Chapter 11

Pyxis: Changing Course

Summer 1993

It was a hot day in early July, and Narcissa was making her way along Diagon Alley. She was indulging in a little retail therapy, and despite having bought some new robes in dark purple satin, three new books on the latest hair, face and nail charms, and an expensive perfume in a cut crystal bottle, she was still feeling hollow. She was just passing the apothecary, when a man stepped abruptly out onto the pavement in front of her and they almost collided. She was just about to give the man her most disdainful expression and sweep past when she stopped and smiled warmly, recognising Severus.

"Narcissa." He inclined his head.

"Hello Severus! I didn't know you would be here today. What are you up to?"

"Negotiations. I am trying to regain just a few of my evenings, so am seeing if it would be financially viable to buy in some of the potions bases and simpler brews. But the funding for Potions is quite tight, especially without Lucius on the Board... Where there any further ramifications from that incident?"

"Are you referring to the outrageous rumours that we threatened and blackmailed the Board to remove Albus Dumbledore?" Narcissa asked sweetly. "I was rather hurt by that, I must say. Being ever-eager to promote peace and harmony, I invited all the Board and their spouses to the Manor for dinner a few weeks ago. By the end of the meal, they had all quite forgotten about the charges they lay at our door... they are now all under the impression that Lucius resigned, wishing to spend more time with his wife and son."

Severus raised an eyebrow and gave her a half-smile. "Remind me to never get on your wrong side, Narcissa; 'formidable' really does not do you justice sometimes." Then he looked more closely at her face and said, "But how about you? Really?"

Narcissa opened her mouth to brightly say, "I'm fine." But she stopped herself. Maybe talking about it will help... she thought. "Not great," she said sadly. "Are you free to get something to drink?"

He nodded and she fell into step beside him. "Is this not rather beneath your dignity?" he asked, as she gently nudged his arm, changing course and heading for Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour.

"I need sugar and fat and I need them now," Narcissa said seriously. "It's been one of those months."

"The great Narcissa Malfoy, eating ice cream. Who would have thought?" Severus drawled, smirking, as they passed under the brightly coloured awning into the shop. Narcissa ordered a cherry liqueur sundae and a tea, to which she added two sugars, but Severus refused to have anything to eat, asking for a black coffee. They sat at one of the outside tables in the sun, Severus sipping his drink slowly as Narcissa poured out the cause of her sadness to her friend.

"It's Draco. When he got home for the holidays, Lucius sat us down for a family meeting. He said that now Draco's starting his O.W.L courses, he needs to 'act like the man he is going to become'. He's starting to take Draco with him to some of his meetings - they're at the Ministry today - and he said..." she sighed sadly. "He only wants Draco to write home once a fortnight from now on. He said - before Draco came back - that I'm living vicariously through him, and it isn't good for either of us. I do understand his point... but I love writing to Draco. I have my work with the Committee of St Mungo's, and the summer fundraiser's coming up in a couple of weeks. I'm the Chair now, and it's my debut event, and it's really important I get it right... but it doesn't mean anything to me anymore. It's just something to do and it improves our social standing. But I don't really care about it."

Severus looked across the street, where a group of children were exclaiming over a newly purchased owl in a cage. "What did Draco think of it all?"

"He was excited, at first. He desperately wants to be like Lucius - you must have noticed."

"He does attempt to emulate his father's mannerisms, certainly," Severus conceded, the corner of his mouth twitching.

"Well, Draco was determined to do his bit, but after Lucius had gone out, he said, if I wanted him to, he would still write home every couple of days, and transfigure the notes into sugar quills." Narcissa laughed, despite herself. "I didn't have the heart to point out that Lucius is perfectly capable of a simple reversing spell - and that he would defiantly notice Apus turning up every few days..."

"So you said no?"

