A Mother's Love

2 D R A C O

"Draco dear?  Are you home?"

"Yes mum, I'm in the kitchen!" I called back to her.  We moved out of the Malfoy Manor about six months after the war ended.  Partly because we din't need that much space but mostly because it reminded us too much of the horrors that had gone on there.

"Are you preparing dinner tonight or ould you like me to?"

I figured my mum had had a long day at the Ministry so I offered to make dinner.  I did steak and mashed potatoes with green beans because its filling and relaxing on this winter day.

After dinner, I made sure mum was comfortable and I went up to my room to do some work for my Auror training.  After all the wrong I did, I at least want to make an effort to do good.

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I didn't realize I'd fallen asleep part-way through until mum woke me up the next morning.

"Draco?  Draco I want you to know that I have company coming over at noon for tea.  You can stay or go, your choice."

"I'll go.  I'll run some errands and maybe go get some new work clothes.  What time is it?" I groggily asked.

"About 10:00.  I left some coffee in the pot but you'll have to warm it.  Let me know before you leave the house, just so that I know where you are dear."

"Alright mum."

With that, she left my room, closing the door.  I got up and put on some jeans and my hiking boots (they're warm in the winter and have good grip), and a plain black shirt.  

After attempting to fix my hair but giving up, I headed downstairs and poured myself a cup of coffee in a to-go mug so that I could head out immediately.  

"Bye mum!" I called.

"Goodbye dear!"

I apparated to Diagon Alley where I headed to Madam Malkin's sister store across the street where you could get clothes other than robes.

"Good afternoon dear, what may I help you with?" As it wasn't really back-to-school season, Madam Malkin spent most of her time in this store instead of across the street.  She was an old family friend and didn't really care about my past.

"I'd like to get some Ministry Robes and a few suits for when I do Auror work."

"Ahhhh.  Becoming an Auror is an important position that requires important clothes.  Have a seat and I'll get my supplies."

While she took my measurements and we looked at fabrics, we talked about my mother and current events and my Auror training.

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"Alright dear, I'll have your robes to you by Monday.  Will that be all?"

"Yes, thank you.  Happy Holidays!"  With that, I left the store.  Since it was only 12:30, I figured I could shop around and see what kinds of gifts I could get mum this holiday season.

I was walking through a Flourish and Blotts, just to see if they had any interesting new books, I ran into someone I didn't think I'd ever see again.

"Hello Malfoy."

"Weasley?  What're you doing here?"

The red-headed girl looked a little defensive at my question.

"What, am I not allowed to shop here?"

"No, I just meant- never mind."  After an awkward pause, I noticed something.

"Hey, this is where you stood up for Potter in second year.  I called it, didn't I?  He got himself a girlfriend," I said with a bittersweet chuckle.

"No, actually."  The Weasley girl said.

"Pardon?"

With a look of sadness in her eyes, she told me, "We broke up about a year after the war.  Turns out, women aren't his type."

"Well, I guess you just weren't for him-" I paused confusedly.  "Wait.  Did you say women aren't his type?"

"Yep.  He came out to me and the rest of us Weasley's, along with Hermione, right after we broke up.  He's gay."

"Ah."  I didn't know what to say after that or why my heart was pounding so wildly.  "Well then, nice talking to you Weasley."

"Yeah, nice talking to you too Malfoy, I guess," she said and walked away.

That was certainly an interesting conversation, I thought to myself.

The rest of the day was uneventful.  I got back home at about 15:00 and mum's company had left, so I finished off the scones she made and we settled down to play a game of wizard's chess together.

Though the day may have been uneventful, the rest of the week certainly was not.