Disclaimer: I only own the plot!
Review Responses:
Bonezz - So sorry for what I did to Lucius! I didn't want to do it but the idea of Lucius in Azkaban was too terrible to me! I'm sorry but he really is dead in this fic! I'm sure he's in a better place though, come on he's taking over hell by now as Lucifer's right hand man I'm sure! lol! Seriously, sorry if I upset you but I didn't want to do it, it was just the only way! Thanks for the review!
ilovesporks - I am the queen of run on sentences! I will try to fix that in future, I seem to have some kind of aversion to full stops! lol! Glad it was unexpected, I'd hate to get too predictable! Thanks for the review!
Dark Comet - It's over, you can come from behind the sofa now! I couldn't stand the idea of Lucius rotting in Azkaban so it had to be this way, besides it does allow Narcissa a little more closure than if he were still alive. Don't expect her and Sev to simply get to grips with things though, they're a bit slow on the uptake! Though we do finally see how Sev feels in this chapter. I'll warn Ron about the frying pan, lol! Harry irritates me too sometimes, I couldn't see myself writing about him really. Here's Ron's reaction, you might be impressed with him. Thanks for reviewing!
Luna Project - Ok, first of all I have to clear up a major misunderstanding! Sorry if it wasn't clear but it wasn't Narcissa who killed Lucius, she was going to but Severus realised what she was up to and threw Lucius out of the path of her spell. Unfortunately Lucius hit the wall in the wrong way and died as a result of that. So technically Severus killed him, however Sev didn't mean to, he was trying to stop Lucius being killed, so it was an accident. That's not to say Narcissa wouldn't have done it because she certainly intended to but Severus realised that letting her kill him was not a good idea for the reasons you mentioned in the review plus the fact that Draco might not get over watching his mother kill his father. So it does make the whole issue a little better, Sev couldn't be charged with murder even in self-defence as it was an accident so he's in far less trouble than she would have been if she'd actually killed him. Narcissa's not exactly out of trouble with the ministry herself though, there's the small matter of perjury and perverting the course of justice at Lucius' trial! You will meet some of the other Death Eaters and see their perspective on Lucius' death later on but not Bellatrix, in this she's not related to Narcissa in any way and is staying in Azkaban so that poor Neville never has to think of his parents' torturer walking free! You'll find out about the official verdict for Lucius' death in chapter seven. Even if Narcissa had killed Lucy and gone to Azkaban though Draco wouldn't have been alone as I'm sure that Narcissa has his Godfather named as his guardian should anything happen to her!:o) Sorry to have given you the wrong impression, I'm going to go back and check that wording to see if I can make it clearer! Right, on to responding to your review of chapter four (I thought I Should do 5 first to clear up the little misunderstanding :o) Severus is very brave! A little foolish yes but I was actually hoping someone would ask this as I actually have an explanation that goes beyond I wanted to write about angry Sev in a nightshirt (not that that wasn't a factor I suppose!). The way I see it the only people in the castle at that time (besides Draco) were Sev, Filch and Dumbledore. I am assuming that this alarm would sound in the teacher's offices and bedchambers. Sev is nearest to the front doors, being in the dungeons whereas I always saw Dumbledore's office (and goodness knows where he sleeps!) as being way up in the tower. Sev's awake anyway, as he's stressed, and he knows that he has to respond to this alarm, Filch can't after all being a squib! Part of him responds because he thinks it might be a death eater, one in particular actually; Lucius! Severus fears that he might have come to get Draco and Sev won't give up his Godson without a fight, so he is rather reckless but it's all for Draco! When he leaves Narcissa in his office and goes to get dressed he informs Dumbledore that it was a false alarm. As to the Lucius coming home early issue, Draco isn't thinking about that when he leaves he just wants to get away and Narcissa thinks that him arriving home early is unlikely and that if he did he'd probably just assume she'd gone shopping and Draco was either with her or at his friends'. Dippy probably wouldn't have been much help but then I can't see Lucius voluntarily peaking to Dippy anyway! lol! You've now seen how far Narcissa's willing to go to protect her son! You've also seen how unpredictably unstable Lucius could be! I always saw Draco as running to Sev, who else is so wonderful? I'd hope Jo's Draco would go to him too. The computer had a faulty connection in it's power cable so it couldn't get mains power, it just needed the socket fixing. Of course I don't mind responding to your questions, I'm just sorry that my e-mail was so late! A poem based on chapter four of this fic? I'm intrigued, did you write it or did you just think it fit the story? Well of course you can submit it! I'm flattered by the idea! Can I read it or is it not in English, if it is I'd love you to send me a copy! Thanks for the review and the e-mails, they keep me going when all I want to do is climb into bed and deny that I have to go to university in a few days time! I'm a bit nervous!
I Found a Little Courage to Call it Off
**Narcissa's Thoughts**
***Severus' Thoughts***
^Percy's Thoughts^
{Molly's Thoughts}
Chapter 6
Molly was overjoyed to see her husband and son return safe and sound with Professor Snape, Narcissa and Draco. She instantly, having got the full story from Arthur, sent Narcissa up to bed in Ginny's room. Severus supported the woman up the stairs as she looked about ready to collapse. Arthur had gone to the ministry to explain things before the aurors arrived at the manor and found Lucius dead.
Draco was sat downstairs staring vacantly into the fire, he hadn't moved since he had collapsed there when he arrived. Molly was now fussing around him trying to get a response when Percy came over a put a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"Mum, leave him alone. He'll be fine." ^I hope^.
"Hey, what's the amazing bouncing ferret doing here?" Ron's voice was suddenly heard from the foot of the stairs.
"RON! You mind your mouth young man!" Molly scolded before hugging her son for no obvious reason.
Ron turned bright red at being hugged by his mother in front of Malfoy. "Mum!" he struggled and was eventually allowed to escape.
Draco hadn't moved, he hadn't even acknowledged Ron's presence.
"It's a good job you're here actually dear, look there's been a bit of an incident do you mind sleeping on the sofa while Draco takes your room."
