Disclaimer: I just own the plot.

Review Responses:

Dark Comet - Dippy is rather sweet and I'm sure she'd be scandalised to hear Dobby term the Malfoys 'bad dark wizards'. How's your arm doing, still aching? Hope you feel better now. You get to see a rather shocked Sevvie in this chapter, perhaps that will help you to feel better. Thanks for the review!

PrincessJedi - Thanks for the review!

K.A. Maples - You have a potterhead dance of joy? LOL! That sounds fun! Snape's going to have to try very hard top strike fear into the hearts of his students now he's revealed a softer side. Thanks for the review!

Bonezz - Fear not, you will be reunited in hell to while away eternal damnation together! LOL! I'm actually rather sorry he's dead myself but it had to happen, I couldn't stomach the idea of him rotting Azkaban and letting him escape didn't seem wise. Draco needs a lot of hugs! However I can assure you he's not pregnant, lol! I couldn't help laughing when I read that! I'll check out your story when I get the chance, OI may have read it by the time this is posted but I couldn't get on fanfic when I picked the reviews up so I'll try again another time. Thanks for the review!

Luna Project - I'm glad I encouraged you to post as you're really good! Glad also that you didn't lose your ID card! I've just finished queuing up for an hour to get mine! Evelyn is ambitious like Percy but she's not as nice as Percy is, Percy wouldn't have been rude to Narcissa like that. I love Owen! Just a bit of trivia but I named him Owen after the poet Wilfred Owen who I'm a big fan of and who's autobiography I'm currently reading. Draco does see the manor as home, he's never had another one other than Hogwarts and I don't think he sees that as a home in way Harry does. He can't imagine going anywhere else, besides he's still proud if his family and it's been with the Malfoy family for a long time. It does hold memories of Lucius but it holds memories of other things and people as well. Even though it does hold bad memories sometimes they have to be faced, Draco will want to remember Lucius again some day and I believe you can remember the good things about a person as well as the bad. I'm not sure what there was good about Lucius but Draco loved him so I'm thinking there's probably something he'll want to remember. Some people say wounds have to be re-opened to heal properly, Draco has always felt safe at the manor before finding everything out and I think most of us feel safest when we're in our own rooms. He's a strong kid, he's got a lot of his mother in him and the manor's going to go through some re-decorating programs before long (bet Lucy would have loved that! Lol! He'll be rolling in his grave!). I have to admit the funeral was so short and simple because I didn't know what to have happen in a wizarding funeral, I don't even know if religion exists in the wizarding world, though I'd guess it does because of the ghost of the fat friar. Though I don't see Lucius as the religious type, given as most religions have parts in them about not torturing and killing other people and I don't think Lucius held with the idea of being nice to other people! LoL! The tomb seemed fitting, I never thought of cremation for some reason. That's a good question, why does no one take Harry to his parent's graves and why does he never ask? Narcissa's love for Lucius is as dead as he is, probably more so! Draco is still deep in sorrow and that's the main reason for his being quiet, that and saying a silent goodbye to the old bastard but he's been thinking and his thoughts are about to shock Severus! Lol! I will say this, you were dead on with your guess! I loved the idea of Percy playing quidditch! I like the idea of him getting on with his siblings sometimes! He's never shown as having a very good relationship with his family and I'm determined that he has! University's ok, I'm not too homesick and my course looks really interesting. I've got honest_iago with me and I've being speaking to some other people and I think I'll be alright here. I've picked the modules for my course and we start lectures and stuff next week. So hopefully it should be good, thanks for the concern but it just helps having you lot reviewing. It's like not all my friends are suddenly so far away because I've still got my nice reviews to look forward to. I must admit though I haven't written anything since I got here because I've been too busy so I'll have to get down to work, Bill and Charlie fics don't write themselves! Don't worry about the e-mail, whenever you're ready with it. I look forward to hearing from you, thanks for the review!

Samson - It is a little ironic that after all the abuse Lucius has hurled at house elves it's a house elf that's one of the people who'll miss him most. In fact, apart from Dippy and Draco I doubt anyone will miss him much. Perhaps Voldy and death eater pals will miss him, lol! Thanks for the review!

lilyqueen777 - Glad you're loving the story! I have a feeling you won't be disappointed with where it's heading!

Also a big thank you to Errisar for reviewing 'Wedding Bells Just Turned to Rust' and being so very nice about it! I'm deeply flattered!

