Disclaimer:
Review Responses:
Lune Project - Narcissa didn't really 'find' the passage, she already knew it was there and roughly where it was she'd just never used it before, it's first mentioned back in chapter eleven during the ministry raid. Lucius isn't worried about Narcissa getting into his study really, for one thing he'd never think she'd crawl down a dirty, dusty, possibly insect infested passage! Also, he would never believe that she would do what she's doing, bear in mind despite her questioning of him she did prove her loyalty by lying for him at his trial and therefore making him think that she is choosing to stand by him. He also believes that if she ever did get ideas of betraying him she'd be far too scared to carry them out, he underestimates his wife but a way he also places too much trust in her, though that could simply be as he knows that turning him in would implicate herself in the crime of perjury. The passage would be much more difficult to find if you didn't know it was there. Besides, the things in his study amount to nothing better than circumstantial evidence with he could never be convicted with. The really good stuff's under the drawing room and that is protected more thoroughly but it is not beyond Narcissa to open. Narcissa has been in the study when Lucius was in there a couple of times as has Draco and Lucius does not even always leave the door locked while he is in the house as is shown when Narcissa finds Draco in there looking for that book of curses. Lucius knows Draco idolises him and he would simply never believe Narcissa capable of this, as for the rest of the world, well the ministry raids aren't the most efficient ever carried out! Draco does think his father is right, though maybe he doesn't underestimate his mother as much as he appears to you'll have to wait and see! Women do seem to suffer a lot! Lucius wouldn't trust his wife to do something because he thinks she's way too out of practice with magic but he doesn't think she'd ever betray him! After all she had her chance to and she didn't take it! However, if he caught her the consequences would not be pleasant, thankfully Narcissa's a smart woman! Bloomsbury's OotP Cover doesn't seem to fit the book and all the others have portrayed scenes from the book but this one doesn't, I'm not overly fond of it myself. It doesn't have anything to do with the book beyond the Phoenix, Order of the Phoenix connection. I haven't seen the US cover for OotP but I preferred the British one for GoF. Thank you for calling my story beautiful I'm just overjoyed people like it! I have seen the Bloomsbury banners they have them in almost every bookshop and library in England at the moment! They're pretty cool, though they drove me mad by putting them up about two weeks before the book came out so every time I went into a bookshop I was reminded of how much I wanted it, but I shouldn't be saying that to poor you who still has to wait! Much sympathy! Thanks for the review!
Serepidia - Glad you liked the chapter. It is a pity that Lucy could simply kill Dippy, perhaps if we could arrange for her to haunt him? Hee, hee Lucy could never escape! I wonder if exorcisms exist in Harry Potter? I've updated and will again soon! Longer chapter this time as well! Thank you for the review!
Professor Charlotte Snape - Thanks for the compliment, here's the ferret chapter and I LOVED writing this, so enjoy! Thanks for reviewing!
Dark Comet - Explosion waiting to happen, what on earth gives you that idea? *whistles innocently*. Oh we'll be seeing explosions alright! All that pent up anger Narcissa seems to have, it's got to go somewhere! It is sad, but then so much in her life is! Ah well, now she gets to have some fun with Moody in this chapter and gets to see Sev again perhaps that'll cheer her up! Thanks for reviewing!
BellatrixBlack - glad you enjoyed the chapter! It's not Lucius' reaction you need to worry about with regards to the ferret incident, he's off doing evil deeds again or something. But you'll see that in a moment when you read the chapter. Thanks for reviewing!
I Built My Life Around You
**Narcissa's Thoughts**
***Severus' Thoughts***
A/N: The stuff in the **[ ]** is Narcissa's thinking while reading the letter, they are not part of the letter!
Chapter 27
Draco had not been at school a week when Narcissa received Severus' reply to her letter.
Dear Narcissa,
I have indeed heard all about the events at the quidditch cup, I take it that you were there. I would ask if you were alright but as you have written to me then I assume you must be. I do not know anymore than you do of the events I'm afraid.
