Chapter Twelve:

(A/N. Hello everyone. It's been a while hasn't it? Well I'm sorry. I really am. I wanted to continue this story but the past two years I've been submerged in the horrible world of IB exams. I'm 18 now and I just graduated. Now I'm FREEEE. So I have decided to continue ALL of my stories. If anyone has any kind of ideas they'd like to see happen in the stories now is the time to suggest them. Because I'm just getting those creative juices flowing again.I think my timing is pretty perfect, right? With the release of the new Harry Potter book so very soon. I really am sorry for the delay. But now you won't have to wait anymore because I'll be writing and posting like crazy.

So as I promised, a new chapter! YAY! Come on reviewers! Cheer! Cheer! I hope I haven't lost my touch for writing. I hope you like it. Please review, I really need the encouragement. That or a firm slap of realization that my talent has left me. Haha.)

At the breakfast table the next day, Draco sat sipping his tea the Daily Prophet open in his hands. His silvery eyebrows were knit together in concentration as his eyes scanned the pages before him.

"Your face will freeze that way if you let it." The young man looked up and smiled at his mother who nodded. "Much better."

"And a good morning to you, mother," Draco said as he folded the paper and set it aside. The lithe woman came to sit beside him, reaching over to grab a piece of bread. As she buttered it she looked at him critically.

"So what was it that had your full attention?" she asked and Draco glanced back at the paper.

"The classifieds. I'm trying to find some work," Draco admitted. His mother chuckled.

"My my, the richest man in the wizarding world trying to find work," she laughed and he glared at her. "The Ministry didn't offer you a job?"

"No, although they did offer Hermione one. Any place she wants," Draco said proudly. His mother smiled warmly.

"That's wonderful. What kind of job are you looking for?" his mother inquired. He shrugged and glanced at the paper.

"Donno. Something I can get on my own. Not because of the Malfoy name," he sighed and gave a little shrug. His mother's eyes softened and she nodded slowly.

"Yes, I understand," she said and he knew she did. They both wanted to get rid of the Malfoy shadows in their past.

"Do you have any plans for today?" Draco asked in order to lighten the conversation. His mother looked at him with a smile in her eyes.

"I was thinking you could come with me to look at some houses. I think it's time for me to leave this place. Also, once I do leave, this place will need some redecoration. I've already made appointments for you to meet with some people."

Draco raised an eyebrow, he was impressed. He had noted his mother saying something about moving out last night but he hadn't imagined she'd be so eager to leave. Remembering the look in his mother's eyes when she had seen his old Potions teacher he imagined that his engagement to Hermione wasn't the only reason she was seeking a new residence. "Very well, I'll go get my coat." Moments later Mother and Son were climbing into a carriage which would take them to the first address on the list clutched in his mother's slender hand. The ride was quiet, but it wasn't the tense quiet that rides with his father would have inspired, it was the gentle quiet of two people who know each other well enough that they can enjoy companionship without words. The rich green landscape around them was highlighted by the overcast sky. Draco found himself thinking of Hermione and missing her even though not too much time had passed since the last time he saw her. He glanced at his mother and saw a relaxed smile on her face and he wondered if she was thinking of Severus. The carriage pulled up on a manor only a bit smaller than the Malfoy Manor. His mother stared out the house from the carriage window and Draco watched her lips turn down just the tiniest bit but before he could say anything she was climbing out as regally as a queen. A older woman was waiting for them in the grandiose entrance and as they approached her she gave a condescending sniff before she introduced herself.

"My name is Penny Churchill. I was asked to show you the place. Come inside," she commanded and went through the doorway without glancing back. The foyer was extravagantly decorated with gold and crystal and Draco winced inwardly at the tasteless display of wealth. The lady led them through room after room which blurred together in Draco's mind. All the rooms were gaudy and everything dripped of money. One look at his mother at the end of the tour confirmed that she felt the same way he did. They hated it.

Once more they climbed into the carriage and headed toward the second location. The second location they didn't even bother descending from the carriage. It was a house that years ago had been beautiful but now it was falling apart. The roof on an entire wing of the house had caved in. Shooting the house a sad look before they left they continued on their hunt. The carriage stopped in front of the third location. Draco was closest to the house and he quickly opened his door and stepped out. The house was far smaller than the Manor and it was surrounded by beautiful gardens and the wind carried the flower's sweet scent all over. Taking his mother's arm, Draco led her under the white wood archway on which flowered vines were growing and down the pathway to the door of the house. A knock on the door was answered by a old man with kind eyes and an eager smile.

"You must be Ms. Black and Master Malfoy! Come in! Come in!" he cried as he ushered them in. The entrance hall was decorated modestly with beautiful paintings and a elegant chandelier. "I'm going to show you the sitting room first. Come this way, please." The room smelled of roses and old wood. It had a piano sitting in the corner of the room next to the large bay windows. The whole room gave of a feeling of gentle warmth. As the man led them through the rooms Draco noticed the smiles of satisfaction on his mother's face and the tasteful decoration and the warmth of the whole house. The tour came to an end in the master bedroom which had blue lace curtains and a hand carved four poster bed in the middle of the room which had dark blue satin canopy and cover. The room had large French windows that opened into a small private garden with brick walls all around it and a small table chairs made of metal.

Draco's mother turned to the real state man and gave him a large smile. "We'll take it!" An hour later Draco had finished signing all the papers and his mother and himself were back in the carriage heading home. Narcissa was talking about all the changes she had to make in the house to better suite her style and all the things she had to take from the manor. Without saying a word, Draco listened attentively and smiled because he was glad that their lives had taken such a turn for the better. Inside a small voice nagged at him whispering doubts and fears about the darkness that loomed just out of view.