Narcissa Malfoy stood in the arched doorway in a thick, fluffy white dressinggown. Her eyes lit up when she saw Harry.
"Good morning Draco!" she said, but kept her eyes locked on Harry. Harry stiffened, wand at his side, but ready. "Harry, I trust you slept well?" She ignored his wand and winked.
"I'm sure you have a headache. Draco dear, would you mind fetching him something?" Malfoy made a small noise in his throat, but left the room without a word. Part of Harry didn't want him gone, Malfoy feeling like a rock of almost-sanity in the current situation.
"What am I doing here?"
Narcissa's smile widened. "Surely you remember?" her tone was mocking and she tucked a pretty curl behind her ear.
Harry caught himself, disgusted; pretty was not a word he wanted to relate to Narcissa Malfoy.
"It seems to me you drank a little too much last night," said Narcissa sweetly.
"I don't drink." At least, not enough to get drunk! Harry wished she'd stop smiling.
Narcissa walked into the room as she talked, and sat down in Malfoy's empty chair. "You certainly did last night. I was quite impressed."
"What did you do?" Harry croaked as Narcissa held her nails up to admire.
"I just talked you into visiting, and then you passed out." She clucked her tongue and smiled again, peering at him over her fingers. "You really ought to learn to handle your drink better."
"So you got me drunk and tricked me into-?"
"You got yourself drunk," she interrupted.
"I'm not staying here," Harry said defiantly. "You can't keep me here."
"Where else have you got?"
"Literally anywhere else," he scoffed.
"You have nowhere. We're not going to hurt you, Harry. You saved Draco. You saved everyone."
Malfoy walked in and tossed a tiny purple vial to Harry, which he almost didn't catch.
"Good choice," Narcissa said approvingly. "It's a Mortimer's Anti-Hangover," she explained to Harry. "Most people take it before they drink, but it can also be taken after. You'll only need a mouthful. I'm afraid it doesn't taste very nice."
Harry stared at the bottle in his fingers. This all seemed completely absurd.
"You don't have to drink it, I just thought it might help." She stood up and yawned, and began to walk away.
"How do I leave?"
"Be a darling and bring me something for lunch, won't you Draco? With today's Prophet?" said Narcissa, ignoring the question. "And Harry, make yourself at home." Her bare feet padded away silently, Harry walked to follow Narcissa, but the door shut itself behind her.
"You should probably take that," he heard Malfoy mutter, and Harry was surprised to feel himself nod, and unscrew the bottle lid. He took a large mouthful and nearly spat it back out. It tasted very bitter, with a coppery aftertaste. However, the moment it hit his tongue, he felt the drums in his head begin to beat a little slower, and eventually halt altogether. He blinked, and the room seemed slightly darker, Malfoy's breathing slightly quieter. He sunk into an armchair and put his head in his hands.
"I didn't take you for an alcoholic, Potter."
"I didn't take your mother for a lunatic. Why do I have my wand?"
"Sorry?"
"She could have taken it last night."
Malfoy shrugged. "She trusts you more than I do."
"I could hold you hostage."
"You could."
"But you don't think I will?"
"She doesn't."
"And you?"
"I think," said Malfoy, "as soon as you leave here, mother and I are as good as dead. And I think that's why it doesn't really matter what you do."
As good as dead? Harry felt as though he might be beginning to understand Narcissa's motives.
"I want to send a letter."
Malfoy ignored him. "You know where your room is. You can enter any room that isn't locked, I guess. And don't try leaving the house. I know it'll be hard for you, but don't be an idiot. You're here until mother says you can leave.
"Like you said," he added with a smirk, "she's crazy. I wouldn't test her."