Malfoy Manor never looked so dark and mysterious; the grand manor seemed to be radiating an aura of despair, this is due to the fact that the Dark Lord has gathered all of his Death Eaters inside for another meeting to further overthrow the Ministry of Magic.
In the grand drawing room was where the meetings were usually held, all attendees were wearing dark robes, and all were waiting anxiously for the last person to come.
Although everyone was somber; the most terrified of them all were the owners and permanent residents of the Manor; Lucius, Narcissa and Draco Malfoy couldn't bear to have their own home invaded by such sadistic people. The meetings were almost held there daily, so they were mostly constantly uncomfortable. And they were even more horrified that the man who took their freedom in their own household was always only a couple of chairs away from them; looking calm, but ghastly at the head of the long table.
After several more minutes, the last attendee had finally arrived.
"Severus…" said the Dark Lord 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.
The Dark Lord started the meeting, but was mostly talking to Snape, there were a couple of Death Eaters who would join in eventually, most especially Bellatrix, and some laughing at certain comments made by the Dark Lord, but the three Malfoys only listened and did not dare speak.
It was only then when the Dark Lord asked for volunteer wands that immediately caught attention, and stares were fixed on Lucius when the Dark Lord approached him.
"How about you, Lucius?
"My Lord?" he asked nervously
"'My Lord?'" the Dark Lord mimicked, "Your wand, Lucius. I require your wand."
Lucius couldn't believe that his wand, out of all the wands there were, was going to be taken away. He glanced briefly at his son, then at Narcissa in disapproval about the matter.
Draco didn't want his father to lose his wand but couldn't say or do anything out of fear. But Narcissa, who remembered the words that her husband told her about displeasing the Dark Lord further; slowly placed her hand around Lucius' wrist, silently encouraging him that he should do it.
And that was more than enough for Lucius to take his wand from his walking stick and give it to the Dark Lord.
Afterwards, everything went by fast for the elder Malfoys and their son, the further talk, the merciless murder of the former Hogwarts Muggle Studies Teacher, Charity Burbage, and finally Voldemort having the corpse of the former teacher fed to his snake, Nagini.
Relief came to them when the Dark Lord began to end the meeting.
"We must act immediately in order to capture the Potter boy, all will participate in this mission, excluding the Malfoys, who have been gracious enough to allow us to use their home." the way the Dark Lord said it, made it sound as if they offered their home, Lucius, Narcissa, and Draco would have scoffed if they weren't so terrified. "If any you spot the boy, call me immediately. That is all. Dismissed." And with that everyone left the manor, the Dark Lord included.
The three Malfoys silently left the drawing room, when they reached the hall, Draco began to speak.
"Father…" started the youngest Malfoy in a weak manner, "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, Draco." Stated Lucius emotionlessly without looking at his son.
"I'm sorry about your wand."
"It's not your fault, Draco." This time it was Narcissa who spoke.
"No Mother, it was." Said Draco.
"What are you talking about?" asked Lucius who was now looking at him with curiosity
"I…I should have given him my wand, but I was too scared to move, and because of that, you lost yours. I'm sorry." Said Draco guiltily
When Draco finished talking, Lucius placed his hands on his son's shoulders, and looked him in the eyes, "Draco…" he began, "Don't apologize for something that you weren't responsible for. It's not your fault. Do you understand me?" He finished.
After Draco nodded, Lucius wrapped his arms around his son in order to embrace him, and when Draco followed suit, Lucius began to rub his son's back to comfort him.
"Don't blame yourself for what happened." Lucius told his son softly
"Yes, Father." His son replied.
After a few moments, the two of them broke apart, and Draco politely, but weakly told his parents that he would leave for his room, and then Lucius and Narcissa left for the dining room.
When they arrived; Lucius called for a house-elf and ordered it to bring him a bottle of firewhiskey and two glasses to put it in.
"Here you go, Master…" the elf squeaked, "Firewhiskey and glasses for the Master and Mistress."
"Good, now get out of my sight." Roared Lucius
When the elf dissaparated, Lucius filled the two glasses and handed one to Narcissa as they sat in two chairs near each other.
Narcissa stared at her husband in worry as he refilled his glass drink after drink, and was frightened when he suddenly stood up and threw the dining room table out of the way.
"Lucius!" she screeched, standing up, "What has gotten into you?"
"Is it not obvious that I'm drunk? Are you blind, woman!" he barked.
At hearing him, Narcissa stood there shocked and hurt at her husband's unusual behavior towards her with tears silently forming around her blue eyes.
No longer being able to look at him any further, she made an attempt to leave, but Lucius caught her arm, and then turned her around so that she was facing him.
"I'm sorry, Narcissa, I shouldn't have spoken to you like that." He apologized, quickly recovering from his drunken state at the sight of his wife's reactions.
"I don't like that side of you, it horrifies me." She whispered.
"I'm sorry…." He began, "I just can't believe that I lost so many things. First, the Dark Lord's favor, second, my dignity, third, our own home, and lastly my wand… It's just so hard for me-."
"Lucius…" Narcissa interrupted her husband, "I know that you're facing difficult times, I understand, but don't forget that your son and I are also suffering, and even more so back then when you were still in Azkaban, so please…" she paused to gently touch his cheek, "Be strong for our son, be strong for us, and never act that way again." She pleaded at the last part.
"I promise." He told her.
At his response, Narcissa smiled, and then took his arm, and together they walked together to the upstairs living room.
When they arrived, Narcissa lit up the fireplace with her wand since Lucius did not have his anymore, while her husband stood by her side; refusing to sit until she sat, as he was a gentleman. When she finally sat down, he sat next to her, curling his arm around her waist, as he did so, she rested her head against his shoulder.
It was little, but comforting moments like these that soothe their nerves in midst of what keeps going on downstairs, they could always find peace within each other especially when they were upstairs, ever since the Dark Lord started to use their home as headquarters, the upper corridor of the manor was like a sanctuary to the Malfoys.
After a few moments, Lucius broke the silence.
"Narcissa?" he called for his wife's attention.
"Yes, Lucius?" she said turning to him.
"Am I forgiven for my earlier actions?" he asked
"No." she replied automatically.
"What?" he inquired in shock.
"Not yet at least…" she started with a hint of mischievousness in her voice, "You have to do something for me first, Mr. Malfoy." She finished with the same tone.
At hearing her calling him by his surname, Lucius knew what she wanted.
"And what would that be, Mrs. Malfoy?" he asked teasingly.
"Kiss me." She stated in a playful manner.
"I'd be delighted to." He told her before gently placing his lips on hers, a soon as his lips met hers, Narcissa eagerly kissed him back, and soon they were kissing each other fervently.
After what seemed like forever, they broke apart, gasping for air.
"I love you." Lucius told his wife after gaining his breath.
"I love you too." She replied.
"Hmm…" she murmured
"What's wrong?" he asked
"You're face has been unshaven for the last few weeks." She stated
"Oh, sorry. I've just been under stress lately." He replied weakly.
"Don't be, I think that you look better this way." She replied placing her hand on his stubbly face.
"Thank you and you look better with your hair like this." He referred to the tiny but noticeable strand of hair tied while the rest were loose and neatly combed.
"Thank you." She replied while giggling.
At her giggling, he chuckled, and despite the fact that they know that their peace won't last for long, they decided to make it count by spending the rest of the night doing nothing but enjoying each other's company.