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8:00am Tuesday, Azkaban:

Just seeing him was disheartening. But he was alive and that's what mattered to me. Not his pride or his fortune, just that he and Draco were alive. The guard took of his bonds and I stood to hug him but was instructed not to-I sat back down and he too sat. I stared at him for a second before reaching over and brushing the hair from his face. He looked up at me from his downcast gaze,

"Narcissa, I thought I told you never to come here."

"You did Lucius, you did. But were you really under the hallucination that I would listen?" He grunts, "Besides, you say that every time I come to see you."

"Yes well I'd like it if you could listen to me for once in your life."

He hasn't changed. I smile at his stubbornness and he doesn't smile back. I look around the room, it was dark, bleak, a forlorn place, I hated Azkaban, and I hated it that Lucius was here. It was always so cold, I rub my arms and I sigh, but he is here. "I saw Severus the other day." He looks up.

"And how is Severus doing? Getting fat off his freedom?"

Giving him an admonishing look he looks away with a strong exhale, a look of embarrassment graces his features briefly. "No, he was quite interested to hear about you, how you were doing," at this he snorts, I reach out and take his hand, "You know he cares for you very deeply. I wish you wouldn't say such things about him, even to me."

"I didn't say anything."

"You did, with your body language my dear." He just looks at me before sniffing and I raise an eyebrow, he raises one back-I smirk, I love our little game. "Now, let's talk of other things-better things. I shan't want this visit to be just us fighting." He raises his eyebrows at me completely and I smile. "Severus has invited us to his wedding."

"He's already married Narcissa."

I roll my eyes at Lucius and his brass statement. "Well I know that. He's having another one. And, since Severus wishes for us to be there, his wife has been gracious enough to allow us to attend." He just looks at me. "Even with our past… Differences." I say finishing with a smile at him. He gives me a sneering look,

"Of course, we won't be we if I am in here. So I suppose you can tell me about the wedding on the visit after it occurs." Stupid woman. I love her but she just doesn't think sometimes. "Besides you can't think that I'd really be welcome at that wedding do you?"

He would react this way, but I'm prepared and Lucius' mood swings don't bother me a bit, I've been his wife for long enough that they just roll off my shoulder. "You have hearing tomorrow…" He looks up at me quickly, his face a mask of pale shock, and I'm shocked a bit by his reaction, "You-you didn't know?"

"No. I did not." Why did my lawyer decide I didn't need to know that I had a hearing tomorrow. "When was this decided?"

"Last week Lucius, I-I thought you knew so I didn't mention it in the letter." How come he didn't know, that's very suspicious.

I shall have to speak with my lawyer about this. "This hearing, it's about my release then I take it?"

"Yes, it is about your release and it looks somewhat promising."

"I see." Well that is good. "I'd like to be out of this place. It is a rotting hole on the face of the earth."

I just gaze at him he's becoming more somber, more-more sad with every passing day it seemed. "Oh! You'll be pleased to know that Draco is doing very well."

The boy is doing well… At least my sacrifice has done something for him. "That is good, very good. He must keep his grades up my dear. He must stay focused."

"Yes Lucius." I say to him smiling a bit. "Do-do you have any concerns about Severus and his wife?" He sharply looks up at me and I can read that he does, but I wonder if he will express them with me or not. I wait and he looks at me looking at him. I open my mouth to say something but he begins to speak.

"She despises me Cissa. Of course I have concerns about their union. I fail to see how she would be okay with Severus and I continuing on in our friendship if I should be released. And I cannot blame her for that, because she's right."

I nod and squeeze his hand. I wish that the wizarding world could see this side of Lucius. Could see that he was remorseful for what had happened, for his role, but I fear that may never be because my husband was so proud-so-so prideful about who he was, about his family name… It was a cycle that I tried to break with Draco but I'm not sure if I did something that worried me to no end. "I know Luc, I know. I think it's a positive sign that she has no qualms with you coming to the wedding… That has to say something about her and her character doesn't it?" He just looks down and takes my left hand in his hands and massages it. I smile at his affectionate motion and I place my right hand on top of his hands and they still. "Lucius I-"

"Time's up. Let's go Malfoy!"

