The Death Eaters' hide out was distinct and dark. Blaise stood on the edge of the ring, Pansy stood to his right.
Lucius was on his knees, before the Dark Lord, with his arms hanging to his sides and his head down, long blonde hair hanging over his face. His mask lay, shattered on the ground.
"You, cur, have failed me," Voldemort snarled. Lucius shuttered in the face of his rage.
"I can do nothing, my Lord."
"I asked you to bring me the old man and you have done what? Nothing! Did you even locate him, Lucius?"
"He is too strong, and hides himself from me."
"You are a weak fool, Lucius and have strongly disappointed me."
"I apologize," his voice was unwavering. There was no fear or regret in his voice.
Just as the Dark Lord raised his wand to curse the pureblood man, there was a sudden flash of black and silver and Lucius was gone, apparated away. The Dark Lord, in rage, cursed the next closest follower. He screeched in pain and fell to the floor, writhing.
Blaise looked to Pansy.
Voldemort prowled the clearing. He snapped his head around to look for something.
"Where is the boy?"
No one knew what he meant.
"Where is Draco?" He screamed and everyone shuddered, stepping back from him.
There was silence.
Voldemort snarled, "Get out, all of you."
Blaise grabbed Pansy and pulled her out of the room to the hallway.
They pressed themselves against the wall and moved down it, keeping hidden and quiet. There were twelve or so Death Eaters who patrolled the head quarters. Blaise and Pansy had to be careful to avoid them between getting Maya and getting far enough away to apparate.
There was a narrow staircase to the left, which led down to the basement where prisoners were always kept. They pushed down it, often walking sideways to avoid scrapping their shoulders along the rough stonewalls.
Once in the hall at the end, they found themselves facing six iron doors, bolted and locked shut. Blaise rushed to the first door and pushed open the tiny viewing portal. Empty. The second, third and fourth ones were too. The fifth one had a stench of death to it and Blaise refused to look, hoping to find his mother in the last.
Each room had a single bucket for water and a drain in the floor. There was little air circulation and only some hay to provide bedding. The Dark Lord wanted his prisoners treated as much like animals as possible. In the last room, against the wall, sat the beautiful Maya Zabini.
She was a tall, severe woman. Her eyes were a brilliant golden color ringed in deep mocha brown. She had a high, strong forehead and straight nose. Her mouth was wide and graceful. Her rich, dark skin shone as if she had just showered and was staying at a resort. The way she sat and held herself was just like she always did, proud and graceful.
Blaise grabbed his wand and aimed it at the door. "Incineras."
The door shuddered and began to melt, disappearing into a puddle of liquid metal.
Maya looked up at her son. "Blaise?"
"Mum," he rushed to her side, "We're here to save you. We're going to take you back to Hogwarts."
She used the wall to stand. Her hands were shaking and she seemed rather unsteady on her feet.
The black dress she wore was tattered, dirt stained and ragged.
"Mum," he stopped her, staring with concern into her eyes. "What happened to you?"
She lifted her chin and shook her head, "Do not worry about me, bambino."
"Mum, I'll always worry about you."
Maya cupped his cheek and looked sadly into his eyes, "You will have to give me up someday."
"Please, do not talk like that," he took her hand in his.
"Does he have any way of tracking you?" Pansy asked, she was in the hall watching the entrance.
"No," she shook her head and Blaise cautiously brought her into the hall. There was silence above them. Pansy led them back up the stairs and stopped at the top, checking both directions of the hall before motioning them up too. The guards were not to be seen.
"Did he do anything to you that we should know about?" Blaise held on to her wrist.
"No," she said, "He did not touch me."
The main door was locked. "Okay, mum, if anything happens you have to get out of here and run. Apparate to Hogwarts, McGonagall is waiting for you."
She turned her head sharply to look at her son. "You have come all this way to save me, I will not leave you behind."
"Mum, please, trust me." He looked into her eyes, "You have to get out of here."
Maya grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and threw him against the wall. She grabbed the wand from his hand and aimed it at the other end of the corridor, "Stupefy."
A loud thud signaled the fall of a Death Eater. "Come on," Pansy led them away from the incident, "We can take the back route." Four more guards suddenly appeared, running around the corner after them. Maya hexed two of them, stunning a third.
They rushed, flying around corners and down corridors. More guards appeared from nowhere, pursuing them closely.
