As Narcissa walked down the spiral staircase and into the foyer, she noticed two figures conversing in the center of the room. Perfect, Narcissa thought sarcastically, at least there were two Death Eaters who were punctual enough to arrive early for their meeting. She walked down a couple of steps and noticed blond hair creeping through the sides of their hoods.
Lucius and Draco were having a rational conversation? How did this happen, when two days ago they would have happily ripped each others' throats out? Narcissa quietly descended from the stairs and tried to eavesdrop on their conversation.
"Father, I am sorry for the childish way I've behaved," Draco said, as if he practiced that phrase for hours in order for it to sound professional. He had always emulated his father and sought his approval in every way that he could. Draco opened his mouth to continue but, Lucius put his hand out, with his palm facing Draco's face, and started to speak.
"Draco, say no more. I am not particularly proud of the way that I've acted as either, son, but we need to stay strong for your mother's sake." Draco nodded in agreement and stared intently at his father.
Lucius gripped Draco's shoulder, gave him a slight smiled and said "son, I am extremely proud of you." Draco's smile quickly stretched across his face.
Narcissa suppressed a chuckle as she watched Draco having a difficult time trying to reduce his gaping smile. Somehow, he managed to say "thank you, father."
She was grateful for being able to witness their father-son moment but was more excited at the fact that she was able to get through to them. Narcissa hoped that their reconnection was filled with enough brightness to help her endure the meeting. She decided to reveal herself and walked over to them.
During her walk she started remembering what Lucius had told her during about the Death Eaters' past attempt at killing Potter. She immediately regretted being furious with him and only half-heartedly listened to his story. All that she could recall was that Lucius's wand was destroyed and that Potter escaped. Well I'm sure that the Dark Lord will fill me in on what I've missed with his malicious remarks, Narcissa thought cynically.
"Lucius, Draco, are you ready to head into the drawing room?," she asked extremely politely, trying to show that she forgave them. Draco nodded, and instead of being confused as to why she did not glare at him, his mind was preoccupied with concealing his glowing smile from Lucius's compliment. Lucius on the other hand, studied her curiously.
Lucius began, "Narcissa, I just want to say how-," but she cut him off by placing two fingers to his lips.
She said "shh, please don't fret, darling" as she replaced her fingers with her lips and gave him a quick kiss. He grinned at her, understanding that he was forgiven. She was about to take Draco into her embrace when she heard, a familiar crack of Apparition. She closed her hand on Lucius's upper arm, and the Malfoys entered the drawing room.
The room was soon filled with Death Eaters. Narcissa smiled appreciatively at Snape, who donned his trademarked blank face, as he sat down at the table. He briefly nodded and she knew that behind his unemotional façade, he had some compassion for her. She looked at Bellatrix, who childishly glanced in the other direction, pretending not to notice her. Stubborn and bitchy as always aren't you Bella, Narcissa thought, and she glanced up at Lucius's horrified face and held his hand under the table.
This was the slowest and most emotionally draining meeting Narcissa had been to thus far. She obligated herself to sit back and not protest to the Dark Lord humiliating her family. Voldemort acted as if Lucius was invisible while he forced Draco to use the Cruciatus Curse on Olivander. Narcissa had no room left in her body to pity Olivander and focused her energy on supporting Lucius as she was unable to aide Draco in any way. The meeting was unbearable, and approximately ten times worse than the first.
She wished that she was able to take Draco's place and torture for him so that she wouldn't have to look at his terrified and pain-filled face. She was unable to conceal her troubled features as she looked at her husband. Lucius met Narcissa's worried gaze and he realized that it he needed to lift off some of the weight that she carried on her shoulders.