Bill's Bill

Chapter 3: Revelations

Everything is owned by JK Rowling, all I own is the plot. Enjoy reveling in revelations, yo. (See what I did there?) - C

Bill sat silently with a half-empty bottle of Fire Whiskey for some time. He watched the fire fervently as if it held all the answers in his recently upturned universe. He'd like to say he was making great plans but he was really just sitting and sulking. Finally, finally, everything had been perfect. He had never been very popular at Hogwarts, not like Charlie. He had a hard time opening up to people and tended to sit in small corners where he would be overlooked. It was one of the things that he loved about Fleur, she was patient as she was beautiful. She knew how hard it was for him and she would sit and wait in agonizing silence until he was ready. At Hogwarts though, he did not have Fleur and he was teased for being the quiet boy whose personality didn't match his vibrant features.

He sighed remembering how he was bullied. The Hat had contemplated putting him in Hufflepuff but he begged for Gryffindor like his parents. In retrospect, it would have saved him five and a half years worth of nagging and bullying. His parents constantly asked about his friends, if they wanted to come over and visit. He had many friends and study partners but no close friends. No one that he would bring to the Burrow for weeks at a time during the summer like Charlie. When they tried to push the issue he would simply shrug and go back to studying. It was his only refuge.

He quickly rose to be the top of his classes. It was not like he had anything else to do. During his fifth year, Professor McGonagall asked him to tutor two Ravenclaw girls the second week at school. By the time Halloween came around, his usual quiet corner in the library had turned into a study group. It had taken till mid-November until one of his roommates had mentioned that they were all girls and he was the only boy. He hadn't noticed because it hadn't made a difference to him. They were all studying advance placement Charms and transfigurations. The next night one of his roommates rather nervously asked him to put a good word in for him with one of his original study partners. He agreed wholeheartedly actually telling him he thought they were a good match for a while.

After that things got a bit easier. Other students said hello in the hallways if someone knocked into him they apologized, his roommates invited him for a chinwag every now and then, and he even got asked on a date by a friend of a girl in his group. He had been bumbling and shy but she didn't mind. By the time he finally emerged from his, shell it was graduation and he had to restart the process.

Meeting people got easier once he was working in the Gringott's banks. He had originally taken the job because it was his only way to travel the world without being rich so he had jumped at their offer. He had gotten twelve OWLS and their corresponding NEWTS and that had greatly impressed the Goblins. He knew that they weren't particularly fond of his family but they got on fine. Then the war started and everything changed. There were so many deaths, so many near misses, and so many people he knew or thought he knew that did things he would never have imagined possible. Family members, classmates, and loved ones. He had actually lost everyone who had slept in his dorm room pretty early on. It was a hard blow to swallow. What was harder, was that they weren't all on the same side.

He had started to withdraw in on himself when he met Fleur. She was his shining light in the echoing darkness that had transformed into his life. He lived in constant fear that his baby brother Ron was going to get himself killed. It kept him up most nights until he and Fleur found each other and other more enjoyable reasons to stay up. He was just as shocked as she was when he asked her to marry him. It was terrible timing, they both knew that but if they were both going to die anyway he wanted it to be with them together. He wanted to have her by his side till his dying day and to his surprise so did she.

Based off of his brother's descriptions he had thought she would be a snooty, high maintenance pure blood type girl. When he met her for the first time in Gringott's he was shocked to realize that she was actually kind, smart, and extremely down to earth. They had been bonding over a co-worker who was getting married the next week. She was being a right nightmare. She had been mid-tirade about how the color of his shirt was going to bring her bad luck on her wedding day and that he simply had to go home and change. Fleur had burst into a fit of giggles at his raised eyebrows at the madwoman. He had met her later at the Canteen with a different shirt and the two laughed when she told him that her dream wedding was in a backyard with close friends and family and not some social event for the entirety of Great Britain and France. He sighed his relief and asked her out on the spot. If he was being honest, he almost married her then and there.

But then the War had ruined even their simple backyard wedding and drove a wedge in their search for a quiet and calm life. The first several months of their marriage had been tough. It was like it had been sunshine and daisies before the war had officially erupted and then with their wedding and the fall of the Ministry everything spiraled dramatically. She was cooped up and miserable as was he, but he loved her and would have given his life for her happiness. Their house was always filled with dying or the dead. They had buried so many that Fleur stopped flinching at the dead bodies that she could no longer save. She made a comment once idly that she shouldn't bother buying white aprons and to just buy the aprons in dark red color to avoid having to scrub them.

