Narcissa stood on the bench at the Slytherin table, straining to see over the sea of people. She was tiny for her age. Her delicate features were screwed up in concentration.
" There they are!" she said, spotting two flaming redheads bobbing through the crowd. Lucius, who had been sitting on the bench beside her, stood and lifted her down.
"Where?"
"They looked like they were heading outside. Come on let's catch up to them." She took his hand and pulled him through the crowd.
When they finally reached Molly and Arthur, Narcissa released Lucius's hand and ran to them. She enveloped Molly in as big a hug as she could. "I can't believe we did it!"
"I know! I know! We graduated!" They stood, grinning like idiots. Well, Narcissa could never look like an idiot; she looked as elegant as ever, but with a huge grin on her face.
Lucius shook Arthur's hand stiffly in congratulations. It was as close to friendliness as either man would ever get. Molly and Cissa rolled their eyes at their boyfriend's antics.
"Well, shall we head to the train platform?" Lucius asked. The rest of the group nodded and headed down the path towards the train platform. Molly and Cissa chatted as they trailed behind their respective boyfriends. Cissa was talking about the trip Lucius was planning to take her on next week. They were going to take a cruise around the Mediterranean and than a train trip around Europe.
"I'm so jealous, I wish Arthur and I could take a holiday, but we have to start planning the wedding and that will be taking so much of our time. We'll be on our honeymoon soon, anyway."
"Have you two decided where you'll be going?"
"Arthur is keeping it a secret from me." They laughed, and hurried to catch up with the men. The four of them passed through the gates for the last time. They turned and looked back up to the castle and silently said goodbye.
They said goodbye to each other and boarded the train and joined their former housemates.
"Arthur, look!" Molly was holding an elaborate looking card. "Narcissa and Lucius are getting married!"
Arthur came into the room holding one of their children in each arm. "Really? I thought he'd never work up the courage to ask her."
"Oh, be quiet. And put the boys to bed, it's long past their bed time."
"But, Mum!" the boys whined. "We aren't tired yet!"
"I don't want to hear about it. Bill, Charlie. Go on now."
The two boys grudgingly trudged up stairs, grumbling loudly as they went.
"When is the wedding?" asked Arthur as he pulled out a chair and sat down. His face was drawn and tired. Molly worried about just how much he worked, though it just barely paid their bills. Molly gave up her job when Charlie was born. It was just too much to be a working mother, two rambunctious boys both under the age of five.
"In two months." Molly paused. "There's something else I need to tell you, Arthur. I'm pregnant."
Arthur stared at her in shock for a moment, then a broad grin spread across his face. He jumped up from his chair and pulled Molly into his arms. "We should celebrate somehow," he said, a mischievous look on his face. He picked her up and carried her up the stairs to their bedroom.
2 Years Later"Arthur!" Molly yelled up the stairs. "I'm leaving!"
"Alright! I'll see you later!"
Molly grabbed a pinch of Floo powder and stepped into the fireplace and out into the Leaky Cauldron. She hurried to a booth in the back. A few minutes later, Narcissa walked in, scanning the crowded room for Moll's familiar shock of red hair. Spying Molly at last, she quickly strode over to the booth.
"Molly!" she cried, embracing her friend. "It's been too long."
"It has, Cissy, it has," exclaimed Molly, enthusiastically hugging her back. "Next time Lucius decides to tour the world you'll just have to bring me along."
Narcissa laughed. "And all the family."
"Of course! I could never leave them behind."
"Now, speaking of family, is there something you want to tell me?" Narcissa asked, eyeing Molly's very swollen belly with questioning eyebrows. Molly blushed.
"Well yes. I'm… Well, I'm pregnant again."
"You lucky woman. How many will it be now? Four?"
"Yes, four if all goes well."
"You've already had three successfully; I don't see how anything could go wrong."
"I hope that's the case."
"So tell me about everything your boys have been up to since I last saw them." Molly watched her friend's face carefully as she described each of her boys' latest adventures to her friend. Narcissa longed with all her heart for a family, but after three years there was still no sign of any children on the way. To fill the hole in her heart she involved herself, as much as she could, in Molly's family. Every Christmas and birthday there were always multiple presents from the boys' self-dubbed 'Aunty Cissa'.
