Narcissa On Her Own

The girls returned, rosy cheeked and wearing nightgowns and slippers. They made the rounds, hugging everyone. They obviously knew Kingsley Shacklebolt and the Muggle man well. Beattie hopped into Harry Potter's lap and snuggled for a moment, whispering something in his ear.

Narcissa watched as they each gave Draco a quick hug. She had no idea he knew them so well. He was sweet with them, she thought. She watched Emmie throw her arms around her father's neck. Those two adore each other, she thought, seeing Severus transformed by his daughter's presence.

The girls came over to the couch and both hopped into Zelda's lap, pushing her backward. She hugged and kissed them both, laughing.

"Don't wake Alys up," she told them.

"We put the blanket over her. She looked so cute," said Emmie. "I wish we could have a baby, Mum."

"You're my baby," said Zelda, caressing her daughter's cheek for a moment. "Sorry, sweetie."

The girls turned to the other women.

"Good night, Allie's grandma," Beattie said, leaning over and kissing Narcissa's cheek. "Don't be sad."

"Thank you, sweetheart," Narcissa said, moved by the innocent gesture. "Sleep well."

Victoria stood up and said, "I'll walk you upstairs, girls. I want to check on her, okay?"

The three walked to the stairs, holding hands, and Narcissa looked apprehensively toward Kingsley Shacklebolt.

"Let's go to the kitchen," he said, leading the way.

The Snape kitchen was old fashioned and warm. He seated her and then sat across the table from her.

"There are divisions in the Ministry, and great unrest," he began. "Scrimgeour will step down soon, and possible successors are scrambling to replace him. I believe this search is a publicity stunt. They'll be gone by morning. Ron and I plan to search before you return tomorrow. If your family is being dragged into this, it's possible someone will plant evidence against you or Lucius."

"I hate this," she said, feeling isolated and cold.

"It's wrong," he agreed. "We don't know each other, but I'll do anything in my power to help Draco, and that includes helping you through this."

"Thank you," she said. "Kingsley, tell me about the Muggle man, Michael. I've never met a Muggle before, but Draco thinks he's wonderful."

He chuckled softly and said, "Ask them both whatever you wish to know. Shall I fetch them?"

She nodded, feeling panicky but resolute. She should have met Michael long before this. She watched Kingsley push the kitchen door open and call softly, "Mike, Draco, come here."

The door opened and he entered, smiling mischievously at Kingsley before turning his attention to her. Draco followed, smiling reassuringly and taking her hand.

"I hope I don't make you uncomfortable," Michael said to her. "I've met many magical people who don't know what to expect from a Muggle, especially one who works at St. Mungo's."

"I-my family…" she stammered. "Merlin, I feel stupid."

"Hey, it's okay," he said. "But you and I share an awkward piece of history."

"What history do I share with you?" she asked Michael.

"At the battle, that day at Hogwarts, I killed your sister," Michael told her bluntly.

She stared, thunderstruck. Muggles could not harm magical folk, but he'd killed Bella.

"How?" she asked weakly.

"I shot her," he replied. "Did you know what happened to her?"

"No. I knew she died, but she… Bella was loyal to the Dark Lord and would have let Draco and me die. I was," here she paused and inhaled deeply, "I suffered from depression and was hospitalized on and off for two years. My life was a mess. But it was war. I can't blame you for Bella's death. She would not have wanted to survive the day."

Michael's brown eyes shone with admiration. "You're a brave lady, Narcissa Malfoy. Draco's lucky to have you for his mother."

"I'm not brave. Bella was the fearless one," she replied. "I've never been a warrior."

"Your life was terrifying and you suffered from depression. I know that from Draco. You suffered, yet tried to protect him. And you're still able to live your life and go forward. That's brave," he told her gently.

"Thank you," she said. "I'm sorry I'm so awkward. It's difficult to overcome a lifetime's ignorant belief."

"I wish my father could let go of his pure-blood stupidity," said Draco. "I'm afraid he'll return to his old, monstrous ways and I want nothing to do with him, in that case."

"He's under the Imperius. Will you be able to tell if he's acting under his free will or not?" asked Kingsley.

Narcissa and Draco looked at each other.

"My father is not an Occlumens," Draco said slowly. "A competent Legilimens would be able to judge his motives, I think."

"Interesting," mused Kingsley, glancing at Michael. "But you assume we'll find him again."

"He'll turn up," said Michael. "Someone arranged his release to use him, didn't they? I think he'll commit a public act, since his reputation is well known."

"I can't believe Lucius would allow himself to be used," said Narcissa. "His pride is everything and he couldn't tolerate being a pawn."

"What if he's part of this?" asked Kingsley.

She shook her head. "No. What occurred between us since he came home was difficult, not pretty, but it was real. He's not a willing part of this plot."

"That's the only thing I'm sure of," said Draco. "I don't think he'll easily change his opinions, but he's not stupid and he's too arrogant to willingly be used."

"We'll see," said Kingsley. "Narcissa, we'll search tomorrow morning to make sure nothing incriminating was planted in your house. You can stay here until we know it's safe."

"I don't want to impose on the Snapes," she said.

"Zelda loves company," said Michael. "There's a small guest cottage, where Draco and Victoria will stay tonight. The more the merrier."

"I haven't been in company much," said Narcissa. "I feel awkward."

