Second Chances 6

“How was the date? Did you kiss her? Did she kiss you?”Narcissa rolled her eyes at Andromeda’s rapid fire questioning. It was about an hour before she was set to close her shop and she had expected her sister to show up a lot sooner than she had. It made Narcissa wonder if Andromeda had been bothering Hermione before she visited her. She wouldn’t put it past her. Andromeda was a horrible gossip and loved to stick her nose into other people’s personal business. She had been that way all her life and if she wasn’t such a good person Narcissa thought Andromeda could have had a lucrative career as a blackmailer.

“The date was fine and if I kissed her or she kissed me is none of your business.”Even though there had been no kissing Narcissa wasn’t going to tell Andromeda that. She wasn’t one to talk to others about the physical aspects of her relationships.

“Of course it’s my business. You are my sister and Hermione is my Head of Household. Plus I see her as my own child. That means I have parental rights and am entitled to know what you two do together. Especially in regards to kissing or any sexual activities.”If Andromeda didn’t get the details from Narcissa she was going to ask Hermione. She was the most likely of the duo to be open about it. The girl was part of a Veela clan. Veela were sexual creatures who shared intimate details openly. It was to reason that Hermione would as well.

“There is no way I am going to talk to you about my sex life.”Narcissa was not comfortable talking about sex with her sister or anyone else for that matter. She would only be speaking to Hermione about it when their relationship got to that point. Narcissa was surprised by that thought. She hadn’t realized it but she was already planning on having sex with Hermione. Analyzing that line of thinking she found that the idea of having sex with Hermione was rather exciting. A lot more exciting than she ever thought having sex with Lucius was.

“You are dating a woman that is over twenty years your junior. I want want to know everything because I have no doubt sex with Hermione will be a wild time. Her stamina alone will no doubt be more than worthy of being bragged about.”Andromeda wanted to live vicariously though her sister because she knew that with how smart and young Hermione was that their sex life was going to be the stuff of legends and that Narcissa was going to be very satisfied.

“Don’t remind me of Hermione’s age.”Narcissa didn’t like to think about how much older than she was than Hermione.

“Does it actually bother you?”Andromeda hadn’t really thought it would be an issue with Narcissa having accepted a date with Hermione.

“I want to say no but sometimes it makes me a little uncomfortable thinking about Hermione being the same age as my son. It’s not enough to keep me away from her though. I think the thing I worry about the most is what the public is going to say when they find out we are dating. I mean my history is enough to raise eyebrows but add on my age it’s going to make people have strong opinions about our relationship.”Narcissa predicted that the public was going to have many things to say about her relationship with Hermione. Most of those things negative.

“It wouldn’t matter who Hermione dated. Even if that person was as much of a war hero as she was they public would have strong opinions.”Andromeda knew that anyone Hermione dated would be under scrutiny.

“True I mean Fleur has had to deal with bad press and she wasn’t even really dating Hermione.”After finding out about Fleur being married Narcissa had wondered why neither she or Hermione ever made a statement about them not being together. It would have saved Fleur from a lot of hatred and horrible gossip.

“I was very surprised to find out that Fleur is married. I was always under the impression that she was in love with Hermione.”Andromeda wasn’t that close to Fleur but when she had seen her interact with Hermione the Veela’s affection for the girl was obvious. It made Andromeda confused on why Fleur never talked about her wife or children. Then again Andromeda didn’t really have those kind of conversations with her.

“I thought they were together.”Narcissa said.

“The only reason I knew they weren’t is because I knew about Hermione’s feelings for you.”Andromeda had known about how Hermione felt about Narcissa since the first conversation she had with the young witch. Then again most people who spoke to Hermione did. She really didn’t hide it.

“It still blows my mind that Hermione has loved me for so long.”Narcissa had trouble wrapping her head around Hermione’s life long feelings for her and the fact that those feelings shaped Hermione’s future.

