willowbleedsonpaper

[willowbleedsonpaper]

A Theo Nott Fic (Part 2)

We all remember things different. Some we don´t remember at all.

Summary: Not a summary but this fic will include Severus Snape as the reader´s guardian and the dynamic of the Slytherins (Theo Nott, Daphne Greengrass, Balise Zabini, Pansy Parkinson and Draco Malfoy) during their sixth year and their perspective of the upcoming magical war.

Word Count: 4254

August, 1996

The door to your room was closed, the rain pouring outside your window. 

The raindrops offered a welcome distraction as you tapped your fingers to the same rhythm against the desk, the letter welcoming you to a new year at Hogwarts discarded to the side, the old looking paper and writing contrasting with the signature of Severus Snape, the head of the Slytherin house, down at the end of the parchment.

What was even the point of a letter to welcome you back to another school year when you were in your sixth year? As if all of the students didn’t already know they were to come back for another year, just like the previous six years. A greater question you asked yourself was why you got a letter? As if the same man who signed the letter was not sitting just downstairs behind the heavy door of his study where no one but him entered. 

You just were in a bitter mood.

Your hair was cold against the back of your neck despite the warm shower you had just gotten out of, the rain unforgiven even if you had barely walked two blocks to your house. 

Your godfather’s house. Severus Snape. Your godfather only by title as he was only the name and face that answered for you. 

He had been nowhere to be seen when you got home. The man he insisted on calling Wormtail welcoming you back the only sign he was there at all. You did not dare to look for him, not unless it was completely necessary and you didn’t need him then. You found you needed him less and less every day. Besides, you already knew where he was, Wormtail keeping anxious guard on the door of his study as if something evil was kept behind its door was enough of an answer. 

You were entirely satisfied locked away in your room, the small space completely covered in notes you had written yourself. Your handwriting looked like something recovered from ancient tomes of new discovered ideas, the pieces of parchment were like pages ripped from the books that covered the study walls from floor to ceiling just below your room. However, your hand was no good with framing images as much as with words down on parchment, and yet your room didn’t lack the ink drawn pieces. 

You pushed up from your seat at the chair at the reminder, emptying your bag and all of its contents over the bed looking for one specific envelope, mentally chastising yourself at your forgetfulness and hoping the heavy rain hadn't ruined it. All objects were thrown to the side until you found it, breaking the moss green wax seal almost caringly, pulling the drawing out. 

Your curiosity turned into confusion as you held the parchment close to your face, a frown forming with the squint of your eyes at the detail of the thestral, the name of the creature neatly written in the right bottom corner of the piece. You let the entire weight of your body fall back on the chair near your desk with a hollow sound.

“They’re horrible.” you muttered, dropping your hands to your lap while taking another look at it. You refused to believe that was their aspect. 

You went out of your room, drawing in hand as you descended the stairs to the long hallway. Still trying to make sense of the drawing, holding it at arm's length from your face, not once looking the way you were going, until your body crashed against another before you could prevent it. 

“Sorry.” you breathed after a gasp flew out of your lips, hiding your hands and the drawing behind your back before even looking up. “Madame Lestrange.” you said slowly as you faced the woman in front of you cautiously. 

Bellatrix looked you up and down, her stare freezing you to your spot on the floor before she rolled her eyes, walking around you towards the door without uttering a word in your direction. 

You followed Bellatrix with your eyes as she stepped outside the house, your stare not wavering until you heard your name called behind you, a warming feeling replacing all dread the taller witch left on her path.

“Narcissa” you breathed out with relief, the tension leaving your body at the sight of her familiar face.

Narcissa Malfoy completely walked out of Snapes’ study, nodding in acknowledgment at you. The hand that she held clutched to her chest reaching for your face before she thought better of it, taking it back. Narcissa considered you for a minute, her eyes running over every inch of you while a smile appeared over her face.

“Severus, are you to return to Hogwarts soon?” she asked him, her eyes remaining on you standing before her.

“I am.” he answered from the doorframe of his study. 

 Narcissa's smile turned into a knowing one, a glint in her eyes. 

“Perfect, then. Y/N, get your things ready.”

“Narcissa.” 

Snape warned, but it was no use as she turned to face him, her palm raised in the air. 

“Unless you are taking her with you, which I doubt, I’m taking her back to the Manor with me. The school year does not begin until a week from now. What is she to do there, help you clean your cauldrons?”  she asked, met with silence and a bored look, “Or am I to believe you will leave her here. By herself? Absolutely not.” she added disapprovingly.  

“Actually,” you said over Narcissa’s shoulder, a whisper meant only for her even if Snape could perfectly hear you over the silence that lingered permanently over the house, “He’s got the teaching position of defence against the dark arts.”  

Snape gave you but one fleeting look, returning his attention to the raised eyebrow Narcissa gave him. 

“Much to prepare, then.” she insisted, “She will be coming with me, not to give you any more distractions when you’ve finally achieved what you’ve been striving for all these years.” 

“She is not a child, she can perfectly be at the castle earlier than others.” 

“I see you understand, she is not a child. She can part from you for a week.” 

Snape was unmoved by any arguments Narcissa might have given. Breathing in deeply, he turned his eyes to look at you. 

“You will behave properly.” 

It wasn’t a question. It was never a question. 

“Absolutely, sir.”  you dutifully answered, nodding your head once in sign of a promise.

Snape doubted for a second, not minding that Narcissa was already ushering you towards the door. 

“Wormtail!” he called firmly, his voice clear all over the house. 

The shorter man rushed to the command, bowing his head hurriedly. 

“Take Y/N’s trunk to Malfoy Manor.” he ordered, before he turned and locked himself in his study. 

Both you and Narcissa walked outside the house, cloaks in place over your bodies covering you from the still falling yet softer rain. Bellatrix had not had the patience to wait for you both, so Narcissa offered her arm to you in a graceful motion and you took it. 

This was not the first time that you had been apparated, and still, it made it no easier. You were aware it was but a second that it took to apparate, for the witch to rip the world open to step into the place they wanted to be. Every time you tagged along you felt the world slow down only to be thrown into the real flow of time once again, forcefully. 

Narcissa seemed unbothered by this. She didn’t even stop a second to recover, as if she had never stopped walking from where she stepped outside Snape’s house to the path that led into her home, it was all one smooth walk for her. 

Narcissa called your name, turning when she noticed you missing from her side.

“Coming!” you said, hurrying to her side at once. 

Narcissa only smiled, shaking her head softly.

“You grew with magic, apparating with others since you were a baby.” she commented, glancing at you. “One would think you’d be used to it by now. Perhaps even do it yourself.” a knowing smile brightened her face. 

You mirrored her smile, a chuckle flowing easily from you. It was easy to flow like that when you were around Narcissa Malfoy. She was effortlessly elegant and beautiful, the world flowing with her and not the other way around. 

“You make it look so easy.” you said, “Leave us all mortals to shame.”

Narcissa laughed at this but made no comment. 

They reached the entrance of Malfoy Manor shortly after, the grand doors opening with the flick of Narcissa’s wand that never left her hand. She stood in the hallway, pausing briefly before she turned to you. 

“Your room is ready.” she motioned to the stairs, knowing you already knew the way. And then, with a gentle hand, Narcissa reached to cup your cheek, caressing your skin with the pad of her thumb before she began to walk again.

“Thank you, Narcissa.” you told her softly, making her turn in your direction.

Narcissa’s smile dropped slightly, barely noticeable if you weren’t paying attention. And in that moment you weren't, not when you had just been brought home.

“Did you really believe I would let you spend your sixteenth birthday at Hogwarts with Severus and the bloody Baron as your only company?” 

You shook your head with a soft smile, a warmth spreading over you as Narcissa winked playfully in your direction. 

“Welcome home, my darling.” 

Narcissa’s voice sang in the distance, her steps fading with her voice. 

You walked to the base of the stairs, waiting until you could no longer hear a thing in the house before beginning to walk up the stairs to where your room was. It was only when you reached the deserted floor that you turned right as you always did, counting your steps and slowed down to a normal pace. The end of the hallways in Malfoy Manor always held the biggest rooms, the right side of the house facing the gardens Narcissa herself enchanted to always have flowers blooming no matter the season. It was no wonder that it was Dracos’ chosen room. 

Standing at the door of the room on the right end of the hallway you knocked out of politeness, to announce yourself before walking into the room without hearing any answer. 

Draco dressed all black. His hands were a stark contrast against the darkness of the room, the only thing that gave his presence away, laying on his back in the middle of the bed on the other side of the room. He removed his arm from across his eyes when no one announced themselves nor did they address him, making him glance once at you standing at the foot of his bed with a questioning look on your face.

“You’re here.”

Draco let his head fall back on his bed, covering his eyes once again. 

“You don’t sound surprised.” 

You said back, walking to the edge of the room where the tall windows were. A flick of your wand and the curtains were drawn open, earning a groan from Draco as he instinctively rolled over to face away from the windows. 

“It’s not that bright outside, Draco.” you said, turning back to him with the tilt of your head, crossing the room back to where he was “You’re not feeling well.” you noticed, going to sit on the side of his bed as you shook your wand in the air again, the curtains closing back.

Draco heaved a sigh, sparing you one look before he made room for you at his side. 

“Headache.” he explained shortly.

“Do you want me to get Dobby to give you something?” 

“He already did.” 

You nodded, moving to lay down next to him. A mirror of him. 

It wasn’t uncommon for you two to be in the same room.  You often shared space and it was known that where one went the other shortly followed. Growing up it wasn’t rare for the both to share a room or for Narcissa to find them on the same bed in the morning when the thunder was unforgiving the previous night. However now you found yourself tense, given your much time alone you had come to the realisation that over the years your affections for Draco had changed into something different. You had begun to care more about your appearance around him, trying to impress him and always be on his good side; your breath shortened whenever he was around, the sound of his voice or the faint smell of his scent was enough to soften you. 

You found it disturbing. 

You could recall the memories of growing up together fondly, but admit you were no longer the best friends that used to play next by the fire together during the colder seasons and chase each other through the maze behind the manor when the sun warmed your skin enough to feel comforted. Growing up meant growing into different responsibilities, more to Draco than yourself, as he was asked more of himself everyday. 

Growing up meant growing apart. 

He would be told to study every area of knowledge for his future, read every book that would shape his mind into the sharpest weapon, train every part of his body to be useful to a purpose, to do great, achieve greatness and be greatness. 

You were not required to do any of those things.

But at night, when Draco and you were supposed to be sleeping, you would find your way into each other's room and spend your time reliving your days with each other. Sometimes, you would help him study; other times, he would listen to you talk. 

Draco had never been what everyone made him out to be. He was something else entirely.

“We must go to Diagon Alley this week.” he said, breaking the silence with a raspy voice.

“Whatever for?” you asked, confusion clear in your voice as you opened your eyes, dancing between staying awake and the sleepy state you had wandered to. 

“You do plan to return to Hogwarts, right?” He asked back, a hint of amusement in his voice. He paused then, after you tried to nudge his arm, missing him completely and pushing his head to the side . “We need to get your measurements for the dress.” he added, taking your wrist in his hand. 

You sat up in a haste, looking down at Draco when the force of your movement took your wrist from his hold. He held a knowing look in his eyes, knowing what was to come from you. “What dress?” you asked, the glimmer of hope lazing your every word. 

He shrugged, moving to sit just as you had done. 

“Consider it an early birthday present.” 

A bright glimmer filled your eyes as you looked down at your lap, the excitement showing around your eyes and the soft laughter that left you in a short breath. “You know something.” you said surely in an even voice, “About the ball, you know something.” 

Draco stared at you silently, not saying a word. You just moved closer to him, expectantly.

“Blaise mentioned something about it.” He said, “Last time I saw him.”

You breathed out a laugh softly, fighting the little smile on your face hidden from his view. But then it also dawned on you that Draco was taking you to get your dress made. Your smile softened at the realisation.

“You don’t have to.” That silly promise. 

Draco turned his eyes from you instantly, burying the urge to roll his eyes, make a comment about it and call it a day. Seeing the fondness in your smile wiped that thought completely. Even if the sky fell outside his room, he still had you. He always had you. 

“It can just be my birthday present, a dress is more than enough.” 

“I believe I made a promise about it.” he said, laying back again on the bed. This time he had a pillow to support the back of his head, keeping his eyes on you. 

“When you were seven.” you recalled. 

Draco sighed, “And I kept making it every year since then, every time the invitation arrived and we were not on the guest list.”

You gazed at Draco longingly, “You don’t have to.” you repeated. 

Draco lifted his eyebrows in one quick motion, as if what you said was funny. “Too late. Besides I really don’t know what to get you for your birthday so a dress and a date to the ball will have to do.”

You tried to ignore the way your heart skipped at the mention of it being a date. He was to be your date, but it wasn’t going to be a date date. You knew that much.  

“You hate those things.” you reminded him, “You said it yourself when you returned form the first one you were invited to,” you began to recount, pointing at your fingers from each thing you mentioned, “The dressing up is unnecessary and uncomfortable, the small talk tedious, the people who attend those events unpleasant, the food awful and the drinks lacking.”

“I was ten.” he added, not helping his case. “Find something better for your birthday present and I´ll get it for you if you´re settled on me not going to this ball.” 

“No,” you said, turning your head away from him, “I do want that for my birthday.” you added a second later.

 “It's settled, then.” he huffed as he pictured the look on your face turned from him. 

“I guess it is.” 

*******

You sat in front of the only window in your room, although calling it a window was more wrong than right. The window equaled one of the walls of the room, a wall made of glass that allowed a view of the maze of the Manor. But more importantly, it gave a clear view of the sky. 

At that exact moment you gazed at the starlit sky from the armchair you insisted on keeping in front of the window. You had to levitate the piece of furniture to your prefered spot every time you returned home, just so you could look out at the sky without leaving the comfort of your room. 

You did so every night you stayed at Malfoy Manor, looking at the night sky in hopes of seeing a shooting star someday. For some reason Narcissa favoured them and had passed on the taste to you, who had updated your kit for night gazing from a blanket fort to soft pillows and the armchair. 

And the familiar soft knock on the door pulled your attention away. 

“Come in.” you called, turning your head to see Narcissa enter the room, making you sit up. “I thought you’d be asleep by now.” 

Narcissa walked across the room, moving the twin armchair just like you had done hours before, placing it by your side.  

“I have something for you.” Narcissa shared. 

Only then did you notice the small black velvet box adorned with a white ribbon in her hands, making you lose your comfortable position and move to sit up straight, scooting closer to her. Narcissa offered it to you, and you took it slowly with a smile. 

“You´ve given me so much today,” you commented shyly, drumming your fingers over the box, enjoying the soft feeling beneath your fingerprints. “You didn’t have to.” 

“Of course we do. You deserve only the best.” Narcissa said, motioning to the box. “Open it,” she said, and hesitation stilled your fingers. 

Your breath became controlled and slow, untying the ribbon and letting the lid drop to the side. Inside it, carefully placed was a diamond necklace, with a thin golden chain holding the teardrop shaped diamond. 

“It’s beautiful.” you commented with a breath, looking up at Narcissa through your lashes before getting it out of the soft cushion, holding the chain with one hand and resting the diamond over your palm. It was then that the sudden picture of someone else wearing it hit you, recognizing it at once now that you had had a closer look, turning sharply at her with a frown. 

“It was given to me when I turned sixteen. Now it’s yours.”

“I can’t take it.” you said, placing it carefully back on the box.

Narcissa stopped you softly, taking your hands and successfully stopping you. 

“I want you to have it.” She said firmly, with a sad look in her eyes. “You remind me of the person who gave it to me.”

You nodded, keeping the necklace in the box under her palms. The question rose in your mind, wondering who the person she spoke of was. But one look at her eyes told you the memory was too painful. 

“Oh, if only Lucius could be here.” Narcissa sighed shortly after “I do hope you enjoyed your birthday, my darling.”

“It was perfect.” you said, lifting your eyes from your lap at the chuckle Narcissa breathed out. She took the box from your hands, grabbing the necklace as she stood up, circling the armchair where you sat.

“You know, Draco rarely spends time with those we celebrate.” Narcissa said, standing behind you “Presents he buys, as you could see today, those are easy for him to get. But to sit down and actually be there?”

“What about you? Or Mr. Malfoy?” you asked, just following her voice.

Narcissa’s smile tightened, out of your sight and only finding her again when she placed her hand over your shoulder.

“We are his parents. He does it out of duty more than out of will.” 

You followed Narcissa with your eyes now. Like a small child, you had your head hanging backwards, looking up at the woman behind you who smiled at you. 

“I’m sure Draco’s will to be with me today had something to do with you.” you whispered with amusement, as if it was a secret shared between two friends.

Narcissa’s blue eyes fell on you after a second, her features soft, almost blank. 

“Will had nothing to do with his actions today. He loves you.” 

You fought the heat rising over your cheeks, shaking your head ready to argue back on her statement as you lowered your head to hide the color that took over your face. 

“Just like you love him. You’re family.” Narcissa sentenced, moving your hair over your shoulder as she clasped the necklace, carefully placing it over your neck. 

Her words carried a weight to them that you did not fight the urge to reach your hand and grasp it around the one Narcissa had secured on your shoulder.

“You’ll take care of one another when you go away together.” she said, never a question. 

“Of course.” you assured her. 

Narcissa was looking out the window now, her eyes distant. 

“It’s not safe. Not anywhere, not for anyone.”

This captured your attention, turning in your place to now face Narcissa, your face back to its hardened self. 

“Is there something wrong?” you asked, even if the answer was evident now, you  felt the need to ask. Different scenarios started running inside your head, deepening the frown on your face as every possibility became worse than the one before, until the image behind closed eyes showed you all alone while standing in a sea of people. 

Yet your mind arrived to one single question, “Is Mr. Malfoy alright?” 

The mention of her husband brought her back from the place Narcissa went inside her head, blinking slowly. 

“He will be.” 

“Something still worries you.” you insisted, moving to stand just like Narcissa. 

“My worries are mine alone.” 

You thought she sounded very wise for someone being so mistaken. 

“Maybe there is something I can do.” you offered, taking Narcissa’s silence negatively. “If only to reassure you then.” 

And Narcissa doubted, considering it, for a fleeting moment that only she saw behind her eyelids whilst she blinked. What if you could reassure her?

She couldn’t. 

“I only ask something of you.”

“Anything.” you rushed to say, looking Narcissa eye to eye. Where had the time go? 

“Be patient with Draco.” 

The request took you by surprise, making you pull back slightly. You had always been patient with him, standing at the side of his questionable behaviour and at the ready to save him from any harm, you understood the way he acted and turned a blind eye on most of the things he did. Why would you need a reminder of something you naturally did? 

Narcissa sensed your doubt immediately. 

“He’s taking it harder, that Lucius is in Azkaban. People talk behind our backs and some even dare to do it to our faces. This will not stop because you’re at Hogwarts, it might make it worse. He already has too much to bear.” 

You nodded, close to asking more questions. 

“I’ll be there for him.” you promised. 

Narcissa gave a final firm nod in your direction, turning to walk out of the room. 

“You’d tell me.” you called, just when Narcissa was closing the door, “You would tell me if something was wrong, if there was something I could do.” 

Narcissa turned to face you, her grip on the door tight, her eyes firmly shaking as she took you completely in. 

“Of course.” she answered. “Good night, my darling.”

And you believed her. 

[willowbleedsonpaper]

A Theo Nott Fic (Part 2)

We all remember things different. Some we don´t remember at all.

Summary: Not a summary but this fic will include Severus Snape as the reader´s guardian and the dynamic of the Slytherins (Theo Nott, Daphne Greengrass, Balise Zabini, Pansy Parkinson and Draco Malfoy) during their sixth year and their perspective of the upcoming magical war.

Word Count: 4254

August, 1996

The door to your room was closed, the rain pouring outside your window. 

The raindrops offered a welcome distraction as you tapped your fingers to the same rhythm against the desk, the letter welcoming you to a new year at Hogwarts discarded to the side, the old looking paper and writing contrasting with the signature of Severus Snape, the head of the Slytherin house, down at the end of the parchment.

What was even the point of a letter to welcome you back to another school year when you were in your sixth year? As if all of the students didn’t already know they were to come back for another year, just like the previous six years. A greater question you asked yourself was why you got a letter? As if the same man who signed the letter was not sitting just downstairs behind the heavy door of his study where no one but him entered. 

You just were in a bitter mood.

Your hair was cold against the back of your neck despite the warm shower you had just gotten out of, the rain unforgiven even if you had barely walked two blocks to your house. 

Your godfather’s house. Severus Snape. Your godfather only by title as he was only the name and face that answered for you. 

He had been nowhere to be seen when you got home. The man he insisted on calling Wormtail welcoming you back the only sign he was there at all. You did not dare to look for him, not unless it was completely necessary and you didn’t need him then. You found you needed him less and less every day. Besides, you already knew where he was, Wormtail keeping anxious guard on the door of his study as if something evil was kept behind its door was enough of an answer. 

You were entirely satisfied locked away in your room, the small space completely covered in notes you had written yourself. Your handwriting looked like something recovered from ancient tomes of new discovered ideas, the pieces of parchment were like pages ripped from the books that covered the study walls from floor to ceiling just below your room. However, your hand was no good with framing images as much as with words down on parchment, and yet your room didn’t lack the ink drawn pieces. 

You pushed up from your seat at the chair at the reminder, emptying your bag and all of its contents over the bed looking for one specific envelope, mentally chastising yourself at your forgetfulness and hoping the heavy rain hadn't ruined it. All objects were thrown to the side until you found it, breaking the moss green wax seal almost caringly, pulling the drawing out. 

Your curiosity turned into confusion as you held the parchment close to your face, a frown forming with the squint of your eyes at the detail of the thestral, the name of the creature neatly written in the right bottom corner of the piece. You let the entire weight of your body fall back on the chair near your desk with a hollow sound.

“They’re horrible.” you muttered, dropping your hands to your lap while taking another look at it. You refused to believe that was their aspect. 

You went out of your room, drawing in hand as you descended the stairs to the long hallway. Still trying to make sense of the drawing, holding it at arm's length from your face, not once looking the way you were going, until your body crashed against another before you could prevent it. 

“Sorry.” you breathed after a gasp flew out of your lips, hiding your hands and the drawing behind your back before even looking up. “Madame Lestrange.” you said slowly as you faced the woman in front of you cautiously. 

Bellatrix looked you up and down, her stare freezing you to your spot on the floor before she rolled her eyes, walking around you towards the door without uttering a word in your direction. 

You followed Bellatrix with your eyes as she stepped outside the house, your stare not wavering until you heard your name called behind you, a warming feeling replacing all dread the taller witch left on her path.

“Narcissa” you breathed out with relief, the tension leaving your body at the sight of her familiar face.

Narcissa Malfoy completely walked out of Snapes’ study, nodding in acknowledgment at you. The hand that she held clutched to her chest reaching for your face before she thought better of it, taking it back. Narcissa considered you for a minute, her eyes running over every inch of you while a smile appeared over her face.

“Severus, are you to return to Hogwarts soon?” she asked him, her eyes remaining on you standing before her.

“I am.” he answered from the doorframe of his study. 

 Narcissa's smile turned into a knowing one, a glint in her eyes. 

“Perfect, then. Y/N, get your things ready.”

“Narcissa.” 

Snape warned, but it was no use as she turned to face him, her palm raised in the air. 

“Unless you are taking her with you, which I doubt, I’m taking her back to the Manor with me. The school year does not begin until a week from now. What is she to do there, help you clean your cauldrons?”  she asked, met with silence and a bored look, “Or am I to believe you will leave her here. By herself? Absolutely not.” she added disapprovingly.  

“Actually,” you said over Narcissa’s shoulder, a whisper meant only for her even if Snape could perfectly hear you over the silence that lingered permanently over the house, “He’s got the teaching position of defence against the dark arts.”  

Snape gave you but one fleeting look, returning his attention to the raised eyebrow Narcissa gave him. 

“Much to prepare, then.” she insisted, “She will be coming with me, not to give you any more distractions when you’ve finally achieved what you’ve been striving for all these years.” 

“She is not a child, she can perfectly be at the castle earlier than others.” 

“I see you understand, she is not a child. She can part from you for a week.” 

Snape was unmoved by any arguments Narcissa might have given. Breathing in deeply, he turned his eyes to look at you. 

“You will behave properly.” 

It wasn’t a question. It was never a question. 

“Absolutely, sir.”  you dutifully answered, nodding your head once in sign of a promise.

Snape doubted for a second, not minding that Narcissa was already ushering you towards the door. 

“Wormtail!” he called firmly, his voice clear all over the house. 

The shorter man rushed to the command, bowing his head hurriedly. 

“Take Y/N’s trunk to Malfoy Manor.” he ordered, before he turned and locked himself in his study. 

Both you and Narcissa walked outside the house, cloaks in place over your bodies covering you from the still falling yet softer rain. Bellatrix had not had the patience to wait for you both, so Narcissa offered her arm to you in a graceful motion and you took it. 

This was not the first time that you had been apparated, and still, it made it no easier. You were aware it was but a second that it took to apparate, for the witch to rip the world open to step into the place they wanted to be. Every time you tagged along you felt the world slow down only to be thrown into the real flow of time once again, forcefully. 

Narcissa seemed unbothered by this. She didn’t even stop a second to recover, as if she had never stopped walking from where she stepped outside Snape’s house to the path that led into her home, it was all one smooth walk for her. 

Narcissa called your name, turning when she noticed you missing from her side.

“Coming!” you said, hurrying to her side at once. 

Narcissa only smiled, shaking her head softly.

“You grew with magic, apparating with others since you were a baby.” she commented, glancing at you. “One would think you’d be used to it by now. Perhaps even do it yourself.” a knowing smile brightened her face. 

You mirrored her smile, a chuckle flowing easily from you. It was easy to flow like that when you were around Narcissa Malfoy. She was effortlessly elegant and beautiful, the world flowing with her and not the other way around. 

“You make it look so easy.” you said, “Leave us all mortals to shame.”

Narcissa laughed at this but made no comment. 

They reached the entrance of Malfoy Manor shortly after, the grand doors opening with the flick of Narcissa’s wand that never left her hand. She stood in the hallway, pausing briefly before she turned to you. 

“Your room is ready.” she motioned to the stairs, knowing you already knew the way. And then, with a gentle hand, Narcissa reached to cup your cheek, caressing your skin with the pad of her thumb before she began to walk again.

“Thank you, Narcissa.” you told her softly, making her turn in your direction.

Narcissa’s smile dropped slightly, barely noticeable if you weren’t paying attention. And in that moment you weren't, not when you had just been brought home.

“Did you really believe I would let you spend your sixteenth birthday at Hogwarts with Severus and the bloody Baron as your only company?” 

You shook your head with a soft smile, a warmth spreading over you as Narcissa winked playfully in your direction. 

“Welcome home, my darling.” 

Narcissa’s voice sang in the distance, her steps fading with her voice. 

You walked to the base of the stairs, waiting until you could no longer hear a thing in the house before beginning to walk up the stairs to where your room was. It was only when you reached the deserted floor that you turned right as you always did, counting your steps and slowed down to a normal pace. The end of the hallways in Malfoy Manor always held the biggest rooms, the right side of the house facing the gardens Narcissa herself enchanted to always have flowers blooming no matter the season. It was no wonder that it was Dracos’ chosen room. 

Standing at the door of the room on the right end of the hallway you knocked out of politeness, to announce yourself before walking into the room without hearing any answer. 

Draco dressed all black. His hands were a stark contrast against the darkness of the room, the only thing that gave his presence away, laying on his back in the middle of the bed on the other side of the room. He removed his arm from across his eyes when no one announced themselves nor did they address him, making him glance once at you standing at the foot of his bed with a questioning look on your face.

“You’re here.”

Draco let his head fall back on his bed, covering his eyes once again. 

“You don’t sound surprised.” 

You said back, walking to the edge of the room where the tall windows were. A flick of your wand and the curtains were drawn open, earning a groan from Draco as he instinctively rolled over to face away from the windows. 

“It’s not that bright outside, Draco.” you said, turning back to him with the tilt of your head, crossing the room back to where he was “You’re not feeling well.” you noticed, going to sit on the side of his bed as you shook your wand in the air again, the curtains closing back.

Draco heaved a sigh, sparing you one look before he made room for you at his side. 

“Headache.” he explained shortly.

“Do you want me to get Dobby to give you something?” 

“He already did.” 

You nodded, moving to lay down next to him. A mirror of him. 

It wasn’t uncommon for you two to be in the same room.  You often shared space and it was known that where one went the other shortly followed. Growing up it wasn’t rare for the both to share a room or for Narcissa to find them on the same bed in the morning when the thunder was unforgiving the previous night. However now you found yourself tense, given your much time alone you had come to the realisation that over the years your affections for Draco had changed into something different. You had begun to care more about your appearance around him, trying to impress him and always be on his good side; your breath shortened whenever he was around, the sound of his voice or the faint smell of his scent was enough to soften you. 

You found it disturbing. 

You could recall the memories of growing up together fondly, but admit you were no longer the best friends that used to play next by the fire together during the colder seasons and chase each other through the maze behind the manor when the sun warmed your skin enough to feel comforted. Growing up meant growing into different responsibilities, more to Draco than yourself, as he was asked more of himself everyday. 

Growing up meant growing apart. 

He would be told to study every area of knowledge for his future, read every book that would shape his mind into the sharpest weapon, train every part of his body to be useful to a purpose, to do great, achieve greatness and be greatness. 

You were not required to do any of those things.

But at night, when Draco and you were supposed to be sleeping, you would find your way into each other's room and spend your time reliving your days with each other. Sometimes, you would help him study; other times, he would listen to you talk. 

Draco had never been what everyone made him out to be. He was something else entirely.

“We must go to Diagon Alley this week.” he said, breaking the silence with a raspy voice.

“Whatever for?” you asked, confusion clear in your voice as you opened your eyes, dancing between staying awake and the sleepy state you had wandered to. 

“You do plan to return to Hogwarts, right?” He asked back, a hint of amusement in his voice. He paused then, after you tried to nudge his arm, missing him completely and pushing his head to the side . “We need to get your measurements for the dress.” he added, taking your wrist in his hand. 

You sat up in a haste, looking down at Draco when the force of your movement took your wrist from his hold. He held a knowing look in his eyes, knowing what was to come from you. “What dress?” you asked, the glimmer of hope lazing your every word. 

He shrugged, moving to sit just as you had done. 

“Consider it an early birthday present.” 

A bright glimmer filled your eyes as you looked down at your lap, the excitement showing around your eyes and the soft laughter that left you in a short breath. “You know something.” you said surely in an even voice, “About the ball, you know something.” 

Draco stared at you silently, not saying a word. You just moved closer to him, expectantly.

“Blaise mentioned something about it.” He said, “Last time I saw him.”

You breathed out a laugh softly, fighting the little smile on your face hidden from his view. But then it also dawned on you that Draco was taking you to get your dress made. Your smile softened at the realisation.

“You don’t have to.” That silly promise. 

Draco turned his eyes from you instantly, burying the urge to roll his eyes, make a comment about it and call it a day. Seeing the fondness in your smile wiped that thought completely. Even if the sky fell outside his room, he still had you. He always had you. 

“It can just be my birthday present, a dress is more than enough.” 

“I believe I made a promise about it.” he said, laying back again on the bed. This time he had a pillow to support the back of his head, keeping his eyes on you. 

“When you were seven.” you recalled. 

Draco sighed, “And I kept making it every year since then, every time the invitation arrived and we were not on the guest list.”

You gazed at Draco longingly, “You don’t have to.” you repeated. 

Draco lifted his eyebrows in one quick motion, as if what you said was funny. “Too late. Besides I really don’t know what to get you for your birthday so a dress and a date to the ball will have to do.”

