The Replenishment Decree

For the third day in a row, Harry’s morning tea was less than perfectly peaceful when it was interrupted by a tapping at the kitchen window. Praying it wasn’t another letter from the Weasley’s Harry was relieved to find the owl unfamiliar and the beautiful handwriting also unknown. Though it was addressed to Hermione, it still left Harry feeling anxious and generally ill-at-ease after the previous two days.

The Daily Prophet was still reporting on the Replenishment Decree and Hermione had, once again, earned a spot in the article. The opening paragraph cited the Administration’s agreement to allow Hermione to request an alteration to her engagement but cited it as an ongoing situation and worded it in such a way as to make it seem that the Ministry was simply being kind to Hermione before wedding her off to Ron anyway. The reporter covering the Decree, Kikis Trecus, was clearly in support of the forced marriages and was reporting on the pairings with obvious delight. The article wrapped up with

The latest happy couples to be announced by the Ministry’s Matchmakers are Deirdre Cresswell and Albert Davies, Mandy Brocklehurst and Dean Thomas, Daphne Greengrass and Torben Rowle, Anca Shafiq and Ezekial Prewett, and Taylor Evans and Wayland Wright. We’ve heard from reputable sources that Deirdre Cresswell is grateful to the Ministry for assigning her so quickly so she can finally have a useful second parent for her two boys. This reporter is looking forward to the Shafiq-Prewett wedding; it’s sure to be the social event of the year! Let us know which weddings you’re most looking forward to with an owl to The Daily Prophet’s social column.

Done with the Prophet’s pro-Ministry outlook, Harry flipped through the Quibbler to find something about the Decree but there wasn’t anything. Not a single article relating to the most recent government overreach. Unusual…

When Hermione made her way downstairs half an hour later, Harry was calmly pouring himself a second cup of tea with a small smile on his face. Hearing her, he poured her a cup as well.

“Any plans for leading a rebellion today, Hermione?”

Laughing out loud, Hermione only shook her head and rolled her eyes at Harry’s silliness. “Not at the moment. I was thinking about reaching out to Professor McGonagall about my NEWTS but I haven’t quite decided. I’m actually not too keen to spend a year back at Hogwarts, however much I loved it there before.”

“I wondered when that would come up,” Harry sat back at the table. “I know you have big plans for your future and you probably need that seventh year to see those plans come to fruition, yeah?”

“I think so. I don’t know that I truly need another year of every subject to pass my NEWTS and get an apprenticeship, though. I’ve been wondering if perhaps I could take my NEWT level courses as Independent Studies of a sort. There’s really no one at Hogwarts right now who’s academically prepared for Seventh year; last year was not up to the educational standards for which Hogwarts is known. I’d be spending a lot of time on information and practices at which I’m already proficient. If I were able to take the courses I need for my future independently, it would be much more effective.”

“Sounds reasonable to me,” Harry nodded. He slid the letter addressed to Hermione across the table to her, “By the way, this came by owlpost this morning. I didn’t recognize the owl and she didn’t stick around for a treat or an answer.”

“She?”

“Oh. Well, I guess I don’t really know. Just seemed like a female to me. She was a gorgeous Tawny, a little on the petite side but seemed full grown.”

Smiling a bit sadly, Hermione covered Harry’s hand with her own, “I guess you’re still researching for your next owl?”

“I have been,” Harry swallowed hard, “I think I’m pretty set on a Tamaulipas Pygmy Owl. I had considered an Elf Owl but Ginny thinks the Pygmy is a bit cuter.”

“That’s a lovely choice, Harry. Very cute and the Tamaulipas is far less common than the Elf.”

Even after more than a year, Harry had to wipe away a tear when remembering how he had lost his beloved Hedwig. “Thanks, Hermione. Uh, I think I’m going to write Hagrid and see if he has any ideas on where we could go for one. I don’t think they typically carry that breed at Eeylops.”

“Big days for us both, then,” Hermione nodded at her friend as he got up. Brushing away her own tears at the memory of Hedwig’s death, Hermione breathed deeply and started to open the letter. She flipped the envelope back over for a moment to look at the handwriting again. She didn’t recognize it but it was beautifully written in black ink with a sheen of dark green when the envelope was angled.

“Narcissa,” Hermione whispered to herself, pulling the letter out. She read it aloud, “Hermione, I know we’ve spent the past two days together and have plans to go to the National Gallery tomorrow, however, I was wondering if you would like to meet for lunch. Perhaps in Hogsmeade? If so, come to the Manor. Narcissa.”

Fully smiling after she finished, Hermione checked the time and second guessed her instinct to immediately get up and leave for Black Manor in Enfield. Before I write to McGonagall, I should get Narcissa’s opinion. She has a vested interest in my education now and also, I should consider her plans for life for the next year. What if she intends to abide by the child-rearing demand in the Decree? Yes, this is definitely something I should discuss with Narcissa.

Hermione left a note for Harry on the table, letting him know she had gone out with Narcissa for the day and quickly stepped outside to Apparate to her fiance. The dark sky threatened a storm and Hermione hoped it wasn’t already raining further north where Black Manor was located.

Once she’d arrived at Black Manor, however, Hermione wasn’t sure what to do. The rain hadn’t started here yet, either, but she didn’t want to push on the gates in case they were warded against visitors and she could find no way to alert those inside of her presence. Only moments later, though, the Manor door was pulled open and Narcissa stepped outside with her wand. Waving it quickly, the gates swung in to allow Hermione’s entrance. The women met on the walkway, stopping abruptly only a step away from one another. Narcissa, blushing slightly once more, reached out and wrapped an arm around Hermione’s waist to pull her in for an embrace.
“We’re going to be married, Hermione. We should probably at the very least hug one another when we see each other.”

