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Chapter Text

Hermione laughed at the absurd joke that her friend had just made and smacked Ginny on the upper arm in astonishment. The redhead merely smirked as Draco, Harry, and Luna all laughed as well. That kind of lewd joke was enough to raise many eyebrows at this type of function, a Ministry of Magic Gala. Hermione had been all but bullied into attending by this group of friends, but she couldn’t say that she minded much now that she was here. It was good for fundraising and networking, and she was having a decent time.

One of the Ministry Heads caught her attention as he passed by, and Hermione politely answered the question he had asked her. The man continued speaking to her, and Hermione shifted on her feet. This was why she hated these things. She did enough work during the workday. Spending time answering work questions like this outside of work exhausted her.

Her attention was caught by a familiar head of blonde hair moving through the crowd, and Hermione’s eyes took her in. The woman was wearing a tight emerald green dress. There was a nearly indecent slit up the side showing off a lot of thigh. The heels the woman was wearing did amazing things for her calves, and Hermione swore she’d be drooling if she were anywhere else.

“Ms. Granger?” The man asked, and Hermione realized she’d completely been ignoring him. She turned her attention back to him and apologized quietly, excusing herself and getting out of the conversation. She turned back to her friends and found Ginny smirking at her while Draco rolled his eyes.

“What?” She asked, taking a sip of the drink in her hand.

“Seriously, Granger. If you’re going to ogle my mother, at least make sure I’m not close enough to see it,” He said, his nose turning up in disgust. Hermione shot him a glare.

“I was not ogling your mother, Malfoy,” She argued.

“Oh, babes,” Ginny laughed beside her. “Your eyes nearly bugged right out of your head. And I mean, who can blame you?” She shrugged, a smirk on her lips. “She looks damn good.”

Hermione flushed just a bit and elbowed Ginny in the ribs for her comment, “Stop looking,” She muttered under her breath, and Ginny laughed and held her hands up in surrender. “She’s fucking gorgeous, Draco. Get over yourself,” Hermione gave in, turning back to the blond.

Draco scrunched his face up once more and let out a long, disgruntled sigh. “I don’t want to hear about it, Granger. That’s my mother,” He pointed out once again.

Hermione glanced over in Narcissa’s direction once again, and the woman looked up at the same time. She caught blue eyes and smiled in her direction. Narcissa shot her a beaming smile and Hermione swore butterflies erupted in her stomach at the sight of it. Damn her and this crush she’d had on the woman for years now.

“Oh gross,” Draco said, and Hermione turned back to face him, smacking him lightly with her clutch.

“Shut up, Malfoy,” She told him seriously.

“Sure, Mum, sure,” Came his reply, followed by Ginny’s startled laughter.

0~0~0

As the Gala started winding down, Hermione found herself quite literally trapped in a situation. One of her coworkers had caught her, asking about a current case, and she’d politely answered his question. That was until the next coworker swooped in as well. She was now surrounded by three men asking her question after question, and the witch looked around her for any sort of reason to leave.

Harry had left with Draco about an hour ago now. Luna had elected to escort Ginny home just about half an hour ago. She was on her own for this one.

She sighed, tuning back into the conversation at hand, hoping to find an out soon. “Ms. Granger?” She heard from behind her. The voice sent a thrill up her spine and she spun to look up into her favorite pair of eyes. “I’m so sorry, gentlemen, but could I possibly steal her away for a few moments?”

They all waved the two of them away, and Hermione threaded her hand into the offered arm as Narcissa led her across the room.

“You looked like you needed saving,” Narcissa murmured as she came to a stop and faced the younger woman.

Hermione smiled widely and nodded, “Merlin, yes. Thank you,” She breathed out. “I was getting pretty close to faking an illness and having to leave altogether.”

“Well, I’m glad I could save you from having to feign a fainting spell,” Narcissa replied, a teasing smirk pulling at her lips. “I noticed your friends have left. Draco did mention an early morning tomorrow when we spoke earlier.”

Hermione nodded. “Yes,” She looked up into blue eyes. “Ginny was on her way to public drunkenness and Luna offered to take her home before she got to that point,” She explained. What she didn’t tell the woman was that Ginny was openly threatening to go tell Narcissa that Hermione ‘had the hots for her’ and would ‘like to get all up in that’.

“But Ms. Weasley is so much fun once she’s publicly drunk,” Narcissa chided softly, and Hermione laughed, remembering the last gala Ginny had come to. The redhead had stood, clinked her spoon on her glass, and announced that the Minister was ‘a right arsehole who didn’t know his bombardas from his boggarts’. “Since you’re without company,” Narcissa started speaking again, and Hermione nodded for her to continue. “Could I trouble you for a dance?”

Hermione swore her lungs collapsed. Was she serious? She stared into blue eyes, not speaking.

“I know it’s not really your thing,” She said softly, “But I hate dancing with rich old men who do nothing but try to cop a feel, and I love to dance,” She told Hermione. “You’re not exactly my height, but I’m okay at leading,” Narcissa finished her little rant.

Hermione bit her bottom lip. The ballroom was emptying as the event was meant to end within the next half hour. “I’m not much good at it,” She told the blonde.

“I don’t mind,” Narcissa answered her easily. Hermione nodded after a moment of thought and took the hand that Narcissa held out for her. She let the blonde sweep her into her arms and found herself relaxing as the older woman led her around the dance floor. An easy smile spread over her lips as the woman twirled them around the area, and Hermione thought the sight of Narcissa’s bright smile might be enough to leave her as little more than a puddle if she didn’t tone it down.

When Narcissa spun her outward and then pulled her back into her arms, Hermione threw her head back and laughed happily. She wasn’t sure how many songs they danced to. She only became aware that it had been a while once it was clear they were the last two in the room and the band was about to leave.

Narcissa let her go after the last song ended and smiled happily at her, her cheeks just a little flushed from the time they’d spent dancing. “Thank you, darling. I truly enjoyed that,” Narcissa told her.

Hermione shook her head, a smile permanently on her face, “You don’t need to thank me. I enjoyed it a lot, actually.”

“I’m glad,” Narcissa murmured softly. The two of them made to exit, heading for the apparition point. “I’ll see you next week.”

Chapter Text

Hermione had gone home on a high that night. She’d fallen asleep with a smile on her face and woken up with it there too. Merlin, the crush she’d had for years was definitely not going anywhere now, was it? 

She’d seen the woman in passing early in the week. They didn’t often work together, hardly ever really, but being in the same building and having offices on the same hall did lend itself to passing glances. 

Hermione looked up when her office door opened. She was sure her schedule was clear and furrowed her eyebrows until Draco stepped into her office. “You need an appointment,” She said without emotion as she went back to her paperwork. Draco laughed. While she and Narcissa rarely worked together, she and Draco often worked together. He was probably her best friend, and when she’d first realized that, it had thrown her for a loop. 

“Oh, come on, Mum,” He teased. 

Hermione looked up, shooting him an unimpressed scowl as he took a seat across from her. “What do you want?” She asked him. 

“Tell me what happened after we all left the other night,” He said, and Hermione blinked. 

