Chapter 7

Draco: The Malfoy Heir

Autumn 1979 - Winter 1980

Dear Narcissa,

I am sorry for putting you in this position, but I need someone in the family to know. I have left the Dark Lord's service, and by the time you read this, I will be dead. I have done this of my own violation, and confided my plans to no-one. Please comfort my mother as best as you can, and I hope you do not suffer as a result of my change of heart. Thank you for looking out for me, Narcissa. I wish things could have been different.

Your favourite cousin,

Regulus.

This note heralded the start of a very dark time for the Black family. Orion had passed away earlier that year, leaving Walburga widowed and in deep mourning. The Black family reputation had already been damaged by Andromeda's and Sirius' treachery, and now one of Voldemort's own Death Eaters had left him. His anger was beyond anything Narcissa had ever witnessed. He questioned and tortured Bellatrix and Lucius, demanding answers they didn't have about their cousin's state of mind. He even summoned Walburga and Narcissa, and whilst he refrained from using the Cruciatus curse on them, he used Legilimency repeatedly and brutally on Narcissa, causing her to pass out. Severus and Evan, as Regulus' friends, were also questioned, but no-one had any information to give the Dark Lord. They had all noticed that Regulus had been quieter, thinner and paler than usual, but nothing had prepared them for the news of his desertion.

The funeral was a quiet affair, only attended by Walburga, Narcissa, Lucius, Evan and Severus. Bellatrix refused to pay her respects to the "filthy traitor" and Sirius was not invited. Narcissa didn't even know if his mother had told him of his brother's demise, and did not like to ask. They had no body to bury, no graveside to visit, no sense of closure. Regulus was dead - he had only just turned eighteen and his life was over. Narcissa broke down, sitting between Severus and Lucius in the small chapel. Lucius took her hand, and Severus looked straight ahead, eyes dry, but Narcissa could see he was drowning in grief. Regulus had been his best friend, one he had laughed with, plotted with, a friendly companion at school, a welcome oasis of calm away from the taunts and sneers of Potter and his gang. After the service, they all went back to Walburga's home, 12 Grimmauld Place, where Kreacher had prepared a simple lunch, but no-one felt like eating. Narcissa found the silent atmosphere oppressive, so excused herself, and found her feet taking her to the large kitchen at the bottom of the house. She entered the room to see Kreacher curled up on the floor, sobbing as if his heart had broken. She stopped. If she had come across Dobby making such a display, she would have addressed a few sharp words to him, and sent a Stinging hex his way for good measure, but Kreacher was different. Even in the throes of grief, the house was spotless and the food superb; he was a good elf. Narcissa cautiously approached him and coughed. Kreacher immediately jumped to his feet wiping his eyes, and bowed to her.

"Miss Cissy! Kreacher is sorry that you is seeing this, Kreacher will punish himself immediately."

"No, Kreacher, stop," Narcissa ordered, as his little hand shot out and grasped the iron poker by the fire. He did as he was bid, looking up at her with wet eyes. "I know you're upset about Regulus," she went on carefully. "We all are. You always looked after him well, Kreacher. And to keep up with all your duties when you feel... well." She paused. "You're a really good elf, Kreacher. An asset to this family. I've said it before and I'll say it again, if I could have you work for me at Malfoy Manor, I'd set that idiot Dobby free without a moment's hesitation."

Kreacher bowed deeply again. "Thank you, Miss Cissy," he croaked. Narcissa nodded at him, turned and left the kitchen, joining Lucius back in the dining room. Walburga looked exhausted and clearly wanted to be alone, so Evan and Severus departed. Narcissa stayed long enough to settle her aunt into her favourite chair by the fire, and called Kreacher to bring her a hot drink. Then she and Lucius made their excuses and left.

Theodosia visited Narcissa regularly, listening to, talking with and distracting her friend as she needed. A week after the funeral, Lucius and Narcissa attempted to call on Severus, but either he was not at home or he was ignoring their calls. Narcissa did not see him again for a few weeks, and although Lucius saw him regularly at the Death Eater meetings, Severus did not speak to him beyond that which was necessary. She tried writing to him, but his replies were sporadic and very short. "He's still grieving," Lucius said. "Give him time. He'll come around when he's ready."