"What?!"
"Just do it Ron and don't be difficult! Draco dear, why don't you try and get some sleep? I'll get you a dreamless sleep potion if you like."
He shook his head, "No thank you, I'd rather sleep without it."
"Alright," Molly said uncertainly, "Let me show you up to Ron's room, you've got some pyjama's haven't you...?" Their voices faded away as Molly led the paler than usual blonde teenager upstairs.
"What the bloody hell is going on?!" Ron turned to look at Percy who had sat down heavily in an armchair.
"Sit down Ron," Percy said quietly, his voice empty of it's usual pompous tones when giving orders to his siblings.
Ron sat down, "Perce? You alright?" He noticed that his brother was also looking rather pale and shaken.
Percy gave a weak smile, "I'm fine. Look there was, as mum puts it, a bit of an incident tonight."
"What happened?"
"Well this all started two days ago when Professor Snape dropped by to see mum and dad. Ron you know Lucius Malfoy wasn't the nicest of people?"
"That's an understatement, the git's a ruddy Death Eater! So why is his son here?!"
"Draco isn't like his father."
Ron snorted.
"Look I know he's never been nice to any of us but he isn't his fault, he was raised to behave like that. He found some evidence of what his father had been up to," Ron opened his mouth to speak but Percy waved a hand to quiet him, "Don't ask what because I'm not telling you, mum'd have my head for it! Anyway he went to Professor Snape who it turns out is an old friend of Draco's mother. Narcissa, that's Draco's mum, hates Lucius she didn't know what he really was when she married him, well she knew he was a Death Eater but she had no idea of the things he got up to. You remember at the end of this year mum spoke to her on the platform and you and Fred and George were asking why?"
Ron nodded.
"Well, Mum and Narcissa got to know each other when they were in hospital with you and Draco. Anyway, mum's been worried about Narcissa and they get on pretty well apparently, mum says she's nothing like her husband. She's always been too afraid to leave Lucius but with Draco finally showing that he wasn't just a mini-Lucius clone she decided to leave and turn him over to the ministry. She was supposed to come here with Draco tonight, that's why mum sent you to bed and all but locked Fred and George in their room, but they didn't show up on time so dad, Professor Snape and I went to look for them. Lucius was having a go at her, I'm not sure if he knew what was going on or not but he was in a foul mood, he didn't seem that sane to be honest. Anyway when we showed up he started firing curses in all directions and there was a bit of an accident. Professor Snape tried to throw him to the side when he was going for Narcissa but he hit his head on the wall. Ron, he's dead. Dad's gone to the ministry, they were due to raid the manor at ten o'clock anyway."
Ron sat there unable to say anything.
"Give Draco a break, ok?"
Ron nodded dumbly and Percy stood up to leave.
"Perce, you are alright aren't you? I mean, he didn't hurt you or dad?" Ron asked in a small voice.
"No," Percy smiled reassuringly and shook his head, "We're just fine. Would you like a hot chocolate?"
Ron nodded and Percy left to get it.
Arthur returned a couple of hours later to be informed that Narcissa was asleep being watched over by Snape and Draco was asleep in Ron's room. Arthur beamed at his son when he found out he'd given up his room to his enemy. The remaining Weasleys went to bed leaving Ron to curl up on the sofa, his head spinning with the story he'd heard.
*******
Severus Snape was still sat by Narcissa's beside, Molly had offered to put up a camp bed for him somewhere but he had refused, not wanting to leave Narcissa alone. He looked at the woman lying on the bed, she looked so vulnerable while she slept. She was too thin and too pale and looked far younger than she was, but not in a good way, she looked too young. Yet at the same time she looked old beyond her years, as though troubles had been placed on young shoulders. She was no longer the bright young head girl or beautiful, sweet natured bride he remembered. Narcissa had been through much in the last eighteen years and it showed on her face. He reached out and took hold of one of the thin hands which lay on top of the patchwork quilt, holding it gently in his own and stroking it distractedly as he thought back over the night. He noticed with a strange pang that her silver wedding ring was still on her finger. Even asleep she didn't look peaceful, she had a slight frown on her face and he smiled at her, the deeply protective feeling he had encountered that evening had not dissipated.
"You daft woman," he whispered affectionately. "You could have got yourself killed, why didn't you leave him years ago? You should have known that no matter what side I was on I would have helped you, you were always my friend."
The woman seemed calmed slightly by the sound of his voice as the frown had left her face. He continued to stroke her hand and whispered in a voice that would have been difficult for her to catch even had she been awake, "I love you."
He was shocked upon looking at her face to see a small but distinct smirk across her pale features.
***She can't be awake! Can she? No, she'd have said something if she were.***
Narcissa Malfoy was indeed wide awake but she wasn't going to tell him that, enjoyable as embarrassing Severus was and embarrassed as he would have been knowing she had heard his confession, his presence by her side and the feel of his hand softly clasping hers was much more pleasant. Had she revealed she knew he was there he would never have permitted himself to hold her hand in this way so she wisely kept her mouth shut, amused but deeply touched at his admission. She felt wetness behind her eyelids but ignored it; she didn't even have the energy left to cry. But, for the first time in recent memory, her tears, had she given in to them, would not have been due to the pain and upset of living with Lucius, **it's over.**
Severus relaxed as her smirk turned into a natural smile, ***She must be dreaming, I should have given her a dreamless sleep potion. At least her dreams seem pleasant.***
*******
Ron was lying on the lumpy, ancient sofa unable to sleep when he heard footsteps and sat up to see who it was. "Malfoy? What are you doing up?"
Draco was stood at the foot of the stairs, "Did I wake you?"
"No. It's kind of hard to sleep on this sofa," Ron replied pointedly.
"It's not my fault your mother insisted I take your room."
Ron snorted, "What are you doing up anyway, it's three o'clock!"
"I couldn't sleep, it's so hot up there."
"Well heat rises and my room's at the top of the house, you do the maths," there was no maliciousness in Ron's voice, indeed there had not been throughout their entire exchange, Draco smiled weakly and stepped into the room.
