Narcissa traipsed uncharacteristically towards the Hospital Wing, her eyes warily taking in the empty beds. It was summer vacation for the young witches and wizards, yet she could not shake off the heaviness nestling on her chest. As of yesterday, her husband was incarcerated, his son innocent and clueless of the future, and she holding the reigns of their lives. The past few weeks had been a whirlwind of unexpected changes; she was still in disbelief of the decision she had to make. It was a tiring feat.

From the other side of the hall, an imposing figure observed her keenly. Narcissa almost smiled at her former mentor's attempt to intimidate her.

"Punctual as always, Mrs. Malfoy."

"I aim to please, Madam Pomfrey."

The mask the matron painted melted into a smile. "It's been too long."

"Indeed, but I'm here now."

The matron ushered Narcissa deeper into the Hospital Wing, to one of the more private rooms. "I admit, I was surprised to have received a letter from your sister on your behalf. Your animosity was saddening to witness. I'm glad you've settled your differences."

Poppy motioned to the chair adjacent her. Narcissa sat, folding her hands on her legs as blue eyes gazed back at the matron . "I was raised misguided. My pride did not allow me to forgive easily, but circumstances change."

Poppy looked back knowingly. "Which brings you on my doorstep, I presume?"

Narcissa nodded, nervousness that she only felt the first time she met Abraxas Malfoy resurfacing. Poppy reached for her hands, and Narcissa silently thanked her for not flinching at their coldness.

Too son, the matron stood up, brandishing her wand. With a wave of her hand, the room began rearranging as medical supplies floated inside the room and settled on their respected places. "We are both aware of how archaic Wizarding medicine approach health problems, which would have worked to your disadvantage. Your husband has an arsenal of dark spells under his belt, and from what I read, even contraceptive charms and potions are of no use. Now, you are young, and times may change. This procedure's effect is permanent, as I replied in my letter; in combination with contraceptive charms and potions, is almost fail-safe. Are you certain of your choice?"

"I am," Narcissa answered, unwavering.

Poppy sighed, passing a hospital gown to her. "I'll give you a few moments by yourself, then we'll start."

As the matron left the room, Narcissa sighed. All for Draco's safety.

"Blimey, this rune is ridiculously complicated it looks gibberish," a body with a head full of violet hair plopped back on the bed.

Draco watched her cousin warily from the edge of his own book.

In the past few days, Draco had been transferred from the care of his godfather to his aunt's house. Severus reasoned that his present task demanded him to travel, and with his mother's permission, was sent to Andromeda Tonk's house. He missed his mother sorely; she was yet to return, and being away for a week was the longest they've been apart.

His aunt's features were obviously similar to his mother, yet her disposition is anything but hers. Andromeda shone with a quiet strength, and would shamelessly tease her husband in front of their charge. The ease with which they interact was new in Draco's eyes. He had only witnessed the ruse of his parent's relationship, and had hoped that they would have shown more intimacy like the couple who took him under their wing. Has father really loved mother?

His father's incarceration was timely, and Draco shuddered at the thought of being left with him. Their last encounter left his back sore and bleeding from punishment, and he was not keen on spending his time hiding from him in their manor.

Along with aunt and uncle, Draco was able to meet Nymphadora, their only daughter. She's charming, vivacious, and never tired; Draco was surprised he could actually keep up with her. The first time they met, she took one look at him and accosted him to his assigned room.

"Are you a snotty, little prince?" Nymphadora accusingly asked, hands on her hips as her hair turned from violet to black. Draco was too amazed he almost forgot to answer. She's the first Metamorphmagus he's met, after all. He heard his aunt calling Nymphadora with her full name, but the girl in front of him didn't budge.

Draco huffed, crossing his arms across his chest. "I'm not scared of you."

"You have to be. I know a lot of spells, and can easily have you upside down if you start spouting nonsense like the pretentious bigot they're telling us you are," Nymphadora threatened.

"You are just sixteen," Draco pointed out. "I know you cannot do magic outside school until you're seventeen. Dobby told me."

"Dobby?" Nymphadora asked, confused.

Draco nodded, blonde hair bobbing as he sat down gracefully on the carpeted floor. "Dobby is one of our elves."

"You're friends with one of your elves?" Nymphadora's hair shifted from black to bright green, and Draco decided that it corresponded to her surprise upon his revelation.

"I always play with Dobby. Sometimes, with Cassy. Mother owns Cassy. They're good. We run at the gardens when father is not home."

Nymphadora was too baffled to say a bad thing to the boy. "There might be hope for you yet," she mumbled before opening the door to be at the receiving end of her mother's sermon.

Ever since that moment, Nymphadora stuck with Draco. She rarely went out of the house to keep the boy company, which surprised her parents. After discovering that the boy is a voracious reader, Nymphadora unearthed some of her first-year books in Hogwarts. After all, Draco is almost eleven. He'll be at Hogwarts sooner than they could blink.

"I saw you kiss that red giant yesterday. Maybe you should study instead of kiss," Draco pointed out. If not for his anticipation, the giant pillow Nymphadora threw on him would have hit him square on the face.

"Sneaky bastard. Don't tell my mother about that!"

"If you let me ride the metal can, I won't," Draco bargained.

"It's a car," Nymphadora emphasized. It still wondered her how her cousin is so fascinated by Muggle transportation, but there's always a first for the Malfoy. "I'll tell father to treat us ice cream. This heat is crazy."

Draco relaxed once the girl exited the room.

After knowing of his friendliness to house elves, Nymphadora took it upon herlsef to teach Draco all things muggle. She started with the appliances in their house (Draco would admit, the toaster scared him. His face was nearly hit by the bread the first time he tried it). She let him watch the television and pointed out all the things muggles do differently. He was still quite wary, but she showed him interested things.

He knew his father hated muggles. Hated their technology. Hated their lack of magic. Hated their independence. Hated their existence. His father aimed to raise him as a perfect pureblood prince, to be an image of their rich ancestry. He wanted Draco to grow like him.

He didn't want to. He would rather be similar to his godfather, tolerant to muggle customs and dedicated to his work. He would rather be similar to Edward, his aunt's husband, who was unassumingly kind and accepting. He would rather be like his mother, who was enduring and selfless for him.

He would rather be anything but his father.

Fun facts:

The procedure Narcissa was about to undergo is bilateral tubal ligation, one of the surgical methods of contraception. In this procedure, part of the fallopian tube (the isthmus) is cut and cauterized or stapled to prevent the egg cell (ovum) from meeting the sperm, causing structural alterations to prevent fertilization from happening. I am yet to read any article on contraceptive potions/charms, but I think it makes sense for those to affect the hormones.

I want Madame Pomfrey to be recognized as a perceptive and modern-oriented medical professional, hence her role in Narcissa's plans.

On Draco's part, on the other hand, I've read articles and the books themselves and saw how he's trapped in a childhood full of bad influences. With this fanfic, I rectify that. No child shall experience the pains he had to undergo, but that made him the person we all loved in the canon universe in HP. I hope I do his character justice in my own story.

Hope you enjoyed reading! I shall post again soon.