Lucius was right. Two months after the funeral, Narcissa and Lucius tried reaching out to their friend again. This time, he accepted their invitation and came to Malfoy Manor for dinner. At first, he was not as easy with them as he had been, but over the next few weeks, their relationship mended, and slowly he began to joke and laugh with them again. He came again for Christmas dinner, and they spoke of Regulus, choosing to remember the good times. Severus told them tales of Regulus' antics at school, where he had played a few good pranks on his older brother, and Narcissa shared stories of mischief making at family Christmases when they were little. They did not talk about Regulus' change of heart and what might have prompted it, but Narcissa couldn't help but remember how languid he had seemed after his initiation. Was that it? she wondered. Regulus idolised the Dark Lord for years, collecting newspaper clippings about him and putting them up on his bedroom wall... But maybe the reality of being a Death Eater was too much for him... Maybe looking into the eyes of a Muggle before ending their life undid him... She shuddered, pushing the dark thoughts from her mind. She didn't want to think about that. As Severus took his leave, Narcissa's sharp eyes recognised the silver fastenings on his cloak as he secured it around his neck.

"Severus, is that the same cloak Bella sent you for creating 'Muffliato'?" she asked, incredulously.

He raised an eyebrow and replied, "It is. Is that a problem?"

"No!" She laughed. "I'm just impressed it's lasted this long - and it still fits - the charms have lasted then?"

"Perfectly. It is a very good quality cloak," he said simply, before bidding them goodnight, and stepping through the open front door into the frozen air.

The first Death Eater meeting of 1980 was hosted on a cold January morning at Malfoy Manor, but Narcissa was not permitted to remain in the drawing room. Lucius told her later what had happened. Severus was once again firmly established as the Dark Lord's right-hand man; Bellatrix's family disgrace over Regulus had certainly contributed to this, but Severus had also undertaken several dangerous missions and collected some very valuable information for the Dark Lord on the members of the Order of the Phoenix, aided by Barty Crouch Jr. It seemed that they had been in touch with one another for several weeks, after Barty had overheard his father ranting to their House-elf about Dumbledore's "renegade outfit" muddying the waters and interfering with the Aurors' work. Crouch Snr had then raved that Dumbledore was using teenagers to bolster his ranks. Barty had contacted Severus, and the two had done a little digging, and soon discovered that the five newest recruits of the Order of the Phoenix were none other than Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, Peter Pettigrew, James Potter and Potter's new wife, Lily.

"He married that bleating harpy?" Narcissa interrupted, outraged. "But Potter's a pure-blood! What's happening to the world?"

"That was my reaction, too. But the Dark Lord thinks he can use it to his advantage, listen..."

Lucius went on, describing how Severus and Barty had taken their information to the Dark Lord. He had considered the matter carefully, then surprised them by asking for a physical description of James and Lily Potter. Upon hearing it, he had laughed a high, cold, mirthless laugh and announced to the room that they were the very couple who had fought so successfully alongside the Longbottoms during the Imperius attack.

"Bellatrix was not happy," Lucius chucked. "She begged to be allowed to slaughter them both, but the Dark Lord had other ideas... He said that since Potter is a pure-blood, he should be given the chance to join us."

"He'd hardly be likely to do that if we killed his wife," Narcissa scoffed.

"The Dark Lord said we wouldn't kill her," Lucius replied darky.

"What?" Narcissa looked aghast. "You're saying he's allowing a filthy Muggle's spawn to join?"

"Not to join... he remembered that she had worked with Severus and Regulus in their Potions sessions, and said that if Potter joined, they would use her to assist Severus with making our potions. Since Regulus has -" he paused, then said softly, "- gone - Severus has been overworked, so it'd serve a dual purpose - get more work done, and mean we always have a hostage to keep Potter in check."

Narcissa frowned. "Does the Dark Lord know that Lily and Severus used to be friends?"

Lucius looked up, surprised. "I'd forgotten about that! But they fell out years ago, didn't they? I hardly think it's relevant now."

Narcissa shook her head slowly. "How did Severus react to this idea?"

Lucius screwed up his face, thinking. "He didn't really say much... the Dark Lord made a joke about the girl being made his House-elf, and Severus said that was all someone of her birth was fit to do. Something like that."

Narcissa mulled this over as Lucius went on, describing how the Dark Lord had commanded Severus to find and attempt to recruit the five Gryffindors. Here Narcissa interrupted again, "But why in Merlin's name would the Dark Lord want a bunch of Gryffindors for Death Eaters?"