Heart pounding, Hermione reached around Narcissa as well with one hand, the other sliding slowly up Narcissa’s right arm to gently cradle the back of her neck. “Fair point,” she agreed and pressed her lips once more against Narcissa’s smooth cheek. Hermione enjoyed hearing the stuttered breath her kiss had caused. They held one another for a long moment before stepping back to meet one another’s gaze.

“Good morning,” Narcissa stated formally, causing Hermione to erupt in giggles. That did not sit well with the Lady of the Manor. “Laughing at me?”

“No, no, Narcissa, no,” Hermione said, still giggling a tiny bit. She stepped forward again, wrapping her arms once more around her soon-to-be-wife, “I just thought it sounded so formal after we’d already hugged and everything is hitting me a little strangely right now. We’re getting married? It’s in the papers. But we hardly know each other and we’ve hugged hello and then to say good morning it just struck me funny.”

“Oh, my, you’re a rambler, aren’t you,” Narcissa teased, squeezing Hermione back. “You’re not wrong. It was a bit backwards. I’m sorry. I think I feel a little overwhelmed, too.” Narcissa returned the kiss onto Hermione’s cheek. “Before we go inside, let’s introduce you to the gates so you can come right in next time. Would that be okay?”

“Of course,” Hermione tried to sound calm but her pulse started to race. For all her battles through the past seven years she had never grown comfortable with the sight of her own blood and she was absolutely not looking forward to slicing her hand open for the gates of Black Manor.

“You’ll need your wand,” Narcissa smirked as they stood before the gates.

“My wand? You mean you’re not going to cut me?”

“Cut you?” Narcissa shook her head. “Hermione, not all of the old ways are based on blood magic, you know. We simply put our wand tips together, say an incantation, then you put your hand on the latch.”

“Um, oh. I think maybe I have some more prejudices to get over than I realized,” Hermione said ashamedly.

“We both do, dear,” the other woman replied with such kindness. “Now, wand up. Here we go.”

After they completed the ritual, Narcissa made Hermione exit and enter on her own to be sure the gate worked properly. As they walked inside, Hermione asked another question, “Narcissa, this is going to sound odd, but did you notice anything when we put our wands together?”

“That it felt like a bolt of lightning was waiting to come out of my arm? No, nothing unusual at all. Can’t imagine why you’d ask,” she teased again.

“No, come on, really, you noticed that, right?”

“I did, Hermione - and I don’t think it was just a byproduct of the storm that’s clearly rolling in. I was wondering about it as well but I think I already have a fairly decent theory.”

Narcissa turned and looked at Hermione. They spoke in unison, “twin cores.”

“Exactly! Can we stop by Ollivander’s today?” She glanced at the huge, dark cloud on it’s way, “Or sometime soon? I’d love to find out if the dragon heartstring in our wands is from the same dragon!” Hermione was so excited.

“Wand lore is so interesting, isn’t it? I’ve spent a good amount of time researching about the different wand woods used around the world. Did you know that redwood wands are still the most purchased secondary wand in Europe but not in the Americas?”

“Why is redwood so popular as a choice?”

“Because people are foolish. There’s an old witches’ tale that redwood wands bring good fortune.”

“What do they bring?”

“The same kind of magic any other wand would bring to a mediocre witch or wizard. You have to be paired carefully with the right wand and there are many, many factors that enter into the relationship between a witch and her wand. Wand length, wand wood, the core, and the flexibility are the main focus. If those are a good match, you’re fine. But if one of those pieces is off it’s likely to be a poor match. Of course, in the case of a witch’s first wand, if it’s purchased at Ollivander’s, the wrong one wouldn’t do. You’d know right away.”

“Is that what happened when you went this summer to get your new wand? You knew right away?”

“It’s actually quite interesting,” Narcissa said sitting on a loveseat and pulling the younger woman down beside her. “I know a bit of wand lore and when I went to see Mr. Ollivander about a new wand, I was sure I knew what I wanted. I asked specifically for a holly wand with a unicorn hair core. He tutted at me and shook his head. I told him again that I knew I needed a holly wand with unicorn hair and to trust me. He laughed and went and got exactly what I asked for.” Narcissa laughed at the memory.

“It didn’t go well, I take it?”

“Ha! I took the wand out of its box and before I could even swish it, it set a chair on fire.”

“Merlin’s pants! What did Ollivander do?”

“He laughed! He put the fire out eventually but he laughed so hard. I was still insistent that I wanted holly but I would accept hazel with a unicorn hair. I was probably mere seconds from stomping my foot like a child!”

“Oh, no, did he give in again?”

Shaking her head at the memory, Narcissa answered in the affirmative. “He did! Laughing the whole time he brought me another holly and unicorn along with a few hazel wands to try. Needless to say, none of them did the trick.”

“I assume Mr. Ollivander already knew what he wanted you to try?”

“Of course, he did! That man is brilliant! He brought back two different wands, a laurel and a rowan both with dragon heartstring - which I adamantly did not want.”

“Can I ask why? What’s wrong with dragon heartstring?”

