When Malfoy wants a Witch

*~*~*~*~*~*15*~*~*~*~*~*15*~*~*~*~*~*15*~*~*~*~*~*15*~*~*~*~*~*15*~*~*~*~*~*

Chapter 15 - Time for Presents

*~*~*~*~*~*15*~*~*~*~*~*15*~*~*~*~*~*15*~*~*~*~*~*15*~*~*~*~*~*15*~*~*~*~*~*

Hermione put the Tigger down on her pillow. She put a robe over her nightie and followed Narcissa and the spa witch.

"You'll like this," Narcissa whispered. "It is very relaxing."

“I've not been to a spa before,” Hermione whispered back.

"You are in for a treat," Narcissa said, clinging to the girl's arm as they were led into a soothing room though which the sound of the ocean echoed and salty sea air could be smelled.

Hermione had never seen such luxury.

The other witch bowed her head and backed out of the room pulling the doors closed.

“Is my fiancé handsome?” Hermione asked.

"Quite," Narcissa answered. "I remember many young ladies chasing after him, but he never had eyes for any of them." Narcissa slipped her robe off and stepped into the bath.

“Is he tall? Fit?”

Narcissa giggled. "Both. He is six feet and two inches. And he is an auror and on the auror quidditch team."

Hermione blushed and looked at the seafoam green tiles.

"Every mother brags about her child," Narcissa said. She smiled at the young witch.

"What is he like?" Hermione asked as she dipped a toe into the mud.

“He is a sweet boy. Stubborn sometimes. But he has a big heart."

She pulled back and turned in a circle. It was squishy!

“Go on, lie down. The mud will rejuvenate your skin. It's clean mud.”

"It is so squishy!" Hermione said, looking at it and biting her lip.

“Go on, get in. Don't be so nervous!”

Hermione eased one foot in and sat on the lip of the tub and glared at the mud.

“What hobbies does he have?”

"Won't say another word till you are all the way in the mud," Narcissa said.

"Was he a Slytherin too?" Hermione asked, glaring at her for a moment.

“Yes, he was. But he is a good boy,” Narcissa said as she watched Hermione descend into the warm mud.

*~*~*~*~*~*15*~*~*~*~*~*15*~*~*~*~*~*15*~*~*~*~*~*15*~*~*~*~*~*15*~*~*~*~*~*

Draco walked through Muggle London searching for the perfect present for Hermione.

He knew that she loved Muggle things. Severus had thoughtfully sent him a list of things she liked, telling him to quit being an idiot.

He had gotten a weird plastic thing called 'credit card' from the Muggle relations department of Gringotts and a booklet about how it worked.

He had spent all night up reading and memorizing things. There was no way he'd be stupider than a Muggle.

He sighed when he saw a bookstore. He smiled and walked into the store. He hoped that he would find her favorite book, "Pride and Prejudice".

A sales girl smiled at him brightly and asked how she could help.

"I'm looking for my fiancée’s favorite book," Draco said, pulling back from the girl as she touched his arm.

“Oh,” the girl sounded disappointed for a moment.

"I'll just look around for a bit," Draco said, withdrawing from her. He resisted from telling her that she shouldn't touch him as she didn't know him.

Why did every woman think he was to be touched and cooed to? He was not some little snidget to be wooed into their basilisk jaws.

There were so many books with bright covers, but thankfully there was some guidance over the shelves.

After passing several shelves of 'chick-lit', he wondered why Muggles wrote books for baby chickens. Maybe Muggle chickens could read?

He shook his head not wanting to be silly. He walked toward where he saw a sign that read "Classics."

He should probably send Severus an apology and crate of fine whiskey. Then he recognized several titles mentioned in the once-compulsory Muggle Studies class.

Looking at the rows of books, he finally found the one he was looking for. One was a paperback edition, not very pretty. Luckily, next to it was a hardback edition, stored in a plastic box with some lock. It had a nice gilded cover. That would look nicely in the library later.

He took it off the shelf and carried the rather heavy book to the till.

"Will this be all for you today, sir?"

The shop assistant girl was looking at him like he was a piece of cake to a starving man.

“Yes, thank you.”

The shop girl looked at the eighty pound price tag and sighed. If only she had such a boyfriend...

"Would you like to be on our mailing list?"

Draco's eyes narrowed.

