Chapter 24

She held him in her arms and buried her nose in his soft hair. He smelled of spilled wine and dried blood that Bella’s potion had not been able to banish. He would need a bath later, she thought, as she ran her finger across his moist cheek, gazing into his pretty grey eyes and kissing his slightly pointed nose.

Her boy. Her only son. She’d never known how warm he was. The sweetness of his breath through his fading sobs. She had been a mother for sixteen years but now she finally realized what it meant. How wonderful and heartbreaking it all was.

Being held  by her was almost otherworldly to him.  Draco remembered when he would stare up at Mistress Narcissa as she applied cosmetic potions to her skin from tiny silver-topped bottles. The morning sun would reflect on her mirrored vanity into a halo like glow around her face. He would be on his knees, as he polished the smooth, multicolored stones surrounding her fireplace. He’d been seven or eight then, thus innocent enough to think that she would someday hug him and let him touch her sun-kissed locks. But then he’d catch sight of his own stained, work-roughened hands and know that it would never happen.

And yet, here he was in his mother’s arms. How strange and amazing.

A small and withered house-elf apparated in the farthest corner of the suite. He was wearing the stained rags that befitted his status in this particular household. Slowly and carefully he approached the Mistress’ bed. Hope was a tiny bird beating its wings.

“Master Draco… is that really you?”

”Dobby? Dobby!”

Narcissa let him go and smiled as the teen flew to the waiting elf’s arms, nearly tumbling the small creature down. Dobby’s gnarled hands stroked the beloved face, chronicling what the years had done to his young Master Draco. He found the boy thin and paler than his heritage merited. Still, his eyes were still a clear grey warmed by the emotion shining in them.

“You are finally home, Master Draco. Dobby thought that something terribly bad had happened to Master Draco. That Master Draco was hurt or lost in the woods or eaten by an acromantula. Dobby looked everywhere but didn’t find Master Draco. Dobby kept looking and looking and Mistress Narcissa tried many seeking charms but Master Draco had vanished into thin air.” The elf’s voice was shrill with emotion.

Draco shook his head while hugging Dobby even tighter. “Nothing like that happened to me Dobby. I went to the muggles and they took care of me but I always remembered you and Oblina and Ickis and Krummy and…Harry.”

Dobby’s eyes lit up, he knew what would make his Master Draco so very happy.

“Master Harry Potter came here looking for you. Oblina told Dobby so. He was very sad when he could not find you.”

Draco gasped in disbelief. “Harry came for me? All the way here for me? Oh, Dobby, I never thought…”

Narcissa had risen from her bed and kneeled besides the pair. Tears spilled freely from her own eyes as she listened to her son.

Draco looked at his mother and Dobby and saw the concern and care in their eyes. His breath caught in his throat and his voice wilted into a mere whisper. “I never though it could ever be like this for me.”

His unassuming words tore at the hearts of both the witch and the elf as they saw a glimpse of what Draco had carried in his soul. Narcissa’s remorse burned in her chest but she knew that it had to be put aside for now if she was to protect her son. Only Draco mattered now. His safety and well-being was paramount to her.

Harry Potter meant the Order of the Phoenix and the Order could protect Draco from whatever the Dark Lord had planned for him. Dumbledore was gone but there was still other powerful wizards and witches associated with the light that would offer Draco a modicum of safety. There was also the Boy who Lived himself whose success she would now dedicate herself to. Harry Potter cared for Draco and would champion him when Narcissa no longer could. She had to find a way to ensure that her son found him again. 

XxXxXxXxXx

Weeks Later

Theodore Nott Malfoy chuckled in glee at seeing his least favorite teacher being consumed by Nagini. Professor Burbage had been a bore and Muggle lover. She was much more interesting as a serpent meal.

The young wizard smiled proudly at his adopted father who sat in his customary spot at the Dark Lord’s right side. Lucius Malfoy looked his usual aristocratic self in simple black robes that mimicked the Dark Lord’s severe style. Theodore was also wearing a similar robe but his was trimmed in shining green piping, symbolizing his status as the unofficial prince of Slytherin and as one of the rising stars amongst Voldemort’s followers.

As befitting a Slytherin and a Malfoy, Theodore had not batted an eye at the Death Eater-initiated scenes of torture and murder that the manor had been witness to these past few weeks. Even Pettigrew had balked at seeing the rivulets of blood from the repeated slashing hexes aimed at the victims. The endless wails of pain coming from the dungeons had sent Narcissa Malfoy running to her rooms to check on her squib. Theodore had taken it all in with the enthusiasm of a born sociopath.

They were awaiting the arrival of Severus Snape who would bring valuable information about the birthday plans of The Boy who Lived. All present knew that in just a few short days Harry Potter’s luck would finally run out and he would be taken care of for good.

Then the Dark Lord’s reign would truly begin.

XxXxXxXxXx

“Master Severus”

Snape turned in alarm to find the elf called Dobby groveling before him. Thought well-acquainted with this particular elf, Severus could not begin to fathom why he would address him so.

“What is it elf?” He said curtly as he had quite a few things to settle yet.

Dobby swallowed and braced himself. “Master Draco is here sir.”

“What?”


Chapter 25