House: Ravenclaw

Word Count: 2086

Category: Themed

Prompt(s): [Pairing] Draco/Theo

Throughout her entire life spent with her son, Narcissa felt like he had always told the truth. He was always honest with her, as he should be - after all, she was his mother. However, sometime around his fourth year at Hogwarts, she noticed something different about him. He seemed more skittish, his eyes could never seem to meet hers, and he was always thinking about something, off in his own mind for hours on end.

This began to worry Narcissa, she didn't know what was going on with her son, but she intended to find out. He had been honest with her at the start; she had sat him down and was having tea with him, deciding that the best time to talk about what was on his mind. They were in the lavish garden, located just out back of their enormous manor.

"Is it something going on in school?" He had nodded his head at this, taking a small sip of his tea, before putting it back on the table and looking back at his mother. His response, though not verbal, worried her even furthur. What could be happening with him that he was so obsessed about, that he seemed almost worried for.

"Is it your classmates?" His eyes had avoided hers, wandering around their vast garden instead, resting on the little fountain in the corner.

"Yes." His answer was short, blunt, and cold, though Narcissa didn't know why. He had been warm with her up until that point. She studied his face for a while, allowing a soft silence to envelope the two of them. She decided to let it be - he was probably fine, her unease would go away - or so she tried to assure herself.

She thought that Draco wouldn't lie to her. And so, she wandered the house, deciding to go and sit in his old room, the one he had used as a baby. She smiled softly, remembering her now older son when he was only a newborn, when he had relied on her fully. Of course, he had been arrogant as a baby. Whenever she would arrange playdates with other pure blooded families he would always steal from the other children, a sense of entitlement having already spawned.

But she had still loved him all the same; he was hers, and nothing would change that. She couldn't help but feel a sense of pride when, as he started to grow, he would go to her with his problems, go to her seeking help and answers. She smiled sadly, standing up from the little bench that sat in his old room. Times were different now, it would do her some good to remember that.

But then Christmas came, and he was back, a scowl set firmly on his face. He had stormed into his room, and he passed her without even a acknowledgement. She had gone over to her husband, questioning what on earth had happened. He had simply waved her worries off, telling her it couldn't be anything that important. But Narcissa didn't believe him, not one bit.

It was at the expensive Christmas party she threw that she noticed. What he had left unsaid was more significant than she had thought. She had invited all the pureblood families she knew, and they had all been sat around the dining table, eating dinner, when the Nott family had spoken up. It was the father who spoke, looking to Lucius with a curious gaze.

"Have you thought of anyone for Draco to marry?" Narcissa snapped her gaze to her son, whose eyes were widened in surprise. He was looking at something, or someone, worry in his gaze. Though when Narcissa looked, she couldn't find out who it had been, as Draco was looking back down at his plate moments later.

"I've actually found someone." Draco's words had caused surprise and happiness from most around the table, including a smirk from Theodore Nott, which could have come off as rude. Narcissa didn't like that one bit, she had been told that the two boys didn't quite get along in school, even though the two families were close, and both had been placed in Slytherin. Narcissa, however, didn't quite believe the two hated each other, she couldn't explain it, she just did.

"Who is she?" That had been Yaxley, looking with something akin to surprise on his features. Draco didn't respond, only letting a smirk slip onto his face, as he stared at the young Nott, seeming to ignore the person who had asked him the question in the first place.

"Is she Slytherin?" Narcissa had finally spoken up, looking at her son with compassion, and love. Understanding lacing her words, as she tried to give him an easier question to answer.

"They are in Slytherin, Mother." Draco had replied, looking anywhere but at his mother, instead looking towards his plate again. Narcissa knew he was leaving something out, she could finally see it now. She had tuned out the rest of the conversation, trying to think of how she could find out exactly who this person was, and deciding that this is what Draco had been so wrapped up in.

You see, she wasn't wrong. This was what had been consuming his thoughts, but it wasn't just a girl, or the prospect of marriage that had been on his mind. It had been his secret lover, the person who had confessed to him in their third year, and who he had grown strong feelings for.

Draco Malfoy and Theodore Nott had been dating in secret for a whole year, although to the school they seemed like enemies. Fighting each other at every decision, and every time they saw each other they would shoot a scowl, taunt, or glare in the other's direction.

They had fooled the whole school, even most of the teachers, although that part wasn't too hard. All that the two had needed to do was cause havoc and trouble by mock fighting with the other person, Draco had come up with the idea, putting it into action one morning in Transfiguration, blowing up the cup Theo was trying to transform, causing retaliation by the other.