"I wanted a glass of water, do you mind?"
"No, course not. Help yourself."
Draco headed into the kitchen and returned minutes later with a glass.
"You alright?" Ron asked, "I mean, I heard about what happened from Percy and well, I just thought I'd ask," he trailed off, realising Draco probably wouldn't want to talk about that. "Erm, why don't you sit down?" he added hurriedly, "I couldn't sleep either. We could play a game of chess or something," he suggested, catching sight of the chessboard set up on the coffee table, expecting Draco to decline and return to bed.
Draco for a moment looked about to do just that but then sat down in a chair and said, "Alright. You can be white, I'm good so you might need an advantage!"
The taunt was good natured but Ron couldn't resist smirking, "Ok Malfoy, whatever you say."
*******
Molly was the first member of the household to wake the next morning. She came downstairs in her dressing gown and slippers to find Ron and Draco asleep in a pair of armchairs, a chessboard with a half completed game on the table between them. From what she could see white had been winning though it was close.
She smiled, proud that her son had put aside his childish rivalry to help his nemesis. She had been rather concerned when Draco had refused a sleeping potion the night before and she had felt uncomfortable about leaving him alone after everything he had been through that evening but apparently Ron had known exactly how to help. She ruffled her sleeping son's hair affectionately and went into the kitchen to make breakfast for, {goodness me how many is it? Nine! Oh well, I used to cook for nine when Bill and Charlie lived here!}
*******
Narcissa awoke feeling warm and comfortable, **Well that rules out being at the manor, I've never slept this well there.** She opened her eyes and winced against the sunlight, clearly wherever she was the curtains hadn't been closed the previous night. As her eyes adjusted to the light she saw a figure sat in a chair next to the bed, **Sev?** The events of the previous day filtered back into her mind and she sat up in the soft bed.
Severus was asleep in the chair next to her bedside, looking oddly peaceful for him.
Narcissa smiled and leaned back against the pillows. **Did he stay with me all night? He told me he loved me!** She frowned suddenly, **but he didn't mean it, he couldn't have. Not after everything I've put him through.**
*******
Molly prepared a tray for Narcissa and Severus, assuming that the woman would appreciate a lie in, and carried it up the stairs, noticing that Ron and Draco were still fast asleep.
She knocked on the door and entered, finding Narcissa sat up in bed and Severus asleep in a chair. "Good Morning Narcissa, how are you feeling this morning?"
"Not too bad thanks, how's Draco?"
"Still asleep." Molly put the tray down on a table and glanced across at Severus, "Did he stay there all night?"
"Looks like it," Narcissa smiled.
However the smell of breakfast seemed to have an effect on the sleeping man as he slowly opened his eyes and stretched. "I think I should have accepted your offer of the camp bed," he muttered when he saw Molly. He turned to Narcissa with concern clear on his face, "Are you alright?"
Narcissa nodded, "Thanks for staying with me."
Severus smiled and stood up, "I should get going, doubtless the headmaster will be wanting to know what's been going on and why I didn't tell him about it before now! I'll come back and see you as soon as I can. You take care of yourself," he smiled again and made to leave but found Molly blocking his way.
"Oh no you don't! You haven't eaten breakfast yet, you've not even had a cup of tea!"
"Thank you but I'm not hungry."
"I don't care if you're hungry, breakfast is the most important meal of the day!"
"I really do need to see Dumbledore!" Severus didn't mention the fact that the main reason he needed to see Dumbledore was to seek advice on what to do about effectively having killed Lucius Malfoy, he didn't want Narcissa to start feeling guilty about the events of the previous night.
"Well I tell you what, I'll make you a couple of bacon sandwiches to take with you and while I make them you can have a nice cup of tea! No arguments!"
**Like he'd dare!** Narcissa giggled as the two of them left with Molly still scolding.
"Narcissa!" she called back, "I want to see that breakfast eaten and not just moved about on the plate!"
**Bloody hell! She's acting like we're her children!**
Narcissa sighed and settled down to eat the huge breakfast Molly had prepared
*******
Narcissa emerged from Ginny's room half an hour later to find Draco being woken up in an armchair by Molly wafting bacon under his nose. She couldn't help laughing as her son came to with a startled yelp and looked round him like he had no clue where he was or how he'd got there. His yelp woke up Ron who was sprawled half in, half out of another armchair and who hit the floor as he woke up and tried to move. It was at this point Fred and George chose to make their appearance.
"Morning mum, Mrs Malfoy..." whichever twin had been greeting them suddenly stopped. "Erm, am I still asleep?"
"No," the other said, "I see it too!"
"Oh boys, Mrs Malfoy and Draco stayed with us last night, there's been a bit of an upset," Molly explained.
"Which I'm sure you'll read all about in the morning papers!" Narcissa drawled, half amused and half annoyed at the idea of what the papers might write.
"Actually you made the front page!" Percy wandered in with a coffee and a newspaper which he passed to Narcissa.
CHARMING YOUNG WIFE TRAPPED IN ABUSIVE AND LOVELESS MARRIAGE RESCUED BY GALLANT SCHOOLTEACHER.
Narcissa couldn't help laughing at the headline, "Who said Rita Skeeter never wrote anything worth reading!" She passed the paper back, "Thanks Percy but I don't think I want to read about it, I think the headline's as much as I can take for one day!"
Fred and George instantly appropriated the paper from an annoyed Percy, who chased after them muttering something about them having the Business section.
Draco meanwhile was trying to back away slowly from Molly Weasley who was advancing on him with a large tray of food, "Now come on dear you need to eat!"
"Draco, Molly's right you should eat something," Narcissa said, "How are you this morning?"
"Alright, I've been worse."
She smiled, "Good, now eat your breakfast!"
Draco and Ron were soon sat down with enough food between them to feed an army and they were soon joined by Fred and George Percy, having been victorious in getting the business section of his paper back, was sat in the chair muttering about some article on the ministry.
