Author's Note

Written for QLFC

Round 6

Chaser 3 for the Bats

Prompts: Main prompt- Pairing: Narcissa/Draco, Emotion: Surprise Dialogue "Is that really what you want?" Object: Blanket

Draco walked up the familiar path to his family mansion. He could have disapparated directly onto the front steps but he needed the time to calm his mind and plan out how to tell his parents the news. It was the best news but he didn't know how to tell them, how they would react.

He slowly climbed the stairs and took a deep breath before knocking on the door. His mother answered the door. Her eyes lit up and her face softened.

"Draco. Come in. Where is Astoria?" she asked, letting him in.

"Hello, Mother. Tori is at home. She wanted to come with me but she hasn't been feeling well recently and stayed home to rest."

"Oh no. Is she all right? Has she seen a Healer?"

"She is fine. She saw the Healer just this morning. Is father here?"

"Yes. He's in the library."

She looked at him with concern, studying his face. She could sense something was wrong. She frowned and opened her mouth to say something when Lucius asked, "Cissy who was - Ah Draco. Where is Astoria?"

"At home resting. May I speak to you and Mother, please? I have something important to tell you both."

Lucius looked at Narcissa and then nodded to Draco. He led them back to the library, sitting in his chair once more. Narcissa sat opposite him. Draco tried to sit but was too nervous. He stood right back up and paced the room. He ran his hands through his blonde hair and then cracked his knuckles.

Narcissa and Lucius shared a look and then focused on Draco. Narcissa leaned forward and said, "Draco. Whatever is the matter? You're pacing like a caged beast."

Draco stopped his pacing and turned to face his parents. He took a deep breath.

"I'm going to be a father."

His father looked at him, surprise evident on the man's face. His mother gasped as the news finally sank in. He looked at her.

"Astoria is pregnant?" Narcissa asked, a small smile on her face.

"Yes. We found out just this morning."

Narcissa stood and left the room quickly. Draco stared after her, surprised and shocked by her departure. He turned back to his father. Lucius was smiling.

"I'm to be a grandfather?"

"Yes."

He stood and embraced Draco. Draco, unused to displays of affection from his father, hesitated to return the hug for a moment, before hugging him back.

"Draco, this is wonderful news. A grandchild. How is Astoria? Is she well? Your mother was terribly sick with you."

"Tori is doing great. She wanted to be here with me when I told you and Mum but she was tired. I insisted she stay home and rest."

"As soon as she feels up to it we'll have dinner for you both. To celebrate."

"Thank you, Father. We would like that." Draco smiled.

The library door opened again and his mother returned carrying a box. She had been crying. She placed the box on his father's desk. She beckoned to Draco.

"Come here," she said, offering him her hand.

Draco walked over and took her hand. She squeezed it and smiled at him.

"This is for you. Well, more so for my grandchild." She released his hand and opened the box. Inside was a black blanket with silver stars bearing the image of a great red dragon. Draco pulled the blanket from the box.

"Mum, it's amazing."

"It was yours. When you were a baby. Your Uncle Severus gave it to you the day you were born."

"I'm speechless, Mum. Thank you. This is amazing."

"You're welcome."

She hugged him and took the blanket from him. Carefully she folded it and put it back in the box. Her hands smoothed over the lid and when she looked at Draco, she had tears in her eyes. She took both his hands in hers and looked into his eyes. "I am so happy for you and Astoria. You are going to be a wonderful father."

"I don't know, Mum. I'm not so sure. All the things I did. The people I hurt. I don't know how that will affect my child," he admitted, his eyes sad and full of worry.

"Draco. Listen," Narcissa commanded as she made eye contact with him. "You are not your mistakes. You are not your past. You are stronger, wiser, and more cautious because of them. The things you've done, the things you've seen, they have changed you for the better."

"Mum. I...I...thank you." He smiled, surprise evident in his tone.

They hugged again and then hit her with some more news.

"Astoria and I were talking and we've decided that if the baby is a girl we'd like to name her Narcissa or Cissy."

She was surprised, shocked. "Is that really what you want?"

"Yes." He grinned.

"I think that would be lovely. I'd be honored to share my name with my grandchild."

Lucius watched the scene between his wife and son with a smile on his face. They had always been close, closer than he and Draco ever had been. He regretted that deeply but was making every effort to rectify that. He loved his son and wanted him to be so much better than he had been.

"Draco," he said softly.

Draco turned and faced his father. He smiled at him, as proud as ever.

"I know that I wasn't the best father growing up. I did things, said things, that I am not proud of. I wish I could take them back but I can't. I hope that one day you can forgive me. I'm hoping that you will take the mistakes I made with you and use them to be a better father than I was."

Today was simply full of surprises for Draco. His father had never been one to apologize, never admitted to being wrong, and yet here he was doing both.

"I forgive you, Dad," he said happily.

"You do?"

"I do. I'll be the best dad. I promise."

"I know you will, son. I know you will."

Draco spent a few more minutes with his parents and then took his leave. Gift in hand, he disapparated to the front stoop of his own home. His wife was waiting.

"You should be resting love," he told her in mock sternness.

"I know but I couldn't wait. Did you buy me a present?" She smiled, reaching for the box.

"It's from Mum and Dad. For the baby."

"So they are happy?"

"Thrilled." He beamed.

She opened the box and gasped. "Oh, Draco. It's beautiful."

"Uncle Severus gave it to me the day I was born. Mum says we can pass it on to our child."

"He or she will be lucky to have it." She smiled up at him, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Now, to bed with you, Mrs. Malfoy," he ordered, taking the blanket.

"Yes, Mr. Malfoy." She sighed.

He watched her walk off and held the blanket close.

"Thank you, Uncle Sev."

The End