Secret Arrangement

The arrangement

Hermione was in a sitting room at Malfoy Manor with Narcissa and Lucius having tea when a house elf, Mippy appeared. 

"Hello Mippy." Narcissa greeted warmly. Mippy beamed at her before turning towards Hermione. 

"Mistress Hermione, Ms. Daphne is here to see you." 

"Daphne is here? Go ahead and bring her through." Hermione said, sending a questioning look towards her In-laws. Mippy nodded before quickly apparating away. Mippy walked back in a few minutes later followed by a nervous looking Daphne. Hermione thanked Mippy quickly before turning her attention towards her friend. 

"Daph? Is everything okay?" She asked, standing to give her a hug before gesturing towards the empty chair at the table. 

"Yes. Im sorry to interrupt Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy." She said politely. 

"It's no problem at all Daphne. You know you're always welcome at the Manor." Narcissa responded kindly, Lucius just nodding his agreement. Daphne gave them a relieved smile before turning her attention back towards Hermione. 

"I went to the Penthouse but nobody was home so I figured you and Draco might be over here." 

"What do you mean nobody was home? Draco and Blaise are supposed to be packing up and moving things over to the new house today." 

Lucius snorted. "I'd be surprised if you two ever move with those idiots in charge." 

Hermione rolled her eyes. "That's what i've been saying but Draco insists that I can't help. We could have already been moved in if he wasn't such an overprotective git." 

"Moving does take time darling." Narcissa added, trying to play devil's advocate. 

"Don't you stick up for him Cissa! Those two manage to buy, build, and open a hotel in 5 months and yet they have been moving us for 3 months and barely anything is done. I swear on Merlin's beard, if I have this baby and we aren't completely moved into the new house, I'm going to kill them." Hermione finished her rant with a huff, leaning back in her chair. 

Lucius gave her a warm smirk, loving what the pregnancy hormones are doing to his normally feisty daughter-in-law. Daphne chuckled from her seat. 

"Im sorry Daph, was there something you needed to tell me or are you just here for a social visit?" Hermione asked, bringing her attention back to her friend. 

Daphne gave her a nervous look. "There is something I have to tell you actually." 

"Would you like some privacy?" Narcissa asked, indicating that her and Lucius could leave them to talk. 

"No, you two can stay, it isn't anything private." Daphne said to them before taking a deep breath. Hermione exchanged a worried look with Narcissa. "See, well.  Astoria showed up today at my flat." 

Hermione raised a questioning brow. "Your little sister Astoria?" Daphne just nodded at the question. "I thought she moved out of country with your parents after the war?" 

"Yes, she did. They moved to France to get away from all the bad publicity. Astoria was in 5th year at the time and once they moved she had to retake the year, so she just finished with school." 

"Okay.." Hermione said, unsure of why her friend was telling her this. 

"Well, she turned up at my flat this morning and me and Pansy were talking about the Garden Party for Lucius' birthday tomorrow and Astoria kind of invited herself to come." Daphne rushed out with a small grimace.