“What are you talking about?” She asked in confusion. She had an inkling of what he meant, but she hadn’t mentioned anything and highly doubted that Narcissa would have either. 

“The cello player in the band mentioned that there were a couple of witches who danced the rest of the night away to Harry a couple of days ago,” He told her. “Mentioned that one of them was my mother.” 

Hermione sighed and dropped her quill to her desk as she leaned back in her chair. Her hands fell to her lap, and her gaze found them. “She didn’t want to subject herself to being felt up,” Hermione said quietly, then continued at Draco’s alarmed look. “She said old rich men are always trying to feel her up when they ask her to dance, but she still wanted to dance.” 

Draco reared at that, “Who the fuck is feeling my mother up when she doesn’t want to be?” He asked angrily.  

Hermione looked up, a little fond smile on her face for her best friend. “She didn’t say,” She promised him, “I don’t think she’d taken anyone up on their offer that night, so maybe calm down.” 

Draco grumbled as he relaxed some. “So you danced with her?” 

Hermione nodded. “Draco,” She sighed, and her fingers started to fidget in her lap as she turned her head to look out of the window. “I’m really dreading the day that she finds someone. Of course I want her to be happy, I do. But it’s going to hurt so much.” 

“So you’re finally willing to admit you have a thing for her?” He teased lightly. Hermione nodded, a single tear falling down her cheek that she wiped away hastily. “Oh, Mi,” He cooed as he stood and rounded the desk, bending down so she had no choice but to make eye contact. “She’s not exactly straight.” 

Hermione stared at him. “What?” 

“She’s as useless a lesbian as you are,” He laughed, and Hermione stared into grey eyes as she tried to understand what he was telling her. 

“So not only am I going to have to see her be happy, but I’m going to have to see her be happy with some beautiful woman?” She asked, tears filling her eyes once again.  

Draco’s eyes widened. “Do you honestly think I’d even be bringing this up if I didn’t think you had a shot, Granger?” He asked her. “I love you, you absolutely useless lesbian. I wouldn’t torture you like this. Even if it is gross that you’re all moon-eyed over my mother.” 

Hermione shoved his shoulder weakly as she sniffled and turned her gaze to her fingers. “I wouldn’t have a shot in hell with her,” She argued. 

“Granger, seriously. How many people were at that gala?” He asked, and she shrugged, scrunching her face up. “Plenty. She could have danced with anyone,” He told her. “Hell, I’ve never actually turned her down when she asked me.”  

Hermione swallowed hard as she thought about that. Narcissa used to wait until parties were settled before asking Draco to dance with her. Ever the perfect son, he’d always smiled, extended his arm, and led her around the ballroom with a flourish. 

“It was late. There wasn’t anyone else there, really,” Hermione argued as she shook her head. 

“Do you not think that might have been on purpose? She knows you, Mi. She knows you don’t like to dance. Knows that you’re not fond of it. Don’t you think she might have consciously chosen to wait until there were fewer people to ask you, so you’d be more comfortable?” He asked pointedly. 

“I think she just wanted to dance, Draco. I doubt she chose me specifically,” Hermione muttered. 

“Salazar. It’s like arguing with a post,” Draco sighed and leaned against her desk, rubbing a hand over his face harshly. “What do you truly have to lose here? Go ask her.” He made a gesture in the general direction of Narcissa’s office. 

“No way!” Hermione exclaimed. “She’ll think I’m mad. And then I won’t even get to see her. She’ll avoid me like the plague. I’m not worthy of her.” 

“Worthy of her?” Draco asked in confusion. “What the bloody hell are you on about?”  

“I came from a Muggle family, Draco. I wasn’t raised here. I don’t know all the wizarding customs. I wasn’t brought up to be refined. I’m not good enough for her. She’s fucking perfect,” Hermione was insistent, and Draco sighed, softening. 

“Mi, you can’t possibly believe any of that. You are brilliant, babes,” He told her. “She doesn’t care that you’re not a pure-blood wizard. She doesn’t care about any of that. You are a damn war hero. The wizarding world’s Golden Girl. If anything, she’s not good enough for you.” 

“Take that back,” Hermione said immediately after hearing the last few words Draco spoke. The blond smirked.  

“Fine, fine,” Draco sighed and rounded the desk again, taking his seat once more. “My mother is absolutely perfect.” 

Hermione nodded after a moment. “I do actually have some paperwork to do, Draco,” She said gently. 

“Fine,” Draco stood and headed for the door. “But just so we’re clear,” He paused and shot her a look. “I’m not giving up this easily, Mum.” 

Chapter Text

The next time she saw the witch outside of work, Hermione was on a blind date. Luna meant well, she was sure, but this woman hadn’t stopped talking about herself since they’d sat down. They’d chosen a club for dinner and drinks. Hermione had been there before with Draco, Theo, Blaise, and Ginny. She’d enjoyed the atmosphere at the time. But now all she desperately wanted was to make her leave.

She saw an opportunity to give herself a slight reprieve and possibly give herself a moment to think up some excuse to leave when her date emptied her glass. Hermione chugged her own and offered to get them refills.

Hermione made her way to the bar and waited for the bartender to finish up what he was doing. “Are you on a date?” She heard and spun at the unexpected voice.

She looked up into the piercing blue eyes of none other than Narcissa Black. The woman was fucking stunning, and Hermione wondered what she’d ever done in her life to deserve to be tortured like this. She was wearing a pair of tight, what appeared to be high-class, leather black pants. A pair of black heels perfectly complemented them. Paired with the pants was a low-cut dark red top. It was also cropped just right, showing off a hint of pale skin at her midsection. Her hair was twisted into a fancy braided updo, and several strands had slipped free, hanging beautifully around her face.

“What?” Hermione asked, dumbfounded, having forgotten what the woman had said to her the moment she’d laid eyes on her.

Narcissa glanced over in the direction of her date and raised her eyebrows. “Are you on a date? Because it kind of looks like you’re being tortured. But you look nice… So, I’m not sure,” Narcissa said in explanation.

Hermione glanced down at her own outfit. Narcissa had complimented it, and it made her chest fill with pride. She’d put on a simple pair of tight, light-wash jeans. She’d paired them with a dark blue off-the-shoulder flowy crop top. And on her feet were a pair of white sneakers. She had taken time to tame her curls into a manageable mass and had tied half of her hair up into a bun.

“Uh, yeah,” She paused. “Luna set me up on a blind date,” She said with a gesture in the direction of her date.

“And?” Narcissa prompted, and Hermione furrowed her eyebrows. “Is it going well?” She asked her.

“Oh,” Hermione scrunched her face up. “Uh, well,” She shrugged, “No, not at all,” She admitted. “She’s been talking since we got here and only about herself. I think we’d made it to about her twelfth birthday before I got up. I was trying to come up with a reason to leave,” She told the blonde. She wasn’t sure why she told her that.

Narcissa laughed and reached around her to grab her drink that the bartender had set on the counter. Hermione held her breath as the woman leaned into her space, her neck on display just in front of her as she stretched.

“Would you like me to go tell her you’re not interested?” She asked and took a pull of her drink through her straw as she shot Hermione a smirk.