I look at him, fearful as always when it was time for him to go. But Lucius just puts his face into a stern one and stands. Not showing any emotion, only his fingers lasting mere moments more upon fingertips but then just as fast as they were there, they were gone and he to was gone. Out the door, chains clinking and rattling as he was led away. It took everything within me not to cry. I couldn't. I had to be strong. I had to.


Lunchtime in the Great Hall

Eating my meal as peaceful as possible with the loud shrieking and yelling of irritating voices of the students I just wanted to be done with my food as fast as possible and then retreat to the quiet sanctuary of my dungeons. As I'm taking a sip of my pumpkin juice a loud screech catches my ears and I instantly recognize it as the golden eagle that Narcissa had given Lucius. I look up in time to see it drop a letter down and I catch it wondering why I have a letter and from which of the elder Malfoy's have written me. My question is answered though when the eagle drops a letter down in front of Draco-Narcissa. Lucius wouldn't write his son, not from prison. I open the letter and read it, slowly scanning the lines.

Severus,

My old friend, I trust that this letter finds you in good spirits. I write you just after my visit with Lucius. You'll be happy to know that prison has not yet been able to break him fully. There are moments where the old, sneering, conceited, prideful man that I love is still there. I write you because there will be a hearing for Lucius' release on Thursday of this week. It is my wish that you will be able to attend and that you may escort Draco to the hearing as well. I have written a letter to Draco as well as to Headmaster Dumbledore asking for permission for him to leave school grounds on Thursday and spend Friday and the weekend at home here with us should his father be released. Before I continue, your wife, while obviously not fond of any of us, especially Lucius-a fact that neither myself nor Lucius deny, is invited to come to the hearing, but I do not expect her to be there nor do I expect for you to say something to her about it, especially since the topic is about Lucius' release and I'm sure she'll not have a positive point of view on this.

I must cut this letter short and make preparations for the hearing. I do hope to see you there and I'll get my answer if I have to come get Draco and escort him to the hearing or if you do. I wish you a lovely day.

Love as always,

Narcissa Malfoy

Folding up the letter I am chance a glance over at Draco and he is looking at me. The look in his eyes is unreadable but he gets up to leave and I do as well. Taking the side door I catch up with him just outside of the Great Hall. "Mr. Malfoy, where are you off to so fast at this hour?" He just looks at me and then away straight ahead.

"The dungeons sir."

"I see…" I speed up, allowing for my long legs to put room between us. Just as I'm disappearing into the darkness I say, "You know where to find me should you need me Draco." I hear a soft "See you soon uncle." And then it's silent. I reach my office door without incident and I slip in. Years of sneaking around the castle has left me with habits that I'm sure will never really cease to fade away from my character. Sitting down I stare at the fire whiskey on the end table but I don't reach for it-not during the day. Just as I lean my head back a knock at the door echo's throughout my quarters, Draco's arrived. I stand and move about the living room. Past the black leather couch and into the breezeway, opening the door to his impatiently waiting form,

"Uncle."

He says slipping in past me without waiting for an invite. Sometimes his idea of entitlement astounds me but I let it slide and shut the door turning to follow after him. Already seated on the couch he's staring intently into the fired. "Are you upset?" I thought that he'd be somewhat pleased with his father's possible return if not overjoyed. He looks up at me and then away.

"No…" A sigh. "Yes…" What am I feeling? "What if it just makes things harder because he didn't spend that much time in prison? What if it makes it that much harder for me to re-build my name? I-I mean, I'm not a poster boy or anything for the light but with father out it'll be much harder to show that I've changed… I-I mean it's father, you know his reputation, he's earned it… Even if he felt different towards the end of the war. You know!"

He says obviously frustrated, flustered, basically he's confused. "But are you at least somewhat happy he could come home?" He looks up at me as if shocked by my question, I just raise an eyebrow at him.

"Of course I am. I-I hate that he's in Azkaban Uncle. I hate it. But-but I… I don't know." I just don't know anymore.

"Perhaps then, you should just focus on the fact that there is a possible release in his future, that might be good."

"Yeah…"

He sits there and I watch him intently. Slouching against the back against the couch he stares at the fire, his face concentrated and intently focused, on what I do not know. I don't speak though, I just sit there with him, thinking that if he needs to speak or needs my advice he'll ask, that's how he operates, it's how all Malfoy's operate. He sits up and I look up at him, making eye contact. He opens his mouth as if to speak but then shuts it again and looks back at the fire, furrowing his brow. "Hm?"

