Chapter Twenty
The warmth and the delicious smells emanating from the kitchens inside Siddhartha was a welcome respite from the frosty winds that whipped through Diagon Alley.
Siddhartha was a mixture of ancient Mughal architecture blended seamlessly with sleek modernism. The entryway was inviting, tiled in a decorative pattern of golden marble and genuine turquoise squares that complemented the muraled walls perfectly. Delicate white carved benches sat next to walls that were painted with beautifully rendered flowers and peacocks so vibrant that they looked as if they could step out of their painted positions.
A large, shallow fountain was the main centerpiece of the room, and the sound of the splashing water and the soft music piped into the room aided in instilling a feeling of ease as one waited to be seated at a table.
All of that was well and good, but despite its renowned cuisine, that was not what made the restaurant so popular. What drew the crowds, in spite of the outrageous food prices, was that it was a Ministry approved safe place to dine. Every few hours, and especially during operating hours, a group of Aurors thoroughly inspected the building from top to bottom, stamping a seal on the board by the door, which was placed in a prime position that could be easily seen by diners.
Taryn was sure that the owners were paying an arm and a leg for the privilege. While it was nice that she and Draco would be able to relax in relative safety, that wasn't what had prompted her decision to dine there.
No, the main draw was that Siddhartha was owned by Lakshimi Patil, the mother of two of Hogwarts worst gossips Padma and Parvati Patil.
Due to the popularity of the eatery, she hadn't been sure that they would be able to get a table without a reservation, but once again Draco's name and money had them briskly led to a table.
The seating was nice and consisted of a polished table, with a crystal bowl and floating candles as the centerpiece. Lush greenery and fragrant flowers dotted throughout the room provided semi-privacy between the tables, and lent the room an almost tropical feel.
"I'm going to the loo. Can you tell the waiter that I want iced tea?" Taryn asked Draco.
Nodding in the affirmative, he waited until she was out of sight to motion toward a waiter. "I need two iced teas, and would you please bring me your adspectus mirror?"
"Right away sir," the young waiter said.
Soon he was back with the frosty glasses of tea, and the polished flat of obsidian.
Draco nodded his thanks before concentrating on his mother and tapping his wand against the glass.
The glass wavered for a moment before Narcissa's face appeared. "Draco? I've been so worried. Why did you leave the charity ball so abruptly? I've heard such rumors..."
"I can explain all of that, mum. Are you busy right now?" Draco interrupted.
"Well, no. I know that you usually leave on New Year's Eve to spend time with your friends, but the way that you left had me so worried that I haven't been able to concentrate on anything else."
Draco felt a bite of guilt. "I apologize for that. If you can make your way over to Siddhartha I can explain exactly why I needed to leave. In fact it would be perfect if you could come. There is a lot that we need to talk about."
Narcissa frowned. "Are you sure that you want to talk in public?"
"Its actually essential that we do so. Now, if you have the time, I'd like you to come please."
"Of course, dear," Narcissa said, "Just let me get my wrap and I'll be over shortly."
Draco tapped his wand against the glass again, severing the connection, before handing the glass back to the man and telling him that they would be waiting for one more person before they would be ready to order their food.
He looked up to see Taryn making her way back to the table, and stood to pull her chair out, seating her before returning to his own seat.
"This place is just...over the top," Taryn said with a grin. "The loo actually has an attendant, and not the usual sort. The place is almost like a spa. I saw a woman in there getting a massage! Though I have to admit that the bowls of polished stones they've charmed to control the temperature is fascinating. Its a tricky little bit of weather spellwork," she said tapping her index finger against her mouth as her brow crinkled in thought. "I wonder who invented it? I'll have to look that up later because..." She trailed off, blushing hotly, when she noticed Draco looking at her in amusement.
"What?" she asked, looking at him in question.
"Nothing, I just think its dead sexy when you get all nerdy," he said giving her a smoldering once over.