"I asked that very question myself, dearest - but with considerably more discretion. The Dark Lord knows the Potters are talented - they proved that in the Inferi attack. He said the others must be talented, too, for Dumbledore to recruit them. But he doesn't really expect any of them to agree - it's to be more of a warning to the Order of the Phoenix. When they refuse, he's ordered them to be tortured, but not killed. He said it'll hurt Dumbledore deeply to know he can't keep his newest and youngest recruits safe. And the knowledge that we located and broke into their homes will bring fear to the rest of his Order." This last word was spoken with a sneer.

Narcissa nodded. "And how are they going to find them?"

"Easy!" Lucius sat back triumphantly. "We have a pure-blood directory in our library, so I found a list of the Potters' properties there and then. Black apparently moved in with the Potters when he ran away from home, so even if he's moved out now, Potter's parents will know where to find him - and we're sure they can be persuaded to divulge this information." He gave an evil little smile. "Potter and the Mudblood likely moved out of the family home and into one of their smaller houses upon their marriage. As for Lupin, Macnair works in the same department as Lyall Lupin - the boy's father - so he can get a copy of the address easily. Pettigrew's proving a little harder to trace... but given he's a half-blood of no importance, he probably had to get a job straight from school. Severus said the boy took Care of Magical Creatures and excelled at it, so we're guessing he went for something in that line... it's a long shot, but Macnair's going to put out feelers..."

But it was Severus who found the man. Purchasing some fresh potions ingredients in Diagon Alley, he paid a visit to Eeylops Owl Emporium, where he hoped to secure a live crate of horned toads - and who should serve him but Peter Pettigrew himself. Severus reported back to the Dark Lord, who handed over the entire operation to him. Conscious of his directive not to kill any of the Gryffindors, Severus chose to appoint himself to James and Lily Potter, Brennan Wilkes to Remus Lupin, Evan Rosier to Sirius Black, and Barty Crouch Jr to Peter Pettigrew. Barty was not yet marked, which caused some raised eyebrows from the older Death Eaters, but the Dark Lord did not comment, so neither did they. To ensure they weren't recognised, the scouts all wore masks, and Severus directed them to speak as little as possible. Instead, they were all issued with a written statement, baldly stating to the recipient that their allegiance to the Order of the Phoenix was known, but if they renounced Dumbledore and joined their true Master, they would be richly rewarded, and their families would be spared.

As predicted, Black, Lupin and the Potters all refused to leave the Order of the Phoenix. Lupin read the missive carefully, before giving Brennan a counter-offer of joining the Order and being protected from the Dark Lord. Brennan responded by casting the Cruciatus curse, but he was quickly driven from the property by Lyall Lupin - he was apparently a very powerful wizard. Evan faced a similar situation with Black. He was not still living with Potter's parents, but, as luck would have it, was visiting their home on the evening Evan payed his visit. Black did not take kindly to Evan's use of the Cruciatus curse on his surrogate-parents, and lashed out violently, causing Evan to nearly lose all the fingers of his left hand as he fled. Potter, realising it was a Death Eater standing on his doorstep, locked his wife in the house and stepped outside, trying to reason with Severus. Severus delivered the Dark Lord's message, to which he had added a line stating that his wife would be unharmed if he signed up. Potter refused, however, and drew his wand. Severus, used to years of bullying at Potter's hand, was ready for him, and used Sectumsempra on his old arch-enemy. Potter did not manage to land a single spell on Severus, but crumpled, bleeding, at his feet. Severus later confided to Lucius and Narcissa that he had only been prevented from doing further damage to Potter as Lily had broken her husband's Locking charm, come charging out of the house and attacked Severus furiously, silently and brutally casting a dozen hexes at him, forcing him to turn tail and run. Narcissa found this a little odd, remembering how ably Severus had handled Bellatrix and the Inferi - and wondered again if any of his former feelings for Lily as a friend still remained.

