A Lamb to the Slaughter

Tobacco & Almonds

Narcissa had assured her multiple times that the Potters were not like the other houses, but the shivering knot in the pit of her stomach refused to loosen. All she could picture was Tiberius looming over her, his fists ready to take and take, and Theo running out in cowardice horror. She hated how shaken she was, but she couldn't stop the cold sweat collecting on her neck from happening. It didn't help that Lucius and Draco both held no love for House Potter, both of them scowling and muttering through lunch.

Pevensy and Draco both were accompanying her to dinner. Pevensy rode with them in the carriage this time, though Hermione almost wished she hadn't. Every bump sent her small body flying into the floorboard or into Hermione's lap. It was hard for Hermione to collect herself when she was constantly picking the poor elf up from the floor.

At last, they turned down a curvy driveway shrouded in autumn leaves, the sky around them coated in ruby, marigold, and earthy browns. When flickers of sunlight came through, it almost looked like the trees were on fire.

"It's beautiful here." Hermione murmured, looking at the ponds and statues of woodland animals that speckled the woods around them. Foxes, raccoons, and deer made of treated wood stood elegantly amidst the moss and dirt.

Draco only scoffed.

Finally, they turned a final corner and Potter Manor came into view.

It was as magnificent as Malfoy Manor, but in a completely different way. To Hermione, it was the same as trying to compare the beauties of summer to the wonders of winter. Where the Malfoy's home was clean, simple, and elegant, Potter Manor was a colorful, maximalist dream. Even though it was autumn, wildflowers of every color covered the entirety of their front lawn, the boundaries of the charm keeping them alive shimmering in the air. The red brick siding of their home was half covered in ivy, though Hermione had the impression that they wanted it there.
As they stepped out of the carriage and Pevensy led the horse to the stables, Hermione felt Draco bow his head towards her, his breath caressing her skin.

"It won't be like last time." He said softly. Hermione swallowed and took his waiting arm.

It already was different from last time. She wouldn't be here a full day, just for dinner, and she had him. She had Draco here, and at her core she knew with him by her side, no harm would come to her. Even with their quarreling he would protect her without any hesitation.

As they made their way up the stairs, Hermione distantly heard the sound of buttery laughter wafting towards them from inside the house. While it put her at ease, it did nothing but cause Draco's muscles to tighten.

He knocked, hard and swift. A moment later, a feathery voice shouted, "Harry! Get the door!"

Footsteps thudded hard, warning them before the double doors swung open.

He looked different than when she'd seen him that first, terrible day.

His black hair stood in static, wild directions. Wide, beaming green eyes darted between her and Draco behind crooked glasses, and his shy smile widened to reveal a chipped front tooth.

Harry Potter opened the door wider, and made way for the two of them to enter.

"Welcome, welcome," He said vibrantly. "Dinner just finished, you arrived at the perfect time."

"Almost like the carriage timed itself like that on purpose." Draco muttered, shouldering Harry out of the way.

Harry winced as he hissed out, "Always nice to see you, Malfoy." As he rubbed the spot Draco had checked, he turned back to Hermione and held out a hand. "I'm sure you already know, but I'd like to properly introduce myself-I'm Harry Potter."