WITHOUT YOU [draco malfoy fanfiction]

45. love?

A/N:

 A major part of this chapter, the conversation between Narcissa and Irene is written in third person. It is because I wanted to explore what was going on in their heads simultaneously through out the entire conversation. I hope you enjoy this writing style :)

The artwork used as cover in the chapter is not mine. All credits to the wonderful artist (It's Draco and Theo, in case you've not guessed already😉)

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Narcissa Malfoy watched the girl in front of her take a deep breath and steel herself, like one does for an unpleasant conversation.

"Mrs. Malfoy" she began even though Narcissa gave her the permission to use her given name. It was as if she was afraid that after whatever she might have to say, Narcissa would take back her earlier favour. She did not disagree.

 "Please continue, Miss Pierce" she said going along the same lines.

Caramel eyes locked into sparkling blue ones.

"Do you believe in blood superiority ma'am?" No one had ever dared to ask Narcissa such a direct question. She appreciated the honesty.

"No, I do not" she answered, extending the same directness.

"Everyone at school thinks that I'm a transfer student from Beauxbatons and that my parents are situated in France"

"But that isn't the truth, is it?"

"No, it's not" the two women locked eyes once again.

"I would appreciate nothing but the truth" Narcissa stated.

"I was unaware that magic existed until this year" Narcissa was shocked. This young woman had showcased exemplary magical skill, yet she was unaware of magic. How?

Sensing Narcissa's doubt, Irene said "I was trained before this school year ma'am, by Albus Dumbledore himself"

"Why not bring you with the rest of the muggle-borns at 11?" Narcissa assumed Irene was a muggle-born since she had no prior knowledge of magic.

"You see, I'm not a muggle born" Irene then went on to explain how she was a pure-blood but remained in the care of her adoptive muggle parents till the age of 14.

"Dumbledore never really gave me a lot of information. I only know they were members of 'The Order of Phoenix'. I don't even know their names" Irene tried her best to control the emotional onslaught that was coming. She did not want to cry right now.

Narcissa had the urge to hex the imbecile man she had once called 'headmaster' many times before, but it had never been this strong. She verified the young girl's story through leglimency and took a look at the finer details of the story as to how Dumbledore arranged it with the headmistress of Beauxbatons to show Irene as an ex-student at their academy when asked, she witnessed the training given to her by both Dumbledore and later by Snape. She looked at the poor girl before her who was obviously distraught and gently grasped her hand.

"Irene, I hope you understand why I had to verify your identity. When you sent me the letter, I investigated your records. Dumbledore is good at forging documents but there are a few people he cannot fool. There is no family by the name of Pierce whose daughter attended Beauxbatons in France. The name of your mother and father provided is false, it doesn't check out. I have dedicated my entire life to my son and I couldn't very well hand his life away to a fraud, hence the questions"

Irene squeezed the older woman's hand and gave her a timid smile, "I understand. I would never hold this against you, Mrs. Malfoy"

Narcissa gave her a warm smile, "Call me Narcissa, dear"