Hermione gaped. “I, uh,” She stuttered. “Just like that?” She asked incredulously.

Narcissa laughed, and Hermione thought her heart might catch fire at the sound. “I do have some class,” She teased. “I’m sure I can find a way to let her down gently. Maybe even get her to think it was all her idea to end the date early. You weren’t planning on shagging her, right? If so, I’ll stay out of it.”

Hermione’s jaw dropped. “What? No,” She said too quickly, and Narcissa raised her eyebrows. “I mean…” She knew she was blushing. “I wouldn’t just…” She groaned and earned another soft laugh.

“I’m only teasing,” Narcissa assured her. “So was that a yes on sending her away politely?” She asked. Hermione hesitated only a beat before nodding. “On it. And, darling? I expect a drink as payment. Your choice,” She smirked as she slinked away into the crowd in the direction of the booth Hermione had vacated.

Hermione smiled to herself after a moment and turned to see the bartender look up and meet her eyes. “What was she drinking?” She asked and he answered her. “I’ll have one of those,” She said, “And, uh, can you make something as beautiful as she is?” The man laughed and shrugged, telling her he’d accept the challenge as he set to work.

Hermione had slid onto a barstool by the time Narcissa reappeared. The woman took a seat on the empty stool next to her and shot her a grin. “Success. She sends her apologies that she had to leave early,” Narcissa told her.

Hermione blinked before giggling. “You’re a lifesaver,” She told the woman and earned a bright smile. The bartender placed their drinks in front of them then, and Hermione thanked him, telling him to put them on her tab.

Narcissa picked up the drink in front of her, a small smile gracing her lips as she took in the shimmering blue and green drink. “What is this?” She asked curiously as she met Hermione’s eyes.

“A surprise,” The younger woman told her. Narcissa breathed out a laugh.

“Okay, I’ll bite,” She teased and took a sip. Her eyes widened, and she hummed in approval. Hermione was a goner. Damn, she’d never find anyone else as long as she lived. Because she was absolutely ruined for this woman in front of her. “Oh, it’s great, darling. Thank you.”

Hermione picked up her own drink, taking a long pull. That was the second time she’d called her darling, and she was going to start melting soon if she didn’t do something. The fruity flavors that hit her tongue erupted, and she found she had a new favorite drink. She wondered if Narcissa’s mouth would taste the same.

The woman in question leaned in close, “Come dance with me?” She asked, her eyes pleading as she met Hermione’s. The brunette was absolutely powerless to deny her request and nodded dumbly, taking the woman’s hand and following her, drink in hand, through the crowd.

Once they’d found a little space in the crowded club, Narcissa moved in close and placed her free hand on Hermione’s waist as she started to sway. Damn, if dancing with her in a ballroom was good, then dancing with the woman in this club was her dream come true. The woman’s hips moved as if controlled by the music, and the rest of her did as well. Hermione threw caution to the wind, settling her own free hand on the woman’s hip and following her lead.

“I didn’t even ask why you were here,” Hermione said into her ear as she leaned forward so she could hear her.

“I came out with Andi,” Narcissa murmured, leaning into the younger witch. “But Teddy got sick, and she had to leave. She insisted that I stay, and I do quite like this band,” She gestured toward the stage where a decent dive band was playing.

Lucky me. Hermione thought to herself.

For the next several hours, she danced with the blonde. She laughed with her, and they drank together. She listened as Narcissa told several stories, and she offered a few of her own. After she’d paid her tab, she turned to face the woman and thanked her genuinely for saving her night. The blonde laughed, leaning down slightly to kiss her cheek, and echoed her thank you.

When she made it home, she was on a high. As she made her way to her bathroom to get ready for bed, she caught sight of herself in the mirror. A lovesick smile graced her lips, her hair was mussed from dancing, and a bright red kiss print was on her cheek. She grinned widely at the sight of it and took a selfie, so she’d have proof of it always, even after it was washed away.

Chapter Text

It took only twelve hours for Draco Malfoy to enter her office. “Okay, my mother has this lovesick little look on her face. And it’s the same one you’ve been wearing all day. Spill, Mum,” He said as he took a seat across from her.

“Draco,” She started to protest, and he cut her off.

“I know something happened. What was it?” He was insistent.

“Luna set me up on a date last night,” She told him, “And it was going terribly. I was trying to find a way out of it when your mother found me,” She shrugged. “She offered to get rid of her, and I took her up on her offer.”

Draco narrowed his eyes at her, “And? Continue.”

Hermione sighed, “And she was fucking gorgeous, Draco. I mean the woman knows how to wear a pair of pants for Merlin’s sake,” She told him. At his disgusted look, she reigned it in some. “She asked me to dance. And we hung out for the rest of the night.”

“And?” He prompted again.

“Aaaaand, we went home… separately,” She added when he opened his mouth. He closed it with a huff.

“That can’t be all. She’s humming, Granger.”

“Maybe she’s just in a good mood,” Hermione suggested.

“But why is she in a good mood?” He prodded, and Hermione shrugged.

“I mean, I had an amazing time with her. So I know why I’m in a good mood. You’d have to ask her why she’s in a good mood.” She reasoned with him.

“I did,” He grumbled, “And she merely hugged me and kissed my forehead, and I had to go scrub her stupid lipstick off before anyone saw. I mean, seriously, I’m a grown man.”

Hermione laughed and felt herself blush at the thought of that lipstick staining her cheek the night before. “Sorry, Draco. I told you everything I know.”

“So when’s the next date?” He asked, and Hermione raised her eyebrows. “She quite literally crashed the date you were on, and you can’t tell me that the two of you weren’t basically on a date afterward. Dancing and drinks in a club? Don’t even try, Mum,” He told he,r and she rolled her eyes. “She knew what she was doing. That club is huge, she could have avoided you had she wanted to, and you can’t convince me otherwise,” He said.

“Seriously, Draco. Stop calling me that,” She told him with a glare, and he smirked. “We weren’t on a date. She saved me from an evening of torture. I bought her a drink. We danced. That’s it. There are no plans for the future. The woman doesn’t think of me that way.”

Draco’s shocked laugh made her jump at the unexpected sound, and she shot him an unimpressed look. “You’re full of shit, Granger,” He said as he stood. “I have a meeting. Otherwise, we’d be continuing this now. However, we will be continuing this at some point,” He sai,d and she sighed. “Later, Mum.”

0~0~0

Hermione meandered slowly through the bookstore. There was soft music playing from somewhere, and she could hear a couple of teens studying in the corner. She loved this particular store and always made a day of it when she got to visit. The store was locally owned and featured a cute little cafe that served coffee and pastries as well.

She’d been here only about 45 minutes now and had chosen one book. She tried to limit herself these days as her bookshelves were overflowing and her TBR was ever-growing. The witch shot a soft smile at one of the employees stocking a shelf as she passed her and rounded to the next aisle.

Hermione spotted a book she’d been looking for and grinned, reaching up for it. She scowled as she realized she couldn’t quite reach it and glanced down at the shelf before putting her foot onto the bottom shelf.

