Chapter Fifteen: An Unlikely Commendation

Narcissa Malfoy sat behind some bookshelves in the library. Her students

weren't the only ones who could spy stealthily. She smiled.

She had seen it all, everything that had happened. She had observed the

occurrences of that night at first with an edge of anxiety, but then... amusement,

winder, hope... all flooded together, as her son, Draco Malfoy, the poureblood heir to

the Malfoy name, prominence, riches, and everything else that went with it, had

kissed the witty, bright, muggleborn witch sitting before him. The same one he had

complained constantly about, with a certain fervor that had led Narcissa to an

inevitable conclusion: They were perfect for each other.

The way Draco had described Hermione, with her air of superiority,

indifference to the opinions of others, and intolerance of those she felt less

knowledgeable than herself... She was the ideal girl for him. If he could only have

seen past... But now he could. They would be a match made in heaven, or a match

made by Narcissa, with a bit of help, of course, but she would give her thanks for

that later. Right now something more was at hand.

From the looks of it, she'd been somewhat successful, which was more than

she had anticipated. While Parkinson and Potter did not seem to be getting along,

based on their scowls and angry tones, it had not been a total failure. Indeed, both

were holding their ground for those they cared most about, and the words Potter had

said were of some significance.

His friend's happiness was more important to him than some petty childhood

grudge. That was something Narcissa hoped they could all learn from. And though

she tried to hide it, Narcissa had seen the wonder dance across Parkinson's eyes as

Potter had uttered those words. She was at a loss, and she knew it. The words had

taken their toll. Those two were at the breaking point. Sooner or later, they would

support their friends.

Weasley and Bullstrode, on the other hand, were plotting something. She

could tell by their expressions, the changes from anger to soft tones, their

mischievous demeanor evident. They were coming together, but would come to

accept their friends soon. Yes, in the end they would all come together –- she

hoped.

Then there had been that kiss. She smiled. Yes, it was right of her to hope,

right of her to have faith. It was even realistic.

Draco had changed so much in the time since Lucius had been away. Indeed,

by the end of th esummer, she was closer to her son than she had ever been.

They had both taken the loss hard, but in the end they had come together, in

support of one another. They had talked, about everything. The pressures Draco's

father put on him, how he really wanted to do something different; to be

something different. And indeed, by the end of the summer, he had changed.

Narcissa had shown him to be forgiving, tried to get him to forget. She had

shown him the destructive, corrosive powers of hatred, and how barriers should be

broken down before they became indestructible, the gaps between people

unbridgeable. She had shown him to open up his heart again, and told him that love

would come.

Indeed, it had been an amazing transformation. She had her doubts, but one

look at him after he left the platform left her no choice; it had given her the

determination, the will, the faith necessary. IT had been a long road, but in the end,

the remarkable metamorphosis her son had undergone, from arrogant, pompous,

insecure, prejudiced, and hate filled, to somewhat down-to-earth (A/N or more than

he had been anyways!), less judgemental, and more caring, more willing to open up,

had been worth it.

Narcissa sighed. If only her own life could be that way. If only she could feel

the love she once had. If only things could be different. If only –-.

She was brought from her thoughts when she felt a presence next to her.

She immediately knew who it was.

"Well," said a silky voice, "someone's been very busy." He paused. He

sounded somewhat amused, maybe even... impressed? The voice continued,

"surveying your work, I suppose?"

Narcissa grinned, and turned her head to look at him. "Why Severus, how

ever did you guess?" she asked, as sweetly as was possible when her voice dripped

with sarcasm.

He almost smiled. Almost. And for Severus Snape, that was saying

something. Narcissa sensed this, and evidently he could tell, as he attempted, in

vain, to conceal it.

'But why would he do something like that?' she mused to herself.

Again, however, his voice interrupted her thoughts. "Mrs. Malfoy--"

"Professor Malfoy, if you must address me in so formal a manner," she

corrected. "But Severus, I'd feel much more comfortable if you called me Narcissa,

really."

He sighed. "Okay Mrs—err, Narcissa."

She held back a chuckle. It was so funny when Severus Snape felt awkward.

The shrewd, tactless exterior melted away to reveal semblances of -- a human!

Narcissa would never have thought it possible. But then again, look at her husband.

His features, unfortunately, had been the opposite.

Severus broke the silence. "As I was about to say, I don't know how you did

this," he motioned at the various groups in the library, "but I'll admit this is the best

idea for unification I've ever seen. Last year, at the start-of-term feast, the Sorting

Hat said something about unity in the school." He smiled. "It seems to be

working smoothly. I guess all we needed was you, Narcissa." He paused. "I guess

what I'm trying to say is congratulations -- and thank you for teaching us all a few

things -- thanks for everything."

And with that, he turned and left, but not before Narcissa saw the look in his

eyes.

Author's Note

Cliffhanger... Laughs evilly

More chaos! But this time, of a different sort, of course. Well, not really.

Okay, I hope this chapter cleared some things up. More will be revealed. This

chapter foreshadows some events that will occur later. Hehe, I think you can guess.

Okay, maybe I'll update tomorrow... Argh! I have to finish my AP Summer Reading

(Dammit!! I hate books on how to read! Hehe, anyone else who goes to MAST will

understand. laughs)

Hope you liked it, please Read and REVIEW!! Heh, what am I saying "read"

for? Since you're reading this you've obviously finished the chapter, right? Okay,

just click the review button. Come on, please? Thanks for your time...

E. Caddy Compson (persephoneia)