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Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to JK Rowling.

Chapter 5: Narcissa's Story

Lady Narcissa hobbled as quickly as she could to the courtyard. Captain Percival had just sent word that Harry was returning. Much to her displeasure, he had added that a woman traveled at Harry's side. She watched as the gate was opened and hoped that Draco had received the captain's message.

The moment Harry's cart reached the courtyard fountain, Blaise took the reins and motioned him toward the castle. Harry obeyed and ran to meet Narcissa on the steps. She smiled sadly at him when he kissed her hand. "My Lady," he asked softly, "I trust you are well?"

"As well as can be, but it is my son about whom you should inquire."

"Where is my Lord?"

"Come." At her signal, Fred walked forward leading two saddled horses like Thestral. She asked Fred to tend to Harry's companion before mounting her horse and bidding him to do likewise.

When they were mounted, Harry asked, "Where are we going? Where's Draco?"

"To his cave. He lives there now and does nothing but wait."

"For what?"

"You. He thought you were not coming back and he feels safer in his cave than in the castle."

"But why? I promised I'd return as soon as I could."

"He's afraid, Harry. You broke his heart when you left. For two months, he waited faithfully, even long after you sent your letter, but when the frosts ended and the plants began to grow again, he lost hope. He's been starving himself for a week now, just waiting to die."

"No, he can't!" Harry looked horrified as he urged the horse into a full run, shouting over the wind, "Draco, I'm coming!"

Narcissa followed as quickly as she could. Harry had already reached the cave by the time she dismounted. She heard Draco whisper, "... just a hallucination," as she entered.

"No, my Lord, I'm real," Harry said urgently. He moved to Draco's side and pulled the dragon's head into his lap. "I'm sorry I took so long. I left the morning after my sisters' wedding. I was their keeper after father died and I couldn't leave them unwed." Harry started crying as he stroked the scales of Draco's face. "I missed you so much. I missed playing chess with you and listening to your stories and playing on the grounds and watching you try to eat neatly when you thought I wasn't looking and ..." Harry leaned over Draco's head and Narcissa had to strain to hear his next words. "I love you, Draco. Please listen to me."

At last, Draco stirred. Big sad eyes met Harry's, then Draco whispered, "I didn't trust you."

Narcissa was fairly certain that Harry did not know the details of the curse despite his repeated attempts to learn them. Therefore, she was not surprised by his blank look and baffled, "So?"

"I thought you would help me break the curse."

"Of course I will. Just tell me how."

Narcissa spoke next. "You love my son."

"Yes, of course."

"Do you trust him?"

Harry thought a moment before saying, "I guess so. I brought my best friend here without invitation because I was sure you would offer her sanctuary here."

Narcissa nodded. "Do you respect him?"

Harry looked down at the dragon. He spoke quietly. "When I first met you, Draco, I saw an ugly monster incapable of love. Now, I see you as my future husband, worthy of as much dignity and respect as anyone else. I respect you, my love."

Narcissa turned her attention to her son. "Draco?"

"I love Harry. I respect him; that's why I didn't write. I wanted him to have time with his family without my interference. Now ..." Draco shifted against Harry and keened quietly. She recognized his pain and discomfort, but she could not help him unless he allowed it. He spoke again. "You came back to me. Now I finally trust you as well."

Draco convulsed violently, causing Harry to cry out as he was knocked onto his back. Narcissa saw him scooting away from the thrashing dragon a moment before she herself collapsed. The next thing she remembered was Harry helping her to sit up. Her son lay on the ground not far away, human again, with Harry's traveling cloak covering him.

"You have saved us," she whispered. "I do not know how to thank you."

Harry gently pushed her hair from her face. "All that I desire, my Lady, is to remain here with Draco, and for Hermione, my friend, to be welcome as well. She's good with writing and numbers; perhaps she could assist Bill."

"I will speak with Bill tonight. Now let us return to the castle."

She struggled to her feet with Harry's assistance and waited for him to pick up her son before leaving the cave. They walked back to the castle together and left the horses to adjust to their new forms. Harry went straight to Draco's bedroom and laid him down, then sat with him while Narcissa ordered food and bath for them both.

Narcissa was glad that she and the servants had recovered quickly, but the transformation had not been so kind to Draco's already weakened body. She helped Harry to bathe her son and the sudden chill when Harry lifted him from the bath finally awakened him.

Draco lay limply in Harry's arms as he was carried to the bed, but his eyes darted confusedly around the room. "Harry?" he whispered.

"I'm here, Draco. Your mother has sent for soup; will you be able to eat it?"

Draco lifted a hand and ran it over his skin, lingering longest on his hair. Harry and Narcissa waited patiently for him to speak again. Draco let his hand fall and looked up at Harry. "I'm human?"

"Yes, love. You were right; you are beautiful."

Draco finally dragged his eyes from Harry and sought out his mother. "I had hoped after the curse broke, you would no longer need the cane."

Narcissa laughed. "I am an old woman, Draco, and just recently transformed. Perhaps in a week or a month, I will not need it or perhaps I will need it forever."

A knock at the door signalled the food's arrival. Narcissa opened it and nodded to Ron, who carried the tray of food to Draco's bed. "You are well, my Lord?" he asked nervously.

