Chapter 1

Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns the Harry Potter universe. I'm just playing with it a bit. I am not getting paid for this work of fanfiction.

This story was written for the SSHG_Exchange community at LiveJournal as a gift for dickgloucester. My reading team consisted of: blue artemis, braye27 and irishredlass. This story was beta-read by karelia and Brit-picked by TalesOfSnape, who also made the banner. MoreThanSirius was a wonderful brainstormer, cheerleader and alpha reader.

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Chapter 1

Hermione wondered if she ought to have her head examined. She had to be a little insane to even contemplate what she was about to do. There were few things that could cause more fear...the irrational, panicky sort...than living in a nightmare, which was her intention for the next week. But Ron had said in a bracing tone, "Are you a Gryffindor or not?" and Harry and Ginny had promised to offer support whenever needed; so, she had agreed.

Low-level panic left her a little more light-headed than usual after Apparating into a narrow, sunlit lane with Ron, Harry and Ginny. The boys got their bearings fairly quickly and started off down the lane with Hermione and Ginny following behind. On the left, the lane was bordered by wild, low-growing brambles while the right-hand side boasted a high, neatly manicured hedge.

They continued walking until wrought-iron gates appeared to their right. The gates were open today in anticipation of the arrival of guests. For a moment, Hermione stopped to collect herself.

She was a survivor of the War against Voldemort, but even after six years, there were things she still had nightmares about: being chased by Nagini in Harry's old home in Godric's Hollow; flying through the air on an ancient, half-blind dragon; standing alone in a tent in the middle of nowhere crying for Ron; and being tortured in the Malfoys' drawing room.

Granted, sometimes good might come out of having nightmares. Her recurring dream of Ron leaving her was what finally caused her to tell him they should just be friends. In the last couple of months of officially not being a couple, one nightmare, at least, had begun to fade. She had looked at her fear squarely and made a good choice for both herself and Ron, but even this did not convince her that she could face her memories of Malfoy Manor.

Apparently, she had stopped at the gates because Harry and Ron had turned around to look at her, and Ginny had put a supportive arm around her shoulders. Her mind shouted, No, no, no, NO! If it weren't for the charity... With a shrug and a deep breath, she put her feet into motion again, and the four of them walked between the gates and into the manor lane.

Mr and Mrs Malfoy were just inside the gates. Hermione wished she'd had time to put on her game face prior to meeting her hosts who stood next to one of several carriages lining the lane. The couple came forward to greet the newcomers. Hermione tried to rummage up the appropriate facial expression at a moment's notice. She was rather afraid she might be grimacing instead of smiling, but it was too late now.

"Mr and Mrs Potter, Mr Weasley, Miss Granger, we are so pleased you agreed to come," Narcissa said in her cultured voice, a smile on her face. Looking at Hermione's face, Narcissa's smile slipped a bit, and she said to Hermione, "I know your memories of our home are not pleasant ones, but we hope you'll manage to enjoy yourself this week. We're positive your being here will help benefit the Widows and Orphans of War Fund."

Lucius offered a nod and a small smile before continuing, "If you'd like, you may ride up to the manor in one of the carriages, or you may just walk on up the lane. It's about a quarter of a mile to the house."

Harry looked at the rest of his friends. "I'd like to walk; how about the rest of you?" His friends nodded their agreement, so Harry said, "I think we'll walk up; thank you, Mr Malfoy."

"Delightful! If you'll wait a moment, a group of us will walk up together," responded Lucius before turning to talk to someone in one of the carriages.

Ron turned toward Hermione and spoke in a low tone for her ears alone, "Oh, that will be delightful, now won't it?"

Hermione gave him a wry smile. "I'm sure." She took a deep breath and readied herself to socialise with the man who had tried to kill her in the Department of Mysteries and had stood by while she was tortured in his drawing room.

Her eyes were drawn to where Lucius Malfoy stood conversing through the open window of one of the carriages. Presently, a tall, dark figure folded himself through the doorway of the carriage. Straightening to his full height, Severus Snape descended the steps of the carriage and crossed over to them.