The slight change you noticed in Lucius' mark has appeared in my own as well and I presume anyone else who bears the mark.
I can only come to same conclusion that you and your husband have, however we know nothing for certain so please do not panic. Professor Dumbledore seems to sense trouble brewing, he has called Alastor Moody out of retirement to teach Defence Against the Dark Arts this year.
Narcissa I do trust you, though God only knows why! I share your belief that we are headed for dangerous times but it is you who needs to be careful, Lucius is a dangerous man. Never forget that. Look after yourself and your son, I can take care of myself.
Stay safe,
Severus.
**Do you really trust me Severus? Do I really trust you? I haven't told you that I've been trying to gather some evidence of Lucius' activities; but that is not about trust it's about keeping the two of you away from each other, he would kill you if he could. Oh may whatever gods watch over grumpy cynical ex-deatheaters turned potions masters look after you. I certainly intend to look after Draco, I wish I could keep an eye on you as well. Then again, you've proved in the past that you can look after yourself.**
She folded the letter up carefully, almost reverently, then lit the fire in the grate and placed it in. She usually kept all her letters but the way things were it didn't seem wise to keep a letter than talked about Lucius and the dark mark.
She watched the parchment blacken and curl and fall into dust before she extinguished the fire. **I wish I could see him again, I wish for once I could see him under pleasant circumstances!**
*******
The next day a letter arrived from Draco, delighting Narcissa who was keen to hear from him again. She had expected to hear all about arrangements for the tournament but the letter contained nothing of the kind.
Dear Mum,
alright, it's now been five minutes since I wrote dear mum and I still don't know where to start. Mum, I wish you were here. **[Sweetheart, what on earth can be the matter?]** Mum, please don't laugh when I tell you what happened because it really wasn't funny in fact it was kind of scary. You know that Dumbledore hired a new DADA professor, Mad Eye Moody? Well the man transfigured me into a ferret and bounced me around the entrance hall.
Narcissa couldn't help laughing at this point, **pull the other one! Does he really expect me to buy this?**
She shook her head and picked up the letter to continue reading.
Mum, please do something or get Dad to do something, it was horrible. **[Oh God, I think he _is_ serious!]** I was arguing with Potter and Weasley and I drew my wand and the next thing I knew I was a small animal being thrown up and down onto a marble floor. McGonagall came along, thank god, and turned me back. Not that she was much help after that, she allowed Moody to take me off to Professor Snape. **[Well I hope Severus dealt with the man!]**
Moody grabbed my arm and all but dragged me to the dungeons and into Professor Snape's office. He was so disrespectful to him, he didn't even knock just flung the door open and marched in. Professor Snape was marking some essays and he didn't look at all pleased to see Moody, he demanded to know what on earth he thought he was doing with me. I might add that I rather wanted to ask that myself. Moody accused me of being a, "stinking coward," and said I was just like my father and my head of house. Can you believe that he said that in front of Snape?! I tried to tell Snape what had happened though Moody kept interrupting me but Snape got the gist and was furious! **[Good! So am I, how dare someone treat my son like that?!]**
Moody yelled a lot and Snape glared at him and yelled back a bit. Moody was awful to him, he seems to have no respect for Professor Snape at all! Snape looked a bit uncomfortable actually. Eventually he managed to kick Moody out then he told me not to attack Potter and gave me a cup of tea and a spell to stop the bruising.
Mum you have to do something, for goodness sake when Snape gets sympathetic you know something's serious! It was awful mum, I know I always say that and that I'm always after sympathy but please do something terrible to that man!
Love Draco
**I'm going to kill him. How dare someone treat my son in that manner!** Narcissa stood up and stormed out of her study, **heads are going to roll!**
Lucius was not in and Narcissa would not have stopped to inform him if he had been, she reached the entrance hall and flung on a cloak. She went into the drawing room and grabbed a handful of floo powder, lighting a fire with her wand. After flooing into Hogsmeade she walked up to the school, fuming madly and intent on taking action.
