Chapter Text
Round One:
Narcissa Black Malfoy wrapped her fur lined cloak tighter about her slim body. She suppressed the shivers threatening to wrack her calm patience. Already her fingertips were numb, despite the thickness of the pearl white leather gloves and the multitude of warming charms. Her nerves, spurred on by worry and spontaneity, were colder than the icicles dangling in the bitter Highland cold. My, how she hated waiting. Fortunately, it was not long before she heard the shuffling of frozen feet in snow, the crunch of the crystalized top layer and the loudly chattering teeth.
“Revelio.” Narcissa cast with a whisper. She pointed her wand toward the approaching invisible persons, who clearly needed more lessons on stealth. Narcissa was only slightly put out when her spell did not work. She took a moment to be impressed before impatience won out prompted by a full body shiver after a particularly lusty gust of wind.
“Please hurry,” she implored. “Before we all freeze to death.” Which was a possibility in this weather.
Bushy hair erupted out of the darkness followed by a pretty and intelligent face. A face, drawn pale from the frozen air. Narcissa tsked, the sound amplified down the empty village alley. They would have to hurry before anyone came to investigate. Narcissa reaffirmed her determination when Harry Potter’s unruly hair floated alongside Ms. Granger’s. He smiled shyly at Narcissa, warming her heart just like he had in Severus’ office.
“Hullo, Lady Malfoy.” He greeted with chattering teeth. “Thank you, so much, for coming.” He rushed to say. The enthusiasm bright with the glow from the snow.
“Come, come.” She said, reaching out her hands to urge him forward into a quick embrace. His surprised “O” of a mouth amused and infuriated her. The poor lad was going to be on the receiving end of Narcissa’s affection for some time if she had anything to say about it. After the hug, Narcissa took Harry by his thin shaking shoulders, checking him from head to toe, “I must admit, when Draco told me of an invisibility cloak, I had not idea it would be so…” she trailed of to think of the correct word.
“Effective.” The young Miss Granger supplied, her face nothing but helpful. Her eyes were bright, brown and eager. This was the girl so bemoaned by her only child?
“Indeed Miss. Granger.” Narcissa said kindly. “Now,” she pulled Harry into another quick hug before setting him on his own. “We must not linger. Harry, take this. Have everyone ready in the morning. The portkey will activate at 7 a.m. and will bring you directly outside the Manor.”
“Yes ma’am.” He took the small serpentine broach with bare pale fingers. Two snakes intertwined in a wreath of silver. Each with emerald eyes. It was the prettiest thing Harry had ever held in his hand.
“Focillo” Narcissa whispered aiming the spell toward the teenagers. Twin sighs of relief blessed the winter night. The temporary warming ceasing the worst of their shivers. “Come Miss Granger.” Narcissa commanded, opening her arm in invitation.
The young girl looked startled, turning frantically to Harry with wide wet beseeching eyes. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” she all but demanded.
“Of course, ‘Mione.” Harry replied with the sweetest reassuring smile. “You can’t get rid of me that easily.”
“That’s my line.” Hermione laughed. No one commented on the tears they could hear in her voice. “Please be careful.” She cautioned. “Let Draco help.” She did demand with conviction.
Harry rolled his sparkling emerald eyes. “He’s so bossy.”
“You like it.” Hermione teased. Narcissa watched the girl’s mood drop once more. Big crystal tears threatening to freeze on her rounded cheeks.
“Oh Hermione, don’t.” Harry pleaded softly. He flung his cloak into the snow, wrapping his arms around his friend. “I’ll see you first thing.” He promised into her neck. Hermione let out one quiet sob and nodded in agreement.
“Yes, you will.” Narcissa said firmly. If she had to storm the castle herself, Draco and his friends would no longer be attending Hogwart’s school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Not until it was safe once more, with the corruption and inept teaching removed. Narcissa let them hug a moment longer, taking the time to pick up Harry’s discarded cloak, wondering at the exquisite fabric and the ingenuity.
She slipped it around the boy, smoothing the unseen material into place. “Hurry back dear boy.” Narcissa ordered. She softened the demand with an impromptu kiss to his temple, surprising both the Gryffindors. “before my son worries himself to despair.”
“Yes ma’am.” Harry said again, only this time his voice was filled with some type of wonder.
“Go.” She pushed him back toward Hog’s Head tavern.
Harry shot her a mischievous grin. “Now I know where he gets it from.” The imp said before disappearing entirely.
“I do hope he is careful.” Miss Granger said to no one in particular.
“Has he a penchant for trouble?” Narcissa inquired.
“You have not idea.” The girl said emphatically.