"Good afternoon, Severus," Hermione said to him. "How is your potion research coming along?"

"Hello, Hermione," he responded. "If you must know, the last batch was completely ruined by the Snodgrass case. If you must have emergency investigations in which only I can help you, could you please wait until a convenient moment in my research?"

"Well, who else could have helped us find out whether Mrs Snodgrass was poisoned or cursed? The symptoms were very subtle and altogether confusing! Until we knew what had happened, I didn't know whether to assign the case to the Aurors or the Magical Hit Squad. And you can't believe how they squabble over these cases."

"Oh, yes, and managing your department is my concern because...?" Severus asked in a withering tone.

"Because," Hermione responded in her most righteous tone, "dealing with wrongdoers is the concern of every good citizen."

"Ah, but developing a potion to cure the psychological trauma of the Cruciatus Curse isn't the concern of every good citizen."

"Well, of course not! Not every good citizen would have the ability to develop such a potion."

"Which brings me back to my original point. I don't mind consulting for your department from time to time. I'll admit, some of your cases have been... intriguing. But settling disputes in your department hardly constitutes an emergency and wouldn't seem to require my services."

"I'm not sure Mrs Snodgrass's family would see it that way, Severus."

"Humph." Severus turned to acknowledge the greetings of Harry, Ginny and Ron.

Hermione was still surprised to see Harry, Ron and Severus managing a polite conversation. Working together had given them a better understanding of each other. She was more pleased to have the last word in a debate with Severus Snape. It didn't happen often. Just knowing Severus was here at Malfoy Manor quelled some of her panic. No one could ever accuse him of being bracing or supportive, but somehow Hermione knew he would be there if she needed someone to protect her.

Hermione and Severus had started to work together fairly often since she had been promoted to head the Department of Investigation, a new department which acted as a liaison between the Aurors and the Magical Hit Squad. The Aurors had traditionally hunted Dark wizards while the Magical Hit Squad had dealt with wizards engaging in criminal activity. With Voldemort dead and his supporters no longer a threat, it was more difficult to decide if occurrences of wrongdoing were the result mainly of Dark magic or criminal activity. Hermione's department assigned a case and followed up on the investigations as needed.

She had incorporated the Muggle practice of bringing in consultants to help investigate when necessary. Sometimes, it was a quick method of determining whether Dark magic or criminal activity was involved. She had asked Severus to consult with the department on several occasions. With his knowledge of both potions and Dark magic, he had been an important component in her success thus far.

She liked to think they had developed a good working relationship. Severus Snape was not an easy man to get to know. Working with him in a capacity beyond teacher and student had given her an even greater appreciation of his sharp mind, his love for research, and his dry wit. As a student, she had never realised Professor Snape even had a sense of humour, but she loved the verbal ripostes in which she and Severus Snape engaged now.

Severus had by now finished exchanging pleasantries with Harry, Ron and Ginny. Lucius Malfoy was striding towards them while carriage doors were being closed by the house-elves in charge of each carriage.

"I'm glad you've decided to walk up," Lucius commented. "I do love showing the grounds to guests, and, of course, you may wander around freely while you are staying here."

Harry, never very subtle, raised his eyebrows at this claim. He had heard discussions over the years of what objects of Dark magic might be hidden at Malfoy Manor.

Lucius drawled, "You mustn't believe everything you hear, Mr Potter. I'd be foolish indeed to invite the Director of the Department of Investigation and two of the Ministry's top Aurors to stay here if I had Dark objects on the premises. The rumours of my stash of evil objects are highly overblown, I assure you."

"That's very reassuring, Lucius," Severus said blandly.

A small smile appeared on Lucius's face as he said, "Point taken, Severus."

The lane they were following curved gracefully through the extensive park. The tall, manicured yew hedge ran along one side of the lane. On the other side, Hermione could see a number of formal gardens and a hedge maze. A fountain was gurgling nearby. The manor house spread out before them, its limestone facade gleaming in the sunlight. The large central portion of the house was flanked by a long wing on either side. Its sheer bulk was imposing, and the feeling of fear Hermione had been trying to suppress began to surface.

