Empty Spaces

Chapter 45

The knock on his door was tentative and soft; so quiet that Draco wasn't sure at first whether it was just the wind or if there really was someone there. But then it came again, a gentle tapping, and he leaned against the wall, closing his eyes and wishing himself anywhere but here. But the world doesn't work that way, so instead he collected himself and summoned whoever was waiting outside:

"Come."

The door opened slightly as Narcissa's jeweled hand appeared, followed by her sad eyes and finally Draco's mother stepped into his room.

"Draco... my love," she approached her son, looking apologetic and confused and sad, but not angry. "Please... Why do you run from me? I am your mother." Her voice sounded absolutely heartbroken.

"Why are you here?" Draco deferred.

"Because you're my son," Narcissa replied simply, "And I love you."

"I love you too," Draco whispered. It was the truth. Narcissa was many things, a product of the world in which she was born and bred, the picturesque society lady who lived her life in accordance with a steep, unwritten, unforgiving set of rules. But she was his mother, the one person in his life who truly understood what it meant to be a Malfoy. They had walked together through fire and darkness, darkness that had nearly dragged Narcissa under forever...

"Happiness is all I've ever wanted for you," Narcissa said, taking a tentative step closer, hands outstretched and helpless. "You are my son. Your joy is my joy."

"I'm not who you think I am," Draco avoided his mother's eye, looking down at the empty space on the floor beside her.

"That doesn't matter," Narcissa insisted.

"You don't understand," Draco shook his head, running out of excuses.

"I don't have to," Narcissa insisted.

"I can't do it," Draco admitted finally, quietly. "I can't live this life. Believe me, I've tried, I've tried for eighteen godda– sorry, eighteen years. I know it's my duty. I know it's what's expected. And there's no one else. But I can't do it..."

"There's no rush, my love, we can wait for you to find the right person–"

"Yeah... I might have found him already–"

"Does he make you happy?"

"What?"

"Does he make you happy?" Narcissa repeated.

"Y– yes?" Draco said, wondering if he'd heard her correctly. "We're talking about a man, let's be clear here, I am currently dating a MAN and have no intention whatsoever of dating or marrying a witch."

"Good," Narcissa said, nodding and showing no sign that Draco had said anything unusual or controversial whatsoever. "If he makes you happy, that's good. Everything else will follow."

"I AM WITH HARRY POTTER," Draco finally blurted out. If this didn't get a reaction out of her, then nothing would...

"Oh, wonderful," Narcissa beamed, "I was wondering who it was. Good, the poor dear can finally be part of a proper Wizarding family–"

"We are DATING, not engaged," Draco clarified before his mother got any ideas. "Nobody's joining the family anytime soon."

"Of course, dear, of course," she replied absently, "Would you like me to put you in touch with the International Society for the Preservation of Magical Bloodlines for when you decide you're ready to adopt your child?"

"WHAT?"

"It's never too early to begin planning these things," Narcissa smiled while Draco had to concentrate hard to close his mouth and fix his facial expression.