Author's Note: All disclaimers apply. I do not own the characters contained in this story. They belong to J.K. Rowling, her publishers, and Warner Bros. Inc. Also thanks for all of the reviews. They are very inspirational and appreciated! Edited to add credit to Kathleen E. Woodiwiss and her plot from Shanna. This entire disclaimer applies to her work as well.

Thank you very much for the response to this story. I'm happy everyone is enjoying it so much. Every review is cherished.

Chapter 24

A Vow Honored

"You were always the weak one," Narcissa Malfoy snapped, but she was still dressed as her late husband, her hair that had once been a golden blonde streaked with gray and falling from the string that held it tied at her neck.

"Narcissa, the Ministry is either here or on the way. We must go," Snape said softly, his tone more soothing and understanding than Draco had thought him capable.

"You always wanted her didn't you? Narcissa was as weak as you, except she was useful, she gave me a son." Narcissa pointed in Draco's direction, still continuing the charade as Lucius. "However, until now he wasn't able to prove his worth. I thought he was completely useless after that debacle at Hogwarts with Albus, but he's finally realizing his place. We'll rebuild the Malfoy Estate and you Severus will be our bargaining chip. We'll turn you over to the Ministry and in exchange we'll be given an official pardon. You killed the most revered wizard of our time. There's bound to be a reward for helping capture you."

"Mother," Draco whispered in disbelief, and kept shifting his gaze between Snape and Narcissa. "Where's Lucius?"
"He's dead Draco, but your mother," Snape began to speak, but Narcissa's wand was suddenly drawn and his words died on his lips.

"Crucio," she snarled in a growl that could have matched Lucius' when he was alive. "I knew you'd follow me, just like when we were younger. You always followed me, sniffing after Narcissa. She never would have chosen you, a Half-Blood. You should have known better, but that was always your weakness. Then you tried to turn my son against me. I saw you that night outside that Mudblood bitch's shop!"

"Mother, stop." This was indeed far worse than Draco had imagined and facing his father would have been more favorable at the moment. Now he knew the reason for the madness, the crazed stare in those light eyes. Yet, he didn't understand why? Why would she choose to emulate a man who she despised and was the bane of her existence? None of what he was seeing or hearing was making sense.

"I never took you for one to want their mother in a time of chaos," Narcissa remarked, raising a perfectly sculpted eyebrow. Except for the insane gleam in her eyes she was still the beautiful woman that Draco remembered, sharp aristocratic features, with a mouth that turned up rarely but was perfectly shaped and defined cheekbones. However her sneer of derision cast a brutal mask of ugliness across her features as she raised her wand to him. "Don't tell me that you and Severus have been discussing certain things behind my back. I know he's been searching for your mother's diary, hoping probably to read that she was pining for him. Did you find it and give it to him?"

"No, but, Mother," Draco began, unable to find the words that would help in this situation. How did one approach a person whose reality was something that no one could fathom? "Snape did ask for the diary but I never gave it to him. I still have it actually."

Narcissa smiled, oddly reminding her son of his father in that moment. She had obviously been masquerading as Lucius for so long she had begun to take on his more sinister characteristics. "Such a good boy. Would you go and retrieve it. I'm afraid Severus has made this a bit more difficult, and you're starting to rethink things a bit I can tell. We'll leave him here for the Ministry and then we'll retrieve your Mudblood wife." Narcissa turned her head to the side as though contemplating a great and weighty decision. "She'll have to be hidden of course. That Potter and Arthur's son Ronald will think it's their supreme duty to rescue her from her husband's dark clutches."

Snape knew that Narcissa was still present inside somewhere and the curse she had inflicted him with hadn't had the potency that required it to last for any decent amount of time. While she was making mental notes and explaining things to Draco he came to his feet. "Narcissa," he addressed her calmly, raising his own wand and dreading the idea he might be forced to subdue her.

"Such a stubborn wizard," Narcissa clicked her tongue, and shook her head. "Oh, but clever. Finally decide to draw your wand against me I see. You don't have the courage Severus. If you kill Narcissa's husband you know she'd never be able to live with the guilt, the shame of knowing her Half-Blood lover sent her him to his grave."