The Dark Lord was not displeased at the three refusals, on the contrary, he seemed to be satisfied. To reinforce his message to Dumbledore, he ordered for three Muggles to be killed and the bodies deposited on their doorsteps the next day - a job completed, not by any of his Death Eaters, but by Peter Pettigrew. The man had thrown himself on Barty's mercy before the boy had even handed him the Dark Lord's letter, and had begged to be allowed to join the Death Eaters. Barty, surprised and disgusted as the man tried to kiss his feet, had Stunned him, tied him up, and apparated back to the Dark Lord's side. Once he was revived, Pettigrew prostrated himself on the ground at Voldemort's feet, swearing unfailing loyalty to his new and only Master. He was tied up and incarcerated in Yaxley's cellar for the night, before being brought into the circle of Death Eaters the following day. He was tortured, tested, and given his first assignment, during which he was shadowed by Severus. He completed the task with relative ease, and was branded with the Dark Mark. The Dark Lord now had a spy at the very heart of The Order of the Phoenix, and Pettigrew did not disappoint - he fed back invaluable information on the names and locations of the Order members, and their future plans.

The success of this mission elevated Severus even higher in the Dark Lord's estimation. He was undoubtedly the Dark Lord's most trusted follower, and was given the power to set and decide his own missions without having to consult the Dark Lord. Even Bellatrix, at the height of her favour, had not been given this level of autonomy. That summer, Severus sponsored Barty Crouch Jr, who graduated from Hogwarts and was branded with the Dark Mark. His initiation followed the standard pattern; he was sent out to kill as many Muggles as possible, whilst the rest of the Death Eaters created multiple distractions. However, during the diversion, the Auror Frank Longbottom defied Lord Voldemort for a third time and Brennan Wilkes was killed trying to resist arrest. James Potter had also come again to the Dark Lord's attention, as he had successfully fought off Rowle, forcing him to flee. Rowle had been severely punished for his cowardice, as the Dark Lord vented his frustration at the Longbottoms and Potters on the man.

Summer also brought a big change to life at Malfoy Manor; on 5th June, Narcissa gave birth to a baby boy, whom she and Lucius named Draco. The Daily Prophet was peppered with birth announcements from prominent families from September 1979 - Summer 1980; Daphne Greengrass, Vincent Crabbe, Hannah Abbot, Millicent Bulstrode, Pansy Parkinson, Ronald Weasley, Gregory Goyle, Earnest Macmillan, Theodore Nott, Draco Malfoy, Neville Longbottom and Harry Potter. One birth announcement, however, was veiled with the saddening news that the new-born's mother had passed away due to complications in childbirth; Theodore Nott had been named for the mother he never met. The funeral had been attended by dozens of prominent families and was a display of grandeur and opulence, but Narcissa barely remembered it. She had gotten through the day on autopilot, mentally and physically drained. Lucius had stayed by her side, supporting her by deflecting questions and making small talk on her behalf, as she cradled her very large bump. Consumed by the challenges of motherhood, and still grieving for her cousin and now her best friend, the summer passed in a blur for Narcissa. She and Theodosia had been so excited when they had realised they were expecting at the same time, and had spent hours together planning for and panicking about the children being born to them. Her death cut Narcissa to her core. Lucius tried to keep his wife abreast of the Death Eater's plans, but her brain felt woolly. She loved her son deeply and fiercely, but since she refused to hand him over to the House-elf, she had taken on all Draco's care, day and night, and was soon severely sleep deprived.

Severus came to visit them regularly and was surprisingly good with little Draco. Narcissa smiled at her friend, one late August afternoon, watching blearily as he gently held the baby boy. Her son stared up into Severus' face curiously, and succeeded in dribbling all over the man's black robes. Severus looked bemused and said suddenly,

"He looks like you, but he has Lucius' eyes."

"You're the first person who's said that. Everyone else thinks he's a carbon-copy of Luc."

Severus shook his head, still looking thoughtfully at Draco. "No. They aren't looking properly."

Narcissa smiled, looking at her son. Then the thought she had tried to keep buried deep in the recesses of her mind came bubbling up, and before she could stop herself, she blurted out, "I wish -" She stopped, looking up into Severus' face. He looked into her eyes and said softly,

"Andromeda?"

Narcissa wasn't surprised. Severus' Legilimency was much more powerful than her own, and she had not attempted to conceal the thought from him. "I just - I know she had a baby, years ago. I don't even know their name - or if they're a 'he' or a 'she'. She might have had more children, for all I know. I just wish..." Her voice tailed away. "I wish she was here. I love Draco, but it's so hard. I wish I had someone to talk to, but Andromeda's gone and Thea -" She gulped. "- and Zillah and Sephy just handed their babies over to their House-elves the moment they were born. I went to see them, but they were repulsed that I hold and feed and change my own son! It was horrible..." She wiped her eyes fiercely. "I'm sorry, you don't need to hear this. I'm being stupid."

