I Never Had a Choice

Chapter 35- Narcissa Selene Malfoy nee Black

Stupid.

Wonderful.

Unforgettable.

The ball was all those things, but also surprising. How could I have spent all that time with Granger and have felt something other than annoyance? Maybe it was just my loneliness that drove me to her.. If so, how did we end up curled up on the sofa together? How did we stay up for hours after the dance talking? How could I wake up not being upset about what happened last night?

I look down at the girl curled up next to me, and I'm not upset. I don't want to run away. In fact, it's the opposite. I want to keep her here. Her hair is even more unruly than usual, but even that doesn't bother me.

Her eyes start to flutter open, "Good morning, Draco," she pauses and her eyes open wide, "Malfoy! What the hell?" She exclaims and falls off the sofa.

I look down at her laying on the floor," I could ask you the same thing. Except I know somewhat how we got here."

"So do I," she states rubbing her neck, "doesn't make it any less startling to wake up with your past enemy watching you sleep."

"I wasn't watching you sleep. You're so paranoid. I simply was trying to remember how we got here. Don't get your knickers in a twist," I state as I get up and make my way towards the stairs.

"Wait," Granger states as I reach the stairs, "aren't you going to help me up?"

I turn and look at her, "Why would I do that? You were the one who was daft enough to fall off the sofa, that's not my problem."

*+*+*

I look at myself in the mirror and adjust my tie. My suit is all black, with the Black family crest on my cuff links. Once I've decided I look presentable, I apparate out of Hogwarts.

'9:00 am' is the time displayed on my watch.

Today's the day I've been dreading.

Today's the day I say goodbye to mother for good.

And I'm not sure I can handle it.

The funeral is taking place at the church where her and Lucius got married. It's a gorgeous cathedral, with vaulted ceilings and stained glass windows. The hall is decorated in thousands of dark crimson roses and white lilies, there's a large picture of Mother at the front of the hall next to Mother's casket.

I take a deep breath and put on my normal mask. People should be arriving soon, so I make my way to the door to greet everyone.

People start to file in to the building in a blur. I just continue thanking everyone for showing up, and accepting hugs as they come in.

"How're you doing?"

That question kind of stops you on a day like today. How do you even answer that? My mother is dead. I have no family left, how do you think I am doing? My father killed my mother. The only woman who ever completely understood me is in a casket at the front of the hall. She's not coming back. She's gone.

Gone.. What an awful way to describe my mother.

The only reply I can give is, "I'm okay." Pathetic..

"Draco, you should go sit down, I can take over from here," I hear Harry say somewhere next to me.

I turn in his general direction, "I have to greet everyone. I'm her son, it's my job. My father isn't here to do it," I spit out the word father like it is some foul food. "It's my job, I will be fine. Go find a seat."