Second Chances 1

“You should talk to her.”Narcissa jumped at the sound of Andromeda’s voice. She didn’t have to ask who her sister was talking about. Andromeda suggested it enough. Narcissa didn’t understand why she was so reluctant but something held her back from the girl she was looking at from across the grand ballroom they were both currently at. Hermione Granger Lestrange Black was the bell of the ball. It was no surprise as the ball was being held in her honor to kick off her campaign to be minister. Not that Hermione needed to do anything to get support from the people that attended or anyone else for that matter. The English public had been trying to get her in the minster’s seat ever since she cast the killing spell that defeated the Dark Lord. Known as the savior Hermione stepped up when the pressure got to be much for Harry Potter. Dumbledore’s Chosen One. A man that had been disgraced when it was revealed all the things that the deceased headmaster had done. Something that Hermione herself was the one to reveal to the public when all others wanted to cast the man as a hero.

Initially she received backlash for speaking against the man but that all changed when she went before the courts and demanded they release details of what really happened. Including memories and eye witness statements. It took less than a day before Dumbledore was struck from all war memorials and had his medals and titles strip from him. At this point the man was more hated than the Dark Lord because it was obvious he could have stopped the war from happening but he made no effort. Instead he put the pressure on Hermione when it was obvious Harry wasn’t up to the task. That didn’t stop him from giving credit to Harry for Hermione’s achievements. That being another thing the public had found out. Harry Potter was nothing but a fraud and had to move to a different country to escape the bad press.

During that time it was also revealed that Sirius Black altered his will and left everything to Hermione not his godson Harry. Harry had been acting as Head of Household for Black after his death. He was put on the tapestry by Sirius and had been using his access to make decisions he was not authorized to make. Hermione had been busy with the war at the time and hadn’t really put in the effort to look into the Black family’s estate and businesses. When the war was over she sued Harry and although the final ruling of the case was never disclosed to the public it was rumored that Harry had been forced to pay all the money he spent back and had been magically disowned from the family.

While Harry had been disowned one of Hermione’s first acts as Head of Household was to reinstate Andromeda. Her second act being hiring a lawyer to defend Narcissa and Draco in the ministry’s case against them for war crimes. Narcissa had been surprised and pleased that Hermione had been willing to help not only herself but Draco as well. Hermione not only paid for the lawyer but she spoke on both of their behalves at their trials. Narcissa never knew why Hermione did it but was happy she did because without her, mother and son would be rotting away in Azkaban. Narcissa didn’t know why Hermione did a lot of things. The main reason she didn’t was because she had never reached out to the witch nor had Hermione reached out to her. Not even when she helped Narcissa divorce Lucius or when Hermione let her back into the Black family giving her all the rights a family member could have.

“She’s busy.”Narcissa wasn’t going to tell Andromeda the real reason she hadn’t sought out Hermione. Narcissa didn’t feel worthy enough to have a conversation with the woman.

“That’s always your excuse.”Andromeda knew that Narcissa wanted to talk to Hermione but she didn’t have the courage to do so.

“Well it’s true.”Narcissa said.

“It may be but she would make time for you.”Andromeda told her.

“What is that supposed to mean?”Narcissa asked.

“It means the same thing I always tell you. Hermione asks about you all the time. She wants to get to know you but doesn’t want to pressure you to speak to her.”Andromeda knew that Narcissa had harbored feelings for Hermione and had for years even during the war but she was too stubborn to act on them. She always knew that Hermione felt the same way having admitted to Andromeda one night when they had drunk a little to much wine that she had been crushing on Narcissa since her time at Hogwarts.

“She’s just being polite.”Narcissa didn’t think Hermione had any kind of interest in her other than that Narcissa was a member of her house.

“Hermione may be a polite person but her interest in you is genuine.”Andromeda wasn’t going to back down. She knew Hermione could make her sister very happy. Narcissa just had to give it a chance.

”Why would she be interested in me? I’m nothing compared to her.”Narcissa had nothing to offer Hermione.

Andromeda was taken aback by the anguish in her sister’s voice.”That’s not true at all. You a great person with a lot to offer.”

“I’m an old divorced woman who has done nothing with her life.”Narcissa wasn’t anything special.

“Don’t put yourself down like that. You are a successful business owner and one of the most sought after potioniers. Hermione has made numerous comments to me and others about how proud she is of you.”Andromeda had listened to many of Hermione’s passionate rants about of how much of a genius Narcissa was.

“I own a small store on Diagon Alley. It’s hardly a successful business.”Narcissa didn’t think that her small business was anything special. She was proud of it because she had done it herself without help but didn’t think it was that impressive.

“What did I just say. Don’t put yourself down like that. You are a respectable member of wizarding society and have achieved so much on your own. You should be proud of your accomplishments.”Andromeda didn’t like when Narcissa spoke negatively about herself. Her sister was special but for some reason she just couldn’t see it.

“Hermione is the reason I’m respectable.”Narcissa knew that if it wasn’t for Hermione she would have nothing. She would be just another Death Eater’s wife scorned by society for following the Dark Lord.