Upon reaching the gates she marched up the path to the school's entrance, it was late afternoon so lessons had finished and most students were in the library or their common rooms. Instinct took her down into the dungeons giving her the oddest sense of déjà vu, slowing her down as her memory led her feet down to the Slytherin common room. She carried on past it however, she could not walk in there anymore, and she headed instead for Severus' office, or rather where she assumed it would be. She ran across a student and asked for directions to be sure.
Having found the right door and upon receiving no answer to her knocks she opened the door and went inside uninvited.
Narcissa took the chance to walk around his office. It was certainly interesting, there were things Narcissa didn't care to identify pickled in large jars around the dark stone walls. The desk was heavy carved oak, tidy and organised, **impersonal, just like the man on first sight. She smiled at that thought, it's nice to be able to say that I know that there is another side to the man. I like to think that I'm one of the few people who get to see it, the side that cares and feels guilt for the past. I hope Moody didn't make him feel too bad!**
"Narcissa." A voice made her turn to the door to see her friend with a surprised expression on his pale yet attractive face.
"Severus," despite her anger and annoyance at the world, she found herself smiling at the man. However, she then became more serious, "You cannot doubt why I am here."
He raised an eyebrow, "I assume you came to kill Moody and yell at Dumbledore and myself."
"Oh of course I didn't, why would I yell at you?"
"I am the boys head of house and I had promised to keep an eye of him," his tone seemed almost apologetic.
"It isn't your fault that Dumbledore has hired a sadistic madman! I want to see Dumbledore and I want to see Moody but first I want to hear what you have to say. What was going on?"
"Draco was fighting with Potter and Weasley, I believe he was taunting Weasley about his family when Mr. Potter made an unpleasant reference to you which Draco took offence at."
"What did he say?"
"He accused you of looking like you had dung under your nose, according to Draco."
"Lovely, nice to know the child's been well brought up!"
"Hmm, quite. Anyway, Mr Potter had turned away and Draco drew his wand which was when Moody stepped in and turned him into a ferret."
"I see. Draco defended me?" she couldn't help but smile, after his laughing at her with Lucius the idea that her son could defend her surprised her a little.
"Of course he did. I think we both know that that child wouldn't let anyone insult you. He proved that at six years old!"
Narcissa laughed a little, then her face hardened. "Right, take me to Dumbledore Severus and I am not taking no for an answer!"
*******
They arrived at Dumbledore's office to find him alone with his thoughts and his sherbet lemons.
"Mrs Malfoy, what an unexpected pleasure," he began, his eyes twinkling in that way she particularly disliked, he always seemed to be enjoying a laugh at someone else's expense.
"Unexpected? I find that hard to believe! If you don't know why I'm here then there's been a complete breakdown of communication either within this school or within your brain. One of your idiotic teachers turned my son into a ferret!"
"We have turned him back again."
Narcissa took a deep breath and reminded herself that killing Albus Dumbledore would not look good in court.
"Severus, perhaps you could bring Alastor up here to speak to Mrs Malfoy." Severus left the room with a nod and a warning glance in Narcissa's direction which seemed to indicate that he wanted no blood shed while he was gone.
Narcissa and Professor Dumbledore sat in silence, broken only by his offering her a sherbet lemon which she refused and threatened to tip the bag over his head if he tried again.
Dumbledore looked hurt and quickly withdrew his sweets before she could make good on her threat.
They were still sat in silence when Severus returned with Moody in tow. Narcissa had seen him before but had already decided not to let him know she had remembered him, **I want to make sure he knows exactly how insignificant he really is.**
"So this is him, this is the man who dares to attack my son? Not much to look at are you?"
She calmly stepped up and looked the man in the face, saying nothing. Severus had been worried she might lose her temper but he relaxed as she simply stared at Moody, that was he relaxed until he realised she was trembling with barely contained rage. She suddenly drew back a hand and slapped Moody right across the face, he went for his wand causing her to do the same. Severus stepped in between them before either one could fire curses at the other.
"Mrs Malfoy! I would ask you to conduct yourself with a little decorum in this room or I would ask you to leave!" Dumbledore said sharply, clearly surprised at her actions.
