Chapter 41
“We are like chameleons, we take our hue and the color of our moral character, from those who are around us.”
John Locke
The portkey back to the manor felt like it had arrived far too soon, and she still didn't know what to do with Draco. Didn't know how to feel or how to respond. Their last night, she'd slept next to him, not naked, and hadn't had sex with him again. She'd been tired and fed up with the couch and the armchair after they spoke in the hammock. As soon as she stepped through the door, Crookshanks was yowling and twining between her legs, almost tripping her.
Scooping up the cat, she nuzzled him, seeing a Death Eater coming around a corner, looking exasperated. Looking back down at her cat, she kissed the top of his head.
"Aww, were they not taking proper care of you?" she crooned to the cat before she shot a downright arctic glare at the Death Eater. The cat started purring in her arms as she flicked her wand, sending her bags back to her room off of Draco's study. She'd unpack momentarily.
"Mrs. Malfoy. We were-" The man started to stammer, but her gaze leveled back on him.
The orange cat pressed into the brunette, purring with a more satisfied expression as his eyes closed. "Not doing good enough. He's a particular cat. I'll excuse it once. And only once," she said with a level of cool detachment she had seen Draco wield against them before she started up the stairs to their wing of the manor. She'd get to see Luna soon, assuming she was here already, and she couldn't wait to see her. Would she have managed to get that letter to Harry? Would there be a reply?
“O-Of course, Madam Malfoy,” the words were dry, but the deference in his posture was there.
His tone almost made her want to spin around and throw a hex, but she refrained. Not when she was holding her Crookshanks. It would almost be expected that she curse or hex them as needed if they fell out of step.
Draco watched, offering no support to either party. Not until she had her back turned and started up the stairs. “You’ll do,” he pulled out his wand and extended a hand expectantly.
Pike swallowed and tried not to shake when he unrolled his sleeve, bracing himself for the pain. He’d have to do better when addressing the lady of the house. He knew it, and yet nearly two decades of nurtured hatred made it infuriating.
“Time to gather, don’t you think?” He asked, pressing the tip of his wand to the skull and serpent across his left forearm. It was nice to delegate sometimes. As Pike screamed, Draco smiled. It felt good to be home.
The scream didn't even make her hesitate in her steps up the stairs. Once through the doors to their wing, she set Crookshanks down, glad that her clothing was charmed against his fur. "Now, now. Go on. I know you were bothering them on purpose, you menace," she spoke to the cat, only getting a chirped meow in reply as he trotted along to the study to go and curl up in his favourite seat.
Clearly, one of them was meant for this level of pampering. It made her wonder briefly who had owned Crookshanks before her and how spoiled he was. Stepping into her room, she gave a quick flick of her wand and started to unpack. She let down her hair, ruffling out the waves and easing her shoulders a little bit more.
Summoning one of the house elves, she gave a faint smile. “Please do tell Ms. Lovegood I’d like to see her at her earliest convenience….and set up tea in the study.”
“Yes ma’am,” the elf chirped before disappearing with a crack.
With Blaise off to his meeting, Luna had lost her entertainment. Though miffed, she couldn't hold it against him—not when it meant she got to see her friend. She'd missed the wedding, well, somewhat. True to her word to offer Wood as a wedding present, she had helped him sneak into the venue. She hadn't lingered around to witness more than she needed to.
There were fresh bruises peering from her shirt, possession on display at her wrists, and peeking from her neck. The stocking she wore barely hid the red lashes on the underside of her thighs as she made her way through a quiet manor. It was almost too quiet. If Malfoy hadn't pulled everyone for a meeting, she might have questioned it.
Anytime she stood at the door of his wing, Luna felt her breath thin. Too many memories had been gained over the years. Still, she knew she wasn't going there for anything other than Hermione. It should have been comforting and yet she was nervous. After a while, she knocked, rocking on the balls of her feet as she waited.
Unpacking everything, including the artefact, she continued to unpack to prepare for the tea in the study. Even if she might have to take the tea alone with how busy her husband would likely be. She'd get the rest of what she needed from him and the others before too long. Dressed down a bit more, preferring comfort over fashion since she wasn't likely to be seen much today, she paused at that knock on the door to their wing.
Striding down the hall with a look of cool indifference, she opened the door, only for her eyes and expression to light up. "Luna," she barely said her name before her arms were around her in a careful hug, not squeezing as tightly as she wanted in case her friend was injured. Again. "Oh, Merlin, I've missed you."
