AN: I wanted to make a couple of notes before I begin this story.
1. For those of you who are following my other Lucissa story, A Love for the Stars, the content and direction of certain stories will be different, so you don't necessarily have to worry about repeat content. It will also deviate some from my Harry Potter/Once Upon a Time crossover, Danielle and Lily's Marvelous Adventure.
2. I know there are thousands of Lucissa stories-and other ships, I'm sure-about this subject matter. I've just always loved the idea of exploring the dynamics of the Malfoy/Black families at different stages of life. I've also always wondered about what would happen if the Malfoy's family situation changed (you'll see what I mean by that statement).
3. This story starts the summer before Draco begins his first year at Hogwarts, around mid-August.
4. Despite all of the theories and fanfics out there that claim the contrary, I do believe that the Malfoy family truly loved each other, and I do believe Lucius loved his wife and son, Narcissa loved her husband (we know she loved Draco), and Draco loved his parents. I also believe Lucius and Narcissa were faithful to each other. So, there is no portrayal of Lucius as abusive other than toward characters such as Dobby or characters he considers beneath him.
5. With that, enjoy the story!
As Narcissa Malfoy prepared for the day, she knew it was going to be a special one. While she had visited Diagon Alley many times before today, this excursion would have a different meaning. As Draco's acceptance letter had arrived a few weeks beforehand—why wouldn't it have—she and Lucius would be making the journey to buy Draco's uniform and school supplies.
Narcissa had fond memories of her own acceptance to Hogwarts. Mother and Father had promptly taken her, Bella, and that other backstabbing blood traitor to the magical alleyway secretly located in the heart of London. And while her time at Hogwarts had brought some heartache, it was also the place where she had met her beloved and made some of her most treasured friendships. She could only hope her son would have some of the same experiences and make the same memories as she had.
A wave of dizziness washed over her, and she leaned against the vanity in her and Lucius's bed chamber to steady herself. With all of the excitement of the past few days, she had been feeling a bit under the weather. Lucius was concerned with her upset stomach and her dizzy spells, but Narcissa assured him it would probably go away in a day or two when her cycle arrived.
She finished brushing her hair and applying her makeup before she descended the grand staircase and walked into the dining room, where Dobby already had a breakfast arrangement prepared. Lucius was eating some eggs and bangers, sipping his morning tea, and reading The Daily Prophet. Draco had some bacon on his plate, and he was writing on his school supply list. "Father, you'll make sure all of my textbooks are brand new and not hand-me-downs, correct?"
"All of your supplies will be brand new and the most expensive editions money can buy, son," Lucius assured him. Narcissa subtly coughed to announce her presence, and the two men in her life glanced over toward her. "Morning, Cissa."
"Morning, darling," Narcissa answered. She kissed Lucius on the cheek and Draco on the top of his head. She sat down at the other end of the table, but after she took in the aroma of breakfast, she asked, "Are those bangers cooked properly?"
"They taste fine," said Lucius. "But if we all end up ill, I'll make sure Dobby sees the end of my cane after we recover."
Narcissa took a whiff of the tea. "This is English breakfast tea?"
"Yes," confirmed Lucius.
"Mother, may we eat at The Leaky Cauldron for lunch after we finish purchasing my uniforms and school supplies?" asked Draco.
"I would not mind, but you really need to ask your father." Narcissa nodded toward Lucius.
"Father, may we eat at The Leaky Cauldron?"
"Certainly, Draco. This is a special occasion: continuing the Malfoy legacy at Hogwarts," said Lucius, glancing across the table and catching a brief glance at his wife before turning to the last page of the newspaper. Narcissa knew Lucius had wished for Draco to attend Durmstrang Institute, and while Narcissa understood his reasoning—no Mudbloods were admitted, and the Headmaster, Igor Karkaroff, was still friendly with Lucius from their First Wizarding War days—she hadn't wanted Draco so far from home. She could hardly bear the fact that he would spend most of the year in Scotland now.
"We best be going," said Lucius. He folded the newspaper, set it down on the table, stood, and acquired his walking stick. "Come, Draco."
"Yes, Father," Draco answered, swallowing the last of his orange juice before joining Lucius in the sitting room where the fireplace was.
"Dobby," Lucius called, "clear the dishes!"
"Yes, Master Malfoy." Dobby bowed toward Lucius. Narcissa swallowed the last bit of tea and pushed her cup and her unfinished breakfast plate into Dobby's hands before grabbing her handbag and joining her family.
Lucius Flooed them to Diagon Alley, and the spinning of the Floo Network caused Narcissa's dizziness to return. "Are you all right, dear?" Lucius asked quietly, laying a hand on the small of Narcissa's back.
"Yes, just a bit fatigued. I believe the stress of preparing for Draco to begin school has run me down some."
Lucius nodded, and the family began shuffling in and out of shops, purchasing Draco's supplies in the process. The crowds caused the queues to move slowly, so it was already noon and they had yet to purchase Draco's uniform, textbooks, and wand. When they arrived at The Leaky Cauldron, they sat down at a small table in the corner, and they ordered their meals: Swott Malt Whisky and steak and kidney pie for Lucius, Butterbeer and game pie for Draco, and tea and House Leaky soup for Narcissa. "I'm surprised you don't want more to eat, Cissa. You usually love the steak and kidney pie here, not to mention the fact that you didn't eat much at breakfast," Lucius commented.
Narcissa took a sip of her tea, and while she was tempted to lie, Lucius could usually tell when she was doing so, and she was too tired to use Occlumency. "I've just been feeling off today," she admitted.
"Cissy," Lucius lowered his voice so Draco wouldn't be able to hear as well, "you've been feeling run down for several days now. Are you sure you don't want to see a Healer?"
"I'm certain, Luce."