She whirled to face him with her wand still raised and Severus seriously thought that there was going to be a fight for a minute until she simply lowered her wand and sneered at the headmaster, "Decorum? Not something I'd have thought you were familiar with!" She looked the headmaster up and down giving the impression that she did not like what she saw, "You might try keeping your animals under control in future," she said gesturing towards a seething Moody.
"Mrs Malfoy...!" Dumbledore began but was interrupted.
"If I ever hear of anything like this again I will not hesitate to go to the ministry, the school governors and anyone from the press who'll listen to me, I did not send my son to school to be assaulted by sadistic brutes who know of no other way to deal with things than to employ violence."
"Which is exactly what you did."
"So? I'm not a school teacher and he just got a taste of his own medicine."
"Your son had just raised his wand against Mr. Potter when his back was turned."
"Ah yes precious Potter, I wonder if we'd still be having this conversation if we substituted the-boy-who-lived for a fellow Slytherin?"
Snape raised a questioning eyebrow at the headmaster who looked about fit to tear Narcissa's hair out.
"Don't you talk to professor Dumbledore like that!" Moody interrupted.
"I will talk to whom I see fit, as I see fit, without reference to you or anyone else so thoroughly stupid!" she spat at the DADA teacher.
"I wonder if your husband would agree with my 'stupidity' I know your husband pretty well, I was there at his trial you know, people like you and your husband make me sick!"
"Oh, I'm so scared. Why should I care what my husband thinks, I'm my own person and you are nothing but a nasty little bully who doesn't like anyone who can be connected in any way with the Dark Arts. My husband was cleared of all charges, end of story! I'm not afraid of you."
"Professor Moody was not threatening you Mrs Malfoy," Dumbledore said, trying to placate both parties before this could get any worse.
"No, he was trying to and failing miserably." Narcissa flicked her hair and sat down elegantly in the only chair in the room apart from Dumbledore's. "I want your reassurance that if another such incident is committed against any student this," she sniffed at Moody, "man will be fired instantly."
"Mrs Malfoy, I will deal with the hiring and firing of my staff thank you. I will assure you though that this will not happen again. I am sorry for your distress but you cannot simply march in here and strike one of my teachers, I would suggest you offer him an apology."
Narcissa snorted in amusement, "In your dreams! And I think you'll find that, not only _can_ I do that, I just did." She smiled and rose from the chair, "Good day gentlemen, Severus perhaps you would escort me to the gate in case I hurt anyone else on the way out I mean you never do know with 'people like me'."
Severus opened the door for her and Dumbledore breathed a sigh of relief as the difficult woman drew herself up to her full and rather impressive height and swept from his office without a backwards glance.
Severus followed Narcissa down the spiral stairs and through the corridors of the school.
"Well that was interesting, " he commented as they walked across the Hogwarts grounds.
"Certainly was," she agreed.
"What exactly possessed you to slap Moody or to talk to Dumbledore in such a manner?"
She turned to him, eyes flashing, and for a moment he thought she was going to yell at him in much the same way she had Dumbledore and Moody, but instead she replied in a dangerous tone that suggested that either she was mad or you'd be mad to cross her, ***or maybe both.***
"No one threatens my son! Or you!"
She noticed a flicker of some emotion in the coal dark eyes of her friend but it disappeared as quickly as it appeared. Narcissa placed a hand on his arm where the mark had been burned into the skin, "You are a good person, never let anyone tell you otherwise. If someone cannot see the truly wonderful human being you are then that is their loss. Goodbye Severus."
He nodded, "Goodbye Narcissa, I have a feeling I'm going to remember the look on Moody's face when you slapped him for a long time!"
She laughed and set off through the school gates and down the road to Hogsmeade.
*******
So what do you think? Narcissa takes on Moody!
In chapter 28 we see some letters regarding unforgivable curses.
Next update should be Monday 14th.
Please review and inspire me as I came dangerously close to serious writers block over the last week! I'm pretty far ahead of myself though so don't worry this story and the next part of this story WILL be written!