"No, but I will be. Harry, help me to eat?" Harry smiled.

Narcissa motioned for Ron to leave. Then, content that her son would recover, she left the two together to eat and sleep.

Narcissa visited her son for every meal after the first night until he was well again. She was pleased that Harry almost never left his side. Every morning she would arrive to find them cuddling and every afternoon they would be chatting, usually with Draco leaning on Harry as his fingers carded through Harry's hair. Since losing the scales, Harry told her over lunch one day, Draco had developed an obsession with hair, both his own and Harry's. Narcissa felt relieved that Harry found this amusing rather than annoying.

As Draco grew stronger, they began to spend more time with their other age mates in the castle. Blaise, Ron, and Hermione often joined them horseback riding and reported to Narcissa later that Draco and Harry usually ended up making out when they reached their destination and returning on the same horse, Harry's Witherwings.

Ron and the twins had adopted Hermione almost immediately and they found many creative ways to distract Draco so that Harry and Hermione could have some time together. Later, after her son and his lover had retired for the evening, the twins would disappear and Narcissa would smile as she watched Ron's fumbling attempts to court Hermione.

In the evenings, Narcissa, Bill Weasley, the Lord's advisor, and Hermione, who had become Bill's assistant, would sit with Draco and teach him all over again how to be a just and efficient ruler, as his father had never been. Harry, himself having taken charge of his father's merchant affairs several times over the years, caught on more quickly than Draco and offered advice where he could. Narcissa laughed one night when, in response to one of Draco's questions regarding taxes, Harry responded, "Just do whatever Bill tells you."

Narcissa had no doubt what her son and his lover were doing at night, when more than just laughter could be heard behind their door.

Two months had passed since the breaking of the curse. Draco was well again and everyone in the castle was busy preparing for the wedding. The Weasley twins had visited all of the villages of Slytherin, on Draco's orders, and had reported that all was as it should be. As word spread that Slytherin Castle was safe again, traders began arriving from all over. The first time one arrived from Gryffindor lands, Narcissa summoned Harry immediately.

Harry entered the chamber dressed in the finery of the Lord's consort and gasped when he saw the men before him. "Remus? What brings you here? And is that Sirius, whom father told me had passed on?"

"Yes, Harry," Remus said. "I came to thank you. You were very generous to hand over your father's entire business to me. I see you have done very well for yourself; have you married the daughter of the castle?"

Harry laughed and shared an amused look with Narcissa. "Our wedding is in a week. Will you stay and witness it on father's behalf?"

"We would be honored, Harry."

He threw himself at Remus and hugged him tightly. "I've missed you. Have you seen my sisters? Are they well?"

"They are. Pansy is hoping for a winter child and Millicent has found herself saddled with one of her husband's bastards. She does not seem to mind though as, according to her, pregnancy would not become her anyway." Harry laughed happily at this.

Narcissa watched her son enter the room, his eyes gleaming with jealousy and annoyance. He had to call Harry's name several times before he responded, but when he did, he moved immediately to Draco's side. Draco kissed his lover possessively and Narcissa glanced at the two merchants, who looked nervous and uncomfortable, then called for tea and biscuits.

Draco raised his head to glare at the man he had found Harry hugging, then drew Harry from the room, leaving Narcissa to deal with the men alone. Fortunately, she found them to be both respectful and adaptable.

The wedding was a very fancy affair. It lasted all day and began with Remus standing in for Harry's father and Narcissa for Draco's. It ended with a party at which Mrs Weasley served her finest mango wine in Harry's honor. In the twilight before the sun fully set, Narcissa watched a lone figure ride in on a black horse. She saw the Slytherin crest on the horse's blanket and approached with Captain Percival at her side.

"Welcome, traveler," she said when she reached the horse.

An indifferent voice replied, "I see Draco has indeed broken the curse. May he be a better ruler than his father."

"Severus?" She stared amazed as the sorcerer pushed his hood back. "I had thought you would be dead by now."

"Hoped, you mean. I have no doubt that Lucius would have killed me in those first years, had he found me. But, if I had done nothing, he would have inadvertently killed himself, and taken down all of Slytherin with him."

"Yes, but that was long ago. Draco no longer blames you for his years of torture and the one he does blame is dead. Come, greet him and his husband."

They found Harry and Remus chatting with Draco cuddled in Harry's lap silently nursing his wine. At Narcissa's greeting, all three turned. Remus spoke first. "Sorcerer, my greetings. On what mission has Lord Dumbledore sent you?"

"This is my home, wolf among merchants, and you would do well to remember that. Lord Dumbledore has been very generous to me, but when the curse broke, my desire to return was so great that he released me from his service. I bring his wishes for the success of this marriage, that it may benefit the people of Slytherin and Gryffindor both."

Draco stood and kissed Severus' hand. "Welcome home, Severus. I find myself in need of a sorcerer. If you are willing, you would be well compen-"

Severus cut across his words. "Of course I am willing, foolish boy. This is my home after all."

Harry stood as he was introduced. "And how is my former Lord?" he asked.

Narcissa heard Severus mumble under his breath, "Bloody Gryffindors. The blighters are everywhere." She smiled at his words, confident that everything would turn out fine. Now all she had to do was figure out how to provide Draco with an heir ...

The end.