CHAPTER VII

"Hermione?" the blue-eyed beauty tried to call the attention of the brunette who was currently lost in thought watching two of the unicorns butting heads with each other "Hermione"

Shaking her head to clear her thoughs the brunette blinked two, three times before slowly adressing the blonde "Yes?" the singled word answer made Narcissa frown, all the brown-eyed girl has done today is give one worded answers and quite honestly it has been getting on Narcissa's nerves.

"Is there something wrong? you've been awfully quiet today" she sneered catching the brunette's attention completely who sighed in defeat "You know you can tell me anything right? or you just don't trust me enough to tell me what has been bothering you" Narcissa couldn't help the cold that laced those words, Hermione's behavior has been worrying her to no end and even though she still thinks Hermione's different from her previous 'friends' a part of her couldn't help but be wary of her sudden detachment. For as strong as she may be she still have feelings and is afraid that Hermione might hurt her someway or another.

"It's...complicated Narcissa" letting out another sigh Hermione slowly closed her eyes and looked up to the sky "I'm sure you understand that everyone has responsabilities and sometimes those responsabilities tend to take a toll on a person"

"Depends. What kind of responsabilities are you talking about" Narcissa frowned even more confused, she started to search in her mind what the brunette meant by that but to no avail she let out a sigh and moved closer to the other girl to squeez her hand in silent support "Whatever they are, I'm sure you'll find a way to solved them"

A small smile graced the Gryffindor's face and squeezed Narcissa's hand back "I'm sorry. I've been so self absorbed that I haven't been the best of friends to you so please forgive me"

"Don't worry just...talk to me okay? whenever you're ready to tell me what's going on just do it"

"I will just not yet Narcissa" Hermione's smile started to waver "I'm so sorry Narcissa but I'm not sure if I can trust you with the truth yet. Or ever. You have to remain strong Granger, you can let your emotions blind you, you have a mission, you owe it to your friends, old and new, to your parent's so they can be safe and they don't have to worry about you whenever you board that train. This is an oportunity to bring actual justice to the wizarding world. You..."

"Hermione? Are you sure you're okay?" Narcissa softly took Hermione's head and started to gently whipe her tears.

"I..." the brown-eyed girl choked slightly on her words "I don't know 'Cissa" taking a deep breath Hermione whiped the few tears left and willed her face to become steely.

"It's going to be better Hermione, I don't know how but I'm sure you will manage a way" After a while of Hermione being held by the blonde she softly retreated from Narcissa's embrace "You know you never really told me how did you get that wound on your arm"

Chuckling slightly Hermione subconciously rubbed the wound "Before I came here a friend's pet decided that biting my arm was better than drink the water I offered it"

"I still can't figure out what kind of animal would cause such a wound, a normal bite would've faded by now and this one has" she lifted Hermione's arm and rolled the sleeve of her school shirt a little bit higher to look closer to the wound "like the beginings of a burn mark around the edges so it makes me wonder what animal of a relative small size that breathes fire could have done it. Is your friend a dragon keeper? or a magizoologist?"

"Ermm not exactly...he loves magical creatures though" Hermione laughed out loud before adding "Perhaps a little too much. It was not a dragon so don't worry"

"C'mon Hermione you can tell me" The blonde playfully pushed the brunette "You wouldn't believe me even if I tell you" Hermione responded laughing at the challenging look Narcissa threw her way as if to say 'try me'

"Fine. It was a blast-ended skrewt" Hermione stated with her most serious face while trying not to laugh at the blank expression on the blonde's face.

"You'll have to elaborate on that darling because I have no idea what a 'blast-ended skrewt' is" Narcissa turned to the wound on Hermione's arm looking at it like it will reveal to her what a skrewt is.

"It's an hybrid between a fire crab and a manticore. I'm honestly surprised that out of the batch one survived since they killed each other"

"I'm actually more surprised of how Hagrid thought it would be a great idea to have another batch after the fiasco in fourth year"

"How..How can you...I mean Fire crabs and...How did your friend even managed to have a manticore and making it-" Hermione put her hands on Narcissa's shoulders trying to get her attention "Believe me I still don't have the slightless clue on how he manage that but then again like I said he loves magical creatures, he just have a way with creatures that not even the most seasoned magizoologist have"

"I'm intrigued. I would like to meet that friend of yours" Narcissa said baffled by Hermione's answer.

After a while of just chatting about anything and everything Hermione got up and pick up the school broom from the tree where it rested and for a while debated with herself about last night events.

