When Narcissa accepted the invitation to the Grangers home in Crawley they were surprised at the way they traveled. Narcissa and Draco were told to wear clothes what are fitting of summer and… gulp… muggle. They were to be picked up at the train station and then driven to the Grangers where they would visit until their time to go to Diagon alley. Narcissa bit her lip as she read the letter allowed to Draco. Draco's pale skin became a tad paler, and he sighed.
"Mother what are summer clothes for muggles?" Draco asked nervous. Narcissa looked from her son to the letter and shook her head. She immediately wrote to Hermione and asked if she and her family would not mind going shopping before their meet up for Diagon alley.
That very afternoon an owl came back with a letter that had Hermione apologizing profusely. She asked if Dobby could pick her up and they could look at some catalogues together. Narcissa called the elf and he smiled a popped over to Grangers and brought back Dan, Jean and Hermione. The little witch walked over to Narcissa and hugged the older woman and then her best friend. The Granger parents walked over and shook their hands fondly.
"Well Draco, I never had a son before so this should be fun for us men to branch out and choose some clothes for some days out in the muggle world," Dan looked down at Draco fondly and Draco looked up and nodded with a smile on his lips.
"Yes sir, I would find that very nice," Draco led Dan into the library and they looked at a men's GQ magazine. Dan picked this particular magazine because the boy had an air about him that screamed adult trapped in a young man's body so when Hermione told him that if we asked, Dobby could actually tailor the clothes almost exactly from the magazines to fit the Draco and Narcissa. Dan and Draco actually spent the afternoon looking at the magazine and tearing out three outfits that looked comfortable, classy, and fit for summer. One of the outfits where nothing more than a pair a light brown khaki shorts, and a black golf shirt with a pair of brown Osprey's. The second where a pair of black linen trousers with a white loose button shirt with a pair of sandals. The third was a bit more formal and it was black slacks, and a black button shirt. Draco explained that if is essential to have attire for dinner dining if they went out to a restaurant. Dan smiled down at the boy and they both went to find the girls.
Hermione and Jean loved Narcissa's sense of fashion. She also picked out three outfits, and one was a royal blue sleeveless sundress, white belt, and a while wide brimmed hat. Her third was the same in a forest green dress with a gold belt, and a green wide brimmed hat with a gold belt about the hat. The third where a pair of white Capri pants, and a pink loose blouse, and another wide brim hat this time in baby blue. Hermione and Jean loved hats, and where drooling when they already ordering the hats and they would arrive at the Grangers by the time Narcissa and Draco were picked up in a few days. Narcissa already stood on a pedestal and Dobby was taking quick measurements and finding the fabrics her already had on hand, then consulting the images. He looked then snapped his little fingers and scissors and needle and thread began to construct.
"Dobby I knew you made your own clothes but I never knew you were so proficient at it. How did you become so good at this?" Narcissa asked genuinely amused at her just discovered in-home tailor.
"Mistress Cissa is so very generous to provide to cloth to make my clothes. I wish not to be free but you have made my life very good in ways to make Dobby as comfortable as possible. I also mend Ducky's pillowcase," Dobby trailed off a little sad.
"Dobby what has Lucius been doing to Ducky?" Narcissa asked from her pedestal. Dobby looked up and shook his head but he glassy eyes became watery.
"Dobby does not know. Ducky cannot talk about it with Dobby. Master made him swear to it. So Dobby has been mending his pillowcase, and putting some of that ointment on his cuts that Mistress let Dobby use when he gets into accidents. I wish he could have clothes too," Dobby sniffed and Hermione knelt down next to the Dobby and stilled his hands and lifted him up to Narcissa. Narcissa gave the little elf a quick hug, then put him back down. Dobby immediately smiled then went back to work as if her touch was soothing and magical. Narcissa saw Jean and Hermione look at her for answers
"Ducky is Dobby's brother. We have a total of two house elves on the grounds. At one time we had more but suffice it to say they were used during a dark time and did not make it back to our home. I offered Dobby his freedom about a horrible bout with Lucius and he wouldn't hear of it. Hermione do you know what can give an elf their freedom?
"If their master gives them clothes they can become free elves, but a lot of elves to not wish that because the magical bond between their masters to the elves are what keep the elves healthy and alive," Hermione looked away then looked in to Narcissa's ice blue eyes and swallowed as she saw them watching her, "I do believe this is a just form of servitude. They are not being paid, and in some instances, not Dobby's, but some they are abused, and treated just barely above an animal. If I could I would free them all."
