That moment Lucius returned from his study. Pain was written all over his face because he tried so hard to fight the tears and be as coldhearted as he usually is. It had never been so hard for him to control his emotions.
"Raven!" He said with a haunted breath when he simply went past her and started staring at the necklace his wife was now wearing. He had no time to formally greet the woman nor look at her. He couldn't take his eyes off the necklace and started speaking… A bit confused.. But without even laying eyes on his guest.
"You may go with my… Our son Draco to the dining room. Your place is between Draco's and mine. Please escort her son."
Draco nodded to his father and offered his arm to Raven. "Lucius" She said gently and put her hand on his shoulder… Begging to look at her. "Not now Raven." He said and kneeled next to Narcissa. Draco sighed quietly in content as the mysterious woman accepted his arm.
In an aristocratic way they entered the dining room. He led her to her place and held out her chair so she could be seated next to him.
Not much later Lucius strode through the room and stood before his seat at the head of the table. Every guests' attention was focused on Lucius as he held out his chalice to toast.

"Family, friends…And all those that cared a great deal for my wife. We have come together on this day to honor Narcissa. We all have beautiful memories that include her… her being, her tenderness and the warmth she carried within. I'm sure that's the way she'd want us to remember her. I know I will…
I'll also remember her as the woman I shared my life with. The woman that blessed me with an heir… A son we both desired for. She tried to fulfill every wish she could, no matter what. Despite the fact that she had to go through a rough time … A time she didn't deserve. She kept on executing her tasks with her gorgeous smile, she kept on being herself, being there for her family. I'm sure she's someplace beautiful watching us, the beautiful world she deserved… the world I couldn't give. Though I couldn't fulfill all her wishes… I loved and still love her with my entire heart. I know she forgives me… All of us and I'm sure she's glad to know we'll never forget her." Lucius held his chalice a bit higher and then drank the bitter wine. Everyone stood up, and then followed his example. When everyone was seated the food was instantly served and they began to dine.

All ate well, though there was no laughter. They simply spoke in silence and each conversation was about Narcissa.
That evening could have been described as a historical event; for it was the first time Lucius Malfoy exposed his true feelings towards the world. Many of his close friends said it was an important breakthrough in his life… but they were afraid that in the future Lucius would keep on building walls around himself so no-one could ever hurt him like now… so no-one could reach the core of his existence.

It was about 10 pm when the last guests left. Lucius and Draco escorted them through the great hall. When they returned, they found Raven sitting by herself in the library. Father and son entered and sat down in a comfortable armchair. Draco saw she was nervous because her hands were lightly shaking.
"Raven…" The sound of his father's voice seemed to take away her nervousness, but awakened other feelings. Her eyes lit up and were burning for some unknown reason. She seemed very eager to speak. "Yes Lucius, I"
"No Raven" Lucius responded immediately. "This is still not the right moment to speak. Tomorrow is another day. Sleep… rest. You must be tired of the long journey."
It was easy to see that she wasn't pleased with Lucius' interruption, but as a lady should; she hid her inner anger and nodded respectfully. "As you wish Lord Malfoy".
"Very well. Your room is near Draco's in the West-wing. Breakfast is served at 9 am sharp, please don't start your conversation during breakfast… just be patient. There's time enough. Tomorrow morning one of the house-elves will wake you up. If there's anything you need, just call "Scrooge", he is now your personal elf." Even Lucius' heavy emotions seemed to have washed off.
"Thank you Lord Malfoy, bonne nuit" she whispered. "Bonne nuit mademoiselle.".
Draco was surprised to hear his father speak French. "Draco, could you please show mademoiselle Godefroid her room". Draco nodded respectfully to his father and offered Raven his arm for the second time. She smiled at him and they exited the library. Lucius watched them carefully. "She should have been here a lot earlier" he thought and then drifted back to where Narcissa's body still was.

Draco led Raven up the black marble stairs towards the dark West wing. He was a bit confused why his father had said she could stay in the West wing. The West wing was his wing, only important family was allowed to stay there. Other guests normally had to sleep in another wing. "Who could she be?" He thought as he looked at the woman next to him.
"Did you know my mother well?" Draco asked without hesitating… his curiosity was growing by the minute. "In a way yes… but as your father said… we'll discuss it tomorrow.".
Draco felt that she really wanted to disobey his father and tell him everything he wanted to know, but for some still unknown reason she stayed silent. He figured she would like room 29. If he remembered well, it was a large room with dark furniture and a lot of mystic accessories. Candles floated in the air, and she would have a beautiful view on the Malfoy estate.
Here's your room miss. I presume that Scrooge has already brought your luggage if you asked him to and as my father said, he'll wake you in the morning. If there's anything you need… he'll always be ready to execute every order. If there's anything urgent, you'll find me down the hall starting room 89."
"How do you mean starting?" She asked confused.
"Well rooms 89 till 100 have become one enormous room. It's a bit like my own little home in our mansion, I have everything I need right there."
"Are you sure you have… everything you need Draco?" she said with a smile on her face before she entered the room and locked the door.

"What did she mean by that?". Draco scratched behind his ears and headed for his room. As soon as he entered the candles were lit and without saying a thing; his shower turned on. "Ah… Magic." He sighed content and took his clothes of. When he stepped into the shower and welcomed the warm water on his skin, a long lost memory flashed in front of his eyes. "Mother" He whispered and fell on his knees… The feeling overwhelmed him. The entire week he hadn't shed a tear, he wanted to be strong, take care of the Malfoy mansion so his father could grieve over his wife… To be honest, he was afraid to cry. But the vision of his mother washing him when he was a toddler and the fact that the funeral service was today… It just was too much for him. He felt empty and suddenly burst out in tears while the hot water washed over him. He felt sick and weak. She was the only woman in his life he really cared for.
"It wasn't your time Mom…"