She made to boost herself upward, when a presence made itself known at her back, a hand landing on her hip from behind, as a soft voice murmured, “That’s not the smartest move, darling,” Into her ear. Hermione was softly pulled backward into the woman and stepped down onto the ground once more. “Which book is it you’re after?” The woman asked her as she looked up at the shelf that Hermione had been aiming for. The brunette pointed, and Narcissa reached up from behind her, that hand still burning hot through the clothing at her hip, and grabbed the book for her. Hermione accepted it as it was held out in front of her and spun, looking up into blue eyes.

“Thank you,” She said softly, her voice suddenly barely working as she was faced with the sight of her every daydream once again. Merlin, did the woman look good in everything? She was wearing a pair of wide-legged khaki trousers with a loose button-up white shirt tucked into the front. The woman was, of course, sporting a pair of cream-colored heels. Hermione felt like a gremlin next to her in her pair of black leggings and oversized sweatshirt that dwarfed her frame.

“Not a problem,” Narcissa said softly, and Hermione felt her heart surge into her throat as the woman reached up and caught an errant curl. She twirled it around her fingers for a moment before tucking it back into place. “Do you know how to order coffee?”

Hermione blinked at the sudden question. “Um, yes?” She asked in confusion.

Narcissa breathed out a laugh. “I feel so inept at ordering outside of the wizarding world. There are so many flavors and add-ons. I always end up ordering a black coffee when I come here, because I don’t want to sound like a fool. But it all smells so good,” She said with a glance toward the cafe corner of the shop.

Hermione smiled as she observed the woman. Good Godric, this was adorable. “Do you have a preference of flavors?” She asked the woman, and Narcissa looked back down at her, shrugging after a moment. “You trust me?” She asked then, and the blonde gave her a nearly immediate nod. “I’ll order for you and give you some tips for next time then,” Hermione suggested, and Narcissa’s eyes lit up as she nodded in agreement. She held her hand out before she thought, but the woman took it and laced their fingers together before she could pull back.

Hermione tugged her in the direction of the cafe before she lost her nerve and shot a smile at the young woman behind the counter. “Hey, Mi,” She greeted, and Hermione shot her a smile and swore she felt Narcissa squeeze her fingers and step closer to her. “Your usual?”

“No, it’s a little chilly for iced coffee,” Hermione shook her head. “Can I get two of the medium drip coffees. Uh, cinnamon and butter pecan syrup in both. Sweet foam on top?” She ordered easily. The employee nodded, ringing it all up. “And whatever the croissant of the day is,” She added, pulling her card out of the side pocket of her leggings. She swiped it amidst Narcissa’s sound of protest and shot the woman a smirk over her shoulder.

She tugged the hand still in hers down to the counter where their order would be placed and felt the woman lean in close to her ear. “Thank you, darling,” Was murmured softly against her, and Hermione worked hard to suppress a shiver.

Hermione grabbed both drinks and the little brown bag that was placed on the counter. She turned, handing one to Narcissa. The blonde smiled down at her, and now she was the one tugging Hermione along to one of the tables. Hermione ran with it and took a seat across from her at the small table. She set her books to the side as she took a sip of her coffee, sighing at the flavors as they hit her tongue, and looked to Narcissa as she took her first taste as well.

The woman seemed to hesitate before tipping the drink up. Her eyes widened slightly, and Hermione almost choked as the woman moaned at the flavor. “Good?” She asked quietly, not trusting her voice with much more than that.

“Oh, darling, this is perfect,” Narcissa nearly purred, and Hermione swore she was being subjected to the sweetest form of torture. The younger witch pushed the brown bag across the table then and Narcissa raised her eyebrows, reaching for it. She pulled the croissant out of the bag and tore a piece of it off before putting it in her mouth. Hermione was subjected to another moan as what appeared to be a chocolate croissant hit her tongue.

The woman held the croissant out to Hermione, and the brunette had to work to hide her shock. She knew the woman was far from a blood-supremacist at this point, but for her to share food was another thing entirely. The witch tore off a piece of it as well and popped it into her mouth.

They spent the next hour together before either of them noticed. They finished the croissant together and polished off their coffees. She’d asked Hermione about the books she was purchasing, and they’d talked about recent reads as they enjoyed their impromptu shared meal.

“I truly enjoyed that,” Narcissa murmured once their rubbish was cleared away. Hermione looked up at her and caught a soft smile. She bit her bottom lip and nodded.

“As did I,” She agreed with the blonde.

“You won’t be trying to climb any more bookshelves, will you?” Narcissa asked her teasingly, and Hermione smirked up at her.

“Not sure,” Hermione shrugged playfully. “A girl can only reach what she can reach after all.”

Narcissa narrowed her eyes at her, and Hermione chewed at her bottom lip once again. “Promise me you won’t climb any more shelves, darling.”

“We’re in Muggle London. I can’t just leviosa them down,” She pointed out with a laugh.

Narcissa pushed a wild curl behind her ear, and Hermione swore she was on her way to becoming a puddle. “Seems as if I’ll be hanging around then,” She murmured as her hand seemed to linger in Hermione’s hair for a moment longer than necessary.

“Oh, you don’t have to do that, Ms. Black,” Hermione rushed to tell her, panicking slightly.

“Narcissa,” The woman chided softly, and Hermione nodded mutely. “I was planning on book shopping anyway. Doing so while ensuring that you don’t also fall and hurt that pretty little head isn’t some big task,” She told the witch with a smirk. Hermione knew her cheeks were flaming red and opened her mouth to reply, only to close it again when her brain refused to work at the compliment from the woman.

“Are you sure?” Hermione asked softly, and Narcissa merely smiled and nodded. The younger witch felt her heart take off as the blonde linked their fingers together once more and trailed along beside her down an aisle.

Chapter Text

Two days later, Hermione swore she could still feel Narcissa’s fingers in her own. The woman had spent several hours with her looking at books and talking with her. Hermione had adored that time with the woman, finding that they could converse so easily.

“Draco, I swear,” She grumbled as her door opened, and the blond made himself at home again. “Some of us do occasionally work, you know.”

“Terribly boring,” He said, picking up the little figurine she had on her desk and twirling it around his fingers. She shot him a glare. “My mother mentioned that she ran into you this weekend,” He said without preamble. That threw Hermione off a little. She hadn’t expected the woman to so easily admit that. “Another date, then?”

“It wasn’t a date,” Hermione threw her pen at him, and he caught it, pocketing it. “Hey!” She exclaimed.

“You know I love Muggle pens. That was your own fault. Continue about how you’re not dating my mother, please,” He waved his hand at her.

She rolled her eyes. “I am not dating your mother.”

“Let’s see,” He started and held up a finger, “Dancing at a gala for several songs,” He lifted another finger. “Spending the evening drinking and dancing together at a club,” He smirked at her and lifted a third finger. “Spending nearly an entire day at a bookstore where you shared a pastry?”

Hermione blushed lightly. “She told you that?” She asked in astonishment.

“She mentioned a chocolate croissant. I stared at her. The woman rarely eats sweets after all. And she told me she split it with you,” He smirked. “So tell me again. Not dating, right?”

