"So, how do we do this, and how long will it take to work?"

"Draco, relax. Let Severus get the potion bottled before you hound him with questions," Remus said softly. He couldn't blame the tired blonde; he wanted to know the exact same thing.

Over the last week and a half, they had gone through three different batches of the potion until they'd gotten all the ingredients exactly right in potency and manipulation. They'd been testing it on a blood sample from Narcissa to see how the cells would react to each batch, and Severus had just informed then that the third time was the charm.

Draco had slaved away in the lab day and night, even when Severus and Remus had gone for short naps, he stayed. He didn't want to admit that he was avoiding Harry and the conversation they were going to need to have. He was more concerned with what his mother was going to say when she found out her only son was in love with another boy. And not just any boy, but Harry bloody Potter.

Well, he couldn't hide any longer. He followed Remus and Severus out of the basement Lab and up to Narcissa's rooms. Harry had barely left her side in all the time the others were in the Lab. He took all his meals there, unless he was cleaning himself up for the day, even Teensy wasn't needed there.

He'd made sure Narcissa looked like a princess for the occasion. She was dressed in her best icy blue gown and her hair was splayed nicely across her pillow like a halo. He'd allowed Teensy to apply a small amount of makeup to her face, but as they would need to monitor her colouring as part of the recovery, he didn't allow much.

When the trio entered the room, Draco gasped at the vision of his mother in front of him. She practically glowed with the way Harry had taken care of her, and with the sun setting, the room had taken on a rosy glow that transferred to her.

Remus too, was breathless with the vision of the woman before him. He'd loved spending all the time with her that he had and hoped he would continue to be able to do so once she woke.

"Draco, is something wrong?" Harry asked tentatively.

"Who did this to my Mum?"

"Um, I did."

Draco ran to Harry and hugged him fiercely. "Thank you so much. She's stunning."

Harry blushed and stammered, "Well, um….see, it's just that I didn't think she'd want to wake up all sickly and…um so I just made sure she looked the way I figured she'd want to when taking company."

Remus cleared his throat and said, "I believe we should get on with this, don't you." He could feel his wolf panting at the woman before him and really needed to get out of the room. It was close to the full moon but he refused to miss this moment.

Severus sat on the edge of the bed and took Narcissa's arm in his hand. "Cissa, I'm going to inject this antidote into your arm so you're going to feel a small poke." He slipped the needle into her arm and injected the potion into her system.

Draco held his breath hoping to hear her voice asking for him, for water, for food, for anything just to hear her melodious voice again.

Harry stood next to him and slipped an arm around his shoulder, giving it a supportive squeeze.

Draco looked at him and smiled.

Severus knew things were going well as her skin began to 'pink up' as Poppy had put it. She'd told him what to watch for once the injection had been done, and was happy to see her breathing getting stronger and deeper and her eyelids fluttering.

Draco was about to ask Severus how much longer when they all heard a soft, "Remus?" in a distinctively feminine voice.

Remus strode to the bedside and took the slender hand that raised itself off the bed, "Yes Narcissa?"

"Is Marianne okay? Did her fever break?"

"Cissa, don't tire yourself out so much. You've only been on your feet for a week. Let us help," Severus said and he watched the statuesque blonde woman slowly rearranging the furniture in the Sitting Room to be more conducive to talking.

"Severus, I am sick of the men in my life dictating everything. I will do this my way. This is my home now and there are a few things I need to get straightened out right away. This is the last of the room alterations for the moment, but I want this room as warm and friendly as my sitting area is because there is a lot of talking needing to be done now that I'm back to myself."

"I understand that my dear, but I ask that you let us help."

"With what dear? I'm done now, but thank you for offering." She patted Severus on the cheek as she passed him and smiled at the dumbfounded look she received.

Narcissa glided into the dining room to find her men around the table waiting for her arrival so lunch could begin. As she entered, they all stood, and Draco moved to pull her chair out for her.

"Gentlemen, I believe I would like to have lunch in the garden as it's such a gorgeous day out and I've seen enough of the inside for a while."

Remus stepped up beside her and offered her his arm, escorting her out to the recently refurnished patio, where Draco was already pulling out her chair.

The men had been doting on her non-stop since she'd first spoken, and while she was loving the attention and being waited on had always suited her, she was fast becoming bored with the pampering and wanted things to get back to some semblance of normalcy.

"Gentlemen," she began once everyone was seated and the food had been served, "there are a few things we need to discuss. First, you are all welcome here as long as you would like to be here." She looked directly at Harry and smiled, "No one is going to be asked to leave unless they wish to."

Harry nodded and blushed slightly as he smiled at her. He'd grown to think of her as he would have thought of his own mother had he ever really know her. He was relieved to know she didn't want him gone.

"Now, there are two representatives from the Ministry coming tomorrow to talk to me about what happened that day in the field and I want you all to know what I will be telling them."

The men all sat rapt, food forgotten. No one had dared ask her what she remembered. She hadn't spoken about the incident or aftermath as yet and they didn't want to force the issue.