Narcissa found herself sat alone outside with a cup of tea, dwelling on the events of the previous night. They kept replaying over and over in her thoughts but always stopping at those words of Severus' which she had been puzzling over all morning.
"Penny for your thoughts dear." Narcissa looked up to see Molly stood next to her, "Mind if I join you?"
"Not at all."
Molly sat down, "What were you thinking about?"
"A lot of things. Last night mainly, though not for the reasons you might expect."
"Oh?"
"Molly when he thought I was asleep last night, Severus told me he loved me."
"Oh, now that's sweet!"
"Yes, but fairly surprising and I don't know if he meant it."
"You mean he hasn't said it before?"
"No, of course not." **What do you mean 'said it before'?**
"I'm sorry it's just he was so protective of you I just assumed..."
"Assumed what?" **That we were having an affair?** Narcissa began to laugh at the thought then stopped, **Oh, that is what you assumed.** "Oh! No, it's nothing like that! Well, I don't know anymore."
"Why would you think he didn't mean it, don't you want him to mean it?"
"Of course I do! I just think he might have meant it in a platonic way."
"Seems unlikely, he doesn't strike me as the kind of man who goes around telling his friends that he loves them."
**Too true!** "Believe me, he can't love me, he has every reason in the world to despise me!"
"Why would he despise you?" Molly asked gently.
Narcissa took a deep breath, "At his trial, when he was accused of being a Death Eater there was a letter which was presented as evidence against him. It was supposedly from him to the Dark Lord saying that the Potters would die and the Dark Lord would triumph."
"And you didn't stand up for him in court? Narcissa, is that all?" Molly said reassuringly, "With your husband on trial as well your word may well have been doubted and..."
Narcissa cut across her impatiently, "I wrote that letter!"
"What?! Why?!" Molly asked looking shocked.
**Good bloody question!** "Because I felt scared and betrayed! I was going to leave Lucius that night, I had just found out that he was most likely responsible for the death of my best friend and I decided to take Draco and get out. I went to Sev for help and found a note from Dumbledore revealing that the Potters were dead and Voldemort had fallen. It was abundantly clear from it that Severus had been spying for Dumbledore. I felt betrayed, I thought our friendship had been nothing more than a tool for him to get more information for Dumbledore, I thought he didn't care about me and I felt so angry at the world and then Lucius came along and said we had to leave and he left me behind to close off the floo connection between Sev's house and the Manor and then I just wrote the letter without thinking and apparated away! Molly, I went down into the cell he was in and I all but taunted him! How could he love me after that? Our friendship took a long time to repair but some things are unforgettable whether they are forgiven or not!" Narcissa had tears running down her face by now and she felt utterly guilt ridden. Whatever Molly said next she'd probably deserve it.
Molly sat for a minute or so in shocked silence, "I don't know how he could love you after that either, but clearly he does. Narcissa," Molly spoke quietly and seriously, "Love is not unconditional, if it were we wouldn't value it as much as we do. If it were you'd still be in love with Lucius. But love isn't based on what you do or don't do to a person, it's about who you are."
"Yes, an attempted murderer! Or as good as!" she sobbed.
"Narcissa, people make mistakes, they make horrible ones sometimes! But why did you think Snape was doing all this for you? It was him who insisted that we go and see if you were alright when you didn't show up here."
"He's doing this for Draco, not for me. He's putting right my mistake of staying with Lucius and depriving my son of the right to learn to think for himself!"
"No, he isn't. I may not know Severus Snape very well, but from what I know of him he wouldn't say something like that if he didn't mean it. For heaven's sake Narcissa would you stop feeling sorry for yourself and see what you've got. You've got a fresh start with a lovely son and a man who you probably don't deserve declaring his love for you."
"I'm sorry Molly," Narcissa choked out.
"Oh I'm not angry with you dear!" Molly continued to scold but hugged her new friend until her tears ceased.
*******
By the next day things had calmed down a bit in the Weasley house, Ginny was back from her slumber party with her friend and so the whole story had had to be explained to her and the twins, who still didn't know exactly what was going on. Arthur and Severus had spent a lot of time at the ministry sorting out what happened next and explaining to the ministry officials that Lucius' death hadn't really been anyone's fault but a horrible accident. They both arrived for lunch that day, which was being eaten in two groups with the twins, Ron and Ginny eating outside and Narcissa, Draco and Severus having lunch indoors with Molly, Arthur and Percy.
"Narcissa, we've done everything that can be done without you but you need to go to the ministry and sort out some paperwork and organise a time for them to search the house with a legal representative of yours or Draco's present depending on who the house was left to," Severus said. "You also need to talk to Lucius' and your own lawyers."
She nodded, "Ok, Draco you might need to come with me when I go and see the lawyers, the will's going to affect you."
He nodded briefly, "Alright."
"Now are you going to be alright if I go to the ministry this afternoon?"
"Can't I go with you?" he gave her a pleading look.
"Well, I don't think that's a good idea sweetheart," she stroked his hair, "Why don't you play quidditch with the others?"
"Because my broomstick is in my room at home."
"Oh, well I'll see if I can get hold of it this afternoon. I really think you should stay here, I'll take you to the manor to pick up some things as soon as I can."
"Ok."
"You could help me if you like, I was going to do some baking," Molly offered, causing Draco to shoot a desperate look at his mother.
"Draco's never cooked anything in his life, I don't he's exactly safe to be let loose in a kitchen!" Narcissa put in hurriedly, more for Molly's sake than Draco's, "Draco I'm sure you can find a book to read or something. I'll try not to be too long."
Soon after lunch Narcissa kissed her son goodbye and apparated to the ministry of magic with Arthur and Percy, dreading what would happen once she got there.
*******
What's going to happen now? What will the ministry say? What's the ministry's official verdict on Lucius' death? How long can Narcissa keep up the calm front and when will things really start to sink in for her? Well, that's in the next chapter so keep reading!
Please review!! I go away to university in a few days and I'm kind of nervous so review and make me feel better! Happy writers are productive writers!
Chapter seven should be out around about Thursday.
