Tutoring A Dragon

Mothers, and Their Finishing Touches

"Mother! What are you doing here? I thought you were supposed to be in Paris with Melody!" said Draco, edging in front of Hermione.

Narcissa Malfoy sniffed. "You father told me to come and have a 'chat' with you. He said that you've been writing your uncle- again." She sighed, as if she'd done this repetitively. "How many times have I told you, Draco, that if you are going to write your uncle, use a sodding school owl! It is not that hard. You do not even have to pay for the service! Why must you always forget?" She perked up, seeing Hermione peek up over Draco's shoulder. "Move, son. I must see this beautiful girl you have behind you."

Draco moved, begrudgingly.

"Oh, Draco, dearest, how did you ever manage to meet such a pretty, sensible looking girl!" Narcissa exclaimed, smile playing across her crimson lips. "Surely, it was luck, or God, since you have no sense in matters of the heart."

"Mother," he said, sighing, "this is Hermione Granger. She's my roommate, and prefect partner."

Narcissa tilted her head. "I understood that that Parkinson chit was the other Slytherin prefect, Draco."

"She is. Hermione's my partner in organizing the Halloween ball. She's the senior prefect of...." he trailed off. Putting his mouth by Hermione's ear, he whispered, "Be ready to run."

"Of?" queried Narcissa Malfoy, serene eyebrows cocked.

"Gryffindor," said Draco quickly. 'Oh, well it's out there now. No turning back.' He cringed, expecting a spell to be sent his way.

Instead, Narcissa laughed. "Brava, my dear! A perfect way to keep breaking the chain! She is adorable, but most Gryffindors are. Please, join me for lunch." And she swept off, elegant rose skirts swirling up dust in her wake.

Draco and Hermione exchanged looks before following the perfectly poised Narcissa to the Chateau de la Terre a la Mare. It was basically, as Draco told Hermione, the Wizard equivalent of the Savoy.

~*~

"Now," said Narcissa, "what do you want, Hermione? Anything you want, you can have."

And so, that's how Hermione ended up eating one very large chocolate croissant.

"How can you stomach that?' asked Draco, over a mouthful of lobster.

"Tsk, tsk, Draco dear, it is impolite to be rude about one's food choices. Not to mention talking with your mouth full," scolded his mother. She was eating a piece of chicken that had been marinated in an Italian salad dressing, and cooked in a garlic and rosemary sauce. "Now, Hermione, dear, you must show me your robes. Now, since I've taken great care training Draco, they should be perfect, but we should just check."

~*~

And that's how Hermione ended up in the Matrioy hotel at three in the afternoon on the 24th of October, one week from the ball. She was standing on an ottoman, arms to her sides, with her costume on.

Narcissa was walking counter-clockwise around Hermione, studying the dress, the way it looked and fit. "Well, you'll have to get it taken out a bit on the bust," she said. "Elves have very loose garments. Have you ever seen 'The Lord of the Rings'?"

Hermione stared at her. "It's a Muggle film."

Draco gaped.

"You've seen Muggle films?" he asked his mother.

Narcissa laughed. "Honestly, Draco dear, if everyone listened to you all the time, they'd think all I did was shop!"

"Don't you?" said Draco.

"No dear son of mine, I do not shop all the time. Most of the time I am at the cinema." She looked at Hermione. "Don't you think Orlando Bloom is totally gorgeous?" She and Hermione giggled like a bunch of twelve-year- olds.

Hermione avoided looking at Draco when she said, "Yes, rather."

"He is a wizard, you know. I've met him a time or two and I could set you up, if you like."

"He's a wizard?"

"Oh, yes. He was a Ravenclaw. I knew his father and mother; they were so much in love. Had him right out of school. But, enough about him, and more about you." She looked over a Draco, who was staring, mouth agape at his mother and sort of-girlfriend. "Draco, dear please close your mouth and go fetch us something to eat from room service, sil vous plait."

Draco sighed. "Yes, Mother."

With her son out of her way, Narcissa turned her attention back to Hermione. "Now, my dear let's see what we can get in the way of jewelry for you." She swept out of the sitting room that came with the spacious penthouse, beckoning Hermione to follow her into the bedroom.

~*~

As Hermione entered the bedroom, she saw Narcissa levitating a large trunk onto the bed. It landed with a 'whump', and Narcissa flicked her wand, causing the lid to pop open. Narcissa looked over to Hermione and motioned her over.

Hermione picked up the front of her gown and walked over to stand beside Narcissa. What she saw made her gasp. Inside the trunk were pounds upon pounds of jewelry. It was separated into little clear boxes, by carats and jewel type. Narcissa frowned for a moment, then picked up a box marked '5, Lav. Ds'.

"What does that stand for?" asked Hermione.

"Five carats, lavender diamonds. Very rare, lavender diamonds. But beautiful, nevertheless." Narcissa opened the box, and fingered around in it for a minute or two. "Ah!" she exclaimed. "Here we go." She pulled out a platinum chain that had a lavender diamond hanging off the chain. She also pulled out a pair of earrings that were platinum balls with little chains that had lavender diamonds hanging off their ends. "Now, put them on." Hermione did as she was bid, then looked up at Narcissa who smiled. "Go look in the mirror, dear."

Hermione walked to the full-length mirror that was by the bathroom door, and gasped at her appearance.

At the moment she turned around to tell Narcissa thank you, Draco walked through the bedroom door. He dropped the tray he had been carrying, and swore loudly.

"Good God, Hermione you looking bloody sodding gorgeous!" he half whispered, half yelled.

Narcissa smiled a secretive little smile. "Now, doesn't she look beautiful, dear? Anyway, I told you I had to talk to you about something, didn't I? Let's go into the sitting room, shall we?"

They went into the sitting room. Narcissa sat in a ivory armchair, Hermione on a sea green chez lounge, and Draco on a white sofa.

"What is it that you need to tell me, Mum?" asked Draco, slightly confused.

"Draco, I have been keeping a secret from you, your father, and your uncle for eighteen years today. And I have finally decided to tell you."