Just Friends

letter from hermione

"You two are going to go back to school come September," Narcissa said to us as we sat in the kitchen. I had been living at the manor with the Malfoy family for about three weeks now. School had been let out for summer, but none of it mattered to Draco or me because we hadn't gone back.

"You can't be serious," Draco countered, putting his mug down on the table.

"It'll be alright, dear, just like every other year. You'll go to school and everything will be alright." Narcissa turned to the stove and put a kettle on top of a flame.

"You're joking, right? We're at the brink of war, nothing is alright. We can't go back." When Narcissa didn't respond or acknowledge what Draco said, he got up from his seat and walked over to her. "Mum," he called, trying to get her attention. She turned slightly, looking into his grey eyes, and sighed.

"Don't you value your education? I'm sure Y/n does. Isn't that right dear?" Narcissa turned to me and I stood frozen for a few seconds, my mug at my lips. Narcissa wanted me to agree with her, and Draco wanted me to agree with him. There was no true winner in this.

"Yes, of course," I agreed, putting my mug down. Narcissa smiled and Draco scoffed, storming out of the kitchen.

"My goodness," Narcissa complained, "that boy is so stubborn. Very short temper as well, but I love him just the same." She turned to me, a steaming mug of tea in her hands as she walked over and sat down beside me. "Don't you?"

"I do, yes. I love him very much." I smiled at her and she returned a smile just as warm as comforting.

"Good, because just between you and me," she leaned in closer to me and whispered, "he's been asking me about wedding plans. Nothing too serious yet, you two are still young and there's time, but he loves you. I've never seen him feel this way about anyone," she giggled.

"See who feel what way about anyone?" A deep voice interrupted. Narcissa sat straight up and her smile was wiped off her face in an instant.

"No one, dear," she responded, ducking her head down and walked over to the stove. "W-would you like some tea?" she asked, taking a mug out of the cupboard.

"I told you how much I hate when you stutter. Quit it."

"Yes, dear." Narcissa took the kettle off the stove and filled it with water.

"Y/n," his voice boomed.

"Mister Malfoy," I responded politely. His attention had been completely turned to me and I felt antsy under his watchful eye. His head was tilted back and he peered down at me.

"Where is my son? Did he run off like the scared child he is? I mean, I doubt he's changed," Lucius laughed to himself, looking around the room for either of us to laugh along, but neither of us did. I stood up abruptly and my chair was thrown back as I did.

"He's not a scared child, Mister Malfoy, you apologize right now." I had no idea what had gotten into me, but I sure as hell regretted it, and Lucius was going to make sure of it. He pulled his wand out from his cane and pointed it right at my head. I gasped and felt frozen in place, unable to defend myself or think of something to say.

"Hey!" a voice yelled out from the entrance to the kitchen. Lucius turned around and dropped his wand.

"Draco," he spoke slowly, walking closer to him.

"What were you going to do to her?" he asked, trying to keep his composure but I could tell his blood was boiling.

"Something that would teach you a lesson about letting Mudbloods into my house," he seethed. Draco started to lunge for Lucius but Narcissa got in the way, holding him back. Lucius slipped out of the kitchen while he still could, leaving the three of us alone again. Draco rushed over to me and held onto my shoulders.