Thanks for everyone's feedback to this story so far. I've had a think and have decided to carry it on, I have too many ideas to leave this as a one shot and it's something a little different to what I usually write, so why not? :) Anyway I hope you enjoy this next chapter!

Chapter 2

1980

Draco

Narcissa had never been so relieved to hear a baby crying. She had spent the past nine months living in elation but also in terrible fear. She couldn't believe it could be possible that she was having another baby, it was too good to be true. The doctors and midwife kept on telling her that the baby was fine, but she found it so hard to trust them, in her darkest moments she thought that perhaps the baby was already dead and they were lying to her, she hated living in such paranoia.

One night as she watched a storm rage outside her bedroom window, sixth months into her pregnancy, Narcissa realised this was what the rest of the world must be feeling as the Dark Lord grew stronger and stronger. There were many like her who probably couldn't sleep at night because they were worried for their children, was that any way to live, even for those she saw as dirt on the bottom of her shoe? She never dared breath a word about these thoughts to Lucius though, who seemed a lot more confident about them having a healthy baby this time, and waved her worries away with a casual flick of his hand whenever she tried to mention them.

Narcissa's first thought as she was brought out of her magic-induced sleep, was that Lucius was right, there was nothing to fear. She dimly remembered the times at Hogwarts, when they would have a playful argument about something, and she'd act so annoyed when she found out Lucius was right all along, and he would laugh. Not a cold laugh, but a laugh full of colour and playfulness as she declared him official 'know it all'. Narcissa swore his eyes were not always so cold as his laugh was now.

At this moment, she saw Lucius walk over to her through her still hazy vision holding a bundle of crying blankets, with a broad grin on his face that reminded her once again of their childhood years together. She didn't remember the last time he had looked so happy.

"It's a boy." He told her as the baby's cries quietened.

Narcissa matched his grin as she tried to sit up in the bed and see her new born son, but her midwife standing beside her bed placed a gentle yet firm hand on her shoulder. "Slow down Mrs Malfoy, you will still be feeling quite drowsy and maybe a little dizzy for a time, you haven't been awake long, just lie still for a moment."

For the first time, Narcissa regretted not having her baby in a natural way. She had what she supposed would be the muggle equivalent of a Cesarean section because she didn't want to take any risks when delivering the baby, and the midwife agreed that this would probably be a safer way. She had chosen to be put to sleep while it happened, so she wouldn't have to lie there, strangers surrounding her and talking in murmurs as they cut her open, waiting to hear them say if the baby was alive or not. However now she wished she had been awake, so she was not the first thing the baby saw, and she would have heard its first cries.

Still, it was a small price to pay to make sure that this time her child was alive and healthy. "Did everything go OK?" She asked.

The midwife smiled, "Everything went just as planned, you have a healthy baby boy."

"Can I hold him?" Narcissa asked, holding out her arms, a dreamy smile on her face, her heart not quite believing that at last she was a mother, and she felt she would only be sure this was happening when the baby was resting in her arms. The midwife nodded, and Lucius handed over Narcissa's baby, she cradled the bundle of blankets in her hands, looking down at her newborn. "Hello my son," she said in a small whisper.

"I'll give you two some privacy," the midwife said quietly. Lucius nodded gratefully, but Narcissa hardly noticed she had left the room, she was entranced by the little one she was holding.

A pair of grey eyes stared back up at her, her son's face had been screwed up from crying only a few minutes ago, but now he looked a lot calmer, even curious, staring up at the face which was staring down at him. His skin was bright pink and there was a small amount of blond hair upon his head. Her son's little feet squirmed a little inside the blankets, and a pair of tiny hands emerged from them slightly. Narcissa could count ten perfect fingers and thumbs, everything about this little one was perfect. She held out her little finger and one of his little hands closed around it, Narcissa thought her heart was going to burst with joy as the beautiful grey eyes continued to stare up at her.

"He has your eyes," Narcissa said, managing to tear her eyes off her baby and look up at her husband.

Lucius smiled, "He has your beauty."

Narcissa couldn't have felt any different than she had last time she was sitting in a hospital bed, almost two years ago. She felt as if her stone heart had disappeared entirely, though she didn't care, because it had been replaced with a feeling of absolute joy. She didn't feel weighed down with lead, she felt so light and happy it was a wonder she hadn't started floating away. Her stomach was not a bottomless pit, it was filled with butterflies dancing around and she felt like laughing out loud because she was so happy. She couldn't take the grin off her face, she couldn't stop staring at the little one in front of her. The world wasn't dark, it was bright and full of life, everything was perfect.

