Chapter 7: Overdo talks and mad best friends
After a few minutes they were yet again interrupted by a knock on the door.
Draco let out a loud sigh, and let go of Hermione, and called out entrance.
The door opened and four house-elves walked in, carrying two plates piled high with food and two goblets of pumpkin juice. They set it down on the table near the fire, bowed to the two in bed and walked back out.
Hermione opened her mouth to say something about S.P.E.W. but Draco was already bolting out of bed, headed straight for the food.
Hermione sighed. Having two males as best friends, she knew full well what a sixteen-year-old boys appetite was like, and she knew that Draco would eat her plate of food also if she didn't get to it first. She muttered something like "boys and their endless stomachs and got out of bed to get some food.
After they finished, the mediwitch came in to tell Draco that his mother would be waking up momentarily.
Draco stood, his eyes clouded over once more. He looked down at Hermione. "Go home, and get changed and do all the other stuff girls do in the morning. I'll come get you once I'm done.
Hermione nodded, stood, and walked over to the fireplace.
"Hermione." Draco called.
She looked back
"I...I love you. I think I always have. But I know I always will.
Hermione nodded and threw some floo powder into the fire.
She stepped in, turned, looked Draco in the eyes and whispered, "I love you too, Draco. I know I always have, and I forever will." Then she said "Granger Household" and the last glimpse of Draco she had was him smiling from ear to ear.
She closed her eyes, and when she felt herself slow down she threw her arms out, and stepped into her living room, her eyes still closed.
Her eyes snapped open when a voice said sarcastically, "well, so nice of you to show up."
"Yea, how was the play Hermione?" said another just as sarcastic.
"Did you and the Malfoy's have fun?" asked the first.
A very mad Harry and Ron stood in front of Hermione, there arms crossed in front of them.
Draco stood next to his mother's bed, steeling himself to look down at her battered body again.
"Three...two...one." The mediwitch counted down.
His mother stirred, and Draco's eyes snapped down to her. She looked slightly better. The infected cuts weren't as infected and some of the bruises were starting to heal. His mother opened her eyes slowly. She looked around, then up to her son. Slowly, wincing in pain, she raised her hand to caress his cheek.
"Draco." She said in wonder. The two sat looking at each other, taking in all they could.
"Mum." Draco said after a while, his voice cracking due to his emotions.
"Oh, Draco, I'm so sorry I wasn't there for you. I tried to be, but he wouldn't let me. I'm so sorry, baby Dragon."
Draco had forgotten his mother used to call him that, and bit back tears. "I know, mum. I'm sorry too. I'm sorry that he did that to you...that he hurt you. That I couldn't stop him." He slowly sunk to his knees, holding her hand that was on his face.
"I'm sorry he did that to you too. But he's in Azkaban, right? He can't hurt us anymore. I never wanted you to follow in his footsteps, to become what he was. You have a destiny all you own. Something that you couldn't fulfill if you followed him. Oh, Dragon, you're meant to do so much." She smiled proudly up at her son. "Tell me, Draco, have you met anyone? A girl, perhaps?" she asked suddenly.
Draco nodded and told her about Hermione, about how mean he had been and how she forgave him. About how beautiful she was, how intelligent. Narcissa smiled, listening to her son.
"Tell me," she said, when her son had paused for breath, "is she pure blood or muggle born?"
Draco looked away. Narcissa, knowing the answer, looked up at him. "Draco, look at me." He did, and she continued. "Draco it doesn't matter to me what she is. I'm not your father. I wouldn't care if she was a hag, so long as she made my son happy. Though, I would wonder, why you picked a hag, if you did." She said on second thought.
Draco smiled through his tears. She hadn't lost her humor, he thought, happily. "I love you, mum."
Narcissa patted his cheek. "I love you too, Draco darling. Now," she said seriously, "I expect to meet the girl who stole my son's heart, as soon as I'm out of bed. Understood? Don't you let her go anywhere, Draco."
Draco smiled, "oh, you will meet her, mum. I don't plan on letting her go anytime soon."
Draco stood as the mediwitch walked over, carrying a goblet full of sparkling blue liquid.
Draco kissed his mother good bye, and had turned to the door, when his mother grabbed his arm. He turned as she said. "They may all stay."
He looked down at her, confused. "Who, mum?"
Narcissa smiled mysteriously. "You will know when the time comes. It's the answer to your question/"
"But I didn't ask a..."
"But you will, my son. I'm just giving you the answer in advance. Merlin knows, the house hasn't had guests in a long while."
Draco nodded, still perplexed. "Okay, mum."
Narcissa smiled and let go of his arm. "Good bye, baby dragon. I love you."
"I love you too, mum." Draco walked out and shut the door quietly behind him,, as his mother lifted the potion to her lips.
