A Wedding to Plan
Hermione had always been a light sleeper and was roused by the sound of the front door closing. She listened closely, trying to discern if Harry had someone with him. It was late afternoon, so he’d likely seen Hagrid and made a plan to find a new owl. She could hear the quiet tones of conversation and the kitchen door creaked open but then she heard footsteps on the stairs.
Harry’s voice echoed up the stairwell, “Hey! You may not enter Hermione’s rooms without her permission, Ron!”
“I just need to use the loo, mate, I’ll only be a minute.”
Hermione’s wand was within reach and she only had a moment to decide. Lock the door or let him see? Hermione didn’t move other than to point her wand at the doorway and wait for Ron to appear. As she expected, he took two steps into the room before he noticed them and froze, eyes wide. Hermione wasn’t sure if his eyes were bugging because of the two of them snuggling on the couch in pyjamas or her wand pointed directly at his face; at that point, however, she wasn’t sure she really cared, either.
As quietly as she could, Hermione spoke, “Get out, Ronald.” It stirred Narcissa a bit and she started to awaken.
Ron’s face went very, very red just before he shouted, “What the bloody hell is this?”
Narcissa jumped in fright at being startled out of sleep and Hermione cast a quick Silencio on Ron. “Get out, Ronald,” she said again before turning to look at the other woman who had pushed herself back into the corner of the little couch they were on. Narcissa’s eyes were darting around and her pupils extremely dilated. Is she having a panic attack? Hearing Ron’s feet move heavily toward her as Harry charged up the stairs, Hermione stood quickly between her fiancée and her old friends.
“I’m going to say this once more. Get. Out.”
Still under the silencing charm, Ron reached for Hermione's wand instead. Harry stood frozen at the door, shocked at what Ron was doing.
“Petrificus Totalus,” Hermione said angrily, watching Ron’s body drop to the floor. “I know you can hear me, Ronald. Listen well. You and I are not a couple. I have told you that repeatedly for months. I am not marrying you. I told you that two days ago when the Ministry announced this ridiculous decree. I will never have this discussion with you again. I am marrying Narcissa Black. That is not up for debate. I will not be joining your family for dinner any time soon to discuss any weddings at all as I’m sure Narcissa and I will be perfectly capable of planning our own. I’m going to end the spells I’ve cast. You’re going to get up silently, leave my room silently, and not contact me again until I’ve contacted you first. If you don’t follow those requests, I will not hesitate to hex you. I’m sure we all remember that I’m quicker with a wand than you, Ron. Don’t test me.” Hermione waited a long moment, looking at Harry to make sure he, too, had his wand out. “Finite incantatem.”
“C’mon, Ron, let’s go,” Harry said, reaching his hand out to help his first friend up. Ron, still red-faced, opened his mouth as he stood but Harry spoke again, “I wouldn’t. Let’s just go.” Harry tugged Ron toward the door. “Don’t speak, mate. She’s going to hex you and it’ll be your fault. Just go downstairs, I’ll be right there.” Harry turned back to Hermione and Narcissa. The former was standing in the same spot, wand still aloft and ready for danger; the latter had pulled her knees up in front of herself and rested her forehead against them. Harry quietly apologized and promised not to allow Ron back to the flat until the situation was resolved. Before he softly shut the door, he gestured for Hermione to look at Narcissa, who had still not raised her head.
Hermione turned quickly, forgetting about Ron and Harry immediately. She didn’t want to further startle the other woman, “Narcissa? I’m going to kneel down next to you, okay? Can you look at me?”
Narcissa, sniffling a bit, slowly raised her head and did as Hermione asked. Carefully, Hermione raised her hand and brushed a few tears off Narcissa’s cheek. “You’re okay,” she whispered, “I’m sorry today has been so trying. First Crabbe at the door, then I fought with you about Hagrid, then Ron scared us both to death shouting like a fool.” She tucked a bit of blonde hair behind Narcissa’s ear as the woman laid her head back on her own knees, this time looking at Hermione. “Can I sit with you again?” Hermione asked.
“Of course, it’s your furniture,” Narcissa answered drily.