And then they had gotten the call from Neville. Voldemort had come with Death Eaters to Hogwarts and Harry, Ron, and Hermione needed to search for something. They had both rushed to the door and exchanged one deep kiss and then Flooed into the Dumbledore's office. Fleur had told him afterward that she had thought that was the last day they would have ever been together. She told him that she had planned to fight as long as she could and if she saw him fall she would drop her wand and fall as well. That had terrified him to the point of taking her to a therapist in Muggle London, an alienated squib who was kinder to them than she should have been. He had thought that was terrifying but he had never known the tangible grip of fear when they had thought that Harry had fallen at Hogwarts. All he could think of was getting Fleur away before the Death Eater's came for them. Far away, as far as he could possibly get her from Europe and the death that Voldemort would spread. Then Harry rose and they lost Fred. After his funeral, they moved back to the Burrow at Fleur's request. It had been easier for him to grieve for his brother around his family, he realized that now. At the time he had been furious with everyone and everything. It had taken Fleur's therapist and her getting pregnant for him to get his head back on his shoulders. Then Victoire came into the world and their family poured all their love and adoration into the tiny little baby. The biggest problem he had had since Victoire's birth was Fleur's mother being terrified to visit. She claimed it was because every time she came to visit she gained too much weight from being overfed at the Weasley's and always left needing to buy new dress robes.

Everything had been peaceful until today. He sighed taking another swish of fire whiskey.

He needed to get up and protect his family not get sloshed, he berated himself. Groaning he sat up and put the bottle back on top of the mantel. He paused to look at the bottles he had not noticed there before and he took a step closer to examine their labels. They were far more expensive than anything he had ever had or been exposed to. His Uncle must have been well off, very well off.

Equal parts inebriated and exhausted, he stumbled off to check on his sister and his family. After ensuring everyone was sleeping soundly he went into the kitchen to have a look around. The kitchen was dark wood with polished grey granite counters. He opened several cabinets to find them stocked with foods and a wide variety of teas. Atop of the sink was a glass cabinet with am extension charm on it filled with glassware. He noted idly that it had a baby proofing charm on it. The entire kitchen had. Closing the cabinets he grabbed an apple from a fruit bowl on the counter. He leaned against the counter and munched thoughtfully. Why would the Ministry turn on one of the most powerful Wizarding families?

Sure they didn't have money or fame or fancy weddings or expensive manor homes like the Malfoy's but they were the Weasley's. They were powerful in their own way. As one of the sole families that had been responsible for Voldemort's reign of terror to be overthrown, they were respected throughout the Wizarding community. They were no longer the ragtag group of family with too many freckles and too many kids. There were even talks of giving them a seat on the Wizengmot. Not that he needed any of that, he just wanted his cottage and his family with him happy and healthy. He had resumed his job at Gringotts shortly after the War ended. Ron, Harry, and Hermione had been temporarily banned due to the damage they had caused. Hermione had asked him to stay out of that affair because she didn't want him to lose his job. It had taken several months but the three had been given access again. Especially with the gold, they made from being given an Order of Merlin First Class and many other compensations they had been awarded.

Tossing the apple in the trash he rubbed his temples tiredly. He was exhausted. Yesterday had been his turn to stay up with Victoire when she woke in the middle of the night. He had barely slept the night before because she had wanted to play at three in the morning and it was hard to say no to her adorable little cheeks. He thought about sleeping now but he was too jumpy. He was worried about his family. He knew from the war that sitting and worrying would do no one good. He had to act to ensure his families safety. What he could do was protect his family. He was a damn good curse breaker and he would be damned if anyone found them.

He walked towards the front door and opened a closet that was near it. He yanked on a dark grey sweater from it and went outside. He looked around at the silent and still dark woods. It really was cold. He raised his wand and began to poke at his father's wards. He was surprised to find his mother had a hand in the wards as well. He poked deeper to find another unfamiliar woman's touch. She was extremely powerful and knew exactly what she was doing. She had laid down the basis for the wards her parents added on top of. It was odd though, the wards were not to permit any member of the Weasley family but him. He tried to amend it but found himself knocked on the ground. Gritting his teeth and rolling up his sleeves, he got to work.

Bill lost count how long he had spent trying to alter the wards. He was drenched in sweat and his body was aching with exhaustion and overexertion. He was a Cursebreaker, this was bloody embarrassing. Witches tended to be more powerful than Wizards but this was impressive. He had never seen such workmanship. Whomever his Uncle's hired must have been a really proficient at the craft. He would love to have met whomever it was. He looked around tiredly. It was still dark outside, however, he could have sworn he heard an owl. He raised his wand and pointed in the direction.