"Drop the wand Narcissa and come with me. You don't want to do this, you want to come with me and we'll discuss everything. Tomorrow you won't remember any of this, you know that," Snape said softly edging somewhat closer but moving very slowly.

"Draco, I want you to prove yourself this moment, right here," Narcissa ordered, in her most Lucius like voice. "Kill him. Kill this traitor who refuses to let us rise to the glory we once knew."

"No," Draco replied clutching his own wand tightly within his robes. Killing his father was a hurdle he was willing to overcome, but killing his mother was not something he was prepared to do. However, if he allowed her to leave with Snape tonight, if the Ministry didn't take her into custody Hermione and possibly their child might not be safe again. His father had done this as well. Narcissa's madness was born of his father's rage, hate, and abuse. He'd broken her completely.

Narcissa's wrath shook the walls of the study as she snarled her command again. "Kill him! You failed the Dark Lord do not fail your father!"
"No, Father failed you. Mother, Snape is right, you don't want to do this." He must be as crazy as Snape and his mother, Draco thought to try and reason with her, but he had to exhaust every option. He couldn't raise his wand against his mother unless he could find no other way to end this torment.

"Always thinking of your mother, or more to the point thinking of her when it doesn't matter any longer. The sacrifices she made for you!" Narcissa shrieked a stray curse flying from her wand and scorching the wall behind Snape. "Don't you know how I tried to torture her, make her beg and plead when I knew you wouldn't live up to your potential. It was her fault. She coddled you, took your punishments, and she put up a barrier spell that protected you for so long! That has long since expired I assure you should you disobey me now. Kill him!"

The study door burst open and Neville, Ron, and Harry poured in, wands drawn and completely shocked by the sight. Harry immediately noticed Snape and started to point his wand in the professor's direction, but hesitated. He thought of Hermione and though he'd die hating Malfoy he'd hate himself even more if he returned to The Minsitry with Malfoy's body and his condolences. Now was a time to focus on the situation concerning what appeared to be, Malfoy's mother?

"Ah, so predictable, young Longbottom. I never expected such fierceness out of you. Why after Bellatrix safely put your parents out of their misery I assumed you would find employment in a quiet little menagerie somewhere," Narcissa cooed, venomously.

Neville as well had to keep his wits about him, aching to simply throw the Killing Curse at the woman whose sister had taken everything from him, but suddenly it was all coming together somewhat. Narcissa could have passed for a man at a distance with her face covered in shadows and she had been trying to use Lucius as a shield to keep his memory alive. Yet, that didn't quite make sense either. "Mrs. Malfoy, I'm here to take you to The Ministry. Scrimgeour would personally like to question you and there are certain matters that only you can be of any help with."

"Do you know what the Cruciatus Curse feels like? Do you remember what your parents look like in your nightmares? I know you visit them from time to time and watch them drool, and mutter, and skulk about their rooms. Perhaps it's time that you join them," Narcissa purred, her attention suddenly focused on Neville completely.

"Expelliarmus," Ron shouted, and for a moment Narcissa's wand shook violently, but held in place. Darkness had invaded her completely, and Ron's attempt had failed.

"For Arthur's son I assumed you'd be much more worthy of your post," Narcissa chided shaking her wand at Ron like he was a misbehaving child. "Evanesco," she whispered, and suddenly Ron was gone, leaving nothing to tell of his prior presence.

Draco was going to hex Longbottom into his next lifetime for this. Bringing along Potter and Weasley was the next worst thing to allowing Hermione to participate in this lunacy. If either of them was injured, or Gods forbid killed, she'd never forgive him. Already he was getting the niggling suspicion that living with the man whose mother had murdered her parents would be too difficult for her. Now with Potter and the Weasel to worry about he wanted to throttle Longbottom then and there.

"Mother, where did you send him?" Draco asked politely, almost conversationally.

"Where your mother was always sent." Narcissa had again returned to refusing to see reality. "The dungeons. Poor Mipsy will have to deal with his shrieking and cries, but she always dealt so well with your mother."