“Hmm, well, that’s technically true but, as you’re the one sitting on it now I’ll allow you to decide. May I sit with you, Narcissa?” Hermione stood awaiting an answer.
A small smile gracing her lips, Narcissa answered, “I’d like that.”
Hermione sat primly for a moment, back up straight, feet on the floor. She huffed a great sigh and shook her head, “Ugh. I was quite comfortable before that twit came barging in.” Hermione wiggled her way back into the comfy corner of the plush loveseat, put her feet back on the table, and her left arm across the backrest once more.
“I was, too,” Narcissa admitted in a tiny voice.
“Then come back,” Hermione offered, just as quietly. She was very pleased when the other woman listened. Once they were settled together again, Narcissa’s hand slowly sliding across Hermione’s torso to rest on her hip and Hermione’s fingers running gently through Narcissa’s hair, Hermione spoke kindly, “Narcissa, do you want to talk about what just happened?”
She felt the puff of air as Narcissa blew it out. “Not really but I suppose I should explain a bit.”
Hearing the tension in the other woman’s voice, Hermione rested her hand on Narcissa’s arm and held her other arm around Narcissa, too. “You do not have to share anything you don’t want to. I just thought you seemed very upset and I want to help. I don’t want to cause you pain or stress.”
“Oh, Hermione, no,” Narcissa said, pushing up to look Hermione in the eyes. “I lived with the Dark Lord - sorry. I lived with Voldemort for more than a year. Being startled out of sleep by someone shouting nearby is likely always going to cause a panicked response. In the past, that often meant pain, torture, and death were likely to follow for someone in my house. You didn’t do anything wrong,” Narcissa leaned her head back down on Hermione’s shoulder and rested against her again. “And don’t think I didn’t notice how you immediately stood between Mr. Weasley and myself. Is Harry’s Hero Complex catching?”
Blushing, Hermione realized that’s exactly what she did. “Apparently,” she smirked.
Squeezing the body next to her tightly, Narcissa said, “Well, I’m grateful for it.”
Without thinking, Hermione pressed her lips to Narcissa’s forehead. “You know, there were a few things I wanted to talk to you about today over lunch. Are you hungry? Shall we go to lunch?”
“No, I’m comfortable here. If you’re hungry, though, we can go find something,” Narcissa replied, snuggling back into Hermione’s arms.
“Not yet. Soon, though.”
The witches fell silent for a few moments while Hermione arranged her thoughts and Narcissa waited, thinking about the questions she also had for the younger woman. “I wanted your opinion on my education, actually. I, technically, dropped out of Hogwarts and I never took my NEWTs.”
Gasping, Narcissa popped up, “Hermione, you must! You’re the brightest witch of the age! Everyone says so!”
Smiling, red-cheeked again, Hermione looked away before thanking Narcissa and tugging the woman back into her arms. “I want to take them. The problem is that I don’t really want to go back to Hogwarts for another year. I mean, I know I missed the start of term this week but, I’m sure if I asked, McGonagall would allow me to come back regardless. I just honestly can’t imagine living in a school like that again and wearing school robes and sharing a dormitory with all the other girls and meals in the Great Hall. It was amazing. Absolutely amazing and I’m grateful for the experience and opportunity and all that I learned there. I just don’t think it’s something I can repeat at this point in my life.”
“You don’t have to. Being a student at Hogwarts is not a requirement for NEWTs, Hermione. You can study for them and take them whenever you wish. There’s a good chance you possess enough skill to take some of them already. Charms for one, I’m sure you would pass with an Outstanding at this point. How many did you wish to take?”
“Well, I was taking seven NEWT classes during my sixth year but I wanted eight. I couldn’t take the eight class because I was part of the group of students who broke into the Ministry and fought your husband - ”
“Ex-husband.”
“ - ex-husband and your sister and we inadvertently spilled the sands of time and caught all of Britain’s existing Time Turners in an unending loop so I could no longer use one to take all of the classes I wanted.”
Narcissa was perfectly still. That was a lot of information.
“Let me get this all straight. You were able to be such an exceptional student because you were using a Time Turner?”