"Lumos" Light flared ahead of him past the little pebble walkway and beyond into the thick trees. He could definitely see an owl flying towards him.

He stood patiently waiting for the owl to approach. His jaw almost dropped when he saw what looked like Errol flying towards him. Errol dropped the mail at his feet and continued flying home. He hadn't even stopped so he could ruffle his little feathers. Since the day they had bought him when he was a tiny little baby, he had always had his feathers ruffled by Bill. Another mystery to add to the overflowing pot. He held onto the notes and headed back inside. He locked the door and shielded it with several spells that would make Hogwarts look like open territory. He slumped onto the armchair again and held out the letters. There were two notes attached as well as the Daily Prophet. He tore open the thinner of the letters first.

WILLIAM ARTHUR WEASLEY!

WHAT THE BLOODY HELL IS GOING ON? WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU? WE ARE ALL BEING DETAINED FOR EXTENSIVE QUESTIONING ABOUT YOU. THEY'RE RANSACKING OUR HOME AND NOT LETTING US SEE MUM. WHERE ARE YOU?

- Charlie

He paused and read and re-read Charlie's letter twice. It didn't sound like Charlie at all, for starters Charlie's cursing was more... colorful. This was more tamed. He never called him William and he wouldn't be surprised if he didn't know his middle name was Arthur. It was his handwriting sure, but Charlie Weasley did not write this letter. He dropped Charlie's letter into the fireplace and sank down onto the couch and opened the thicker one. Wrapped in an edition of the Prophet was a letter. He immediately recognized Ron's cramped small messy writing.

Bill,

It's Ron. I don't have long to write this letter so I will say as much as I can while Harry distracts Kingsley. The Ministry and our family do not know where you are and it needs to stay that way. Andromeda Tonks was supposed to come and speak to you but she was assaulted by a mob while holding Teddy. Draco apparated the three of them out of there but she was hit pretty hard by some nasty hexes and is in Saint Mungos.

Here's what you need to know. Mum was making another batch of Calming Draught for George (herself) this morning and received a howler through the window, it dropped into the cauldron and she ended up in Saint Mungos with no memory of the last twenty years. While she was coming too she kept calling out for Lucy. Harry and I had no idea who she was talking about and she started to get hysterical. Dad tried to calm her down and apparently that was when she shouted for the entire room to hear, "I don't know you. I need to find Lucy. I'm pregnant with Lucy's child and I can't marry Arthur Weasley. I won't. I don't care if Lucy is a Death Eater." Seeing as your the eldest well... everyone kinda went barmy after that. Dad flipped outcast a silencing charm on Mum, which enraged the Healer and while the two of them were fighting the rest of the room had time to figure the rest out. Apparently, Lucy is Lucius Malfoy and well, according to Dad you're his blood son. Things went a little crazy after that. The other two Auror's accused Mum and Dad of being a Death Eater spy and trying to bring the government down from the inside. They called into question our testimonies after the war. They called us all frauds and liars and then the slimy bastards tried to arrest Mum. Yeah, arrest her! Harry and I freaked and started dueling Aurors in middle of the intensive care unit. The Healers got involved they pretty much all went down. I'm not going to lie, it got pretty bad.

Several of the Auror's claiming the Weasley's are really Death Eater's trying to sneak Death Eaters back into the government managed to get away and Dad bolted from the room like a madman. Mum just kept yelling for Lucy until they held her down and sedated her at which she managed to scamper out of the room when Harry and I had our backs turned trying to protect her from the barmy Aurors who wanted to stupefy our Mum. When she was caught they literally (I saw) threw her into a cell next to Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy for aiding terrorists and falsifying testimonies and that was after Hermione threw out most of their bogus claims. Due to the umm... the slightly aggressive response from George, Charlie, and even bloody Percy they were all tossed into cells. Hermione managed to get them all released on probation except Mum.

They won't let us see her and she has no idea where she is or what date it is. She's terrified. I honestly didn't believe any of this rubbish until Lucius Malfoy himself came sweeping into the cells and surrendered himself voluntarily. They had tossed Narcissa in a cell but he refused a separate cell from our bloody Mother saying that should Mum have a heart attack from the constant stress they would all go to Azkaban. The idea of going to prison suddenly got everyone hopping around Mum. They sent over a Mediwitch from St. Mungos but Mum freaked. Said she would only trust Tracey freaking Davis (my year - Slytherin) and when Davis got there she gave her medication while Mr. Malfoy sat with Mum until she calmed down.

