DISCLAIMER: I own none of the characters, magical universe, names…nada. FYI: I am unaware of Blaise's mothers first name, so I created one, couldn't find any information on any of the HP sites…so just go with it
Chapter 7
Narcissa Malfoy sipped her tea generously, a day to relax with an old friend was exactly what she needed and she planned to indulge accordingly. Between seeing her husband off to Azkaban for, what would mostly likely be the rest of their lives, to giving her son away to a mudblood witch she'd watched being tortured in her parlor only months before, to the idea of grandchildren at her ripe age…she was obviously a ball of stress.
Still the idea of raising another child had been dear to her heart for so many years, she was anxious to begin her role as a grandmother. Draco had been the light of her life for as long as she could remember, she hadn't expected a child from him till years down the line, 27 maybe 28. When she was in her mid….30s… she blushed, yes 30s is what she'd call it.
The fact that her son was only 18 and was expected to live with his wife and children when the year ended, it was something she had yet to fully wrap her mind around. She only hoped it would be a sensible transition for the girl… her life would change immensely, being a Malfoy was much more than a title. It was social status, that had obviously suffered many blows in the past year, but their name held weight and power nonetheless.
Now that the war was over, Lucious gone, Draco now married and ready to start his own family. There was nothing to do but rebuild. She had social status to work on, galas and benefits to plan. The wizarding world was full of opportunity, she planned on obtaining each and every one for her son and grandchildren.
Narcissa's thoughts were interrupted as Natalia Zabini entered her dining room.
"Cissa!"
"Oh, Talia, finally!"
The women rushed at one another, embracing in a hug. Narcissa motioned to the arm chair across from where she'd been sitting. Natalia took a seat and accepted the tea Narcissa gave to her.
Sitting back down Narcissa let out a long sigh.
"She was here." Natalia looked around nodding her head. "I can feel it."
Narcissa sighed again, sipping her tea. "Yes, yes Draco longed for a night home…so he bought her here."
Natalia nodded, sipping her tea. Frowning she licked her lips and took Narcissa's hand. "You have been so brave in all of this."
Narcissa looked down. It had been months since she'd had a real conversation with her friend, the ceremonies had given them time to greet one another, and part ways. There were so many things she wanted to tell her, she didn't know where to begin.
"Well…we can start with the obvious."
Natalia giggled. "Oh! The grandchildren." She set her tea cup down and clasped her hands. "If the ceremonies weren't awful enough..." She scowled. "The Weasley's wouldn't bother half as much if they had one ounce of taste." She shook her head in disgust. "Oh, at least the girl the pretty."
Narcissa nodded slowly. "Both our boys made out alright in that regard." She sipped her tea slowly. "Draco is worried he won't get to share enough mannerisms with his child." She giggled. "The things children think of."
Natalia laughed at this. "I cannot imagine what my grandchildren will look like." She smoothed the front of her robes. "Red hair and deep complexions...an interesting combination, I cannot lie, I am excited about…
She trailed off and Narcissa poured more tea in their cups.
"Talia….did Blaise...did he write you about a contraceptive?" She took her cup, her hands shaking slightly. "Before the ceremony."
Natalia shook her head. "No my dear…I thought he'd know at least that, I don't expect that he's—
Narcissa's worried look gave her away, Natalia gasped.
"Cissa what have you done?"
Narcissa gulped down her entire cup of tea and began to spill her secret.
…
Blaise winced as Hermione slapped the side of Draco's head with her Potions book. Class had been in session for five minutes and they were already quarrelling. Draco had taken her ingredients for his own and given her his, which were incorrect and half used. Hermione obviously knew the difference and had already assaulted him once for the offense, now a second time for his smugness.
Draco glared at her and sucked in air, restraining himself from escalating the situation.
Blaise looked around the class, he didn't see many familiar faces, he groaned. At the moment all he wanted were new partners. He thought Pansy would be taking the class, but she hadn't turned up.
He saw Seamus Finnegan and Dean Thomas in the distance, cleaning up black and gray ash from their table. Blaise shook his head, neither of them could do anything right.
