Author's Notes: I'd like to thank Hannah Loves Lupin, Disco Inferno1, Persephoniii, Indeffinate and xo.A.m.o.r.e.t.t.e.xo
for your review for chapter seventeen. I'm thrilled you're all enjoying the story, and I always appreciate your support and comments.

Sorry it's taken me a little longer than usual to get a new chapter up, today is my little boy's fifth birthday, so as you can imagine, things have been pretty manic for me the last few days!

Finally, I'll warn you all now, this chapter hasn't been beta'ed, as my usual beta is very busy at the moment, preparing to set up an online business. You'll have to forgive any mistakes.

Chapter Eighteen: Surprise Visits.

In the few weeks that had passed since Draco went to speak to his father a lot had happened to both Morrigan and Draco.

Immediately after Draco's showdown with Lucius, Draco became sullen and Morrigan found it very hard to talk to him, things getting so bad that sometimes she couldn't even be in the same room as Draco.

It was hard for Morrigan, as the more time she spent with Draco the more and more she realized how deeply he cared for her. Additionally, the words that Draco had uttered just before they'd Apperated to Malfoy Manor repeatedly rang in Morrigan's head.

'Threatening someone I care about is taking matters a step too far,' Draco's outburst of feelings replayed in Morrigan's mind for what felt like the hundredth time, as she flopped back onto her bed and sighed.

Did this mean he felt the same way that she felt for him? Or was it simply something Draco had said in the heat of the moment? Either way, was now really the right time for Morrigan to confess to him that she was starting to see their friendship as more than simply platonic?

And then Morrigan remembered the last time Draco had let his guard down in the heat of the moment - they'd argued because she'd taunted him about his Death Eater past, and Draco had angrily shown her his Dark Mark – and then Draco had pressed his lips against hers in a passionate and heated kiss.

Brushing her finger tips across her lips, Morrigan shuddered with desire at the mere memory of their embrace. She'd never kissed any one before, and for a first kiss – despite the confrontation that had brought it about – it had been perfect.

Morrigan could see the potential there between herself and Draco. Due to their up bringings, and the issues they'd both had with their families recently, they connected with each other, and understood each other on a level Morrigan hadn't experienced with a guy before; she'd only ever been that close to Lilith and her Grandmother.

However, now was not the time to be thinking of chaste kisses and decelerations of affection. They both had their futures to consider, and both of them were waiting to hear about the jobs they'd applied for.

That was the one good thing that had come of Draco's confrontation with Lucius. After a few days of sulking and being sullen, Draco had decided he'd be letting his father win if he continued to mope around the house. He'd realized, if he wanted to make something of his life and put the past behind him, he couldn't keep blaming his parents for everything, and needed to take action of his own accord.

Therefore, Draco had visited St. Mungo's and taken a vial of Blood-Replenishing Potion and a vial Pepperup Potion, as examples of his potions making skills along with his examination certifications from Hogwarts. Additionally, he'd been visiting Diagon Alley at least once a week to buy new potions ingredients and reference books, hardly caring less if he ran into his father – claiming that if he did so, Lucius had better heed his advice and keep well away from him.

Morrigan had been equally as busy, drawing up a business plan for a proposed 'Accidental Potions Consumption' division within the Ministry of Magic's Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes, to present to Penelope Clearwater, and the Minister of Magic. She had a meeting with them on that coming Friday to discuss her ideas, and Morrigan had been working well into the night – not only on her plan – but also making up suitable potions, so that she'd be prepared for the conference.

As far as Morrigan could tell from what Penelope Clearwater had said to her, all that was standing in her way from becoming head of the proposed 'Accidental Potions Consumption' division was funding. Both Penelope and Kingsley Shacklebolt had been suitably impressed with all that Morrigan had suggested to them thus far, and felt her ideas would make a good addition to the changes and improvements the Ministry of Magic had been making since the fall of Voldemort.

It was the day before Morrigan's meeting with Penelope Clearwater and Kingsley Shacklebolt, and Morrigan was just putting the finishing touches to her business plan, when a knock sounded at the front door.

Draco was out, and Morrigan assuming he'd lost his keys or something went to answer it. Not thinking it would be anyone else, she forgot to check through the spy hole in the front door to see who was calling, and opened it widely.

"You know, Draco, if you keep misplacing your keys I'm going to have to Charm them so that they remain attached to you," she commented factiously as she answered the door, but then froze when she discovered that it wasn't Draco waiting on the other side.

Morrigan narrowed her eyes, and hastily took a few steps backwards, as Narcissa Malfoy gazed down at her.

"May I come in, please?" she asked simply.

"Erm...yeah, sure," Morrigan stuttered in reply, not sure what else to say. "Draco is out at the moment, but you're welcome to come in a wait for him."

"Actually, it was you I wanted to speak to," Narcissa informed, stepping into the hallways and looking round at her surroundings. "So I suppose it's a good thing my son isn't here."

Morrigan nodded blankly, and lead Narcissa into the sitting room.

"Erm...can I get you anything?" Morrigan asked finally. "Would you like a drink maybe?"

"No, I'm quite alright, thank you," insisted Narcissa. "This will only be a short visit."

Again, Morrigan couldn't think what to say, so she took a seat on the sofa and gestured that Narcissa should sit down too.

"I wanted to thank you for bringing Draco to see me," Narcissa said simply without preamble.

"As I told you then, I had nothing to do with Draco's decision to see you, he made that choice all on his own," protested Morrigan.

"Even so, if it hadn't been for your friendship and advice you've given him in recent months, I doubt he'd have made that decision on his own," continued Narcissa, the mask that was painted on her face faltering slightly, as a smile broke her features. "And I'm very grateful for that."

"Well, I got the impression your husband wasn't very pleased to see Draco," Morrigan commented before she could stop herself.

Narcissa froze, and her features became harsh again, the mask slipping back into place.

"I think what my husband does or says I none of your business, Miss, and you'd do well to remember that," she said finally, in an icy cold tone.

"Actually, I bed to differ," countered Morrigan, thinking that now that she'd opened this can of worms, she may as well go ahead and say exactly what was on her mind. "I care about Draco a lot, and I don't want to see him get hurt by you more than he already has been. Plus, I don't take to kindly to being threatened, and maybe your husband would do well to remember that."

Narcissa looked horrified at been spoken to in such a way, and rose from her chair, before making her way to the front door.

"I think this discussion has come to an end," she said coldly, as she reached for the handle.

However, before either woman could take another step, the door flew open Draco stood in the doorway, looking beyond angry.

"Mother, what are you doing here?" he accused.

TBC...