Luna appreciated the softer hug, and though she was certainly sore, she wasn't injured, which was a plus. Her arms were tighter around Hermione, embracing the pain. It wasn't like Blaise wouldn't be adding more later.
"I've missed you too," she offered with an easy smile in her breathy voice. "I hope I gave you enough time."
Hermione hugged her a little bit tighter, just as Luna did, letting go of her slowly and taking a step back, welcoming her into her wing of the manor. "You're not. Our men are both quite busy and likely will be for a few days," she sighed as she tucked some of her hair out of her face.
"They likely will be," she agreed, playing with the end of her braid now that her hands were otherwise unoccupied.
"I was just about to take tea in the study if you'd like to join me? I'll have to brew a few potions later before I start on more research," she sighed, actually jokingly dramatic for a moment. "Did they get you out smoothly enough?"
At the offer, she smiled and nodded. "I'd love to," she assured. “My extraction went well enough.” Not wanting to discuss it further, she looked around to find something else to focus on."I can help you if you'd like, whatever you need." It wasn't like she'd have to do anything. "I've always been helpful with research," she continued with that dreamy, distant expression. At least now, she wouldn't have to share it with the opposing side.
"Possibly. Researching with you will at least feel like old times." Hermione glanced down at the ring on her finger again, adjusting it lightly as she led the way to the study. She directed the elf to get another cup and some finger foods as well before she took a seat.
Chewing at her bottom lip, she thought about that, then nodded her head. "I'd appreciate the help. I'm going to be digging through three distinctly different topics," she admitted and combed a hand back through her hair. Discretion would be key, and while she honestly wasn't sure how much of what she said or did around Luna would get back to her husband, she had to try and trust her, didn't she? The woman was still her friend.
Luna followed, looking over the study. She knew the room, and yet, she'd never really seen it, not without feeling like she needed to fixate on a swirl in the carpet or a part of the pattern in one of the baubles. She'd counted 73 books on a shelf once.
"Three topics. Sounds like you're being kept busy." She said with a small smile. Busy was better than the opposite. Blaise kept her busy, but since her return, she hadn't really had anything else to do. No orders. No tasks. "Can't help you adjust; I'm still doing that myself," she admitted.
"Helping me dig into three different subjects is more than enough. Adjusting will just come with time," she said with a shrug as she settled in her seat, glad when the other cup appeared and poured them both some tea. She added a little cream and sugar to her own and leaned back, taking a sip with a sigh.
"What can I help you look for?" she asked. "I've been dying to get into the library," she admitted. Until a week ago, she hadn't really been allowed to roam the home. Not without having to put on a show.
Taking a sip of tea, Hermione glanced around the study and smiled a little bit. "Well...I'm looking into a few more ancient kinds of magics, translations of a few artefacts, and then some general research on how some of the other countries are handling muggle and wizarding relations," she said offhand before taking another sip of her tea.” Some of that might be here, some might be in the larger library."
Luna made her way to the bookshelf she’d once counted. “I remember there being titles here on governments.” She brushed a few spines with nimble fingers. “Lots of old world stuff, magical monarchs and the like.” She scrunched her nose. “Old magic might be in here, especially if it’s tied to the sacred twenty-eight,” she continued. “Doubt Malfoy would want anything like that accessible…”
“Translation will definitely be out there,” Luna turned to take a sip of her tea, a couple of tomes floating beside her to settle on the table.
"Your memory is a wonder," she breathed in praise. Just as good as her own. She loved the minds of her Ravenclaw friends. Brilliant and sharp as tacks. Even if some of them could be strange, Luna had been an acquired taste, but one she had enjoyed for years now.
A ball of orange mewed as he padded over and started to twine between Luna's legs. "He's adjusted better than I have. Spoiled brat of a cat," she spoke with fondness as she smiled a little bit more. At least one of them, or perhaps two of them, were happy.
Leaning forward, Luna gave the cat pets, taking a moment to scratch between his ears with long purple-painted nails. "Crookshanks has always been a good judge of character," she reminded. He'd never particularly liked many of the boys, save perhaps Harry. She still wasn't sure she completely agreed with him, but she couldn't disagree either, not truthfully.
"He has been, but I have been debating on whether it's been off as of late..." She watched her cat with a small smile. Then again, with how attentive and protective her husband was, could she blame her cat for approving him? Even if he had more secrets than Azkaban once held. And she supposed it was a good sign that he liked Blaise and Theo. "Reassured that he likes your boyfriend, though."