“I think it’s extremely romantic.”Andromeda thought that Hermione’s love of Narcissa was something to be envied. It wasn’t everyday that someone devoted their entire life to being worthy enough to pursue a relationship with someone.

“I do to.”Narcissa agreed. Hermione’s actions were very romantic in her opinion.

“I love Ted enough that I left the family but don’t know if I would have done what Hermione had done to be with him.”Andromeda didn’t think she would have waited over a decade to pursue her husband. She would have probably given up hope of them being together and moved on.

“It is very faltering being the object of her affection.”Narcissa still wasn’t completely convinced she was good enough for Hermione but she was going to try and put her insecurities aside and enjoy the time she spent with her.

“Getting back to the topic, how was the date? Will there be a second one?”Andromeda asked.

“The date was the best one I have been on and I am happily going to go on a second date with Hermione.”Narcissa was looking forward to that date. She knew she would have just as good of a time as she had on the first one.

“What did you do?”Andromeda was pleased to hear that Narcissa would be going on a second date. Not that she doubted that Hermione would win Narcissa over. The girl could charm anyone. Andromeda had seen her gain the support of her toughest critics after having a single conversation with them.

“She took me to that Veela restaurant in Diagon Alley where she reserved the forest room.”Narcissa had thought the location was the perfect setting for her date.

“I had expected her to plan a picnic for you after all the questions she asked me about the times we would spend times together with Bella when we were younger.”Andromeda said.

“Speaking of Bella. What do you think of Hermione’s opinion on her?”Narcissa wanted to know what Andromeda thought about Hermione’s passionate defense of their older sister.

“The first time Hermione mentioned her was during the war. We were at Grimmauld Place with some members of the order and I found her in the library looking at the family tapestry. I actually lashed out at her for even saying Bella’s name. It wasn’t until I spoke to Sirius about it that I came to understand that Hermione knew more about Bella than I ever did. It was Hermione that changed my mind about her being a sadistic killer and made me understand that she was a tragic victim of circumstance. I actually feel guilty because I never tried to help her or you get away from our parents. If I had she would have been a totally different person.”Andromeda felt horribly guilty for abandoning her sisters. Initially she thought it was the only way to be free of her family but had come to realize that both Bellatrix and Narcissa would have benefited greatly if she had given them the chance to come with her. Something she knew they would have done.

“I feel guilty about it because I know the only reason she went along with our parents was because she wanted to keep me safe. If I had been older and our parents had no legal rights to me she wouldn’t have had to marry Rod or take the Dark Mark. Hermione pointed out to me that Dumbledore could have easily saved all of us if he had interfered and got us out of the abusive situation. There was plenty of proof for him to be able to act and the fact her didn’t makes me blame him for Bella’s eventual downfall into madness.”Narcissa had always hated Dumbledore but after speaking to Hermione that feeling grew even more.

“He could have saved everyone if he wasn’t such a selfish prick. Bella was just one of his many victims.”Andromeda held the head master responsible for the entire second war and wouldn’t be surprised it he was somehow responsible for the first one as well.

“Do you Hermione is somewhat in love with Bella?”Narcissa asked.

“I have often thought she was by the way she speaks about her but I don’t know for sure.”Andromeda had always thought Hermione felt more than just respect for her sister and had a feeling if Bella had been on the light side that she would have pursued her romantically.

“I think so too.”Narcissa wasn’t sure how she felt about Hermione having feelings for her dead sister.

“I don’t think her feelings for Bella in anyway invalidate the ones she has for you. Even if Bella was alive Hermione would still be just as in love with you. Who knows maybe she would have been brave enough to pursue you both at the same time.”Andromeda could see Hermione going out of her way to win both of her sisters’ hearts.

Narcissa thought about that scenario for a minute.”You know for Hermione I might have considered it.”

“She is very exceptional isn’t she.”Andromeda said.

“I certainly think so.”Narcissa didn’t think there was anyone like Hermione in the world. She was one of kind and Narcissa felt lucky that she wanted her to stand by her side.