Severus slowly shook his head, looking down at Draco again. "Not many people understand what it is like to lose someone you love - whether to death or estrangement. It never stops hurting. You think of them every day, wondering what might have been... Some days are easier than others - some days you think you can bear the burden, but then you see or hear something, and it all comes flooding back, and you are crushed under its weight again. You can never get away from it, it is always there, waiting to break you again. In my experience, time does not heal all wounds. We are permanently scarred, and have to learn to live with our regrets."

Is he talking about Regulus? Or his parents? Narcissa wondered. She suddenly remembered Eileen Snape's words to her all those years ago: "You can't understand, Miss Black. Not yet. Maybe one day you will, and maybe you'll make a better choice..." I still don't understand. Narcissa thought, as Draco's tiny fingers closed around Severus' finger. I can't understand how you let your son suffer like you did, Eileen. She glanced up and said suddenly to Severus, "How are your parents getting on?"

His face broke into a small smile as he said, "Very well, thank you. I walk by every couple of months or so. The house looks good; they're obviously taking care of it. I think my dad has a job, and they even have a car. I don't personally see the appeal, but there you have it. I saw them walking home together one evening - they were holding hands and looked happy."

Narcissa smiled gently, her eyes on Draco once more. "I'm glad," she said, honestly. The talked for a little while longer, then Severus stood to take his leave. Had Narcissa been less tired, she would have noticed the dark circles under his eyes, his melancholy air, and a slight shake in his hands as he gently handed Draco back to her, but she did not notice any of this. Much later, as she sat up in the early hours of the morning, settling Draco after his feed, she remembered the words the Dark Lord had spoken to her all those years ago in her first meeting with him: "Your possessions, wealth and family are mine. Any children you bear in the future are mine and will be dedicated to my service." She shivered, holding her son tightly to her. "I'll never let anything bad happen to you, Draco," she vowed, stroking his almost invisible, fine, white-blond hair. "I promise."

In mid-September, Bellatrix called by to visit her sister and nephew. Even though Draco was now over three months old, Bellatrix had so far not met him, claiming she was "busy". Knowing her sister was not at all maternal, Narcissa had not pressed the matter, and if truth be told, she was not looking forward to her sister's visit. Draco was still so small and vulnerable, and Bellatrix was wild and impulsive. She didn't trust her sister to hold him, but didn't want to hurt her feelings. She hardly slept the night before, her worries and Draco's night feeds combining to keep her awake nearly all night. She knew she looked a wreck the next day, and Bellatrix immediately hit on her raw nerves by cackling, "Cissy! You look a fright! Just like an Inferius."

Narcissa bit her tongue to stop herself from retorting, and tried to keep her body relaxed; Draco had just dropped off to sleep in her arms, and she didn't want him to wake. Bellatrix came bouncing across the room and threw herself down on the sofa beside her sister, jostling her. Draco's eyes fluttered open and Narcissa held her breath, rocking him gently. He slowly shut his eyes again and went back to sleep. "Please, Bella, keep it down. He's sleeping," she hissed.

"Oh." Bellatrix cast a dismissive look at the baby before turning her attention back to Narcissa. "Severus Snape! What has he done, Cissy, to deserve the Dark Lord's favour? The odious spawn of a Muggle and a blood traitor! He should go back to where he came from, then I should have the Dark Lord all to myself!" She preened, tossing her wild hair back, as Narcissa sniped,

"Stop fawning over him Bella, it's pathetic. You're married for Merlin's sake, and he clearly doesn't think of you in that way. And Severus isn't even interested in having the Dark Lord all to himself, so drop it."

"So touchy, Cissy," Bellatrix huffed. "I forgot you practically adopted the greasy little half-blood. You're a soft touch." Narcissa glowered but did not reply, so Bellatrix went on, "Well, are you going to let me hold your offspring? That's what I've been summoned here for, isn't it?"

"He has a name, Bella." Narcissa's arms tightened around her sleeping son and Bellatrix screeched with laughter.

