A/N I don't own Harry Potter, any of the characters, or story lines. If you are reading, please leave a review! Thanks!

The morning came quietly over the ruined castle. Narcissa huddled with her family at a table in what was left of the Great Hall, looking around her nervously. The three of them had spent the remainder of the battle safely hidden in the Slytherin common room, so it was only later that they had found out about Voldemort's defeat via a passing house elf. Narcissa could not stop staring at Draco, marveling in the fact that he was alive, that she would watch him become a man, see his grandchildren. Even if it was from the other side of prison bars.

She wasn't sure what would happen to her and Lucius. It was true that she herself had never done anything against the side opposing the Dark Lord, but she hadn't done anything for them, either, until the last moment. She didn't know if that inaction would be enough for the Ministry to put her in prison, and she was too weary at the moment to think too much about it. Most of her concern was for Draco, who bore the Dark Mark on his arm and who had tried to kill Dumbledore in his sixth year. She quickly assured herself that Draco had been acting under duress, surely the Ministry would be able to see that. Her son would not have killed Dumbledore, of that she was sure. Draco had opened up to them during their long hours of waiting in the common room and told her the details of what had actually happened that night. Narcissa had had to fight tears of shame when Draco told them about Dumbledore's offer to hide her, to keep her safe if Draco came over to the side of the Light. That was something a Death Eater would never have done. Lucius had also been ashamed, but he was never a strong man and had initially joined the death eaters out of fear of the Dark Lord. She knew that he would feel responsible for Severus's death for the rest of his life-Lucius had been the one the Dark Lord had sent to retrieve Snape from the battle in order to kill him. Narcissa did not know if Lucius had known Voldemort's intentions last night, and she didn't want to ask any more that she wanted Lucius to have to tell her. It would not change the fact that Severus, their friend and confidant, the only person she could turn to when Draco needed protection, was gone. She would be grateful to him and mourn the brave man always.

Narcissa closed her eyes against the sounds of triumph and grief coming from all sides. No one was paying attention to her family anyway. She had briefly caught Harry's eye as he made his way through the crowded room, and he had nodded at her, exhaustion evident on his face.

"Let's go home." She whispered to Lucius, who wrapped an arm around her shoulder and squeezed gently.

"That sounds like a good idea. I'm not sure if we should be here right now." The three of them got up and made their way to the door, and continued on through the blood strewn ruins. When they reached the castle gates, Lucius stretched his wand hand in front of him to summon the Knight bus, and they were all surprised when it appeared. Narcissa kept her eyes shut for most of the harrowing ride, and was never so happy in all her life to see the Manor looming before them.

It felt good to wake up in her own house without the threat of Voldemort hanging over her. She wanted to skip down the stairs as she reminded herself again that the Dark Lord was gone, Bellatrix was gone, they were finally free.

Narcissa came to a halt when she reached the dining room. Lucius and Draco were sitting at the large table, somber looks on their faces. "What's wrong?" She asked, rushing to Draco's side. He said nothing but gestured toward a piece of parchment that was laying on the table in front of Lucius. "Lucius? What is that?"

He smiled at her wryly. "They're not wasting any time." Narcissa shook her head.

"Would someone please explain to me what is going on?"

"It's from the Ministry, Mother." Draco answered, an edge of desperation in his voice. "We have all been accused of war crimes and are expected to report for a hearing in front of the Wizenmagot tomorrow morning."

Narcissa put a hand to her mouth. She had known this was coming, but she had hoped for a little more time with her family. She stared at her husband, willing him to come up with a solution.

"We can leave." He said quietly. "But we would have to go right now. I'm sure they will be watching the house soon, if not already." Narcissa was tempted to agree, and allowed herself a quick image of life on the run. At least they would be together. If they went far enough away from England, the Ministry would have a difficult time finding them. Then she remembered the previous night, and shook her head sadly.

"I can't leave. I made an Unbreakable Oath." Narcissa found that as she spoke the words, she felt relief course through her. She was almost glad to have an excuse to remain and face whatever was coming tomorrow.

Lucius nodded, a defeated expression on his tired face. "Draco?" Draco looked up, startled. Narcissa noted that he clearly was not used to his father asking for his opinion or giving him a say in family matters.

"I…we…can't leave without Mother. If she is going to face the Minister at a hearing, then I want to be there too."

"You could end up in Azkaban for a long time." Lucius warned, and Narcissa clasped a hand over her beating heart.

"He is still a boy, Lucius! Surely the Wizenmagot will see that he had no choice but to follow orders!"

"That's what I will hope for." Lucius answered sadly. He avoided meeting his family's eyes. They all knew that Lucius would be heading back to the prison, there was no way around that.

"It will not bode well for Draco if you are missing from the hearing." Narcissa said carefully. Or myself, she added in her head. Lucius sighed.

"I know that. The Malfoy family will be there, all three of us."