A small dark door blocked the end of the hall. It was apparently thick but gave way to Pansy's spell.
Outside the door lay a thick, jagged forest. "Go!" Blaise pushed his mother and Pansy through. A spell jetted past them, singeing the air.
Blaise leapt through the doorway too as Maya launched a spell over his shoulder.
"Come on!" Pansy jumped a fallen log. Maya went after her, sliding quickly down the steep hill on the other side of the tree line. The Death Eaters followed them closely, shouting spells and curses. Pansy grabbed a tree trunk, swung around and shot off four well-aimed spells, taking down three Death Eaters and incapacitating another.
Soon enough the trio reached the edge of the anti-apparation wards.
"Go," Blaise grabbed Pansy's hand, waited to make sure his mother disappeared before leaving himself, pulling the dark haired girl with him.
They arrived almost simultaneously at the school. Blaise took hold of his mother's hand and pulled her inside the gates.
McGonagall stood there; looking upset and rather horrified.
"What's going on?"
"There have been developments, please," she offered Maya her hand and began to lead them to the castle.
"What was the Dark Lord talking about to Lucius?" Blaise asked his mother.
"What do you mean?" Maya turned over her shoulder.
"In the meeting, Lucius was there. He had failed the Dark Lord in finding someone. He was about to be punished when he disappeared. Do you know anything?"
"Lucius only spoke to me once. He came to the dungeon, brought me tea, apologized deeply for the situation I had been put in, but then he left."
"Only that?"
"He said he regretted any pain I had been put in and that he trying to do what was right by his son and the world he had so wronged. He promised I would not be kept much longer. He asked for my trust, forgiveness and blessing. I gave him all three willingly; you see, he and your father were dear friends for many years. I have never had a reason to distrust or dislike Lucius. He was always very kind to me."
"Mother, he is the reason my father is dead."
Maya wrenched her hand from McGonagall and whipped around to look at Blaise, "Of all people on this earth, I loved your father most dearly. I was at his arm when he was killed. I saw the life leave his eyes. Do not lecture me on the subject. Lucius did not kill your father. Voldemort did. Lucius did not give him up. That coward Pettigrew did. Lucius did nothing but argue and beg for my life and yours to be spared. Assume nothing, my son, for you know nothing."
Blaise stepped back, faltering under his mother's rage.
"Please, everyone, Lucius is here at the castle. He can answer your questions." McGonagall looked between them.
"Why is he here?" Pansy frowned at the Head Mistress.
"He arrived only moments ago," she answered.
Maya squared her shoulders.
They walked into the castle with her leading them.
McGonagall told them that Lucius was in Narcissa's chambers and then took them there.
Inside the door stood Snape, shifting his weight nervously from one foot to the other. Narcissa sat sternly near the fire while Lucius rested nearby with a tumbler of bourbon. Draco was on the couch, looking angrily between his parents. Theo, Harry, Ron and Hermione were off to one side, uncomfortable and confused.
"Lucius," Maya walked quickly to his side, "What is going on?"
He stood and kissed her hand, motioning for her to sit down. "Please, everyone, come in. I hardly want to keep you all standing about in discomfort."
"Forgive us our distrust," Draco crossed his arms over his chest, glaring.
"Draco," Narcissa snapped to look at him, quieting his harsh words with a look.
Slowly, everyone conjured seats and got comfortable.
"We saw you at the meeting, talking to the Dark Lord…"
Lucius frowned, "What were you doing at the meeting tonight?"
"We were there to get my mother out," Blaise lifted his chin, "Something you promised and neglected to do."
Maya folded her hands in her lap.
"I am aware," Lucius nodded, "I had some challenges, you see. Voldemort charged me with capturing and bringing Albus to him."
Everyone gasped.
"I could not, both for the old man's strength and my own cowardice. I have seen, in recent weeks, the error of this war and of my position in it. I have neglected my duties as a husband, father, Lord and friend. I have pushed my family aside for the favor of a half-blood madman. I ask not for forgiveness, I know it is not within reach, I ask only for tolerance. I beg that I be allowed to stay here, under whatever conditions you see fit, until the war is passed: until tomorrow evening if my heart's desires come true. I will help you fight him. I know his weaknesses, his strengths, his plans and his prerogative."
Narcissa's eyes slowly fell on Severus. He could see true sorrow in her eyes. She had given up hope for them to be together. Lucius had defected: he would be tried and spared after the end of the war. He would want to keep her as his own.
