Draco POV

"We're going to be late," I said, watching with a soft, sleepy, smile as Theo frantically fixed his hair for the dozenth time. We were supposed to meet my mother for breakfast in eight minutes and we may have spent a little too much time in bed. Then again, we would have had more time for our morning activities if he hadn't slept so late. "You shouldn't have stayed out so late last night."

"And you shouldn't have fucked my mouth this morning. And yet here we are," he said, re-situating his suit jacket with a smirk. I stood, grabbing my coat and wand. "Besides, you and I both know that late night is the best time to sneak out of the castle, especially on the weekends when the security is lax for the older students."

When I'd returned from the manor last weekend, he told me that he was looking for the mirror of erised. It was a genius idea and I had no worry that Theo could accomplish what only few had done. The spell he found had led him into Hogsmeade for a scrying stone under the cover of darkness and his invisibility cloak. When I offered to go with him he'd blatantly refused. We weren't permitted to go to Hogsmeade under our probation and he threatened to tie me up if I attempted to follow him. I was definitely the more well known one. Although Theo was a pure blood, his criminal status was nothing compared to mine, and if I was caught…well it wasn't something he would let me risk. That of course meant I was up late into the night waiting for him to return, afraid of what would happen if he was identified. Hence, the morning frustrations I worked out with his mouth. The man was going to be the death of me with all his scheming. As if Granger wasn't bad enough for my anxiety. I had hopes for the mirror though I was afraid if it would work. That was a problem for when the Weasel would visit and we would be one step closer to getting her in front of it. Today's problem was my mother's timeline.

"Ugh, let's just go," he declared, looking frazzled. He looked too adorable not to pull in for a kiss so I did. He tasted like me still and I moaned at the flavor, enjoying the proof of my affection. Ever since my return from the manor I tried to make every effort to show him how I felt even if I wasn't ready to say it.

He crumbled beneath my kiss and I had to be the better person and pull away. He didn't make it easy, those glacier blue eyes pleading at me to continue.

"We're supposed to be there in five minutes. It will take us that long to walk to the front gate."

"Damn it," he said, turning away from me and putting distance between us when we stepped into the hall- distance that I refused to allow. I hurried to his side, as close as I could get without holding his hand, which I suddenly wanted to do very much. My fingers itched to touch his and I let my desire get the better of me. I grabbed his hand, entwining our fingers. Theo's breath hitched at the touch and he whispered to me even as we hurried through the halls. "People will see."

"It's early," I said in answer. He squeezed my hand and I could almost feel his tension in the connection. "Relax. You're acting like you've never met my mother."

"It's different."

He was right. It was different. Everything was different and I wanted to share in those differences with him. Mother would be meeting him as something more, not that I had told him that since it would have just made him more nervous. A part of me thought of what it would be like to have Granger with us. Soon. We would get her in front of the mirror. And what if we aren't in her reflection? I couldn't think of that.

We made it to the front gate and it opened with a groan. When we apparated, I kept his hand in mine. He tried to pull it away when we materialized in the foyer of the manor that was painted a pastel green color I'd never seen before. I held on tighter.

"But, Narcissa-,"

"Will be thrilled," I replied, and fuck if his smile didn't become absolutely radiant. I wished I could stamp that look into my memories, paste it over every sad expression I'd ever seen on his face. We leaned towards each other, but before our lips could touch Posy appeared at our feet. Theo jumped. I couldn't remember the last time a house elf had surprised him. I wondered if his pulse was racing as much as mine. Then again, my pulse was racing out of excitement. Is he upset? Does he not want this? "Are you okay with this?"

He lifted my hand to his mouth and brushed his lips across my knuckles with a soft hum before answering my question.

"Definitely, just nervous."

"Mistress is in the dining room," Posy said, forcing our attention back to her. She reached impatiently for our coats and we handed them over, detaching our hands only for a brief time. Posy disappeared with a crack.

"Breathe," I told him, when I noticed he was walking stiffly to the dining room as if we were headed to the gallows. "Mother adores you."

So did I. This was one more piece at proving it. Mother was engrossed in a book as we stepped into a dining room that looked entirely different than the one I had grown up with. The dark green wallpaper was gone and replaced with a delicate floral print. The chairs actually looked inviting instead of intimidating. The decor wasn't he only change. Mother was in a long lemon colored sundress, with her normally pinned back hair flowing over her shoulders. When she closed the book and looked up at us, Theo's hand tightened in mine almost as if he was afraid I would finally come to my senses and let go.

"Theo! Darling!"

She jumped up from her chair, rushing over to embrace Theo and kiss his cheek.

"What am I? Chopped liver?" I asked.

Theo chuckled uncomfortably. When Narcissa turned to me, she took note of our hands and simply smiled.

"About time."

Theo softened next to me, his hand relaxing in mine. Mother embraced me before she waved at the table for us to sit. Theo took a spot beside me and beamed. He became his usual playful self as the two chatted over breakfast. It was only when we moved to the sitting room that the conversation turned serious.

"So when do I get to plan a wedding?" She asked. Theo and I shifted uncomfortably on a pale cream couch. The hand he rested on my thigh squeezed. "What is it your not telling me?"

"We're pursuing Granger," I said plainly. There was no use hiding it from her. I wanted her to hear it from me. I wanted whatever disappointment she felt to be out in the open. Not disappointment at the polyamorous relationship. I wasn't worried about her thoughts on that. It wasn't unheard of in wizard society. No, my fear came from her previous views on muggle borns. Her morals were clearly different from what they once were, but I wasn't sure what her thoughts were on muggle borns now that she was outside my father's influence and her own upbringing. Honestly, I'd never asked for her particular view on the matter. I never dreamed I would have a reason. My chest ached in her silence.

"I see," she finally said, pursing her lips and shifting in her arm chair. "And this is what you both want?"

Theo nodded.

"Alright. And she's interested?"

"Interested, but obstinate," Theo said, rubbing my thigh, massaging the spot just above my knee. "We can change her mind though."

She gave a heavy sigh before she called for Posy and requested more tea.

"Sounds like you have your work cut out for you. Especially after everything that happened here." She took a sip of the tea Posy brought, no sugar or cream to cut the bitterness. She shifted her legs when she set the cup down. "I'll do what I can to assist."

The breath I hadn't realized I was holding released.

"You're okay with it…with her?"

Her face turned even harder, more serious, and she did the most un-Narcissa like thing I'd ever seen. She slid from her chair, kneeling at my feet, taking my face in her hands. It should have felt awkward, but it didn't. Her hands were warm and comforting.

"My boy." Her hands fell from my face. "I was raised to be intolerant, bred for it, and your father only cemented that, but the war...Well, I've realized that there is so much more to this life than status and wealth. We are better than that and I am more than okay with it. Muggle born or pure blood, witch or muggle, it doesn't matter. I will love her and If she sees half of what I see in you, she'll love you."

She braced herself with her hand on top of Theo's and mine so she could stand.

"She'll love both of you. It just may take a bit of convincing." She straightened and grimaced. "Okay, probably a lot of convincing."

We all laughed and the conversation turned light again. Mother talked about the renovations and Theo agreed to play his double bass at her Christmas ball. We talked about our plans after school, though there weren't many. I was going to move back into the Manor of course and Theo was going to move in with me. We'd sell the Nott compound. I'd been so focused on Theo and Granger that I hadn't considered anything other than that. Maybe I would do something with Quidditch or potions. Being an auror like I wanted when I was a kid was out of the question. There were private detectives though. My mind raced with the possibilities. So many possibilities that centered and hinged on one more person to make it all complete.