A/N: Hello again! I finished this early last week when I was supposed to be taking a break! Unedited, unbetad, and unhinged! Also a bit of a time jump because I don't want to make this into a super long chapter again! Also, also, a bit of MC centred chapter.
Chapter Spoilers: You're back at Hogwarts but your thoughts are somewhere else. It doesn't help that a surprise came you way as the holidays close in.
MC's POV
Coming back from the library from studying with Hermione was always a pain in my ass. She's always so bossy and makes me work harder than I usually do. I try to fight off the headache I'm currently having I keep my books close to my chest, almost eight weeks we've been back to Hogwarts and I haven't heard anything from Narcissa. No owls, and no word from Draco aside from the casual banter we share. Sometime last week we just started bantering like crazy, I guess it's from all the rumors that I'm going to marry him.
It's always some sort of back and forth with me and Draco. He's not such a bad guy once you get to know him, he's more like his mother than his father. Luckily I am a year older than him so we don't have classes together. But most of the people in my year just have these looks whenever we meet in the great hall or cross paths in the corridors. I don't even know where they got that Draco and I are in the works of arranging our nuptials.
Now frustrated, I try to rub my head free of this pain. Curse whoever invented OWLs and ancient runes and whatever subjects I'm currently taking right now.
The quad was very quiet for this time, the leaves of the trees on the grounds are already nearing their descent to the ground. I sigh, just looking up at the October sky. Halloween is coming up soon, I haven't written letters to my parents in my time here. I sat on the stone archways in the quad just letting my mind wander. My hand instinctively ran over the pendant of the necklace Narcissa had given me.
That was the gift she had handed me before the train left for Hogwarts. The first time I saw it I was in awe of the intricate details on the pendant. It was a pendant in the shape of the first letter of my name. A single gemstone shining emerald near where the pendant connects to the chain. It had become a sort of good luck charm for me. When I have exams, I would think of Narcissa's voice talking me through my subjects, or whenever Hermione was berating me about studying. It always helped when it was her voice in my head instead of whoever was in front of me at that time.
I felt the lines and ridges of the pendant, the cool metal against my palm just warming up to my touch. The chatter around me just tuned out. I didn't even notice the other classes had already ended and that Draco was coming up to me.
I turned when he tapped on my shoulder, his bag on his left and a few of his friends behind me. I try to take in what he was saying but I was transfixed on just looking at him. He looks so much like his father, the blonde mop he calls hair, his piercing blue eyes, and that arrogant smirk. No wonder Mione smacked him across the face some years ago.
I come back to Earth when he calls my name again asking if I was alright.
I tried to play it cool like I was not gawking at him, "Yeah, what do you want Draco?"
Some of his friends snicker. "Actually, I wanted to talk to you about something."
"Spit it out then!" I say, crossing my arms on my chest.
"In private?" He added.
I groan, "Fine, but not at the moment. We can talk after my quizzes. I still have to practice for Quidditch next week. So if you would excuse me."
He nods, "Nice necklace." He motions to the jewelry around my neck, proudly sticking out my uniform now. "My mother has one exactly like it, except hers is in an N-shape."
I didn't answer when he left, too stunned at thinking about Narcissa has the same necklace as mine. I finger the pendant again.
"So deep in thought but your head is always empty when it's time to study." A mop of curly brown hair appears in front of me. "Years in Hogwarts and still struggling with ancient runes and potions!" Hermione huffs.
I roll my eyes at her, burying the thought of Narcissa wearing a matching necklace with me in the back of my mind.
"Honestly, you tutor so well Mione. Why don't you tutor me sometime?" I say in a patronizing tone.
"I AM TUTORING YOU!" She slaps my arm.
"Oh, that was you? I could've sworn that it was Professor Granger!" I laugh, fending her onslaught of slaps against my arm.
"I swear! Nothing is going on in that thick skull of yours!" She says again.
"What an impeccable impression of my mother!" I say to her, feigning doe eyes at her. "Seriously Mione!"
She huffs again, adjusting her pack on her shoulder. "If you weren't my friend, you'd be held back for several years!" She kids, although I knew she was right. I grabbed her arm and we head to the Great Hall
Lunch had been pretty quiet for me and Hermione. I sat along the Gryffindor side of the table, with Mione beside me. Harry and Ron weren't to be seen so it has been just food and books in front of us. This girl doesn't let up on studying.