A delicious shiver ran down her spine, before she grabbed her napkin, snapping it out and laying it across her lap. "You didn't use to think so," she said primly.
"That's what you thought," Draco drawled. "In any case," he continued, "You weren't mine then, but now you most definitely are."
Taryn opened her mouth to reply when a flash of pink caught her eye. Turning to get a better look, she saw Narcissa Malfoy making her way to their table!
The woman looked chic, her deep rose robes tailored to perfection, her blonde hair twisted into a flawless low chignon.
Taryn saw surprise flicker on the woman's face, before a smile graced her formerly austere features.
"Draco," she squeaked, "You mum is here!"
"I know," he said casually. "Don't be mad. I know that you said you wanted to talk to your parents first but I think you should meet my mother before we do that. I talked with her while you were in the loo. I'd like to take you to see it someday when this is all over, but right now Malfoy Manor isn't safe. I can't get my mother away yet, and I'm not putting you in harms way by taking you there."
"But...What about what I'm wearing," she moaned. "I didn't want to meet your mother for the first time wearing jeans."
"Technically you have already met her," Draco said dryly.
"You know what I mean! I haven't even met her as your girlfriend, let alone fiance! And, she doesn't know that we've met before. To her I'm probably just some girl that you are shacking up with on occasion."
Draco reached across the table, drawing her hand into his. "She won't care what you're wearing, and you're not just some girl that I'm shacking up with."
"I know that, but..." she began.
"But nothing. Don't do that. I don't like when you talk about yourself like that. You're the only girl that I would introduce to my mother. And before you say it, Pansy doesn't count. She knew mum already, and even if she hadn't I wouldn't have introduced her."
Taryn looked slightly mollified at this, but her face was still red with embarrassment when Narcissa finally made it to their table.
Draco, stood and helped his mother get seated before sitting back down himself. "I hope you haven't eaten yet mum, because we waited for you to arrive to order."
"Excellent," Narcissa said.
The waiter, obviously trained on timing, arrived at just the moment they wanted to order. They made it simple for the man by all ordering the chicken tikka masala with a side of naan and jeera rice.
Narcissa's brow rose in question when Draco also ordered a bottle of champagne. "Délicieux Rose seems a bit...fancy for lunch dear," she said.
"Well, I'm in a celebratory mood, but where are my manners? Mum, this is Taryn Davis. Taryn, this is my mum, Narcissa."
"Actually, I think that we have met before in passing once. I think at a garden party a few years ago at Judith Parkinson's home," Narcissa said.
Taryn was immediately taken by surprise. She had been expecting...well...the Narcissa that Hermione had met in the past. That woman had been cold and superior, and while this one wasn't extremely approachable, there was a certain warmness there.
Judith Parkinson? Ah, Taryn thought, Pansy's mother. Tracey's mind provided the memory and she was able to nod in recognition. "I think I remember. She had those terrible crab puffs right?"
Narcissa nodded. "Yes. Judith always has her elves make the awful things, and everyone is too polite to tell her just how unappetizing they actually are."
Narcissa sobered just a bit when she realized that she had allowed herself to be distracted. "Draco, why are we celebrating?" She turned to Taryn, her eyes widening. "Oh, Merlin. You're pregnant aren't you? I'm going to be a grandmother? I admit, its a little earlier than I thought, but at least I'll be the youngest grandmother wherever you take the child. Maybe I won't be grandmother. Granny? No, no that brings to mind an old biddy. Perhaps Mimzy? That bears some consideration..."
"Mum, Taryn's not pregnant!" He interrupted quickly before his mother went off on a different tangent. The interruption, however, was a little louder than he had intended. People from the other tables began to look over in interest and muted whispers began to circulate the room.
Taryn took a much needed gulp of her tea, allowing the cool liquid to soothe her suddenly parched throat. No one noticed to two deeply interested sisters peeping around from the kitchens, almost giddy with their new tidbit of gossip.
