The first dinner with the Malfoy family was… stressful to say the least. Hermione had never seen so many forks and spoons at one place setting in her life. She was grateful to Theo, who sat beside her and slowly picked up each piece of silverware at the beginning of each course. Obvious enough for her to catch on, but not enough for the rest of the Malfoys to notice hopefully.

Narcissa and Lucius were gracious hosts, asking her about her school work and even inquiring about her parents.

“They’re dentists,” she said when Narcissa asked what they did for work.

Narcissa’s golden brows pulled together delicately, but before she could respond Lucius cut in with a hand over his wife’s.

“Teeth healers, dear.”

Hermione blinked, shocked he’d known what that meant.

“I am much more well versed in the muggle world than you may think, Miss Granger,” Lucius said with humor at the look of surprise on her face.

Narcissa’s lips pursed together as if fighting back a smile.

“What is it, mother?” Draco asked, eyes flicking between the two of them.

“Well,” Narcissa started, the smile winning out. “When we were younger your father and I used to sneak into muggle London.”

Beside Hermione, Theo laughed.

“No!”

Narcissa delicately blotted her lips, nodding.

“There was a chip shop on the East End your mother and I adored ,” Lucius said with a twinkle in his eye. “Perhaps sometime we will take you all there. Draco has been before.”

Draco smiled brightly, the same twinkle in his own eyes.

Hermione was reeling. She couldn’t picture Lucius and Narcissa in muggle clothing let alone in a greasy chip shop. She shook her head slightly, trying to wrap her mind around what she had thought she’d known and what she knew now.

“It must be hard…” Lucius said somberly, grey eyes on her. “To have grown up the last three years hearing only a certain side of the story.”

He looked almost apologetic, as if he regretted the things Hermione knew about him. The way it colored her view of him and his wife.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to now read the whole book, Mr. Malfoy,” she replied honestly.

Narcissa reached over to cover Hermione’s hand with her own.

“Remember dear, it takes two sides of a coin to get yourself what you need.”

The rest of dinner passed enjoyably, with the Malfoy’s learning all about Hermione’s passion for books, organizing revision timetables, and magical creatures.

She learned that Narcissa also had a passion for organization, in her time at school she too had enjoyed the same pastime of scheduling revisions and study groups. That same passion she now used for social functions and charity work.

Lucius shared her love for books and magical creatures, promising to introduce her to his herd of Abraxan horses.

“We have been remiss in showing Miss Granger what I’m sure will be the diamond of the manor,” Lucius said as the dessert trays vanished.

Draco smirked.

“No, father. I selfishly chose to not show her. The moment she sees it, we won’t see her for the rest of the time she’s here.”

Hermione perked up in her seat, the languor she’d felt a moment ago at the delicious meal vanishing.

“Show me what?”

Theo threw his napkin on the table and heaved a dramatic sigh.

“Granger, it’s been such a pleasure knowing you,” he said with a sniffle. “I truly hope you’ll write.”

Hermione bit back a grin, rolling her eyes.

Gracefully Lucius stood from his chair. Walking around the table he extended his hand out to Hermione.

“May I escort you to the library, Miss Granger?”

Her face lit up, a grin spreading so wide on her face that her cheeks hurt. Without hesitation, she placed her hand in his.

Narcissa, Theo, and Draco laughed good naturedly at her reaction and stood to follow.

“I wish we had a camera so we could capture her reaction,” Theo said quietly to Draco.

“I know,” Draco said wistfully. “I can’t wait for her to see it.”

Warmth spread in her chest. For all their teasing they were excited for her to see the library. They really seemed to celebrate her love of books instead of being annoyed by it.

After a short walk through the dimly lit halls, their footsteps echoing off the dark wood floors, they reached a pair of ornate curved obsidian double doors. Around the edge was carved an intricate pattern of snakes slithering through vines and the door handles gleamed gold in the soft firelight. The doors were just like the maze on the grounds: a portal to another world full of possibility. But instead of adventure, passion, and danger, it was knowledge, strength, and power.

Because that’s truly what knowledge gave one who wielded it: strength and power.

Lucius paused at the doors. He turned to Hermione, glancing down at where her hand was wrapped around his forearm as he’d guided her down the halls.

“This door is enchanted to only allow entry to a member of the Malfoy family. It is blood magic as ancient as the manor is. If you were to touch it uninvited, it would provide an electric shock strong enough to render you unconscious.”