A commotion began to stir at the door of the great hall. Apparently, Potter and Draco had bumped heads once again. Something about "wait 'til my father hears this" is very triggering for Potter and Weasley. Of course, Hermione had to be involved. Nowadays it's only her that can break up those three going at it.
I stayed back, not wanting to involve myself in a squabble with the boys. I am friends with Draco (the term friend I would use loosely on him), Ron, and Harry by extension because I am friends with Hermione.
Lunch ended and I had to go back to class again. As much as I wanted to work for the Ministry of Magic someday, I can't seem to justify sitting for three hours to listen to Professor Snape drawl about potions.
The rest of my day had been uneventful. If you count me running into Draco multiple times in the hallways and girls in my year whispering about me. Don't ask me how I know, I just do.
I resign myself to the comforts of our dorm room, the wafting scent of the remnants of dinner coming from the kitchen. I would usually sneak into the kitchen to ask some of the elves I befriended if they could whip up something to ease my grumbling stomach.
But for tonight I just sat up in my bed, looking out the window. The rippling grass and dandelions in view are illuminated by the moonlight. I sigh, deciding to write a letter to my parents about my stay here.
I finish my somewhat short letter for my parents and roll up the parchment, making a mental note to myself that I will have to drop by the owlery tomorrow. I looked at the rest of my parchment, contemplating if I should write something for Narcissa. A sort of update or something. Maybe ask why she hasn't written or anything.
'Stop being so clingy' I chastise myself for acting like Narcissa owes me or something. It's not like she's my girlfriend or something.
The thought of Narcissa being my girlfriend made me blush and made my heart race. I shook my head to rid of my somewhat inappropriate thoughts. If she's not reaching out then why should I? I slip into my bed and hope that sleep comes to me.
Narcissa's POV
It has been rough to keep away from my little darling. I suppose just thinking of her wearing the necklace I gave her before she left around her neck, would be enough. For now. The manor has been almost empty aside from me and Trixie. Lucius only comes and goes, never staying for more than three nights. And even when he does, he is never in bed. Always moving around and doing whatever it is with Bella and the other Death Eaters.
I have learned to distance myself from his business with the dark lord.
The manor has been an empty nest since Draco left for Hogwarts. He promised to come home for the Christmas holidays, still, the sense of loneliness fills the halls. I sigh, watching Trixie sweep the floor.
The hoot of the owl broke me away from my thoughts, landing by the window sill as it held out its leg.
I took out the piece of parchment that was in the canister that was stuck to its leg. The owl was brand new to my sight so I wondered who could've sent a message this late in the night. My heart skipped a beat, thinking that it was my darling little Hufflepuff.
I unfurled the parchment with trembling hands, holding my breath in anticipation of what words were written.
To my dismay, it was only Lucius sending in a message, saying how he cannot come home for the night as he had some important business to attend to. I let out a deep sigh. It's time to head to bed. I dismiss Trixie back to her quarters, as I made my way into my room.
Disrobing and entering my warm sheets. I wonder what I would've felt if she had reached out. A few words maybe? What would she even say? That she missed me? Or wanted to see me?
'Come on, Narcissa. Don't fool yourself. You shouldn't even think of her. She probably wants none to do with you. Lucius is set on making her Draco's wife.' I thought to myself, sinking into my sheets. Feeling the cold pendant on my skin gives me some odd sort of comfort, I close my eyes to the chirp of the crickets outside of my window. Willing myself to sleep, before I end up tossing and turning just thinking about a particular Hufflepuff girl.
MC's POV
The festivities of Halloween and Quidditch matches died down for the hustle and bustle of the Christmas holiday break. I never got around to talking to Draco after he mentioned that he wanted to speak to me. I avoided him like the plague and avoided being seen with him alone in public. Between studying with Hermione, Quidditch practices, and other activities outside of studying. A break from all things Hogwarts was indeed needed for everybody. I don't mind being cooped up in the castle, I have the room of requirement and my art stuff. I could survive. But you could only go so much until you start to miss home. And sure, the castle and the magnificent landscape of the grounds are nothing short of fantastic. But I do miss my bed, and my parents. I would never bring it up but I'm pissed at Narcissa for not writing or anything.