"Yes, my dear, I believe you would," Narcissa looked fondly at the girl then to her mother, "Jean, you know Dobby here. Well I had to take him from my husband. He is…. Rough on the little guys. I met someone a long time ago with Hermione's exact views. And she said she likes help but she doesn't like slaves. It really made me think. She was a very wise woman," Narcissa said as she was remembering the past.
"What happened to her?" asked Hermione enthralled with Narcissa's explanation. She didn't seem to speak much of her past and when she did it was always thought provoking, and important to her. When Narcissa smiled Hermione could not help but smile in return.
'She was a professor I once knew at Hogwarts. Oh dear Dobby this is wonderful. Is this appropriate attire for the muggle world Jean?"
"Oh my Narcissa you look grand, and he was finished so fast too. This is perfect for Friday," Jean smiled.
"Hey ladies, can Draco show you what he picked out?" Dan said as he came into the salon. Hermione already took the pictures Draco handed to Hermione. She smiled and handed them to Dobby and the little elf also smiled.
"Mister Dan, can I have your book when you are done. I like some of these styles," asked the little elf. Dan laughed and clasped the elf and handed him three more books. The elf's eyes went wide as he put them down reverently then took Draco's picture on of the light brown khaki shorts and the black golf shirt.
Draco stood on the pedestal as Narcissa felt to fetch cold drinks. She smiled as she put ice cold lemonades on the tray with a full pitcher and walked to the salon.
"Well, what have I got here. A salon full of Muggles, fitting my own pureblooded son in Muggle clothes. Draco, son, is this what you want your life to be full of? Full of a bunch of mudbloods?" Narcissa drew her wand and levitated the tray. She flicked it and all three Grangers grew pale at the sound as Lucius hit the floor screaming. Narcissa pulled the tray into the salon and placed it on the table. She looked at all of the people in the room and hated the way they judged her. Then she turned around to her husband. She walked to the man on the floor and knelt in her new blue sundress. She clasped his chin and then made eyes look deeply into his. He looked away.
"I am sorry Mister and Misses Granger. I apologize Hermione Granger," Lucius let his gaze fall. Narcissa waved her wand on her husband's knee and he instantly sighed in relief. She helped her husband to his feet and then patted him on the back as he left. She turned back to the family and looked to her son. The boy came to her and hugged his mother. Then Draco looked to Grangers.
"He is hateful, spiteful, and power-hungry. He blew his top when he found out that a muggle-born witch was my best friend. He is what we call blood supremacist. If you are not a pureblood, you are lower than animals, you are lower than dirt," Draco looked to Hermione and took her hand, "I am sorry he called you such a foul thing, and I am also sorry you had to see my mother stick up for you in such a brutal manner. We have been dealing with this kind of hate for a very long time. Please forgive us."
Hermione looked to her parents and saw Jean and Dan shrug, and then Narcissa swallow anxiously waiting for an answer. She looked as Draco and placed her arms around him. Everyone in the room sighed in relief. Draco lifted his arms to hug her back and then Hermione held her arms open just as Narcissa had done that night in the infirmary. The three magical people hugged in affirmation of a positive future then Narcissa held out an arm for the Grangers. Yes Narcissa found family in more ways than one.
"Draco, son, that was well said and we could never hold you accountable for your father's actions. You are always welcome in our home. You too Narcissa," Dan shuffled Draco's immaculate hair messing it up to the boy's objections.
The Grangers left for the evening and Dobby got started on the outfits promising they will be done tomorrow. Narcissa found herself in her room writing to her lover in her pages about the day. She kissed her mirror and went to bed after she stowed her things. One of these days Lucius with push too far.
Narcissa and Draco apparated to the train station in their muggle clothes and for once they were ignored. They shrank and stored their robes away so they could wear them in Diagon Alley later. The Grangers found them and waved. Draco saw Hermione before anyone and grabbed his mother's hand and towed her to the family. They were led to a very strange contraption. It looked like a metal animal. Dan watched the wizarding family run their hands over the frame, and then look inside. Hermione opened a door and got in. Draco and Narcissa shrugged and got in and then Hermione thought.
"Ms. Black why do you take the window over here. Ill ride in the middle so you and Draco can both look out of the window?"
Both magicals shrugged and Draco walked around and when he got settled Hermione buckled him in telling him everything she was doing so he can replicate the process later. Hermione did the same to Narcissa. Narcissa was taken back so many years ago when this future woman would scrub her clean, strip her bear, and then tell her everything she was doing, almost clinical. It sent shivers down her spine. Hermione looked at Ms. Black as the belt clicked and the woman nervously smiled.
