Chapter Text
Hermione arrived at Narcissa’s house for the second day that week and realized that she was practically skipping towards the door, having Apparated behind a tree somewhat further down the road. She silently scolded herself and slowed her pace. Her talk yesterday with Andromeda had lasted until the early hours but she still felt well rested and energized.
They had quite a lot to catch up to as Hermione hadn’t had much time to visit the last few weeks. As long as Teddy was still up, they just talked about everyday life, their jobs, his school and his friends while having a cup of tea. But as soon as the little boy closed his eyes, the Elvish wine had been set on the table and their conversation had taken an entirely different course.
Andy had asked a lot of questions about her sister, being absolutely delighted to hear that she was turning over a new leaf. It was obvious to Hermione that Andromeda Black wanted nothing more than to re-acquaint herself with her younger sister but when she proposed a meeting, Andy had refused completely.
‘If she was ready to talk to me, she would address me on my morning jog in the park instead of just staring at me.’
Hermione sighed. If only Narcissa knew that her secret morning routine wasn’t secret at all. Her sister had known from the very first day that she waited for her, rain or no rain. It was one of the reasons, Andy got up early so she would never miss an opportunity to see the platina blonde witch sitting on her favourite bench.
‘You’re at a standstill. How will you ever get to talk again?’ Hermione had laughed when Andy explained why she didn’t make the first move.
‘One day, she’ll no longer be capable to ignore the need to talk to me. That’s the day I’ll be waiting for her.’
‘She thinks you hate her.’
‘I never hated her. She hated me but I forgave her the day we parted ways.’
‘She doesn’t know that.’
‘Cissy’s always been a bit of a dramaqueen behind her stoic façade. The day she realizes the entire world doesn’t loathe her as much as she thinks, she has a chance for a new life.’
Both women had started their third glass of Elvish wine by the time the subject changed from Andy’s relationship with Narcissa to Hermione’s. The young witch asked Andy for advice when she heard Narcissa was looking for a job after all. She remembered the day she made an emergency floo-call to Andy as if it was yesterday.
‘Hermione. Good grief! Is everything alright?’
‘Of course? Why not?’ The witch asked with an incredulous expression on her face.
‘Because it’s past midnight and you appear in my living room in roaring green flames without so much as a warning!’
The brightest-witch-of-her-age looked a bit sheepish when she realized she gave Andy quite a fright. They had been friends for years now after meeting each other at a help group for witches who struggled with their grief for their losses during the war. Despite the age difference, they got along splendidly and together they healed.
‘I’m sorry Andy. I shall come back tomorrow.’
‘Hermione Granger, if you dare to set even one foot in my fireplace, I will hex you so bad you can’t sit for a week!’
With a grin, Hermione landed in the armchair while Andy summoned two butterbeers from the kitchen. The girl looked tired and hungry.
‘Are you eating? You look like you’re neglecting your health again.’
‘Don’t worry Andy. I’m eating. It’s not always the healthiest food but I eat at least two meals every day.’
The woman in front of her nodded, making her head full of curls bounce from the movement as she sealed her lips around the butterbeer. She noticed Hermione wasn’t drinking and instead was fidgeting with the cap of the bottle.
‘What’s the matter?’
‘I need your advice.’
‘I’m all ears.’
‘There’s a witch looking for a job and she applied for one at the Ministry. It doesn’t matter which job she gets, as long as she can keep herself busy. And I’m seriously contemplating offering her a job.’
Andy nodded, ‘That sounds like a wise decision. You’re drowning in work as we speak. But I don’t understand why you need my advice on this matter? It seems like an easy decision to make.’
‘Well. Not really. The witch in question is not very loved by the Wizarding Community in Great Britain, let alone the Ministry of Magic. And to be honest, it’s possible that working with her damages my mental health.’
‘Who the hell are we talking about? Morgana Le Fay?’
‘Narcissa.’
Andy had frozen mid sip, making the butterbeer go down the wrong pipe causing her to splutter. Hermione rose to her feet to help the older witch but Andy waved her off, patting her chest while she coughed the butterbeer down.
‘This is a joke, right?’
Hermione had never been more grateful that they both went to a help group where they learned to listen to someone else’s story without interrupting and without judging the person. This gave her a chance to explain to Andy why she wanted to hire Narcissa. But the witch was no fool and she quickly realized that Hermione herself didn’t really know what made her want to do this.
So they both agreed on a trial period in which both witches could find out whether they were comfortable with the situation. Minister of Magic Shacklebolt had nodded his understanding when Hermione explained her terms of the deal. And when Narcissa and Hermione had met for the first time, the young witch had appeared on Andy’s doorstep on the brink of a panic attack.