Hermione had promised to meet up with me again in London after Christmas day, promising to call me daily so we could catch up. And so with the remaining classes, I tried to soldier on and endure the last torturous anticipation of coming back home.
The final bell rang and everyone had gone to their separate dormitories, to pack up and wait for the morning so we all could go home.
I entered the common room and plopped down on one of the chairs, just looking at the decorations on the walls, admiring the effort that some of the members in my house put up. A cornucopia filled to the brim with food charmed to stay fresh until someone consumes it. Stockings hung on the walls, each with everyone's names; we tried to play Secret Santa but everyone just got something from Honeydukes, or something found in the room of requirement.
The sun hung low in the clouds and snow had started to cover everything in white. I hurriedly got up from the chair I was in and went to my dorm room, immediately going for the sketchbook I had brought from home. Having been inspired by such a picturesque landscape. I flip open the sketchbook ready to start drawing, when I landed on a sketch I did moons ago.
It was the sketch of Narcissa during the night of my birthday party.
I touched the lines that were etched onto the paper as if I was caressing her skin beneath my fingertips. I meant to color this in and then give it to her as a present. But I forgot that I had sketched her.
Forgetting all about the urge to draw the grounds. I sat on my bed just looking at the sketch of Narcissa's face. I took the charcoal in my hand and let my mind cease to exist at the moment and just let my hand do all the thinking for me.
By the end of my fervent scribbling, I looked at the new addition to my art. Narcissa with her necklace on. Capturing the little details in the necklace identical to mine. I smile to myself. Admiring what I had done when the door burst open to reveal some of my friends.
I quickly put away the sketchbook under my pillow and tried to act as naturally as possible. The questions they would probably ask to why I was drawing Draco Malfoy's mother. Greeting them and just having a casual conversation.
One of my friends asked if I'm really staying over at Malfoy Manor for the Christmas holiday, I wondered why they were asking such questions.
"I overheard some of the fourth-year Slytherins talking about it. They said that it was all over Slytherin talk that Draco's father had talked to Professor Sprout about you being fetched by the Malfoy Family." Samantha said.
I was stunned at the information that was just said. How dare Draco not tell me this sooner! I bolted to the door immediately after hearing this and set out to find Draco.
I didn't mind the whispers of the students from Slytherin hanging out by the entrance of their common room. I tried to find a willing body to get Draco for me, luckily I saw one of his friends just exiting the door.
"I need to speak to Draco!" I demand him.
"Peterson." He greets.
"I need to speak to Draco!" I repeat. "Are you going to let me in or not?"
He shrugs and led me through the doors of the Slytherin common room. I'd never been inside their common room before, the massive fireplace in the center of the room much like Hufflepuff's common room, with large arches and sound architectural design was the prominent theme. But I prefer the ambiance and warmth of Hufflepuff's common room. Slytherin's is much too drab and cold for my liking.
"Make yourself at home." Draco's friend called as he went up the set of stairs assuming to go to fetch Draco.
A minute or so passed by and I hear footsteps clicking down the stone floor of the common room. Draco was already in his pajamas, his blond hair a little messy like he has been in bed and someone had the audacity to go and wake him.
"Peterson." He greeted politely. He motioned for his friend to leave and he did. "What brings you here?"
I stood up, clenching my fists, I try to control my breathing, trying not to yell. So what came out was a sort of half yell half whisper of a speech. "Why didn't you tell me that your father is bringing me to your home?"
He sat on the coffee table. "Well, if you had listened to what I had to say before, and stopped ignoring me altogether then maybe you wouldn't be finding out this way. You wanted to keep to yourself so I let you. I was going to warn you about what my father had planned. So you could get out of it, but seeing as you avoided me like I have dragon pox made me think that I was not welcome to approach."
I was dumbfounded, I never liked confrontation for starters but seeing as this is as Hermione would call it my self-destructive way of living, I close my mouth before I could even say anything.
"Your mother and father have agreed of course." He says fidgeting with his fingers. "Im assuming that my father told them not to tell you."
I clenched my fists harder, "Well your father is a very persuasive man." I say through gritted teeth.
