It was a dark and gloomy day; which corresponded to the anxious feeling that the Narcissa, and her son Draco, were feeling as they walked side by side to the Wizengamot court in the deepest levels of the Ministry of Magic for her husband's trial, and while on their way, the Malfoys could hear low murmurs about them and how terrible Lucius was, they did their best to ignore them, but they, especially Narcissa, couldn't help but pay attention.
When they reached the courtroom, they were the center of attention of every official and every attendee present; it was only then that when they sat down in the front and Lucius was raised from the floor locked in a tall cage with large spikes ready to pierce him if he ever tries to move abruptly, took the stares away from her and her son.
Narcissa was shocked at what had become of her husband's appearance; his hair was tangled and slightly covered in dirt, he had grime and bruises all over his handsome, sharp face, and he was still wearing his Death Eater robes which were now tattered and filthy. The female Malfoy stared at him agape with worry and shock, while her son was wearing an expression of despair at the sight of the current state of the man he admires and looks up to the most.
It was only when the Minister for Magic, Rufus Scrimgeour spoke in a high, clear and loud voice that captured both of Narcissa and Draco's attenions.
"Crime hearing of the 4th of July 1996 in offences committed by Lucius Malfoy, resident of Malfoy Manor, Wiltshire, England. Interrogators, Rufus Scrimgeour, Minister for Magic, Pius Thicknesse, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, and Percy Ignatius Weasley, Junior Undersecretary to the Minister for Magic."
At hearing Percy's name, Narcissa saw her son scowl, and she scowled as well, knowing that the Weasley boy's father had been her husband's arch-rival for years, this made her think that the trial seems unfair with one of the Weasleys overseeing the case.
"Lucius Malfoy…" continued Scrimgeour, "You have been seen in the act of committing Death Eater acts by several Aurors and also by the former Minister for Magic, Cornelius Oswald Fudge, as well on the day of June 16, 1996. Combatants who sided with us have stated that you and several other Death Eaters tried to steal a prophecy from the Department of Mysteries for the Dark Lord. Casualties of your and accomplices' actions include Sirius Black III, who, was subjected to be cleared of his previous charges, should he had lived. Do you deny your actions?"
"No, sir." Replied Lucius.
"Do you have anything to say in front of the Wizengamot court before we close your case?" asked Scrimgeour, his face stern.
"None at all." Came Lucius' reply
"Very well, all in favor of sentencing the accused?" asked Scrimgeour.
At this, mostly everyone raised their hands including Scrimgeour's.
"All in favor of clearing the accused of all charges?" came Scimgeour's deep voice again.
Much to Narcissa and Draco's chagrin; no one raised their hands.
"The decision has been made. You, Lucius Malfoy are hereby sentenced to lifetime imprisonment in Azkaban prison. You shall be taken immediately by a group of Aurors as of today. Case closed." And with that, Lucius was lowered, but not before catching a glimpse of his wife and son, who were looking at him as well.
Narcissa and Draco took off to leave in order to go home, but on their way, and much to their irritation, reporters were gathering around them asking questions.
"Mrs. Malfoy, how do you feel about your husband's imprisonment?"
"How will you and your son cope without him?"
"What do you plan to do now?"
Neither of the Malfoys answered these questions, they just kept on walking until they reached the chimneys connected to the Floo Network, and left without uttering a word and arrived in the manor rather quietly.
Malfoy Manor seemed darker and colder without the head of the family; it seemed that the halls would go on for eternity in the darkness.
"Mother?" Draco addressed his mother as they stepped out of the large chimney.
"Yes, Draco?" she replied softly, but sadly
"I'm sorry." Her son said in an apologetic voice.
"For what?" she asked confused
"For Father's imprisonment." He answered despairingly
At her son's answer, Narcissa pulled her son in an embrace, rubbing his back as he wrapped his own arms around her, "Draco, there is nothing for you to apologize for. None of this is your fault." She told her son reassuringly.
"I know that Mother, but I just can't help but feel partly responsible." He said in a far more hopeless and tortured voice
"Shhh. Draco, everything will be fine." She comforted him; she already knew that her son was truly affected, like herself, by Lucius' imprisonment. But never in her life has she heard her son talk in such a despaired tone instead of the proud voice that he usually uses.
"Your father will come back Draco." She said while still comforting her son. "I know that it seems highly impossible, but rest assured, he will return." She added.
At hearing her, Draco broke from the embrace and nodded to her, silently saying that he understands her before telling her that he was to leave for his room.
When Draco was out of sight, she sat down on a nearby chair and started to cry silently, but quickly wiped the tears away, "Lucius promised that he will always come back to us. To me…" She said softly to herself before adding, "And he is a man of his word. So I, like I promised him, shall always be waiting for him."