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Narcissa smiled at the woman sleeping in her lap, even if the scene that unfolded in front of her caused her heart to twist uncomfortably. If only she could just muster up the courage to court the younger witch or even declare her feelings. Instead she had accepted that Hermione only saw her as a friend, and she just had to learn to survive in a world where the woman she loved did not love her back, at least not in the same way.
Before Narcissa could wallow in her sadness, Hermione shifted. She looked up at Narcissa and smiled broadly, as if she couldn't believe Narcissa would permit her to sleep in her lap.
"Well, good morning, sleepyhead. I thought you were going to sleep the entire day away. Not that I would be opposed to missing your charity gala tonight," Narcissa chuckled. Hermione rolled her eyes at Narcissa's teasing.
"No, Cissa. If I have to go, you have to go with me," Hermione said as she reached up and booped Narcissa's nose. "Don't you want to see the look of total and utter disappointment on Ron's stupid face when he sees I'm with you?" Hermione asked her as she pulled herself upright. Narcissa couldn't deny that it brought her no small amount of joy that her least favorite Weasley was under the assumption that Hermione and she were in a relationship.
Little did that buffoon of a man know that Narcissa would give just about anything for that to be true. She shook the thought away, then sighed dramatically, "I suppose if my presence keeps that dense fool well away from you, then I shall attend this ridiculous function with you despite my desire to do otherwise. Though I truly don't see why you have to attend when you could have made Mister Potter attend in your stead."
Hermione leaned up and kissed Narcissa lightly on the lips. Every one of those light kisses offered to her never ceased to make her brain go quiet. In those moments, Narcissa couldn't deny her dislike of the fact that Hermione was a muggleborn. If only because she knew that the affection was given so freely because they were such good friends, not because they were romantically involved.
"If Harry went in my place, then I wouldn't get the chance to show you off," Hermione smirked as she stood up. Though Narcissa was too lost in her own world to have heard what Hermione said. After a moment—when Hermione began to talk about getting ready for the ball that was in a couple of hours—she came to again.
"I left my outfit at my flat. I had meant to grab it after work but I ended up just coming straight home instead. So I'll have to run back to get ready." Narcissa nodded along as Hermione continued to ramble about having to go get ready soon. Narcissa smiled softly as she finally realised what had been said. It warmed her heart to know that Hermione considered Black Manor to be a home.
Narcissa stood up and grasped Hermione's hand within her own. "I understand, darling. It had been an entire six hours since we had last seen each other, after all," Narcissa joked. They had seen each other during the day when Narcissa had brought Hermione lunch.
"But fret not, you can apparate right back into my arms once you are dressed and ready. We can floo to the Ministry together from here." Narcissa squeezed Hermione's hand as she spoke.
"That sounds like a plan. I'll need to get going now so we can make it on time. I love you, Cissa."
Narcissa's heart squeezed uncomfortably once more. She wished the witch's love for her was more than platonic. "I love you too, my darling. I'll see you soon." Narcissa kissed the top of Hermione's head before pulling the younger witch into a hug.
Once they said their brief goodbyes, they parted to prepare for the evening. Narcissa intended to dress her best, regardless of her desire to stay home with Hermione and read, something that had begun to be an almost daily routine for the two of them. And, well, if she was dressing her best for one particular witch, that was her business and no one else's.
A couple long hours later, Narcissa was standing in the sitting room she had designated as her living room, holding a flower in one hand. She would have been ready much earlier but had spent a worrying amount of time picking out a flower to give Hermione. After which she then had to shower for a second time.
Just as she was beginning to second-guess her flower choice. She heard the pop of Hermione apparating into the hallway. Narcissa turned around just as the door to the room opened, revealing Hermione standing in a suit Narcissa had never seen before.
She let her eyes drag up the younger woman's body, noting that the suit's colors matched that of her dress. No wonder Hermione had told her to wear green. The three-piece suit looked custom tailored to Hermione, hugging her every curve. The lack of a button-up beneath the vest meant that Narcissa had an un-obscured view of Hermione's collarbone and cleavage. Cleavage that was framed deliciously by the tailored vest.
Narcissa was stunned silent by how gorgeous Hermione looked. So stunned that took her an embarrassingly long moment to force any words come out. "Hermione… I'm speechless, you look absolutely exquisite."
A blush spread across her skin at Narcissa's words. "Thank you, Cissa. You are beautiful and look perfect in that dress." Hermione's eyes slowly trailed up and down Narcissa's dark green dress. She hoped Hermione liked it. The slit up the left side was a little higher than Narcissa was used to.
"Hm? What's that?" Hermione asked, after finally taking her eyes off Narcissa's body long enough to notice the flower in her hand.