"I wanted to warn you so you could tell him no. He's been asking me to concoct plans on how I'm going to ask for your hand in marriage should you agree."
"Why does your father even want of all the pure-blood families out there my family? Why me?" I ask, slumping back down on the couch in the middle of the room, thankful that there are only a handful of people in the room.
Draco had some sort of air of command on them, shooting them warning glances like he was trying to tell them to mind their own business.
"Peterson, I don't want to marry you. But my father is insistent on this matter, and no matter how hard I try to protest and say no, he threatens me into being disowned and being stripped of my family name." He said directly looking into my eyes.
He sounded so sincere, it's hard to acclimate to this side of him. I always see him resigned during some gatherings, and just being an overall arse to Harry when they butt heads.
"So what? I just stay in Malfoy Manor for the holidays?" I ask him.
"Well. my father had told me that he's arranged for a week-long stay. He mentioned that you'd be with your family before Christmas day. " He mentions, folding his legs to his chest.
We sat there for a while just in silence. My mind raced at all the things that could happen to my stay at Malfoy Manor.
Realizing I had over-extended my stay at the Slytherin common room, I trudge back to the Hufflepuff dorm and try to get my mind off everything by packing my stuff and getting ready for tomorrow.
The hustling noise of my dormmates getting ready to leave broke me out of my slumber. I curse under my breath at how everybody was so excited to go home. Of course, I would be too but that will be interceded by my stay at the Malfoys. I shot out of bed and changed out of my pajamas, once done doing my last-minute checks if I had forgotten to bring anything in my pack.
Once I was content that I had not left anything behind of importance, I say my farewells to my friends and other members of my house.
Hermione was waiting for me in the great hall. Her hair was tied in a neat ponytail, a book in hand, and deeply engrossed in whatever she was reading.
"Come to say goodbye?" I asked, playfully slapping her arm.
She looked up from her book and rolled her eyes at me. "Came to give you homework." She says playfully.
I groan. "It's the holidays! Hermione, end of term remember?"
She laughs, "You can never be too prepared at school."
"Yeah, says the girl with a time-turner." I jokingly mock.
She shushed me, "Keep your voice down! Only a handful of people know that!" It's now her turn to slap my arm.
"Call me on my cell when you get home?" I say to her, opening my arms out for a hug.
She looks at me questioningly. "You're not going to be home?"
"Well, I would be. But not for a week or so. Mr. Malfoy and my parents thought it be best for me to stay over at Malfoy Manor." I made a gagging noise and rolled my eyes. "But, I will be home before Christmas. So there's that."
"That is going to be absolutely horrid." She says.
"Funny thing is, I think Draco doesn't really want me to go," I say, putting my hands in my trouser's back pockets. "I spoke to him. Supposedly he really objected to what his father had planned." I say, shrugging my shoulders.
Hermione grimaced, "You know who to call when you want to punch him, right?"
I laugh, "Oh, I know this Gryffindor girl who has a mean right hook. She'll probably be my first call."
We hugged and finally said our goodbyes, promising to send an owl or call if we need something, or to just talk.
Draco found me waiting in the entrance hall with some of my luggage, the heavy ones have already been brought to Hogsmeade to be loaded into the train, seeing as he said nothing about what time we were leaving. My fault for not asking before I left, just too stunned at everything that I found out about that night.
"You ready to go?" Draco asked, adjusting his coat before we left.
I motion my luggage to him and myself. "Oh, I'm not yet ready. I'm still waiting for some miracle to happen that I don't have to go to your house." I roll my eyes at him. "Your parents going to pick us up?"
"I think." He says as he shouldered his bag. Finally making way to the horseless carriages that will bring us to Hogsmeade and onto the train.
I had to sit in with Draco. Which earned a lot of looks from the others that were on the train. I passed Hermione's train cabin with the other Gryffindors. As much as I wanted to ride with them, I'm currently stuck with Draco as my companion.
It was silent throughout the ride. It wasn't even the silence that I am used to when I ride in with Hermione while she read books. It was the uncomfortable kind, where others would deliberately pass our cabin just to see if it was true. That I was riding with Draco Malfoy to platform nine and three-quarters.
