Wyrmling

18.

Draco was back at the Manor after staying for a week straight at his grandmother's.

To try and impress Lucius, so that he would stop calling Ella a distraction again and again, Draco had started preparing for his O.W.Ls already.

Given the help he had around right now, he made well use of it.

Narcissa was more than willing to look after and spend time with her granddaughter. Which gave Draco, a lot of free time to go over his chapters.

He knew this year would not be all that easy.

He could only imagine what the coming year held for him, now that the Dark Lord was back, again.

It was early in the morning on 30th August, when Draco received his list of books and a shiny 'Prefect' badge.

"Oh, I'm so proud of you darling" Narcissa gushed as Draco pinned the badge on Ella's frock, who was very intrigued by the shiny object.

"Thank you mother" Draco smiled at his mother as he picked up Ella.

"Dada"

He heard Ella as they walked towards the dinning room, for their breakfast.

Looking down, he saw the girl point towards the badge and clap.

"Ah, what a surprise! I'm so proud of you. A prefect, a Slytherin prefect already. Bet Potter's kid could never" he mocked as he spoke in a fake high pitched voice, making Ella giggle.

Lucius Malfoy was already seated at the table. In his usual place, the head of the table.

"I assume you will take on your responsibilities well and do extra work for extra merit. I do not wish to see a pureblood such as the Malfoy's, lacking behind" Lucius drawled, his voice cold and monotone.

He eyed the badge on Ella's pink frock but said nothing in appreciation. Merely nodding at Draco.

Narcissa fed Ella some mashed up bananas and strawberries.

"Dada"

Draco felt himself stiffen up, when he saw his father looking at him with narrowed eyes, as Ella, who was sitting opposite to him, stretched her arms towards him.

"Dada" she called again, moving her hands up, motioning for Draco to pick her up.

Draco, stood up, his shoulders tensed and stiff, as he walked over to her highchair, that was now, upon Narcissa's request, was a part of the dinning table.

Picking Ella out of the chair, he walked back to his, sitting down.

Narcissa quietly passed over the left mashed up fruits, to feed the toddler.

"Here" Draco held the spoon in front of Ella,who was now seated in his lap, waiting for her to open up her small mouth.

Ella, shook her head as she played with the dragon in her hands.

"I'll be late" Lucius informed as he stormed out of the room.

"We need to go to Diagon Alley to get your stuff" Narcissa smiled, as she felt herself relax.

"Yeah, I need a few things for Ella as well" Draco told his mother, his grey eyes lingering on his daughter.

Draco flooed to Diagon Alley with Ella and Narcissa.

Ella gaped at the Alley. Her gray eyes taking in everything happening around.

"You like it angel?" Draco spoke softly as he pinched Ella's cheeks softly.

They went to Madam Malkin's to get some robes and a some clothes for Ella.

"Don't to over board mother, please" Draco chuckled as his mother started picking up every other clothing item.

"Hush now Draco" Narcissa rolled her eyes with a small smile.

They were soon done with getting everything they needed.

Draco took Ella to Florean Fortescue's ice-cream parlour. To get her some ice-cream.

Getting two double-fudge and one strawberry flavoured one for Ella, he went outside.

Sitting around a small round table, the three Malfoy's ate their ice-cream peacefully.

"You like it?" Draco smiled at Ella, who nodded her head as she munched on the ice-cream.

"I've heard that they'll have a special set up for the kids this year. So that students can resume their lessons without much difficulty" Narcissa informed Draco, who's face fell upon learning that he probably would have to leave Ella behind while he attended his lessons.

"Oh" he said, feeding Ella another spoonful of her ice-cream.

Coming back to the Manor, they were relived to find Lucius still missing. Not that the two would every say it out loud, not even to each other.

"Oh, I was thinking, perhaps we can have a small early birthday celebration for this little sweetheart here? Seeing that I won't be at Hogwarts for when she turns one" Narcissa beamed softly at the sleeping girl in Draco's arms.

"Of course mother" Draco smiled gratefully as he kissed his mother's cheek.

"I shall go get her changed"

Narcissa nodded at Draco's words, ad he left to go and give Ella a bath and change of clothes.

He was happy and couldn't believe that it has been nearly an year of this little sunshine being with him. He could only hope that this year goes by without much trouble.

"I have O.W.Ls this year baby. Maybe if I do well then we can tell father about you? It might help with his anger a little" Draco talked to Ella, as he bathed her. While she splashed around in the water a little, her floating squid in the tub with her.

Narcissa had prepared a cake for her granddaughter, it was a red velvet. There were three neatly wrapped gifts. Waiting to be opened.

Draco came downstairs and gave his mother a big smile at the sight of the cake and tbe gifts.

"Something tells me you had this planned already" he chuckled.

"You're not the only one who thinks about her" Narcissa mused as she took Ella in her arms. Pecking her chubby cheeks softly.

"You're so beautiful baby" she admired the girl in her arms.

Ella received a gold bracelet with letters ELLA studded with stone in the middle.

Draco clasped it around her wrist as she gazed at the bracelet before she shoved her hand towards Draco, showing him the shy thing.

"It's beautiful isn't it? You have to thank this beautiful woman for that" Draco smiled happily as he picked her up and peppered kisses on her face.

Draco felt prepared for the coming year. He knew he would have to find a balance between work and Ella. He was determined to find that balance.

All for his precious daughter.