Hermione swallowed loudly. Now that she was closer, she could sense what felt like a magical charge around the door that caused the hair on her forearms to stand on end.

With a flourish, Lucius tapped his wand once to the door.

“ Portus Ingressum, ” he casted. “Allow entry to Miss Hermione Jean Granger.”

Gently he pulled Hermione’s hand from his arm and flipped it until it was palm up. He waved his wand, casting a spell Hermione didn’t know over her palm but realized a moment later had to be a numbing charm. Then with another flick, a bright red line of blood blossomed painlessly on her palm.

Her eyes widened.

Her blood. Her dirty blood. But of course, hadn’t they already proven to her that they valued loyalty above all else? That in the face of what she had done for Draco, Theo, and Pansy it rendered her status that of no consequence?

If she wasn’t sure of the magnitude of their words before, she was now as Lucius pressed her bloodied palm to the cold seam of the doors to the library.

The dangerous charge she’d felt a moment ago vanished and in its wake was a warm tingling sensation she always associated with her familiar magic.

There was a soft click, then the swishing of the doors opened simultaneously to reveal the most beautiful place Hermione had ever seen.

She gasped, fingers flying to her mouth as if to stop the noise from coming out. It seemed almost… sacrilegious to make a noise above a whisper. A few soft chuckles echoed through the hall behind her.

White marble floors gleamed as flames sprung to life in the hundreds – maybe even thousands – of spelled candles that nestled into the giant chandelier and numerous sconces.

Directly upon entry was a small stand that Hermione thought looked familiar – similar to the podiums she’d seen her professors lecture from at school. On it lay an old leather bound tome that opened with a small thump as they stepped into the room.

“Anything you may need, you have only to ask. The index will list the books that match your criteria here.” Lucius tapped a pale finger to the blank yellowed pages. “Once you choose a text, a light will guide you to the book in question.”

Hermione blinked a few times; her vision had gotten impossibly hazy. Oh Merlin, was she crying ? How embarrassing. She brushed her cheeks quickly.

Hands squeezed her shoulders.

“You owe me three sickles, Nott,” Draco said with a laugh. “I told you she’d cry.”

Theo scoffed.

“You said she’d – and I quote – ‘ wail harder than Moaning Myrtle ’. I’d hardly count a few strays, Drake.”

Draco’s hands fell away from her shoulders as he huffed indignantly towards Theo until Narcissa shushed them. Lucius looked at her again with a twinkle in his eye.

“I’m so glad you find the library to your liking, Miss Granger,” he said softly. “It was my refuge as a boy and I am happy to share it with you.”

Narcissa stepped forward, eyes flicking between Draco, Theo, and Hermione.

“You three will have until 10:30 to explore the library, then it’s off to bed. Humph will be in to gather you then.” She pushed a stray curl from Hermione’s cheeks in a maternal way that caused Hermione’s chest to ache. “Remember, dear, there’s no need to rush. You have plenty of time to explore.”

Hermione nodded.

“Thank you, Mrs. Malfoy, Mr. Malfoy.” She opened and closed her mouth a few times, trying to find the words to express how much she loved the library. How grateful she was to be there, but nothing came out.

They both seemed to understand however, by the warm smiles on their faces.

“Goodnight children,” Lucius said, patting each of them on the shoulder lightly as he escorted Narcissa from the library.

When they were out of earshot of Hermione, Draco, and Theo, Lucius tucked Narcissa under his arm.

“I think she will be good for him – don’t you agree?” Narcissa said quietly.

“Yes, I think so.”

Then, he heaved a heavy sigh.

“What is it, darling?”

Lucius passed his hand over Narcissa’s hair before pressing a kiss to the top of it.

“When the Dark Lord returns, she will have to choose a side,” he said grimly.

She stiffened beneath him.

“Yes… that’s true.”

As they reached the staircase, Narcissa took the first step then turned to him, her robes swirling around her feet.

“We will protect her, no matter her choice, yes?”

Lucius’ expression was blank for a long moment as he looked into his wife’s face. He remembered the pain of the last war, all those he’d lost, the pain Narcissa felt at losing one sister due to excommunication and the other due to insanity. The last thing he wanted was for Draco to ever feel that kind of pain. His first born. His only living son.

“No matter her choice, we will protect her,” Lucius vowed.