It was ten years since the war had ended.

The wizarding world had slowly settled into something that resembled peace.

For most people, at least.

The families that had supported the Dark Lord, however, knew none of the peace the rest of the wizarding world lived in. What little they had managed to hold on to, was threatened regularly with laws and threats and whatever someone who had a bone to pick with them could think of.

The Aurors restricted their movements and even the newcomers were warned thoroughly of their 'wickedness'. They had been painted as villains for fighting for what they had believed in.

Somehow, Narcissa was both surprised, and not. History was written by the victor's after all, even if those victors had never fought in the war themselves.

And the true heroes insisted on arguing their forgiveness and acceptance, like the true Gryffindors they were. Their words were drowned out in the voices of the rest, unlike their sacrifices that no one else had been willing to shoulder.

Narcissa could only be grateful for the small mercies, the small battles that had been fought on her behalf, that allowed her family to reunite. It had taken years – Lucius had spent over five years in Azkaban before being released to house arrest with Ronald having vouched for him.

"Mrs Malfoy," the male in question greeted, sounding apologetic despite it being their agreed upon time to meet. Harry Potter followed him out of the floo a moment later, with Hermione Granger quickly following suit. Hermione waved her wand and cleaned up the mess their entrance had caused, and Narcissa smiled gratefully at the woman.

Even their magic usage had been restricted after the war. Underage tracers had once again been placed on each of them, and the Ministry would be informed of any and all of their magic use. They had only barely been able to keep their wands, even with the tracers.

"He's in the study, Mister Weasley," Narcissa said.

Ron flushed. "Just call me Ron, there really isn't a need to be formal."

"Mister Potter, Miss Granger, I would like a word, if you will?" Narcissa asked after a moment's silence. The pair looked startled but agreed easily.

It was rare that she started conversation, but she had been thinking – about the war, about the revolution, about the Dark Lord's original goals before he lost himself to the madness. She understood why they were hated and scorned, but there were few who truly understood what it had been like for them.

There were few that weren't followers of the Dark Lord that truly knew the side of the war that hadn't been happily publicised. They didn't know the threats and fear even the Dark Lord's followers felt during the last war.

Narcissa rarely participated in these kinds of things – that was usually Lucius' forte, but her husband was drained mentally and physically, by the loss of the war or Azkaban, Narcissa didn't know. He was only a husk, and Draco was slowly recovering – through forgetting despite the constant reminders – and she didn't have the heart to drag her son back through his nightmares.

Harry and Hermione sat patiently and attentively, waiting to hear whatever she had to say, and Narcissa was grateful that they didn't push her to speak.

"I believe it's time we release the Dark Lord's story. Not immediately labelling as the Dark Lord's," Narcissa added quickly at the pair's expressions. "I'm sure all three of you already know most of the story from whatever Dumbledore found, but there's a lot more than even Dumbledore suspected. My husband's father, Abraxas, attended Hogwarts with the Dark Lord, and like many young heirs of his age, he kept a journal of the goings on at Hogwarts."

"You're saying, there are things in that journal, that may change everyone's minds about the Dark Lord?" Hermione's eyes had the light of curiosity that Narcissa had been hoping for.

Narcissa nodded. "In that journal, are the original plans the Dark Lord made for the wizarding world. Or pieces of them, at least, as one can never truly tell the thoughts of even the ones closest to them, and the Dark Lord never had anyone close to him." Narcissa paused, almost thoughtfully. "However, the other families may have similar journals that could help align the facts from the assumptions."

There were also several things about Dumbledore during his time as Deputy Headmaster that would raise a few eyebrows, and from Harry's expression Narcissa believed he had already guessed at that.

Harry and Hermione barely exchanged a glance, when Ron's slightly muffled voice came from the passage: "I think we should do it. The bloody gits are driving me mental with all the drivel about evil tormentors, like they're doing much better. The Ministry is filled with bunches of them that act like they didn't go into hiding once things got a bit rough."

"Luna would be happy enough to include it in the Quibbler. She has been looking for something a bit more exciting." Harry shrugged. "I mean, it wouldn't hurt. Dumbledore wasn't exactly a saint either. He just happened to be on our side, and we just happened to win."

Hermione nodded. "Mrs Malfoy, if we could trouble you to gather as many of the journals as you possibly could? We'll approach Luna for some space in the Quibbler for the foreseeable future. We'll have to be careful with how we write the article and how it's released, or this is going to backfire on all of us."

Narcissa nodded with a wan smile. "I know, but I'm not sure we have very much to lose anymore."

"I can help you, if you'd like. Otherwise we could get Luna to double check the articles afterwards, as a fresh pair of eyes," Hermione offered.

"I may need the assistance of all three of you. I'm afraid, by way of looking at things may give me away in any writing. After all, I know very little of your struggles and sufferings, as you know very little of our sufferings."

They spoke of the arrangement for a little longer, but soon their wards were buzzing with reminders for other commitments, and Narcissa saw them out. As the trio left in a blaze of green floo fire, just as they had arrived, Narcissa could only stare at the embers in thought.

The contents of the journals had shocked even her upon first reading them, but Narcissa had learned that the Dark Lord had been just another victim that turned into a tormentor.

Another bullied boy that turned into the bully to prevent future injury.

She didn't need the wizarding world to understand that – Narcissa truly doubted they ever would – but she needed them to acknowledge the evil that hid even in the light, in the muggles that had been so carefully protected, and in the muggleborns that insisted on changing everything with them.

She would have to take a leaf out of the Dark Lord's book, dead as the man himself was, to slowly drag their families out of the shadows and into public acceptance.

If she took it too far, however, it would bring them right back down to the rock bottom they currently rested on.


Written for Badass Lyrics Inspire Badass Fics [She may never beat the system, but she won't rest until she's turned the villain to the victim; Narcissa Black]