Chapter Three

Once we had left Kings Cross, we had found a hidden area so we could apperate to the Malfoy Manor. We had to grab each other's hands. Lucius, I had learned his name from Draco after he whispered it to me, grabbed onto Narcissa's while she grabbed my hand and intertwined our fingers, making me feel sparks from her touch, and Draco had hild of my hand.

"3....2...1." Lucius counted down so we could prepare. We apperate as soon as he hits one. I had apperated before so I didn't have much of an after-effect. I can't really say the same for Draco. Poor dude looked like he was about to vomit. When we landed, Draco immediately let go of my hand and grabbed onto my shoulder, trying to steady himself. I couldn't help but chuckle at him.

"Of piss off." He grumbles to me after regaining his composure. I hadn't realized that I was still holding Narcissas hand until she giggled slightly. I felt my ears and cheeks heat up as I remembered that our fingers were still intertwined and quickly let go of her hand. She, however, didn't seem to mind as she had no reaction.

I take a moment to take in the Malfoy Manor. It. Was. HUGE. It looked to be at least four or five storys tall with extremely large windows in each room. The whole house was black, making it look kind of gloomy. It also, like a castle almost, had a three tower shaped-thing going on. Two smaller "towers" with one taller one in the middle. The place was beautiful yet, gloomy? I'm not quite sure if gloomy was the right word. Sure, it was dark but, it wasn't 100% gloomy. No, it was more, twisted. It was a mixture of things. Dark and gloomy, tall and proud, and large and intimating. It was a hard place to describe to someone who's never seen it before. It was much larger then my home at the Burrow.

I was cut out of my trance by Narcissas hand on my shoulder. I jump slightly and look at her hand before looking up at her slightly concerned face.

"You alright, dear? We lost you for a second." She says with a slight chuckle. I laugh, nervously before responding.

"Yeah, sorry. I was just, uhm, zoned out for a second." I say. She pats my shoulder twice, leaving her hand there when she's done, before smiling warmly at me.

"Ah yes, happens to the best of us. Now, inside we go before we catch a cold." She states before taking her hand off. I shiver slightly at the sudden temperature change but still smile and nod. Lucius had walked inside already, probably to his study. Draco told me that he is a MAJOR workaholic and he barley comes out of his study. Only for breakfast, lunch, dinner, bathroom breaks, and sleep. At least I wouldn't have to see him a lot while I'm here. We head inside and are greeted by a house elf.

"Hello Masters!" It squeaks out. I smile at the tiny creature, which it returns.

"Indie, can you take Miss Weasleys stuff to the guest room? Thank you." Narcissa says, sweetly.

'Wow, she's really sweet.'

"Of course Miss Malfoy! Indie is always happy to help!" I chuckle at the house elfs eagerness as she takes my trolly and snaps her fingers, disappearing. I hear Narcissa chuckle lightly.

'Merlin, even her laugh is perfect. Oh my god, Y/N, what is wrong with you?'

I shake my head to get rid of my thoughts and take a moment to look around the room. I see that we were in a common room type room. There was an L shaped couch, a huge fireplace, a love seat, a few chairs, and some mini tables. The inside of the house was just like the outside, black. I finish looking around the room and turn to Draco.

"Can you give me a tour so I don't get lost?" I ask him. He was about to answer but Narcissa spoke up first.

"Oh, I can do that while Draco unpacks." I look to Draco but he just shrugs.

"Alright." I say and turn to Narcissa. She smiles and nods.

"I'll see you later then Draco." I tell him. He nods and quickly walks off and up the stairs.

"Shall we?" She asks me. I smile and nod. She turns around and starts to head for the stairs. I quickly catch up to her and stand on her right side. While I walk up the stairs, I look at all the paintings on the walls. There was one of Narcissa, Lucius, Bellatrix, and baby Draco. There was another one if just Lucius, Narcissa, and Draco. Except, Draco looked to be ten or so. The third and final painting was of Narcissa and Lucius except, unlike the other ones, Narcissa wasn't smiling. They both looked like they wanted each other dead or something. I decided not to ask about it, seeing as though it was none of my buisness.

"You know, I'm quite surprised you're staying here." Narcissa breaks the silence.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, considering everything that happened." I only grow more confused.

"What happened?" I ask with my head slightly tilted. She stops and turns to me.

"With what happened to your father." She states, as if I should know.

"What? What happened to my father?" I ask, with worry growing inside me.

"Oh dear, he was attacked." My eyes grow wide and I gulp.

"H-he was- is he d-dead?" I ask with a shaky voice.

"No, but he's in the hospital. I thought you would know this?" She asks with a curious look. I only look at the floor. I chuckle slightly.

"My family never tells me anything." I whisper, just loud enough for her to hear. I hear her let out a small breath before placing a hand on my shoulder.

"I'm sorry to hear that, sweetie. Let's not let that get in the way of your stay here. Come, let's get on with the tour." She says. I look up and give her a small smile and a nod. She smiles and removes her hand.

The tour was long. Currently, she was showing me her garden.

"I always come here when I need to be alone. I find it extremely, peaceful." She says, as she runs her fingers over the engravments on the stone bench. It was in french.

"La vie peut être trouvée n'importe où. Même dans la mort." (Life can be found anywhere. Even in death.) I read outloud. Narcissa turns to me with a shocked expression.

"You know french?"

"Oui." I say. She laughs, making me smile.

"Tu es une fille très intéressante." (You are a very interesting girl.) She says.

"Eh bien, vous êtes une femme très agréable." (Well, you are a very pleasant woman.) I say back. She simply chuckles and sits down on the bench. She pats the spot next to her, inviting me to sit next to her. I make my way over to her and sit down. We sit in comfortable silence for a while until she speaks up.

"Has Draco told you about our Christmas Ball?" She asks me.

"Yes he did."

"Do you have a dress?" I turn to look up at her. I didn't have to cran my neck, seeing as though she was only three or four inches taller then me.

"I'm allowed to come?" I ask her. She chuckles.

"Of course you are. Do you have a dress?" She asks again.

"No." I say while looking down.

"Well, I suppose we will have to go dress shopping then!" She states, excitedly.

"But, I haven't any money." I say, looking back up at her.

"That's fine. I can pay."

"Oh no, please. I don't want to be a burden."

"Nonsense! It can be my Christmas gift to you!" I was shocked. I never got any Christmas gifts from anyone besides Draco.

"You sure it's not that big of a deal?" I ask, to make sure she's sure.

"Yes I am sure. Plus, it'll be fun to hang out with another girl for once. I love Draco but he's a boy." I couldn't help but giggle at that, making her smile.

"Alright. What day would we go shopping?"

"Well, the ball is next week, so we should go on Wednesday. How does that sound?" She asks. I smile and nod a bit. She smiles at me before turning away and facing the garden again, me following close behind.

'I get to hang out with her more! Merlin, why am I so excited?'