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Review Responses:

Dark Comet - glad that the contents of the last chapter kind of made up for the unforgivably long wait. Well done for being right and let's just say you were right again about something you wrote in your review, it has been written as happening that thing you wanted to happen! I'm sure the look on Minerva's face was priceless, how often does she get told Severus is going to be a father?! Thanks for the review!

Errisar - I'm really pleased you liked the bit with Minerva in, I've always been fond of her and Severus' relationship. I felt that Narcissa and Dumbledore had to bury that hatchet at some point, they've both been horribly wrong at times but they need to move on, as best as a Gryffindor and a Slytherin can! I see Dumbledore as being very smart, I don't like seeing him portrayed as not being. I couldn't send Sev back to the Death Eaters, I'm not that cruel! One day I will be a master leglimancer just like the lovely Slytherin himself! Hope the headache cleared itself up and that the history test went well. Thanks for reviewing!

Cricket13 - Pleased you liked it. I know what the child will be called but I'm not giving it away just yet. Thanks for the review!

Bonezz - Yes I figured that it would better that Narcissa got pregnant than Draco did, still that would probably have been equally shocking to Severus! I miss Lucy to, but just think he's having fun in hell ruling it! I'm actually particularly fond of Severus' behaviour when Narcissa's in labour but you'll just have to wait and see! Hope you get that computer you wanted for Christmas, and I agree whoever invented the spell check should be a saint! Thanks for the review!

I Found a Little Courage to Call it Off

**Narcissa's Thoughts**

Chapter 20

Severus was feeling good; he had spent the day finding out that he was going to be a father and winding up McGonagall - a day well spent in other words.

Now he just had to work out where to take Narcissa out for a meal, which was what had brought him to the Slytherin common room looking for his godson.

Draco was sat playing chess with Pansy whilst trying to hold a conversation with Blaise and help Millicent with her potions homework; the main result was that he was losing at chess. He jumped up as his godfather entered the room and beckoned to him. The other three looked after them curiously as they left the common room.

Once out of other students' hearing range, Severus turned to Draco and asked, "Does your mother have a favourite restaurant?"

"Oh yeah, that's easy. Wilson's."

"Allow me to rephrase. Does your mother have a favourite restaurant that you don't have to book a table at six months in advance and that I wouldn't have to re-mortgage Hogwarts in order to pay for the starter alone."

Draco thought for a moment then said, "She's a big romantic. Why don't you take her to wherever you went on your first date? She'd love that!"

Severus smiled. "Thank you Draco, you can go back to your common room now."

Draco frowned suddenly. "What's going on?"

"Nothing to worry about."

Draco was left standing in the corridor as Severus swept away. He shook his head and returned to his common room, only to find Blaise had taken over from him in the chess game.

*******

Narcissa was indeed delighted at the idea of going back to where they'd had their first date. She and Severus enjoyed a romantic evening with no interruptions.

The next morning Narcissa headed to Hogwarts to speak with her son, knowing that the longer she kept her latest news from him the less he'd like it when he found out. She sought out Professor Dumbledore, and was welcomed into his office once again with offers of tea and sherbet lemons. She accepted the tea and settled herself in a comfortable chair.

"Headmaster, I was wondering if you'd grant permission for me to take Draco into Hogsmeade for lunch. I'll have him back in time for his afternoon lessons."

"Of course dear girl," Dumbledore's eyes twinkled merrily. "And how is the new mother this morning?"

"I'm feeling fine, thank you. The morning sickness is still terrible but Severus brewed me a potion that's helping. I just have to break the news to my son."

"You seem apprehensive."

"A little," she conceded, "He has been a spoilt only child all his life, and I am unsure how welcome the news of a sibling will be to him."

"He may surprise you."

Narcissa raised an eyebrow at the elderly wizard, "Do you think so?"

"He has before, has he not?"

She laughed, "Yes, Draco's always full of surprises!" Draining the teacup she stood, "Do you know what lesson the fifth year Slytherins have at the moment?"

"I believe they're in herbology with the Ravenclaws."

"Then I'll make my way over to the greenhouses. Thank you for the tea. I'll have Draco back after lunch."

"I'm sure."

It wasn't until Narcissa was halfway down the moving spiral staircase that she noticed the slight note of amused disbelief in the headmaster's voice in his last comment.

*******

"Mum! What are you doing here?" Draco asked in surprise, as he noticed his mother waiting outside the greenhouses.

She smiled and hugged him. "I'm taking you into Hogsmeade for lunch."

"Wish my parents would just turn up and do that!" Pansy remarked. "Well", she sighed, looking at the boy with an envious glare, "See you later Draco."

She and Millicent continued to the school. Blaise followed them after a brief "Good Morning," to Narcissa.

Crabbe and Goyle juniors gave her some nasty looks which she returned, sending them scurrying away too.

"What's going on mum?" Draco asked curiously.

"Can't I take you out to lunch for no reason?" He looked sceptically at her and she smiled. "Ok, I do have a reason...but it can wait 'til we're at lunch."

Draco was clearly bursting with curiosity, but managed to wait until they had reached the Three Broomsticks; he even held out until their food arrived. At this point however, he couldn't take the secretive smile on his mother's face any longer. "What's going on mum?" he repeated his previous question, this time not prepared to be put off.

Narcissa hesitated, "Well, sweetheart, I'm not quite sure how to tell you."

"Tell me what?" he asked impatiently.

"Draco, I want you to remember that I love you and always will!"

"Alright, but what are you talking about?"

"I'm pregnant Draco, it's a girl."

He dropped his fork with a clatter. "What?!"

"Yes, it surprised me too."

"You're really having a baby? With Severus?"

"Draco! Who else would I be having a baby with?"

"I don't know, I just wanted to check," he laughed.

Narcissa shook he head. "How do you feel about this?"

"Well...are you two happy?"

"Yes."

"Then, I guess it'll take some getting used to, but it's not the worst thing I've ever heard." He hesitated and said, a little unsurely, "It could be kind of nice having a sister."

His mother smiled at him. "You're a great kid, you know that?"

He smiled back at her.

Suddenly, she remembered Dumbledore's doubt that she would return with Draco that afternoon. **Well I couldn't disappoint the poor man by proving him wrong!** "What have you got at school this afternoon?"

He pulled a face. "Transfigurations and History of Magic."

Narcissa grinned. "Want to bunk off?"

"Yeah!"

"Alright then! Let's go shopping!"

It was late that evening before Narcissa finally returned Draco to the school, much to Severus' amused disapproval. They were both laden down with shopping bags and it was clear Draco had, once again, been spoiled rotten by his indulgent mother.

"Don't look disapproving!" Narcissa laughed catching Severus' eye. "I brought something for you too!"

She handed him a bag containing a dark forest green jumper, "Do you like it?"

He smiled, "It's lovely, but you still shouldn't encourage your son to skip classes." he laughed. "By the way, I told Minerva you could explain why he was not present for her transfigurations lesson."

Draco headed back for his common room laughing at the look on his mother's face. Narcissa plucked up her courage and left to seek out Professor McGonagall.

*******

Next chapter's a bit different, it's wedding plans and family reunions of a sort. It's not the happiest of chapters but I hope you'll like it anyway.

Please review!!