Andy had offered her peace, silence and warm hugs. No words of advice, no scolding and most of all, no judgement. She trusted Hermione and supported the girl in her decisions. After all Hermione had listened for hours to Andy telling the same stories about Nymphadora over and over again. Or she took Teddy for a few days when Andy needed a break.
Hermione shook the memory from her mind and tried to ignore the blush on her cheeks when she remembered what Andy had suggested during their midnight conversation yesterday. The older witch had been teasing her about her change in opinion about her sister. Where Hermione had complained about the blonde ice queen, she now only had positive things to say.
It had all been innocent banter up until the point where Andy had nudged Hermione with her foot, asking her if she liked witches instead of wizards. In return Hermione had hexed her backside so hard, Andy had to use a pain relieving potion to be able to sit down. But despite her sore ass, the mischievous grin on her face had not disappeared.
‘Absolute nonense,’ Hermione muttered to herself before ringing the doorbell from Narcissa’s house.
She quickly checked if her hair was still in place and smoothed out a crease in her shirt. It had been entirely coincidental that Hermione had decided to dress up for work today. The fashionable witch that was her colleague had absolutely nothing to do with it.
‘Good morning Hermione.’
Narcissa’s voice made the young witches’ heart flutter but she ignored it as always and offered a good morning in return, taking off her shoes. Instead of her usual jeans and robes, she had decided to wear a skirt and a top leaving the robes at home since they weren’t at the Ministry. Hermione barely managed to hide her smug expression when she saw Narcissa’s gaze roam over her body and nod in approval.
‘I hope you don’t mind my casual outfit Hermione but I’m taking advantage of the fact that we’re working from home.’
Hermione managed to turn her snort into a cough when she realized that Narcissa called the long, light blue dress with straps casual. She’d probably wear that to a gala but Narcissa used the outfit to lounge in at home.
‘That’s not casual. Sweatpants are casual.’
‘Sweatp – Salazar’s Snake, what on earth are sweatpants?’
‘I’ll buy you some.’
‘Kindly don’t. The name itself already sounds horrendous.’
Hermione rolled her eyes but silently decided to ignore Narcissa and buy the woman some goddamn sweatpants. She settled herself at the kitchen table, a bowl of fruit in the middle and two take-away coffees that were still hot.
‘I feel spoiled.’
‘Don’t get used to it. When we’re back at the Ministry, you can fetch your own coffee,’ Narcissa answered in jest.
Both witches got to work with vigour, knowing that they’d almost finished the new animal’s rights legislation. It had been an everlasting job to get the approval of the Minister of Magic and the Department of Law Enforcement that still stood above them. But the end was near and they both looked forward to starting a new task to make their Department fully functional.
It was near noon when they both startled from the owl that knocked on Narcissa’s kitchen window. Lady Black rose to her feet to let the animal in and couldn’t hide a smile when she saw the letter was from her son Draco. She quickly fed the animal and let it fly off before opening her mail. What she read made her out a surprised oh dear before having to stabilize herself on the kitchen island.
‘Is everything alright? Did you receive bad news?’
‘What? Oh. No, on the contrary. It’s a letter from Draco. He brings wonderful news.’
‘Oh?’
‘I’m becoming a grandmother. Astoria is pregnant.’
Hermione shrieked when she jumped to her feet and hugged the witch in front of her. Her brain stopped working at about the exact same time she felt her breasts collide with those of Narcissa and they both froze in the embrace. After a few awkward seconds, Hermione took a step back and cleared her throat trying to ignore the fact that they were both blushing.
‘Congratulations are in order, I suppose.’
‘Well… yes. Thank you.’
‘Narcissa?’
‘Mmmm?’
‘You don’t seem very excited by this. What’s the matter?’
‘Nothing dear. I just realized that I’m becoming old.’
Hermione looked dumfounded at Narcissa before throwing her head backwards and laughing uncontrollably. Narcissa obviously didn’t appreciate this as she put her hands on her hips and scowled.
‘What’s so funny?’
‘Oh Narcissa. I’m sorry but have you looked at yourself?’
‘Every morning in the mirror.’
‘Then you know that you’re not old.’
‘I’m convinced that there are grey hairs hiding between my blondes. And I’m… well let’s say not everything is as firm as it used to be.’
‘Merlin’s beard, you are being so dramatic. Narcissa you are a gorgeous and very attractive witch and please don’t think otherwise.’
Suddenly, Narcissa’s eyes glimmered with mirth as she cocked her head to the side. Gorgeous and attractive, huh? Only a few seconds later, Hermione seemed to realize what she had said because her pink blush quickly increased to a reddish spotting on her neck and collarbones. The young witch was so embarrassed that she turned on her heels and headed towards the toilet in the hallway in desperate need of a hiding places for the next five minutes.