You tried to ignore the way your heart skipped at the mention of it being a date. He was to be your date, but it wasn’t going to be a date date. You knew that much.  

“You hate those things.” you reminded him, “You said it yourself when you returned form the first one you were invited to,” you began to recount, pointing at your fingers from each thing you mentioned, “The dressing up is unnecessary and uncomfortable, the small talk tedious, the people who attend those events unpleasant, the food awful and the drinks lacking.”

“I was ten.” he added, not helping his case. “Find something better for your birthday present and I´ll get it for you if you´re settled on me not going to this ball.” 

“No,” you said, turning your head away from him, “I do want that for my birthday.” you added a second later.

 “It's settled, then.” he huffed as he pictured the look on your face turned from him. 

“I guess it is.” 

*******

You sat in front of the only window in your room, although calling it a window was more wrong than right. The window equaled one of the walls of the room, a wall made of glass that allowed a view of the maze of the Manor. But more importantly, it gave a clear view of the sky. 

At that exact moment you gazed at the starlit sky from the armchair you insisted on keeping in front of the window. You had to levitate the piece of furniture to your prefered spot every time you returned home, just so you could look out at the sky without leaving the comfort of your room. 

You did so every night you stayed at Malfoy Manor, looking at the night sky in hopes of seeing a shooting star someday. For some reason Narcissa favoured them and had passed on the taste to you, who had updated your kit for night gazing from a blanket fort to soft pillows and the armchair. 

And the familiar soft knock on the door pulled your attention away. 

“Come in.” you called, turning your head to see Narcissa enter the room, making you sit up. “I thought you’d be asleep by now.” 

Narcissa walked across the room, moving the twin armchair just like you had done hours before, placing it by your side.  

“I have something for you.” Narcissa shared. 

Only then did you notice the small black velvet box adorned with a white ribbon in her hands, making you lose your comfortable position and move to sit up straight, scooting closer to her. Narcissa offered it to you, and you took it slowly with a smile. 

“You´ve given me so much today,” you commented shyly, drumming your fingers over the box, enjoying the soft feeling beneath your fingerprints. “You didn’t have to.” 

“Of course we do. You deserve only the best.” Narcissa said, motioning to the box. “Open it,” she said, and hesitation stilled your fingers. 

Your breath became controlled and slow, untying the ribbon and letting the lid drop to the side. Inside it, carefully placed was a diamond necklace, with a thin golden chain holding the teardrop shaped diamond. 

“It’s beautiful.” you commented with a breath, looking up at Narcissa through your lashes before getting it out of the soft cushion, holding the chain with one hand and resting the diamond over your palm. It was then that the sudden picture of someone else wearing it hit you, recognizing it at once now that you had had a closer look, turning sharply at her with a frown. 

“It was given to me when I turned sixteen. Now it’s yours.”

“I can’t take it.” you said, placing it carefully back on the box.

Narcissa stopped you softly, taking your hands and successfully stopping you. 

“I want you to have it.” She said firmly, with a sad look in her eyes. “You remind me of the person who gave it to me.”

You nodded, keeping the necklace in the box under her palms. The question rose in your mind, wondering who the person she spoke of was. But one look at her eyes told you the memory was too painful. 

“Oh, if only Lucius could be here.” Narcissa sighed shortly after “I do hope you enjoyed your birthday, my darling.”

“It was perfect.” you said, lifting your eyes from your lap at the chuckle Narcissa breathed out. She took the box from your hands, grabbing the necklace as she stood up, circling the armchair where you sat.

“You know, Draco rarely spends time with those we celebrate.” Narcissa said, standing behind you “Presents he buys, as you could see today, those are easy for him to get. But to sit down and actually be there?”

“What about you? Or Mr. Malfoy?” you asked, just following her voice.

Narcissa’s smile tightened, out of your sight and only finding her again when she placed her hand over your shoulder.

“We are his parents. He does it out of duty more than out of will.” 

You followed Narcissa with your eyes now. Like a small child, you had your head hanging backwards, looking up at the woman behind you who smiled at you. 

“I’m sure Draco’s will to be with me today had something to do with you.” you whispered with amusement, as if it was a secret shared between two friends.

Narcissa’s blue eyes fell on you after a second, her features soft, almost blank. 

“Will had nothing to do with his actions today. He loves you.” 

You fought the heat rising over your cheeks, shaking your head ready to argue back on her statement as you lowered your head to hide the color that took over your face. 

“Just like you love him. You’re family.” Narcissa sentenced, moving your hair over your shoulder as she clasped the necklace, carefully placing it over your neck. 

Her words carried a weight to them that you did not fight the urge to reach your hand and grasp it around the one Narcissa had secured on your shoulder.

“You’ll take care of one another when you go away together.” she said, never a question. 

“Of course.” you assured her. 

Narcissa was looking out the window now, her eyes distant. 

“It’s not safe. Not anywhere, not for anyone.”

This captured your attention, turning in your place to now face Narcissa, your face back to its hardened self. 

“Is there something wrong?” you asked, even if the answer was evident now, you  felt the need to ask. Different scenarios started running inside your head, deepening the frown on your face as every possibility became worse than the one before, until the image behind closed eyes showed you all alone while standing in a sea of people. 

Yet your mind arrived to one single question, “Is Mr. Malfoy alright?” 

The mention of her husband brought her back from the place Narcissa went inside her head, blinking slowly. 

“He will be.” 

“Something still worries you.” you insisted, moving to stand just like Narcissa. 

“My worries are mine alone.” 

You thought she sounded very wise for someone being so mistaken. 

“Maybe there is something I can do.” you offered, taking Narcissa’s silence negatively. “If only to reassure you then.” 

And Narcissa doubted, considering it, for a fleeting moment that only she saw behind her eyelids whilst she blinked. What if you could reassure her?

She couldn’t. 

“I only ask something of you.”

“Anything.” you rushed to say, looking Narcissa eye to eye. Where had the time go? 

“Be patient with Draco.” 

The request took you by surprise, making you pull back slightly. You had always been patient with him, standing at the side of his questionable behaviour and at the ready to save him from any harm, you understood the way he acted and turned a blind eye on most of the things he did. Why would you need a reminder of something you naturally did? 

Narcissa sensed your doubt immediately. 

“He’s taking it harder, that Lucius is in Azkaban. People talk behind our backs and some even dare to do it to our faces. This will not stop because you’re at Hogwarts, it might make it worse. He already has too much to bear.” 

You nodded, close to asking more questions. 

“I’ll be there for him.” you promised. 

Narcissa gave a final firm nod in your direction, turning to walk out of the room. 

“You’d tell me.” you called, just when Narcissa was closing the door, “You would tell me if something was wrong, if there was something I could do.” 

Narcissa turned to face you, her grip on the door tight, her eyes firmly shaking as she took you completely in. 

“Of course.” she answered. “Good night, my darling.”

And you believed her. 

[willowbleedsonpaper]

A Theo Nott Fic (Part 2)

We all remember things different. Some we don´t remember at all.

Summary: Not a summary but this fic will include Severus Snape as the reader´s guardian and the dynamic of the Slytherins (Theo Nott, Daphne Greengrass, Balise Zabini, Pansy Parkinson and Draco Malfoy) during their sixth year and their perspective of the upcoming magical war.

Word Count: 4254

August, 1996

The door to your room was closed, the rain pouring outside your window. 

The raindrops offered a welcome distraction as you tapped your fingers to the same rhythm against the desk, the letter welcoming you to a new year at Hogwarts discarded to the side, the old looking paper and writing contrasting with the signature of Severus Snape, the head of the Slytherin house, down at the end of the parchment.

What was even the point of a letter to welcome you back to another school year when you were in your sixth year? As if all of the students didn’t already know they were to come back for another year, just like the previous six years. A greater question you asked yourself was why you got a letter? As if the same man who signed the letter was not sitting just downstairs behind the heavy door of his study where no one but him entered. 

You just were in a bitter mood.

Your hair was cold against the back of your neck despite the warm shower you had just gotten out of, the rain unforgiven even if you had barely walked two blocks to your house. 

Your godfather’s house. Severus Snape. Your godfather only by title as he was only the name and face that answered for you. 

He had been nowhere to be seen when you got home. The man he insisted on calling Wormtail welcoming you back the only sign he was there at all. You did not dare to look for him, not unless it was completely necessary and you didn’t need him then. You found you needed him less and less every day. Besides, you already knew where he was, Wormtail keeping anxious guard on the door of his study as if something evil was kept behind its door was enough of an answer. 

You were entirely satisfied locked away in your room, the small space completely covered in notes you had written yourself. Your handwriting looked like something recovered from ancient tomes of new discovered ideas, the pieces of parchment were like pages ripped from the books that covered the study walls from floor to ceiling just below your room. However, your hand was no good with framing images as much as with words down on parchment, and yet your room didn’t lack the ink drawn pieces. 

You pushed up from your seat at the chair at the reminder, emptying your bag and all of its contents over the bed looking for one specific envelope, mentally chastising yourself at your forgetfulness and hoping the heavy rain hadn't ruined it. All objects were thrown to the side until you found it, breaking the moss green wax seal almost caringly, pulling the drawing out. 

Your curiosity turned into confusion as you held the parchment close to your face, a frown forming with the squint of your eyes at the detail of the thestral, the name of the creature neatly written in the right bottom corner of the piece. You let the entire weight of your body fall back on the chair near your desk with a hollow sound.

“They’re horrible.” you muttered, dropping your hands to your lap while taking another look at it. You refused to believe that was their aspect. 

You went out of your room, drawing in hand as you descended the stairs to the long hallway. Still trying to make sense of the drawing, holding it at arm's length from your face, not once looking the way you were going, until your body crashed against another before you could prevent it. 

“Sorry.” you breathed after a gasp flew out of your lips, hiding your hands and the drawing behind your back before even looking up. “Madame Lestrange.” you said slowly as you faced the woman in front of you cautiously. 

Bellatrix looked you up and down, her stare freezing you to your spot on the floor before she rolled her eyes, walking around you towards the door without uttering a word in your direction. 

You followed Bellatrix with your eyes as she stepped outside the house, your stare not wavering until you heard your name called behind you, a warming feeling replacing all dread the taller witch left on her path.

“Narcissa” you breathed out with relief, the tension leaving your body at the sight of her familiar face.

Narcissa Malfoy completely walked out of Snapes’ study, nodding in acknowledgment at you. The hand that she held clutched to her chest reaching for your face before she thought better of it, taking it back. Narcissa considered you for a minute, her eyes running over every inch of you while a smile appeared over her face.

“Severus, are you to return to Hogwarts soon?” she asked him, her eyes remaining on you standing before her.

“I am.” he answered from the doorframe of his study. 

 Narcissa's smile turned into a knowing one, a glint in her eyes. 

“Perfect, then. Y/N, get your things ready.”

“Narcissa.” 

Snape warned, but it was no use as she turned to face him, her palm raised in the air. 

“Unless you are taking her with you, which I doubt, I’m taking her back to the Manor with me. The school year does not begin until a week from now. What is she to do there, help you clean your cauldrons?”  she asked, met with silence and a bored look, “Or am I to believe you will leave her here. By herself? Absolutely not.” she added disapprovingly.  

“Actually,” you said over Narcissa’s shoulder, a whisper meant only for her even if Snape could perfectly hear you over the silence that lingered permanently over the house, “He’s got the teaching position of defence against the dark arts.”  

Snape gave you but one fleeting look, returning his attention to the raised eyebrow Narcissa gave him. 

“Much to prepare, then.” she insisted, “She will be coming with me, not to give you any more distractions when you’ve finally achieved what you’ve been striving for all these years.” 

“She is not a child, she can perfectly be at the castle earlier than others.” 

“I see you understand, she is not a child. She can part from you for a week.” 

Snape was unmoved by any arguments Narcissa might have given. Breathing in deeply, he turned his eyes to look at you. 

“You will behave properly.” 

It wasn’t a question. It was never a question. 

“Absolutely, sir.”  you dutifully answered, nodding your head once in sign of a promise.

Snape doubted for a second, not minding that Narcissa was already ushering you towards the door. 

“Wormtail!” he called firmly, his voice clear all over the house. 

The shorter man rushed to the command, bowing his head hurriedly. 

“Take Y/N’s trunk to Malfoy Manor.” he ordered, before he turned and locked himself in his study. 

Both you and Narcissa walked outside the house, cloaks in place over your bodies covering you from the still falling yet softer rain. Bellatrix had not had the patience to wait for you both, so Narcissa offered her arm to you in a graceful motion and you took it. 

This was not the first time that you had been apparated, and still, it made it no easier. You were aware it was but a second that it took to apparate, for the witch to rip the world open to step into the place they wanted to be. Every time you tagged along you felt the world slow down only to be thrown into the real flow of time once again, forcefully. 

Narcissa seemed unbothered by this. She didn’t even stop a second to recover, as if she had never stopped walking from where she stepped outside Snape’s house to the path that led into her home, it was all one smooth walk for her. 

Narcissa called your name, turning when she noticed you missing from her side.

“Coming!” you said, hurrying to her side at once. 

Narcissa only smiled, shaking her head softly.

“You grew with magic, apparating with others since you were a baby.” she commented, glancing at you. “One would think you’d be used to it by now. Perhaps even do it yourself.” a knowing smile brightened her face. 

You mirrored her smile, a chuckle flowing easily from you. It was easy to flow like that when you were around Narcissa Malfoy. She was effortlessly elegant and beautiful, the world flowing with her and not the other way around. 

“You make it look so easy.” you said, “Leave us all mortals to shame.”

Narcissa laughed at this but made no comment. 

They reached the entrance of Malfoy Manor shortly after, the grand doors opening with the flick of Narcissa’s wand that never left her hand. She stood in the hallway, pausing briefly before she turned to you. 

“Your room is ready.” she motioned to the stairs, knowing you already knew the way. And then, with a gentle hand, Narcissa reached to cup your cheek, caressing your skin with the pad of her thumb before she began to walk again.

“Thank you, Narcissa.” you told her softly, making her turn in your direction.

Narcissa’s smile dropped slightly, barely noticeable if you weren’t paying attention. And in that moment you weren't, not when you had just been brought home.

“Did you really believe I would let you spend your sixteenth birthday at Hogwarts with Severus and the bloody Baron as your only company?” 

You shook your head with a soft smile, a warmth spreading over you as Narcissa winked playfully in your direction. 

“Welcome home, my darling.” 

Narcissa’s voice sang in the distance, her steps fading with her voice. 

You walked to the base of the stairs, waiting until you could no longer hear a thing in the house before beginning to walk up the stairs to where your room was. It was only when you reached the deserted floor that you turned right as you always did, counting your steps and slowed down to a normal pace. The end of the hallways in Malfoy Manor always held the biggest rooms, the right side of the house facing the gardens Narcissa herself enchanted to always have flowers blooming no matter the season. It was no wonder that it was Dracos’ chosen room. 

Standing at the door of the room on the right end of the hallway you knocked out of politeness, to announce yourself before walking into the room without hearing any answer. 

Draco dressed all black. His hands were a stark contrast against the darkness of the room, the only thing that gave his presence away, laying on his back in the middle of the bed on the other side of the room. He removed his arm from across his eyes when no one announced themselves nor did they address him, making him glance once at you standing at the foot of his bed with a questioning look on your face.

“You’re here.”

Draco let his head fall back on his bed, covering his eyes once again. 

“You don’t sound surprised.” 

You said back, walking to the edge of the room where the tall windows were. A flick of your wand and the curtains were drawn open, earning a groan from Draco as he instinctively rolled over to face away from the windows. 

“It’s not that bright outside, Draco.” you said, turning back to him with the tilt of your head, crossing the room back to where he was “You’re not feeling well.” you noticed, going to sit on the side of his bed as you shook your wand in the air again, the curtains closing back.

Draco heaved a sigh, sparing you one look before he made room for you at his side. 

“Headache.” he explained shortly.

“Do you want me to get Dobby to give you something?” 

“He already did.” 

You nodded, moving to lay down next to him. A mirror of him. 

It wasn’t uncommon for you two to be in the same room.  You often shared space and it was known that where one went the other shortly followed. Growing up it wasn’t rare for the both to share a room or for Narcissa to find them on the same bed in the morning when the thunder was unforgiving the previous night. However now you found yourself tense, given your much time alone you had come to the realisation that over the years your affections for Draco had changed into something different. You had begun to care more about your appearance around him, trying to impress him and always be on his good side; your breath shortened whenever he was around, the sound of his voice or the faint smell of his scent was enough to soften you. 

You found it disturbing. 

You could recall the memories of growing up together fondly, but admit you were no longer the best friends that used to play next by the fire together during the colder seasons and chase each other through the maze behind the manor when the sun warmed your skin enough to feel comforted. Growing up meant growing into different responsibilities, more to Draco than yourself, as he was asked more of himself everyday. 

Growing up meant growing apart. 

He would be told to study every area of knowledge for his future, read every book that would shape his mind into the sharpest weapon, train every part of his body to be useful to a purpose, to do great, achieve greatness and be greatness. 

You were not required to do any of those things.

But at night, when Draco and you were supposed to be sleeping, you would find your way into each other's room and spend your time reliving your days with each other. Sometimes, you would help him study; other times, he would listen to you talk. 

Draco had never been what everyone made him out to be. He was something else entirely.

“We must go to Diagon Alley this week.” he said, breaking the silence with a raspy voice.

“Whatever for?” you asked, confusion clear in your voice as you opened your eyes, dancing between staying awake and the sleepy state you had wandered to. 

“You do plan to return to Hogwarts, right?” He asked back, a hint of amusement in his voice. He paused then, after you tried to nudge his arm, missing him completely and pushing his head to the side . “We need to get your measurements for the dress.” he added, taking your wrist in his hand. 

You sat up in a haste, looking down at Draco when the force of your movement took your wrist from his hold. He held a knowing look in his eyes, knowing what was to come from you. “What dress?” you asked, the glimmer of hope lazing your every word. 

He shrugged, moving to sit just as you had done. 

“Consider it an early birthday present.” 

A bright glimmer filled your eyes as you looked down at your lap, the excitement showing around your eyes and the soft laughter that left you in a short breath. “You know something.” you said surely in an even voice, “About the ball, you know something.” 

Draco stared at you silently, not saying a word. You just moved closer to him, expectantly.

“Blaise mentioned something about it.” He said, “Last time I saw him.”

You breathed out a laugh softly, fighting the little smile on your face hidden from his view. But then it also dawned on you that Draco was taking you to get your dress made. Your smile softened at the realisation.

“You don’t have to.” That silly promise. 

Draco turned his eyes from you instantly, burying the urge to roll his eyes, make a comment about it and call it a day. Seeing the fondness in your smile wiped that thought completely. Even if the sky fell outside his room, he still had you. He always had you. 

“It can just be my birthday present, a dress is more than enough.” 

“I believe I made a promise about it.” he said, laying back again on the bed. This time he had a pillow to support the back of his head, keeping his eyes on you. 

“When you were seven.” you recalled. 

Draco sighed, “And I kept making it every year since then, every time the invitation arrived and we were not on the guest list.”

You gazed at Draco longingly, “You don’t have to.” you repeated. 

Draco lifted his eyebrows in one quick motion, as if what you said was funny. “Too late. Besides I really don’t know what to get you for your birthday so a dress and a date to the ball will have to do.”

You tried to ignore the way your heart skipped at the mention of it being a date. He was to be your date, but it wasn’t going to be a date date. You knew that much.  

“You hate those things.” you reminded him, “You said it yourself when you returned form the first one you were invited to,” you began to recount, pointing at your fingers from each thing you mentioned, “The dressing up is unnecessary and uncomfortable, the small talk tedious, the people who attend those events unpleasant, the food awful and the drinks lacking.”

“I was ten.” he added, not helping his case. “Find something better for your birthday present and I´ll get it for you if you´re settled on me not going to this ball.” 

“No,” you said, turning your head away from him, “I do want that for my birthday.” you added a second later.

 “It's settled, then.” he huffed as he pictured the look on your face turned from him. 

“I guess it is.” 

*******

You sat in front of the only window in your room, although calling it a window was more wrong than right. The window equaled one of the walls of the room, a wall made of glass that allowed a view of the maze of the Manor. But more importantly, it gave a clear view of the sky. 

At that exact moment you gazed at the starlit sky from the armchair you insisted on keeping in front of the window. You had to levitate the piece of furniture to your prefered spot every time you returned home, just so you could look out at the sky without leaving the comfort of your room. 

You did so every night you stayed at Malfoy Manor, looking at the night sky in hopes of seeing a shooting star someday. For some reason Narcissa favoured them and had passed on the taste to you, who had updated your kit for night gazing from a blanket fort to soft pillows and the armchair. 

And the familiar soft knock on the door pulled your attention away. 

“Come in.” you called, turning your head to see Narcissa enter the room, making you sit up. “I thought you’d be asleep by now.” 

Narcissa walked across the room, moving the twin armchair just like you had done hours before, placing it by your side.  

“I have something for you.” Narcissa shared. 

Only then did you notice the small black velvet box adorned with a white ribbon in her hands, making you lose your comfortable position and move to sit up straight, scooting closer to her. Narcissa offered it to you, and you took it slowly with a smile. 

“You´ve given me so much today,” you commented shyly, drumming your fingers over the box, enjoying the soft feeling beneath your fingerprints. “You didn’t have to.” 

“Of course we do. You deserve only the best.” Narcissa said, motioning to the box. “Open it,” she said, and hesitation stilled your fingers. 

Your breath became controlled and slow, untying the ribbon and letting the lid drop to the side. Inside it, carefully placed was a diamond necklace, with a thin golden chain holding the teardrop shaped diamond. 

“It’s beautiful.” you commented with a breath, looking up at Narcissa through your lashes before getting it out of the soft cushion, holding the chain with one hand and resting the diamond over your palm. It was then that the sudden picture of someone else wearing it hit you, recognizing it at once now that you had had a closer look, turning sharply at her with a frown. 

“It was given to me when I turned sixteen. Now it’s yours.”

“I can’t take it.” you said, placing it carefully back on the box.

Narcissa stopped you softly, taking your hands and successfully stopping you. 

“I want you to have it.” She said firmly, with a sad look in her eyes. “You remind me of the person who gave it to me.”

You nodded, keeping the necklace in the box under her palms. The question rose in your mind, wondering who the person she spoke of was. But one look at her eyes told you the memory was too painful. 

“Oh, if only Lucius could be here.” Narcissa sighed shortly after “I do hope you enjoyed your birthday, my darling.”

“It was perfect.” you said, lifting your eyes from your lap at the chuckle Narcissa breathed out. She took the box from your hands, grabbing the necklace as she stood up, circling the armchair where you sat.

“You know, Draco rarely spends time with those we celebrate.” Narcissa said, standing behind you “Presents he buys, as you could see today, those are easy for him to get. But to sit down and actually be there?”

“What about you? Or Mr. Malfoy?” you asked, just following her voice.

Narcissa’s smile tightened, out of your sight and only finding her again when she placed her hand over your shoulder.

“We are his parents. He does it out of duty more than out of will.” 

You followed Narcissa with your eyes now. Like a small child, you had your head hanging backwards, looking up at the woman behind you who smiled at you. 

“I’m sure Draco’s will to be with me today had something to do with you.” you whispered with amusement, as if it was a secret shared between two friends.

Narcissa’s blue eyes fell on you after a second, her features soft, almost blank. 

“Will had nothing to do with his actions today. He loves you.” 

You fought the heat rising over your cheeks, shaking your head ready to argue back on her statement as you lowered your head to hide the color that took over your face. 

“Just like you love him. You’re family.” Narcissa sentenced, moving your hair over your shoulder as she clasped the necklace, carefully placing it over your neck. 

Her words carried a weight to them that you did not fight the urge to reach your hand and grasp it around the one Narcissa had secured on your shoulder.

“You’ll take care of one another when you go away together.” she said, never a question. 

“Of course.” you assured her. 

Narcissa was looking out the window now, her eyes distant. 

“It’s not safe. Not anywhere, not for anyone.”

This captured your attention, turning in your place to now face Narcissa, your face back to its hardened self. 

“Is there something wrong?” you asked, even if the answer was evident now, you  felt the need to ask. Different scenarios started running inside your head, deepening the frown on your face as every possibility became worse than the one before, until the image behind closed eyes showed you all alone while standing in a sea of people. 

Yet your mind arrived to one single question, “Is Mr. Malfoy alright?” 

The mention of her husband brought her back from the place Narcissa went inside her head, blinking slowly. 

“He will be.” 

“Something still worries you.” you insisted, moving to stand just like Narcissa. 

“My worries are mine alone.” 

You thought she sounded very wise for someone being so mistaken. 

“Maybe there is something I can do.” you offered, taking Narcissa’s silence negatively. “If only to reassure you then.” 

And Narcissa doubted, considering it, for a fleeting moment that only she saw behind her eyelids whilst she blinked. What if you could reassure her?

She couldn’t. 

“I only ask something of you.”

“Anything.” you rushed to say, looking Narcissa eye to eye. Where had the time go? 

“Be patient with Draco.” 

The request took you by surprise, making you pull back slightly. You had always been patient with him, standing at the side of his questionable behaviour and at the ready to save him from any harm, you understood the way he acted and turned a blind eye on most of the things he did. Why would you need a reminder of something you naturally did? 

Narcissa sensed your doubt immediately. 

“He’s taking it harder, that Lucius is in Azkaban. People talk behind our backs and some even dare to do it to our faces. This will not stop because you’re at Hogwarts, it might make it worse. He already has too much to bear.” 

You nodded, close to asking more questions. 

“I’ll be there for him.” you promised. 

Narcissa gave a final firm nod in your direction, turning to walk out of the room. 

“You’d tell me.” you called, just when Narcissa was closing the door, “You would tell me if something was wrong, if there was something I could do.” 

Narcissa turned to face you, her grip on the door tight, her eyes firmly shaking as she took you completely in. 

“Of course.” she answered. “Good night, my darling.”

And you believed her. 

[willowbleedsonpaper]

Taglist Reblog

@scriptedinkbyxim @whoreforfictionalmen18

A Theo Nott Fic (Part 2)

We all remember things different. Some we don´t remember at all.

Summary: Not a summary but this fic will include Severus Snape as the reader´s guardian and the dynamic of the Slytherins (Theo Nott, Daphne Greengrass, Balise Zabini, Pansy Parkinson and Draco Malfoy) during their sixth year and their perspective of the upcoming magical war.

Word Count: 4254

August, 1996

The door to your room was closed, the rain pouring outside your window. 

The raindrops offered a welcome distraction as you tapped your fingers to the same rhythm against the desk, the letter welcoming you to a new year at Hogwarts discarded to the side, the old looking paper and writing contrasting with the signature of Severus Snape, the head of the Slytherin house, down at the end of the parchment.

What was even the point of a letter to welcome you back to another school year when you were in your sixth year? As if all of the students didn’t already know they were to come back for another year, just like the previous six years. A greater question you asked yourself was why you got a letter? As if the same man who signed the letter was not sitting just downstairs behind the heavy door of his study where no one but him entered. 

You just were in a bitter mood.

Your hair was cold against the back of your neck despite the warm shower you had just gotten out of, the rain unforgiven even if you had barely walked two blocks to your house. 

Your godfather’s house. Severus Snape. Your godfather only by title as he was only the name and face that answered for you. 

He had been nowhere to be seen when you got home. The man he insisted on calling Wormtail welcoming you back the only sign he was there at all. You did not dare to look for him, not unless it was completely necessary and you didn’t need him then. You found you needed him less and less every day. Besides, you already knew where he was, Wormtail keeping anxious guard on the door of his study as if something evil was kept behind its door was enough of an answer. 

You were entirely satisfied locked away in your room, the small space completely covered in notes you had written yourself. Your handwriting looked like something recovered from ancient tomes of new discovered ideas, the pieces of parchment were like pages ripped from the books that covered the study walls from floor to ceiling just below your room. However, your hand was no good with framing images as much as with words down on parchment, and yet your room didn’t lack the ink drawn pieces. 

You pushed up from your seat at the chair at the reminder, emptying your bag and all of its contents over the bed looking for one specific envelope, mentally chastising yourself at your forgetfulness and hoping the heavy rain hadn't ruined it. All objects were thrown to the side until you found it, breaking the moss green wax seal almost caringly, pulling the drawing out. 

Your curiosity turned into confusion as you held the parchment close to your face, a frown forming with the squint of your eyes at the detail of the thestral, the name of the creature neatly written in the right bottom corner of the piece. You let the entire weight of your body fall back on the chair near your desk with a hollow sound.

“They’re horrible.” you muttered, dropping your hands to your lap while taking another look at it. You refused to believe that was their aspect. 

You went out of your room, drawing in hand as you descended the stairs to the long hallway. Still trying to make sense of the drawing, holding it at arm's length from your face, not once looking the way you were going, until your body crashed against another before you could prevent it. 

“Sorry.” you breathed after a gasp flew out of your lips, hiding your hands and the drawing behind your back before even looking up. “Madame Lestrange.” you said slowly as you faced the woman in front of you cautiously. 

Bellatrix looked you up and down, her stare freezing you to your spot on the floor before she rolled her eyes, walking around you towards the door without uttering a word in your direction. 

You followed Bellatrix with your eyes as she stepped outside the house, your stare not wavering until you heard your name called behind you, a warming feeling replacing all dread the taller witch left on her path.

“Narcissa” you breathed out with relief, the tension leaving your body at the sight of her familiar face.

Narcissa Malfoy completely walked out of Snapes’ study, nodding in acknowledgment at you. The hand that she held clutched to her chest reaching for your face before she thought better of it, taking it back. Narcissa considered you for a minute, her eyes running over every inch of you while a smile appeared over her face.

“Severus, are you to return to Hogwarts soon?” she asked him, her eyes remaining on you standing before her.

“I am.” he answered from the doorframe of his study. 

 Narcissa's smile turned into a knowing one, a glint in her eyes. 

“Perfect, then. Y/N, get your things ready.”

“Narcissa.” 

Snape warned, but it was no use as she turned to face him, her palm raised in the air. 

“Unless you are taking her with you, which I doubt, I’m taking her back to the Manor with me. The school year does not begin until a week from now. What is she to do there, help you clean your cauldrons?”  she asked, met with silence and a bored look, “Or am I to believe you will leave her here. By herself? Absolutely not.” she added disapprovingly.  

“Actually,” you said over Narcissa’s shoulder, a whisper meant only for her even if Snape could perfectly hear you over the silence that lingered permanently over the house, “He’s got the teaching position of defence against the dark arts.”  

Snape gave you but one fleeting look, returning his attention to the raised eyebrow Narcissa gave him. 

“Much to prepare, then.” she insisted, “She will be coming with me, not to give you any more distractions when you’ve finally achieved what you’ve been striving for all these years.” 

“She is not a child, she can perfectly be at the castle earlier than others.” 

“I see you understand, she is not a child. She can part from you for a week.” 

Snape was unmoved by any arguments Narcissa might have given. Breathing in deeply, he turned his eyes to look at you. 

“You will behave properly.” 

It wasn’t a question. It was never a question. 

“Absolutely, sir.”  you dutifully answered, nodding your head once in sign of a promise.

Snape doubted for a second, not minding that Narcissa was already ushering you towards the door. 

“Wormtail!” he called firmly, his voice clear all over the house. 

The shorter man rushed to the command, bowing his head hurriedly. 

“Take Y/N’s trunk to Malfoy Manor.” he ordered, before he turned and locked himself in his study. 

Both you and Narcissa walked outside the house, cloaks in place over your bodies covering you from the still falling yet softer rain. Bellatrix had not had the patience to wait for you both, so Narcissa offered her arm to you in a graceful motion and you took it. 