“Oh, nothing’s wrong with it, it just isn’t what I wanted. Dragon heartstring is known to be extremely powerful. Each wand core has its own unique strengths; of the three that Ollivander uses, unicorn hair is extremely consistent, phoenix feathers have a great range, and dragon heartstrings have great power. I didn’t want power - I still don’t want power - but Ollivander just knew that’s what I needed. I tried the laurel wand first and nothing happened. Literally nothing happened. Not even sparks or smoke or a tipped chair. Just nothing. Then he handed me the rowan wand. I absolutely did not want it. I wasn’t seeking a rowan wand and I do my best not to show it off. But it worked. I had barely touched it when the room started glowing and cleaning itself up. I knew that it had chosen me. But I’m still not sure she chose correctly.”

“Narcissa, I don’t understand. Why? What’s different about rowan wood?”

“You know that each type of wood that’s used for wands has different lore about it, yes?” Hermione nodded at Narcissa’s questioning look. “It’s said that holly wands are paired with a witch or wizard on a spiritual quest, hazel wood works best for masters who have the ability to manage and control their feelings. Laurel wands are, according to legend, unable to perform a dishonorable act.”

“And rowan?”

“Rowan wands, they say, have never been mastered by a dark witch or wizard. They perform best with someone who is pure of heart and outshine all others when it comes to defensive charms.”

Hermione’s own heart swelled at hearing that about Narcissa.

“Well, Narcissa, then I think that should tell you something about yourself,” Hermione said quietly, looking into Narcissa’s eyes, shining with tears.

“I hope so,” she whispered back.

Hermione watched as her own hand slowly raised to Narcissa’s face and wiped away the one tear that had escaped. She leaned forward, ever so slowly, toward Narcissa. Her eyes slid closed. Crack! They jumped apart as Pepper appeared beside them.

“Pepper is sorry, Mistresses, so sorry to interrupt but there was a guest at the gates and he opened them already and he’s almost inside and Pepper thinks he looks not so nice.” Just as the little house elf finished speaking, they heard three loud bangs of the door knocker.

Pepper, eyes even wider than usual and her little hands wringing, headed to open the door to the stranger.

“Stop, Pepper, please,” Narcissa commanded, “I don’t want you to answer the door to anyone who you think looks unkind. I’d like you to be safe, first, okay?”

“Yes, Mistress Black, thank you!” Pepper skipped quickly back to Narcissa’s side and hugged the witch’s legs tightly, “Pepper can call Filly? Filly can answer?”

“Yes, that would be a good idea, Pepper, thank you,” Narcissa knelt down next to the nervous little elf. “You’re a very good house elf, Pep, even though you’re so young. You’ve been a very big help to me these last few months especially.”

Pepper’s smile rivaled the sun as she snapped away. A short moment later, Hermione heard another house elf opening the front door to Narcissa’s visitor. She didn’t have to listen hard to hear who it was, the wizard was obnoxiously loud.

“Tell the lady of the house that Vincenzius Crabbe is here to see her now.”

Hermione snapped her head around to look at Narcissa, wondering why on Earth she was being visited by a known Death Eater. Narcissa’s brows were drawn together and her head tilted.

“Why in Merlin’s name is Crabbe here and how did he get through my gates?”

“I was wondering the same thing,” Hermione said quietly.

“Master Crabbe will have a seat here in the foyer and Filly will let the Lady know.”

“You don’t tell me what to do, elf. I’m the wizard!” Narcissa and Hermione heard a thump from the foyer and both women had their wands immediately drawn as they raced out to see what had happened.

“Mistress Black allows no harm to come to her house elves, Master Crabbe. If Master Crabbe tries to kick Filly again, Master Crabbe will keep falling.”

Pulling Hermione back into the sitting room, Narcissa whispered to her, “I haven't a clue why he’s here but I intend to find out. Do you want to stay here? Come out there with me? How shall we approach this?”

Lips pursed for a moment, Hermione looked at the floor intently. Nodding her head as if in agreement with herself, she looked back at Narcissa, “I’d like to go with you. He’s a known Death Eater and I’m pretty sure the Ministry’s still looking for him. Whatever his reason for being here, it isn’t altruistic and, as far as he probably knows, you’re a single woman living alone. Something doesn’t seem right.”

Letting out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding, Narcissa smiled a little at her future wife. “Thank you. I appreciate your logical mind,” she reached up and tapped gently on Hermione’s temple before once more stepping into the foyer.

“Crabbe,” Narcissa said by way of a greeting.

“Narcissa,” he replied, dragging out the final sound to seem friendlier, “it’s so nice to see you. How are you doing?”

“Well. Why are you in my Manor?” Her clipped questions and cold tone of voice was in stark opposition to the way Hermione had heard her speak for the last two days and she found it quite intriguing.

“Now, Narcissa, we’ve known each other a long time. Can’t an old friend stop by for a visit?”

“Certainly, an old friend can. I would have been more inclined, once upon a time, to have expected a surprise visit from your late wife than from you. We were never friends, Vincenzius.”

“Oh, Narcissa, don’t tease,” he laughed, a forced, dry, choking sound that made Hermione wish for a glass of water, “of course, we’re friends. We’ve spent the last twenty years in the same circle. I’m coming to you now as a friend. Have you heard about this latest Decree from the Ministry?”

Narrowing her eyes once more, Narcissa nodded at him to continue.

“Well, I’m a widower and you’re a divorcee, let’s put our names in together! We’re both pure-bloods who think the same way. It’s a perfect match!”

