What Really Happened?

Lucius grumbled as he cleared away Narcissa's potion. The spell was failing. After nearly fifteen years, she was beginning to remember things. He couldn't let that happen. Not yet. He couldn't protect his son from Voldemort if he let the charm end. And he didn't know how he'd explain what he had done to his nephew. How could he possibly tell Harry that he was not only his uncle but that his wife had died that night.

"If I tell the boy, Severus will find out. And then he'll tell Voldemort. I can't stop this." He sank into his chair and put his head in his hands. "God, I miss you, Cissa. Why did you make me do this? Why didn't I tell you no?"

The door creaked open and an elf shuffled across the dungeon lab. "Master, sir? Does you ask for things? Any things?"

"No. Leave me be." Lucius waved his hand in the air to dismiss the elf.

"But Master, sir… Mistress is leaving with Dragon."

Lucius looked up in surprise. "What?"

"They is leaving, Master sir. With bags and things."

He stood up and ran out of the dungeon he stored his Dark artifacts in. He scrambled in a rather undignified manner up the stairs and slammed into his son in the front hall. "Ugh!"

Narcissa gasped and pulled Draco up from the floor. "Draco! Lucius!"

Draco stared at his father as he brushed himself off. He grabbed his mother's hand and tried not to be scared.

Lucius glared at Narcissa. "What do you think you're doing?"

"We're leaving on a short vacation."

"I don't think so!"

Narcissa clenched her hands into fists and calmly answered him. "I do." She pulled lightly on Draco and headed for the door.

Lucius' scream carried in the marble hall. "If you leave this house, do not come back!"

"Fine!" Draco shot back at his father and opened the door for his mother. Damned if he let his mother stay here any longer.

"No! Narcissa! Don't leave!"

She stopped in the doorway and asked, "What is it you're hiding from me, Lucius?"

"Nothing, my love… I…"

Draco watched as his mother turned around to address his father.

"Why don't you call me Cissa anymore?"

Lucius couldn't hide his shock. "What?"

"You used to call me Cissa. You haven't since Draco was a baby."

Draco butted in, "It's because he doesn't love you, mother."

Narcissa considered her son for a moment. "No. I think he can't love me."

Lucius stood quietly in the hall as his wife and son walked out the door. "You're right. How could I love someone who isn't my wife?"