The two had laughed about it later, down by the lake, inside a hollow tree, which was their usual hangout spot. But Draco was worried, he had grown very fond of Theodore, and the same was true for Theodore, who had, in turn, grown even more in love with Draco.

But they knew their parents wouldn't take the news happily. Draco was fairly sure his father would stick him into any other relationship as soon as was possible if he revealed the truth. So the two kept it secret, leaving things out when asked about it, Draco in the garden with his mum, Theo when he was making invitations to a New Years Party.

They had deceived the whole world, or so it felt like that to them. But it was tiring, and those close to the two didn't fail to notice the dark circles under their eyes, or the half smiles that were given. Even Hermione Granger noticed, although that was mainly due to the lack of insults she had been receiving - not that she was complaining in the slightest.

And then that Christmas dinner. Draco didn't know what had gotten into him, he had just panicked, his mind going blank, the questions that were directed towards him were suffocating, not so much the ones spoken, more so the ones left unsaid; the questions he just knew would come later.

And Theo had tried to divert their attention, making it seem like he was being rude, as to get the pressure off of Draco. It didn't quite work out, as only Draco's mother had bothered to give him her attention. Her gaze had held suspicion, and Theo had panicked for a quick second because what if she knew?

Draco had been grateful that Theo was trying to help him, but he didn't want that to mean his parents hating the Nott. But then again, maybe it would be for the best. If the Malfoys thought the young Nott boy was trouble, maybe they wouldn't suspect anything.

But the guilt the two felt was indescribable, it clawed at their insides, making them nauseous. And the two knew that they would have to tell someone sooner than later; if they didn't it would tear them apart. Theo was sweating at the New Years party, he didn't want to tell his parents, not yet at least. They had camped out in Draco's room, talking over who would tell their parents first.

So Draco had opted to tell his parents first, causing Theo to give him little kisses all over his face. This had caused the blond to break out in little fits of laughter, both quieting down as they heard Narcissa walk by, talking to what seemed to be Mrs. Yaxley. Theo gave Draco a look, one that said, tell her. Now's your chance.

Draco peeked his head outside the door startling his mother and her companion. But his mother, always the calm one of the family, just gave him a smile.

"Do you need anything Draco?"

It had been easier than expected, though Draco should've guessed, his mother was a very inquisitive and caring person.

"Yes, I need to talk with you. It's about the marriage, whom I've chosen." His mother's eyes had lit up, allowing herself to be dragged into the room. She saw Theo in the room, looking down at his hands, an awkward smile plastered onto his face.

And it all clicked. They had been fooling the entire pureblood community, making them all think the two were enemies. Even going so far as to deceive the entirety of Hogwarts, covering their tracks expertly. And Narcissa realized she had known the entire time, sure she hadn't quite been certain. But now she knew, the evidence was unmissable, and she had asked herself how she had brushed it off all this time.

In the garden, he had been looking at the fountain he and the Nott boy had spent so much time near, loving to toss Galleons and Sickles into it, making childish wishes, and laughing. And the tea he had chosen, it had been the tea Theodore would always drink. And, though some might find it odd, he had a different aura around him.

She was relieved, to be honest, relieved that it wasn't anything horrible. Glad that Draco wasn't facing any trouble at school. And she felt a twinge of guilt settle in the pit of her stomach. She hadn't make herself seem like an open minded person. Draco hadn't wanted to tell her, he had felt like he needed to deceive everyone.

"It's Theodore, Mother."

She had smiled at the two, embracing both in a hug, telling herself to never let go. Telling herself that she would make sure Lucius accepted the two. And she swore that, if it came to it, she would let Theodore stay with them, she didn't know how the Nott family would feel about Theodore. But she knew, when the time came, she would be there to help. So she let herself relax, let a calm slip over the room, uttering two simple words, that shocked the recipients.

"I know."

Yes, Narcissa Malfoy had known for a long time before her son had told her. Some had called her crazy, other's telling her she was just being paranoid. Even her husband hadn't believed her, so she had to use her own resources. Her own cunning and resourcefulness, all the traits that had gotten her put into the house of her family, Slytherin.

She didn't realize she had known until shortly before being told. But the puzzle pieces were always there, in her mind, laying idly by and just waiting for her to try and put them together. Waiting for her to finally solve the mystery. There had always been the one piece missing, but as she walked into that room, she had found it, and finally the puzzle was completed. Finished at last.

Sure, some didn't believe her when she told them she'd known all along. Most thought it impossible, though those who did were either male, or didn't have children. Most mothers would know, it was a little thing they all had, something they all shared. Because there was a little secret behind her knowledge, something mysterious, some might call it...

A Mother's Intuition.