Reservations
Sitting in his study, in Malfoy Manor, firewhiskey in his hand. Narcissa sitting across from him with a glass of wine in her hand. Everything in the study was new. This room used to be his father’s. When he was a child, he was never allowed in. Then when he was older and allowed in, he couldn’t touch anything, just sit and listen to his father. Listen to Lucious instruct him on the family accounts, investments, properties and charities. The room was always so dark. Cherry wood, dark green paint, black carpet and drapes. Draco burned everything. Now the carpets and drapes were Slytherin green, everything else creams and whites. The room was much brighter, and the drapes were always open, allowing light in.
“Draco, darling, this may not be so bad. I know your father always said it was your obligation to preserve and continue the blood line. While I don’t give two frog tongues about obligation. You are the last legal male heir of two houses. The Malfoy line and the Black line. That may be important as far as lineage, but I on the other hand would love to just be a grandmother. I would love to hold a beautiful platinum haired grandbaby.”
“Mother,” he looked devastated, “both of those houses should die out. No one wants to be a part of either of those family lines. Can you imagine the horror of the witch that is unlucky enough to have me in their repopulation group. The fact that they will be forever connected to the last living/free Death Eater.”
He could tell by the sad look in her eyes his words had hurt her. That was not his intention. His mother was a very tiny woman. To Draco, she was one of the most beautiful women he knew. Her skin was pale and her hair was long and platinum. She used to charm two stripes of hair shockingly black on both sides of her face, mostly to remind everyone that she was a daughter of the House of Black. Since the war, since Voldemort, she was even more thin and frail. No longer charming the color into her hair, it was now so blonde it looked white. She was not old by any means but her health since the manor’s occupation by the dark one and his various followers took its toll on her. Yet even in her frail condition and with her small frame, she was a very powerful witch.
Irritation clearly evident in her words and tone. “You will never speak like that again. You are a wonderful man. Any witch would be thrilled to bare your child. You are handsome, well educated, polite, socially gifted and you helped turn the tide of the war.” Narcissa Black Malfoy loved her son more than life itself. She knows that he looks down on himself because of choices that were made for him, that were out of his control.
“I’m sorry mother, I didn't mean to upset you. We will see tomorrow when the letters come. Now go and get your rest. I will have Mopsy bring up some dinner. If you would like I can join you in your rooms and we can eat together. Maybe play a few hands of dragon cards.”
Narcissa smiled, “I would love that my Dragon. Nothing too heavy, just some soup and biscuits. My stomach has been upset all day.”
Draco, concern in his voice, “Shall I send for the medi-witch? She can bring you a potion.”
“No darling. We both know that the potions don’t work very well on my issues. I will retire to my rooms. I look forward to our evening together. I love you Draco, to all the stars and back.”
He knew his response; it was childish but he had been saying it to her since he was a toddler, “I love you through all the galaxies and back.” He does love his mother very much. Everything he had done was for her, unfortunately she still was the one who had suffered. His knew her injuries and ailments were because he had failed the dark one. She suffered because of his and Lucious’ failings. Now all he can do to help her was to make her comfortable when her pain flares up. Draco stood, offering his arm, he walked Narcissa to the steps.
He summoned Mopsy, their house elf. She was one of five that had chosen to stay on. Draco freed all of the Manor’s elves after the war. Mopsy was the elf that took care of their personal needs. Tipsy was her sister and she was the cook. Tulip was the elf that used to managed the upkeep of the Manor, now she lived with his aunt Andromeda, helping with her grandson Teddy and her home. She was, in some way, related to Mopsy and Tipsy but he wasn’t sure about house elf lineage. There were two male elves that took care of the grounds and the maintenance of the manor, Hippy and Jack. They also looked after all of the albino peacocks, fish in the pond and the horses.
Mopsy appeared in front of him with a pop. “Master is needing Mopsy?”
“Yes Mopsy. Mother is retiring to her rooms for the evening. She is not feeling well. Her stomach is bothering her again. Could you please have Tipsy send up dinner. I will join her in about an hour. I would really like her to rest for a bit. Just something light. Soup and biscuits. If Tipsy could manage it I would like to surprise her with that orange honey cake she loves.”
“Mopsy will take care of everything. Mistress will rest until Sir can join her for dinner. Tipsy will be delighted to make her the dessert. Should I call for the medi-witch to see to her?”
“No mother does not want to see her. She feels her visits are intrusive and ultimately do nothing to help. I will be in my study, I have a floo call with the solicitor. I should be done before dinner is ready. Thank you Mopsy.” With a loud pop she disappeared.
Draco went back into his study and prepared for his floo call from his solicitor. As he entered he saw Theo Nott sitting in a chair with his elbows on his knees and face buried in his hands. “What’s up? I thought I wouldn’t see you until tonight. Aren’t you supposed to be brewing some very complicated potions right now?”
Without looking up he answered, “Did you hear the Ministry’s announcement?”
“I did.” Draco responded. Now understanding the reason for the unexpected visit..
“Do you suppose they will require that we all be in the repopulation groups? Are there any witches out there that are going to want to be with us after what our fathers did?” Finally looking up, Draco could see the pained expression on the other man’s face.