Review Responses:
Bonezz - So sorry for what I did to Lucius! I didn't want to do it but the idea of Lucius in Azkaban was too terrible to me! I'm sorry but he really is dead in this fic! I'm sure he's in a better place though, come on he's taking over hell by now as Lucifer's right hand man I'm sure! lol! Seriously, sorry if I upset you but I didn't want to do it, it was just the only way! Thanks for the review!
ilovesporks - I am the queen of run on sentences! I will try to fix that in future, I seem to have some kind of aversion to full stops! lol! Glad it was unexpected, I'd hate to get too predictable! Thanks for the review!
Dark Comet - It's over, you can come from behind the sofa now! I couldn't stand the idea of Lucius rotting in Azkaban so it had to be this way, besides it does allow Narcissa a little more closure than if he were still alive. Don't expect her and Sev to simply get to grips with things though, they're a bit slow on the uptake! Though we do finally see how Sev feels in this chapter. I'll warn Ron about the frying pan, lol! Harry irritates me too sometimes, I couldn't see myself writing about him really. Here's Ron's reaction, you might be impressed with him. Thanks for reviewing!
Luna Project - Ok, first of all I have to clear up a major misunderstanding! Sorry if it wasn't clear but it wasn't Narcissa who killed Lucius, she was going to but Severus realised what she was up to and threw Lucius out of the path of her spell. Unfortunately Lucius hit the wall in the wrong way and died as a result of that. So technically Severus killed him, however Sev didn't mean to, he was trying to stop Lucius being killed, so it was an accident. That's not to say Narcissa wouldn't have done it because she certainly intended to but Severus realised that letting her kill him was not a good idea for the reasons you mentioned in the review plus the fact that Draco might not get over watching his mother kill his father. So it does make the whole issue a little better, Sev couldn't be charged with murder even in self-defence as it was an accident so he's in far less trouble than she would have been if she'd actually killed him. Narcissa's not exactly out of trouble with the ministry herself though, there's the small matter of perjury and perverting the course of justice at Lucius' trial! You will meet some of the other Death Eaters and see their perspective on Lucius' death later on but not Bellatrix, in this she's not related to Narcissa in any way and is staying in Azkaban so that poor Neville never has to think of his parents' torturer walking free! You'll find out about the official verdict for Lucius' death in chapter seven. Even if Narcissa had killed Lucy and gone to Azkaban though Draco wouldn't have been alone as I'm sure that Narcissa has his Godfather named as his guardian should anything happen to her!:o) Sorry to have given you the wrong impression, I'm going to go back and check that wording to see if I can make it clearer! Right, on to responding to your review of chapter four (I thought I Should do 5 first to clear up the little misunderstanding :o) Severus is very brave! A little foolish yes but I was actually hoping someone would ask this as I actually have an explanation that goes beyond I wanted to write about angry Sev in a nightshirt (not that that wasn't a factor I suppose!). The way I see it the only people in the castle at that time (besides Draco) were Sev, Filch and Dumbledore. I am assuming that this alarm would sound in the teacher's offices and bedchambers. Sev is nearest to the front doors, being in the dungeons whereas I always saw Dumbledore's office (and goodness knows where he sleeps!) as being way up in the tower. Sev's awake anyway, as he's stressed, and he knows that he has to respond to this alarm, Filch can't after all being a squib! Part of him responds because he thinks it might be a death eater, one in particular actually; Lucius! Severus fears that he might have come to get Draco and Sev won't give up his Godson without a fight, so he is rather reckless but it's all for Draco! When he leaves Narcissa in his office and goes to get dressed he informs Dumbledore that it was a false alarm. As to the Lucius coming home early issue, Draco isn't thinking about that when he leaves he just wants to get away and Narcissa thinks that him arriving home early is unlikely and that if he did he'd probably just assume she'd gone shopping and Draco was either with her or at his friends'. Dippy probably wouldn't have been much help but then I can't see Lucius voluntarily peaking to Dippy anyway! lol! You've now seen how far Narcissa's willing to go to protect her son! You've also seen how unpredictably unstable Lucius could be! I always saw Draco as running to Sev, who else is so wonderful? I'd hope Jo's Draco would go to him too. The computer had a faulty connection in it's power cable so it couldn't get mains power, it just needed the socket fixing. Of course I don't mind responding to your questions, I'm just sorry that my e-mail was so late! A poem based on chapter four of this fic? I'm intrigued, did you write it or did you just think it fit the story? Well of course you can submit it! I'm flattered by the idea! Can I read it or is it not in English, if it is I'd love you to send me a copy! Thanks for the review and the e-mails, they keep me going when all I want to do is climb into bed and deny that I have to go to university in a few days time! I'm a bit nervous!
I Found a Little Courage to Call it Off
**Narcissa's Thoughts**
***Severus' Thoughts***
^Percy's Thoughts^
{Molly's Thoughts}
Chapter 6
Molly was overjoyed to see her husband and son return safe and sound with Professor Snape, Narcissa and Draco. She instantly, having got the full story from Arthur, sent Narcissa up to bed in Ginny's room. Severus supported the woman up the stairs as she looked about ready to collapse. Arthur had gone to the ministry to explain things before the aurors arrived at the manor and found Lucius dead.
Draco was sat downstairs staring vacantly into the fire, he hadn't moved since he had collapsed there when he arrived. Molly was now fussing around him trying to get a response when Percy came over a put a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"Mum, leave him alone. He'll be fine." ^I hope^.
"Hey, what's the amazing bouncing ferret doing here?" Ron's voice was suddenly heard from the foot of the stairs.
"RON! You mind your mouth young man!" Molly scolded before hugging her son for no obvious reason.
Ron turned bright red at being hugged by his mother in front of Malfoy. "Mum!" he struggled and was eventually allowed to escape.
Draco hadn't moved, he hadn't even acknowledged Ron's presence.
"It's a good job you're here actually dear, look there's been a bit of an incident do you mind sleeping on the sofa while Draco takes your room."
