Chapter 19

Libra: The Debt Repaid

Autumn 1996 - Summer 1997

September passed in a haze for Narcissa. Her longing for Lucius intensified as she spent long hours alone, wandering aimlessly around the Manor. She was no longer a part of the Committee at St Mungo's, had no invitations to parties or events following Lucius' fall from grace, and, in any case, witches and wizards were too scared to celebrate in the worry over the return of the Dark Lord. Narcissa would have even been grateful for her sister's company, but Bellatrix was around less and less often. It seemed that Voldemort had begun to forgive her for the fiasco in the Department of Mysteries, and she was frequently called to his side. The monotony of her days was broken briefly when Arthur Weasley appeared on her doorstep, waving yet another search warrant. They found nothing; the artefact collection was now concealed in the folly in the grounds, and the wizards never thought of extending their search beyond the Manor. The cellar's protective enchantments also held firm; Ollivander was not discovered, and remained incarcerated in his prison.

Severus wrote to Narcissa regularly, as he had promised, but they could only exchange light pleasantries as all the owls were being searched, and Narcissa would not put it past the Headmaster to read his staff's letters, so was forced to accept that she could not ask for detailed updates on Draco's mission every week. Her son had not yet written to her. She swung between despair and fury as she wrote to him again and again, begging him to at least acknowledge her, but to no avail.

In the first week of October, Bellatrix came to Narcissa's parlour, and said abruptly, "Draco needs you to do something for him."

"Draco?" Narcissa breathed, rising to her feet. "Are you in contact with him?"

"Of course!" Bellatrix looked at her sister, but this time, there was pity, not laughing triumph in her gaze. This made Narcissa feel worse, and tears pricked at the corners of her eyes. Bellatrix went on quickly, "He needs you to buy something from Borgin and Burkes. It's a cursed opal necklace, costs one-and-a-half thousand Galleons."

"Why?" Narcissa asked, not even flinching at the obscene cost of the item.

Bellatrix bristled. "His plan is not working as quickly as we had hoped... and while you're there, you are to give this to Borgin." Bellatrix handed her a sealed letter. "You are not to read it."

It was Narcissa's turn to bristle, and she glared at her sister. "No, Bella. Tell me what Draco's doing."

"The Dark Lord -" Bellatrix began, but Narcissa interrupted angrily,

"He's my son, Bella! Tell me now!"

Bellatrix looked at her sister, then said in a low voice, "Do you promise not to tell the interfering half-blood?"

Narcissa froze. "I... I can't," she whispered. "He's protecting Draco, Bella. He needs to know -"

"No," Bellatrix said shortly. "The Dark Lord has spoken. My loyalty is to him. Prove your loyalty, Narcissa, or he will kill your son." She thrust the envelope into her unresisting hands and left the room. Narcissa heard the front door slam shut shortly afterwards. She stood, frozen, then ripped open the letter.

Borgin,

Your latest instructions failed. Greyback will be paying you a visit in one week's time to remind you of what is at stake. Send me complete instructions which yield results and I may consider calling him off. Disguise them as a magazine this time.

D.L. Malfoy

Narcissa returned from Diagon Alley, carrying the boxed necklace gingerly. Borgin had started shaking when he had read the note, and given her a sizeable discount on the item, desperately begging her to relay his kindest, warmest regards to her son, and assuring her the new instructions would be with him immediately. Narcissa had said nothing, and swept from the shop without a backwards glance. She joined Bellatrix in the drawing room that evening, and both sisters poured all their magical skill into charming the necklace's box to fully block the old and potent curse from secrecy sensors. At last, they sat back, satisfied that the box would get past Filch. "You see, Cissy," Bellatrix said, transfiguring the box into a book before wrapping it in brown paper, ready for the owl to deliver the following morning. "It will be fine! Draco will get there, and then you won't need the half-blood at all. You'll see."

