"What are you doing here?" Draco demanded fiercely, although inside was a deep fear and confusion building fast. This woman, who was standing there so boldly, was the one who, only days ago gave him away, abandoned him…what was he supposed to do now? Invite her in and give her a cup of tea? Or turn her away as she had done to him?
Narcissa smiled kindly, which just put Draco even more on edge,
"I simply came to wish you a happy Christmas and give you your present. Is it illegal for a mother to visit her son? I just want to talk to you, Draco."
"Well I don't want to talk to you! You'll take all this back to Father more likely than not, so just leave me alone!" Draco made to shut the door in her face, but Narcissa was too quick and stuck her foot in the way,
"Don't be rude, Darling." She chided, inviting herself into the hall and gazing around with interest, "My, this hasn't changed a bit…" Draco scowled,
"You're not that old, Mother. And I am not your 'Darling'." But Cissy simply carried on up the hall, watching the pictures and statues as each of them greeted her with a wave or smile,
"Of course you're not dear." She responded dreamily, drifting dangerously close to the room where the festivities were being held. Draco ran up to her and took her by the arm, steering her determinedly in the opposite direction,
"Who knows you're here?" He asked, voice hushed. She looked at him with mild amusement,
"No one, Darling, 'cept Severus of course…" Draco clenched his jaw in anger, why had he not been informed about this? Why would Snape invite his mother here of all places?
"Why are you here?" Draco demanded again, "I thought you never wanted to see me again?"
"Oh I don't, Sweet heart," Narcissa replied earnestly, "You've always been such a problematic child and it was simply becoming too much-." Draco gaped at her, not believing what he was hearing,
"If I was a problematic child it was because of you." He snapped, feeling heat rising in his face. Narcissa looked highly affronted,
"Don't be silly Darling. You know I never laid a finger on you."
"Yes, well you didn't stop him did you? You just told me to 'Run along pet and stop making such a fuss.' Every time I came to you for comfort! You never cared what he did as long as you weren't affected! You don't give a shit about me, Mother, so stop pretending you do and leave me alone!" Narcissa glared at him before turning her attention to her nails,
"I refuse to talk to you when you're being like this." She sniffed. Draco glowered at her,
"Fine. Leave then. Go back to Father and tell him how horrible I've been to you. That's what you usually do, isn't it? When you want me to go away? You go and tell him I've been pestering you when it's really a pack of lies and then I get punished for something I haven't even done! I hate you!"
"The feeling mutual, I assure you." The blonde woman replied coolly, still refusing to look at him. This was too much for Draco, to be told so frankly that your mother really hates the sight of you hurt more than anything. 'Even though,' Draco told himself, 'I ought to be used to it. It shouldn't hurt so much anymore' But it did.
Blinking back tears, he pushed past her and stormed into the living room. The occupants looked up as he entered, but he ignored them, turning instead to Snape,
"How could you invite her here?" He demanded furiously, "After everything, how could you do that?" Severus stood up and ushered his upset godson from the room,
"Do you really think I would do this if I didn't have a good reason?" He questioned gently. Draco glared at him for a moment, then bowed his head and shrugged,
"I don't want to talk to her." He mumbled, "I never want to see her again."
"I know." Severus said, laying a hand on the boy's shoulder, "Just listen to her, just for half an hour, then you'll never have to think about her agin." Draco frowned and looked up curiously,
"What do you mean? She'll go back to Father, then he'll come and carry out his threat of taking me away. How is that a good reason? Or do you want to get rid of me too?"
"What's happening?" Izzy appeared suddenly at Draco's side, slipping her hand into his, "What's going on?"
"Uncle Sev'rus has invited Mother over." Draco told her grimly. The Aengel's hand flew to her mouth in shock and disbelief,
"But why would you do that?" She asked, hurt evident in her voice, "Why didn't you tell me?" Snape sighed,
"Because I wanted it to be a surprise! Please Draco, just talk to her. We'll come with you if you want." Draco hesitated, then nodded slowly,
"Fine."