"What?!"
"Just do it Ron and don't be difficult! Draco dear, why don't you try and get some sleep? I'll get you a dreamless sleep potion if you like."
He shook his head, "No thank you, I'd rather sleep without it."
"Alright," Molly said uncertainly, "Let me show you up to Ron's room, you've got some pyjama's haven't you...?" Their voices faded away as Molly led the paler than usual blonde teenager upstairs.
"What the bloody hell is going on?!" Ron turned to look at Percy who had sat down heavily in an armchair.
"Sit down Ron," Percy said quietly, his voice empty of it's usual pompous tones when giving orders to his siblings.
Ron sat down, "Perce? You alright?" He noticed that his brother was also looking rather pale and shaken.
Percy gave a weak smile, "I'm fine. Look there was, as mum puts it, a bit of an incident tonight."
"What happened?"
"Well this all started two days ago when Professor Snape dropped by to see mum and dad. Ron you know Lucius Malfoy wasn't the nicest of people?"
"That's an understatement, the git's a ruddy Death Eater! So why is his son here?!"
"Draco isn't like his father."
Ron snorted.
"Look I know he's never been nice to any of us but he isn't his fault, he was raised to behave like that. He found some evidence of what his father had been up to," Ron opened his mouth to speak but Percy waved a hand to quiet him, "Don't ask what because I'm not telling you, mum'd have my head for it! Anyway he went to Professor Snape who it turns out is an old friend of Draco's mother. Narcissa, that's Draco's mum, hates Lucius she didn't know what he really was when she married him, well she knew he was a Death Eater but she had no idea of the things he got up to. You remember at the end of this year mum spoke to her on the platform and you and Fred and George were asking why?"
Ron nodded.
"Well, Mum and Narcissa got to know each other when they were in hospital with you and Draco. Anyway, mum's been worried about Narcissa and they get on pretty well apparently, mum says she's nothing like her husband. She's always been too afraid to leave Lucius but with Draco finally showing that he wasn't just a mini-Lucius clone she decided to leave and turn him over to the ministry. She was supposed to come here with Draco tonight, that's why mum sent you to bed and all but locked Fred and George in their room, but they didn't show up on time so dad, Professor Snape and I went to look for them. Lucius was having a go at her, I'm not sure if he knew what was going on or not but he was in a foul mood, he didn't seem that sane to be honest. Anyway when we showed up he started firing curses in all directions and there was a bit of an accident. Professor Snape tried to throw him to the side when he was going for Narcissa but he hit his head on the wall. Ron, he's dead. Dad's gone to the ministry, they were due to raid the manor at ten o'clock anyway."
Ron sat there unable to say anything.
"Give Draco a break, ok?"
Ron nodded dumbly and Percy stood up to leave.
"Perce, you are alright aren't you? I mean, he didn't hurt you or dad?" Ron asked in a small voice.
"No," Percy smiled reassuringly and shook his head, "We're just fine. Would you like a hot chocolate?"
Ron nodded and Percy left to get it.
Arthur returned a couple of hours later to be informed that Narcissa was asleep being watched over by Snape and Draco was asleep in Ron's room. Arthur beamed at his son when he found out he'd given up his room to his enemy. The remaining Weasleys went to bed leaving Ron to curl up on the sofa, his head spinning with the story he'd heard.
*******
Severus Snape was still sat by Narcissa's beside, Molly had offered to put up a camp bed for him somewhere but he had refused, not wanting to leave Narcissa alone. He looked at the woman lying on the bed, she looked so vulnerable while she slept. She was too thin and too pale and looked far younger than she was, but not in a good way, she looked too young. Yet at the same time she looked old beyond her years, as though troubles had been placed on young shoulders. She was no longer the bright young head girl or beautiful, sweet natured bride he remembered. Narcissa had been through much in the last eighteen years and it showed on her face. He reached out and took hold of one of the thin hands which lay on top of the patchwork quilt, holding it gently in his own and stroking it distractedly as he thought back over the night. He noticed with a strange pang that her silver wedding ring was still on her finger. Even asleep she didn't look peaceful, she had a slight frown on her face and he smiled at her, the deeply protective feeling he had encountered that evening had not dissipated.
"You daft woman," he whispered affectionately. "You could have got yourself killed, why didn't you leave him years ago? You should have known that no matter what side I was on I would have helped you, you were always my friend."
The woman seemed calmed slightly by the sound of his voice as the frown had left her face. He continued to stroke her hand and whispered in a voice that would have been difficult for her to catch even had she been awake, "I love you."
He was shocked upon looking at her face to see a small but distinct smirk across her pale features.
***She can't be awake! Can she? No, she'd have said something if she were.***
Narcissa Malfoy was indeed wide awake but she wasn't going to tell him that, enjoyable as embarrassing Severus was and embarrassed as he would have been knowing she had heard his confession, his presence by her side and the feel of his hand softly clasping hers was much more pleasant. Had she revealed she knew he was there he would never have permitted himself to hold her hand in this way so she wisely kept her mouth shut, amused but deeply touched at his admission. She felt wetness behind her eyelids but ignored it; she didn't even have the energy left to cry. But, for the first time in recent memory, her tears, had she given in to them, would not have been due to the pain and upset of living with Lucius, **it's over.**
Severus relaxed as her smirk turned into a natural smile, ***She must be dreaming, I should have given her a dreamless sleep potion. At least her dreams seem pleasant.***
*******
Ron was lying on the lumpy, ancient sofa unable to sleep when he heard footsteps and sat up to see who it was. "Malfoy? What are you doing up?"
Draco was stood at the foot of the stairs, "Did I wake you?"
"No. It's kind of hard to sleep on this sofa," Ron replied pointedly.
"It's not my fault your mother insisted I take your room."
Ron snorted, "What are you doing up anyway, it's three o'clock!"
"I couldn't sleep, it's so hot up there."
"Well heat rises and my room's at the top of the house, you do the maths," there was no maliciousness in Ron's voice, indeed there had not been throughout their entire exchange, Draco smiled weakly and stepped into the room.
