A/N: No, I abandon you guys. :p I'm just lazy..
It was almost time to go, and as the time ticked away, Narcissa was becoming more and more depressed.
"I wish you children could stay with us," she sighed.
"I can!" Prue volunteered. "I don't even go to Hogwarts. I was stuck with this one because everyone thought you were locked up. No offense, but he's kind of annoying."
Draco rolled his eyes.
"Gee, thanks."
"You're welcome." Prue responded quickly, unshaken. "So, can I stay?"
"If your brother agrees..." Narcissa glanced hopefully at her son.
"There's only two weeks left of school anyway. I think I'll survive without her for that long."
"One could hope..." Prue muttered under her breath.
Narcissa snickered.
"She's just like her mother. You can tell- Lucius' feeble attempts at sarcasm always sound pathetic."
She glanced over at her husband to see if he had heard – he was completely clueless, chatting animately with Severus.
"So Severus, I see you haven't given up on the muggle goth look." Lucius teased.
Severus groaned.
"For the last time, I am not goth. I am not emo. I am not punk. Merlin, why did Naricssa have to tell you about labels?"
Lucius just smirked.
"Be careful," Severus warned, "You're the poster-boy for prep."
Lucius blinked.
"Prep? I'm not snotty."
Severus snorted. He opened his mouth to respond, but quickly closed it when he saw Draco approaching them. The boy glanced nervously at his father before talking.
"Where am I supposed to get the ring?" he asked finally.
"What ring?" Lucius asked, confused.
"The ring. For Hermione."
"Merlin, son. How can you bring something like that up so suddenly?" Lucius asked, shocked.
Draco shrugged, embarrassed. Lucius sighed.
"You don't buy an engagement ring. There's a family ring. Once you can get it off your mother, you can propose to this Hermione girl."
Draco's eyes widened, and he glanced over to his mother. She was still wearing the Malfoy engagement ring.
"Unless you plan on chopping off your mother's hand, you'll stay a bachelor forever." Severus commented.
"Father, do you think you can..."
"Don't look at me." Lucius interrupted. "I got it off of my mother. It's about time I get to see someone else suffer."
"I told you, son. I'm not giving up my ring until I get a chance to meet this girl." Narcissa crossed her ams and stared at him stubbornly.
Draco glanced at Prue, hoping she would step in and help like she always did. The girl just shook her head. This was his battle.
"Mother, she has extremely bad memories of both you and father. I don't think meeting her would be a good idea."
"Well, she has to re-learn who we are sometime, doesn't she? She can't marry you and hate us. If I'm giving up my ring, I want to like the girl who's getting it."
Draco sighed.
"Fine. I'll do it."
Narcissa smiled.
"Wonderful! I'm free for tea tomorrow. You can drop Prue off to stay with us then, too."
At this, Severus stood up.
"I'm afraid I have to go now. I have some papers to grade."
They said there good-byes, Narcissa hugging everyone until their bones ached and Lucius hugging only his little girl, offering only friendly handshake to Severus – which suited the man just fine – and a pat on the back to his son.
As he stepped into the floo, Draco felt Prue tug on his arm.
"What?" he asked
Prue smirked.
"They're kissing."
Draco glanced back at his parents and smiled.
"I can't believe you only gave me one day's warning!" Hermione complained. "I don't have any casual dresses – I only have one dress, and that was from the yule ball."
Draco shrugged.
"Wear that."
Hermione pursed her lips.
"Don't be silly. That's far too dressy for a casual tea."
Draco laughed.
"For a normal casual tea? Yes. For one with a Malfoy, it's going under-dressed."
Hermione blinked at him.
"Is Prue the only sane person in your family?"
"Yes!!" came the call from outside of the door.
Draco rolled his eyes.
"Prue, stop eavesdropping!"
When they arrived the next morning, it was clear Narcissa had already begun redecorating. Outside, the manor was almost completely covered in beautiful flowers. A gorgeous fountain had been installed, and when they finally went inside, they caught giving the house elf instructions on what color to paint the walls.
"Mint green," she demanded, "No, not like you! You are emerald green, I want mint. Let me show you what it looks li – oh, you're here!"
Hermione smiled shakily and resisted the urge to go off in a lecture on house elf's rights. She squirmed slightly as Narcissa inspected her.
"She's beautiful," Narcissa said finally.
Hermione blushed. What was it with Malfoy's finding her so attractive? She was plain- and always had been. What did they see that she didn't?
"Come along now," Narcissa instructed, "the tea room is this way."