Chapter 7
In their last Patronus lesson before going home for Christmas, Draco was the next to conjure a corporeal Patronus: A dragon.
While Hermione was quite happy with her Mooncalf, the others were extremely jealous. Whatever their Patronus would turn out to be, it wouldn’t compare to a dragon, at least that was what they thought.
Before they left the Room of Requirement that day, Hermione packed the mirror into her bag.
As per usual, they took the train to London, where they were picked up by Lucius and Narcissa, who apparated them to the gates of Malfoy Manor. The moment he let go of his father’s arm, Draco reached for his wand and proudly conjured his Patronus, which was flying away over the grounds and out of sight.
Lucius placed a hand on his son’s should and gave him a proud smile. “I see you’re doing well. Both of you are.”
Narcissa was smiling, too. “It looks like Tom should have become a teacher after all.”
The next day, Hermione was spending some peaceful hours in her sitting room, reading, when someone knocked on her door.
“Yes?” She looked up and Draco stepped in. He looked utterly miserable. “What’s wrong?”
“I did something stupid.”
It was somehow tempting to make a joke, but instead, she put the book away and patted the place next to her on the sofa. “What did you do?”
He sat down and sighed heavily. “I overheard mother and father talking. It sounded like they were following a lead after Sirius and of course he wasn’t found. Mother sounded so genuinely disappointed and worried … I told them everything.”
While he looked down to the ground, Hermione’s eyes were on the flames in the fireplace as she processed this new information. “Hmm.”
“Hmm? That’s all? No ripping my head off?”
“No, maybe it’s for the best.” She turned her head to look at him and had to smile at the surprise on his face. “I mean … What if something goes wrong? And we could have stopped it, if we had told someone? He may be mad at you, but it wouldn’t be fair. Not really. He can’t expect you to lie to your parents. I’m sure he’ll understand that. Besides, what’s realistically going to happen? They’re hardly going to abduct him. If he insists on staying in that cave, I guess he’ll stay in the cave.”
“Snitch,” Noodles commented from his place in front of the fireplace. Hermione grinned.
“What?”
“Noodles called you a snitch.”
“Thanks. I feel so much better now.”
Lucius and Narcissa came back shortly before dinner. Hemione had decided to tell her father, too. Now that it was out, he could as well know.
She had just finished the story, with Draco still sitting next to her, when there was another knock on the door.
“Come in!”
The mirror was still open in her hand when the two Malfoys entered her sitting room.
“You could have told us, you know,” Lucius said by way of greeting.
“I did!”
“Months after the fact.”
“We promised him to keep it to ourselves,” Hermione said in an apologetic tone of voice.
“Also, I was just told that it was my fault,” her father chimed in. “I told her to stay out of the Sirius Black business, which was a welcome excuse to keep quiet.”
Lucius let out a dignified snort. “Oh, hello Tom. Nice little trinket.”
“I know.”
They joined them in the sitting area.
“I suppose he didn’t want to come back with you?” Hermione asked after they had taken a seat.
“No, Harry Potter is staying at Hogwarts over the holidays, so he doesn’t want to go,” Narcissa explained. “Not that he can do anything there. If only there was a way to get to Pettigrew without alarming Dumbledore.”
“There may be a way.” Everyone looked at Hermione. “Last time we spoke to Po …” She took a deep breath. “Harry and Ron, it was quite amicable. I think us helping Harry during the match made an impression. If we can earn their trust, they may be open to suggestions. I think it would be only fair for them to know at least that if Dumbledore is up to something and wants to involve Harry or even both of them, no good will come out of it.”
“I agree. At the moment, they’re basically at his mercy,” Lucius admitted. “The question is how much we tell them. We can’t make them take Occlumency lessons. Not without Dumbledore knowing.”
“I agree, but I think we have some time to think about that,” Narcissa said. “For now, you must convince them that you’re trustworthy. When in doubt, they will still trust Dumbledore more than you for the time being.”
“We are trustworthy!” Draco looked offended.
“Says the snitch.”
Hermione burst out giggling and even her father chuckled quietly.