“There are so many reasons my answer to that is no, I can't even begin to list them all. Suffice it to say, I decline. Vincenzius Crabbe, I will absolutely not marry you.”

“Ha! You think you can say no to me, Narcissa? Who do you think you are? I have information on you the Ministry would love to get their hands on. You spent over a year sheltering the Dark Lord. You don’t really have a choice here, lady, and you know it,” he stepped forward, intending to intimidate. Hermione also stepped forward, intending to protect.

“I know precisely who I am, Vincenzius. The youngest daughter of Cygnus Black the third, who was himself a proud member of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black; I’m sure you remember what it’s like to cross a member of the House of Black, don’t you? In case that reminder isn’t enough for you, yes, I housed Voldemort and his most trusted lieutenants for over a year. Yet never was I forced to take the Mark myself. Didn’t you wonder why that was? Other women took the Mark - your own wife pledged her loyalty to Voldemort. Yet I was able to reject it. I watched as people were tortured. I cared for them and nursed them back to health and, when I couldn’t help them enough, do you have any idea what I did? No. Because you just sat at the table and did his lowest bidding. But the Ministry? They do know what I did. I submitted myself directly to Kingsley Shacklebolt in June and willingly took veritaserum to recount precisely what happened at Malfoy Manor. I gave a detailed account of who was there, when they visited, and what they did. I don’t know why you haven’t been arrested yet, but I wouldn’t hold hope that you’re going to be free much longer.”

Her hand firmly on the small of Narcissa’s back, Hermione could feel the other woman’s muscles were so tight they probably hurt. Hermione spoke up, “I would’ve thought attempting to murder a sixteen year-old was enough to imprison you for a while, Crabbe.”

“Mudblood! You dare speak to me!”

Brandishing her wand directly at his face, Narcissa warned him, “I don’t allow such talk in my house, Crabbe. You will leave. Never return here. And never speak to my fiancée again.”

Behind Crabbe, Pepper and Filly snapped their fingers. The door swung open and the offensive wizard was deposited outside on the front stair where he looked up to see the door slam shut in his face.

No one inside moved. Narcissa was standing with her left arm wrapped tightly around her middle, still facing the closed door. Hermione had her hand still pressed to Narcissa’s back and could feel the shaky breathing of the other woman. Pepper and Filly were watching the witches intently to see if they needed anything and to make sure the nasty man didn’t try to come back in.

After a few tense moments, Hermione stepped slowly into Narcissa’s personal space. Carefully her left arm wound around the other woman’s back and Hermione tilted her head to try to catch Narcissa’s eye. It worked a bit as Narcissa turned her head toward Hermione before the tears started and she pressed her hand to her mouth.

“I said too much. I got too angry and gave away a lot of information that just put us all at risk. What was I thinking?”

Hermione’s eyes closed in understanding and she pulled Narcissa’s body into her own to hug the other woman as tightly as she dared. Narcissa hid her face in Hermione’s long hair and circled her arms around Hermione’s waist, grateful for the support and the physical contact - both unfelt in her life for so long. Pepper and Filly looked slyly at one another and silently disappeared.

Once Narcissa’s breathing had evened out and it seemed that she was no longer crying, Hermione spoke up once more, “Narcissa?”

“Hmm?”

“I came over planning to go to Hogsmeade for lunch with you but I have a different idea. What do you say, do you trust me?” Narcissa simply nodded, face still pressed to Hermione’s neck.

“Good, we’re going to Apparate to my flat. You don’t need anything but yourself - and your wand, of course. Let’s go,” Hermione smiled and stepped back.

Grasping Hermione’s biceps, Narcissa looked down into the younger woman’s face, “Thank you, Hermione. You’ve no idea how rare it is for me to find comfort with another human being. I appreciate your kindnesses.” Clearing her throat and stepping back, Narcissa continued, “I need to do one thing before we leave, okay?” At Hermione’s nod, Narcissa called Pepper and Filly back. She knelt down and thanked them both for their protection. “I confess, Filly, I’ve never taken the time to understand the gates here at Black Manor. How is it that Crabbe was able to come right in?”

“Oh, Mistress Black, two Lady Blacks ago, the gates were unlocked to all pureblood families. Anyone with pure wizarding blood can enter the grounds through the gates.”

“Oh my,” Narcissa practically clutched her pearls, “And here I thought this was the safest place for us to stay!”

“Mistress, as long as Pepper and Filly are here, Mistress and Master are safe. Pepper and Filly know when the gates are breached by anything,” Pepper squeaked.

“Hmm, still. I’d like the gates to be a bit more discerning. How can we fix this?” Narcissa turned and looked up at Hermione, eyebrows raised.

Hermione shrugged, she had no experience with wizarding manors and gates!

“Filly can fix it, Mistress,” the house elf said gravely, “Filly needs Kreacher, though, and Moonbeam. Filly and Kreacher and Moonbeam can fix it together. The only ones left serving the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black. All others are gone.”

“Pepper can fix! Pepper serves!” the little elf spoke up indignantly.

“Yes,” Filly was quite patient with his little sidekick, “Pepper serves. Pepper is new. This must be done by elves who were here the first time. Pepper can watch and learn.”

She tugged one of her sadly drooping ears and nodded her agreement as she followed Filly back to the kitchen.

“Can it be done today, Filly? If I owl Andromeda and Harry about Kreacher and Moonbeam can the gates be closed to all others but Draco, Hermione, and myself today?”

