Chapter 14

Draco stared, for several long moments, at the new additions to the Manor sitting room that had most certainly not been there last time.

"Mother," he said, after a minute or so of frowning as he perused the two unfamiliar creatures lounging in front of the hearth. "What are those supposed to be?"

Narcissa glanced up from the book she was reading and gave her son an appraising stare. "Dogs, Dragon," she responded. "Labrador retrievers."

Draco rolled his eyes. His mother knew exactly what he was talking about, yet chose to answer as if she didn't. Harry had often told Draco that he'd inherited this particular trait from her. "I'm aware," Draco stated. "Why are they here?"

"Because your father and I have taken a liking to them," Narcissa replied.

Lucius looked up from his own book. "Indeed we have. They are quite agreeable companions."

"When did you get them?" Draco asked, his eyes fixed on the two dogs. They were large and appeared to be comfortable in each others presence as they lay curled together, dozing, by the warmth of the fire, but they were both extremely different. One was female and had golden fur while the other was male and had a coat of pitch black. The former seemed friendlier and more naturally curious – it had lifted its large head and was looking at Draco intently, tail already starting to wag. The other had given Draco the briefest of glances before settling back into sleep once more.

"Their names are Light," Narcissa said, referring to the yellow one, "And Shadow." She gestured to the black one.

Draco knew that if Harry had been in the same room, he would have rolled his eyes at the choice of names. Draco quite liked them, though. "Are they siblings?"

"No," Narcissa responded. "We originally only planned to purchase Light, but she refused to leave Shadow behind." She smiled fondly. "Inseparable, those two," she noted. "Despite their differences."

"You romanticise them," Lucius commented, sounding annoyed, although Draco caught the slightest hint of a smile flash across his father's face.

Narcissa gave him a haughty glance. "I find that it's wonderful how two creatures with completely different backgrounds, temperaments and personalities can come together and learn to love and rely on each other. You simply refuse to admit that you consider it an equally touching representation of unconditional love."

The door swung open then, and all three Malfoys turned towards it to see Harry walking in. "Afternoon," he said.

Lucius cast a glance between Harry and Draco, then at the two dogs. An odd look crossed over his face and he returned instantly to his book. Narcissa nodded in acknowledgement of Harry's greeting before raising a knowing eyebrow at Draco and returning to her reading as well.

Draco felt his cheeks starting to grow red and pointedly looked away from his parents, Harry and the dogs in favour of staring at a spot in the wall and pretending to find it extremely interesting.

Harry stared at all of them. "What?"

To be continued...

Thanks to all followers, favouriters (DarkAthene had decreed it is a word and therefore it shall be a word!) and reviewers! I will get back to all reviews eventually and apologise for all slowness.

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