“Did he call me snitch again?” Then he seemed to remember something. “Father, didn’t you want to file a complaint against Dumbledore after the match? I mean, he wouldn’t get to them, if he wasn’t headmaster anymore. Maybe he’s going to be fired.”
“I did, but I didn’t hear back yet. And to be honest, I don’t expect to.”
It was frustrating. Lucius could probably get everyone else fired, if he really wanted to, but Dumbledore was still untouchable, at least to an extent. She could only imagine their frustration during the war, when Dumbledore had accused them all of horrendous crimes and they had been powerless to do anything.
The next morning after breakfast Narcissa went to Sirius again and somehow managed to convince him to at least spend Christmas with them, spend a night at the Manor, have real bath and a few good meals at a real table.
When Narcissa arrived with him, Bimsy apparated to Hogwarts to tell her sister that he wouldn’t need food for two days.
Hermione found it hilarious how Draco had very important things to do in his room while Sirius had his first bath in over 12 years.
When Sirius emerged and joined Narcissa and Hermione in the sun room, he looked around. “Where’s the little traitor?” He looked good, finally fully like a civilised person again, as he gave them a crooked smile.
“Hiding away in his room in fear of your wrath.” Hermione took a bite of the small chocolate cakes Bimsy had provided with the tea.
Narcissa chuckled. “He’ll come out when he’s hungry.”
“It’s a bit like with Noodles,” Hermione mused with a smile. “He can hide away and sleep all day, but when he decides he’s hungry, he makes it known.”
“I heard that!”
Hermione grinned at the Shinohebi, who was currently hanging in a plant.
“How are you feeding him at school?” He grinned. “Are there rats in the Slytherin dungeons?”
She rolled her eyes. “No, there aren’t. And I’m sure the Slytherin common room and dorms are far more interesting than those in Gryffindor tower. Professor Snape takes him out to hunt once or twice a week.”
“Snivellus?”
“Sirius!” Narcissa’s voice sounded stern. “You may want to remember that Severus is a good friend to both me and my husband and my son’s godfather.”
He raised his hands. “Sorry.”
Hermione looked between the two of them. “So, I suppose you weren’t friends at school.”
“No. Actually, we hated each other.”
Narcissa looked at him coldly. “Yes, I do remember well, how awful you and James Potter were.”
He raised an eyebrow at her. “Snape wasn’t much better.”
She just looked at him until he relented. “Alright, maybe we drove it a bit far from time to time.” At Narcissa’s unrelenting gaze, he finally gave up. “Very much too far. You are right. But I still don’t like him.”
“You don’t have to. But if you meet him in our home, I expect you to be civil. And yes, him too.”
“Whatever. But I still wouldn’t want to be taught by him.”
He was obviously waiting for someone to be on his side. Hermione had no intention of doing him that favour. “I don’t see why. He’s a very good teacher and as a house teacher far above and beyond the level of the other three. Even if I had no other reasons, I’d be glad to be in Slytherin just because of that.”
“Alright, alright, I won’t mention him again.”
To break the awkward silence, Hermione turned to Narcissa. “Where is Lucius?”
“At the Ministry. They didn’t bring his complaint against Dumbledore and the presence of the Dementors at school before the Wizengamot. I think he’s letting it out on Fudge and his pink lapdog.”
“Pink lapdog?” That was the first time she’d heard about that.
“Madam Umbridge. She’s Fudge’s personal assistant, I suppose. You should see the way she looks at him. She’s always dressed all in bright pink and even and everything in her office is also pink. I’ll never go in there again or I may go blind. I’m telling you that woman has no class at all.”
Sirius laughed. “So you can hold your grudges?”
“That’s different. She’s awful in every sense of the word.”
“Who is?”
They all looked up to Lucius who entered the room and sat down next to Narcissa.
“Dolores Umbridge,” Narcissa answered simply.
Lucius sneered. “Don’t remind me of that woman. She physically threw herself in my way when I tried to get into Fudge’s office. Her screeching warned him and he just went through the floo when I came in.”
Both Hermione and Narcissa made an effort not to appear too amused, Sirius did not.
Draco chose that moment to come out of hiding. He hovered in the doorframe.
“Hello, traitor.” Sirius raised an eyebrow at him, but his lips were turned slightly upward.