Narcissa nodded, looking down into her tea cup. "I said no. Lucius and I had already agreed - I won't go behind his back or undermine him. And it will be best for Draco. He needs to make some more friends. I'm not happy that his only real companions seem to be those trolls, Vince and Greg. He needs friends who will challenge him, encourage him to try harder. What's Theodore Nott like?"

Severus considered his answer. "He's bright, but reserved. Rather more like his father than his mother." He smiled softly. "I liked Theodosia. I still remember her telling me and Regulus: 'You're supposed to be men, not bowtruckles!'"

Narcissa smiled too. "I miss her. Luc also said I need to make more friends. I hadn't really noticed, but the only adults I actually talk to - properly talk to, I mean, not exchanging pleasantries and chit-chat at functions - are you and Luc. He thinks if I'm less wrapped up in Draco, I'll have more time - and a reason - to make some new friends."

"And what do you think?"

"I agree with Luc's theory... but putting it into practice... I don't even know where to start. Some of Luc's Ministry contacts' wives are ok, but there's no-one I think I would really get on with... Anyway," She finished the last mouthful of her ice cream and sat back. "Enough about me. What about you?"

"What about me?" he asked shortly.

"Do you have any friends, Severus?"

"Not counting yourself and your husband, no."

"And why not?" She smiled, putting her head on one side as she appraised him.

"A lack of time and inclination. I am locked away at that blasted castle for eleven months a year, only allowed out at the behest of the whimsical and capricious Headmaster. My evenings and weekends are virtually non-existent - between Head of House duties, marking the work of all seven years' worth of students, preparing potions bases for classes and brews for the Hospital Wing and sitting through gluttonous meal times, I have no time for a social life. And even if I did have the time, what could I realistically do? Take tea with Hagrid in his ramshackle hut? Play chess with Filius? Read Transfiguration Today with Minerva? I prefer to believe would have better things to do with my time, if I had any to spare," he finished bitterly.

Narcissa gave her friend a sympathetic look. "But apart from all that, how are you?"

"As well as can be expected. The Headmaster is announcing his latest appointment to the Defence post this afternoon. I am waiting with baited breath to see which abomination to wizard-kind he has pulled out of the woodwork this time. I did hear a rumour it was to be Molly Weasley..."

Narcissa spluttered with laughter. "Please tell me you're joking!"

"I wish I was... life at Hogwarts is unbearable enough without the Weasley matriarch throwing her considerable weight around. Her children - with the exception of Percy, who is officious and irritating but at least knows how to behave - are impossible to teach as it is. If their mother is appointed, I dread to think how conceited and arrogant they will become."

"Speaking of conceited and arrogant, did you hear that the Boy-Who-Lived set our House-elf free? We've been having to hire in help all summer so far."

Severus looked surprised. "How did the brat manage that?"

So Narcissa, rapidly revising the full story to leave out all mention of the Dark Lord's diary and Lucius' violent outburst, told Severus that just after Dumbledore had returned to the school, Harry Potter had forced a sock into his hand. Lucius had thrown it away, not noticing that Dobby had caught it, and he had inadvertently set the elf free. "Then Luc came home. He wasn't exactly happy." She finished her tale abruptly, remembered the incident in the hallway. Her eyes caught on Severus' briefly, and she looked away.

Lucius had refused to speak to her for two whole days after that episode, simmering silently as he paced furiously around the Manor. When she had realised Dobby wasn't coming back, she had cleared up the mess in the hall herself, and had found similar displays of her husband's temper in other rooms around the Manor. She had tried to confront him, but he had brushed her off, stalking out of the room, barely even looking at her. She knew her husband well enough to know he was deeply ashamed, and not only for hurting her and losing the family servant. She had heard through Draco that Harry Potter had killed Slytherin's monster, all the Muggle-borns had been revived, Lucius had been fired from the Board of Governors, the Gamekeeper had been released from prison and Albus Dumbledore had been reinstated as Headmaster. For the first time, Narcissa was glad Abraxas was dead - if he had been aware of this, he would have mocked and ridiculed Lucius mercilessly and pushed him even further into his self-loathing. Lucius took great pride in his position in society, and to lose so much at once was a huge blow, but by the third day, Narcissa had had enough. She tried talking to him one last time, but when he attempted to leave the room, she threw herself on him, almost knowing him off his feet, and hugged him fiercely telling him, "I love you, no matter what. Now stop behaving like a stupid prat and give me my husband back!"

