Second Chances 2

“Hello how can I help you?”Narcissa asked when a man walked into her shop carrying a package wrapped in blue wrapping paper and a bouquet of flowers. Narcissa felt slightly envious for whoever was receiving those gifts. She couldn’t remember the last time someone gave her flowers. Lucius never did. Not that he did anything else either. The man was a useless piece of trash that wasn’t worth thinking about. It pleased Narcissa to no end that the man was in Azkaban for the rest of his life. His defense of being forced to help the Dark Lord not working this time like it did for the first war. That being another thing Hermione made sure of. She was a star witness at the man’s trial. Thinking about Hermione brought Narcissa back to the night of the ball and how it felt dancing with the young witch. Narcissa enjoyed the dance and felt special that Hermione sought her out. The man talking stop Narcissa’s thoughts from turning to how special Hermione made her feel.

“I have a delivery for Lady Black.”The man said.

“I’m Lady Black.”Narcissa wondered what the delivery was as she didn’t remember ordering anything.

“Here you are ma’am.”The man handed Narcissa the box and flowers.

“Who are they from?”Narcissa asked.

“I wasn’t told.”The man replied and made his way out the door.

“Ok.”Narcissa mumbled. She looked the flowers over noticing some of her favorites and wondered how the sender knew. Narcissa also wondered how they got their hands on them because a few of them were rare and expensive.

“What have you got there?”Andromeda asked.

Narcissa jumped hearing her sister’s voice. She had been so focused on the gifts she hadn’t heard the door to the shop open.”Someone sent me some flowers and a gift.”

“Ooo. Do you have an admirer?”Andromeda had a feeling she knew who the sender was. The gifts being the whole reason she was at the shop. She wanted to see Narcissa’s reactions.

“Don’t be silly. It’s probably a thank you gift for helping with a potion.”Narcissa knew that she didn’t have an admirer. No matter what her sister said Narcissa was still an old divorced woman with nothing to offer. No one would want to pursue a relationship with her.

“Is there a card?”Andromeda asked.

Narcissa pealed an envelope that was stuck to the package.”Yes there is.”

“Well open it already.”Andromeda was getting impatient.

“Calm down.”Narcissa opened the envelope, pulled out the letter and began to read it silently to herself.

Lady Black,

I’m writing to thank you for a taking the time to dance with me. It was the highlight of my evening and something that I have replayed many times in my mind for the past two days since the event. As a token of my thanks please enjoy these flowers and the gift. I saw it and thought of you. You being at the forefront of my thoughts these days. Please let me know when you are free for lunch. I will clear my schedule to accommodate you no matter what I have going on.

Thinking of you,

Hermione

“Well?”Andromeda smiled at the blush Narcissa was sporting. It was all the proof Andromeda needed to know that her guess was right and Hermione sent the package.

”These are simply thank you gifts from our Head of Household for attending the ball.”Narcissa lied. Hermione had made her interest in Narcissa quite obvious and Narcissa wasn’t sure what to think.

Andromeda smirked.“That’s funny I didn’t receive any gifts.”

“Maybe you haven’t gotten yours yet.”Narcissa said.

“Sure that’s exactly it.”Andromeda didn’t believe that for a second.”You should open the box so I can see what to expect for my gift.”

“I’m sure it’s something mundane that she had her assistant pick out.”Narcissa knew that wasn’t true and was somewhat nervous to see what Hermione sent her.

“I doubt that.”Andromeda knew that Hermione would never let her assistant pick out a gift for Narcissa.

Narcissa carefully pealed away the wrapping paper to reveal a book. Looking at the book title she gasped.”How did she get this?”

“What it is?”Andromeda became somewhat concerned seeing her sister’s hands shaking.

“It’s an original copy of the Morgana Diaries.”Narcissa told her.

“Are you serious?”Andromeda was just as shocked as Narcissa. Everyone knew about the Morgana Diaries. It was the book that modern day potions were based on.

Narcissa flipped through the pages carefully.”If it isn’t it’s an incredible forgery.”

“I doubt that Hermione would have been fooled.”Andromeda knew that Hermione of all people wouldn’t have gotten a book that wasn’t the real deal.

“There are only three known complete copies of this book in existence.”Narcissa hadn’t even seen one of them in person. Only the later translations.

“I wonder how she got it.”Andromeda knew that Hermione was able to get her hands on random things but this was extraordinary even for the future minister.

