Chapter Text
Hermione stumbled into her quarters completely shocked by what just happened to her. Looking over at the clock, she muttered a rare curse when she noticed what time it was. As she rushed through her shower, she tried to organize her thoughts. Could Narcissa truly be interested in her? She seems so different now, but could she really have changed that much? Did she follow her ex-husbands beliefs? Was she just a product of her psychotic family?
Quickly drying herself and dressing her in robes, she asked herself, “Can I see past her former self? Can I see her for who she is now and not who she was?” Suddenly she stopped short of the door and said aloud, “Can I forgive her for standing by and watching as I was tortured and carved up by her unhinged sister?” Hermione had to physically shake herself and with one last look at her clock realized that she was going to have to run in order to make it to the Great Hall on time.
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Harry and Fleur walked into the Great Hall at the exact same time as Narcissa. All three looked around and noticed that Hermione wasn’t there yet. Fleur turned to Harry and said, “Go and grab our seats chéri. I just want a word with Narcissa.”
Harry raised a brow at her and asked, “What are you up to?”
Fleur playfully tapped the side of his face and gave him a quick kiss, skillfully avoiding his questions. As she pulled away she whispered, “If you are a good boy and do as you are told, I promise you that it will be well worth the wait.” She gazed hungrily into his emerald green eyes, causing him to lick his lips at the thoughts of what their future may hold.
As she watched him walk away, Narcissa came up behind her and said, “You truly have him well trained. I must admit, I admire that. Now that you have me alone, what is it you would like to know? Perhaps of my intentions with a certain Transfiguration Professor?”
Fleur answered her with a light laugh. “I am simply looking out for Hermione. She has been through so much. During that time we have grown to be like sisters, which shouldn’t be surprising since I’m dating her best friend.”
Narcissa put a hand on Fleur’s forearm and said, “I find Hermione to be a complete mystery and am utterly besotted with her. I know I have made no secret of my feelings towards her, but you must admit, she is absolutely beautiful when she is flustered. I can’t help but feel as if fate has intervened when it comes to the two of us.” Seeing that Fleur was puzzled by this statement, she went on to say, “I believe my path has led me here for a reason… to help her. To give her someone to talk to who has some understanding of being in an abusive relationship, and to help heal her heart.”
Fleur just looked at her as she thought about what Narcissa said. Her shoulder’s relaxed only a smidgen as she said, “That will be between you two. I will say this though… If you break her heart, you will answer to me. And trust me, I am more terrifying then most of the witches and wizards you would have to worry about.”
Narcissa felt the hairs on her neck stand at the threat and knew that Fleur meant every word of it. “I would never intentionally hurt her. As a matter of fact, I would try to protect her as well.” She leaned closer and added, “I hope I pass inspection. I feel it’s safe for me to tell you that I also plan to help Hermione let her hair down and perhaps still her mind, if not challenge it. She does have a dazzling intellect.”
Fleur chuckled and replied, “You have… for now. As I said, I consider her family and she has been through enough.” She looked around to see if Hermione had joined them. When she saw the halls were empty she asked, “How was she when you left her?”
Narcissa smiled as she thought back and replied, “Besides short of breath and flustered? She seemed fine.” Narcissa looked over Fleur’s shoulder and saw Hermione just turning the corner. “Why don't you ask her yourself? I’ll see you two at that table.” She looked directly at Hermione with a ghost of a smile playing on her lips before turning to go and join everyone at the head table.
Fleur turned with a raised brow and Hermione attempted to look innocent and said, “What?” She stopped just in front of Fleur but before either witch could say anything, Minerva walked by and gave them a thin lipped glare that made Hermione think she was a student again. The two witches shrugged their shoulders and followed the Headmistress into the hall arm and arm. “I know you are up to something Fleur and I’m telling you now… I want to know EXACTLY what that is.” Hermione hissed just before they got to the table.
Fleur attempted to act hurt from Hermione’s words and replied, “You wound me with your suspicions. How could you think I am up to something? We are basically sisters after all.”
Hermione snorted at her reply. “It is because we are basically sisters that make me know the better.” Fleur just rolled her eyes and sat next to Harry, leaving the other seat for Hermione between Harry and Narcissa, making her shake her head. Once she was seated, Harry nudged her with his elbow and gave her a half of a smirk. Looking over at him she asked, “Do you think we will have a normal and quiet year?”
Harry shook his head and replied, “You and I both are back at Hogwarts. What makes you think that is even possible?” Seeing two Aurors walking towards the Head table, he went on to say, “I’m sorry Mione. We tried to convince Shack not to do this, but he has personally assigned two Aurors to guard you.”
