Harry Potter, Wardsmith. Part 68
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dracoharry100Title: Harry Potter, Wardsmith. Part 68
Author: twisted_miracle
Team: Death Eaters
Word count: 100x10
Characters/pairings: Harry/Draco
Challenge: Comfort
Rating for this series: Rated NC-17
Rating for this post: Rated PG
Disclaimer: They aren't mine, they belong to the clever Scottish lady. I just bend them and love them. Please don't smack me for playing. It isn't like I am going to earn any money from this!
Author's note: Comments are love!
Summary: Narcissa has been giving all of this quite a lot of thought. She starts ruminating out loud, and it turns out that Draco and Harry are both good at respectful listening.
Part 1: http://dracoharry100.livejournal.com/1154283.html
Part 67: https://dracoharry100.dreamwidth.org/283371.html#cutid1
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Silently, Narcissa watched Harry comfort her son. Then she sat.
“Mother!” Draco said, alarmed to hear her awake. He rushed to kneel by her chair.
“We three should talk,” Narcissa said, but Draco checked her forehead, took her pulse.
“Son.” She spoke calmly. “I apologize for frightening you. But I have rested. I’ve taken my potions. I am well enough to sit and discuss... important issues.”
“Just as you say, Mother,” Draco said, but his brow was still furrowed. He sat on the couch next to Harry, who took his hand.
Draco squeezed Harry’s hand tightly, then didn’t let go.
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“Vissy? Narcissa called, and the house-elf appeared with a full tea tray. She put it between them all, on a small table; bowed and vanished.
“I have been thinking,” Narcissa began, “about the connection between men like Rosscot, and men like Lucius. I have been considering things I have heard, and questioning their truth.”
Draco and Harry nodded.
“Men such as they, believe women weaker.” She took up a teacup and drank, clearly taking comfort in the familiar.
Draco and Harry also poured tea, took biscuits.
“They believe me weaker because of anatomy.” She allowed a tiny snort to escape.
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“Not because I cannot lift as many pounds. I could levitate anything Lucius could. I proved that quite early. We were both slightly tipsy, after our first successful garden party. Swaggering, Lucius challenged me to a magical contest, but he did not win.” She leaned forward slightly. “He was unaware, but we only tied because I knew not to show off my full magical strength.”
Narcissa frowned. “I knew not to cause him this discomfort because of the things Mother taught me. Aunts. Grandmothers. I was taught from birth not to allow men to see my full intelligence. Or magic.”
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Narcissa traced a swirl on the arm of her chair.
“I never allowed my husband to fully know me. Not as I really was. I reserved my power for house-elves, my innermost heart for my closest friend.
“Lucius thought me almost… dim. He forgot about that little contest, because I never once reminded him. When he was unable to accomplish something, whether via magic or social maneuvering, I would usually complete it behind his back and tell him I had set all three house-elves on it, or claim my parents had said a few words, or dropped a few coins.
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“This is how I was taught to wife. I kept the peace and boon of my home exactly as I was taught. But the method backfired. Spectacularly. For I proved completely unable to dissuade Lucius from taking up with Tom Riddle. I said... mild things. That Riddle made me ‘uncomfortable.’ Seemed concerned exclusively with his own power. But by then I had so convinced Lucius of his superiority….”
Narcissa stared into the middle distance for a long moment.
Harry squeezed Draco’s hand in question, but Draco turned to look at Harry and simply shook his head, ‘no.’
So they waited.
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“So I wonder if this belief: women are weaker because they allow men inside their bodies, connects to the belief that a man who allows a man inside, is weak. Inadequate.
“That is what I was taught. That you are both weak, inadequate, not to be encouraged. Not with social invitations, or employment, or any of the little comforts of society.
“But I examine what I was taught, I consider Harry’s magical strength, feel Draco’s new wards, think about how Harry first defeated Lucius’s Master when you were, what, twelve? And I know this ‘truth’ I swallowed is bald nonsense.”
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Narcissa finished her tea and poured herself some more. She stared out the window. She traced the pattern on the chair’s upholstery once again.