“My boyfriend was an acquired taste,” she said sheepishly. “Took a while before I saw even a glimmer of something.” She tried to forget her time in the maze. How Blaise had sacrificed for her, and they’d been sworn enemies.
Raising a brow a little bit more at that, she chuckled. "Pureblood Slytherin men seem to be an acquired taste. They're certainly...something." She just didn't know what that something was.
Would the sacred twenty-eight be something important? Perhaps. They were called sacred for a reason, after all. It might tie in. "It couldn't hurt to look into the twenty-eight, especially since I'll be dealing with quite a few of them now. Translation can wait till later. I'm sure Lauren will want to be involved." And she couldn't even fault her for that.
As a Pureblood, she’d never really had any issues growing up. No hate for being listed in the registry and no feeling the need to pursue the lineage. Blaise had been a surprise. And though she hadn’t thought of children, she was realising how easy it had been to just accept fate.
“Men, in general, can be an acquired taste. Some women too,” she shrugged. As a Ravenclaw, she’d never really felt the house rivalry quite as strongly.
A bit of a laugh left her as she thought back to the other men she had been with, and she nodded. "You're not wrong. They really do seem to be... speaking of acquired tastes...Pansy doesn't seem as horrible as she did in school. And Daphne doesn't seem half bad," she admitted. Not as great as Ginny and Luna, but it was hard to compete with two of her best mates.
“Pansy is…Pansy,” Luna held back from rolling her eyes. “Did always like Daphne,” she added thoughtfully. Though Pureblood, not being part of the twenty-eight and having grown up as she did, it wasn’t like she’d gotten to know much of the circles Blaise and Draco frequented.
"That is one way to refer to the woman. Daphne is sweet....kinder than I would have expected. Not sure about her sister," Hermione said simply with a shrug, taking one of the finger sandwiches and popping it in her mouth. Never again would she ever take for granted just having fresh food on hand. More things to like about this. She had to focus on those, since she was likely to run herself into the ground.
"Astoria is ambitious," Luna replied diplomatically. "We never really crossed paths, but she was here at the manor a few times when I was with Blaise. He never had particularly good things to say about her," she confided in her friend. "Doubt she'll come anywhere near now." Draco was married now, he no longer held the appeal most women of the sacred twenty-eight would find.
A spark of something sour twisted her stomach, and she had to push that aside. She did not just feel jealous over a woman who couldn't even touch her husband now, did she? No. That was absurd. Utterly absurd. "She was a Slytherin. Ambition seems to be one of the traits all of them have," she said in simple agreement and buried that feeling down deep.
“Your honeymoon seems to have treated you well, and I heard my gift made it to the wedding well,” she smiled. “Hoped Diggory would take the bait but he had other things to do,” she sighed. It had been the one thing she’d failed to produce.
A wistful sigh left her lips and she shook her head. "Oh! That reminds me. Dress sufficiently sparkly in your honor?" She was sure the woman had seen pictures. If they hadn't been plastered all over the Prophet as a symbol for continual change and the inevitability of the regime, she'd be shocked.
Luna smiled. “The dress was perfect.”
"My honeymoon was fascinating, and your gift was perfect. Got to properly enjoy that before I left. Diggory is too smart to just blunder into somewhere where he'd be outmatched. Considering Wood's drop-in was unsanctioned, I’m not surprised.” She hoped no other unsanctioned attempts would happen, but she knew better. “Rather glad that no one else attempted to play hero.” Hopefully, that would be a hint enough of what she was glad didn't happen.
“There were certainly some high emotions,” she winced lightly. Harry had been livid. She’d gotten burned getting rid of the howler, but that was an issue for a different day. “Glad to have provided enjoyment,” she told her friend. “And fascinating isn’t usually a word used to describe honeymoons,” she reminded.
Grimacing at the idea of what Harry must have thought, she looked down at the table. "I'm sure there were...Received a Howler after the engagement was official. Wasn't unexpected." She poured herself more tea, adding a little more sugar and milk, and stirred, taking the time to keep stirring it as she spoke. "Not every honeymoon involves getting to explore and witness old ruins. My husband does know me better than many would expect him to..."