“Well, the inverse, actually; I was allowed to use a Time Turner because I was such an exceptional student. I did have to go through a lengthy interview process and a psychological assessment to be sure I wouldn’t abuse the privilege.”
“And you broke into the Ministry of Magic?”
“I did. But it was for...a really...good reason?”
“And you fought adult Death Eaters, some extremely talented, and somehow survived and caused their capture?”
“Yes. A dozen Death Eaters were there that night. It was a terrible battle, Narcissa. I thought we were all going to die - I almost bled out and Harry’s godfather didn’t survive. The Death Eaters were ruthless, of course. They used curses and spells I’d never heard of before nor have I seen some of them since. I still don’t know what that spell was Dolohov used on me.”
“Hermione?”
‘Hmm?”
“I...well, I don’t really know what you’re talking about,” Narcissa said in a small voice, confused at why she couldn’t remember hearing of such a battle.
“Really? The Battle of the Department of Mysteries? It’s probably when Voldemort started staying at Malfoy Manor. It’s the night Lucius was arrested and put pretty much directly into Azkaban.”
A shiver ran through Narcissa’s body. “Voldemort was at the Manor before his return was common knowledge. He and Bella were there all the time. I remember they spent a lot of time using the Floo network to communicate, which I thought unusual for the Dark Lord. He was usually far more dramatic. I think I remember him showing up one night, late, very disheveled, with Bella following behind him filled with apologies. They banished me to my rooms and I was locked inside nearly all the time after that. House elves would bring food. I was mostly a prisoner until I was docile enough to be let out again without argument.”
“For how long?”
“I don’t know, honestly. A few weeks maybe? Could’ve been a month or more. I know it was still summer when I came out and I was devastated to see the Dark Mark upon my child. Truly devastated, Hermione. I found out he had been tasked with the assassination of Albus Dumbledore and I knew it was punishment for something Lucius had done wrong. I don’t recall him going to Azkaban, though. I went to Snape that summer and forced him to make an Unbreakable Vow to protect Draco in his mission...I was only able to leave because Bellatrix accompanied me, though.”
“Narcissa, I think…”
“What, Hermione?”
“I think something’s wrong with your memory. You were seen all over that summer. You and Draco went to Lucius’ trial, I saw your picture in the Daily Prophet myself. And you took Draco shopping before school started, we saw each other at Madam Malkins - we had words.”
“No,” Narcissa sat up, aghast. “I’d remember!’
“Narcissa, we did. I remember every moment of it! You taunted Harry about Sirius’ death. You let Draco call me a mudblood...you called me scum.”
“Oh, Hermione, I’m so sorry that happened but I swear it wasn’t me. I’ll take veritaserum if you want. I truly wasn’t allowed out of the manor and certainly not for something like shopping.”
Hermione was actually relieved. She believed Narcissa, no need for truth serum. “Narcissa, I’m so glad that wasn’t you. Though, it is somewhat disturbing that someone staying at your manor likely used Polyjuice Potion to pretend to be you and take your son shopping. Whoever it was also knew Sirius was Harry’s godfather and that he had died - they basically said that Harry was going to die soon, too.”
“Hmm,” Narcissa hummed in contemplation, her head finding it’s spot back on Hermione’s shoulder, “I wonder if it could actually have been Lucius himself. I don’t remember him going to Azkaban. If he did, he was back at the Manor by the time Draco left for school because I distinctly remember him there in the fall. If my mannerisms and speech patterns were done well, it would have to be Lucius or Bellatrix, I doubt anyone else could play act me well enough to fool people. It must have been Bella. I doubt Lucius could have handled being a woman for any length of time.”
After a few quiet minutes of contemplation, Hermione chuckled.
“What?”
“Just funny that this conversation started with me seeking your advice about NEWTs and ended with us trying to figure out who was imitating you by using Polyjuice Potion and wiping your memory of major events.”
“Oh. Actually, I was back to thinking about your NEWTs.”
“Really? Why?”
“Because, dear, Bellatrix and Voldemort are dead. The Death Eaters left behind are being rounded up and tried by the Wizengamot. I don’t have to focus on them anymore. I am safe. My son is safe. We survived.”
