Red Rose: Part 5 (6th book spoilers!) By: SecretBeauty-SS-LM

5.----"Stay here Draco!" Lucius grabbed his wand and concealed it in his cloak sleeve. Carefully he

opened the door and peered out. No one was around. Then what he saw confirmed his fears. His

heart sank; Narcissa lay collapsed by the front door, unmoving.

"Narcissa," he whispered, as to not alert the attacker if he was still in the manor. Taking

measured steps he made his way over to his wife. He took her pulse. It was still there but only just.

"Narcissa," he turned her over when he saw them in the dinning room.

"My Lord? Bellatrix!" He wasn't surprised to see the Dark Lord but Bellatrix being there as well

was a shock. "Bellatrix, my God…She's your sister!" He stood to face them.

"Come what may," her face and voice was like cold stone, no emotion displayed. Everyday she

became more and more puppet like for the Dark Lord.

"Your son succeeded in letting us in Hogwarts. He went last night

during a special late night party that all the teachers and student were attending;

but not with out a little help," said the Dark Lord.

"Of course I asked Severus to help him, but what…"

"That's not the help I'm talking about."

"Then tell me My Lord, please."

Lucius couldn't begin to deduct what the Dark Lord was getting at.

"It seems you wife went to Severus herself not too long ago. As a matter of fact," he turned to the

clock just about the dinning room table. "About ten minutes ago," he sneered.

"That wouldn't be enough time to do anything. I would have been too late,"

"Time Turner,"

"Well asking Severus for help was no different than what I did,"

"Yes, but she made the Unbreakable Vow. Since I have no faith in your son, being a Malfoy, I

thought it best to do the necessary. We still need Severus, but if Draco failed Severus would die.

So I thought why not break the stupid un-thought through vow now? That left me with no choice,"

he looked down at Narcissa, thinking her dead. Knowing this Lucius played along with his wife's

'death'. "For Merlin's sake she just gave birth! My daughter will never know her mother!"

"I never knew my mother or father and look how I turned out," he splayed his arms.

That was what Lucius was afraid of. He had to be around for his daughter and son. Even if it meant

he couldn't get to Narcissa in time. But he had to! Pulling his arm into his sleeve he took a few

steps back, acting like he was in shock of everything, but the Dark Lord caught on. "Don't you dare

Lucius," he too grabbed his own wand. Without further thought, he grabbed Narcissa's arm and

apperated them out of the room. A loud crack sounded in the bedroom then another. He grabbed

Draco and Alaris and got them all out of the house. Knowing there wasn't any better option, he

apperated them to the muggle world.

----Searching around for a place to hide with his wife in his arms and Draco at this side carrying his

sister, he found a drab looking house just down the street. Hurrying along the road, something

seemed familiar about the place. He looked around for street signs. 'Godrics Hollow'the sign

read.

This is where the Potter's once lived and he found their old home as well. It was the home that

looked run down as if no one had lived there since their death. Deciding it was best not to use

magic he kicked open the back door and stepped in. There was a bowl of cereal on the kitchen

table that looked fresh. Probably some homeless person, Lucius thought to himself. Nothing he

couldn't take care of. He stepped into the front room and laid Narcissa down on the couch. In the

moonlight he saw something glittering on his cloak sleeve. Blood. Narcissa was bleeding. It was

too soon after giving birth to move such as she did; but she was strong headed and did anyways.

There was a creaking on the stairs and a young boy came down the stairs. But in the moon light he

didn't look so young and it wasn't just any young boy. It was Harry Potter, and he had his wand

drawn. "Mr. Malfoy? Draco?" He looked miffed. "Potter?" Lucius looked incredulous. "What are

you doing in my house?"

"That's none of your business Potter," Lucius spat, though it really was.

"I think it is sir," his wand still raised.

"We're hiding. Go ahead call the Minister of Magic and his Aurors! I know you're dying to. You've

had it in for me since your second year. But while we wait do you have any rags?"

"Rags?"

"Yes! Rags! My wife's life depends on it!"

Harry had never seen Lucius so undone before. "Yes," he hurried back up the stairs and grabbed

some out of the hall closet. "Here," he said handing them to Lucius. "Would you care for

something to drink?" he offered Draco, seeing the look of terror on his face. "Draco looked at him

a moment, then nodded his head, turning back to his mum. "Leave the room Draco," Lucius told

him. Draco entered the kitchen.

"What are you doing here Potter?" He tried to appear tougher than

he actually felt and was at the moment.

"I left Hogwarts. There's some business that I have to deal

with before I can go through schooling,"

"Then why are you here. Don't you live with your muggle aunt and uncle?"

"Yes, but there was no way I was staying there to live without going to Hogwarts."