“Yes, Mistress Black. Owl right away. Filly will show Pepper the preparations and when Kreacher and Moonbeam arrive it will be done. Pepper will tell Mistress Black when it is complete.”

Narcissa nodded and turned back to Hermione with a smirk on her face once more.

“Come, I’ll show you how we call our owls,” Narcissa held her hand out to Hermione.

Entwining their fingers, Hermione joined the other woman and, unable to contain her curiosity, had to ask about the smile.

“I simply think it’s adorable the way Filly treats Pep. She can’t help with whatever they’re going to do to fix the gates but he’s including her in the preparations and he’ll send her to let us know when it’s complete.”

The women entered a small room located in the back of the manor near the kitchen. In any other house, Hermione would’ve called it a mudroom but she couldn’t imagine anyone tracking mud into Black Manor. Narcissa slid open a window and carefully pulled a cord twice, ringing a bell. After the reverberation stopped, she repeated the action before reaching to the other side of the window and doing the same with a second bell - though the pitch was much deeper. Moments later a petite Tawny owl landed on a little platform outside the window followed quickly by a very large Eagle owl.

“Oh! Is this the little owl that came to my apartment this morning?” When Narcissa nodded, Hermione continued, “And isn’t that Draco’s owl? Ulysses, I think?”

“Quite right,” Narcissa chuckled. Turning back to the owls, she spoke a little to Ulysses and got him a few owl treats out of the nearby cabinet. “Here you go, Ulysses. You’re always so quick to answer.” The raptor stalled and tentatively reached his leg out, looking for a mission. “Yes, let me write a quick note to Andromeda and then you’ll deliver to her, okay?” Hearing he would be sent with a letter, Ulysses puffed his chest out and took the treats from Narcissa’s hand. She sat at a small desk in the corner, already stocked with parchment, quills, ink, and sealing supplies to write a letter asking her sister if her house elf, Moonbeam, could come by the Manor. Once she had finished and the big owl was off, Narcissa stretched her arm out the window and spoke quietly, “Hello, little Paionia. Come inside and meet Hermione before I ask you for another delivery.” The owl hopped onto Narcissa’s forearm and ducked her head as she was brought into the manor.

Hooting softly, Paionia tilted her head back and forth as she looked at Hermione. “Well, Harry was right, wasn’t he? You are a gorgeous girl,” Hermione complimented the owl.

“Isn’t she? She’s a Tawny but I’ve never seen a fully grown Tawny as small as my little Paionia. She’s a brilliant owl, she’s never failed to deliver a letter or parcel and if I need a response she always brings one back with her.” Narcissa carefully pulled her arm closer to her body so she could gently scratch behind the owl’s ears. Paionia immediately tucked her head under Narcissa’s chin and chirped. Hermione smiled indulgently, she doubted Narcissa had any idea how much she sounded like a proud mum at that moment.

“Very smart girl you have there,” Hermione complimented, “and very affectionate.”

“Mmm, she wasn’t always,” Narcissa took a deep breath and looked right in Hermione’s eyes, “but I released her from service last year and it saved her life and the lives of her owlets. The day Draco and I moved in here, Paionia showed up with all three owlets from her clutch, Aruncus, Amsonia, and Astilbe. She’s been very affectionate since then.” Narcissa gently rubbed her cheek on Paionia’s head before setting the owl on the window sill. “I’m going to write to Harry Potter and I do need a response. We might be at Hermione’s flat, oh! Don’t you live with Harry? I needn’t write him, then,” Narcissa laughed.

“He isn’t home today. He went with a friend to look at new owls so a letter would be fine.”

Nodding, Narcissa sat and quickly penned a letter asking Harry if Kreacher could join Filly and Moonbeam. She had no doubt that Harry would say yes, he was quite kind and generous after all. Narcissa signed and sealed the letter before attaching it to Paionia, “There you go, pretty girl. Please deliver that directly to Harry Potter. Wait for a response if you are able but, most importantly, be safe at all times.” She gave the little bird a few treats and then she was off soaring across the gray sky.

“I do feel guilty sending her off in the coming rain,” Narcissa said with a little shiver as she closed the window.

“She’s headed to Hagrid’s to meet Harry, I’m sure if the weather is poor, Hagrid will keep her inside for a while. He’s never met a creature he doesn’t love,” Hermione chuckled.

“Except my son,” Narcissa had pulled herself up to her full height and turned abruptly to face the younger woman.

“I’m sorry? What did Hagrid ever do to Draco except introduce him to some magnificent magical creatures?”

“You’re joking. You must be,” Narcissa breathed out a fake laugh as she blew past Hermione on her way out of the cozy little space they had been sharing, “no one in their right mind would introduce a bunch of third years to a hippogriff and expect it to be perfectly safe. If I had known Rubeus Hagrid was the friend Harry was meeting I never would have let Paionia go there.”

“Rubeus Hagrid is one of the kindest people I’ve ever been lucky enough to know! When your son was tormenting me, I could always count on Hagrid to offer some tea and a quiet place to study. When your Master, Voldemort, was killing unicorns in the Forbidden Forest it was Hagrid, night after night, searching him out and saving an entire herd of one of the most magical creatures in the world. Hagrid taught us perfectly well how to introduce ourselves to hippogriffs, obviously, since no one else was injured or even startled by one. Only Draco, who insisted on rudely insulting a beautiful creature, had any kind of conflict. That’s on Draco, not Hagrid.”

“You blame a thirteen year old child for the lack of supervision? I’m sure if your precious Harry had been the one mauled by that beast you’d tell a different story!”

