Time in a bottle

Decisions

A/N: to the reviewer who messaged me, thanks for keeping me honest, it was purely an oversight, as I'm currently writing several fanfics at this time and sometimes continuity items fall through the cracks. I have updated this chapter to reflect that Harry and Ron are indeed together and it was another Weasley that she turned down, during the final fight at Hogwarts.

The evening meal was already underway as Hermione entered the Great Hall.  Years of routine guiding her actions as she mindlessly had begun walking towards the Gryffindor table, when she accidentally bumped into the table. 

'Watch it filthy snake!'  A fifth year lion sneered

Hermione absentmindedly replied, 'apologies' as she almost went to sit down

'Oi!  What do we have here?  A pureblood slut that doesn't know her place is with the other slimy snakes.'  Replied a sixth year Gryffindor.  A few other hateful comments were added to it, some of the males even started to stand to get closer to Hermione.

This movement shook Hermione out of her stupor.  Such hatred towards Slytherin and vice versa even in her timeline was the norm.  She had been guilty of it as well at times to a lesser degree, even punching Draco to stop the back and forth.  She had naively thought better of the original Order members, but alas they were human too.  Did they share the blame for Tom's reign more than she originally thought?  All of this hatred had been what caused her friends to die, countless lives ruined, years of turmoil for her and her brothers in all but blood, months on the run, she had been tortured because of it, caused Harry's parents to be killed, caused her parents to...

She didn't realize the temperature and magical energy change around her, her eyes had darkened considerably.  A near growl escaping her mouth as she raised her wand slowly an unforgivable curse at the tip of her tongue. 

She was a bow ready to snap, when she felt warm arms circle hers, effectively lowering her wand and encasing her arms to her side. 

'Ah Hermione!  There you ran off to!  I was afraid I would have to send on owl to find you.'  The familiar and calming voice of the blonde wrapped around her stated

Narcissa placed a kiss on the slightly taller brunette's cheek from behind. 

'I imagine you had gotten used to eating with your auntie here on summer breaks and forgot yourself for a minute hmmm?'

Hermione numbly nodded

'Ah, Yes, I thought so, now let's get you back to the den shall we darling?' 

'Uh...yeah..I mean...yes, thank you Miss Black.' 

'Think nothing of it Miss Mcgonagall.' 

This name had not gotten around to every student and, the name of the Order member and favorite professor surprised the Gryffindors present, she could see the wheels practically spinning in the Gryffindor's Heads.  Why would a Mcgonagall be a Slytherin? 

The stunned silence was deafening as the pair walked out of the Great Hall, doors closing loudly behind them as they walked towards the kitchens. 

Narcissa had clasped Hermione's hand from the initial movement, and had not released it as she tickled the pear at the door's entrance.  They walked through and sat down at the small table set up for just this occasion in the large kitchen.  Narcissa only released Hermione's hand once both were seated.

A familiar elf appeared to Hermione's left and caused a deep hurt in her heart to see a smiling Dobby by her side so full of life.

'Would Mistresses like Dobby to be serving dinner?'

'Yes, sir Dobby if you would oblige we would be most grateful.'  Spoke a kind Narcissa

The exchange had shocked Hermione, not only the tone of familiarity but the kindness spoken to the usually mistreated magical creatures.  In Hermione's own timeline she had started S.P.E.W. in her fifth year to further the rights of house elves, to the elf's own confusion.  She had likened their race to slaves and was appalled that these sentient beings   were used as such.  Most purebloods treated the creatures little better than obedient fleas.  This being said, the kind gesture from the striking blonde spoke volumes about the woman before her. 

Dobby replied, 'you are most kind Mistress Black.'  With that he popped away to fetch dinner for the pair.

They sat in silence for a few minutes, Narcissa thankfully giving Hermione time to gather herself.

The brunette did think, she thought of the war, her friends, her interactions between her and the beautiful witch in front of her.  She wondered if she should do as Minerva insisted, the consequences be damned...but could she, could her heart ever heal if she was able to make it back to her own timeline.  If she gave in and truly loved the witch in front of her, could she go back to being not even acquaintances?

  Hermione had never believed in love at first sight, but this witch was making her question that belief.  She felt bewitched by this woman's not only beauty but entire being.  If she decided to give herself fully to Narcissa, could she be ok with Malfoy ending up with her, even fathering a child with her.  The though alone turned her stomach slightly, and she had only entertained the thought.  Would a short time of heaven be worth the rest of her life living in solitary sorrow?  She knew if she allowed herself that she would fall hard, this love felt like nothing she had ever felt before.  She knew, not sure how, but she knew that this would be the love of her life.  Could she really give in, only to give it all up for the greater good?

Then she thought of her own torture at Bellatrix's deranged hands, the feeling of helplessness.  She had thought that Bellatrix was to end her existence, but even then the striking blonde was there to comfort her.  She had offered the only comfort she could, Hermione somehow locking eyes with Narcissa didn't feel so alone anymore while she was writhing on that floor...Hermione had made a silent vow that night to herself, as she was being carved into.  She would live life to the fullest, not to what was expected.

  This was the same reason that when Ginny had tried to kiss her after they destroyed the Horcrux she had kindly pushed her head aside, reaching around for a sisterly hug instead. Ginny had been more than slightly put out, however the battle around them didn't offer time to fully explain her lack of feelings for the woman.

In a different life she may have ended up with her, as she was a good woman and she adored her family who had cared for her since meeting them so long ago. She would have had to set her own goals aside to raise a family of red heads, but ultimately be unfulfilled as Ginny did not challenge her as intellectually as she desired nor spark that burning desire she held for only the youngest Black, currently sitting patiently in front of her..

Perhaps she should entertain the idea of pursuing a relationship with Narcissa, she had promised to at least to that...but on second thought, after all she could have been reading the young woman wrong...oh buggar, who was she kidding.  They both had an almost primal magnetic instinct drawing them together no matter the timeline. 

'Is the food not to your liking Hermione?'

Narcissa had shaken her from her spiraling thoughts

'Ahem, oh, no, I mean, yes it looks lovely.  I was lost in thought it seems.'

Narcissa took Hermione's closest hand in her own and gave it a gentle squeeze, knowing just how to reassure her with the most minimal of actions. 

Hermione smiled down at the action and raised her head to look into the most kind blue eyes she had ever seen.  In that instant she knew that this kind girl, this strong  woman would be worth her entire universe,  Minerva was right.  Perhaps it would be her undoing if they were ever able to fix the time turner, she would fall to pieces and she wasn't sure she would ever be able to repair the hole it would cause.  However, for a short while it would be worth it, a brief glimpse of heaven with the woman of her dreams would have to be worth a lifetime in hell without her.

All of her doubts present, sorted out  and aware, she smiled back at the blonde and breathed a sigh of relief, and said, 'shall we?'