Lucius looked like he was ready to argue, but he must have decided against it, since he did nothing more than squeeze her wrist. "Perhaps we can split the remaining duties so we can get home faster, and you can rest. I can take Draco up to Madam Malkin's so he can be fitted for his robes, and then I can purchase his textbooks while he's doing so since Flourish and Blotts is next door. Perhaps you could begin to browse wands at Ollivanders? I know Draco will ultimately need to have his wand choose him, but we can Apparate home then. The Floo Network doesn't seem to be helping your condition."
Narcissa nodded, and Draco said, "Father, afterward, may we go look at racing brooms?"
"It depends on how your mother feels, Draco."
"Would you buy me one?"
"Dragon, you aren't allowed to have your own broom as a first year," said Narcissa.
"Why not? It isn't fair. It's the primary reason first years can't play for their House Quidditch teams. Father, you said it would be a crime if I don't make Slytherin's team."
"It would be, yes. But for now, you must realize you are a pure-blood wizard, and a Malfoy. It is a big responsibility, and there are certain protocols you must follow. Next year, I promise that I will purchase the newest broom model for you, and I will guarantee you a spot on Slytherin's Quidditch team. What position would you want?"
"Grandfather was a Beater, and you were a Chaser, correct?" Lucius nodded. "I think I'd like to play Seeker."
"Then it's settled. I'll make sure Slytherin House makes you the Seeker for their Quidditch team next year," said Lucius.
Draco went back his meal, and Lucius paid for lunch. Narcissa began the journey to Ollivanders and began to peruse the selection once inside the store. As time wore on, Narcissa began to wonder what was taking her husband and son so bloody long down the street. She was ready to collapse from sheer exhaustion. "Mrs. Malfoy, pleasure to see you," Ollivander greeted. Narcissa nodded curtly, but didn't say anything. "If I recall correctly, the youngest Malfoy is beginning at Hogwarts this year, isn't he?"
"Yes, that is correct," she answered, hoping that Lucius and Draco would be walking through the door any minute now. She wasn't in the mood for polite social chit-chat as her lunchtime meal was not agreeing with her. Thankfully, both Lucius and Draco entered Ollivanders, Lucius carrying a bag of books, and Draco carrying his uniforms.
"Well, this is our last stop," confirmed Lucius.
"Master Malfoy, young Master Malfoy," Ollivander greeted. "No need for long pleasantries. Let's get to work on finding which wand will choose young Master Malfoy." Draco handed his robes to Narcissa and followed Ollivander over to the collection. There was a variety of wands with differing lengths, wood compositions, and cores of which Draco could choose, or rather, which could choose Draco. Draco attempted to perform simple spells with several wand choices, though they still had yet to find his match.
Ollivander pulled another option off the shelf. "Here we go: ten inches, hawthorn wood, and unicorn hair core. Why don't you see how that one fits, young Master Malfoy?"
Narcissa watched her son take the wand from Ollivander, and as soon as he did so, a gust of wind tore through the shop. There was a light that flashed around her son before everything faded to black.
"Cissy? Cissy, can you hear me?" Narcissa heard someone call.
Narcissa hesitantly opened her eyes, and though Ollivanders was quite dark, it seemed that the bright light from the outside was shining through the window at just the right angle, causing a sensation in Narcissa's head equivalent to a hammer pounding a nail into a wall. She glanced up, and the first thing she observed was a worried look on Lucius's face. She was in his strong and steady arms; he must've caught her when she passed out before she hit the ground. "Cissy, are you all right?"
"W…what happened?" she stuttered.
"You fainted," responded Draco, wand still in hand, and a terrified look on his face. "Passed out bloody cold when my wand chose me."
Narcissa nodded and swallowed. She could feel the color draining from her face, and she felt clammy. "Ollivander, get her a bucket or something," demanded Lucius.
"Right away, Master Malfoy," said Ollivander, running to the back of the shop and returning with one. He handed it to Narcissa, who immediately began to vomit into it. Lucius held her hair back as she did so. She handed the bucket back to Ollivander when she was finished.
Draco knelt down in front of Narcissa and softly asked, "Mum, are you sure you're all right? Father and I have been worried about you."
Narcissa knew Lucius had been worried the past several days, but she hadn't had a clue that Draco was concerned as well. She wanted nothing more than to comfort her son, but she did not have the energy at the moment.
"We're Apparating her to St. Mungo's," said Lucius.
"Lucius, no."
"Cissy, you fainted."
"I didn't eat much at breakfast or lunch. I probably passed out from low blood sugar or something."
"It's better to be safe than sorry." Lucius secured his hold on Narcissa with his right hand and reached into his robe pocket with his left hand. He pulled out the money to pay for Draco's wand. "Thank you for your assistance, Mr. Ollivander."
"It's always a pleasure, Master Malfoy. I hope Lady Malfoy feels better soon."
By now, a crowd had gathered both inside and outside of Ollivanders. Narcissa was certain her color had gone from ghostly white to bright red. Here she was, a pure-blood witch, the Malfoy matriarch, and a proper woman who had just passed out into her husband's arms, thankfully before she could hit the ground, and she had vomited in front of half of the Diagon Alley patrons. Worse yet, she had fainted and vomited in front of her son, right before he was supposed to begin upholding the Malfoy legacy at school. What would her fellow pure-blood witch friends think about her?
"Draco, your mother has your robes. Grab your books, wand, and other supplies and grasp my arm. I'll Apparate us all to St. Mungo's." Draco did as instructed, while Lucius helped Narcissa to stand. "I've got you, love."
"Lucius," Narcissa uttered.
"It's okay, Cissy. Everything's going to be okay." Lucius felt Draco's hand grasp his left arm, and the family patriarch Apparated them to the hospital.