“I wouldn’t have to. Harry would never have behaved the way Draco did!” Hermione’s hands were clenched and her face was red. She spun quickly away from Narcissa when she felt tears forming in her eyes. Breathing deeply, Hermione spoke again, without shouting, “Narcissa, you don’t understand. Harry and Hagrid had a close relationship before Harry even started at Hogwarts and it annoyed Draco. On top of that, Draco very vocally objected to being educated by Hagrid even though Hagrid is the most knowledgeable person around when it comes to magical creatures and their care. To make matters worse that day, Hagrid gets a hippogriff for our very first class and what happens? It bows to Harry Potter. Draco’s nemesis. So Draco, because he’s very smart and very cunning, plotted quickly with Crabbe and Goyle to disrupt and ruin Hagrid’s classes as much as possible and that started with Draco insulting Buckbeak and then claiming his arm was barely functional.”

“The creature attacked my son,” Narcissa ground out in the same tone she had used with Crabbe earlier.

“Your son attacked the creature first and then lied. Did you even see his arm?” Hermione nearly shouted.

Narcissa hesitated and before she could answer the witches heard the front door open and close.

“Mother? Are you home?” Draco called from the foyer.

Narcissa stepped around Hermione, giving her a wide berth, and walked quickly to her son.

“Yes Draco, what is it?”

“Oh, nothing, really. There’s supposed to be a terrible storm today, they’re saying, and I wanted to make sure you were home safe.”

Hermione interrupted the conversation, too irritated with everyone to wait any longer, “Draco, did you ever show your mother what Buckbeak did to you?”

Draco’s head tilted to the right and his face scrunched up in confusion. “Who’s Buckbeak?” he laughed.

“The hippogriff from Hagrid’s class,” Hermione answered with almost no inflection.

“Oh, my gosh, I haven't thought of that in years!” Draco laughed, “I don’t know if I ever showed her. Mother, did I? There wasn’t really much to show!”

“No. You didn’t. You showed your father.”

“Oh, did I? I don’t even remember anymore.”

“Well, think harder,” Hermione spat out, “I mean you did almost cause Buckbeak’s death and cost Hagrid his job. On purpose. The least you could do is remember the details.” Hermione’s hands were on her hips.

“Wow, yeah, Hermione. I guess I did. Pretty stupid of me, actually. I was being a right git. Glad I get on with Hagrid now, he’s been a big help this summer as I was researching some laws about magical creatures in Britain.”

“So, you freely admit that neither Hagrid nor Buckbeak did anything unexpected or intentionally harmful to you despite the claims you made at the time?”

“Uh,” Draco’s mouth dropped open and he looked back and forth between his mother and Hermione. “Yes?” A pause. “I mean, yes,” he said more confidently, “I freely admit that I was kind of a prat in school sometimes and I didn’t follow the logical course of my actions to see that they could lead to Buckbeak’s death. I am sorry for goading the hippogriff and plotting against Hagrid.” Hermione turned to Narcissa and smirked nastily. Draco spoke again, “Though I have to say, it was perhaps a little shortsighted to bring fully grown hippogriffs to a class of inexperienced third years. What happened to my arm was my own fault for baiting Buckbeak but, truly, Hermione, no teacher should have allowed that situation to occur. Would you have introduced hippogriffs without any background information at all? Or does that, also, seem a bit foolhardy?”

Narcissa smirked back at Hermione, arms folded across her chest.

“Yes, okay, you’re right. Hagrid should have done a lesson on them first before just throwing us all together,” Hermione admitted quietly.

“However, that doesn’t mean you should have been plotting against a professor, no matter who he was. Draco, I must say, I’m a bit piqued by your admittance. You lied to me then, along with your father and led me to believe that you had done nothing wrong and this,” she turned to Hermione, “Buckbeack, was it?” Hermione nodded. “Buckbeak attacked you from beside Hagrid himself. I encouraged your father to go after Hagrid’s job at Hogwarts.”

Redfaced and looking down, Draco scuffed his toe along the floor, “I apologize, Mum. I was feeling jealous of Harry, as usual, and trying to impress Father. I thought it was a good scheme to upset Potter and make Dad happy to throw his weight around. I also got a bit of attention out of it.”

“I accept your apology,” Narcissa nodded at her son but stepped around him and made her way into the kitchen. She used her wand to fill a kettle with water and placed it on the stovetop.

“I just wanted to make sure you were safe in the storm that’s coming through today. I’m going up to Scotland to spend the day in Hogsmeade, I’m not sure if I’ll be home tonight,” Draco said quietly.

Narcissa hummed a quiet reply and nodded without looking back at her son.

After a few quiet minutes standing in the doorway and watching Narcissa, Hermione made her way across the room to lean on the counter next to where the other woman was standing.

“Narcissa?”

“Yes, Miss Granger,” Narcissa sounded tired.

“I’m very sorry for getting so argumentative. I’m working on disagreeing with others without lashing out. Seems I still have some work to do in that area, hmm?”

“No, dear, you didn’t. Not really.” Narcissa reached out and placed her hand on Hermione’s forearm, looking at the younger woman, “There were a few well-placed jabs at first but you were very articulate and focused. I’m just upset because I didn’t even know I’d been lied to about that until today.”

Silence fell once more as the women waited for the kettle to whistle. Suddenly, Hermione turned the stove off.

