All mistakes are my own.
There were no words to describe Narcissa's joy at having found Thadeus Glover alive and in business. She had entered the lobby intending to march straight into his office and demand divorce papers be drawn. What she had not expected was the sitting area to be beyond it's capacity.
It was standing room only as witches and a few wizards eagerly awaited a consultation with the solicitor.
Narcissa looked around the room for a vacancy and was startled to see Azalea Parkinson among the disgruntled spouses. She started to go over and make her presence known but immediately dismissed the thought and hurried to a recently vacated seat near the back of the room. The woman was a notorious gossip and she didn't want to be the star of rumors.
The meeting with Thadeus had revealed to Narcissa just how out of the loop she was about her and Lucius' finances. Almost all of the Malfoy fortune was gone; from a review of the numbers, Draco wouldn't be inheriting much and would have to make his own way not that the young wizard minded. Even her personal accounts that she had inherited were nearly empty.
Although the review of finances initially put a damper on her mood, the fact that a lot of their assets were seized by the ministry, the depletion of the accounts along with Lucius' involvement in the war her divorce would be settled within 30 days once the necessary papers were filed. There was no room for him to contest the divorce.
She had walked the streets of Muggle London with a smile on her face. She only wished Severus could have made it through it all.
After having lunch at a small café, she floo'd to Malfoy Manor.
Lucius was in his study nursing a glass of firewhiskey and holding several papers in his free hand. He was still seething over his perceived mistreatment at the hands of the aurors. He was a Malfoy dammit and didn't appreciate being handled like a common criminal. Not to mention he had just been brought divorce papers by owl no less than an hour ago.
The dark room was illuminated by green flames and Lucius placed his glass on the table rising from the sofa.
"I have been expec…" he stopped staring at her protruding belly. "It seems you are the one expecting. Who's the father since it's obvious I'm not in the running?"
She sighed she had hoped things would be civil.
"Please do have a seat. A woman in your…condition," he hissed, "shouldn't be on her feet too long."
"No thank you. You are too kind."
He ignored the sarcasm.
"I received these today," he held up the papers, "care to explain this nonsense."
"It's simple Lucius, I am asking, no that is not the right word, I am demanding a divorce and after 30 days it's officially over. I will be free of you."
"I know Narcissa I can read. What I want to know is what is the meaning of all of this. You are angry with me and trying to shame me. Why would you want to further disgrace the family name with a divorce?"
"No one is after you Lucius or trying to disgrace the family name as you say." She rubbed her belly.
"If you are concerned about your bastard then you shouldn't be. Forget about the divorce and all is forgiven. I will even raise it as my own and give it the Malfoy name."
If she hadn't known he was serious she would have laughed at such an offer.
"We don't want your name Lucius or anything else for that matter," she laughed, "there's nothing left."
He shifted clearly uncomfortable about the lack of available funds.
"I doubt that very seriously, Narcissa. Everybody wants something."
"No, absolutely nothing."
"I don't believe you."
"Well, believe it. I had come for answers; I had hoped that you had seen the error of your ways and how your misguided beliefs almost killed your only son. I foolishly had hoped to sit down and have a real conversation about why you used me and put Draco in harm's way for a psychopath. But I see I wasted my time."
She grabbed a hand full of floo powder and exited through the fireplace she had just entered.
Lucius stood there for moment silently cursing himself. Damn his pride.
Several weeks passed each day signaled the impending arrival of her daughter. The occasion would be bittersweet without Severus but she would carry on. Since she had last seen Lucius, she had thrown herself into the rebuilding of Hogwarts effort. Draco also got in on the effort and due to the large turnout the school would be re-opening two months ahead of schedule.
Narcissa awoke in the middle of the night to feel a gush of fluid between her legs. She called out for Draco and Hermione; the muggleborn had a bad breakup with Ron and didn't feel comfortable staying at The Burrow. Draco had offered her a room at Spinner's End.
The two came barreling in Draco clutching a pink bag in his hand and Hermione entered straightening her pajama top. Both of them blushed when their eyes landed on Narcissa. The older witch speculated what the two had been doing when she interrupted.