"This is our first time in a car. I'm a bit nervous," Narcissa lied. Hermione smiled at her patted her hand and then buckled herself in as well. When the car took off Narcissa gasped as did Draco. She smiled and shook her head. She took both of their hands as smiled as the clutched it tightly and then watched the world go by. They stopped near the Leaky Cauldron. Draco and Narcissa smiled apologetically and threw on their robes over their Muggle clothes. Dan and Jean watched and Hermione shrugged. Narcissa let them into Diagon Alley.
"Narcissa, since we made you don muggle clothes in London should we try robes in the magical world?" Jean asked and Dan nodded agreeing. Draco smiled and took hold of Dan's arm.
"I never had a father to take me robe shopping before, maybe we can pick out a set for you. What do you think?" Draco said as he already began trotting the man away. Narcissa smiled and turned to Jean.
"Thank you for letting Draco become attached to Dan. Lucius and I have agreements, but now I feel that I have faulted my son. He never really had a father to grow up with," Narcissa said as Jean took her arm in hers as Hermione walked behind the women as Narcissa took Jean to the same robes shop.
"I don't understand Narcissa. Don't you and Mr. Malfoy live in the same home? How could he not be involved?" Jean asked.
"Well long ago something happened to me. It changed my life. After a heated discussion, Lucius's only role was to give me child. Nothing more, nothing less. The child would be mine in everything but name. It would carry the Malfoy name and be a legitimate Malfoy heir," Narcissa tried to gloss over the incident.
"Oh I see. It's very much like the English royal family used to do. Marriage to carry on a blood line. Strange. But then again it is the wizarding world. I have noticed a lot of your customs seem decades if not centuries behind our present day. Its ok and I'm sorry for prying," Jean said as they entered the robes shop. Hermione and Draco were looking for their sizes to be altered for Madam Malkin. Then Draco went to the racks and pulled of three for Dan. Narcissa did the same for jean and it was all another family outing. When the Grangers were dressed robes no one could tell the difference between magical families or muggle families. Draco and Hermione went to the book shop ahead of time and found Harry and Ron.
"No joke Hermione. This little house elf said not to go to Hogwarts this year. I would be in great danger. Uncle Vernon put bars on my window, then the little guy tried to magically restrain me. Thanks to Ron here and a few days without letters, he and his brothers came in a flying car and recued me. It has been absolutely horrid."
As Harry and Ron told then of their summer Hermione got her books and waited in a huge line trying to get a peek at the author signing. Ron, Harry, and Draco rolled their eyes. Their girl, whom they thought would be immune to the moron signing books, was completely gaggled. Everyone waiting in horrible long lines unaware of the conversation between parents at a nearby tea shop. The parents gave Hermione and Draco more than enough money for their supplies and begged out of the mad house of a book store.
"Dan, Jean, there is something I would like to talk to you about. I was wondering if you would consider me as a magical liaison, and guardian for Hermione here in the magical world until we can notify you," Narcissa asked in her best businesslike manner. Then noted the look between the two parents.
"What I am proposing is protection under the house of Black, and to make immediate decisions on behalf you both. It is just protection for Hermione so that I can intervene on magical issues sooner and you can have someone you can contact when you need to. This essentially means you are untouchable, and to hurt you would mean to hurt the House of Black. It is more formal than anything but if there are grievances, for example the episode with my husband the other day, I could call for retribution. Harming Hermione would cause a fine, and a heavy one at that," Narcissa looked down at her hands and then to the Grangers, "I want to protect her as much as I can, just as I am sure you would protect Draco in the Muggle world." Once she said this last part the Grangers relaxed and then Dan took Jean's hand.
"We would be honored for the help Lady Black," Dan noticed the swirl of wind and a tug from his chest to Narcissa. She smiled.
"You just entered into a magically binding contract. Is that what you wish?" Narcissa smiled when both parents nodded. She nodded and sighed enjoying the day and these wonderful parents. When their children came back it was Hermione with a dreamy look on her face and Draco looking rather curt.
"What happened?" asked Narcissa.
"Hermione is one of them," Draco growled. Narcissa looked at Hermione and the girl sighed.
"Son, we need you to elaborate," Dan said as he watched his daughter.
"One of those Lockhart chasing girls," he grumbled as he sat next to his mother looking at his drink.
Everyone laughed as Draco felt the blush rise up his neck, into his cheeks and stayed at the tips of his ears. No one saw the black leather bound book in a bag. No one saw the invisible house elf place it into the recently bought items of the teenagers.