Luna felt guilty, noting the hurt on her friend’s features. "A doting husband then," she smiled, settling on something positive. "There are worse things in life." At least Hermione had that, and though she did her best not to be envious, she wasn't even sure there was a place here for her beyond being a bed warmer and working to repair the vestiges of her friendship with the lady of the house.
Her heart ached over Harry's reaction. He was likely hurt and mad and worried about her. They'd already lost Ron, and he had effectively lost her. She didn't see him often, maybe once a year if they were lucky, but now he wouldn't get that either. "There are...though I think that you and Blaise might want to make things more official than not before too long," she gave her friend a look, letting her continue to go through the books. They were as much hers as her husband's now. And she remembered what Draco had said, it would be better if Luna and Blaise tied things together—showing her loyalty that way.
"Draco has been a rather attentive husband. Knows how I take my tea and everything," she murmured, sounding as light-hearted as she could. She knew that Luna knew the truth of this union but better to act like it was all fine and not complicated even here.
"I'm glad he's attentive," she smiled, trying not to fidget at the thought of making things more official. It wasn't like she disliked the idea, but it was hardly her choice, was it? If Hermione was saying as much, though, perhaps she knew something. It had Luna pale as she pet the book before her, as if it would stop making her read the same sentence again and again.
She swallowed down and tried to settle her nerves. "Are you suggesting Blaise and I elope?" she asked. She wasn't naive enough to ask why. The vows, they helped, was there something coming? She'd fought too hard not to earn her place. "Not sure it's my place to suggest it," she admitted. "Blaise is..." she sighed, enjoying the flush in her cheeks and the need to squirm because of how absolutely painful her rear was all the way down to her knees. "I feel like that's something he'd like to decide," she shivered. It sounded horrible, but fuck did she like the idea of him claiming her that much.
"He is...It's unexpected but it's...nice," she added with a small smile and tried not to fidget as she sipped her tea. What was she to do with Draco? Sleeping in her bed tonight was certainly something that was happening. Unless he wasn't here, then she might take his. It was more comfortable than her own and she did like his sheets. But she looked at Luna and let out a soft sigh.
How did she explain it? It wasn't that Luna hadn't earned her place, but it was more that they all needed the security. "Potentially. Though I'm more meaning something like...." she glanced down pointedly at her ring and then looked back at Luna. "After my nuptials with Draco, it would certainly show that more people are seeing the merits of the new regime. Enough to tie ourselves to them anyway," she offered before her smile softened just a little bit for her friend. "You two have years of chemistry and connection to play off of...At least it's a natural progression of events."
Unlike her own nuptials. That her friend had helped make possible. That thought had her stomach sour a little bit, and she sipped more of her tea as she fidgeted, picking up one of the books on the sacred twenty-eight that Luna had sent to the table.
Luna bit her lip. "It was much less awkward talking about our antics before we knew who they were with," she let out unapologetically in that airy tone of hers. "I'm glad you're...sated?" she offered. Hadn't Hermione claimed she'd had the best sleep after a night with the blond? She seemed fairly refreshed for having been on honeymoon, and there were those telltale bruises fading away.
Focusing on her friend was easier than herself. She would have to talk to Blaise, to tell him something might be coming. Years. They had had years, and yet what did they really have to show for it? Did he even want to get married? So much time had been stolen from them. Stopped them from properly discussing.
"Did you know the first Lucius Malfoy proposed to Elizabeth the first?" she asked, chuckling as she finally moved along the book. The Queen had been a muggle, that didn't seem right. "No wonder this one is in here," she shook her head.
Hermione actually did blush a bit at that and she cleared her throat. "I wasn't talking about that kind of attentiveness, Luna," she muttered, half wanting to throw a pillow at her like she would have in one of the safe houses. But she glanced down at her arm, granting herself a quick peek under the sleeve, where her scar was still bruised with his bites and kisses, though they were healing well. How scarlet was she now?
But she couldn't say she wasn't sated, could she? And yet part of her wanted to pull Draco back in even when they had stopped. Even when she was mad at him. Even when all she wanted to do was punch him. It was such an infuriating place to be. Trying not to fidget, she let out a slow breath before she actually snorted. "You have to be kidding. Bring that book here, please," she glanced up from the one she had opened. Another Malfoy had nearly married someone that wasn't at least half-blood or more? This she had to read for herself.
"I'll gladly show you mine if it makes you feel better. Blaise can punish me for it later," she teased with a smile. She didn't want to make her friend uncomfortable. They'd read trashy romances together, had kept each other sane. She wasn't going to let Malfoy of all people prevent her from being friends with her oldest friend.