Nodding, Hermione hugged the other woman a little tighter for a moment and hummed in agreement.
“I think you should owl McGonagall today and tell her you plan to take all your NEWTs this year. Ask her what she thinks about having correspondence with the professors for questions and communication about your subjects. I would also recommend asking if you might go to the castle a few times a month to meet with professors to discuss the topics in person to make sure you're staying focused on the right paths. That way it doesn’t have to be anything formal so if, say, herbology is going swimmingly you needn’t meet with Pomona Sprout but when you get to those complicated permanent charms you have the opportunity to work directly with Flitwick.”
“Narcissa! That’s perfect! I’ll owl her as soon as we get up.”
“I can move, Hermione. You can do it now,” Narcissa started to shift away but Hermione’s arms held her in place and she felt the younger woman’s lips press against her forehead once again.
“No,” Hermione whispered, “I don’t want to move. This is...pretty wonderful.”
Narcissa’s heart skipped a beat. No one had ever used the word wonderful to describe being in her presence.
“Can I tell you something, Hermione? Something personal?”
“Of course, you can. We’re going to be married.”
“I’ve never in my life spent time in someone’s arms like this. I was married to Lucius for twenty years but...this? This was never part of that.”
Hermione waited and absorbed the words Narcissa spoke before answering, “Well, then, Narcissa Black, I am even more deeply honored that you’ve chosen to allow my arms to be the ones around you. And, just so we’re on an even keel here, I want you to know, I’ve never done this before either.”
After another long, comfortable stretch of silence, Narcissa asked Hermione what else had been on her mind.
“Oh. Well. Just that we’ve got a wedding to plan? And we should keep up with the boys and who they’re planning to marry. And do you intend to have three children in the next three years? And would you think I’m crazy if, after my NEWTs, I wanted to do two apprenticeships?”
Narcissa couldn’t stop the laughter that bubbled out, “Oh, my, you do have an active brain! How do you get any sleep in there? Let’s start with an easy one. I would not think you’re crazy. I think you’re brilliant and you should do as many apprenticeships as you want until you figure out what makes you happiest. Okay?”
Hermione nodded, “Okay.”
“I agree about Draco and Harry. Maybe we should plan to meet together every few days? Twice a week? To keep things on track. Is there anyone else we should bring in to help keep the resistance moving forward?”
Chuckling again, Hermione answered, “I love that we’re just casually discussing rebelling against the government while wearing pyjama pants and hoodies and snuggling on the couch.” Narcissa caught her giggles and they were both lost for a few moments. Just as Narcissa thought she could stop, Hermione let out an undignified snort of laughter and they both started laughing all over again. “Oh, my, goodness,” Hermione sighed. “Now I need to pee; up! Up! I need the loo! I’ll be right back - save my seat,” she said with a wink.
While waiting for Hermione to return, Narcissa grabbed an iced biscuit from the tray and was lost in the sound of her crunching. When Hermione came back, she found Narcissa had shifted into the opposite corner and was leaning back with her feet up on the coffee table. Without the slightest hesitation, Hermione sat next to her future wife and curled into her side the same way Narcissa had curled into Hermione earlier.
They hummed in comfort at the same moment. “This is absolutely heavenly, Narcissa. I never knew I could feel so comfortable with another person.”
“I feel exactly the same way.” It was Narcissa’s turn to press a kiss onto Hermione’s forehead and she did not miss the opportunity. Hermione draped her right arm across Narcissa’s torso and got herself settled. “Now, where were we? Ah, right. Meeting with the boys. I think we should. Maybe a weekday dinner meeting and a weekend brunch?”
“Solid plan. What else? Oh! Our wedding! I don’t...I guess I’m not really sure where to go from here. The first time I got married, my mother and Lucius’ mother had the whole thing planned years before it happened. I had no thoughts on any of it, I just did what they said.”
“Hmm. Let’s just...not get bogged down with details. One thing at a time. Let’s start with choosing a day. Anything to which you have a particular affinity or dislike?”
