For The Good of Mankind
By Kes.
Disclaimer: All the gang, setting's etc that you recognise belong to the oh-so-holy JKR and any other big business people who've bought it. I'm just bored out of my skull on a Friday night as there's crap all on TV.
"That's right Draco-baby, come to mummy!" A small blonde child plodded its way to its mother's caring arms, attempting to keep upright.
He made it.
The child squealed in delight.
This scene was in direct contrast to what was occurring in the room next door. The Dark Lord himself had 'graced' the Malfoy's with his exceedingly frail presence; the 'spirit' of a once gloriously powerful man had now temporarily manifested itself in the form of a talking snake.
It had been almost 2 years since Narcissa had spoken to and Severus. Obviously, they had seen each other at Dark Revels and the like, but they had never really been able to speak to one another for fear of raising suspicion and Narcissa was missing him terribly.
He failed to take the news of Draco very well. It had forced him to become aware of the 'wife' roles and duties that he knew that she must have perform, but the evidence of this was more than he could bear.
Severus knelt before the ridiculously ornate chair and kissed the ground. Normally, one would kiss the Dark Lord's robes, but this was found to be impossible, as a snake could not wear robes. This is degrading, stooping for a damned snake. He rose and bowed.
"Master, it is good to see you after all this time. I thought you'd been - "
A loud, hissing-snarling sound came from the depths of the large chair. "Been murdered by a pathetic 1 year old?! How dare you!" All he could see - due to the dark lighting in the room - was the evil gleam in the blood red eyes.
Shit.
Severus fumbled for a plausible excuse.
"Sire, I could not afford to look for you, and thus loose my teaching place at Hogwarts - we may need it when you regain your power-"
The red eyes lit up to a ludicrously bright shade and hissed. "Go on...." That was a somewhat dangerous tone for the Dark Lord to take. It was neither good nor bad. I'd better make this one good....
"Well, my Lord, when you regain power, we shall need someone in Hogwarts, someone Dumbledore trusts implicitly - "
Voldemort almost whispered his reply. "And you feel you are the one?" Severus knew that if Voldemort had an eyebrow to raise, it would be raised sardonically about now.
Attempting to gain the Dark Lord's trust, Severus continued. "Well, Sire, I - I've been teaching there for over 2 years, and over time, he may instill more trust in me."
"Ahh, so many 'ifs' and 'buts' my child - " Voldemort said, using one of Dumbledore's many phrases. " - you will have to make yourself more useful than for mere hope."
Severus bowed once again. "Of course, my Lord." The red eyes gleamed evilly, and suddenly Severus' vision was blinded with intense pain. Don't cry, don't scream, don't even breathe in too deeply.
And the pain was gone.
Seemingly unimpressed with Severus' lack of pain, Voldemort almost shouted. "Get out of my sight! I need to...discuss...your fate. Be gone. But not too far. We may need you for more...entertainment... The eyes flashed once more. Severus nodded, and kissed the floor by his 'masters' Feet? tail? No? What then....
He stood calmly, slowly and quietly. "Yes, Master, of course." He backed out of the room.
Narcissa glanced up when she heard the doors creak open, and saw a pale Severus backing nervously out of the doorway. She tried not to hurry to him, or seem overly concerned.
As he turned, he saw her looking at him. His obsidian-black eyes bored into hers, asking a multitude of questions that she knew he would never be able to voice: 'Are you all right? Has Lucius been...Lucius? What about...?' But all he said was....
"Hello."
So much for eternal worry. She thought wryly.
"Hi."
They continued to stare at each other, the tension in the room thick enough to be cut with a severing charm.
Until, of course, a small toddler hugged Severus' knee and unceremoniously drooled down his leg.
"This must be Draco." He said, raising an eyebrow at her. She shrugged helplessly and smiled faintly, glad for the disruption whilst Draco giggled unperturbed. "I see he takes after his father. Talks a lot, but makes little sense." Her grin widened, especially when she saw what happened next.
Severus knelt down and put out his hand, as if waiting for a handshake. Draco looked at him questioningly, hit his tiny hand onto Severus's palm, and gurgled.
"Well 'hello' to you too, Master Malfoy. I'm Severus." He looked up into Narcissa's eyes, and smiled slightly.
He spoke to her, finally, "How are you?" He asked apprehensively.
"Oh, fine. The usual, you know...."
He rose quickly. "No, I don't know!" He exclaimed suddenly. "But, I'd like to." He added, in what seemed an afterthought, but she knew that was not the case.
"Well…I don't really know where to start. Lucius was happy, about Draco, I mean.
I think that he was mostly glad that he'd inherited the 'Malfoy hair', instead of my 'impure brown'...whatever that means.
She took several deep breaths, seeming to gain courage from each one.
He...he...used to, to hit me. But, it wasn't that bad. I became numb to it after a while, you know. But, when Draco was born, he kind of stopped for a while, only the occasional one now and then, when he was annoyed.
And, before you say anything, its okay. I'm able to fix myself. And Albus has been so kind. Don't you look at me like that! - Really, I'm being truthful...it's all I ever could be with you…"
She looked down; self consciously rubbing her arms, and spoke quickly.
"When he took my wand away, Albus said I should leave. He said he'd do something, anything, to help me. Fake my death, or something. But I wouldn't...I couldn't. Not now. Draco needs me. The Order needs me.
I got myself another wand. I flooed to Olivander's, and bought a new one. Lucius doesn't know of course. I had to Obliviate Olivander, obviously, but - I didn't want to. I didn't want him to loose his record of 'remembering every wand that he's ever sold'. Stupid really." She started to cry quietly.
Severus went towards her slowly and gently embraced her. He shielded her eyes from her view of Draco, and spoke utter - comforting - nonsense in her ear. She looked up into his eyes, smiling slightly, and hesitantly kissed his lips.
Their brief, chaste kiss was a memorable one for both of them. The first real kiss of any significance for at least 2 years, and they both knew for many years to come.
Draco cuddling into them, clutching one of each of their knees, and holding on tight gurgling, interrupted their brief utopia. Severus bent down slowly, and picked him up. They both looked curiously at each other, until Severus broke the contact by looking at Narcissa. "We've got to teach him. Teach him that all this - " He gestured around the room. "-is wrong." "We?" "Of course. I'm never letting you out of my sight."
He smiled slightly, and put Draco back down, patting his head gently as the child went back to playing, once again oblivious to the adults nearby.
The door burst dramatically open, as Lucius Malfoy practically floated through the doors.
"Ahh, Severus. I see you've met Narcissa and Draco." None of the expected warmth and admiration to his son and wife was present.
"Yes, I have. Narcissa is well, and so, I am to believe, are you. That's always good to know. You have a very fine son. I'm sure he'll make an excellent wizard." Severus tried not to gag or laugh when he attempted to flatter the self-proclaimed 'second in command'.
"Well, naturally. The Dark Lord is looking for a...shall we say...'heir to the throne'...speaking of which. He's waiting for you."
Lucius smiled malevolently, and watched Severus nod to Narcissa and mock shook-hands with Draco, whilst looking at Lucius straight in the eye, then nodding slowly, which was no more than an annoyed jerk of his head.
When he was gone, Lucius looked at Narcissa critically. "What did he want?"
"I gathered that The Dark Lord had commanded him to stay. There was no point in leaving here. Besides, I haven't spoken to him for a while, and he's never seen Draco."
Lucius looked at her suspiciously, but reluctantly nodded and walked away.
Narcissa let out a breath she did not realize he was holding, and prayed to any Gods listening, let Severus be safe...
A/N: Any good? Please let me know!