"I'm sorry to disrupt your sleep," Hermione's blush deepened, "but it's time."
Shortly before dawn, Narcissa gave birth to a healthy, beautiful girl. Ava Elieen Snape had black hair and piercing blue eyes, the best qualities of each parent. Draco held her while Hermione cooed over her. Narcissa watched her two children and her new found friend.
Hermione and Draco decided to head back home and get a few hours of sleep before they returned to pick up them both up. After the pair left, she allowed herself to cry for the first time in months.
A lit tap on the window drew her attention and she grabbed her wand. With a light flick of her wrist, she granted the small mail carrier owl entrance.
The grey owl dropped two letters onto her lap before making a circle overhead and heading back out the window.
She picked up the first letter turning it over to find the official Malfoy seal on the back. She became curious; the other letter was temporarily ignored.
Narcissa,
I want to start off by apologizing. Our last encounter wasn't bad but it wasn't pleasant either. I must admit that my pride got in the way last time and it has for over the twenty years our union lasted. You wanted answers; the only answer I have to give is that everything I did was for selfish reasons.
You were wrong; the war did change me. It has changed me. I followed a madman because that is what my father, if you could have called him that, told me to do. I, being the coward that I am, never questioned but simply obeyed. My whole life I was under the illusion that I was not like my father. I placed the desires of a monster and my need for validation above the well-being of my family. But my letter will be brief and straight to the point.
The Ministry as you know seized several assets but not all of them. I have several accounts abroad. There are two in the United States and another elsewhere. I am in the process of having one of those transferred over to Draco and the other to you. You should be receiving the papers with the necessary details by the end of the week. Consider it a parting gift and my door is always open to Draco and to you. If you should find yourself in need of anything do not hesitate to call on me.
Hopefully, your friend,
Lucius
P.S. Congratulations on the birth of your daughter; I wouldn't be me if I didn't say that I regret that she is not mine. I have always wanted a daughter of my own.
Narcissa sat holding the letter; if she hadn't known better she would have thought that someone else besides her former husband wrote it. She had to read it a second time.
After the shock wore off, she picked up the forgotten letter. It was in an official ministry letter. She tore open the letter.
Department of Accounts and Assets
Dear Narcissa Black,
We are writing to inform you that you were listed as the sole beneficiary of one Severus Snape's accounts and assets. We are pleased to inform you that you inherited a sum of four million galleons .
We regret the death of your loved one and ask that you please come to the ministry as soon as possible to handle the necessary paperwork.
Sincerely,
Helga Clark
Secretary of the Department of Accounts and Assets
She dropped the letter; from her talks with Severus she knew he had some money saved but didn't know that his savings and his "small" inheritance from his grandfather were in the millions.
She needed a drink.
2 Years Later
Narcissa looked on as her son and Hermione embraced and shared a quick chaste kiss. She bounced her daughter on her hip smiling as the newly married couple turned to look at the crowd. Both of them were beaming ear to ear. The couple led the way into the reception hall.
She watched from her table as the two of them danced. They seemed so happy their eyes never once leaving each other. She saw Lucius making his way over to her and she stood to greet him, Ava in her arms.
"Hello, Narcissa," he said before turning his attention to Ava, "and who is this little, lovely lady?"
"My name is Ava, who are you?" she asked eyeing him curiously.
"Ava that is not polite," Narcissa said.
Lucius laughed before taking the little girl's hand in his, "I am Lucius Malfoy," he bowed.
The little girl smiled. Everyone clapped as the couple's first dance came to an end. Ava wiggled in her mother's arm.
"I want Aunt Hermione, Mommy," Narcissa placed her on the floor and watched as she took off toward the bride.
"She's beautiful Narcissa. It's unfortunate that Severus isn't here to see his daughter," she had tensed at the mention of Severus but relaxed when she saw he was sincere.
She gave him a weak smile before she turned to watch Hermione holding her daughter and dancing in a small circle. Draco was dancing with Andromeda.
Lucius and Narcissa stood in silence as people made their way to the dance floor as the band began to play another song.
Lucius turned to Narcissa, "would you care to grant an old man a dance, you know for old time's sake." He quirked an eyebrow at her and she laughed.
