A Mother's Love

Chapter 1

Narcissa was at work consulting with the higher end residents on home design when Harry burst in. She smiled. "Give me a minute, Darlene." The woman in question waved it off. They all knew how much Narcissa loved her son. Narcissa took Harry to the break room. It was his eleventh birthday today and they had plans for after work. The fact he was here now meant it had happened.

     Harry must have gotten his letter. "I told you they'd want you." She smiled warmly at her surrogate child.

"Can we go get my things after work?" Harry was excited.

"Might as well. We need to celebrate your big day." She resisted the urge to ruffle Harry's hair. Harry had a touch aversion, probably due to the abuse he had suffered for ten long years. While it was hard, Narcissa did her best to respect this. "You should get home. I'm not off for a couple hours." Harry hugged her and took off. She stood in shock a moment that he had initiated physical contact before smiling.

X

Diagon Alley was abustle with activity. Harry kept her strange looks until she apologized. "You know I can't possibly come into the public eye looking like myself." Polyjuice Potion was such a useful invention. It had allowed her to be there for Harry for the most important parts of his life. Harry had expressed an interest in getting ahead of the curve when she explained the world of magic to him, when she explained who he was. This meant that he wanted to read up on magic, so she had gotten him books. Histories of their world and strides that had been made. Now when he had conversations with other students, he would know what they were saying.

Harry sighed. "I know." Of course people already gave them second glances because of who he was. It made sense. He knew that Narcissa had run from something one did not normally get to run from. Changing the subject he tried to get Narcissa to spill. "Who are we meeting?" Harry had a few ideas of course, but he wasn't certain.

Narcissa smiled and continued to lead him in silence. They stopped at Florean Fortsecue's for a frozen treat and continued down the alley. A big shadow stepped out into their path and Harry had to crane his neck back. A smile graced Harry's face that made Narcissa's heart flutter. Draco had quickly lost that kind of innocence under Lucius' tough leadership. "Hagrid!" Harry threw his arms around the half giant.

     "Awe shucks Harry. Yer makin' me blush under my beard." Hagrid had been a part of Harry's life this past year as much as Narcissa, and it showed. "Happy birthday."

     Hagrid handed Harry a large, covered cage. It hooted softly and when Harry exposed the owl to the air, he saw it was a beautiful snowy color. "Owls are dead useful. They'll carry her mail and all." Hagrid watched Harry's face break into yet another grin.

     "I'll name her Hedwig. And... Hagrid? I love her." They traveled to all the stores together and gathered the supplies Harry would need for his first year before stopping for a bite to eat at the pub. Hagrid said his goodbyes and Narcissa pondered Harry over the table. It was going to be hard to just let him go from her side. She reflected how sad it was Lily Pottwr could not be here for this moment herself. How upsetting the idea was that she had been connected to the shadowy group that spelled the woman's end.

     Harry sipped his tea and poked at his steak and kidney pie. He seemed to have decided he didn't like it. Narcissa cleared it away from him and spoke. "Harry, I know you've heard this from me a thousand times-"

     "To not be ashamed no matter what house I get and to always use my judgement of personal character to make friends, not blood status." Harry beamed his happy green gaze at her. "I know mum."

     Narcissa smiled. He was such a delight. So well behaved and such a bright outlook despite the things he had been through and still wouldn't talk about. "Don't forget that you may get unsigned things from me in the mail." Harry watched her with intelligence over his cup. He had grown wise beyond his years once he got a little nurturing thrown his way.

     "I'll be ok." Harry finally said. "You be careful. They're probably still looking for you." Narcissa's heart warmed at his concern.

     "You know I'm nothing but careful."

X

      Narcissa cried as Harry chugged around the corner on his first ever train ride to Hogwarts. She had seen Draco too and he was even crueler than he had been. She turned and bumped into a larger gentleman who wore a cloak pulled up over his face. She apologized and continued on her way, brushing off a foreboding shiver. It was time to pick a different appearance for the Polyjuice Potion to shape her into. She'd taken this one on for far too long now.

     On the train Harry felt total and complete excitement. Of course there was the usual whispering that accompanied him and his iconic scar, but it didn't get him down. He took his seat in an apartment that had a toad on the seat opposite him. He looked at it curiously. Surely it wasn't an animagus. That meant it was someone's chosen pet. Casting a glance about, he scooped the animal up and pocketed it, moving to leave the car and find the owner.

      At the door he was stopped by a round faced little boy and a girl with curly, bushy brown hair and eyes to match. She had unusually large front teeth that Harry honestly thought added to her character. In a bossy voice she spoke. "Have you seen a toad? Neville's lost one."

     "As a matter of fact, I found this little guy attempting to make a break from this car." Harry pulled the toad from his pocket and held it to the boy, Neville.

     Neville gasped. "Trevor! Thank you!" He lovingly held the animal in his hands.

     The bushy-haired girl held out her hand. "I'm Hermione Granger. You must be Harry Potter. I've read all about you. You're famous." She had a way of talking rather fast.

     Harry eyed her hand. "Er-I'm sorry. I don't...shake hands. Oh but it's not you!" He said quickly, seeing her expression. "I have a touch aversion." Her offense changed to interest and she withdrew her hand.

     "I'm sorry I put you in that position." She said smartly.

     They had an uneventful ride together the rest of time except for when Harry bought three of everything on the trolley to share. Neville struck him as a very timid individual who was going to have a hard time in the type of structured environment he was expecting from Hogwarts. He was perhaps a Hufflepuff just based on his kind, mellow demeanor. Harry could've been wrong. He was just guessing. Hermione seemed like she'd do very well and, Harry thought, she'd probably end up in Ravenclaw, where he was expecting to go.

     By the time the train stopped, Harry's nerves were on fire. Which house would it be? How would it possibly affect his learning? Would he still get the best he could, so long as he tried his hardest? Heart pounding he waited in the halls before the great double doors with all the other first years, doing his best not to attract Draco's attention, and to remember that his own self confidence would determine much these first few days. The professor, McGonnagal, gave as wry smile and pushed open the doors.