*Stumbles through and drops chapter*

Here go! Late but here! Oh, by the way, there are also only 2 chapters until the end...

Have fun with that knowledge and I'll see you, next week folks!

6 hours. That's how long it took for the Daily Prophet to get a notification that Lyra Malfoy was engaged. Not to Adrian Pucey or Blaise Zabini, but to War Heroine Hermione Jean Granger.

They had been lying lazily on the floor of Hermione's living room, in front of the unlit fire. Hermione was trailing her fingers lazily up Lyra's arm, her pale skin rugged from scarring. First came the pecking on the window from the first owl from Pansy Parkinson, demanding an exclusive with a small note of congratulations slipped in the back. The second from Rita Skeeter saying she would pay Hermione to get the scoop on the elusive Lyra Malfoy. Lyra had rolled her eyes with a shake of her head. It wasn't until a dark grey owl landed on the window did Lyra look concerned.

"What is it?" Hermione asked as Lyra let the Owl in,

"It's from my mother" Lyra admitted, she took the red letter from the leg of the birds before it flew off. Hermione watched the letter rattle slightly, she took a hesitant step back as Lyra opened it. The howler opened hovering mid air.

"Lyra Septima Malfoy, you will return to the Manor at once" The tone was cold and stern. Hermione watched Lyra who tossed the remains of the howler into the bin, where a small explosion happened.

"What are you going to do?" Hermione asked as Lyra tied her hair into a tight bun,

"We're going to the Manor" Lyra stated, picking up her jacket.

"What do you mean we?" Hermione squeaked. Lyra merely raised an eyebrow.

An hour later Hermione stepped into the drawing room of the Manor, Lyra walked in, in front of her like there was nothing wrong.

"You shouldn't have brought her" Lucius sneered. Lyra simply glared but looked at Narcissa who for the first time Hermione noticed looked furious.

"Your father is right you shouldn't have brought Miss Granger here" Narcissa hissed.

"Whatever you have to say I'm not going to listen. I've made my decision" Lyra said simply wandering further into the drawing room her hands in the back of her jean pockets.

"Lyra this is serious" Lucius burst in irritation, Lyra glanced at her mother, then to Lucius.

"What was it you said to me once father?" Lyra asked, her lips quirked in a smirk. "I know where your affections truly lie? Isn't that what you said at the world cup?" Lyra asked. Hermione was shocked to see Lucius Malfoy's already pale face lose any resemblance of colour it had.

"That was before," Lucius said, his voice shaking slightly.

"Before what? You wanted me to kill Hermione?" Lyra asked frankly. Hermione glared at Lyra, she was toying with them. "That backfired on you didn't it"

"Lyra this isn't about the past, this is about now" Narcissa snapped. "You need to forget this charade and go back to Adrian. He was willing to put up with-"

"I will not go back to Adrian" Lyra snapped with a glare.

"Lyra, people have already been talking-" Narcissa pleaded.

"What was the discussion we had Mr Malfoy?" Hermione asked, finally stepping in. Lucius sneered at her,

"You wanted to discuss money at the party" Hermione added with a smirk. She could see Lyra's anger rising, "Let's discuss it now" Hermione suggested.

"Absolutely not" Lyra shouted at the same time Narcissa shouted her husband's name in horror. Lucius Malfoy raised his hand to calm the women of his family,

"That opportunity was sarcas-"

"Enough of this" Lyra shouted, her patience wearing thin, "I've made my decision, either live with it or blast me off the wall as Walburga and Grandfather did to Andromeda"

They turned and Lyra led Hermione from the room. They didn't speak till they were back at Hermione's flat.

"Lyra" Hermione called to get her attention as she handed the tall Malfoy a cup of tea. Lyra looked up taking the mug with a small thanks. "Lyra, we can talk about it?" Hermione offered gently, sitting next to her. Lyra simply shook her head,

"I'll find out soon enough," Lyra admitted. No words or letters came from the Malfoys, Lyra returned home that evening after an onslaught of letters of congratulations and a small amount of hate mail about Hermione marrying a Death Eater.