He poured some tea into a cup and pushed it Draco's way. "Why are you here?" Draco studied his

tea. "The Dark Lord tried to kill my mum," he voice shook, yet Harry didn't flout in his weakness as

Draco was expecting. Maybe because that was something he would have done. "I did something

horrible Harry!" His eyes were wide with fear. "I know," was all he said. "My father swore after

tonight that no more! No more death dealing! No more answering his scar. But it's too late. My

mum's dying there's nothing we can do," he hung his head. "Why is your mum dying?" "She just

had my little sister and moved too much and the Dark Lord attacked her. We were going to

take her to St. Mungos but if Hogwarts isn't even safe, what are the chances at a hospital? She

also made the Unbreakable Vow, and the only way to save her would be for him to kill himself

willingly,"

"Who's 'him'?" Harry asked.

"Professor Snape," Draco answered looking up at Harry.

"Why him?"

Draco knew Harry didn't approve, but it really wasn't up to him to approve. "Because

he's my godfather. Him and my father go way back," he sipped his tea. "I have to go," Draco

pushed the tea back and went to the back door.

"You can't go out there! He's after you! You'll get

yourself killed!"

"I don't care Potter! This is my family! This is my mum! I will not let her die this

way!" With that he left.

Knocking before he re-entered the front room he found Lucius with his head

bowed over his wife. She was awake but very weak. "Mr. Malfoy," Harry interrupted. "I have my old

crib up in my old room if you would live to put Alaris there," he looked around nervously. "You may

take her there," Lucius said, "Be careful." Harry was shocked by the trust Lucius had in him at that

moment, but made sure he was extra careful not to hurt her. Alaris really did look like a Malfoy,

bleach blonde hair, and bright blue eyes, Harry observed taking her up the stairs. With care he

placed her in his old crib and went back down stairs. "Draco's gone isn't he?" Lucius now stood

peering out the window drapes. Harry didn't need to respond, he knew Lucius knew.

----Making the same journey his mum made, Draco went to his godfather's house. "Draco?"

Severus answered. "Mum needs your help. She's dying. The Dark Lord knew," he need not say

more, for Severus understood. Grabbing his cloak he set off with Draco. He too was in shock of

seeing Godrics Hollow again and finding that Potter now resided in the very house where his

parents were murdered, and him as well.

"Wait," Severus placed a hand on Draco's shoulder. "Something's going on upstairs. We'll sneak

behind these other houses and go through the back of Potter's." Draco didn't question how

Severus knew. He was a smart man; he knew to use Occulmency to tap into Lucius's thoughts to

see if everything was all right.

--"Well if this isn't my favorite scenario," the Dark Lord laughed, if you could call it that. Lucius

barred the doorway to where his daughter slept and Narcissa stood defensively by the crib. Harry

was hiding in the hall closet, waiting to make his move. This scenario was not one of his favorites

for he remembered it so well. All was the same except Lucius stood in doorway to his room, but

his mum fell right were Narcissa stood. He could not let that happen again, even if it

was the Malfoys.

About to step out he saw two figures sneaking along the hallway wall towards

where the Dark Lord stood. Harry hoped they made their move soon because Narcissa was

getting weaker, he could see it in her eyes and she leaned on the crib somewhat for balance.

Severus noticed Harry and gave a nod. Lucius also caught Severus's eye and said nothing.

On the count of three they all unleashed their spells on the Dark Lord. He screamed in anger and

pain, reaching out with his hands curled as if to bring Lucius down with him. Soon there was no

more to the Dark Lord but a pile of ashes. Using what he did on the snake, Severus stepped

forward and pointed his wand at the pile that was once the greatest dark wizard to ever walk.

"Iperra Evanesca," with that the pile of ashes burned to be no more. Narcissa collapsed to the

floor part relief, part weakness. She was still growing weaker, she was still dying. Severus entered

the room and helped her to her knees. "Thank you," he looked her in the eyes. He knew she was

confused on why he was thanking her but he knew why and that was all that mattered. Putting his

wand to his chest he spoke a silent curse and fell to the ground, dead. The Vow was broken.

Almost in an instant Narcissa got to her feet with her regained strength. She carefully took the

sleeping Alaris out of her crib and held her close. Lucius still stood by the door, shaking.

"Everything's alright sir. I won't tell," Harry went to leave them alone. He could tell that Lucius had

changed. Though he was still going to be his supremely confident self when all settled down; Harry

felt good to finally 'save himself'.

----Alaris laughed. Lucius was tossing her in the air and catching her. Narcissa smiled at the sight

before her and, of course, had a book in hand. Draco was off to one side practicing his dueling

skills for next year, and wasn't so harsh on Harry anymore, though he still really couldn't stand the

kid. "You know," Lucius said catching his daughter. "Why don't we all go on a picnic?"

"That sounds wonderful!" Narcissa got up and rushed to the kitchens.

"Are you coming Draco?"

"No father, you and mum have fun. You need to spend more time with Alaris," Lucius knew this was

directed at him for not spending much time with Draco, but he knew Draco understood. It really

was odd how so many things could change so drastically, yet everything was still just about the

same as it once was.

FIN