Narcissa heard every word that transpired between the cat and Hermione. She felt her heart jump and soar as she heard Hermione champion her, and protect her. She knew that it was probably her damaged psyche, or her tattered emotions, maybe even her dislike of men now that Lucius took her without her say, but she loved this woman. Narcissa sat now on the balcony looking out over Hogwarts with stars in the sky and a full moon softly lighting up the grounds. She heard the sounds of students practicing for their Quidditch match coming up, but she was grateful not to have witches and wizards fly around and obstruct her view of what was her second home as a child. She let Hermione go back into the bowels of the castle to meet with various departments as it was their weekly meeting to discuss, curriculum, student progress, and any administrative occurrences. Hermione had to go with a singular purpose, how where her kids doing? It would have been the second day without potions and Narcissa could tell that Hermione was a woman of habit, and routine. She needed that type of control and craved to be teaching. Narcissa smiled. It was the perfect profession for the woman.
She was gentle, kind and caring. Soft but there was also a hardness inside of her, and Narcissa wondered if she had always been like that. She spoke of a war, and briefly which side they were on. Narcissa could not begin to fathom how they were enemies. Even though Hermione was of muggle origin, it didn't matter to Narcissa. As she thought of that her mind flowed to how she was going to handle Lucius. She could divorce him, but she would be left with nothing. Then there was a child. Would it be called killing a child if you haven't even conceived of him yet? Could she even let Lucius touch her to make a baby? Thought of his touch repulsed her. It physically made her weak. She touched her cheek as she remembered the time he punched her. Yes, punched. Balled up fist, pulled back, and let loose punched her. She knew her cheek was broken but all she could do was conceal it, and feign illness. Where did the man she marry go? Was he even there?
The door to the living room opened and a tired Hermione stepped in and flopped down on the sofa. Narcissa wanted to go to her, she wanted to be that person Hermione wanted, and would confide in and love. But how much of her affections were due to her present relationship with her husband, and then the tender care of this woman that with every touch, and smile seemed to save a small piece of her heart? Narcissa heard the bathroom door open and the bath begin to fill. She could already smell the bath salt of spearmint and eucalyptus fill the room. Heard the sounds of another human puttering around in their space, and Narcissa closed her eyes imprinting the sounds, and smells of this wonderful woman's dwelling, her space into her memories. Sounds stopped as she heard the slosh of water in the bathroom. Narcissa, taking a chance, making a choice, stood. She stood in the bedroom and took her clothes off. She looked into the mirror and saw her reflection. The circles that had plagued her eyes had faded and only she knew they were still there but she looked rested, healthy. Her skin glowed in the moonlight. Her breasts were of moderate size and she was comfortable with them, and she looked to her ribs and noted the mottled yellow color and then slowly bent over at the waist she could make it to a 45 degree angle from her legs then have to stop as pain lanced through her side. She smiled. She was healing. She looked at the door and then slowly walked to the bathroom she opened the door. She saw Hermione's head shift at the creak of the door but didn't completely turn nor did she say anything. She went to the cupboard and got a towel and wrapped it around her body. She still, after everything they shared was shy, and ashamed of her body. She saw Hermione with her head back cradled by her own towel. She walked to the tub and stepped into the water and sat against the adjacent wall of Hermione. She looked at Hermione and Hermione simply sat there with her eyes closed. Narcissa did the same. After many moments Hermione startled her.
"You know I have read novels where sex scenes start out just like this," Hermione smiled as Narcissa looked at her with wide eyes so she continued, "Woman sits in a bath, the love interest comes in the bath under innocent pretenses. They share smoldering looks, cross the water," Hermione began to move toward Narcissa and Narcissa's breath caught. She was gorgeous. Trim hips, small but firm breasts, and round thighs that… Narcissa swallowed.
"Then they look at each other as if they were the only person in the world that could be their demise and their salvation," Hermione whispered as she, thankfully, sat next to Narcissa but she never took her brown eyes from Narcissa's blue, "Then they embrace passionately, taking and giving everything they possibly could." Hermione finally looked away from Narcissa. She could breathe again. That was intense. That was, unexpected. She continued to watch the woman before her as she lay her head back and closed her eyes again. She looked so tired.
"You read interesting novels, my dear," Narcissa bit her cheek. She couldn't stop the endearment from passing her lips. She looked over the see that Hermione only smiled.
"I always wanted to be one of the characters in my books," Hermione said and Narcissa looked over to the woman and saw her peering at her through a half closed lid. What the hell was she to do with that information after she came over to her like a temptress? Narcissa heard Hermine move. She felt hands come in contact with her body as she shoved Narcissa forward slightly and then pulled her up, and then in between her legs. Hermione reached around Narcissa embracing her and pulling her to her chest. They sat like that for a long time embraced. Narcissa felt that this was one of the most intimate things she had ever done as she lay her head back against Hermione's shoulder and sighed.
