Chapter 10 – Forgiveness

Narcissa skipped almost girlishly out of the drawing room, she almost bumped into Claudia but instead of apologising she gave her a huge smile and skipped up the stairs.

Narcissa flounced into her son's nursery, she whipped him up into the air and span him around. He squeaked with delight, Narcissa hugged him.

"Draco, what do you want to do this afternoon?"

Draco went silent and then he said.

"Picnic!"

"That's a nice spot…what do you think?" Narcissa asked her son, she pointed to a shady place under a large oak tree.

Draco looked at it and nodded. He took her hand and pulled her in excitement to get there quicker. Narcissa laughed at her little son who was running as fast as his little legs would carry him. Dobby, who was carrying the heavy picnic hamper, ran to keep up as well.

Narcissa put out the blanket and started setting the food out. The house elf was getting out crockery and cutlery. Draco began tugging up bits of grass from the ground and throwing them up into the air and laughing when it fell on his head.

Narcissa often had picnics with Draco in the Malfoy Manor grounds. It was one of his favourite things to do. Which was probably why it was what he chose as an afternoon activity.

To be honest, Draco did not really care what he ate on the picnic he just enjoyed being outside. When Narcissa used to take him out on picnics in his past it remained in his memory as a good time in which one should sit outside and have fun. This was known as picnics.

The true definition did not matter to him.

Draco, as usual, was babbling on about things, children's nonsense which only a Mother can understand. Any one else would exchange bemused glances, as if the child was speaking in a strange language. Narcissa nodded from time to time and said things like, 'really?' and 'how lovely.' And although it seemed like she was not listening, she really was.

Narcissa had brought Draco's book with her, a fantasy book about elves and goblins, knights and princesses, Unicorns and Dragons. Narcissa often read it to him, it was her favourite book, he sat in awe listening to it. In the winter she would sit by the fire with him and whisper the stories. In the summer they would sit in the garden and read it. At bedtime Narcissa would read it to her son until her fell asleep. She was not sure he understood all of it, as he was only 3 years old, but she believed that, as he was a child, he found listening to her voice, retelling the story in a familiar fashion, relaxing.

One day he would appreciate the book for its contents.

So as usual Narcissa opened the book and began telling him the story, in the same way as she always did…

"And the dragon swooped down upon the princess and caught her in his claws, she screamed with terror as its large talons reached over her shoulder…"

Suddenly a cold strong hand tightened on her shoulder. Narcissa gasped, but before she knew what was happening she was being dragged up. Her shoulder felt like it was about to be dislocated. She looked up to see her husband staring at her with menace in his eyes. The same husband she had fallen in love with that very same day.

"Lucius? Whats wrong?" she had seen this expression on his face before…and she did not like it. Without thinking she hugged him tightly. Lucius threw her off him but grabbed her by the hair before she fell too far away

"Ow! You're hurting me!" she said pointlessly.

"You're a liar" he slapped her around the face. Narcissa felt tears prick her eyes

"Mummy" she heard Draco say softly.

"Draco go back to the house…run!" she said not taking her eyes of her husband who was staring at her with such repulsion. "RUN!" she heard her son get up and begin running back to the manor across the garden. "What have I done Lucius?"

"Would you like me to show you?" he yelled pulling her hair harder. Narcissa gulped

"WELL WOULD YOU?" Narcissa felt Lucius grab her arm with his other hand.

She felt the curious, yet familiar, sensation of being sucked through a tube…she and Lucius appeared in the Manor hallway.

He let go of her hair and flung her too the floor. Narcissa felt the tears leak from her eyes. Lucius began pacing around her

"I received a letter this afternoon! A letter, which I rather resent!"

Narcissa was totally bemused

"Well what do you have to say?" he said menacingly "Speak!"

"What did the letter say Lucius" she mumbled

"LOUDER!"

"What did the letter say Lucius" she said again louder.

"I'll tell you what the letter said" he took a piece of parchment from his breast pocket.

"'Dear Mr Malfoy,

I am writing to you to inform you of something that may be of interest to you.

Earlier this morning Azkaban prison received a visit from Mrs Narcissa Elizabeth Black Malfoy! Your wife. Her intentions were to visit her sister the notorious Death Eater; Bellatrix Evangeline Black Lestrange. A most evil orientated witch. Not only did Mrs Malfoy visit her sister but she also spoke, against our permission to her cousin Sirius Damien Black, another Death Eater, who infamously gave up the whereabouts of his two friends, Lily Rose Potter and James Harry Potter, to You-Know-Who. Also the murderer of twelve muggles and his friend Peter Petteregriew.