But only a week later, it was Bellatrix, not Narcissa, who was forced to eat her words. A furious Severus appeared on the doorstep, bellowing at Bellatrix; the necklace had not made it as far as Albus Dumbledore, and had instead cursed a student. It had not been fatal, but it had been a near miss.

"YOU ARE ENCOURAGING HIM TO BE CARELESS!" Severus roared, his face unnaturally red. "ARE YOU REALLY AS STUPID AS YOU LOOK? JUST TELL ME WHAT HE IS TRYING TO DO AND I CAN ASSIST HIM, THEN IT WILL ALL BE OVER!"

But Bellatrix did not rise to the bait. She merely smiled nastily, and said, "And have you steal Draco's glory? Not a chance, Severus. You will fall from the Dark Lord's favour if it is the last thing I do. Maybe then you will begin to understand what it is like to lose everything." Severus' face went white and he stood, frozen, as Bellatrix laughed manically, and swept away up the stairs to her bedroom. Narcissa met her friend's eyes and shook her head slowly, answering his silent question, No, I don't know what he's doing Severus. I'm sorry.

"I - I am trying, Narcissa," he said, his voice slightly hoarse from shouting.

"I know," she whispered back. He did not stay any longer, but inclined his head in farewell, and walked away, disappearing back into the night.

To Narcissa's amazement, she received a letter from Draco in early December, asking if he could come home for Christmas. She wrote back immediately, telling him, truthfully, that there was nothing that she would like more, and she spent the next few weeks in a frenzy, planning the food and gifts, anxiously awaiting her son's arrival. It was going to be her first Christmas without Lucius since their marriage, but the thought of seeing Draco again kept her going through the long, dark, wet December days. At last, the last day of the school term came, and Narcissa travelled to London to collect her son. It was a shock when she saw Draco disembarking from the train. He had always been thin, but was now almost skeletal, his usually sleek hair was messy and straw-like, his face paler than usual, with large, dark bags under his eyes. He was mostly monosyllabic, and shut himself in his room as soon as he got home. Narcissa tried to tell herself to leave him to it, but after two hours, could stand it no longer. Bellatrix was out, so she took the opportunity to speak to her son alone. She knocked softly on his door, and when he did not reply, she opened it slowly. Draco was lying, fully dressed, on his bed, staring vacantly at the ceiling.

"Draco?" she asked, hesitantly.

"Yes, Mother?" he replied in a detached voice. Narcissa stepped into the room, and sat on the edge of his bed.

"Are you ok?"

"I'm fine," he intoned, not looking at her.

Narcissa took a deep breath. "Draco, I don't know what you're doing, but if you need help, you can ask Severus, he -"

But at the sound of his Professor's name, Draco's grey eyes glinted and he snorted, saying contemptuously, "I'm not asking him for anything, Mother."

Narcissa put a hand on his arm and said calmly, "You can trust Severus, Draco, I know -"

But Draco cut her off, wrenching his arm away from her as he sat up. He laughed derisively. "Oh yes? I can trust him, can I? Like Father did?"

Narcissa frowned. "What are you talking about?"

Draco was no longer laughing. His voice rang, filled with contempt, "Everyone knows, Mother! They're all talking about it - about what you've done with Snape!" Draco cast her a look of such loathing that she felt physical pain clawing at her heart.

Surely he doesn't think... Narcissa stood up abruptly, hand tightening on her wand, as she said imperiously, "I don't care for your tone, Draco. Severus is an old friend of mine and your father's, and -"

But he cut her off, shouting, "Stop lying to me! I know the truth! Aunt Bella told me. She was there, Mother, when you made the Vow with him. She saw everything! And you stayed behind afterwards! Do you think we're stupid? And I've seen the two of you together, he's always turning up, isn't he? Touching your shoulder or trying to hold your hand. It's disgusting! How long has it been going on for? How long have you and Snape been fu-"

Narcissa blanched and flicked her wand at her son, silencing the expletive. "There is no need to use that common vulgarity, Draco," she hissed. Her heart was thudding wildly, and she could feel blood rushing to her face. My son, my baby, thinks I've been cheating on Luc. Draco looked furiously at her but she didn't waver, holding eye contact. He was angry and defensive, but she could see the confused whirlwind of emotions whipping around in his mind. He was tired, frightened and devastated, believing his parents' marriage was built on adultery and lies. She inwardly cursed Bellatrix for poisoning her son's mind. I need to fix this, to explain...

