The Black Lion

The Black Lion 

Chapter 12

Draco pursed his lips looking at his mother, who he was sure was slowly losing her mind like her sister. 

“So you’re telling me, that Lord Black wants you to train his heir on pureblood protocols?’ he asks her slowly trying to process the information.

Narcissa smiles at her son and nods her head at his confused face. Honestly, she didn’t understand why he was so confused about why she would be doing this. Not only would she be able to spend time with the woman who captured his heart but she would finally have a daughter she could love.

“Yes, isn’t it wonderful, my dragon? However, she is your betrothed you can call her by her given name now, yes.” she tells him with a slightly reprimanded voice.

Draco's cheeks warm as they turn slightly pink at his mother's choice of words. He hadn’t yet come to terms with the weight of this arrangement or the way Hermione’s presence had begun to linger in his thoughts. Each time his mother mentioned Hermione’s name, the weight of responsibility pressed a little heavier not just for their families’ sake, but for his own. He wasn’t worried about their families he was worried about being the partner Hermione would need and want.

Continuing his mother gives him a knowing look before sighing softly, “You should try to make amends with her Draco. Yes, you helped her the other day, but you must truly make amends. Draco, a marriage isn’t just a contract; it’s a partnership.”

Closing his eyes Draco nods his head as he knows he won’t be able to change his mother's mind. He took a deep breath, watching his mother, her gentle smile still lingering. It struck him then that maybe, just maybe, she was right.

“I’ll take the first step, Mother,” he tells her before leaving her to finish her breakfast alone.

Days passed before he finally attempted to write. It wasn’t that he feared Hermione’s response, he told himself just that… well, he had good reason to be cautious. She had a temper, and he'd felt the force of it firsthand. He scratched out his first line with a sigh, then another and another, until his waste bin overflowed with discarded parchments. 

With each stroke of his quill, Draco felt his heart race. 

‘ What if she doesn’t want to hear from me? ‘The words seemed to dance on the edge of his mind, and he could almost hear her laughter echoing in his thoughts. 

‘No, focus. You have to be sincere. She deserves that much. ’ He paused, biting his lip, ‘I can’t mess this up.’ Finally finishing the final draft he reads it over.

Hermione,

I’ve been trying to write this for days, but every time, the words seem wrong. I’m not great with apologies, but maybe this time, I need to be.

I know I haven’t given you any reason to trust me, and I can’t change our past. But I’m hoping I might do better in the future. For what it’s worth, I respect what you’ve been through, and I’d like to move forward without repeating the mistakes of our history.

I know you must have a lot of questions, especially with our situation being… well, unexpected. I don’t know all the answers myself, but if you’d be willing to hear me out, I’d like to try. This time, I’ll listen.

Yours (and that’s still strange to say),

Draco

Tying the letter to his owl's leg he smiles slightly before letting out a nervous laugh. “Give this to Heir Black. You don’t have to wait for a response.” he tells his pure white owl. The owl chirps before flying away.

It was two days before he got a response back from Hermione. Rushing to read her response he runs his hand through his hair telling himself to read it quickly.

Dear Draco,

I’ll admit I wasn’t expecting a letter from you, nor am I entirely sure what to make of it. You've given me a lot to think about, and I can see that you're making an effort, though I’m not sure yet why.

Your apology well, it's been a long time coming. While I still have my reservations, perhaps there is some truth in what you said. However, trust isn’t something I can just hand over; it’s something that will take time, patience, and action to earn.

Thank you for reaching out. I’ll consider your words, and perhaps, in time, we’ll find some common ground.

Respectfully,
Hermione Granger Meadows Black

As Draco read Hermione's reply, his heart sank a little. She’s still wary, he realized, the weight of her skepticism settling heavily on his chest. Yet, beneath her cautious tone, he sensed a flicker of hope. 

‘Maybe this was a start. Maybe she can forgive me. Be her friend first, lover second Draco.’ The idea both excited and terrified him. He quickly wrote his response back.

Dear Hermione,

How’s the training going? I imagine Mother is already deep into everything from tea etiquette to whatever other ‘pureblood essentials’ she deems critical. She’s probably practically adopted you by now she used to lament never having a daughter, so watch out. I might soon be playing second fiddle.

I’m curious about your budding relationship with Lord Black as well. My mother spoke about him often when I was younger, but he’s always been a bit of an enigma to me. I wonder what he’s like now, and what he’s like as a… father. Is he as intimidating as I’d imagine A Lord of House Black to be? I’ll admit, I may need some tips from you on how best to impress my future father-in-law. No pressure, of course.

And for the record, you don’t have to worry I haven’t been eavesdropping on Mother’s plans. But if she mentions dance lessons or dueling stances, consider this your fair warning.