"Draco, you have never wanted me to have lunch with you and a female friend. I thought that you were going to take this relationship slow, but with your memorable exit at the charity ball, and this meet and greet lunch, well I know that something is going on. Now spill," Narcissa said firmly.
I can see where Draco inherited his blunt way of speaking, Taryn thought as she tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. She didn't realize that the motion had drawn attention to the large, five carat diamond that graced her left hand.
Narcissa gasped. "You're engaged!"
"Yes, we are," Draco said, as he calmly began to pour them each a glass of champagne. He took a sip – it was nice, if a little sweet for his taste, with floral notes that segued into a deep black cherry flavor with hints of citrus and chocolate – before sitting the glass back down on the polished wooden table.
"Does she know about..." Narcissa began to ask.
"I do," Taryn said, piping in finally.
"And, it doesn't bother you?" Narcissa asked.
"It does bother me, but it won't stop me from marrying Draco," Taryn stated.
"Why? I know its not money, the Davis family has more gold than Midas, but I need to know your reasons. I love my son very much, and I won't have you taking advantage of him. Draco projects a very hard outer shell, but my child has a soft heart and I will not see you break it," Narcissa said in a fierce, level tone.
Narcissa knew that Draco loved the girl, he wouldn't have asked her to marry him otherwise, but she had to be sure that her son's feelings were returned. She'd throw the girl at Voldemort before she allowed her to hurt Draco.
Draco groaned, running furrows into his pale hair with his fingers. "Mum, I'm not a child. I can make decisions for myself."
"You will always be my child," Narcissa said to Draco, before turning her attention back to Taryn. She waited pointedly for an answer.
"I love Draco," Taryn began softly. "I don't care about what he has had to do in the past, I care about the man he is right now. You don't have to worry about my feelings toward your son. The feelings that I have for him are strong, and they are very real."
Narcissa looked at her for a long moment before nodding in satisfaction. She could tell that the girl was sincere and now she could lay her feelings on that front to rest. She looked around the room. "Now, where is that waiter? I'm practically famished!" She leaned forward to pat Taryn's hand. "Now, about those wedding plans...
0o0
"Your mum is pretty intense," Taryn said as they walked from the restaurant. They were taking the time to let their food settle a bit before they tackled her parents.
"When its about me, yeah, she can be. Don't worry though, I can tell that she likes you," he said.
"Really?" Taryn asked in amazement.
"Yes. She wouldn't have spend as much time grilling you if she didn't think it was worth the effort. And, I know that you noticed her segue into wedding plans," Draco said.
"Ugh," Taryn groaned. "I know. I thought she was going to faint when we told her that we probably won't marry until after graduation."
Draco laughed. "It was like telling mum that we had Diagon Alley shut down for just her shopping pleasure, but that she had to wait a year for them to do so."
Taryn laughed a bit at this. "Well, at least it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be."
"I told you that you would have nothing to worry about. Really, though, how do you think your parents are going to take this?"
"Not well at all. You saw how Nigel reacted when I stayed away for the night. He isn't going to be happy that I've affianced myself to a rumored Deatheater."
She stopped walking when she noticed Draco's uncomfortable look. Pulling him closer, she smoothed the furrow on his brow, and kissed him on his wind chilled cheek. "I didn't mean it like that. You don't have to worry. I care about what Nigel and Jillian think, they don't know that I'm not Tracey, but I won't let them separate us. You are so very important to me, and if they want to remain in my life then they will have to accept you."
"I don't want you to break away from your family for me. You've already lost a family once. I don't want to ruin the new one that you've made for yourself. You're already giving up so much just to be with me," Draco said quietly.
"If they love me then they'll understand. I don't expect a miracle. It might take them a while to accept us, but once they know you like I do, then they'll love you too. And if they don't, well then they aren't who I thought they were and I'm better off without them."
Draco held her tighter, leaning down to rest his forehead against hers, as the frigid wind swirled around them.
0o0
Taryn didn't feel right about apparating into the house without warning, even though it was her home.