Narcissa Malfoy was not a woman who schemed, coerced or devised against anyone. She had planned, she had prepared but never schemed. Certainly, she had planned when Draco was of a certain age that marriage to Astoria Greengrass would be most favourable. Narcissa knew there were no skeletons behind the Greengrass name. She planned when Lyra was freed of charges during the war that she would bring her home, to look after her. That hadn't gone to plan due to her daughters own stubbornness. She had planned when Lyra had brought Adrian Pucey to the Winter Ball six months ago that they would get married. A loyal Slytherin family with excellent social connections. She would show them that the Malfoys had changed by accepting a halfblood into the family.

However, she hadn't planned when a bushy haired muggleborn witch had sent her a letter asking to meet with her. Narcissa had reread the letter multiple times. Her teeth worrying on her red lips. She hadn't dare tell Lucius, she had known what he would snarl about mudbloods. She glanced at her mother's portrait in the dining room, she was raised to always be the gracious host, so that's what she would do. She had invited the Granger girl to afternoon tea, she had made a point to make Lucius busy with sorting things in the east wing to keep him busy. Walking to the door she could see her shifting uncomfortably on one of the garden chairs. Narcissa watched for a moment. Hermione Granger was nervous she mused as she watched her look around the grounds. A small voice told her that the last time she was here alone she was tortured in your dining room. She sighed, hopeful to get this over with as quickly as possible she walked out as Hermione reached for the tea. Narcissa's schooling made her clear her throat as to stop the war heroine.

"First Lesson Miss Granger, the host always pours the tea" Narcissa spoke. She wasn't surprised by the shocked expression by the war heroine as she sat. Hermione muttered an apology,

"Please don't mumble dear, it's unbecoming" Narcissa chided. She didn't miss the glare that she was given. Narcissa poured the tea as Hermione folded her hands nervously in her lap.

"Now I understand from your letter that you wish to borrow books, is that correct?" Narcissa asked over the fine china cup. Hermione shuffled in the seat with a nod,

"Yes, these ones specifically if you have them" Hermione instructed with handing a small square of parchment over the table. Narcissa accepted it and with a quick glance, her eyebrow quirked. Pureblood Aristocracy in the 1700's, Wizarding Balls through the Ages.

"Hesley," Narcissa called, a small pop announced the arrival of the elf. "Could you get these from the library, please?" Narcissa requested. The small elf nodded and with the same small pop was gone. Hermione reached for the teacup and Narcissa saw it, the faint flicker of the concealment charm over her scarred wrist.

"We shouldn't hide our battle scars Miss Granger" Narcissa instructed and Hermione frowned,

"You mean like Lyra?" She asked irritably, she was prepared for a fight.

"If that's how you take it," Narcissa said placidly,

"Lyra shouldn't be burdened by the scars of her parent's ideology," Hermione spat. Narcissa sat taller, Hermione knew she had struck a blow.

"No, but I will give you a lesson in pureblood society Miss Granger" Narcissa lips were pulled into a thin line, "We don't air each other's opinions so loudly in the presence of those that we have opinions of"

"Lyra doesn't hold back" Hermione argued and Narcissa gave a tight smirk,

"A lesson she failed miserably in"

"You think she should be with someone to train in her keeping to the society you keep" Hermione accused and Narcissa barked a laugh.

"I've tried that Miss Granger. My husband tried. My sister tried. Even Blaise Zabini has tried" Narcissa explained, "My daughter won't be trained unless it's at the threat of another life"

Hermione sat a little straighter at the implications. Lyra didn't conform unless she absolutely had to.

"No my daughter will not be a play the doting pureblood bride anymore than my husband will" Narcissa insisted, "An unfortunate trait she inherited from my sister" Narcissa muttered under her breath but Hermione heard it nonetheless.

"So tell me, why do you want these books?"

"I want to learn more before the ball" Hermione explained,

"Somethings cannot be taught" Narcissa advised, "For example, you should have already eaten at least two finger sandwiches during this conversation. As well as complimenting my spread that I have laid on here"

"Well it is lovely" Hermione began but Narcissa continued

"Also, your dress is not appropriate, you should have worn something less formal in this day in age that it wouldn't be expected of you"

"But it would be expected of you?" Hermione countered, Narcissa raised an impeccable eyebrow,

"I am the Lady of the House Miss Granger," Narcissa said slowly,

"I'm just trying to understand" Hermione tried. Narcissa regarded her for a moment,

"Why?" She asked bluntly,

"Because I want to know what I'm up against"

Narcissa smirked, ever the brave Gryffindor, "You want Lyra" Narcissa announced, she had had enough of the charade they were playing.