"Cissy? Can I ask you something" The blue-eyed girl saw Hermione's shy smile and eagerly got up and went to stand by her friends side "Of course, what is it?"

"Do you...Do you trust Snape?" Hermione bit her lip silently praying to all the gods she knew that she didn't crossed the line or worse fell into Snape's game.

"Why are you asking me that?" Narcissa's sudden change of tone made the brunette look at her starled.

"Well you know him longer than I have, you've studied with him for 5 years so you surely know something right?" Hermione started to scratch her left eyebrow avoiding the blonde's eyes by looking at the floor.

"And why do you want to know if he's trustful? Is there something you want to explain Hermione?" Narcissa's question sounded more like a demand which made the brunette look up trying to read Narcissa's face.

"I screwed it all! now I have to tell her!" Hermione quickly avoided the blonde's eyes "Think Hermione think!"

"I...I might have made a deal with him last night" The quiet answer drew Narcissa's attention completely making her frown.

"What kind of deal Hermione" the brunette started to pace in circles clenching and unclenching her hands around the broom "Information for information"

"About..." The Slytherin drew the word out and motioned with her hand for Hermione to continue "Regulus"

For a couple of seconds it was quiet before Narcissa slammed her palm against her forehead in a very unlikely way and walked to Hermione before slaping her head softly in chastiment "You do know that Regulus is my cousin right?" She spoke slowly to make sure her question was clear.

"I..." Before she could continue Narcissa interrupted her "You could've just ask me whatever you wanted to know about him!" The girl threw her arms in frustration by her friends stupidity.

"You didn't seemed close! quite the opossite actually" Hermione exclaimed in her defense "That doesn't mean we are not family and see each other in a regular bases and just for your information I get along more with him than with Sirius"

"That doesn't mean you know everything about him" The Gryffindor was slowly turning more and more red with enbarrasment as the seconds passed.

"And you think Severus do?! He barely speaks with anyone who's not Lily Evans" Narcissa's started chuckling at the other girl's embarrasment and naivety.

"Thats...not true" came the quiet response from the flushed girl at the blonde's raised eyebrow she cleared her throat "I found them talking in a deserted classroom and I heard my name along with other things" Hermione lied while hoping that Narcissa wouldn't see right through it. That quickly whiped the smile off the blonde's face who frowned deeper in though.

"What other things?" the question came out more softer than Narcissa would've liked "Snape told me it was something between them and that if I played my cards right he would tell me. Not in those words of course" Now was Hermione's turn to look at the blonde with confusion.

"Maybe Narcissa already knows about the death eaters. Is she part of them?! I know she marries Malfoy but could she be...NO! don't go there Hermione even if she were that would be convinent for you. You could change her mind and..."

"And how are you sure is not something I would know of?" Narcissa inquired getting closer and closer to Hermione who was still deep in though.

"If so you would've already told me" Hermione's answer stopped Narcissa in her tracks taking her by surprise "Right?"

"I...yes" Now it was the slytherin's turn to avoid the chocolate brown eyes burning holes in her face. After a few tense minutes in which both witches stared at each other the brunette broke it by picking Narcissa's broom and handing it to her "We should get back to the castle before we miss lunch"

Quietly nodding the blonde imitated the gryffindor and swiftly mounted the broom "Ah and Cissy? Please we need to find another way to come here. I told you I really really hate flying"

After they made it to the castle and left the brooms in their closet Narcissa murmured an excuse about having to talk with professor Slughorne and left the brunette to fend for herself.

With the new knowledge that Narcissa was in fact hiding something Hermione was quite torn between what course of action to take. In one hand if she remained close with the Black sister she could have a closer impact in both her and Bellatrix involvement with Voldemort, or at least she hoped just thinking about Bellatrix made the hairs at the back of her neck stand. By the other hand though if she distanced herself more than she already have since that first week and focused on the marauders and maybe convince them to take part of her job she could secure that her efforts in chaging the future would continue, she didn't really know how much time in the past she has after all Dumbledore is searching for a way to send her back.

"Yeah there's just the fact that both Sirius and James still don't trust me and are more stubborn than Harry and Ron" At least she counted on Lily and Remus.

Thinking of Remus made her remember that Ravenclaw girl that still needed to be taken down a few pecks. With a new goal in her mind for the moment Hermione headed to the library to retrieve a book that would help her with her little prank.