"Cissy! You're a scream! I know his name is Draco. Now may I have the honour of holding little Lord Malfoy?" She pouted, holding out her arms and Narcissa reluctantly transferred Draco into them. To her astonishment, he did not wake up; Bellatrix was surprisingly gentle, settling her nephew into her arms. She cast a triumphant look at her sister. "See? I can do it. I know you think I'm an idiot, Cissy, but I can hold a baby. It's not that different to a Mandrake really, is it?" Narcissa could see that Bellatrix was joking, so didn't challenge this interesting opinion. Her sister went on, "Go and lie down, Cissy. We'll be fine." Bellatrix looked at her, concern passing over her features. "You really do look a fright, you know."

Narcissa hesitated, but she was exhausted. Lucius had been away a lot over the last few days, attempting to keep up with his Death Eater duties and public do-gooder appearances, and so had had very little time to spend with his wife or son. The chance to sleep warred with her desire to keep Draco by her side... "Ok," Narcissa said, getting slowly to her feet. "But if he wakes up, come and get me."

"Yes, yes." Bellatrix leant back on the sofa, looking down at Draco and smiling. Narcissa left the room, making her way up the wide staircase and along the hallway to her bedroom. When she collapsed onto her bed, she fell asleep immediately.

Narcissa awoke to the sound of Draco crying. Not any old cry - it was a full-throttled scream which jerked her out of sleep, leaving her dazed and confused. The room was in total darkness. How long have I been asleep? She panicked, stumbling from the room, following the sound of Draco's yells. What's wrong with him - Bella, what have you done? Her mind screamed as she ran through the long corridor. "Bella?!" she yelled as she hurtled down the stairs. The crying was louder now, and seemed to be coming from the kitchen. What in Merlin's name would Bella take him there for?

She sprinted into the room and stopped. Dobby was standing in the middle of the room, clutching a shrieking and writhing Draco. The elf's huge eyes slowly raised to his mistress' face, and widened in horror as Narcissa stared down at him. "Dobby," she said, her voice carrying over her baby's yells. "Give me Draco, now." The elf stumbled, and for one, heart-stopping moment, Narcissa thought he was going to drop the baby onto the stone floor, but he regained his footing, and approached his mistress, trembling. Narcissa stooped, and gently took Draco from his thin arms. The baby's cries immediately lessened as he settled into his mother's familiar embrace. She rocked him gently and said in an icy voice, "You know you aren't allowed to look after Draco, Dobby. We ordered you not to touch him unless it was an emergency. So what were you doing with him?"

"Madam Malfoy!" Dobby squeaked. "Mistress Bellatrix is having to leave. She is giving Master Draco to Dobby, she is telling Dobby not to wake Madam Malfoy. She is saying -"

"I don't care what Bella said," Narcissa hissed, struggling to keep her voice calm so as not to startle her son. "Tell me Dobby, do you think that orders don't apply to you? Do you think you are above the rules which govern House-elves?"

"Madam Malfoy -" Dobby began, but Narcissa cut him off.

"What do we have to do to you to get it into your thick skull? I am your mistress and Lucius is your master. You take your orders from us and us alone. If anyone else asks you to do something which contradicts our orders you say 'no'. Is it really that difficult to understand?"

"Madam Malfoy, Dobby is only -"

"YOU TOOK MY BABY!" she bellowed. Draco jerked in her arms and started to scream as his mother pointed her wand at Dobby and shouted, "CRUCIO!"

Dobby immediately began to writhe on the ground, screaming in pain. Narcissa suddenly jumped as a hand touched her shoulder. She spun around to see Lucius standing right behind her. "Narcissa?" he called over Draco's and Dobby's combined cries. "What's going on?"

Narcissa broke down into noisy tears. Lucius quickly took his son from his wife, and shepherded her into the sitting room. He patiently settled his son as Narcissa told him, in between sobs, about Bellatrix's visit and Dobby's disobedience. He carefully balanced Draco in the crook of his left arm, placing his right arm around his wife, murmuring, "I'm sorry I haven't been here enough. I'm not going to go to the next fundraiser - Father can go in my place. I want to be here with you, and Draco." He smiled at his now sleeping son, then kissed the top of Narcissa's head. "You're going back to bed, and I'm going to take care of Draco." Then his face darkened. "And I'll see to Dobby. He won't forget this in a hurry - he'll regret the day he made my wife and son cry for the rest of his life."

