What Do A Lion And A Wolf Share?

Tea Time With Trouble

"Luna is - well, I'm not sure where to start with Luna," Hermione dithered, trying to figure out how to answer her brother's request to learn more about her quirky friend. She was desperately curious to hear what Ginny was telling Harry and Ron at 12 Grimmauld Place about their strange interview. "She is just a bit hard to put into words. But I met her on the Hogwarts Express fifth year when -"

"Oh bollocks, we are going to be late," Theo interjected as he looked at the ringing grandfather clock near the library door. "You can tell me while we walk."

"Late for what?" Hermione rose to join him, the pair walking to the floo quickly.

"Tea with Lady Malfoy. I told you about it yesterday," Theo sounded surprised that he had to explain again. Hermione sighed, frustrated that he had not, in fact, told her yesterday or at any other point in time. At that moment, she decided to get Theo a planner for Christmas. "She wrote me asking us to tea before I even sent out my request for her help with the reporters. I thought we could ask for her assistance in person since we were already going there," Theo said as they arrived in front of the fireplace. He pinched the floo powder, threw it in and enunciated "Malfoy Manor" before disappearing into the green flames.

Hermione stared at the empty fireplace, frozen. She tried for over two years to put Malfoy Manor from her mind, though she frequently found herself back there in her nightmares. She briefly debated not walking into the floo, instead running up to her room and hiding under her covers, but she called up her Gryffindor courage instead and took a pinch of the powder. Theo didn't know about her only other visit to the manor and she wouldn't abandon him. She took a deep breath before throwing the powder in and squeaking the place she wanted to revisit least: "Malfoy Manor."

Hermione stepped out onto a black marble floor of a room she hadn't seen before and looked around. She postulated it was a ballroom from the high ceilings and intricate chandelier before scoffing internally that of course the Malfoys would have a ballroom in their home. Even Nott Manor didn't have that. Her brother stepped in front of her, brows furrowed as he studied her, and rubbed a bit of soot from her cheek. "Get lost on the way here?" Theo asked sarcastically to her in a hushed tone, grabbing her arm and dragging her forward with him. "Lady Malfoy, may I present Lady Nott-Granger?"

The pale woman stood a full head above Hermione, thin and impeccably dressed in tailored robes. An inner warmth melted the icy look of her pale blue eyes as she took in Hermione with a small smile playing on her lips. "Lady Nott-Granger, it is a pleasure to have you in my home and under better circumstances this time," Lady Malfoy said in a clear voice as she deftly curtsied. Before Hermione could react to that statement glossing over her tourture likely a few rooms away, Theo pushed her forward slightly and she clumsily returned the gesture.

"Thank you for inviting us, Lady Malfoy," Hermione said shakily, looking to Theo for direction. He waved his hand towards Lady Malfoy as if to prompt her into saying more. "Please call me Hermione," she added, willing her hands to steady.

"I'd be thrilled to, Hermione. You may call me Narcissa," the witch responded quickly, her friendly face becoming less and less like Malfoy's with each moment. "I've set up tea for us in the sunroom, if you'll follow me."

Theo offered his arm to Narcissa, which she playfully smacked away before accepting. "You're growing into such a handsome young man, Theo. I can't believe a young witch hasn't snached you up," Narcissa whispered proudly and patted the arm he escorted her with. Theo looked back at Hermione and winked brazenly. "While my son may not be interested in my matchmaking skills, maybe I could help you."

As Narcissa updated Theo on the lives of various aristocratic young witches, Hermione glanced around the dark hallway they were walking down. The walls were totally bare, the various portraits that hung when she was last here removed. Hermione subconsciously grabbed her marred forearm, unable to stop her glance from darting side to side. When her breathing became more difficult, she began to count mentally, tuning out the conversation ahead of her.