This was not the first time that you had been apparated, and still, it made it no easier. You were aware it was but a second that it took to apparate, for the witch to rip the world open to step into the place they wanted to be. Every time you tagged along you felt the world slow down only to be thrown into the real flow of time once again, forcefully. 

Narcissa seemed unbothered by this. She didn’t even stop a second to recover, as if she had never stopped walking from where she stepped outside Snape’s house to the path that led into her home, it was all one smooth walk for her. 

Narcissa called your name, turning when she noticed you missing from her side.

“Coming!” you said, hurrying to her side at once. 

Narcissa only smiled, shaking her head softly.

“You grew with magic, apparating with others since you were a baby.” she commented, glancing at you. “One would think you’d be used to it by now. Perhaps even do it yourself.” a knowing smile brightened her face. 

You mirrored her smile, a chuckle flowing easily from you. It was easy to flow like that when you were around Narcissa Malfoy. She was effortlessly elegant and beautiful, the world flowing with her and not the other way around. 

“You make it look so easy.” you said, “Leave us all mortals to shame.”

Narcissa laughed at this but made no comment. 

They reached the entrance of Malfoy Manor shortly after, the grand doors opening with the flick of Narcissa’s wand that never left her hand. She stood in the hallway, pausing briefly before she turned to you. 

“Your room is ready.” she motioned to the stairs, knowing you already knew the way. And then, with a gentle hand, Narcissa reached to cup your cheek, caressing your skin with the pad of her thumb before she began to walk again.

“Thank you, Narcissa.” you told her softly, making her turn in your direction.

Narcissa’s smile dropped slightly, barely noticeable if you weren’t paying attention. And in that moment you weren't, not when you had just been brought home.

“Did you really believe I would let you spend your sixteenth birthday at Hogwarts with Severus and the bloody Baron as your only company?” 

You shook your head with a soft smile, a warmth spreading over you as Narcissa winked playfully in your direction. 

“Welcome home, my darling.” 

Narcissa’s voice sang in the distance, her steps fading with her voice. 

You walked to the base of the stairs, waiting until you could no longer hear a thing in the house before beginning to walk up the stairs to where your room was. It was only when you reached the deserted floor that you turned right as you always did, counting your steps and slowed down to a normal pace. The end of the hallways in Malfoy Manor always held the biggest rooms, the right side of the house facing the gardens Narcissa herself enchanted to always have flowers blooming no matter the season. It was no wonder that it was Dracos’ chosen room. 

Standing at the door of the room on the right end of the hallway you knocked out of politeness, to announce yourself before walking into the room without hearing any answer. 

Draco dressed all black. His hands were a stark contrast against the darkness of the room, the only thing that gave his presence away, laying on his back in the middle of the bed on the other side of the room. He removed his arm from across his eyes when no one announced themselves nor did they address him, making him glance once at you standing at the foot of his bed with a questioning look on your face.

“You’re here.”

Draco let his head fall back on his bed, covering his eyes once again. 

“You don’t sound surprised.” 

You said back, walking to the edge of the room where the tall windows were. A flick of your wand and the curtains were drawn open, earning a groan from Draco as he instinctively rolled over to face away from the windows. 

“It’s not that bright outside, Draco.” you said, turning back to him with the tilt of your head, crossing the room back to where he was “You’re not feeling well.” you noticed, going to sit on the side of his bed as you shook your wand in the air again, the curtains closing back.

Draco heaved a sigh, sparing you one look before he made room for you at his side. 

“Headache.” he explained shortly.

“Do you want me to get Dobby to give you something?” 

“He already did.” 

You nodded, moving to lay down next to him. A mirror of him. 

It wasn’t uncommon for you two to be in the same room.  You often shared space and it was known that where one went the other shortly followed. Growing up it wasn’t rare for the both to share a room or for Narcissa to find them on the same bed in the morning when the thunder was unforgiving the previous night. However now you found yourself tense, given your much time alone you had come to the realisation that over the years your affections for Draco had changed into something different. You had begun to care more about your appearance around him, trying to impress him and always be on his good side; your breath shortened whenever he was around, the sound of his voice or the faint smell of his scent was enough to soften you. 

You found it disturbing. 

You could recall the memories of growing up together fondly, but admit you were no longer the best friends that used to play next by the fire together during the colder seasons and chase each other through the maze behind the manor when the sun warmed your skin enough to feel comforted. Growing up meant growing into different responsibilities, more to Draco than yourself, as he was asked more of himself everyday. 

Growing up meant growing apart. 

He would be told to study every area of knowledge for his future, read every book that would shape his mind into the sharpest weapon, train every part of his body to be useful to a purpose, to do great, achieve greatness and be greatness. 

You were not required to do any of those things.

But at night, when Draco and you were supposed to be sleeping, you would find your way into each other's room and spend your time reliving your days with each other. Sometimes, you would help him study; other times, he would listen to you talk. 

Draco had never been what everyone made him out to be. He was something else entirely.

“We must go to Diagon Alley this week.” he said, breaking the silence with a raspy voice.

“Whatever for?” you asked, confusion clear in your voice as you opened your eyes, dancing between staying awake and the sleepy state you had wandered to. 

“You do plan to return to Hogwarts, right?” He asked back, a hint of amusement in his voice. He paused then, after you tried to nudge his arm, missing him completely and pushing his head to the side . “We need to get your measurements for the dress.” he added, taking your wrist in his hand. 

You sat up in a haste, looking down at Draco when the force of your movement took your wrist from his hold. He held a knowing look in his eyes, knowing what was to come from you. “What dress?” you asked, the glimmer of hope lazing your every word. 

He shrugged, moving to sit just as you had done. 

“Consider it an early birthday present.” 

A bright glimmer filled your eyes as you looked down at your lap, the excitement showing around your eyes and the soft laughter that left you in a short breath. “You know something.” you said surely in an even voice, “About the ball, you know something.” 

Draco stared at you silently, not saying a word. You just moved closer to him, expectantly.

“Blaise mentioned something about it.” He said, “Last time I saw him.”

You breathed out a laugh softly, fighting the little smile on your face hidden from his view. But then it also dawned on you that Draco was taking you to get your dress made. Your smile softened at the realisation.

“You don’t have to.” That silly promise. 

Draco turned his eyes from you instantly, burying the urge to roll his eyes, make a comment about it and call it a day. Seeing the fondness in your smile wiped that thought completely. Even if the sky fell outside his room, he still had you. He always had you. 

“It can just be my birthday present, a dress is more than enough.” 

“I believe I made a promise about it.” he said, laying back again on the bed. This time he had a pillow to support the back of his head, keeping his eyes on you. 

“When you were seven.” you recalled. 

Draco sighed, “And I kept making it every year since then, every time the invitation arrived and we were not on the guest list.”

You gazed at Draco longingly, “You don’t have to.” you repeated. 

Draco lifted his eyebrows in one quick motion, as if what you said was funny. “Too late. Besides I really don’t know what to get you for your birthday so a dress and a date to the ball will have to do.”

You tried to ignore the way your heart skipped at the mention of it being a date. He was to be your date, but it wasn’t going to be a date date. You knew that much.  

“You hate those things.” you reminded him, “You said it yourself when you returned form the first one you were invited to,” you began to recount, pointing at your fingers from each thing you mentioned, “The dressing up is unnecessary and uncomfortable, the small talk tedious, the people who attend those events unpleasant, the food awful and the drinks lacking.”

“I was ten.” he added, not helping his case. “Find something better for your birthday present and I´ll get it for you if you´re settled on me not going to this ball.” 

“No,” you said, turning your head away from him, “I do want that for my birthday.” you added a second later.

 “It's settled, then.” he huffed as he pictured the look on your face turned from him. 

“I guess it is.” 

*******

You sat in front of the only window in your room, although calling it a window was more wrong than right. The window equaled one of the walls of the room, a wall made of glass that allowed a view of the maze of the Manor. But more importantly, it gave a clear view of the sky. 

At that exact moment you gazed at the starlit sky from the armchair you insisted on keeping in front of the window. You had to levitate the piece of furniture to your prefered spot every time you returned home, just so you could look out at the sky without leaving the comfort of your room. 

You did so every night you stayed at Malfoy Manor, looking at the night sky in hopes of seeing a shooting star someday. For some reason Narcissa favoured them and had passed on the taste to you, who had updated your kit for night gazing from a blanket fort to soft pillows and the armchair. 

And the familiar soft knock on the door pulled your attention away. 

“Come in.” you called, turning your head to see Narcissa enter the room, making you sit up. “I thought you’d be asleep by now.” 

Narcissa walked across the room, moving the twin armchair just like you had done hours before, placing it by your side.  

“I have something for you.” Narcissa shared. 

Only then did you notice the small black velvet box adorned with a white ribbon in her hands, making you lose your comfortable position and move to sit up straight, scooting closer to her. Narcissa offered it to you, and you took it slowly with a smile. 

“You´ve given me so much today,” you commented shyly, drumming your fingers over the box, enjoying the soft feeling beneath your fingerprints. “You didn’t have to.” 

“Of course we do. You deserve only the best.” Narcissa said, motioning to the box. “Open it,” she said, and hesitation stilled your fingers. 

Your breath became controlled and slow, untying the ribbon and letting the lid drop to the side. Inside it, carefully placed was a diamond necklace, with a thin golden chain holding the teardrop shaped diamond. 

“It’s beautiful.” you commented with a breath, looking up at Narcissa through your lashes before getting it out of the soft cushion, holding the chain with one hand and resting the diamond over your palm. It was then that the sudden picture of someone else wearing it hit you, recognizing it at once now that you had had a closer look, turning sharply at her with a frown. 

“It was given to me when I turned sixteen. Now it’s yours.”

“I can’t take it.” you said, placing it carefully back on the box.

Narcissa stopped you softly, taking your hands and successfully stopping you. 

“I want you to have it.” She said firmly, with a sad look in her eyes. “You remind me of the person who gave it to me.”

You nodded, keeping the necklace in the box under her palms. The question rose in your mind, wondering who the person she spoke of was. But one look at her eyes told you the memory was too painful. 

“Oh, if only Lucius could be here.” Narcissa sighed shortly after “I do hope you enjoyed your birthday, my darling.”

“It was perfect.” you said, lifting your eyes from your lap at the chuckle Narcissa breathed out. She took the box from your hands, grabbing the necklace as she stood up, circling the armchair where you sat.

“You know, Draco rarely spends time with those we celebrate.” Narcissa said, standing behind you “Presents he buys, as you could see today, those are easy for him to get. But to sit down and actually be there?”

“What about you? Or Mr. Malfoy?” you asked, just following her voice.

Narcissa’s smile tightened, out of your sight and only finding her again when she placed her hand over your shoulder.

“We are his parents. He does it out of duty more than out of will.” 

You followed Narcissa with your eyes now. Like a small child, you had your head hanging backwards, looking up at the woman behind you who smiled at you. 

“I’m sure Draco’s will to be with me today had something to do with you.” you whispered with amusement, as if it was a secret shared between two friends.

Narcissa’s blue eyes fell on you after a second, her features soft, almost blank. 

“Will had nothing to do with his actions today. He loves you.” 

You fought the heat rising over your cheeks, shaking your head ready to argue back on her statement as you lowered your head to hide the color that took over your face. 

“Just like you love him. You’re family.” Narcissa sentenced, moving your hair over your shoulder as she clasped the necklace, carefully placing it over your neck. 

Her words carried a weight to them that you did not fight the urge to reach your hand and grasp it around the one Narcissa had secured on your shoulder.

“You’ll take care of one another when you go away together.” she said, never a question. 

“Of course.” you assured her. 

Narcissa was looking out the window now, her eyes distant. 

“It’s not safe. Not anywhere, not for anyone.”

This captured your attention, turning in your place to now face Narcissa, your face back to its hardened self. 

“Is there something wrong?” you asked, even if the answer was evident now, you  felt the need to ask. Different scenarios started running inside your head, deepening the frown on your face as every possibility became worse than the one before, until the image behind closed eyes showed you all alone while standing in a sea of people. 

Yet your mind arrived to one single question, “Is Mr. Malfoy alright?” 

The mention of her husband brought her back from the place Narcissa went inside her head, blinking slowly. 

“He will be.” 

“Something still worries you.” you insisted, moving to stand just like Narcissa. 

“My worries are mine alone.” 

You thought she sounded very wise for someone being so mistaken. 

“Maybe there is something I can do.” you offered, taking Narcissa’s silence negatively. “If only to reassure you then.” 

And Narcissa doubted, considering it, for a fleeting moment that only she saw behind her eyelids whilst she blinked. What if you could reassure her?

She couldn’t. 

“I only ask something of you.”

“Anything.” you rushed to say, looking Narcissa eye to eye. Where had the time go? 

“Be patient with Draco.” 

The request took you by surprise, making you pull back slightly. You had always been patient with him, standing at the side of his questionable behaviour and at the ready to save him from any harm, you understood the way he acted and turned a blind eye on most of the things he did. Why would you need a reminder of something you naturally did? 

Narcissa sensed your doubt immediately. 

“He’s taking it harder, that Lucius is in Azkaban. People talk behind our backs and some even dare to do it to our faces. This will not stop because you’re at Hogwarts, it might make it worse. He already has too much to bear.” 

You nodded, close to asking more questions. 

“I’ll be there for him.” you promised. 

Narcissa gave a final firm nod in your direction, turning to walk out of the room. 

“You’d tell me.” you called, just when Narcissa was closing the door, “You would tell me if something was wrong, if there was something I could do.” 

Narcissa turned to face you, her grip on the door tight, her eyes firmly shaking as she took you completely in. 

“Of course.” she answered. “Good night, my darling.”

And you believed her. 

[willowbleedsonpaper]

A Theo Nott Fic (Part 2)

We all remember things different. Some we don´t remember at all.

Summary: Not a summary but this fic will include Severus Snape as the reader´s guardian and the dynamic of the Slytherins (Theo Nott, Daphne Greengrass, Balise Zabini, Pansy Parkinson and Draco Malfoy) during their sixth year and their perspective of the upcoming magical war.

Word Count: 4254

August, 1996

The door to your room was closed, the rain pouring outside your window. 

The raindrops offered a welcome distraction as you tapped your fingers to the same rhythm against the desk, the letter welcoming you to a new year at Hogwarts discarded to the side, the old looking paper and writing contrasting with the signature of Severus Snape, the head of the Slytherin house, down at the end of the parchment.

What was even the point of a letter to welcome you back to another school year when you were in your sixth year? As if all of the students didn’t already know they were to come back for another year, just like the previous six years. A greater question you asked yourself was why you got a letter? As if the same man who signed the letter was not sitting just downstairs behind the heavy door of his study where no one but him entered. 

You just were in a bitter mood.

Your hair was cold against the back of your neck despite the warm shower you had just gotten out of, the rain unforgiven even if you had barely walked two blocks to your house. 

Your godfather’s house. Severus Snape. Your godfather only by title as he was only the name and face that answered for you. 

He had been nowhere to be seen when you got home. The man he insisted on calling Wormtail welcoming you back the only sign he was there at all. You did not dare to look for him, not unless it was completely necessary and you didn’t need him then. You found you needed him less and less every day. Besides, you already knew where he was, Wormtail keeping anxious guard on the door of his study as if something evil was kept behind its door was enough of an answer. 

You were entirely satisfied locked away in your room, the small space completely covered in notes you had written yourself. Your handwriting looked like something recovered from ancient tomes of new discovered ideas, the pieces of parchment were like pages ripped from the books that covered the study walls from floor to ceiling just below your room. However, your hand was no good with framing images as much as with words down on parchment, and yet your room didn’t lack the ink drawn pieces. 

You pushed up from your seat at the chair at the reminder, emptying your bag and all of its contents over the bed looking for one specific envelope, mentally chastising yourself at your forgetfulness and hoping the heavy rain hadn't ruined it. All objects were thrown to the side until you found it, breaking the moss green wax seal almost caringly, pulling the drawing out. 

Your curiosity turned into confusion as you held the parchment close to your face, a frown forming with the squint of your eyes at the detail of the thestral, the name of the creature neatly written in the right bottom corner of the piece. You let the entire weight of your body fall back on the chair near your desk with a hollow sound.

“They’re horrible.” you muttered, dropping your hands to your lap while taking another look at it. You refused to believe that was their aspect. 

You went out of your room, drawing in hand as you descended the stairs to the long hallway. Still trying to make sense of the drawing, holding it at arm's length from your face, not once looking the way you were going, until your body crashed against another before you could prevent it. 

“Sorry.” you breathed after a gasp flew out of your lips, hiding your hands and the drawing behind your back before even looking up. “Madame Lestrange.” you said slowly as you faced the woman in front of you cautiously. 

Bellatrix looked you up and down, her stare freezing you to your spot on the floor before she rolled her eyes, walking around you towards the door without uttering a word in your direction. 

You followed Bellatrix with your eyes as she stepped outside the house, your stare not wavering until you heard your name called behind you, a warming feeling replacing all dread the taller witch left on her path.

“Narcissa” you breathed out with relief, the tension leaving your body at the sight of her familiar face.

Narcissa Malfoy completely walked out of Snapes’ study, nodding in acknowledgment at you. The hand that she held clutched to her chest reaching for your face before she thought better of it, taking it back. Narcissa considered you for a minute, her eyes running over every inch of you while a smile appeared over her face.

“Severus, are you to return to Hogwarts soon?” she asked him, her eyes remaining on you standing before her.

“I am.” he answered from the doorframe of his study. 

 Narcissa's smile turned into a knowing one, a glint in her eyes. 

“Perfect, then. Y/N, get your things ready.”

“Narcissa.” 

Snape warned, but it was no use as she turned to face him, her palm raised in the air. 

“Unless you are taking her with you, which I doubt, I’m taking her back to the Manor with me. The school year does not begin until a week from now. What is she to do there, help you clean your cauldrons?”  she asked, met with silence and a bored look, “Or am I to believe you will leave her here. By herself? Absolutely not.” she added disapprovingly.  

“Actually,” you said over Narcissa’s shoulder, a whisper meant only for her even if Snape could perfectly hear you over the silence that lingered permanently over the house, “He’s got the teaching position of defence against the dark arts.”  

Snape gave you but one fleeting look, returning his attention to the raised eyebrow Narcissa gave him. 

“Much to prepare, then.” she insisted, “She will be coming with me, not to give you any more distractions when you’ve finally achieved what you’ve been striving for all these years.” 

“She is not a child, she can perfectly be at the castle earlier than others.” 

“I see you understand, she is not a child. She can part from you for a week.” 

Snape was unmoved by any arguments Narcissa might have given. Breathing in deeply, he turned his eyes to look at you. 

“You will behave properly.” 

It wasn’t a question. It was never a question. 

“Absolutely, sir.”  you dutifully answered, nodding your head once in sign of a promise.

Snape doubted for a second, not minding that Narcissa was already ushering you towards the door. 

“Wormtail!” he called firmly, his voice clear all over the house. 

The shorter man rushed to the command, bowing his head hurriedly. 

“Take Y/N’s trunk to Malfoy Manor.” he ordered, before he turned and locked himself in his study. 

Both you and Narcissa walked outside the house, cloaks in place over your bodies covering you from the still falling yet softer rain. Bellatrix had not had the patience to wait for you both, so Narcissa offered her arm to you in a graceful motion and you took it. 

This was not the first time that you had been apparated, and still, it made it no easier. You were aware it was but a second that it took to apparate, for the witch to rip the world open to step into the place they wanted to be. Every time you tagged along you felt the world slow down only to be thrown into the real flow of time once again, forcefully. 

Narcissa seemed unbothered by this. She didn’t even stop a second to recover, as if she had never stopped walking from where she stepped outside Snape’s house to the path that led into her home, it was all one smooth walk for her. 

Narcissa called your name, turning when she noticed you missing from her side.

“Coming!” you said, hurrying to her side at once. 

Narcissa only smiled, shaking her head softly.

“You grew with magic, apparating with others since you were a baby.” she commented, glancing at you. “One would think you’d be used to it by now. Perhaps even do it yourself.” a knowing smile brightened her face. 

You mirrored her smile, a chuckle flowing easily from you. It was easy to flow like that when you were around Narcissa Malfoy. She was effortlessly elegant and beautiful, the world flowing with her and not the other way around. 

“You make it look so easy.” you said, “Leave us all mortals to shame.”

Narcissa laughed at this but made no comment. 

They reached the entrance of Malfoy Manor shortly after, the grand doors opening with the flick of Narcissa’s wand that never left her hand. She stood in the hallway, pausing briefly before she turned to you. 

“Your room is ready.” she motioned to the stairs, knowing you already knew the way. And then, with a gentle hand, Narcissa reached to cup your cheek, caressing your skin with the pad of her thumb before she began to walk again.

“Thank you, Narcissa.” you told her softly, making her turn in your direction.

Narcissa’s smile dropped slightly, barely noticeable if you weren’t paying attention. And in that moment you weren't, not when you had just been brought home.

“Did you really believe I would let you spend your sixteenth birthday at Hogwarts with Severus and the bloody Baron as your only company?” 

You shook your head with a soft smile, a warmth spreading over you as Narcissa winked playfully in your direction. 

“Welcome home, my darling.” 

Narcissa’s voice sang in the distance, her steps fading with her voice. 

You walked to the base of the stairs, waiting until you could no longer hear a thing in the house before beginning to walk up the stairs to where your room was. It was only when you reached the deserted floor that you turned right as you always did, counting your steps and slowed down to a normal pace. The end of the hallways in Malfoy Manor always held the biggest rooms, the right side of the house facing the gardens Narcissa herself enchanted to always have flowers blooming no matter the season. It was no wonder that it was Dracos’ chosen room. 

Standing at the door of the room on the right end of the hallway you knocked out of politeness, to announce yourself before walking into the room without hearing any answer. 

Draco dressed all black. His hands were a stark contrast against the darkness of the room, the only thing that gave his presence away, laying on his back in the middle of the bed on the other side of the room. He removed his arm from across his eyes when no one announced themselves nor did they address him, making him glance once at you standing at the foot of his bed with a questioning look on your face.

“You’re here.”

Draco let his head fall back on his bed, covering his eyes once again. 

“You don’t sound surprised.” 

You said back, walking to the edge of the room where the tall windows were. A flick of your wand and the curtains were drawn open, earning a groan from Draco as he instinctively rolled over to face away from the windows. 

“It’s not that bright outside, Draco.” you said, turning back to him with the tilt of your head, crossing the room back to where he was “You’re not feeling well.” you noticed, going to sit on the side of his bed as you shook your wand in the air again, the curtains closing back.

Draco heaved a sigh, sparing you one look before he made room for you at his side. 

“Headache.” he explained shortly.

“Do you want me to get Dobby to give you something?” 

“He already did.” 

You nodded, moving to lay down next to him. A mirror of him. 

It wasn’t uncommon for you two to be in the same room.  You often shared space and it was known that where one went the other shortly followed. Growing up it wasn’t rare for the both to share a room or for Narcissa to find them on the same bed in the morning when the thunder was unforgiving the previous night. However now you found yourself tense, given your much time alone you had come to the realisation that over the years your affections for Draco had changed into something different. You had begun to care more about your appearance around him, trying to impress him and always be on his good side; your breath shortened whenever he was around, the sound of his voice or the faint smell of his scent was enough to soften you. 

You found it disturbing. 

You could recall the memories of growing up together fondly, but admit you were no longer the best friends that used to play next by the fire together during the colder seasons and chase each other through the maze behind the manor when the sun warmed your skin enough to feel comforted. Growing up meant growing into different responsibilities, more to Draco than yourself, as he was asked more of himself everyday. 

Growing up meant growing apart. 

He would be told to study every area of knowledge for his future, read every book that would shape his mind into the sharpest weapon, train every part of his body to be useful to a purpose, to do great, achieve greatness and be greatness. 

You were not required to do any of those things.

But at night, when Draco and you were supposed to be sleeping, you would find your way into each other's room and spend your time reliving your days with each other. Sometimes, you would help him study; other times, he would listen to you talk. 

Draco had never been what everyone made him out to be. He was something else entirely.

“We must go to Diagon Alley this week.” he said, breaking the silence with a raspy voice.

“Whatever for?” you asked, confusion clear in your voice as you opened your eyes, dancing between staying awake and the sleepy state you had wandered to. 

“You do plan to return to Hogwarts, right?” He asked back, a hint of amusement in his voice. He paused then, after you tried to nudge his arm, missing him completely and pushing his head to the side . “We need to get your measurements for the dress.” he added, taking your wrist in his hand. 

You sat up in a haste, looking down at Draco when the force of your movement took your wrist from his hold. He held a knowing look in his eyes, knowing what was to come from you. “What dress?” you asked, the glimmer of hope lazing your every word. 

He shrugged, moving to sit just as you had done. 

“Consider it an early birthday present.” 

A bright glimmer filled your eyes as you looked down at your lap, the excitement showing around your eyes and the soft laughter that left you in a short breath. “You know something.” you said surely in an even voice, “About the ball, you know something.” 

Draco stared at you silently, not saying a word. You just moved closer to him, expectantly.

“Blaise mentioned something about it.” He said, “Last time I saw him.”

You breathed out a laugh softly, fighting the little smile on your face hidden from his view. But then it also dawned on you that Draco was taking you to get your dress made. Your smile softened at the realisation.

“You don’t have to.” That silly promise. 

Draco turned his eyes from you instantly, burying the urge to roll his eyes, make a comment about it and call it a day. Seeing the fondness in your smile wiped that thought completely. Even if the sky fell outside his room, he still had you. He always had you. 

“It can just be my birthday present, a dress is more than enough.” 

“I believe I made a promise about it.” he said, laying back again on the bed. This time he had a pillow to support the back of his head, keeping his eyes on you. 

“When you were seven.” you recalled. 

Draco sighed, “And I kept making it every year since then, every time the invitation arrived and we were not on the guest list.”

You gazed at Draco longingly, “You don’t have to.” you repeated. 

Draco lifted his eyebrows in one quick motion, as if what you said was funny. “Too late. Besides I really don’t know what to get you for your birthday so a dress and a date to the ball will have to do.”

You tried to ignore the way your heart skipped at the mention of it being a date. He was to be your date, but it wasn’t going to be a date date. You knew that much.  

“You hate those things.” you reminded him, “You said it yourself when you returned form the first one you were invited to,” you began to recount, pointing at your fingers from each thing you mentioned, “The dressing up is unnecessary and uncomfortable, the small talk tedious, the people who attend those events unpleasant, the food awful and the drinks lacking.”

“I was ten.” he added, not helping his case. “Find something better for your birthday present and I´ll get it for you if you´re settled on me not going to this ball.” 

“No,” you said, turning your head away from him, “I do want that for my birthday.” you added a second later.

 “It's settled, then.” he huffed as he pictured the look on your face turned from him. 

“I guess it is.” 

*******

You sat in front of the only window in your room, although calling it a window was more wrong than right. The window equaled one of the walls of the room, a wall made of glass that allowed a view of the maze of the Manor. But more importantly, it gave a clear view of the sky. 

At that exact moment you gazed at the starlit sky from the armchair you insisted on keeping in front of the window. You had to levitate the piece of furniture to your prefered spot every time you returned home, just so you could look out at the sky without leaving the comfort of your room. 

You did so every night you stayed at Malfoy Manor, looking at the night sky in hopes of seeing a shooting star someday. For some reason Narcissa favoured them and had passed on the taste to you, who had updated your kit for night gazing from a blanket fort to soft pillows and the armchair. 

And the familiar soft knock on the door pulled your attention away. 

“Come in.” you called, turning your head to see Narcissa enter the room, making you sit up. “I thought you’d be asleep by now.” 

Narcissa walked across the room, moving the twin armchair just like you had done hours before, placing it by your side.  

“I have something for you.” Narcissa shared. 

Only then did you notice the small black velvet box adorned with a white ribbon in her hands, making you lose your comfortable position and move to sit up straight, scooting closer to her. Narcissa offered it to you, and you took it slowly with a smile. 

“You´ve given me so much today,” you commented shyly, drumming your fingers over the box, enjoying the soft feeling beneath your fingerprints. “You didn’t have to.” 

“Of course we do. You deserve only the best.” Narcissa said, motioning to the box. “Open it,” she said, and hesitation stilled your fingers. 

Your breath became controlled and slow, untying the ribbon and letting the lid drop to the side. Inside it, carefully placed was a diamond necklace, with a thin golden chain holding the teardrop shaped diamond. 

“It’s beautiful.” you commented with a breath, looking up at Narcissa through your lashes before getting it out of the soft cushion, holding the chain with one hand and resting the diamond over your palm. It was then that the sudden picture of someone else wearing it hit you, recognizing it at once now that you had had a closer look, turning sharply at her with a frown. 

“It was given to me when I turned sixteen. Now it’s yours.”

“I can’t take it.” you said, placing it carefully back on the box.

Narcissa stopped you softly, taking your hands and successfully stopping you. 

“I want you to have it.” She said firmly, with a sad look in her eyes. “You remind me of the person who gave it to me.”

You nodded, keeping the necklace in the box under her palms. The question rose in your mind, wondering who the person she spoke of was. But one look at her eyes told you the memory was too painful. 

“Oh, if only Lucius could be here.” Narcissa sighed shortly after “I do hope you enjoyed your birthday, my darling.”

“It was perfect.” you said, lifting your eyes from your lap at the chuckle Narcissa breathed out. She took the box from your hands, grabbing the necklace as she stood up, circling the armchair where you sat.

“You know, Draco rarely spends time with those we celebrate.” Narcissa said, standing behind you “Presents he buys, as you could see today, those are easy for him to get. But to sit down and actually be there?”

“What about you? Or Mr. Malfoy?” you asked, just following her voice.

Narcissa’s smile tightened, out of your sight and only finding her again when she placed her hand over your shoulder.

“We are his parents. He does it out of duty more than out of will.” 

You followed Narcissa with your eyes now. Like a small child, you had your head hanging backwards, looking up at the woman behind you who smiled at you. 

“I’m sure Draco’s will to be with me today had something to do with you.” you whispered with amusement, as if it was a secret shared between two friends.

Narcissa’s blue eyes fell on you after a second, her features soft, almost blank. 

“Will had nothing to do with his actions today. He loves you.” 

You fought the heat rising over your cheeks, shaking your head ready to argue back on her statement as you lowered your head to hide the color that took over your face. 

“Just like you love him. You’re family.” Narcissa sentenced, moving your hair over your shoulder as she clasped the necklace, carefully placing it over your neck. 

Her words carried a weight to them that you did not fight the urge to reach your hand and grasp it around the one Narcissa had secured on your shoulder.

“You’ll take care of one another when you go away together.” she said, never a question. 

“Of course.” you assured her. 

Narcissa was looking out the window now, her eyes distant. 

“It’s not safe. Not anywhere, not for anyone.”

This captured your attention, turning in your place to now face Narcissa, your face back to its hardened self. 

“Is there something wrong?” you asked, even if the answer was evident now, you  felt the need to ask. Different scenarios started running inside your head, deepening the frown on your face as every possibility became worse than the one before, until the image behind closed eyes showed you all alone while standing in a sea of people. 

Yet your mind arrived to one single question, “Is Mr. Malfoy alright?” 

The mention of her husband brought her back from the place Narcissa went inside her head, blinking slowly. 

“He will be.” 

“Something still worries you.” you insisted, moving to stand just like Narcissa. 

“My worries are mine alone.” 

You thought she sounded very wise for someone being so mistaken. 

“Maybe there is something I can do.” you offered, taking Narcissa’s silence negatively. “If only to reassure you then.” 

And Narcissa doubted, considering it, for a fleeting moment that only she saw behind her eyelids whilst she blinked. What if you could reassure her?

She couldn’t. 

“I only ask something of you.”

“Anything.” you rushed to say, looking Narcissa eye to eye. Where had the time go? 

“Be patient with Draco.” 