He had held himself rigidly in her arms for a few moments, then responded, hugging her tightly to him, and murmured over and over again into her hair, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry." Things got better from there, but it took a few more days before he gradually opened up, telling her what had happened, and how he felt about it all. Things were back to normal now, but she also knew that his failure was pushing him to be harder with Draco; he didn't want his son to repeat his mistakes.

Severus gave Narcissa an odd, searching look, and she got the uncomfortable feeling he knew exactly what she had just edited out of the story. Before she could say anything else, his hand closed gently on her left wrist, and he turned her arm, looking at the exact spot where she had cut her arm on the broken mirror. The skin was smooth and unscarred. She withdrew her arm, taking up her tea cup again. She looked into his dark eyes and shook her head slightly, silently pleading with him not to ask her anything more about it, before she brightly went on,

"So now, I need to track down a new elf in time for the Committee's summer fundraiser, and -" But a squeal right behind her cut off the rest of her sentence.

"Narcissa!" She spun around and saw Zillah Goyle and Persephone Crabbe, who were standing arm in arm and beaming at her. Narcissa rose gracefully to her feet, and accepted the hugs the women bestowed on her. After their high-pitched greetings and exclamations subsided, Severus touched her arm.

"I must leave. Let me know if you need anything."

Narcissa did not miss the underlying meaning to his words, and felt a rush of gratitude to her friend as she turned to him and gave him a quick hug, saying, "Bye Severus, I'll send you an owl, come by soon. Draco's dying to show you his new Potions books." He bore her embrace silently, before turning and striding briskly up the cobbled street, black cloak billowing behind him.

"You're awfully chummy with Snape aren't you?" giggled Sephy. "Did I see you two holding hands just now? Does Lucius know you're out with him today?"

Oh for Merlin's sake! Narcissa thought bitterly, but remembering her task was to make friends, she smiled at the witch. "I just bumped into him. He's been friends with Lucius and myself for years, and he's so good to Draco."

"Oh yes?" Sephy raised her eyebrows and giggled again. Stupid cow! Narcissa raged inside.

Zillah nudged her friend sharply in the ribs then said pleasantly to Narcissa, "Did I hear you're looking for a new House-elf, Narcissa? Mine had a litter at Easter, and I've got two left I haven't found places for yet."

"Really?" Narcissa brightened at once. "Yes, we desperately need an elf. What are they like?"

"I haven't had any complaints from the homes I've placed the other three in," Zillah said seriously, as the three women walked back towards the Leaky Cauldron. "Their mother trained them all very well. In the end, I had to ask Esau and Greg to make messes around the house, just so they had tasks to practice on!"

"And the pedigree?" Narcissa asked.

"Pretty good. We bred the mother with Sephy's family elf, so it's a Shafig-Goyle, not a bad mix. But what happened to your elf?"

Narcissa flipped a hand dismissively. "He was useless, so we had to get rid of him. Do you think I could come by and see your elves sometime soon?"

"Of course! Are you free now?" Narcissa nodded and asked what gender the elves were. Zillah replied, "We have a girl and a boy - Ingle and Rusty." Zillah rolled her eyes. "The mother named them, but she's done such a good job over the years that we allowed her to."

