Every meal at the Malfoy Manor was an ordeal when Bellatrix was present, in Severus' opinion. But as luck would have it, she was away on Death Eater business with most of the other Death Eater occupants. Severus and Draco had arrived expecting a tense and dark mood awaiting them in the dining room, but were instead greeted by a content Narcissa. Like Snape, she tended not to enjoy the company of the Death Eaters and was skilled at hiding it. Even her love for her sister was becoming more strained as Bellatrix sought to earn the Dark Lord's attention and devotion.
Narcissa rose from the dining table where she had been sitting alone, to embrace her son in a warm hug. Something that Draco rarely received due to the cold and distant facade she wore. She welcomed Severus and told them to take a seat. Draco sat down beside her while Snape sat down opposite them. The house elves began serving the dinner as the three indulged in light talk. It wasn't until after dessert that Severus dared to bring up Dumbledore's idea.
Silently casting muffliato, Severus began to speak.
"Narcissa, I have something important that I would like you to approve." He hesitated for moment before continuing. "As you know, Draco has been under a lot of stress because of the task the Dark Lord has assigned him." At this point Draco shot a death glare at his godfather, which Severus ignored. "I would like to present a third option to you both. One that will protect you from the Dark Lord's wrath and one that will prevent Draco from tearing his soul."
Narcissa looked at him curiously. "And what is that third option, Severus?" Her voice came out calm and relaxed as if they were merely discussing the weather, but her eyes were eager and curious.
Snape continued,"I have spoken to Dumbledore-" Narcissa gasped, "You told him?!" She hissed.
"Indeed. He is quite willing to help hide the two of you away from the Dark Lord. My question now is will you accept?"
Narcissa pondered for a moment while Draco looked at the two of them incredulously.
"Mother!" He hissed. "Are you actually considering it? What will He do to Father when he finds out? What will He do to us?!"
"Relax Draco," Snape drawled. "These complications have already be thought about and been given a solution. But I must ask you sign this," He procured a piece of parchment paper, "to ensure that this option will not find its way to the ears of the Dark Lord."
Narcissa looked skeptically at the contract and read it through carefully before signing her name and handing it to Draco. He looked at her, contemplating refusing, but followed her lead after hesitating a few moments.
"Now then," Snape began. "This is the plan. Draco will continue to fix the Vanishing Cabinet and lead the selected Death Eaters in, which you will be apart of, Narcissa. He will go up alone to face Dumbledore, where he will be hidden, and a body transfigured to look like him will take his place. Narcissa, you will stage a suicide by jumping off the Astronomy tower. There will be a cushion charm and your body with be replaced with a transfigured dead body as well. The two of you will be transported in secret to America, where with the help of a muggle-born, you will live the next few years as muggles."
"Muggles?!" Narcissa gasped, while Draco grimaced.
"Yes. Muggles." Snape stated. "Your wands will be replaced with another so you will not be traced when you perform magic in America. It goes without saying however, that magic in America should be avoided at all cost." Severus got up. "I know it is a lot to digest but it will save you both. I will convince the Dark Lord to release Lucius so that he may manage Malfoy Manor since you two will be unable to. Also, no word of this is to reach him. He is not nearly skilled enough in occlumency as you two are. He would not be able to hide this information from the Dark Lord."
He headed for the door, motioning for Draco to join him. Narcissa followed, thanking him deeply for protecting her and Draco.
Minerva had no such luck with Hermione. She had found the girl easily enough, but convincing her had not gone well. The two were talking in an empty classroom with heavy silencing spells put up.
"I won't." Hermione repeated firmly. "He's been nothing but evil to me since I came here. Why should I give up a day of my life, let alone a few years, to help him and his Death Eater mother?!"
Minerva sighed. They had been "talking" for almost an hour now, and Miss Granger was no more interested in helping the Malfoy boy than she had been an hour ago.
"Miss Granger, I am aware that he has been unkind to you-"
"Unkind Professor? I don't mean to be rude, but that's a bit of an understatement. He's been positively horrid to me."
"Very well, either way, this is very important. I would not ask this of you otherwise."
"But why me Professor? Why can't someone else help them?"
"I have been thinking about this for awhile, and it appears very clear to me that you are the only one who is fit for the job.I know this is a lot to ask, but the options available to use are limited. Miss Granger, would you consider helping him for the greater good?'
Hermione sighed and thought for a bit. "Do I have a choice?"
"There is always a choice. Sometimes however, the easiest choice is not the right choice," Minerva responded.
"Very well. I shall do it, but only because it's for the greater good." Hermione decided. "Can I tell Harry and Ron?"
"No. That is far too risky. Especially with Harry's mind being connected with His." Minerva looked at the young girl with sympathy. "It will not be forever, Miss Granger."
"I hope not Professor."
"I admire your courage and spirit my dear, it is truly admirable. I hope that the Malfoys will appreciate what you have sacrificed for them." Minerva smiled warmly at Hermione before lifting the silencing spells and releasing the girl for supper.
Severus and Minerva met with Albus in the Astronomy tower along with Kingsley and Remus late that night.
"Narcissa and Draco have agreed." Snape said solemnly.
"And so has Miss Granger." Minerva stated, ignoring Remus' barely suppressed gasp and Snape's questioning look.
"That is good news indeed," Dumbledore said before turning towards Kingsley who handed him the wands. "The bodies will arrive closer to the date." Kingsley informed them before disapparating. The remaining witch and wizard then discussed their plans to make the deaths accurate as possible before parting ways when the sun began to rise.
Unknownst to Minerva and the other wizards involved, Dumbledore had assigned Snape another task.