Luna stood and walked over, bringing the book over. It didn't have much to say other than the advances had been shut down. She sat with a wince beside her friend and held the book between them, pointing the small paragraph. "There's even a small portrait of Lucius the first," she tapped the page.
A soft groan left her lips at that and she almost sank down onto the table before she rolled back the sleeve of her blouse, allowing all of the marks there to be shown before she pulled the collar of her blouse away from her body some, to show marks along her collarbone. "It makes me feel a little better to know I'm not the only one getting marked up...I noticed you not sitting and assumed it was from a rather eventful reunion." She noted, blushing brilliantly still. Were they really going to talk about this?
Looking over the book, and that small paragraph, made her realize she needed to dig further into the Malfoy bloodline. Because if it had been shut down, but didn't say why, it meant the Malfoys had been clsoe enough to have at least been able to proposition a match. "They really are everywhere aren't they? And always blond."
Luna squirmed at the mention after inspecting the healing bruises her friend had to show. "His belt and a cat-o-nine-tails spell," she nearly moaned at the memory. She lifted her shirt to show the lattice work across her back. "My ass and thighs are..." she bit her lip at the thought. "Let's just say there's no sitting without thinking about it." There wasn't a hint of pink in Luna's cheeks. To finally have someone that understood, even if they hadn't fully embraced it. It was more than she had hoped for.
At that Luna chuckled. "You might change that," she tucked a chestnut curl behind her friends ear. "Though you could certainly pull off blonde," she noted, envisioning it for a moment. That would be shocking. Hermione could pull off any hair color, in her opinion.
"A cat-o-nine tails spell and his belt?" She asked with wider eyes, but the idea of a belt almost had her rubbing at her neck. The memory of Draco's belt around her neck nearly made her melt, which meant that something had absolutely been knocked loose at some point. "Didn't go too far did he?" That protective edge came back to her voice a little bit more. Clearly wanting to look out for her friend even if she still wasn't sure what to make of it. Her hand rubbed lightly at her forearm, over the still slightly tender and healing bruises.
The brunette blinked several times at that and the blush went up to her ears. "I don't think that I could. Much rather keep my hair brown. And we are not discussing children anytime soon." Or ever. Neither of them would ever be able to speak words of love to each other, so at least that would protect her from that vow they had placed.
At her friend's tone, Luna shook her head. "He went just far enough," she promised. "With him being wherever he is, it's nice, feeling him," she admitted. "After so many years, I think he knows my pain tolerance better than I do," she admitted. "The things we had to do to keep from being found out, it's made everything else tame in comparison." She watched her friend rub her arm and settled the book on her lap to reach for her hand. "Is it the claim or the scar that's bothering you?" she asked gently. It was a safer subject than children and blond hair; she was a blonde herself last time she checked. If she didn't know better, she might have been offended.
Just far enough. Well, that was something at least. But the way Luna spoke about him did make her realize that she and Draco knew the other's limits and that made her even more uncomfortable with it all. Diggory had pushed her into this situation with what he had been willing to do. "I'm glad you aren't hurt hurt. He ever goes too far, and I'll hex him into the next decade," she playfully threatened, though it wasn't as light-hearted as it might have been years ago. Letting Luna take her hand she chuckled, though the sound lacked actual humor. "Both?" It wasn't that safe of a subject, but with everyone else out and at a meeting with Draco or the Dark Lord himself, it was the most privacy they'd get for a while. And wouldn't people expect her to be uncomfortable even if she did tie herself to him?
Luna eyed the word there and brushed her thumb against it. "Cursed objects often leave an itch," she said gently. "I wish I could make that stop. But being claimed is nice when it's the right person," she continued. "I don't know what's right for you," she said gently. She hoped her friend would find some solace in her situation. It couldn't be easy. "I know a lot of it is mindset. When Rolf died, I thought I was broken," she spoke words she had never really gotten to speak. "The violence that lived inside of me..." she closed her eyes. "The hatred," she swallowed down before looking at her friend again. "I went from temperate and loving to something I didn't recognize. I wanted things, things that scared me," she flushed at that admission. "I always liked the idea of crossing boundaries, but...I guess what I'm saying is, there's nothing wrong with you," she pat her friends arm gently.