So Narcissa and Zillah bid Sephy goodbye and travelled to the Goyles' home in Dorset. Narcissa returned to the Manor that afternoon, new elf in tow. She had chosen the girl, who was wearing a dark-blue, neat pinafore dress and had a quiet disposition. Narcissa took the elf around the Manor, quickly explaining the daily tasks to her. Ingle did not seem at all fazed, and that evening, cooked them a hearty steak and kidney pie. Narcissa had to admit it was even better than Kreacher's, and rewarded the new elf with a smile. Lucius and Draco also seemed to like Ingle - Draco didn't set a snake on her, at any rate. Narcissa also found that Zillah, away from Sephy, was not as empty-headed and frivolous as she had supposed. Maybe I'll be able to make a friend there, she thought.

Severus visited the Manor a few days later and was fuming from the moment Ingle opened the door to him. The elf quickly took him to the library, where Lucius and Narcissa were sitting, preparing for the Committee's fundraiser. Narcissa was - once again - being bored stiff by seating plans, and Lucius was helping by duplicating menu cards.

"Remus Lupin!" Severus shouted before they could so much as rise from their seats to greet their guest. "He hired Remus Lupin! Lupin!" His face was livid and whiter than usual as he paced back and forth across the room, his trademark black robes billowing.

"Lupin?" Narcissa asked, surprised. "You mean that brown-noser who hung around with Potter?"

"Of course I mean him! And do not be fooled, he was just as bad as the rest of them. He helped Black and Potter when they tried to -" But here Severus broke off and let out a snarl of anger. "Him teaching Defence. It is an insult."

"Did you apply for the post again?" asked Lucius quietly. Severus shot him a look which plainly meant, 'Yes, but once again the Headmaster passed me over for a less qualified candidate.'

"And the amount of extra work it is going to mean for me! I shall be lucky if I sleep at all this year!" Severus' voice was still raised. As he stalked back across the room again, Narcissa caught Lucius' eye. They rose together, approaching their friend and taking one arm each, forced him into an armchair.

"Sit down for Merlin's sake," Lucius chided. "You're making me dizzy, marching around like that. Now calm down and tell us why Lupin's appointment means extra work for you."

"Do not treat me as if I am Draco," Severus snapped, but he took a deep breath, then said in a calmer voice, "Lupin is ill. Nothing fatal, sadly, but he needs a certain complicated potion brewed regularly."

"And the Headmaster asked you to make it, despite your history? That man's schemes astound me. I assume he's trying to get you to bond over it?" Narcissa said derisively.

Severus nodded, curling his hands into tight fists, his knuckles shining white. "Let bygones be bygones, Severus. People change, Severus. Remember, I gave you a chance, Severus," he muttered through gritted teeth.

"That bad?" Lucius asked sympathetically.

"Worse," Severus growled. There was a knock at the library door.

"Enter," called Lucius, and Draco stepped into the room.

"Good afternoon, Father. Mum. Professor." Draco inclined his head to his parents and then to his teacher. "Please may I show Professor Snape my new books now?"

Lucius nodded curtly, and Draco strutted across the room to his section of the library, pulling three new leather-bound tomes from the shelves. Narcissa glanced at Severus, who was doing his best to wipe the anger from his face as Draco took the seat next to him, and began to talk about the books.

"Your mother said you had new Potions books, but these are about alchemy," Severus commented, turning the volumes over in his hands. He looked impressed. "Are you interested in alchemy then, Draco?"

Draco nodded seriously. "I want to make a new contribution to the Malfoy family, and none of my recent ancestors have studied alchemy. I want to be the first one to do it."

And so the rest of Severus' visit passed peacefully, with no further mention of the new Professor Remus Lupin.

On 31st July, the Malfoys found their carefully ordered world turned upside down. The morning started very much in the same as was usual. The family breakfasted together before Lucius and Narcissa retired to Lucius' study to finalise the arrangements for the fundraiser the following week. Lucius, ever eager to train Draco in his duties as the Malfoy heir, had established a routine whereby Draco would take the delivery of the Daily Prophet, read the newspaper, then report any significant news to them. Draco clearly found this to be an arduous task, but did not wish to disappoint his father, and settled into his duty each morning without resistance. So far, his reports had only been of significant births, marriages or deaths, but that morning, Narcissa heard footsteps racing along the corridor and Draco burst into the study shouting urgently,

"Mum! Father!" He skidded into the room, opening his mouth to continue, but Lucius forestalled him, saying icily,

"Draco. You know you are to knock before you enter my study."