Review Responses:
Lune Project - Narcissa didn't really 'find' the passage, she already knew it was there and roughly where it was she'd just never used it before, it's first mentioned back in chapter eleven during the ministry raid. Lucius isn't worried about Narcissa getting into his study really, for one thing he'd never think she'd crawl down a dirty, dusty, possibly insect infested passage! Also, he would never believe that she would do what she's doing, bear in mind despite her questioning of him she did prove her loyalty by lying for him at his trial and therefore making him think that she is choosing to stand by him. He also believes that if she ever did get ideas of betraying him she'd be far too scared to carry them out, he underestimates his wife but a way he also places too much trust in her, though that could simply be as he knows that turning him in would implicate herself in the crime of perjury. The passage would be much more difficult to find if you didn't know it was there. Besides, the things in his study amount to nothing better than circumstantial evidence with he could never be convicted with. The really good stuff's under the drawing room and that is protected more thoroughly but it is not beyond Narcissa to open. Narcissa has been in the study when Lucius was in there a couple of times as has Draco and Lucius does not even always leave the door locked while he is in the house as is shown when Narcissa finds Draco in there looking for that book of curses. Lucius knows Draco idolises him and he would simply never believe Narcissa capable of this, as for the rest of the world, well the ministry raids aren't the most efficient ever carried out! Draco does think his father is right, though maybe he doesn't underestimate his mother as much as he appears to you'll have to wait and see! Women do seem to suffer a lot! Lucius wouldn't trust his wife to do something because he thinks she's way too out of practice with magic but he doesn't think she'd ever betray him! After all she had her chance to and she didn't take it! However, if he caught her the consequences would not be pleasant, thankfully Narcissa's a smart woman! Bloomsbury's OotP Cover doesn't seem to fit the book and all the others have portrayed scenes from the book but this one doesn't, I'm not overly fond of it myself. It doesn't have anything to do with the book beyond the Phoenix, Order of the Phoenix connection. I haven't seen the US cover for OotP but I preferred the British one for GoF. Thank you for calling my story beautiful I'm just overjoyed people like it! I have seen the Bloomsbury banners they have them in almost every bookshop and library in England at the moment! They're pretty cool, though they drove me mad by putting them up about two weeks before the book came out so every time I went into a bookshop I was reminded of how much I wanted it, but I shouldn't be saying that to poor you who still has to wait! Much sympathy! Thanks for the review!
Serepidia - Glad you liked the chapter. It is a pity that Lucy could simply kill Dippy, perhaps if we could arrange for her to haunt him? Hee, hee Lucy could never escape! I wonder if exorcisms exist in Harry Potter? I've updated and will again soon! Longer chapter this time as well! Thank you for the review!
Professor Charlotte Snape - Thanks for the compliment, here's the ferret chapter and I LOVED writing this, so enjoy! Thanks for reviewing!
Dark Comet - Explosion waiting to happen, what on earth gives you that idea? *whistles innocently*. Oh we'll be seeing explosions alright! All that pent up anger Narcissa seems to have, it's got to go somewhere! It is sad, but then so much in her life is! Ah well, now she gets to have some fun with Moody in this chapter and gets to see Sev again perhaps that'll cheer her up! Thanks for reviewing!
BellatrixBlack - glad you enjoyed the chapter! It's not Lucius' reaction you need to worry about with regards to the ferret incident, he's off doing evil deeds again or something. But you'll see that in a moment when you read the chapter. Thanks for reviewing!
I Built My Life Around You
**Narcissa's Thoughts**
***Severus' Thoughts***
A/N: The stuff in the **[ ]** is Narcissa's thinking while reading the letter, they are not part of the letter!
Chapter 27
Draco had not been at school a week when Narcissa received Severus' reply to her letter.
Dear Narcissa,
I have indeed heard all about the events at the quidditch cup, I take it that you were there. I would ask if you were alright but as you have written to me then I assume you must be. I do not know anymore than you do of the events I'm afraid.
The slight change you noticed in Lucius' mark has appeared in my own as well and I presume anyone else who bears the mark.
