The procedure was quick and, for the most part, painless. It was exactly as the Healer had said it would be.
Narcissa came into St. Mungo's during the morning, and she was able to leave by the afternoon.
It also helped that Lucius had been able to come with her, which made Narcissa very grateful, especially considering that the Dark Lord had been keeping Lucius busy more often than usual as of late.
A part of Narcissa could not help but wonder, though, if Lucius had refused a summons just be with her. Especially considering that for quite a while now the Dark Lord had been summoning Lucius at least once or twice a day.
Narcissa could only hope that was not the case. As much as she appreciated Lucius's presence, she would never want her husband to suffer on her behalf.
Neither Lucius nor Narcissa, however, mentioned the Dark Lord. Narcissa respected what the Dark Lord was trying to do, but that didn't mean she had to talk about him.
Besides, Lucius also didn't seem to enjoy talking too much about his master. He liked to keep what he did for the Dark Lord separate from his life with Narcissa.
"I'm glad that it didn't take too long," Narcissa remarked to Lucius as they approached Black Manor. "I really don't like leaving Draco with my parents for too long, but I definitely didn't want to leave him with your father for more than just a few seconds. And I'm being very generous by just offering those few seconds."
Lucius could not help but grin. But he then quickly turned serious.
"How are you feeling?" he asked in concern.
"I'm not in any pain," Narcissa answered. "In fact, I feel like I normally do. But I am glad that it's over with. And that's the end of it. There's no point in thinking about it anymore. What's done is done."
Lucius just nodded his head.
Lucius and Narcissa then made the rest of their journey in silence.
"Back already?" Druella asked them after they had been shown into the drawing room by one of the house-elves. "I don't like it. The Healers should have kept you longer, Cissy, to make sure that you were all right. I'm going to have Cygnus mention this at the Ministry. This is unacceptable. You are a Pureblood. You deserve better than this quick service. It's disrespectful to both you and Lucius."
"I'm perfectly fine, Mother," Narcissa replied. "The procedure was quick and painless, just like it was supposed to be. And the Healers gave me a full check-up afterwards to make sure that there had not been any complications. There was no reason for me to stay any longer. How is Draco?"
"Fussy," Druella replied with a roll of her eyes. "He cried for at least an hour after you and Lucius left him here this morning."
"He probably just missed me," Narcissa responded. "This was the first time that he's been away from me for such an extended period of time."
"Then perhaps you need to spend more time away from him," Druella suggested. "Being too attached to you will only make him weak. As a male Pureblood and as a Malfoy, Draco has to be strong. He has to be able to stand on his own two feet."
"Draco isn't weak," Lucius spoke sharply. "And just to let you know, I don't tolerate my father criticizing how Narcissa chooses to raise Draco. So, I most definitely won't tolerate you criticizing my wife's decisions either."
"Of course, Lucius," Druella said quickly. "I did not mean to offend. I just want what's best for Draco, just like I know you do."
"Would you two like to stay for dinner?" Cygnus asked in an attempt to be diplomatic. "Draco is sleeping at the moment, so he won't be a problem. Besides, you two must be hungry. You have both had a long day."
"Thank you for the invitation, Father," Narcissa spoke, "but Lucius and I have already made plans for tonight."
"Of course," Cygnus replied. "Perhaps another time."
"I'll owl you," Narcissa offered.
"So, Narcissa, are you going to tell me about these plans that we have apparently made for tonight?" Lucius grinned teasingly at Narcissa as they walked down the pathway away from Black Manor.
"It was the only thing I could think of to get us out of there without losing dignity and propriety," Narcissa responded as she adjusted a sleeping Draco in her arms. "But there's no reason why we couldn't make any plans right now. It's been a while since we've been able to go out at night."
Lucius glanced down at his left forearm.
The sleeve of his robe had his arm completely covered, but Narcissa knew what lied underneath.
The Dark Mark. A Mark that often caused Lucius to have to leave Narcissa, regardless of whether or not they had made plans earlier.
The Dark Lord always came first.
"I did not mean to make you feel guilty, Lucius," Narcissa spoke. "I understand and accept the importance of your duty to the Dark Lord. I'm just glad that you were able to come with me today to St. Mungo's."
Narcissa's face then turned concerned. "The Dark Lord didn't summon you while we were there, did he, Lucius?"
"No, he didn't," Lucius said a little too quickly for Narcissa's liking.
It was a slight thing, but Narcissa was able to catch it. Everyone else would have missed it, but she didn't. It was only a rare occasion that either she or Lucius could successfully lie to the other.
"Well, I'm fine now," Narcissa spoke. "You should go to the Dark Lord."
Lucius's eyes widened for a brief moment, but then he nodded his head, accepting that he wouldn't be able to lie to his wife.
"How is it that you almost always know when I'm lying?" Lucius grumbled.
"I could ask the same question of you," Narcissa smiled. She then turned serious. "You really should go before he feels like he has to go find you himself. That will only make him angrier than he already is."
"Promise me that you will get some rest and that you won't worry too much about me," Lucius replied.
"I can promise to get some rest," Narcissa responded, "but I can't promise that I won't worry about you."
"I will be just fine, Narcissa," Lucius returned in a reassuring voice. "I will just tell the Dark Lord that I was busy at the Ministry when he summoned me, and that I wasn't able to get away without raising suspicion. And that won't be a complete lie. I was at the Ministry for a couple of hours before you woke up this morning. I will return to you as soon as I can, Narcissa. Take care of both yourself and Draco."
"I will," Narcissa promised. "Just worry about yourself, Lucius. Draco and I will be just fine."
Lucius gave Narcissa a quick kiss on her lips before bending down to give a still sleeping Draco a quick kiss on his forehead. He then Disapparated.
Narcissa touched her lips and, despite the fact that she was worried about Lucius's well-being, she could not help but smile. It had been a while since Lucius had kissed her. True, it had been a quick kiss, but it had been a kiss. And then he had kissed Draco as well.
After losing Ara and in between all the miscarriages, Narcissa had often been worried about losing Lucius's affection and love. He had often reassured her that would never happen (he had even been close to crying when Narcissa had suggested that it would be best for him if she left so that he could marry another woman in hopes that she would be able to successfully give him an heir), but Narcissa still had not been able to prevent herself from worrying.
Narcissa really was glad to have received such a direct, obvious sign that she did indeed still have Lucius's affection and love. And she was also glad to see that despite the fact that Lucius would always mourn for Ara and all the other babies (just like she would), he still had room in his heart for Draco.
