We went down for breakfast, dressed impeccably. Draco wore a version of his usual dark suit, while I had opted for more colour that day. A rust-coloured turtleneck paired with a long tartan skirt. Different hues of brown in the check-pattern worked prettily with the colour of the turtle neck. My hair was brushed out, falling in its natural soft waves. I wore long brown high-heeled boots.

We had an appointment at Gringotts, to have my name added to the Malfoy accounts. It was the first public outing we would have, apart from the visit to the estates. But this was different. Going out to Diagon Alley, with a Malfoy, would not only hint at my allegiance – false as their assumption would be – but it would also let the Order know where I was. That I was taken care of. There was no doubt in my mind that some in the order would question my loyalties as well. But there was simply nothing I could do about it. At least I wore colours that weren't outright Slytherin.

After a quiet breakfast, Draco took my hand and guided me to the entry. House elves stood ready with our cloaks and he Apparated us quickly to Diagon Alley. We finished our business at Gringotts swiftly, the only surprise being that my personal vault had moved to accommodate my biological parents' fortune. It was impressive, years of well-chosen investments had grown the fortune greatly. But it still couldn't compare to the Malfoy fortune I was introduced to.

It was clear that our children, grandchildren and a few more generations after that would never have a care in the world. But it was unlike the Malfoys to simply rest in the fortune. Every Malfoy heir had grown the fortune, building out and maintaining a business empire.

We had lunch at Diagon Alley and then returned to the Manor. Draco left me there, tending to some assignments. I decided to have a conversation with the Lady of the Manor.

I eventually found Narcissa in the gardens, tending to her rose garden. It was still early March, quite cold – a bit too cold to do garden work in my opinion. She looked up as I approached her, my heels alerting her I was on my way.

"Katarina, dear. I didn't expect you back already." I smiled at the warm welcome. "Draco had some things to take care of today." She bent back towards the rose bushes while I kept a small distance.

"Narcissa, I would like to ask you a personal question, if you don't mind." She looked up questioningly, prompting me to go ahead. "How long did it take for you to become pregnant with Draco?"

She sighed. "I wondered when we would have this conversation." She took off her gloves and motioned to a bench nearby. We walked slowly together, as she explained the difficulties of conceiving a child. "It took us years to have Draco.", she eventually explained.

I paled, knowing we wouldn't have years. Narcissa noticed and grabbed my hand. "Oh Katarina, there are more things in your favour. You're younger than I was. My family had lots of difficulties with conceiving. Your mother, Caridad, became pregnant of you within a few months of trying." She smiled softly. "I was always jealous of that."

She looked off into the distance. "There's no reason for you to worry yet. But if you want to help things along, I suggest you talk with Severus." I looked at her questioningly. "It's been years since I was trying to conceive, dear. New potions were invented, there is more that Healers can do. Severus will know how to speed things along."

She cleared her throat. "You prompting this conversation, it means that things have progressed between you and my son." I blushed instantly. The older woman laughed elegantly. "There's no need for shame, my dear. I just hope my son was gentle and respectful."

I smiled, the blush deepening. "He was wonderful, Narcissa. You've raised a fine man." She smiled warmly. "I raised a spoilt boy. The love he has for you has turned him into a fine man, as you say it." She laughed again. "All those years, he's been complaining about you. How it was unfair that you thrived in Slytherin, despite how you were treated. I didn't even know you, but I knew you had to be formidable."

She took my cheek in her hand and caressed it sweetly, as a mother would do. "I'm glad to see I was right."

After my conversation with Narcissa, I walked back towards the Manor. I went inside my study, which was located next to Draco's. I quickly wrote up a letter to Professor Snape, explaining why I needed his assistance.

I waited for a reply by reading in my study. It came sooner and not in the form that I expected. Suddenly, the Floo flared and the Headmaster himself stepped through. He eyed me as I rushed out of my seat to greet him.

"Professor! I wasn't expecting you!", I exclaimed. He eyed me carefully. "Did you not ask for my assistance, Katarina?" I smiled politely. "Yes, of course. But I hadn't expected it so quickly or in person."

He took a seat in front of me. "I'm pleased that you had the wits about you to contact me for help." He pulled out a number of vials and lined them up on the desk. He explained the different purposes, the benefits and side effects at length. "The tonic that you gave me at the Dark Lord's request, is it one of these?"