Draco's face fell as he held up the paper and gabbled, "I know, Father, but -"

Once again, Lucius' stern voice cut him off. "No excuses, Draco. Respect for your elders always takes priority over any gossip the paper brings. Now go back outside and knock and wait until we permit you to enter."

Draco looked desperately at his mother, bouncing up and down in agitation, but she shook her head. "You father is right, Draco."

He lowered his eyes to the floor, the excitement draining out of him. "Sorry," he mumbled, retreating from the room and closing the door. Narcissa felt awful, she hated dampening her son's spirits, but Lucius was right. He was too volatile, too open with his emotions. He needed to learn restraint, otherwise he would fall prey to those who would find him only too easy to read and manipulate. A soft knock sounded from the study door.

"Enter," Lucius called. Draco opened the door and stepped into the room. His shoulders were hunched, his face was blank and his voice quiet and level as he mumbled,

"There's something in the paper I think you should know about..."

"Stand up straight, Draco and speak with confidence. You are a Malfoy, not a House-elf," Lucius spoke sharply, and Narcissa saw Draco stiffen. His grey eyes flickered towards her, and she smiled encouragingly. Draco stood up to his full height, and declared to the room with an exaggerated drawl,

"Mum, Father, I was reading this morning's paper and saw something which concerns our family." Lucius nodded approvingly, gesturing for Draco to continue. "It is about the Black family." Draco paused dramatically before announcing, "Sirius Black has escaped from Azkaban." Lucius and Narcissa froze as Draco swaggered forwards, presenting the paper to his parents with a flourish. "See?" he said, pointing unnecessarily to the front page headline, which declared that Sirius Black, notorious supporter of You-Know-Who, had indeed escaped from prison.

"Leave the room, Draco," Lucius said in a low voice.

"But I want to stay." Draco looked mutinous.

"Draco," Narcissa said firmly, stepping around the desk, putting an arm around his shoulders and walking him to the door. "Your father and I need to talk about this, alone." Draco submitted, allowing his mother to guide him out of the room. She gave him a quick hug before whispering, "Go outside and practice your flying. You deserve a treat." Draco brightened immediately and ran down the corridor. Narcissa stepped back into the study, closing the door quietly behind her. Her heart was pounding as she turned back to her husband. She saw his face was tight with worry as he demanded of his wife,

"What was Sirius like?"

Narcissa felt annoyed, despite her fear, as she snapped, "You knew him as well as I did! He was an arrogant, bullying toe-rag. Conceited and defiant... took great pleasure in renouncing the family and our values..."

"Yet he did go over to our side..." Lucius picked up a quill from his desk, idly rolling it between his thumb and forefinger as he went on. "But I wonder what his allegiance is now? If he really was the Dark Lord's greatest supporter, and he thinks we've renounced the old ways and got off without punishment..."

Narcissa felt as if a bucket of icy water had been tipped over her head. She gasped out, "Draco! He might go after Draco!" Narcissa looked frantically at her husband, who, to her annoyance, had not even looked up.

"It's unlikely," Lucius drawled. "Draco's safe here with us, and will be safe at Hogwarts. As much as I loathe the Headmaster, even the Dark Lord did not attempt a siege on the castle until the very end. Sirius Black is alone and has been in Azkaban for, what, almost twelve years? He'll be weak -"

"Azkaban does funny things to people, Luc... drives them insane. There's only one thing for it. We have to train Draco ourselves." Narcissa held her head up high, feeling calmer as she reached a decision.

"Train him?" Lucius looked up quizzically.

"Duelling! You're training him to be the head of the Malfoy family, but what use is that if he can't defend himself? Where would you be if you couldn't duel, Luc?"

