There's an unnatural silence hanging over the house, one that I know is cast by magic. I'm afraid to move, in case I'm being watched, or in case Lucius is near, listening intently for any noise I might make. I wouldn't put it past him to even have set a house elf to keep track of my every move. But I've steeled my resolve. I won't let him get away with whatever it is he's planning. There's a sweep of white outside the window, and I recognize Harry' owl. She can't fly any nearer to the house than a few hundred feet, by means of a protection spell I put in place last night. Maybe that's what's gotten Lucius attention and piqued his curiosity, although I would have expected any magic I did to be beneath his notice. The snowy owl swoops away, and I quickly open the window just a crack, and the pale blue envelope flies to my hand. I open it quickly, scan it's contents my the feeble light from the moon, and sigh in relief as the words I'd so wanted to read stand out on the paper. 'Narcissa, I'm very confused as to why you would write to me, just to tell me something so secret, in a risk to help me understand your son, and how much you need to help him. I admit, it is hard for me to comprehend, and I'm not sure what to think about his feelings towards me. However, all that aside, I'm more than willing to help. Just tell me what I need to do, and I'll give it my best shot. Sincerely, Harry.' Tears well up in my eyes, but there's no time for that now. I can't risk replying to Harry tonight, in any case, his owl is gone and I have no way of procuring another until the morning. So for now, I'll try to sleep and rest for the next stage of my plans.
I've barely slept a wink all night. When I enter the breakfast hall, Lucius is gone, but Draco is still waiting for me. He's silent, a bit unusual, but he seems more exhausted than I, and there are dark circles under his eyes. My heart aches for him, because I can't ask him what's wrong, nor do I suppose he'll offer any explanation. But, even so, I can still lay a comforting hand on his shoulder, smooth his hair back and kiss his temple. I can feel my soul ache as tears begin to fall from his eyes, thick and fast, and he looks up at me, pleading. "Mother, please..." I can do nothing but shake my head and hold a finger to my lips. I know that he's been forbidden to tell me anything, but I can guess at what he saw last night. Such a long absence can only mean the death of someone. I don't want to know who, but there's still a burst of curiosity. I sit down, begin to help myself to breakfast, when Lucius comes in. Draco quickly rises to his feet, head bowed, and follows his father without a word. I duck my head as well, but looking up through my lashes, I see something that makes my blood run cold. Lucius is smirking, looking down at Draco, and rubbing gently at his forearm, where I know the Dark Mark is still etched on his skin. I can feel a growl, that of a mother protecting her young, well up in my throat, but I manage to silence it. It seems like there's nothing I can do, but I won't stop trying. Draco looks back at me, mouths 'tomorrow', and then they are gone.
I'm scared. I'm panicked,. And as the time ticks away, moment by moment, I can see all hope of saving my child slipping away. Lucius is watching me. There's no doubt of that now, as I can't even leave my rooms without running into him. And what's worse, he just stares at me, his silver-blue eyes, which he passed on to our son, seemingly dead and cold. I know and I fear that Draco's eyes can, and will, become the same soulless windows of his father if I can't find a way to warn Harry. That seems to be my only hope, my only way of helping save my son from a fate worse than death. And so I'll risk it. Tonight at dusk, Draco's eagle-owl will take flight, carrying what may be my last and most desperate letter to Harry.
Harry stared out into the gathering darkness, straining his eyes to catch any sign of an owl. Hedwig sat contentedly in her cage, full of field mice. Something was wrong, he could feel it, but he didn't have a clue as to what. And then, suddenly, he sees it. A large bird, bigger than Hedwig, comes swooping out of the glaring, setting sun, and flies straight for Harry's window. Alarmed, e nonetheless opens it hastily, and the huge bird comes to a graceful landing on the end of his bed. He gasps when he realizes that it's Draco's eagle-owl. Now he knows something is wrong. He reaches out tenderly, eyeing the huge talons, and the bird drops the lilac envelope into his hand. Then, with a majestic cry, it wings its way back out into the evening.
Harry hurried to tear the letter open, and scanned it quickly. 'Harry, I'm in very real danger writing to you. But time is running out. This is why I've sent Draco's eagle to you, as this is something that requires a rapid delivery. Harry, if you have the courage, please, come to the Manor tomorrow evening. I know that this is very risky, so you will need your wand, broom and Invisibility Cloak. Don't attempt to respond, I'll know if you're coming. Harry, this may be the first chance and possibly the last, to save my son. Lucius plans to brand him with the Dark Mark tomorrow, after moonrise. I can't let this happen, I would rather die first, and as well as I am being watched, that may very well be the case. But if I do die, I want to know it was by your side, and I died so that my son could live. Sincerely, Narcissa.'