“So what else happened on the date?”Andromeda asked.

“We just talked about random topics and she confessed to me all about her feelings and how they influenced her life.”Narcissa told her.

“When did the kissing happen?”Andromeda wanted to hear about the good stuff not just the boring parts.

Narcissa rolled her eyes.”The only kissing was to the back of my hand. Hermione was the perfect gentlewoman and was very respectful. She didn’t even try for a hug.”

“I’m surprised she held back after waiting for this date for so long.”Andromeda would have expected for Hermione to initiate a hug after finally getting her chance to date Narcissa.

“I like the fact that she didn’t try for more.”Narcissa was very attracted to Hermione but wanted to go slow. Not only had Narcissa never been with a woman she had never been with anyone but Lucius. It was because of that she wasn’t comfortable just jumping into having a physical relationship.

“One thing I know for sure about Hermione is when it comes to you she would never do anything to make you uncomfortable.”Andromeda knew without a doubt that Hermione wouldn’t push Narcissa to do anything she didn’t want to.

“That being something I appreciate very much.”Narcissa had never been treated with respect by her husband or the other men that she interacted with throughout her life so it was nice to have Hermione caring about her comfort and opinions. Narcissa looked at her watch after noticing it was getting dark outside the windows.”It’s time to close up the shop.”

“I want to go talk to Hermione.”Andromeda wanted to know how it went from Hermione’s perspective.

“Do not interrogate her.”Narcissa didn’t want her sister scaring Hermione off. Not that she really thought Hermione would be scared off so easily.

“I won’t interrogate her.”Andromeda lied. That was exactly her plan and she was going to use the fact that she had Narcissa’s thoughts on the date as incentive to get Hermione tell her her side of the story.

“Yeah right.”Narcissa didn’t believe that for a second. Andromeda was ruthless when she was trying to get information out of an unwilling victim of her questioning.

“Anyway I’ll check in tomorrow.”Andromeda was pretty sure Hermione was going to send Narcissa another gift and wanted to be there when she opened it to see her reaction.

“I figured you would.”Narcissa expected Andromeda to bother her after speaking to Hermione. Not that she would every admit it but Narcissa did want to know what Hermione thought of their date.

“See you tomorrow.”Andromeda said giving Narcissa a hug and kiss on the cheek before making her way out of the shop. She was hoping to catch Hermione at home but had a feeling that the young witch would do what she could to avoid her so she may have to enlist the help of Nymphadora to find out where she was as her daughter knew Hermione’s every move because Hermione’s guards reported to her.

“Goodbye.”Narcissa called out to Andromeda’s retreating back. Narcissa actually felt bad for Hermione because Andromeda was going to have no mercy when she found her. It made her wonder if she should send Hermione a letter warning her of her sister’s intent. Narcissa quickly dismissed the idea. Hermione wouldn’t be able to hide from Andromeda if she was truly set on finding her. It was things like this that made Narcissa glad that Andromeda hadn’t aligned with the Dark Lord. If her and Bellatrix had teamed up then even Hermione wouldn’t have been able to defeat them. The pair was mistaken for twins not just because they looked alike. They acted alike and thought alike as well. Andromeda may not have been given the title of Brightest Witch of Her Age but that was mostly because she didn’t try very hard in school. If she did her grades would have been just as good as Bellatrix’s. It really matter though because in the end Andromeda was able to get out where as she and Bellatrix didn’t. If they had their life would have been a whole different and Narcissa would probably be sharing Hermione romantically with her sister. It was just a good thing that didn’t happen because although Narcissa probably would have gone along with it society definitely wouldn’t have approved and even though Narcissa would like to think she was above caring about the public’s opinion of her she knew that was a lie. She cared lot and predicted that it was likely going to cause problems in her relationship with Hermione. Narcissa would do her best to overcome her insecurities however because the alternative would be losing Hermione and that was not something she was willing to do. Especially because she had just gotten her chance to be with her after thinking it would never happen.