“Not dating,” She ground the words out.

“Right,” He sat back as he stared at her, “And what did you two do after the coffee and pastry were finished?” He asked.

“Browsed books,” She murmured, remembering the feeling of the woman’s fingers linked with hers and how her breath had caught in her throat each time Narcissa had leaned into her space, bracing a hand on Hermione’s hip or tucking a curl back into place.

“See,” He leaned forward and pointed at her face, “That’s the same look she had on her face when she refused to tell me anymore. What else happened?”

“Draco, honestly. There’s nothing more to tell. We spent the day together, sure. But it was simply that,” She insisted. “I’ll spend all my days following her around a bookstore if she wants, but she doesn’t.”

Draco rolled his eyes, “Ever the useless lesbian. Both of you,” He muttered, “I love you, Mi. But you’re both delusional,” He told her.

“Delusional?” She asked.

“If that’s truly all that happened, then let me see,” He countered. Hermione stared at him and then rolled her eyes.

“You really want to legilimence a memory of me swooning over your mother?” She asked him. He scrunched his face up.

“Not particularly, but let’s do it anyway,” He answered.

Hermione waved her hand for him to go ahead. She pushed the memory of her attempting to step up onto the shelf to the front of her mind, blocking everything else off. She was a skilled occlument after all.

Draco stared at her in shock after he’d seen the memory and retreated from her mind.

“You two are more blind than that damn Basilisk,” He swore under his breath, and Hermione raised an eyebrow. “Hermione, my mother doesn’t just look at people that way,” He told her seriously. “That look that she’s giving you? I’ve never seen her look at anyone that way.”

“What look?” She asked in confusion.

Draco sighed, “That doe-eyed, I’m in love, oh Merlin, she’s so cute look,” He deadpanned. Hermione just stared at him. “Mi, seriously. She gets all…” He trailed off as he tried to come up with the right word, “Soft for you,” He settled on.

“What? No, she doesn’t,” Hermione shook her head. Draco sighed.

“I’m getting nowhere. You two are blind. Blind, useless lesbians,” He said.

“I’m going to start taking offense to you calling me a useless lesbian,” She told him.

“Sure you are,” He rolled his eyes. “Mi, seriously. She adores you. And listen. I’m here, her fucking son, who definitely does not want to hear about how stunning she is or how beautiful her smile is from inside your head. And I’m telling you that she’s about to melt for you.”

Hermione stared at him, and he watched tears fill her eyes before she turned her head abruptly and stared out of the window. “I can’t.”

“Why not?” He asked her, genuinely curious.

She groaned in frustration and met his eyes again, her tears still threatening to fall. “Because what if you’re wrong, D? Then what? I lose her as a friend too. I can’t live a life without her in it in some way.”

Draco stared at her, some unreadable expression on his face before he smiled. “You’re in love with her. Oh, Merlin,” He murmured.

“I’m not in love with her,” Hermione said, offended.

“Oh, Granger,” Draco laughed. “You most certainly are,” He teased. “Ask. Her. Out.”

“No,” She said with a shake of her head. “I won’t lose her. Not like this.”

Draco sighed, “We’ll continue this later. Bye, Mum.”

0~0~0

Narcissa glanced across the room for the umpteenth time. Hermione and her son were curled up in the corner of the sofa together. The brunette’s legs were comfortably thrown over his lap, and she was snuggled into him as they both looked down at the muggle device he always carried around. How do I get her to sit with me like that?

“Seriously, Granger, all this hair is going to suffocate me,” He complained, and Hermione elbowed him weakly. I’d happily let her suffocate me with all that hair.

“Sod off, Malfoy,” She muttered, and then Narcissa heard her giggle at something on the device in Draco’s hands and swore her heart raced in response to the sound. She’d earned a bright smile from the younger witch when she’d arrived, and Draco had stood, kissing her cheek and greeting her as well. She’d seen Ginny and Luna around somewhere. Her sister, the one responsible for this entire dinner as it were, was nowhere to be found. Someone had mentioned that Teddy had thrown a fit and wanted Nana to help him get dressed. Theo walked through the room then, having apparently just arrived, Blaise on his heels.

“Oi, Ms. Black. Looking fine as always,” He said, waggling his eyebrows at her. Narcissa blushed as she stood to hug her son’s friends. Theo had always hit on her like this, mostly to rile Draco up.

“Theodore!” And it had worked once more. Draco handed Hermione his device as he stood and chased the now cackling wizard off into the house. Blaise took his now vacant spot, and Hermione threw her arms around his neck, kissing his cheek while he blushed brightly. Damn, why didn’t I think to take that spot?

“You look great, B,” The witch complimented, and Narcissa returned to her former seat, just barely refraining from scowling at the young man who was now monopolizing Hermione’s time. Her son was one thing, but now Blaise?

“Thanks, Mi,” He murmured and tugged her to lean against him. She went willingly, and Narcissa felt her blood boil as she watched them. While she wasn’t the most physical or touchy person, she’d snuggle with Hermione as much as the young witch wanted. She’d give the brunette anything she wanted if she’d just let her close to her like that.

She could still hear Draco chasing Theo through the house; it sounded like Ginny had joined in, though she wasn’t sure which side the redhead was on.

The floo came to life, and Narcissa watched her sister and great-nephew step out. “Draco!” Teddy exclaimed, and the blond stopped in his pursuit of Theo to fawn over the drawing that Theo had to show him.

The woman then watched as Hermione stood and excitedly made her way to Andromeda, hugging her tightly while her sister excitedly hugged her right back. She watched on as Hermione’s face lit up as she immediately followed her through to the kitchen. Narcissa stood after a moment of staring longingly and followed after them. She did always help her sister in the kitchen during these events after all.

Chapter Text

Narcissa hadn’t said a word since she’d started chopping vegetables. Hermione had been mixing something for dessert; the blonde wasn’t sure what, as she hadn’t been able to focus and had left the room moments ago. 

“Cissy?” Narcissa looked up to see her sister looking at her in concern. “What’s gotten you down like this?” The woman asked her as she approached and gently took the knife from her hands, setting it down to the side. 

Narcissa shrugged and shook her head, “Nothing,” She murmured, reaching for the knife once more. Her sister’s hand cut her off, and Narcissa looked up into amber eyes and sighed. “She hugged you when you got out of the floo.” 

Andromeda furrowed her eyebrows for a moment. “Hermione?” She asked. Narcissa nodded. “She always hugs me.” 

Narcissa groaned and brought a hand up, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Why won’t she hug me like that?” 

Andromeda stared at her sister for a long moment before she seemed to realize what was happening. “You like her,” She murmured softly, and Narcissa let out a sound of protest. “Don’t deny it, Cissy. I can see you, you know.” 

“It’s just that ‘like’ seems like such a childish word,” Narcissa muttered. “I’m in my forties for Merlin’s sake. She doesn’t want anything to do with me.” She huffed, “But I can’t stop thinking about her, Andi. She’s so pretty, and the way her eyes light up when she talks about things she enjoys. I just wish I could see that look on her face all of the time.” 