“You have plenty of time to tell me all about it while we get the manner ready. Hold on tight.” Narcissa once again lifted her arm to make room for the younger woman to step into. Hermione obediently let Lady Malfoy wrap an arm around her waist. Then, with a crack, they were gone from the empty streets of a frozen midnight Hogsmead.
&&&&&
They landed inside the wards of the estate with an echoing bang. “Easy there, Ms. Granger.” Narcissa smoothed a loose curl from the girl’s flushed cheek. “If you are going to vomit, I suggest the grass.” Hermione laughed despite the very real possibility she might lose her dinner. “Or, if you would rather, just inside, there is a hideous vase from my mother-in-law. Absolutely terrible taste.” Narcissa led them to the warmth of the Manor.
Hermione valiantly swallowed the threatening bile away, impressing Narcissa just that much more. They entered the foyer which held a merrily crackling fire to heat her frozen blood, Narcissa found she had more patience waiting for young Ms. Granger to get her bearings when the flames licked at the chill.
“Minsy.” She called for a house elf peeling off her butter soft gloves finger by finger.
“Yes, Lady Malfoy.” The elf appeared in a clean white fitted pillowcase. Ms. Granger frowned at the creature then switched her attention to Narcissa. Back and forth this went on in silence. Minsy took no offense to the scrutiny and Narcissa was well aware of Hermione’s crusade to free the House Elves. This was just another example of the inadequate curriculum provided by the school.
“Some tea to fortify us on this cold night.” Narcissa said to Minsy. “Also, if you could gather the rest of the staff in the West Library.”
“Right away, Lady Malfoy.” Minsy curtsied away.
“Follow me, Ms. Granger.” Narcissa instructed to Hermione. While the foyer had been dark in spite of the fire, the entrance had exuded inviting warmth. The hallways, however, proved to be unwelcoming and cold. Narcissa hated to linger. She made her way up the stairs quickly, conscious of the silent muggleborn following. The marbled hallways were dim and foreboding. Narcissa made a note to make time to change the hauntingly cold aesthetic. Her timeline had been greatly altered by Draco’s frantic firecall. She had hoped to have the Manor ready before the children arrived. And to know the exact number to expect. Narcissa liked to be prepared and coordinate for the least possible confusion. Chaos did not reign while Narcissa was in charge.
The arrival of Hermione was not chaotic as much as it was rushed. Draco had vehemently insisted the young woman leave the school tonight. Narcissa knew this was for Harry’s benefit and not any regard her son held for the intelligent muggleborn. Harry could be heard voicing one horrible possibility after another, having lost complete control of the Unburdening and his imagination. Draco had ordered him multiple times to stop pacing Severus’s office. Her son had a worried, pinched face, distorting his aristocratic angles, his attention mostly on the unseen boy-who-lived. Narcissa insisted he not worry and outlined the quick modification to the original plan.
Harry calmed down significantly after hearing it, even allowing Draco to pull him close to join the call. Her son always had been prone to cuddling. Narcissa was glad Lucius’s influence had not drummed the instinct out. Her son deserved whatever happiness he could find in this mad, dark world.
Narcissa put her musings aside once the two witches reached the West Library. Inside, a fire had already been lit with a little table laden with tea and biscuits. Minsy was always quick and competent. Ms. Granger eyed the tea service speculatively while removing her school cloak. Narcissa showed her where to hang it near the fire to hasten drying. Lady Malfoy added her own cloak to the second hook.
“Minsy,” Narcissa spoke quietly.
“Yes, Lady Malfoy.” the house elf appeared.
“Two shawls please.” She requested.
It was not long before Narcissa handed a warm shawl to her companion. “Please, drink.” She told the girl with the authority of a parent. Miss Granger nodded gratefully, sighing over the first sip. Narcissa was once again surprised when she realized the young witch was exhibiting nerves of steel.
“The chills should pass soon.” Narcissa commented. “Are there…” she paused, unsure exactly how to proceed. The moment passed. Narcissa forged ahead, manners were one thing, her duty as a healer another. “Are you injured in any way?”
“Oh!” Hermione snapped out of her silence. “No. Lady Malfoy. The twins got to me in time.”
“This would be the Weasley twins?” Narcissa arched her smooth blonde brow.
“Yes, Lady Malfoy.” Hermione answered carefully. “They were quite… heroic.”
“Were they?” Narcissa mused. “I look forward to meeting them. Both Draco and Severus have spoken of them… often.”
“Oh, I bet.” Hermione giggled into her cup.
“Severus is impressed with their new line of practical jokes. If I’m not mistaken, he is very proud.” The shock on the young witch’s face was enough to have Narcissa hiding her own giggles behind porcelain.