Narcissa's POV
We begrudgingly dressed. We parted not bothering with goodbyes. In less than a few minutes we would be back in each others presence.
I chose to apparate into the foyer of Malfoy Manor. Hermione would use the floo for appearance's sake. It's a good thing she and I arrived separately. I entered my formal living room to find a frustrated red head pacing in front of the fireplace.
April watched him her little hand on her hip. The little creature was annoyed and I sympathized understanding her sentiments.
I purposely avoid making eye contact with Hermione. She arrived as I was making my way into the room.
"I'm sure you already know why we're here, so I'll skip introductions. Where can we bunk?" Ronald sighs looking around. "Place still looks the same. Didn't bother re-decorating the room in which a sixteen year girl was tortured and scarred." He stated causally looking around.
Momentarily, I'm floored. A quick glance at Hermione lets me know she is as well. I didn't notice, but it's glaringly obvious now.
Hermione's POV
Why did Ron bring that up? She probably feels horrible.
I'm stunned. I didn't even think about it nor the faded mark on my arm. After a year and several potions, thanks to Severus, the mark is barely visible.
"Let bygones be just that Ron bygones. Mrs. Malfoy played an integral part in Voldemort's downfall."
Ron looks at me. He's not buying it. He never did. Unlike everyone else, Ron didn't bother with the post war efforts. He was too busy hopping from one underage witches bunk to another, but I continued.
"She helped Harry, Ron."
"No, she helped herself for her son." He turns a hard gaze on her. "Speaking of the ferret, where is he anyway? I expected to run into him and the grand pureblood supremist himself.
Narcissa's POV
My mind dances between an insult and a response but Hermione beats me to one of them.
"Whatever Mrs. Malfoy motives, I am glad she did what she did. As for me being tortured in her living room, that wasn't Mrs. Malfoy's fault. As I recall it was her sister that did that not her. Ron we are here for Mrs. Malfoy. Draco and Lucius are not our concern."
She responds looking at me.
My gaze shifts to Ron. He rolls his eyes in frustration.
"Whatever. Mrs. Malfoy," he begins and I cut him off.
"Please, call me Narcissa."
"Narcissa," he states my name like it's something bitter, "where do you want us? I'm sure some place where we can't sully your fine items."
I sigh. I refuse to take the bait. I will not explain that I have been reformed. Or rather that I never believed such ideas. Even as a child I knew better; I just never voiced them aloud mostly out of fear of my parents. Lucius. But it wouldn't do any good to tell him that.
After a brief silence I speak. I won't do the back and forth with him. Hermione is fuming.
Hermione's POV
I already know this is going to be nearly unbearable although Narcissa will be the highlight of my days. I'm not sure how much alone time she and I will have with Ron snooping around. I can't believe him. He is one to talk. Harry has saved his arse more in the past two years than he ever did while we were on the run.
"Follow me, Mr. Weasley, Ms. Granger." Narcissa spins on her heels and my eyes immediately fall to her behind. The one that was in my hands only a few short minutes ago.
She leads us upstairs and down a hall. Then another. It wasn't until we went down the forth one that I started to understand the scope of how large this place actually was. The furnishing were cold. Sterile. The manor felt more like a museum than a home. Things were beginning to make more sense. No doubt she had grown up like this. This was normal.
She stops in front of a door.
"Ms. Granger, this will be your room."
We enter and my jaw drops. My entire flat could be placed in here. I'm itching to get a glimpse of the bath.
"My room is down the hall on the right." Deep blues capture my own and it's clear what she is doing. She's wearing a smirk and her eyes are alight with mischief.
Find a joyous moment and Ron will find a way to ruin it.
"Yeah, what ever. Do you have something further out? Like on the opposite side of this...mausoleum?" He's looking around his gaze landing on me.
"What?" Ron shrugs his shoulders, "I don't need to be that close. She's got protection with you on this side of the place. The other side needs coverage. You know by the book, 101 so to speak," he raises his eyebrows mockingly.
I sigh. Peace will be difficult to maintain. I'll talk to Harry about re-assigning Ron. For now I will ignore him.
Narcissa's POV
Mr. Weasley doesn't know when to stop. Something he inherited from his father and I can vouch for that.
I watch Hermione carefully place her bag on the bed. I nearly laugh but stop short. Mr. Weasley is watching me closely. Too close and I quickly school my features. He may be stubborn but the young man isn't dumb. I would prefer dumb. I could work with that but paranoia requires a different skill set, and a gentle hand.
I turn making my way to the hall a huffing red head in tow.
I continue with the tour doing my best to give a layout of the land. Old habit of mine and I can tell from the light steps that she has decided to join us. No doubt keeping Mr. Weasley in her sight. Honestly, I am thankful. He makes me uncomfortable.
On the far side of the manor, my attempts at tour guide come to an end. Mr. Weasley enters plopping down haphazardly on the well made bed. I resist rolling my eyes as he looks around the room with disdain etched into his features.