“That’s not true at all and deep down you know it.”Andromeda said.

“Well it doesn’t really matter because Hermione has got better things to do than speak to me.”Narcissa didn’t believe for a second that Hermione would give her the time of day.

“I don’t think that’s true. As matter of fact that’s the reason I’m came over here.”Hermione said.

Narcissa spun around quickly at the sound of Hermione’s voice. She hadn’t even realized the woman had walked over to them.”Hello.”

“Hello Narcissa, hello Andy.”Hermione greeted the pair.

“Hello Hermione.”Andromeda held back a smirk when Hermione didn’t even spare a glance at her and kept her focus on Narcissa.

“Are you enjoying the ball?”Hermione asked.

“Very much. Thank you for inviting us.”Narcissa may have been pulling off the appearance of being composed but on the inside she was panicking. She hadn’t been prepared for actually speaking to Hermione.

“Of course I would invite the two most important people in my life.”Hermione said like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Narcissa wasn’t sure what to make of that comment so she decided to ignore it.”You have brought in quite the crowd tonight.”

“I honestly didn’t even want to throw the ball but Fleur insisted. I tried to argue against it but she claimed that it would make people respect me more if I followed some traditions.”Hermione explained.

“It wouldn’t do to make the old timers think you were going to completely do away with all their customs.”Narcissa pushed down her jealousy when Hermione mentioned Fleur. The pair had been linked romantically in the press many times. Neither making a comment to confirm or deny it.

“The Veela are very big on customs. Fleur couldn’t even share her first kiss with her mate until their wedding ceremony.”Hermione told them.

“Fleur’s married?”Narcissa asked.

Hermione nodded. “She met her mate a year after the war. They married two months later.”

“I didn’t know that.”Andromeda knew that Hermione wasn’t in love with Fleur but had always thought the young Veela was in love with Hermione.

“She would be here tonight but one of their daughters is sick and she didn’t want to leave her with anyone else. I told Fleur she didn’t have come but she said she didn’t want to leave me to fend for myself.”Hermione said.

“She has children as well?”Narcissa wondered about Hermione’s romantic life now that she knew she wasn’t in relationship with Fleur. The Veela being the only one Hermione had ever been linked with romantically.

“Two beautiful daughters. One they named after me.”Hermione told them.

Narcissa didn’t even try to hide the smile that came to her face at the look of pride Hermione sported talking about Fleur’s children.”I hope your namesake turns out to be just like you.”

“That’s exactly what Fleur’s wife said but unfortunately she turned into a trouble maker just like Fleur.”Hermione said with a chuckle.

“Then I feel bad for her mothers.”Andromeda had heard the stories about what Fleur did during the war. The Veela was known to disobey orders and do her own thing. She was loose cannon but extremely effective and had received an Order of Merlin medal for her efforts being the first magical creature in history to receive one.

“They were very pleased with the many warding spells I have passed along to protect the house.”Hermione told them.

“I bet.”Narcissa remembered what it was like having a magical child running around. Draco wrecked ever part of the manor by the time he was six forcing them to make many repairs throughout the years.

“I feel the need to admit that I didn’t just come over here to speak to the pair of you.”Hermione said.

Narcissa felt her stomach drop. Of course Hermione didn’t come over to say hello. She wanted something.”Why did you come then?”

“I was actually wondering if you would like to dance with me Lady Black?”Hermione asked Narcissa.

“You want to dance with me?”Narcissa was beyond surprised by the question.

“Well I was hoping you would agree but I won’t force you to if you don’t want to.”Hermione told her.

Narcissa didn’t like the dejected look on Hermione’s face and before she knew what she was doing she spoke.”I would love to.”

“Perfect.”Hermione smiled brightly and held out her arm.”I must warn you that I am not the best dancer so you’re going to have to lead.”

“I have no problem with that.”Narcissa took Hermione’s arm and together they walked to the middle of the dance floor. Narcissa did her best to ignore the many eyes on them and focused on Hermione. She put her hand on Hermione’s hip and with her other hand in Hermione’s own began to lead them around the dance floor.

“Now that we are alone I must tell you how lovely you look tonight.”Hermione said.

“Thank you.”Narcissa wasn’t expecting the compliment but it did make her feel good.”You look very fetching yourself.”

“I wish I could take the credit but I have a stylist that picks out all my clothes. If it was left to me I would have probably shown up in muggle street clothes.”Hermione told her.

Narcissa laughed.”It would have caused quite the stir.”

“I know when to pick my battles and wizarding fashion is something that will never change.”Hermione said.

Narcissa spun Hermione and pulled her back to her.“I don’t know maybe it’s time for someone to come in and shake it up.”

“Well if anyone is going to shake up the fashion world it is you as you are the most fashionable woman I know.”Hermione told her.

“I’m not that fashionable.”Narcissa denied.

