Truly Madly Deeply

Chapter Twenty-Six - A Serious Conversation

~ Slytherin Common Room ~

Draco jumped merrily down the last couple of steps into the common room. He was pleased to see the table of food he had organised was in its place with his mother and his friends sitting around it. He had already set up the Great Hall ready for the ceremony and reception so their guests were eating breakfast in the four house common rooms.

Draco took a seat next to his mother, opposite Millicent and Pansy. Crabbe and Goyle were sitting next to the girls. Blaise was sitting on the other side of his mother, with Marcus Flint (who had come back for the wedding) next to him. The other members of the Slytherin Quidditch team were down the other end.

"So, what's Harry wearing?" Draco asked curiously as he helped himself to some toast.

"I can't tell you, darling. I promised Harry," Narcissa replied gently.

"How long until I can see him again?" Draco demanded.

"Four hours, thirty-six minutes and twenty-three seconds," replied Blaise, looking down at his watch.

Draco sighed, how on earth was he going to get through four and a half hours? It really was torture, being separated from Harry for twenty-four hours. It was a cruel tradition probably started by some sadistic bastard who enjoyed torturing people. Probably his father. Draco pushed his plate aside and rested his head on the table.

Suddenly he raised his head and banged it down on the table. He repeated the action to the surprise of all at the table.

"Draco, stop that!" his mother said sharply.

"You'll have a big bruise on your face if you're not careful," warned Pansy.

Draco sat up. He didn't want to damage his face on this important day. He just felt like banging his head on the table for some bizarre reason. Only a couple more hours to go, he thought to himself as he drank his pumpkin juice.

Draco knew he was being stupid. It was only twenty-four hours, and he'd already made it through twenty so the next four shouldn't be too bad. It was just that being with Harry made him feel so much better about himself. Harry made him feel special. When Harry looked at him, Draco knew he was seeing something more, something better, than was actually there. Draco felt like he was a better person when Harry was around. It was easier to be a good person with Harry.

Draco finished eating his breakfast and then made his way upstairs to shower and get dressed.

~ Slytherin Seventh Year Boys Dorm Room ~

Draco had finished dressing and was staring critically at his messy wet hair in the mirror. He'd stopped using that dreadful gel around the same time he'd started seeing Harry.

"Try a brush, dear," the mirror suggested helpfully.

"Thank god you're here, I never would've thought of that," Draco drawled sarcastically, picking up his brush. He brushed his hair into place and then used a drying charm to get rid of the excess water. He frowned at his reflection.

"It looks fine, dear," the mirror said reassuringly.

"No, it doesn't," Draco snapped back, brushing his hair a different way. "It looks crap."

"It really does look fine, dear," Narcissa said with an amused smile.

"Hello, Mother," Draco said, putting down his brush. He turned around to face her. "How do I look?"

"So very handsome," she replied with a tear in her eye. Her little boy had grown up. Narcissa pulled Draco into a tight hug. "I'm so proud of you, honey. Remember that. I was always proud of you, no matter what your father may have told you."

Draco tensed and pulled back from her in shock. He stared into her eyes, seeing sorrow and regret in their pale blue depths.

"Why did you never do anything?" he asked softly.

"I..." Narcissa looked away from her son, guilt clearly written across her face. "I wanted to...so badly but I didn't dare. You remember what he was like."

"I was just a child," Draco said despairingly. As much as he hated to so much as think about this, he felt the need to discuss the past with the one person who knew what he had been through.

"I know and it tore me apart to know what he was doing to you. You're my son and I love you. I would have done anything to protect you but if I intervened he would have killed us both," Narcissa pleaded with him for understanding.

Draco walked over to the window and stared at nothing in particular. "Death would have been preferable," he commented, as one would comment on the weather.

"Do you really believe that? Especially now that he's gone and you have Harry? If you had died, you would never have known this happiness with him," Narcissa replied gently.

"Do you know how much I came to dread going home? I knew I would never be able to live up to his impossibly high standards. I knew what was waiting for me at home. Do you know how many times a person can cast Crucio in an hour and not mentally damage someone? I do," Draco spat out bitterly.

Narcissa paled but stayed quiet. He had obviously been bottling this up for a long time and needed to get it all out in the open.

"But do you know what hurt the most? That you did nothing to stop it. My own mother allowed it to happen. How could you tend to your precious roses knowing that inside your son was suffering?" Draco said sadly.

Silent tears fell down Narcissa's face. "It was so hard for me to sit by and let that bastard hurt you. That's why I spent so much time in the garden. I couldn't bear to hear your screams and know that I couldn't do anything about it......I tried once, to stop him, and he threatened me. He promised that he wouldn't go so far as to kill you if I let him discipline you as he pleased. I couldn't live without you, darling. You are my light. The one thing that made my life worth living. I'm so sorry I couldn't help you."

Draco had tears running down his face by now. He pulled his mother into his arms.

"I'm sorry I brought this up today. We should be happy today, not bringing up the past. I know what he was like and I'm sure you did what you thought was best at the time. I'm sorry for what I said," Draco said, choking on his tears.

"Have you told Harry about this?" Narcissa asked tentatively.

"No," Draco scowled as he wiped his face.

"You're going to have to tell him," she replied.

"I don't have to tell him every little thing that happened to me. I don't want him to think badly of me," Draco said tensely.

"He would never think badly of you, darling. Those experiences made you who you are today," Narcissa said tenderly.

"Drop it, Mother. I am going to forget about this whole thing and just enjoy my wedding day. I am marrying the most incredible man on earth today and I intend to relish every single second," Draco said firmly, pushing the subject firmly from his mind.

Chapter Twenty-Six - A Serious Conversation