"I am very disappointed in you," The Dark Lord said, his piercing red eyes staring right at me, even though he was speaking to Draco, "Very disappointed indeed." He straightened up and moved towards the end of the table. I looked down at my hands, hoping this confrontation would end soon. The Dark Lord slammed his hands on the table, startling everyone, and yelled, "WELL? What do you have to say? What excuse do you have?"
Bellatrix, the only other person in the room, gripped my wrist under the table and gave it a comforting squeeze. "My Lord," I said shakily, looking up. His snake-like face swiveled to face me, "May I say something on Draco's behalf?"
Voldemort walked over to the head of the table and sat down, his back to the fire. "Fine, Narcissa, what do you have to say?"
I took a deep breath and stood. Nagini the snake slithered past my ankles and up onto the back of Voldemort's chair. I suppressed a shudder and said, "Draco was going to complete your task, but before he could, Severus stepped in. So, your task has been completed, my Lord, but the blame for the task not being completed exactly to your liking, is on Snape, not Draco." I looked over at my son, his face was paler than usual. I realized I was still standing, so I slowly lowered myself back into my chair.
The room was silent as the Dark Lord contemplated my suggestion. Then, he spoke in a calm, even voice, "How can I trust that Draco would have done it, had Severus not stepped in? Narcissa, you and your husband have not proven most faithful in times of uncertainty. Did you not deny me to save yourself when I had first fallen? Did you not let your dear sister go to Azkaban while you stayed here in the lap of luxury?"
He was right. "I wanted to go, I did. I wouldn't have sold my sister or you short for anything, but Lucius figured we would be more useful to you if we remained free." I felt guilty about selling Bellatrix out, we'd been the best of friends, but Lucius threatened to never take me back if I left. Since then, Bella had forgiven me, but I still felt bad about it.
Bella stepped in before the Dark Lord had time to react to this excuse, "Your Excellency, if I may..." She looked at him, waiting for his permission to speak. He nodded slowly and she continued, "If my dear sister and her husband had gone to Azkaban as they had wished, you wouldn't have this lovely home to stay in while you search for the Boy." I kicked Bella under the table. She gritted her teeth and shot me a look as she said, "It's a win-win situation."
The Dark Lord scratched his chin with his long fingernails and considered the invitation, "Alright." He stood and walked along the table towards the door, "Come, Nagini, you can sleep in Draco's room." He said as he walked out.
Draco's eyes snapped open and whatever color that had survived the confrontation drained from his face. He ran from the room to be sick in the hall bathroom. Bella hugged me and I knew that for the time being, everything was going to be OK.