Flowering Willow

Warning: Language mild.

Chapter 7

By Tracev

Friday Evening

Narcissa surveyed herself in the mirror, she had on simple blue robes that matched her eyes. She wore her hair in a simple bob though a little longer in the back. She could see Lucius surveying her in the mirror. He smiled and she went to him with easy.

"I thought Draco would join us after dinner, finish getting his school things, a little desert. Then maybe we'll stay in town overnight. Just you…me" he purred in her ear, slipping a silver pendent over her head fastening the chain. The oval oxy stone gleamed at her, faint glints of stars seemed to shimmer across the surface. She smiled down at it, he gave her gifts all the time. Usually jewelry, paintings, vases, flowers, and it was always just because. She loved the little trinkets. The thought he put into some pieces was great, like the piece she had on now.

"Thank you" she slipped her hand in his, leaning into his chest. Lucius slipped his arm around her nuzzling at her neck. Narcissa giggled and slipped out his of arms "come on" she waved him out the bedroom door.

"We could stay here?" Lucius replied in a hopeful voice, eyeing the bed.

Narcissa shook her head, "you promised, night out…it's been so long".

Lucius crossed the room slipped his hands around her waist, "anything you want dear".

***

They apparated to the corner of Diagon and Knockturn alley and headed for the Leaky Cauldron. They walked slowly, arm in arm, Lucius nibbling on her ear, whispering sweetly. They window shopped on the way, and talked like they hadn't in a long time, laughing all the while.

"I'm glad to see your smile back", Lucius whispered to her as they neared the cauldron. Narcissa froze God she had almost forgotten about all that other stuff. That she had been upset about seeing her sister, Harry Potter, about all the Death Eater crap Lucius had put her through.

As they entered the restaurant and headed toward their reserved table Narcissa could see Avery and Macnair at the bar, a lager in each of their hands. The Death Eaters glanced in their direction nodding at them. Lucius held out her chair, "I'll be just a moment, okay?"

Narcissa hung her head taking her seat, he hadn't even waited for her answer. Narcissa took the menu handed to her, and watched as her husband crossed to the bar. See watched them greet each other, laugh, and clap each other on the back. She could only imagine what they talked about, though it was always the same; mudbloods, muggle hating, Lord Voldemort. Narcissa pounded a fist on the table, causing the silverware to jump and a few patrons to look her way. If she could have just one day, one night where she didn't have to listen to that crap. One day of silence… then maybe… maybe she could relax, think, and have a talk to Lucius about leaving that life behind.

Lucius came back to the table smiling, "I've got to pick something up after dinner. So you'll take Draco shopping and I'll catch up with you." he seated himself picking up the menu.

"You know my parents were muggles," she said suddenly.

Lucius looked up, a blank glaze crossed his face, "and how many times had I told you never to mention this. Don't ruin our night out Narcissa", his voice warned of danger.

They ate their dinner in silence. Narcissa thought of running from the restaurant and never coming back. She just wanted to leave it all behind, she wondered vaguely about her sister, was she happy in her marriage, did she want out as badly as she did. But how could you escape from this life, she knew Lucius would probably hunt her down, but she could hide…she knew she could. The thing is she couldn't leave her son. She just couldn't leave her only child and Draco was slowly becoming his father. Of course any child would if your parent droned into you long enough what was expected of you.

She had never had any say in the matter, of course Lucius hadn't asked her when he became a Death Eater. Narcissa, finished her dinner tea, even if the opportunity did come to leave she knew Draco would choose his father. Even if he was only half-pureblood. Lucius never reveal that information, he loved his son and wouldn't want him outcast.

***

Draco arrived promptly at 8oclock, via Floo powder in the Leaky Cauldron. As he stumbled out of the fireplace he could tell something had happened between his parents, he could tell the tension between them was great. His mother grabbed his hand and yanked him out the door. "I'll meet you in Merlin Square across from Ollivanders" Lucius called.

"Isn't father coming?"

Narcissa pulled a shopping list from her evening bag, dragging Draco to the shop "No" she said sharply "he has a meeting".

"Oh" Draco turned around "He said I could go to the next Death Eater meeting with him" Draco rocked on the balls of his feet excited.

Narcissa narrowed her eyes "You will not lower yourself by becoming a Death Eater. Now get in the book store".

"But father said…"

"Stop it…I don't want to hear what father said…you will not be a Death Eater…It's not in your blood."

Draco stopped talking and followed his mother around in silence. They shopped quickly, and were at the square well before they were expected.

To be continued…

Okay ONE more chapter and it will be complete.