Suddenly, a loud squawk sounded from the right. Hermione gave a little squeak, looking around frantically.

"What was that?" Ron asked while Harry slipped his wand into duelling position with a quick flick of his wrist.

Severus leaned towards Hermione and pointed to the top of the yew hedge. A pure white peacock was perched there. It squawked again before spreading its wings and gliding to the ground. Fanning its tail feathers, it bristled angrily. "No need for heroics, Potter. Lucius can handle the peacock."

Lucius Malfoy walked slowly toward the peacock, speaking in a soothing tone. "Shhh, now, Brutus. No one is trying to attack you or take your harem." He continued speaking in his quiet drawl until the peacock lowered its tail feathers. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out some corn and fed it to Brutus.

He said quietly, "This is Brutus. Isn't he a beauty?"

"He's a proud one," Severus responded. With Brutus calm once more, the group resumed their walk to the house.

"Is he the head of the flock?" Ginny asked. "Is a group of peacocks called a flock?"

"Technically, it's referred to as a muster of peafowl or an ostentation," Lucius responded.

"In his case, ostentation does seem appropriate," Harry commented, nodding toward the preening peacock.

"Yes, well Brutus does have the largest harem of the muster, so I guess you could call him the cock of the walk." Lucius permitted himself a small smile. "He certainly thinks he is."

"How many peafowl do you have here?" Harry asked.

"I generally keep between 30 and 40 on the estate. Currently, we have 37," Lucius responded.

"How many of them are white?" Hermione asked. "They must be pretty rare."

"All of them are white," Lucius responded. "If you breed two white peafowl, their offspring will usually be white."

"White peafowl set off the cool beauty of the Malfoy colouring," Severus said in his most blasé tone.

"Shut it, Severus," Lucius said from between clenched teeth.

Hermione pursed her lips to hide a smile, but Severus caught her at it and quirked an eyebrow in response to her amusement. Hermione found herself curious about the relationship between Lucius Malfoy and Severus Snape. They seemed to be friends, and Hermione wondered how they could have been fighting for such different things in the war and still be on friendly terms.

By this point, they had almost reached the house. Instead of taking the lane as it swept toward the front door, Lucius Malfoy proceeded along the lane leading toward the back of the house. "We are having tea in the rose garden," he said by way of explanation.

Glad she could postpone seeing the entrance hall and the drawing room for a little bit, Hermione suddenly noticed a spring to her step. Ron gave her a smile and a nod, and Hermione realised he was much more sensitive to her as a friend than he had been as a boyfriend. She smiled back.

They reached the back of the house. The rose garden spread out before them in a vast array of loveliness. "Oh, it's beautiful!" Ginny gasped. On a nearby patio, tea for their large party had been set.

As they approached the patio, Severus spoke quietly for Hermione's ears alone, "Lucius couldn't have asked for a better arrangement."

"Oh?" Hermione murmured, hoping he would elaborate.

"The first carriages will be the people who Lucius hopes will donate a lot of money to the Widows and Orphans of War Fund," Severus explained, "and here are the famous Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley to greet them."

"Anything for the cause," Hermione answered, in spite of her lack of enthusiasm for spending the week at Malfoy Manor. "After all, what are founders of a charity for, if not to promote it?"

The first guests began to emerge from the house onto the patio. Lucius hurried forward to give his arm to the first guest, a diminutive elderly witch using a cane. Severus said softly, "Madam Marchbanks doesn't like Lucius, so the fact she is here speaks for her support of the charity... and Narcissa's persuasive abilities."

Lucius carefully pulled out a seat for the tiny lady. She sat regally, her dignity like a cloak around her. Harry, Ginny, Ron, Hermione and Severus came forward to greet the witch who had been head of the Wizarding Examinations Authority for more years than any of them could remember.

Lucius started the introductions. "Madam Marchbanks, may I present Mr and Mrs Harry...?"