I want you to know no matter what happens you are still my brother and I love you, you abominable wanker. You are a Weasley through and through. Oh, and Hermione just said that you have been officially been charged with aiding and abetting a felon and evading a lawful arrest. Hermione says she can't stop those two because they were already filed but she is having the repealed. Hermione says Hi and you're her family too. Also, I should explain better. Ow, she's hitting me. Running out of time, apparently.

Basically, we all testified at the Death Eater trials especially the Malfoy's which is apparently illegal because you are Lucius's... umm... nope not gonna write it. Anyway someone leaked the entire damn story to the press (mind you we did blow up half a floor in Saint Mungos; someone was going to notice) and there are mobs of people that are freaking out outside the Ministry about corruption and scandals and Merlin knows what else. I'm out of time. I love you. Dad will get you when it's over.

Love your taller brother,

Ron

PS. Harry loves you too and wants to know if Ginny is okay. He mentioned something about her needing clothes. I swear it's hard to not strangle him sometimes, best friend or not. Will hopefully be able to get another message to you. We only managed to get this one because the Ministry was sending you a bogus one from George or Charlie or something. Mione slipped this note in the copy of the Prophet they attached. Send your Patronus if there is an emergency. You know other than the general, you're in hiding and everyone is hunting you type of emergency. XO

-R

He froze contemplating the letter's contents. For the first time in his life, he lifted his fingers to count his parents anniversary to his birthday and realized that he had been born eight and a half months after his parent's wedding. He knew his parents had an arranged marriage but they had always been so in love he never thought anything of his birthday. He thought he had simply been Wedding night baby.

Bile rose up his throat when he realized he wasn't even a Weasley. He was a Malfoy and an unwanted bastard at that. He felt every memory of his father suddenly become colored in a dark ugly light. The first time he crashed his broom he had hit Percy and his Dad had helped Percy up first. Charlie got new sweaters before him and he wore Charlie's hand me downs. When Percy wanted an owl he got one. When Ginny wanted new robes she got it. He felt his blood boil. He felt unloved and unwanted. He felt dirty.

He tore open the Daily Prophet dread filling him as he saw the headline.

Daily Prophet Evening Issue

MINISTRY OF MAGIC IN SEARCH OF FLEUR, VICTOIRE, GINEVRA AND BILL WEASLEY

This reporter has learned that the famed and heroic Weasley family has a deep dark secret. Dear Bill (William Arthur) Weasley, the eldest of the freckled rugrats is not, in fact, a Weasley. An unfortunate undisclosed incident in the Weasley home early this morning led to Mrs. Molly Weasley (nee Prewett) suffering severe burns and head trauma that caused her to conveniently lose her memory. In one of her states, she proclaimed to the Healers, Aurors, and her faithful husband of over twenty years, Arthur Weasley that Bill Weasley is actually a love child of the notoriously acquitted Death Eater Lucius Malfoy.

Now, my dear sweet readers, I am as shocked as you. Molly Weasley the cheating pureblood wife?! What has this newfound society led us to? After I was able to get over the horrific shock of the unfaithfulness of a mother in our good Pureblood Society and the outright scandal surrounding Harry Potter's self-appointed adoptive family, I realized that the Weasley's testimony for the Malfoy family was instrumental in their acquittal after the War. Does one have to wonder where their loyalties lie? Are they really sympathizers with the Dark Lord? Were they spies for the Death Eaters during the War? Should the Malfoy's be re-tried? Are we allowing corruption to seep back into the Ministry after we just fought a war? And what of Mr. Not Weasley? He is currently a Cursebreaker for Gringotts. Is he using his position to coerce unsuspecting Witches and Wizards into the service of He Who Must Not be Named like his Death Eater brethren before him? And what of this 'Undisclosed Incident?" What is the Ministry hiding?

This Reporter has attempted to reach out for a statement from Mr. Weasley or really any Weasley regarding this matter, goodness knows there's enough of them you would think I would have gotten some response. We all know Arthur and Molly Weasley have quite the litter of children. Does one have to wonder what Mr. Weasley was trying to make up for? I have learned from a close and personal source that upon hearing the news of Mrs. Weasley's infidelity Mr. Weasley fled in horror from the hospital room where he was caring for his dear sick wife. He had been recovering his shock in a secluded hallway in Saint Mungos when his son Bill dragged him and his youngest child Ginevra Weasley into an Untraceable Apparition. My source reveals that the Ministry is in shock that young Mr. Weasley knows such advanced and dangerous magic.