"I wanted a glass of water, do you mind?"
"No, course not. Help yourself."
Draco headed into the kitchen and returned minutes later with a glass.
"You alright?" Ron asked, "I mean, I heard about what happened from Percy and well, I just thought I'd ask," he trailed off, realising Draco probably wouldn't want to talk about that. "Erm, why don't you sit down?" he added hurriedly, "I couldn't sleep either. We could play a game of chess or something," he suggested, catching sight of the chessboard set up on the coffee table, expecting Draco to decline and return to bed.
Draco for a moment looked about to do just that but then sat down in a chair and said, "Alright. You can be white, I'm good so you might need an advantage!"
The taunt was good natured but Ron couldn't resist smirking, "Ok Malfoy, whatever you say."
*******
Molly was the first member of the household to wake the next morning. She came downstairs in her dressing gown and slippers to find Ron and Draco asleep in a pair of armchairs, a chessboard with a half completed game on the table between them. From what she could see white had been winning though it was close.
She smiled, proud that her son had put aside his childish rivalry to help his nemesis. She had been rather concerned when Draco had refused a sleeping potion the night before and she had felt uncomfortable about leaving him alone after everything he had been through that evening but apparently Ron had known exactly how to help. She ruffled her sleeping son's hair affectionately and went into the kitchen to make breakfast for, {goodness me how many is it? Nine! Oh well, I used to cook for nine when Bill and Charlie lived here!}
*******
Narcissa awoke feeling warm and comfortable, **Well that rules out being at the manor, I've never slept this well there.** She opened her eyes and winced against the sunlight, clearly wherever she was the curtains hadn't been closed the previous night. As her eyes adjusted to the light she saw a figure sat in a chair next to the bed, **Sev?** The events of the previous day filtered back into her mind and she sat up in the soft bed.
Severus was asleep in the chair next to her bedside, looking oddly peaceful for him.
Narcissa smiled and leaned back against the pillows. **Did he stay with me all night? He told me he loved me!** She frowned suddenly, **but he didn't mean it, he couldn't have. Not after everything I've put him through.**
*******
Molly prepared a tray for Narcissa and Severus, assuming that the woman would appreciate a lie in, and carried it up the stairs, noticing that Ron and Draco were still fast asleep.
She knocked on the door and entered, finding Narcissa sat up in bed and Severus asleep in a chair. "Good Morning Narcissa, how are you feeling this morning?"
"Not too bad thanks, how's Draco?"
"Still asleep." Molly put the tray down on a table and glanced across at Severus, "Did he stay there all night?"
"Looks like it," Narcissa smiled.
However the smell of breakfast seemed to have an effect on the sleeping man as he slowly opened his eyes and stretched. "I think I should have accepted your offer of the camp bed," he muttered when he saw Molly. He turned to Narcissa with concern clear on his face, "Are you alright?"
Narcissa nodded, "Thanks for staying with me."
Severus smiled and stood up, "I should get going, doubtless the headmaster will be wanting to know what's been going on and why I didn't tell him about it before now! I'll come back and see you as soon as I can. You take care of yourself," he smiled again and made to leave but found Molly blocking his way.
"Oh no you don't! You haven't eaten breakfast yet, you've not even had a cup of tea!"
"Thank you but I'm not hungry."
"I don't care if you're hungry, breakfast is the most important meal of the day!"
"I really do need to see Dumbledore!" Severus didn't mention the fact that the main reason he needed to see Dumbledore was to seek advice on what to do about effectively having killed Lucius Malfoy, he didn't want Narcissa to start feeling guilty about the events of the previous night.
"Well I tell you what, I'll make you a couple of bacon sandwiches to take with you and while I make them you can have a nice cup of tea! No arguments!"
**Like he'd dare!** Narcissa giggled as the two of them left with Molly still scolding.
"Narcissa!" she called back, "I want to see that breakfast eaten and not just moved about on the plate!"
**Bloody hell! She's acting like we're her children!**
Narcissa sighed and settled down to eat the huge breakfast Molly had prepared
*******
Narcissa emerged from Ginny's room half an hour later to find Draco being woken up in an armchair by Molly wafting bacon under his nose. She couldn't help laughing as her son came to with a startled yelp and looked round him like he had no clue where he was or how he'd got there. His yelp woke up Ron who was sprawled half in, half out of another armchair and who hit the floor as he woke up and tried to move. It was at this point Fred and George chose to make their appearance.
"Morning mum, Mrs Malfoy..." whichever twin had been greeting them suddenly stopped. "Erm, am I still asleep?"
"No," the other said, "I see it too!"
"Oh boys, Mrs Malfoy and Draco stayed with us last night, there's been a bit of an upset," Molly explained.
"Which I'm sure you'll read all about in the morning papers!" Narcissa drawled, half amused and half annoyed at the idea of what the papers might write.
"Actually you made the front page!" Percy wandered in with a coffee and a newspaper which he passed to Narcissa.
CHARMING YOUNG WIFE TRAPPED IN ABUSIVE AND LOVELESS MARRIAGE RESCUED BY GALLANT SCHOOLTEACHER.
Narcissa couldn't help laughing at the headline, "Who said Rita Skeeter never wrote anything worth reading!" She passed the paper back, "Thanks Percy but I don't think I want to read about it, I think the headline's as much as I can take for one day!"
Fred and George instantly appropriated the paper from an annoyed Percy, who chased after them muttering something about them having the Business section.
Draco meanwhile was trying to back away slowly from Molly Weasley who was advancing on him with a large tray of food, "Now come on dear you need to eat!"
"Draco, Molly's right you should eat something," Narcissa said, "How are you this morning?"
"Alright, I've been worse."
She smiled, "Good, now eat your breakfast!"
Draco and Ron were soon sat down with enough food between them to feed an army and they were soon joined by Fred and George Percy, having been victorious in getting the business section of his paper back, was sat in the chair muttering about some article on the ministry.