“No, thank you.” The sneaky thing wanted to mail stalk him!

She pouted as she bagged up the book, and ran his credit card through.

“Is there anything I can do for you, Mr. Malfoy?”

"That will be all," Draco said, and he sniffed as he took the bag.

The girl covered his hand with hers.

Draco drew a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his hand where she had touched being sure she saw it.

He turned and left the bookstore. Weird Muggles.

He walked toward the Leaky Cauldron, and he entered.

“Can anyone tell me where to find a restaurant called 'McDonald's?’”

"Yes, Mr. Malfoy, there is one approximately one block east and two blocks south of here."

“Do I need to make reservations for that?”

"No, Sir," Tom answered. "It is a fast food restaurant. You'll see when you get there."

“I'll take your word for it.”

Tom smiled at the Malfoy.

Draco knew that Hermione liked to pick a larger quarter pounder with a diet coke and a Smarties Mcflurry. He had no idea what all that was, but he'd take one for her, and another for himself.

He frowned at the plastic man on a bench next to the door. He walked toward the door keeping the most distance between the strange white painted man with the red nose and yellow suit as he could while getting inside.

There were many Muggles inside. They were queueing at the counters. He decided that he would just get his food and leave.

He waited calmly and paused to gaze out at a large system of slides and tubes where children were playing.

“How can I help you, sir?” the girl at the counter asked him, her expression like he was her dessert.

Draco ordered looking down his nose at her with narrowed eyes.

She ran his credit card and gazed at him as she passed him his bag of food. He was also given a cardboard tray with what he assumed to be the drinks. He exited the foodplace and rushed to the next back alley.

He would avoid Muggles as much as possible without Hermione from now on as the females were obviously all disturbed mentally.

He apparated back to the manor. He took one of the bags and the drink and ice cream and placed them in a basket.

He placed the bag with the book in the basket as well, then sat down to pen a note.

He carefully put a food fresh spell over the contents after he put the note in the basket and spell wrapped the book.

Draco summoned his parcel owl and ordered it to deliver the package to the spa.

The bag of food left for him looked suspicious. Why were Muggles packing their meals in paper?

He picked up a drink and pried the plastic lid off setting it to the side as he sat on the grand staircase.

He sniffed the brown cola. He dropped it spilling it all over the floor as bubbles tingled in his nose. The girl tried to give him Amortentia. He was sure of it. He glared at the fizzing liquid before it vanished thanks to the amazing house elves.

He then retrieved a box from the bag.

He opened it and picked up the strange looking thing. He scratched his nail against one of the seeds on the bun.

This was what Muggles called a hamburger, according to the box the thing came in.

He stuck his tongue out and was about to taste it when he shoved it back.

He turned his lips down.

How was one supposed to eat that thing?

*~*~*~*~*~*15*~*~*~*~*~*15*~*~*~*~*~*15*~*~*~*~*~*15*~*~*~*~*~*15*~*~*~*~*~*

Hermione sighed as she walked back to her room. She had never felt more relaxed. First the mud bath, then the massage.

These were things she had always wanted to do, yet she could hardly afford that on her tiny salary.

"So my dear, how was your massage?" Narcissa asked approaching the witch. "This afternoon we take a break and can go and do some artsy things for our wizards if we choose, or we can just relax."

“The massage was wonderful. All staff here are genius.”

"I know. Tomorrow, we will have facials."

Hermione opened the door to her room and gasped as the smell of McDonalds assaulted her nose.

She ran to her bed and sure enough found a basket with goodies.

She quickly grabbed the drink and shoved a straw into it. Greedily, she began to suck the soda.

“I see my son has sent you some more presents?”

Hermione didn't hear the other woman as she spotted the piece of parchment with her name on it.

She grabbed the envelope and tore it open as she sat in the middle of the bed. She quickly took a bite of the hamburger and sighed.

Dearest Love,

I miss you so much still. I found this book you might like in Muggle London. I also went to your favorite restaurant and got you some food. I know the cuisine at the spa is excellent, but you might like something special.

You are in my thoughts and heart as I prey to be in yours. May we meet in our dreams.

With all my love,
D.L.A.M.

Hermione just couldn't imagine her luck. Her fiancé was so thoughtful! Even though he was pureblood he had gone into the trouble of getting her Muggle food.

"How did I come to be engaged to my fiancé?" Hermione asked.