He returned his attention to Hermione who was now withdrawing her fresh ingredients from Draco.
"Are you both ready to get started?"
Hermione gave him an irritated look but nodded slowly. "I've been ready thank you." She snatched her book from under Draco's arm, he had uncharacteristically been unprepared for class. "And prepared."
Draco rolled his eyes, leaning back from the table, releasing all of her items. He swayed slightly and repositioned himself in front of their cauldron. His face was paler than usual. Blaise frowned at him.
"You alright there mate?"
Draco sighed. "Of course." He kept his eyes on the cauldron as he swayed again and clutched the table for support. Hermione now gave him a worried look.
"Draco are you feeling alright?" She put her hand on his shoulder as he swayed again, he swooped and swatted at her hand.
"What is it then?!" He pointed his finger down to the potions book. "We have to get this finished before class ends." He wiped at his brow slowly. Still avoiding both of their eyes.
Blaise nodded slowly and began to read the book. Hermione kept her eyes on him. He didn't sway again but he continued to sweat and grew paler.
When the class ended, Hermione and Blaise began to clean their area while Draco grabbed his things and left without a word to either of them.
"What is the matter with him? He was perfectly normal this morning…normal for him anyway."
Blaise shrugged and waved off Hermione's question. "I'll figure it out…later."
Hermione nodded pulling her bag over her shoulder. She watched Blaise leave but lingered in the classroom. Whatever was wrong with Draco was odd, she'd never seen him act or look like that. She was genuinely worried and hated herself for it.
….
Pansy paused as she made her way to the Qudditch field. The fact that she had to ask Harry's permission to stay out later than her curfew was ridiculous. She rolled her eyes at the thought. She had to strike an agreement with him and have him see her off before she could spend time with her friends in the Slytherin common room, just preposterous.
She shook off her annoyance and took a deep breath. She hated him, but he wasn't exactly cruel. He had met all of her malicious actions and comments with the same cool empathy, making her even more resentful. He was a prideful man with an annoying amount of integrity and compassion that made her want to vomit on him, but he wasn't cruel.
She sighed, stopping again to think about the task at hand. All of their arguments thus far had ended in him refusing to speak to her, and giving her the silent treatment for hours on end. Their wedding night had literally been good for five seconds before they argued.
Pansy rolled her eyes. Her relationship with Harry wasn't improving anytime soon, she was trying to survive it by being civil and he was not making it easy.
She stopped in her tracks a third time as Ginny Weas—Zabini approached her. She let out a long sigh when they were close enough to speak.
"Fancy seeing you all the way...out here." Ginny pursed her lips as the words flew out of her mouth sarcastically.
Pansy giggled, waving her hand in Ginny's face slowly. She hadn't planned to pick a fight with anyone today, but the opportunity had presented itself. "You think because you're married to Blaise you suddenly have the right to speak to me?"
Ginny rolled her eyes and gripped her broom tighter, the other hand on her wand. "Like your special?"
Pansy giggled again. "Oh, right…" She saw Harry walking behind Ginny in the distance and smirked. "Special enough...it would seem."
Ginny glared at her and glanced over her shoulder. Nodding she shrugged.
"If that's what you think…" She laughed. "We ended a long time ago."
Pansy giggled again.
"What is it you find so humorous?!" Irritated, Ginny took a step to the side of her. They were blocking each other and it was making her uncomfortable.
"Nothing… it's just…" Pansy dropped her voice as Harry got closer. "It's that you seem content, like Blaise is actually happy with you."
Ginny's face dropped involuntarily, Harry approached them and waved to Ginny before frowning at Pansy, who erupted in laughter.
"Honestly? It's not obvious?" She continued to laugh, watching Ginny's face go from confusion to anger.
"Pansy what are you going on about?" Harry sighed, tired and now irritated by his wife's presence.
"I'm not sure what you mean…but I can assure you, I don't have time for your games." Ginny stepped around Pansy, tapping her with her broom on purpose.