"Poppycock, Lucius!" Madam Marchbanks interrupted. "You're not going to try to introduce me to these young people, are you? Why, I examined all of them during their O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s! And I've worked with Severus for years!"

"I beg your pardon, Madam," Lucius said, his most polished smile pasted on his face. "Excuse me while I go see to the other guests." He bowed elegantly before turning and walking away.

"That young man is far too charming," Madam Marchbanks grumbled with a thump of her cane. "I don't trust charming young men."

There didn't seem to be any response which wouldn't be an insult to their host, so everyone remained silent and uneasy. Madam Marchbanks gave a harrumph and peered at them with her sharp, blue eyes. "Mrs Potter, I haven't seen you since your wedding. How is your stint with the Holyhead Harpies?"

"Actually, Madam Marchbanks, I just ended my last season with the Harpies," Ginny responded.

"What! A young athlete in her prime like you? Why on earth would you quit at the peak of your career?"

"It just felt like the right time," Ginny answered with a smile.

"Humph." Madam Marchbanks gave Ginny another of her sharp glances. "You're expecting, I suppose, isn't she, Mr Potter?" Suddenly, Harry was the recipient of her piercing looks.

Harry stammered, "N-nooo, Madam Marchbanks, I do-don't think so."

The piercing look turned into a piercing gleam. "Well, if she isn't expecting now, you must be planning on it soon. And given Molly Weasley's history, I'm guessing it won't be long before the news is public," she concluded, looking pleased with herself.

Once again, the group was rendered silent. Hermione knew Ginny had retired from Quidditch so she and Harry could work on starting a family. Their family and closest friends knew this but were bound to secrecy, since Harry and Ginny didn't particularly want their family planning to make front page of The Daily Prophet. No one would meet Madam Marchbanks knowing gaze...except Severus, who observed the old lady with a bit of a gleam in his eye.

"Well, Mr Snape?" Madam Marchbanks snapped at him.

"Madam, surely you can't expect me to be acquainted with the details of Potter's intimate life. My distaste for Potter has been well-documented by Rita Skeeter."

"Jackaknapes!" was the old lady's response. "As if anybody with any intelligence believes what that harridan writes. Be off with you!"

Severus bowed to the formidable witch, a small lift to the corners of his mouth. Hermione looked at him intently, willing him to take her away from Madam Marchbanks and her quizzing. As he raised his head, he caught Hermione's look and smoothly said, "As you wish, Madam. Miss Granger, might I have a word with you?"

Hermione feigned a look of surprise, "Yes, of course, Severus. Excuse me, Madam Marchbanks." With a small nod to the revered...and feared...witch, Hermione walked away with Severus. "Thank you," she murmured when they had gone a few steps.

"You owe me," Severus murmured back.

"You always say that," Hermione responded.

"One of these days, I'll call in the debt." Severus glanced at her from the corner of his eye, a small smirk playing across his lips.

Hermione's heart gave a funny, little thump. She decided to change the subject. "Who is the woman coming onto the patio?"

"Who?" Severus had been looking rather intently at her but now glanced toward the doorway from the house at Hermione's nod. "That is Mrs Zabini, Blaise's mother. She's rich as Croesus, but I'm rather surprised Lucius invited her."

"Why?" Hermione asked.

"You don't know? She's known as 'The Black Widow' because she's been married seven times. All of her husbands died under rather mysterious circumstances. She's wealthy enough to maintain her place in society, but most people are a little afraid of her."

"Oh... but I'm sure she's been investigated carefully, hasn't she? If she were guilty of her husbands' deaths, wouldn't she have been found out by now? Perhaps it's coincidence or sheer bad luck?"

"Perhaps you're right... or she's very, very good at what she does."

"Poor Blaise. I assume his father was the last husband, since she goes by Zabini."

"No, Zabini was Husband #2, I think. She kept his name because Blaise is her only child, and she wanted to make it easier for him. I suppose it falls to me to strike up a conversation, seeing as I was head of her son's Hogwarts house. Would you like to meet her?"