The touch, even from her friend, almost made her flinch. She still avoided the sitting room this happened in if she could. There were some nights she could still hear that woman's insane laughter echoing in her head. "It itches at times. Nothing like his scar does, but it itches..." And it set her apart. Marked her as someone other and not belonging to this world the way she had longed to as a girl. Now she hardly cared what others thought, but she had to stare at that slur carved into her arm for the rest of her days unless she wore something that glamoured it. It was more tempting to do so. "You weren't broken...but I understand you felt that way. I'm sorry that we never got to talk about that," she murmured, covering Luna's hand with her own a moment and lightly squeezing it.
Looking at the still open book on the table, she considered that a moment and actually chuckled again, the sound still lacking humor. "It's not wanting things or crossing boundaries that makes it feel like something's wrong with me. I pushed things with Krum when I could, when he didn't think he'd break me," she rolled her eyes. The man was a teddy bear under all the Quidditch muscle. "What I want hasn't ever made me feel odd or wrong. It's made me wonder why quite often, but none of that made me feel like something was wrong with me." It was who she knew she wanted it from now that she'd had a taste that made her feel like something was wrong with her. They'd nearly killed each other so many times. Covered each other in scars and battle wounds.
"Wanting those things, and having someone you thought was your enemy give it to you so fucking good..." she knew that feeling all too well. Blaise hadn't exactly been what she'd considered, and yet, he had been everything. "I just... from experience," she added." The little she'd seen between Draco and Hermione certainly led her to believe there was more there, but then, maybe she was just deflecting what she and Blaise had.
The blush deepened all over again. The praising words that came from Draco, the control she was able to simply surrender, and just turning off her mind completely? It felt amazing. And there had been something thrilling about the fact she shouldn't be doing it. She'd blame those damned Gryffindor tendencies that never seemed to die. "....About eight years of nearly killing each other, Luna," she reminded with a shake of her head. And she couldn't exactly say out loud that she didn't think her husband was capable of caring about anyone other than the few friends he had. Sure, he was protective. But she attributed that to him being possessive.
The deep flush in her friends cheeks certainly felt like a tell. Their reality had been different and yet had it really? "Or eight years of high intensity foreplay?" she offered innocently enough. "Nothing is really normal is it?" she gave a nervous laugh. "Blaise saved my life when we were enemies," she offered gently. "We certainly weren't kind to each other, and sure I had a small crush on him in school, but..." she sighed. "Do what feels right to you, trust you," she offered. "If it isn't it isn't and I'll do whatever I can to help and if it is, it is and you know I'm here for you," she promised.
Hermione lightly swatted at her friend's shoulder and shook her head, the blush remaining just as vibrant. "Luna Lovegood, you hush!" Innocent her left shoe. Luna hadn't been innocent for years. Neither had Hermione. For so many worse reasons in some ways. "No...nothing is normal. Though I suppose I can't blame you for simply revealing Diggory's true colors further to me as well as just wanting to find a way to be with the man you love," she said a bit more gently. She was more forgiving than she wanted to be but how could she not be? Blaise had saved Luna's life, Blaise hadn't gotten livid when she had interrupted them, and he likely wouldn't hog Luna which meant she'd have a friend still.
"Trusting me is a little difficult right now. And that last bit was the most confusing sentence you have ever uttered to me," she teased, not sure she completely followed that other than her friend had her back. Which was reassuring in its own way.
"It means you have me, Hermione Granger," she tapped her friend's thigh. "No matter what," she added. She loved Blaise, and she hoped he would seal the deal so to speak, but she also loved Hermione. And if it meant working to piss off Draco Malfoy of all people, she'd potentially strongly consider risking herself in the process. "And I do love Blaise," she bit her lower lip. "A lot," she added. Enough to flip. Enough to risk everything.
"Hermione Malfoy now. Don't let my husband hear you calling me Granger," she half teased and half cautioned. She had the distinct feeling that Draco would be having none of it. She lightly bumped her friend's shoulder and let out a sigh. She hated the situation she was in. But even more than that, she hated that she didn't hate it nearly as much as she felt like she should. "I saw how you looked at him. I know. You deserve some happiness, Luna. I'm glad you found it," she murmured, her voice soft and genuine.
Luna flushed. She had been wreckless. "Hermione Malfoy," she corrected easily. If Draco had heard she'd be in a real world of pain. She wouldn't forget again. It was nice to know her friend saw it, too. "I'm glad I did too," she looked down and tangled her fingers over her thigh. "I'm sorry it nearly cost me our friendship," she offered sheepishly. "I did my best to keep my reports to what the brass was up to, I know I was distant for a few years," she added. "I never wanted to put you in danger."