"Draco," she began, releasing the silencing charm. "I have not been sleeping with Severus. I am telling you the truth. What Bella saw was me begging a friend to save your life. Years ago, your father and I helped Severus in his hour of need, at great personal risk, and he promised to help us, should we ever need him to. We first befriended Severus at school - he was an ideal recruit for the Dark Lord, and we took him under our wing. It was just before my sister Andromeda ran away, and I admit I tried to replace her with Severus.

He's like a brother to me. Your father and I trust him completely, and I love your father more than words can describe, Draco. When he was taken away and the Dark Lord ordered me to give you to him... it was the darkest time of my life, so I went to Severus and he kept his promise to us, vowing to protect you. Bella... she's damaged, Draco, and she hates Severus. Did she tell you what happened at his initiation, after he was marked?"

Draco's face was twisted, and he looked torn between curiosity and defiance. He slowly shook his head. Narcissa took a deep breath, sitting back down on her son's bed and said, "The Dark Lord set a group of Inferi on Severus. He fought them off using Feindfyre, but only after they had swarmed on him and broken one of his arms - we all thought he was going to die. Then, the Dark Lord set Bella on him. She had made some mistakes, and he wanted to punish her for it by humiliating her. Severus fought her off and disarmed her, then to add insult to injury - at least, that's how she saw it - he healed the wounds he had inflicted on her. Severus was - and is - a very powerful wizard, and the Dark Lord recognised this, promoting him quickly through the ranks. He also used Severus against Bella; each time she disappointed him, he would give Severus preferential treatment. You must have noticed, Draco, that Bella is fanatically devoted to the Dark Lord - she idolises him. Seeing Severus rise to prominence hit her hard, and she's never forgiven him for it."

Draco was looking at the bedcovers, picking at them with long, pale fingers. Narcissa could tell he was still unsure of whether to believe her. "If you need more proof, Draco, I can show you something now. But I need you to swear that you will not share this with anyone else." He looked up, slightly nervous. She noticed again how pale and thin he was. He looked her in the eyes, and nodded. Narcissa raised her wand and said in a low voice, "Expecto Patronum." A dark silver mass blossomed from the wand tip, and Narcissa's black swan glided effortlessly around the room.

"But -" Draco's grey eyes were wide as they followed the silver light. "We can't do that, Mum -" He stopped, realising how inane that sentence was, given that he was looking at proof to the contrary.

"Do you know what a swan Patronus means?" Narcissa asked gently.

"No," Draco admitted. "But I'm guessing it proves your point?"

She smiled at this glint of her son's old manner, back when he was just a carefree child. "Swans are, firstly, monogamous; they mate for life. They are also fiercely protective of their nests and cygnets. Those with a swan Patronus are driven by love for their family, and those with a black swan are often surprising, and do the unexpected."

The swan faded, and Draco looked into his mother's eyes. She could see that he was sorry and ashamed of his outburst even before he said, "I'm sorry, Mum, but they're all saying that you and Snape are ..." he paused, trying to think of the right word without swearing. "...Screwing."

Narcissa sighed. "That doesn't surprise me. I have noticed that most of the Dark Lord's followers do not understand love or friendship - so they see Severus' relationship with me and subsequent protection of you to be based on sexual favours. A simple quid-pro-quo," she ended her sentence with bitter resentment.