Curiosity almost made Hermione agree, but just then she saw someone completely unexpected arrive. "I can't believe...! I would never have thought she'd come. I'm sorry, Severus. You go talk to Mrs Zabini. There is someone I need to speak to." She walked off without waiting for a reply.

Hermione wasn't sure she had seen correctly, but she thought Luna Lovegood was coming towards the patio. A few steps more confirmed her suspicion as Luna stepped through the doorway. "Luna! I'm so surprised to see you here!"

"Hello, Hermione. It's good to see you, too. Why are you surprised to see me? I knew you would be here."

"I would think you'd never want to come back to Malfoy Manor after... what happened to you here."

Luna replied, "Oh, I came with someone." She turned towards a young man walking towards them. He was plain but friendly-looking with brown hair and blue eyes. Smiling, he said, "Luna, did you see the white peacock on the lawn?" Seeing Hermione, he said, "Oh, hello. I'm sorry, did I interrupt?"

"Hermione Granger, I'd like to introduce my fiancé, Rolf Scamander."

"Rolf, I'm very happy to meet you," Hermione said as she shook his hand. In mock indignation, Hermione continued, "But I can't believe you never gave me a hint! How long has this been going on?"

"Remember the expedition when I went to South America? The one I went on to prove the existence of the bifflebug?" Luna asked. Hermione nodded. "Rolf was on the expedition with me. In fact, his grandfather was leading it."

"He was leading an expedition to find the bifflebug?" Hermione asked, confused.

"No, Rolf's grandfather was leading a tour of the Amazon to see the magical plants and animals of the rain forest. Rolf and I started talking, and I told him my dream to prove the existence of the bifflebug. He was interested in my research and decided to help me."

"Did you find any proof of the bifflebug?" Hermione asked curiously.

"Yes," responded Rolf. "Unfortunately, we weren't able to document it, so we'll have to go back again and get our proof."

"We wouldn't have to go back," Luna answered. "Father is satisfied to know his theories are correct, and so am I."

Rolf gave Luna a tender smile. "I know, but your father deserves the recognition of the scientific community and to be proven right." Luna gave him a rapt smile in return.

There was a glow of happiness surrounding Luna. Hermione hugged her. "I'm so happy for you!" Over Luna's shoulder, Hermione noticed some new arrivals. Taking Luna by the shoulders, she turned her towards them. "Luna, look who's here!"

It was Neville and Hannah Longbottom, accompanied by Mrs Augusta Longbottom, Neville's grandmother.

"Neville! Hannah!" Hermione exchanged hugs with each one. "I'm so glad to see you! Hello, Mrs Longbottom," she greeted the old lady, shaking her hand.

"Good afternoon, Miss Granger," said Mrs Longbottom.

"Grandmother," Neville said, "I see Madam Marchbanks sitting right over there."

"Griselda is here?" Mrs Longbottom sounded truly shocked and didn't bother to moderate the volume of her voice. "Why, she hates Lucius Malfoy! She told me there was no way she would be coming the last time we spoke. I'm going to find out what changed her mind." Mrs Longbottom went off as rapidly as she could with her cane, anxious to find out what could have persuaded her friend.

It wasn't long before Harry, Ginny and Ron joined their little group to find Neville telling Hermione and Luna about a funny accident in one of the Hogwarts greenhouses the previous spring...with running commentary by Hannah.

"And then the Mandrake started shrieking. It hadn't been repotted correctly," Neville recounted.

Hannah interjected, "Neville was almost deaf for two months. I had to write everything out or sign anything I wanted to tell him. You wouldn't believe how quiet it was in our house! I think that's one of the main reasons I took the job at the Leaky Cauldron. I wanted to hear people talk."

Ron said, "Good one, Neville! There's one way to keep a girl quiet."

Hannah looked at Ron in shocked annoyance. Hermione just shook her head. Harry stifled a laugh, but he couldn't fool Ginny who punched him in the shoulder. Neville looked at Hermione with mock puzzlement as he said, "I can't understand why you ever broke up with this smooth talker, Hermione."

"It's hard to figure, I know," Hermione answered, shaking her head.