"Dinner is served at seven."
"Thank you Narcissa." Hermione speaks as she walks to stand next to me.
Mr. Weasley say only glares at me his lips downturned in disgust but his eyes say something else. A shiver runs through me as his cold gaze roams over my body. I've seen that look before.
"We're not here on holiday. I can muster up my own food." He rises heading toward the loo. I shift my focus to Hermione choosing to shake the thought from my head.
Hermione's POV
I want to be alone with her but it may be too soon. Besides, I am here in an official work capacity. But I can't help but steal a moment and step forward pulling her into my arms. We kiss. It's hurried but it's what I need. We quickly part and I mouth your room 9. She winks turning on her heel and leaving.
"Well, what's next?" Ron is next to me and I restrain a sigh. This is going to be a long assignment.
I turn to face him, "we establish our own wards, you know by the book."
He grunts heading for the door.
Hermione's POV
Wards are tedious business but it is something I have come to enjoy unlike my colleague but he's efficient.
He keeps glancing at me every so often. I ignore him. Ron has something on his mind but I will let him lead.
"Hermione?" He stops staring at large hedges several yards in front of us.
"Hmph?" I continue with my work only offering the sound as my acknowledgement.
"What do you think of all of this?" He waves his free hand out in front of him.
I stop finally looking at him, "you mean the hedges? They look nice. They're shaped like elephants." I chuckle as a peacock walks by.
"No." He's becoming more frustrated.
"The wards? I mean Ron, this is standard. You know by the book; it's all you know 101." I realize it's childish. Petty even, but I couldn't help but throw his own words and sarcasm back at him.
"No, not the hedges or the wards. By the way, I am sorry for yesterday. It's just...them. They and this place makes me crazy. Just think of all those days we spent on the run. The sleepless nights worried we were going to be found and killed. Hermione think about all of what they did serving him, and they walk away with what, a slap on the wrist." He shook his head.
I admit at first I was deeply disturbed that the Malfoys, in particular Lucius, had once again proved his slipperiness and had gotten away with a little over a year total served in Azkaban for all that he had done and it wasn't even consecutive.
My shoulders dropped. I did understand. Problem was Ron only saw it one way. His way. Nuances didn't exist and I wasn't in the mood to explain. It was nearing six o'clock and the only thing on my mind was getting ready for dinner with Narcissa. I was willing to stake my life on it that he would choose to sulk in his room.
"Ron, I don't know what to say. That's the law. You and I chose to uphold the law. In the eyes of it, Lucius Malfoy served his time, and based on Harry's testimony, Draco and Narcissa were cleared. Harry has moved on. I have moved on. It's time you do as well."
I waited for a response. A reaction. The only one visible was the vein that pulsated in his jaw.
Well, that went no where was my only thought as he turned on his heel storming off in the direction of the manor.
Narcissa's POV
I watched Mr. Weasley walk away in a huff and checked the grandfather clock it was nearing dinner. From his chilly demeanor earlier and the display I just witnessed, I was correct in my assumption to have April set the table for two. I made my way to the smaller family dining room. I was dressed in the what I would have worn if she and I had actually gone on our date.
Time ticks slowly and ten after the hour I thought she decided not to come. Just as I was about to give up and tell April to serve my patience was rewarded. She enters looking around April in front guiding her toward the table. I stand feasting my eyes on her body. The dressed hugged her frame in all of the right places. It was toned but not overly so that she her feminine shape.
I met her halfway and hovered. I'm waiting. I am not sure if Mr. Weasley will be on her heels despite his anger. I am sure he would love to hurl subtle insults at me and what better way to do that than over an expensive meal.
She steps closer rubbing my arms.
"Ron's out. He said he'll be back late."
Her lips are nearing mine. The statement is music to my ears and I pull her in my arms brining my lips to hers.
Hermione's POV
This kiss is deep. Hungry, and if I had known she was wearing this I would've hurried Ron along. Like my true coddling self, I followed him and against my better judgement decided to try and get to the root of the problem. It ended in another Ron-tantrum which always leads to him storming out.
Which led to my being alone with Narcissa, so I am conflicted. But happy for the alone time although limited. I pull back needing some air. I am afraid if we keep going dinner will be pointless and we will ruin this beautiful table.
"You look absolutely stunning." I push her back at arms length to admire the full view.
Narcissa's POV
I blush. I haven't been called beautiful at least not in a predatory way in a while. I squash the thought before I clam up. Before I doubt. All I want is Hermione.
Briefly, I look at the table and then at her. There's no need for all of the formality.
Hermione's POV
I love when she gets that glint in her eyes it causes the flecks of gold around the iries to sparkle. She's up to something and whatever it is I have a feeling that I am going to enjoy it.
"April, move dinner to my room."
She whispers the command running her hand up and down my back.
The little elf only snaps her fingers and everything is gone including the table.
"Shall we move this upstairs, Ms. Granger?"
Her smile is devious and I nod.