Harry Potter and The Charming Prince (BP7)

Two days after what Harry liked to think of as the Malfoy Feast, he wandered into the library in search of a toy that Valen had misplaced. Hermione had mentioned that she had seen it last in the library that morning. Draco had April and Valen outside where they were playing under the shade of a giant oak tree and Valen had pleaded with Harry to find his favourite miniature dragon. With a quick kiss for Draco, Harry had wandered inside the house. He could have Apparated inside or Summoned the toy but it was a beautiful June day and the walk felt good.

Standing there now, in the spacious room lined with shelves of books, Harry did a quick glance around but didn't see what he was searching for. With a sigh, he ran his fingers through his hair and headed for a chair that Valen seemed to favour. Harry knelt down and brought his shoulders to the floor as he looked underneath the chair. Success. Harry wriggled closer and stretched his arm until he could snag the dragon. Before he could slide out from his position partway under the chair, he heard the soft voice of Draco's mother very close by.

"Mr Potter, if I might have a moment?"

Harry jerked upward and slammed the top of his head against the bottom of the chair with a muffled thwap. He stifled a groan as he squeezed the toy in one hand and clutched at his head with the other, which now throbbed with pain and the unease of being alone in a room with Narcissa Malfoy. Wriggling back out from under the chair, Harry sat up on his knees and looked up at the still-frail blonde woman standing just inside the doorway. Her face was impassive but Harry thought he detected just a hint of emotion in her blue eyes. Hoping against all odds that Draco would come looking for him at that moment, Harry gave a brief nod and climbed to his feet before gesturing to the chair opposite where he stood.

With a polite nod of her own, Narcissa moved quietly into the room and sat down at the edge of the chair, her slim hands clasped tightly in her lap. Harry backed up until his calves hit the chair behind him and he also sat down. He laid both hands down on his thighs and moved them slightly up and down in a nervous gesture. The tiny dragon snapped harmlessly at his fingers.

Harry hadn't spoken to Draco's mother since the dinner fiasco although Harry had offered to apologise. He had received a smile from Draco when he said it, but offering and doing were two different things and Harry had been uncertain of the best way to approach the woman. It seemed that he no longer had to worry about that. Harry wondered briefly if the day was growing warmer outside since it suddenly seemed uncomfortably hot in the room. He cleared his throat and tugged at his collar.

"Mrs Malfoy," Harry began, wincing at the way his voice sounded in his ears. "Can I – can I just first apologise for my manners at dinner the other night?"

"You may," Narcissa replied, tilting her head slightly.

Harry's brows knit themselves together as he gave Narcissa a blank look before realising she had taken his question as something literal rather than as the half-hearted attempt at an apology that it really was.

"Oh," Harry mumbled and cleared his throat again, sitting up straight now. "Then I just wanted to tell you that I am sorry and I hope we can ... do dinner again soon. With all the courses this time." Harry reddened then as he remembered that Narcissa was actually the only one that missed out on more courses. Draco had provided Harry with a delicious meal.

"Thank you, Mr Potter. I accept your apology." One hand fluttered up to the slender throat and rubbed at the hollow there for a moment before Narcissa continued speaking in cool tones. "I did actually wish to speak with you about the other night. I want to assure you that I did not mean to say anything that might have offended you and if there are topics that you would prefer weren't discussed then perhaps this would be a good time to share that with me."

Harry felt the early stirrings of anger again as he stared at Narcissa. How could she not know what it was she had said at dinner that might have been out of line? Harry knew she was intelligent so he wondered if she was being purposely unaware. Keeping his hands on his thighs, Harry took a deep breath.

"I don't – " Harry started and stopped. He struggled between the option of being tactful and being completely honest because he knew that when it came to Lucius that tact was not his best trait. His words then rushed out, squeezing past the tightness in his throat. "I would rather not hear Lucius' name every time you open your mouth, if you want to know the truth. He's not welcome here, even if he is dead."

So. Complete honesty then.

Narcissa studied Harry for a moment without speaking. Her hands had rejoined each other and she sat impossibly straight in her chair.

"I see," she finally said in a soft voice. "And would you have me completely erase all of Draco's childhood memories, Mr Potter, because, I assure you, that his entire past – the good and the bad – is saturated with the presence of his father."

Harry frowned at those words. He could still feel the anger inside of him waiting for the chance to be unleashed but it was hard to do that in the face of someone who looked at him with his daughter's beautiful blue eyes.