Snape shook his head. "No, you can only take one dosage in a lifetime." I was confused. "What did that one do, exactly?" He looked at me calmly. "It is meant to kick off your reproductive system, prepare your body for conceiving a child. It's usually taken by women around the age of twenty five or thirty who are experiencing some difficulties with conceiving."

I frowned. "So after a week of trying to have a baby, the Dark Lord thought I needed a tonic that other women take after years of trying?" He nodded solemnly. "Does that tonic have any side effects?" He was quiet for a couple of seconds. "It makes you more receptive to romantic feelings."

I looked at him with wide eyes. "Romantic feelings?" He nodded. "Ideally, a child is conceived in a loving environment, with a couple that cares deeply for each other. If those feelings haven't established yet, the tonic helps put them in place."

My mind reeled. I had been growing close to Draco in the last couple of weeks. With our history, the things he's said to me in all of those years, the taunts,… Developing feelings for him wasn't impossible, but it would surely take longer than a month. The amount of trust that I was feeling for him, the genuine worry,… It had all started with the tonic. But was the tonic the cause for it? Or did it simply speed things up?

Professor Snape stood up from his chair, collecting the vials we had opted against and leaving just one on the desk. "I will give you another piece of advice, Katarina.", he said. "The Dark Lord is an expert in psychological warfare. As long as you don't let him inside your head, you have a chance of winning. The tonic was a tactic. Don't let him inside your head."

That evening, Lucius and Draco returned later than usual, postponing dinner for a bit. Narcissa was clearly worried, which in turn worried me. When they eventually walked through the door, I was filled with relief immediately. By the looks on their faces, something had gone terribly wrong.

I got up quickly and met Draco halfway. "What happened?" I asked quietly as I reached him. I looked him over quickly, examining if he was hurt. "Just a mission gone wrong.", he said. "Bad intelligence, leading us into an ambush. We got out alright, but we took a serious hit tonight."

As soon as I learned he was alright, I couldn't help but feel pleased about the result of the day. "How did the Dark Lord react?", I asked. It was Lucius who answered. "Furious. Not at us, luckily. But the man who handled the spy was punished severely." He sighed. "Let's have dinner."

I walked to the dining room, alongside Draco. We had dinner in absolute silence, a stark difference from every other dinner we've had. Tension was high. I couldn't eat more than a bowl of soup and a couple of bites of the main course. I skipped dessert altogether.

Draco and I immediately retreated to our room after the dishes were cleared. "Who was punished?", I asked him as soon as he closed the door behind us. He sighed and fixed the both of us a drink before responding.
"We were supposed to find a strong lead on the whereabouts of Mad Eye. A large group was pulled together to take him and deliver him to the Dark Lord. When we arrived, we realised quickly it was an ambush. Ten of our group were wounded or killed. Only Father, Goyle, Dolohov and myself made it out without injury."

I shook my head. "A group of fourteen to take out one man?" He took a big gulp of his drink. "Mad Eye is a phenomenal dueller. He had years of experience, responsible for the arrest of dozens of Death Eater after the first War. Fourteen was a minimum."

He poured himself another glass. "The information was provided by a spy, handled by Nott senior. He was already wounded in the fight, but was able to report back to the Dark Lord with us. The Dark Lord found him responsible for the loss. He fed him to Nagini."

I gasped. I had never met Theo's father, he missed the social functions that I had been present for. But a death like that was gruesome, no mistake bad enough to warrant it.

"He was Father's best friend. That's why Theo and I have always been so close, we've spent a lot of time together growing up." I swallowed and stepped closer to my husband.

"Where is Theo now?", I asked quietly. "Father contacted Severus, he'll inform Theo tonight." I nodded. "He shouldn't be alone."
Draco smiled slightly. "Father offered a place to stay until he has to go back to Hogwarts."

I took my first sip of my drink and put it down on the table. I walked over to Draco and wrapped my arms around his weight, resting my head on his chest. He brought up his hands, resting one on the small of my back, the other wound itself into my hair.

Draco manoeuvred us to one of the armchairs and guided me into his lap. We stayed in that position for hours, in absolute silence.