“Hi. I’m sorry. It’s just, mother was really worried about you and I couldn’t lie to her.”
“And I shouldn’t have asked you to. Besides, it is kind of nice to stay in a manor for two days.”
“You could stay longer,” Narcissa said pointedly.
“No, I’m going back to Hogsmeade. Pettigrew is still at Hogwarts.
Hermione wondered how he didn’t see that Dumbledore was the far bigger problem.
“And you’re going to change that by living in a cave?” Lucius looked sceptical.
“It’s better than sitting in Wiltshire and hoping for the best.”
Hermione was pretty sure she would have preferred to stay at Malfoy Manor and hope for the best instead of in a cold, damp cave, even if it was closer to Hogwarts, but there was no arguing with this man, obviously.
“I’m honestly more worried about Dumbledore than Pettigrew,” Narcissa said, looking at her cousin.
“Good for you, but Dumbledore doesn’t sleep in Harry’s dorm.”
“But he can call him to his office any time he likes. And he already tells him stories about ‘Voldemort’ returning.”
“Why?”
“I wish we knew.”
Christmas morning, Draco was for once wide awake when Hermione left her suite in the morning.
He was already standing in front of the door of his parents’ suite, where the presents would be waiting under the Christmas tree in their sitting room.
“Morning. What a rare sight.”
Draco didn’t even act offended. “Good m … What is that?”
She looked down at Noodles, who was wearing a Christmas jumper she had knit for him. It was the first time she had tried knitting and to be perfectly fair, that was what it looked like. It was unevenly green and silver and nothing but a long tube. He had slithered in with her help immediately, so that now only his hat and the tip of his tail looked out, and she had the impression he liked it.
She looked at Noodles. “His Christmas gift. I knit him a jumper.”
“A jumper?” Draco echoed, still staring at Noodles.
“What’s his problem?”
“He’s never seen a snake in a jumper, that’s all. And he’s probably jealous because he didn’t get one.”
Noodles eyed Draco critically. “Yes, you’re probably right.”
The door opened and Narcissa smiled at them. “Good morning.” Her gaze, too, fell on Noodles.
“It’s his Christmas gift,” Hermione said primly before she could say anything.
“It’s … interesting.”
“What’s interesting?”
Narcissa smiled at her cousin, who had just emerged from his room. “Noodles’ Christmas gift.”
Before anyone could actually comment on her knitting skills, she entered the room, which was beautifully decorated with light blue and silver Christmas ornaments and the ground beneath the big tree next to the window was full of presents. Lucius, who was already sitting on an armchair had the good grace not to comment on Noodles.
As per usual, Hermione and Draco received gifts from their friends, Lucius and Narcissa, and even Sirius had gotten them books, whether he had stolen them from the shop in dog form or gotten them in a different way, Hermione didn’t want to know. When he mentioned that he hoped that Harry would get the Firebolt he had sent him, Draco looked so comically shocked that Hermione burst out laughing. However, he too got a gift from his own godfather: Newly released potions books and a set of ingredients he would need to try out some of the potions. Hermione, who didn’t have a godfather, received a beautiful set of earrings from Cassius and Maeve. The letter said that they were old Nott heirlooms, but Dumbledore wouldn’t recognise them as such, as they neither showed the Nott crest nor the Nott colours. Therefore, it would be safe to wear them. They were small and discreet and therefore perfect for every-day use, but of fine quality. Hermione put them on immediately.
She also knew who the last gift that lay before her was from, but she hoped Sirius wouldn’t ask, because they hadn’t told him about her father’s continued existence yet – or Hermione’s family situation for that matter. He would not stay in Malfoy Manor, he had made that very clear, not as long as Peter Pettigrew was still hiding away in Harry’s dorm. If he was caught, there would be an unnecessary risk.
Hermione opened the package, which was rather heavy. It was a chess set and looked incredibly valuable and it was beautiful, with many details and adornments. The chess board seemed to be made of marble and the beautiful pieces of white jade and black moonstone. The letter that came with it simply read:
Hermione,
You mentioned that you want to improve your chess skills. I’m sure this will prove helpful. There is an additional enchantment that will make one set of pieces play against you on their own, for when you have no one to practise with. The level of difficulty will adjust to your growing skills, give it a game or two to figure out how well you currently play.