“I...um...well...I always thought that, maybe, a Solstice wedding would be nice.”
“I love the Winter Solstice. That sounds perfect to me. Do you think a lot of people might choose that day, though?” Hermione went from elated to concerned in a flash.
“They might. But they won’t be us. We don’t need a lot of people in attendance, do we?”
“We don’t. Just us and someone to preside would be fine with me, honestly. I don’t really like to be the center of attention.”
Doesn’t want to advertise marrying me, more likely.
“If we don’t invite anyone, we don’t have to pick and print and mail and collect invitations and responses. That’s a bonus!” Narcissa forced a laugh at her own joke.
“Well, I didn’t mean we shouldn’t invite anyone. Unless you don’t want to? Of course, you don’t. Sorry, I forgot for a second, this is just a spark. Right.”
“Hermione, I have...a...proposition.”
Hermione’s heart responded by pounding in her chest. A beautiful woman with ice blue eyes offering her a proposition? Not like that, Hermione. Control yourself! “Go ahead.” Hermione couldn’t keep her hands still in her nervousness. The fingertips of her right hand were running back and forth across the band of the pants Narcissa was wearing, over her left hip, back and forth, back and forth.
“I know we agreed to marry one another to, sort of, protect each other from the Ministry’s choices. But, I think, we might both fare better if we moved ahead with this wedding as though it were really our choice from the beginning. Not as a reaction to government overreach. Because, after all, in a way, it was our choice. Wasn’t it? I’m choosing, of my own free will and with good faith in you, to become your wife.”
Hermione’s hand stopped moving and gripped Narcissa’s hip.
“And I’m choosing of my own free will and with good faith in you, Narcissa Black, to become your wife. Yes,” Hermione took a deep breath, “I completely agree. Let’s move ahead with this and plan it like we would if there were no Decree.”
“Well, then. Hermione, what do you think about getting married on the Winter Solstice? A day to celebrate the Goddess, moon. A day for rebirth and renewal.”
Hermione’s fingers began their back and forth once more. “I think it sounds perfect. One of my favorite days. And a celebration of rebirth and renewal and the spirit of the goddess? It sounds exactly right, Narcissa.”
Narcissa stretched a little to hug Hermione and it shifted her hips. Hermione’s hand slipped under the hem of the jumper Narcissa was wearing and grazed the soft skin of her torso, just above her hip. Narcissa gasped inadvertently but didn’t stop her movements to wrap her arms around Hermione. They were going to be married, after all.
Hermione, intoxicated simply by the feel of Narcissa’s smooth skin beneath her fingers, slid her hand under Narcissa’s t-shirt and pressed it against her back to hold her more tightly. Narcissa’s face was tucked into Hermione’s neck so the younger woman could clearly hear and feel the gasp Narcissa sucked in when Hermione’s hand was finally splayed across her delicate skin.
Not wanting to upset the other woman, Hermione pressed her mouth just above Narcissa’s ear and whispered, “Is this okay?”
Unable to trust her voice, Narcissa simply nodded...and pressed more tightly against Hermione.
Neither was sure whose heartbeat she was hearing and feeling, both were pounding forcefully with the effect of skin on skin - even that small amount.
With her lips still near Narcissa’s ear, Hermione’s hot breath was melting the other woman. Narcissa’s lips found the pulse point beneath Hermione’s ear and pressed there to feel the life beating within the woman in her arms. She nipped gently at the soft skin, eliciting a quiet moan from her young fiancée whose nails grazed the skin on Narcissa’s back. Narcissa placed kisses on the edge of Hermione’s jaw, moving closer to her mouth with each one. Just as she reached the corner of Hermione's lips, they heard a tapping. Both women froze until they heard it again. The second time it was accompanied by a voice calling, “Hermione? It’s me. Can I talk to you?”
Letting out a noisy breath through her nose, Hermione leaned back and - regretfully - away from Narcissa’s kisses. “Of all the unlucky moments to be interrupted,” Hermione whispered, looking intently into Narcissa’s eyes. Narcissa merely smiled and tucked a few curls behind Hermione’s ear.
“You better answer him; he’s probably very nervous about what happened before.”
