail that bastard. Lucius has always been slippery and it's time he gets caught and thrown into Azkaban for good." He looked at me nodding.
"Sir what type of victims?" I knew. My specialty is dealing with trauma victims. Those that have dealt with sexual trauma.
"Rape victims but we can discuss as needed. Now, I know your shift ended only a few hours ago and you were probably asleep but once you are rested get over to Malfoy Manor. An order was sent there as well she should be expecting you and Ronald if he isn't already there, but enough about that. Since you are here, tea?"
Hermione's POV
Tea lasted longer than expected and I return to find her at the table. She had prepared a small lunch albeit late but it was a real one and I didn't realize how hungry I was until my eyes landed on the food.
"I'm sorry; I went down the street and bought a few things. I hope you don't mind."
"No, this is great. Thank you."
She blushes joining me.
I take a mouthful and moan. Like her, the food is divine.
It's only after we have finished and the small talk has run out that I mention the letter and her protection.
Narcissa's POV
She clears her throat. I've noticed she does this when the topic is uncomfortable or serious. I take a quick sip of tea before placing my cup on the table. I hold onto it like a lifeline.
Hermione begins holding her cup very much like I'm doing with my own.
"I spoke with Kingsley and he issued the order after the attack and journals along with a few other items were removed. Some of those journals were...yours."
Hermione's POV
She's silent those vibrant azure eyes are blank. That's a first. She's shutdown. I've seen this before.
"Have you ever been violated, Narcissa?" I'm not sure why I asked but by the way she tenses it would surprise me if she hadn't.
I continue watching her closely. She seems to be looking beyond me now.
"Will we, they, find anything in them," I take a deep breath I don't know why this is so hard, "of a sensitive nature?"
Narcissa slowly shakes her head looking down.
"If you are wondering if there is anything about Lucius and whether he is trying to join that renegade in Turkey the answer is no. I have always been kept in the dark when it comes to Lucius and his dealings in dark matters and magic. As for a sensitive nature...then yes."
She stands heading over to the sink. I stay seated allowing her the space she needs.
Narcissa's POV
This is hard and embarrassing but maybe it needs to be said. Maybe it's time I speak to someone other than writing it down in my journal. I grip the sink a sudden lightheadedness has overcome me.
"I...I don't want you to think less of me when I tell you this promise you won't judge." I turn to face her. Right now I am hanging on by a thread. Her validation means everything to me.
"You have my word." Hermione speaks with such conviction that had she told me to jump off a cliff I would have done it.
"I was raped," I take a breath, "more than once."
She holds her composure but her eyes tell all. They're mixed with rage and sympathy. The sympathy was expected but the anger surprises me. I watch her approach and let her take my hand.
"Come."
She guide me back to bed and I climb in not bothering to shed the button down I plucked from her closet. Hermione disrobes and joins me keeping a comfortable distance between us.
"Who did that to you?"
Well, here goes.
"The Dark Lord. It was," I sigh, "he referred to it as his favorite way to pass time."
Hermione's POV
To say that I am angry would be an understatement and if I could assemble the man and kill him again I would.
"Narcissa you don't have to go into details."
"No, I have held on to this too long."
In order to stay strong I have to stay impartial. So, I ask the questions I would ask any victim.
"How often?"
"Everyday at first then sometimes twice a day then once or twice a week once the war picked up."
"Did Lucius know?"
"No, not at first, he was in Azkaban when it started. He was brutal I have never felt such pain in my life. The Dark Lord was a sadist in every sense of the word."
She draws her legs to her chest. I have never seen someone look so small and frighten and I place my arm around her. I want her to know she doesn't have to walk down this path alone.
"They had no right to remove those items. I want them back."
"I will do everything in my power to return those to you."
"Will he still read them, all of them?" She's barely audible and cringe. I hate what I am doing to her.
"Yes, if he hasn't already."
Her cheeks are damp and I brush one of them away.
"Do you think it will be in the papers?" Narcissa asks. She's shaking.
"No, I doubt it. Kingsley read them." I don't want to push. Make a promise that I'm not sure someone else can keep.
I have the feeling her giving me this much is more than I could have hoped for.