Narcissa had been present for every one of their births. She was also responsible for the top of the line brooms each boy had in his position. Even little Percy, the most somber of the bunch, had one that he deigned to ride every once in a while. Cissa had even decided that she would take the children on an outing of some sort or just to Malfoy Manor once a week so that Molly and Arthur could have some alone time, something that she said she herself had too much of.
Molly wished there was something that could be done to help Narcissa and hoped that her wish would soon be granted.
"Well I must be getting back to Lucius. We planned a nice dinner at home to celebrate returning home," Narcissa said as she stood from her seat.
"I shouldn't keep you then," Molly said, standing also. The two friends hugged goodbye and walked toward the fireplace. Just as she was about to step into the flames, Narcissa turned.
"Oh! I forgot. I have some gifts for the boys. Shall I bring them when I come to pick them up on Friday?"
"Do whatever you see fit," Molly answered, chuckling. Cissa nodded and with one last wave, Flooed home. Molly, after a moment, Flooed home, still smiling and happy that her friend found at least some joy in spoiling the boys.
September 30,1979
Dear Molly
I know I should have waited until this afternoon when I come to pick up Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred, and George, but I couldn't wait a moment more. I am positively bursting with happiness. I am finally expecting. I had truly thought it might never happen, but thank Merlin it did.
Lucius, the dear, insisted we open one of most prized bottles of champagne until I reminded him that I should not drink in my condition. He settled on waiting until the birth to open it instead. I think he is glad at the assurance of an heir. He positively hates his French cousins and would hate to see any of the family fortunes fall into their hands.
Lucius think that Draco for a boy and Genevra for a girl would be acceptable names. I must say I was not that fond of them at first but they have started to grow on me.
Let us hope that everything runs smoothly. I cannot bear to think of it not.
I will tell you more when I see you.
With all my love,
Narcissa Malfoy
P.S. Our child is due on the 4th of June. Just four months after your sixth! I hope they shall get along.
9 Months Later
Molly yelped and dropped the potato she was pealing when she caught site of Lucius Malfoy's head in her fire. She would never grow used to that. "Good evening, Lucius. Is everything alright?" It was Narcissa's due date and Molly had been on the edge all day.
Lucius nodded his head in greeting. "Narsissa has just gone into labor and is requesting your presence. If you would be so kind as to arrive at the Manor as soon as you can be spared, it would be greatly appreciated"
"Of course, of course! I'll be there right away!" Lucius nodded and retreated out of the flames.
"Arthur! Arthur where are you!" Arthur came tumbling into the kitchen, holding baby Ronald in his arms. Fred and George came tripping in behind him.
"I'm here, what's the matter?"
"Cissy's just gone into labor," Molly explained as she set about briskly untying her apron and setting a pie in the oven. "I've got to go, but there's a roast in the oven as well as this, and those potatoes on the stove should be ready in about a half hour. The timer will go off when the roast is finished. Don't let it burn! All right, well, I'm off. Don't let the boys stay up too late. Love you." She kissed Arthur and gave the twins hugs. "Oh, and don't forget to feed Ron!" she exclaimed, reaching for the Floo powder.
"I won't. Give the Malfoys' my congratulations."
"I will. Malfoy Manor!" Molly stepped out into the manor's grand foyer. Within seconds a tiny house elf appeared.
"Mrs. Weezey will please follow Impsy. Madam is asking for youz." Impsy led Molly up the grand staircase and down several corridors till they came to the master chambers. Opening a door, Impsy brought her into the bedroom where Narcissa was sitting in the large bed, her face covered in a fine sheen of sweat.
"Molly! Thank Merlin you're here. I'm so scared." Lucius paced by the window, glancing back at his wife every so often.
"Oh Cissa, there's nothing to worry about. You'll be fine. Has your Medi-witch been called?"
"Yes the Medi-witch was summoned ten minutes ago," Lucius answered as his wife cried out, a contraction ripping through her slender body. Molly quickly walked over to her friend and grasped her hand.
"It's alright, just breathe."
At that moment the Medi-witch hurried through the door and over to Narcissa's side.
Eleven hours later, Draco Abraxas Malfoy greeted the world with shrill cries. His mother looked as if she was the happiest woman in the world. Lucius held his newborn son and heir in his arms looking the happiest Molly had ever seen him.