“She must of either paid a lot of money for it or have done a great favor for someone.”Narcissa could only imagine what Hermione had to do to get her hands on this book.

“Well I think it just shows how much she cares for you to give you such a gift.”Andromeda didn’t know how Narcissa could deny Hermione’s interest in her anymore. The book was more than enough to prove that Hermione thought Narcissa was special.

“I don’t know if I can accept this book.”Narcissa didn’t think it would be right to keep the book.”It’s way too much.”

“It would hurt Hermione very much if you didn’t keep the book.”Andromeda knew for a fact that Hermione would be heartbroken if Narcissa returned the book.

“Why would she get this for me though?”Narcissa didn’t think she was worthy of such a gift.

”Hermione cares for you and if you let her she would give you the world. All you had to do was ask.”Andromeda didn’t think Narcissa would really have to ask. Hermione would do it anyway.

“Why me?”Narcissa couldn’t figure that out. She wasn’t anything special.”Hermione could have anyone she wanted but why is she pursuing me?”

Andromeda’s heart broke at the self loathing in her sister’s voice.”Why not you? You are a smart, successful, beautiful, business owner who is a caring person. You are worthy of love Narcissa and if you let her Hermione would show you that.”

“I don’t know.”Narcissa was interested in Hermione. She just didn’t feel worthy enough for someone like Hermione.

“Do you really think Hermione of all people would waist her time pursuing someone not worth it?”Andromeda asked.

“There just are so many better people for her to be with. I mean she is going to be minister. Can you imagine the scandal it would cause if we were linked to each other?”Narcissa didn’t want to tarnish Hermione’s reputation.

“I’m not going to lie you will get some publicity but it will blow over.”Andromeda noticing Narcissa wasn’t convinced tried a different approach.”If Hermione the savior of the wizarding world and future minster of magic thinks you’re worth it then why can’t you see she is worth it?”

“I just don’t want my heart broken.”Narcissa admitted.

“If there is one person who would never break your heart it would be Hermione Granger.”Andromeda spoke with absolute certainty on that.”She would never disregard your feelings or pressure you to do anything. Hermione would treat you kindly and made sure you are heard. I don’t think you realize how much power you have over her. She adores you and worships the ground you walk on.”

“She doesn’t even know me how could she adore me. She definitely doesn’t worship me.”Narcissa didn’t believe that for a second.

“I’m going to do something that I wouldn’t normally do and tell you some of the things Hermione has told me in private.”Andromeda didn’t think Hermione would mind if it helped Narcissa see how much she cared for her.”Hermione talks about you all the time and is constantly asking how you are doing. For the last five years since the war has ended she has constantly asked me for stories about our childhood, what your favorites are, and the big one if you like women.”

“That doesn’t mean anything.”Narcissa said.

“Then what does it mean when she told me that she has had feelings for you since the first time she saw you waiting at the train station for the Hogwarts express and that those feelings are the reason she has never dated anyone?”Andromeda asked.

Narcissa stared at Andromeda in shock.”She said that?”

“Not only that but I know for a fact that she never acted on those feelings because she didn’t think she was worthy enough for you. Why do you think that it took her so much time to talk to you? She wanted to be something you could be proud of.”Andromeda told her.

“That can’t be true.”Narcissa didn’t think that Hermione would be worried about how Narcissa felt about her.

“It is true and if you asked her Hermione would tell you herself.”Andromeda knew that Hermione would happily admit how devoted she was to Narcissa.

“I don’t know what to do.”Narcissa really didn’t have a clue how to proceed.

“I know it goes against everything you have been taught but you need to follow your heart.”Andromeda said.

“But wouldn’t that be selfish?”Narcissa asked.

“It’s not selfish to want to be happy. I mean if you truly don’t feel anything for Hermione then simply write her a polite letter. She wouldn’t force you into a relationship with you. She wants you to be happy even if that’s not with her.”Andromeda knew that Hermione would be upset but she wouldn’t hold it against Narcissa.

“I do feel something for Hermione. Ever since she punched Draco in the face I have had a fondness for her. It wasn’t until she was in her sixth year and participated in the tournament did those feelings turn romantic. I mean she was so brave and cunning.”Narcissa figured she wasn’t the only one who fell in love with Hermione after the incident with the dragon.