The friends started to chuckle, and Ron asked, "What? What's so funny?"

"Come on, let's sit down for tea," Harry said. They sat down at two nearby tables on the patio, chattering happily as they caught up on the different events in their lives. Hermione, who had not had much sleep during the week before, found her mind wandering. She glanced across the patio and noticed Severus still sitting with Mrs Zabini. Mrs Zabini leaned toward Severus, displaying her quite ample charms, and laid her hand upon his arm. Hermione couldn't hear what she was saying, but it was clearly an intimate moment between the two.

Suddenly, Hermione felt exhausted. It wasn't totally unexpected, she thought dully. After all, she hadn't slept well for several nights, worrying over her stay at Malfoy Manor. She spied Mrs Malfoy standing at the far edge of the patio with two women and headed over towards them to ask Mrs Malfoy if she could be shown to her room. As she moved closer, she thought the younger woman looked like Daphne Greengrass, but Hermione wasn't sure as she hadn't seen her since leaving Hogwarts. The older woman must be her mother. Narcissa was pointing out the various types of roses growing in the garden.

"Excuse me, Mrs Malfoy," Hermione began. "Please pardon the interruption."

Narcissa turned toward her. "Oh, dear, you look as though you don't feel well. What can I do for you, Miss Granger?"

"I have a headache and was wondering if you could show me to my room."

"Of course. We have assigned each person a house-elf to help them navigate around the house. When you go into the house, just call for Nolly. She will show you to your room. If you need a headache potion or something else, Nolly will get it. Will you be all right? I'd show you to your room myself, but I'm trying to get everyone settled here."

"That's quite all right, Mrs Malfoy. I'm sure your house-elf will be very helpful."

"Dinner is at eight in the dining room. I hope you will be feeling better by then," Narcissa responded.

"I hope so as well. Thank you."

Hermione started walking back toward the house. She saw Lucius Malfoy talking to a man whom she recognised as Newt Scamander. Newt Scamander was talking in animated tones. "It's not right to keep such beautiful birds captive on your estate, Mr Malfoy! They deserve freedom!"

"It's a large estate, Mr Scamander," Malfoy replied. "They wander almost entirely freely over hundreds of acres."

"A large prison is still a prison, sir! Why, it makes my blood boil to see you casually disregarding something I've worked against my entire career!" Newt Scamander was working himself into quite an angry state.

"Tomorrow, I shall introduce you to my gamekeeper who is quite an expert on peafowl. I'm sure if you discuss our methods with him..." Mr Malfoy's voice faded as Hermione moved out of range of his discussion with Rolf's grandfather.

She stepped inside the house into a very large room. She realised the patio must be the terrace off the manor's ballroom. She imagined a room full of dancing couples. In her mind's eye, she saw one of the couples leaving the dance floor to exit onto the terrace for a romantic rendezvous. She realised the couple bore a strong resemblance to Severus Snape and Mrs Zabini. Suddenly, she became aware how very much her head ached.

"Nolly!" she called.

A house-elf wearing a neatly laundered pillowcase embroidered with the Malfoy crest appeared at once. "Miss Hermione Granger is needing something? How is Nolly to be helping Miss Hermione Granger?" she asked politely.

"Could you please show me to my room? I have a bad headache."

"Yes, miss."

Walking out of the ballroom, they crossed to the grand dual staircase, which ascended from both sides of the entrance hall. Just as they were beginning to climb the stairs, the front door was flung open. Hermione turned to see Draco Malfoy holding tightly on to the door handle as though he'd topple to the floor otherwise. "Draco? Are you all right?" Hermione asked, walking towards him. "Oh, you're bleeding!"

Draco had a large gash on his forehead. Hermione hurried over to him, taking out her wand as she went. "Tergeo!" she said, holding her wand up to his forehead to siphon the blood away from the wound. "Nolly, would you please bring me some dittany and bandages and let Mrs Malfoy know Draco is here in the entrance hall?"

"Yes, miss," Nolly responded. With a snap of her fingers, Nolly left.

