Chapter 5: The Visitor - Draco

Draco laid in his bed the next morning with a splitting headache. Sunlight broke through the crack in the curtain and bathed Draco's face. He hissed as the bright light blinded him. He sat up and felt nauseous to the core. His head throbbed and his stomach churned. It was basically routine since he woke like this most mornings. A tear rolled down his sad face, as he dwelled on the dream he had. He felt so alone, so numb from the pain of losing her and the baby. His heart ached at the memory, why did he have to be so reckless. If only he could turn back time…

It was 10am, and the street outside was busy as always; filled with merchants and traders from across the country selling their goods to the people of the town. It was an ordinary day like any other, except that wasn't how Draco saw day to day life. What was life without her? What was the point in living without the only woman who truly understood him? Draco laid in bed, numb and hurting- oblivious to the world around him. Draco didn't even register there was a small knock on the door until the person knocking was basically banging the door down.

"WHAT?" Draco yelled in irritation.

The knocking continued, and Draco scowled.

"Angus, go away! I don't need this right now!" He yelled again.

The knocking still continued, but more gently and steady this time. The beat of the knocking made Draco's head spin. He rolled over in his bed and covered his head with his pillow to drown out the noise.

The room went dead quiet. The only thing Draco could hear was the small hum and buzz coming from the busy street outside.

A single voice broke the silence.

"It's me. Open the door," a voice from the other side said calmly. Their voice was calm and steady, showing no emotion.

Draco froze. It can't be Draco thought suddenly. He rolled over and sat up quickly, his head spinning and his stomach was queasy. He didn't care though, he had other things to worry about this second. He paused, maybe he imagined there was a voice when really no one was there. The room was quiet again. Yes, it must have just been his imagination. He shook his head and went to lay down again, thinking that maybe he was finally going insane.

"Draco," the voice from the door spoke. They started to sound a little impatient now.

Draco stared at the door, not wanting to get up and see who is was. Yet, curiosity burned within him. He had a suspicion of who it could be, but he didn't want to believe it. He stood, and slowly walked over to the door. He took a deep breath as he turned the door handle. He opened the door, and it was as if time slowed down in front of him. His heart was beating so fast he feared it might explode. He stood there like a fool, feeling confused and surprised, and also deep down, a pang of anger sparked inside him.

"Draco," the person in front of him repeated.

Draco's eyes threatened him with tears. They glazed over as he looked at his guest. Many years had passed since he last saw their face.

"Mother," he replied, sounding uncertain yet surprised.

Narcissa Malfoy, dressed like she was ready to go to anyone's funeral. Yet, she looked amazing like always. Covered in expensive robes, and flash jewelry. He hair was pinned up, and her lips were red with the reddest lipstick anyone has ever seen. Her blue, but cold and harsh eyes looked up at her son, as he stood there in front of her. He hadn't seen her since the Battle of Hogwarts when they fled the scene. His main thoughts were questioning why she was here. She never left the manor for any reason or for anyone, not even him. Ever since his father was locked away in Azkaban, his mother was never the same. Although she lived under his thumb, she still blindly loved him. Draco told her time and time again growing up that she needed to get out of such a toxic relationship. She never listened, and she paid the price.

A moment passed between the two of them. A moment that seemed to go on forever. Draco wasn't sure who was going to break the uncomfortable silence first.

"Draco, may I come in?" Narcissa said flatly.

Draco gazed at her; he was surprised, yet not surprised at the fact that she still remained the same after all these years. Not giving or showing any emotion to her only son. She spoke to him like his father did- like he was an inconvenience and not really anyone important.

"Yes mother, come in," Draco sighed as he moved to let her pass.

She didn't give him a small nod of appreciation, or a thank you.

"It's not much, but it's home," Draco said sarcastically. This room was basically his since he was drunk on its floor nearly every night.

"Draco please," Narcissa scowled. "This is hardly the place of residence for a man of wealth."

She looked around the grimy, cheap room. Draco noticed that she didn't sit on the bar stool he provided her. He knew that she would think it was probably infected with germs.