Narcissa steeled her nerves as she held out the flower to Hermione. "It's for you, from my garden. A Gardenia," she explained as Hermione gently took it from her, the same gentleness that she always displayed around Narcissa. The young woman held it delicately, looking at the flower with what Narcissa would label as awe.
"It's almost as pretty as you are, my heart," Hermione smiled at her as she tucked the flower behind her ear. Narcissa blushed at the endearment, pink blotching her chest and neck. Once Hermione made sure the flower was secure in her hair, she reach out and grabbed Narcissa's hand. She brought up to her lips and pressed a kiss to her knuckles.
Narcissa wanted nothing more than to bring those lips to her own, but she didn't know if she could trust herself to end it at their normal friend kisses. Instead she offered Hermione a sweet smile, "Darling, if we are going to make it on time we need to get going now."
Hermione rolled her eyes in response. "Fine, but only because I want to see Ron's face when he sees us together, not because I'd rather attend than stay at home with you." With that, they made their way towards the floo.
Hermione and Narcissa made rounds through the guests, mingling for a while. Narcissa couldn't help the possessive arm that she wrapped around Hermione's hip the moment she spotted a certain Weasley watching them from across the ballroom. She took particular delight in the way Ron's face scrunched up in anger just before he stomped off like a man-child.
Eventually, as Hermione and Narcissa were playing their favorite game of guessing which woman Ron would attempt, and fail, to seduce next, two figures walked up to them holding hands.
"Ginevra, Luna. To what do we owe the pleasure?" Narcissa asked. She had grown to like the two women that Hermione called her best friends.
Ginny rolled her eyes. "You know, one of these days I'll finally get you to call me Ginny," the redhead grumbled.
Her wife laughed. "Hello, you two. We just wanted to stop by for a moment and say hi before we end up back on the dancefloor," Luna said as she kissed Ginny's forehead.
Hermione smiled as Ginny and Cissa continued to exchange jabs at each other. Glad that her girlfriend liked her best friends and vice versa.
Eventually Luna cut in, "Narcissa. It would seem you still have an abundance of nargles around you. Have you not resolved your Love issue?" Luna tilted her head like a curious puppy. Narcissa was not put off by the observation. She understood after being around her long enough that this was just how Luna was.
"Not to worry, I am the same as I have always been. I fear the infestation is here to stay."
That was the one thing Ginny could appreciate about Narcissa. Despite her background, she never treated Luna as less than a regular person just due to her… eccentricities. It was what had won her over in the end.
Before Luna could respond, Narcissa waved at someone across the room. "Do forgive me, Andromeda is calling for me. will you be alright on your own for a moment, darling?" Narcissa asked Hermione.
"Yes, Cissa. Go catch up with Andromeda. It has been far too long since the two of you have had any time together," Hermione waved her off.
Narcissa smiled and leaned down to kiss Hermione gently. "Thank you, darling."
Hermione smiled brightly at her as Narcissa walked towards her sister on the other side of the room. Andromeda welcomed her sister with a hug.
"Cissa! Have you gotten taller since I last I saw you?"
Narcissa rolled her eyes at her sister. "Andi, we are both adults and I saw you a month ago, not years ago." They were standing by the refreshment table, so Narcissa reached over and grabbed one of the magically enchanted drinks. They glowed a cool blue until they were touched, after which the glow slowly faded away.
Andromeda and Narcissa continued talking, catching each other up on their work and lives. Despite having only been a month since they saw each other, their last meeting was only passing. It had been at least three since they properly had any time to actually talk. Mostly because both of them were horrible workaholics and were always busy.
"Soooo… how are you and Hermione doing? Honestly, I thought you'd never admit your feelings. It's a relief that you finally told her," Andromeda laughed softly, happy for her baby sister. Narcissa just looked at her in confusion.
"What? Andi, I haven't told her about my feelings. We're still just friends. Best friends, of course, but just friends," Narcissa sighed. Andromeda choked her on her drink, attracting attention of nearby witches and wizards as she attempted to clear her throat.
"What?" Andromeda croaked, finally getting her coughing underwraps. "What do you mean you are just friends? I literally just saw you two kiss before you walked over here!"
Narcissa shook her head, completely unaware that Hermione walked up behind her after seeing Andromeda choke on her drink. "That is just what muggles do with their closest friends. Merlin knows I would love nothing more than for Hermione to pin me against a wall and have her way with me but she doesn't see me like that. I'm just a friend and I refuse to lose her friendship. Not when it means so much to me."
Andromeda stood, stunned at her little sister and at just how dense Narcissa was. Had she always been so oblivious? "You know what? This is not my problem. Hermione, I wish you all the luck in the world at explaining this to Cissa," Andromeda threw her hands up in the air and stalked off, muttering something about useless lesbians.
