Heart of Gold, Heart of Stone (Post-War)

Chapter Nineteen

The next day, Draco came to see Athenadora and the children. George had sent Draco a letter the night before, and informed him about some of the things that happened on Christmas. Draco would've went to Athenadora's place that night, but George had told him that Bill and Charlie were there with her and the kids.

Draco believed that the two oldest Weasleys would take care of her and her children for the night. He informed his mother of what had happened, and his mother told him to bring Athenadora and the children to see her the next day. She wanted to show them how a woman was supposed to treat the girl that meant the world to her son. She wanted Athenadora to see how she should've been treated by Mrs. Weasley for years.

"Are you sure your mother wants us there?" Athenadora asked, as she and Draco made sure the children were ready.

"She asked me to come get you." Draco said, giving his girlfriend a smile.

"Is there anything I need to know before we go?" She questioned, causing Draco to laugh lightly.

"Just be yourself," He replied,"I love you the way you are, and so will she."

Athenadora and Draco each grabbed a child, before they stood together, and Draco apparated them to the manor. Athenadora felt nervous, since she was scared that Mrs. Malfoy would treat her just like Mrs. Weasley had treated her. She didn't want to be treated like trash, but for Draco, she would try and handle it more calmly than she did Mrs. Weasley.

Draco held Athenadora's hand, as he lead her through the halls to find his mother. Once he found his mother, he let go of Athenadora's hand, and walked over to his mother to place a kiss on her cheek. Mona was still in his arms, since he hadn't even thought about setting her down.

"Mum, this is Athenadora, my girlfriend, and this is Mona, and that's Teddy." Draco said, as he motioned to the Lupin family.

"Nice to meet you, Athenadora, you can call me Narcissa, or just Cissa. Whichever name you want is fine with me." Narcissa commented, and Athenadora smiled.

"Nice to meet you, too, and call me Athena or 'Thena." Athenadora replied, making Narcissa smile as well.

"Are you all hungry?" Narcissa asked, and Teddy's head snapped up to her.

"Yes!" Teddy exclaimed, causing everyone to laugh.

"Good, I made some sandwiches for us to eat, but I also made biscuits for later." Narcissa said, as she motioned for everyone to follow.

Athenadora and Draco followed behind Narcissa, as Teddy and Mona followed happily close behind the woman. Teddy and Mona seemed even more happy and carefree in this place than they did at the Burrow. Mrs. Weasley was always so loud and boisterous at the Burrow, but things here were calm stress-free.

"So, I've asked Draco, but I want to know, are you as happy as him in this relationship?" She asked, as they sat down to eat the sandwiches.

"Yes, I am. I love him, and I feel closer to him than I have to anyone else really. He made me feel happy and accepted again after I lost Fred. I thought the world was against me, but then Draco came into my life, and everything looked brighter." Athenadora replied, causing Narcissa to smile.

"Is he good with the kids?" She asked,"He says he is, but I know he can have difficulty with irritation. I know kids can be irritating, and he's not always great with handling being irritated." She commented, making Athenadora laugh quietly.

"He's actually really good with them. I was surprised myself with how well he is with them," Athenadora answered,"and I know Mona has an attitude when she wants to, and Draco is good at handling it."

Narcissa and Athenadora talked to each other for a bit longer, before Narcissa excused herself to get the biscuits for everyone. She had put them in a decorated box, so they weren't sat on the table when they had come into the kitchen. Teddy shouted that he would help her, so he quickly raced to her to help her grab the box.

"So, was it bad meeting my mum?" Draco asked, causing Athenadora to shove him jokingly.

"Sod off, Malfoy." She retorted, making him laugh.

Narcissa and Teddy came back barely a moment later. Teddy was carrying a rather large box of biscuits, and Narcissa was watching him to make sure he didn't fall or drop the box. Honestly, the sight was kind of adorable, and Athenadora couldn't stop the smile that grew on her face. When she was around the Burrow, Mrs. Weasley never let Teddy or Mona help her, but Narcissa let them without even a second thought.

"I'll be making a big dinner tonight, so I hope you're able to stay for dinner." Narcissa commented, causing Athenadora to smile.

"Yes, I would love for us to stay for dinner." Athenadora replied, with a big smile on her face.

"Mona can't have--" Draco began, but his mother cut him off.

"Apricot, I know. You've told me quite a few times, and you know I hate apricot." Narcissa said, causing Draco's cheeks to tint pink.

Athenadora felt her heart skip a beat knowing Draco had been so mindful of her children. Mona had been allergic to apricot, and Draco had made sure that anyone who was cooking knew that Mona could not have it. Draco loved these children and he refused for anything to happen to them that he could prevent from happening.

Throughout dinner, Athenadora and Narcissa talked about their lives and things like that. Athenadora shared her small obsession with baking when she was bored, and Narcissa invited her to bake with her whenever she felt like it. Narcissa hadn't baked until Lucius was gone, and once she started baking she learned she loved it. This was something Narcissa and Athenadora could easily bond over...