A/N: Hello! I had a rather stressful day so I decided to unwind by writing this short filler chapter about Narcissa and Lucius. This happens simultaneously with the last chapter.
This is actually the shortest chapter I have ever written—not including the prologue.
Despite Draco and Hermione not being here, I hope you still enjoy it!
Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy were frozen in their spot long after the Golden trio had disappeared along with their only son. Narcissa hugged herself, shaking.
"Cissa dear, we should really clean up"
The Malfoy matriarch didn't react so Lucius moved to stand if front of her. He brought her into his arm and spoke quietly, "Draco will be alright. That Potter boy is sickeningly self-righteous. He won't let Draco die on him"
Narcissa nodded against his chest, "I'm so scared Lucius. First Draco is almost murdered then my own sister turns on us. Who's to say we won't be dead by tomorrow?"
The Deatheater remained silent as he himself did not know that answer to that question. He just held on to his wife as she sobbed quietly. He leaned in and kissed her on the forehead.
"Oh Lucius, I've missed you," His wife looked up at him and smiled.
"What are you on about, my dear? I've always been here by your side"
"Yes you were. But not like this"
Lucius grimaced as he realized what his wife was talking about. It was true. He had been so cold towards her and Draco sometimes it was as if he was barely there with them. He never gave them the attention or the affection that they needed from him. He gave his wife one final kiss on her forhead and whispered, "He's going to be here soon. We really must clean up"
The Malfoy matriarch nodded her head hesitantly before releasing herself from her husband's embrace and retrieving her wand from him. She started repairing everything Draco had destroyed as Lucius made a move to procure one of the wands in the chest.
"Leave nothing out of place"
Again the matriarch nodded slowly and the two danced around the room, casting spells to hide evidence that unwanted guests were once in there. In a matter of minutes the room looked spotless.
Lucius put his wand back in the chest. The Dark Lord would be suspicious if he suddenly had a wand when, his was known to have been snapped off. Narcissa waved her wand and the chest was sent flying back into the wall. Now there was only one more thing to take care of—her blood thirsty sister.
Narcissa stared at her sister as she levitated her onto the couch, "You know," She told Lucius, "I know I should feel remorse that my husband tortured my sister but right now I can't bring myself to. Rennervate." The witch groaned as she was brought back into consciousness.
"What happened?" LeStrange croaked as she winced with pain.
Just then several pops echoed throughout the drawing room as the Dark Lord apparated in with the rest of his loyal Deatheaters.
"My Lord!" Bellatrix jumped to her feet to greet her master. Lucius and Narcissa bowed accordingly.
"Ah Bellatrix, anything of interest today?"
"Unfortunately no, My Lord. The snatchers who claimed to have Harry Potter never showed" the witch scowled
The Dark Lord's eyes studied her and then swept to Lucius and Narcissa. The Malfoy Death eater knew that he was trying to read their minds at that moment. He could feel the familiar tugging at the back of his mind. Lucky for him and his wife, they had excellent training in occlumency.
"Pity," Voldemort's cruel tones floated in the manor, "No matter. When you see this snatcher again bring him to me. Nagini hasn't had a meal for a while now."
Bellatrix broke out into a razor sharp grin, "Of course my Lord"
Suddenly a loud crack was heard and Finney appeared in the room bowing down to his masters, "Dinner is served."
Xxx
Dinner had been quite nerve-wracking—well, in the presence of the Dark Lord, it always was.
"Fenrir, what news have you?" The Dark Lord has spoken
The werewolf grunted, "My Lord, the pack is ready to move out. We are expecting a full moon tomorrow night."
"Good, good," Voldemort said in a bored tone, "Alecto?"
"We've convinced the giants to fight for us and our recruits are growing in numbers as well," The Death eater beamed, excited to please his master.
The Dark Lord nodded, "Ah, Lucius. Any news of your son? It was a pity what happened to him."
Lucius Malfoy refrained himself from reacting as he picked up on Voldemort's sneer. His blood boiled knowing that his son was almost murdered by the man who he had served for all his life. And he had the audacity to pretend that he doesn't know about what happened to my son! But this was not the time to voice out his anger. He would have to wait for the perfect opportunity to exact his revenge.
"No my Lord," Lucius said calmly, "Unfortunately, no one has come forward with information about his whereabouts"
The Dark Lord smiled and Lucius moved to hold his wife's trembling hand under the table, "I see. Bellatrix, do you want to share something?"
The witch had been squirming in her seat ever since the group had sat on the dinner table. Every Death eater now turned to look at her.
"I'm sorry my Lord. But I have this incredible headache that I cannot seem to shake off. And I feel like my body had been twisted up inside out."
All the Deatheaters looked at the Dark Lord expectantly to see how he'll react. Bellatrix LeStrange had never complained about anything before.
Voldemort didn't say anything for a while as his eyes scanned the room. His eyes landing on Lucius who wasn't able to suppress his smile, "Lucius, do you find anything amusing?"
The Malfoy patriarch quickly coughed into his hands, "It's nothing my Lord"
"Surely there must be something you would like to share?" the Dark Lord challenged.
Lucius let his eyes fall on Bellatrix's as he smirked, "My Lord, I was just wondering how bad Rudolfus must be in bed for his wife to be in this state"
"Bastard" Bellatrix hissed at her brother-in-law, "My Lord, It's not—"
A series of taunts and laughter erupted from where Bellatrix' other half sat and and even the Dark Lord smiled a fraction—though everyone doubted he was truly amused by Lucius' joke. He raised his hand and the room went back into silence.
"Enough. Bellatrix, it is my conclusion that you are not in any condition to continue this meeting with us tonight. You may go. I expect you to be in better shape tomorrow"
Bellatrix' felt her heart drop to her stomach. This was a great dishonor to be dismissed so casually like that—and in front of her fellow Death eaters. The Dark Lord had never dismissed her. She was his right hand. She knew everything the Dark Lord was planning. This could not be happening to her, especially not now at the eve of the final battle.
"Now, is there anyone else who would like to join Bellatrix outside this dinning hall?" The Dark Lord said folding his hands in front of him, "Any last minute health conditions? No? I will not tolerate mistakes tomorrow. So if anyone here isn't feeling up for it I suggest you say it right now. We wouldn't do well with dead weight now, would we?"
The Death eaters kept their heads low as they realized that Bellatrix' dismissal was the only free pass their Lord was going to allow today. If they even remotely hint hesitance or weakness they were sure the next punishment would be death. With the final battle just a night away, the Dark Lord was becoming less patient, even with his own Death eaters.
"Bella, did I not tell you to leave?"
"But, My Lord—" the witch stuttered
"Now, Bella. Before I change my mind. I would rather you take my more generous offer. Perhaps you could use your time away to do something useful. Like fetching that snatcher who had greatly disappointed me."
"Yes, My Lord" Bellatrix stood up with shaky feet, bowed and walked towards the door.
"Now where were we?" The Dark Lord said casually as if he hadn't threatened to kill them all just moments ago.
Lucius and Narcissa both took a sip and smiled into their cups as they watched the retreating figure of the witch. It was a shallow victory for now, but it tasted sweet.