They didn't have any trouble from Dobby for a few months following his punishment - it was the worst the elf had ever experienced. Lucius also kept his word to his wife, and made a conscious effort not to overload his diary with events, allowing him more time to spend with his family. A few days after her sister's visit, Narcissa received a note from Severus. It was short and simply said: 'Nymphadora Tonks, female, born 28th August 1973. She is a Metamorphmagus.'

Towards the end of the year, all the Death Eaters found their duties increasing; Pettigrew's information was allowing the Dark Lord to make real headway, and they were planning to launch a series of very high profile attacks at the beginning of 1981. This required meticulous planning and preparation; Bellatrix, Antonin and Doyle were training all the Death Eaters in combat; Severus was frenziedly brewing potions and poisons, and Mallory and Valdis were making a list of targets to hit with the Imperius curse. Lucius shuddered as he revealed to his wife that the notorious werewolf Fenrir Greyback had been called in, and been allowed to wear Death Eater robes in exchange for his services. On the Dark Lord's orders, Lucius and Narcissa were to host a large Yule Ball and formal dinner at the Manor that December, with a high-profile guest list, including the new Minister for Magic, Millicent Bagnold, and the man primed to succeed her - Barty Crouch Snr. Lucius' job was to keep the party running smoothly, making connections and subtly spreading rumours and false trails about the identities of the Death Eaters. Narcissa was commanded to read all the guests she could, identifying any Muggle-sympathisers, then pass this information back to the Dark Lord, who would send Fenrir and his pack to visit their families and threaten their children. Narcissa tried not to think about it as she busied herself with Draco, who was growing and learning new things every day.

Narcissa couldn't wait for the Ball to be over so she could get some time to start planning their first family Christmas, but knew better than to complain - the Dark Lord was angry, excited and more dangerous than ever. But it will all be over next year. She told herself, as she finished getting ready on the evening of the Ball. One last push, the Order and the Ministry will fall and we will rule the whole country. The Ball was, for the most part, a success. Since her parents, Lucius' parents and Aunt Walburga had been invited to attend the gathering, Draco was being looked after by the House-elf, Kreacher, who Narcissa had begged her aunt to be allowed to borrow for the evening. Kreacher had been delighted at the honour and was pleased that Dobby had been snubbed. Narcissa trusted him to obey her orders, telling him that if her baby got upset didn't settle, he was to come and get her immediately.

Narcissa learnt a great many secrets from her guests at the Ball and was seated next to Barty Crouch Snr during dinner. He was more talkative than usual, asking about Draco, and sharing stories about his own "very gifted" son. Narcissa had to try hard not to smirk as the man spoke of a kindly, dedicated, hardworking boy - she granted that Barty Crouch Jr was indeed hardworking, but he was also brutal and bloodthirsty; the fact that Bellatrix had taken him under her wing spoke volumes. Crouch then glanced down at Narcissa's left wrist, where a silver bracelet was peeking out from beneath the cuff of her dress sleeve, and he asked,

"Is that a Black family heirloom, Mrs Malfoy? It looks unusual?" Narcissa smiled, pulling back her sleeve and showing her bracelet to her guest. It was indeed a Black family heirloom, made of dark silver, and set with jet black stones. As she spoke about it, he nodded thoughtfully. "That is interesting... not what I had expected."

Narcissa caught an odd undertone to his words, and realised with a start that the man was not looking at her jewellery - he was looking at the unblemished skin of her forearm, where the Dark Mark would have been, had she been branded. She shook her sleeve down, and smiled pleasantly at him.

"If I didn't know better, Mr Crouch, I'd say you sounded disappointed?"

He didn't reply immediately, then said slowly, "I'd say I was surprised, more than disappointed, Mrs Malfoy."

She looked into his lined and weary face, taking in his carefully combed hair, toothbrush moustache, and immaculate attire, thinking, When you find out what your son really is, your neatly ordered world will come crashing down. But you have no pity from me. You chose your path, and must follow it to the end. Aloud, she said simply, "Life is full of surprises, Mr Crouch." Then she stood, tapping her glass to get the attention of the room. All eyes turned to her, and she raised her glass, calling in a clear voice, "A toast, to the end of another year and the dawning of a new one. A toast to new beginnings and -" she looked down at Mr Crouch before continuing, "- to surprises!"

The room at large raised their glasses, and echoed, "To surprises!" before clinking their glasses together and drinking. Narcissa sat back down gracefully and turned to the wizard on her right, asking him how his children were. She did not speak to Mr Crouch again that evening.