"You know your home is at Rivière Estate, why aren't you-"

Draco's heart skipped a beat. His chest lay heavy with hurt emotions and grief.

"No," Draco interjected sharply yet sadly.

"Draco, now listen-" Narcissa tried to continue.

"No mother, and you know why. I refuse to go back." Draco's eyes glazed over yet again.

"Stop being stubborn. I think it's time you should go back," she plainly stated as if it meant nothing.

Draco stared at his mother, he was starting to get irritated by the fact that she kept trying to push Rivière Estate.

"Drop it," he snapped. His irritation was getting the better of him. He took a deep breath and calmed down. "Please," he added.

"If you're going to be like this about it, then fine. This does not mean the discussion is over yet," she pointed sternly.

"Yes mother," Draco sighed.

Another moment of silence filled the room, except that the situation was now tense.

"So," Narcissa spoke, "how are you?"

"Why are you here mother?" Draco questioned back, ignoring the prior comment. He was wanting to know her business and why he should feel honored to have been visited by her.

"Well, in all honesty, I don't necessarily want to be here," she started.

Yep, there it is, Draco thought

"- and I know just as must that you don't want me here either," she added.

You betcha, he thought.

"- I know it may not seem like it and you might think otherwise, but I am concerned about you Draco," she continued.

Draco scoffed at the remark, but let her continue.

"You need to take better care of yourself. I know that-"

"Oh please, what do you know about caring for others?" he snapped sourly. "As far as I'm concerned, you only care for yourself or father!"

"Draco, please," she tried to continue but Draco was quick with his words.

"No, why are you really here? It sure as hell isn't because you're worried about me. You must want something, it's the only explanation I can think of. You have never cared for my wellbeing. So why are you here, because you're going to have to think of a better excuse than 'I'm concerned about you Draco."

Narcissa, through all of this, didn't change her stance nor her manner. She didn't flinch at his words nor did her expression falter. It was as if none of the things Draco was saying made her feel any different.

"Draco-"

"If you really cared, where were you when Astoria was in hospital?" Anger was boiling inside Draco, and it was ready to flow out of him with words of hurt, sadness, and rage. "Where were you when she died? When our son, YOUR unborn grandchild died? Where were you then, huh?"

Hot tears built up in Draco's eyes as he started to raise his voice. All this pent up anger and unresolved feelings were starting to show.

"Not even a letter from you after everything that happened. Not even a single word from you in all these years. No visit, not nothing! And you expect me to go back to the house where I am constantly reminded of my painful past and unforgivable mistake? Then you must be madder than me for thinking that you actually came here to see if I was okay. Well to answer that, of course not. I will never be okay. And you will never truly understand me and what I have gone through and what I am still going through. So don't expect me to be fine when I clearly am not. You have never been there for me in the past, and I sure as hell don't expect you to start now. You have been nothing but cold and distant. If it was father, you would drop anything and everything and go to him, despite how he treated you! It didn't matter how many bruises or broken bones you had, you still loved him blindly. Once upon a time mother, I cared so much about you. I would have done anything to help you. Even though you hardly ever turned your head or put any effort into me, I would have been there. I would have come running.

If you're here to convince me otherwise, then don't bother. I know it's just all excuses anyway. Just go, just leave. I know you're going to agree with me on this one, but you wasted your time coming here. So just get out," he spat angrily.

Draco took a deep breath, his heart was pumping the pent up anger through his body. Despite the anger, it had been the first time in a long time, that Draco felt alive again.

Narcissa knew her place and she knew that she wasn't wanted. She took her leave. As she stood in the doorway, she turned and looked at her son. He looked back, but he was so fed up. He didn't want to deal with her again. He shut the door on her hastily. If he saw her again, it would be too soon.

After he shut the door, he leaned up against it and slowly slid down it until he was sitting on the floor. He held his breath for a second to regain himself. As he slowly exhaled, he broke down. A frenzy of tears fell freely down his tired, sad face. His chest was heavy and full of anguish. He was in so much pain, but the pain reminded him that he was still alive and that everything was real. Even though he didn't want to be…