You particularly asked us to inform you if any member of your family entered Azkaban prison and we hope that this letter has helped you.

Yours faithfully

Edgar Jameson"

"Lucius, I…" Narcissa started

"I TOLD YOU NOT TO GO THERE! I MADE IT PERFECTLY CLEAR THAT I DID NOT WANT YOU TO STEP A FOOT IN THERE!" He crouched down right over Narcissa and held her arms down "I worked hard. I worked hard to clear the name of Malfoy. To keep us away from that place, and I've done well. So how do you think it would look to people that my wife should enter prison to visit someone who is imprisoned for something I am supposed to have denounced."

"No one saw me, only a few prisoners and two people who worked there"

"Gossip travels fast" he said coldly "There are still some out there who suspect me"

"Lucius" came a cold voice. Lucius stood up; Claudia was standing at the top of the staircase, a cold sneer upon her face. "There is not a lot you can do Lucius…its in her blood." Tears began to leak down Narcissa's face "Her Father was a failure, her mother was an insane alcoholic. One sister was too stupid to hide herself from the law. The other ran off with a Mudblood…and was proud of it! Her cousin was a blood traitor who has been mistaken for a murderer and the other was a coward who could not face his expected tasks. Bad blood! What can you expect from her?"

Suddenly the door opened and Draco ran in. Seeing his Mother on the floor her ran over to her. Lucius tugged him away and flung him to the side. He stumbled and fell.

Narcissa eyes flared with anger. She hoisted herself off the ground and threw a large unexpected punch at her husbands face. Lucius was knocked backwards. Claudia gasped and grabbed Narcissa by her arms.

"She is insane, like her mother!" shouted Claudia "You shall pay for that Narcissa Black"

Lucius took out his wand and pointed it at Draco. Narcissa shrieked and squealed, she kicked her legs up and struggled against Claudia's grip

"No Lucius" said Claudia firmly "He's your only heir! Keep him safe!"

Lucius nodded and turned to Narcissa. He aimed his wand

"Crucio" he said. Narcissa screamed she felt like her stomach was being twisted and punctured with pins. She felt like her lungs were as heavy as rocks. Narcissa felt her body curl over in agony. She screamed with anguish. The pain was unbearable, it was even worse than childbirth. With that Narcissa knew there was light at the end of the tunnel. This was just pointless pain. "Crucio!" he said again. Narcissa was sure she would die. She wanted to die. She could scarcely draw breath from the agony. Claudia let her go. Narcissa fell heavily on her side. Her breath was rattling. Narcissa was sure her tears were creating a puddle on the floor. With one sigh she lost consciousness.

In agony Narcissa woke up in her bed. The first thing she felt was pain. Narcissa groaned she looked at the clock on the wall. Eleven o'clock at night.

Narcissa had to get away from this house, she was not sure for how long, just for a while, to get away from him. Draco. Narcissa gathered that she had been brought up by the house elves. Was her son all right?

Narcissa opened her bedroom door. It was dark; all that was visible was a few dim lights from down stairs. Narcissa gathered that Lucius and Claudia were still awake. Narcissa tiptoed along the hallway to her son's bedroom.

The room was silent and dark. The only light was coming from the night light by his bed. Narcissa walked over to his bedside and kneeled down next to where he slept. He looked so peaceful. His thumb was in his mouth and his blonde hair was ruffled over his pale face. Narcissa kissed his forehead tenderly. He made a disturbed noise but did not wake up.

She remembered how Lucius had aimed the wand at him. If Claudia had not stopped him Lucius would have struck Draco with the same painful curse she had felt. The unforgivable curse would have been aptly named then. No way would Narcissa have forgiven him had done so.

Forgiveness. Did people ever really forgive? Did Lucius forgive Narcissa for going to visit Azkaban? No he did not! Did Sirius forgive Peter Pettergriew, for giving up the whereabouts of Lily and James to You-know-who? No he did not. Did the Black family forgive Andromeda for shaming them? Did they?

Would Andromeda forgive Narcissa?

A strange thought had struck Narcissa. It was a gamble, but Narcissa could possibly claim sanctuary from her evil husband…but it was a definite gamble.

