Title: Little Dragon

Background: This is from Narcissa's Point of View.

Disclaimer: JKR owns all...

Specific to this chapter: Draco is almost born finally, but as he is not yet...still more introduction. More Snape interaction in this one, and Draco will be born very soon. I find reasons to like Lucius even less from chapter to chapter..ha. Though he's not in this chapter too much.

Comments are welcomed and appreciated...


The time had almost come to have my baby. I was three weeks short of my due date, and the summer was hot. It was quite a burden carrying around this child on my diminutive form, but I can't say that I didn't cherish every minute of it. I mostly managed it by sitting or laying down as much as I could. This was only helped by Lucius who had taken to ordering me to lie down now that I was carrying his heir.

Lucius had been much more pleasant lately, which was a great relief. He was overjoyed when he found out that I was pregnant. I remember that he patted me on the head as if I was a good wife. I was pleased that he was happy, but it secretly bothered me that he was so proud that he had produced an heir, as if I had nothing to do with it. On the contrary, I didn't think he had done so much. It had the effect of making me feel like a vault containing a priceless treasure, who's only value lied with keeping the jewel safe.

Mr. Snape had been coming to see (or should I say spy on) me less frequently now that Lucius had been home more, and was watching over me himself. Even though I felt utterly alone most of the times when Lucius was away, I found that when he was here, I missed him being gone. The one hope I clung to was that when the child came along, we would all be a happy family, the final piece of the puzzle coming together. After all, Lucius was more pleased than I'd ever seen him at having an heir.

On this fateful day in question Lucius was gone, and had been for three days. Mr. Snape came over to check on me, and I had the opportunity to talk to him at length for the first time, which proved to be fortuitous. After well over a year I had grown more accustomed to him, and he to me. Still, I did not know much about him.

The first thing I asked him was how he knew Lucius, which I had always been very curious about. I suspected that he may not answer me, and he didn't. Instead, he looked at me as if I'd stumbled over some invisible line which I should know I wasn't supposed to cross.

"Your husband will tell you what you need to know. Why don't you ask him?"

I didn't want to reveal that I was afraid to discuss anything with Lucius, as I am never sure what might anger him. He seemed to inherently know this though, and his question was rhetorical.

I tried to turn the conversation to something less controversial, so I decided to talk about the old days - about school. He did not want to discuss that either, and squelched that topic with a derisive snort.

It was tricky business striking up a conversation with him, but I ached to speak with someone other than the house elves. I felt so isolated from the rest of the world, especially with Lucius home so frequently now. He kept me under his thumb ,and I was barely allowed to see my family, let alone friends. I hadn't even seen Bella in weeks.

"How's your summer going?" I asked, and he actually did muster up an answer for me, although a very vague one. Still, it seemed like I might be headed in more the right direction.

I asked if he'd read any good books lately. He had much to say on this subject, for it got him talking for a good twenty minutes. I barely had anything to add to this conversation, as I hadn't read any books recently, but that didn't seem to bother him. When he found out that I hadn't read The Symbiosis of Poisons and Cures he practically gave me homework, saying he would lend me his own copy, and that I must read it. It sounded extremely dull to me, but I agreed, mostly out of politeness.

A bit more time went by and our conversation flowed into other subjects, although awkwardly. Still, it was nice to be talking to someone. Then I felt the baby move. Lately, I'd come to think he was playing Quidditch in my womb, with all the fuss the child was making. Mr. Snape looked at me nervously as I touched my belly, but I assured him that it was just a kick, perfectly natural.

He seemed interested but unwilling to ask more about it. Spontaneously, I asked him if he wanted to feel the baby kick for himself. He mumbled something, I'm not sure what, but I took it as a 'no'. I think I embarrassed him, and it probably was rather forward of me to ask, but I was so excited about my coming child. I wanted to share my joy with everyone, and had no one.

Mr Snape decided to leave now, and I daresay I helped him in that decision by making him uncomfortable. I was dismayed, of course, because I had finally got him talking about something, and was enjoying the company. Solitude had long ago become my most constant companion.

I stood, even though he beckoned me not to get up in my condition. There was no reason for rudeness though, so I ignored his requests and showed him to the door. He murmured a faint goodbye, and went out.

I had not yet closed the door when I felt a pang in my stomach. The pang grew into a pain so fierce that it took my breath away. I may have screamed; I can't be sure. I felt the darkness close in around me and that's all I remember.

When I opened my eyes I was on the couch, reclined. My brow and hair were damp with sweat, and Mr. Snape paced nervously in the parlor. One of my servants, Moffy, was fanning me.

Mr. Snape looked genuinely upset and said, "We are taking you to the hospital. There is something wrong. I have sent owls to Lucius and your family."

I was scared. Sent for Lucius? This could not be good. Was I dying? What about the baby? I was hit with another pain so sharp that a tear escaped my eye, and I clutched at my stomach involuntarily.

I asked him if I was dying. I asked if I was losing the baby. He wouldn't meet my eyes, "We have to go to the hospital now. You and the baby will be fine." I couldn't help but hear the unsteadiness in his voice.

I was trembling all over. I had never been so scared before in my entire life.