Mr. Arthur Weasley, an employee of the Ministry of Magic is still missing along with his daughter, Ginny. Ginny is the youngest of the Weasley's and is most noted for being the longtime girlfriend of the Harry Potter. It is even said that she and Potter have been an item since the girl's second year. My, the children today have gotten brave. One must pull themselves away though and wonder where our mysterious Bill has taken them, a dungeon, a cave, or even the Death Eater Headquarters perhaps? And where is Harry Potter while his beloved girlfriend is missing?

As I type this I have yet to hear back from any of the Weasley's or their ridiculously large extended family members and our holy Ministry insists that this is a private familial matter, including the families long time friend Minister Shacklebolt. I must ask you Reader's; is false witnesses a private matter? Do we let our Democracy slip while spies and terrorists infiltrate our communities and our schools again? This Reporter has to wonder what other skeletons are in the Weasley family closet?

-Rita Skeeter

He stared at the paper in shock. When he was finally able to come to his senses he surprised himself with his first thought being that he had to burn this lest Ginny find it. If she did she would probably hunt Skeeter down and hex her into an oblivion for publicly labeling her as a Potter groupie. The rest of it hit him like a broom losing altitude. He crumpled the paper in a ball and threw it at the ceiling repressing an angry shout. He grumbled when it came back down and whacked him in the nose. He rubbed his nose angrily, he wasn't sure who he was angrier at, his mother or at Rita Skeeter. How could his mother keep this from him? He felt like he was going to be sick. His Dad wasn't even his Dad. Why did he keep him? A bastard, a reminder of an af-

"Bill?" Fleur closed the door silently behind her. She padded over to him sinking into his lap, cuddling him close. "What eez going on?"

He drew back from her and handed her Ron's letter and the Daily Prophet. She gasped wildly and held him tightly as she read. When she was done she promptly tossed the daily prophet in the fire cursing colorfully in French. He didn't catch most of it but he wouldn't want to be Rita Skeeter for all the gold in Gringotts. When she was done her tirade She burst into a mess of tears and declarations of love for her husband.

"Bill I am so sorry love." She kissed his lips gently. He nuzzled her head into his chest trying to ease the knot in his chest. He was worried, terrified even. What if Fleur left? The Malfoy's were influential in the war and-

"Bill" she waved her hand around them, "This nonsense... stupidity... it changes nothing. Victoire and I love you az much az we did yesterday and will love you the same tomorrow." She kissed him softly and he felt his heart begin to beat again.

"I'm so sorry Fleur. I already put you through so much-" She slapped his leg silencing him.

"Lesser men than you put everyone through a lot. You are kind and I love you, Bill. I don't care what the last name you use. If you are so ashamed of Malfoy and don't want Weasley you can always have my name." He felt his face brighten. He had not thought of that.

"When you go on tirades your french accent disappears." He murmured into her hair. She smiled brilliantly at him effectively silencing him. He knew that smile. He pressed his hand into her backside and pulled her close. She whispered into his hair silent promises of their future and of her love for him. He kissed a small patient line up her neck and lovingly pulled her underneath him on the armchair. She kissed him as he covered her body fully with his own.

A little while later they sat fully clothed again on the rug in front of the fire. Long gone were the days of relaxing in his starkers on the couch, Victoire had taken to wobbling into every room that wasn't warded shut. She had already walked in on them, Harry and Ginny, Ron and Hermione, George and Angelina, and based off of what she told them, his parents. His whole family had a tally on how long it would take her to walk in on Percy and Bill.

"Do you think Mr. Malfoy knows?" She asked. He stared into at the fire, watching the flames crackle and dance. He was trying so hard not to close off to her but it was so hard sometimes. It was easier to be quiet and retreat into the safety of his mind. He sighed. In for a penny...

"I don't know. My parents definitely knew about... all of this."

"Are you angry with them?"

"Of course! They both knew and they never told me. Neither of them."

"Well, that makes two of us." He jumped at the cold unfamiliar voice. He and Fleur drew their wands immediately. Draco Malfoy was standing behind them in the open doorway, his white hair shining in the night. The door was closed behind him, they were so engrossed in their conversation, they hadn't even heard him enter.

Lucius Malfoy had been enjoying a quiet dinner with his family when his newest House Elf came bursting into the room.

