A Mother's Love

3 H A R R Y

I walked up the steps of the house, awed by the size comparison. Malfoy Manor was massive, but this house was moedrately sized. Still fairly large, but drastically smaller in comaprison to the Manor.

The cream exterior with dark wood accents gave it a very half-timber style, and the green lawn and assortment of flora and fauna, dusted with snow, made the house feel like a very large cottage. It was homey to say the least.

Ding dong.

"Hello Harry, do come in! I'm sorry if there's any mess, the house elves cleaned up quite nicely though," Narcissa welcomed me.

"I love your house. So homey and nice," I complemented.

"Oh thank you dear. Draco helped me pick it out."

"He has good taste. Does he live here?" I asked.

"Yes, but he's out so I'm afraid that you won't get to see him today. Not that either of you would mind," she said with a chuckle.

"Well, we have been enemies for quite a few years. While I could put our differences behind us, as they were really childish, I don't think friendship is in our future."

"I don't blame you."

As we talked, I discovered that the reason she added 'Black' to her last name is because, though she still loves her husband, she doesn't enjoy the baggage that comes with being just a Malfoy. So she became a 'Black-Malfoy'. Draco didn't want any connection to his father so he changed his last name to simply 'Black'.

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"So, how is your Professor training going?" Narcissa asked.

"Well, I passed the exam!"

"Congratulations! Was is as hard as you thought it would be?"

"No. I over-studdied, but I'd rather be prepared andnot need it that unprepared and suddenly not know something. You know?"

"Of course. Where are you living now? Do you have a girlfriend?" she asked teasingly.

"Ahh, no. I lean more towards boyfriends."

"I thought so. Draco is the same way and I've noticed some of the little signs. I complete support you though."

Draco? Gay? But he shagged practically every girl in our year, and others! Well, good for him, I suppose. I didn't knwo why that made my heart leap so I chose just to keep talking.

"As for where I live, I've moved into my Godfather's old place. Only thing is that I have to completely clean out the place, because its very... dark and unhappy feeling."

"I can help with the renovation if you'd like! I quite like doing that kind of thing, and I could use something to keep me busy."

"That would be wonderful!" I glanced at my watch. "Oh, I've got to go. I was going to spend some time with my friends this afternoon. Thank you so much for the tea Narcissa, the scones were delicious."

"Ah, well, you've got to come back sometime. If you've got to go that's alright, Draco should be home soon anyways."

We bid each other goodbye and I grabbed my coat, wandering out the door. 

Today was nice, I thought.

I went home that day and, since students would be returning home from Hogwarts for Christmas in a few days, decided that tomorrow I'd go Christmas shopping.