Narcissa took a deep breath and began, "That day on the commons, I watched as my son was sent into the embattled castle to do the bidding of a madman. In my heart, I'd hoped he would tell the Dark Lord to piss off, but I knew that wouldn't be an option." Everyone chuckled and she looked at her son with such love in her eyes as he'd never seen.

"When Harry killed the git, I wanted to run and hug him and shower him with kisses for saving us and to tell him that Albus was in great danger, but I didn't have the chance as we were taken into custody."

Harry laughed and said, "You've more than made up for the lack of kisses and hugs in the last week."

"Be that as is may, it will be a long time before I'm done, so you'll just have to get used to it." Narcissa smiled at Harry and continued, "When Draco came up and said Albus was dead, my heart dropped. Then he said he hadn't been the one to do it and I knew my heart's desire had come to pass. My Draco had finally stood up to his father and asserted his independence."

She looked at Draco and said, "I've never been so proud in my life. Lucius took my gasp and subsequent crying as shame and sorrow at our son's betrayal, so he slipped me a potion and told me to calm down and drink it. He said it was a simple calming potion provided by Severus and when everyone's attention was on Draco, I took it."

"When I became conscious again, I couldn't move but was aware of everything around me. I heard the comments made by the so called 'Healers' at that hospital. I also heard everything 'Healer Sunshine' said."

Draco interrupted to explain, "We didn't know her name until recently so that's what I called her. She was far too perky for her own good. We know now that was a façade."

"Actually son, I don't believe it was. She was the same way when no one was there. Now, I want to thank you all for taking such good care of me and bringing me back to life, but I'm hungry and there's a lot of good food here I wish to enjoy, so no more talking."

"Darling, how long did it take for you to become comfortable being Lord of the Manor?" Narcissa asked with a laugh.

"I'm still not entirely comfortable with the idea, but after Harry blew up Aunt Bella's old room, I had to figure out how to talk to the Goblins at Gringotts and then those who came to do the repairs. I don't know how you ever managed to get this house built working with them."

Narcissa ran her hand over Draco's cheek and smiled, "Oh my dear boy, I didn't have a single problem after my first meeting with the foreman, Ragsnok. I'm assuming that you were not dealing with him."

"No, unfortunately I wasn't. I was dealing with some underling whose name I don't even remember. The only reason I allowed him to complete the work was so the house was repaired." Draco's lip developed a devilish curve as he said, "Of course, he is no longer employed by the company."

Narcissa laughed and said, "And there's the son I've always known and loved."

Draco stood and hugged his mother before heading for the door, "So, who's up next for the Narcissa debriefing?"

"Well, I guess I'll have to see which good looking man is waiting in the hall for me to grab."

Draco kissed his mother's cheek while laughing and said, "I'll send Remus in. He's about to leave for a few days."

Remus walked in minutes later with tea tray in hand and a slight blush to his cheeks.

Narcissa stood as he entered and smiled. She took in his tired appearance and the state of his worn robes and made two decisions. First, she was going to make sure he saw her personal tailor the minute he was on his feet after the moon cycle and second, she was going to have to be gentle her conquering of him. He might be tall and strong, she still shivered slightly remembering his strong arms holding her while Teensy changed her bedding each night, but he was also a wounded soul who was slowly healing after years of abuse.

Once the tray was set on the table, Narcissa placed her hands on Remus' shoulders, stood on her toes and placed a gentle kiss on each of his scruffy cheeks.

Remus' blush deepened as he asked, "To what do I owe that welcome?"

Narcissa motioned for him to sit beside her on the loveseat, "To thank you for reading to me each night. I have always enjoyed the classics but never to the extent I have recently. You never did answer my question though."

Remus smiled and said, "You'll just have to read on and find out. I've left the book on your side table so you can finish it."

Narcissa's smile fell as she said, "You won't be finishing it with me?"

"As you wish," Remus said, bowing his head slightly toward her.

3p

Oh dear am I ever in it now.

Narcissa's finally back among the living and I may only have hours to live.

You see, while I always suspected she could hear and understand all we said, I never thought she'd remember it all. I told her things in the last weeks that I haven't told anyone; including how I'm falling in love with her only son.

I'm sure to be thrown out on my arse any day now. She said I was welcome, but I don't think she truly means it. She's been talking with everyone else, including the elves, and has been ignoring me.

Dinner's apt to be a bit awkward as well. It's to be just the three of us, Draco, his mother and the condemned.

If I'm alive after, I'll be sure to tell you aaallll about it.

I am glad she's back though. Draco's never looked happier…..

Harry and Draco met in the hallway outside their respective rooms that night, both stunned silent by the other's appearance.

Harry was wearing a Gucci black wool two button suit with flat front trousers. The jacket framed his broad shoulders and tapered in at his waist and the trousers hugged his arse in a way to make even the straightest man's mouth water. Peaking from inside his beautiful jacket was a white button down shirt and emerald silk tie with a lion head tie tack and cuff links.