Draco could hardly believe her lack of control, but he remained silent, waiting. Harry, therefore, followed suit, though he was a little uncomfortable. Still, Narcissa was making extraordinary progress, and — clearly — neither his nor Draco’s thoughts or contributions were required.
“Lucius despised homosexuals. Loathed them. Thought himself superior in every way. But you, Harry, and Dumbledore. You were superior. In… every way, really. Kinder. Smarter. More powerful. And you two… won. Lucius… he is in prison.”
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“Worst of all, I wonder, if Riddle had not had Lucius behind him: Lucius’ wealth, social capital, political power… would Riddle have accomplished what he did? Gone as far? Killed nearly so many? It causes me profound discomfort, but I nonetheless must wonder: How much of this was my fault? Obviously Riddle and Lucius were responsible for their own actions. But I, just as much, am responsible for my own. And my lacks. Everything I could have done, but did not do.”
She stared at the floor for a long, heavy heartbeat.
Draco squeezed Harry’s hand so hard it hurt.
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“So; my dear son, Harry. This is where I sit. My husband is incarcerated, thus I am freed. And honestly grateful. However, I have not legal nor magical control of my own home.
“I have been taught all my life that homosexuality is a horror. My son has… a boyfriend. The most desirable young bachelor in the nation. And I am realizing I was taught things that are, simply, wrong.
“I am, to be frank, uncomfortable. But it arises, now, from tension. I am pulled in multiple directions. Earlier my discomfort arose exclusively from my certainty that Draco was wrong.
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“Now, I am uncertain between right and wrong. I suspect, however, things are far more complex than I was told. I’ve much to consider.”
Abruptly, Narcissa put her teacup down and stood. She walked to the window.
“So, if they will have me, I should return to the Landers’ in Johannesburg. They made me very comfortable. I hope they would be willing to do so again. I can think things through while you two have space to be alone without me underfoot.
Narcisssa finally faced Draco. “And, if I may, I would like to return home when England is warm.”
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Continued: https://dracoharry100.dreamwidth.org/285255.html#cutid1
Author: twisted_miracle
Team: Death Eaters
Word count: 100x10
Characters/pairings: Harry/Draco
Challenge: Comfort
Rating for this series: Rated NC-17
Rating for this post: Rated PG
Disclaimer: They aren't mine, they belong to the clever Scottish lady. I just bend them and love them. Please don't smack me for playing. It isn't like I am going to earn any money from this!
Author's note: Comments are love!
Summary: Narcissa has been giving all of this quite a lot of thought. She starts ruminating out loud, and it turns out that Draco and Harry are both good at respectful listening.
Part 1: http://dracoharry100.livejournal.com/1154283.html
Part 67: https://dracoharry100.dreamwidth.org/283371.html#cutid1
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Silently, Narcissa watched Harry comfort her son. Then she sat.
“Mother!” Draco said, alarmed to hear her awake. He rushed to kneel by her chair.
“We three should talk,” Narcissa said, but Draco checked her forehead, took her pulse.
“Son.” She spoke calmly. “I apologize for frightening you. But I have rested. I’ve taken my potions. I am well enough to sit and discuss... important issues.”
“Just as you say, Mother,” Draco said, but his brow was still furrowed. He sat on the couch next to Harry, who took his hand.
Draco squeezed Harry’s hand tightly, then didn’t let go.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
“Vissy? Narcissa called, and the house-elf appeared with a full tea tray. She put it between them all, on a small table; bowed and vanished.
“I have been thinking,” Narcissa began, “about the connection between men like Rosscot, and men like Lucius. I have been considering things I have heard, and questioning their truth.”
Draco and Harry nodded.
“Men such as they, believe women weaker.” She took up a teacup and drank, clearly taking comfort in the familiar.
Draco and Harry also poured tea, took biscuits.
“They believe me weaker because of anatomy.” She allowed a tiny snort to escape.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
“Not because I cannot lift as many pounds. I could levitate anything Lucius could. I proved that quite early. We were both slightly tipsy, after our first successful garden party. Swaggering, Lucius challenged me to a magical contest, but he did not win.” She leaned forward slightly. “He was unaware, but we only tied because I knew not to show off my full magical strength.”