Narcissa rose elegantly when Severus, Draco and Izzy (who, coincidentally, she couldn't see.) entered,
"Have you decided to be civil yet?" She enquired sweetly, looking straight at Draco. Snape quickly intervened before Draco could retort,
"Draco has every right to be angry at you." He reminded her casually, Narcissa gave slight shrug and sat down again,
"You're right of course. But, my dear Severus, you ought to remember that it is I, at the moment, that holds the power. I could easily just walk away now and tell Lucius everything." She smirked a classic Malfoy smirk, "You know I could." Snape regarded her with well-hidden contempt,
"True. My apologies." She inclined her head in acceptance,
"Accepted. Now, perhaps we could get down to business?" Taking the hint, both Draco and Snape sat down in the seats facing Narcissa directly, Izzy perching protectively behind Draco's. When they were settled, Mrs.Malfoy positioned herself so she would only be talking to Draco,
"I know," She began, "That I haven't been the best mother in the world-," Draco snorted, earning him a 'Look', "But you must understand, Draco, that it has been hard for me. I never wanted a child, they tire you out and ruin your skin, but Lucius was adamant about and, as ever, he got his way on the condition that I would have nothing to do with you. And this suited everyone- Lucius was perfectly happy with my proposal as it meant he got to bring you up his way without my interference and I because I got to keep my figure."
"So," Draco cut in, hardly believing what he was being told, "You, my mother, left me, your first and only son, at the hands of my father, simply because you din't want to chip your nails? Have I got that right?"
"Yes, just about." She agreed, "But it wasn't just about my nails. I realised, during the next few years when Lucius got a bit…rougher with you, that, had I intervened, I would've got on the wrong side of my husband and, as you know Draco, that is not a good thing to do, and considering I thought you an inconvenience anyway, I decided to keep out of it. And so, everyone was happy." She paused, then added, "'Cept you, of course."
"So is this the only reason you're here? To tell me the reason why you've neglected me my entire life, or was there actually a point in all this?"
"Oh there is a point, Darling." Narcissa assured him, "I wanted to give you a Christmas present." Draco scowled,
"If it's one of those ones were you don't even know what's in it then…"
"Don't worry, I do." With that, Narcissa reached into the pocket of her travelling cloak and pulled out an envelope, handing it to her son she said,
"Merry Christmas Draco." Draco ripped the top from the envelope in one deft movement and pulled out the papers, proceeding to read them carefully. His fingers started to tremble as his brain processed more and more of this unexpected information. Finally, Draco laid down the papers on his lap and looked up at Narcissa,
"What is this, Mother?" He whispered,
"Papers, Draco, awarding full custody of you to Severus." Draco gulped and read them through again, hardly daring to believe it, "It means you never have to go home," Narcissa continued, "He's your legal guardian now."
Draco, overwhelmed by conflicting emotions, couldn't speak. On the one hand, he was glad to be free from 'home', glad to have finally got away but…on the other hand, this was the final, official way for his mother to say, 'You're finally out of my life for good.'
"Draco?" The boy looked up to see Severus watching him, full of concern, "Is this okay? Did we do the right thing?" Draco nodded numbly and handed him the papers,
"Thanks." Draco whispered. Izzy knelt down besides his chair and held his hand in hers, giving it a loving squeeze,
"You'll be okay now, Poppet." She murmured, "He can't hurt you anymore."
A/N: Helllooooo! Did ya guess? Congratulations to blueeyedchibi for getting right! Kudos to you:)
slytherin plushies to...
LuciousLadyLucius, -addicted-2-hp-, pinkalarmclock, Irite4uall, Hogaboom, Sailor Hecate, lollenk, elf-cat, blueeyedchibi, perfectpureblood, Dark Princesses, Obnoxiously Peachy Twit 2008, Slytherin Corpse, natural-181, shining bright eyes, Zarroc, Nikki's Evil Doppelganger, Demonchidssister, Tamika DanarDraco, TwighlightDragoness, TimeMage0955, grlkat, harry potter princess H, 13BlackAngels, LadyBridgette, Ilya of Smeg, -writin'-like-crazy-
Luv ya all lots 'n' lots 'n' lots:) Lily xxxxxxxx