Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Mine!

Summary: After the fiasco at the Ministry, Voldemort questions the loyalty of several of his supporters. He commands Wormtail to bring to him something belonging to the Malfoy family that will prove Lucius's loyalty is only to him. This story explores the possibilities of just who really is Narcissia Malfoy. LM/HG Fic.

Chapter 5: Aftermath


The silence continues, until it's broken by Molly's weeping. The fog subsides, allowing everyone to see that there was only one person standing. He was standing in front of the thrown like chair. In the chair sat a blacken corpse with a silver handle imbedded in its chest.

"No body move!" shouts Bill as he tries to find his way around the room.

"Perhaps one of you gentleman would like to clear the air," drawls Lucius lazily. "That way you can actually see us."

"That would require …" starts Fred.

"Anapneo caliginosus," roars Lucius with a wave of his wand the fog in the room seeps away. "Do the teachers at Hogwarts even teach?" Glaring at the boy in front of him, Lucius struggles to control his temper. "Get the injured and the children to Hogwarts."

"Why not St. Mungo's?" asks Charlie. "It's closer."

"But open," states Abraham. "If there are Voldemort supports around, you would be risking your life and those you care about most."

"Fine, we're off to Hogwarts," says Bill giving in.

"Daddy?" harshly whispers Ginny from the doorway. "Is everyone alright?" Looking around the room, Ginny rushes to her mother's side.

"Ginny! My precious baby," cries Molly as she cradles her close.

"Father?" whispers Draco, standing in the doorway. "What about…"

"I will take care of this mess. You are going to accompany the Weasleys to Hogwarts," orders Lucius, as he starts to tie up all the unconscious Death Eaters.

"Yes, Father," whispers Draco.

"When I get there, we will be having a long over due conversation," stresses Lucius as he stares at his son, before his eyes flickers to Draco's left forearm then to Ginny Weasley. "Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, sir," mutters Draco. Lucius strides over to his son, places a hand on his shoulder and gives his a gentle squeeze. Draco nods in understanding.

"Until then, I want you and your sister to be looked over by Madam Pomfrey," whispers Lucius. "I trust you to behave."

Using his wand, Arthur conjures a stretcher for Ron and Percy. Molly tucks a blanket around Percy before kissing the top of his head. The group slowly processes to gather themselves up.

"What will we tell Rufus Scrimgeour?" asks Arthur.

"You'll tell him nothing, I'm going to be having a little chat with him," states Lucius. "Just go to Hogwarts, get yourself and your family looked over by Madam Pomfrey."

"But Scrimgeour won't listen to you," argues Harry. "You're going to want me with you."

"Get them to Hogwarts," snaps Lucius agitated. "Crabbe, Goyle, make sure you have Pettigrew."

"He's bottled up and running crazy," snickers Goyle holding up a glass jar containing a large rat. "He's not going anywhere any time soon."

Molly gently escorts Draco out of the side room, making certain that he doesn't tumble over any of the bodies as he carries a babe in his arms. Nodding to her oldest, Molly was heartened to see him follow her lead and take over. Moving closer to Ron, Molly checks him over once more.

"Hermione? Hermione! Where is Hermione?" harshly asks Ron as he reaches out to grab his mother's hand. "Where is she?"

"I don't know," whispers Molly, offer her son no false comfort. Watching his face crumble, Molly squeezes his hand. "But we'll find her. She couldn't have gone too far."

"She is where she needs to be," states Lucius mysteriously.

Hearing him, Harry thinks, 'Where's that? Why would Malfoy know where she is?' Turning to look back at the room, Harry scrutinizes it once more for a clue as to where Hermione went. Seeing no evidence, Harry shakes his head. 'Maybe Malfoy found religion?'

The three men work in meticulous silence until they had every Death Eater, dead and injured imprisoned in shackles. They piled all the dead bodies by the front door, bringing down all of the injured except one.

"Boys, there is where we part ways," says Lucius.

"But what about Bellatrix?" asks Jerome. "She's crazy, and she thinks her sister is hurt. That makes her even more dangerous."

"I'm far more dangerous then Bellatrix," drawls Lucius. "Plus, I owe her."

"Owe her? For what?" asks Abraham, confused.

Placing a comforting hand on their shoulders, Lucius states, "She gave me, my wife." Knowing that his friends wouldn't understand his statement, Lucius continues, "I will join you boys at the Ministry. I will be bringing Bellatrix with me."

"If you're sure," comments Jerome, watching Lucius nod his head. "We'll see you there."

Watching his friends disappear, Lucius whips about and gallops up the stairs. Entering the room, he observes his sister-in-law. Striding over to her, Lucius kicks her to startle her awake.

"Well, look who has decided to join us in the land of the living," sneers Lucius, leaning down he grips her forearms hosting Bellatrix to her feet. "I'll be damned, it is my lovely sister-in-law."

"Lucius," mumbles Bellatrix as she looks him over. "Why am I in chains? And you're standing here before me, free?"

"Because I'm not a fool, like you," whispers Lucius. "Your precious master is dead."

