Before The Past

Ch. 29

"Right dears, what's next?" Narcissa asked as we walked out of Borgin and Burkes. 

"I think that was the last of it." I replied glancing at my list. 

"Shall we head back for tea then?" Narcissa smiled. 

Draco and I both nodded as we walked away from the crowded streets to the carriage. As we walked along, I nearly slipped on a paper. Draco smirked to himself as a I regained my balance and Narcissa made sure I was alright. I assured I was fine and looked down to see what the paper was about. It was an old daily prophet from June, and it had Harry Potter's face on the front cover. The headline read 'The Boy Who Lies' and he was wearing his tournament suit. Given his current situation, this paper didn't age well. 

Harry Potter was now accused of casting the Patronus charm in front of a muggle and is at risk of being expelled from school. From what I heard his hearing was this week, and Delores Umbridge was the main judge. I wasn't sure what a hearing in the ministry was like, but from what my father told me it wasn't pretty. 

When we got back to the Malfoy Manor, Draco went up to his room while Narcissa and I went to the kitchen for tea. One of their house elves was baking scones, causing the warm smell of pastries to develop throughout the room. 

"It's so nice to have some alone time with you, we haven't talked in ages." Narcissa beamed. 

"I agree, it's nice to have a friendly chat with someone for once." I responded. 

"What about your parents?" She asked. 

"We don't talk much, it seems as though the more that comes up, the more distant they grow." I sighed. 

"That's unfortunate, it's quite the opposite for Draco and I. He hardly ever talks to me most of the time." 

"I don't think he likes talking to anyone."  

"No, I suppose not. I'm afraid we've raised him to be more entitled than I would have liked." 

Narcissa looked disappointed as she took a sip from her tea. She was right that Draco was far too entitled, but it couldn't possible be entirely her fault. If anything from what I've seen it was more than likely Lucius's fault. Both him and his father have a better-than-you complex, and when humbled it seems as though a chunk of their ego has been carved out. 

We continued to talk, and after a while I felt as though a large weight had been lifted off my shoulder. She allowed me to simply talk and only gave comforting words when needed. I was able to talk about almost everything and for once I felt like there was no judgement. Of course there were still a few things I couldn't mention, but those I would more than likely have to take to my grave. 

"I'm sorry about all of this dear. I understand it may be a hard shift, I've just come to terms with what's happening too." Narcissa said reassuringly. 

"Thank you, truly. For the tea, and for this talk I really needed it." I smiled. 

"As did I, and don't forget I'm always here if you need me." 

She embraced me in a warm hug before showing me to the door. I put on my coat and waited with her until my carriage had shown up. We said our goodbyes and I walked to my carriage. Before I got there, I noticed that Lucius Malfoy had apparated back, followed by a dirty looking woman with crazy written all over her eyes. She smiled as she looked up at the manor and Lucius nodded his head to me as I walked by. 

"Miss Hawthorne." 

"Mr. Malfoy." 

After the short encounter the woman looked at me skeptically as a house elf opened the door and I walked into the carriage.