"Let me help you to a seat," Hermione said to Draco. She led him to a small sofa along one wall in the foyer and helped him ease down onto it.

Nolly appeared with a small pop, carrying a little bottle. "Nolly is bringing the dittany and bandages, Miss Granger."

At that moment, Narcissa came hurrying into the entrance hall. "Draco!" she said, running to him. "What happened?"

"I was coming home from Grandmother's..."

"Hold still, Draco. I'm applying the dittany," Hermione said. She carefully let drops of dittany fall on the gash, which began to knit back together. She bandaged the cut and handed the supplies back to Nolly. "Thank you, Nolly." To Draco she said, "Sorry for the interruption."

Draco fingered the bandage gingerly. "That's quite all right. Thank you for your help."

Narcissa was beginning to get impatient. "Draco, what happened to you?"

"It was the strangest thing. I was riding Nightshade back from Grandmother's. I was trotting back to the stables in a bit of a hurry because I knew tea had started. Out of nowhere, Brutus came flying right out in front of us. Nightshade reared up and threw me."

"Brutus came flying at you? He doesn't like horses!"

"I know, Mother. It surprised me as much as Nightshade. Ordinarily, he wouldn't be able to unsaddle me."

Narcissa gently brushed his hair back with her hand. "Why don't you get some rest? You'll want to be able to attend dinner. I'll send Astoria up. She's training to be a Healer and will be able to tell you if you have a concussion."

Narcissa turned to Hermione. "Thank you, Miss Granger, for your quick response. I'm sorry we've kept you from your rest. Let me ask Nolly to show you to your room."

"Thank you, Mrs Malfoy."

"Nolly!" The little house-elf appeared. "Please show Miss Granger to her room."

Nolly led Hermione up the right-hand staircase. Hermione's bedroom for the week was to the right at the top of the stairs. When she entered her room, she had an impression of warm peach tones, but all she really noticed was the bed. Exhaustion finally catching up to her, she took off her shoes and climbed into bed. With a sigh of relief, she said, "Thank you, Nolly."

"May Nolly get Miss something to help with the sore head?" asked the house-elf.

"Could you just pull the curtains, please? Oh, could you please wake me at 7:00 so I have time to get ready for dinner?" At the elf's nod, Hermione relaxed into the pillow. "Thank you." Once the little elf had darkened the room and left her, Hermione was soon fast asleep.

**********

She awoke when the little elf shook her, feeling much better. The invitation for the house party had said guests would dress for dinner each night. She decided to wear her most comfortable dress robes in navy blue, robes she often wore for business functions. She put her hair up in a low bun, applied simple make-up and chose a chunky gold necklace and matching earrings. She decided she looked presentable, if a bit professional for a house party. However, comfort was her big consideration, so she decided not to worry about it tonight.

Hermione had plenty of time before dinner, so she decided to explore the house a bit. She walked down the grand staircase and noticed the room to her left at the bottom of the stairs was the dining room. She looked to her right and recognised the door of the drawing room. This was the room that had haunted her nightmares, and for a moment, Hermione wanted to dart back upstairs to the relative safety of her bedroom. She decided, however, that now was the time to face this room. She was well-rested, which gave her a little more courage than she had possessed over the last week or so. She thought being alone might be a positive; there would be no one to see her if she succumbed to un-Gryffindor panic.

Hermione walked up to the doorway, took a deep breath, and walked in. Then she walked out again. This wasn't the drawing room. She walked back to the front door where she had entered as a prisoner years before. She looked at the doorway; yes, this was where the drawing room should be. She walked into the room again. In her nightmares, she always saw the dark purple walls; the Malfoy family portraits; the carpet in purple, gold and green; the chandelier; the marble fireplace and gilded, scrolled mirror above it.

This room looked nothing like that one, except... yes, there was the marble fireplace with the same gilded mirror hanging above it. The drawing room had been redecorated. The walls were a pale gold while the ornate woodwork and plaster were white. The portraits had been replaced with beautiful landscapes. Instead of the large, dark carpet, smaller area rugs were scattered amongst the various seating areas to match the furniture, which was in shades of blue and gold. No large chandelier hung overhead. Instead, lamps adorned the walls and appeared on various tables throughout the room.