As soon as the Medi-witch had checked little Draco and made sure everything was in order, she left, congratulating the Malfoys on their first son. Soon after Molly took her leave as well, promising to return in a few hours to check on the new family. Glancing back over her shoulder as she walked out, she saw Lucius putting Draco into his mother's loving embrace. Molly smiled, happy that Cissa finally had her wish of a family. She could only hope that more children would come.
13 Months LaterMolly sobbed into her husband's shoulder as he guided her away from the privet graveyard on the Malfoy Manor's grounds. Her mind was still numb at the thought that her best friend was gone. Narcissa and Lucius had been killed when they were caught in the middle of a riot started by one of the current wannabe Dark Lords. Thankfully, Draco had been at his Aunt Andromeda's house, so he had escaped the same fate as his parents.
It broke Molly's heart to think of Draco and the life so cruelly ripped from him. And Cissa. Poor Cissa, how she had only just gotten what she had wished for after so many years.
"Mr. Weasley, Mrs. Weasley? May I speak with you for a moment?" They turned to see a man in dark robes holding a briefcase. Molly glanced at Arthur and nodded.
"Of course, Mr.…?"
"Greyson, Andrew Greyson."
"Mr. Greyson. If you could just give us a moment." Arthur turned to his children who had gathered behind him. "Bill, Charlie, will you please take everyone back to the Burrow. We shouldn't be long." He glanced back at Mr. Greyson who nodded. "When your mother and I are finished we'll go pick up Ron from Grandma's and come straight home." The adults watched as the children headed up the path back to the Manor. Once they were out of sight, Arthur and Molly followed Greyson to the Manor as well. Once inside, they made their way to what used to be Lucius's old, mahogany study.
Greyson motioned for Arthur and Molly to take the seats in front of the large, carved desk. He took the seat behind it and picked up a large file lying on the desk. "Mrs. Weasley, you, I'm aware, were a good friend of Mrs. Malfoy, yes?" Molly nodded, fresh tears leaking from her already red eyes. "Were either of you aware that the Malfoys named the both you to take full custody of their son, Draco Abraxas Malfoy in their will?" Molly stared in shock at the attorney, her grief momentarily forgotten.
"No, we were not aware of that at all." Arthur responded. "At least I had no knowledge of it. Molly?" He looked at his wife questioningly.
"I had no idea…" She trailed off, still in shock.
"Well, I know it would come with a great amount of responsibility and there would be no hard feelings if you can't take him. I understand you are yourself expecting your seventh child soon? As I say, there would be no hard feelings. Draco's aunt, Andromeda Tonks has said she would be willing to take him if you do not except custody."
Molly rubbed her swollen belly and met Arthur's questioning gaze. She loved her godson as if he was her own son and she wanted to be able to take him in. The only thing stopping her from accepting right then and there was the thought of their finances. Arthur and she were even now trying to figure out how they could put all seven of their children through school. Andromeda had only one daughter; a girl of about ten named Nymphadora, and would be able to provide much more for Draco.
Molly could tell that the same thoughts were running through her husband's mind as well.
"If we were to take him in, would we be paying for his expenses?" Arthur asked, turning to face Greyson.
"Ah, yes. If you would just give me a moment." He riffled through his file and glanced at a paper. "No, you would not. Young Mr. Malfoy will have a monthly allowance of forty galleons, half of which would go to you for room and board. Mr. Malfoy also has a special vault set aside for his education, which will become available to him once he turns eleven. This will cover any equipment and tuition costs.
"The elder Mr. Malfoy and Mrs. Malfoy also left him all the Malfoy assets, to which he will have access to when he reaches the age of seventeen. The only exception is that of Malfoy Enterprises, which Mr. Malfoy left to his business partner Mr. Anton Zabini. Mr. Zabini has said to me that he is planning to give the younger Mr. Malfoy his father's share as well as his position, if he shows potential, when he comes of age.
"As you can see, the late Malfoys by no means left their son to struggle in the world." Finished, Greyson looked expectantly at the Weasleys.
Arthur turned to look at Molly A silent agreement passed between them. Arthur turned back to face Greyson. "We will accept full custody of Draco Malfoy."
"Excellent! If you would just look these forms over and sign where necessary." He handed them a small stack of documents.
Fifteen minutes later the Weasleys took their leave of Mr. Greyson and returned to the Burrow by way of Molly's mother's to pick up Ron. Once they had arrived home and had put Ron to bed, they gathered their brood in the living room and told them the news.
It was official. Draco Malfoy was joining the family.