Harry and Neville exchanged a horrified glance and Neville looked back at Draco, almost sympathetically. "Incarcerous." Harry's voice rang out clearly and invisible bonds suddenly trapped Narcissa's hands at her sides and her legs to the chair at her back.

"Stop it you fools," Snape snapped. "You're hurting her!"
"Silence Snape," Neville ground out between clenched teeth. "I repeat, Narcissa Malfoy you are now considered in the custody of The Ministry of Magic. Do you wish to comply and come willing or must I…"

"Leave her in peace you stubborn boy! Can't you see she's dissolved into madness?"

Snape's cry of outrage didn't sway Neville. "Harry, I'm sure you would like to be the one to bring Snape in?"

"With pleasure," Harry said, a triumphant gleam in his green eyes.

The confusion that kept intensifying around Draco only solidified the knowledge that his mother wouldn't be leaving the manor alive. Instinctually he knew that Snape would never allow her to be taken. He was the other man, the man his mother had briefly mentioned and loved, not his father. A sharp crackling noise brought Draco's attention back to his mother when she freed herself from her bonds, wand now pointed at him directly.

"They'll not take us alive Draco," she wailed, almost inhumanely.

Stunned Draco hesitated briefly, but then drew his own wand, shaking, but trained on his last surviving parent. "Mother, I don't want to do this, but if you force me…"

"Malfoy you don't know what you're doing," Neville warned sensing the finality that was suddenly engulfing them. "Let us handle her. You're too conflicted where she is concerned."

"Longbottom stay out of this," Draco snapped, over his shoulder.

"So now you have your courage," Narcissa praised sarcastically, while drumming her nails on the desk in front of her. "Merlin, but I was fooled for a time with you. That Mudblooded bitch has bewitched you. We all fall pray to women at one point in time. I actually thought I'd love your mother, but her weakness, her pathetic attempts to face her fate were too disgusting to watch day in and day out."

"Potter, you have every right to wish for my downfall, but she isn't in her right mind. Surely you see that. Call off Longbottom, and I will come willingly," Snape appealed, his dark enigmatic eyes never leaving Narcissa.

"You're just as much to blame as my father," Draco accused rounding on his former professor. "You both drove her to this. You because you didn't fight for her and my father because you were too much of a fool to keep your secrets."
"Kill him," Narcissa urged again, seeing the tide changing against Snape in her favor.

"Mother, you don't want that. Surrender and you can get help," Draco urged, softening his voice so that he might have been talking to a child.

"Your mother is gone Draco. She abandoned us like I always knew she would. When we were in Azkaban did she come to us? Did she offer her support? No, she let us both rot and she never gave us a second thought," Narcissa said, viciously waving her hand in a superior gesture as Draco had seen his father do so many times in his childhood. It meant he was done discussing the matter at hand and now he was ready to take action.

"No, you abandoned me and I paid for your crimes." Draco hadn't been able to resist, the pain of that particular betrayal more stinging than he had thought it would be. "While I waited and thought I would be executed you walked about freely without a care to anyone or anything."

"Lies, but the Mudblood has clouded your better judgment. Pity she didn't come with the sniveling brood at your back." Narcissa had kept her wand trained on her son and now she made good her threat. "Sectumsempra," she said with a smirk tracing her lips.

Unlike the time Potter had hit him with the same spell numerous slashes began to appear over Draco's body and he could feel the blood seeping through his shirt and robes. Crisscrossing his back, chest, neck, and face bloody welts and cuts seared over his skin. He couldn't believe his mother hated him this much, but she did and she intended to kill him slowly.

" Finite Incantatum," Neville roared when the blood began to appear all over Draco. "Petrificus Totatlus."

Narcissa faltered again, but she did not become immobile. "Another weak attempt. Longbottom, I do believe you have chosen to pursue the wrong profession."

"Potter, she's going too far. Let me see to her," Snape said, taking cautious glances back and forth between Narcissa and Harry.

"You lie. Malfoy's right, you made her the way she is as much as her husband.

Why should I…" Harry trailed off as a sharp bolt of energy from Snape's wand hit him squarely in the chest and sent him flying backwards. Harry was momentarily occupied while Snape kept his wand in a tight grip and advanced on Narcissa.