"Masters Malfoys must leave! In danger you all are! Rush! Rush!" All three Malfoy's bolted out of their chairs immediately.

"What are you talking about Pip?!" Demanded Narcissa. Her eyes were sharp searching the room for a predator refusing to ever again be prey to a madman.

"Aurors! They are coming down the yard. Pip slowed them down with hers magic but they be coming."

"We have done nothing wrong Pips. It's probably for Dad's work at the Ministry." Draco barked flopping down in his seat. Lucius narrowed his eyes and crossed the table to stand in front of the elf.

"Why do you think they are going to attack us Pip?"

"They did not request entry, sir. They barged past the wards. Pips run to other elves in Ministry they say they come to arrest all the Malfoys."

Narcissa scowled as she was rounding the table towards the upset elf. "What?! Why?"

"Draco go to the Floo. Go now." Lucius ordered. The elf nodded his head sadly as Draco nodded his head firmly and murmured something about staying with his family.

"They closed the Floos and the Apparitions Ma'am." At that point, Lucius lost his patience.

"What do you know? Why are they coming?" He demanded. The elf shuffled her feet and looked down.

"Mistress Narcissa and Mistress Andromeda not wanting me to say in front of Master Draco or Master Lucius." All eyes turned to Narcissa.

"Dear?" Narcissa looked at the elf, her face frozen in fear. The elf had once belonged to Andromeda Tonks. She had been relocated as Andromeda moved in with Harry Potter who already had an elf, given the new House Elf Laws they were not allowed to keep her. Narcissa had made them wait a whole week without an elf and he had to have Andromeda sign special documents at the Ministry so that the elf would go directly to her and not circulated randomly to another couple. He had found the entire situation off-putting but when Lucius asked Narcissa about it she asked him to respect her privacy. So he did.

"Follow quickly. We have no time."

Her breath quickened and she turned towards the door. As she began to walk a weasel Patronus came into the room.

Narcissa. Molly had an accident and suffered memory loss. She told two Aurors about Bill. They are on their way to arrest all three of you for treason and buying your testimonies to avoid Azkaban. They have tossed Molly into a cell and will not let me speak to her. I can't send Lucius or yourself but you can send Draco to the Safe House. Bill, his family, and Ginny are there. Ginny was injured on the way. Please send medi-potions. I am on my way to the Minister to try and talk sense. However, all of your trials are being held in contempt until the Wizengamot can convene and Molly and I are being charged with conspiracy to aide Death Eaters. I'll buy you as much time as I can."

Narcissa opened her mouth to speak but a huge boom shook the whole house.

"They're getting through the front doors. Mum! What the hell is going on?" Draco shouted clinging to her robes.

"There's a portkey in the attic. We have to get to it quickly. Pip take us now!" The elf snapped her fingers and all three of them reappeared in the attic.

"Narcissa, what is happening?" She ignored him and turned to Pip.

"Pip get the potions now!" Pip disappeared with a pop as she rummaged behind several linen-covered pieces of furniture. She tore a white linen covering off of an old dark desk with small faded yellow knobs with blue flowers around the Black family crest. She yanked the top drawer open and looked inside smiling at what she saw.

"Draco" She motioned. "Come here."

Draco looked from his mother to his father.

"Go Draco." He nodded at his father and walked towards his mother. She hugged him fiercely. Pip reappeared with a bag of potions and handed them to Narcissa. She shoved them in Draco's hand and the pushed his hand in the drawer.

"Send your brother our love." She let go of him and he whizzed into the portkey.

"Pip. Take us to my tea room and set up warm tea." The two were again pulled into her tea room where warm tea for two was set up. He sat opposite his wife.

"Narcissa..." He warned. He had stopped questioning her judgment since the war, not that he had questioned it much before. But, it had been her that had saved them all from Azkaban and from the insanity that was the Dark Lord.

"They are coming here any minute. I don't have time to explain. Please, Lucius... promise me you won't judge me. Promise me that you won't hate me. I have a side to my story. Let me tell it before you cast me out. Please." He had never seen his wife so distraught. Her eyes were filled with tears that were leaking over and her lower lip quivered. He was across the table in under a second kneeling before her with his hands on her lap.

"Dear, tell me what it is. Whatever it is we will face it together." She burst out crying and Lucius wrapped his arms around her in an attempt to console her. That was how the Aurors found them when they burst into Narcissa Malfoy nee Black's tea parlor to arrest the both of them.