The request took you by surprise, making you pull back slightly. You had always been patient with him, standing at the side of his questionable behaviour and at the ready to save him from any harm, you understood the way he acted and turned a blind eye on most of the things he did. Why would you need a reminder of something you naturally did? 

Narcissa sensed your doubt immediately. 

“He’s taking it harder, that Lucius is in Azkaban. People talk behind our backs and some even dare to do it to our faces. This will not stop because you’re at Hogwarts, it might make it worse. He already has too much to bear.” 

You nodded, close to asking more questions. 

“I’ll be there for him.” you promised. 

Narcissa gave a final firm nod in your direction, turning to walk out of the room. 

“You’d tell me.” you called, just when Narcissa was closing the door, “You would tell me if something was wrong, if there was something I could do.” 

Narcissa turned to face you, her grip on the door tight, her eyes firmly shaking as she took you completely in. 

“Of course.” she answered. “Good night, my darling.”

And you believed her. 

[willowbleedsonpaper]

A Theo Nott Fic

I haven´t come up with a title :(

Summary: Not a summary but this fic will include Severus Snape as the reader´s guardian and the dynamic of the Slytherins (Theo Nott, Daphne Greengrass, Balise Zabini, Pansy Parkinson and Draco Malfoy) during their sixth year and their perspective of the upcoming magical war.

Word Count: 4747

Warnings: Brief descriptions of birth. One reference to suicidal ideation.

June, 1980.

Narcissa Malfoy always knew she would have a son. She had to, she had no other choice in the matter from the moment she married into the Malfoy name and legacy. There was no doubt in her mind that the child she would give birth to would be born a boy and would grow into a man to carry the name of her husband. 

Just like her. Born with great purpose, to give birth to a beautiful boy that would make everyone proud, and Narcissa herself the happiest. She had been born to be a loving mother. 

And she had not been mistaken as all her hopes and dreams of a family had come to life with a final push with all the might and strength she could muster, a relieved gasp fleeing from her lips as she finally fell back to the pillows on her back with quicken breath, a glowing smile illuminating her face as the midwife looked over her shoulder at her while the rest of the women gathered around the baby with wet clothes and blankets, muttering to themselves with glee and joy in the late hours of the night, it was almost midnight. 

Not even a minute born and her baby already had the people surrounding them to their feet. Despite the exhaustion, she rolled her eyes still with a glowing smile. 

“Well?” The voice of Lucius Malfoy came from the doorway, his tall frame appearing as a shadow at the entry of the room where he remained expectant. The entire room fell silent immediately.

The midwife stood two simple steps away from the bed, the small bundle of blankets on her arms almost at arm length from Narcissa to almost take on her own.

“Narcissa.” Lucius called from the door, demanding. Still his eyes were somewhere else.

Narcissa’s features turned sharp, panic flashing in her eyes as she met the look of the midwife, the house elf currently patting her forehead with a wet cloth cowering back in fear. A moment of terror that, to this day, only had one witness as the midwife smiled reassuringly, covering the shaky breath Narcissa let out with her body as she turned to the door.

“You have a son, Mr. Malfoy.” the midwife announced firmly, standing tall. 

Hushed cheers broke all over the room. The growing joy crushed as he stepped into the room. 

“Let me see him.” he demanded, taking long careful steps to the midwife holding his son. He reached his hand at the baby, lowering the soft blanket that covered his round face. “Good.” he approved after a meticulous scan of him, the soft glimmer of pride in his eyes lingering for a second longer. “Follow me.” he said, motioning for the midwife as he exited the room.

“Lucius.” Narcissa called while reaching her hand in the air, failing to keep him in the room as he walked out, his steps echoing in the hallway of their home. She did not hear his voice nor did she hear him share the news. She did not hear him for the rest of the night but she still knew what news was spreading like wildfire from the privacy of their home for the entire wizarding community to know. 

The Malfoys had an heir. 

“Let me have him.” Narcissa pleaded, sitting up in the bed as the midwife walked back into the room minutes later, eager to finally have her child  in her arms. She had done it, at last she could hold her baby close to her heart, holding him as tight as she could without bringing him any harm. 

She would not know then, but later in time, when looking back on this moment in her life, she would realise that this was the moment she knew love for the first time. True unconditional love. It felt unreal as she looked down at him, caressing his cheek with her knuckle that she swore she saw him smile, and her heart burst with glee. She would do anything for the boy in her arms and he had not been on this earth for longer than ten minutes.

“I love you, my darling boy.” she whispered, tears rolling down her cheeks as she pressed a soft kiss to his forehead, whispering the words so close to him she hoped they would be engraved in his mind from that moment and forever on. “Know that your mother loves you.” 

*******

August, 1981. 

The sky painted the world in a sombre light, dooming the day for those loyal to the Dark Lord’s cause. It had been a most joyful day until the first drops of rain had started to fall, forcing Narcissa and Draco indoors from their day outside in their garden. 

“I had an entire day planned for us,” Narcissa shared, her voice soft and tuned with a melodic sadness, “The entire afternoon, just the two of us. You could have seen the flowers that had just bloomed when you arrived into our lives a little over a year ago.” 

Draco squirmed in her arms, sensing her mother’s change in mood, his features beginning to contort into one of discomfort. Narcissa chuckled, rearranging him in her arms with a shush, “I know,” she continued, walking the long halls of her home with little to no rush, “The cold weather might not let you see the lilies again this year, they’ll die soon enough.”

Then the owls had started to arrive, closely followed by cloaked figures and orders to take action immediately. 

The drawing room of Malfoy Manor ringed with gleeful babbling from their heir playing with a number of toys over a blanket close to the fire, accompanied by his mother who began humming soft tunes from her own childhood when the clash of wooden figures and cracking fire was not enough to drown the noise from the hallway. 

Narcissa stared at the door obsessively, mindlessly taking the toys Draco would pass to her, until the door burst open and her husband walked inside. She managed a glimpse of three cloaked figures rushing through the hallway before Lucius closed the door behind him. They had been dragging two others down her halls. 

“Stay here, Narcissa.” Lucius Malfoy ordered, kneeling beside her on the floor. 

His hand caressed the side of his wife’s head, placing a chaste kiss on her temple as he spared one last look at the baby beside her. 

“What has happened?” Narcissa asked, her eyes following Lucius as he stood, her heart hammering in her chest. Lucius kept going, never faltering, not once stopping. She wanted to go with him. “Lucius.” she insisted, readying herself to stand.

“Not now, Narcissa.” he answered, hissing her name. 

Narcissa never stood, staring harshly at him when he turned his eyes to look at her. 

Lucius sighed, looking away from her, his entire frame tense. “Stay here.” he said, softer than any of them expected, “Stay with Draco.” 

He didn’t have to tell her, of course. He knew that. 

The loud commands of Bellatrix just outside the room drew Lucius´ attention and he walked out without another word, without awaiting a response. It wasn’t enough to make Narcissa lift an eye in their direction, not to see Lucius go and not to wish Bella any luck. She didn’t need it with Lucius by her side, and nowadays it seemed he spent more time with Bella than he did with her and Draco. 

Draco.

Narcissa believed that if it wasn’t for Draco she would be miserable or on the border of taking her own life. Her baby offered not only a distraction but a way out of her duties as loyal follower of the Dark Lord. In some sense, she was fulfilling her duty, bringing a new generation of pureblood to the world. She was crafting a puzzle piece for the vision Lord Voldemort had for their future, shaping him for their perfect life. Still, she could not be bothered with matters of the war. She had lost too much to it and with Draco in her arms, now she had won something and she would protect him, no matter what. 

The rain fell like rich heavy curtains over the windows of her home, nothing visible through them but the cascades of rain water that had begun to fall the moment her sister and husband stepped out into the world.  

Narcissa wanted to think of them, to be concerned and wish them some sort of luck. After all, they were out on the Dark Lord commands. If the sky were to be taken into deep thought, she was certain something awful had just come to happen. 

Light flashed over the room, pulling her out of her head to snap her eyes in the same velocity at the tall windows, thunder rumbling over the sky with extreme force. She stood from the floor, slowly walking closer to the windows until her own reflection came into view, a sight of concern looking back at her as she waited in place for more thunder.

The light flashed as fast as the thunder came, making her jump back in surprise with the windows shaking in consequence of the thunderstorm raging outside. Narcissa rushed back to where Draco sat, looking up at her with a quivering pout and watery eyes. She lifted him up in her arms, clutching Draco closer to her chest, the boy starting to squirm on her hold as soft whimpers left him, sensing the same discomfort his mother was in.  

Narcissa took one last hesitant look out the window before she turned towards the door. She began to walk out of the room when the sudden flash of green light illuminating the room made her steps falter briefly. The light came once more, and her stomach dropped with the memories that brought back, understanding settling in. 

She closed her eyes, letting out a shaky breath as she looked down to her son, “Time for you to sleep, my darling.” she whispered, cautiously brushing her lips over his forehead in a soft kiss. 

There was a time where the flash of light would have come from her wand, now she could not be bothered.

Her heels clicked on the marble floors of the stairs of Malfoy Manor, the tall ceilings echoing her every step over the black walls as she reached the door to the nursery, closing it behind her as soon as she stepped in. She rested her back against the door, losing her perfect posture for a brief second as a sigh escaped from deep within her chest. Breathing back in, she regained her height with ease as she looked down, her eyes meeting with big grey ones already staring at her. 

“You’re supposed to be asleep.” she said with soft humour, starting to rock him rhythmically on her arms. 

Draco made a sound in response, his gaze on Narcissa never wavering. 

Narcissa smiled at him, humming a lullaby as she paced the vast room. She went like that for what her arms felt was hours, refusing to sit down as the green light still flashed every time she closed her eyes, not ready to let go of the comfort Draco offered for the night. 

“Have it your way.” she said as the tune she hummed came to an end, “We can stay here all night and until the sun starts to rise.” 

This seemed to amuse Draco who in his very young age looked to be giving her a challenging smile.  

Narcissa tilted her head with her own smile while tickling his chest, “You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” she asked, earning a response that had drool rolling from the corner of his mouth. Her smile widened, reaching for a small cloth to wipe his cheek. “Yes, yes. Draco Malfoy, stealing his mother’s youth by keeping her up countless nights.”

“Better me than your father.” She scoffed with a bittersweet feeling to it, fisting the cloth in her hand as her knuckles brushed Dracos’ cheek in a repetitive motion while barely paying any mind to his chuckles, Narcissa far too lost in her own mind. 

She snapped out of it when Draco took hold of her finger and squeezed it, the sight of bursting out Narcissa’s bubble and watching her return to the present bringing a wrinkly smile to Draco’s face, followed by incoherent babble.

“Lucius would curse the entire world before he let you steal his youth.” she joked, watching as the smile vanished from her son’s face. 

“So better go to sleep.” she said, finally giving in and sitting in the rocking chair by the corner. “Merlin knows I could use some sleep.” she murmured. 

For another couple of hours Draco refused to fall asleep, going over the entire collection of lullabies Narcissa knew, even having to resort to some songs she could recall from her own childhood. It was until the room had grown silent she dared take a look, finding no grey eyes were looking up at her anymore. 

Carefully, she placed him on his crib and considered staying there for the night. The rocking chair, as uncomfortable as it was, looked far more tempting than going to an empty bed or the chaos that had unravelled downstairs hours ago. She had heard the burst of people through the main entrance hours ago, more footsteps than those that had left entering her home. She had no energy to face strange faces with a smile. 

Narcissa had stared at the pouring rain out the window for more than necessary, trying to make out the voices and what they were saying,  trying to get as much information as she could without being in the eye of the huracan. She did not want to go downstairs and face the storm. 

She went anyway. 

Descending the stairs gracefully. Slowly. Cautiously. The doors to the drawing room were open, the dancing shadows of the fire making it to the hallway where she could step on them, feel the touch of their warmth. 

However, it was the sudden cries that pulled her to the room, rushing inside without even looking at those present. 

She had left Draco in the nursery. 

“Narcissa.” 

She heard her name being called, eyes scanning the room quickly until her senses connected and she was brought back to the present. The room was the same as she had left it, Draco´s blanket and toys still sprawled on the floor, the fire still burning with added wood someone else must have fed the fire after she left, the rain still falling. Still the room felt void of any life, Draco´s toys didn’t bring joy, the fire didn’t bring warmth and the rain didn’t bring peace. A cold void stood in the middle of the room, the source of the voice with calm eyes staring at her. 

“My lord.” She was quickly to greet him, bowing her head enough for him to see. 

“How considerate of you to join us.” 

She feared to look at him, sensing the darkness of his voice and the daggers behind his words. Still, she lifted her eyes to find him looking down at her. 

The shadow of Bella’s bitter look, as always, was over his shoulder, moving back to look at her. She dared not ask, her eyes not wavering from the Dark Lord and her sister behind him, when a wave of panic crashed over her. 

“Where’s..”

She did not get to finish her question when Lucius stepped into the room, her name leaving his lips in a whisper as he stopped. “Finally.” he mumbled in annoyance.

Narcissa had but a second to fold her arms in a familiar manner to her and hold what Lucius was handing her. She stumbled back in surprise, looking down and between her husband. “Who’s this?” she asked with a frown. 

Lucius had entered the room, a glass soon in his hand as he downed the contents in one gulp. 

Narcissa looked down at the baby in her arms, knowing full well it was not her Draco. The weight of the baby she held was not one she knew, not the shape her arms had been moulded to in the last year. Their warmth was unknown to her, their features, their clothes, their blankets. She did not know the baby in her arms.

“Lucius?” She turned to the one who would give her answers with well hidden despair, only to find he was not looking at her but down at the floor, his arms barely keeping him up as he grasped the back of the sofa with white knuckles.. 

“An expected response after the events of tonight.” said the Dark Lord.

“My lord?” Narcissa said while meeting his piercing gaze already on her.

“Frederick and Victoria Blackthorne were murdered.” he lamented, no one sure if he was being genuine, “Most trusted allies and loyal to our cause.” he paused, moving close until he was towering over Narcissa “The baby you hold is their child. A gesture of mercy from our enemies, to allow this new soul to live.”

Bella scoffed in the background, “They’ll pay for what they’ve done.”  

“All in due time, Bella.” The Dark Lord tutted, “We will all get what we deserve, in time.”

Narcissa looked down, fearing to ask, dreading to know the fate of the child. 

“We still have work to do.” the Dark Lord announced, making his way to the exit, “Bella, come with me.” 

Gleeful sounds left the older woman as she followed dutifully, racing out of the room while ignoring the questioning look on Narcissa.

“See that she’s cared after, Lucius.” the Dark Lord said from the door,  never looking at the man he spoke to, his eyes only on the child. “She is your responsibility until Severus returns.” 

“Yes, my lord.” Lucius said, holding back the venom in his voice. 

The sound of the main door closing marked the Dark Lord leaving Malfoy Manor and with that returning some of the air to the room. 

Narcissa no longer felt like she could not breathe, her shoulders falling from their locked state as she sighed, making sure the baby was wrapped tightly even if she could feel the sweat running down her own back.

The fire of the fireplace roared with the sound of breaking glass, making Narcissa jump in her spot as she turned the baby away from harm, turning with a glare at Lucius. 

“What happened?” she demanded, her voice now loud. 

Lucius walked past her, glaring down at her arms as he stormed out of the room. 

“How mature, Lucius!” she yelled, rushing to the hallway after him for the long space to carry her voice, “Take it out on the baby!” 

She huffed when she was met with the slam of a door. She marched up the stairs, kicking her heels from her feet halfway to the nursery while letting the cold floor cool her explosive mood. 

She didn’t mean to kick the door shut when she got there, what was even the point?  The nursery was at the far end of the hallway and in the exact opposite direction from her and Lucius’ room. If he even was there. 

She paced the room, letting her own anger and helplessness slip through her every step. The crying began before she even realised, with notorious pout and silent  tears of the baby that escalated quickly to the point where she was screaming, puffy red face refusing to meet her, kicking and punching the air furiously. 

The voice of salvation came in the form of a domestic elf. 

“Mistress?” the voice called as the tall door opened and he walked in hesitantly, “Is Mistress in need of anything?” he asked with his head bowed. 

She struggled with the words, formless phrases leaving her lips as she stared down at the crying baby in her lap. From the corner of her eye she could begin to see Draco moving. 

“Blankets!” she burst out saying. A quick scan to the baby put her in a motherly state of mind. The baby had been out in the rain in the care of death eaters who had collectively held a baby for a total of one hour. Has she been fed? Did she need a change of diaper? Clearly she needed a change of clothes and fresh blankets. From the periphery of her eyes she could see the elf enter the room, rubbing his small hands in confusion.  

“More blankets?” Dobby asked, looking at the pile already adorning the sofa and some more hanging from the crib. 

“Take them to the drawing room. Lay them down close to the fire.” she ordered.

He nodded quickly, moving without another word as he and the blankets vanished from the room. 

She left the nursery and let the cracking fire lead her back to the warmth, Dobby working fast on the blankets as they made the perfect spot. She left the crying baby with Dobby, rushing to get Draco from the nursery. 

There was no sound to lead her back to the drawing room, no light but only the warmth seeping into the hallway, the only trail she had left to follow as she took herself  and Draco back to the baby. 

“Dobby?” she called from the door, stepping inside as she feared the sight she might find. To her surprise, she found the baby on her back, reaching her hand in the air while Dobby stood at a safe distance by the wall, a show of glinting lights filling the room. 

It seemed as if the night sky had found its way inside her home. She quickly realised she did not want to welcome the stars in her home. 

“What are you doing?” she asked suddenly. 

Dobby’s hand dropped instantly, the light of the room going instantly away with him. 

“Dobby only meant to calm the crying child, Mistress.” he rushed to say, motioning his hand as the chandeliers were lit once again, the stars now gone. 

Narcissa said nothing else, giving one last look at Dobby as she lowered herself into the blankets. She had no words to say as she stared at the baby trying to roll over her back and to her stomach but failing, two rolled blankets at each of her sides preventing her from doing so. Dobby had succeeded in calming her down. 

“What is her name?” she asked, watching her struggle to sit up, her arms reaching up in all possible directions. 

“Dobby does not know.” 

She hummed in response, lowering Draco to lay on the blankets, as the girl managed to finally sit and fought with her own limbs for a minute to keep her balance. Then, she started to crawl towards Narcissa.  

Narcissa reached her hand towards her. “You aim for the stars, don’t you?” she asked as the girl’s eyes drifted to Draco. 

“You do.” Narcissa laughed, but then the girl paid no mind to Draco, and set herself to go towards Narcissa, climbing to her arms. She babbled, speaking the same language Draco did, as her tiny hand reached for the necklace around her neck, fisting the diamond with little force. 

She earned a chuckle from Narcissa. “You like shiny things, I respect that. Better focus on jewels, darling.” she said, her voice lowering to a murmur, “Better jewels than stars.” 

*******

“Her name is Y/N.” Bella kindly informed Narcissa the morning of the burial of Frederick and Victoria.

Narcissa had never met them. Frederick and Victoria Blackthorne. She had never heard of them, never heard their name, never knew where they came from. It seemed they had been important in the fight of their cause, for the Dark Lord himself to make an act of presence in their burial. 

He gave his speech, lamenting the loss of what he called his most trusted followers and supporters, swearing that those responsible would face the consequences. 

There was no mention of their daughter, no promise to her. Narcissa assumed it for the better. 

“Did you know them?” Narcissa asked in her sister’s ear.  

The air around Bella turned sour. “I did.” 

She did not elaborate further from that. 

“Where is Severus?” Lucius hissed as he fell into place next to the sisters. “We’ve waited long enough.” 

“Are you in any rush or getting rid of the Blackthorne girl, Lucius?” Bella asked with a glint in her eyes, “She’s only a baby, after all.”

Lucius turned his eyes from her, not a word uttered. 

“Yes, my love.” Narcissa inquired, “You cannot be this annoyed by two babies in our home. What when we have more children?” 

“She is not ours.” Lucius stated, clearly. “Now, where is Severus?” 

“Relax,” Bella taunted, running her eyes over his face before she looked over his shoulder. “He’s here.” 

The three of them turned in time to see Severus enter the room just as the Dark Lord left, both parting in opposite directions.

“Lucius. Narcissa.” Severus greeted, voice dead. “Bella.”

“Where have you been?” Lucius demanded harshly.

“That is not of your concern.” he answered, looking directly at Lucius. 

Narcissa had to give it to Severus, he was not easily intimidated. She remembered him from their time at Hogwarts, as brief as it had been. He had grown from a boy clearly talented and resourceful, to one of the most important assets, as his position with the Dark Lord showed. 

“Where is the girl?” Severus asked when Lucius said nothing else. 

“So it is true.” Bella stated, straightening her posture from the wall, “You’ll take her with you.”

Severus met her eyes briefly, “I am her guardian.” 

Bella met his answers with a look of disbelief, running her eyes all over Severus´ frame. She then shrugged her shoulders, “If you say so.”

“I didn’t, the Dark Lord himself commanded it.” 

Narcissa glanced at Bella before stepping to Severus, “She’s back at the Manor.” She told him, looking for any show of emotion towards the baby. He showed none. 

Severus nodded, following Narcissa as she made her way to the exit, walking towards the garden in front of what once was the home of the Blackthorne family. They apparated back to the Malfoy Manor, entering the great home with not much as a word said. 

“Wait here.” she said at the base of the stairs, “I’ll get her ready for you.”

She did not wait for an answer, following the stairs and getting to the nursery as slowly as she could. A week had Y/N been with them and it had been enough time for Narcissa to find a heavy feeling in her heart as she neared her newly built crib, overflowing with lilac blankets. She was not ready to see her go. 

Y/N

After a week of referring to her as The baby, her name felt almost like a revelation, something she did not dare to speak out loud just yet. 

“Leave us.” She said to the elves looking after Draco and Y/N. They went all at once and Narcissa moved to pick her up in her arms, Y/N shifting to fit perfectly in Narcissa’s arms. She went to sit in the rocking chair, her gaze fixed on the smaller girl. 

“Severus looking after you, a child.” she laughed softly, “I’ve seen my fair share of nonsense and this might be the greatest one yet.” 

There was a delicacy about Y/N that Narcissa longed for. She had grown with sisters, never one to know the nature of small boys. She knew Draco would be his own challenge alone, she always knew she would have to work harder to raise a boy in this world. She felt a familiar greed creeping on her heart, one that determined her to get whatever she wanted. 

She wanted this child. 

Even if Narcissa had always known she would give birth to a son, there had always been the desire to have a daughter. A selfish wish that hid on the walls of her heart and found its way into the light constantly. 

“Severus Snape is waiting in the drawing room, Mistress.” one of the elves said from the door, barely poking his head inside. “Shall we ready Miss Y/N’s belongings for him to take?” 

Narcissa looked at the crib next to Draco’s, lifting her chin. 

“No.”

“Mistress?” 

“Severus will care for her, but so will I.” she said, standing. “Everything stays as it is.”

[willowbleedsonpaper]

I will be posting a new chapter every Friday! Please let me know know if you would like to be tagged.

A Theo Nott Fic

I haven´t come up with a title :(

Summary: Not a summary but this fic will include Severus Snape as the reader´s guardian and the dynamic of the Slytherins (Theo Nott, Daphne Greengrass, Balise Zabini, Pansy Parkinson and Draco Malfoy) during their sixth year and their perspective of the upcoming magical war.

Word Count: 4747

Warnings: Brief descriptions of birth. One reference to suicidal ideation.

June, 1980.

Narcissa Malfoy always knew she would have a son. She had to, she had no other choice in the matter from the moment she married into the Malfoy name and legacy. There was no doubt in her mind that the child she would give birth to would be born a boy and would grow into a man to carry the name of her husband. 

Just like her. Born with great purpose, to give birth to a beautiful boy that would make everyone proud, and Narcissa herself the happiest. She had been born to be a loving mother. 

And she had not been mistaken as all her hopes and dreams of a family had come to life with a final push with all the might and strength she could muster, a relieved gasp fleeing from her lips as she finally fell back to the pillows on her back with quicken breath, a glowing smile illuminating her face as the midwife looked over her shoulder at her while the rest of the women gathered around the baby with wet clothes and blankets, muttering to themselves with glee and joy in the late hours of the night, it was almost midnight. 

Not even a minute born and her baby already had the people surrounding them to their feet. Despite the exhaustion, she rolled her eyes still with a glowing smile. 

“Well?” The voice of Lucius Malfoy came from the doorway, his tall frame appearing as a shadow at the entry of the room where he remained expectant. The entire room fell silent immediately.

The midwife stood two simple steps away from the bed, the small bundle of blankets on her arms almost at arm length from Narcissa to almost take on her own.

“Narcissa.” Lucius called from the door, demanding. Still his eyes were somewhere else.

Narcissa’s features turned sharp, panic flashing in her eyes as she met the look of the midwife, the house elf currently patting her forehead with a wet cloth cowering back in fear. A moment of terror that, to this day, only had one witness as the midwife smiled reassuringly, covering the shaky breath Narcissa let out with her body as she turned to the door.

“You have a son, Mr. Malfoy.” the midwife announced firmly, standing tall. 

Hushed cheers broke all over the room. The growing joy crushed as he stepped into the room. 

“Let me see him.” he demanded, taking long careful steps to the midwife holding his son. He reached his hand at the baby, lowering the soft blanket that covered his round face. “Good.” he approved after a meticulous scan of him, the soft glimmer of pride in his eyes lingering for a second longer. “Follow me.” he said, motioning for the midwife as he exited the room.

“Lucius.” Narcissa called while reaching her hand in the air, failing to keep him in the room as he walked out, his steps echoing in the hallway of their home. She did not hear his voice nor did she hear him share the news. She did not hear him for the rest of the night but she still knew what news was spreading like wildfire from the privacy of their home for the entire wizarding community to know. 

The Malfoys had an heir. 

“Let me have him.” Narcissa pleaded, sitting up in the bed as the midwife walked back into the room minutes later, eager to finally have her child  in her arms. She had done it, at last she could hold her baby close to her heart, holding him as tight as she could without bringing him any harm. 

She would not know then, but later in time, when looking back on this moment in her life, she would realise that this was the moment she knew love for the first time. True unconditional love. It felt unreal as she looked down at him, caressing his cheek with her knuckle that she swore she saw him smile, and her heart burst with glee. She would do anything for the boy in her arms and he had not been on this earth for longer than ten minutes.

“I love you, my darling boy.” she whispered, tears rolling down her cheeks as she pressed a soft kiss to his forehead, whispering the words so close to him she hoped they would be engraved in his mind from that moment and forever on. “Know that your mother loves you.” 

*******

August, 1981. 

The sky painted the world in a sombre light, dooming the day for those loyal to the Dark Lord’s cause. It had been a most joyful day until the first drops of rain had started to fall, forcing Narcissa and Draco indoors from their day outside in their garden. 

“I had an entire day planned for us,” Narcissa shared, her voice soft and tuned with a melodic sadness, “The entire afternoon, just the two of us. You could have seen the flowers that had just bloomed when you arrived into our lives a little over a year ago.” 

Draco squirmed in her arms, sensing her mother’s change in mood, his features beginning to contort into one of discomfort. Narcissa chuckled, rearranging him in her arms with a shush, “I know,” she continued, walking the long halls of her home with little to no rush, “The cold weather might not let you see the lilies again this year, they’ll die soon enough.”

Then the owls had started to arrive, closely followed by cloaked figures and orders to take action immediately. 

The drawing room of Malfoy Manor ringed with gleeful babbling from their heir playing with a number of toys over a blanket close to the fire, accompanied by his mother who began humming soft tunes from her own childhood when the clash of wooden figures and cracking fire was not enough to drown the noise from the hallway. 

Narcissa stared at the door obsessively, mindlessly taking the toys Draco would pass to her, until the door burst open and her husband walked inside. She managed a glimpse of three cloaked figures rushing through the hallway before Lucius closed the door behind him. They had been dragging two others down her halls. 

“Stay here, Narcissa.” Lucius Malfoy ordered, kneeling beside her on the floor. 

His hand caressed the side of his wife’s head, placing a chaste kiss on her temple as he spared one last look at the baby beside her. 

“What has happened?” Narcissa asked, her eyes following Lucius as he stood, her heart hammering in her chest. Lucius kept going, never faltering, not once stopping. She wanted to go with him. “Lucius.” she insisted, readying herself to stand.

“Not now, Narcissa.” he answered, hissing her name. 

Narcissa never stood, staring harshly at him when he turned his eyes to look at her. 

Lucius sighed, looking away from her, his entire frame tense. “Stay here.” he said, softer than any of them expected, “Stay with Draco.” 

He didn’t have to tell her, of course. He knew that. 

The loud commands of Bellatrix just outside the room drew Lucius´ attention and he walked out without another word, without awaiting a response. It wasn’t enough to make Narcissa lift an eye in their direction, not to see Lucius go and not to wish Bella any luck. She didn’t need it with Lucius by her side, and nowadays it seemed he spent more time with Bella than he did with her and Draco. 

Draco.

Narcissa believed that if it wasn’t for Draco she would be miserable or on the border of taking her own life. Her baby offered not only a distraction but a way out of her duties as loyal follower of the Dark Lord. In some sense, she was fulfilling her duty, bringing a new generation of pureblood to the world. She was crafting a puzzle piece for the vision Lord Voldemort had for their future, shaping him for their perfect life. Still, she could not be bothered with matters of the war. She had lost too much to it and with Draco in her arms, now she had won something and she would protect him, no matter what. 

The rain fell like rich heavy curtains over the windows of her home, nothing visible through them but the cascades of rain water that had begun to fall the moment her sister and husband stepped out into the world.  

Narcissa wanted to think of them, to be concerned and wish them some sort of luck. After all, they were out on the Dark Lord commands. If the sky were to be taken into deep thought, she was certain something awful had just come to happen. 

Light flashed over the room, pulling her out of her head to snap her eyes in the same velocity at the tall windows, thunder rumbling over the sky with extreme force. She stood from the floor, slowly walking closer to the windows until her own reflection came into view, a sight of concern looking back at her as she waited in place for more thunder.

The light flashed as fast as the thunder came, making her jump back in surprise with the windows shaking in consequence of the thunderstorm raging outside. Narcissa rushed back to where Draco sat, looking up at her with a quivering pout and watery eyes. She lifted him up in her arms, clutching Draco closer to her chest, the boy starting to squirm on her hold as soft whimpers left him, sensing the same discomfort his mother was in.  

Narcissa took one last hesitant look out the window before she turned towards the door. She began to walk out of the room when the sudden flash of green light illuminating the room made her steps falter briefly. The light came once more, and her stomach dropped with the memories that brought back, understanding settling in. 

She closed her eyes, letting out a shaky breath as she looked down to her son, “Time for you to sleep, my darling.” she whispered, cautiously brushing her lips over his forehead in a soft kiss. 

There was a time where the flash of light would have come from her wand, now she could not be bothered.

Her heels clicked on the marble floors of the stairs of Malfoy Manor, the tall ceilings echoing her every step over the black walls as she reached the door to the nursery, closing it behind her as soon as she stepped in. She rested her back against the door, losing her perfect posture for a brief second as a sigh escaped from deep within her chest. Breathing back in, she regained her height with ease as she looked down, her eyes meeting with big grey ones already staring at her. 

“You’re supposed to be asleep.” she said with soft humour, starting to rock him rhythmically on her arms. 

Draco made a sound in response, his gaze on Narcissa never wavering. 

Narcissa smiled at him, humming a lullaby as she paced the vast room. She went like that for what her arms felt was hours, refusing to sit down as the green light still flashed every time she closed her eyes, not ready to let go of the comfort Draco offered for the night. 

“Have it your way.” she said as the tune she hummed came to an end, “We can stay here all night and until the sun starts to rise.” 

This seemed to amuse Draco who in his very young age looked to be giving her a challenging smile.  

