Mine

[58]

I was conflicted. It wasn't so much as when to meet up with Draco, but where. I didn't want to invite him over here and I also didn't want to go to his home. I didn't want to be where we might be within earshot of people hearing us. And, if I was being realistic, this wasn't going to be an easy conversation. I anticipated there being shouting as much as I anticipated there being tears. I didn't want to have this conversation with Draco where my parents or his could potentially overhear us or see me crying.

But it wasn't like we could just meet up at a park. I mean, we could. But that didn't really solve the problem of people overhearing us or potentially seeing me cry. It just wouldn't – or shouldn't – be people I know.

I came downstairs just before noon, barely catching my mother before she left for a long shift at St. Mungo's. I was kind of hoping to avoid seeing her before she went to work. After I'd returned home from the Malfoys' the night before, I'd locked myself in my room. I hadn't spoken to either of my parents about what happened.

"Good morning." My mother said, raising her eyebrows at me.

"Good morning." I mustered out. "How was the rest of the night?"

"Well, as you can imagine, it was quite uncomfortable." My mother said, narrowing her eyes slightly at me. "Draco told us you went home and then he went upstairs. We left shortly after."

"I'm sorry, mum." I sighed, "I told you I wasn't ready."

"I guess I'm sorry, as well." My mother said. "I know I shouldn't have pushed you, but I just recognized you regressing so quickly, and I got worried. And, well, honey, this isn't going to just go away."

"But it was." I insisted.

"It was," My mother agreed, "but that was before he returned. It's different now. I know you, Gemma."

I just sighed, dropping into one of the barstools at the kitchen island. I knew my mother was right. Obviously, it was different now. "Look, I'm sorry for worrying you and dad so much over the last year. And I'm also sorry that my behavior last night was a little...well, yeah."

"I mean, you could have maybe drunk a little less and reeled it in. But I was your age once. And I had to keep myself composed when certain things occurred. I know Draco brushing off your relationship when facing his father was difficult." My mother said. She came over to where I was seated and placed a hand on my shoulder, giving it a small squeeze. "I am always going to take your side, Gemma. When it comes down to it, last night was messy in general. It wasn't just you."

"Thanks, mum." I said softly, giving her a weak smile.

"Well, I've got to head to work now. I'm scheduled for a 12-hour shift, and Merlin knows those normally turn into 14-hour ones." My mother sighed. "I'll see you in the morning. Maybe we can do brunch?"

"That would be nice." I nodded, "Have a good day at work. Oh, where's dad?"

"He's in his office." My mother said, pressing a kiss to my head before she headed out.

I watched her leave before I made my way over to my father's office. His door was opened, but he looked deep in concentration as he peered over paperwork. I knocked lightly on the doorframe, my father's head snapping up in surprise.

"Have a moment?" I asked.

My dad nodded, flashing me a small smile as he leaned back in his seat. I stepped into his office and took a seat at one of the two chairs before his desk. "I just wanted to apologize for my behavior last night and for disappearing."

My father waved a hand in the air, shaking his head. "You have nothing to apologize for." He said quickly, before giving me a sheepish smile. "Well, maybe avoiding an outburst would have been good. What's done is done, though. I told your mother it was a bad idea, but well," he sighed, "last night happened anyway. Did you know that in all the years your mother and I have been together, we've never had dinner with Lucius and Narcissa?"