"Merlin if Harry, Ron and Ginny knew what I'm planing to do they would never let me lieve it down. I guess all this years with them and the twins have started to rub on me" After the short trip Hermione's next stop was the potion classroom where she grabbed a cauldron and the ingredients necessary for her prank. Using the passages she knew she was in moaning Myrtle's bathroom by no time at all "Well isn't this nostalgic. No matter the time or ocassion I will always end in this bathroom brewing something"

"And Just what do you think you are doing?" Speak of the devil and it shall appear (or well think). Slowly turning Hermione saw Moaning Myrtle who was floating in one of the stalls glaring at her "Are you here to throw something at me?! to destroy my bathroom with that thing you're brewing?!"

"None of that, I'm just here minding my own bussiness I would apreciate if you do the same" The brunette replied trying to ignore the annoying ghost who had slowly come closer to her "Excuse me! This is MY bathroom!"

"And I'm not bothering you so you should do the same and go do whatever you do on a daily basis. I'll be done in 40 minutes" If looks could kill Hermione would have joined Myrtle as a ghost "Hmmm actually you could be very helpful"

"Why would I help you? You just insulted me!" the brunette frowned "I did not! I just suggested for both of us to do what we please separately and now I changed my mind. Say I could do something for you in exchange"

"What can you do for me?" Myrtle asked still glaring at the sixth year "I don't know you tell me and I'll see if I can do something about it"

Still suspicous of the girl Myrtle wearily asked "What do you want from me?" smirking at her small victory Hermione non-chatly responded "I would apreciate it if you can tell one of the elves from the kitchen to give me a bar of chocolate"

"That's it? You'll be in my debt if I do that?" the brunette nodded still focused on the brewing potion "I'll go but I swear it if it's a trick you'll regret it!"

After the ghost left Hermione smiled and basked on the conforting silence that surronded her. "What can a ghost like her do besides annoy you?" As promised a few minutes later an elf appeared and quickly handed her the chocolate bar and with a thank you and a smile from Hermione it disappeared.

After what seemed like ages but was really an hour of brewing, mixing and adorning Hermione left Myrtle's bathroom with a satisfied smile. Her next stop was going to the owlery, part of her was giddy this was something so out of character for her even if the prank isn't particuly great or elaborate as one of the twins would have been but she couldn't help feeling very proud of what she came out with.

"Perhaps I'm beeing a little cruel but she does deserve it. Right? Yes! definetely the way she treated Remus was unacceptable, who knows how many people has been as poorly treated as Remus"

Once she prepared the owl to deliver the package at dinner she head out to the great hall where she would wait for Lily and Narcissa. The first to arrive was thankfully Lily, the brown-eyed girl still didn't know how to feel or treat Narcissa.

"Lily! there you are, look I'm-" Hermione tried to say but Lily held out a hand to cut her.

"Sorry I know" The readhead twitched her mouth before asking "You know if you don't want to hang out with me you can just tell me right"

"What?! No! Lily that's not it" Hermione felt like hugging the other girl upon seeing the hurt look on her eyes but knew better than that "I've been a little too absorbed in myself today with all this stress and worry about" The brunette lowered her voice to make sure no one heard her "Yo-know-what. Please forgive me"

Lily upon seeing the puppy-eyed face the other girl was making felt her annoyance melt and let out a soft smile "Fine but tomorrow you are all mine ok?" Hermione nodded so viciously that for a moment the redhead though she injured herself.

"All yours, I promise" Searching through her bag she pull out a well kept book "I know it's not much and it's still too early but this book means a lot to me, I had to search the library for hours but I found it and...I want you to have it" Putting her beloved and favourite book 'Hogwarts: A history' in Lily's hands she continued "It was the first book I read about the magical world, it has acompanied me through every adventure I've had and I made sure to read it every year and add every new thing I discovered. Even if you already read it I can assure you that my copy has a few new things to it and...well there's my own findings wich I really want you to...umm...well...as a muggleborne...I..."

Interrupting Hermione's rambling Lily put the book in one arm and hugged the other girl tightly "Thank you so much Hermione" she kissed the other girl's cheek and smiled brightly at the furious blush the brunette sported "I'll make sure to read it and treasure it"

"I...yeah...thanks...I mean you're welcome hahaha" Breathing deeply she calmed her nervous laugh and finally let out a soft smile "Merry christmas Lily"

After a few seconds of just smiling at each other Lily grabbed Hermione's hand in her own "I'm afraid my gift for you might have to wait a little bit longer"

"Oh! you don't have to get me anything, heavens know how long i'll-"

"Ah ah ah, you are getting a gift from me and that's final" Lily's emerald eyes gleamed with amusement seeing the cute brunette blush once again.