Narcissa tilted her head with her own smile while tickling his chest, “You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” she asked, earning a response that had drool rolling from the corner of his mouth. Her smile widened, reaching for a small cloth to wipe his cheek. “Yes, yes. Draco Malfoy, stealing his mother’s youth by keeping her up countless nights.”

“Better me than your father.” She scoffed with a bittersweet feeling to it, fisting the cloth in her hand as her knuckles brushed Dracos’ cheek in a repetitive motion while barely paying any mind to his chuckles, Narcissa far too lost in her own mind. 

She snapped out of it when Draco took hold of her finger and squeezed it, the sight of bursting out Narcissa’s bubble and watching her return to the present bringing a wrinkly smile to Draco’s face, followed by incoherent babble.

“Lucius would curse the entire world before he let you steal his youth.” she joked, watching as the smile vanished from her son’s face. 

“So better go to sleep.” she said, finally giving in and sitting in the rocking chair by the corner. “Merlin knows I could use some sleep.” she murmured. 

For another couple of hours Draco refused to fall asleep, going over the entire collection of lullabies Narcissa knew, even having to resort to some songs she could recall from her own childhood. It was until the room had grown silent she dared take a look, finding no grey eyes were looking up at her anymore. 

Carefully, she placed him on his crib and considered staying there for the night. The rocking chair, as uncomfortable as it was, looked far more tempting than going to an empty bed or the chaos that had unravelled downstairs hours ago. She had heard the burst of people through the main entrance hours ago, more footsteps than those that had left entering her home. She had no energy to face strange faces with a smile. 

Narcissa had stared at the pouring rain out the window for more than necessary, trying to make out the voices and what they were saying,  trying to get as much information as she could without being in the eye of the huracan. She did not want to go downstairs and face the storm. 

She went anyway. 

Descending the stairs gracefully. Slowly. Cautiously. The doors to the drawing room were open, the dancing shadows of the fire making it to the hallway where she could step on them, feel the touch of their warmth. 

However, it was the sudden cries that pulled her to the room, rushing inside without even looking at those present. 

She had left Draco in the nursery. 

“Narcissa.” 

She heard her name being called, eyes scanning the room quickly until her senses connected and she was brought back to the present. The room was the same as she had left it, Draco´s blanket and toys still sprawled on the floor, the fire still burning with added wood someone else must have fed the fire after she left, the rain still falling. Still the room felt void of any life, Draco´s toys didn’t bring joy, the fire didn’t bring warmth and the rain didn’t bring peace. A cold void stood in the middle of the room, the source of the voice with calm eyes staring at her. 

“My lord.” She was quickly to greet him, bowing her head enough for him to see. 

“How considerate of you to join us.” 

She feared to look at him, sensing the darkness of his voice and the daggers behind his words. Still, she lifted her eyes to find him looking down at her. 

The shadow of Bella’s bitter look, as always, was over his shoulder, moving back to look at her. She dared not ask, her eyes not wavering from the Dark Lord and her sister behind him, when a wave of panic crashed over her. 

“Where’s..”

She did not get to finish her question when Lucius stepped into the room, her name leaving his lips in a whisper as he stopped. “Finally.” he mumbled in annoyance.

Narcissa had but a second to fold her arms in a familiar manner to her and hold what Lucius was handing her. She stumbled back in surprise, looking down and between her husband. “Who’s this?” she asked with a frown. 

Lucius had entered the room, a glass soon in his hand as he downed the contents in one gulp. 

Narcissa looked down at the baby in her arms, knowing full well it was not her Draco. The weight of the baby she held was not one she knew, not the shape her arms had been moulded to in the last year. Their warmth was unknown to her, their features, their clothes, their blankets. She did not know the baby in her arms.

“Lucius?” She turned to the one who would give her answers with well hidden despair, only to find he was not looking at her but down at the floor, his arms barely keeping him up as he grasped the back of the sofa with white knuckles.. 

“An expected response after the events of tonight.” said the Dark Lord.

“My lord?” Narcissa said while meeting his piercing gaze already on her.

“Frederick and Victoria Blackthorne were murdered.” he lamented, no one sure if he was being genuine, “Most trusted allies and loyal to our cause.” he paused, moving close until he was towering over Narcissa “The baby you hold is their child. A gesture of mercy from our enemies, to allow this new soul to live.”

Bella scoffed in the background, “They’ll pay for what they’ve done.”  

“All in due time, Bella.” The Dark Lord tutted, “We will all get what we deserve, in time.”

Narcissa looked down, fearing to ask, dreading to know the fate of the child. 

“We still have work to do.” the Dark Lord announced, making his way to the exit, “Bella, come with me.” 

Gleeful sounds left the older woman as she followed dutifully, racing out of the room while ignoring the questioning look on Narcissa.

“See that she’s cared after, Lucius.” the Dark Lord said from the door,  never looking at the man he spoke to, his eyes only on the child. “She is your responsibility until Severus returns.” 

“Yes, my lord.” Lucius said, holding back the venom in his voice. 

The sound of the main door closing marked the Dark Lord leaving Malfoy Manor and with that returning some of the air to the room. 

Narcissa no longer felt like she could not breathe, her shoulders falling from their locked state as she sighed, making sure the baby was wrapped tightly even if she could feel the sweat running down her own back.

The fire of the fireplace roared with the sound of breaking glass, making Narcissa jump in her spot as she turned the baby away from harm, turning with a glare at Lucius.��

“What happened?” she demanded, her voice now loud. 

Lucius walked past her, glaring down at her arms as he stormed out of the room. 

“How mature, Lucius!” she yelled, rushing to the hallway after him for the long space to carry her voice, “Take it out on the baby!” 

She huffed when she was met with the slam of a door. She marched up the stairs, kicking her heels from her feet halfway to the nursery while letting the cold floor cool her explosive mood. 

She didn’t mean to kick the door shut when she got there, what was even the point?  The nursery was at the far end of the hallway and in the exact opposite direction from her and Lucius’ room. If he even was there. 

She paced the room, letting her own anger and helplessness slip through her every step. The crying began before she even realised, with notorious pout and silent  tears of the baby that escalated quickly to the point where she was screaming, puffy red face refusing to meet her, kicking and punching the air furiously. 

The voice of salvation came in the form of a domestic elf. 

“Mistress?” the voice called as the tall door opened and he walked in hesitantly, “Is Mistress in need of anything?” he asked with his head bowed. 

She struggled with the words, formless phrases leaving her lips as she stared down at the crying baby in her lap. From the corner of her eye she could begin to see Draco moving. 

“Blankets!” she burst out saying. A quick scan to the baby put her in a motherly state of mind. The baby had been out in the rain in the care of death eaters who had collectively held a baby for a total of one hour. Has she been fed? Did she need a change of diaper? Clearly she needed a change of clothes and fresh blankets. From the periphery of her eyes she could see the elf enter the room, rubbing his small hands in confusion.  

“More blankets?” Dobby asked, looking at the pile already adorning the sofa and some more hanging from the crib. 

“Take them to the drawing room. Lay them down close to the fire.” she ordered.

He nodded quickly, moving without another word as he and the blankets vanished from the room. 

She left the nursery and let the cracking fire lead her back to the warmth, Dobby working fast on the blankets as they made the perfect spot. She left the crying baby with Dobby, rushing to get Draco from the nursery. 

There was no sound to lead her back to the drawing room, no light but only the warmth seeping into the hallway, the only trail she had left to follow as she took herself  and Draco back to the baby. 

“Dobby?” she called from the door, stepping inside as she feared the sight she might find. To her surprise, she found the baby on her back, reaching her hand in the air while Dobby stood at a safe distance by the wall, a show of glinting lights filling the room. 

It seemed as if the night sky had found its way inside her home. She quickly realised she did not want to welcome the stars in her home. 

“What are you doing?” she asked suddenly. 

Dobby’s hand dropped instantly, the light of the room going instantly away with him. 

“Dobby only meant to calm the crying child, Mistress.” he rushed to say, motioning his hand as the chandeliers were lit once again, the stars now gone. 

Narcissa said nothing else, giving one last look at Dobby as she lowered herself into the blankets. She had no words to say as she stared at the baby trying to roll over her back and to her stomach but failing, two rolled blankets at each of her sides preventing her from doing so. Dobby had succeeded in calming her down. 

“What is her name?” she asked, watching her struggle to sit up, her arms reaching up in all possible directions. 

“Dobby does not know.” 

She hummed in response, lowering Draco to lay on the blankets, as the girl managed to finally sit and fought with her own limbs for a minute to keep her balance. Then, she started to crawl towards Narcissa.  

Narcissa reached her hand towards her. “You aim for the stars, don’t you?” she asked as the girl’s eyes drifted to Draco. 

“You do.” Narcissa laughed, but then the girl paid no mind to Draco, and set herself to go towards Narcissa, climbing to her arms. She babbled, speaking the same language Draco did, as her tiny hand reached for the necklace around her neck, fisting the diamond with little force. 

She earned a chuckle from Narcissa. “You like shiny things, I respect that. Better focus on jewels, darling.” she said, her voice lowering to a murmur, “Better jewels than stars.” 

*******

“Her name is Y/N.” Bella kindly informed Narcissa the morning of the burial of Frederick and Victoria.

Narcissa had never met them. Frederick and Victoria Blackthorne. She had never heard of them, never heard their name, never knew where they came from. It seemed they had been important in the fight of their cause, for the Dark Lord himself to make an act of presence in their burial. 

He gave his speech, lamenting the loss of what he called his most trusted followers and supporters, swearing that those responsible would face the consequences. 

There was no mention of their daughter, no promise to her. Narcissa assumed it for the better. 

“Did you know them?” Narcissa asked in her sister’s ear.  

The air around Bella turned sour. “I did.” 

She did not elaborate further from that. 

“Where is Severus?” Lucius hissed as he fell into place next to the sisters. “We’ve waited long enough.” 

“Are you in any rush or getting rid of the Blackthorne girl, Lucius?” Bella asked with a glint in her eyes, “She’s only a baby, after all.”

Lucius turned his eyes from her, not a word uttered. 

“Yes, my love.” Narcissa inquired, “You cannot be this annoyed by two babies in our home. What when we have more children?” 

“She is not ours.” Lucius stated, clearly. “Now, where is Severus?” 

“Relax,” Bella taunted, running her eyes over his face before she looked over his shoulder. “He’s here.” 

The three of them turned in time to see Severus enter the room just as the Dark Lord left, both parting in opposite directions.

“Lucius. Narcissa.” Severus greeted, voice dead. “Bella.”

“Where have you been?” Lucius demanded harshly.

“That is not of your concern.” he answered, looking directly at Lucius. 

Narcissa had to give it to Severus, he was not easily intimidated. She remembered him from their time at Hogwarts, as brief as it had been. He had grown from a boy clearly talented and resourceful, to one of the most important assets, as his position with the Dark Lord showed. 

“Where is the girl?” Severus asked when Lucius said nothing else. 

“So it is true.” Bella stated, straightening her posture from the wall, “You’ll take her with you.”

Severus met her eyes briefly, “I am her guardian.” 

Bella met his answers with a look of disbelief, running her eyes all over Severus´ frame. She then shrugged her shoulders, “If you say so.”

“I didn’t, the Dark Lord himself commanded it.” 

Narcissa glanced at Bella before stepping to Severus, “She’s back at the Manor.” She told him, looking for any show of emotion towards the baby. He showed none. 

Severus nodded, following Narcissa as she made her way to the exit, walking towards the garden in front of what once was the home of the Blackthorne family. They apparated back to the Malfoy Manor, entering the great home with not much as a word said. 

“Wait here.” she said at the base of the stairs, “I’ll get her ready for you.”

She did not wait for an answer, following the stairs and getting to the nursery as slowly as she could. A week had Y/N been with them and it had been enough time for Narcissa to find a heavy feeling in her heart as she neared her newly built crib, overflowing with lilac blankets. She was not ready to see her go. 

Y/N

After a week of referring to her as The baby, her name felt almost like a revelation, something she did not dare to speak out loud just yet. 

“Leave us.” She said to the elves looking after Draco and Y/N. They went all at once and Narcissa moved to pick her up in her arms, Y/N shifting to fit perfectly in Narcissa’s arms. She went to sit in the rocking chair, her gaze fixed on the smaller girl. 

“Severus looking after you, a child.” she laughed softly, “I’ve seen my fair share of nonsense and this might be the greatest one yet.” 

There was a delicacy about Y/N that Narcissa longed for. She had grown with sisters, never one to know the nature of small boys. She knew Draco would be his own challenge alone, she always knew she would have to work harder to raise a boy in this world. She felt a familiar greed creeping on her heart, one that determined her to get whatever she wanted. 

She wanted this child. 

Even if Narcissa had always known she would give birth to a son, there had always been the desire to have a daughter. A selfish wish that hid on the walls of her heart and found its way into the light constantly. 

“Severus Snape is waiting in the drawing room, Mistress.” one of the elves said from the door, barely poking his head inside. “Shall we ready Miss Y/N’s belongings for him to take?” 

Narcissa looked at the crib next to Draco’s, lifting her chin. 

“No.”

“Mistress?” 

“Severus will care for her, but so will I.” she said, standing. “Everything stays as it is.”

[willowbleedsonpaper]

A Theo Nott Fic

I haven´t come up with a title :(

Summary: Not a summary but this fic will include Severus Snape as the reader´s guardian and the dynamic of the Slytherins (Theo Nott, Daphne Greengrass, Balise Zabini, Pansy Parkinson and Draco Malfoy) during their sixth year and their perspective of the upcoming magical war.

Word Count: 4747

Warnings: Brief descriptions of birth. One reference to suicidal ideation.

June, 1980.

Narcissa Malfoy always knew she would have a son. She had to, she had no other choice in the matter from the moment she married into the Malfoy name and legacy. There was no doubt in her mind that the child she would give birth to would be born a boy and would grow into a man to carry the name of her husband. 

Just like her. Born with great purpose, to give birth to a beautiful boy that would make everyone proud, and Narcissa herself the happiest. She had been born to be a loving mother. 

And she had not been mistaken as all her hopes and dreams of a family had come to life with a final push with all the might and strength she could muster, a relieved gasp fleeing from her lips as she finally fell back to the pillows on her back with quicken breath, a glowing smile illuminating her face as the midwife looked over her shoulder at her while the rest of the women gathered around the baby with wet clothes and blankets, muttering to themselves with glee and joy in the late hours of the night, it was almost midnight. 

Not even a minute born and her baby already had the people surrounding them to their feet. Despite the exhaustion, she rolled her eyes still with a glowing smile. 

“Well?” The voice of Lucius Malfoy came from the doorway, his tall frame appearing as a shadow at the entry of the room where he remained expectant. The entire room fell silent immediately.

The midwife stood two simple steps away from the bed, the small bundle of blankets on her arms almost at arm length from Narcissa to almost take on her own.

“Narcissa.” Lucius called from the door, demanding. Still his eyes were somewhere else.

Narcissa’s features turned sharp, panic flashing in her eyes as she met the look of the midwife, the house elf currently patting her forehead with a wet cloth cowering back in fear. A moment of terror that, to this day, only had one witness as the midwife smiled reassuringly, covering the shaky breath Narcissa let out with her body as she turned to the door.

“You have a son, Mr. Malfoy.” the midwife announced firmly, standing tall. 

Hushed cheers broke all over the room. The growing joy crushed as he stepped into the room. 

“Let me see him.” he demanded, taking long careful steps to the midwife holding his son. He reached his hand at the baby, lowering the soft blanket that covered his round face. “Good.” he approved after a meticulous scan of him, the soft glimmer of pride in his eyes lingering for a second longer. “Follow me.” he said, motioning for the midwife as he exited the room.

“Lucius.” Narcissa called while reaching her hand in the air, failing to keep him in the room as he walked out, his steps echoing in the hallway of their home. She did not hear his voice nor did she hear him share the news. She did not hear him for the rest of the night but she still knew what news was spreading like wildfire from the privacy of their home for the entire wizarding community to know. 

The Malfoys had an heir. 

“Let me have him.” Narcissa pleaded, sitting up in the bed as the midwife walked back into the room minutes later, eager to finally have her child  in her arms. She had done it, at last she could hold her baby close to her heart, holding him as tight as she could without bringing him any harm. 

She would not know then, but later in time, when looking back on this moment in her life, she would realise that this was the moment she knew love for the first time. True unconditional love. It felt unreal as she looked down at him, caressing his cheek with her knuckle that she swore she saw him smile, and her heart burst with glee. She would do anything for the boy in her arms and he had not been on this earth for longer than ten minutes.

“I love you, my darling boy.” she whispered, tears rolling down her cheeks as she pressed a soft kiss to his forehead, whispering the words so close to him she hoped they would be engraved in his mind from that moment and forever on. “Know that your mother loves you.” 

*******

August, 1981. 

The sky painted the world in a sombre light, dooming the day for those loyal to the Dark Lord’s cause. It had been a most joyful day until the first drops of rain had started to fall, forcing Narcissa and Draco indoors from their day outside in their garden. 

“I had an entire day planned for us,” Narcissa shared, her voice soft and tuned with a melodic sadness, “The entire afternoon, just the two of us. You could have seen the flowers that had just bloomed when you arrived into our lives a little over a year ago.” 

Draco squirmed in her arms, sensing her mother’s change in mood, his features beginning to contort into one of discomfort. Narcissa chuckled, rearranging him in her arms with a shush, “I know,” she continued, walking the long halls of her home with little to no rush, “The cold weather might not let you see the lilies again this year, they’ll die soon enough.”

Then the owls had started to arrive, closely followed by cloaked figures and orders to take action immediately. 

The drawing room of Malfoy Manor ringed with gleeful babbling from their heir playing with a number of toys over a blanket close to the fire, accompanied by his mother who began humming soft tunes from her own childhood when the clash of wooden figures and cracking fire was not enough to drown the noise from the hallway. 

Narcissa stared at the door obsessively, mindlessly taking the toys Draco would pass to her, until the door burst open and her husband walked inside. She managed a glimpse of three cloaked figures rushing through the hallway before Lucius closed the door behind him. They had been dragging two others down her halls. 

“Stay here, Narcissa.” Lucius Malfoy ordered, kneeling beside her on the floor. 

His hand caressed the side of his wife’s head, placing a chaste kiss on her temple as he spared one last look at the baby beside her. 

“What has happened?” Narcissa asked, her eyes following Lucius as he stood, her heart hammering in her chest. Lucius kept going, never faltering, not once stopping. She wanted to go with him. “Lucius.” she insisted, readying herself to stand.

“Not now, Narcissa.” he answered, hissing her name. 

Narcissa never stood, staring harshly at him when he turned his eyes to look at her. 

Lucius sighed, looking away from her, his entire frame tense. “Stay here.” he said, softer than any of them expected, “Stay with Draco.” 

He didn’t have to tell her, of course. He knew that. 

The loud commands of Bellatrix just outside the room drew Lucius´ attention and he walked out without another word, without awaiting a response. It wasn’t enough to make Narcissa lift an eye in their direction, not to see Lucius go and not to wish Bella any luck. She didn’t need it with Lucius by her side, and nowadays it seemed he spent more time with Bella than he did with her and Draco. 

Draco.

Narcissa believed that if it wasn’t for Draco she would be miserable or on the border of taking her own life. Her baby offered not only a distraction but a way out of her duties as loyal follower of the Dark Lord. In some sense, she was fulfilling her duty, bringing a new generation of pureblood to the world. She was crafting a puzzle piece for the vision Lord Voldemort had for their future, shaping him for their perfect life. Still, she could not be bothered with matters of the war. She had lost too much to it and with Draco in her arms, now she had won something and she would protect him, no matter what. 

The rain fell like rich heavy curtains over the windows of her home, nothing visible through them but the cascades of rain water that had begun to fall the moment her sister and husband stepped out into the world.  

Narcissa wanted to think of them, to be concerned and wish them some sort of luck. After all, they were out on the Dark Lord commands. If the sky were to be taken into deep thought, she was certain something awful had just come to happen. 

Light flashed over the room, pulling her out of her head to snap her eyes in the same velocity at the tall windows, thunder rumbling over the sky with extreme force. She stood from the floor, slowly walking closer to the windows until her own reflection came into view, a sight of concern looking back at her as she waited in place for more thunder.

The light flashed as fast as the thunder came, making her jump back in surprise with the windows shaking in consequence of the thunderstorm raging outside. Narcissa rushed back to where Draco sat, looking up at her with a quivering pout and watery eyes. She lifted him up in her arms, clutching Draco closer to her chest, the boy starting to squirm on her hold as soft whimpers left him, sensing the same discomfort his mother was in.  

Narcissa took one last hesitant look out the window before she turned towards the door. She began to walk out of the room when the sudden flash of green light illuminating the room made her steps falter briefly. The light came once more, and her stomach dropped with the memories that brought back, understanding settling in. 

She closed her eyes, letting out a shaky breath as she looked down to her son, “Time for you to sleep, my darling.” she whispered, cautiously brushing her lips over his forehead in a soft kiss. 

There was a time where the flash of light would have come from her wand, now she could not be bothered.

Her heels clicked on the marble floors of the stairs of Malfoy Manor, the tall ceilings echoing her every step over the black walls as she reached the door to the nursery, closing it behind her as soon as she stepped in. She rested her back against the door, losing her perfect posture for a brief second as a sigh escaped from deep within her chest. Breathing back in, she regained her height with ease as she looked down, her eyes meeting with big grey ones already staring at her. 

“You’re supposed to be asleep.” she said with soft humour, starting to rock him rhythmically on her arms. 

Draco made a sound in response, his gaze on Narcissa never wavering. 

Narcissa smiled at him, humming a lullaby as she paced the vast room. She went like that for what her arms felt was hours, refusing to sit down as the green light still flashed every time she closed her eyes, not ready to let go of the comfort Draco offered for the night. 

“Have it your way.” she said as the tune she hummed came to an end, “We can stay here all night and until the sun starts to rise.” 

This seemed to amuse Draco who in his very young age looked to be giving her a challenging smile.  

Narcissa tilted her head with her own smile while tickling his chest, “You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” she asked, earning a response that had drool rolling from the corner of his mouth. Her smile widened, reaching for a small cloth to wipe his cheek. “Yes, yes. Draco Malfoy, stealing his mother’s youth by keeping her up countless nights.”

“Better me than your father.” She scoffed with a bittersweet feeling to it, fisting the cloth in her hand as her knuckles brushed Dracos’ cheek in a repetitive motion while barely paying any mind to his chuckles, Narcissa far too lost in her own mind. 

She snapped out of it when Draco took hold of her finger and squeezed it, the sight of bursting out Narcissa’s bubble and watching her return to the present bringing a wrinkly smile to Draco’s face, followed by incoherent babble.

“Lucius would curse the entire world before he let you steal his youth.” she joked, watching as the smile vanished from her son’s face. 

“So better go to sleep.” she said, finally giving in and sitting in the rocking chair by the corner. “Merlin knows I could use some sleep.” she murmured. 

For another couple of hours Draco refused to fall asleep, going over the entire collection of lullabies Narcissa knew, even having to resort to some songs she could recall from her own childhood. It was until the room had grown silent she dared take a look, finding no grey eyes were looking up at her anymore. 

Carefully, she placed him on his crib and considered staying there for the night. The rocking chair, as uncomfortable as it was, looked far more tempting than going to an empty bed or the chaos that had unravelled downstairs hours ago. She had heard the burst of people through the main entrance hours ago, more footsteps than those that had left entering her home. She had no energy to face strange faces with a smile. 

Narcissa had stared at the pouring rain out the window for more than necessary, trying to make out the voices and what they were saying,  trying to get as much information as she could without being in the eye of the huracan. She did not want to go downstairs and face the storm. 

She went anyway. 

Descending the stairs gracefully. Slowly. Cautiously. The doors to the drawing room were open, the dancing shadows of the fire making it to the hallway where she could step on them, feel the touch of their warmth. 

However, it was the sudden cries that pulled her to the room, rushing inside without even looking at those present. 

She had left Draco in the nursery. 

“Narcissa.” 

She heard her name being called, eyes scanning the room quickly until her senses connected and she was brought back to the present. The room was the same as she had left it, Draco´s blanket and toys still sprawled on the floor, the fire still burning with added wood someone else must have fed the fire after she left, the rain still falling. Still the room felt void of any life, Draco´s toys didn’t bring joy, the fire didn’t bring warmth and the rain didn’t bring peace. A cold void stood in the middle of the room, the source of the voice with calm eyes staring at her. 

“My lord.” She was quickly to greet him, bowing her head enough for him to see. 

“How considerate of you to join us.” 

She feared to look at him, sensing the darkness of his voice and the daggers behind his words. Still, she lifted her eyes to find him looking down at her. 

The shadow of Bella’s bitter look, as always, was over his shoulder, moving back to look at her. She dared not ask, her eyes not wavering from the Dark Lord and her sister behind him, when a wave of panic crashed over her. 

“Where’s..”

She did not get to finish her question when Lucius stepped into the room, her name leaving his lips in a whisper as he stopped. “Finally.” he mumbled in annoyance.

Narcissa had but a second to fold her arms in a familiar manner to her and hold what Lucius was handing her. She stumbled back in surprise, looking down and between her husband. “Who’s this?” she asked with a frown. 

Lucius had entered the room, a glass soon in his hand as he downed the contents in one gulp. 

Narcissa looked down at the baby in her arms, knowing full well it was not her Draco. The weight of the baby she held was not one she knew, not the shape her arms had been moulded to in the last year. Their warmth was unknown to her, their features, their clothes, their blankets. She did not know the baby in her arms.

“Lucius?” She turned to the one who would give her answers with well hidden despair, only to find he was not looking at her but down at the floor, his arms barely keeping him up as he grasped the back of the sofa with white knuckles.. 

“An expected response after the events of tonight.” said the Dark Lord.

“My lord?” Narcissa said while meeting his piercing gaze already on her.

“Frederick and Victoria Blackthorne were murdered.” he lamented, no one sure if he was being genuine, “Most trusted allies and loyal to our cause.” he paused, moving close until he was towering over Narcissa “The baby you hold is their child. A gesture of mercy from our enemies, to allow this new soul to live.”

Bella scoffed in the background, “They’ll pay for what they’ve done.”  

“All in due time, Bella.” The Dark Lord tutted, “We will all get what we deserve, in time.”

Narcissa looked down, fearing to ask, dreading to know the fate of the child. 

“We still have work to do.” the Dark Lord announced, making his way to the exit, “Bella, come with me.” 

Gleeful sounds left the older woman as she followed dutifully, racing out of the room while ignoring the questioning look on Narcissa.

“See that she’s cared after, Lucius.” the Dark Lord said from the door,  never looking at the man he spoke to, his eyes only on the child. “She is your responsibility until Severus returns.” 

“Yes, my lord.” Lucius said, holding back the venom in his voice. 

The sound of the main door closing marked the Dark Lord leaving Malfoy Manor and with that returning some of the air to the room. 

Narcissa no longer felt like she could not breathe, her shoulders falling from their locked state as she sighed, making sure the baby was wrapped tightly even if she could feel the sweat running down her own back.

The fire of the fireplace roared with the sound of breaking glass, making Narcissa jump in her spot as she turned the baby away from harm, turning with a glare at Lucius. 

“What happened?” she demanded, her voice now loud. 

Lucius walked past her, glaring down at her arms as he stormed out of the room. 

“How mature, Lucius!” she yelled, rushing to the hallway after him for the long space to carry her voice, “Take it out on the baby!” 

She huffed when she was met with the slam of a door. She marched up the stairs, kicking her heels from her feet halfway to the nursery while letting the cold floor cool her explosive mood. 

She didn’t mean to kick the door shut when she got there, what was even the point?  The nursery was at the far end of the hallway and in the exact opposite direction from her and Lucius’ room. If he even was there. 

She paced the room, letting her own anger and helplessness slip through her every step. The crying began before she even realised, with notorious pout and silent  tears of the baby that escalated quickly to the point where she was screaming, puffy red face refusing to meet her, kicking and punching the air furiously. 

The voice of salvation came in the form of a domestic elf. 

“Mistress?” the voice called as the tall door opened and he walked in hesitantly, “Is Mistress in need of anything?” he asked with his head bowed. 

She struggled with the words, formless phrases leaving her lips as she stared down at the crying baby in her lap. From the corner of her eye she could begin to see Draco moving. 

“Blankets!” she burst out saying. A quick scan to the baby put her in a motherly state of mind. The baby had been out in the rain in the care of death eaters who had collectively held a baby for a total of one hour. Has she been fed? Did she need a change of diaper? Clearly she needed a change of clothes and fresh blankets. From the periphery of her eyes she could see the elf enter the room, rubbing his small hands in confusion.  

“More blankets?” Dobby asked, looking at the pile already adorning the sofa and some more hanging from the crib. 

“Take them to the drawing room. Lay them down close to the fire.” she ordered.

He nodded quickly, moving without another word as he and the blankets vanished from the room. 

She left the nursery and let the cracking fire lead her back to the warmth, Dobby working fast on the blankets as they made the perfect spot. She left the crying baby with Dobby, rushing to get Draco from the nursery. 

There was no sound to lead her back to the drawing room, no light but only the warmth seeping into the hallway, the only trail she had left to follow as she took herself  and Draco back to the baby. 

“Dobby?” she called from the door, stepping inside as she feared the sight she might find. To her surprise, she found the baby on her back, reaching her hand in the air while Dobby stood at a safe distance by the wall, a show of glinting lights filling the room. 

It seemed as if the night sky had found its way inside her home. She quickly realised she did not want to welcome the stars in her home. 

“What are you doing?” she asked suddenly. 

Dobby’s hand dropped instantly, the light of the room going instantly away with him. 

“Dobby only meant to calm the crying child, Mistress.” he rushed to say, motioning his hand as the chandeliers were lit once again, the stars now gone. 

Narcissa said nothing else, giving one last look at Dobby as she lowered herself into the blankets. She had no words to say as she stared at the baby trying to roll over her back and to her stomach but failing, two rolled blankets at each of her sides preventing her from doing so. Dobby had succeeded in calming her down. 

“What is her name?” she asked, watching her struggle to sit up, her arms reaching up in all possible directions. 

“Dobby does not know.” 

She hummed in response, lowering Draco to lay on the blankets, as the girl managed to finally sit and fought with her own limbs for a minute to keep her balance. Then, she started to crawl towards Narcissa.  

Narcissa reached her hand towards her. “You aim for the stars, don’t you?” she asked as the girl’s eyes drifted to Draco. 

“You do.” Narcissa laughed, but then the girl paid no mind to Draco, and set herself to go towards Narcissa, climbing to her arms. She babbled, speaking the same language Draco did, as her tiny hand reached for the necklace around her neck, fisting the diamond with little force. 

She earned a chuckle from Narcissa. “You like shiny things, I respect that. Better focus on jewels, darling.” she said, her voice lowering to a murmur, “Better jewels than stars.” 

*******

“Her name is Y/N.” Bella kindly informed Narcissa the morning of the burial of Frederick and Victoria.

Narcissa had never met them. Frederick and Victoria Blackthorne. She had never heard of them, never heard their name, never knew where they came from. It seemed they had been important in the fight of their cause, for the Dark Lord himself to make an act of presence in their burial. 

He gave his speech, lamenting the loss of what he called his most trusted followers and supporters, swearing that those responsible would face the consequences. 

There was no mention of their daughter, no promise to her. Narcissa assumed it for the better. 

“Did you know them?” Narcissa asked in her sister’s ear.  

The air around Bella turned sour. “I did.” 

She did not elaborate further from that. 

“Where is Severus?” Lucius hissed as he fell into place next to the sisters. “We’ve waited long enough.” 

“Are you in any rush or getting rid of the Blackthorne girl, Lucius?” Bella asked with a glint in her eyes, “She’s only a baby, after all.”

