Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter it is owned by JK Rowling

The Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher

Chapter 21

A Long Overdue Conversation with a Lost Love

It was during his lunch break a few days later that found Benjamin in his office reading yet another book written by Lockhart. In the half a dozen books he had read two things were made clear, the first was the man clearly needed a better editor, and two these books belonged in the fantasy section of any book store. But still something about the books seemed familiar. He would have to check the library. A knock was heard at his door.

"Enter"

Narcissa Malfoy entered with a small smile.

The DADA teacher quickly schooled his surprise but Narcissa's smile turned smirk showed that she had indeed see it. Already the game between the two had begun just like in there school days.
"Mrs. Malfoy what I can do for you this afternoon?"

"Can't I see an old friend?"

Benjamin gave a small smile, "Others could but not you. Why are you Narcissa?"

"I am here because young Draco's sent me a letter about how he talked to you about our relationship. I simply wish to know what you told him."

"The truth nothing more nothing else. How we were friends during our 4th and 5th years."

"We were a little more than friends Benj" She said using the pet name she had once had for him

"I did not feel the need to traumatize your son Cissy." Benjamin replied with a small smile.

She returned the smile, "You know surprisingly I don't find it strange that you are teacher. You always had a way with children."

Her mind returned to seeing him during 4th year and beyond helping the first years navigate the castle, help with their work, and be a comforting shoulder when a foolish student would curse or hex them for simply being a snake. The fact that those that did were quickly dealt in a similar manner, well it was always dangerous to walk into a snake's path.

Benjamin chuckled, "Here I thought no one noticed, but then you always could read me better than anyone else."

Narcissa's eyes wandered around the room and she noticed children's drawing.

"Those drawing and I woman and child I saw you with in the alley does that mean your marr-"

"No there from my little cousin, the son of my Aunt."

"But your mother was an only child-"

"There the only surviving family on my father's side and they are Squibs by the way. Also I have left them half of estate if I die."

"It's illegal for Squibs to inherit anything from wizards."

An almost feral smile came over Benjamin's face and it was then she remembers how he was basically raised by goblins.

"You would be surprised what you can get away with in the fine print. Now please my break is almost over ask the question."
"What question? Can't we simply catch up like old friends?"

Benjamin bowed his head and sighed, "We can only dance around it for so long."

The woman nodded, "Why didn't you try to fight when marriage the contract was introduced?"

"There is it, I could give you a list of excuses, but the truth is I was afraid. Here you were a Black with a linage that dates back to the time of the founders, and who was I? I was a no name orphan raised by creatures that your family considered second class citizens. What could I offer you? Malfoy, well he was Malfoy. What would you have me do Cissy?"

"We could have runaway."

Benjamin let out a harsh laugh, "Really Cissy you would go the way of your sister? No, you wouldn't and I wouldn't ask you too. But you know that. It simply wasn't meant to be. In the end though that doesn't matter because it gave you Draco, and I see the way you look at your son, and I can only hope that is the way my mother looked at me with such pride and love in her eyes."

Narcissa smiled, in her marriage with Lucius Draco's birth truly was a glowing beacon of happiness. But she was lying to herself if there weren't times instead of Lucius's sharp features she pictured her son with Benjamin's own gentle features, or Lucius's Pureblood speeches, to their son that there he treated as gospel, replaced with Benjamin's more how could she say "unique" view of their world. But like most times, even she hated to admit it, Benjamin was right. She was nowhere ready to betray her family as her cousin Sirus had done, but still she couldn't help but wonder what would have happened if she had. Although it was a little funny that the man who could charge into an army of Death eaters (Oh yes she knew of her Old Flame's actions during the War) was still afraid of affairs of the heart.

"One last question Benj. Do you hate Draco?"

Benjamin gently place his hand on top of hers, "I do think the boy has a little too much of his father in him for his own good. But No Cissy no I don't hate him. I could never hate something or someone you truly loved." He said with a smile as he gently caressed Narcissa's hand for a few moments until she stood up. "Cissy go see your son before you leave. You may embarrass him now but trust me in a few years he'll look back fondly on it."

With a final smile to each other Narcissa walked out of his office and once again out of his life.

With a wave of his hand a ratty looking trunk appeared, one that he used during his school days. With another wave a ring was brought out of the very bottom of the trunk. Gently he grasped the ring. Overall it was quite simple, a sliver band but there were three holes atop it. The first was filled with a small emerald and the other two were empty. He had brought it during the summer of his fifth year, the clerk had that the first spot was for a promise stone, the second for an engagement stone, and the third and final spot was for a marriage stone.

The teacher remembered the joy and happiness that he had when he brought it. He had waited the entire year until the last week of school to propose. But the day he planned to he entered the common room and spotted Narcissa hand in hand with Malfoy who was boasting about their arranged marriage. His eyes had met Narcissa's and at that moment he couldn't breathe. He ran out of the castle and when he reached the edge of the forest transformed into his animagus form. Hours later he found himself face down in the Forbidden Forest clutching the ring. Right there and then he thought of throwing it into the forest, but he couldn't instead he simply laid there and stared at the thing. Images of him and Narcissa together flashed through is mind, from their first meeting to their first kiss, and finally the whispered I love's that they had spoken not even six months ago in the dorm room.

Benjamin shook his head and threw the ring back in the trunk, before remembering he wanted to head to the library. Yeah research and alcohol sounded like a good way to end this day.

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