"That is a story best saved for my husband," Narcissa said gently to the young witch.

“Okay,” Hermione said as she grabbed the fries and the sweet sour dip.

An image of a handsome blon in Auror uniform flashed in her mind.

Hermione clutched her forehead as a dizzy spell hit her. She scooted over and leaned back against the enormous Tigger.

“Are you okay. Dear?”

"I think my blood sugar just must be low," Hermione answered, taking a huge bite of the burger and chewing for a moment.

Another memory, this time of the young man leaning against a doorframe assaulted her.

Hermione quickly finished eating and lay back on her pillows. She wrapped her arms around them.

Was that her fiancé? It couldn't be...he was way too handsome to want a witch like her.

She closed her eyes and snuggled the Tigger.

“I love you so much,” the blond man in her vision said.

"When can I see my fiancé?" Hermione asked, pressing the toy close and looking at all her pretty flowers. She grabbed the letters and hugged them close.

“Not long, sweetheart. He will be happy to see you.”

Hermione closed her eyes and hid them in the toy. She sniffed a little.

“I want to make love to you,” she heard the male voice whisper.

"I think I just want to rest," Hermione said, curling up in a ball on the bed.

"Okay," Narcissa said, and she rubbed her back. "I will go to my room and leave you to rest.

Hermione hugged the Tigger close, till she noticed a feint scent of masculine cologne.

She drifted into a soft sleep.

In her dreams, she felt soft hands holding her.

*~*~*~*~*~*15*~*~*~*~*~*15*~*~*~*~*~*15*~*~*~*~*~*15*~*~*~*~*~*15*~*~*~*~*~*

Hermione sighed as she awakened to the soft knocking on her door.

"Miss Granger," a soft voice called into the room.

"Yes," she called.

"You have more presents."

She didn't want to get up from the comfy bed but presents were a good reason.

She gasped as a basket was carried into the room and placed on her bed. Hermione smiled as she saw another parchment tied to the top. She seized it quickly and opened it.

Dearest Love

Words cannot describe how I miss you.

I've thought of you every moment since we parted. I hope with all my heart that you will be able to fall in love with me as deeply as I am already love you.

I want to be able to say that you are my wife. I want you to be proud of me as your husband.

Your devoted affianced,
D.L.A.M.

Hermione reached for the present basket. She smiled when she saw a box of delicious truffles, a bottle of cologne, and what appeared to a jewelry case.

Her fiancé was so darling! She couldn’t wait to meet him.

Hermione gasped as she opened the case to see a charm bracelet with a lion, serpent, and book charms. A small piece of parchment was attached to the back of the case. Hermione grinned and bit her lip when she read it.

"I'll be filling this up in the future."

She felt that she could love him, for all the caring he'd shown.

Hermione quickly took the bracelet out and put it on her wrist. She held her arm out and admired it.

“How are you now, Sweetheart?” Narcissa asked as she came into Hermione's room.

"Look what my fiancé sent," Hermione said, unable to resist showing off the pretty bracelet with the sweet note to Narcissa.

Narcissa smiled.

"When can I meet him?"

“In five days and forty-three minutes…it's not a long time to wait.”

Hermione pouted and scowled.

“What if he decides he doesn't want to be with me anymore during these days?”

"He won't. Has he given you any indication that his affections are waning?"

“But boys get bored fast! They can change their mind in a matter of minutes! One moment there's presents the next a break up note!”

"I promise you that won't happen," Narcissa said. "He is in earnest."

“Are you sure?”

"I know my son better than anyone else," Narcissa told her touching her hand. "I promise you are all he talks of. The first time he saw you he wrote to me and complained about you," Narcissa wrapped her arms around the younger witch. "You are the only witch he ever took time to tell me about in his letters home from Hogwarts. You see, you are quite special."

“Am I really?” Hermione asked and hugged the older witch.

"Yes, you are. He has liked you from the moment he met you, though perhaps didn't show you in the most appropriate manner."

“Boys are silly,” Hermione murmured.

"Yes, they are. My husband was quite foolish in courting me. Do you know that he used to hex other boys who talked to me?"

“Did he really?”

"Yes, and your fiancé antagonized your male friends as well. It is the way of males to be jealous."

“But who'd ever want me? I am just…me…boring me.”

