"Ugh... Must we go to these pointless gatherings? Everyone only talks about the same things over and over and I find it a complete waste of time," complained Draco, as his mother fixed his tie for him.
"It's what you make of it, darling," said Narcissa, "If you think you'll have a bad time, then you probably will."
"I know I will," said Draco, "We've been attending this event every year, ever since I was born!"
"Yes, and you wouldn't have been born in the first place had it not been for this very event you loathe so much," remarked Narcissa, smoothing his jacket.
Draco repeated what she said in his head, "Oh, right. How could I forget? The story of how you and Dad met. You've told me thousands of times."
"You always asked to hear it!" laughed Narcissa.
She turned him to face the mirror and continued to speak as she made sure he looked his best.
Narcissa picked off a stray hair on his shoulder, "When you were a little boy, instead of a classic bedtime story, you asked to hear our love story! And even up to now, I've never understood why. It's something a daughter would ask her mother about."
Draco made a face and turned to poke his mother's side, causing her to twitch. He'd always known that she was ticklish there because when he was younger, he'd seen Lucius do it to her whenever they were being playful with each other. Draco got a good laugh himself out of watching her laugh and twitch at the same time.
"Draco!" said Narcissa, trying not to laugh but failing, "Stop that right now!"
Draco laughed and hugged his mother. Narcissa embraced her only child tight and breathed in the scent his soft, blond hair. They stood there for a moment, just hugging.
"Oh merlin, you're growing up too fast," she said in a tone Draco knew all too well.
Whenever they had moments like this, Narcissa would always bring up the fact that Draco would soon bring home a nice girl, marry her, start his own family...
"...and leave me," said a teary-eyed Narcissa.
Draco sighed and shook his head. He hated to see his mother cry.
"Oh, Mum, really. Haven't we discussed this for the Nth time?"
He pulled away and took her hands, "I will never ever leave you. You were the first woman in my life and will always be. No matter what happens, I'll always be your son. You and Dad will always have me. Okay?"
Narcissa sniffled and nodded, "I.. I'm sorry. It's just that you mean the world to your father and me. We can't bear the thought of being without you."
"I know," said Draco, squeezing her hands, "I love you, Mum."
"I love you too," said Narcissa, pulling him into another hug, "My darling boy..."
She kissed his forehead and together they laughed. Draco wiped his mother's tears with the hanky from his breast-pocket. Narcissa beamed.
"Now, you silly woman," said Draco, "Go and get yourself all dolled up. You've spent too much time on me. Make it so that every man attending will be envious of Dad, even more than they already are."
Narcissa laughed as her son ushered her to the door.
"Are you implying that I actually have to put work into making myself presentable?" said Narcissa, laughingly.
"Hardly," laughed Draco, "But you might want to start now, seeing as we've only got an hour and a half left."
Narcissa gasped, "Oh!"
She hurried off in the direction of her and Lucius bedroom. Draco stood in the hallway and called her back.
"Mum?"
Narcissa whirled around, "Yes?"
"I wanted to know exactly what it was I had to do to find a love like yours and Dad's. That's why I always asked to hear the story," said Draco.
A smile grew into a bright beam on his angelic face. He was the spitting image of Lucius as a teenager.
Narcissa smiled back, "..and you ll surely find it."
End
