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Chapter two: Narcissa's fate

Hermione wiped off a little saliva that was near her mouth. She looked up to find Draco Malfoy walking away already.

She admitted that she felt that it was partly his fault that Dumbledore was dead, but she never once blamed him. At least if she did, it was not as much as Harry and Ron ever did.

"Malfoy! Where are you going?" She yelled, standing up and brushing dust off her backside.

He stopped for a moment. "Somewhere you don't want to know." He said without turning back as he continued walking on.

She decided to follow him. He would never let her in, but it was worth a try to sneak in. Was Snape living with him? She knew his father was never out of Azkaban. Was his mother living with him?

She had to be very careful, it was dark and she couldn't see any twigs or small items she might step on. But Draco Malfoy seemed to be stalling her. He stopped to pet a stray cat! She never knew he liked animals and was kind enough to pet them. After what seemed like hours, he was still there.

He didn't seem to be going home. Hermione sighed and slumped against a wall. What was she doing so sneakily? Suddenly somebody grabbed her from behind and covered her mouth. She screamed into the hand.

"Shush!" the person said. Hermione immediately relaxed. She knew that voice! "Let go, Malfoy." She said into the hand, although it was muffled and sounded like, "Yet oh, Malfoyyy."

He let go of her and demanded, "What do you think you were doing? Stop following me!"

"I-," she said. "I wasn't following you."

"Yes you were." Draco hissed at her. His silver-blond hair seemed to shine in the dark. "What do you want? No lies!"

Hermione narrowed her eyes. Who was he to push her around? "I don't think you have the right to demand anything from me." She said.

Draco narrowed his eyes too in response. "Okay!" he said simply, shrugging his shoulders. "Then do not follow me. I will know if you do, Mudblood." He said, spitting out the word he always used to taunt her with.

She glared at him and he strode off.

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Narcissa Malfoy had become very weak all those years. She was ill and so bony, it seemed as though you could squeeze her to death if you hugged her. Her eyes, filled with so much sadness and longing, as she glanced out of the window.

Both Draco and she have lived a hidden life – away from everybody, even her sister.

"Mother, what are you doing?" A portion of her weight seemed to be lifted off her shoulders when she heard her son's voice. She turned and saw him going towards her.

"Where were you?"

"I was out." Draco said as his mother placed her hand on his cheek. He closed his eyes. He loved his mother dearly – she was the last person he would ever want to lose. If she died, he would want to die with her.

"You have to be careful. You know The Dark Lord would come back for us." Narcissa said softly. Draco nodded. "I know, but I want to have nothing to do with him ever. I want us to have nothing to do with him."

Narcissa stared at Draco. She closed her eyes and sighed, "I'm sorry, Draco."

Draco felt his eyes burn with tears. It was so heartbreaking to see his mother like this. "No, don't be, Mother." He said, clutching her hands. "Now, why don't you get some rest? I'll wake you in the morning."

He picked her up and placed her onto the bed where she closed her eyes peacefully and fell asleep in no time.

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Draco felt that his luck was beginning to change from bad to worse when he saw Hermione Granger again the next morning. She was standing alone, nibbling on a piece of toast. She spotted him and rolled her eyes.

Draco scowled back. He had to buy his mother's breakfast and hurry back – allowing no one to notice that it was him. Well, except for Hermione Granger. She was staring him all the while. He felt his shoulders tense up, what did she want? And how come she suffered from no hangover? He didn't believe she could hold her liquor so well.

"Thank you, sir." The person at the counter handed over his purchases without even looking up. That's a relief. He turned and headed back to his house as quickly as possible.

He opened his house doors, "Mother, I'm home." He announced. His mother was not awake yet. He smiled at her smiling, peaceful face as she slept. He placed her breakfast on the kitchen table and went to her bedroom, kneeling next to her. "Mother, it's time for your breakfast." He said softly.

She didn't move.

"It's time to wake up."

She still didn't budge. Draco froze, falling backwards and landing on his backside as he stared at his mother. It can't be.

"Mother…." He shook her. He shook her even harder. She still laid there, her mouth curved up into a little smile and her eyes closed.

Draco didn't believe it. He got up and shook her as he felt his eyes tear. "Mother, get up… it's time for breakfast! I bought your favorite… you told me you wanted it yesterday… you told me…." He broke down completely, sobbing onto his mother's shoulders.

She was gone.

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