Empty Spaces

Chapter 63

"Come on, it'll be okay," Harry insisted as they apparated outside the Manor grounds, "And if you're completely miserable, we'll just tell her I have a headache or something and want to go home. Blame me, she'll be fine with that."

"I can't lie to her," Draco hissed as they walked up the familiar path, his heart racing as the house he hated so much loomed overhead. White roses lined the walkway now and a peacock strutted by as if the entire world hadn't been turned inside out, upside down, and burned to the ground just last year.

"Who's lying?" Harry asked, pulling a sweet from his pocket at Draco's raised eyebrow. "Look, I came prepared. Fever fudge. Thought the puking pastille would be too messy. Just say the word and I'll be stricken with a horrible, sudden illness. We'll have no choice but to leave."

"Thanks Harry," was all Draco managed to get out, squeezing Harry's hand as the doors opened. He wasn't sure he could say much else without being sick himself, no fudge needed, so he focused on his connection to Harry as if it were a lifeline. Perhaps it was.

"Announcing Master Potter and Master Malfoy," Horatio's voice soared through the Manor as Draco stepped inside. "We're in the banquet hall this evening," Horatio added as he ushered them through the corridor. "Quite the turnout, your mother truly is something else," he smiled in admiration.

"Draco, my love, oh and Harry!" Narcissa met them in the hallway as Draco caught a glimpse of the packed room behind her. "I was so worried about you, look at the time!"

"It's three forty-five," Draco pointed out.

"A gentleman is never late," Narcissa chided.

"You said four," Draco argued irritably. "We're fifteen minutes early!"

"Harry! I had Horatio prepare your favorite cakes," Narcissa smiled over at Harry.

"Excellent," Harry grinned. Draco rolled his eyes.

"Draco, dear, please fix your face, it's unbecoming on you," Narcissa scolded. "And I thought I told you to dress properly for the occasion."

"I think you look great," Harry countered, kissing Draco on the cheek.

"That's because you were raised by Muggles, dear," Narcissa said affectionately. "It's why your hair sticks up. Draco, why didn't you help Harry with his hair?"

"What??" Draco asked, annoyed. For someone so concerned about being on time, Narcissa was wasting an infuriating amount of it.

"Draco did the best he could," Harry shrugged, running his hand through his hair. "It just grows like this. Drove my uncle absolutely bonkers."

"Your Muggle uncle?"

"The Muggliest of Muggles," Harry replied.

"Ah," Narcissa nodded. "Family is an interesting thing, dear, for normally one has no say in the matter. You do not choose who your parents are, or your uncle, or even your own children."

"Thanks, Mother," Draco said coolly.

"Draco, dear, don't interrupt, it's improper," Narcissa scolded again, "You and I, we are family no matter what. You were the first person I ever truly loved. But Harry is special. You chose Harry to be part of our family. And Harry chose you. You didn't have to choose each other. But you did. And thus, the family we choose is the most precious gift of all."

And with that, Narcissa took her glittering hand and pushed open the doors to the banquet hall.

The chatter and bustle of the crowded room was replaced by silence as Draco and Harry stepped inside. Somewhere, somehow, Draco was vaguely aware of Horatio's announcement, but he had no idea what was being said as his brain struggled to process who exactly it was he was looking at. Because there was absolutely no way Hermione would be over there with Sachi, and there were definitely enough redheads around to indicate the presence of the whole Weasley clan, and that tall figure at the back could only be Aberforth...