The blonde witch chuckled as she heard Hermione mutter something about powdering her nose and reread the letter that she was still holding in her hands. A grandmother! Her first hesitation swiftly made way for a warm and happy feeling when she imagined herself bouncing a toddler on her knee. Narcissa startled when she felt warm tears roll of her cheeks. She hadn’t even realized the news had made her so emotional.
‘Narcissa? Honestly, you really aren’t old,’ Hermione said hesitantly when she returned to the kitchen area only to find her colleague in tears.
‘It’s not that Hermione. I’m just so happy that Draco managed to find a life of his own. A happy life.’
‘Oh, I see. It’s completely normal that you’re happy for your son. He did very well indeed!’
Hermione’s kind words only made Narcissa cry harder and before the witch knew what happened she was once more enveloped in a hug but this time it wasn’t awkward. This time she buried her nose in soft brown curls and held on for dear life to the young witch who was gently caressing her back to offer comfort.
‘That’s the second time you’ve seen me cry.’
‘It doesn’t matter.’
‘I feel weak.’
‘Crying doesn’t make you weak, Narcissa. It makes you human.’
There was no answer, only silence but Hermione knew that the pureblood witch was changing for the better. She realized that it was time to reveal her mystery friend. Of course Hermione couldn’t tell for sure that Narcissa wouldn’t throw her out but she trusted her gut feeling and it told her that all would be well.
***
It took Hermione another three days to gather the courage and start the conversation with Narcissa about her estranged sister Andromeda. It happened on their last day of working from home when they had drank a glass of champagne to celebrate the fact that their new office was finished and waiting for them. Feeling encouraged by the alcohol, Hermione went for it.
‘I had been thinking about revealing my mystery friend to you?’
‘And what have I done to earn such an honour?’
‘You’ve changed,’ Hermione shrugged which earned her a raised eyebrow from her colleague.
‘In what way?’
‘In such a way that I’m convinced you won’t Avada Kedavra me for revealing who she is.’
Narcissa didn’t reply but blinked her eyes a couple of times, processing what Hermione just said. Then she slowly put down her glass of champagne and stared at Hermione who had lost all her previous courage and was fidgeting with her drink.
‘Your mystery friend is Andromeda.’
Hermione gulped when she heard the coldness in Narcissa’s voice and for a few moments she feared she had misjudged the situation completely and would be thrown out of the house.
‘How did you know?’
‘I didn’t until now as my sister is the only person I can think of that would have you so scared of telling me about.’
‘Are you mad?’
Narcissa’s cold stare softened as she reached for her glass again and gulped it down in one go. She immediately stood up and walked over to the refrigerator to pour herself another glass of champagne. All this time she remained silent making Hermione want to Disapparate on the spot. The blond witch slowly returned to the table, hips swaying and eyes bluer than ever.
‘I’m not mad Hermione. But I’m disappointed you’d think I’d be mad at you for befriending my sister.’
‘Well it’s not like you two get along.’
‘Is that what you think?’
Hermione realized her words had hurt Narcissa so she quickly placed her hand on the witches’ arm to prevent her from leaving the room. Blue eyes met amber ones and the older witch sighed, sipping her champagne as the liquid calmed her nerves.
‘Talk to me Narcissa. Help me understand.’
‘I’ve always loved Andy. She protected me from Bella’s practical jokes when we were younger, always looking out for me. The day she left, she broke my heart but I didn’t hate her. Not like Bella hated her. She was always more radical in her pureblood-beliefs. I was so confused and didn’t understand why she did it. Until I met Lucius and fell head over heels in love with him.’
Narcissa smiled at Hermione’s snort and summoned the bottle of champagne from the kitchen to fill her guest’s glass once more obviously remembering that she was a witch and didn’t need to actually walk over there.
‘Astounding as it may sound, I was very fond of Lucius when we first met. We had a happy marriage before the war wrecked it. But one day I was looking at Lucius and I wondered what I would have done if he wasn’t a wizard.’
‘You probably would never have met him.’
‘Humour me Hermione,’ Narcissa said exasperated, ‘You know very well what I mean.’
‘Sorry.’
‘Apology accepted. Anyhow, it was then that I understood Andy’s actions. She loved him as I loved Lucius.’
‘Then why didn’t you look her up?’
‘You forget that I was surrounded by pureblood supremacists. They would never approve. And on top of it all, I was still very brainwashed and wasn’t going to risk bringing shame upon the family. No, I ignored my desire to meet my sister again and buried it as deep as I could.’
A silence fell between the two women as they both pondered on the story. Hermione knew that Andy wanted Narcissa to make the first move but it wouldn’t hurt to help a little bit, now would it?