"He's your son Narcissa, see that, remember him. He is why you made me take that vow, why you survived your life here," Snape said gently, never faltering and keeping his gaze trained on her.

"Severus he's a blood traitor like that sniveling Arthur Weasley. He's taken a Mudblood and given her the Malfoy name! Granted the money will be worth it in the end, but he's let her misdirect his thinking!" Narcissa had rounded the desk now but she still had her sights on her son. "Dirty blooded creatures have no place in our society. You aren't pure which is why in the end Narcissa made the only choice she could, myself."

"She's bloody lost any touch with reality," Neville murmured, almost inaudibly. Narcissa believed that she was Lucius and Hermione had stated very clearly that it was Lucius she had seen. Polyjuice with unlimited refills could be the only explanation and Narcissa had gotten too overconfident and forgotten to replenish herself.

"Narcissa remember that Lucius betrayed you! He gave your son to Voldemort and left him at his mercy. Remember who you are Narcissa!" Snape's words seemed to penetrate her mind and he held his breath, but then the rage returned and her wand was raised again.

"Draco should have been proud to serve the Dark Lord Severus, as should you, but we all knew you couldn't be trust. The Curse of the Seer allowed the Dark Lord to see how dishonorable you were," Narcissa accused. "When my son faltered you hesitated as well. Hesitation is weakness and disloyalty. You warned that doddering old fool didn't you? Draco was never in any position to kill him, and you thought that no one would know!"

Harry's face fell then as he came to his feet and stood between Draco and Neville. "Malfoy?" The question hung in the air at the knowledge that Dumbledore had known about the attack, but Harry couldn't trust it. The assertion had come from a woman whose mind was lost to her.

"Potter, now is truly not the time for this," Draco hissed in pain and confusion. The cuts had stopped forming but they were deep and bordering on agonizing.

"Snape she's coming with us," Neville said stepping forward but Draco's arm shot out and held him back.

"Leave them," Draco whispered unevenly.

"Narcissa!" Snape finally shouted, his patience and anger with her state overcoming him. Even in death Lucius won, there was no way to reach her. If the man weren't dead he would slowly torture him until he begged for his life and then end his existence. "He is your son! Put down the wand and come to me."

"Lacarnum Inflamarae." Narcissa's voice rang out clearly.

Immediately all of three young men were engulfed in flames, their robes feeding the magical fire that Narcissa had called forth. Neville vainly tried to extinguish all of them, but he couldn't manage feeling the skin burning on his chest and back. They should have waited for the other Aurors Neville realized now, but he had thought he was ready, that Harry and Ron could stand by him and end this.

"Infusio," Robards shouted finally appearing and pouring in the study door from behind the ones amassed in the study, four other Aurors at his heels. The flames died and the three collapsed to their knees.

"Robards my good man," Narcissa greeted. "Do come in."

There could be no more holding back and Neville and Harry both knew it. Rising on unsteady legs they aimed at Narcissa. "Crucio," both said instantaneously. Yes once again, as during the war, they were casting Unforgivables, but there was no help for it. No other curse seemed strong enough.

Narcissa swayed on her feet and her face contorted, but she maintained her balance. Again the curse was repeated and again she seemed to withstand it. Years of receiving such a curse had steeled her against its affects somewhat. "This ends now doesn't it Severus?" she mused painfully the madness still not having left her light eyes.

"Narcissa!" Snape warned, when she again poised her wand on her son.

Draco slowly raised his head and time stood still. His mother gazed at him, hatefully, only loathing and disgust present on her tight features. She meant to end his life and Merlin help him, he couldn't kill her and keep from her goal. The crazed look in her eyes, the loss of her memories and sense of reality was too much to bear, and he couldn't forgive himself if his defense meant her death.

"Such a waste," she clicked her tongue once more, blinked, and shrugged.

"Avada…"

"Avada Kedavra," a painful whisper that came from Snape echoed through the room and then a bright green light emanated from Narcissa. "Gods forgive me, but I've honored my vow to protect your son."

"There's something wrong Ginny I know it," Hermione whispered, fresh tears coursing down her cheeks.