Lucius turned his eyes from her, not a word uttered. 

“Yes, my love.” Narcissa inquired, “You cannot be this annoyed by two babies in our home. What when we have more children?” 

“She is not ours.” Lucius stated, clearly. “Now, where is Severus?” 

“Relax,” Bella taunted, running her eyes over his face before she looked over his shoulder. “He’s here.” 

The three of them turned in time to see Severus enter the room just as the Dark Lord left, both parting in opposite directions.

“Lucius. Narcissa.” Severus greeted, voice dead. “Bella.”

“Where have you been?” Lucius demanded harshly.

“That is not of your concern.” he answered, looking directly at Lucius. 

Narcissa had to give it to Severus, he was not easily intimidated. She remembered him from their time at Hogwarts, as brief as it had been. He had grown from a boy clearly talented and resourceful, to one of the most important assets, as his position with the Dark Lord showed. 

“Where is the girl?” Severus asked when Lucius said nothing else. 

“So it is true.” Bella stated, straightening her posture from the wall, “You’ll take her with you.”

Severus met her eyes briefly, “I am her guardian.” 

Bella met his answers with a look of disbelief, running her eyes all over Severus´ frame. She then shrugged her shoulders, “If you say so.”

“I didn’t, the Dark Lord himself commanded it.” 

Narcissa glanced at Bella before stepping to Severus, “She’s back at the Manor.” She told him, looking for any show of emotion towards the baby. He showed none. 

Severus nodded, following Narcissa as she made her way to the exit, walking towards the garden in front of what once was the home of the Blackthorne family. They apparated back to the Malfoy Manor, entering the great home with not much as a word said. 

“Wait here.” she said at the base of the stairs, “I’ll get her ready for you.”

She did not wait for an answer, following the stairs and getting to the nursery as slowly as she could. A week had Y/N been with them and it had been enough time for Narcissa to find a heavy feeling in her heart as she neared her newly built crib, overflowing with lilac blankets. She was not ready to see her go. 

Y/N

After a week of referring to her as The baby, her name felt almost like a revelation, something she did not dare to speak out loud just yet. 

“Leave us.” She said to the elves looking after Draco and Y/N. They went all at once and Narcissa moved to pick her up in her arms, Y/N shifting to fit perfectly in Narcissa’s arms. She went to sit in the rocking chair, her gaze fixed on the smaller girl. 

“Severus looking after you, a child.” she laughed softly, “I’ve seen my fair share of nonsense and this might be the greatest one yet.” 

There was a delicacy about Y/N that Narcissa longed for. She had grown with sisters, never one to know the nature of small boys. She knew Draco would be his own challenge alone, she always knew she would have to work harder to raise a boy in this world. She felt a familiar greed creeping on her heart, one that determined her to get whatever she wanted. 

She wanted this child. 

Even if Narcissa had always known she would give birth to a son, there had always been the desire to have a daughter. A selfish wish that hid on the walls of her heart and found its way into the light constantly. 

“Severus Snape is waiting in the drawing room, Mistress.” one of the elves said from the door, barely poking his head inside. “Shall we ready Miss Y/N’s belongings for him to take?” 

Narcissa looked at the crib next to Draco’s, lifting her chin. 

“No.”

“Mistress?” 

“Severus will care for her, but so will I.” she said, standing. “Everything stays as it is.”

[willowbleedsonpaper]

A Theo Nott Fic

I haven´t come up with a title :(

Summary: Not a summary but this fic will include Severus Snape as the reader´s guardian and the dynamic of the Slytherins (Theo Nott, Daphne Greengrass, Balise Zabini, Pansy Parkinson and Draco Malfoy) during their sixth year and their perspective of the upcoming magical war.

Word Count: 4747

Warnings: Brief descriptions of birth. One reference to suicidal ideation.

June, 1980.

Narcissa Malfoy always knew she would have a son. She had to, she had no other choice in the matter from the moment she married into the Malfoy name and legacy. There was no doubt in her mind that the child she would give birth to would be born a boy and would grow into a man to carry the name of her husband. 

Just like her. Born with great purpose, to give birth to a beautiful boy that would make everyone proud, and Narcissa herself the happiest. She had been born to be a loving mother. 

And she had not been mistaken as all her hopes and dreams of a family had come to life with a final push with all the might and strength she could muster, a relieved gasp fleeing from her lips as she finally fell back to the pillows on her back with quicken breath, a glowing smile illuminating her face as the midwife looked over her shoulder at her while the rest of the women gathered around the baby with wet clothes and blankets, muttering to themselves with glee and joy in the late hours of the night, it was almost midnight. 

Not even a minute born and her baby already had the people surrounding them to their feet. Despite the exhaustion, she rolled her eyes still with a glowing smile. 

“Well?” The voice of Lucius Malfoy came from the doorway, his tall frame appearing as a shadow at the entry of the room where he remained expectant. The entire room fell silent immediately.

The midwife stood two simple steps away from the bed, the small bundle of blankets on her arms almost at arm length from Narcissa to almost take on her own.

“Narcissa.” Lucius called from the door, demanding. Still his eyes were somewhere else.

Narcissa’s features turned sharp, panic flashing in her eyes as she met the look of the midwife, the house elf currently patting her forehead with a wet cloth cowering back in fear. A moment of terror that, to this day, only had one witness as the midwife smiled reassuringly, covering the shaky breath Narcissa let out with her body as she turned to the door.

“You have a son, Mr. Malfoy.” the midwife announced firmly, standing tall. 

Hushed cheers broke all over the room. The growing joy crushed as he stepped into the room. 

“Let me see him.” he demanded, taking long careful steps to the midwife holding his son. He reached his hand at the baby, lowering the soft blanket that covered his round face. “Good.” he approved after a meticulous scan of him, the soft glimmer of pride in his eyes lingering for a second longer. “Follow me.” he said, motioning for the midwife as he exited the room.

“Lucius.” Narcissa called while reaching her hand in the air, failing to keep him in the room as he walked out, his steps echoing in the hallway of their home. She did not hear his voice nor did she hear him share the news. She did not hear him for the rest of the night but she still knew what news was spreading like wildfire from the privacy of their home for the entire wizarding community to know. 

The Malfoys had an heir. 

“Let me have him.” Narcissa pleaded, sitting up in the bed as the midwife walked back into the room minutes later, eager to finally have her child  in her arms. She had done it, at last she could hold her baby close to her heart, holding him as tight as she could without bringing him any harm. 

She would not know then, but later in time, when looking back on this moment in her life, she would realise that this was the moment she knew love for the first time. True unconditional love. It felt unreal as she looked down at him, caressing his cheek with her knuckle that she swore she saw him smile, and her heart burst with glee. She would do anything for the boy in her arms and he had not been on this earth for longer than ten minutes.

“I love you, my darling boy.” she whispered, tears rolling down her cheeks as she pressed a soft kiss to his forehead, whispering the words so close to him she hoped they would be engraved in his mind from that moment and forever on. “Know that your mother loves you.” 

*******

August, 1981. 

The sky painted the world in a sombre light, dooming the day for those loyal to the Dark Lord’s cause. It had been a most joyful day until the first drops of rain had started to fall, forcing Narcissa and Draco indoors from their day outside in their garden. 

“I had an entire day planned for us,” Narcissa shared, her voice soft and tuned with a melodic sadness, “The entire afternoon, just the two of us. You could have seen the flowers that had just bloomed when you arrived into our lives a little over a year ago.” 

Draco squirmed in her arms, sensing her mother’s change in mood, his features beginning to contort into one of discomfort. Narcissa chuckled, rearranging him in her arms with a shush, “I know,” she continued, walking the long halls of her home with little to no rush, “The cold weather might not let you see the lilies again this year, they’ll die soon enough.”

Then the owls had started to arrive, closely followed by cloaked figures and orders to take action immediately. 

The drawing room of Malfoy Manor ringed with gleeful babbling from their heir playing with a number of toys over a blanket close to the fire, accompanied by his mother who began humming soft tunes from her own childhood when the clash of wooden figures and cracking fire was not enough to drown the noise from the hallway. 

Narcissa stared at the door obsessively, mindlessly taking the toys Draco would pass to her, until the door burst open and her husband walked inside. She managed a glimpse of three cloaked figures rushing through the hallway before Lucius closed the door behind him. They had been dragging two others down her halls. 

“Stay here, Narcissa.” Lucius Malfoy ordered, kneeling beside her on the floor. 

His hand caressed the side of his wife’s head, placing a chaste kiss on her temple as he spared one last look at the baby beside her. 

“What has happened?” Narcissa asked, her eyes following Lucius as he stood, her heart hammering in her chest. Lucius kept going, never faltering, not once stopping. She wanted to go with him. “Lucius.” she insisted, readying herself to stand.

“Not now, Narcissa.” he answered, hissing her name. 

Narcissa never stood, staring harshly at him when he turned his eyes to look at her. 

Lucius sighed, looking away from her, his entire frame tense. “Stay here.” he said, softer than any of them expected, “Stay with Draco.” 

He didn’t have to tell her, of course. He knew that. 

The loud commands of Bellatrix just outside the room drew Lucius´ attention and he walked out without another word, without awaiting a response. It wasn’t enough to make Narcissa lift an eye in their direction, not to see Lucius go and not to wish Bella any luck. She didn’t need it with Lucius by her side, and nowadays it seemed he spent more time with Bella than he did with her and Draco. 

Draco.

Narcissa believed that if it wasn’t for Draco she would be miserable or on the border of taking her own life. Her baby offered not only a distraction but a way out of her duties as loyal follower of the Dark Lord. In some sense, she was fulfilling her duty, bringing a new generation of pureblood to the world. She was crafting a puzzle piece for the vision Lord Voldemort had for their future, shaping him for their perfect life. Still, she could not be bothered with matters of the war. She had lost too much to it and with Draco in her arms, now she had won something and she would protect him, no matter what. 

The rain fell like rich heavy curtains over the windows of her home, nothing visible through them but the cascades of rain water that had begun to fall the moment her sister and husband stepped out into the world.  

Narcissa wanted to think of them, to be concerned and wish them some sort of luck. After all, they were out on the Dark Lord commands. If the sky were to be taken into deep thought, she was certain something awful had just come to happen. 

Light flashed over the room, pulling her out of her head to snap her eyes in the same velocity at the tall windows, thunder rumbling over the sky with extreme force. She stood from the floor, slowly walking closer to the windows until her own reflection came into view, a sight of concern looking back at her as she waited in place for more thunder.

The light flashed as fast as the thunder came, making her jump back in surprise with the windows shaking in consequence of the thunderstorm raging outside. Narcissa rushed back to where Draco sat, looking up at her with a quivering pout and watery eyes. She lifted him up in her arms, clutching Draco closer to her chest, the boy starting to squirm on her hold as soft whimpers left him, sensing the same discomfort his mother was in.  

Narcissa took one last hesitant look out the window before she turned towards the door. She began to walk out of the room when the sudden flash of green light illuminating the room made her steps falter briefly. The light came once more, and her stomach dropped with the memories that brought back, understanding settling in. 

She closed her eyes, letting out a shaky breath as she looked down to her son, “Time for you to sleep, my darling.” she whispered, cautiously brushing her lips over his forehead in a soft kiss. 

There was a time where the flash of light would have come from her wand, now she could not be bothered.

Her heels clicked on the marble floors of the stairs of Malfoy Manor, the tall ceilings echoing her every step over the black walls as she reached the door to the nursery, closing it behind her as soon as she stepped in. She rested her back against the door, losing her perfect posture for a brief second as a sigh escaped from deep within her chest. Breathing back in, she regained her height with ease as she looked down, her eyes meeting with big grey ones already staring at her. 

“You’re supposed to be asleep.” she said with soft humour, starting to rock him rhythmically on her arms. 

Draco made a sound in response, his gaze on Narcissa never wavering. 

Narcissa smiled at him, humming a lullaby as she paced the vast room. She went like that for what her arms felt was hours, refusing to sit down as the green light still flashed every time she closed her eyes, not ready to let go of the comfort Draco offered for the night. 

“Have it your way.” she said as the tune she hummed came to an end, “We can stay here all night and until the sun starts to rise.” 

This seemed to amuse Draco who in his very young age looked to be giving her a challenging smile.  

Narcissa tilted her head with her own smile while tickling his chest, “You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” she asked, earning a response that had drool rolling from the corner of his mouth. Her smile widened, reaching for a small cloth to wipe his cheek. “Yes, yes. Draco Malfoy, stealing his mother’s youth by keeping her up countless nights.”

“Better me than your father.” She scoffed with a bittersweet feeling to it, fisting the cloth in her hand as her knuckles brushed Dracos’ cheek in a repetitive motion while barely paying any mind to his chuckles, Narcissa far too lost in her own mind. 

She snapped out of it when Draco took hold of her finger and squeezed it, the sight of bursting out Narcissa’s bubble and watching her return to the present bringing a wrinkly smile to Draco’s face, followed by incoherent babble.

“Lucius would curse the entire world before he let you steal his youth.” she joked, watching as the smile vanished from her son’s face. 

“So better go to sleep.” she said, finally giving in and sitting in the rocking chair by the corner. “Merlin knows I could use some sleep.” she murmured. 

For another couple of hours Draco refused to fall asleep, going over the entire collection of lullabies Narcissa knew, even having to resort to some songs she could recall from her own childhood. It was until the room had grown silent she dared take a look, finding no grey eyes were looking up at her anymore. 

Carefully, she placed him on his crib and considered staying there for the night. The rocking chair, as uncomfortable as it was, looked far more tempting than going to an empty bed or the chaos that had unravelled downstairs hours ago. She had heard the burst of people through the main entrance hours ago, more footsteps than those that had left entering her home. She had no energy to face strange faces with a smile. 

Narcissa had stared at the pouring rain out the window for more than necessary, trying to make out the voices and what they were saying,  trying to get as much information as she could without being in the eye of the huracan. She did not want to go downstairs and face the storm. 

She went anyway. 

Descending the stairs gracefully. Slowly. Cautiously. The doors to the drawing room were open, the dancing shadows of the fire making it to the hallway where she could step on them, feel the touch of their warmth. 

However, it was the sudden cries that pulled her to the room, rushing inside without even looking at those present. 

She had left Draco in the nursery. 

“Narcissa.” 

She heard her name being called, eyes scanning the room quickly until her senses connected and she was brought back to the present. The room was the same as she had left it, Draco´s blanket and toys still sprawled on the floor, the fire still burning with added wood someone else must have fed the fire after she left, the rain still falling. Still the room felt void of any life, Draco´s toys didn’t bring joy, the fire didn’t bring warmth and the rain didn’t bring peace. A cold void stood in the middle of the room, the source of the voice with calm eyes staring at her. 

“My lord.” She was quickly to greet him, bowing her head enough for him to see. 

“How considerate of you to join us.” 

She feared to look at him, sensing the darkness of his voice and the daggers behind his words. Still, she lifted her eyes to find him looking down at her. 

The shadow of Bella’s bitter look, as always, was over his shoulder, moving back to look at her. She dared not ask, her eyes not wavering from the Dark Lord and her sister behind him, when a wave of panic crashed over her. 

“Where’s..”

She did not get to finish her question when Lucius stepped into the room, her name leaving his lips in a whisper as he stopped. “Finally.” he mumbled in annoyance.

Narcissa had but a second to fold her arms in a familiar manner to her and hold what Lucius was handing her. She stumbled back in surprise, looking down and between her husband. “Who’s this?” she asked with a frown. 

Lucius had entered the room, a glass soon in his hand as he downed the contents in one gulp. 

Narcissa looked down at the baby in her arms, knowing full well it was not her Draco. The weight of the baby she held was not one she knew, not the shape her arms had been moulded to in the last year. Their warmth was unknown to her, their features, their clothes, their blankets. She did not know the baby in her arms.

“Lucius?” She turned to the one who would give her answers with well hidden despair, only to find he was not looking at her but down at the floor, his arms barely keeping him up as he grasped the back of the sofa with white knuckles.. 

“An expected response after the events of tonight.” said the Dark Lord.

“My lord?” Narcissa said while meeting his piercing gaze already on her.

“Frederick and Victoria Blackthorne were murdered.” he lamented, no one sure if he was being genuine, “Most trusted allies and loyal to our cause.” he paused, moving close until he was towering over Narcissa “The baby you hold is their child. A gesture of mercy from our enemies, to allow this new soul to live.”

Bella scoffed in the background, “They’ll pay for what they’ve done.”  

“All in due time, Bella.” The Dark Lord tutted, “We will all get what we deserve, in time.”

Narcissa looked down, fearing to ask, dreading to know the fate of the child. 

“We still have work to do.” the Dark Lord announced, making his way to the exit, “Bella, come with me.” 

Gleeful sounds left the older woman as she followed dutifully, racing out of the room while ignoring the questioning look on Narcissa.

“See that she’s cared after, Lucius.” the Dark Lord said from the door,  never looking at the man he spoke to, his eyes only on the child. “She is your responsibility until Severus returns.” 

“Yes, my lord.” Lucius said, holding back the venom in his voice. 

The sound of the main door closing marked the Dark Lord leaving Malfoy Manor and with that returning some of the air to the room. 

Narcissa no longer felt like she could not breathe, her shoulders falling from their locked state as she sighed, making sure the baby was wrapped tightly even if she could feel the sweat running down her own back.

The fire of the fireplace roared with the sound of breaking glass, making Narcissa jump in her spot as she turned the baby away from harm, turning with a glare at Lucius. 

“What happened?” she demanded, her voice now loud. 

Lucius walked past her, glaring down at her arms as he stormed out of the room. 

“How mature, Lucius!” she yelled, rushing to the hallway after him for the long space to carry her voice, “Take it out on the baby!” 

She huffed when she was met with the slam of a door. She marched up the stairs, kicking her heels from her feet halfway to the nursery while letting the cold floor cool her explosive mood. 

She didn’t mean to kick the door shut when she got there, what was even the point?  The nursery was at the far end of the hallway and in the exact opposite direction from her and Lucius’ room. If he even was there. 

She paced the room, letting her own anger and helplessness slip through her every step. The crying began before she even realised, with notorious pout and silent  tears of the baby that escalated quickly to the point where she was screaming, puffy red face refusing to meet her, kicking and punching the air furiously. 

The voice of salvation came in the form of a domestic elf. 

“Mistress?” the voice called as the tall door opened and he walked in hesitantly, “Is Mistress in need of anything?” he asked with his head bowed. 

She struggled with the words, formless phrases leaving her lips as she stared down at the crying baby in her lap. From the corner of her eye she could begin to see Draco moving. 

“Blankets!” she burst out saying. A quick scan to the baby put her in a motherly state of mind. The baby had been out in the rain in the care of death eaters who had collectively held a baby for a total of one hour. Has she been fed? Did she need a change of diaper? Clearly she needed a change of clothes and fresh blankets. From the periphery of her eyes she could see the elf enter the room, rubbing his small hands in confusion.  

“More blankets?” Dobby asked, looking at the pile already adorning the sofa and some more hanging from the crib. 

“Take them to the drawing room. Lay them down close to the fire.” she ordered.

He nodded quickly, moving without another word as he and the blankets vanished from the room. 

She left the nursery and let the cracking fire lead her back to the warmth, Dobby working fast on the blankets as they made the perfect spot. She left the crying baby with Dobby, rushing to get Draco from the nursery. 

There was no sound to lead her back to the drawing room, no light but only the warmth seeping into the hallway, the only trail she had left to follow as she took herself  and Draco back to the baby. 

“Dobby?” she called from the door, stepping inside as she feared the sight she might find. To her surprise, she found the baby on her back, reaching her hand in the air while Dobby stood at a safe distance by the wall, a show of glinting lights filling the room. 

It seemed as if the night sky had found its way inside her home. She quickly realised she did not want to welcome the stars in her home. 

“What are you doing?” she asked suddenly. 

Dobby’s hand dropped instantly, the light of the room going instantly away with him. 

“Dobby only meant to calm the crying child, Mistress.” he rushed to say, motioning his hand as the chandeliers were lit once again, the stars now gone. 

Narcissa said nothing else, giving one last look at Dobby as she lowered herself into the blankets. She had no words to say as she stared at the baby trying to roll over her back and to her stomach but failing, two rolled blankets at each of her sides preventing her from doing so. Dobby had succeeded in calming her down. 

“What is her name?” she asked, watching her struggle to sit up, her arms reaching up in all possible directions. 

“Dobby does not know.” 

She hummed in response, lowering Draco to lay on the blankets, as the girl managed to finally sit and fought with her own limbs for a minute to keep her balance. Then, she started to crawl towards Narcissa.  

Narcissa reached her hand towards her. “You aim for the stars, don’t you?” she asked as the girl’s eyes drifted to Draco. 

“You do.” Narcissa laughed, but then the girl paid no mind to Draco, and set herself to go towards Narcissa, climbing to her arms. She babbled, speaking the same language Draco did, as her tiny hand reached for the necklace around her neck, fisting the diamond with little force. 

She earned a chuckle from Narcissa. “You like shiny things, I respect that. Better focus on jewels, darling.” she said, her voice lowering to a murmur, “Better jewels than stars.” 

*******

“Her name is Y/N.” Bella kindly informed Narcissa the morning of the burial of Frederick and Victoria.

Narcissa had never met them. Frederick and Victoria Blackthorne. She had never heard of them, never heard their name, never knew where they came from. It seemed they had been important in the fight of their cause, for the Dark Lord himself to make an act of presence in their burial. 

He gave his speech, lamenting the loss of what he called his most trusted followers and supporters, swearing that those responsible would face the consequences. 

There was no mention of their daughter, no promise to her. Narcissa assumed it for the better. 

“Did you know them?” Narcissa asked in her sister’s ear.  

The air around Bella turned sour. “I did.” 

She did not elaborate further from that. 

“Where is Severus?” Lucius hissed as he fell into place next to the sisters. “We’ve waited long enough.” 

“Are you in any rush or getting rid of the Blackthorne girl, Lucius?” Bella asked with a glint in her eyes, “She’s only a baby, after all.”

Lucius turned his eyes from her, not a word uttered. 

“Yes, my love.” Narcissa inquired, “You cannot be this annoyed by two babies in our home. What when we have more children?” 

“She is not ours.” Lucius stated, clearly. “Now, where is Severus?” 

“Relax,” Bella taunted, running her eyes over his face before she looked over his shoulder. “He’s here.” 

The three of them turned in time to see Severus enter the room just as the Dark Lord left, both parting in opposite directions.

“Lucius. Narcissa.” Severus greeted, voice dead. “Bella.”

“Where have you been?” Lucius demanded harshly.

“That is not of your concern.” he answered, looking directly at Lucius. 

Narcissa had to give it to Severus, he was not easily intimidated. She remembered him from their time at Hogwarts, as brief as it had been. He had grown from a boy clearly talented and resourceful, to one of the most important assets, as his position with the Dark Lord showed. 

“Where is the girl?” Severus asked when Lucius said nothing else. 

“So it is true.” Bella stated, straightening her posture from the wall, “You’ll take her with you.”

Severus met her eyes briefly, “I am her guardian.” 

Bella met his answers with a look of disbelief, running her eyes all over Severus´ frame. She then shrugged her shoulders, “If you say so.”

“I didn’t, the Dark Lord himself commanded it.” 

Narcissa glanced at Bella before stepping to Severus, “She’s back at the Manor.” She told him, looking for any show of emotion towards the baby. He showed none. 

Severus nodded, following Narcissa as she made her way to the exit, walking towards the garden in front of what once was the home of the Blackthorne family. They apparated back to the Malfoy Manor, entering the great home with not much as a word said. 

“Wait here.” she said at the base of the stairs, “I’ll get her ready for you.”

She did not wait for an answer, following the stairs and getting to the nursery as slowly as she could. A week had Y/N been with them and it had been enough time for Narcissa to find a heavy feeling in her heart as she neared her newly built crib, overflowing with lilac blankets. She was not ready to see her go. 

Y/N

After a week of referring to her as The baby, her name felt almost like a revelation, something she did not dare to speak out loud just yet. 

“Leave us.” She said to the elves looking after Draco and Y/N. They went all at once and Narcissa moved to pick her up in her arms, Y/N shifting to fit perfectly in Narcissa’s arms. She went to sit in the rocking chair, her gaze fixed on the smaller girl. 

“Severus looking after you, a child.” she laughed softly, “I’ve seen my fair share of nonsense and this might be the greatest one yet.” 

There was a delicacy about Y/N that Narcissa longed for. She had grown with sisters, never one to know the nature of small boys. She knew Draco would be his own challenge alone, she always knew she would have to work harder to raise a boy in this world. She felt a familiar greed creeping on her heart, one that determined her to get whatever she wanted. 

She wanted this child. 

Even if Narcissa had always known she would give birth to a son, there had always been the desire to have a daughter. A selfish wish that hid on the walls of her heart and found its way into the light constantly. 

“Severus Snape is waiting in the drawing room, Mistress.” one of the elves said from the door, barely poking his head inside. “Shall we ready Miss Y/N’s belongings for him to take?” 

Narcissa looked at the crib next to Draco’s, lifting her chin. 

“No.”

“Mistress?” 

“Severus will care for her, but so will I.” she said, standing. “Everything stays as it is.”

[willowbleedsonpaper]

A Theo Nott Fic

I haven´t come up with a title :(

Summary: Not a summary but this fic will include Severus Snape as the reader´s guardian and the dynamic of the Slytherins (Theo Nott, Daphne Greengrass, Balise Zabini, Pansy Parkinson and Draco Malfoy) during their sixth year and their perspective of the upcoming magical war.

Word Count: 4747

Warnings: Brief descriptions of birth. One reference to suicidal ideation.

June, 1980.

Narcissa Malfoy always knew she would have a son. She had to, she had no other choice in the matter from the moment she married into the Malfoy name and legacy. There was no doubt in her mind that the child she would give birth to would be born a boy and would grow into a man to carry the name of her husband. 

Just like her. Born with great purpose, to give birth to a beautiful boy that would make everyone proud, and Narcissa herself the happiest. She had been born to be a loving mother. 

And she had not been mistaken as all her hopes and dreams of a family had come to life with a final push with all the might and strength she could muster, a relieved gasp fleeing from her lips as she finally fell back to the pillows on her back with quicken breath, a glowing smile illuminating her face as the midwife looked over her shoulder at her while the rest of the women gathered around the baby with wet clothes and blankets, muttering to themselves with glee and joy in the late hours of the night, it was almost midnight. 

Not even a minute born and her baby already had the people surrounding them to their feet. Despite the exhaustion, she rolled her eyes still with a glowing smile. 

“Well?” The voice of Lucius Malfoy came from the doorway, his tall frame appearing as a shadow at the entry of the room where he remained expectant. The entire room fell silent immediately.

The midwife stood two simple steps away from the bed, the small bundle of blankets on her arms almost at arm length from Narcissa to almost take on her own.

“Narcissa.” Lucius called from the door, demanding. Still his eyes were somewhere else.

Narcissa’s features turned sharp, panic flashing in her eyes as she met the look of the midwife, the house elf currently patting her forehead with a wet cloth cowering back in fear. A moment of terror that, to this day, only had one witness as the midwife smiled reassuringly, covering the shaky breath Narcissa let out with her body as she turned to the door.

“You have a son, Mr. Malfoy.” the midwife announced firmly, standing tall. 

Hushed cheers broke all over the room. The growing joy crushed as he stepped into the room. 

“Let me see him.” he demanded, taking long careful steps to the midwife holding his son. He reached his hand at the baby, lowering the soft blanket that covered his round face. “Good.” he approved after a meticulous scan of him, the soft glimmer of pride in his eyes lingering for a second longer. “Follow me.” he said, motioning for the midwife as he exited the room.

“Lucius.” Narcissa called while reaching her hand in the air, failing to keep him in the room as he walked out, his steps echoing in the hallway of their home. She did not hear his voice nor did she hear him share the news. She did not hear him for the rest of the night but she still knew what news was spreading like wildfire from the privacy of their home for the entire wizarding community to know. 

The Malfoys had an heir. 

“Let me have him.” Narcissa pleaded, sitting up in the bed as the midwife walked back into the room minutes later, eager to finally have her child  in her arms. She had done it, at last she could hold her baby close to her heart, holding him as tight as she could without bringing him any harm. 

She would not know then, but later in time, when looking back on this moment in her life, she would realise that this was the moment she knew love for the first time. True unconditional love. It felt unreal as she looked down at him, caressing his cheek with her knuckle that she swore she saw him smile, and her heart burst with glee. She would do anything for the boy in her arms and he had not been on this earth for longer than ten minutes.

“I love you, my darling boy.” she whispered, tears rolling down her cheeks as she pressed a soft kiss to his forehead, whispering the words so close to him she hoped they would be engraved in his mind from that moment and forever on. “Know that your mother loves you.” 

*******

August, 1981. 

The sky painted the world in a sombre light, dooming the day for those loyal to the Dark Lord’s cause. It had been a most joyful day until the first drops of rain had started to fall, forcing Narcissa and Draco indoors from their day outside in their garden. 

“I had an entire day planned for us,” Narcissa shared, her voice soft and tuned with a melodic sadness, “The entire afternoon, just the two of us. You could have seen the flowers that had just bloomed when you arrived into our lives a little over a year ago.” 

Draco squirmed in her arms, sensing her mother’s change in mood, his features beginning to contort into one of discomfort. Narcissa chuckled, rearranging him in her arms with a shush, “I know,” she continued, walking the long halls of her home with little to no rush, “The cold weather might not let you see the lilies again this year, they’ll die soon enough.”

Then the owls had started to arrive, closely followed by cloaked figures and orders to take action immediately. 

The drawing room of Malfoy Manor ringed with gleeful babbling from their heir playing with a number of toys over a blanket close to the fire, accompanied by his mother who began humming soft tunes from her own childhood when the clash of wooden figures and cracking fire was not enough to drown the noise from the hallway. 

Narcissa stared at the door obsessively, mindlessly taking the toys Draco would pass to her, until the door burst open and her husband walked inside. She managed a glimpse of three cloaked figures rushing through the hallway before Lucius closed the door behind him. They had been dragging two others down her halls. 

“Stay here, Narcissa.” Lucius Malfoy ordered, kneeling beside her on the floor. 

His hand caressed the side of his wife’s head, placing a chaste kiss on her temple as he spared one last look at the baby beside her. 

“What has happened?” Narcissa asked, her eyes following Lucius as he stood, her heart hammering in her chest. Lucius kept going, never faltering, not once stopping. She wanted to go with him. “Lucius.” she insisted, readying herself to stand.

“Not now, Narcissa.” he answered, hissing her name. 

Narcissa never stood, staring harshly at him when he turned his eyes to look at her. 

Lucius sighed, looking away from her, his entire frame tense. “Stay here.” he said, softer than any of them expected, “Stay with Draco.” 

He didn’t have to tell her, of course. He knew that. 

The loud commands of Bellatrix just outside the room drew Lucius´ attention and he walked out without another word, without awaiting a response. It wasn’t enough to make Narcissa lift an eye in their direction, not to see Lucius go and not to wish Bella any luck. She didn’t need it with Lucius by her side, and nowadays it seemed he spent more time with Bella than he did with her and Draco. 

Draco.

Narcissa believed that if it wasn’t for Draco she would be miserable or on the border of taking her own life. Her baby offered not only a distraction but a way out of her duties as loyal follower of the Dark Lord. In some sense, she was fulfilling her duty, bringing a new generation of pureblood to the world. She was crafting a puzzle piece for the vision Lord Voldemort had for their future, shaping him for their perfect life. Still, she could not be bothered with matters of the war. She had lost too much to it and with Draco in her arms, now she had won something and she would protect him, no matter what. 

The rain fell like rich heavy curtains over the windows of her home, nothing visible through them but the cascades of rain water that had begun to fall the moment her sister and husband stepped out into the world.  