"Still sounds weird, doesn't it?" She offered as a bit of a cover. Though she knew if Draco had heard he would have been more than vexed. If any of the Death Eaters were rude to her around him, she was rather certain they'd be tortured. It was an odd feeling of security that she still didn't know how to trust. "...At least this explains why you were distant. I don't suppose I can blame you. Could probably blame Blaise. Clearly his charm seduced you," she half teased but there was something still bothering her a little. How her friend had given Malfoy any intel he asked for, once he asked for it, about her. As much as she wanted to question her abou tit, she didn't want to either.
"Has a nice ring to it," she smiled, and looked around, just to make sure they weren't in her friend's new namesakes' company. "Don't inflate his ego, he barely fits through doors as it is," she grinned more earnestly. "It took a few tries, but his charms do have a way," she slicked her lips. She missed him. "I might have seduced him too," she added thoughtfully, remembering the past. "It was...a mess," she could say without lying. Their first encounter had been a mess, and then? It had merely gotten worse.
"I suppose it does," she murmured and glanced down at the ring on her hand after smoothing her sleeve back over her scar and healing bruises, as if reassuring herself it was covered again. Draco continual teasing her about how she could hide his marks all she wanted but they'd both know they were there was in her head and it almost made her shiver. Damn him. Damn him for confusing her more than she thought was possible. "You and Draco are of the same mind there. I pointed out that Blaise didn't seem all bad and he told me to never tell your boyfriend that or I'd inflate his already large ego. Seems that must be a universal truth," she laughed with a shake of her head. She offered a faint smile and glanced around the room before she shrugged. "What part of this isn't a mess?"
"Pretty sure Crookshanks," she grinned. "Nothing messy about his life. Except maybe how he eats," she teased, earning an indignant mreow from the long-furred cat on his emerald ottoman where he seemed to oversee his dominion.
"Wasn't sure what I expected when I came here tonight, but I feel a lot less messy," she offered. It was a small highlight. "Let's keep researching, something will stick eventually right?"
"Crookshanks is only messy when he's getting other people in trouble," she drawled as she looked at the cat. He was meant to be pampered and regal. The fact he still hadn't accosted the peacocks was astounding to her. She sighed and looked back to the books, nodding her head. "I'm glad I can help with the feeling less messy." She still felt like a trainwreck. A jumble of feelings and emotions she didn't know how to feel or respond to.
She nodded her head with a small smile. Researching made sense. Hard facts about the Malfoy line and the sacred twenty-eight.
Luna remained at her friend's side until the door to the study opened. When she noted the blond she kept her head low, and gave Hermione a quick squeeze of her hand.
"I'll keep researching and see you, Mrs Malfoy," she tacked the end as respectfully as she could, not wanting to invite any ire. Without waiting for his dismissal, she was rushing out the door towards her own lover who had likely returned.
Draco had had a productive night. His men had caught him up to the current battles that were in progress, the list of names currently in his dungeon, and anything of worth that had been missed in his absence. From there he'd issued orders, and braced himself for his own meeting the following night with the Dark Lord the following night. He'd reached out but it seemed his master had been otherwise occupied.
With a brow perked he watched the blonde woman vanish into the hall and turned his attention on his wife. "I see you've found your friend."
Hearing the door open, she glanced up at her husband and then lightly squeezed Luna's hand in return. "Thank you, Luna. Do tell Blaise I say hello," she said simply with a little more warmth than she gave any of the Death Eaters in the house. She watched her dart out and almost sighed as she closed one of the books she had been reading.
They had eaten in the study, Crookshanks had begged for food and then fallen asleep on the ottoman again. He had sprawled all over it and it was amusing to watch at times. Brushing her hair out of her face and behind her ears, she glanced back at Draco again. "More accurate to say she found me. I'm glad she's here." She admitted with a faint smile.
What did she say to him? What did they do now that they were back from their honeymoon? She needed to figure out what was going on in her head. And she wasn't sure being close to him would be productive for that. "Your meetings with your men go well?" She knew better than to ask for details.
Draco kept her in his line of sight as he found the small bar and poured himself a firewhiskey. He'd known having the spy in the house meant she and his wife would find each other. He hadn't anticipated it to be so soon.
