Narcissa Malfoy lay back on the sweat-drenched pillow. She was tired and worn out after a difficult birth. Her white blonde hair was slightly wet with sweat and stuck close against her pale, although at the moment flushed, skin. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Only one thing was on her mind. What was it?
"Congratulations Mrs Malfoy" said the young, pretty healer who was holding a small bundle of white cloth "it's a boy"
A sigh of relief swept over Narcissa, a boy, it was what she had hoped for. For nine months she had been living in fear that the child would be a girl. He had scared her into it. He told her that it would be a boy 'or else.' He had threatened her with pain as soon as she mentioned the word 'daughter'
"May I hold him now?" Narcissa asked the healer who had bathed the baby clean
"Of course…he's beautiful" the Healer said looking tenderly through at the bundle of white.
Narcissa held out her arms and the healer placed in them the bundle that was her son.
An overwhelming feeling swept over her. It was not immediate love; Narcissa was not sure what was happening. Who was this strange little boy laying in her arms? What had she just done? The baby opened its big blue eyes and stared at Narcissa curiously, his little rosebud mouth open slightly, a tuft of blonde hair stuck out under the white cloth. The more Narcissa stared at the child the closer she felt to it. The curious frown on her face rose gently into a smile. The baby gurgled happily and Narcissa laughed
"Where is your husband Mrs Malfoy?"
"Oh…Lucius is out" she said
"Out?" repeated the Healer
"Yes"
"Does he know you've had the baby?"
"Yes I got a house elf to owl him when I went into labour" she whispered looking down at the beautiful baby "He told me he had more pressing matters at present"
"More pressing matters?" she repeated slightly hysterical with disbelief "this is his son"
Narcissa glared the Healer "Yes and Lucius is my husband and I will criticize him on his actions, Lucius will see his son when he sees his son. I shall not press him" she whispered, as all pure blood girls are taught never to raise their voice, although her sister Bellatrix rarely paid attention to this lesson.
"What are you going to call him?" asked the Healer changing the subject
"I'm not sure…I've always liked the name Draco…but I'm not sure Lucius will agree"
"Oh I bet he will, it's a nice name 'Draco Lucius Malfoy' its flows nicely"
Narcissa sat by the window of the room. She watched the late June sun set over the Malfoy Manor grounds. Her son woke and slept, woke and then slept some more. Narcissa even dosed off herself now and then, but her head was so full of thoughts at the moment that is was difficult. She was thinking of everything she could do for her son. All the things she had been denied in her own childhood. Presents she would buy him, places she would take him… so much to do.
She was not supposed to get out of bed, the Healer had told her to lie down in her bed. Narcissa knew she could not do that, Lucius could arrive home at any moment, she had to seem presentable…she did not tell the healer this, she just would no understand. Narcissa had even changed into a clean nightgown with a silk dressing gown over it. Also Narcissa wanted to show her son the beautiful grounds through the window. He may not understand what he was seeing but Narcissa wanted to open him up to beauty all the same. She sung a soft song to her son as he dozed in and out of dreams.
"Narcissa" came a low voice. Narcissa's beat a back flip in both excitement and slight fear. Lucius was back. Narcissa, clutching sleeping baby to her chest with one hand, seized the handle of the door to open it. Lucius stood in front of her, tall thin and pale.
"Well?" he said coldly
Narcissa grinned and held the baby out to him
"It's a boy" she simpered. She held the child out further for Lucius to hold, Lucius stepped back, a smirk on his lips.
"You have pleased me Narcissa" and he turned to leave. After 25 hours of labour. Lucius had come to enquire after what it was. Not how she was? Not is the baby healthy? Not even to hold it?
"What are we to call him Lucius?" Narcissa asked to his turned back, he turned to face her
"Call it what you wish?" he said softly. Narcissa jumped at this small treat of freedom
"I want to call him Draco" she called after him. Lucius turned, smirked and then continued to walk away.
Narcissa looked down at her precious child and smiled. Her own