"Just let them, Peterson." Draco called, his eyes transfixed on the scenery. "Don't let them gawking at you ruin your already ruined trip home."
For once, I listened to Draco. I just pulled out my charcoal and sketchbook, drawing anything and everything that came to mind for the rest of the ride. Finally, we arrived at King's Cross Station, one by one we filed out to the platforms and claimed our luggage.
Draco stayed with me while I got my luggage, even helping me place it in a trolley so we could navigate the swarm of people better, instead of just dragging my luggage.
"Where's yours?" I ask him.
"I just packed light. I don't mind leaving a few of my stuff at Hogwarts for Christmas break." He shrugs.
Together we made our way to the entrance of the platform. He informed me that the Malfoy family car should be waiting for us outside.
"Thought you hated everything muggle? What's with the car?" I asked him, raising a brow at him.
"My father got it from the Ministry of Magic. A gift of sorts." He says nonchalantly.
I shrugged it off, taking a mental note to take a look at this muggle car that they owned. Hermione and I had ogled at some of the muggle cars back in London before. I'd like to think that my parents would let me get one for my own once I finish at Hogwarts. With a bit of persuasion, I might get away with it as it is not the first muggle item I had pled for them to give me.
We waited by the entrance when Draco pointed at a black Pontiac with heavy-tinted windows pulled up to the curb.
I didn't catch a glimpse if anyone was in the passenger seat in the back, but Draco must've when he exclaimed. "That must be my mother. Father never joined in this part of me coming home."
My heart must've been lodged in my throat because up until this moment, I had forgotten that his parents will be the ones collecting us from Hogwarts. By Draco's statement, it was just his mother, which meant that I am going to be seeing Narcissa again after four months. I stood rooted in my place as the trunk of the Pontiac swung open and our luggage must've been enchanted to float in it.
Draco called me to come join him, my hands were trembling as he opened the rear passenger side door.
I didn't know I was holding my breath until the door had fully swung open to reveal indeed Narcissa in the back seat. Legs poised and folded. Her emerald coat was on her lap, her hair pinned back to show the blonde streaks in her hair, makeup done to perfection.
He must've seen Draco first, as she slid out of the back seat to welcome him in her arms.
She wrapped Draco up in her arms, giving him a big squeeze. Draco for his part just kept his arms down but leaned his head on his mother's shoulder.
"My boy!" Narcissa exclaims, placing both her hands on Draco's cheeks, trying to get a better look at him.
"Mother!" Draco says. I'm fully assuming that he's embarrassed due to his mother's antics. But it was an adorable reunion nonetheless.
Narcissa noticed me the second her eyes left Draco. Her eyes widened when she saw my face.
"Ms. Peterson." She greeted me, giving me a small smile. "Are you waiting for Marina and Philip?"
"She's going to come home with us, mother." Draco interjected. "Has Father not informed you?"
Narcissa visibly swallows, "He hasn't mentioned anything to me."
I could tell Narcissa was trying to act calm and collected, but her eyes convey just pure shock.
"I hope you don't mind me staying over, Mrs. Malfoy." I smile at her, trying to avoid her gaze. "It's kind of sprung onto me as well. But I'm looking forward to staying in Malfoy Manor."
She smiled back at me, "Of course dear, you are always welcome at the manor."
Draco scoffs. "Would it be alright if I ride in front, Mother?"
Narcissa nods. "Alright, that leaves me and Ms. Peterson in the back seat."
Draco had already sat in the front passenger seat and closed the door, leaving me and Narcissa outside of the car.
"Oh, Lucius and his bag of tricks." She said obviously annoyed.
I look around to make sure no one was in earshot of our conversation before I spoke. "I don't mind calling my parents. They'll come to get me."
Narcissa narrowed her eyes at me. "Darling, it is too cold out for me to leave you alone at the station. Lucius and I would just have to talk about this little arrangement of his." Her tone a still irritated when she mentions her husband's name.
We finally hear the click of the trunk door, and Narcissa opened the rear passenger door for me. "Go on inside, darling."
I sigh but comply, sliding in the seat with Narcissa next to me for lord knows how long. And so the dreaded holiday begins.
A/N: See you on Thursday! Hope you all like this chapter! Sorry for the cliff-hanger, I'm already working on the next chapter!