Narcissa dressed her self quickly in a knee length silk skirt and cardigan. Then using her wand she packed a suitcase with a couple of sets of clothes. She then went into Draco's room.

"Draco" she whispered, "you have to wake up" Narcissa heard him whine slightly "Shh Draco, you have to be very quiet and do exactly what Mummy says"

"Is it a game?" he asked sleepily

"Yes, it's a game, shh. Now Draco I need you to get up and get dressed."

Narcissa pulled the duvet off of him. She then pulled out a pair of trousers and a little t-shirt. She dressed him and then quickly packed an assortment of different clothes into a suitcase. "Draco take a toy" she said quickly

"Where are we going Mummy?"

"Away, just for a little while…Daddy's not coming…its just you and me. So pick a toy, then we have to be very quiet."

Narcissa stood at the top of the stairs; she was holding the two suitcases in one hand, and Draco's hand in the other. She slinked carefully down the stairs. Stopping sometimes to listen for footsteps. She really should have waited until everyone was asleep, but the she had to be out of the house as quick as possible. It was driving her mad.

She sneaked along the main hall way, and opened the door, she was half out of the building when

"Narcissa!" came the cold voice. Narcissa winced. She turned to see her husband standing at the living room door way. "Where do you think you're going so late at night?"

"As far away as I can get from you" she said bravely

"Oh I think not." He raised his wand. Narcissa quickly jumped through the doorway and slammed the door. She heard a curse bound off it on the other side.

"Come on Draco we have to run" she said pulling her son along the courtyard to the Manor gates.

Suddenly Lucius apparated in front of her before he could say a curse and raise his wand, Narcissa let go of Draco's hand and took out her own wand

"Expelliarmus!" she shouted. Lucius' wand span into the air. She fired at it again; it shot off far across the courtyard way out of reach. Narcissa grabbed Draco's hand again and began running from her husband. She wished she could apparate, but she could not leave Draco. He was way too young for a side along.

She felt something hit her back and clasp around her neck. She fell to the floor. Lucius was right on top of her strangling her neck. With one hand he grabbed her around the face. She could feel her skin being tightened. She screamed and struggled, then bit down hard on his fingers. The metallic taste of blood filled her mouth. Lucius yelled and loosened his grip absent-mindedly. With this sudden freedom she whipped her hand around, the one that holding the suitcases and bashed Lucius in the head with it. He stopped, paralysed for a moment, then, losing consciousness, he fell to the ground, landing on Narcissa. She took a deep breath and pulled her self from underneath him. She stood up tiredly and in even more pain than before. She looked down at her unconscious husband, a large bruise at his temple and hairline. His hand was bloody. She looked at Draco who looked scared.

"Come on" she said taking his hand "come on we've got to go quickly"

Narcissa managed to get out of the Manor gates. She took it that Claudia had fallen asleep in her chair, Narcissa very much doubted that she would have let her go without a fuss otherwise.

Standing out by the road, Narcissa put down her suitcases and stuck out her hand in mid air.

Almost immediately a large purple bus appeared out of nowhere. A familiar face stood at the door.

"Greetings I'm Gelda Winkle and I will be your conductor for this evening" she looked down at Narcissa. She looked shocked "What've you been up to" she pointed at the blood on Narcissa mouth and chin

"Nothing" mumbled Narcissa putting Draco on the bus and handing the suitcases to Gelda. She wiped her chin; tears were still running down her cheek

"Yeah, looks like it" she said sarcastically helping Narcissa up. She looked at Narcissa's face, and gave her a handkerchief while pointing her to a bed "Do I know you?" she asked

Narcissa sniffed "You were my conductor on a day trip a couple of years ago"

"Don't do day trips" she said picking Draco up playfully and putting him on a bed.

"Yes you told me that before"

"Oh…well I did it once to cover for Jack. Ha! What a coincidence…that was you on the bus…and was he your baby?" she looked at Draco

"Yes, he still is…just a toddler now" Narcissa said, she noticed her voice was shaking

"Take her away Ernie" said Gelda, she then looked at Narcissa "What happened then" she said looking at the blood that was scattered across the top of her cardigan. Narcissa did not answer. Tears began to fall more heavily though. Gelda decided not to say anything else on the subject. "Where do you want to go then?" she said in a totally different tone. Narcissa sighed and said something that she thought she would never say.

"The Tonks family home"