The Healer II- The Patient (Draco Malfoy Fanfiction)

Chapter 24- The Grandmother

This chapter's a little longer than usual because, well, a lot happens. Hehe. -kittyhawk410

I instantly recognized Narcissa Malfoy's black and white hair as she stepped out of the black car, flanked at every angle by men in suits. I looked to Draco for answers, but it seemed he was just as surprised as I was.

"Artemis," I gasped. "Shit, how are we going to explain this to Narcissa?"

Draco swallowed. "Easily."

I couldn't face Narcissa Malfoy. Not right now. "I'm going to grab Artemis and run inside without her noticing-"

Narcissa's clear voice called down to us. "Draco!" She used a hand to shield her eyes from the sun. "Who is that with you?"

God dammit. Too late now. I awkwardly waved at Narcissa, wishing that my panties weren't out of place and that Draco didn't have mud stains on the knees of his pants. Despite my quiet pleas for him to let me run inside the house, Draco took my hand and led me up the grass to greet her. I said a rushed scourgify spell to clean us up.

I had last seen Narcissa 12 years ago when I visited Malfoy Manor. She had been effortlessly beautiful then, and that same beauty applied to her now. She wore a glistening broach on a fitted black blazer, long skirt and heels. It made me desperately wish for the opportunity to change into something nicer than this hideous dress made of green floral drapes.

She greeted Draco with a tight hug. I hung back and counted the mysterious men in suits that came with her. There were four.

"Your arm," Narcissa gasped, looking at her son's sling, and then at his pants. "....Are you wearing jeans?"

"Mother, what a pleasant surprise," Draco said with a smile, switching the subject, "How did you get here?"

Narcissa gave a tight-lipped smile. "I got special permission from the French Ministry of Magic to visit. I had to twist quite a few arms to get here." She cast a wary look at the men standing nearby. It seems the Ministry couldn't let her come unchaperoned.

Draco's smile faded. "Where's father?"

"The only way I could see you is if he did not come along. He sends his condolences about Astoria."

Narcissa's eyes slid to me. She looked completely perplexed. I awkwardly cleared my throat. "You probably don't remember me, Mrs. Malfoy-"

"Erica Thorncroft," she said, her eyes lighting up. "Of course I remember you. But... forgive my confusion. What exactly are you doing here?"

Just as I was about to offer my best attempt at an explanation, Scorpius and Artemis came running up. Scorpius was clutching a fat green toad in his hands

"Scorpius and I found a toad!" Artemis announced excitedly. "Can we keep it?"

I saw Narcissa's eyes bounce from Artemis, to Scorpius, to Draco, widening as she counted three identical blonde heads.

I tried hard to fight off embarrassment as the toad let out a fat croak. "Put that back in the pond," Draco hissed.

Narcissa walked towards Scorpius and knelt down. "Hello, Scorpius," she greeted him warmly, seeing her grandson for the first time. "I'm your grandmother."

The toad in Scorpius's hands croaked right in her face.

---

"I was worried about you and Scorpius being all alone after Astoria's passing. But... it seems you're not alone after all," Narcissa said, completely ignoring the cup of tea before her. The escorts from the Ministry were posted outside of the Chateau to give us privacy, but I knew that was only an illusion. If we said something worth hearing, they would find a way to hear it.