"Mother, I should have introduced you to Zelda long ago. She keeps to herself like you do, but she's great," said Draco. "Whatever comes of this, I don't want to see you incriminated by planted evidence. Please stay here until Kingsley's sure the house is all clear."

"All right," she said. "Oh, Draco, I wonder where your father is right now."

&&&&&&&&&

Lucius Malfoy had managed to rouse Goyle, out of sheer desperation. They had taken his wand, but enough of involuntary magic was roused in him that he dragged the other wizard to consciousness.

"Goyle! Can you hear me?" he asked, seeing the man's eyelids moving.

"Gregory…" he groaned, putting a hand to his head. He looked up and his eyes widened. "Malfoy! What are you playing at? Where are we?"

"I don't know," growled Lucius. "Keep your voice down. We're being kept here for a reason. Crabbe is here, but I think he's dying."

"You brought us here! The last thing I remember is you walking into my house and pointing that wand at me. What did you do to my family?" exclaimed the groggy wizard.

"I took you? No! I don't remember that."

He whirled and paced furiously across the small length of the cell. Suddenly a memory awakened and he was Stunning Goyle and Levitating his body out of the house, He saw the wizard's wife and son staring helplessly and realized he had kidnapped Goyle in front of witnesses.

"I was Imperiused!" he hissed, his pale eyes glaring. "I wonder if I took Crabbe too. I don't even remember leaving my home. I don't know why this is happening!"

Goyle got shakily to his feet and looked around. He went to where Crabbe lay, his face grey and his breathing labored. Kneeling, he tucked the unconscious man's robes around him against the chill.

"What are you doing?" asked Lucius, shocked at Goyle's compassionate gesture.

"No one's going to care about an old Death Eater except another old Death Eater," he replied stolidly. "I hate this, Malfoy. I was just recovering from prison fever. My wife was glad to see me and I just want to go home and live the rest of my ruined life."

"Someone is using us," hissed Lucius, recovering a memory of slipping into St. Mungo's and taking the unconscious Crabbe from a hospital bed. "Can you tolerate that?"

Goyle frowned and said, "No, but I'll get out of this if I can and go home. I'll try to get Crabbe out too. The way I see it, the best revenge is to get away as quick as we can. I'm done with everything but my family."

"I'm Imperiused, and probably you are too," snapped Lucius in a low angry voice. "If I could be made to leave my home and kidnap you and Crabbe, what else can they make us do? We're going to die."

The thickset wizard stood up and walked back and forth a few times. "My son's a man, Malfoy. He's engaged to be married, he has a decent job. I was angry at first because the girl's a half-blood, but I was a fool. I want Gregory to be all right, to marry the bloody girl and give me a grandchild! My life's been good for nothing, but somehow my boy is managing. I don't want to ruin everything for him."

Startled, Lucius murmured, "Draco married a half-blood girl. They have a child, Goyle. I've been a grandfather for a year and I didn't know. I was furious, but if this is the end, I'll never see the child. I wanted to see her, but I was too proud. I've been an ass."

"Malfoy, can you fight it? Fight the Curse?" asked Goyle. "I never could before, but I wonder now. I'm still sick, but I've never been this determined before. I will go home."

Lucius began pacing again, finding that it helped him to think. He had been able to fight it to a certain extent in his younger days, but now he was tired, defeated and ashamed at having been used in such a way. His family had changed, something he would not have allowed if he had been present. But… Narcissa was stronger, more capable than before, yet she had not rejected him. She and Draco had taken care of him. Perhaps in rejecting his ideals, they were not rejecting him. What did he want for the rest of his life? Goyle knew what he wanted, beyond any doubt. In that lay the key to fighting the Imperius Curse.

"Goyle, if they return, they believe we'll be sleeping until they are ready to use us."

The wizard nodded grimly, finding his own trail to pace in the cell.

Lucius went across to study Crabbe again, thinking on what Goyle had said. Without comment he returned to where he had lain on the floor. He was the only one of them who had a cloak. He grabbed it and placed it over the sick man, and then returned to pacing.

&&&&&&&&&

It was near midnight before the Snape household was quiet. Draco and Victoria had gone out to the small guest cottage, built years before to accommodate Zelda's older children on their visits. Knowing how few opportunities the couple had to be together of late, Zelda had offered it and Victoria had accepted gratefully, knowing how delighted Draco would be.

Severus called Rowena in from the snow and closed the door.

"Good night, Sweetie," said Zelda, kissing the dog's soft head and watching as she climbed up the stairs to sleep in Emmie's room.

They left a small light burning in the kitchen and went upstairs, finally able to rest. As they slipped under the covers, Zelda smiled.

"We're very lucky," she murmured, drawing him close and kissing his nose.

"We are," he agreed, tucking the comforter over her shoulder. "Good night, wife."

"Sleep well, husband."

&&&&&&&&&

Narcissa Malfoy lay awake long into the night. It was strange to sleep in a young boy's bedroom, a child she had never met. It was snug and comfortable, but among the adults, only she slept alone. It had not bothered her much in the recent years, as she kept to herself most of the time. But the eagerness in Draco's eyes at the prospect of being with his wife again was wonderful to see. And watching Severus with his wife was almost painful. Although they had not touched each other in the course of the evening, their eyes met frequently, as intimate as a kiss. Zelda Snape was a lucky woman, thought Narcissa, and it was a sad truth that she herself was a lonely one.