Dramione- Back at Hogwarts (Hermione's 7th Year)

Chapter 24- At Malfoy Manor

After Ron, Ginny, and Harry disapparated, Hermione was left with Draco and Narcissa at the café. Hermione was still quietly sobbing, she was really hurt by Ron's outburst.

Narcissa went to hug Hermione while Draco was still fuming. He really wanted to hurt Ron for disrespecting his mother, that foul git!

After a few minutes, Hermione stopped crying. Narcissa was still rubbing her back to calm her.

"Draco," Narcissa called to her son. "Kindly call the waiter so we can pay and leave," she requested.

Draco called the waiter to pay for their food.

The waiter was quite confused because he did not see the other customers leaving the café. They could only go out by the front door. He took the payment and just scratched his head in confusion. "Thank you for coming, see you again soon," he told them.

Narcissa stood up, still holding Hermione and beckoned to Draco to get their things and Hermione's. They went out of the café and to the alley to disapparate.

They apparated to the Malfoy Manor's gardens. Narcissa didn't want to upset Hermione more so she did not apparate them inside the manor. She seated her on one of the garden benches and sat beside her.

Draco sat himself on another bench across from them, watching and feeling uncertain about the whole situation. Why did mother brought her here?, he thought.

After a while, Hermione noticed that they were in a garden. She was so upset that she did not want to go back to the Burrow to face Ron, so did not really care wherever she is right now. She was still being held by Narcissa, who was now singing a sweet song to soothe her.

Draco was still on the other bench, just watching them. It was really weird for Hermione to be here and find comfort with his mother. He was quite jealous that his mother have held Hermione for so long and was singing to her, like they were a mother and daughter.

"Thank you so much, Narcissa," Hermione said when Narcissa finished her song.

Narcissa smiled at her, then said, "You are very welcome, darling."

A house-elf appeared then bowed to them, "Mistress, Miss, and Master, it's almost dinner time now, we should go inside if that's fine with you," she requested to them. "Dinner is ready," she added.

"Alright, Dolly, we'll be right there in a few," Narcissa replied.

Finally, Draco thought. He began walking inside and leaving the two women. He was already cold and hungry from waiting for the mudblood to come to her senses.

"Come now, dear. Let's have dinner then we can escort you home," Narcissa told Hermione.

"I don't really have a home now, Narcissa," Hermione replied sadly. "I was staying at Harry's house but we have been at the Weasley's for the past weeks. We have planned to stay there for the remaining days before school starts," she explained.

"But what about your parents? Where are they staying?" the older woman asked.

"I have not yet found them," the brown haired girl replied. "I have Obliviated them before the war to keep them safe," she added, seeing the confused look of Narcissa.

"I'm so sorry, Hermione. I really am," Narcissa said, hugging her again and feeling sympathy for Hermione.

"I will find them soon, after I have finished with my studies," she replied firmly. "Don't worry about it, Narcissa. It's not your fault," she added.

"Come, let's go inside now. I'm sure Draco is really starving," Narcissa said, changing the subject to a lighter one. She still held Hermione's hand when they arrived at the dining hall.

Narcissa sat Hermione across from Draco and at her left side. She had sat at the head of the table ever-since Lucius was executed.

Draco was waiting for them impatiently, fiddling with his fork. "Finally," he murmured.

They started eating, Narcissa offering and serving Hermione with food and making small talk with her. She really like Hermione, how she longs for a daughter like her.

After finishing their dinner, Draco who was quiet the whole time, tried to excuse himself.

"Mother, may I please retire now to my room?" He asked.

"We will still have tea with Hermione, Draco," she replied. "Come now, dears. Let's go to the patio for our tea," she invited, knowing that going to the sitting room will make Hermione uncomfortable.

Draco was really in a bad mood now. The mudblood is taking so much of their time. He followed the two women who were holding hands like a mother and daughter would, and felt jealous again.

They sat around the circular patio table, Narcissa between the teens. Dolly the house-elf appeared again, serving them with tea and biscuits.

Draco sipped his tea quietly, watching the two women talk. He gazed at Hermione and saw her still tear-stained cheeks and her bright brown eyes. She wore no makeup, unlike Pansy Parkinson and the Greengrass sisters who he always hang-out (and make out) with at the Slytherin common room. The mudblood has grown quite well, he noticed while stealing glances at her. She has all the bumps on the right places, and her face had matured beautifully (but he won't admit that to anyone).

"You may stay here for the night, Hermione," Narcissa told the younger woman. "You can't go to Harry's alone," she added.

"Thank you, but I'm intruding too much," Hermione replied. "I-," she started again but was interrupted by the arrival of Harry's stag patronus.

The three of them looked at the stag and heard it say in Harry's voice, "Hermione, I'm sorry for leaving you at the café hours ago. I hope your well, and you may stay at Grimmauld Place if you like. Just owl me or Ginny and we'll go there tomorrow. By the way, Ron was grounded by Molly when she heard what he did at the café. Please owl us soon or just use your patronus."

The patronus disappeared after saying its last word.

"I don't want you staying there alone, Hermione. I insist you stay the night here, we have plenty of guest rooms. You may ask Harry to fetch you here tomorrow, or you may also invite him for lunch," Narcissa told Hermione.

Hermione didn't want to stay alone at Harry's house too. She still have nightmares haunting her most nights. But staying here also makes her uncomfortable, reminding her of Bellatrix. She looks at Narcissa, trying to say the right words to refuse politely.

"Please, dear. I really want you to stay, this house is too big for Draco and I," Narcissa pleaded. She wanted Hermione's company, the girl is likable unlike Draco's girl friends.

Hermione looks at her then smiled, she could not say no to Narcissa now. "Alright, Narcissa. Thank you so much for letting me stay the night," she replied.

Draco just rolled his eyes. Granger should have just said yes minutes ago, his mother won't take no for an answer.