"That is what I thought about myself as well. I was rather bookish, and I used to wear large glasses," Narcissa blushed as she admitted this.

“But you are gorgeous! Very much so!”

"So are you," Narcissa told her gently.

“My hair is always a mess. And I am far too plump for my height!”

"Rubbish!" Narcissa announced. "What do you want for Breakfast?"

“I slept the whole night through? Wow.”

"Yes," Narcissa said. "Come with me to the dining area. It has a lovely view."

Hermione followed Narcissa duly.

The dining area oversaw a slow stream, lined with low trees.

This is beautiful!”

"Beautiful," Hermione said, smiling as she saw the dozens of tiny wild flowers growing.

"Narcissa, may I send anything to my fiancé?"

“Of course, you may. He would be very happy to receive word from you.”

Hermione squealed and spun around on one foot.

"Do you think...Do you think..." Hermione trailed off.

“What, sweet?”

"Do you think he would like a lock of my hair?"

Narcissa stared at the girl for a moment. Trusting little thing she was. “He would adore it.”

Hermione bit her lip. She played with her hair.

“Wouldn't that be cheesy though? He sends me such fine, beautiful presents, but I...”

"No, my dear. His father was after me for more than a year to give him a lock of my hair. It is very meaningful. So much magic can be accomplished by having such an article. It is a statement of how much you trust him."

“Then I will do it! He's my fiancé and I trust him!”

Narcissa smiled and thought of the pleasure that her son would have when he opened that letter.

"I have an idea if you are up to it," Narcissa said, taking a bite of her toast and marmalade.

“Anything to make him happy!”

"I'm so happy to hear you say that," Narcissa said, and she blinked back tears. Her son had chosen a sweet witch.

“I want to have a good marriage. I have been lonely for a long time.”

"Well, I will tell you that no woman married to a man of this family has ever had an unhappy marriage."

“That is so good! And...I just worry...if he is so handsome, and he must be as he has such a gorgeous mother...he may tire of me.”

“Don't ever think of that. My husband and I are just as much in love as we were on our wedding day.”

Hermione blushed and nibbled at her cheese omelet.

“The men in this family are very passionate, I can say. I think my son is even more so than his father.”

Hermione bit her lip.

“I think before we see our men we should do a little shopping trip.”

"I don't have any money," Hermione said with a blush. "I don't know how I shall repay you for this Spa trip."

“Money is not an object for our family. Happiness is. As part of the family, it is understood that you are entitled to anything you may reasonably want.”

"That is far too generous. I can not accept such," Hermione said. “And I feel like a leech.”

"You're family," Narcissa said with finality. "Now I think it is time to get started on the creation of your present for your fiancé."

“What is the present going to be?” Hermione asked excitedly.

"A devotion charm," Narcissa said, "Are you familiar with them?"

“No, I haven't heard of them.”

Narcissa smiled and stood up from the table taking the hand of the other witch to lead her to the special jewelry making area of the spa.

"What do they teach in NEWT level charms these days? We should get started. It takes all day."

“Really? What will I have to do?”

"Well, we first have to design the charm in the shape that you want, and melt the metal. We add blood from your heart. We make the mold and cast the metal. It is a wonderful charm. Every wizard wishes for one from the witch they desire."

“Will it hurt me to make it?”

"No," Narcissa said, squeezing the young witch's shoulders. "You will feel good once you send it to your wizard."

“Will I need to add anything else to it?”

“Yes, a lock of your hair in the locket. It will strengthen the charm.”

"And of course, you will engrave a message on the back for my son."

Hermione blushed. What would she say? She didn't know his name even...

"I need to get something from my room," Hermione said, veering off in the direction of her room.

Narcissa smiled. Her son would be very happy. The boy deserved it.

Hermione gasped as she walked into her room and saw the most gorgeous set of white robes done in silk and embroidered with silver thread on her bed.

There was another note close to them.

My Most Devine Love,

Every moment without you is like torture. You are my light and happiness.

It would be the greatest honor if you would deign to wear these robes the day we are to be reunited. I saw them and knew no witch could make them appear plain, but you.

Your devoted love,
D.L.A.M.

Hermione was blushing. Her fiancé thought she was prettier than the robes.

She touched the lovely sparkles on the bodice.

But she had almost forgotten what she had come for.

