Truly Madly Deeply

Chapter Eighteen - Narcissa Arrives

~ Professor Dumbledore's Office ~

Harry and Draco reluctantly let go of each other and sat closely together, their hands clutched together. Although Harry was feeling optimistic, he couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't quite right. There was something they weren't being told.

"But how do we know this isn't some sort of trick?" he asked quietly, not wanting to upset Draco.

Dumbledore smiled at the boys, as if he was expecting this question.

"Narcissa called me right after she called the Medi-Wizards. I was there when they pronounced him officially dead," Dumbledore said slowly.

"So what was the cause of death?" Snape asked with blatant disregard for anyone's feelings. Dumbledore shot him a You're-Walking-A-Fine-Line look before replying.

"Boys, I think it is time for you to go to bed. You have classes tomorrow."

Harry got the hint and stood up, tugging the blond boy up beside him. They bade their professors' goodnight and left the office.

"It hasn't been made public yet and I doubt it ever will be, but it was auto-erotic asphyxiation. I don't think Mr. Malfoy needs to know the depths of depravity his father had sunk to. Goodnight to both of you." Dumbledore finished his stern speech and left McGonagall and Snape alone in his office.

~ Entrance Hall ~

"When is your mother supposed to be arriving, Drac?" Harry asked, glancing down at his watch. He was sitting on the stairs watching Draco pace around the room.

Draco turned to look at Harry and groaned at the sight of Harry's unruly hair. "I don't know. Soon."

He strode over to where Harry was sitting and pulled a brush out of a pocket in his school robes. He held Harry's chin firmly as he dragged the brush through Harry's hair in a futile attempt to make it sit straight.

"Ow! Drac, stop it!" Harry yelped, his hands pulling Draco's away from his head. "Do you have to brush it so hard? I'm surprised I've got any hair left," he said as he gingerly ran a hand through his hair, as if trying to determine how much had been viciously ripped out.

"I just want everything to be perfect, okay. Tuck your shirt in," Draco said irritably.

Harry stood up, pushed back his robes and tucked his shirt into his school pants. Classes had finished and Harry wanted to go change into something a bit more comfortable but Draco wouldn't let him, even when Harry said that the something more comfortable that he wanted to slip into was Draco.

Harry smiled indulgently as he watched Draco standing over by the window fussing with his green and silver tie. His mother clearly meant a lot to him, which told Harry that she was different from his father. If it was his father who was about to arrive, Harry very much doubted that Draco would care what he was wearing or how Harry's hair looked. Hell, he probably wouldn't even be here in the Entrance Hall. They'd be busy somewhere else. Harry grinned.

"She's here!" Draco said excitedly as he stared out the window. He rushed over to the door, threw it open and pulled a startled blonde woman into a fierce hug. Harry stood up and anxiously straightened his clothes.

Narcissa pulled away from her son and stared up at him. She only came up to his shoulders. "I've missed you so much, Darling. I'm sorry I couldn't come straight away after your father...."

"Shh, it's okay. I understand," Draco said tenderly, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "Come, there's someone I want you to meet." Draco led her over to where Harry was standing and proudly announced, "Mother, I'd like to introduce you to my fiancé, Harry Potter."

Narcissa gasped as Harry smiled nervously at her. "It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Malfoy."

"It's lovely to meet you too, Harry," Narcissa said warmly before she turned to her son. "You're engaged? When were you going to tell me? Before or after the wedding?"

Draco had the grace to look ashamed. "I'm sorry. I was going to tell you, but so many things have happened that I just haven't had the chance."

"What could be more important than telling your mother that you are going to get married?" Narcissa demanded.

"Well...." Draco started, "there was that incident with Snape in the Slytherin bathroom..."

Both Harry and Draco shuddered as they caught the double meaning behind that statement.

"And the trip to Hogsmeade where we bought our rings..." added Harry as he and Draco automatically held out their hands so their rings could be inspected.

"Then I ended up in the Hospital Wing after Ron stupefied me. But he thought I was Voldemort, so it was okay..." Draco said frankly. Narcissa looked concerned by this news but did not interrupt.

"And then there was that incident down by the lake during the Quidditch match," Harry said, grinning.

"Don't forget about the lesson that resulted from that incident," Draco said, grinning back at Harry, who blushed.

"I don't think I need to hear anymore," Narcissa said amusedly, gazing from one to the other. It was obvious to her that Harry was deeply in love with her son and that pleased her. He would be good for Draco, she decided.

"Professor Dumbledore is expecting you in his office," said Harry. He hung back as Draco and his mother started walking hand in hand down the corridor towards the office. This was family time and that didn't include him.

"Harry!" Draco called, somehow knowing what Harry was thinking. He held out his hand and stared expectantly at Harry. It was not the first time that Harry had thought that either Draco knew him really well or he was just that transparent.

Harry caught up with them and took Draco's hand.

"You're a part of our family now, Harry," Narcissa said kindly as the three of them continued down the hall.

Chapter Eighteen - Narcissa Arrives