“I think they are requiring every witch and wizard who fall into the age guideline to participate.” Not wanting to show the other man that he was just as concerned, he added. “It will be fine. We’ll know more tomorrow. Besides mum was very excited. You know her and kids. She always wanted more. Cheeky witch was smiling when she went up to rest.”
Theo stood to leave. He didn’t look any less tense. “I have to go and finish a couple potions.” Turning to leave he paused, “What are you doing?”
“I am expecting a floo call from the solicitors, I acquired a couple muggle business for both Malfoy and Nott enterprises. It really is a bitch to coordinate two separate business. Since I’m running both, we need to talk about merging. On paper we could run it as co-owners, even though you have no interest.” This wasn’t the first time he brought up the idea.
“I told you just get the paperwork together and I’ll sign it. I don’t give a fuck about anything Nott related. You can gamble it all away for all I care. Theo was a very smart and talented wizard, but when his father was put in prison and ultimately executed for his crimes during the war. He was finally free of anything and everything related to Theon Nott. After the war reparations were taken, his fortune was still extremely vast, but he had no interest to manage any of it. So Draco offered to help. He was completely lost when it came to the finances and business holdings of the Knott family. Draco was helping him navigate the minutia that is the wizarding and muggle business worlds.
Draco tried to keep his voice even. He was also worried that they would have to force a witch to be with him. He knew that Theo would be worried about the same thing. Although his father was just as notorious as Lucious, Theo had other memories and nightmares to contend with regarding Theon Nott. “Theo I am expecting a call. We can talk about this tonight. I am dining with mother and we can talk after she retires for the night. We can talk about the program later. I’ll make sure the bar is fully stocked, I know I plan on getting properly pissed.” Just then the floo flamed green indicating his appointment was starting. “I will talk to you later.”
“Okay Draco. See you tonight.” He left the study to head to his potions lab.
Draco grabbed the glass globe that was on his desk and threw it across the room. It shattered into a million pieces. “Fuck” he yelled to no one. This was going to be a nightmare for some poor witch that got grouped with him. The floo flared green again and Draco composed himself.
After his business call he went to his mother’s rooms. She was reading a book. He noticed the title and rolled his eyes. Since she wasn't looking at him, he was surprised when she said, “My dear son, rolling your eyes is very rude. And it does not go well with your handsome features.”
“Sorry mother.” Properly shamed and scolded, he asked her, “Where in the name of Circe did you get that book?”
Holding the book up, Narcissa read the title aloud, “What to Expect from a Muggle Born Pregnancy.”
“Yes mother, I can read. Where did you get that book?”
“I owled the Little Book Nook in Diagon Alley after our conversation earlier today. Mr. Readington was more than happy to help me with my research needs.”
Not wanting to argue with her, he just sighed and sat across from her. “Well let’s have dinner. Theo will be here later, he wanted me to tell you good night.” She looked a little sad that she wasn’t going to see the other wizard tonight. Reading the disappointment on her face he added, “I’m sure you will see him tomorrow. Let’s eat, you need your rest. Plus, you have your new book, I’m sure your research will be boring enough to put you to sleep.”
Narcissa smiled, “Tsk. Tsk. My Dragon. I may be well on my way to being a grandmother by this time next year. I know that worries you, but it thrills me. You are just going to have to suck it up and deal with it.”
Draco laughed, he had never heard his mother use that type of language, but then again, he had not seen her smile, truly smile in so long. If this program gave her happiness and hope, who was he to take it away?
Mopsy popped into the room with Tipsy. They set the table and put the food out. Tipsy was so pleased to show Narcissa the special dessert that Draco had requested. “Orange honey cake for my beautiful Mistress. Tipsy is hoping that you enjoy your dinner.” and with that they popped out.
Mother and son ate and chatted about his conversation with the solicitor. He let her know that he had been asked to re-establish both the Malfoy and Black seats on the Wizengamot. He was considering the positions.
Draco was pleased that the subject of the repopulation program didn't come up again. Narcissa talked about her remodel of the Manor. The first step had been the main parlor over two years ago. That was most definitely for obvious reasons. There were blood stains on the rug and the chandelier was destroyed. Even with the changes, neither of them went in there often.
Then it had been the large dining room. The dark one had converted it into an inner circle meeting room. He had blown out the wall between the large ball room and the large dining room so his throne room and meeting room would be connected. Mother had the wall built back in, separating the two rooms and then she renovated both of them. Both rooms were completely gutted. Curse breakers were brought in to go over the entire Manor and “clean” it. There were no more dark charms or curses in the manor.
The only rooms that had not been touched, addressed or gone into was Lucious’ suite of rooms. Mother couldn't bring herself to go into his rooms and she forbid anyone else from doing so.
She had just finished her suite of rooms. She changed all of the colors from peach and creams to shades of teal and rose. Draco knew that some of these changes were unnecessary, but it pleased his mother and gave her something to do. He would do anything to make her happy.
When dinner was done, and the cake was eaten, all of the dishes had been cleared. They played dragon cards and she had let him “win” three out of the five hands. Just as when he was a child, he was sure she still let him win. Cheeky witch. Draco kissed his mother and bid her goodnight.
Theo was waiting in the game room for him.