"Lucius was a bastard who wasn't capable of anything good," Harry said in a harsh, but quiet, voice. "I don't think Draco needs to be reminded of his father and shouldn't have to be upset every time you bring him up."

"I was well-acquainted with my in-laws," Narcissa said with a frosty smile. "I am quite certain that there is no question regarding Lucius' paternity and, as for my son, he is happier than I have ever known him to be even during the moments we discuss his father. Unless I am mistaken, Mr Potter, the person that is getting upset is not Draco, but is, in fact, you. And the person causing that distress is not Lucius; I believe, instead, that it is me."

The room not only felt warmer but the air seemed to have been sucked out of it completely and Harry found it difficult to breathe. He stared at the woman with widened eyes and could almost feel the colour draining from his face. Harry still wasn't sure what he was so mad about but, with Narcissa's words, he knew that she was right and that she was the target of his anger. It had never been Lucius. Not this time, at least. Harry tried to swallow past the lump of reality that had suddenly taken root in his throat.

Needing to move, Harry stood up and took several paces across the room before coming back to stand behind the chair that he had been sitting in previously. His attempts at keeping his hands relaxed had failed and they were now clenched in matching fists at his sides; he scarcely noticed the small toy dragon writhing and snapping in the tightened grip. Narcissa never moved, but continued to watch him. Harry returned the gaze and wondered just what it was about this woman that made him want to yell or hit something. He knew that she had also suffered during and after the war but it still seemed as if she should be paying for something. Harry lifted his chin and fought off the unfamiliar feelings that seemed to have ensnared him.

"Why didn't you do anything to protect him?" Harry blurted out, his voice cracking on the last word. The question took him completely by surprise and he actually stumbled back a step in shock.

Narcissa closed her eyes and Harry was sure that he could see a slight trembling in her hands. The only sound in the room was the pounding of Harry's heart. He was sure that it was loud enough for Draco's mother to hear. After what seemed an eternity, she opened her eyes and there was raw and untamed pain evident in them for a brief second before she regained her composure. Narcissa then dipped her head slightly and when her eyes met Harry's again, all traces of emotion were hidden once more.

"I will spare you the details of life in the Manor while Lucius was alive," Narcissa said in a voice that was barely above a whisper. "It would be improper; I will say, however, that despite what you believe you may understand about me, I did do my best to provide for my son's safety and happiness. I did my best, Mr Potter ...."

"Your best?" Harry laughed but it was a painful sound; the kind of manic laughter that often preceded tears. "Do you know what Draco – " Harry stopped short and snapped his mouth shut. Draco's secrets weren't his to reveal and Harry wasn't sure just how much Narcissa knew about the hidden relationship that Lucius had had with his son. He looked down at the floor before his green eyes, now filled with bewilderment, sought her face out once more. "I just don't understand why you didn't try harder or take him away or ... or not let other people hurt him!"

Narcissa's voice was still soft but now held a gentle note in it as her blue eyes captured Harry's. "Are we still talking about Draco?"

"What are you on about?" Harry demanded, uncertain now as to which direction the conversation had turned in even as some small part of him closed itself off as if to ward away her words.

Rising gracefully from her chair, Narcissa took two steps toward Harry and stood there for a moment. Her eyes swept around the room that was probably as familiar to her as her own face but small changes had been made here and there that retained the elegance of the Malfoy library yet added a touch of comfort and charm that made it clear the children were as welcome in that room as they were in their playroom.

"Do you know what the difference is between sympathy and empathy, Mr Potter?" Narcissa asked. "You'll find several dictionaries in here that will attempt to define each word but, in my opinion, the difference would simply be the roads that we have travelled. I do not presume to know your past although it would appear that I will not be offered that same courtesy. However, your intentions are honest and directed toward the protection of my son's well-being. I could not ask for more and, indeed, it is not my right to do so. Draco now belongs with you and it is your right to make the choices that determine his happiness."

"We both make those choices together," Harry countered. "For each other."

"And that, too, is your choice," Narcissa replied calmly. "It is to my son's benefit that you are who you are but let me ask you this, if you might indulge me for a moment. If you should ever choose to do things ... differently, for whatever reasons, do you truly believe that Draco would have the same freedom of choice that is extended to you by the wizarding world? Does his voice reach the ears of others in the same capacity that yours does?"