Harry leaned back into Fleur as he saw the fire beginning to burn in her eyes. “Miss Granger, a word please.” Minerva called from the center of the table. Harry leaned forward to try and take her wand but shrunk back in his chair and gulped loudly when she glared at him. Hermione pushed back from the table with such force, she almost knocked her chair over as she stormed over to the Headmistress.
“Headmistress.” She said, attempting to rein in her anger. “I thought I made my feelings on this issue abundantly clear. I will not have my private life affect the students nor the running of this school.”
Minerva held her hand up to stop her and then motioned for Harry and Fleur to come over. “This is Auror Bailey and Auror Smith.” She then pointed at Hermione and said, “And this is no longer up to you. These two Aurors will be your guard until further notice. As for your morning workout, we will need to discuss the finer details.” Minerva checked the time before she said, “The students will be arriving any moment. We will finish discussing all of this later.”
Hermione quickly turned on her heel, unwilling to speak her mind knowing that it would only lead to trouble. She was so absorbed with her thoughts, she barely registered the glass of wine Narcissa put in front of her, or the fact that the students had started to make their way in. Hermione jumped slightly when Narcissa put a hand on her arm and said, “I’m sorry, what did you say? I seem to be absorbed with my thoughts.”
Narcissa gave her a warm smile as she replied, “I simply asked if you were alright and if you wanted to talk about it.”
Hermione relaxed slightly as she took a sip from her goblet. “Those two Aurors have been assigned as my personal guard. If that wasn’t troublesome enough, I fear my morning routines are about to take a drastic change. I don’t want my personal problems with Ronald to affect my life here.”
Narcissa thought about this for a moment, trying to decide the most tactful way to answer. “There are many people here who worry about your safety. I understand and have nothing but respect for your stance on this matter. But what happens if he attempts something when your students are around? I know you are not happy with this discussion, but it is for the best… for now.” She gazed into those fierce chocolate eyes before her and seemed to be lost for a moment. Being brought back to reality by the increasing murmur from the student body, which became louder and louder since Harry Potter was sitting at the head table. “A woman as beautiful as yourself should have a smile to match, and I have decided to take on the role of champion. Would you care to discuss some of my research projects? Or perhaps you could tell me about the next article you are working on for Transfiguration Today. I found your latest theory work on Human Transfiguration fascinating. Have you attempted to finish your animagi training?”
Hermione was speechless. Not only was this mysterious woman hitting on her, she read her work and wanted to discuss it. She managed to stammer out, “You’ve read my work?” Narcissa smiled and nodded in reply as she waited patiently for Hermione to reply. She watched as Hermione’s shock slowly morphed into one of excitement and warmth. “Forgive me, I just never expected you to have read any of my works. As you have read in my most recent article, yes, Human Transfiguration does require a certain fineness. You need to be able to visualize every single detail, but I find that you must have not only the drive to work for it, but also the power to back it up. You can make all the attempts at casting such magic, but without this strong regard to what I call the three laws, you will not go very far. I can’t help but feel that we are teaching these kids the wrong thing and we are going about it the wrong way.”
“That is all well and good, but have you started to look into the practical aspect yet? What of the wand movements and incantations? I find it hard to believe that you would need the power to back up such a feat.” Narcissa said. “Are you drawing this all up from how closely the two are related for animagi training? That a witch or wizard won’t be able to complete either if their core is not large enough? That even with the proper training, such a feat would be impossible?” Narcissa leaned forward and asked, “Does this all tie in together? Is that why you are tackling such a heavy subject?”
The doors opened before Hermione could reply and showed Professor Flitwick leading a large group of First Years into the Hall for their Sorting. Harry leaned over and softly said, “Blimey, they get smaller and smaller. Must be something in the pumpkin juice.” Hermione snickered at this and skillfully avoided the glare Minerva sent the two. “Bugger, I feel like we’re students again with the way the Headmistress is glaring at us.” Unable to stop herself, Hermione snorted loudly, which was heard by everyone in the hall since the Sorting Hat had literally just finished singing and no one had a chance to clap. So, in return for embarrassing her, she sent a small stinging hex his way, causing him to jump slightly with a creased brow as he attempted not to yelp and draw more attention to them.
Several students laughed as the entire hall watched the two hang their heads, just as they did when they were students. Waiting for everything to settle down again, Hermione leaned over and whispered, “Not even back for twenty-four hours Potter, and you are already causing trouble. At least we won’t have to worry about losing House points or getting late night detentions in the Forbidden Forest.”
