Author's note: I hope you find this collaboration of tales from the Malfoy line to be just as much a tease as I do. Curiosity always finds itself in the darkest of places. As fascination escalated throughout the series, JKR gave us just a hint of the family that grew into a more complex entity towards the end. This work is an effort to redeem some of those thoughts of the early Lucius Malfoy and Narsicca Black and their families.

Stories will be based around the late 1950s through 1997 (and possibly even after) during the time span of the late Malfoy line. This is by no means supposed to be a consecutive piece and will exemplify only parts of their relationships. Some stories may be original works solely for this piece but others may be taken from other parts of completed tales involving the family (with author consent). If you would like to add to the story, please send me a PM!

*Although this is open for interpretation, please keep somewhat cannon (deaths still valid, the ending of the war, ect.)

**This is not an effort to 'redeem' the Malfoy line from their doings with the Dark Lord. We may also find some darker interpretations of the family. Happy and unhappy endings are all welcome.

***Each work from another author will be stated explicitly. Please respect opinions and interpretations that are represented here.

The Trial

Excerpt from Bound to You II

XxBloodheiRxX

June, 1997

Narcissa faced herself in the mirror looking and feeling more wrecked than ever. Tomorrow morning was Draco's trial. Her baby boy was being accused of murder and she was expected to be kept about it. "What a ridiculous request," she quietly told herself. She fought back the tears that threatened her eyes, refocusing her attention on the jewelry she removed from her fingers.

"So, where is he?"

She glanced back up at the mirror, catching Lucius's reflection staring back at her. Narcissa stood in silence for a moment, continuing to place the rings in the box before answering her husband.

"He is in the library, asleep." She could hear him shifting in the bed behind her and decided to keep the statement at that.

"He spends too much time in there you know."

Narcissa murmured her locking incantation and then turned to face her husband. "Is that necessarily a bad thing? He is frightened." She knew Draco had been spending countless hours with the Carrow girl preparing for his trail and it took everything in her not to wake him when she saw their entwined bodies on the couch. But at this point, her son was handling this better than she was. Lucius looked at his wife through the lie.

"Narcissa, is he frightened or are you?" He knew his wife all too well. She didn't have to even answer the question he just presented her with but he didn't blame her at all to be honest. He was a little nervous himself but he had to be strong and if not for personal incentive, he had to be for them.

He motioned for her to join him in their large bed. The simple gesture surprised Narcissa slightly. If anything, she expected a sarcastic remark with a simple turn of the lights but his eyes only gleamed with compassion. But, unknowing to her, Lucius was soft under the armor he had boarded himself up in. The past year was not torture in the sense that he was locked away, but rather because he was not able to hold his wife close. It killed him to see her disappear behind closed doors where he knew she was crying, releasing the guilt and the stress that he kept in so tightly. Narcissa didn't break easily but with this continuous list of demands and constant belittling by the Dark Lord and other death eaters, he really didn't know how much more of it he could handle, let alone her. He tried to refocus their attention and priorities on their own family but that was slowly crumbling too. He sighed at the betraying thought.

Narcissa sat on the edge of the bed, her head hung low. "What will we do if he…." The elder blonde stopped her before she could even continue.

"I've told you Narcissa. He will be fine. I've talked to Yaxley and…"

"Lucius, Corbin isn't even in the Wizengamot. His promises are useless," her interruption held stern with irritation.

"Be that as it may, he has more of an influence on Umbridge than I do."

Narcissa shook her head and grabbed the bottle of crème by the bed, slowly spreading it onto her aching limbs. "And the Pardoning Watch?"

Lucius let a breath of air escape his lips. He had not managed to convince Yaxley to even suggest it to the council. The man argued that, although most of the ministry had been infiltrated, he still had a duty to uphold certain laws. To have Draco not even be under an enforced watch proved to be reckless on the ministry's behalf. Lucius would of done nothing but agree with that vile man if it weren't for his blood on the line. He also had to make note that his dear friend was not only given extended circumstances for his pretty much dismissed crime but was also being considered for the Headmaster position at Hogwarts as a 'reward'. He trusted no one else to do the job, and it really did work out for many of them, but the lack of consideration towards his family's position on the same issue infuriated him. But he had to take it, because, as Yaxley had ever so kindly reminded him, it could be worse.

The man turned to look at his wife. "Narcissa, look." Her head had drooped farther and the severity of her current action of hydrating her skin became more fierce. He reached over, grabbing her steadfast hand and placed it around her waist, finally pulling her closer to him. The blonde forced his wife into the crook of his arm and planted a few soft kisses into her hair.

"It'll all be fine. He will be home with us." He could feel her breathing hitch with emotion before turning to face him, eyes wet.

"Even if that is true, do you want him to become more involved in this? Lucius love, he is but a child! He needs to live as such."

"Narcissa, he is seventeen years old. He is not a child any longer. He needs to gain the full meaning of responsibility and duty."

Her eyes narrowed at his remark. "But not like this." Her words were filled with worry and sorrow. He sighed. He knew he wasn't going to get through to her in any argument that involved Draco. She was more possessive than he was. Nodding in defeat, Narcissa finally relaxed and went back into the crook of his arm. His body felt warm against her cold stiffness, thawing her thoughts. She gently pushed a few strands of his long hair away from her face and he turned to look down at her.

"Maybe a miracle will happen tomorrow."