Draco looked into his mother's face, and she read a protective anger in his eyes. "I can stop them, Mum. I can make them take it back -"

"No, Draco. You will do nothing of the sort." Narcissa's voice was firm.

Draco looked annoyed. "But Mum, don't you care that they think you're -"

"No, Draco, I honestly don't care what they think. Let them think it, let them say it. Let them know there is nothing I wouldn't do for you. You and your father know the truth, and that's all that matters." She did not move her gaze from her son's, and saw acquiescence in his eyes. He nodded slowly, then said in a low voice,

"But Professor Snape can't help me, Mum. I have to do it myself. It's my mission, and I have to complete it alone."

"Draco -" Narcissa reached out for her son, hugging him to her. He didn't resist, but when she released him, he shook his head, answering her silent plea.

"It has to be me. Not him. It's too late now." And he slipped off the bed and left the room.

Draco spent most of the Christmas holidays out with his aunt. They did not tell Narcissa where they had been, and eventually, she gave up asking. Christmas day was quiet, but Draco was at least speaking to her, and for Narcissa, that was enough. Once Draco was back at school, he wrote to his mother monthly. His letters were bland and uninspiring, but Narcissa treasured them all, reading them over and over again. She learned through Bellatrix that Draco had made another attempt on the Headmaster's life, but that once again the wrong person had been hurt. Narcissa did not ask for details, knowing Bellatrix would refuse. His plan was, evidently, not going well. The Dark Lord was growing impatient, and Narcissa lived through the first few months of the New Year in a constant state of fear. The only light at the end of the tunnel was Bellatrix mentioning that the Dark Lord was coming around to the idea of freeing his Death Eaters from Azkaban, and so Narcissa clung to the hope that she would be reunited with Lucius soon.

Narcissa was seated in her parlour, staring absent-mindedly at the flames of the roaring fire. It was May, and definitely too warm for a fire, but Narcissa found the dancing flames comforted her as she sat alone in her large and opulent home, worrying constantly about her husband and son. She did not know how long she had been there, where she was jerked back to the present as Ingle knocked on the door.

"Madam Malfoy, you is having a visitor. Professor Snape."

Narcissa looked up, confusion then fear flooding her body. "Send him in," she said, voice shaking, and she stood to face the door. Severus appeared moments later.

"Narcissa, please stay calm." His words did nothing to assuage her mounting terror, and she began to shake. Severus crossed the room, gently guiding her onto the sofa. He sat next to her, and said softy, "It's Draco. He's in the Hospital Wing. He's been hurt, badly hurt, but he will recover." Narcissa covered her face with her hands and began to cry. "Narcissa!" Severus sounded uncomfortable - as he always was around violent emotion. He rose abruptly from the sofa and began to pace the room. Just like Luc used to. This thought made Narcissa cry even harder. She felt two hands grasp her wrists, pulling her to her feet. Severus was standing before her, face as pale as ever, as he said, "Draco will be fine, Narcissa. I only came because I didn't want you to hear about this by owl." He hesitated, then said, "Would you like me to take you to him?"

She nodded, and he released her wrists, stepping back. "What happened to him?" she whispered, tears coursing down her cheeks.

Severus hesitated again. "He was... in a fight."

"A fight?" Narcissa whispered. "Who with, Severus?" He didn't answer, and understanding dawned on Narcissa. "Potter," she hissed in a low, dangerous voice.

Severus swallowed. "Narcissa, he -" but he stopped when she held up her hand. Her voice was calm and level and she felt rage ignite in her belly.

"What did he do, Severus? What did he do to my baby?"

There was a beat of silence, then Severus murmured, so quietly that his voice was almost drowned out by the crackling fire, "Sectumsempra."

Narcissa's head jerked, as if he had slapped her. "Sectumsempra?" she repeated as she slowly drew her wand. "Severus, how does Harry Potter know that spell?"

