Lullabies [d.m&h.g]

5 [Eye to Eye]

Narcissa Malfoy

I fed the owl a small treat before I untied the letter around it's leg. Once the letter was in my hold I let the owl free. 

"Lucuis, she replied." I said waving the letter between my fingers. 

"Open it dear." he said mindlessly still flipping through his book. 

I rolled my eyes and unfolded the parchment.

Narcissa,

Of course I would love to come by. I will see you at the set time.

H.G

"She's coming!" I said excitedly. 

"Brilliant darling, but I fear what Draco would do if he came back and she was in the estate."

I whacked Lucuis upon the head, "Be optimistic fool!"

He gave me a menacing look and I gave him a cheeked one back. 

"Of course this will be a surprise." I said, "But remember our plan darling?"

"You mean your elaborate plan to get those two together. Darling, I fear that their spark is long gone and the only thing they share is the infant." 

"I know what you said." I snapped at my husband. "But think of it. Our house filled with our grandchildren from our only son. I want at least 6 of them. Oh that would be adorable, all their names have to start with R and-"

"You're getting a bit carried away dear."

I scoffed, "Lucuis bloody-"

A pop in the foyer cut me off. 

"Oh Lucuis! She's here!"

I hurried off to the entrance of the home to greet the same honey brown eyes that I saw at Diagon Alley.

I gave Hermione a tight squeeze. "Rose, rose. Where is she?"

Hermione lifted up her daughter and put it in my warm arms. I cradled the toddler and cooed at her. "She's so adorable."

"Isn't she?" Hermione replied smiling, "Erm. Is Draco going to-"

"But of course, he's just running some errands. He should be here in about an hour. Come, come eat." 

"I don't want to be intruding..." Hermione continued. 

"Merlin, no!" I said, "We want you here Hermione."

Hermione took a seat next to Lucuis at the grand dining table. 

"Mr. Malfoy, it's been so long."

"Very." Lucuis replied, sipping his tea while flipping through his handbook. 

"Alright," I said happily, "I'll be waiting in the foyer for Draco." 

Hermione

Lucuis stared at Rose intently while she was sat on his lap. 

"She has Draco's hair." he commented, picking up a curly lock of platinum blonde hair. "Except it has your... texture."

"She was cursed with that." I joked. 

"Indeed."

I saw him stoke her head softly and I smiled. Who knew this was Lucuis Malfoy?

"Her hair is just so... curly." he said. 

"She has my eyes also."

"It's quite unique." Lucuis said. "Too bad you didn't have a son."

I stayed quiet. Lucuis said things that I simply had trouble replying to. 

I felt relieved when Narcissa came back into the room grinning. "Draco has come home. He's just freshening up in his suite."

I felt nervous and I kept itching at the knees. How would he react to seeing me in 2 years?

"Draco!" Voldemort said giving Draco a hug. "Well done Draco."

Draco looked pained to be joining his parents on Voldemort's side. I glimpsed at him pacing away with his mother at his side and his father right behind them. A tear threatened to drip down my cheek when Draco turned around and stared right into my eyes. 

"Her..herm...Hermione?"

My eyes met into some icy blue ones. I couldn't help but give a small side smile at his painstricken face. 

"Hermione." he repeated. 

"Hello Draco." I said. 

"Take a seat Draco." Lucuis said. 

When Draco was seated on the right of his father he stared at Rose intently. The house elves brought in the dinner meal and left us alone to eat. 

Narcissa caught my wandering eyes, "Why isn't anyone speaking?" she said straightforwardly. 

"Erm." I said slowly, "It's Rose's bedtime soon. I'm afraid that I can't stay long."

"Nonsense." Narcissa said, "Stay here for the night. We have no floo network and it'll be a pain for Rose to apparate when she's half asleep." 

I nodded hesitantly in agreement and the rest of the dinner was eaten in silence. 

Lucuis handed Rose over to me at the end of dinner and walked over to whisper in Draco's ear. "Take Hermione into one of the guest rooms and make sure she sees to it as comfortable." 

"Yes father." 

I sat up from my chair and thanked Lucuis and Narcissa for dinner with a tight hug. 

"Talk to him." I heard Narcissa whisper into my ear. I pretended not to hear and I followed Draco as he walked out of the room. 

"Slow down." I said. I was struggling to keep up with his fast pace. 

He turned around in the middle of the hallway to give me a sharp eye. "What made you come here?" he said, "To the manor."

"Your mother sent me an owl." I said quietly, "I know you must not want Rose and I here." 

"No I do." he assured me, he ran his fingers through his hair and shut his eyes, "It's just. It's been long, and it's been awkward the whole time so far."

"I know." I said quietly. "Can you show me my room now?"

He nodded and let me take his arm and he guided me through stairs and more hallways. 

"My room is right here." he said gesturing the grand wooden doors painted a dark green. "The guest room should be right there with the French doors." he said pointing to the door right next to his room. 

I nodded and smiled at him with gratitude. "Thank you."

"Don't mention it." Draco said slowly. "Can I... can I spend some time with Rose tonight?"

I looked down at my almost asleep baby girl. I hesitantly gathered her into Draco's arms. 

"She knows who you are." I said quietly. "Please be careful. She's the only one I have left."

Draco nodded before opening his door. "Goodnight Hermione." he said before leaning in to brush his lips against my cheek.