Always. (A Draco Malfoy Story)

Secrets.

"If I'm at the Manor, where will you be?" I begin to drag my bag to the living room.

Father is waiting for me on the couch, "I'll be working, Joy... and we have elves for that." He watches me struggle for a bit. "Of course you are." I huff, "And I am perfectly capable of getting my own bags."
I take a seat in the couch. He asks, "How is your task coming along?" I begin to fiddle with my wand, "Nearly finished. We will attempt transferring when school resumes." He nods, "Just remember your deadline, Joy."
A few minutes go by before I ask, "Why aren't we going yet?" Father fixes his jacket, "We are waiting for someone." I sit straight up, "Who?" The fireplace begins to light up in green flames.

"Uncle Snape!" I stand up and walk over to greet him. "You didn't tell me you were visiting us for Christmas." He flares at me Father, whose now walking over to the both of us, "It was a last minute... decision." I swivel my head back and forth between them, confused. "I need to speak to your Father about... urgent matters." Snape raises one eyebrow while looking at Father. Father just nods. I tap Snape's shoulder, "Did he tell you Mother left?"
Snape's eyes widen, "She left?" He looks at Father then to me, but his eyes goes soft.
His reaction surprises me. I expected something... more. I observe Snape and try to read him, but I see nothing.

"You shouldn't practice Legilimency against your teacher, Joy." I smirk, I don't know why I even tried.
I crack a smile at him as an apology. "Uhm... alright then. I'll just let you two talk then." I walk towards the fireplace and was on my way to the Manor.

-

"Draco, you cannot tell Joy." Narcissa stands in the middle of Draco's room, calmly.
Draco begins to shout, "What do you mean I can't tell her?! She has the right to know!" Narcissa tries to calm Draco down, "It's not our place to say." Draco stops and stares at Narcissa,  "And you think he's gonna tell her?!" She nods, "He will, when he believes the time is right."
Draco walks up to Narcissa, "Mother, I can't keep this from her." She cups his face, "You can and you will."

"Draco? Narcissa?"
My voice is faint from the living room.

"Not a word of it, do you understand me?" Narcissa ensures Draco's silence, "Yes."

I see the two of them descending the stairs a little while after I called out for them both.
"Joy, darling! I'm so happy to see you!" Narcissa walks over to me with open arms, which I happily embraced. After all, she's my only Mother now.

"Narcissa, thank you for letting me stay here for Christmas." She cups my face, "Our home is your home, always." I smile at her as he moves to the side and reveals Draco standing behind her. He smiles, "Hello love." He kisses my cheek and grabs my bags for me.
"Have you eaten yet?" I shake my head, "No, but I'm not rather hungry." She nods, "Just ask one of the elves whenever you need something." I nod and she brings me to wherever Draco went.

We had dinner together a little later than dinner normally is. Right after, I followed Draco to the second floor. "So, where am I sleeping?" I follow Draco up the stairs. He replies, "With me, of course." I stop walking but he continues up the stairs before looking back at me, "Wait, seriously?" He scoffs, "You've slept in my bed before." I look up at him, now that he's a few steps above me, "Yeah, when no one was home. Narcissa is here, I don't want to do anything to upset her." Draco talks down a few steps and gets closer to me, "She loves you. Nothing you do could upset her."

We get to his room and lo and behold, I see my bags there. Guess I am sleeping here.

-

I've genuinely enjoyed the time I was spending with Draco and Narcissa. It's been a long while since I actually got to be in the presence of people who I love. It was pure bliss.

This is the happiest I've been for a while. I'm thankful I'm not lonely anymore.