A/n: I finally got a review for that last chapter! Honestly I was beginning to lose hope for a second there. I promise that as long as I get a review per chapter than I will update regularly.
D: I do not own any Harry Potter copyrights.
The maid was still there when Narcissa Malfoy burst into the lobby; the previous look of confusion upon the young witch's face morphing to pure horror upon her mistress's arrival.
The tall, intimidating woman narrowed her eyes venomously at the girl; suddenly aware that both her son and niece were also in their midst. "Why are the children here?" Came the furious hiss in an almost tangible wave of rage. The maid was cowering the moment Narcissa had uttered even a single syllable. "Why are two innocent children in the presence of six aurors?"
The girl paled completely the moment the word used to describe the man registered in her head. "A-aurors?" She stuttered, looking both utterly stunned and about to puke on the smooth marble floor. Like the strangers were suddenly a disease, the young maid hugged both children to her chest and backed away as quickly as she physically could.
"Yes child," Narcissa replied with quiet venom, "Aurors should be loved and honored for their efforts," She smiled sweetly at the men, only the maid seeing the irony in her words. "However they are not suitable company for children."
"Yes ma'am!" The girl chirped, quickly retreating through the door with a hasty curtsy.
"Report to my husband what has happened." Narcissa called to the retreating maid, effectively causing the girl to freeze where she stood. The maid knew all too well that this incident would result in her immediate dismissal; with a heavy sigh and a new sense of dread, she stiffly continued herding the children down the hall.
The aurors watched the spectacle between mistress and maid silently, only venturing to speak once Narcissa was the only other person in the room.
"While that was a flattering speech Mrs. Malfoy," The head auror, Crouch let out drily, "We did not come in to your home without a purpose. May we bring this conversation into more serious matters?"
"By all means." She responded curtly, taking her seat with a graceful flourish. "I would very much like to know the reasons behind your actions."
"It's that bloody sister of yours," Moody let out gruffly, effectively cutting off Crouch before the other auror could say the same thing in a more polite manner.
"Bella?" Narcissa's eyes widened as the realization dawned on her. Mere hours after voicing her worries to Lucian, a crowd of powerful wizards had come to clarify her worst fears.
"Caught her and three others at the Longbottom's." Moody's scarred face twisted into an evil scowl. "Bloody curs the lot of 'em. Deserve what they're getting, Azkaban." He spat on the ground, "Though if you ask me they should all rot in the bloody pits of hell."
"Alastor!" Crouch cried, aghast at the other auror's lack of tact. "Mrs. Malfoy has just lost a beloved family member. Try being more courteous."
"Damn if I care," Moody growled, "Her bloody husband's the same. He should be rotting with the rest of them!"
"Excuse me, but I believe it would be wise to listen to your superior." Narcissa said in a soft voice, though by the evil look in her eyes, she probably had a bit more to say to the scarred auror. "As it is, I will not stand for you insulting my family within these walls. If you wish to do so then I can have you escorted to the gates."
Crouch stood up, followed by every other auror except Moody. Only after several minutes of Crouch's glare did Moody rise with the rest. "I sincerely apologize." Crouch oozed, bowing slightly before shooting another death glare at Moody, "We had no intention of appearing rude. Our appearance here has to do with nothing more than your sister's trial."
He bowed again and withdrew a thick folder from his robe, handing it to her with more whispered apologies. She barely nodded her acknowledgement before he and all the rest swept out of her lobby.
Only when she heard a maid lead them out did she sink to her knees, weeping for the loss of her foolish sister.
"Oh Bella," She cried. "What have you done?"
oOoOoOoOoOo
Lucius leaned against the doorway of his niece's nursery, quietly observing his wife breaking down on one of the plush sofas. The newly christened Violet Scylla Lestrange slept peacefully not too far away, oblivious to her aunt's tears. For the briefest of moments he wondered how the little babe would react if she could only know her parents had been sent to Azkaban mere hours ago.
"Why did they do it?" Narcissa suddenly cried, bringing his attentions back to her. "Why did they have to take Bella away from me?"
"You know why," He replied briskly, slightly annoyed that his wife would question what she already knew. "Your sister followed a man whose power was already gone." There was a scoff at the mention of his former master; it seemed she had noticed his subtle refusal to call the man 'lord'. Narcissa was intelligent enough to gather that much, there were reasons he had chosen her to be his wife.
"She was obsessed with him and so was brought down with him; it was bound to happen the moment he fell." Lucius continued firmly, approaching her so he could place a comforting hand upon her shoulder. Narcissa was a strong woman, he needed her to understand that this was unavoidable or she might try to avenge her headstrong sister. He couldn't have her rash actions tarnishing his reputation any further.
"How could they send her away?" She whispered, moving so that she was crying into his shoulder rather than the cushions. "I read the report; they couldn't have had enough evidence to. . ." She broke off as her sobs grew more intense, the tears already beginning to soak the front of his robe.
"They had evidence." He told her, just now remembering that he had neglected to mention what had been leaked to him through ministry connections. The news would almost certainly be a painful blow for his emotional wife but he would risk it; if anything this would be the key for her acceptance.
"Bellatrix and the others proclaimed their allegiance to him during the trial." He let out slowly, pausing as a look of horror slowly crept over her fragile features. "I have been told that she 'sat like a queen'."
"No." She breathed, tears forgotten as she searched his face for some sign of a lie. "No it can't be true. Why would Bella. . . she would never. . ." She stopped and he knew she had come to the same conclusion as he had, the Bellatrix they knew would indeed do such a thing. "Why?" She finally let out, her voice dripping with defeat. " Bella. . . why?"
"I'm sorry dear." He whispered into her hair, bringing her into a consoling embrace. "She is beyond our help now."
"I know." The words were soft, quiet enough that Lucius wasn't completely sure whether he had heard them or not. When he checked to see if she had spoken however, he was surprised to discover his wife sleeping pleasantly in his arms. Exhausted by both anxiety and tears, she had drifted off the moment he had pulled her close.
Sighing, Lucius gently picked her up so that her head still rested against his chest; briefly noticing the dimming sun outside before moving towards the door. From her crib baby Violet slowly opened her large brown eyes, silently observing her aunt and uncle as they left her room completely.
When she was alone and all was quiet, the tiny babe let out an earsplitting wail rival only to the one she had emitted at her birth.
Striding down the hall some distance away, Lucius cursed as the noise of an unhappy baby reached his ears. Struggling amidst the wait of his unconscious wife, it took the wizard longer than he would have liked to reach a bell pull and summon one of their many maids.
Only when a small legion of the staff had rushed to the aid of his screaming niece did he breathe easier. Lucius had never understood his wife's fascination with children. To him they were noisy, smelly creatures that only became useful later in life; mainly when they were able to be shipped off to school.
The very sound of a baby crying made him cringe with distaste after his son's days of wailing. They had been horrible, days and nights filled with nothing but screaming. It had run Narcissa ragged and motivated quite a few of their veteran staff to retire early; Lucius had taken on more missions if only to escape the noise.
When those days had passed he: along with most of the people within his household, had secretly sworn never to have another child within these walls. Now that his niece had joined their company a certain dread had begun to accompany his thoughts when he thought of the days to come.
Idly he wondered if she would be more easily tempered than his son. Hopefully this was indeed the cause because the fall of the Dark Lord had deprived him of distractions.