Narcissa Malfoy was nothing short of stunning. She was groomed to be the perfect pureblood wife, and damn it if she wasn't perfect at it. Lately she found herself losing her focus, and as soon as that happened everything in her life started to fall apart. It all started with a miniscule thought. Maybe she idolized the wrong sister. That particular though bounced into her head, catapulting everything she thought she knew.

Bellatrix had a confidence about her that made everyone take notice. Narcissa followed her mother, and in turn followed her sister. She was always so damn ashamed of Andromeda and her blip on the perfect family record. This last year changed her in ways that were too profound and grotesque to mention. Narcissa watched her child chained to a brick wall and tortured by her flesh in blood. She started to question it then. A few months later, Bellatrix was cheering and dancing around as her child tortured his first muggle. The thought returned with a vengeance. Was this what she idolized her whole life?

Narcissa lacked certain qualities that a mother should have. She was never great at showing affection or nurturing in general. Her ability to love, however, was never in question. Draco was loved and cared for growing up. She always knew he was too good for this life. Pureblood society was supposed to be of the highest quality of living, but all Narcissa knew was pain and darkness. Her husband had tried to beat the light out of Draco, and he believes he succeeded. Narcissa knew the truth. Draco kept that light but hid it behind his stubbornness and strength. He was the exact replica of her sister, Andromeda, and that fear kept her up at night. At first she feared that he would make the same decisions as her dreaded sister, but eventually she began to fear that he wouldn't. Draco was never a Malfoy. Draco was a Black.

Her side of the family, and their traditions and personalities shined through him. The more he worked for the dark lord the more he became like his father. She would not let that become his story.

Narcissa wrapped her cloak around her more tightly as she walked the alleyway of Spinner's End. The last time she had met with Severus she was with her sister. This time she would be traveling alone. Snape had not seemed all that surprised when she requested his presence, but she assumed that he knew this was coming. She had been observing and taking note of all the actions of her son, and she knew that her observations were being observed as well by Severus. He knew that she knew.

When she arrived at the door she knocked with mild urgency. It was not proper to be out this late, and she was just not confident in her disguise. Snape opened the door and led her into his kitchen. There was tea set up and chairs and table ready. Narcissa settled herself in and poured herself a cup of tea.

Snape observed her actions and silently observed. He was clearing waiting for her to talk.

"I honestly do not know where your alliance is anymore, Severus. I will not attempt to understand, but I know you look after my son. Therefore I trust you, and I beg of you to tell me what is happening."

"You should not paint yourself so naïve. You asked for this meeting so tell me what you know to be true."

"He has joined the Order. I know that he has. I followed his tracking on the Malfoy Estates and he seems more distracted. His focus and drive does not come from serving a master, but by following a new duty. He might have fooled the Dark Lord, but I know my son. He serves no one. That leads me to my next issue. How is he loyal to the Order? He has no noble ambitions or change of heart. I'm missing a piece of this riddle."

Snape sat stone faced and sipped his tea. There were clearly a million thoughts going through his head but he remained stoic. A small smile slipped across his lips.

"That would be the girl." He continued to drink his tea as we watched her process the information.

"Draco joined the Order, but only upon the Dark Lord's request. After his year of brainwashing and mental and physical torture, the Dark Lord believed he had become his faithful servant. They beat him and left him for dead, and the Order found him. The Dark Lord underestimated Draco's resilience and overestimated his ability to find the light. He never believed Draco would survive the beating, and when he did…well he had to come up with a new plan for him. Draco lost his allegiance to the dark side a long time ago, but he did not align with the light either. He aligned with the girl. That is what people do not understand, and I dare say he does not understand as well. The Order believes he is a spy for them, and the dark side believes he spies for them. He spies for both side, and fights for himself. It is a genius plan because both sides are completely sold on the idea" Snape laughed as he sipped his tea.

Narcissa was processing this information at an alarming rate. It was all making sense, but it hardly provided the comfort she was seeking.

"Then what is the problem now?"

"Draco got caught up on both sides. He is holding Hermione Granger captive, but the light side needs her back. The dark side is waiting to see what he will do with her. Both sides don't understand what the problem is. Draco cannot set her free without raising suspicion. The Order has no idea that the dark side knows about his membership to the light side. The Dark Lord said he will set her free if she produces some useful information. He believes him, and is trying to get information from her."