Severus' dark eyes flicked to the wand. He reached slowly inside his own robes, stepping sideways so he was blocking the doorway. "Narcissa..." he said, warningly.

"I'll kill him. I'll kill the little MUDBLOOD'S BASTARD!" Narcissa raised her wand, pointing it directly at Severus as she screamed at him. A jet of red light flew towards him, and he swiftly raised his own wand, creating a shield. Narcissa's spell bounced off, hitting the wall and leaving a black scorch mark on the delicate wallpaper. "GET OUT OF MY WAY!" Narcissa screeched, sending two more spells at her friend. He blocked these too, and did not move.

"Narcissa, stop this. You know you can't -"

"YOU PROMISED YOU WOULD PROTECT HIM! HOW DID POTTER KNOW THAT SPELL? WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?"

Her next spell forced Severus backwards, as she swung her arm high above her head, bringing her wand slashing down through the air. He just brought a new shield up in time, and then returned fire. The room was filled with jets of red light, as Narcissa's Stunning spells and Severus' Disarming charms flew through the air, rebounding off their Shield charms, shooting off wildly and dissolving into sparks as they hit the wall. Narcissa's spell casting grew wilder, her hair whipping around her as she ducked and dodged, throwing her whole body weight behind each new spell. Her aim gave way to more powerful magic, her Stunning spells blasting with such force that they left holes in the wall. One glanced off Severus' shield, and he was knocked sideways, the next hit the shield square on only a second later, before he had fully managed to regain his balance, and he fell backwards. His Shield charm failed and he rolled, using the momentum from his fall to avoid being hit by a third spell, which missed by inches, shooting past his left ear. But before Narcissa could press home her advantage, Severus sprang to his feet, his face impassive - it was as if shutters had closed behind his eyes - and he lashed out with such a powerful Disarming spell that it hit her hard in the stomach before she could raise a shield. She was sent flying, her wand soaring out of her hand, and her head smacked into the wall with such force that her vision blurred and her head felt as if it was on fire.

"Narcissa?" Severus' face slowly came into focus. He was crouching in front of her, his eyes filled with concern and regret. He gently tipped her head forwards, and she felt a coolness on the back of her head as he pointed his wand at the point of impact. The pain lessened, and she blinked, lifting a hand and feeling the back of her head gingerly. It was as if nothing had happened. "Are you ok?" Severus asked quietly.

She nodded, smiling ruefully as she said, "Do me a favour and remind not to try fighting you again."

"If your aim had been a bit better, it would have been me asking you the same favour. You're more like your sister than I realised," he replied dryly, getting to his feet. He held out a hand, and she took it, rising as gracefully as she could. "Can I trust you with this?" he asked, only half-jokingly, holding her wand out to her. She gave him a weak smile, taking it back.

"Can I see Draco?" she asked, shaking her hair out of her face.

"Only if you promise not to go chasing after Potter - I mean it, Narcissa."

"Ok," she sighed. "I promise. But Severus, how did he know that spell? I thought he was Dumbledore's puppet - but that's Dark magic - it's your spell."

"In the boy's defence - not that he deserves one - he didn't know what it did. The brat's somehow gotten hold of my old Potions book - the one I wrote all my own spells in. And that's how he's suddenly so gifted at Potions - I wrote notes and improvements on the standard text, and he's been using it, passing it off as his own work. Little swine. I should have guessed - but I've had rather more pressing matters on my mind..." He shook his head. "It seems that Potter and Draco got into a fight - in a girls' bathroom, of all places - I found them just after it happened. The ghost, Myrtle was screaming blue murder and I was the first on the scene - fortunately. I stopped the bleeding, healed the wounds and took Draco straight to Madam Pomfrey. Now we should get going. Do you have everything you need?"

"Yes." She started towards the door. "Let's go."