I can only come to same conclusion that you and your husband have, however we know nothing for certain so please do not panic. Professor Dumbledore seems to sense trouble brewing, he has called Alastor Moody out of retirement to teach Defence Against the Dark Arts this year.
Narcissa I do trust you, though God only knows why! I share your belief that we are headed for dangerous times but it is you who needs to be careful, Lucius is a dangerous man. Never forget that. Look after yourself and your son, I can take care of myself.
Stay safe,
Severus.
**Do you really trust me Severus? Do I really trust you? I haven't told you that I've been trying to gather some evidence of Lucius' activities; but that is not about trust it's about keeping the two of you away from each other, he would kill you if he could. Oh may whatever gods watch over grumpy cynical ex-deatheaters turned potions masters look after you. I certainly intend to look after Draco, I wish I could keep an eye on you as well. Then again, you've proved in the past that you can look after yourself.**
She folded the letter up carefully, almost reverently, then lit the fire in the grate and placed it in. She usually kept all her letters but the way things were it didn't seem wise to keep a letter than talked about Lucius and the dark mark.
She watched the parchment blacken and curl and fall into dust before she extinguished the fire. **I wish I could see him again, I wish for once I could see him under pleasant circumstances!**
*******
The next day a letter arrived from Draco, delighting Narcissa who was keen to hear from him again. She had expected to hear all about arrangements for the tournament but the letter contained nothing of the kind.
Dear Mum,
alright, it's now been five minutes since I wrote dear mum and I still don't know where to start. Mum, I wish you were here. **[Sweetheart, what on earth can be the matter?]** Mum, please don't laugh when I tell you what happened because it really wasn't funny in fact it was kind of scary. You know that Dumbledore hired a new DADA professor, Mad Eye Moody? Well the man transfigured me into a ferret and bounced me around the entrance hall.
Narcissa couldn't help laughing at this point, **pull the other one! Does he really expect me to buy this?**
She shook her head and picked up the letter to continue reading.
Mum, please do something or get Dad to do something, it was horrible. **[Oh God, I think he _is_ serious!]** I was arguing with Potter and Weasley and I drew my wand and the next thing I knew I was a small animal being thrown up and down onto a marble floor. McGonagall came along, thank god, and turned me back. Not that she was much help after that, she allowed Moody to take me off to Professor Snape. **[Well I hope Severus dealt with the man!]**
Moody grabbed my arm and all but dragged me to the dungeons and into Professor Snape's office. He was so disrespectful to him, he didn't even knock just flung the door open and marched in. Professor Snape was marking some essays and he didn't look at all pleased to see Moody, he demanded to know what on earth he thought he was doing with me. I might add that I rather wanted to ask that myself. Moody accused me of being a, "stinking coward," and said I was just like my father and my head of house. Can you believe that he said that in front of Snape?! I tried to tell Snape what had happened though Moody kept interrupting me but Snape got the gist and was furious! **[Good! So am I, how dare someone treat my son like that?!]**
Moody yelled a lot and Snape glared at him and yelled back a bit. Moody was awful to him, he seems to have no respect for Professor Snape at all! Snape looked a bit uncomfortable actually. Eventually he managed to kick Moody out then he told me not to attack Potter and gave me a cup of tea and a spell to stop the bruising.
Mum you have to do something, for goodness sake when Snape gets sympathetic you know something's serious! It was awful mum, I know I always say that and that I'm always after sympathy but please do something terrible to that man!
Love Draco
**I'm going to kill him. How dare someone treat my son in that manner!** Narcissa stood up and stormed out of her study, **heads are going to roll!**
Lucius was not in and Narcissa would not have stopped to inform him if he had been, she reached the entrance hall and flung on a cloak. She went into the drawing room and grabbed a handful of floo powder, lighting a fire with her wand. After flooing into Hogsmeade she walked up to the school, fuming madly and intent on taking action.
