Forgive my absence. I do not own Harry Potter nor any of it's affiliated characters, events, etc etc. I know I should have posted that on the first to but I forgot in my haste to get this out. So here is my disclaimer!

When the fireplace flared, signaling Neville's arrival, Narcissa was waiting for him. They exchanged social niceties before falling quiet. Narcissa took this moment to study the young Lord before her. She could see the bumbling idiocy her friend had always complained about. His stance was awkward, shoulders hunched, hands unsure were to go. But in his eyes, she saw the fire that Draco had so often commented on. With a little guidance, this young man will be a powerful Lord, she thought. When he became aware of her scrutiny, he flushed and tugged at the hem of his t-shirt. She caught the flash of a ring on his left hand. She smiled at his awkwardness, deciding then and there to take the young man under her wing. She held out a small hand to him.

"Shall I show you to the gardens? The roses are blooming so lovely this time of year." She took his arm and led him through the house, prattling on about her flowers. She could feel the tension fading from his arm as they walked. He slowly began to make conversation, grateful that she focused on something he was confident in. As they walked, Neville took the time to peruse the cottage and found it a homey hodgepodge of knickknacks and pictures in surprising bright colors. He frowned slightly as he realized that the happy, smiling pictures only showed the lovely woman at his side and her son. Nowhere could he spot the hated former Lord.

Narcissa smiled when they stepped from the backdoor into the gardens. His gasp of pleasure pleased her. The gardens were her domain and she too had a knack for Herbology. Forgetting himself, he dropped her arm and wandered around, touching and talking happily at each new plant he came upon. Narcissa smiled indulgently at his lack of manners but said nothing. He would learn to be a Lord but she would give him this moment of pleasure.

"Lord Longbottom, would you care for a cup of tea?" she called. He started, lost in a soliloquy to a Moonflower he would give his left arm to see bloom. He blushed and made his way to the table.

"I apologize, Lady Malfoy. That was very rude of me." She waved him off, passing him a cup.

"Nonsense, Lord Longbottom. And please, it is Narcissa now, as Draco has taken up the mantle of Lord." Neville blushed again.

"Please call me Neville. I don't feel much like a Lord. It will take some getting used to." She nodded.

"It will, but I have every confidence that you can do it. Draco has told me many good things about you. Your skills in Herbology are legendary, I hear." Neville bobbled his teacup, clattering it loudly in its saucer. He gaped at her, taking no notice of the tea running on the table. Narcissa laughed, cleaning the mess with a wave of her wand.

"I see I have surprised you. No doubt you expected Draco to only spit insults. Sorry to disappoint but that boy misses nothing. He is very free with his praises when they are deserved, when his father wasn't around." Neville could only continue to stare at her. His mouth opened and closed several times before he gave a small cough.

"Thank you, Lady- Narcissa. I am shocked but you are mistaken. My skills are hardly legendary." Before she could speak, a new voice joined the conversation.

"Nonsense, Lord Longbottom, even Uncle Sev waxes on about the time that you grew the kildion that he needed," Draco said as he sat down with them, after giving her a kiss on the cheek. Narcissa raised one delicate eyebrow.

"Kildion? That is quite a feat, young man, as not even professional Herblogists will attempt to grow it. I am impressed. I must have you look at my Babbling Sweetiks. They've developed a nasty habit of yelling at you when you walk by. I too am gifted with plants but these are just beyond my comprehension apparently." She didn't think Neville's face could get any redder but took pity on him and changed the subject. "So, Neville, if I may, where is your grandmother?" At his darkened look, Draco and she traded looks. Narcissa was well acquainted with the formidable Longbottom matriarch. Her attitude towards her grandson was also well known. Many pitied the poor boy but none ventured to try to change it. It simply wasn't done. Family took care of family, however they wished.

"We had a fight." He said, simply. Draco lifted a brow at his frank admission. No one made any comment, letting the moment pass. At that moment, a house elf popped in with refreshments. They were silent as they filled their plates. Draco decided to dive into the reason for the uncomfortable meeting.

"Lord Longbottom, I-"

"Call me Neville. And I shall call you Draco. As we were before we were Lords." Draco nodded at him, relaxing slightly.

"Neville, than. First I would like to apologize for being such a jackass in the past. I know it doesn't make it better but I have to start somewhere."

"Well, the way I see it, Draco, you started two years ago. Fourth and fifth year were quite pleasant. We were even able to work together on that project for McGonagall. There's nothing to forgive for being a child. We have grown up. I hold no ill will against you. Others may, simply for your name, but I don't." Neville could only grin at the smile that graced Draco's face. The difference a smile made was amazing. He thought it a shame that he didn't smile more. It was easier now that a tentative friendship had been sown. Neville listened intently as Draco outlined his plans. He didn't say anything until he was finished. There was a short pause as Neville finished chewing his sandwich.

"It's a good plan." Draco nodded.

"It'll work but I need to get the others to agree to it. With our families' history, there's no way I can convince Weasley to help and there's no guarantee that being family would be enough to sway Black." Narcissa patted his hand.