"Well I-I how do you think that Grang-your wife will feel about this?" Probably bad.

I look up at him. That's a valid point. "I'm not sure, she probably won't look at it in a positive light but with her, one can never tell."

"Oh…" Well that wasn't what I expected.

I sigh. "I probably should talk to her about it." I look at him and he looks at me, "You know, she wasn't too pleased with the idea that I would want your father to be my best man." He chuckles a bit and nods, I'm somewhat surprised but I don't question it.

"Are you going to ask her to come to the hearing?" Would she come? Is that even appropriate?

I look sharply at him. Am I? Would she even consider it? "I'm not sure. I suppose I'll mention the hearing but-but I don't think I'll ask her to come. I don't' know if she would, if she would even think it was right for her to be there." He nods. "In any event, I will be going with you to the hearing, inform your mother when you write her back."

"Yes sir." I best go do that now, I rise and begin to walk to the door. But I turn and look at him, "Thanks Uncle."

"It is no problem. Good day Draco." He leaves, the door shutting with a click.


7:00pm

I'm just getting back from dinner, and I was happy that for once, my dining experience was enjoyable. Lavender and her friends were quiet, perhaps they'll stay that way. I sigh with content at that fact that I've had a good night so far. I enter our quarters humming but I halt it suddenly when I see Severus leaning against the mantle staring down at the fire. Something was off. "Severus, is everything okay?" He turns and looks at me before sighing and hands me a piece of parchment, a letter I see. I look at him but he's back is already turned to me and he's staring back down at the fire. So I open the letter and begin to read.

Severus,

My old friend, I trust that this letter finds you in good spirits. I write you just after my visit with Lucius. You'll be happy to know that prison has not yet been able to break him fully. There are moments where the old, sneering, conceited, prideful man that I love is still there. I write you because there will be a hearing for Lucius' release on Thursday of this week. It is my wish that you will be able to attend and that you may escort Draco to the hearing as well. I have written a letter to Draco as well as to Headmaster Dumbledore asking for permission for him to leave school grounds on Thursday and spend Friday and the weekend at home here with us should his father be released. Before I continue, your wife, while obviously not fond of any of us, especially Lucius-a fact that neither myself nor Lucius deny, is invited to come to the hearing, but I do not expect her to be there nor do I expect for you to say something to her about it, especially since the topic is about Lucius' release and I'm sure she'll not have a positive point of view on this.

I must cut this letter short and make preparations for the hearing. I do hope to see you there and I'll get my answer if I have to come get Draco and escort him to the hearing or if you do. I wish you a lovely day.

Love as always,

Narcissa Malfoy

"I see…" was all I could say. I look up and he's turned, looking at me. Briefly I wonder if he's been scrutinizing me while I read. Blankly I look at him before saying, "I'm not sure what you want me to say." He sighs and moves around the coffee table and sits in his chair. I rotate my body to face him, curling my feet up underneath me on the couch.

Of course she'd say something like that. I don't even know what I want her to say. I look at her looking at me. Bewilderment and concern flashing across her features, yet her normally bright and shining eyes are dulled with intense focus, I saw those eyes during the war when she was concentrating. "I-well I'm not sure. How do you feel about this I guess is what I'm wondering?"

"How do I feel?" About the possibility of Lucius Malfoy being released… How does he think I'd feel? "Well… I don't like him." I say, thinking I sound a bit petulant when I say it, I shrug and look at him, "I-I don't know what I'm supposed to feel. Certainly not happy or excited, I suppose it's good for his family and-and for you…?" This I say with a slowed enthusiasm, I'm not sure what he's feeling or thinking since he's a statue, but I can only imagine that he's happy with this possibility. He nods and I raise my eyebrows and shrug back. "Was that what you were looking for in a response?"

"No." She looks confused. "Yes." More confusion. "Truthfully, I don't know. I intend on going to the hearing. You are right that I am excited about this possibility. My position here at Hogwarts and the view of the public has made me hold off in writing him and it'd be nice to have my friend back." Shock.