"I want her to be happy and not in a sham of a marriage" Hermione argued.

"Happy?" Narcissa asked, "Lyra hasn't been happy in a long time Miss Granger, I highly doubt adding to the loneliness will help. But that's not what you intend or are you planning to continue this charade of friends after you thwart Lyra from her inheritance in the name of love?"

Hermione began to argue but Narcissa silenced her with a raised hand, "This is not one of you Jane Austen novels, Miss Granger"

"You know of muggle books?" Hermione asked completely faltering in her argument at Narcissa's revelation. As it happens Narcissa hadn't meant to reveal that fact and it showed in her face.

"As I've said before I'm not as prejudice as I'm portrayed" She admitted, "You should know that there is no getting out of this contract, Lyra knows this and from your presence here she has already tried to explain this already to you" Narcissa observed, "Lyra will be married soon enough Miss Granger, she at least has the courtesy of a decision, there is no loophole in this tale where you two ride of into the sunset"

"That's not-"

"No I know it's not what you're looking for" Narcissa cut off, "You're looking for education to show my family why she should marry you. To show that you can be the perfect wife that our society expects"

Hermione had sat back in her chair, the charade was gone. The truth lay bare on the table.

"Why should I even entertain this idea, Miss Granger?" Narcissa asked sitting back in her own chair. "Why should I even give my permission for you to enter this as a courtship?"

Hermione swallowed staring into the fine china cup in her hand, "Because I love her" Hermione whispered. She expected to be laughed at, she realised that in all of this how ridiculously pathetic she must look. But Narcissa sighed heavily,

"I was worried you were going to say something ridiculous"

Hermione looked up as Narcissa sighed wearily,

"Alright, let's begin then"

Lyra hadn't slept that evening, she received a note from Hermione telling her it would be ok. A chime on the floo had woken her at 3 am. She had fallen asleep in the study, sitting up she gripped her wand. Narcissa Malfoy stepped through, she was in what Lyra always thought as her relaxed wear. A simple dress, nothing extravagant. Lyra stood to pour herself another firewhisky she poured her mother one and handed it to her.

"Your comment about Andromeda was uncalled for" Narcissa began. Lyra sighed into the glass as she stared up at the stars. She was tired of fighting.

"What are you doing here mother?" Lyra asked quietly her eyes closed.

"I want to know the truth, are you doing this to get out of the contract or do you truly love the Granger girl," Narcissa asked. She watched Lyra's back intently, the blondes head dipped away from her.

"I love her" Lyra admitted, "I do, I would marry her tomorrow if I could'' Lyra explained. "I know it's not what you wanted for me" Lyra added, she didn't expect to feel her mother's arms around her. Holding her tightly, Lyra thought of her when she was a child. Protecting her from the monsters under the bed.

"I want you to be happy, Lyra," Narcissa admitted. "Now I can't say I overly approve of this pairing but it's what you want so I'll keep my opinions to myself," Narcissa said, pulling away and fixing her dress.

"What did father say about it?" Lyra asked quietly, hoping the crystal tumbler in her hand might help her disappear as Narcissa sighed,

"He's furious about it" Narcissa admitted. "You know I told Hermione Granger that my children wouldn't change the status of our family. You've both proved me wrong" Narcissa mused. Lyra looked up at her, her mother was sitting in a leather-bound armchair looking bemused.

"I'm worried that's going to become a habit," Narcissa teased. Lyra chuckled, shaking her head.

"Did she tell you?" Narcissa asked inspecting her glass,

"Tell me what?" Lyra asked curiously sitting,

"She came to the Manor about five weeks ago" Narcissa revealed, "She wanted to know as much about the ball, the process to getting through this. She had every intention of bidding if meant she had to"

Lyra was silent, she watched her mothers face closely for any sign of lies. Narcissa finished the glass of firewhisky standing, not waiting for Lyra's response.

"You'll both come to the Manor on Sunday, we'll have afternoon tea," Narcissa said as she walked to the fire.

"Mother" Lyra called turning, "Thank you" Lyra watched Narcissa give her a small smile before stepping into the fire.

As always feel free to leave you're thoughts and feelings down below. I am always grateful for the support.

Also, I have another story for anyone that may be interested it's called the Ripple Effect, which is based in the Supergirl fandom of Supercorp. If anyone is interested feel free to hit it up.

Until next time!