“Nope. I had a plan before our conversation turned sour and we’re going to do it. I’ll make you tea at my flat. Do you still want to come with me?” Hermione turned to fully face the other woman, eyebrows raised.

Smiling now, Narcissa agreed.

They quickly made their way outside and rushed toward the gates, hoping to get to Hermione’s before the storm started. Just before Narcissa pulled out her wand they were startled by a flash of lightning and nearly a simultaneous clap of thunder.

“Let’s just hope we can avoid…” Hermione paused as the sky opened and buckets of water started pouring down, “the rain.”

Narcissa immediately giggled, “No need to rush now, I see.”

Looking at Narcissa’s grin, Hermione couldn’t help but join the laughter. She shrugged as Narcissa waved the gates open and closed them after they stepped through. “Okay, I’ll Apparate us there, I just need to focus,” Hermione closed her eyes and breathed deeply through her nose. She began muttering to herself, “I am determined to reach my destination without haste but with determination. I am determined to reach my destination without haste but with determination. I am deter-” Hermione’s eyes popped open. “Narcissa, you have to hold on!”

Narcissa was staring wide-eyed at Hermione and cautiously stepped forward, grasping Hermione’s outstretched arm tightly. Muttering more quietly, Hermione continued, “without haste but determination.”

She pivoted tightly on the spot and the women disappeared together, popping onto the stoop of Hermione and Harry’s flat only moments later. Narcissa let out a great sigh.

“What was that for?”

“I wasn’t sure you were going to get us here? You have Apparated before haven’t you?”

“Yes, of course,” Hermione turned toward the door, pinching the thin ring she wore on her forefinger causing it to transfigure into a key for the front door.

Following Hermione, Narcissa stumbled over her words, “I still - I’m not - okay...First, that was a brilliant little bit of magic you just did there.” Hermione, blushing, reached around Narcissa and closed the door behind them. Both women absently pulled out their wands and quickly used the hot-air charm to dry out their clothes and hair from the rain.

“Thank you,” Hermione answered finally, “I had used the Colloportus charm to lock the door but we were being frequently faced with an uninvited visitor so I decided to use the muggle lock and key instead. Accio key,” she flashed her wand and caught a small gold tinted key in midair as it came flying toward her from the kitchen.

Hermione reached toward Narcissa, her palm open, the key flat on top. “What is this?” Narcissa asked.

“This is the key to my flat. I can use the same transfiguration to turn it into, say, a bracelet for you? Mine stays a ring until I’m standing on the stoop and pinch it between my thumb and forefinger, then it turns back into the key until I let go again.”

Narcissa stared at the key; blinking she glanced up at Hermione’s pink cheeks and back down at the key.

“You’re giving me access to your flat?”

Tilting her head, Hermione answered, “Mmhmm.”

“To come in as I please?”

“Mmhmm.”

“But, Hermione, you’ve only known me for two days.”

“And didn’t you just give me access to your Manor to come in as I please?”

“Well, yes, but, we’re different,” it was Narcissa’s turn for her cheeks to turn pink and her eyes to dart away.

Curling her fingers back around the key, Hermione pulled her hand into her chest. After a long moment of silence, she spoke quietly to the older woman, “Narcissa? We’ve known each other for years but not truly known a single thing about one another past surface judgements and stereotypes until two days ago. And yet, I trust you. I’ve seen you with your child. I’ve seen you with your great nephew. I’ve seen you with your house elves. I’ve seen how you treat waiters. I’ve seen your discomfort at being around the public and your fear at being out in the dark. I definitely don’t know every single thing about you but I’m interested in learning more. And from what I know? I trust you. I trust you to have the key to my flat and to use it when you want or need to. I trust you to light the spark of revolution with me. I trust you to marry me, Narcissa.” Hermione held the key out again, in her left palm, this time tapping it twice with her wand and silently transfiguring it into a thin silver ring.

Narcissa, with a shaky breath, carefully picked the ring up with her right thumb and index finger and then, grasping Hermione with both hands, pulled the other woman’s arms around her and hugged Hermione tightly.

“You may never understand the gift you just gave me, Gryffindor. You are so brave,” Narcissa’s voice was tight and she swallowed hard. Hermione squeezed tighter and was content to hold the other woman’s body against her own as long as Narcissa needed it.

After a long moment of quiet breathing sharing space, Hermione spoke quietly, “If you think that was a gift, get read, Slytherin. I have such a good plan for today.”

Narcissa could hear the smile in Hermione’s voice and stepped out of the embrace, trying to subtly wipe her eyes. “Oh, do you?”

“I do! But first, you wanted tea?”

She really is quite thoughtful. “You remembered? Yes, I would love a cup of tea.”

Gesturing dramatically, Hermione led the way to the kitchen and quickly prepared a tray of tea and biscuits.

“Okay, follow me!” She led Narcissa back towards the front of the flat to go upstairs. Floating the tray in front of her, Hermione opened the door to her rooms and invited Narcissa inside.

Curious, Narcissa looked around at the shelves of books and photographs - mostly muggle pictures it seemed. Picking one up, Narcissa turned to Hermione with a huge smile on her face, “Is this you?” Hermione glanced at the picture of herself wearing dungarees with pigtails and a messy face grinning at the camera from between her parents. “Yes, with my parents.”

“Absolutely adorable,” Narcissa murmured, tracing her finger quickly across the glass before setting the frame back on the shelf. “So, what’s the next part of your plan?”