Andromeda softened as she looked at her younger sister. “Why don’t you… What is it the kids say now? Shoot your shot?” She asked, and Narcissa stared at her in horror. “What? Is that not right?” 

“I don’t know!” Narcissa whispered in alarm. “And I won’t be shooting any shot with her. She’s my son’s best friend. I’m simply his mother. She doesn’t see me like that, and I don’t want to lose her as a friend either. I can’t lose her.” 

“Cissy, I know you’ve been rather engaged with your vegetables here,” She said teasingly, and Narcissa rolled her eyes. “But that girl has been so distracted while she made that pie crust. She cut her finger for Merlin’s sake. Looking at you.” 

“She cut herself?” Narcissa asked in alarm, her eyes widening as she stood from her stool abruptly. “Where did she go?” Andromeda raised an eyebrow. “Where did she go, Andi?” The blonde asked, her gaze was pleading with her sister, and Andromeda swore her sister’s eyes shone with tears.  

The older sister waved her arm, “Bathroom,” She murmured and watched Narcissa nearly trip over herself as she all but ran from the room. 

Narcissa made her way down the hallway and found the door to the bathroom ajar. She knocked softly as she pushed the door open to find Hermione running her hand under the faucet. “Oh, dear. Whatever have you done?” She tisked, and Hermione breathed out a laugh. 

“I wasn’t focused,” The younger woman shrugged and turned the water off. She opened the medicine cabinet, looking for bandages, but Narcissa shook her head. 

“Let me,” She murmured as she entered the rather small bathroom, her front pressed against Hermione’s back as she reached up for the anti-biotic ointment and a plaster. “It appears you’re stuck with dinosaurs or monster trucks. Pick your poison,” Narcissa told her. She swore she felt Hermione shiver and made a mental note to mention the thermostat to her sister when they were finished.  

“Dinosaurs are clearly superior,” Hermione told her, and Narcissa laughed softly, grabbing that box and setting it on the bathroom counter. She stepped back and waited for Hermione to spin to face her. She grabbed the younger woman’s wrist and examined the cut.  

“This doesn’t look too bad, darling,” She murmured as she gently spread the ointment over the small wound. After she’d applied the plaster, she met Hermione’s eyes. “You want me to kiss it better like Andi does for Teddy?” She joked and then felt her blood chill as Hermione nodded, biting her bottom lip. I want to bite that lip of hers. 

She looked into brown eyes for a moment too long and saw the witch start to panic. The blonde suddenly realized she was staring and dropped her gaze to Hermione’s hand. She brought the woman’s hand up and pressed her lips just beside the plaster, being sure her lips touched the younger witch’s skin.  

“Do you think you can manage to focus on your pie crust now, darling?” 

“Probably not,” Hermione whispered absently, and Narcissa cocked her head to the side. “Yeah,” Hermione said and cleared her throat. “Thank you, Narcissa,” She said sincerely as she left the bathroom.  

Narcissa just stared after her. That was the first time Hermione had used her name. And now she wanted to hear her say it over and over again for the rest of her life. 

0~0~0 

“Hey, Mum,” Draco said as Hermione all but fell into his lap. She slapped him on his upper arm, glancing around to make sure no one else but Ginny had heard him, and shot him a glare. 

“Draco Malfoy, I will hex you into oblivion,” She threatened him, and he held his hands up in surrender. 

“What’s this?” He asked as he caught her hand and indicated the plaster. 

“I cut my finger because I was distracted by your mother’s gorgeous face,” She deadpanned. Draco scowled up at her. “She put that on me,” She shrugged. 

“Wait,” He paused and met her eyes. “She put this on for you?” He asked. Hermione scrunched her nose up at him and nodded. “She bandaged a dumb little cut for you, and you think that there’s some chance she’s not interested?” 

“She’s not,” Hermione argued. 

“Mi, she’s squeamish,” He told her. “She freaks out at the sight of blood. While she was the most loving mother when I was a child, any scraped knee or nosebleed nearly sent her into a panic.” 

Hermione blinked, “What?” She asked, her voice barely a whisper as her mind reeled. She thought back to Narcissa insisting on bandaging the cut for her. Remembered the woman ‘kissing it better’ for her. “But,” She shook her head as if to clear it. 

“See it, Mi. Stop denying it. For Merlin’s sake.” 

Hermione was silent then as she settled into him, lost in thought. He sighed, holding his best friend as he turned when Ginny took a seat next to him. 

She was still lost in thought 10 minutes later when his mother walked through the room. Draco was talking with Ginny, laughing at some joke she’d made. He looked up when he saw his mother pause and saw her looking at Hermione. 

She slid her gaze to him after a beat and furrowed her eyebrows. “Is she okay?”  

Draco turned his attention to the woman still in his lap and sighed. He jostled her gently. “Mi,” He murmured. Hermione blinked and looked at him in question. “You’ve been zoned out for a while there, babe,” He gestured over her shoulder with his chin, and Hermione turned and met bright blue eyes. He watched her blush lightly. “You okay?” 

“Fine,” She nodded quickly and dropped her gaze to her lap. “Sorry,” She added on. 

He watched his mother hesitate before she nodded and left the room again. His eyes followed as she exited the room, and he looked at Hermione again. 

“Mi?” He asked softly. Brown eyes met his, “Tell me what’s wrong,” He requested gently. 

She swallowed hard and leaned into his chest, laying her head on his shoulder. Ginny was watching on and shifted closer to them, reaching a hand out and threading her fingers through Hermione’s. 

“I’m so scared, D,” She whispered. “I can’t lose her. And I’m terrified that I will if this is all some misunderstanding.” She sniffled slightly and turned her face into his shoulder. “I want her, I do,” She told him. “But I’m terrified that she won’t want me back, and I can’t face that.” 

Draco looked to Ginny for help, but the redhead shrugged that she didn’t know what to say either. He ran a hand over her mass of hair and let out a sigh. “I don’t know what to tell you,” He admitted. “While I’m nearly 100% positive that she’s completely enamored with you, I’d hate to see you heartbroken,” He told her softly. 

She nodded against his shoulder and snuggled into him. “I just can’t, Draco,” She murmured. 

Chapter Text

Hermione found herself on another blind date. She swore Luna must hate her. This woman, while beautiful, sure, had to be the dumbest person she’d ever met. 

The witch was trying so hard to find some common ground. She was trying so hard to hold a conversation with the woman. But her head wasn’t in it. Especially after the woman had admitted that she hadn’t read a book since she was in school, and even then, she’d cheated and read the summary versions of everything. 

When she stood up and yelled that she was going to the restroom, Hermione nodded and propped her chin in her hand as she tried to come up with a way out of this. A drink was slid in front of her, and she looked up and made eye contact with the waiter. “I didn’t order this,” She said in confusion. 

“Someone sent it,” He told her and laid down a folded scrap of paper. “This, too,” He added before he walked away. 

Hermione furrowed her eyebrow and picked up the paper, unfolding it as she did so. 

Darling girl,  

You look stunning tonight. 

Unfortunately, you also look like you’re planning an escape. 

Another blind date gone south? 

You know how much I’d love to help. 

Slip this note into your back pocket if you’d like me to. 