Harry looked at Hermione out of the corner of his eye and gave her a grin as he replied, “Or worse… expelled.”
Hermione punched his thigh since the table could easily hide their antics. Thankfully the sorting was just about finished, and before either one of them could cause any more trouble, Minerva stood and walked to the podium while giving the two another tight lipped glare that they were all too familiar with. Minerva didn’t have to wait long for the Hall to settle down. “First off, welcome to all our new students and second, welcome back to those returning to us. I have a few announcements before we start our feast. The Forbidden Forest is still off limits, and all products from Weasley Wizarding Wheezes have been banned. A full list of all banned items may be found hanging on the wall outside Mr. Filch’s office. We have a few new staff members joining us this year. Professor Hermione Granger has returned for a second year and will now be handling all the Transfiguration classes. Professor Narcissa Black is our new Potion Mistress; Associate Professor Fleur Delacour will be our new assistant Charms Professor while finishing her mastery, and finally, your new Defense Professor is none other than the Boy who Conquered, Harry Potter himself.” Harry swore he saw her lips twitch just a hair as she said this. When each name was called, the person stood in acknowledgment, but Hermione and Harry receiving an unprecedented welcome due simply to who they were.
Minerva motioned for everyone to settle and said, “I have one more announcement. Until further notice, the ministry has decided to post several Aurors in the castle and across the grounds. Anyone found out bounds will be dealt with immediately and I am telling you now, the consequences will not be light and will be swift.” Minerva paused to emphasize her meaning while dividing her attention between the troublesome teens who were attempting to give the Weasley’s and Maurader’s a run for their money. “Remember, your house is your family. Any bigotry or bullying won’t be tolerated. Consider this as your only warning. Now then, tuck in.”
Instantly the food began to appear. Minerva chose to take the long way back to her chair in order to pass behind Hermione and Harry’s chairs. Stopping for only a moment she lowered her head and asked, “Is it really too much to ask for you two to stay out of trouble for at least one meal?”
Without missing a beat Harry replied, “Yes… yes it is. You do realize just who you are asking this of right? The hope for a quiet year simply flew out the window the moment you accepted me as your new Defense Professor.”
Minerva just shook her head at his reply. When she saw the smirk on his face and twinkle in his eyes, she smacked the back of his head before moving back to her own seat. Harry just sat there catching flies briefly before Fleur reached over and pushed his jaw closed. While pulling back she whispered in his ear, “Eat up Cheri. You will need your strength tonight after all.”
Hermione just shook her head as she began to fill her plate. Not for the first time today, she silently wished for someone she could take out some of her frustration and aggression on. Then her mind turned towards the very dream that woke her this morning. She shivered slightly as she felt herself instantly become wet. Silently she cursed herself realizing that she was in for a very long evening.
Narcissa sensed that something was up, so she placed a soft hand on Hermione’s arm, causing her to jump slightly and blush. “What research projects are you working on?” Hermione quickly asked in an attempt to distract herself from her own thoughts.
Narcissa was making her own plate as she replied, “It has been some time since I have truly worked in the field. One thing Severus and I were previously working on was a potion that would help witches in same sex relationships have children. From my understanding, the transfiguration is not only extremely difficult to accomplish successfully, but fails the majority of the time. I believe your own work has already touched on that. There is one other potion I wish to work on, the Animagi Potion that is supposed to aide with the initial transformation. I was planning on seeing if you would care to help me with that project. I’m sure between the two of us, we can get some sound evidence. Possible even change the way we do many things in the wizarding world.”
And so the two continued their conversation through supper and most of the way through dessert, only to have it cut short as Minerva stood to wish everyone a good evening. As Narcissa went to stand, she turned to Hermione and asked, “Would you care to join me for a drink?”
“That sounds wonderful,” replied Hermione, “But I have a meeting with the Headmistress and my security team.”
“Would you like for me to come as well?”
“I wouldn’t want to bore you. We should only be discussing my morning circuit. I think the two Aurors would have some difficulty keeping up with me.” Hermione replied as she pushed her chair back.
Seeing Hermione’s shoulders tense as she prepared herself for what was to come, Narcissa gingerly laid her hand on the tense witch’s arm and said, “I’m just down the hall from you if you change your mind.”
This small action made Hermione smile and her heart skip a beat. She placed her hand on Narcissa’s and gave it a little squeeze as she said, “I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks.” She then squared her shoulders and walked over to Harry, Fleur, Minerva and the two Aurors were standing, ready to do battle.