Happy Christmas!
Your father
“Wow, that looks valuable,” Sirus commented. “Who is that from?”
Hermione calmly folded the letter again so that it didn’t look like she was hiding something. “Lucius’ sister. I mentioned to her that I want to get better in chess last time I saw her.” She smiled up at him. “I didn’t expect such a generous gift, though.”
From the corner of her eyes, she saw Lucius giving her an appreciative smile. At least it had been a quick and believable lie.
“I love the chess board! Thank you so much!”
“I’m glad you like it. Did Black really go back to his cave?”
Hermione, who was curled up on the sofa in her sitting room, hair still damp from the bath she had just finished, nodded. Noodles was curled up on her lap. He liked her fluffy pyjamas. “Yes, Narcissa tried to convince him otherwise, but for some reason he seems to think that him dwelling in a cave will stop Pettigrew from hurting Harry.”
“What a smart man.”
She grinned. “Oh yes.” She became a bit more serious. “Where are you staying for Christmas?” She really wished he could be here with them instead of somewhere on the other end of the world. “Please don’t tell me you and Nagini have found a cozy little cave of your own.”
“Do I look like a caveman to you?” He turned the mirror away from his face and gave her an overview of the cozy living room he was currently sitting in. The walls and the furniture were made of wood, but there were soft carpets on the floor and pictures on the wall and Nagini was curled up on an armchair next to the fireplace. There was a large window which showed a snowy landscape. Not the kind of snowy she knew from England or even Scotland.
“Looks like you’re still in Alaska?” She guessed and he nodded, now looking back into the mirror.
“Yes, this is a rather nice hunting lodge. But no one is staying here right now, so Nagini and I decided to make use of it for a few weeks. I found some books on lesser-known Ancient Runes and other symbols. That will give me time to properly study them before I move on.”
“Do you ever stay anywhere for a larger amount of time?”
“Certainly. I once settled down for almost three years. In Australia. I even had a job as potioneer. Under a false name, of course. Nagini liked it there, too. The winters are not as harsh as here. Alaska is not exactly one of her favourite countries.”
“Noodles doesn’t particularly like the cold, but he does go out hunting in winter. He’s not cold-blooded, is he?”
“No, neither is Nagini. Makes them easier to keep than non-magical reptiles.”
“Yes.” She grinned. “But he does like the warmth.” She turned the mirror to show him noodles, who was still sleeping on her lap, head half buried in the folds of her pyjama shirt, most of his body still covered by the snake jumper.
Hermione had seen him amused, had heard him chuckle or give a short, quiet laugh, but now he actually broke out laughing and when he tried to stop, he took another glance at Noodles and laughed some more. Hermione grinned.
Nagini’s head came into view from behind his shoulder. She looked at the mirror, then Tom Riddle. “We’ve known each other for so many years and you’ve never made me anything so nice.”
“You want me to knit you a jumper?”
Now Hermione started laughing, too.
“What’s so funny about that?”
“Looks like you won’t have time for those books after all.”
Two days later, Pansy and Daphne stormed into her sitting room. Hermione almost dropped her book on Noodles’ head in shock.
“You have to talk to Narcissa!”
Daphne nodded empathically. “Yes, please! She may listen to you.”
“What are you talking about?”
“The New Year’s Ball of course! She says we won’t be invited before next year and we’re still too young.”
Oh, that. Narcissa had already mentioned it to her. Young witches and wizards were usually invited to such occasions at the age of 14, and since Hermione was already 14, but her friends were only 13, Narcissa had asked whether it would be alright for her to attend the ball for the first time together with them next year. Just to avoid drama. Hermione had agreed. She couldn’t even dance and didn’t want to make a fool out of herself. She had picked up on many of the customs and mannerisms since she had moved in with the Malfoys, but she had never had a single dancing lesson in her life.
“Sorry, Narcissa and I already talked about it. She’s firm on that.”
Her two friends were obviously disappointed.
“But you know what?” Hermione smiled at them cheerfully. “That gives us one more year in which you could teach me how to dance.”
Judging from the smile on Pansy’s face, she would probably come to regret that.
~tbc~