McGonagall pursed her lips.
"I would be more comfortable with this if we had some oath or a veritaserum interview. I do not want to risk the lives of the children or the staff."
"I understand," Lucius nodded to her. "I am at your will. Whatever you see fit, I shall bend to."
Snape, who had remained standing, was not listening. He was only looking at Narcissa.
Lucius happened to glance to him. He saw the looks passing between his dear friend and his wife.
Lucius knew.
He had always known.
He swallowed the last of his drink and stood. "I will give an Unbreakable Oath to defend and serve you, the castle and its inhabitants until the end of this war; near or far."
The room watched him for a long moment.
"The offer is enough," McGonagall stood and shook his hand. "I must attend to the school but the generals will be needing a word with you soon." She had taken to calling Harry, Ron, Hermione, Theo, Pansy, Blaise and Draco 'the generals' instead of referring to them as children, as it hardly seemed fitting.
She left.
Draco stood, "We'll be in the war room. Madam Zabini, might we trouble you to accompany us? We would like to inquire about a few things regarding your capture."
Maya took the hand Blaise then offered her. She walked out with them, carefully glancing to Lucius, Narcissa and Severus as she went. The group of students did too, for they were all both worried and curious about the goings-on.
..............
Blaise escorted his mother and friends down to the War Room.
Draco walked with Harry and Theodore. Harry was completely unsure how to act around the older woman.
Inside, with the tables and maps and preparations, Hermione conjured a chair.
"Madam," Draco seated himself too. He had only met Lady Zabini a handful of times, usually while stopping in with Blaise to visit her on their way somewhere else.
She had always been harsh, even with Blaise. They loved each other too dearly and thus had no qualms about being rough with one another or lacking subtlety. She cast her eyes to Draco and quirked an eyebrow, not amused or patient.
"What happened when they captured you?"
"I sat, quietly, in my home. The servants were mostly in bed for the night, as it was well past midnight. I heard a knock at the main door and stood, concerned because of both the hour and that fact that I live on a rather secluded part of the isle. One of the help apparently answered. I heard nothing but as soon as I reached the main hall I saw the door open, the body lying there, tinged green from the Killing Curse, and seven men, in their robes and masks, beginning to disperse into the house. They were going to kill everyone in attempts to find me. I am sure of that."
She stopped when Blaise began to cough. He put a white kerchief to his mouth to try and quell it, or at least be polite. No one saw the blood staining it as he continued to cough.
Maya just watched him. She knew what was wrong. She could tell.
Draco looked to Harry.
Hermione had spent the afternoon prior teaching Draco the runes he would have to know for the spell to work. She had given Harry the incantation. There was no way for them to practice it. One party had to be truly willing to die and the other had to be truly unwilling to kill them.
Draco had sat, memorizing the pattern and shape of the runes all evening.
Love, death, forgiveness, honesty, sacrifice, life.
He was terrified but he knew his duty.
...............
There was a heavy silence in Narcissa's quarters.
Lucius took a slow breath.
He finished his drink and stood.
"I am aware," he looked between them. Then, slowly, repeated himself, "I am aware."
Then he left, closing the door firmly behind him.
Narcissa turned to look at Severus.
"You see what has become of us?"
He walked over to her. "I only see that we are faced with troubles and that I still love you. I know that you are afraid of Lucius and his wrath, that you are scared for this war, and that you are worried for your friend. I know, more importantly, that none of these hardships have dissuaded me even slightly from loving you. Narcissa, I am sorry for all this. I will not stop loving you and I will not apologize for it."
She stood and smoothed her dress, "I love you too."
............
Draco and Harry left Blaise and his mother in the war room. They walked away, towards the Slytherin dorms.
"So…the war is coming in the morning," Draco looked up and traced the ceiling with his eyes.
"Are you scared?"
The blonde paused, "I am…but I know what I am meant to do. I am content and I know that, whatever happens, I will be doing right by all the people who have been hurt by this war. Greater good, I suppose."
"I guess," Harry sighed, "Our plan will work, I know. I just hate that it has to work out like this."
"Harry," Draco stopped them. They turned to face each other. The blonde reached up and moved some hair from the hero's eyes. "This is our last night together. I don't want to spend it wishing or whining. I want…I want to spend it with you."
Harry looked at him. "You know that I would do anything for you."