He'd been open with me. "I can understand that. This doesn't mean though that just because he's done time I think he's a changed man or that I think he is something he's not."

"What does that mean?" I didn't think I liked where this was going but I suppose it would be helpful to get this out of the way since I'm sure sooner or later we'd have this conversation.

"Well… Lucius Malfoy has been a persecutor of anything not Pureblood. I think he's a vile, horrible, cruel man, and truth be told-I'd rather he stayed and rotted in Azkaban." He just looks at me, shocked at my answer I suppose. "I understand he's your friend, but he's never shown to me that he actually has an ounce of respect for anyone that wasn't a pureblood or-or you. I have no reason why I should respect him-he's one of the few people in this world where the saying, "Respect your elders," a rule I normally follow will never apply because I can find nothing to respect in him." I look away at that admission. I would really hate for Severus to hate me for what I truly think of his friend. He clears his throat but I don't look at him. "And further more I say," my hands animated and flying in the air, "He tried to bring back Voldemort by giving Ginny his diary." I turn and look at him, his face unsettled with the mention of his "Lord." "She was eleven Severus. Eleven. What kind of man would do that to a little, innocent, scared girl?!" I just shake my head and look at the fire.

"You don't know him." I say quietly and she looks at me. "You just know the man that he had to portray himself as-just like me."

I look at him from the corner of my eyes. "Did you try to open the Chamber of Secrets by killing a little girl?" I turn my head an face him fully and he looks at me evenly. "NO! You didn't. YOU tried to SAVE us-me! All of us students. Not because it was your job, but because you actually care about others that are your precious blood type."

"Hermione, don't yell at me." I'm trying to stay calm, of course she'd feel this way, be this upset. She has every right. "I know all of these facts," and then some, "I was there." She just huffs and turns her back obviously upset.

"You can't expect me to feel safe if-if that man is coming and going from here." Stupid.

I am not stupid. "What do you mean you can't feel safe? And who says he would be coming and going?"

"I-He's your friend! Of course he'd come to see you. He tried to kill Ginny when she was eleven. I mean how can you want that-that man around me when he is a murderer and-and who knows what else!" I'm completely agitated at this point. Why can't Severus see how much I am threatened by him, why can't he see?!

"Hermione! He won't hurt you. He-"

"WHY SHOULD I BELIEVE THAT?! HE'S KILLED HOW MANY MUGGLEBORNS, TORTURED HOW MANY? RUINED SO MANY LIVES!" I was breathing heavily and I had stood up.

She was on the defensive now and I regretted even telling her about it. I had to stay calm but I felt as though my insides were going to explode. "Hermione I-"

"You know what?! No. You obviously can't even see where I'm coming from. I-I-I JUST DON'T EVEN KNOW!" I say and turn and storm out of the room. Throwing myself onto the bed in my Gryffindor room I burst into tears for the second night in a row and just sob.

She was obviously upset and I wasn't sure if everything she had just screamed at me was everything she was feeling or if there was something deeper. Sighing I stand and walk out of the living room. I hear her sobbing in her room and I knock on the door. "Hermione?" Nothing just indignant sobs answer me. "I-I'm sorry that I've upset you, that wasn't my intention with showing you the letter…" I wait a minute and all that answers me is sobbing. The heavy breathing and hiccupping that answer me frustrating and make me hurt, I hate crying. Not because it shows weakness, like everyone thinks, but because it makes me feel horrible when I make a student cry. Sadly it's all I ever seem to do-even my own wife. I knock again, "Just so you are informed, I am going to the hearing." With crying being the only response I get again, I sigh and lean my head against the door. "Well, I… Good night then. I'm sorry I've upset you." I couldn't think of anything else to say and I turned and walked into my bedroom. Stopping in the center of the room I look towards the bathroom but decide I'd rather just take a potion and sleep off the night's argument I undress and take a vile out of my bedside table drawer and down it in one go. Resting my head up on the pillow I feel sleep pulling at me and I drop my eyelids, the dark engulfing my sight and I sleep.


Well that's the end of this chapter. I hope you liked it and I hope that the portrayal of Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy was good enough for you guys. I find that they, especially Mrs. Malfoy are somewhat hard to portray in this situation. Have a good night. –Sevy14