“Do I have to? I was rather enjoying this moment.”
Smiling once more, Narcissa shrugged her shoulders.
Hermione reluctantly got up and opened the door for Harry.
“Hermione, Mistress Black - “
“You can call me Narcissa, Harry,” the woman said as she rose from the couch, “No need to stand on ceremony when I’m wearing socks adorned with cupcakes.” Narcissa was pleased when her statement had its intended effect and Hermione chuckled a bit.
“Either way, I’m so very sorry. I can’t believe he came in here. I swear it, Hermione, he’s never done that before, just burst into your rooms when you aren’t here. I told him not to.”
“Harry, it’s okay. I heard you tell him not to come in here. That he chose to ignore you is his own fault. I do ask that he not be allowed back at our flat for a while however. Whether or not I’m here, I just don’t feel comfortable with him in our living space.” Hermione was still standing near the door and Narcissa moved to be next to her then, reaching out to rest her hand at the small of Hermione’s back, she provided a bit of comfort.
“I must say, the shouting was less than pleasant,” Narcissa chimed in.
“But not entirely unexpected,” Hermione added. “Ron’s always been a bit immature.” She tucked her arm underneath Narcissa’s and stretched it around the other woman’s waist. “Would you like to come in, Harry? We have tea and biscuits.”
Grinning just a bit, Harry teased, “Only if I don’t have to put on pyjamas.”
Laughing, Hermione shoved him with almost no force behind it.
As the three sat down, Hermione offered biscuits and Narcissa used a quick spell to re-boil the water in the kettle for the tea they had never had and went about pouring three cups.
After the tea had been sugared to everyone’s liking and napkins distributed, Hermione spoke, “Narcissa and I were just talking about making a plan to get together more often with you and Draco.”
Narcissa smoothly cut in, “We were thinking twice a week?”
“Perhaps a weekday dinner and a Sunday brunch?” Hermione finished.
Harry took a long sip of tea to hide his grin. “Sure, sounds good to me. That way we can keep each other updated on who we’ve spoken with about the Decree.”
“Have you spoken with anyone?” Hermione questioned.
“I have but I don’t have many clear answers just yet. Let’s meet this Sunday with Draco and I’ll fill you in on what I have and he can do the same. Yeah?”
The women looked at one another and silently agreed before turning back to Harry. “Yes, come by the Manor for brunch, around eleven?”
Harry nodded, mouth full of biscuit. When he finally finished chewing, he asked what was on his mind, “So, Hermione, did you talk about your thoughts from this morning?”
“We did. Narcissa had a brilliant idea and I’m going to take her advice on it, actually, and owl McGonagall to ask if I can work with some professors independently from home. Sort of as a correspondence course but with the option to go into Hogwarts a few times a month on weekends to have discussions and make sure my practical skills are advancing appropriately.”
Harry beamed for his friend. That did sound like the perfect compromise of what she wanted - a life outside of school and the education she deserved. “That really is a brilliant idea! I’m sure McGonagall will go for it for you, Hermione, you’ve always been her favorite,” he teased.
“Well, how many other witches or wizards do you know could transfigure a living creature into an inanimate object on their first try?” Narcissa’s defense of Hermione was so smooth and immediate it caught both Hermione and Harry off guard.
Hermione’s smile was slow to start but it lit up the room.
“Fair point to the Lady,” Harry joked again.
The discussion turned to all the courses Hermione wanted to continue taking and she even added in a few she hadn’t studied in years.
“I just don’t understand why you want a NEWT in Muggle Studies, dear. You grew up in the muggle world!”
“I know, Narcissa, but I have bigger aspirations than just plugging my day away behind a desk. I am quite interested in education and I think I could be quite a good Muggle Studies or Muggle Relations teacher. I’m also very interested in working in the Ministry and our Magical-Muggle Cooperation can only improve by normalizing the understanding and study of the muggle world.”