‘Did you bury it so deep that you’ve forgotten all about her?’
‘No,’ the youngest Black sister answered with a smile, ‘the moment I got my freedom back, the longing for my sister resurfaced. Why do you think I moved to this muggle neighbourhood?’
‘To watch your sister jog in the park.’
The words had left Hermione’s mouth before she realized her mistake by the surprised expression on Narcissa’s face. Shit.
‘How do you know about my very secret morning routine, Mrs Granger?’
Hermione flinched at the use of her last name and quickly lied, ‘I know Andy lives close by and I know she jogs in the park. I simply connected the dots.’
‘Do you really deem it wise to lie to a skilled Legilimens such as myself?’
The voice was stern but Narcissa’s eyes twinkled with amusement. She would never dare invade Hermione’s mind like that but it couldn’t hurt to remind the young witch that she was more than capable of doing so. It wouldn’t even get noticed by the girl as Narcissa was so skilled, she could read thoughts with the softest of caresses.
‘You better stay out of my head Narcissa Black! But you’re right, I shouldn’t lie to you. It’s just that I promised your sister not to tell.’
‘My lips are sealed.’
Hermione glared at Narcissa who feigned her innocence and blinked her long lashes at her colleague who immediately had to fight the urge to swear allegiance to the blonde and toss herself at her feet. But after a few seconds, Hermione’s resolve crumbled.
‘Fine. Andy knows you’re watching her jog.’
‘How?’
‘She saw you the very first day you appeared in the park. Apparently your unique hair colour is hard to miss. Did you really move to a muggle neighbourhood for her?’
‘Well I mostly did it to escape the nasty looks witches and wizards tend to give me but yes, I knew that Andy lives on the other side of the park.’
‘So you’re really not mad that I’m friends with her?’
‘Hermione, my sister is one of the kindest witches I have ever known. She always had a gift of sensing other peoples sorrows and an urge to help them. So I’m not surprised that you like her. But I am so very curious to find out how this friendship came to be.’
‘That part of the story wasn’t a lie. I really did meet her at a help group for people who have trouble processing the loss of loved ones. After the war, many people sought help. We just accidentally ended up in the same group. I really liked her daughter Nymphadora, who died together with her father and husband leaving behind her mother and son. So I went to offer my condolences and we just never stopped talking.’
Narcissa felt a pang of guilt in her heart by the mentions of all the people Andy had lost during this war. She suddenly realized that the Malfoys were very lucky to walk away from it all unscathed. The thought of her dear sister all alone with her grandchild, made her so sad.
‘Hermione?’
‘Yes?’
‘I’d like to meet my sister.’
***
‘What’s up ‘Mione? You look like all the troubles in the world rest on your shoulders?’
Hermione smiled at Ginny who put a pastry and a fresh butterbeer in front of her. After her final workday at Narcissa’s place, she had travelled to Grimmauld Place for their monthly game night. They always switched locations between Harry’s house and the Burrow, since Hermione’s apartment was too small to fit them all.
Ginny’s remark made the entire table look up and frown at her. Harry who was bouncing his toddler James on his knee gave Hermione a reassuring smile while Ron just looked like he didn’t get what was going on. He came alone this time since Lavender was paying a sick aunt a visit. Luna also came alone as Neville was too busy grading exams at Hogwarts to make it tonight.
‘It’s nothing,’ Hermione said to her friends, ‘my mind just took me elsewhere.’
‘Might elsewhere be a very handsome wizard by any chance?’
‘As if I’d be stupid enough to date without informing you first. We both know you’d hex me!’
‘A pretty witch then?’
This made Hermione choke on her Pastry as she felt herself turning red for what must have been the tenth time that day. She began to splutter that she had no idea what Ginny was talking about before noticing all the smug faces around the table. Apparently, they all had a hunch about her sexuality before she realized it herself. It hadn’t been very long after Andy suggested it that Hermione had to admit to herself that there was some truth to her suspicions.
‘It’s okay ‘Mione! We love you regardless of the company you prefer.’
I doubt that, Hermione thought when the memory of a blonde witch hugging her resurfaced in her mind. Nevertheless, she had to admit that her friends and Andy were probably right. Hermione liked witches instead of wizards. It made sense.
‘I cannot believe that you guys figured this out before I did.’
‘Well it wasn’t very difficult,’ Ron said while pointing at himself, ‘I mean, who can resist me?’
The entire table howled with laughter as they all raised their butterbeers in honour of Hermione who felt like another piece of the puzzle in her search for herself had fallen into place. She rolled her eyes at Ginny who started begging her friend to set her up on a blind date. After all, only one woman would do.