I Found a Little Courage to Call it Off

**Narcissa's Thoughts**

Chapter 9

Narcissa felt better after the funeral but she knew that things were not over yet, as she confided in Molly and Arthur the following evening while they sat drinking coffee.

"I'm worried about these charges," she sighed, "I'm charged with perjury and perverting the course of justice and I have to admit it's not exactly unexpected."

"Narcissa, try not to concern yourself with it. You've been entirely cooperative and they know how Lucius intimidated you," Molly reassured her.

"That's not much of an excuse really," Narcissa pointed out.

"Narcissa, if you carry on being cooperative I am sure we can put an end to this before it ever comes to trial. You'll probably just get a slap on the wrist and a fine," Arthur said.

"I hope you're right, Arthur. Thank you, I'll just be glad when this is over."

She attended the ministry hearing the next day, leaving a deeply worried Draco with Molly reassuring him that it would all be ok.

She stepped into the room to see two men and a woman sat at a table with a single chair in front of them. Cornelius Fudge, who was sat in the middle, gestured to the chair, "Do sit down Mrs. Malfoy."

She sat, being careful to look the panel in the eyes, **the last thing I need is them thinking I've got something to hide!**

"Mrs Malfoy, the official verdict on your husband's death has been decided as being accidental death while resisting arrest, as there was a warrant for his arrest at the time and Arthur and Percy Weasley are Ministry officials. Yourself and Professor Snape have been cleared of any possible charges regarding that, but you should already know this as should he."

Narcissa nodded.

"Mrs Malfoy," the woman sat on Fudge's right began, "We've heard all the evidence on the perjury charge but your own testimony. I am curious as to why you lied for your husband."

"I was desperate. I didn't know what to do and he just took charge, telling me what to say and I think I just wanted someone to do that so that I wouldn't have to think about any of it. I was scared and I had no one else but him and I did love him then. I know that isn't an excuse but I just wasn't thinking straight."

"I see," she woman looked at her with some sympathy clear on her face, "Well I believe that this case calls for leniency, what do you think Minister."

Fudge looked at her, "Yes, though we cannot simply excuse your actions Mrs Malfoy, you allowed a very dangerous man to walk free."

"He seems to have been most dangerous to _her_," the other man put in, "I too would advise leniency, perhaps a fine and an official warning?"

Fudge considered for a moment, "Yes. Narcissa Malfoy, you are hereby delivered with an official warning and should any such charges ever be raised against you again they will not be looked upon lightly! You are also ordered to pay a fine amounting to 500 galleons. Do you understand?"

"Yes sir, thank you." Narcissa found herself shaking with relief as she rose to leave.

"Mrs Malfoy," Fudge called her back, "I would like to add my thanks for your cooperation in this matter."

**It looks like it cost him a lot to say that!** She nodded, "You're welcome."

*******

When Narcissa left the room she found Severus stood there alone, "Arthur and Percy both had to get to work. How did it go?"

She smiled, "Official warning and a 500 galleon fine."

"500 galleons!"

"Oh please, it's nothing I can't afford!"

"Ah yes, I forgot how much you enjoy flaunting your money!"

"Severus!" Narcissa hit him lightly on the arm. "I do not! Now let's leave, I've seen as much of the ministry as I ever care to!"

He laughed and took her arm, "It's over Narcissa, all you need to do now is clean the manor up and go home."

She smiled, "I know, and with you helping that should be easy!"

"What?"

"Well I figured you'd want to help but you wouldn't want to offer in case it looked like charity so I saved you the awkwardness. I'd love your help!"

"Narcissa!" Snape growled.

"That'll teach you to make cracks about my spending habits!" she gave him a charming smile and dragged him out of the ministry.

*******

Molly and Draco were delighted that Narcissa had got off so lightly. "I told you you'd be alright! I must owl Arthur!" Molly rushed off to find Errol.

"Now, starting tomorrow you two are going to help me and Dippy clean and redecorate that house!" Narcissa said.

Severus and Draco exchanged a look, then both spoke at once.

"Mum, that's servant work!"

"You could just hire some cleaners and decorators!"

"It is not servant work and after paying a 500 galleon fine I most certainly will not be hiring cleaners and decorators when we can do it ourselves. Besides Severus I thought you wanted to help me?" she sounded quite hurt and Severus acquiesced.

"Of course I want to help."

It was only when she smirked at him that he realised he was in great danger of being wrapped around the woman's little finger.

Draco, having lost his ally, lost the will to carry on fighting, "Fine!" he grumbled.

Molly walked back in to see Narcissa looking pleased with herself, "What are you three talking about?" she asked.