-N 

Hermione dropped her head as she fought a smirk. She folded the paper up once again before shoving it into her back pocket. She lifted the drink and took a sip, finding it was the same fruity cocktail that Narcissa had been drinking the last time Hermione had run into her here. 

When her date reappeared, Hermione shot her a polite smile and nodded along as the woman started speaking. 

“Amanda, right?” She heard and suppressed a shiver at the voice that was featured in her dreams so often. Her date looked up in surprise, her eyes wide as she nodded. “There was a call for you behind the bar. Something about a guy looking for you?” 

“Oh, shit,” Amanda murmured and shot Hermione an apologetic look. “That’d be my husband. Gotta go,” She said and left without preamble. 

Hermione stared at where the woman had disappeared from in shock for several moments.  

“Well, I definitely didn’t expect that,” Narcissa finally spoke after several moments of silence between them. “One of the regulars said she comes in with a guy sometimes. I took a shot.” 

Hermione finally looked at her and met her eyes before bursting into laughter. She watched a smile spread over Narcissa’s lips as well before the woman’s laughter joined her own. Hermione took a moment to take in the woman’s outfit. She wore a pair of tight white pants. A tight black tank top was tucked into them, and a pair of black heels completed the look. Her hair was down in loose curls around her face and shoulders, and Hermione wanted to bury her fingers into them. 

She was grateful she’d put some thought into her own clothing choices this time. She’d put on a black skirt that hit just barely at mid-thigh. She’d paired it with a cropped dark green top. And she’d stuck to white sneakers rather than going for heels. 

“Thank you,” Hermione said as she leaned close so the woman could hear her over the music. Narcissa nodded, and her hand landed on Hermione’s hip to pull her closer still. “Are you here with someone?” She asked curiously. 

Narcissa nodded and gestured vaguely over her shoulder. “Andi has her eye on some man. They were grinding the last time I saw them.”  

Hermione stared at her in shock. “Grinding?” She asked after a moment, and Narcissa smirked and shrugged. “You know what grinding is?” She asked bluntly. 

The blonde laughed and nodded. “I’m old, I’m not dead, dear,” She said playfully. 

“You’re not old,” Hermione replied almost immediately, and Narcissa smiled in response. The younger woman then scrunched her face up in distaste. “Ew, I only just now realized you said Andi was grinding on some man,” She made a fake gagging sound, and Narcissa threw her head back as she laughed at her. “Not getting rid of that without bleaching my brain,” She muttered and picked her drink up. 

“Since my sister is otherwise engaged,” Narcissa started, and Hermione looked up at her, nodding. “Would you come dance with me, darling?” She asked, and Hermione’s eyes widened as the woman pouted at her. She found herself nodding before she even realized she’d done so, and her hand was twined with Narcissa’s a moment later as she led her to the dancefloor. 

The blonde pulled her close, her hand at her lower back, holding her against her, and Hermione looked up at her. It would take nothing to claim her lips. But she wouldn’t. She downed her drink then, placing it on an empty table near them, before looping her arms up around the woman’s neck. Narcissa smiled widely at her, setting her own drink to the side, as she wound her other arm around Hermione’s back as well. 

She lost herself in the woman, allowing her to lead as they moved to the music. Narcissa leaned down at one point, bringing her mouth to Hermione’s ear, “You trust me, darling?” She asked, and Hermione nodded. She let Narcissa spin her so her back was to the woman’s front. The bass in this song was particularly loud, and Hermione swore she could feel it pumping through her veins. She leaned back against the blonde as Narcissa’s hands landed on her hips. Hermione’s came up, landing over hers. She felt the woman’s thumbs slip into her waistband, but realized it was merely for grip and didn’t think anything of it. 

Until Narcissa’s hips ground into her. Hermione gasped, laying her head back on the woman’s shoulder as she looked up at her. The blonde smirked at her, and Hermione returned the grin, swiveling her hips back against the woman. She saw Narcissa’s lips part just a bit in shock and giggled in response. The woman laughed as well, bending to kiss her cheek as she tugged her hips back once again with the hands still on her hips. 

By the end of the song, Hermione knew her underwear was ruined. Fuck, grinding against Narcissa Black should not be as erotic as it was. And yet, Hermione could barely manage a coherent thought. 

She spun in the woman’s arms, looking up into blue eyes again, and looping her arms back around her shoulders. “So this knowledge of grinding. Not just nominal, huh?” Hermione teased, and Narcissa laughed as she shrugged coyly. 

“Do you want to get out of here? Go talk somewhere, maybe? These heels, while gorgeous, are not doing my feet any favors,” The woman explained. 

“Andi won’t mind?” She asked. 

“Pretty sure Andi left with that guy,” Narcissa rolled her eyes, and Hermione scrunched her face up in disgust again. “Exactly,” She laughed out. 

“I have a new brew of coffee back at mine I’ve been meaning to try,” Hermione suggeste,d and Narcissa nodded, her eyes lighting up as she trailed behind Hermione to the exit. 

Chapter Text

The younger witch had just put the coffee on when she heard her floo. She furrowed her eyebrows. The woman who’d taken a seat at her kitchen bar raised her eyebrows in question. 

“Mum?” They both heard, and Hermione felt her heart fall into her stomach. 

“Does he know I’m here?” Narcissa asked in confusion, clearly recognizing her son’s voice. 

Hermione opened her mouth, but no sound came out. Draco found her, just like that, as he entered her kitchen. “Stop looking at me like that, you act like I’ve never shown up unannounced before,” He said before glancing over her shoulder. He froze. “Shit.” 

“Hi, Dragon,” Narcissa was the one to break the silence, standing and making her way to her son’s side, kissing him on the cheek. He greeted her as well, shooting Hermione his best apologetic face. 

Hermione was panicking. There was no chance the woman wasn’t going to ask. Not a chance in hell. 

“Hi, Mother,” Draco replied, “I just came to see how Mi’s date went,” He explained. 

“Not well,” Hermione supplied quietly. “She was married, actually,” She added on as an afterthought, a smirk pulling her lips up. Draco blinked. 

“Married? Lovegood is certainly losing her touch.” 

“She never had a touch,” Hermione grumbled, moving to the coffee pot and grabbing the two mugs she’d set out. “Coffee, D?” She asked, and he shook his head. She shrugged and poured the two cups. 

“How’d you know I was here?” Narcissa finally asked, pushing her fingers through Draco’s hair to get it out of his face. 

Hermione watched Draco work his throat around a swallow as his eyes focused on her. She hoped her pleading look was convincing enough. 

“I actually call Mi that,” He answered after a moment, and Narcissa paused.  

“Why?” She asked, glancing between them. 

“That,” He said, “You’ll have to ask Hermione,” He finished. 

Hermione shot him a glare as he met her eyes. “I’m going to head out. I expect a text tomorrow, Mi.” 

“You’ll get a fucking earful tomorrow, Draco,” Hermione muttered, and the blond had the sense to leave quickly. 

She refused to meet Narcissa’s eyes as she blindly pushed a mug of coffee across the bar toward her. The blonde rounded the bar and stood beside her, reaching out and laying a hand on her hip. 

