Ultimatums

Chapter 48

Hermione awoke in a tangle of bedsheets as she heard Walburga banging on her bedroom door downstairs.

In a hurry she apparated there and threw on pajamas, opening the door with a faux yawn.

"Hermione, the party is at seven tonight. Everyone appropriate has been invited. Narcissa insisted she come and help you today, so she'll be here soon"

Walburga said the final sentence with a hint of contempt before walking up the stairs to wake her son. Hermione assumed it was because Narcissa was breaking pureblood tradition. Traditionally she should spend the day with Walburga, getting ready, having tea, gossiping etc.

Hermione sighed as she sat on her bed. The party would be at Regulus's grandfather's house. Arcturus was rather formidable and infamously someone who wasn't impressed often. Making a bad impression would have cataclysmic repercussions.

She went into her en suite, turning on the shower and stepping in. The scalding water poured over her head, an instant relief. The night ahead would be difficult to say the least. While Hermione was talented in social situations, they drained her energy. Especially when most people she was going to converse with were blood purists and Death Eaters.

A small rap came at the door, before the person let themselves in.

"Salazar there's a lot of steam in here. How hot is this water?"

Hermione could hear the disgusted nose scrunch in Narcissa's voice. She laughed and told her she'd be out in a second, though internally she sighed at the fact she had to leave the calming water.

The initialled towel and dressing gown she threw on had been a gift from her mother. When Hermione stepped into her bedroom, the first thing she noticed was the gown Narcissa had laid out for her.

It was the colour of pearl dust, designed to hug her figure while still retaining some elegance. Hermione fingered the cowl neck and felt the soft fabric ripple underneath her touch.

"Believe it or not, Wally wore that when she was engaged to Uncle Orion." Narcissa scoffed. "She looked amazing in the photo, but it's made for you. Reg won't be able to breathe"

Hermione picked the dress up and took it to her screen to dress. From behind it, her silhouette said with a chuckle "I'd rather he not be able to breathe after the wedding"

"Fair enough"

☏

Regulus walked into the Three Broomsticks with his cloak hood up. He looked around for any Death Eaters or people he knew before dropping it and approaching the bar.

He took a seat on the barstool and said slowly "Black coffee please Rosie. As black as you can make it"

The mop of bottle blonde curls whipped around at the sound of his voice. She took in his features and sighed with a smile "oh Reggie you look so grown up. How are you sweetheart?"

Rosmerta busied herself making his drink as he told her all about his cousins and his brothers friends. It was a relief to see a familiar face that wasn't expecting him to kill someone or commit a crime. Someone who just remembered him as he used to be.

"And how's our Hermione? You two are still friends aren't you?" Rosmerta frowned as she passed over the cup and a muffin on the house.

Regulus smirked slightly, his grey eyes twinkling. "No we aren't friends. We haven't been for about year and a half"

Rosmerta reached over the bar and smacked his ear.