Harry thought he understood what Narcissa was saying and it made him uncomfortable. He knew that Draco had worked hard and risked his life more than once for Harry but it would be a lie to deny the fact that there were still those on both sides of the light that would always link the Malfoy name with Voldemort, whether it be as a supporter of the madman or as a traitor.

"That would never happen, Mrs Malfoy," Harry insisted angrily, offended now at what she was insinuating. "I'm nothing like Lucius and Draco knows he's safe with me and -"

"Yes, Mr Potter?"

"And our children are safe with both of us!" Harry spat out. "They won't be scared or hurt or alone because we'll both make sure that never happens!"

"That is where you are wrong," Narcissa said quietly. "Your children will be scared, at times, or hurt or even alone. That is the nature of childhood, Mr Potter, but when your children become adults and they are given information about the past then I believe both of you can be proud of the fact that what your children will feel will be sympathy, and not empathy, for Draco ... and for you."

"For me?" Harry murmured, feeling surprised that he had just received what sounded like a compliment from his mother-in-law.

"I am truly sorry, Mr Potter, that your mother was not able to do for you what you mistakenly believe I had the opportunity to do for Draco," Narcissa came closer, now standing on the other side of the chair that Harry leant against for support. "If it were possible to go back and change things I would do that but, even with a Time-Turner, it would be impossible to change the roads we have all travelled without risking the existence of Draco, my grandchildren, and even you. You will only hear me say this once, but I much prefer the wizarding world with you in it and at Draco's side. My son has earned this happiness."

Harry blinked behind his glasses and opened his mouth to speak but when he realised that nothing was coming out he simply closed it again. Her comment about the Time-Turner forced him to recall his own despair when he and Draco had travelled to the past. The choice had been right there within his grasp to save his parents but the cost had been too high. Harry did wish his childhood hadn't been filled with so much loneliness and pain but he knew he would gladly do it all over again if it brought him Draco and his children. Harry straightened his shoulders and studied Draco's mother. He wasn't sure what had just happened between the two of them but he did know that it couldn't have been easy for her to speak so openly. It seemed that, maybe, the cycle of shameful secrets was truly broken, whether it be forbidden touches or dark nights in a cupboard, and those left standing would be the ones to create something better. There were still things about Narcissa Malfoy that would bother Harry but, he supposed, that was probably true in any family. And the Malfoys were his family.

"Thank you," Harry finally replied, feeling the tension seep out of his body and the soft summer breeze coming in through the open window swept it away. "And ... just Harry would be ... okay."

"Very well, Harry," Narcissa said with a small nod. She then smiled and this time it reached the blue eyes that April had inherited. "I was not always a Malfoy and that is something you and I have in common. I believe it is something we can build upon."

There was a knock on the still open door and Draco appeared framed in it. "Oh, Mother, nice to see you," he said in a surprised tone. A blond eyebrow rose and he smiled. "I see you found it," he added, gesturing to the toy dragon in Harry's hand.

Harry looked over at Draco, still somewhat stunned by the turn of events. His brain finally registered Draco's words and he looked down at the unhappy dragon as if seeing it for the first time.

"I ... did," Harry answered, his voice sounding distant. "Hermione was right; it was here in the library."

Narcissa swept across the room toward Draco and placed her hands lightly on his forearms as she leant in and kissed him on the cheek. "It is lovely to see you, as well, son. It's a beautiful day outside and, if you'll both excuse me, I think I might like to spend some time in the gardens." Narcissa then turned and nodded slightly at Harry who still hadn't moved. "Enjoy your day, Harry, and – " she then turned back to Draco and gently squeezed his arms, "I should hope to see you later, Draco, but enjoy this time with your family."

With that, Narcissa quietly left the library. Harry's eyes were wide as he watched his mother-in-law gracefully leave the room.

Draco smiled after her, and then turned to his husband, both eyebrows up this time. "You seem to be getting along better."

"I – she, um, I mean ..." Harry stopped and tried to figure out what had just occurred. He then searched Draco's face and saw something different in his husband's eyes that made him smile back and he strode across the room until he reached Draco. The smile became a soft chuckle and Harry shook his head. "Your mother is ... something else. I think you two are a lot alike and I'm not sure whether to smile or be nervous, love."

That, of course, delighted Draco who laughed. "Both," he said and captured Harry's mouth with his own.