The Prowl: Announcements

Draco's boisterous laugh echoed in the main dining room of the Manor. The face of his mother was not amused as she patiently waited for his laughter to finally die down.

Draco heaved as he wiped away the tears that leaked out of his eyes from his hysteria.

"Are you quite done making a complete a spectacle of yourself?" Narcissa's stern tone sobered Draco right up.

Meeting her eyes he gulped down a breath then said. "My apologies Mother I didn't realize you were serious."

Narcissa huffed. "Of course I am serious. Why would I ever joke about something of this magnitude." She looked aghast at her son's callous opinion.

"But Mother, do you think this is a wise decision?" Draco asked tentatively not wanting to upset Narcissa further.

She turned in her chair leveling Draco with a look. "My son, no one can ever replace your father in my heart. He was my first love, we went through a lifetime together. Our love never wavering for each other and for you. But he is gone now and I cannot stop living because of it. That does not me I no longer love him… I always will. Draco, I never expected to feel this way. I imagined myself wasting away in this house. Waiting for my time to be with Lucius again. Then something happened. Something unexpected and wonderful and… phenomenal. I found love again, Draco. I found someone who I can be myself with, someone who just loves me for the woman I am and not the fact that I am from the House of Black or Dowager Malfoy. Names mean nothing, age means nothing, status and money mean nothing. All he wants is me... just me. You have to know what that feels like. Hermione loves you that way… I know it. I see it. So please, be a dear and be happy for me." She said tears streaming down her face but her voice never breaking.

Draco with unshed tears launched himself at his mother, throwing his arms around her, he said. "I'm sorry Mother, I know he's been good to you and for you. I should not have made jokes about your relationship." Talking into her shoulder.

Narcissa stroked his hair, the vibrations of her voice rumbled against his body. "Does that mean we have your blessing?"

Draco stood up wiping his face, he looked down at his mother. With a trademark smirk he nodded and said. "Yes Mother, you and Neville have my blessing, but I will not be calling him Daddy!"

Narcissa stood to meet Draco throwing her arms around him she laughed. "Only I call him that."

"Mother!" Draco shrieked in disgust.

Releasing her son, Narcissa took a step back to catch Draco's eyes. "As if you don't have a saucy nickname for Hermione." She accused.

"I have a nickname for her but it is not saucy, I doubt you would have me in the halls calling her Mama." Draco said.

Just then Hermione walked in as Draco uttered his last word. "Draco! We agreed to wait till dinner to tell everyone." She huffed.

"Tell everyone what my darling?" Narcissa asked.

Before Draco could silence his wife she blurted out. "We are having a baby."

"I didn't tell her Granger, you just did." Draco ground out.

"What?" Hermione said

"What!" Narcissa exclaimed.

Pushing Draco out of the way she glided towards Hermione giving her an uncharacteristically bone crushing hug.

"Is it so my dear, are you with child." Narcissa asked.

"Yes." Hermione's voice strained by the pressure of Narcissa's grip. "Mum you are choking me. Also, are you wearing Rose water?"

Narcissa let go placing her hands on the younger witch's shoulders. "I am, the one Neville made for me this past Christmas." She beamed.

"That's wonderful. Please don't be offended but I'm going to be sick." Hermione tore herself away from Narcissa heading to the powder room down the hall.

"Poor heart, I will have Meggie whip up something for her morning sickness." Narcissa said taking her seat once again at the dining table. The table that held two, then three, then a different two. Only to hold three once more, then a fourth. Now a fifth person would be joining the table. Adding yet another layer of happiness to hearts that were so steeped in hurt.

"A wedding and a baby shower… do you think you can handle it?" Draco asked.

"Oh darling, I am Narcissa Malfoy née Black soon to be Longbottom, just watch me." Said Narcissa with a brilliant smile.

The End

Dedicated to the phenomenally talented Trinkisme. Thank you for the inspirational moodboard(s).

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