Pansy turned quickly and grabbed the back of Ginny's robes. Ginny's reflexes were quicker than she was, her wand was drawn before Pansy put her hand in her pocket.
Harry groaned aggravated. "Ginny…please, she's didn't—
"Harry, shut up!" Pansy was now pointing her wand back at Ginny with a smirk on her face.
"Ginny—
"Shut up Harry."
Ginny stepped back when Harry moved towards her. "I don't know what your issue is but I am not—
"You're nothing, definitely not a threat to me." Pansy snickered, lowering her wand and turning to Harry. She scoffed at Ginny who didn't lower her wand. "You should take that energy out on your…husband." She threw her head back in laughter, making Ginny furious.
Ginny regained her composure and turned to go.
"Maybe he'll start telling you the truth."
Ginny winced at that. "What does that—?
"Do you know anything about him?" Pansy sighed. Her face now serious. "I'd get your mudblood friend and do a little research….the Zabini's are anything if not…thorough, think they didn't know this was coming?" Harry gasped at the word and Pansy rolled her eyes at him.
Ginny sighed, she didn't know what to think of the comment and wasn't going to let Pansy get the better of her, she lowered her wand and turned on her heel, making her way back to the castle.
"Why are you so vile?" Harry shook his head at her. "You truly are the biggest—
Pansy cut him off. "I just came down here to ask you to agree to a curfew extension…I did not come for a lecture."
Harry laughed at that. "Seriously?" He gave her a wild look and began to walk off.
"Harry!" Pansy walked fast to catch up to him. "Harry! Just say that its fine...and I can go." She groaned. "This is ridiculous, Millicent is having a girls group and I want to go and stay as long as I like!"
Harry chuckled. "Sounds like you're asking for a favor." He turned to face her, a smirk planted on his face, eyebrows raised.
Pansy nodded slowly, forcing a small smile.
"As much as I'd hate to have you back in the dormitory any time soon…saying no to you…it's far too gratifying." He chuckled. "Besides, you staying out, doing who knows what around the castle? Indecent for a married woman don't you think?" Harry tried to keep a straight face, but laughed at his words.
Pansy gasped. "Harry we have to agree on my curfew-
"The answer is no." He snapped, turning away from her again.
"You smell god awful." She yelled at him.
"It's not like I have a girls group to get to or anything." He chuckled and tried to mimic her voice. "You'll get over it."
Pansy shoved him and stormed off. Maybe she had been wrong, this definitely felt cruel.
…
Ginny pulled her towel down and off of her hair. She was freezing now roaming around for her clothes after taking a shower.
She jumped as an owl flew through the window. It was a dark brown owl, with a small golden parcel, Ginny took it and the owl flew off immediately. She frowned, it was a letter from Natalia Zabini, her elegant touch and scent evident in the parchment.
Ginny looked over her shoulder before tapping the letter with her wand. It became unraveled, she read quickly.
Blaise,
Be careful, but remember what our goal is. Make sure you
finish the deed as soon as possible and give me the results.
My angel, have a good first week…
NZ. ~
Ginny gasped. She tapped the letter again and it rolled itself up and it was sealed again, she took the letter and placed it on Blaise's desk.
She had no idea what goal is mother was talking about. She had no idea what Pansy had been talking about. She was finally beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel in all of this, now she was sure Blaise was up to know good. Could he be involved in a ploy with reuniting the Death Eaters? He was a Slytherin after all… the odds were not so high in his favor.
Ginny sighed. How could she have been so stupid? Blinded by his handsome face and calm exterior. She had no idea who her husband was or what his motive was for being back at Hogwarts. Had he known about their pairing from the beginning?
She clutched her towel tightly, she shook off her fear. If Blaise planned to trick her or harm her in any way she knew how to defend herself. She sighed and crossed the room to dress and get ready for class.
The start of her first week of classes was not taking off very well.
A/N: A little disappointed by the response from the last chapters…hopefully this one will bring back some love. I'm going to try and finish this fic by the new year so I'll be posting more often. I'm going to *try*, but we'll see. I'm also working on Therapy, my other fic, please read and give me your thoughts.