They left the Manor together, apparating once they passed the boundary of the property and appearing a second later outside the gates to the castle. They passed through the grounds and Severus escorted Narcissa to the Hospital Wing. Draco was asleep, the Matron told them, but said Narcissa could stay as long as she wanted to. Narcissa pulled up a chair at her son's bedside, taking one of his hands in hers. He looked gaunt, washed out and exhausted. She barely registered Severus pulling up another chair and sitting beside her. Narcissa had no idea how long they had been sitting there before her son stirred, opening his grey eyes.

"Mum?" he asked, as if he couldn't believe she was there.

"I'm here, baby," she whispered, stroking his blond hair. "It's ok."

"Mum!" He struggled, trying to sit up, but she gently put a hand on his shoulder.

"Don't move, Draco. Save your strength."

"I don't -" He looked confused. "What happened?"

"You had a fight, with Potter. Severus found you. He brought you here and came to get me."

"Potter?" Draco asked incredulously. "But, how -"

"He used Dark magic - Sectumsempra."

"Potter? He knows that spell?" For a fraction of a second, she read respect in Draco's eyes, before it was swallowed by fear and weariness. "I'm tired, Mum," he said, swallowing as he tried not to cry.

"It's ok, baby," she whispered. "Go to sleep now. I'll stay until the morning."

He gripped her hand tightly in thanks, and closed his eyes again. Narcissa thought he was asleep, but he whispered softly, "I won't let him hurt you, Mum. I'll do it. I'll find a way, I promise I will..."

"Shh." Narcissa stroked his hair again. "I know, I know, baby. Go to sleep."

He soon drifted off, his grip slackening and his face relaxing. Severus stood up, placing a hand gently on Narcissa's shoulder. "I need to go. Will you be ok?" Narcissa nodded, not taking her eyes from her son, but raised a hand and put it over Severus', squeezing it briefly before placing it back over Draco's hand. She heard retreating footsteps as her friend left. The Matron brought Narcissa a cup of tea and offered her a bed for the night, but Narcissa shook her head. She did not sleep and did not move from Draco's bedside all night.

The next morning, she encouraged Draco to eat his breakfast, then Severus appeared. Narcissa rose, bending down and kissing her son goodbye, before Severus escorted her from the room and back to the castle gates. "Thank you," she said simply, and was surprised when he hugged her and said in a low voice,

"I'll keep him safe, Narcissa." She nodded, turning beyond the castle's boundary, feeling Severus' eyes on her until she had disapparated.

It happened at the end of June. Bellatrix flew into Narcissa's parlour, grabbing her sister's hands, pulling her off the sofa and spinning her around and around joyfully. "It is time, Narcissa! It is time! Draco has done it!" Narcissa stumbled, trying to ask her sister what she meant, but Bellatrix cackled, releasing her, and flew from the room, shooting down the stairs, through the front door and out into the grounds. Narcissa tried to follow, but Bellatrix disapparated just beyond the Manor's boundary, and Narcissa was left standing alone. She turned slowly and walked back to the Manor. Draco's done it... does the mean Dumbledore is dead? Will we be forgiven now? Will Lucius be freed? Will Draco be allowed to step back from being a Death Eater if Lucius comes home? Narcissa was left with these thoughts whirling around her mind. She sat on the window seat in the drawing room, her eyes desperately gazing down the driveway, awaiting her sister's return as the sky grew steadily darker and stars began to appear. Suddenly, she saw movement; it was Draco, pelting up the driveway towards the Manor, Severus following closely behind. Narcissa flew to the front door, wrenched it open and her son threw himself into her arms. He was shaking, and buried his face in her shoulder. Severus skidded to a stop beside him. His face was contorted and his voice sounded hoarse, as if he had been shouting, as he said simply,

"It is done."

"Draco?" Narcissa breathed, and Severus shook his head, his expression clearing.

"I did it. My debt is repaid."

Narcissa looked into his black eyes. "Thank you," she whispered, hugging Draco tightly to her. "Thank you, Severus."

