In The Shadows² ★ Draco Malfoy

*2 months later

Life since the Battle of Hogwarts was getting easier slowly. Briar's transformations were becoming less distressing, and Teddy was being spoiled rotten by all of his family. The only downside recently seemed to be that Briar and Draco were spending less time together since his father's trial at the Ministry was happening soon

Narcissa and Briar, on the other hand, were becoming closer since Narcissa was struggling to support Lucius or stand in a stuffy courtroom every day, so she was often at Briar's cottage

And when the day of the trial did arrive, Narcissa came around to have breakfast with her and Teddy, who she had grown very fond of, like everyone else.

"You're so good with him," smiled Narcissa, watching Briar bounce her baby brother on her hip

"He's an easy baby," replied Briar, tickling him under the chin, which elicited a gorgeous, heart-warming laugh from his little mouth. Teddy had such a large family of her, Draco, Narcissa, the Weasleys, Harry, and Andromeda, so he had become used to having attention on him all the time, and had also learned that using his metamorphmagus ability to change his hair colour made people coo and smile at him

"I know but at first glance you would assume he was your son, not your brother," said Narcissa

Briar placed the happy baby down into his playpen, and settled at the dining chair opposite Draco's mother

"I would do anything for him," smiled Briar 

"Well one day I'm sure you and Draco would make good parents," said Narcissa and Briar nearly choked on her tea 

"It's only been like a month," said Briar 

"I know but I see the way he looks at you, and my son has never looked at anyone that way before," she replied

"Of course I would love to have my own kids one day, but Draco seems heavily against it," sighed Briar

"I must admit that to be my own fault," frowned Narcissa "When he was small, I did everything I could to keep Lucius's rules and beliefs away from Draco, but as he got older and Voldemort gained power it became harder. I tried to give my son a good life but I failed"

"You didn't fail," said Briar "You raised Draco to be an independent, amazing, charming, and caring man. Yes, he was a dick for a long time, but look at him now. He's invested in his father's trial, he's amazing with Teddy, and he's going back to Hogwarts to graduate."

"If only you would be there with him," she frowned 

"Teddy needs me," said Briar "But you did well with Draco"

"Thank you," smiled Narcissa 

"How are you feeling about this trial?" asked Briar 

"My husband is doing the right thing," she nodded "But hearing all the stories of everything he was involved in makes it impossible to always stand by him. I've forced myself to turn the other cheek for nearly 20 years and I think I've only finally now realised how ignorant I've been"

"It's not like you had a choice," said Briar

"But I did," she sighed "We all did. And I chose to follow my parent's wishes to marry Lucius instead of following my sister"

"I'm sure Andy would love to see you," suggested Briar "She's on her own now that Ted and Tonks are gone."

"It's been such a long time and I'm afraid she still resents me," said Narcissa "When she left home with Ted, she begged Bella and I to follow her, but my sister cursed her out and swore that if she ever laid eyes on her again then she would kill her. I was so afraid of my sister and my parents that I stayed"