"Maybe we should have called first," she hedged, as they stood at the bottom of the stone steps.
"Its too late for that now," Draco said. "We just have to go in and do it. We can just tell them fast. You know, like ripping off a bandaid."
Taryn looked at him, her lips quirking despite her unease. "Its still crazy to hear you spout muggle colloquialisms."
"Well, get used to them baby, because now that I don't have to hide them from you you'll be hearing them a lot more," Draco said with a cocky smirk.
They both jumped slightly when the front door swung open.
Nigel was standing in the doorway, anger clearly defining his face. "Are you two going to stand out in the cold all day, or are you going to come in and explain yourselves?"
Taryn swallowed nervously, grabbing Draco's hand – a motion not unnoticed by Nigel – before mounting the steps and following Nigel into the living room.
"Sit down," Nigel ordered.
They looked at each other quickly, before sinking down into the cushy couch.
Nigel turned away for a moment, yelling into the hallway, "Jillian! They're here!"
Moments later, Jillian entered the room. In her hands she held a new, crisp copy of Witch Weekly.
"Can you explain this?" Jillian said, slapping the magazine on the coffee table in front of them.
Taryn's mouth dropped open when she saw the picture on the front.
It was a photo of Draco and her holding hands as they walked through Diagon Alley. A smaller round photo focused on the large engagement ring on her finger. The title said, in large yellow letters: "Is Draco Malfoy Engaged? Exclusive interviews and details inside."
Taryn turned to look at Draco, who merely shrugged. "That was bloody fast," was all he said.
"Well, is it true?" Jillian asked hesitantly.
Taryn opened her mouth to answer, but was interrupted by Nigel's angry voice. "I don't care if it is! Tracey Taryn Davis, you will give this boy his ring back and go upstairs to your room. Mr. Malfoy, you will leave this house, and not attempt to contact my daughter again."
"With all due respect sir, I believe that it is Taryn's decision," Draco said.
"Taryn is underage! She is sixteen years old and won't reach majority until July. Until then I make her decisions for her. Now," he said turning his attention back to his daughter, "do as I told you. Give him the ring and go upstairs."
Taryn's amazement had boiled over into anger. "No! I won't," she said, standing. Draco stood with her, drawing her hand back into his.
"You won't? You will do as I tell you, or I will send you to the states to stay with Desmond. I will not have my daughter flitting around London with a Deatheater!" Nigel practically screamed.
Jillian moved closer to her husband, rubbing his back to try and calm the man down. "Taryn," Jillian began calmly, "You are far too young to get married, and though I'm sure that you think that you love Mr. Malfoy a great deal..."
"I don't think that I love him," Taryn interrupted, "I know that I do. You can threaten to send me wherever you want, but I promise that if you do so, I will run away and I won't let you know where I am. You have two choices: You can accept that I'm going to be with Draco, or you can force me to distance myself from you. I don't want to do that, but I will if you leave me no choice."
She watched as Nigel practically deflated. He realized the truth in her statement. They couldn't force her to do anything, unless they used the Imperius.
Nigel closed his eyes for a moment. It took every shred of his willpower to speak calmly. "I don't want this life for you, my daughter. Claudia wouldn't have wanted this for you. Please, just listen to reason. You don't know what you are getting yourself into. You have been pampered your entire life. Taryn, you are ill equipped for his lifestyle," he said nodding toward Draco sharply.
Draco had to interrupt at this. "I will do anything in my power to keep her safe. I care very deeply about your daughter."
"You are a child! You can't even take care of yourself, let alone anyone else! You two haven't considered the far reaching results of the decision you have foolishly made."
Taryn smiled sadly. They really didn't know her at all. "I think that I've made my position pretty clear, and that you have done the same. Draco and I are going to leave, but I promise that we will keep in touch. We will be going back to school tomorrow and you can of course reach me there."
She nodded toward Draco, and without another spoken word, he pulled her into a sidelong apparition, leaving Tracey's parents holding each other silently.