Lost Family

Hermione Granger was cold here she was waiting on the bench for her Parents to come she doubted they would they had this scared look in their eyes before she left she felt her eyes start to water but she wouldn't cry not here though there was only a few there were still people she looks down fiddling with the necklace she have always had ever since she was a baby then she heard an Unknown voice as a cloak is draped around her "It's a bit chilly out here. You should keep warm," she look up and saw none other then Narcissa Malfoy

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Narcissa didn’t mean to stare she really didn’t, Lucius was still talking with a family friend she left as soon as the conversation started instead choosing to stand close to her son to wait till the girl on the bench caught her eye, The girl looked so much like her sisters with her curly hair like Bella’s and Demeanor like Andromeda’s or maybe the loneliness finally got to her and she’s hallucinating the sisters she has lost.

She looked at the time it was late. They were still only here because of Lucius it was no bother they were friends with the station owner they could leave whenever they wanted to but the girl was waiting for her parents the way her eyes darted between the people walking by “Mother why are you looking at the muggle girl?” Draco's voice cut her thoughts she winced if she was right the girl was probably abandoned by her parents it wasn’t unheard of Muggles abandoning their child after being confirmed to have Magic.

She looked at her son “Draco do you know her name?’’ she asked instead Draco scrunched up his nose “Hermione’’ He said after thinking but it made Narcissa's world stop a distant memory played on her head “Hermione that’s her name she didn’t want her daughter to be named by a star she wanted a Greek name instead so Hermione shall be her name” the memory was cut off by her son’s worried voice “Mother? Mother, are you all right?” she looked at her son and weakly smiled “Yes, Dear sorry” she said then looked back at the girl

She knows what she’s thinking is a bad idea but she can’t help but feel a pull toward the girl Lucius would be angry but he’ll eventually relent making her final decision she calls out her son “Draco” he looks at her curiously “Yes Mother?” she smiled at him softly “She looks cold, why not offer your cloak?” she held out her hand for him to take

Draco hesitated for a moment, unsure of his mother's intentions. Offering his cloak to a muggle-born like Hermione Granger was not something he would typically consider, especially given their past interactions at Hogwarts. But as he looked at the girl sitting on the bench, her vulnerability and loneliness were palpable.

Reluctantly, Draco removed his cloak and handed it to his mother. "Here," he said, his voice laced with an unusual softness. "You offer it to her. I'll wait here."

Narcissa's heart swelled with pride at her son's unexpected act of kindness. She approached Hermione cautiously, draping the cloak gently around her shoulders. "It's a bit chilly out here. You should keep warm," she said with a gentle smile.

Hermione looked up in surprise, her eyes still glistening with unshed tears. She took in the sight of Narcissa Malfoy, a woman she had always considered an adversary, offering her comfort and warmth. It was a moment that defied all expectations.

"Thank you," Hermione managed to whisper, her voice filled with a mix of gratitude and confusion.

Narcissa sat beside her, a faint air of understanding passing between them. "No need to thank me, dear. It's the least I can do. No one should have to face the cold alone."

As they sat together, a silence settled between them, broken only by the distant chatter around the station. Hermione felt a flicker of warmth, not just from the cloak but from the unexpected compassion shown by someone she had once believed to be her enemy.

Draco watched from a distance, a mix of emotions swirling within him. He couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for his mother's gesture and a newfound appreciation for the complexities of the world he had grown up in.

In that moment, the boundaries that had defined their lives began to blur. A muggle-born witch and a pure-blood wizard, connected by an act of kindness that challenged their preconceived notions.

And as Hermione looked at Narcissa, she couldn't help but wonder if perhaps there was more to people than met the eye. Maybe, just maybe, bridges could be built and understanding could be found, even in the most unexpected of places.

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As Hermione looked up Narcissa's breath caught up to her throat the girl's eyes were like her sister and she almost laughed ‘Merlin’s beard I must miss my sisters if I think her eyes look like Bella’s she thought as she took a deep breath and looked at the darkening sky

Narcissa made a play at checking her watch though they both knew it was almost night. “It’s getting awfully late dear, how about you stay with us for the night?” She offered Hermione a look at the leaving train “What if they come later?” Narcissa smiled weakly it was unlikely but she couldn’t tell that to the child No instead for now she’ll lie “Then I’ll have the night guard that is on watch tonight call me” she reassured and held out her her hand

Hermione looked at the hand biting her lip and then taking it “Okay thank you Mrs. Malfoy” she said softly Narcissa smiled in the corner of her eyes she saw Lucius look at her but say nothing instead going inside the train Instead they were gonna talk about this later but she doubts he’ll do something to upset her she sees Draco waiting for her looking at his father then her and then walked closer to her

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Draco approached his mother and Hermione hesitantly. Seeing Hermione holding his mother's hand was odd yet intriguing. He couldn't quite meet Hermione's eyes.

"The train is ready to leave," Draco said quietly to his mother. His tone was polite yet guarded, betraying the discomfort he still felt about this situation.

Narcissa nodded, giving Hermione's hand a gentle reassuring squeeze before releasing it. "Come along then, dears. We should get you settled for the evening." She began walking towards the train, glancing back expectantly at the others.

Hermione rose slowly, nervously adjusting the cloak around her shoulders. She glanced at Draco who was watching his mother board ahead of them. "Thank you, for the cloak," Hermione said softly.

Draco shrugged without meeting her gaze. "It was Mother's idea," was all he said before following Narcissa.

Hermione took a deep breath before joining them on the train. Inside the compartment, an awkward silence descended as the train lurched into motion. Lucius sat sternly, glancing between his wife and the muggle-born girl.

Narcissa broke the silence. "I do hope you'll find the accommodations comfortable, Hermione. Please, make yourself at home." Her warm tone contrasted with Lucius' cold demeanor.

Hermione responded politely but nervously to Narcissa while avoiding Lucius' steely gaze. Through brief, cautious dialogue the tensions lingered just beneath the surface, but kindness had opened a door, however slightly, for understanding between implacable sides.

As the train rushed through the darkness, an uneasy silence hung in the air of the compartment. Draco stared listlessly out the window, lost in turbulent thoughts. Hermione fidgeted nervously with the cloak around her shoulders.

Lucius sat stiffly, glancing between his wife and the muggle-born girl with a cold glare. Only Narcissa seemed at ease, calmly reading a book to pass the time. Yet beneath the surface, Hermione sensed the woman's mind was busy pondering the events of the evening.

Eventually, the rhythmic clattering of wheels on tracks began to lull Hermione into an exhausted sleep. Her tired eyes grew heavy and closed as flashes of the strange day danced behind her lids.

The last thing she remembered before drifting off was Draco turning to look at her, his expression unreadable in the dim light. Then blackness overtook her.

When Hermione awoke, the pale morning light was filtering into the compartment. She was alone save for Lucius, who appeared lost in deep thought, unaware she had stirred.

Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, Hermione noticed the train had stopped. Peering outside, she recognized the familiar countryside near her home. But one thought nagged at her tired mind - where had Narcissa and Draco gone?

Just then the compartment door slid open. Narcissa entered with a small tray of biscuits and tea. "I thought you might appreciate something to break your fast, dear," she said with a soft smile.

And with that, the train lurched forward once more, carrying Hermione deeper into the unknown of what mysteries and understandings still lay ahead at the Malfoy manor.