Hermione bit her lip and clasped her hands together, “I know that I’ve said I trust you but, do you trust me? This might seem a bit silly now I think about it,” she blushed once more.

Reaching out and stepping quickly to the younger woman, Narcissa put her mind at ease, “I trust you, Hermione. I’m here. I’m marrying you. I trust you.”

“Okay,” Hermione turned to her dresser and quickly opened and closed a few drawers pulling things out. Turning back, she handed Narcissa a pile of articles and pointed to a door across the room, “That’s my bathroom. You can change in there. Put these on, okay?”

Narcissa didn’t hesitate or argue for even a moment. She could sense that Hermione was feeling quite nervous and needed the support at the moment. When she got into the bathroom and actually looked at what she was holding, however, she questioned her blind faith in the younger woman. What in Merlin’s name? Are these cupcakes? Who wears socks like this?

While changing her clothing, Narcissa could hear Hermione doing something in the bedroom just outside the door. Wanting to give the Gryffindor time to finish her preparations, Narcissa checked her hair and face in the mirror in front of her along with the outfit she had put on. Thick, soft, tartan pants, fluffy blue socks with pink cupcakes on them, and a white jumper with a hood that proclaimed “Atlanta 1996” with interlocking multi-colored rings on it over a soft gray t-shirt that simply had a check mark on the left breast. The entire ensemble left her feeling decidedly underdressed but unusually comfortable. Narcissa folded the clothing she had worn and left it on the hamper, unsure of where else to place it. Taking a deep breath, she pushed the door open and stepped back into Hermione’s room in time to see the younger woman pull a clean t-shirt down over her head and cover the smooth skin of her back.

“I’m sorry, Hermione, I thought you were done,” Narcissa said quietly, still watching.

“Quite alright, Narcissa. I’m ready! Come over here and see what I’ve done,” Hermione was glowing. She had quickly transfigured the furniture in her room into a comfy lounge set up. A large, overstuffed loveseat with a plethora of throw pillows faced a coffee table which was holding their tea. On the other side of the table, Narcissa saw a large black mirror.

“What is that?” She asked, pointing as she walked over.

Hermione took Narcissa’s hand and pulled her onto the loveseat beside her, “That’s a television. Have you never seen one? Or gone to the cinema?”

“No, never. Those are strictly muggle activities!”

“Well, I’m a muggle-born, so I’ve done both and I have a television. I thought maybe we could introduce you to some of my favorite tv shows or movies today? Or maybe a video game or two? That’s an interactive game you play with a controller in your hand and the game is on the tv screen.”

“I’ve never had the opportunity to see any muggle inventions! Please, show me the tell-o-vision!”

“Great! This is called the remote,” Hermione stopped rather abruptly.

“What is it? Have I done it wrong? Do I have to press the remote as well?”

“No, no, I’m sorry, I’ve just...I realize I have a tendency to, um, to explain things too much? I over-explain and it sometimes makes people feel as though I think they’re stupid. I don’t want that to happen with you. I don’t think you’re stupid, Narcissa, okay?” Hermione’s eyes were filling with tears.

“Hey, I don’t feel stupid,” Narcissa soothed Hermione, gently cupping the younger woman’s cheek. “I love that you’re explaining this all to me. If I ever feel like you’re being unintentionally condescending, I promise to let you know right away and I will do my best not to get mad about it.” Narcissa raised her eyebrows in question.

Nodding with just one quick sniffle, Hermione continued, “Okay, so, I was saying, this is the remote control. You use it to turn the tv on, here you go, press the red button that says power. You can also use it to change the channel. Channels are sorted by number and each channel has its own shows. You also use the remote to adjust the volume.”

“What are some shows you watch?”

“Well, I used to watch silly kid shows but we could watch Coronation St? It’s a serial so it’s a new hour every day that follows the lives of fictional people in a fictional community. Or we could watch Midsomer Murders...kind of the same thing but murdery.”

“Either is fine! This is so interesting!”

Hermione chuckled a little and put on the channel showing Midsomer Murders. The women caught it just in time to start the new episode. As the hour wore on, they sank more comfortable into the loveseat until Hermione realized they were pressed up against one another from shoulder to knee. Feeling a little stiff, Hermione stretched her legs out to rest on the coffee table in front of them and reached her arm around the back of the loveseat...and Narcissa, who was oblivious to Hermione as she remained focused on the tv. The episode wrapped up and Narcissa waited patiently for the next one to start. She was quite confused when a Newsdesk appeared.

“What happened to Inspector Barnaby?”

“Mm, the episode ended. Now it’s mid-day news for a little while. Let’s listen, see what’s happening in the muggle world.” Hermione’s mind could only stay focused for a few minutes, however, before she was asleep. Narcissa only lasted longer because it was a new experience but, after fifteen minutes, she, too, was falling asleep in front of the television...like any muggle would do.

An hour later, Hermione slowly rose to consciousness feeling an unusual weight against her left side. Cracking one eye open, she saw that distinctive blonde and black hair and remembered just closing her eyes for a moment during a commercial break. More awake, Hermione really looked down at Narcissa and realized the woman had turned on her side and was pressed completely into Hermione, her head resting on Hermione’s shoulder and her legs across Hermione’s on the table. Enjoying the closeness of the other body, Hermione wrapped her left arm more securely around Narcissa and snuggled closer to the other witch. Narcissa murmured back and reached her left arm across Hermione’s torso to pull the younger woman closer to herself as well.

It was the best afternoon Hermione could remember in a long, long time.