Hermione began having nightmares again. Sometimes it wasn't Harry slipping from her fingers, but Draco or Ron. She resumed her Occlumency practice in the mornings, and the nightmares vanished. The dread in her stomach grew as the last week of December neared, and she began thinking of ways to ask Narcissa for her wand.

On Christmas morning, Hermione snuck down to the Conservatory to clip a few lilies that magically grew year-round. She wandered down to the freezing dungeons and tugged a few sprigs of lavender from a bundle, and with some twine, she made a lousy bouquet. Hermione grimaced as she handed them to Narcissa over breakfast, apologizing for her lack of skill.

Narcissa swooped to kiss both cheeks, silencing her excuses. Hermione opened Narcissa's gift — an elegant blue organizer for her notes — as Mippy served them coffee and tea. With a fierce blush, the elf dropped a pair of hand-knit mittens on Hermione's lap and squeaked, "Happy Christmas, Miss!"

In the days following Christmas, Hermione began to feel guilty about asking for Narcissa's help. Narcissa clearly knew she was up to something, but had chosen to never mention it. She didn't want to put Narcissa in a position that required her to either interfere or keep a glaring secret from Lucius. There had to be a subtler way of asking. A way that let Narcissa continue to look the other way.

An idea sparked one morning during breakfast.

"Narcissa—" Hermione hastily finished swallowing her toast. "What am I to wear Thursday evening? The clothes I wear to Edinburgh are… not really appropriate."

"I was wondering when you'd ask." Narcissa winked at her. "Miss Parkinson is already working on it. She'll bring your dress by at five o'clock."

Hermione opened her mouth, then closed it. She hadn't realized that Narcissa knew about Pansy's visits.

There went her plan of transfiguring an old dress.

"Wonderful. Since that's sorted, I was also wondering… since I need to look my best…" She swallowed. "Might I borrow a wand? Just for an hour in the morning to do my hair?"

Narcissa blinked at her, and Hermione Occluded. Tilting her head and considering, Narcissa finally said, "I suppose that would be alright."

She felt a pressure in her chest release. Adrenaline and possibility flooded her veins as she smiled. "Thank you, Narcissa. Only an hour."

On the morning of the 31st, Hermione met Narcissa for a quick breakfast. When they finished, Hermione didn't even need to ask — Narcissa simply handed over her ebony wand with a tight smile. Hermione felt a twinge of guilt as she thanked her, but it vanished as she raced up the stairs to her room. The wand hummed between her fingertips, and she felt the exhilaration of its magic in her blood. She spread her research on the floor of her room, and as easy as remembering to breathe, she cast a spell to spread out her notes. The ebony wand complied.

Logically, she knew she had an hour, but it felt like she had only a matter of minutes to get this right. She took a deep breath, and gathered her thoughts. She needed a mouse, she needed to construct the barrier, she needed to charm that mouse with a tattoo and link it to the barrier.