Everything In My Power
Disclaimer: I don't own anything associated with Harry Potter. It all belongs to various publishers, movie studios, and of course, J.K Rowling. The only thing owned in this story is the plot, which is solely mine. And now, Read on!!!
My son was happy. For a brief moment, when he stepped off of the train as it pulled into the station, he was smiling. Not the usual sneer that I see him perform more and more often these days, but a genuine smile. But the moment he saw his father, who had left my side and was striding toward our only child, the smile quickly disappeared, and was replaced by a mask that betrayed nothing.
Later that evening, I managed to get Draco away from Lucius after dinner. He sat beside me, laid his head on my shoulder, and I stroked his hair, as I'd done so often when he was a child, when he'd had a nightmare or was just afraid. For just a little while, he was my little boy again, content to be by his mother's side. But then Lucius came marching in, and Draco rose quickly, bidding me goodnight. As he left the room, I looked up at my husband, to see the familiar gleam in his eyes. I have to repress a shudder, which seems to alert Draco. He turns around, frowning, asking me silently if I will be ok. I nod, just a fraction, and smile. Yes, I'll be fine, even though tomorrow I will be bruised and sore from my husband's none to gentle love-making session. I catch his hand, wave one behind his back at Draco, and smile coyly. I have played my part for so long that I know easily slip into the role I can't seem to get out of.
The next morning when I awake, Lucius is gone. I breath a sigh of relief, then stretch, wincing as some of my muscles, mainly those in my legs, cry out in pain. I rise slowly, begin my daily routine. After a short bath, I feel much cleaner. I know that Lucius will not allow me to clean myself after we have sex because he wants another child, but the tiny vial I keep hidden away takes care of that. I've only missed a monthly dose once, and I smile as the result of my mistake knocks gently on the bedroom door. I pull my hair up into it's usual pile atop my head, clip on a pair of small diamond earrings, and bid him enter. He smiles when he sees me, all dressed up and perfect for the ball which we will be attending tonight. I know it's far to early in the day to be prepared, and I will suffer later in the heat, but for Draco to light up the way he does when he sees me so beautiful and perfect, it makes my heart melt, and I swear to myself, not for the first time, that I will do everything in my power to keep that spark of his old self buried under his father's teachings, so that Draco will never loose his humanity.
Later that evening, Lucius enters the room, looking handsome in his black outfit. It fits him, all black, and matches perfectly the silvery purple gown I'm wearing. I cannot help but smile as I take his hand. For one night, we will be the perfect family. I allow him to escort me downstairs and into the carriage waiting outside. Draco is already within, looking like a miniature of his father, but I know he has more heart than Lucius ever did. I slip my hand over, grip his reassuringly under my wrap, and Lucius is none the wiser as I hold my son's hand all the way to the party.
I'm exhausted, and the party has only been on for a little over an hour. I don't know how much longer we'll be here, and I want to sigh as I see Lucius come striding out of the crowd. I'm sure that there's someone else he wants me to meet, but in my present state, I'm not sure I can be civil to one more stuck up pure-blood. But there's no one to meet, I realize that when he grips my elbow and pulls me away from the crowd. "Narcissa, I don't know how, but he's here." At my confused expression, he explains, "Harry Potter. Somehow, he managed an invitation tonight, and if he is here, then there's no reason to stay. I will not be caught in the same house as a half blood." I nod slightly. "Very well, Lucius, I will go find Draco." He nods absentmindedly as he goes to fetch our carriage. I begin to weave my way through the press of bodies, and then am drawn up short as I spy Draco leaned against the opposite wall, his eyes and face blank, but his body language speaking volumes as he watches Harry and a young girl I don't know dance across the empty dance floor. And suddenly it downs on me the reason for my sons' happiness– he is in love with Harry.
The ride home is silent, as Lucius is staring out the window and Draco is frowning into the darkness. I want desperately to reach out and touch him, but I don't dare, not with his father sitting next to me. I want to talk to him, asking him how this happened, and what he plans to do. But that will have to wait. When we reach home, Draco says a curt goodnight, and Lucius retires to his study. I sit alone in the parlor for a few moments, then ascend the staircase quietly, making hardly more noise than a mouse. When I reach the third floor, I turn down the hall to the right, rather than to the left, which leads to my room. Opening a long-unused door, I slip inside the tiny room that once served as Draco's nursery. Drawing out my want, I whisper "Lumos." And Draco looks up at me from his spot in the corner, eyes filled with tears, which have left dirty tracks down his face.
I sit next to him, not caring if I get dust on my new gown. I want to hold him, but I can sense he's not ready. "Draco, is there something you want to tell me?" He shakes his head sadly. "Come, Draco, don't lie to me, I'm your mother. Nothing you say to me can upset me." With that, he gives himself up to me, and I rock him in my arms as I did when he was younger and in pain. "There, now, you don't have to tell me anything. I already know." He looks up at me, relief etched on his porcelain features, eyes wide with shock. "How–How did you know?" I shake my head gently, smiling a little. "I'm your mother. I can see everything, and right now, you're hurting because the one thing you want with all your soul is the one thing you can't have– Harry Potter." He gives a great shuddering cry, then allows all the pain and sorrow out. Afterwards, when he has cried himself to sleep, I carry him to his room, undress him and summon his pajamas with my wand. Before I leave, I place a light kiss to his forehead, then leave the room, determined to make this right.
The light under the library door tells me that Lucius is still busy, and will probably work into the early morning hours before retiring. I hasten to my own rooms, and draw out one of my most beloved treasures– a writing kit with beautiful stationary emblazoned with locks of lavender. I sait at my desk and pull out a quill and begin to write.
Harry stared down at the letter, and once again read the words written in flowing, feminine handwriting. And felt the familiar jerk in his stomach at the contents. 'Dear Harry, I am taking a great risk to write to you, but as I concerns that which is most precious to me, I felt it best to do so. This concerns my son, Draco. He is suffering from a serious problem, with which only you can help him. I don't wish to discuss this further in this letter, but do be prepared for another letter shortly, in which I hope to provide more details. Sincerely Yours, Narcissa Malfoy.' For the millionth time, Harry looked up and out the window, wondering what it was all about, and how me could passibly help his worst enemy.