Ginny's fears were overwhelming her as well with Harry gone and she knew his temper. He blamed Lucius for Sirius death as much as any of the other Death Eaters present that day in the Department of Mysteries. He would be ruthless and perhaps careless. She didn't like to think about what could happen to him if he forgot to watch and be on guard. "These things take time. They might be back at The Ministry already," she said, but not convincingly.

The sun had risen nearly an hour earlier and there had been no word by Floo or owl as to what had happened. Molly Weasley was equally concerned when her husband volunteered for such assignments and had tried to contact Percy, but had been unsuccessful. So, in an attempt to take her mind from her worries about her son, Ron and her husband, Molly began breakfast and proceeded to cook more than was necessary as always.

Fred and George had come to The Burrow in the middle of the night after Ginny told them of Lucius' return. They tried inane jokes, but eventually the tension got to them as well and so they had held a vigil with Ginny and Hermione offering encouragement, even knowing how dire the outcome would undoubtedly be. When both girls had stopped pacing they gave up the effort of offering false hope and remained silent, a feat not easy for them, and if their mother hadn't been as frantic as the other women she would have noted the day in writing.

"I'm going to The Ministry," Hermione announced, for the tenth time that morning, grabbing a bag of Floo powder but Ginny stopped her, again for the tenth time.

"Now I know you're not used to being left behind. You march right ahead to the front of the line and battle with the best of them, but there's the baby to consider now. What would Malfoy think of us if we let you storm down to The Ministry, quarrel with Percy, and get taken into custody? He may be infatuated enough to hand over half of his inheritance once, but twice? Every man has a limit."

Hermione turned to argue, except her mouth couldn't form the words suddenly. "Half of his inheritance? Ginny is that how he managed to get the charges dropped and the case closed?"

"Shite," Ginny muttered. Ron had told her not to tell Hermione, that Malfoy wasn't going to and didn't want her to worry. "Yes, but don't tell Malfoy you heard it from me."
"Gods, is he that stupid?" Hermione ranted then. "That money could have rebuilt the manor, been invested, worked toward a charity for children or…"

"Hermione, for Merlin's sake!" Ginny cried in exasperation. "The man hands over nearly all he has in the way of money and you're complaining that it wasn't spent properly. Would you like being in a holding cell right now? Percy would be your only company. That alone should have you thanking Malfoy daily."

What Ginny said was true, and though Hermione had no idea how much the amount truly was that Draco must have tossed at Scrimgeour, it would have been no meager sum. Malfoy's rarely if ever parted with money and he'd done just that. "It's just…" she stammered her lips starting to quiver again.

"Hermione, he must have believed you were worth it," Ginny soothed again realizing her friend's outburst had more to do with her surprise than actual anger. "Charity begins at home Mum says. Don't judge him for his methods of saving you." Ginny stopped suddenly, and frowned harshly. "Now, see what you've made me do. I'm defending Malfoy in my Mum's own kitchen. Hermione I swear I'll hex you for this when everything is over."

"Yes, when it's all over," Hermione murmured and impulsively hugged Ginny. Maybe it was her pregnancy that made her overly emotional, but that wasn't all that was to blame. Ron, Harry, and Neville were fighting a battle without her for the first time in years and her entire life was at stake. Despite their feelings for her husband they had gone to help him in a sense. She'd never forgive herself if something happened to either one of them in their attempt, but she might very well lose her sanity if they returned with news that Draco was dead.

Lucius wasn't a fair or just man, and if he suspected Draco of betrayal his retribution would be quick and painful. Hermione again felt the absence of her parents. Knowing they were only an owl or a simple Apparating spell away had always been comforting. Except for the Weasley's Draco and their child were all she had left and she'd likely murder Lucius herself if he managed to destroy her family any further. She was willingly to let him be brought to justice for his crimes against Muggles and her parents in particular but she couldn't be trusted if the father of her child was among his victims.

"Breakfast, come along now," Molly urged, gathering them around the table like a nesting mother bird. "Eat up before it gets cold. I'll have to keep some warm for your father, brother, and Harry. Out all night without a word. They'll hear about this mind you," she said, more seemingly to herself for comfort than anyone else.