Narcissa found herself sat alone outside with a cup of tea, dwelling on the events of the previous night. They kept replaying over and over in her thoughts but always stopping at those words of Severus' which she had been puzzling over all morning.
"Penny for your thoughts dear." Narcissa looked up to see Molly stood next to her, "Mind if I join you?"
"Not at all."
Molly sat down, "What were you thinking about?"
"A lot of things. Last night mainly, though not for the reasons you might expect."
"Oh?"
"Molly when he thought I was asleep last night, Severus told me he loved me."
"Oh, now that's sweet!"
"Yes, but fairly surprising and I don't know if he meant it."
"You mean he hasn't said it before?"
"No, of course not." **What do you mean 'said it before'?**
"I'm sorry it's just he was so protective of you I just assumed..."
"Assumed what?" **That we were having an affair?** Narcissa began to laugh at the thought then stopped, **Oh, that is what you assumed.** "Oh! No, it's nothing like that! Well, I don't know anymore."
"Why would you think he didn't mean it, don't you want him to mean it?"
"Of course I do! I just think he might have meant it in a platonic way."
"Seems unlikely, he doesn't strike me as the kind of man who goes around telling his friends that he loves them."
**Too true!** "Believe me, he can't love me, he has every reason in the world to despise me!"
"Why would he despise you?" Molly asked gently.
Narcissa took a deep breath, "At his trial, when he was accused of being a Death Eater there was a letter which was presented as evidence against him. It was supposedly from him to the Dark Lord saying that the Potters would die and the Dark Lord would triumph."
"And you didn't stand up for him in court? Narcissa, is that all?" Molly said reassuringly, "With your husband on trial as well your word may well have been doubted and..."
Narcissa cut across her impatiently, "I wrote that letter!"
"What?! Why?!" Molly asked looking shocked.
**Good bloody question!** "Because I felt scared and betrayed! I was going to leave Lucius that night, I had just found out that he was most likely responsible for the death of my best friend and I decided to take Draco and get out. I went to Sev for help and found a note from Dumbledore revealing that the Potters were dead and Voldemort had fallen. It was abundantly clear from it that Severus had been spying for Dumbledore. I felt betrayed, I thought our friendship had been nothing more than a tool for him to get more information for Dumbledore, I thought he didn't care about me and I felt so angry at the world and then Lucius came along and said we had to leave and he left me behind to close off the floo connection between Sev's house and the Manor and then I just wrote the letter without thinking and apparated away! Molly, I went down into the cell he was in and I all but taunted him! How could he love me after that? Our friendship took a long time to repair but some things are unforgettable whether they are forgiven or not!" Narcissa had tears running down her face by now and she felt utterly guilt ridden. Whatever Molly said next she'd probably deserve it.
Molly sat for a minute or so in shocked silence, "I don't know how he could love you after that either, but clearly he does. Narcissa," Molly spoke quietly and seriously, "Love is not unconditional, if it were we wouldn't value it as much as we do. If it were you'd still be in love with Lucius. But love isn't based on what you do or don't do to a person, it's about who you are."
"Yes, an attempted murderer! Or as good as!" she sobbed.
"Narcissa, people make mistakes, they make horrible ones sometimes! But why did you think Snape was doing all this for you? It was him who insisted that we go and see if you were alright when you didn't show up here."
"He's doing this for Draco, not for me. He's putting right my mistake of staying with Lucius and depriving my son of the right to learn to think for himself!"
"No, he isn't. I may not know Severus Snape very well, but from what I know of him he wouldn't say something like that if he didn't mean it. For heaven's sake Narcissa would you stop feeling sorry for yourself and see what you've got. You've got a fresh start with a lovely son and a man who you probably don't deserve declaring his love for you."
"I'm sorry Molly," Narcissa choked out.
"Oh I'm not angry with you dear!" Molly continued to scold but hugged her new friend until her tears ceased.
*******
By the next day things had calmed down a bit in the Weasley house, Ginny was back from her slumber party with her friend and so the whole story had had to be explained to her and the twins, who still didn't know exactly what was going on. Arthur and Severus had spent a lot of time at the ministry sorting out what happened next and explaining to the ministry officials that Lucius' death hadn't really been anyone's fault but a horrible accident. They both arrived for lunch that day, which was being eaten in two groups with the twins, Ron and Ginny eating outside and Narcissa, Draco and Severus having lunch indoors with Molly, Arthur and Percy.
"Narcissa, we've done everything that can be done without you but you need to go to the ministry and sort out some paperwork and organise a time for them to search the house with a legal representative of yours or Draco's present depending on who the house was left to," Severus said. "You also need to talk to Lucius' and your own lawyers."
She nodded, "Ok, Draco you might need to come with me when I go and see the lawyers, the will's going to affect you."
He nodded briefly, "Alright."
"Now are you going to be alright if I go to the ministry this afternoon?"
"Can't I go with you?" he gave her a pleading look.
"Well, I don't think that's a good idea sweetheart," she stroked his hair, "Why don't you play quidditch with the others?"
"Because my broomstick is in my room at home."
"Oh, well I'll see if I can get hold of it this afternoon. I really think you should stay here, I'll take you to the manor to pick up some things as soon as I can."
"Ok."
"You could help me if you like, I was going to do some baking," Molly offered, causing Draco to shoot a desperate look at his mother.
"Draco's never cooked anything in his life, I don't he's exactly safe to be let loose in a kitchen!" Narcissa put in hurriedly, more for Molly's sake than Draco's, "Draco I'm sure you can find a book to read or something. I'll try not to be too long."
Soon after lunch Narcissa kissed her son goodbye and apparated to the ministry of magic with Arthur and Percy, dreading what would happen once she got there.
*******
What's going to happen now? What will the ministry say? What's the ministry's official verdict on Lucius' death? How long can Narcissa keep up the calm front and when will things really start to sink in for her? Well, that's in the next chapter so keep reading!
Please review!! I go away to university in a few days and I'm kind of nervous so review and make me feel better! Happy writers are productive writers!
Chapter seven should be out around about Thursday.