Looking forward to hearing how it’s all going,

Draco

Sending that letter off to Hermione he closes his eyes slightly hopeful that this would start a beautiful friendship between them. It was another two days before he heard a response back from her.

Dear Draco,

So, first things first, I survived. Barely. Your mother and Augusta Longbottom seem to have some unwritten competition to see who can subject me to the most grueling ‘refinement’ sessions. I swear they’re conspiring; today, Augusta taught me about floral arrangement etiquette, and almost immediately after, your mother decided I must master the art of hosting tea, the formal kind where one teapot is definitely not enough. By the end, I’d forgotten which fork to use and thought I’d invented new ways to balance tea cups!

And Regulus sorry, Lord Black has been a pleasant surprise. I think he’s just as amused by this new “me” as I am. He sometimes chimes in with extra rules I’m almost positive he’s inventing to keep things interesting. But honestly, he’s been supportive, even if he occasionally calls me “his heir” in that formal way that makes me want to roll my eyes.

So, if I emerge from this training a refined, proper Pureblood lady, you’ll owe me a celebration a very informal one, if you don’t mind. Maybe you could even join me for tea so I can see if you remember which fork is which.  

Regards (and a bit of encouragement from your exhausted betrothed),  

Hermione

Laughing softly as he read the response back. As he read over the last paragraph he smiles to himself. He hoped that she would be acceptable to what he was about to suggest.

Dear Hermione,

I’m relieved to hear that you’ve survived your training sessions though I admit, the thought of you facing off against my mother and Augusta Longbottom is quite amusing. I suppose I should have warned you that they both take their roles very seriously!  

In light of your apparent mastery of pureblood protocols, I would like to formally invite you to a date. Yes, you read that correctly a “proper” date, complete with chaperones, as befits our situation. I thought it might be a good opportunity for us to get to know each other better in a more relaxed setting, without the looming pressures of pureblood propriety and perhaps without the chaos of tea and floral arrangements.  

I’ll arrange for an appropriate chaperone, and I promise to behave myself. Let me know when you are available, and I’ll make sure to plan something enjoyable as enjoyable as it can be when following our family traditions, of course.  

Looking forward to your reply,  

Draco

Reading over the letter he bites his lip it was a little straightforward but with Hermione being straightforward is the way to go. Sending it off with his owl he attaches a box of chocolates as well as pureblood culture requires him to.

It took her a week before she finally responded making him pace back and forth waiting for a response. His anxiety didn’t let him wait 10 seconds before ripping open the letter.

Dear Draco,

I would be delighted to accept your invitation for a date! I appreciate your thoughtfulness, especially considering my current training sessions. I must admit, your mother and Augusta are formidable forces, and they certainly have their own ideas about what it means to be a pureblood woman. But I’m determined to prove I can hold my own!

Now, as for this chaperoned date just know that I expect a little more than just polite conversation and tea. I’ve been through enough rigorous training to tackle anything you throw at me! So, I hope you're prepared for a lively discussion about everything from ancient spells to the latest gossip in the Wizarding World.

Looking forward to it!

Hermione

P.S. Sirius and Regulus ate the chocolate before I could. I'm sure they tasted wonderful.

Draco’s hands trembled slightly as he read her acceptance to their date. A date! With Hermione! The prospect made his stomach flutter with a mix of excitement and anxiety. Would she laugh at his attempts to impress her? He smiled at the thought, imagining the sound of her laughter light and melodic, like music he never knew he needed. However, before he could finish it another owl dropped another letter on his desk. Opening the letter his face went from a flushed pink to a deadly white.

To Mr. Malfoy,

As the father of Hermione Granger Meadows Black, I feel it is my duty to address the matter of your upcoming “date” with her. I understand that you have been working to make amends, which I commend, but let me be clear: my daughter’s well-being is of utmost importance to me.

You will treat her with the respect she deserves, and I expect you to conduct yourself accordingly. If I hear of any behavior that undermines her dignity or makes her uncomfortable, rest assured, I will personally ensure that you regret it.

While I believe in second chances, I will not tolerate anything less than what Hermione is entitled to as my daughter and your betrothed.

Consider this a warning.

Regards,
Lord Black

Draco set down the letter from Lord Black, his heart racing. The weight of Regulus’s words hung in the air, a stark reminder of the responsibility that came with their engagement. He had known that making amends with Hermione would be no easy task, but this letter made it painfully clear that he had to step up in a way he hadn’t fully grasped until now.

He couldn’t help but smile at the thought of Hermione’s laughter, the way her eyes sparkled with mischief and the warmth that spread through him when she was near. If there was one thing he was certain of, it was that he wanted to make this work. He would show her that he was worthy of her trust and perhaps something more.

Lord Black might think that this would scare him but in the end, it only made him want Hermione more and to prove himself to everyone especially her.