Upon reaching the gates she marched up the path to the school's entrance, it was late afternoon so lessons had finished and most students were in the library or their common rooms. Instinct took her down into the dungeons giving her the oddest sense of déjà vu, slowing her down as her memory led her feet down to the Slytherin common room. She carried on past it however, she could not walk in there anymore, and she headed instead for Severus' office, or rather where she assumed it would be. She ran across a student and asked for directions to be sure.
Having found the right door and upon receiving no answer to her knocks she opened the door and went inside uninvited.
Narcissa took the chance to walk around his office. It was certainly interesting, there were things Narcissa didn't care to identify pickled in large jars around the dark stone walls. The desk was heavy carved oak, tidy and organised, **impersonal, just like the man on first sight. She smiled at that thought, it's nice to be able to say that I know that there is another side to the man. I like to think that I'm one of the few people who get to see it, the side that cares and feels guilt for the past. I hope Moody didn't make him feel too bad!**
"Narcissa." A voice made her turn to the door to see her friend with a surprised expression on his pale yet attractive face.
"Severus," despite her anger and annoyance at the world, she found herself smiling at the man. However, she then became more serious, "You cannot doubt why I am here."
He raised an eyebrow, "I assume you came to kill Moody and yell at Dumbledore and myself."
"Oh of course I didn't, why would I yell at you?"
"I am the boys head of house and I had promised to keep an eye of him," his tone seemed almost apologetic.
"It isn't your fault that Dumbledore has hired a sadistic madman! I want to see Dumbledore and I want to see Moody but first I want to hear what you have to say. What was going on?"
"Draco was fighting with Potter and Weasley, I believe he was taunting Weasley about his family when Mr. Potter made an unpleasant reference to you which Draco took offence at."
"What did he say?"
"He accused you of looking like you had dung under your nose, according to Draco."
"Lovely, nice to know the child's been well brought up!"
"Hmm, quite. Anyway, Mr Potter had turned away and Draco drew his wand which was when Moody stepped in and turned him into a ferret."
"I see. Draco defended me?" she couldn't help but smile, after his laughing at her with Lucius the idea that her son could defend her surprised her a little.
"Of course he did. I think we both know that that child wouldn't let anyone insult you. He proved that at six years old!"
Narcissa laughed a little, then her face hardened. "Right, take me to Dumbledore Severus and I am not taking no for an answer!"
*******
They arrived at Dumbledore's office to find him alone with his thoughts and his sherbet lemons.
"Mrs Malfoy, what an unexpected pleasure," he began, his eyes twinkling in that way she particularly disliked, he always seemed to be enjoying a laugh at someone else's expense.
"Unexpected? I find that hard to believe! If you don't know why I'm here then there's been a complete breakdown of communication either within this school or within your brain. One of your idiotic teachers turned my son into a ferret!"
"We have turned him back again."
Narcissa took a deep breath and reminded herself that killing Albus Dumbledore would not look good in court.
"Severus, perhaps you could bring Alastor up here to speak to Mrs Malfoy." Severus left the room with a nod and a warning glance in Narcissa's direction which seemed to indicate that he wanted no blood shed while he was gone.
Narcissa and Professor Dumbledore sat in silence, broken only by his offering her a sherbet lemon which she refused and threatened to tip the bag over his head if he tried again.
Dumbledore looked hurt and quickly withdrew his sweets before she could make good on her threat.
They were still sat in silence when Severus returned with Moody in tow. Narcissa had seen him before but had already decided not to let him know she had remembered him, **I want to make sure he knows exactly how insignificant he really is.**
"So this is him, this is the man who dares to attack my son? Not much to look at are you?"
She calmly stepped up and looked the man in the face, saying nothing. Severus had been worried she might lose her temper but he relaxed as she simply stared at Moody, that was he relaxed until he realised she was trembling with barely contained rage. She suddenly drew back a hand and slapped Moody right across the face, he went for his wand causing her to do the same. Severus stepped in between them before either one could fire curses at the other.
"Mrs Malfoy! I would ask you to conduct yourself with a little decorum in this room or I would ask you to leave!" Dumbledore said sharply, clearly surprised at her actions.