"How!" cries Bellatrix, her eyes glancing about the room. "We had Potter! We won! We won," whispers Bellatrix as she clutches Lucius. "Didn't we?"

"For him to rise again, a piece of his soul would have to have survived," stress Lucius, he moves aside, letting Bellatrix get a good look at the blackened corpse of her master. "There is nothing left. Every bit of his twisted soul was destroyed. What you see there is what is left of his broken body."

"No!" shouts Bellatrix. "He rose once, he will again!"

"Bellatrix, get a grip," snaps Lucius, shaking the woman. "The man is dead! And he's going to bloody stay that way."

"How can you say that? He was your master, too," snaps Bellatrix. Glaring at Lucius, Bellatrix's eyes widen. "He killed Cissy! That's why you don't care. He killed her!"

"No, he was a means to an end," hisses Lucius, as he drags Bellatrix over to Voldemort's carcass. "You killed her." Lucius flickers his wand Lucius sends a curse towards the old fireplace.

"What?" demands Bellatrix. "I never hurt her! I loved my Cissy."

"Really," hisses Lucius as he heaves Bellatrix into the fireplace. "Lumos! Then whose dead body is that? See the ring on her hand? Look familiar to you, doesn't it? You haven't seen that ring since you were practicing the unforgivables, have you!" Shaking the woman, Lucius roars, "You killed your precious Cissy quite sometime ago!"

"Then who are you married to?" mutters Bellatrix. "Who is standing in my sister's place?"

"Think back my dear," hisses Lucius. "You tortured her sister for hours on Voldemort's orders. When she stopped screaming, you got scared and ran for your lovely uncle. What happened next?"

"He left to gather my father," whispers Bellatrix. "They were closeted in the library for well over five hours before my father rushed out to get my mother. An hour after she went in, Cissy and her came out. But Cissy was badly hurt. I didn't get punished. Why didn't I get punished?"

"What could they have done? Taken you to Azkaban for her murder? Or covered it up, using someone else?" hisses Lucius. Glaring coldly at the woman before him, Lucius realizes that she mumbling to herself. Reaching down he grips her forearm, harshly pulling her out of the fireplace. "It's time for you punishment."

Appariting with Bellatrix to the steps of the Ministry, Lucius was surprised to see Jerome and Abraham standing on the steps with the unconscious Death Eaters tied to the railing of the stairs.

"Having fun?" questions Lucius.

"Yeah, loads," sneers Jerome. "Kind of Christmas-y? Are you ready for some fun? Because I think the Auror's are coming."

The doors of the Ministry bust open as Auror's rush down the steps.

"Mister Malfoy," growls a young Auror as he points his wand at him. "I think you should drop your wand."

"If you had any brains, you would notice that there are injured Death Eaters tied up neatly dieing for your attention," hisses Lucius as he strides up to the Auror. Seizing the Auror's throat, Lucius coldly whispers, "Don't give me any orders. I am giving you orders."

"I believe young Mister Conroy gave you an order," growls Rufus Scrimgeour.

"Rufus Scrimgeour," sneers Lucius. "Look around you. I would be very careful on whose toes you step upon."

"Oh really?" hisses Rufus. "And why is that?"

"I'll give you a hint word: Oligarch Proclamation. You know the new law you're trying to pass," hints Lucius. "It's a shame that the papers will be covering …"

"What do you want?" snaps Rufus Scrimgeour.

"Your blood," hisses Lucius, causing Rufus Scrimgeour to flinch. "I think we should discuss the terms in your office, don't you?" Walking up several steps Lucius stops and barks out. "Are you people brain dead? Get those tied up Death Eaters into custody!"

Leading the way, Lucius opens the door to Scrimgeour's office and sits in his chair behind the desk.

"This is my office!" barks Rufus.

"Not for long," snaps Lucius. "Close the door and sit down!" The slamming door could be heard down the hall way. Standing in front of the door, Jerome looks over to Abraham, then back to the door.

"Think we should interrupt?" asks Jerome.

"Lucius has always looked out for us," states Abraham. "I trust he will continue to always due so."

"I know, nut that was before Narcissa was killed or hurt. Grrr!" growls Jerome.

"I know. But did you have any idea what he was talking about?" asks Abraham. Seeing Jerome shake his head, Abraham shakes his head also. "Neither did I, but whatever it is, he's got Scrimgeour by the gonads."

"Yeah, did you see him flinch?" laughs Jerome smiling for the first time since they left the Black residence. "Whatever Lucius has on him it's really good."

The office door opens a victorious looking Lucius gracefully steps out. "Ah, good you waited for me. I have several pardon parchments for us," states Lucius as he reaches into his pocket and pulls out pardon papers. Shuffling through them, he hands Abraham and Jerome theirs.

"Let's get to Hogwarts, before the press mobs this place," suggests Lucius.

"We're leaving a press conference up to Rufus Scrimgeour?" stress Abraham. "Lucius are you feeling alright?"

"Perfectly, Rufus signed a blood contract," whispers Lucius. "He is going to keep his mouth shut, if he knows what's best." Sighing heavily, Lucius looks suddenly weary. "Let get to Hogwarts."