"I'm not hungry," Hermione replied, but dutifully sat as Molly ordered. "Maybe later. Fred you can have my portion."

"Mum, you've cooked too much again. I know Hermione's in the family way but she doesn't eat like a horse," George remarked, but the usual laughter didn't follow. "Mione' seriously you should just eat some toast or something," he insisted, gently.

"George, not now," Hermione warned, but Molly was already passing her a plate loaded with plump sausages, scones, eggs, and toast.

"Really George she can still hex you when she's feeling better," Ginny smirked, and raised an eyebrow, but her mischievous mask didn't last long.

"Starting without us. Mum rather rude don't you think?"

Everything fell silent, and five expectant faces looked up to see Ron frowning and appearing genuinely appalled and offended. "After the night we had you could have at least waited a little bit longer."

"Harry!" Ginny squealed and jumped from the table to throw herself in his arms.

Harry grimaced and winced, but held her as tightly as she did him, thankful that what he had witnessed and discovered the previous night could begin to form as a memory. There was too much information to muddle through at the moment and too many opinions that suddenly didn't fit into where his life was taking him. In the course of a few hours everything had changed, and his views were slightly altered. However, letting go of such raw hate and anger wasn't going to be easy even knowing the truth as he did.

Hermione stood up slowly, glancing between Harry and Ron fearing the worst. Peering over them she saw Arthur standing in the doorway looking behind him and nodding. "Contrary to what you've been told I'm sure, poverty isn't contagious. You've got to eat and Hermione wouldn't forgive me if I didn't force our hospitality on you."

Hovering at Arthur's back Draco scanned the room in front of him warily, wondering how the Weasley's could so readily allow him in their home. He'd turned down their invitations for dinners and lunches, had only been polite in passing, but how could you ignore the people who now knew your greatest weakness and had seen you at your worst moment.

He didn't have a chance to think about arguing with Neville pushing him from behind. "Malfoy I'm not going to miss the opportunity for a home cooked meal because you're afraid your robes might get soiled. Not that you should worry much, they're pretty ragged now," Neville remarked. Glossing over the events of last night wasn't going to help anyone, and Malfoy was due a rant or two for what had occurred and how it would affect the rest of his life. Neville knew what madness did to the people themselves and those who loved them. Anger was the first emotion you usually felt for seeing someone you cared for in that state. If Malfoy wanted to trade insults at this point Neville would have obliged him without holding any grudges.

Scowling at the overbearing Auror who edged past him, Draco took a hesitant step forward and paused when his eyes fell on Hermione. She was watching him expectantly, but then her gaze rested on Harry and Ron. Of course she would go to them first. She would have to hug them, kiss them, make over every wound, bruise, and scar and Draco had expected that. What he didn't expect was the force with which Hermione pushed past them, as though they weren't even there, and ran toward him seeing no one else it appeared.

Somewhere his mind registered to catch her, and ignore the pain that would surely follow when she hurled herself into his arms. Hermione didn't say a word, and that was best. There was enough time to talk and explain later. Right now there was the overwhelming warmth Draco felt at the realization she had chosen him. This time it was more profound than her revealing their marriage or leaving with him from St. Mungo's. When an injured Potter and Weasley had stood before her, Hermione had, without a second thought, come to him first, making her loyalty plain for all to see. It was a clear-cut indication that he was her first priority, and he allowed himself to enjoy it for what it was.

Arthur clapped him lightly on the back minding the newly healed cuts and burns from his mother's curse. "See, Hermione won't let you say no now," the elder Weasley grinned, and walked over to kiss and hug his own wife.

Draco wasn't listening, but rather thinking that he should savor the moment. After he explained everything and Hermione remembered that it was his one of his family members who had killed her parents she would want, no she would need to leave him for her own sanity. There was no way she could live with him day in and day out, knowing that inadvertently he was the cause of their deaths. Every time Hermione looked at him she would see his mother and be reminded of what had been. So, instead Draco tightened his arms about her, and buried his face in her hair, uncaring of the assessing stares of the majority of the Weasley family who mentally decided that many of their qualms concerning Hermione's choice could be put to rest.