She whirled to face him with her wand still raised and Severus seriously thought that there was going to be a fight for a minute until she simply lowered her wand and sneered at the headmaster, "Decorum? Not something I'd have thought you were familiar with!" She looked the headmaster up and down giving the impression that she did not like what she saw, "You might try keeping your animals under control in future," she said gesturing towards a seething Moody.
"Mrs Malfoy...!" Dumbledore began but was interrupted.
"If I ever hear of anything like this again I will not hesitate to go to the ministry, the school governors and anyone from the press who'll listen to me, I did not send my son to school to be assaulted by sadistic brutes who know of no other way to deal with things than to employ violence."
"Which is exactly what you did."
"So? I'm not a school teacher and he just got a taste of his own medicine."
"Your son had just raised his wand against Mr. Potter when his back was turned."
"Ah yes precious Potter, I wonder if we'd still be having this conversation if we substituted the-boy-who-lived for a fellow Slytherin?"
Snape raised a questioning eyebrow at the headmaster who looked about fit to tear Narcissa's hair out.
"Don't you talk to professor Dumbledore like that!" Moody interrupted.
"I will talk to whom I see fit, as I see fit, without reference to you or anyone else so thoroughly stupid!" she spat at the DADA teacher.
"I wonder if your husband would agree with my 'stupidity' I know your husband pretty well, I was there at his trial you know, people like you and your husband make me sick!"
"Oh, I'm so scared. Why should I care what my husband thinks, I'm my own person and you are nothing but a nasty little bully who doesn't like anyone who can be connected in any way with the Dark Arts. My husband was cleared of all charges, end of story! I'm not afraid of you."
"Professor Moody was not threatening you Mrs Malfoy," Dumbledore said, trying to placate both parties before this could get any worse.
"No, he was trying to and failing miserably." Narcissa flicked her hair and sat down elegantly in the only chair in the room apart from Dumbledore's. "I want your reassurance that if another such incident is committed against any student this," she sniffed at Moody, "man will be fired instantly."
"Mrs Malfoy, I will deal with the hiring and firing of my staff thank you. I will assure you though that this will not happen again. I am sorry for your distress but you cannot simply march in here and strike one of my teachers, I would suggest you offer him an apology."
Narcissa snorted in amusement, "In your dreams! And I think you'll find that, not only _can_ I do that, I just did." She smiled and rose from the chair, "Good day gentlemen, Severus perhaps you would escort me to the gate in case I hurt anyone else on the way out I mean you never do know with 'people like me'."
Severus opened the door for her and Dumbledore breathed a sigh of relief as the difficult woman drew herself up to her full and rather impressive height and swept from his office without a backwards glance.
Severus followed Narcissa down the spiral stairs and through the corridors of the school.
"Well that was interesting, " he commented as they walked across the Hogwarts grounds.
"Certainly was," she agreed.
"What exactly possessed you to slap Moody or to talk to Dumbledore in such a manner?"
She turned to him, eyes flashing, and for a moment he thought she was going to yell at him in much the same way she had Dumbledore and Moody, but instead she replied in a dangerous tone that suggested that either she was mad or you'd be mad to cross her, ***or maybe both.***
"No one threatens my son! Or you!"
She noticed a flicker of some emotion in the coal dark eyes of her friend but it disappeared as quickly as it appeared. Narcissa placed a hand on his arm where the mark had been burned into the skin, "You are a good person, never let anyone tell you otherwise. If someone cannot see the truly wonderful human being you are then that is their loss. Goodbye Severus."
He nodded, "Goodbye Narcissa, I have a feeling I'm going to remember the look on Moody's face when you slapped him for a long time!"
She laughed and set off through the school gates and down the road to Hogsmeade.
*******
So what do you think? Narcissa takes on Moody!
In chapter 28 we see some letters regarding unforgivable curses.
Next update should be Monday 14th.
Please review and inspire me as I came dangerously close to serious writers block over the last week! I'm pretty far ahead of myself though so don't worry this story and the next part of this story WILL be written!