”You have always looked fashionable. Why I remember the first time I saw you. I had just come through wall to catch the Hogwarts express. You were wearing black fitted robes with blue accents that brought out your eyes. There were dozens of people there but you stood out like a beacon. So untouchable to the masses. I was mesmerized. When it was time to board I rushed to the first compartment I found just so I could get one last glimpse of you before it left. Every time since then my eyes always fall on you.”Hermione confessed.

Narcissa was so stunned by Hermione’s words that she stopped dancing.”You remember what I wore the first time you saw me?”

“Or course. I remember everything about you.”Hermione said like it was the logical thing in the world.

“I was so rude to you though.”Narcissa had remembered all the times she had come in contact with Hermione. She never missed the opportunity to look down on the witch as she was expected to.

“Even then I knew you were just playing a role. No one who loved their son as much as you did would have condoned anyone mistreating a child if they weren’t being forced to.”Hermione said.

”How could you tell?”Narcissa hadn’t thought she had been so obvious.

Hermione pulled Narcissa close to her and resumed dancing.”When it comes to you I pay attention and I noticed the pain in your eyes anytime Lucius and Draco were hateful or abusive. You were a good person even when you weren’t allowed to be.”

“A good person wouldn’t have stood by while their sister tortured you.”Narcissa still felt shame for not saving Hermione from Bellatrix.

“It wasn’t your fault Narcissa. There was nothing you could do to save me. If you had tried Bellatrix would have hurt you badly. Your sister was to far gone in her madness by the time I came along. Her focus was Tom and his mission. If you had gotten in the way you would have been just another blood traitor in her eyes and she would have felt it was her duty to rid her family of such an unworthy member.”Hermione said.

Narcissa knew Hermione was right it was just a hard pill to swallow.”She wouldn’t have hesitated either.”

“You need to forgive yourself and you need to forgive Bellatrix.”Hermione told her.

“What?”Narcissa couldn’t believe that Hermione of all people thought that Bellatrix deserved forgiveness.

“Your sister was product of a horrible childhood and even more horrible marriage. Her choices had been made for her since birth. She didn’t have a chance to be anything other than what your parents and the Lestranges wanted her to be. She had no free will. Tom gave her a chance to be seen as something other than just another pureblood housewife. He gave her not only independence but validation. Her loyalty to him wasn’t because she was a die hard pure blood fanatic it was because he gave her the freedom to do what she wanted in life.”Hermione explained.

Narcissa took a moment to go over everything Hermione said.”I still can’t believe you would forgive her.”

“If Dumbledore was actually a good person he would have intervened and got you and your sisters out of your home. He had the power too. If you want to blame anyone for your sister’s actions blame him because he could have prevented not only your parents from abusing you he could have put a stop to arranged marriages. Bellatrix could have been saved and she could be here with us right now drinking and laughing but he took away her chance. He stood by while the brightest witch of her age was beaten and so manipulated that her mind was twisted to the point that she willing tortured me for hours when I know for fact that the Bellatrix you grew up with would do anything to stand up to any injustice she saw. Bellatrix wasn’t the villain in this story she was just another victim.”Hermione told her.

“She was like that you know. She didn’t put up with any kind of bigotry. She would argue with our father about the treatment of our elves. I remember the beatings she took when my parents found out that she tried to free them.”Narcissa hated the fact that the Bellatrix she knew had been lost.

Hermione smiled sadly.”Remember your sister like that. Don’t remember her what she was forced to become.”

“Thank you Hermione.”Narcissa discreetly wiped the tears that came hearing the kind words.

“There no need to thank me.”Hermione said.

Before Narcissa could reply someone called Hermione’s name.”It seems you are being summoned.”

“It’s too bad because I was finally enjoying myself.”Hermione told her.

“I was enjoying myself as well.”Narcissa admitted.

“I hope I’m not being to forward but would you like to go out to lunch with me sometime?”Hermione asked.

Narcissa was taken aback by the offer.”You want to have lunch with me?”

“I would love nothing more than to have lunch with you.”Hermione said.

“Then please send me an owl to let me know a time.”Narcissa found the idea of spending more time with Hermione very enticing.

“I will.”Hermione took a step back from Narcissa and lifted the blond’s hand leaving a kiss on her knuckles.”Thank you for the dance. It was the highlight of my night.”

“Of course.”Narcissa stood in the middle of the floor watching Hermione walk away. She wasn’t sure what to make of the entire interaction. Hermione had surprised her. Narcissa hadn’t realized that the brunette had paid so much attention to her. Narcissa found it faltering that Hermione remembered the first time she saw her. Narcissa hadn’t even noticed the witch but Hermione had remembered ever detail. Narcissa wondered why she left such an impression on Hermione. Narcissa wasn’t anyone special. Especially when the young girl was in school. Narcissa played the role of perfect pureblood housewife never doing anything to damage her image to the public or her family. Hermione however had seen right through her act. She had seen the real Narcissa when no one even tried to look. Narcissa found it somewhat humbling to have had so much of Hermione’s attention over the years. A pair of dancers bumping into her shook her out her revery. Making her way off the dance floor Narcissa wasn’t sure what to think about Hermione. She did know that she was looking forward to that lunch though.