"It was productive," he responded cautiously, unsure why she was asking. "None from your list are in my dungeons, so there's that," he added. She had wanted him to be more up front, hadn't she? It wasn't untrue to the facts, and kept his secrets at bay. Something he needed if he were to face the Dark Lord the following day.
Closing each of the books she and Luna had been reading from, she sent them back to their proper place on the bookshelf with a flick of her wand, looking over her notes. "Good...I'm glad it was productive and thank you for letting me know," she replied smoothly. It was tempting to pour herself a firewhiskey, but she still had to finish unpacking all of her things and another shower sounded amazing.
"Anything you need me to do?" They were a partnership at this point. So she might as well offer. Tomorrow she'd be working with Lauren on the artifact, trying to pick it apart, which meant she should probably head to bed before too long.
The question had him consider her words. Did he need anything from her? It was more than he was willing to unpack. "Nothing immediate," he assured. "Tomorrow I have a busy day, and I'll be heading over to Oxford," he knew she'd draw the right conclusions. There was no need to tell her in plain terms who he was going to see. He'd escaped it for a day, tomorrow was different entirely.
"Might not be a bad idea to inventory our potions supplies and replenish accordingly." He wouldn't have the time, and she had offered to help back in Mexico.
Hermione glanced up at that and almost grimaced before she nodded. "I'll make sure our potions are fully stocked and brew them first thing tomorrow. The day got away from me a little," she offered in simple explanation. She had planned on brewing earlier that day, but she could have an early start to her morning for that. Maybe get those potion supplies to Luna to see if anything could be created from the giant serpent.
"Likely to be gone for a little while?" It seemed like the Dark Lord did end up testing him, trying to see what he could do while injured and running himself into the ground. And that was jsut from what she'd noticed while fighting him.
It was a small consolation to know he could trust someone to do so. And though he wanted to trust Hermione, he trusted their vows. Knew that she couldn't purposefully mess up the potions, or do anything that might harm him. It was more than he could say for anyone.
"I don't know," he responded honestly. "I'll be gone for as long as it takes." With the Dark Lord, it could be an hour, like it could be a week. He took a drink. "Are you coming to bed?" he asked, more implying whether she would join him. The last few nights of their honeymoon had been shared, but the ones before that she'd opted for the couch of all things.
As long as it takes. Whether that was a job or torture. Or torture and then a job. He might be run down by the time he came back and she wasn't sure how that made her feel. How any of this made her feel. "Understood. I'll make sure to brew swiftly just in case, then." Even if there was no way to know when he'd be back.
"I'll be going to my room in a little bit." They had set a precedent of her staying in his room before the marriage ceremony. Her not joining him now wouldn't mean anything. He had said it would be up to her.
Though the potions bit relieved him, her next statement had him tense. "I see," he said. He wouldn't push, but that didn't mean he had to be pleased about it. Before their nuptials, they'd been in a worse place, hadn't they, and still, she had chosen his bed. Now, it seemed she was back to her own quarters. He hoped it wouldn't work against him.
"Goodnight," he offered, polishing off his drink and turning on his heel towards his chambers. Extending the conversation would only draw attention.
That tensing of his shoulders actually had her blink, her eyes focusing on him as if she could read him. And that bothers you? Her mind whispered through his, remembering that she could. Could she have pestered him during his meeting? Perhaps. But she had been in pretty grand company, all things considered.
"Goodnight," she offered right back, moving to stand up and pour herself a drink before she'd go to bed. Might as well. Since it seemed he was going to be upset for following what he said she could do in the first place.
Did it bother him? Yes. Yes, it did, but he certainly couldn't tell her as much. It's not up to me, he countered. There was no point in forcing her into his bed if she had no desire to be there. It didn't matter, not truly. Perhaps it did. It was too much to consider at that moment.
When he passed the threshold of his door, he locked the door. It would be easier if she stayed in her room, and he was just respecting her wishes. If she tried otherwise now, it would only be because of him.
Pouring herself a drink, she gave a roll of her eyes as she sipped at the firewhiskey. So yes. It wasn't a question, just a simple statement. She wasn't foolish. The short 'I sees' were something she did as well. Downing the rest of the drink, she extinguished the lights in the study as she crossed it to her own door. Crookshanks was going to be so irritable if he didn't get up to sleep with one of them.
Scooping up her cat, she almost laughed at the disgruntled mreow he let out as she carried him to her room and dropped him on the bed before closing the door behind her.