Like Moths To A Flame

Eleven: Making The Offer

Malfoy Manor held a lot of bad memories for me, due to the war. It was true that the Manor no longer had the dark shadow of evil spread over it, but that didn't mean that I felt any less comfortable about being in this house. I decided to wear a simple black shift dress, and heels, and Severus simply wore a less formal version of his usual black robes.

We apparated to the driveway, and Severus flicked his wand to open the protective wards surrounding the property. The ornate black rod iron gates swung open, and shut behind us. Severus put them back in place, and the outside muggle world disappeared beyond Malfoy's borders. My heels clicked on the smooth gray cobblestone pathway that led to a circular driveway.

Severus used the huge gargoyle door knocker to knock on the front door. A house elf butler answered the door, and he was dressed in a crisp, black suit.

"Ah, Master Severus," The elf greeted him. "And you are Miss Hermione, yes? Hopkin likes to keep well informed, yes, he does."

"Yes, I am she, Hopkin."

The house elf nodded to me, curtly. "Yes, yes. Master Lucius is in his study burying himself in his work. Things have been quite unsettled with Mistress Narcissa not well at all."

Severus cleared his throat. "Yes, well, will your Master be opposed to guests, Hopkin?"

"I will check," Hopkin said with more politeness towards Severus, I noticed. "But you must rest, of course, Mistress would hate it if our guest's needs were not taken care of above all else."

I couldn't argue with the house elf's logic, so I had high tea with Severus. Within minutes, we were summoned to Lucius Malfoy's study.

When we were inside the study, Severus made his offer, and after explaining everything to him, Lucius smiled warmly, "Of course, I will stand in as your Best Man, Severus. I would be honored. You stood beside me as mine when I married Narcissa, after all."

"Thank you, Lucius. How is 'Cissa?" Severus asked.

Lucius's smile faded away, and he looked suddenly sad. "She has Dragon Pox, Severus. I...The healers have given her only two months to live. Draco has to wear a respirator on his face to see her, and fire resistant robes when he treats her."

Severus nodded, but despite his resigned expression, I could tell that he was deeply disturbed by this news. I held his hand, and he kissed it.

"I am very sorry, Lucius."
"I know."

"Is there anything to be done?" I asked.

Both wizards looked at me, and Lucius shook his head. "No, it is one of the few incurable diseases of witches and wizards. There is no...what is that word for a disease blocker?"

"Vaccine," I supplied.

"Yes, that. Once you catch it, it's a death sentence. But you know how Narcissa loves to volunteer at the children's ward at St Mungos, Severus. Anyways, a child, we don't know which one, coughed on her, and she caught the Dragon Pox there."

At that moment, any previous anger and resentment I felt for the Malfoys disappeared. I came around the desk, and hugged him. At first, I had thought that Lucius would be too proud to hug me, but he gave in, and it was a tender moment of reconciliation for us both.

"I am so sorry, Lucius."

Lucius nodded. "Thank you, Hermione. I appreciate that. No one can see Narcissa unless they wear protective equipment."

"I would like to administer Last Rites to her if it is possible," Severus decided. "I want to ensure that her soul is well taken care of when God takes her."

Lucius nodded, not daring to question his best friend's beliefs. I got outfitted with the same medical lab suit, and we were led into the Malfoy master bedroom. It was an elegant Slytherin state room, designed in silvers and dark greens, and was designed in the old French Rococo archetectual style. Despite the sad situation, I had to admit that the Malfoy's were fantastic interior designers.

Narcissa laid on the big four poster bed, her once slender body wasted away to little more than a skeleton. Her skin was covered with burning sores that almost looked like a cross between small pox, and shingles. She was breathing shallow breaths, and her blue eyes were open but unfocused, staring up at nothing.

Severus turned into Father Prince within seconds, and he took out his rosary. He prayed over her, and then said the familiar Latin phrase, and then scanned her mind; this took several minutes, but then Severus nodded to himself, and made the Sign of Cross over her.

Severus sighed, tucking his rosary away. "She really had much to confess. But I am convinced that she will go to heaven once she does die."

I didn't know what to say about that, but I did not question him either. We left the bedroom, and took off the lab equipment.

We met with Lucius at dinner, and it was a sad, solemn affair. I found it to be a very depressing ambiance to be in, because I hated seeing the state of mourning that the house was in. Halfway through dinner, Draco arrived, and he looked so tired, and overworked. Lucius and Draco talked about Narcissa, choosing to speak to me and Severus out of politeness alone.

But when the subject of marriage came up, Draco was genuinely surprised. "Wow, Uncle. That's just...just awesome. I'm a bit surprised that it's Granger, but if you're happy, than who am I to judge? Congratulations, Granger."

"She has a name, son," Lucius put in. "Calling people by their last names is just rude."

I chuckled, "Oh, that's alright, Lucius. We've called each other by last name for years. I would honestly feel strange if Draco immediately was comfortable being on a first name basis with me."

Severus chuckled. I kissed his cheek, and he took my hand in his.

Lucius shrugged his shoulders. "Well, if you are fine with it, who am I to argue?"

The talk around the table drifted off into lesser important topics. Dessert was rocky road icecream, only it was gelato, instead of regular soft serve. After this, we all drifted off to bed. By default, Severus and I did not share a bed, because he didn't feel right about sharing a bed with me when I wasn't his wife yet.

I slept in a very plush, beautiful bed, but I did feel lonely without Severus close by. I was used to being able to go to him in my guest bedroom, and sit by his bed, and kiss his forehead as I watched him sleep on occasion. But in the middle of the night, Severus sneaked into my room, and we snuggled the rest of the night, knowing that soon we would be able to snuggle in bed all the time after the wedding. But would we be able to live in peace? Only time would tell in the end...