His face broke into a smile. "Ok. It'll make a change from teaching him how to make small talk... and he'll enjoy it too. Want to give it a try?"

"Now?" Narcissa put her head on one side, considering her husband's suggestion as he went on,

"I'm a bit rusty...don't want to embarrass myself in front of Draco." Lucius drew his wand. "Come on, we'll go to the drawing room." He looked so enthusiastic that Narcissa smiled too. She glanced half-heartedly at the unfinished fundraiser plans, but did not have to try very hard to convince herself to leave them for later.

"What do I get if I win?" she asked as Lucius came around the desk, taking her hand. They walked together to the study door, opening it before stepping out into the corridor.

"A new pendent? Or a ring?" Lucius suggested.

Narcissa smiled, blinking innocently up at her husband. "Both, I think."

Lucius laughed, squeezing her hand before he asked, "And if I win?"

"Let's not waste time discussing something that won't happen!" Narcissa said, laughing.

Lucius laughed. "Fighting talk? I like it!"

In the drawing room, Lucius swept his wand and the furniture moved to the sides of the room. "Rules?" he asked.

"The first person to immobilise the other wins. Any restrictions - apart from the obvious?"

"By which I assume you mean no Unforgiveables?"

"Of course! And no Sectumsempra."

"Naturally. And I would prefer to stick to simple spells this time... so no wand-arrows, body-part removal curses or blasting spells."

Narcissa nodded. "Done."

They moved to opposite ends of the room and took up their positions. "On three," said Lucius, his face a mask of concentration. Narcissa gripped her wand tightly, planning her first move as her husband counted, "One, two, three!" Lucius brought his wand slashing down, sending a jet of red light at his wife. She deflected it with a flick of her wand, and silently cast Incarcerous, sending thick ropes at Lucius. He raised an eyebrow, flicking his wrist and turning the ropes into a snake. "Oppungo," he said lazily. The snake darted towards Narcissa, spitting furiously.

"Are you even trying, Luc?" she asked. She flicked her wand again and the snake disappeared in a puff of smoke.

"I'm just getting warmed up." He smirked, and gave his wand a sharp flick. A flock of birds appeared, and again he used the Oppungo jinx to send them shooting across the room at his wife. Thinking back to their N.E.W.T Transfiguration classes, she waved her wand, concentrating hard, and the birds turned into smooth grey pebbles, which clattered to the floor. "Dammit!" Lucius laughed, but before he could react, Narcissa pointed her wand to one of the stones, propelling it into their air and sweeping her arm in a high arch to send it speeding back at her husband. He raised a Shield charm as the stone rocketed through the air, smacking into the shield. She flicked her wand again, sending the rest of the stones across the room. The next two also bounced off Lucius' shield, but she propelled the fourth with such force that it wavered, and as the fifth stone made contact, the shield dissolved. Lucius ducked, and the last two pebbles shot over his head, but he lost no time, summoning the stones to him. He slashed his wand through the air and Narcissa realised what he was about to do a second before the incantation left his lips. "Draconifors."

Narcissa couldn't help but admire her husband's spell-work as six miniature dragons shot through flew through the air towards her, breathing small jets of fire. "Nice!" She smiled, as she vanished them.

"I couldn't resist." Lucius grinned back, and they simultaneously raised their wands.

Lucius was quicker, sending a Body-bind curse at his wife. Narcissa felt the curse pass just by her arm, as she whirled around firing three Stunning spells in quick succession. Lucius dodged, sending binding ropes at Narcissa, which she blasted apart, crying, "Incendio." She then tried to disarm her husband, sending the spell so quickly that he had no time to raise a shield, and he stumbled in his haste to dodge the jet of red light, but a fraction of a second later, Lucius' next spell blasted back at her and Narcissa had no time to react. It hit her in the stomach and she doubled over, and immediately her feet began to spasm, doing a frenzied tap dance.

