Chapter Thirty One
A/N: Thanks to SunPoyion7961 for reviewing the last chapter.
Narcissa watched her young son, sat on the carpet tugging on the tail of his toy dragon. He seemed half-hearted in his actions, as if he could sense that something was wrong. Draco's first birthday had come and gone almost four months ago and yet he had already learned to know when his father was in danger. It was a thought that saddened his mother almost every day.
When Lucius had left that evening, kissing her on the cheek and stroking Draco's blonde curls as was his custom, something had not seemed quite right. The mission he was going on must have been dangerous- he would have told her anything but that- and the smile he awarded her did not quite reach his eyes. Still, Narcissa had not questioned him, going through the motions just as he had, and letting him go on his way. The woman had never stopped her husband from going on a mission, had never once asked him to stay with her instead. In a way she did not want to ask; she did not want to know that he would chose the Dark Mark over his own family.
Lucius had left at nightfall, hours ago, and had not been heard of since. Narcissa had sat at the fireplace in case of a message, even leaving the window open for owls despite the chill it sent through the air. She had left open every possible means of communication; it only made it more painful that he had not sent word to her.
"Mama, up." Narcissa turned to see her son had abandoned his toy on the floor beside him and was now reaching out his arms for her. Ignoring the ache in her limbs, still deprived of sleep from worry, the woman cradled her son, relishing his warmth as she returned to the window. Immediately, Draco pressed his face against the glass, his eyes studying the dark intently, as if he expected his father to appear out of nowhere. How much simpler it would be if he did.
Narcissa's eyes were beginning to drift closed when a flash of magic caused Draco to jump in her arms, his bottom lip beginning to quiver. Bouncing her son in her arms to calm him, the woman leaned towards the window, in the hope that a flash of silver hair would catch the moonlight. Instead, the figure remained in darkness, an odd omen of the news they would bring.
Having placed Draco down in his cradle, much to his protestations, Narcissa made her way to the entrance hall, where the enchanted doors had already allowed the stranger access to the house. 'He must be a Ministry official.' she realised, knowing that these were the only unknowns who would be able to get past the enchantments, one of the conditions of the door remaining in place.
"Good evening, Mrs. Malfoy." the man greeted. He was short and round, with tangled sandy hair, the very opposite of the striking figure her husband cut. 'Surely this is Fate, punishing me for hoping.' she thought bitterly, though her face showed a pleasant smile. The easiest mask to wear.
"Good evening, sir." she returned, easily disguising the fear behind her tone. "How may I help you?"
"My name is Barnabas Robins, I work for the Department of Magical Law Enforcement." Narcissa attempted to hide her distaste at the man's name, a distinctly Half-Blood family with endless sympathies towards Muggleborns- it would not do to be seen as prejudiced now, not when this man clearly held important information. "I've been asked by my supervisor, Bartemius Crouch, to inform you that your husband, Lucius Malfoy, was one of a group of Death Eaters found carrying out a mission for the Dark Lord Voldemort this night. For participating in such illegal activities and posing fatal danger to Muggles and Muggleborns, Mr. Malfoy has been taken to Azkaban to await trial."
The man continued to speak, but Narcissa could no longer hear him. A loud ringing sounded in her ears, overcoming all but a few words. Illegal… others… Bellatrix Lestrange and her husband… guilty… life sentence... Azkaban.
Narcissa's thoughts turned to her son, probably lying asleep in his cradle upstairs. He had no idea of his father's plight. He had no idea he may never see the man again.
"Mrs. Malfoy?" Robins questioned, clearly alarmed by her sudden silence. Taking a deep breath, Narcissa attempted a smile. It was not as convincing as her last one, but it was enough.
"Thank you for informing me, Mr. Robins." Such manners had been instilled in her since childhood and Narcissa found herself unable to abandon them, even when her world was crashing about her ears. "Will I be permitted to see my husband before his trial?"
"It's not likely, Mrs. Malfoy." Robins replied, not sounding nearly as regretful as he looked. It seemed Narcissa was not the only skilled actor. "You would need permission from the highest ranks of the Ministry and even then there would be a hundred forms to fill in for Mr. Malfoy to leave the prison before sentencing. I'm sorry but there won't be time for the bureaucracy. The trials will take place in a fortnight, once they've rounded up the last of the Dark Lord's followers, and the Dark Lord himself if they can."
Narcissa almost laughed at the man's stupidity. He thought they could capture the Dark Lord himself? However little she may care for the man, who always seemed to know far too much for her liking, he would not allow himself to be captured. 'Then again, neither would Lucius.'
Once the Ministry official had taken his leave, Narcissa ran up to the study, compiling a list of everyone she thought could help fight Lucius' corner. With all the Death Eaters rounded up or on the run it was a slimmer list than usual, but anything would be worth a try. It would only take the one right person for Lucius to be free.
'I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.' the woman told herself. 'For now, all I want to do is see him. I don't know whether I'll have another chance.'
A/N: Sorry for the (albeit canonical) Lucissa drama, next chapter probably won't be much lighter. Please review!