"Cleaning and decorating the manor after the ministry pulled it to pieces," Narcissa told her.

"Well, if you need some help I'd be only too happy to lend a hand and I'm sure Ron and Ginny will pitch in too. I think Fred and George might be best left at home as they'd probably make things worse, and Arthur and Percy have to work, but the rest of us will be happy to help."

"Thank you Molly, that'd be great. We're going down tomorrow morning and I'm sure our house elf can serve lunch."

*******

The next day, with much grumbling from everyone but Molly and Narcissa, the six of them set off after Arthur and Percy had headed to the ministry, with Fred and George rejoicing that they'd got out of the work, until Molly ordered them to de-gnome the garden that was.

Ron, Ginny and Molly stared at the ballroom they'd flooed into.

"Bloody hell!"

"Ron! Mind your language young man!" Molly scolded before adding a quiet tone of voice more commonly used in museums and libraries, "It is rather impressive!"

"Yeah, I guess so," Narcissa said disinterestedly, "We can use this room to store furniture from the others if we need to."

Draco led the way out into the hallway, "What the hell have they done?!" he exclaimed.

"Yeah, I was going to mention that," Narcissa said as her son looked in shock at the things that lay everywhere. "They appear to have used this entrance hall as a dumping ground!"

They spent much of the day cleaning, with Narcissa personally stripping and redecorating Lucius' bedroom and study. Exorcising Lucius from her life, working out her anger and confusion on the wallpaper. Severus' words to her at the Burrow that night had preyed on her mind ever since and she was still undecided as to what he could have meant.

**Molly's right, he's not the type of man to go around telling his friends he loves them but neither is he the type of man to fall in love with someone who tried to kill him. Oh damn it!** She pulled the wallpaper viciously from the wall. **I won't think about this any longer, it didn't mean anything. How could it have?**

*******

Draco's room was fine, it didn't need anything more than a quick tidy up, so he, Ron and Ginny were working to clean up the library while Molly and Severus tackled the Drawing room which had been almost totally pulled apart. Dippy, of course, handled the kitchen.

Narcissa was suddenly disturbed in her work by a loud yell coming from the library. **I don't believe it, I thought the ministry were thorough. What on earth can be the matter?** She ran into the library and was soon joined there by Severus and a frantic Molly.

Narcissa had to laugh, it wasn't fair but she had to do it. **After all I don't see teenage boys cowering from spiders everyday of the week!** Ron was pressed in a corner with Draco smiling innocently in front of him letting a large and hairy spider run across his hand. Severus laughed as well and Ginny was already having a giggling fit on the floor. Ron looked horrified so Narcissa went over and took the spider from her son, "Stop teasing Ron! He's here to help us!" she snapped through her chuckles and gently deposited the spider out of the window.

Ron looked furious and Narcissa could see a fight brewing. "Draco why don't you help Severus down in the Drawing Room and Molly can help Ron and Ginny. And no more playing with spiders!"

They all separated and Narcissa went back to Lucius' room. She was cleaning out a cupboard when she found a cardboard box at the bottom of it. There wasn't much in it; some photographs from his school days, a couple of letters from his parents and Draco's birth certificate. She set them to one side and then pulled the last item from the box, it was their wedding photograph in a silver frame. The two inhabitants of the photo smiled up at her and then went back to smiling at each other. She sighed and put the photograph to one side as well, **at least he kept it, and that's more than I would have expected of him.**

*******

Downstairs Draco and Severus were cleaning and airing out the Drawing room, having repaired the floor where it had been damaged by the aurors trying to open the secret chamber.

"Your mother seems to be coping well."

"Yeah, she does. I think the fact you're here helps."

"What do you mean," Severus thought there was something odd about the boy's tone.

"Look, I'm not daft! I know you were having an affair with her.

"We weren't having an affair," Severus said, bewildered.

"It's alright, I know. I've known for ages and it doesn't bother me, you make her happy. She always smiles when you're around and she gets this look when she talks about you, her whole face lights up."

"Draco, your mother and I were not having an affair!" Severus insisted.

"Well if you weren't having an affair then she certainly wished you were!"

Severus' eyes widened in shock as Draco laughed and left the room to take out a bag of rubbish.

*******

Next chapter we see Narcissa moving on and also her reaction to Draco's comments to Sev! That should be up Tuesday or Wednesday, I apologise if It's late it's just difficult to find a time and a computer to update at the moment but I won't let it take too long!

Please Review!!