"Okay but you really don't have to" At the glare from the redhead Hermione inmediately changed the subject "Hey one more thing. I don't want you to think any less of me after what you'll witness at dinner" At the confused face Lily gave her she just winked and waved before entering the great hall. Once she sat at the Slytherin table she cringed.

"I forgot to wait for Narcissa! That happens for trying to be cool, oh god I hope she doesn't get mad at me" Hermione thought while looking frantically between the Slytherin table and the entrance.

"A little hungry tonight huh?" Regulus asked while taking a seat besides Hermione who mindlessly started to pack her plate with lots of food.

Realising the amount of food she piled up she blushed and started to put some of the things back "I got distracted. Anyway don't you have any friends to seat with"

"No need to be so rude love" He said ignoring the glare the brunette sent his way and started to fill his plate "Besides since dear Cissy isn't here keeping you company I thought you might want some"

"I was fine thank you very much so if you'll be so kind and-"

"Really I'm not doing anything to bother you I just want to dine here and talk to you nothing else" The black haired boy held his hands up "I heard you are quite good in potions, Snape himself said so"

"And why were you two talking about me?" Hermione was quickly losing her patience "Clamn down, if he sees how much an effect he has on you he will use it against you. Ugh! I don't know what is it about him that just irritates me"

"Don't flatter yourself so much Grace, we were talking about potions and Snape happened to remember you" he took a sip of his pumpking juice and smiled at her "I'm quite good at it too you know, although my real forte is DADA"

Before Hermione could continue the prevous laughter and noise that the Gryffindor table usully made suddenly quieted, looking up at said table she could see a familiar Ravenclaw standing right in front of the marauders.

"Is it true Sirius?" the Ravenclaw inquired with a smile confusing the Gryffindor who could only muttered a "huh?" of confusion. As soon as Hermione saw the exchange she looked at her watch and smiled evilly.

Shaking her head from side to side she grinned widely "Yes! My answer is yes!" the girl exclaimed with a huge grin going as far as to start jumping in place "What are you talking about?" Sirius asked already fed up with the girl's nerve to come up to them after what she did to Remus. Everyone at the red and gold table wore similar expressions of confusion at the girl who the marauders blacklisted, everyone knew not to mess with them unless you wanted pranks performed at you even some Slytherins kept away from them (altough that was more due to them wanting to avoid the trouble of having to go to detention).

"Huh? I'm talking about the note and the-" the girl's explanation was cut off by a rather loud noise coming from her belly, she felt her face go pale and her right hand flew to her stomach not believing what she knew was about to happen. At this point the whole four houses were paying attention to the interaction, nobody talked, nobody blinked and when the loud noise of a fart reverbered through the hall and the girl's robe started to show a great stain of brown the great hall was completely silent. The girl took off inmediately leaving everyone at the hall in shock for a few seconds before it erupted in whispers and then laughter.

As everyone in the hall laughed the four marauders and Lily looked at each other in question "Did any of you have something to do with this?" Lupin asked.

"No!" "Of course not!" "Did she really just-" came the three and very loud different responses from the marauders looking at each other baffled. Lily let out a gasp and brought her hands to her mouth making the four boys turn to her and then direct their gaze to where hers was.

Once Hermione made eye-contact with Lily and then the other four pair of eyes she subtly raised her goblet to her mouth and with a court nod took a sip breaking the eye-contact to glance sideways to Regulus who was still looking at the spot where the Ravenclaw was a few minutes ago "So you were saying that DADA is your forte" she said breaking Regulus out of his stupor and gape at her.

"I...Yes" slowly he let out a smile and then a small laugh that made the brunette beside him join quetly.

In the Slytherin dorms a gorgous blonde sat on her bed clutching the letter in her hands tightly before making it a ball and burn it. A part of her felt anxious and relieved at the same time, running a hand through her hair Narcissa let herself fall on her bed to stare at the roof of her four posted bed, the brief relief she felt at knowing her sister would meet her next weekend before Christmas break was slowly fading giving way to the anxiousness of not knowing what would become of her sisters reaction to what she had to tell her and what would that entail. Grabbing a pillow she let out a scream of frustration, putting the pillow back in place Narcissa decided to close her eyes and let the tiredness of the day take her, she would worry tomorrow when her mind was rested.

Hi everyone I hope you keep reading despite how long I take to update but right now many things have change in my life and well lets just say writing hasn't been at the top of my mind lately and to be honest I don't think it will for a while with things going as badly as they are in my country I have other priorities to tend to, but don't worry I won't abandone this story thats the only thing I can promise right now. Thanks again for reading!