Hermione sighed and turned to face her. She found that she didn’t have to look up as far. The moment the woman had entered her home, she’d removed her heels. Hermione had felt a thrill run through her at the sight of Narcissa Black barefoot in her home. 

“Draco calls you Mum?” She asked in confusion. Hermione only nodded after failing to come up with a better reply. “Why?” 

“Uh, it’s a joke,” Hermione told her after a moment. 

“I’m afraid you’ll have to explain that one to me, darling,” Narcissa told her, her thumb smoothing subconscious circles over Hermione’s hip. 

Hermione nodded and turned her head to the side, staring at their mugs of coffee. “Um,” She swallowed hard. “He calls me Mum because,” She trailed off again and sighed. “Because he knows I have feelings for you.” 

She turned her back to the woman, putting some space between them so the blonde wouldn’t see her cry. Tears streamed down her cheeks, and she tried valiantly to keep from sobbing. She just knew she’d ruined whatever friendship they’d had. 

“You have… feelings for me?” Narcissa asked softly, and Hermione only nodded, refusing to turn and look at her still. Moments later, the woman was moving to stand in front of her, and Hermione cringed that she was seeing her cry like this. “Oh, baby,” Narcissa cooed as she wound an arm around Hermione’s waist while the other came up to cup her cheek. “Please don’t cry,” She begged, her voice edging on panic at the sight of tears falling down her cheeks. “I can’t stand the sight of these tears. They’re killing me, darling.” 

“I’m sorry,” Hermione whimpered and wiped harshly at her face as she tried to pull away from her. But the woman held her in place, and Hermione was mortified. “Please just let me down gently and let me go cry myself to sleep. I’ll be fine,” She insisted as she kept her gaze down. 

Narcissa tucked a finger under her chin and gently guided her face up. Hermione did her best to avoid eye contact, but the blonde waited her out, and she eventually gave in, meeting blue eyes. “I couldn’t possibly let you cry yourself to sleep,” Narcissa murmured. “Not when the sight of your tears makes my heart break and the thought of you being upset makes me irrationally angry,” She told her. 

Hermione stared at her in confusion. Her blood was roaring in her ears, and she wanted out of this situation as soon as possible. 

“Darling, I very much want to kiss you right now,” Narcissa said, and Hermione’s jaw fell open. The woman smirked and nudged it closed for her.  

“You… want to kiss me?” Hermione asked after a moment. Her voice was thick with the effort of trying not to cry, and Narcissa’s grip tightened on her. She nodded. “Why?” 

“Because I have feelings for you too,” She told her simply. 

Hermione stared up into blue eyes, not moving. Narcissa waited patiently, her fingers weaving gently into her curls as she did so. 

“I think I’m hallucinating,” Hermione finally whispered. 

“You’re not, darling. I assure you,” Came her whispered reply. “Can I kiss you?” Hermione nodded dumbly, and then the woman’s lips were on hers. 

Hermione swore her heart kicked into overdrive as Narcissa Black’s lips met her own. She surged into action. If this was the only time she was going to get to kiss her, then she was going to make it count. 

Narcissa gasped as Hermione’s tongue teased over her lips, and the younger woman took advantage, slipping into her mouth. She found Narcissa’s tongue with her own, boldly rubbing against it before sucking it into her mouth. The woman let out a low sound, and Hermione brought a hand up, tangling her fingers into the perfect curls she’d wanted to touch so badly earlier in the evening. 

As they kissed, Hermione felt Narcissa’s hand at her waist slip around to her lower back, pulling her closer until they were flush against one another. The hand that had been on her cheek had slipped to her neck, holding her close as she kissed her. 

Hermione nipped at the woman’s lip as she pulled back and opened her eyes, looking up into the nearly black ones in front of her. 

The two stared at one another for several moments of intense silence. Hermione bit her lip against a grin, and Narcissa groaned, leaning back in quickly and kissing that lip from between her teeth. “Every single time you bite your lip like that, it drives me absolutely mad,” She murmured against Hermione’s mouth. 

“Really?” Hermione asked her quietly, and Narcissa nodded, sliding her hand up and cupping her jaw, thumbing over the younger woman’s kiss-swollen lips. “I expected you to run for the hills if you ever found out.” 

Narcissa’s face fell. “Darling, I would never run from you,” She assured her. “I couldn’t possibly. I can barely stand to be away from you anymore as it is. It’s becoming a real problem,” She admitted. 

Hermione’s eyes widened in surprise. “Really?” She asked, fighting a grin. Narcissa smiled in response and nodded. She was rewarded with a full smile then and nearly swayed on her feet. Hermione leaned up on her toes and kissed her again then. It was gentler this time, her lips against the ones in front of her, and Narcissa sighed against them. 

As Hermione pulled back and sank to her heels once more, she smiled brightly up at Narcissa, and the woman leaned her forehead against Hermione’s. 

“Merlin, baby, you are so beautiful when you smile at me like that,” She told her softly. Hermione felt her heart skip at both the pet name and the compliment. Narcissa watched her cheeks darken in a blush all the way to the tips of her ears. It was endearing. “Do it again? I’ve been doing everything I can for the last few months to earn that smile from you.” 

Hermione laughed, beaming up at her, and Narcissa kissed her again for it, tugging her against her, impossibly closer. The brunette smiled against her lips, effectively breaking the kiss, and Narcissa pulled back, smiling down at her. Hermione’s own hand lifted then, and her fingertips danced lightly over her lips.  

“You have been every waking thought of mine and every dream I’ve had for months, beautiful,” Hermione whispered, and Narcissa caught the hand on her face. She brought it back to her lips, kissing the younger woman’s palm before twining their fingers together. “Draco has been telling me I was a useless lesbian nearly this entire time because I wouldn’t just go for it,” She rolled her eyes. 

“Useless lesbian,” Narcissa echoed and then let out a startled laugh as she thought about the phrase. “That’s certainly colorful,” She admitted. “How exactly did my son come to know of this… crush?” She asked. Hermione blushed again, and Narcissa raised her eyebrows. 

“He, uh, caught me staring at you one too many times,” She admitted, and the woman sent her the sweetest of smiles. 

“Is that so?” She asked, and Hermione nodded. She leaned forward and kissed her once more. Hermione opened her mouth when Narcissa’s tongue requested entrance and let her kiss her lazily, clinging to her as she was finally allowed to touch her like she wanted. 

Hermione yawned suddenly, and Narcissa laughed as she pulled back from the effectively broken kiss. The younger witch looked mortified. “Oh, Merlin. I’m so sorry,” She apologized quickly, and the blonde merely shook her head, leaning forward and pecking her lips to cut her off. 

“Don’t be,” She told her. “It’s going on 2:00 am,” She added on. “I should probably tell you goodnight and let you get some sleep as it is.” 

Hermione hesitated. “Can I owl you tomorrow?” She asked and earned an immediate nod. She leaned up on her toes and kissed her softly once again. “Then good night, beautiful.” 

Narcissa smiled softly against her lips and pulled the woman closer, hugging her tightly as she buried her face against Hermione’s neck. “Good night, baby.”