Summary: She was noble, no matter that she was a Malfoy. She was noble, if in her own way. A oneshot, post-HBP.
o…o…o…o…o
River Running Empty
Rasielle
o…o…o…o…o
"I don't want to do this, Narcissa. Not any more than you want me to."
He was lying, of course; whatever had been between us in our earlier years was gone now, irretrievable. I still feel traces of it sometimes – love? Or maybe a lesser form of it – but I know that they were traces he could never return. He was obsessed, now. No matter what he said, he'd have no trouble saying those two special words.
"Just tell me where he is. The Dark Lord wants to know, and what the Dark Lord wants, I want."
I had trouble breathing; pressed against the door, praying to whatever supernatural forces could hear me, I hoped against hope that he was safely away, hoped he would find help after he Flooed to escape.
"The Dark Lord wants him dead," I spat. The traces were absent, now. "Is that what you want too, Lucius?"
He did not respond immediately, but I saw – even in the darkness of the hallway, the evil blackness of it – him raise his wand just a little bit higher. "He can endanger us, Narcissa. It can be because of him that we would fail, that the Dark Lord would fail. He knows too much."
"He's your son!"
Something flickered behind his eyes. I couldn't tell what it was – regret, maybe? But he buried it again, buried it with the feverishness of his obsession to obey.
"That changes nothing."
I couldn't stop the tears; how could I have ever loved this man? He gave me a son – gave me what I would love to no end – and now threatened to take him away. Just as easily. I felt the darkness press in around me, felt something cold hold my heart.
I made a choice. And Lucius would know that.
"Tell me, Narcissa, or I swear I will do it. Where did he go?"
"I'll never tell you! You'll kill him!"
I love you, Narcissa. But I didn't want to remember.
"WHERE DID HE GO?"
A Malfoy, in every way. Looks exactly like you, Narcissa. Shame, though, that he doesn't look a bit like me.
"Did you ever love him, Lucius? Did you?"
What the Dark Lord wants, I want.
"WHERE DID HE GO? WHERE IS DRACO?"
Draco. A perfect name. Maybe I'll be proud of him, one day.
For a second I couldn't speak. The darkness, unmerciful, wouldn't even let me breathe, pushed around me so I couldn't think. He loved me, once. Now I remembered. He told me – what was it? My love for you runs as deep as any river. I thought, back then, that he was being sickeningly romantic – but I never forgot the words.
Not anymore, Lucius. You've changed. It's running empty, now.
Draco. My mind spun.
And then, suddenly, the darkness let go. I felt my lungs fill with air as I remembered the choice I made. My last moments. I wouldn't let them go to waste.
"I'll never tell you." Almost a whisper. But I would go down strong. You're saving his life, I reminded myself. Show Lucius, once and for all, that the woman he married, the strong and solid woman, did not change.
"You'll never tell – " He fell silent, finally realizing. See, Lucius? I won't tell you. My legs wanted to give in, wanted to let go and just let the rest of me fall and crumble. But I wouldn't let them. Go down hard.
Flee, Draco. Be safe.
What the Dark Lord wants, I want.
My love for you runs as deep as any river.
His arm steadied.
"AVADA KEDAVRA!" Something flickering. Not the green light; something else. Behind... behind his eyes.
River… runs… love… empty.
Fin.
o…o…o…o…o
Afterthoughts: Oh, good crap. I may write more Narcissa fics after this. Reviews are very, very welcome.