Narcissa stood frozen at her sister's words before she very slowly turned around to find Hermione staring at her.
"I…" Narcissa started with a grimace. "You heard everything… didn't you?" She knew the answer already. Narcissa knew this was the end and was just waiting for the final blow. When all Hermione offered her was a slow nod without saying a thing, Narcissa's heart broke. Right, of course. Hermione couldn't possibly feel the same and now Narcissa had ruined the relationship she treasured most of all.
"I'm sorry," Narcissa whispered, blinking back tears, "I hope that you can forgive me one day." Then she apparated back to Black Manor before Hermione could get a word out.
Narcissa was disoriented and nauseated from the moment she landed in her living room. Her tears were freely falling now as she kicked off her heels and all but ripped her dress off. She pulled out her wand to Accio her favorite sleep clothes, which were made up of a simple pair of panties and an oversized shirt that she had stolen from Hermione months ago. Miraculously, it still smelled like the younger witch, causing her tears to fall faster. Narcissa would never get to hold Hermione again, not now that her traitorous feelings had been lain bare.
She didn't know how long she sat there crying her eyes out on her couch when she heard the whooshing of her fireplace. As her guest stepped out of the hearth, she looked up. Narcissa had been expecting to see Andromeda or her son. Anyone but Hermione, still in her dashing suit, clutching a vial to her chest.
"Cissa? Oh, sweetheart…" Hermione rushed over to the couch that Narcissa was curled up on. Narcissa was confused, she didn't know what Hermione was doing in her house, especially not after her impromptu confession.
"Why are you… what is this?" Narcissa rasped out as Hermione placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and offered her the vial.
"An anti-nausea potion because you get motion sick when you apparate," Hermione said softly. "I came to talk to you, just a conversation, nothing drastic. I'm not upset with you at all. Please, Cissa?"
Narcissa was completely lost but nodded anyway. If there was any chance to repair their friendship, she would take it. Whatever Hermione asked of her, she'd do it. So long as she didn't lose her. She took a breath, calming herself down enough to accept the vial. Narcissa swallowed it in one go, the room immediately stilled, no longer spinning, while the urge to vomit also receded.
Hermione sat down on the couch beside her, gently rubbing up and down Narcissa's bare leg in attempts to further soothe her.
"Don't panic, but… I need to know. Did you mean it? What you said to Andi?" Hermione said quietly, "The part where you have feelings for me and that you thought we were only friends and nothing more?"
Narcissa nodded slowly. "At first I didn't know how I felt about you. But then we became friends and… after a while, I knew I had fallen in love with you. I'm sorry for not saying anything sooner, for taking advantage of you–"
Hermione couldn't take the sorrow in Narcissa's voice anymore, so she interjected, "Sweetheart, you have never taken advantage of me. If anything, it was me that took advantage of you. You see… I thought we had been dating for months now. Every time I said I love you, I meant it as more than platonic, Cissa. I'm in love with you. Romantically."
Narcissa's eyes grew wide the longer Hermione talked. Thinking back on it now, Hermione had been the happiest Narcissa had ever known her for the past three and a half months. It had started ever since she agreed to be exclusive… Oh… Oh!
"I-I, Hermione, I thought you meant exclusive friends. Which, frankly, you really didn't have to ask, you were already my best friend by then but– But wait! You love me?" Narcissa thought that, perhaps she had heard wrong, maybe she was missing something, surely Hermione didn't mean that.
"Yes, Cissa," Hermione said, pure adoration shining in her eyes. "I love you with every part of me." When Narcissa could detect nothing but sincerity, it was all she needed to be reassured that she was truly loved and hadn't ruined anything. She surged forward, kissing Hermione with all the longing and pent-up frustrations she had suppressed for much too long. This was all she had ever wanted, Hermione lips against her own, her face cradled in Hermione's hand.
Eventually, when they broke apart for air, Hermione pressed her forehead to Narcissa's. Her voice was quiet as she spoke, "I'll be much clearer this time. Narcissa, would you like to be in an exclusive romantic relationship with me?"
Narcissa giggled, actually giggled, like some lovestruck schoolgirl. She would have be embarrassed under any other circumstance but she couldn't find it in herself to care at the moment. "Yes, my dearest darling, I would love nothing more," she whispered, right before pulling Hermione back into a kiss.
Finally, everything was right in the world. Now to just resolve one last issue.
Hermione pulled back just enough to whisper against Narcissa's lips, "So… you want to be pinned to the wall, huh?" She laughed as Narcissa sputtered, a deep blush forming on her cheeks. And as Hermione tugged Narcissa into her lap, drawing her into a far more heated kiss, she thought to herself, oh, tonight is going to be so much fun.