Narcissa frowned. “I knew not to cause him this discomfort because of the things Mother taught me. Aunts. Grandmothers. I was taught from birth not to allow men to see my full intelligence. Or magic.”
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Narcissa traced a swirl on the arm of her chair.
“I never allowed my husband to fully know me. Not as I really was. I reserved my power for house-elves, my innermost heart for my closest friend.
“Lucius thought me almost… dim. He forgot about that little contest, because I never once reminded him. When he was unable to accomplish something, whether via magic or social maneuvering, I would usually complete it behind his back and tell him I had set all three house-elves on it, or claim my parents had said a few words, or dropped a few coins.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
“This is how I was taught to wife. I kept the peace and boon of my home exactly as I was taught. But the method backfired. Spectacularly. For I proved completely unable to dissuade Lucius from taking up with Tom Riddle. I said... mild things. That Riddle made me ‘uncomfortable.’ Seemed concerned exclusively with his own power. But by then I had so convinced Lucius of his superiority….”
Narcissa stared into the middle distance for a long moment.
Harry squeezed Draco’s hand in question, but Draco turned to look at Harry and simply shook his head, ‘no.’
So they waited.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
“So I wonder if this belief: women are weaker because they allow men inside their bodies, connects to the belief that a man who allows a man inside, is weak. Inadequate.
“That is what I was taught. That you are both weak, inadequate, not to be encouraged. Not with social invitations, or employment, or any of the little comforts of society.
“But I examine what I was taught, I consider Harry’s magical strength, feel Draco’s new wards, think about how Harry first defeated Lucius’s Master when you were, what, twelve? And I know this ‘truth’ I swallowed is bald nonsense.”
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Narcissa finished her tea and poured herself some more. She stared out the window. She traced the pattern on the chair’s upholstery once again.
Draco could hardly believe her lack of control, but he remained silent, waiting. Harry, therefore, followed suit, though he was a little uncomfortable. Still, Narcissa was making extraordinary progress, and — clearly — neither his nor Draco’s thoughts or contributions were required.
“Lucius despised homosexuals. Loathed them. Thought himself superior in every way. But you, Harry, and Dumbledore. You were superior. In… every way, really. Kinder. Smarter. More powerful. And you two… won. Lucius… he is in prison.”
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
“Worst of all, I wonder, if Riddle had not had Lucius behind him: Lucius’ wealth, social capital, political power… would Riddle have accomplished what he did? Gone as far? Killed nearly so many? It causes me profound discomfort, but I nonetheless must wonder: How much of this was my fault? Obviously Riddle and Lucius were responsible for their own actions. But I, just as much, am responsible for my own. And my lacks. Everything I could have done, but did not do.”
She stared at the floor for a long, heavy heartbeat.
Draco squeezed Harry’s hand so hard it hurt.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
“So; my dear son, Harry. This is where I sit. My husband is incarcerated, thus I am freed. And honestly grateful. However, I have not legal nor magical control of my own home.
“I have been taught all my life that homosexuality is a horror. My son has… a boyfriend. The most desirable young bachelor in the nation. And I am realizing I was taught things that are, simply, wrong.
“I am, to be frank, uncomfortable. But it arises, now, from tension. I am pulled in multiple directions. Earlier my discomfort arose exclusively from my certainty that Draco was wrong.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
“Now, I am uncertain between right and wrong. I suspect, however, things are far more complex than I was told. I’ve much to consider.”
Abruptly, Narcissa put her teacup down and stood. She walked to the window.
“So, if they will have me, I should return to the Landers’ in Johannesburg. They made me very comfortable. I hope they would be willing to do so again. I can think things through while you two have space to be alone without me underfoot.
Narcisssa finally faced Draco. “And, if I may, I would like to return home when England is warm.”
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Continued: https://dracoharry100.dreamwidth.org/285255.html#cutid1
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Date: 2019-05-24 06:06 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2019-05-24 09:38 pm (UTC)