The Dark Lioness

Chapter 8

Hermione sat on the Hogwarts express looking out the window wondering how the holidays will be like. It was her first Christmas with her Mithair and they were spending it with the Malfoys and Blacks. Hermione was ecstatic to be able to see Bella again and rather excited to meet Narcissa. Draco was sat opposite her talking to Blaise and Theodore. Hermione smiled at the sight of Blaise Draco and Theo laughing together about Weaseles latest stupid acts. "You should have seen his face, Maya! He looked as though he was about to fight a dragon." Draco wheezed as he and the boys laughed harder.

Shaking her head with a smile she said "come on you three. You can tell me more about it until the trolley witch gets here." The boys began telling the incident of Ron tripping down the grand staircase to Hermione, with a gusto she had only seen when they were playing quidditch and excelling in their classes. The three boys had become brothers to Hermione during the months she had been at Hogwarts. Luna had also joined them as she was one of Hermione's only friends that still spoke to her. Luna was currently plating Hermione's hair into an intricate braid only Luna could do.

The ride was a pleasant one filled with laughter and smiles.

Platform 9¾ was filled with parents, family and general noise. Icy blue eyes looked upon the crowd with a sense of longing. She longed to be able to properly greet her son and possible future sister in law. She longed to be able to smile and laugh with them and be openly... Well human. Next to her was the reason she was in her predicament. Lucius Malfoy was as slimy as he seemed. He was a weak man magically and mentally but he was rather good at getting his way. His sense of entitlement made her blood boil. When she was younger her sisters and she decided they would all marry for love. So when her second eldest sister ran away to be with her love they weren't angry. No the opposite in fact. They were so happy and proud that she had the strength to do so. The courage and power that her sister showed were almost dull in the light of her eldest sister. Fighting in a war. A leader among followers. And what of the youngest sister? A pureblood trophy wife. Beaten whenever her husband wants, used for sex, money, scandals and political gain.

She was brought out of her musing by a red steam train pulling up to the station. Straightening up, her eyes scanned the now nearly full station and was glad that there was a small space around her and her husband. Platinum blond hair caught her attention as her ice blue eyes met those of her son. Her eyes were quickly caught by the witch striding next to him with an intriguing blonde by her side. As the trio approached Lucus sniffed distastefully. "Come we can do the introductions at the manor." Lucius turned on the spot and apparated to the manor. Draco and Narcissa shared a look whilst Hermione just rolled her eyes at the man. "He seems just as pompous and irritating as I imagined," the brunette remarked. Luna simply smiled and approached Narcissa.

"It's lovely to meet you, Miss Black. Draco speaks such lovely things about you. I imagine though that you have a tight schedule so shall we get going?" Luna's airy voice spoke. Draco and Hermione smiled adoringly at the blonde who was now attached to the arm of the matriarch.

"Right Miss McGonagall-Le fey lets take you to my aunt before she blows a casket." Hermione laughed as she took her best friends arm.

"Who said she had any, to begin with?"

"With my sister's sense of fashion Miss McGonagall, I wouldn't be surprised if she had a casket in her room." Narcissa smiled lightly, "now welcome to the home I've been sold into." Luna put her arm through Narcissa's and walked them onward.

"You know Miss Black I feel like we'll become great friends by the end of this holiday. There's a lot of things that are coming and we're all going to need each other. Except for Mr Malfoy he can handle it himself." Narcissa examined the younger blonde and smiled at her.