Narcissa tried to smile at her husband's optimism but she was over living on false hopes. Draco could spruce up on his legal terms all he wanted but her gut told her what was going to happen. She knew the council better than any laws that could fight against them. They were ruthless and unforgiving.

A tear finally fell from her wet lash, trickling down onto her husband's robe. He drew her in closer, distinguishing the flame from their bedside lamp before fulling embracing her trembling body close to his.

Draco awoke to a start, his nightmare slowly subsiding back into his self conscious as his eyes fiercely adjusted to the daylight. Panic overtook him at once when he realized what day it was and what lay before him. He tried to budge, quickly searching for the time but rendered it useless when he noticed the quiet form that lay sound asleep on his lower half. She was peaceful, just as he had been prior to the rude awakening of his thoughts. Her dark hair splayed loosely around her somewhat somber face and her eyelashes were still damp with wetness. Had she been crying? Draco couldn't help but wonder as he tried to recall the previous night. Much to his distain, the last few hours were incomprehensible. Carefully he reached down into his pocket and managed to dislodge the purple crystal that he had found hiding amongst the depths of one of the library chairs last night. He thanked it for it's purpose before letting it fall onto the rug beneath the couch. His mind needed to be clear just for a moment as he needed to collect his thoughts and prepare for the massive headache he knew he was about to get.

The conclusion of the night before was that they really had found nothing, nothing to save him entirely to say the least. He was quite surprised when Lyra had offered to help him on his quest and he implored her ability to continue even once he knew it was lost time. Draco cursed himself under his breath at the thought of their last moments together. She was clearly distraught and he was…..asleep. But he knew he needed it. If he were to worry any longer, sickness would've overcome his mind and body and he would be a pile on the floor. She was a gift. A gift he didn't deserve.

Draco sighed at the thought. He started to contemplate what would actually happen if he didn't show up to court this morning. He wished to stay right here, underneath the sleeping angel until she naturally awoke. Watching her calmed him greatly, like he was a part of another life. Someone that was useful and needed. Not a criminal or a coward. When she spoke those words of true rendering in this exact place not but a few days ago, he had melted. She didn't think he was a murderer. Maybe he wasn't innocent but definitely not a murderer. That was something, wasn't it? He had wondered what had changed her mind since her arrival. He could go digging, especially with her somewhat helpless in her current state, but he liked the feeling as it were and didn't feel like changing it. He needed the boost and the confidence that his father so strongly demanded.

Finally after some time, he gently channeled his power and cautiously levitated her form just enough to slide out from underneath her. Draco was glad she was a heavy sleeper, even though he wouldn't have minded formally saying goodbye for what could be the last time. He really needed to stop thinking like this but it proved hard considering his options. The blonde could felt the sting of tears fighting their way past his wards as he lowered himself to place a kiss on her head and then headed towards his own room to shower.

The time between then and leaving the manor seemed extremely short. Draco hated to rush but he hated the feeling of being anxious even more and it wasn't getting any better the closer the time came to his departure. He tried to play the scenarios over and over again in his head as he got dressed, hoping that one lucky one would catch the thought of the council. A few different things could happen today. He could be sent free (the ultimate goal), he could be put under an excruciatingly close watch (which didn't seem THAT bad of a choice, considering the last and final option), or he could be found guilty of all crimes and sent away to that horrible soul sucking prison. His father spoke nothing of his time there, keeping the place a mystery but he was no fool. He had read up on the nightmare that was called Azkaban. And, honestly, after seeing the effects that were placed on his father after only six short months made his stomach hurt even more. He hadn't been quite the same upon his arrival; more dark and deteriorated in his ability to gain respect. Lucius WAS a prominent social figure among the wizarding world and now, now he seemed downtrodden even by the lowest of scum. The Malfoy name was ridiculed by their peers and now had little say in the ministry even during Voldemort's take over.

Draco had given up on the redeeming factors for his name as he now focused on his own personal situation. He stared at himself in mirror trying to look past some of the Malfoy's prominent features; platinum blonde hair, icy grey eyes, a sharp jawline. He was a spitting image of his father in his younger years but he wasn't representing his father today; he was representing himself. His own choices. His faults.

Narcissa had snuck into his room during his pensive onslaught and stopped to look at the boy that had his back turned to her. Draco was dressed for the occasion, sporting a traditional grey fitted suit with the signature Malfoy crest pinned to his black silk tie. He fiddled with it for a moment, his brow furrowed in contemplation. She wished she knew what he was thinking so she could ease his mind but even the thought of today's trial almost brought her to tears again. Lucius mocked her for her sensitivity and she questioned briefly why he didn't share similar feelings. She hoped it was his ability to keep strong for their son but something told her the deeper root resided in his growing numbness to the situation. She knew Lucius wasn't completely oblivious to the outcomes but his choice of sympathy was less that what she herself desired.

Draco finally caught Narcissa's gaze in the mirror and turned around immediately. She went over and smiled weakly at him before straightening his tie in silence. She hadn't said a word to him, but her soft actions were all that he needed. Draco knew his mothered loved him more than any words could ever express and the bond they shared was one of mutual respect and unconditional love. He could see her breaking beneath the thin shell she had so faithfully set to uphold and he couldn't help but feel like a disappointment to her. There was so much hanging on this one day, he wished it was just over. As if he spoke too soon, Quibbly scuttled into his room announcing his father's request to have them meet him in the drawing room for their departure to the Ministry. With a gentle nod, they both left together, uncertain what the next few hours would hold.