Narcissa wanted to think of them, to be concerned and wish them some sort of luck. After all, they were out on the Dark Lord commands. If the sky were to be taken into deep thought, she was certain something awful had just come to happen. 

Light flashed over the room, pulling her out of her head to snap her eyes in the same velocity at the tall windows, thunder rumbling over the sky with extreme force. She stood from the floor, slowly walking closer to the windows until her own reflection came into view, a sight of concern looking back at her as she waited in place for more thunder.

The light flashed as fast as the thunder came, making her jump back in surprise with the windows shaking in consequence of the thunderstorm raging outside. Narcissa rushed back to where Draco sat, looking up at her with a quivering pout and watery eyes. She lifted him up in her arms, clutching Draco closer to her chest, the boy starting to squirm on her hold as soft whimpers left him, sensing the same discomfort his mother was in.  

Narcissa took one last hesitant look out the window before she turned towards the door. She began to walk out of the room when the sudden flash of green light illuminating the room made her steps falter briefly. The light came once more, and her stomach dropped with the memories that brought back, understanding settling in. 

She closed her eyes, letting out a shaky breath as she looked down to her son, “Time for you to sleep, my darling.” she whispered, cautiously brushing her lips over his forehead in a soft kiss. 

There was a time where the flash of light would have come from her wand, now she could not be bothered.

Her heels clicked on the marble floors of the stairs of Malfoy Manor, the tall ceilings echoing her every step over the black walls as she reached the door to the nursery, closing it behind her as soon as she stepped in. She rested her back against the door, losing her perfect posture for a brief second as a sigh escaped from deep within her chest. Breathing back in, she regained her height with ease as she looked down, her eyes meeting with big grey ones already staring at her. 

“You’re supposed to be asleep.” she said with soft humour, starting to rock him rhythmically on her arms. 

Draco made a sound in response, his gaze on Narcissa never wavering. 

Narcissa smiled at him, humming a lullaby as she paced the vast room. She went like that for what her arms felt was hours, refusing to sit down as the green light still flashed every time she closed her eyes, not ready to let go of the comfort Draco offered for the night. 

“Have it your way.” she said as the tune she hummed came to an end, “We can stay here all night and until the sun starts to rise.” 

This seemed to amuse Draco who in his very young age looked to be giving her a challenging smile.  

Narcissa tilted her head with her own smile while tickling his chest, “You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” she asked, earning a response that had drool rolling from the corner of his mouth. Her smile widened, reaching for a small cloth to wipe his cheek. “Yes, yes. Draco Malfoy, stealing his mother’s youth by keeping her up countless nights.”

“Better me than your father.” She scoffed with a bittersweet feeling to it, fisting the cloth in her hand as her knuckles brushed Dracos’ cheek in a repetitive motion while barely paying any mind to his chuckles, Narcissa far too lost in her own mind. 

She snapped out of it when Draco took hold of her finger and squeezed it, the sight of bursting out Narcissa’s bubble and watching her return to the present bringing a wrinkly smile to Draco’s face, followed by incoherent babble.

“Lucius would curse the entire world before he let you steal his youth.” she joked, watching as the smile vanished from her son’s face. 

“So better go to sleep.” she said, finally giving in and sitting in the rocking chair by the corner. “Merlin knows I could use some sleep.” she murmured. 

For another couple of hours Draco refused to fall asleep, going over the entire collection of lullabies Narcissa knew, even having to resort to some songs she could recall from her own childhood. It was until the room had grown silent she dared take a look, finding no grey eyes were looking up at her anymore. 

Carefully, she placed him on his crib and considered staying there for the night. The rocking chair, as uncomfortable as it was, looked far more tempting than going to an empty bed or the chaos that had unravelled downstairs hours ago. She had heard the burst of people through the main entrance hours ago, more footsteps than those that had left entering her home. She had no energy to face strange faces with a smile. 

Narcissa had stared at the pouring rain out the window for more than necessary, trying to make out the voices and what they were saying,  trying to get as much information as she could without being in the eye of the huracan. She did not want to go downstairs and face the storm. 

She went anyway. 

Descending the stairs gracefully. Slowly. Cautiously. The doors to the drawing room were open, the dancing shadows of the fire making it to the hallway where she could step on them, feel the touch of their warmth. 

However, it was the sudden cries that pulled her to the room, rushing inside without even looking at those present. 

She had left Draco in the nursery. 

“Narcissa.” 

She heard her name being called, eyes scanning the room quickly until her senses connected and she was brought back to the present. The room was the same as she had left it, Draco´s blanket and toys still sprawled on the floor, the fire still burning with added wood someone else must have fed the fire after she left, the rain still falling. Still the room felt void of any life, Draco´s toys didn’t bring joy, the fire didn’t bring warmth and the rain didn’t bring peace. A cold void stood in the middle of the room, the source of the voice with calm eyes staring at her. 

“My lord.” She was quickly to greet him, bowing her head enough for him to see. 

“How considerate of you to join us.” 

She feared to look at him, sensing the darkness of his voice and the daggers behind his words. Still, she lifted her eyes to find him looking down at her. 

The shadow of Bella’s bitter look, as always, was over his shoulder, moving back to look at her. She dared not ask, her eyes not wavering from the Dark Lord and her sister behind him, when a wave of panic crashed over her. 

“Where’s..”

She did not get to finish her question when Lucius stepped into the room, her name leaving his lips in a whisper as he stopped. “Finally.” he mumbled in annoyance.

Narcissa had but a second to fold her arms in a familiar manner to her and hold what Lucius was handing her. She stumbled back in surprise, looking down and between her husband. “Who’s this?” she asked with a frown. 

Lucius had entered the room, a glass soon in his hand as he downed the contents in one gulp. 

Narcissa looked down at the baby in her arms, knowing full well it was not her Draco. The weight of the baby she held was not one she knew, not the shape her arms had been moulded to in the last year. Their warmth was unknown to her, their features, their clothes, their blankets. She did not know the baby in her arms.

“Lucius?” She turned to the one who would give her answers with well hidden despair, only to find he was not looking at her but down at the floor, his arms barely keeping him up as he grasped the back of the sofa with white knuckles.. 

“An expected response after the events of tonight.” said the Dark Lord.

“My lord?” Narcissa said while meeting his piercing gaze already on her.

“Frederick and Victoria Blackthorne were murdered.” he lamented, no one sure if he was being genuine, “Most trusted allies and loyal to our cause.” he paused, moving close until he was towering over Narcissa “The baby you hold is their child. A gesture of mercy from our enemies, to allow this new soul to live.”

Bella scoffed in the background, “They’ll pay for what they’ve done.”  

“All in due time, Bella.” The Dark Lord tutted, “We will all get what we deserve, in time.”

Narcissa looked down, fearing to ask, dreading to know the fate of the child. 

“We still have work to do.” the Dark Lord announced, making his way to the exit, “Bella, come with me.” 

Gleeful sounds left the older woman as she followed dutifully, racing out of the room while ignoring the questioning look on Narcissa.

“See that she’s cared after, Lucius.” the Dark Lord said from the door,  never looking at the man he spoke to, his eyes only on the child. “She is your responsibility until Severus returns.” 

“Yes, my lord.” Lucius said, holding back the venom in his voice. 

The sound of the main door closing marked the Dark Lord leaving Malfoy Manor and with that returning some of the air to the room. 

Narcissa no longer felt like she could not breathe, her shoulders falling from their locked state as she sighed, making sure the baby was wrapped tightly even if she could feel the sweat running down her own back.

The fire of the fireplace roared with the sound of breaking glass, making Narcissa jump in her spot as she turned the baby away from harm, turning with a glare at Lucius. 

“What happened?” she demanded, her voice now loud. 

Lucius walked past her, glaring down at her arms as he stormed out of the room. 

“How mature, Lucius!” she yelled, rushing to the hallway after him for the long space to carry her voice, “Take it out on the baby!” 

She huffed when she was met with the slam of a door. She marched up the stairs, kicking her heels from her feet halfway to the nursery while letting the cold floor cool her explosive mood. 

She didn’t mean to kick the door shut when she got there, what was even the point?  The nursery was at the far end of the hallway and in the exact opposite direction from her and Lucius’ room. If he even was there. 

She paced the room, letting her own anger and helplessness slip through her every step. The crying began before she even realised, with notorious pout and silent  tears of the baby that escalated quickly to the point where she was screaming, puffy red face refusing to meet her, kicking and punching the air furiously. 

The voice of salvation came in the form of a domestic elf. 

“Mistress?” the voice called as the tall door opened and he walked in hesitantly, “Is Mistress in need of anything?” he asked with his head bowed. 

She struggled with the words, formless phrases leaving her lips as she stared down at the crying baby in her lap. From the corner of her eye she could begin to see Draco moving. 

“Blankets!” she burst out saying. A quick scan to the baby put her in a motherly state of mind. The baby had been out in the rain in the care of death eaters who had collectively held a baby for a total of one hour. Has she been fed? Did she need a change of diaper? Clearly she needed a change of clothes and fresh blankets. From the periphery of her eyes she could see the elf enter the room, rubbing his small hands in confusion.  

“More blankets?” Dobby asked, looking at the pile already adorning the sofa and some more hanging from the crib. 

“Take them to the drawing room. Lay them down close to the fire.” she ordered.

He nodded quickly, moving without another word as he and the blankets vanished from the room. 

She left the nursery and let the cracking fire lead her back to the warmth, Dobby working fast on the blankets as they made the perfect spot. She left the crying baby with Dobby, rushing to get Draco from the nursery. 

There was no sound to lead her back to the drawing room, no light but only the warmth seeping into the hallway, the only trail she had left to follow as she took herself  and Draco back to the baby. 

“Dobby?” she called from the door, stepping inside as she feared the sight she might find. To her surprise, she found the baby on her back, reaching her hand in the air while Dobby stood at a safe distance by the wall, a show of glinting lights filling the room. 

It seemed as if the night sky had found its way inside her home. She quickly realised she did not want to welcome the stars in her home. 

“What are you doing?” she asked suddenly. 

Dobby’s hand dropped instantly, the light of the room going instantly away with him. 

“Dobby only meant to calm the crying child, Mistress.” he rushed to say, motioning his hand as the chandeliers were lit once again, the stars now gone. 

Narcissa said nothing else, giving one last look at Dobby as she lowered herself into the blankets. She had no words to say as she stared at the baby trying to roll over her back and to her stomach but failing, two rolled blankets at each of her sides preventing her from doing so. Dobby had succeeded in calming her down. 

“What is her name?” she asked, watching her struggle to sit up, her arms reaching up in all possible directions. 

“Dobby does not know.” 

She hummed in response, lowering Draco to lay on the blankets, as the girl managed to finally sit and fought with her own limbs for a minute to keep her balance. Then, she started to crawl towards Narcissa.  

Narcissa reached her hand towards her. “You aim for the stars, don’t you?” she asked as the girl’s eyes drifted to Draco. 

“You do.” Narcissa laughed, but then the girl paid no mind to Draco, and set herself to go towards Narcissa, climbing to her arms. She babbled, speaking the same language Draco did, as her tiny hand reached for the necklace around her neck, fisting the diamond with little force. 

She earned a chuckle from Narcissa. “You like shiny things, I respect that. Better focus on jewels, darling.” she said, her voice lowering to a murmur, “Better jewels than stars.” 

*******

“Her name is Y/N.” Bella kindly informed Narcissa the morning of the burial of Frederick and Victoria.

Narcissa had never met them. Frederick and Victoria Blackthorne. She had never heard of them, never heard their name, never knew where they came from. It seemed they had been important in the fight of their cause, for the Dark Lord himself to make an act of presence in their burial. 

He gave his speech, lamenting the loss of what he called his most trusted followers and supporters, swearing that those responsible would face the consequences. 

There was no mention of their daughter, no promise to her. Narcissa assumed it for the better. 

“Did you know them?” Narcissa asked in her sister’s ear.  

The air around Bella turned sour. “I did.” 

She did not elaborate further from that. 

“Where is Severus?” Lucius hissed as he fell into place next to the sisters. “We’ve waited long enough.” 

“Are you in any rush or getting rid of the Blackthorne girl, Lucius?” Bella asked with a glint in her eyes, “She’s only a baby, after all.”

Lucius turned his eyes from her, not a word uttered. 

“Yes, my love.” Narcissa inquired, “You cannot be this annoyed by two babies in our home. What when we have more children?” 

“She is not ours.” Lucius stated, clearly. “Now, where is Severus?” 

“Relax,” Bella taunted, running her eyes over his face before she looked over his shoulder. “He’s here.” 

The three of them turned in time to see Severus enter the room just as the Dark Lord left, both parting in opposite directions.

“Lucius. Narcissa.” Severus greeted, voice dead. “Bella.”

“Where have you been?” Lucius demanded harshly.

“That is not of your concern.” he answered, looking directly at Lucius. 

Narcissa had to give it to Severus, he was not easily intimidated. She remembered him from their time at Hogwarts, as brief as it had been. He had grown from a boy clearly talented and resourceful, to one of the most important assets, as his position with the Dark Lord showed. 

“Where is the girl?” Severus asked when Lucius said nothing else. 

“So it is true.” Bella stated, straightening her posture from the wall, “You’ll take her with you.”

Severus met her eyes briefly, “I am her guardian.” 

Bella met his answers with a look of disbelief, running her eyes all over Severus´ frame. She then shrugged her shoulders, “If you say so.”

“I didn’t, the Dark Lord himself commanded it.” 

Narcissa glanced at Bella before stepping to Severus, “She’s back at the Manor.” She told him, looking for any show of emotion towards the baby. He showed none. 

Severus nodded, following Narcissa as she made her way to the exit, walking towards the garden in front of what once was the home of the Blackthorne family. They apparated back to the Malfoy Manor, entering the great home with not much as a word said. 

“Wait here.” she said at the base of the stairs, “I’ll get her ready for you.”

She did not wait for an answer, following the stairs and getting to the nursery as slowly as she could. A week had Y/N been with them and it had been enough time for Narcissa to find a heavy feeling in her heart as she neared her newly built crib, overflowing with lilac blankets. She was not ready to see her go. 

Y/N

After a week of referring to her as The baby, her name felt almost like a revelation, something she did not dare to speak out loud just yet. 

“Leave us.” She said to the elves looking after Draco and Y/N. They went all at once and Narcissa moved to pick her up in her arms, Y/N shifting to fit perfectly in Narcissa’s arms. She went to sit in the rocking chair, her gaze fixed on the smaller girl. 

“Severus looking after you, a child.” she laughed softly, “I’ve seen my fair share of nonsense and this might be the greatest one yet.” 

There was a delicacy about Y/N that Narcissa longed for. She had grown with sisters, never one to know the nature of small boys. She knew Draco would be his own challenge alone, she always knew she would have to work harder to raise a boy in this world. She felt a familiar greed creeping on her heart, one that determined her to get whatever she wanted. 

She wanted this child. 

Even if Narcissa had always known she would give birth to a son, there had always been the desire to have a daughter. A selfish wish that hid on the walls of her heart and found its way into the light constantly. 

“Severus Snape is waiting in the drawing room, Mistress.” one of the elves said from the door, barely poking his head inside. “Shall we ready Miss Y/N’s belongings for him to take?” 

Narcissa looked at the crib next to Draco’s, lifting her chin. 

“No.”

“Mistress?” 

“Severus will care for her, but so will I.” she said, standing. “Everything stays as it is.”

[willowbleedsonpaper]

A Theo Nott Fic

I haven´t come up with a title :(

Summary: Not a summary but this fic will include Severus Snape as the reader´s guardian and the dynamic of the Slytherins (Theo Nott, Daphne Greengrass, Balise Zabini, Pansy Parkinson and Draco Malfoy) during their sixth year and their perspective of the upcoming magical war.

Word Count: 4747

Warnings: Brief descriptions of birth. One reference to suicidal ideation.

June, 1980.

Narcissa Malfoy always knew she would have a son. She had to, she had no other choice in the matter from the moment she married into the Malfoy name and legacy. There was no doubt in her mind that the child she would give birth to would be born a boy and would grow into a man to carry the name of her husband. 

Just like her. Born with great purpose, to give birth to a beautiful boy that would make everyone proud, and Narcissa herself the happiest. She had been born to be a loving mother. 

And she had not been mistaken as all her hopes and dreams of a family had come to life with a final push with all the might and strength she could muster, a relieved gasp fleeing from her lips as she finally fell back to the pillows on her back with quicken breath, a glowing smile illuminating her face as the midwife looked over her shoulder at her while the rest of the women gathered around the baby with wet clothes and blankets, muttering to themselves with glee and joy in the late hours of the night, it was almost midnight. 

Not even a minute born and her baby already had the people surrounding them to their feet. Despite the exhaustion, she rolled her eyes still with a glowing smile. 

“Well?” The voice of Lucius Malfoy came from the doorway, his tall frame appearing as a shadow at the entry of the room where he remained expectant. The entire room fell silent immediately.

The midwife stood two simple steps away from the bed, the small bundle of blankets on her arms almost at arm length from Narcissa to almost take on her own.

“Narcissa.” Lucius called from the door, demanding. Still his eyes were somewhere else.

Narcissa’s features turned sharp, panic flashing in her eyes as she met the look of the midwife, the house elf currently patting her forehead with a wet cloth cowering back in fear. A moment of terror that, to this day, only had one witness as the midwife smiled reassuringly, covering the shaky breath Narcissa let out with her body as she turned to the door.

“You have a son, Mr. Malfoy.” the midwife announced firmly, standing tall. 

Hushed cheers broke all over the room. The growing joy crushed as he stepped into the room. 

“Let me see him.” he demanded, taking long careful steps to the midwife holding his son. He reached his hand at the baby, lowering the soft blanket that covered his round face. “Good.” he approved after a meticulous scan of him, the soft glimmer of pride in his eyes lingering for a second longer. “Follow me.” he said, motioning for the midwife as he exited the room.

“Lucius.” Narcissa called while reaching her hand in the air, failing to keep him in the room as he walked out, his steps echoing in the hallway of their home. She did not hear his voice nor did she hear him share the news. She did not hear him for the rest of the night but she still knew what news was spreading like wildfire from the privacy of their home for the entire wizarding community to know. 

The Malfoys had an heir. 

“Let me have him.” Narcissa pleaded, sitting up in the bed as the midwife walked back into the room minutes later, eager to finally have her child  in her arms. She had done it, at last she could hold her baby close to her heart, holding him as tight as she could without bringing him any harm. 

She would not know then, but later in time, when looking back on this moment in her life, she would realise that this was the moment she knew love for the first time. True unconditional love. It felt unreal as she looked down at him, caressing his cheek with her knuckle that she swore she saw him smile, and her heart burst with glee. She would do anything for the boy in her arms and he had not been on this earth for longer than ten minutes.

“I love you, my darling boy.” she whispered, tears rolling down her cheeks as she pressed a soft kiss to his forehead, whispering the words so close to him she hoped they would be engraved in his mind from that moment and forever on. “Know that your mother loves you.” 

*******

August, 1981. 

The sky painted the world in a sombre light, dooming the day for those loyal to the Dark Lord’s cause. It had been a most joyful day until the first drops of rain had started to fall, forcing Narcissa and Draco indoors from their day outside in their garden. 

“I had an entire day planned for us,” Narcissa shared, her voice soft and tuned with a melodic sadness, “The entire afternoon, just the two of us. You could have seen the flowers that had just bloomed when you arrived into our lives a little over a year ago.” 

Draco squirmed in her arms, sensing her mother’s change in mood, his features beginning to contort into one of discomfort. Narcissa chuckled, rearranging him in her arms with a shush, “I know,” she continued, walking the long halls of her home with little to no rush, “The cold weather might not let you see the lilies again this year, they’ll die soon enough.”

Then the owls had started to arrive, closely followed by cloaked figures and orders to take action immediately. 

The drawing room of Malfoy Manor ringed with gleeful babbling from their heir playing with a number of toys over a blanket close to the fire, accompanied by his mother who began humming soft tunes from her own childhood when the clash of wooden figures and cracking fire was not enough to drown the noise from the hallway. 

Narcissa stared at the door obsessively, mindlessly taking the toys Draco would pass to her, until the door burst open and her husband walked inside. She managed a glimpse of three cloaked figures rushing through the hallway before Lucius closed the door behind him. They had been dragging two others down her halls. 

“Stay here, Narcissa.” Lucius Malfoy ordered, kneeling beside her on the floor. 

His hand caressed the side of his wife’s head, placing a chaste kiss on her temple as he spared one last look at the baby beside her. 

“What has happened?” Narcissa asked, her eyes following Lucius as he stood, her heart hammering in her chest. Lucius kept going, never faltering, not once stopping. She wanted to go with him. “Lucius.” she insisted, readying herself to stand.

“Not now, Narcissa.” he answered, hissing her name. 

Narcissa never stood, staring harshly at him when he turned his eyes to look at her. 

Lucius sighed, looking away from her, his entire frame tense. “Stay here.” he said, softer than any of them expected, “Stay with Draco.” 

He didn’t have to tell her, of course. He knew that. 

The loud commands of Bellatrix just outside the room drew Lucius´ attention and he walked out without another word, without awaiting a response. It wasn’t enough to make Narcissa lift an eye in their direction, not to see Lucius go and not to wish Bella any luck. She didn’t need it with Lucius by her side, and nowadays it seemed he spent more time with Bella than he did with her and Draco. 

Draco.

Narcissa believed that if it wasn’t for Draco she would be miserable or on the border of taking her own life. Her baby offered not only a distraction but a way out of her duties as loyal follower of the Dark Lord. In some sense, she was fulfilling her duty, bringing a new generation of pureblood to the world. She was crafting a puzzle piece for the vision Lord Voldemort had for their future, shaping him for their perfect life. Still, she could not be bothered with matters of the war. She had lost too much to it and with Draco in her arms, now she had won something and she would protect him, no matter what. 

The rain fell like rich heavy curtains over the windows of her home, nothing visible through them but the cascades of rain water that had begun to fall the moment her sister and husband stepped out into the world.  

Narcissa wanted to think of them, to be concerned and wish them some sort of luck. After all, they were out on the Dark Lord commands. If the sky were to be taken into deep thought, she was certain something awful had just come to happen. 

Light flashed over the room, pulling her out of her head to snap her eyes in the same velocity at the tall windows, thunder rumbling over the sky with extreme force. She stood from the floor, slowly walking closer to the windows until her own reflection came into view, a sight of concern looking back at her as she waited in place for more thunder.

The light flashed as fast as the thunder came, making her jump back in surprise with the windows shaking in consequence of the thunderstorm raging outside. Narcissa rushed back to where Draco sat, looking up at her with a quivering pout and watery eyes. She lifted him up in her arms, clutching Draco closer to her chest, the boy starting to squirm on her hold as soft whimpers left him, sensing the same discomfort his mother was in.  

Narcissa took one last hesitant look out the window before she turned towards the door. She began to walk out of the room when the sudden flash of green light illuminating the room made her steps falter briefly. The light came once more, and her stomach dropped with the memories that brought back, understanding settling in. 

She closed her eyes, letting out a shaky breath as she looked down to her son, “Time for you to sleep, my darling.” she whispered, cautiously brushing her lips over his forehead in a soft kiss. 

There was a time where the flash of light would have come from her wand, now she could not be bothered.

Her heels clicked on the marble floors of the stairs of Malfoy Manor, the tall ceilings echoing her every step over the black walls as she reached the door to the nursery, closing it behind her as soon as she stepped in. She rested her back against the door, losing her perfect posture for a brief second as a sigh escaped from deep within her chest. Breathing back in, she regained her height with ease as she looked down, her eyes meeting with big grey ones already staring at her. 

“You’re supposed to be asleep.” she said with soft humour, starting to rock him rhythmically on her arms. 

Draco made a sound in response, his gaze on Narcissa never wavering. 

Narcissa smiled at him, humming a lullaby as she paced the vast room. She went like that for what her arms felt was hours, refusing to sit down as the green light still flashed every time she closed her eyes, not ready to let go of the comfort Draco offered for the night. 

“Have it your way.” she said as the tune she hummed came to an end, “We can stay here all night and until the sun starts to rise.” 

This seemed to amuse Draco who in his very young age looked to be giving her a challenging smile.  

Narcissa tilted her head with her own smile while tickling his chest, “You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” she asked, earning a response that had drool rolling from the corner of his mouth. Her smile widened, reaching for a small cloth to wipe his cheek. “Yes, yes. Draco Malfoy, stealing his mother’s youth by keeping her up countless nights.”

“Better me than your father.” She scoffed with a bittersweet feeling to it, fisting the cloth in her hand as her knuckles brushed Dracos’ cheek in a repetitive motion while barely paying any mind to his chuckles, Narcissa far too lost in her own mind. 

She snapped out of it when Draco took hold of her finger and squeezed it, the sight of bursting out Narcissa’s bubble and watching her return to the present bringing a wrinkly smile to Draco’s face, followed by incoherent babble.

“Lucius would curse the entire world before he let you steal his youth.” she joked, watching as the smile vanished from her son’s face. 

“So better go to sleep.” she said, finally giving in and sitting in the rocking chair by the corner. “Merlin knows I could use some sleep.” she murmured. 

For another couple of hours Draco refused to fall asleep, going over the entire collection of lullabies Narcissa knew, even having to resort to some songs she could recall from her own childhood. It was until the room had grown silent she dared take a look, finding no grey eyes were looking up at her anymore. 

Carefully, she placed him on his crib and considered staying there for the night. The rocking chair, as uncomfortable as it was, looked far more tempting than going to an empty bed or the chaos that had unravelled downstairs hours ago. She had heard the burst of people through the main entrance hours ago, more footsteps than those that had left entering her home. She had no energy to face strange faces with a smile. 

Narcissa had stared at the pouring rain out the window for more than necessary, trying to make out the voices and what they were saying,  trying to get as much information as she could without being in the eye of the huracan. She did not want to go downstairs and face the storm. 

She went anyway. 

Descending the stairs gracefully. Slowly. Cautiously. The doors to the drawing room were open, the dancing shadows of the fire making it to the hallway where she could step on them, feel the touch of their warmth. 

However, it was the sudden cries that pulled her to the room, rushing inside without even looking at those present. 

She had left Draco in the nursery. 

“Narcissa.” 

She heard her name being called, eyes scanning the room quickly until her senses connected and she was brought back to the present. The room was the same as she had left it, Draco´s blanket and toys still sprawled on the floor, the fire still burning with added wood someone else must have fed the fire after she left, the rain still falling. Still the room felt void of any life, Draco´s toys didn’t bring joy, the fire didn’t bring warmth and the rain didn’t bring peace. A cold void stood in the middle of the room, the source of the voice with calm eyes staring at her. 

“My lord.” She was quickly to greet him, bowing her head enough for him to see. 

“How considerate of you to join us.” 

She feared to look at him, sensing the darkness of his voice and the daggers behind his words. Still, she lifted her eyes to find him looking down at her. 

The shadow of Bella’s bitter look, as always, was over his shoulder, moving back to look at her. She dared not ask, her eyes not wavering from the Dark Lord and her sister behind him, when a wave of panic crashed over her. 

“Where’s..”

She did not get to finish her question when Lucius stepped into the room, her name leaving his lips in a whisper as he stopped. “Finally.” he mumbled in annoyance.

Narcissa had but a second to fold her arms in a familiar manner to her and hold what Lucius was handing her. She stumbled back in surprise, looking down and between her husband. “Who’s this?” she asked with a frown. 

Lucius had entered the room, a glass soon in his hand as he downed the contents in one gulp. 

Narcissa looked down at the baby in her arms, knowing full well it was not her Draco. The weight of the baby she held was not one she knew, not the shape her arms had been moulded to in the last year. Their warmth was unknown to her, their features, their clothes, their blankets. She did not know the baby in her arms.

“Lucius?” She turned to the one who would give her answers with well hidden despair, only to find he was not looking at her but down at the floor, his arms barely keeping him up as he grasped the back of the sofa with white knuckles.. 

“An expected response after the events of tonight.” said the Dark Lord.

“My lord?” Narcissa said while meeting his piercing gaze already on her.

“Frederick and Victoria Blackthorne were murdered.” he lamented, no one sure if he was being genuine, “Most trusted allies and loyal to our cause.” he paused, moving close until he was towering over Narcissa “The baby you hold is their child. A gesture of mercy from our enemies, to allow this new soul to live.”

Bella scoffed in the background, “They’ll pay for what they’ve done.”  

“All in due time, Bella.” The Dark Lord tutted, “We will all get what we deserve, in time.”

Narcissa looked down, fearing to ask, dreading to know the fate of the child. 

“We still have work to do.” the Dark Lord announced, making his way to the exit, “Bella, come with me.” 

Gleeful sounds left the older woman as she followed dutifully, racing out of the room while ignoring the questioning look on Narcissa.

“See that she’s cared after, Lucius.” the Dark Lord said from the door,  never looking at the man he spoke to, his eyes only on the child. “She is your responsibility until Severus returns.” 

“Yes, my lord.” Lucius said, holding back the venom in his voice. 

The sound of the main door closing marked the Dark Lord leaving Malfoy Manor and with that returning some of the air to the room. 

Narcissa no longer felt like she could not breathe, her shoulders falling from their locked state as she sighed, making sure the baby was wrapped tightly even if she could feel the sweat running down her own back.

The fire of the fireplace roared with the sound of breaking glass, making Narcissa jump in her spot as she turned the baby away from harm, turning with a glare at Lucius. 

“What happened?” she demanded, her voice now loud. 

Lucius walked past her, glaring down at her arms as he stormed out of the room. 

“How mature, Lucius!” she yelled, rushing to the hallway after him for the long space to carry her voice, “Take it out on the baby!” 

She huffed when she was met with the slam of a door. She marched up the stairs, kicking her heels from her feet halfway to the nursery while letting the cold floor cool her explosive mood. 

She didn’t mean to kick the door shut when she got there, what was even the point?  The nursery was at the far end of the hallway and in the exact opposite direction from her and Lucius’ room. If he even was there. 

She paced the room, letting her own anger and helplessness slip through her every step. The crying began before she even realised, with notorious pout and silent  tears of the baby that escalated quickly to the point where she was screaming, puffy red face refusing to meet her, kicking and punching the air furiously. 

The voice of salvation came in the form of a domestic elf. 

“Mistress?” the voice called as the tall door opened and he walked in hesitantly, “Is Mistress in need of anything?” he asked with his head bowed. 

She struggled with the words, formless phrases leaving her lips as she stared down at the crying baby in her lap. From the corner of her eye she could begin to see Draco moving. 

“Blankets!” she burst out saying. A quick scan to the baby put her in a motherly state of mind. The baby had been out in the rain in the care of death eaters who had collectively held a baby for a total of one hour. Has she been fed? Did she need a change of diaper? Clearly she needed a change of clothes and fresh blankets. From the periphery of her eyes she could see the elf enter the room, rubbing his small hands in confusion.  

“More blankets?” Dobby asked, looking at the pile already adorning the sofa and some more hanging from the crib. 

“Take them to the drawing room. Lay them down close to the fire.” she ordered.

He nodded quickly, moving without another word as he and the blankets vanished from the room. 

She left the nursery and let the cracking fire lead her back to the warmth, Dobby working fast on the blankets as they made the perfect spot. She left the crying baby with Dobby, rushing to get Draco from the nursery. 

There was no sound to lead her back to the drawing room, no light but only the warmth seeping into the hallway, the only trail she had left to follow as she took herself  and Draco back to the baby. 

“Dobby?” she called from the door, stepping inside as she feared the sight she might find. To her surprise, she found the baby on her back, reaching her hand in the air while Dobby stood at a safe distance by the wall, a show of glinting lights filling the room. 