A shriek of laughter ripped through the still night air, announcing Bellatrix's return. She was dancing down the gravel driveway, singing triumphantly, "He's dead! He's dead! The old Mudblood-loving fool is dead!" She beamed at Narcissa, ruffling Draco's hair. "You did well, Draco. Our Master is very pleased." Then she turned to Severus, but to Narcissa's surprise, smiled at him, too. "It seems I was mistaken about you. You are on our side after all." She proffered her hand to him, as if expecting him to kiss it. After a moment's hesitation, Severus took it, raising her hand slightly and bowing over it.

"Bellatrix," he said stiffly. She laughed again, linking her arm firmly through his.

"You can call me 'Bella' now! Come, you are to report to the Dark Lord. And I want to hear all about it too!" She reached out and tried to pull Draco from his mother's embrace.

"Bella, please!" Narcissa cried, slapping her hand away.

"I think Draco can stay behind, Bella," Severus said quietly. "Let's go."

Bellatrix looked as though she wanted to argue, but Severus pulled her firmly away, and they walked together, arm in arm, down the long driveway and out of sight. Narcissa closed the front door, leading her son to his bedroom. He was sobbing, his words indistinct. "I couldn't... he said... save me... protect you..."

"Shh, Draco," Narcissa said. She called Ingle, asking for a Dreamless Sleep Potion. The elf brought it to her promptly, and she gave it to her son. "Drink this, it'll help you sleep." He did as she was told, and fell asleep instantly.

Narcissa watched over him, the hours slipping past until she heard Bellatrix calling her, and left the room. "What happened, Bella?" Narcissa asked, and her sister told her the whole story; Draco working out there was a connection between a Vanishing Cabinet at Borgin and Burkes and a broken one at Hogwarts; working all year long to try to fix the one in the castle; putting Madam Rosmerta under the Imperius curse to do his bidding; attempting to kill Dumbledore using the cursed necklace and a bottle of poisoned mead.

"And tonight!" Bellatrix concluded. "He managed it! Dumbledore was away from the school, so Draco cast the Dark Mark over the Astronomy tower to lure him there on is return, and the Dark Lord sent the Carrows, Yaxley, Rowle, Gibbon and Greyback through the cabinet in Borgin's. They arrived in the school, but some students and the Order fought back... no fatalities on their side - sadly - but we lost Gibbon." Bellatrix waved her hand dismissively. "But he was a bit useless, so the Dark Lord did not mind too much."

"And Draco?" Narcissa whispered.

"Dumbledore walked right into the trap!" Bellatrix's voice rang out triumphantly. "Disarmed him, and he was nearly out of it, Severus said, when he arrived. Draco did not manage to kill him though." Bellatrix looked momentarily disappointed, but went on brightly, "So Severus did it."

"So he's 'Severus' now, is he?" Narcissa asked coldly. "Not 'the half-blood'?"

Bellatrix looked surprised. "He has proven his loyalty now. And it seems I was wrong about his... relationship with you."

"Yes, you were." Narcissa growled. Bellatrix smiled at her, tucking a strand of her wild hair behind her ear.

"So I have decided to forgive him. And I'm sorry, Cissy. Can we be friends now?" she asked sweetly.

Narcissa sighed, part of her wanted to press the issue, but the other part was tired. She had her son back, and wanted her sister back, too. "Yes, ok," she grumbled. Bellatrix let out another shriek of joyful laughter, grabbing Narcissa's hands and spinning her around with her.

"The Dark Lord has forgiven us, Cissy! He wishes to use the Manor again for meetings, and said he will release Lucius!"

Narcissa's irritation with her sister vanished immediately. "Really, Bella? He's going to free Luc?"

"Yes! He is going to do it soon - in a couple of weeks!" Bellatrix cried.

Narcissa laughed aloud, and did not resist as Bellatrix spun them around faster and faster. It's all ok, Luc's coming home! Everything will be alright now!