“Then you need to take the next step and let yourself be happy and I can guarantee with Hermione you will be the happiest you have ever been in your life.”Andromeda told her.

“You’re right. I would be happy with Hermione.”Narcissa didn’t doubt for a second that Hermione would make her happy.

“You really would.”Andromeda agreed.

“I guess I better write her back to set up our lunch date.”Narcissa found that having a date with Hermione was somewhat exciting.

“You do that and I’m going to head out. I have a meeting with the goblins about an investment deal that Hermione asked me to look into.”Once Andromeda had been reinstated she had quit her job at the hospital and taken a leading role in the Black family. Something she enjoyed immensely because Hermione gave her the freedom to make any decisions she wanted. It was a nice fuck you to her mother and father who burnt her off the tapestry to have so much power in the family.

“I still don’t understand why the goblins love Hermione so much.”Narcissa didn’t know why the goblins who hated everyone that wasn’t a goblin held Hermione in such a high regard.

“The fact that she has made the government pay reparations for all the damage and goblin lives lost in the war probably has something to do with it.”After the war Hermione sued the government on behalf of the goblins for all the damage that the Dark Lord had done. It seemed like a silly lawsuit at the time but Hermione had done her research and produced ministry documents of a treaty that was set up with the goblins when they built Gringotts that said that it was up to the ministry to protect the bank and if they didn’t they had to pay for each goblin life lost and all of the damage done to the building. Andromeda had been not only impressed by the action but proud to claim her Head of Household was the one who did it.

“If there is one thing the goblins respect more than anything is someone who makes them a lot of gold.”Narcissa had thought the lawsuit was frivolous at the time but after the win Hermione followed it up by suing the government on behalf of other magical creatures who weren’t legally allowed to do it on their own. With Hermione as their champion magical creatures had more rights in Britain than ever before. Especially when a centaur, a vampire, a goblin and a Veela were given seats in Wizgontts after the war when the government was overhauled. That being another thing Hermione pushed for.

“And when someone gets them as much gold as Hermione did it makes them treat her like one of their tribe.”Andromeda had seem the painting of Hermione that hung proudly in the bank lobby along with other notable goblin figures.The goblins saw Hermione as an honorary goblin. Something that Hermione didn’t shy away from like most wizards did when it came to being linked to the goblins.”Anyway I’ll stop by your house later so we can talk about what you are going to wear to lunch with Hermione.”

Narcissa suddenly felt a bit of panic.”I need to go shopping.”

“You have time.”Andromeda told her.

“I’ll go after I close the shop.”Narcissa needed to look good. Hermione had told her how fashionable she thought Narcissa was and Narcissa didn’t want to disappoint her by wearing something she had already worn. She also wanted to look good for their date.

“I’ll meet you back here and we can go together.”Andromeda said.

“I need to owl Twilfitt and Tattings and see if they can fit me in.”Narcissa was already pulling out a sheet of parchment and a quill.

“They will fit you in even if they have to cancel other people’s appointments.”Andromeda had no doubt that the shop would fit Narcissa in for anytime she requested. One of the perks of having Hermione as the Head of Household was that the wizarding world bent over backwards to accommodate the House of Black. Not only in Britain but the rest of the world as well. They all wanted to be able to claim they had a connection to Hermione. The results of that being members of the Black family were treated like royalty. Not that Andromeda, Nymphadora, Ted or Narcissa ever abused that power it was just nice that they didn’t have to wait to get things done.

“I’ll let you know what time.”Narcissa told her.

“See you later then.”Andromeda replied.

“See you later.”Narcissa finished her letter and made her way to the shop’s owl. Attaching it to the owls leg she open the window for the bird to leave. Now she had to write to Hermione. What to write was the question. She needed of course to thank her but wanted to show that she was interested in the woman. Interested without sounding eager. It wouldn’t do to look desperate. Even though Narcissa could at least admit to herself that Hermione made her feel that way. Narcissa wanted to see Hermione and be the object of her complete attention like she was when they were dancing. It made Narcissa feel special having someone like Hermione so focused on her out of the hundreds of people in the room. Hermione could have anyone there it didn’t matter if they were a man or a woman they would have fallen to their knees begging for Hermione to spare them a glance but Hermione wasn’t interested in anyone but Narcissa. Narcissa now knew from her sister that Hermione had always been interested and because of that it gave Narcissa the courage to pen her response to the powerful witch.