But looking down at her little baby, Narcissa couldn't help being reminded of the one she lost over a year ago. She had never had the chance to hold her little girl, her daughter. She would not trade the son she had in her arms for anything, but that didn't mean she didn't wish she could tell her son how pleased his sister will be to see him, and think about how they'd play together as they grew older. But the little one in her arms would never know his sister who never had the chance to open her eyes.

All of a sudden the feeling of joy evaporated, and Narcissa felt lost and alone once more. Every day she thought about the little girl she lost and still missed her terribly, this day was no different. A tear suddenly fell down Narcissa's cheek before she could stop it. She knew Lucius would assume it was a tear of joy, and it was, but it was also a tear of sadness. She was crying for both of her children.

Only this one, the baby she was holding right now, was happy and healthy and alive as anything, and she would not let him go. She looked down at her son and made a silent promise that she would protect him, she would be the loving and caring mother he deserved, she wanted to make up for the baby she had lost. Some of her family might scorn her, thinking that discipline is the best way to bring up a child, but she wouldn't care, because this was her baby, not theirs, and she would never let him down.

"Can I hold him again?" Lucius asked tentatively.

Narcissa had almost forgotten her husband was standing there she was so engrossed with her baby, but she looked up and saw a smile of pride and joy on his face, and smiled back. It was his baby too. "Of course," she said, gently handing the baby back up to him.

It was the closest Narcissa thought she had come to seeing Lucius cry, his voice actually shook as he looked down at their baby. "My son...our little boy," Lucius murmured, but other than that he was lost for words. For the first time she saw the relief on his face that their child was born safely, it was some comfort to know that he had been worried too, if only he had shared his feelings with her.

Narcissa smiled and rested her head against the pillows, eyes closing. She was still recovering from the sleeping draught and felt exhausted. But she knew she could sleep peacefully now, because she had a baby, and everything had gone to plan for a change. The feeling of happiness began creeping back as she thought of all the days she could spend with her newborn son.

But then Lucius said something that made Narcissa's eyes snap open again. "The Dark Lord will be pleased."

He spoke quietly, but the words echoed deafeningly through Narcissa's head. She said nothing, just nodding, unable to explain or understand the tight knot that had suddenly appeared in her stomach. Something felt wrong. Was it because now she feared Lucius was only happy they had a child because it was another soldier for Voldemort's army? Was she afraid that the Dark Lord would ruin their joys of having a baby, by saying he didn't approve of them starting a family at such a time, or that the baby should be taken away from them and brought up by another Death Eater? Was it because deep down the thought of Voldemort always struck Narcissa with fear, and this was simply another reminder that they were living in a world at war, not one she would want to bring up a child.

Truth be told, it was all three. Narcissa hated the thought of the name of her child and the Dark Lord's in the same sentence, but there was something else as well, something nagging at the back of Narcissa's head.

The feeling of elation had faded again as Narcissa tried to work out what was troubling her so. She couldn't quite grasp it, it was shrouded in fog in her mind. She wondered if it was merely a great mixture of emotions, with a child being born and the Dark Lord ruling over them, that made her feel suddenly so nervous. But then she realised what it was.

It was a feeling of forboding.

Narcissa looked up at her husband and her baby, and felt the knot tighten in her stomach. Yes, something was very wrong, or something was about to go very wrong. They were living in a time where pure blood wizards were mighty and they had a leader who was invincible. Narcissa didn't know why though, but she had a feeling this golden age for them would not be lasting much longer.

At that point the midwife came in again, and brought Narcissa back to reality.

"How is everyone?" The midwife asked gently, looking round at the three of them.

Narcissa smiled, "Fine," she said quietly, though she didn't quite believe herself.

"Have you thought of any names yet?" The midwife asked.

Narcissa and Malfoy glanced at each other. They had thought of names, much to Narcissa's concern, as she feared that planning so far ahead would jinx their chances of having a healthy baby. But now their child was born and everything was fine, they had decided on a name they could call a son.

Narcissa gave another smile as she looked up at her baby again, still in the arms of his father. "Draco."

I had planned for the next chapter to go straight on to Draco's first year at Hogwarts in the next chapter, but now I'm thinking instead maybe making it about the fall of the Dark Lord and Malfoys' reaction to it. What do you think? Please let me know if that's something you'd like to read :)