Narcissa's mind was moving a million miles a minute.

"I don't see what the problem with that is. Worst case he kills the girl after he gets the information."

Snape sighed and set his empty cup onto the table. "Draco wouldn't survive that. Losing her would make him lose everything. She is his everything," Snape stood and collected his dishes, "Hope you are ready for some halfblood grandchildren."

Narcissa promised herself one thing, and that was that she would not cry. Not today. After several long deep breathes she opened the sealed door to find Hermione Granger.

The room as very tidy and her clothes were all sorted and folded on her bed. Hermione was sitting at the desk with her back to her. She was deep in thought, scribbling down as she read.

"One second love. I just have to write down one more thought." Hermione continued to write as she spoke. Finally, she completed her idea and turned around. Her shock kept her frozen in place.

"Ms. Granger. Lovely to see you this morning."

"But.. Drac- Oh Merlin! Is he alright! What happened? Did he send you?" She looked like she was about to lose her lunch. Poor girl.

"Please, I felt it was only fitting that I should meet you. I just need to understand what this thing is with my son."

Hermione tensed as both women sized each other up. They were silent for a long while. Hermione seemed to be collecting her thoughts.

"I won't speak for Draco, but it wasn't really planned. We don't see eye to eye on anything. Every time we talk we argue about something, but that is because we are both passionate about everything. It's deeper than that. We understand each other on a level that I didn't know existed."

Narcissa narrowed her gazed at the girl before her. They way she spoke only further proved Snape's theories.

"I just- I have wondered what I would say to you. There are so many things that he doesn't understand. That is because you denied him of it. He can't comprehend security or basic affection. Where were you when you should have been rocking him to sleep or chasing away the demons? I was angry with you for so long, but I should thank you."

Narcissa was shocked by this. That was not the response she was expecting. She motioned for Hermione to continue.

"You are the reason he is brave and strong. He is compassionate and protective, but those traits do not come from his father. I don't see Lucius here speaking to me now. I don't expect I will see him unless it is at the end of his wand."

Narcissa stood and took in everything the young woman said to her. She felt so many emotions, but she knew her decision would be much easier.

"Hermione, I have no right but I request one thing from you. When you have children… Please tell them that Slytherin's can be brave too. Tell them about their Grandma, and that I love them. Tell Draco I am doing this for his future because I ruined his past. Tell my sister I am sorry."

Hermione stood straight and tried to comprehend what was happening. Narcissa took off her wedding ring and handed it to Hermione. It shone a blue tint before the familiar tug of the Portkey carried her away. Hermione landed at the Burrow before she had a chance to tell Narcissa she would.

-
With Hermione gone, Narcissa could snoop around her room. She was never one to snoop before, but she was also never this curious in her life. Draco was such an angry child and even more so when he became an adult. She wished she could have seen firsthand the effect of this woman on her son.

There was very little in the room that was out of the ordinary. Everything was so sensible and orderly. Narcissa glided her way across the room and over toward the desk. There were a few books on Ravenclaw and a parchment full of notes. She scanned the writing, but nothing really peeked her interest.

She would never admit it out loud, but she was damn impressed with this girl. If only she were from a more respectable background then all of this mess could have been avoided. Draco was one to defy his limitations she supposed. She had expected to feel anxious or scared about her decision, but instead she felt complete contentment. Narcissa had felt her purpose was interwoven in her son's destiny, and that this was her final gift to him.

It was her fault really. She was a silly girl who did foolish things all because she let someone else make her weak. Lucius kept her exactly where he wanted her throughout her whole marriage. Inside she was screaming at the injustice, but her greatest fear was the humiliation of being socially out casted. Narcissa had lost herself in this world she created, and it was about damn time someone stood up for her son. It was about damn time someone thought about him first. Narcissa's finger trailed the stack of books on the desk. A small smile graced her face as she fully accepted what she had just done.

She sat down on the bed as the direness of the situation hit her. Draco's path would be corrected now and he would understand one day. She would never see him get married or his children. Narcissa felt she didn't really deserve to. Not after what she had done. Not when she failed as a mother. Her dark mark burned its calling on her arm. The smile disappeared from her face as she realized what this meant.

Her breath caught in her chest as she realized that this was the beginning of the end of the tragic life of Narcissa Malfoy-No. Narcissa Black.