What Do A Lion And A Wolf Share?

New Things With The Malfoys

Though she'd nearly translated the letter, Hermione found several inconsistent runes in addition to the first one she'd identified. Given that runes change their meaning depending on what they are surrounded by, these missing puzzle pieces frustrated Hermione. It was clearly a letter, one hiding something in runes and possibly an encrypted code. Whatever that something was had to be important. She scoured the library, finding the original rune she picked out as being off after a harrowing day of pulling nearly all the books in the library from their shelves. It marked a page for a dark curse, one that would have to end in a painfully slow death. Hermione was especially perplexed when she revisited the letter and realized this mystery rune was next to the rune for prophecy.

After analyzing the letter for a week, Hermione's hope dwindled, concerned that this was a red herring she'd devoted too much time to when she could've been focused elsewhere. Perhaps this dark curse was one her biological father had identified for his unsavoury purposes, and this really had nothing to do with her. She considered moving back to her original research until one day she stared at the letter so long, her vision blurred and one of the unidentifiable runes looked a bit like someone added two dashes to the rune for child.

Since that day a few weeks ago, Hermione spent most of her free time trying to find any clues she could to break the code. She'd been doing it nearly alone now too, with Theo's time being consumed by a certain blonde witch. Hermione couldn't complain though, she loved seeing her friends happy and she enjoyed the research. She just needed to catch Theo to actually update him on her potential progress. But today's activities would cut into that progress. She sighed, tucking the letter back into her as she approached the shop. Madam Dupont's was just off Diagon Alley, with no sign out front nor a door. As she stepped closer to figure out how to get in, a pleasant melody chimed and the door opened for her. Looking around curiously to figure out how the magic worked, a familiar delicate laugh caught her ear.

"Good morning, Hermione," Narcissa, impeccably dressed in glamorous emerald robes, greeted as Hermione walked through the door. The older witch was already seated on the purple loveseat in the middle of the small shop, holding a teacup and saucer. As someone who was perpetually early, Hermione found herself frustrated that she could never seem to beat Narcissa to their meetups. The blonde patted the spot next to her, with a graceful smile playing at her lips. "I'm so excited for today. The ladies here will take fine care of you. Madam Dupont, we are ready," Narcissa beckoned an older witch, petite and stern under a mess of brown hair piled on her head.

"Oui, Madam," the woman nodded, jumping to action. She snapped twice and two younger women came out of the back, levitating several gowns behind them. "Tea?" The seamstress asked Hermione in her heavy French accent. When Hermione declined with the delicate head shake she'd learned in her etiquette lessons, the woman gestured to the gowns. "Do any of these suit your fancy?" While Madam Dupont was clearly asking Hermione, she looked at Narcissa, who stood to examine them. The elegant witch took her time looking between the floating gowns, before motioning to the emerald gown, silky and slinky. Narcissa looked to Hermione for her input.

"Oh, erm," Hermione looked it over for a moment, although she knew immediately she'd never wear it. "No, no green for me. Thank you."

"No, I imagine not," Narcissa said, looking amused. "Why not this?" The witch asked, gesturing to a lavender number with a deep plunging neckline. Hermione wrinkled her nose before she could stifle the reaction, causing Narcissa to laugh quietly. "Very well, I suppose I agree. Why don't you tell me which you like best instead?"

Hermione nodded, standing to look over each dress. After passing over four very revealing gowns, she stopped at a modest black ball gown with long sleeves and a full skirt. "What about this one?" Hermione asked. Narcissa frowned over Hermione's shoulder without creating any wrinkles on her face, prompting Hermione to wonder if she spelled herself to do that.