"What did you expect to happen when you came in here, Narcissa?" Hermione whispered in her ear. She shivered as wisps of her breath tickled her ear and neck. Hermione wandlessly cast a spell to heat up the water a little to take off her chill.
"How can you cast wandlessly?" Narcissa asked breathlessly.
"Spell book in the restricted section and you are avoiding my question," Hermione answered and Narcissa can practically hear the smile on Hermione's lips.
"I suppose I was wanting to be one of the characters in your stories too," Narcissa turned her head and pressed her lips to the corner of Hermione's mouth. The brunette smiled but she didn't kiss her back. Narcissa's heart fell.
"I don't think you are ready for that sweetheart," Hermione said softly taking the bite out of her statement. Narcissa moved from Hermione's arms and turned around looking at her with her head tilted to the side and her arms crossed over her chest as if she had just been challenged. Hermione chuckled.
"How can you say that? I practically threw myself at you," Narcissa stood to leave but Hermione's hand tugged on her wrist.
"Come here," she said with a smile on her lips, "First if I didn't want you do you really think I would have sat you intimately, and snuggly between my legs? Secondly, we both know you are running from Lucius, so would this foray into lesbianism be because you care greatly for me or is it because you hate him? Third," Hermione paused and reached out a hand and tugged on the tip of the towel covering Narcissa's body, "If you were ready would you be hiding from me?" Narcissa sighed. Hermione had her pegged. Narcissa reached up to her towel and Hermione stopped her and shook her head. Hermione leaned forward shocked them both and placed a chaste feather like kiss on Narcissa's lips and pulled away. She stood and Narcissa got not only a glimpse but a full on show of the beautiful woman she just shared a bath with. Hermione jumped into the shower and washed her hair and the sweat from her body. Narcissa slumped against the wall. She just threw herself at the one person that showed her any kindness. She buried her face in her hand and shook her head. What kind of person am I?
She heard the water turn off and the shower door open and saw Hermione exit in a towel wrapped around her body. Hermione cocked her head and Narcissa exited the water and made it to the shower as well. She let the hot water hit her and tried not to think of herself as a fool.
!
Hermione made it to her bedroom as she heard the water turn on. She leaned against her bed and buried her hands in her face. How on earth could I have been so bold to a woman who is unsure of what she wanted? Hermione quickly put her clothes on and got Narcissa a pair of pajamas, and put them on the bed. She sat in the living room with her feet propped up on the table and her wet hair combed back as she rested her head against the back of the sofa. Who cares if she left a huge wet spot on the back of the couch? She was exhausted. She exhaled heavily through her nostrils and mused over the woman she was stupid enough to have fallen in love with. She has to go to her own time. She is a Malfoy, and before that a Black. Hermione shook her head at that last thought, a name doesn't matter.
After many long moments she felt a depression on the couch next to her and she lifted her arm. She smiled when wet hair cuddled against her shoulder.
"I am sorry Hermione," Narcissa apologized. Hermione shifted to where Narcissa lay her head in Hermione's lap. Hermione took her wand and dried Narcissa hair, and then began to stroke her locks tenderly.
"Why?" Hermione asked as her gentle touch began to make Narcissa relax and loosen up. Narcissa looked up into Hermione's face and noticed the bags she was beginning to sport under her eyes. Narcissa reached up with the back of her index finger and touched her cheek there. Hermione looked down.
"You are tired. You have to rest," Narcissa stood and pulled Hermione up with her good side. And took her hand and pulled her to the bedroom. Hermione gave her a look and Narcissa chuckled. It was a sound Hermione had never heard the woman make and found it one of the most wonderful sounds she had ever heard.
"We are going to sleep, Hermione. Don't tell me after that lovely speech about me not being ready you are changing your mind?" Narcissa challenged with a raised eyebrow and she arms crossed over her chest. For the first time since she arrived she saw a glimpse of the Narcissa Malfoy she knew, in the posture and facial features. But this was all play and Hermione smiled. She went to the side of the bed and lay down watching Narcissa. She was not going to lie she did want to take Narcissa but there was something there that kept her back, and no it wasn't the time paradox issue. She waited and it was only when Hermione stretched out her hand to the woman that made Narcissa's choice for her. The woman slipped in to the bed and they looked at the ceiling. She felt Hermione's hand lace their fingers and in no time at all the brunette was fast asleep. Narcissa only took a little longer. She wished she could be in her arms forever, she felt safe, good, and loved. Evidence of that in the bath. If she could that would be her bathing position from now on. She smiled as she glanced over to her bed mate. She never answered her question. When her eyes closed she wished her dreams were of her.