It seemed as if the night sky had found its way inside her home. She quickly realised she did not want to welcome the stars in her home. 

“What are you doing?” she asked suddenly. 

Dobby’s hand dropped instantly, the light of the room going instantly away with him. 

“Dobby only meant to calm the crying child, Mistress.” he rushed to say, motioning his hand as the chandeliers were lit once again, the stars now gone. 

Narcissa said nothing else, giving one last look at Dobby as she lowered herself into the blankets. She had no words to say as she stared at the baby trying to roll over her back and to her stomach but failing, two rolled blankets at each of her sides preventing her from doing so. Dobby had succeeded in calming her down. 

“What is her name?” she asked, watching her struggle to sit up, her arms reaching up in all possible directions. 

“Dobby does not know.” 

She hummed in response, lowering Draco to lay on the blankets, as the girl managed to finally sit and fought with her own limbs for a minute to keep her balance. Then, she started to crawl towards Narcissa.  

Narcissa reached her hand towards her. “You aim for the stars, don’t you?” she asked as the girl’s eyes drifted to Draco. 

“You do.” Narcissa laughed, but then the girl paid no mind to Draco, and set herself to go towards Narcissa, climbing to her arms. She babbled, speaking the same language Draco did, as her tiny hand reached for the necklace around her neck, fisting the diamond with little force. 

She earned a chuckle from Narcissa. “You like shiny things, I respect that. Better focus on jewels, darling.” she said, her voice lowering to a murmur, “Better jewels than stars.” 

*******

“Her name is Y/N.” Bella kindly informed Narcissa the morning of the burial of Frederick and Victoria.

Narcissa had never met them. Frederick and Victoria Blackthorne. She had never heard of them, never heard their name, never knew where they came from. It seemed they had been important in the fight of their cause, for the Dark Lord himself to make an act of presence in their burial. 

He gave his speech, lamenting the loss of what he called his most trusted followers and supporters, swearing that those responsible would face the consequences. 

There was no mention of their daughter, no promise to her. Narcissa assumed it for the better. 

“Did you know them?” Narcissa asked in her sister’s ear.  

The air around Bella turned sour. “I did.” 

She did not elaborate further from that. 

“Where is Severus?” Lucius hissed as he fell into place next to the sisters. “We’ve waited long enough.” 

“Are you in any rush or getting rid of the Blackthorne girl, Lucius?” Bella asked with a glint in her eyes, “She’s only a baby, after all.”

Lucius turned his eyes from her, not a word uttered. 

“Yes, my love.” Narcissa inquired, “You cannot be this annoyed by two babies in our home. What when we have more children?” 

“She is not ours.” Lucius stated, clearly. “Now, where is Severus?” 

“Relax,” Bella taunted, running her eyes over his face before she looked over his shoulder. “He’s here.” 

The three of them turned in time to see Severus enter the room just as the Dark Lord left, both parting in opposite directions.

“Lucius. Narcissa.” Severus greeted, voice dead. “Bella.”

“Where have you been?” Lucius demanded harshly.

“That is not of your concern.” he answered, looking directly at Lucius. 

Narcissa had to give it to Severus, he was not easily intimidated. She remembered him from their time at Hogwarts, as brief as it had been. He had grown from a boy clearly talented and resourceful, to one of the most important assets, as his position with the Dark Lord showed. 

“Where is the girl?” Severus asked when Lucius said nothing else. 

“So it is true.” Bella stated, straightening her posture from the wall, “You’ll take her with you.”

Severus met her eyes briefly, “I am her guardian.” 

Bella met his answers with a look of disbelief, running her eyes all over Severus´ frame. She then shrugged her shoulders, “If you say so.”

“I didn’t, the Dark Lord himself commanded it.” 

Narcissa glanced at Bella before stepping to Severus, “She’s back at the Manor.” She told him, looking for any show of emotion towards the baby. He showed none. 

Severus nodded, following Narcissa as she made her way to the exit, walking towards the garden in front of what once was the home of the Blackthorne family. They apparated back to the Malfoy Manor, entering the great home with not much as a word said. 

“Wait here.” she said at the base of the stairs, “I’ll get her ready for you.”

She did not wait for an answer, following the stairs and getting to the nursery as slowly as she could. A week had Y/N been with them and it had been enough time for Narcissa to find a heavy feeling in her heart as she neared her newly built crib, overflowing with lilac blankets. She was not ready to see her go. 

Y/N

After a week of referring to her as The baby, her name felt almost like a revelation, something she did not dare to speak out loud just yet. 

“Leave us.” She said to the elves looking after Draco and Y/N. They went all at once and Narcissa moved to pick her up in her arms, Y/N shifting to fit perfectly in Narcissa’s arms. She went to sit in the rocking chair, her gaze fixed on the smaller girl. 

“Severus looking after you, a child.” she laughed softly, “I’ve seen my fair share of nonsense and this might be the greatest one yet.” 

There was a delicacy about Y/N that Narcissa longed for. She had grown with sisters, never one to know the nature of small boys. She knew Draco would be his own challenge alone, she always knew she would have to work harder to raise a boy in this world. She felt a familiar greed creeping on her heart, one that determined her to get whatever she wanted. 

She wanted this child. 

Even if Narcissa had always known she would give birth to a son, there had always been the desire to have a daughter. A selfish wish that hid on the walls of her heart and found its way into the light constantly. 

“Severus Snape is waiting in the drawing room, Mistress.” one of the elves said from the door, barely poking his head inside. “Shall we ready Miss Y/N’s belongings for him to take?” 

Narcissa looked at the crib next to Draco’s, lifting her chin. 

“No.”

“Mistress?” 

“Severus will care for her, but so will I.” she said, standing. “Everything stays as it is.”

[willowbleedsonpaper]

A Theo Nott Fic

I haven´t come up with a title :(

Summary: Not a summary but this fic will include Severus Snape as the reader´s guardian and the dynamic of the Slytherins (Theo Nott, Daphne Greengrass, Balise Zabini, Pansy Parkinson and Draco Malfoy) during their sixth year and their perspective of the upcoming magical war.

Word Count: 4747

Warnings: Brief descriptions of birth. One reference to suicidal ideation.

June, 1980.

Narcissa Malfoy always knew she would have a son. She had to, she had no other choice in the matter from the moment she married into the Malfoy name and legacy. There was no doubt in her mind that the child she would give birth to would be born a boy and would grow into a man to carry the name of her husband. 

Just like her. Born with great purpose, to give birth to a beautiful boy that would make everyone proud, and Narcissa herself the happiest. She had been born to be a loving mother. 

And she had not been mistaken as all her hopes and dreams of a family had come to life with a final push with all the might and strength she could muster, a relieved gasp fleeing from her lips as she finally fell back to the pillows on her back with quicken breath, a glowing smile illuminating her face as the midwife looked over her shoulder at her while the rest of the women gathered around the baby with wet clothes and blankets, muttering to themselves with glee and joy in the late hours of the night, it was almost midnight. 

Not even a minute born and her baby already had the people surrounding them to their feet. Despite the exhaustion, she rolled her eyes still with a glowing smile. 

“Well?” The voice of Lucius Malfoy came from the doorway, his tall frame appearing as a shadow at the entry of the room where he remained expectant. The entire room fell silent immediately.

The midwife stood two simple steps away from the bed, the small bundle of blankets on her arms almost at arm length from Narcissa to almost take on her own.

“Narcissa.” Lucius called from the door, demanding. Still his eyes were somewhere else.

Narcissa’s features turned sharp, panic flashing in her eyes as she met the look of the midwife, the house elf currently patting her forehead with a wet cloth cowering back in fear. A moment of terror that, to this day, only had one witness as the midwife smiled reassuringly, covering the shaky breath Narcissa let out with her body as she turned to the door.

“You have a son, Mr. Malfoy.” the midwife announced firmly, standing tall. 

Hushed cheers broke all over the room. The growing joy crushed as he stepped into the room. 

“Let me see him.” he demanded, taking long careful steps to the midwife holding his son. He reached his hand at the baby, lowering the soft blanket that covered his round face. “Good.” he approved after a meticulous scan of him, the soft glimmer of pride in his eyes lingering for a second longer. “Follow me.” he said, motioning for the midwife as he exited the room.

“Lucius.” Narcissa called while reaching her hand in the air, failing to keep him in the room as he walked out, his steps echoing in the hallway of their home. She did not hear his voice nor did she hear him share the news. She did not hear him for the rest of the night but she still knew what news was spreading like wildfire from the privacy of their home for the entire wizarding community to know. 

The Malfoys had an heir. 

“Let me have him.” Narcissa pleaded, sitting up in the bed as the midwife walked back into the room minutes later, eager to finally have her child  in her arms. She had done it, at last she could hold her baby close to her heart, holding him as tight as she could without bringing him any harm. 

She would not know then, but later in time, when looking back on this moment in her life, she would realise that this was the moment she knew love for the first time. True unconditional love. It felt unreal as she looked down at him, caressing his cheek with her knuckle that she swore she saw him smile, and her heart burst with glee. She would do anything for the boy in her arms and he had not been on this earth for longer than ten minutes.

“I love you, my darling boy.” she whispered, tears rolling down her cheeks as she pressed a soft kiss to his forehead, whispering the words so close to him she hoped they would be engraved in his mind from that moment and forever on. “Know that your mother loves you.” 

*******

August, 1981. 

The sky painted the world in a sombre light, dooming the day for those loyal to the Dark Lord’s cause. It had been a most joyful day until the first drops of rain had started to fall, forcing Narcissa and Draco indoors from their day outside in their garden. 

“I had an entire day planned for us,” Narcissa shared, her voice soft and tuned with a melodic sadness, “The entire afternoon, just the two of us. You could have seen the flowers that had just bloomed when you arrived into our lives a little over a year ago.” 

Draco squirmed in her arms, sensing her mother’s change in mood, his features beginning to contort into one of discomfort. Narcissa chuckled, rearranging him in her arms with a shush, “I know,” she continued, walking the long halls of her home with little to no rush, “The cold weather might not let you see the lilies again this year, they’ll die soon enough.”

Then the owls had started to arrive, closely followed by cloaked figures and orders to take action immediately. 

The drawing room of Malfoy Manor ringed with gleeful babbling from their heir playing with a number of toys over a blanket close to the fire, accompanied by his mother who began humming soft tunes from her own childhood when the clash of wooden figures and cracking fire was not enough to drown the noise from the hallway. 

Narcissa stared at the door obsessively, mindlessly taking the toys Draco would pass to her, until the door burst open and her husband walked inside. She managed a glimpse of three cloaked figures rushing through the hallway before Lucius closed the door behind him. They had been dragging two others down her halls. 

“Stay here, Narcissa.” Lucius Malfoy ordered, kneeling beside her on the floor. 

His hand caressed the side of his wife’s head, placing a chaste kiss on her temple as he spared one last look at the baby beside her. 

“What has happened?” Narcissa asked, her eyes following Lucius as he stood, her heart hammering in her chest. Lucius kept going, never faltering, not once stopping. She wanted to go with him. “Lucius.” she insisted, readying herself to stand.

“Not now, Narcissa.” he answered, hissing her name. 

Narcissa never stood, staring harshly at him when he turned his eyes to look at her. 

Lucius sighed, looking away from her, his entire frame tense. “Stay here.” he said, softer than any of them expected, “Stay with Draco.” 

He didn’t have to tell her, of course. He knew that. 

The loud commands of Bellatrix just outside the room drew Lucius´ attention and he walked out without another word, without awaiting a response. It wasn’t enough to make Narcissa lift an eye in their direction, not to see Lucius go and not to wish Bella any luck. She didn’t need it with Lucius by her side, and nowadays it seemed he spent more time with Bella than he did with her and Draco. 

Draco.

Narcissa believed that if it wasn’t for Draco she would be miserable or on the border of taking her own life. Her baby offered not only a distraction but a way out of her duties as loyal follower of the Dark Lord. In some sense, she was fulfilling her duty, bringing a new generation of pureblood to the world. She was crafting a puzzle piece for the vision Lord Voldemort had for their future, shaping him for their perfect life. Still, she could not be bothered with matters of the war. She had lost too much to it and with Draco in her arms, now she had won something and she would protect him, no matter what. 

The rain fell like rich heavy curtains over the windows of her home, nothing visible through them but the cascades of rain water that had begun to fall the moment her sister and husband stepped out into the world.  

Narcissa wanted to think of them, to be concerned and wish them some sort of luck. After all, they were out on the Dark Lord commands. If the sky were to be taken into deep thought, she was certain something awful had just come to happen. 

Light flashed over the room, pulling her out of her head to snap her eyes in the same velocity at the tall windows, thunder rumbling over the sky with extreme force. She stood from the floor, slowly walking closer to the windows until her own reflection came into view, a sight of concern looking back at her as she waited in place for more thunder.

The light flashed as fast as the thunder came, making her jump back in surprise with the windows shaking in consequence of the thunderstorm raging outside. Narcissa rushed back to where Draco sat, looking up at her with a quivering pout and watery eyes. She lifted him up in her arms, clutching Draco closer to her chest, the boy starting to squirm on her hold as soft whimpers left him, sensing the same discomfort his mother was in.  

Narcissa took one last hesitant look out the window before she turned towards the door. She began to walk out of the room when the sudden flash of green light illuminating the room made her steps falter briefly. The light came once more, and her stomach dropped with the memories that brought back, understanding settling in. 

She closed her eyes, letting out a shaky breath as she looked down to her son, “Time for you to sleep, my darling.” she whispered, cautiously brushing her lips over his forehead in a soft kiss. 

There was a time where the flash of light would have come from her wand, now she could not be bothered.

Her heels clicked on the marble floors of the stairs of Malfoy Manor, the tall ceilings echoing her every step over the black walls as she reached the door to the nursery, closing it behind her as soon as she stepped in. She rested her back against the door, losing her perfect posture for a brief second as a sigh escaped from deep within her chest. Breathing back in, she regained her height with ease as she looked down, her eyes meeting with big grey ones already staring at her. 

“You’re supposed to be asleep.” she said with soft humour, starting to rock him rhythmically on her arms. 

Draco made a sound in response, his gaze on Narcissa never wavering. 

Narcissa smiled at him, humming a lullaby as she paced the vast room. She went like that for what her arms felt was hours, refusing to sit down as the green light still flashed every time she closed her eyes, not ready to let go of the comfort Draco offered for the night. 

“Have it your way.” she said as the tune she hummed came to an end, “We can stay here all night and until the sun starts to rise.” 

This seemed to amuse Draco who in his very young age looked to be giving her a challenging smile.  

Narcissa tilted her head with her own smile while tickling his chest, “You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” she asked, earning a response that had drool rolling from the corner of his mouth. Her smile widened, reaching for a small cloth to wipe his cheek. “Yes, yes. Draco Malfoy, stealing his mother’s youth by keeping her up countless nights.”

“Better me than your father.” She scoffed with a bittersweet feeling to it, fisting the cloth in her hand as her knuckles brushed Dracos’ cheek in a repetitive motion while barely paying any mind to his chuckles, Narcissa far too lost in her own mind. 

She snapped out of it when Draco took hold of her finger and squeezed it, the sight of bursting out Narcissa’s bubble and watching her return to the present bringing a wrinkly smile to Draco’s face, followed by incoherent babble.

“Lucius would curse the entire world before he let you steal his youth.” she joked, watching as the smile vanished from her son’s face. 

“So better go to sleep.” she said, finally giving in and sitting in the rocking chair by the corner. “Merlin knows I could use some sleep.” she murmured. 

For another couple of hours Draco refused to fall asleep, going over the entire collection of lullabies Narcissa knew, even having to resort to some songs she could recall from her own childhood. It was until the room had grown silent she dared take a look, finding no grey eyes were looking up at her anymore. 

Carefully, she placed him on his crib and considered staying there for the night. The rocking chair, as uncomfortable as it was, looked far more tempting than going to an empty bed or the chaos that had unravelled downstairs hours ago. She had heard the burst of people through the main entrance hours ago, more footsteps than those that had left entering her home. She had no energy to face strange faces with a smile. 

Narcissa had stared at the pouring rain out the window for more than necessary, trying to make out the voices and what they were saying,  trying to get as much information as she could without being in the eye of the huracan. She did not want to go downstairs and face the storm. 

She went anyway. 

Descending the stairs gracefully. Slowly. Cautiously. The doors to the drawing room were open, the dancing shadows of the fire making it to the hallway where she could step on them, feel the touch of their warmth. 

However, it was the sudden cries that pulled her to the room, rushing inside without even looking at those present. 

She had left Draco in the nursery. 

“Narcissa.” 

She heard her name being called, eyes scanning the room quickly until her senses connected and she was brought back to the present. The room was the same as she had left it, Draco´s blanket and toys still sprawled on the floor, the fire still burning with added wood someone else must have fed the fire after she left, the rain still falling. Still the room felt void of any life, Draco´s toys didn’t bring joy, the fire didn’t bring warmth and the rain didn’t bring peace. A cold void stood in the middle of the room, the source of the voice with calm eyes staring at her. 

“My lord.” She was quickly to greet him, bowing her head enough for him to see. 

“How considerate of you to join us.” 

She feared to look at him, sensing the darkness of his voice and the daggers behind his words. Still, she lifted her eyes to find him looking down at her. 

The shadow of Bella’s bitter look, as always, was over his shoulder, moving back to look at her. She dared not ask, her eyes not wavering from the Dark Lord and her sister behind him, when a wave of panic crashed over her. 

“Where’s..”

She did not get to finish her question when Lucius stepped into the room, her name leaving his lips in a whisper as he stopped. “Finally.” he mumbled in annoyance.

Narcissa had but a second to fold her arms in a familiar manner to her and hold what Lucius was handing her. She stumbled back in surprise, looking down and between her husband. “Who’s this?” she asked with a frown. 

Lucius had entered the room, a glass soon in his hand as he downed the contents in one gulp. 

Narcissa looked down at the baby in her arms, knowing full well it was not her Draco. The weight of the baby she held was not one she knew, not the shape her arms had been moulded to in the last year. Their warmth was unknown to her, their features, their clothes, their blankets. She did not know the baby in her arms.

“Lucius?” She turned to the one who would give her answers with well hidden despair, only to find he was not looking at her but down at the floor, his arms barely keeping him up as he grasped the back of the sofa with white knuckles.. 

“An expected response after the events of tonight.” said the Dark Lord.

“My lord?” Narcissa said while meeting his piercing gaze already on her.

“Frederick and Victoria Blackthorne were murdered.” he lamented, no one sure if he was being genuine, “Most trusted allies and loyal to our cause.” he paused, moving close until he was towering over Narcissa “The baby you hold is their child. A gesture of mercy from our enemies, to allow this new soul to live.”

Bella scoffed in the background, “They’ll pay for what they’ve done.”  

“All in due time, Bella.” The Dark Lord tutted, “We will all get what we deserve, in time.”

Narcissa looked down, fearing to ask, dreading to know the fate of the child. 

“We still have work to do.” the Dark Lord announced, making his way to the exit, “Bella, come with me.” 

Gleeful sounds left the older woman as she followed dutifully, racing out of the room while ignoring the questioning look on Narcissa.

“See that she’s cared after, Lucius.” the Dark Lord said from the door,  never looking at the man he spoke to, his eyes only on the child. “She is your responsibility until Severus returns.” 

“Yes, my lord.” Lucius said, holding back the venom in his voice. 

The sound of the main door closing marked the Dark Lord leaving Malfoy Manor and with that returning some of the air to the room. 

Narcissa no longer felt like she could not breathe, her shoulders falling from their locked state as she sighed, making sure the baby was wrapped tightly even if she could feel the sweat running down her own back.

The fire of the fireplace roared with the sound of breaking glass, making Narcissa jump in her spot as she turned the baby away from harm, turning with a glare at Lucius. 

“What happened?” she demanded, her voice now loud. 

Lucius walked past her, glaring down at her arms as he stormed out of the room. 

“How mature, Lucius!” she yelled, rushing to the hallway after him for the long space to carry her voice, “Take it out on the baby!” 

She huffed when she was met with the slam of a door. She marched up the stairs, kicking her heels from her feet halfway to the nursery while letting the cold floor cool her explosive mood. 

She didn’t mean to kick the door shut when she got there, what was even the point?  The nursery was at the far end of the hallway and in the exact opposite direction from her and Lucius’ room. If he even was there. 

She paced the room, letting her own anger and helplessness slip through her every step. The crying began before she even realised, with notorious pout and silent  tears of the baby that escalated quickly to the point where she was screaming, puffy red face refusing to meet her, kicking and punching the air furiously. 

The voice of salvation came in the form of a domestic elf. 

“Mistress?” the voice called as the tall door opened and he walked in hesitantly, “Is Mistress in need of anything?” he asked with his head bowed. 

She struggled with the words, formless phrases leaving her lips as she stared down at the crying baby in her lap. From the corner of her eye she could begin to see Draco moving. 

“Blankets!” she burst out saying. A quick scan to the baby put her in a motherly state of mind. The baby had been out in the rain in the care of death eaters who had collectively held a baby for a total of one hour. Has she been fed? Did she need a change of diaper? Clearly she needed a change of clothes and fresh blankets. From the periphery of her eyes she could see the elf enter the room, rubbing his small hands in confusion.  

“More blankets?” Dobby asked, looking at the pile already adorning the sofa and some more hanging from the crib. 

“Take them to the drawing room. Lay them down close to the fire.” she ordered.

He nodded quickly, moving without another word as he and the blankets vanished from the room. 

She left the nursery and let the cracking fire lead her back to the warmth, Dobby working fast on the blankets as they made the perfect spot. She left the crying baby with Dobby, rushing to get Draco from the nursery. 

There was no sound to lead her back to the drawing room, no light but only the warmth seeping into the hallway, the only trail she had left to follow as she took herself  and Draco back to the baby. 

“Dobby?” she called from the door, stepping inside as she feared the sight she might find. To her surprise, she found the baby on her back, reaching her hand in the air while Dobby stood at a safe distance by the wall, a show of glinting lights filling the room. 

It seemed as if the night sky had found its way inside her home. She quickly realised she did not want to welcome the stars in her home. 

“What are you doing?” she asked suddenly. 

Dobby’s hand dropped instantly, the light of the room going instantly away with him. 

“Dobby only meant to calm the crying child, Mistress.” he rushed to say, motioning his hand as the chandeliers were lit once again, the stars now gone. 

Narcissa said nothing else, giving one last look at Dobby as she lowered herself into the blankets. She had no words to say as she stared at the baby trying to roll over her back and to her stomach but failing, two rolled blankets at each of her sides preventing her from doing so. Dobby had succeeded in calming her down. 

“What is her name?” she asked, watching her struggle to sit up, her arms reaching up in all possible directions. 

“Dobby does not know.” 

She hummed in response, lowering Draco to lay on the blankets, as the girl managed to finally sit and fought with her own limbs for a minute to keep her balance. Then, she started to crawl towards Narcissa.  

Narcissa reached her hand towards her. “You aim for the stars, don’t you?” she asked as the girl’s eyes drifted to Draco. 

“You do.” Narcissa laughed, but then the girl paid no mind to Draco, and set herself to go towards Narcissa, climbing to her arms. She babbled, speaking the same language Draco did, as her tiny hand reached for the necklace around her neck, fisting the diamond with little force. 

She earned a chuckle from Narcissa. “You like shiny things, I respect that. Better focus on jewels, darling.” she said, her voice lowering to a murmur, “Better jewels than stars.” 

*******

“Her name is Y/N.” Bella kindly informed Narcissa the morning of the burial of Frederick and Victoria.

Narcissa had never met them. Frederick and Victoria Blackthorne. She had never heard of them, never heard their name, never knew where they came from. It seemed they had been important in the fight of their cause, for the Dark Lord himself to make an act of presence in their burial. 

He gave his speech, lamenting the loss of what he called his most trusted followers and supporters, swearing that those responsible would face the consequences. 

There was no mention of their daughter, no promise to her. Narcissa assumed it for the better. 

“Did you know them?” Narcissa asked in her sister’s ear.  

The air around Bella turned sour. “I did.” 

She did not elaborate further from that. 

“Where is Severus?” Lucius hissed as he fell into place next to the sisters. “We’ve waited long enough.” 

“Are you in any rush or getting rid of the Blackthorne girl, Lucius?” Bella asked with a glint in her eyes, “She’s only a baby, after all.”

Lucius turned his eyes from her, not a word uttered. 

“Yes, my love.” Narcissa inquired, “You cannot be this annoyed by two babies in our home. What when we have more children?” 

“She is not ours.” Lucius stated, clearly. “Now, where is Severus?” 

“Relax,” Bella taunted, running her eyes over his face before she looked over his shoulder. “He’s here.” 

The three of them turned in time to see Severus enter the room just as the Dark Lord left, both parting in opposite directions.

“Lucius. Narcissa.” Severus greeted, voice dead. “Bella.”

“Where have you been?” Lucius demanded harshly.

“That is not of your concern.” he answered, looking directly at Lucius. 

Narcissa had to give it to Severus, he was not easily intimidated. She remembered him from their time at Hogwarts, as brief as it had been. He had grown from a boy clearly talented and resourceful, to one of the most important assets, as his position with the Dark Lord showed. 

“Where is the girl?” Severus asked when Lucius said nothing else. 

“So it is true.” Bella stated, straightening her posture from the wall, “You’ll take her with you.”

Severus met her eyes briefly, “I am her guardian.” 

Bella met his answers with a look of disbelief, running her eyes all over Severus´ frame. She then shrugged her shoulders, “If you say so.”

“I didn’t, the Dark Lord himself commanded it.” 

Narcissa glanced at Bella before stepping to Severus, “She’s back at the Manor.” She told him, looking for any show of emotion towards the baby. He showed none. 

Severus nodded, following Narcissa as she made her way to the exit, walking towards the garden in front of what once was the home of the Blackthorne family. They apparated back to the Malfoy Manor, entering the great home with not much as a word said. 

“Wait here.” she said at the base of the stairs, “I’ll get her ready for you.”

She did not wait for an answer, following the stairs and getting to the nursery as slowly as she could. A week had Y/N been with them and it had been enough time for Narcissa to find a heavy feeling in her heart as she neared her newly built crib, overflowing with lilac blankets. She was not ready to see her go. 

Y/N

After a week of referring to her as The baby, her name felt almost like a revelation, something she did not dare to speak out loud just yet. 

“Leave us.” She said to the elves looking after Draco and Y/N. They went all at once and Narcissa moved to pick her up in her arms, Y/N shifting to fit perfectly in Narcissa’s arms. She went to sit in the rocking chair, her gaze fixed on the smaller girl. 

“Severus looking after you, a child.” she laughed softly, “I’ve seen my fair share of nonsense and this might be the greatest one yet.” 

There was a delicacy about Y/N that Narcissa longed for. She had grown with sisters, never one to know the nature of small boys. She knew Draco would be his own challenge alone, she always knew she would have to work harder to raise a boy in this world. She felt a familiar greed creeping on her heart, one that determined her to get whatever she wanted. 

She wanted this child. 

Even if Narcissa had always known she would give birth to a son, there had always been the desire to have a daughter. A selfish wish that hid on the walls of her heart and found its way into the light constantly. 

“Severus Snape is waiting in the drawing room, Mistress.” one of the elves said from the door, barely poking his head inside. “Shall we ready Miss Y/N’s belongings for him to take?” 

Narcissa looked at the crib next to Draco’s, lifting her chin. 

“No.”

“Mistress?” 

“Severus will care for her, but so will I.” she said, standing. “Everything stays as it is.”

[willowbleedsonpaper]

Hello lovely people!

As many of you know I haven’t posted in a long time due to something we all as writers face (At least here on Tumblr) and that is lack of feedback and therefore loss of motivation.

However, I never stopped writing. I have had an idea for a fic for a very long time and I have used this time to plot and write part of it.

I am at a point where I am really happy with how much I’ve written so far and would love to share it. It is nowhere finished, but it will be in time.

It is a Thedore Nott x Reader fanfic, focused mainly in the Slytherin friend group during their sixth year.

I will be posting the first chapter later today. And I hope if you read it, you enjoy it.

-Love, Willow

P.S. Please consider that this fic has been on my mind since long before the Slytherin Boys were as popular as they are now, and maybe the character of Theo might be different from what we know now.

And I will be tagging the characters that are more important and relevant for my story.

[willowbleedsonpaper]

Hello, please do not ever delete your account. Your writing is truly amazing and I frequently revisit your page and re-read your works. They are the only ones I can come back and read it again as if it was the first time I ever read them. Winter in the Shade (in my opinion) is your most brilliant and beautiful work. Your ability to create a whole new world while adapting to the one we already know is amazing. Writing these characters as they truly are without any flaws is incredible. I do not know when you will venture back into writing but I know for sure that what you come up with will be just as good. Thank you for sharing your talent with us you are my favourite writer.

Coming back to this beautiful message is so heartwarming. Thank you so much.

Believe when I tell you I will never delete this account, my writing is a piece of my mind and heart that I loved and still love to share with anyone who gives it the time. I’m honestly flattered that you come back to re read my work.

I can say that I have been writing, although I stopped because life has been busy and chaotic. But it would be my joy to share it with you.

Love, Willow

[willowbleedsonpaper]

Lovely, thank you for sharing! 🤍

Here is my Theodore Nott fic library!

@amiableness

You're The Closest To Heaven I'll Ever Be

@bunny-1111

Blow Out Your Candles

@lavender-storm

Does She Feel The Same?

You Are Here Now

@moonpascal

In The Shadow Of Memory

@nottsangel

Honey and Lavender

@obsessedwithceleste

The Fortress Of Trust Issues

Fighting Fate

'Til It's Gone

All's Fair In Love And Quidditch

The Cat Chronicles

Lessons In Love

@raekensluver

Moonlit Confessions

@willowbleedsonpaper

Ron Was Right

Beside You

They Don't Know About Us

Lonely Heart

A Little Favor

[willowbleedsonpaper]

Thank you for your lovely words. I appreciate it 🤍

Lonely Heart

Theodore Nott x Reader

W.C. : 6654

Summary: After years of frienship you realize that although you might not be alone you’re lonely. You’re not part of the Golden Trio and they don’t seem to care when you drift away from them. You learn to be by yourself when certain Slytherin enters your life and change it for the better.

(I suck at summaries, I’m sorry)

A/N: This is the first time that I write from a more personal point of view. All this is for experinces that I had in the past and that really brought me down lately. This was a way  for me to kind of deal with it and it really makes me feel better. Maybe some of you can relate, some might not but still I hope you enjoy.

I didn’t proof read, Skittles. I’m lazy by nature. :)

*Not my GIF. Credits to the creator*

You always found comfort in the Great Hall. You didn’t know what was it about the place but it made your heart feel lighter and warmer. There was always laughter echoing the enormous room, filled with chatting and the occasional prank from the Weasley twins, that of course until they left Hogwarts. 

It was a kind of comfort that you couldn’t find in your common room or back at home. Unique to the dining space. 

Maybe it was because it was a place where the house rivalry wasn’t that notorious. Where friends from different houses gathered and existed in the same space without hissing and grunting at each other like they did in classes or Quidditch matches. Here they were just friends and the color in their robes didn’t matter that much. 

So the feeling that set heavily on your chest as your friends laughed at a joke was something new. Something you didn’t like at all. 

“You should have told him to hold on to his broom.” chuckled Ron, taking a sip of his pumpkin juice as Harry and Hermione burst out in a fit of laughter. 

You laughed slowly under your breath, smiling softly even if you didn’t get the joke.

Keep reading

[willowbleedsonpaper]

Haven’t written in a long time but it still surprises me when someone recommends something I wrote. Thank you

─── ⋆⋅ ♰ ⋅⋆ ───FANFIC RECOMMENDATIONS─── ⋆⋅ ♰ ⋅⋆ ───

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Volume I. Volume III.

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