Not long after Lucius' escape from Azkaban, Voldemort took up residence at the manor. This was something that Narcissa was far from okay with. First, he took her husband, and had them separated by months; then he put her son in danger, and now he was taking up residence at their house. Bellatrix was thrilled about this- Narcissa had a feeling that it was for more than one reason, and it disgusted her that her sister couldn't see that Voldemort was the most vilest being on the planet.
Malfoy manner also became the new headquarters for the Death Eaters, and since that day, it's been extremely gloomy. To make matters worse, it always felt Narcissa was being watched- which always made her feel vulnerable inside, and prevented her from enjoying her time alone with Lucius. Lucius wasn't shaving either; Narcissa guessed it was from the stress of being a Death Eater. Near the end of August, Voldemort called a meeting for all the Death Eaters. They met in the dining hall, where Voldemort was at the head, and the rest were scattered about. The Malfoys sat on the right side of the table, Bellatrix sitting next to her sister, who was next to Lucius, and Draco. They were all waiting for someone else to arrive, and then the meeting would finally begin.
After several more minutes, the last attendee had finally arrived.
"Severus…" Voldemort said, acknowledging the new comer, "I was beginning to worry that you've lost your way. Come we've saved you a seat." He pointed to a chair next to his own. "Do you bring news, I trust?"
"It will happen Saturday next," Snape replied. "At nightfall."
"I've heard differently, my Lord, " Yaxely said. "Dolores, the Auror, has let it slip that the Potter boy will not be moved until the thirtieth of this month; the day before the boy turns seventeen."
"This is a false trail," Snape said adamantly. "The Auror office no longer plays any part of the protection against Harry Potter. Those closest to him believe that we have infiltrated the ministry."
Yaxley snorted. "Well, they've got that right then, haven't they?" Most of the Death Eaters laughed- except the Malfoys, Bellatrix and Pious.
"What say you, Pious?" Voldemort asked.
Pious was looking at the snake, who hissed at him. He turned back to Voldemort. "One hears many things, my Lord. Whether the truth is among them is not clear."
Voldemort laughed. "Spoken like a true politician," he said, pleased. "You will I think most useful, Pious." He turned back to Severus. "Where will he be taken, the boy?"
"To a safe house; most likely to someone in the order. I'm told it's been given every manner of protection possible. Once there, it will be impractical to attack him."
Bellatrix cleared her throat. "My Lord, I'd like to volunteer myself for this task. I want to kill the boy."
There was a loud wail from the cellar. "Wormtail!" Voldemort bellowed. "Have I not spoken to you about keeping our guests quiet?"
"Yes, my Lord," Wormtail- Peter Pettigrew- said, scared. "Right away, my Lord." He hurried off to where the "guest" was.
Voldemort turned back to Bellatrix. "As inspiring as I find your blood-lust, Bellatrix, must be the one to kill Harry Potter." Bellatrix bowed her head- almost as if she were pouting- as she leaned back; her sister was watching Voldemort warily- she kept her posture impassive, and her hands folded on the table, but anyone who knew her well knew that she was tense. Voldemort continued, getting up and holding up his wand. "But, I face an unfortunate complication; that my wand and Potters share the same core; they are, in some ways, twins. We can wound, but not fatally harm one another." He placed the wand on the table. "If I am to kill him, I must do it with another's wand."
He walked past the Malfoys, passing Narcissa first, who visibly tensed as he walked by, her eyes flickering to her husband for a moment. Lucius was sitting straight, looking more relaxed than he actually felt, with his hand on Narcisssa's. Voldemort brushed his hand against Draco's seat. "Come, "Voldemort said, passing by a few more Death Eaters. "Surely one of you would like the honor?" He stopped close to the other end of the table, before double backing. Bellatrix was looking at him with awe as he walked around; even more so when he came back to the Malfoys.
"What about you, Lucius?" he asked, stopping just behind Lucius and Draco. Narcissa stared straight ahead, not wanting to look at the horrible being behind her.
Lucius looked over his right shoulder at his Master. "My Lord?" he asked nervously, not sure if he had heard correctly.
"'My Lord?'" the Dark Lord mimicked. "I require your wand." He held out his hand, as if expecting a payment from him.
Narcissa watched her husband hesitate at this; but she placed her hand on his wrist, and Lucius took out his wand from his walking stick; his hands trembling as he handed it to the Dark Lord.
"Do I detect elm?" Voldemort asked as he received the wand.
"Yes, " Lucius said. He was trying to keep a straight face, but was failing miserably at it. Voldemort snapped the snake head ornament off of it, and Lucius cringed. By now, Narcissa had resumed to looking straight ahead.
"And, the core?" Voldemort asked.
"Dr-" Lucius stammered, clearing his throat. "Dragon heart string."
"Dragon heart string," Voldemort repeated. Lucius nodded. Voldemort threw the ornament down on the table; then, he turned and used the wand to bring the floating witch forward. "To those of you who do not know, we are joined tonight by Ms. Charity Burbage; who, until recently, taught at Hogwarts: School of witchcraft and Wizardry. Her specialty was Muggle studies." Most of the Death eaters snickered at that. "It is Ms. Burbages belief that Muggles are not so different from us. She would, given her way, have us mate with them."
Bellatrix made a disgusted sound with a few others, who also chuckled.
"To her, the mixture of magical blood is not an abomination," Voldemort said, as he resumed his seat at the head of the table. "but something to be encouraged."
"S-Severus," she stuttered, when she recognized her colleague. "Severus, please... we're friends."
Voldemort watched Snape intently as the other wizard just looked at the fellow Professor with absolutely no emotion. Voldemort waved his wand, and with a flash of green- the usual signature for the Killing Curse- the witch dropped dead.
Draco Malfoy flinched, staring at the body in horror.
"Nagini," Voldemort said, stroking his snake as she slithered up to him. "Dinner." The snake slithered up the table. Most of the Death Eaters pulled back their hands off the table as the snake slithered by. Narcissa's hands were already on her lap, as she looked on in shock; Lucius just brought his hands back a little farther away from the snake as she passed him- although, it looked like he was protecting his walking stick.
When the snake was finished eating, Voldemort called an end to the meeting; most of them disapparated, as well as the Dark Lord himself. Lucius relaxed in relief; Draco was looking on at the spot where the body had been. "Perhaps you should go to your room, son," Lucius suggested.
Draco nodded as he got up shakily, and went to his room, leaving the elder Malfoys alone in the drawing room. Lucius looked at his beloved wife, who looked like she saw something interesting on the far wall. "Narcissa?" Lucius asked, placing his hand on top of hers. She looked toward him at his touch. "Are you alright?"
Narcissa sighed as she shook her head. "I hate this Lucius. He has gone too far; Draco was practically shaking the table just now." She leaned an elbow on the table as she placed her head in her hand, rubbing her temples with her thumb and the three middle fingers.
"I know," Lucius said, placing an arm around her and pulling her back against his chest. "What are we to do, though?"
Narcissa shook her head again as she sighed. "I don't know."
Lucius looked down at his wife, and saw a tear trail down her cheek. He gently cupped her cheek and brushed the tear away. "We'll get through this, Narcissa, I promise." He kissed the top of her head and started to caresss her shoulders. They stayed like that for about a minute or so longer before retiring to their bed chamber for the night.