"Looks like I've won!" Lucius gloated, approaching Narcissa, wand raised.

"Not yet!" she said through gritted teeth, then cried, "Finite!" Her legs stopped dancing and she shot a jet of water at her husband. He was propelled back, and Narcissa started forward, keen to make the most of her advantage, but Lucius, blinking water out of his eyes, shot a Freezing charm at the floor, and the pooled water turned immediately to ice. Narcissa's foot shot out from underneath her, as she slipped, falling hard onto the icy floor. Before she could even attempt to get to her feet, she was hoisted up into the air by her ankle. Her hair fell over her face, and she thanked Merlin she had worn trousers and not a dress or robes that day. "Finite!" she cried again, but nothing happened. Lucius was laughing again.

"You don't remember the counter-jinx, do you?" he said smugly. The blood rushed to Narcissa's head as she racked her brain. Damn you Severus! she thought furiously. "Do you surrender?" Lucius drawled, casually melting the ice on the floor using the Hot-air charm.

"No!" Narcissa pushed her hair out of her face and aimed her wand at Lucius, but he disarmed her with a quick flick of his wand, saying lazily,

"You don't really have any other options..."

Narcissa, starting to feel sick and dizzy, was forced to admit defeat. "Fine!" she huffed. "I surrender."

Lucius immediately let her down, catching her in his arms before she hit the floor. "You did well!" he said, kissing her, before setting her back on the ground. "And the counter-jinx is Liberacorpus."

"I'll beat you next time," Narcissa vowed, tidying her hair and clothes. "Just you wait."

"I don't doubt it." Her husband smirked, before leaning in to kiss her again. "So, I get to claim my prize..."

"What did you have in mind?" Narcissa asked, pressing her body lightly against her husband's.

"You'll see," he said, taking her hand. They quickly retired to their bedroom, leaving Ingle to clear up the water and spell damage in the drawing room.

The next day, Lucius headed to the Ministry, this time without their son, to find out as much information as he could about Sirius Black and the threat he posed. Narcissa, once again procrastinating and leaving the fundraiser plans for later, spent the day with Draco, taking him to Diagon Alley for his school things. The trip went smoothly, except for the purchase of Draco's new Care of Magical Creatures textbook in Flourish and Blotts. The books moved on their own, scuttling around the cage they were kept in, tearing and ripping at each other. Draco didn't quite manage to stifle his laughter when the book bit the shop assistant hard. Narcissa rolled her eyes at the wizard's ineptitude, casting the Incarcerous spell on the book to bind it shut. What's Kettleburn thinking, assigning a book that bites? Narcissa wondered in exasperation as they paid for the book and left the shop.

In the afternoon, Narcissa helped Draco practice flying in the grounds of the Manor. She charmed small stones to fly though the air for him to catch, and, after he begged her to, saying over and over again he needed to practice dodging Bludgers, attempted to knock him off his broom using the Knock-back jinx as he flew past. He was a very good flyer, but was apt to show off then lose focus. At last, Draco touched down, exhausted but beaming. "Thanks, Mum!" he said enthusiastically, hugging her quickly, before going to put his broomstick away.

When Lucius got home, he ate dinner with them both, chatting easily to Draco as his son shared the details of their day, then retired to his study with Narcissa. Lucius, despite not being on the Board of Governors anymore, still had plenty of contacts at the Ministry, and had learned some valuable information about Sirius Black.

"They have no idea how he escaped, Fudge said the Dementors are furious and want to leave the island to search for him - the Ministry are strongly considering it as an option. But the good news is they're certain it's Harry Potter that he's after. Looks like he wants to finish the job the Dark Lord started. Can't say I blame him, but Fudge is putting extra protection around the school this year, so Draco will be perfectly safe."