"Don't worry, dear. I have been in contact with Andromeda since your father went to prison. We are trying to mend our relationship. I dare say there are a lot of hurt feelings all around. Hopefully, everyone will be able to see how useless this petty squabbling is." Neville finished off his sandwich and took a long swallow of tea.

"Has Blodrak set up the meeting yet?"

"Yes, it is next week at Gringotts at 9 am. I've asked him to place an anti-magic spell on the room. I dare say I would like to get a chance to explain before curses start flying." Neville chuckled.

"Good idea. I'm not sure who has the quicker temper: Ron or Harry." They discussed the finer details a little more, wanting to make sure they weren't missing anything. By the time they had finished, they had moseyed over to the sitting area overlooking the sea and flanked by tall columns of sweet honeysuckle. Narcissa had excused herself, wanting to give the boys a chance to get to know each other better. The tea had been traded for a glass of whiskey and the sun had started its downward descent over the water when Draco had asked about his grandmother again.

"My father was an amazing Auror. So was my mother. It's a legacy that I can't quite live up to, you see? And my grandmother has never been able to cope with that fact. I truly am a bumbling idiot that can barely string a spell together."

"Considering your gift with Herbology, I find that hard to believe. Spellwork is integral in many magical plants." Neville laughed and took a sip from his glass.

"My grandmother doesn't care about that. Plants aren't glamorous, I guess. But it's all I've ever wanted to do. Anyways, when your owl came and I read your letter… I don't know… Your words sparked something in me. I made a decision and gave her a command. And she snapped… telling me I was useless and that she was head of the family… that I was never going to amount to anything ever. And I just lost it. I'm pretty sure I made the house move off its foundation."

"Must have been a sight. How did she react?" Neville looked out at the sea, turning the glass in his hand.

"Scared. Shocked. Annoyed. Mostly scared. I didn't hurt her. I never could. She's my family. All that I have that does recognize me." He paused, thinking of his parents. Stuck in their minds, unable to recognize their own child. Draco remained silent. He knew the story. Bellatrix and her devotion to the Dark Lord had been the subject of many a dinner. His father had even toasted in honor of the event. Draco tossed back the rest of his glass, gasping at the resulting burn. He set the cup down with a snap.

"I know it means nothing but as Lord, I apologize and will pay any retribution you wish." Neville shook his head. He sighed.

"I wish it were so simple. Your right about it meaning nothing. Bellatrix is in Azkaban. For the moment, because we all know that the Dark Lord will get her out," he turned and stared in Draco's eyes, "And when he does, that is my retribution. Her life is mine." Draco nodded and held out his hand.

"I, Draco Malfoy, Lord of House Black and House Lestrange forfeit Bellatrix Lestrange nee Black's life to you, Neville Longbottom, Lord of Longbottom House." Neville took his hand and they shook on it. The payment was made and recorded in the Hall of Records at the Ministry.

"I don't think I will ever be able to get used to how formal everything is done. Do you think it would be appropriate to just say you can kill the bitch?" They stared at each other before breaking out in laughter. It floated over the gardens and into the small study where Narcissa sat writing a letter of her own. She paused and looked up at the sound. In the privacy of this room, she let the joy she felt show on her face. Her son had a friend, a true friend. Her divorce was in the works. The end of Lord Voldemort was near. And soon… she would be with the one she truly loved.

Herbert Mulrath cursed his bad luck as he sat huddled at the feet of the Dark Lord, convulsing from the curse He had just lifted. Herbert had just delivered the news that Draco Malfoy was now the Head of Malfoy House and worse, he and his mother were nowhere to be found. Lord Voldemort screamed in rage at the cowering followers. He needed the Malfoy boy. The money was really the lesser important item. The name was what mattered. There was great power in the Malfoy name. To take the Ministry without having to reduce to force was paramount to his plan to overtake the Wizarding world. The plan hinged on Lucius Malfoy's connections and power within the ranks of the Ministry. It mattered not that the boy was against him. His imperius curse was even better than his Avada, he thought as he contemplated the wand in his hand.

Unfortunately, he had to have the boy because of his familial magic. Trying to confound or impersonate didn't work on familial magic as it ran far deeper than ordinary magic. It was in the blood and no spell or potion could recreate it. He had to have that boy! Death Eaters flinched as he suddenly whirled.

"Find him! Torture, kill everyone you have to! I want that boy found NOW!" Spells resounded from his wand chasing the Death Eaters from the room until only Peter and Bellatrix remained. Voldemort turned to her.

"Bella, as family, you have the greatest chance to find him. I want you to capture Narcissa. He will do whatever we want to keep her safe. I do not care what shape she is in when she arrives, so long as she is alive. Am I clear?" Bella stared up at her master, conflicted. Her baby sister had always been her soft spot and she didn't want her hurt but overshadowing everything was her overwhelming, obsessive love for the snake-faced man before her.

"As you wish, master," she murmured as she slowly lowered her head and kissed his feet.