In a daze, she crossed to a sofa and sat down. How strange it was to confront her nightmare and find it so changed from what she remembered! So far, the Malfoys had been quite pleasant. Maybe she could lay the memories of her war time experiences here to rest.

She decided to continue her exploration of the house. Opening another door, Hermione entered what was apparently the music room, as it contained a piano and a harp. Crossing the room, she opened another door to what must be a sitting room. The next door led into yet another room. Judging by its feminine appearance, Hermione supposed this must be a morning room. With its cosy arrangement of furniture and a desk in a prominent part of the room, Hermione guessed this must be where Mrs Malfoy spent a good portion of her day.

Moving on through the room, she passed through another door into a conservatory ... a greenhouse right here in the Manor. She would have to make sure Neville saw this place. With its two-story high ceilings, it held all sorts of flowers, plants, bushes, and even trees.

Hermione was quietly making her way through the lovely surroundings when she was surprised to overhear voices. A woman was speaking: "This week is your chance, Pansy. Show Draco what a lovely woman you've become, lure him to your bed, and soon you'll be Mrs Draco Malfoy."

"Do you think it would work, Mother?" another voice asked.

"I'll help you. Together, we usually get what we want, don't we?"

Hopeful that she could leave without Pansy Parkinson and her mother noticing her, Hermione carefully eased away. Noticing another door close by, she opened it to find a large entryway at the back of the house. She continued down a corridor which passed the rooms she had already seen and soon found herself back at the ballroom and the entrance hall.

Hermione continued on down the corridor and heard conversation coming from a room further on past the dining room. She followed the voices until she came to the billiard room where she saw Ron and Harry playing a game of pool. They stopped playing when they noticed her.

"Hermione! Are you feeling better?" asked Ron.

"I'm fine. I was just so tired after not sleeping well all last week. I'm feeling much better after my nap. Where's Ginny?"

"She's taking some time for herself before getting ready for dinner," Harry replied.

Ron took his shot. While Hermione watched, she told them about how the drawing room had changed and what she had found in the other wing of the house.

Ginny joined them shortly, and dinner was announced soon after. Name cards at each seat showed where everyone was to sit. Hermione found herself down towards Mrs Malfoy's end of the table seated between Severus and Oakmont Greengrass, who turned out to be Daphne's father.

Conversation was pleasant, despite the different personalities at the table. As dinner drew to a close, Lucius rose to speak to the guests. "We are delighted to have you visit our home this week. We have joined together for the purpose of supporting the Widows and Orphans of War Fund. If you will pardon me, however, I'd like to take this opportunity to speak to you on a more personal matter. Narcissa and I are very pleased to announce the engagement of our son, Draco, to Daphne Greengrass. Daphne, we welcome you to our family. Would you please raise your glasses in a toast to Draco and Daphne?"

Almost all the guests responded, "To Draco and Daphne."

Hermione turned toward Severus to make a comment when she noticed Pansy, who was sitting on the other side of Severus, had not raised her glass. Leaning around Severus a bit, Hermione asked, "Pansy, are you all right?"

Pansy turned toward her with a glare. "Of course, I'm all right. What could possibly be wrong?" She turned toward Draco and Daphne. "I hope the two of you will be very happy. Please excuse me." Pansy exited the dining room quickly, followed shortly after by her mother.

There was silence for a moment after their abrupt departure, but Narcissa said, "Why don't we all go to the drawing room? We can talk to each other better there."

She rose from her seat to lead the way. Just then, a man came rushing into the dining room shouting, "Mr Malfoy!" He was a tall man with brown hair and a big moustache. He wore a tweed suit with brown boots. He was twisting his flat cap in his hand.

"Brax! What are you doing here? You're interrupting." Lucius Malfoy did not sound happy.

Brax's tone sounded almost surly. "I beg your pardon, sir, but Portia is dead!"