Narcissa, after hearing this news, was feeling considerably calmer about the whole affair, but despite these assurances, the couple decided to go through with their plan to teach Draco how to duel and defend himself properly. He was over the moon when Lucius summoned him for his first lesson, and over the next few weeks, their relationship saw a marked improvement. Draco also took to his less exciting duties with gusto, desperate to please and be more like his father.

The day of the Charitable Committee of St Mungo's Summer Fundraiser had finally arrived. Narcissa spent the day in a whirlwind of activity, greeting her guests and dealing graciously with last minute cancellations (Cornelius Fudge) and additions (Pius Thicknesse) to the attendees. To her immense surprise and pleasure, she found no need to chivvy or punish Ingle, who capably managed to cook and serve the twelve-course formal dinner with no mistakes. Narcissa watched with satisfaction as the guests marvelled over the quality of the food and Champagne she had provided, then stood up to deliver her speech. She spoke clearly and effortlessly, humbly thanking the previous Chair for their hard work and dedication, and modestly hoping she would be able to take up the mantle. After lunch, she mingled, talking and laughing with - and reading - her guests. They seem to be having a good time... I might have gone a bit overboard though... most people aren't used to such finery, she mused, seeing admiration and disbelief in some of the guests faces as the day wore on. At last it was all over, and Narcissa was able to change out of her fine gold gown, and shake her hair loose from its complicated braided crown.

"How did I do?" she asked Lucius, as he unlaced the tight corset of her dress.

"Hmm? Yes. Very well," he said distractedly, placing his hands firmly on her hips and pushing her down onto their bed. Narcissa smiled. "I'll ask you later!" she laughed as she reached up to kiss him.

The week before Draco went back to school, Narcissa and Lucius faced the thorny issue of how much to tell their son. So far, they had been vague about the reasons for his duelling lessons, but once he went back to school and was no longer under their protection, they didn't want him to be ill-informed. Not only was it the "duty of the heir of the noble house of Malfoy" to be well-informed, but if Sirius Black did manage to get into the school, they needed Draco to know who he was facing. The difficulty was, that to tell Draco the full story of Sirius Black would also mean revealing their own involvement with the Dark Lord. Narcissa and Lucius were acutely aware that their freedom depended on the Ministry not finding out their true loyalty. The question, therefore, was whether Draco was old enough and mature enough to protect their family's interests. Narcissa and Lucius debated this hotly, each swinging from being completely sure Draco could be trusted, to doubting whether he would be able to keep such an exciting and important secret to himself. Eventually, however, they agreed that they had no choice but to tell him. "Forewarned is forearmed," Lucius said. "We need him to be prepared." And so Draco was summoned to his father's study, and told the whole story of Lucius and Narcissa's past involvement with the Dark Lord, the defection of Sirius Black to their side, the information he gave to the Dark Lord which resulted in the murder of Harry Potter's parents, and the Dark Lord's subsequent fall. Draco listened with a serious expression, not even gloating as he heard the full details of his rival's tragedy. Lucius then went on to explain to Draco how he and Narcissa had been questioned and pardoned.

"You must not repeat what we have told you, Draco," Lucius finished. "If word got out, your mother and myself would be arrested and sent to Azkaban. The Malfoy name would be disgraced. You would be ruined, and find yourself subjected to the hatred and censure of the wizarding world. One day, we will have a leader who will fight for us and restore blood purity, but until that time, we must blend in. Do you understand what I have told you?"

"Yes, Father." Draco pushed his chin up, eyes grey eyes clouded as he processed all he had heard.

"You are not a child anymore, Draco. We are trusting you to show us you are worthy of becoming the next head of this family." Narcissa stepped forwards, placing a hand on his shoulder.

Draco looked at his mother, face determined. "Yes, Mum," he said. "I'll make you proud, I promise."

"You may go," Lucius said imperiously, and the boy left the room.

Draco was rather quiet for the next few days, and Narcissa could see he was careful thinking through all he had been told. It'll all be ok, baby, she thought as she watched him study, practice flying and play. I'll never let anyone hurt you.