Narcissa glanced from Hermione’s flushed cheeks down to her heaving chest, a little distracted by how beautiful the young woman looked when she was passionate about something, “Well, Hermione. If you are this passionate about it before you’ve even started, you will make your mark on the wizarding world. Just remember, dear one, you can’t fight every battle. Some other time,” Narcissa glanced at Harry, watching them avidly, “let’s talk through all the items on your list you want to fight for and figure out how to do each one justice.” Narcissa reached up and tucked a curl behind Hermione’s ear.
Hermione nodded, eyes locked onto Narcissa’s. Before she could answer, her stomach let itself be heard.
“Oh, my,” Narcissa chuckled, “I guess it really is time to feed the beast.”
Harry set his tea cup down, “I think that’s my cue to go, ladies. Enjoy your dinner! I have to go study some wizarding regulations for the DMLE. I really do want to be an Auror.”
“Bye, Harry!”
Hermione waited for the door to close behind Harry before she turned quickly back to Narcissa and threw her arms around the other woman. The force of her powerful hug knocked Narcissa back into the corner of the loveseat and the woman laughed a little, “Hermione, what is it?”
“Thank you,” Hermione said into Narcissa’s long neck, “Thank you so much for what you just said. You didn’t laugh at me. You didn’t tell me I don’t have to save everyone or that Muggle Studies are a waste of time. You are the first person who has actually, genuinely supported my desire for social justice for all creatures. God, thank you, Narcissa.”
“Oh, ‘Mione, when I said I wanted us to treat this marriage as if it’s real, I meant we ought to treat one another that way, too. I’ll never dismiss your goals or desires. Neither a partner nor a friend should do that. Come now, dear. Time to get up and dressed for dinner or I’ll never get off this couch with you.”
“And that’s supposed to be a deterrent?” Hermione teased as she got up, pulling Narcissa up beside her. “You can use the bathroom again to change. I’ll change out here and we can go.”
Once they were ready, the women discussed going to the Three Broomsticks but Narcissa knew Draco was in Hogsmeade and didn’t want him to think she was checking up on him. Then they talked about the Leaky Cauldron but Hermione hadn’t liked the pro-Ministry-at-all-costs stance last time she’d been there. Just as Narcissa was about to mention a little bistro on the Place Cachée, Pepper popped into the room.
“Mistress Black, Hermione Granger, the gates is finished now. Filly says come try. Pepper will make dinner!”
Smiling once more, Narcissa simply said, “Perfect.”
The women stepped outside and Hermione offered to Apparate them to Black Manor but Narcissa vehemently declined.
“Excuse me?” Hermione asked.
“I apologize for offending you but I was absolutely sure I was going to get splinched earlier today.”
Hermione paled and looked away, “That’s not something to joke about, Narcissa.”
“I’m not joking, Hermione. Your Apparition prep scared me. Did you learn from Wilkie Twycross?”
Bristling, Hermione answered sharply, “He was the Ministry approved tutor while I was at Hogwarts.”
“Well, he -” Narcissa cut herself off. She took a very deep breath and let it out in a slow, controlled push. “I’m sorry for insulting you, Hermione, truly. Wilkie Twycross may be Ministry approved but he is also teaching you in a very difficult manner. The old ways of Apparating are much less...disturbing...and don’t feel like you’re being squeezed through a straw.”
“But, I can Apparate the way the Ministry says to. And I’ve brought people along. And I even fought off a Death Eater WHILE Apparating!”
“Have you ever been splinched?”
“No.”
Hermione’s short, one-word answer gave away more information than a whole paragraph would have.
“You haven't been splinched but you splinched someone else, haven't you?”
“Well, I was fighting off a Death Eater at the time and trying not to lose Harry and Ron. It was an accident!”
Hugging Hermione again, Narcissa tried to soothe her, “Darling, I know it was an accident. Listen, I’ve never been splinched either but I’ve seen it happen. Only ever when someone was using the Ministry approved method. Will you allow me to teach you the old ways of Apparating?
Nodding, Hermione looked at Narcissa once more.
“I never would’ve believed anyone if they had told me how kind, thoughtful, and generous you are, Narcissa Black. And my life would have been all the poorer for it. Thank you,” Hermione blushed again and pressed her lips to the corner of Narcissa’s mouth.