Draco had finally settled on a deep charcoal wool Armani two button suit with single pleat trousers. His jacket was tailored to enhance his well muscled torso and his naturally trim waist; his trousers making legs look as though they didn't stop, ever. His white button down was accented by an ice blue silk tie with snake tie tack and cuff links.

Harry took in the look on Draco's face, "Is something wrong? Did I get something on my suit?"

Draco shook his head and stammered, "N...No. You look, very handsome. I knew that style would be perfect for you. Mum will love it."

"I've never had to dress for dinner before. Does she do this often?" Harry asked as they walked down the stairs to the formal dining room where Narcissa was waiting.

"I don't know how it will be now, but before, we dressed for dinner every night. I doubt she will continue it now though."

"Continue what darling?" Narcissa inquired. "Oh you boys look gorgeous!"

Draco kissed his mother's cheek and smiled, "Harry was asking about how often we will be dressing for dinner."

Harry also kissed Narcissa's cheek and then held her chair for her to sit as he said, "I've never had this formal a dinner and wondered if it would be every night. If so, I'll have to get a couple more suits."

As the boys settled in their chairs on either side of the ethereal woman at the head of the table, Narcissa explained, "I wanted to have a special dinner with you both tonight. I don't plan on making this a nightly event. That is the old way, we're going to be setting aside a lot of the things we've always done in favour of new customs."

Harry cleared his throat as the elves got dinner spread on the table, "Narcissa, if I may, you look quite beautiful this evening."

Narcissa's cheeks pinked at the compliment and she nodded toward Harry in thanks. Her normally straight hair was pulled back into and elegant Chignon and she was wearing a soft pink silk slip dress with a slight train. Her only jewelry was a simple pair of pink diamonds gracing her earlobes and a pink diamond that appeared to be hanging from her neck on thin air.

"Gentleman, I have asked for this formal dinner for two reasons. I want to celebrate my reanimation with my favourite men, and also because I wanted to take this time to come to an understanding."

Harry and Draco both looked worried, though for entirely different reasons.

"I assume, Harry, that Draco has extended an open ended invitation to you and reassured you that invitation would still stand once I was awake." Harry nodded in confirmation and for her to continue, "Well, I want you to know that I am also inviting you to stay. This home will always be open to you no matter what. You are home dearest." She lightly caressed his cheek as she smiled softly at him.

Harry's eyes filled with tears and he excused himself from the table. As soon as he was out of the room, he ran into the centre of the garden, fell to his knees and cried until he had nothing left to cry.

"Oh my, did I say something wrong?" Narcissa asked as Harry retreated.

Draco patted her hand as he explained, "Mum, I believe Harry's been worried he'd be asked to leave or told he wasn't welcome. He blames himself for your being ill and everything else that's occurred. I'll go and talk to him."

Narcissa stood and said, "No darling, let me. I think I have an idea of what's going on now."

Narcissa walked out to the garden and followed the sound of sobbing until she found Harry kneeling on the grass. She quietly walked to his side and put her hand on his shoulder, "Harry dear, please don't cry."

Harry took a moment to get himself under control before looking up at the woman beside him, "I'm so sorry for ruining dinner, I just needed to get some fresh air."

Narcissa beckoned him to the sitting area and settled into one of the wicker chairs, motioning for Harry to take the other. "Harry, you thought I would turn you out because of what you said about Draco didn't you?"

Harry looked surprised and said, "Yes ma'am, I did. I hope you won't hold that against me. I…I'm not sure I'm…" Harry sighed, "Oh hell, I'm not sure of anything really."

"I understand that sentiment. Sometimes having a heart so full of love can get you into more bad than good, can't it."

Harry chuckled, "Yes it can." He looked up at Narcissa and said, "I wanted to say, I'm sorry about your husband. He deserved to be punished for what he's done but I'm sorry if it causes you pain to not have him with you."

Narcissa's melodic laughter filled the air surrounding them, "Oh love, I couldn't be happier about my shite of a husband being in Azkaban. I only hope he never gets out. Much like my son has separated himself from that arrogant arse, I will be talking with my solicitor in the morning about divorce."

"Harry, I'm so glad that you and Draco have gotten close. I think it's good for both of you to have each other to lean on. I know you have some ideas about striking off on your own. Finding Fenrir may get your immediate rage quelled, but I believe in someone whose soul is as pure as yours, you'll find it leads you into other problems you don't want to have."

Harry sat stunned with his mouth hanging open. "How did you…I mean, I'm not planning anything with regards to Greyback."

"Harry dear, you really are a horrible liar. But your beautifully open face aside, I know you've already tried once. Remember, I heard everything everyone said. I understand the feeling trying to burst forth but please take my life into consideration. I've seen what that kind of focus can do to people and I don't want to see you heading in that direction. If you can find a way to get Fenrir that doesn't involve blindly following possibly unreliable information into a situation you know nothing about, then I'll make sure you have anything you need to get him, but I want you to promise me that you won't just rush head long into something blind like you have in the past."

Harry looked into the blue eyes staring at him with fear and love, "I promise."

"Good, now let's head back inside and see if Draco's left us any dessert."