"You're hardly old and yes."
They made their way out into the sea of couples and began to sway with the music. It seemed they were only on the dancefloor for a moment before the music ended. Lucius bowed and placed a chaste kiss on her cheek.
"I must leave you now; I see several officials that I need to butter up if I am to proceed with my latest business venture."
Narcissa walked around the room working the crowd before she made her way back to her table. Her heart sank a little as her mind wondered to Severus.
She walked around her home at Spinner's End. Ava was still asleep and Draco and Hermione were still on their honeymoon in South Africa. After Ava was born, the house was heavily renovated. That was the only option since she couldn't bear to part with it.
The doorbell rang and she made her way to answer it. She was slightly irritated as she opened the door. It was eight in the morning after all; it was too early for a social call. As she laid eyes on the person standing in the door her heart dropped and she had to place her hand over her mouth to keep from screaming.
Tears threatened to spill over as she jumped into his arms showering him with kisses. Severus brought his arms up and pulled the woman even closer against his body.
Narcissa heard the clearing of a throat and looked over Severus' shoulder to see her son and Hermione standing there with big grins on their faces. She looked from them to Severus.
"How?" she whispered.
"It's a long story. A story I am sure would be best told inside the house."
Narcissa led the way inside.
They all made their way into the living room. Narcissa and Severus sat on the sofa whereas Draco sat in one of the armchairs. Hermione chose to sit on her husband's lap.
"Ok, we're inside. Now, I have one question. How?" Narcissa began looking at Severus.
"The venom contained a paralyzing agent that over a period of time slowly deteriorates the tissue," Severus said.
Hermione took his temporary pause as her que to pick up where he left off, "Nagini's venom functioned more like that of a brown recluse spider in terms that it causes necrosis of the tissues but on a much slower scale."
She looked around and continued, "Whereas we thought he was dead he wasn't. Harry and I didn't discover he was alive until the next day when we along with two healers came back to clear out the dead so the rebuilding efforts could begin."
The young woman's face fell, "we were almost too late I am ashamed to say. We got so caught up in the celebration that we didn't bother checking to make sure everyone was dead."
Draco rubbed her side.
"Where have you been?" she asked stroking Severus' hand.
"I've been in South Africa under the care of the healers there. Due to the high volume of rare snakes, they had experience with cases such as mine. As rare as they are, not many people get bitten by 72 year old Rasputinian snakes."
She turned to her daughter-in-law and her son. "You two knew about this?"
The newlyweds both looked at each other before answering in sync, "yes."
Draco piped up, "that's why we were so adamant about going to South Africa for our honeymoon. We wanted to bring him home."
Narcissa didn't know whether to be upset or relieved. She settled for happy.
"Mommy, I'm hungry," Ava stood in the doorway clutching a stuffed unicorn and staring at her mother.
Severus' heart lurched in his chest as the little girl slowly approached the sofa. Her gaze was intense and yet curious as she stared at him.
"Ava, this is Severus, your father. Severus this is Ava your daughter." Narcissa said her hand now on his shoulder. The usually pale man had grown even paler and she feared he would pass out.
Ava regarded the man for a moment before she jumped into his lap. Severus held her and smiled as the little girl chattered away.
Draco had poked Hermione in the side and nodded toward the stairs. The two quietly exited the room giving the family some privacy as father and daughter got acquainted.
"I'm going to get breakfast started," she rose from the sofa. When she reached the doorway she turned and watched her daughter and the man she loved for a moment. A smile crept across her face as her heart leapt with joy.
It seems she would have her happy ending after all.
This is finally finished and I can go to bed happy. I couldn't leave one of my all-time favorite characters dead. Since the majority of my story are sooooo heavily angst with no happy ending in sight I thought I would change up the pace a little. As for the breed of snake that was hinted that Nagini was is totally made up, I am sure you could tell. I literally named the breed after the first name that popped into my head. I have no idea why Grigori Rasputin came to mind.
Once again, thank you all for reading and reviewing. Your reviews good or bad have truly made this southern girl happy! Don't forget to checkout some of my other fics and let me know what you think!