Black's House for Little Witches

13

A/N: Short but I liked where it ended and I wanted it up in case the bext part takes ages to write lol.

Hope you read and enjoy. :)

---------------------------

Thursday night, Hermione found Narcissa in the parlor. The older woman sat on the large sofa reading a magazine. Hermione shuffled into the room shyly holding a book in her hands. "Um, Narcissa?" she called quietly.

Narcissa tilted her head slightly before she put the magazine in her lap. She smiled warmly. "Hello, love. What can I do for you?"

Hermione fiddled with the book in her hands. "Well, um, I was wondering if, if you would read to me again?" she managed to ask through her stuttering. "I know you did twice yesterday, so if it's too much trouble, you don't-"

The older woman slowly lifted her hand. A signal for Hermione to stop. "It's not too much trouble, dear. I'd love to read to you." She set her magazine aside. "Would you like to sit here or somewhere else?"

Hermione bit her lip. It was only a little after nine, and she didn't feel tired. However, her track record of staying awake when being read to so far was not in her favor. "Is it okay to go to my room?"

"Of course it is, Hermione," Narcissa replied. She stood gracefully and held a hand out for the girl to take. "What book do you have tonight?"

Hermione flushed and brushed her head against her shoulder. "Um, Peter Rabbit. Again," she whispered. "It's my favorite."

"Perfect." Narcissa chuckled softly. "It's okay to read it again. I nearly have Beetle the Bard memorized because it was all Drommie wanted us to read to her for months."

"Really?" Hermione knew it was Andy's favorite, but she didn't realize it was all the other girl wanted to read.

Narcissa hummed softly. "Oh, yes. There's a reason I had to put so many preservation charms on her copy of the book."

Hermione ran her thumb along the spine of her book. "Could you maybe teach me those charms?" she requested. "I don't want to ruin it."

Narcissa chuckled brightly. "Of course, darling. I can teach you on Monday. I don't think anything will happen to your book in just a few days."

Hermione nodded in agreement. She could wait until Monday. The older woman kept her promises. Narcissa had taught her the muffling and disillusioning charms a few days after their trip to Diagon just like she'd promised. She hadn't been so sure Narcissa would keep her promise; Mrs. Weasley had said she'd teach Harry and her a few charms every summer, but the lessons never came. Narcissa kept her promise, though. Hermione had learned quite a lot so far from both sisters in the two weeks she'd been there.

They ran into Bellatrix on the way up to the personal floors. "Ah, Hermione. I was looking for you."

Hermione's brows furrowed, perplexed. "You were?"

"Yes. Sirius Floo called just a bit ago. Mr. Potter wanted to know if you would be okay with Heir Longbottom coming with us tomorrow."

"Oh, really? Neville wants to come?"

Bellatrix nodded. "It's okay to say no, Hermione. Sirius doesn't mind taking the boys another day if you only want Mr. Potter to come."

Hermione shook her head. "No, no. It's not that. Not really. I just- Well, I haven't told anyone aside from Harry about my classification." She still hadn't even explained it to her parents. They thought she was taking extra classes at Hogwarts. She bit her lip anxiously. "Ron didn't- the way he talked, the things he said," she stammered out. Narcissa squeezed her hand gently. "I just didn't think he'd take the news well. I don't know what Neville would think."

Bellatrix hummed softly. "I know Augusta Longbottom is one for the old traditions and customs. It would be surprising if her grandson was any different."

Hermione nodded, a slow, relieved breath left her. Even if Neville wasn't a Little, he wouldn't look down on her harshly. Besides, Neville had been kind to her throughout their schooling. Sometimes, she wasn't always the best in return, though. Maybe, maybe she could change that now.

Finally, she gave a resolute, "Yes. It would be wonderful if he could come with us."

Narcissa squeezed her hand again. "Are you absolutely certain, love?"

"Yes. I think Neville would enjoy it. And, and I want him to come."

Bellatrix nodded. "Alright. I'll check with Andy, but I'm sure she won't have much issue with it. I'll Floo Sirius again and let him know." She gently squeezed Hermione's shoulder. "Enjoy your story. Sleep well, sweet girl."

Hermione flushed and scuffed her foot against the floor as the older woman departed. Was it really that obvious that she would fall asleep?

Narcissa shook her head with a small smile. "Come. You can get ready for bed, and I'll wait."

"Andy told me that she has pajamas specifically for when she's in headspace," Hermione stated as they headed for her bedroom. "I know that I don't really, at least not yet, have a headspace like that, but I was wondering if maybe, maybe it would help?"

Narcissa tilted her head slightly and considered the question. "We can make a trip to Diagon this week, I think." She paused for a moment before continuing. "Bella is taking Andy to St. Mungo's on Tuesday. You and I can go to Diagon while they're gone."

Hermione's eyes widened. "Is Andy okay?"

"Oh, yes. No need to fret, darling. It's just a regular check up. We've had it scheduled for a while now." Narcissa hummed softly as Hermione still looked concerned. "I promise, Hermione. Drommie is fine. You don't need to worry. Go get ready for bed." She made a small shooing motion with one hand and patted the bed with the other. "I'll wait right here for you."

Hermione nodded and gathered her things. She wasn't so sure it would happen, but maybe one day she could work up the courage to ask for help with her routine. Ever since Andromeda had mentioned it to her a few days before, she'd been thinking about it. It sounded nice. But she was too scared to ask for it right now. But maybe some time soon.

She made quick work of changing into pajamas, combing her hair, and brushing her teeth. She didn't want to keep Narcissa waiting too long. Maybe she'd get annoyed and leave.

Fortunately, the woman was still waiting on the bed as Hermione returned from the ensuite bathroom. "All ready?" she asked with a warm smile and soothing tone of voice. Hermione had noticed that both women were starting to use the same warm, pleasant, and soothing voice they spoke to Andy with when they spoke to her. It reminded her a lot of the way her parents spoke to her as a little girl.

Hermione shuffled over to the bed and slowly climbed up onto it. She felt a teensy bit awkward now that Narcissa was there. It was silly, really. It was her own bed, and she'd asked Narcissa to come with her.

Narcissa didn't mention anything. She did stand, however, which led Hermione to panic for a second. Had she done something wrong? But then Narcissa lifted the blankets and motioned for Hermione to climb under them. Once Hermione was properly tucked in, with her teddy and kitten plush tucked in next to her, Narcissa sat down once more. She stretched out on the bed beside the girl and opened the book.

Hermione let out a great sigh as the woman read and burrowed further under her blankets. She made the right decision asking Narcissa to read to her in bed. It took an embarrassingly short time for her eyes to grow heavy with sleep. That warmth she'd felt the day before in the observatory came over her again. She'd have to remember to ask about it.

But that would be for a different time. After their trip to the zoo for sure. Yes, she'd sleep now, they'd go to the zoo tomorrow, and then after that, she'd ask one of the women (probably Narcissa, if she was honest with herself) about this peculiar warmth she kept feeling. Sleep called to her, and she drifted off as Narcissa's soothing voice grew fuzzy in the background. 

-----------------

A/N: If you read this far, let me know what you think! 

I have a general idea of how the next chapter will go, but if there's anything you'd like to see, consider dropping a comment.

See you in the next update. :)