"My dear, did you see?" Narcissa asked pointing to the fur lined cloak next to the dress.

Hermione gasped and ran a finger over the cloak.

"I can't accept this. It is too much," Hermione said, pouting as she continued to pet the soft fur.

“It's nothing...a standard gift to the bride to be. It is pureblood tradition to shower the bride with gifts.”

Hermione continued to stroke the robe.

"It's too expensive. I can't keep it."

“My husband gave me a similar gift, just of a different color. It is an insult to refuse a gift.”

"Well, I wouldn't want to insult my fiancé," Hermione said, reluctantly releasing it and grabbing all the letters from her affianced.

“Good. He loves you very much, so please don't hurt him.”

"He is just far to lavish. I would be happy just to have letters about what he was doing or how he is feeling."

“He wants you to know that you are worth the world to him. And presents are nice. My husband has sent me some as well.”

“What did he send you?”

Narcissa smiled and led the witch to the adjoining room.

Hermione didn't see anything at first.

Narcissa walked over to the dresser where an arrangement of yellow, white, and pink roses was situated. She quickly cast a spell over them so that they couldn't be smelt unless done purposefully. Narcissa opened a necklace box and showed it to Hermione.

Hermione gasped as she saw a strand of pink pearls with the largest at the center and getting smaller as they moved toward the clasp.

“This is what my husband calls a small token of affection. I do forbid him to gift me obscenely expensive gifts, but sometimes he doesn't listen.”

"It's beautiful."

"He knows pink is my favorite color, and he hopes to entice me into coming home early.

“But I shall stay with you, as you need some company. And I need some relaxation as well, as my husband can be...passionate to the point of not letting me sleep much at night..”

Hermione turned bright red and looked away.

“Well, I do usually take naps during the day, so it's not so bad... but if he finds me...”

Hermione blushed even more. Was her fiancé so passionate too?

Narcissa giggled. "Wizards from this family are quite passionate," she said, as she took Hermione's hand and led her down to the jewelry making area.

“So I hear,” Hermione said, her cheeks still rosy.

Narcissa giggled again as they took a seat at a table in the jewelry making area.

"What shape do you want to make for him?"

“I think a heart shape would be nice.”

"Would he like silver or white gold better?" Hermione wondered to herself and she looked at Narcissa helplessly. “I like silver.”

Hermione began to doodle on the parchment trying to draw the most perfect heartshape.

It was odd. She had not even met the man again, didn't remember him, yet she felt so close.

She sighed as she looked at the heart she had and smiled. A crystal on the front to hold a drop of her blood would be a sweet touch.

"Here you are dears, all the materials you need to make a devotion charm for the lucky wizard," a spa witch said with a big smile.

Hermione smiled back. She was lucky to have a wizard.

*~*~*~*~*~*15*~*~*~*~*~*15*~*~*~*~*~*15*~*~*~*~*~*15*~*~*~*~*~*15*~*~*~*~*~*

Hermione held her almost complete devotion charm in her hand. What did she put on the back for him as a message?

“Love is blind,” she thought.

"Write something that describes how you feel for him, what he means to you," Narcissa said, watching the girl with rapt attention.

She still didn't know what to put there.

She sighed and looked over his letters to her.

"Trusting with my heart, what I can’t remember seeing," Hermione said out loud.

Yes, that was a good choice, she could feel that.

Hermione carefully used the spell to carve out the words on the back.

“I want to send this to him right away!”

"Of course," Narcissa said, and she took Hermione's hand and led her to the owlry.

“I need to write a note as well!” Hermione said and rushed to the small desk.

Narcissa smiled as the young witch wrote something and wrapped the note around the charm folding it tightly.

Draco would be so happy!

Hermione looked at all the owls. None of them looked very fast.

But she had not much choice. She tied the note tot he best looking owl and hoped that her dear D.L.A.M received it soon.

"I'm so tired," Hermione said.

*~*~*~*~*~*15*~*~*~*~*~*15*~*~*~*~*~*15*~*~*~*~*~*15*~*~*~*~*~*15*~*~*~*~*~*

Well, there was Chapter 15. I hope you liked it. Please leave a review. They cheer the bunny onward you know.

*~*~*~*~*~*15*~*~*~*~*~*15*~*~*~*~*~*15*~*~*~*~*~*15*~*~*~*~*~*15*~*~*~*~*~*