Evening came, and I had already changed back into my own clothes by the time that Lucius and his father returned from the Ministry. The darker the skies got, the more my anxiousness would rise. For a while, it had diminished, or at least during my mother's visit when she and I had socialized for a couple of hours about the honeymoon. It was nice to be able to brag about all the things we got to experience while we were there. She seemed so happy for me, even though a death in the family might have left a small bruise.

Lucius instructed that I wear black, and so for the third time, I changed my attire. I left my visit to Avelina's room unmentioned. The green dress hung where I had found it, and I did what I could to hide any evidence of my being there. We Apparated to a hideout specified only for this night, which turned out to be the home of Corban Yaxley and his wife, Evanessa. In a way, Yaxley looked much like Lucius, though another several years older. Same hair, same eyes... One might have thought they would have been brothers, if they didn't know any better.

Still, attention to trivial details didn't keep me distracted from my discomfort for very long. The three of us sat at a dining room table smaller than what I was accustomed to. It was designed to seat eight individuals, but as it would soon become apparent, we wouldn't need additional chairs. This meeting was a lot more private than I had anticipated. Two more figures came into the room, and to my dismay, I recognized them both. Bellatrix and her husband, Rodolphus, took their seats across from Lucius and myself, and my body ran cold. My sister's smug grin seared itself into my mind even when I glared away from her.

Then, as the last figure came in, I felt I may have been dunked into a basin of ice. I never met The Dark Lord before, but his presence was unmistakable. While his hood was up, I could faintly see the face beneath that looked much like any other man in his early to mid-thirties; of course, The Dark Lord was much older than he appeared, but no one was here to inquire about his youthful appearance and the secret behind it. We were all here because we were summoned. I, however, was scared out of my wits as to why I was asked to be present.

Something told me it was for more than just moral support for my newlywed husband.

Everyone else sat in silence at the table, but he stood at the end of it, looking down upon all of us. I inclined my head slightly, averting my gaze to the stained wood before me. I tried to keep my hands from trembling on my lap by holding them together, but somehow, it did very little to help. My stomach felt weak. My heart raced against my chest. I didn't doubt for a moment that my fear was evident to everyone else in the room.

"My loyal Death Eaters," came the cold, though surprisingly humane voice from the dark wizard. He raised his hands slightly at his sides as a greeting gesture. "I've kept our convention so small tonight so that we can properly mourn the loss of Avelina Malfoy." There was a moment of silence, and in the corner of my eye, I saw Abraxas's head lower, but the grief on his face was still all too clear. "...And to celebrate the coming of a new member to their family."

My body clenched slightly. I hadn't imagined that The Dark Lord would have been aware of Lucius and myself marrying, let alone caring at all. Eyes now turned to me, albeit briefly. I remained silent; my father-in-law had already warned me to say nothing unless I was spoken to.

"Narcissa, how was your honeymoon? I heard you and Lucius took a trip to Venice."

Well, that moment came a lot sooner than I anticipated. Hesitantly, I raised my head to look at the man, and though I was fairly certain he had no interest in our vacation, I replied politely, though I feared my voice might have trembled. "It was most enjoyable, my lord," I said. "That is, until we returned to learn the dismal news."

"Ah, of course. I understand whole-heartedly. Abraxas, your wife's sacrifice was not in vain. As I heard, the Auror that attacked you that night suffered a great deal of loss, as well."

"Yes, my lord," Abraxas replied evenly.

"Alastor Moody will soon lose plenty more than a leg. I can promise you that. However, as we have lost, we must regain. Which is why your daughter-in-law has come here tonight. An opportunity to be a part of our union-"

"I can't..." Lucius started, nearly cutting off the wizard. I swallowed hard, almost finding it difficult to breathe before and even after. My chest tightened. I was here to be recruited. Somehow, I should have known it would come to this.

"Lucius," The Dark Lord said, frowning at my husband, "this is a decision I leave to Narcissa, not you." His cold eyes now turned back to me, and I shivered beneath them. "However, if she declines, we may have to be more...persuasive." My fingers gripped at the velvet of my robe. I wasn't an idiot. I knew exactly what he was suggesting.

The Torture Curse.

I glanced at Bellatrix. To my surprise, she hardly seemed bothered by this, much unlike Lucius, whose face appeared absolutely livid. Still, I knew it was hard for any of them to protest their leader when he could easily destroy them in the blink of an eye. He was a powerful wizard, and one not to be questioned.

Now, I questioned. Just how loyal was Lucius to him? How loyal was he to me?

I was loyal to him. Always had been, always would be. After all, that was the part of the vow I had made. To love and support him... but that didn't necessarily mean I had to kill innocent witches and wizards at his side.

...Did it?

I looked down at my trembling hands. I had painted my nails a fresh shade of forest green, and yet from squeezing my fingers so tightly, the polish was already beginning to rub off.

"I..."

I couldn't see myself as a Death Eater. Look what it had done to my once beautiful sister. Bellatrix craved to hurt others - even me, it seemed. I was always afraid of her ever since I had discovered what kind of woman she truly was.

"Cissy! Give him an answer." Bellatrix barked at me from the other side of the table. I know what she wanted me to say.

"No." The word came out quicker than I had intended, but it was too late now. I had to stand my ground.

A couple of people gasped, and yet, You-Know-Who seemed perfectly calm about the entire thing. Through the corner of my eye, I saw my sister glaring at me.

"You're sure this is your decision?" The Dark Lord asked. It seemed he was giving me one more chance to redeem myself. But I declined. I would rather take The Cruciatus Curse than condemn innocents to the same spell, all in the name of blood purity.

"I'm sure," I answered stiffly. I felt Lucius's hand grab my own. I was surprised he didn't try to sway my decision. Even if he had, I don't think I would have changed my mind.

Now, the bone-like wand Voldemort wielded was pointed towards me. The air was tense, and I shut my eyes as I readied myself for a world of pain. I had never been tortured before. How bad was it? Did it hurt on the inside or the outside? Was there going to be a crescendo, or would it be instant agony?

"My Lord," my husband whispered beside me, "let me take the punishment instead."

My eyes shot open, and I panicked. "Lucius, no!"

"Show her mercy, please. I will gladly take the curse for her."

Tears blurred my vision, but I could still see the desperation in his face, as well as the shock in everyone else's. Even Abraxas seemed surprised.

For a moment, there was no response. Their leader seemed to be pondering, but then finally, turned towards Lucius. "Very well."

A crimson bolt flew across the air at Lucius, and I cried out just before it him. I felt the cold tears tumble down my cheeks. Lucius's face instantly changed to a terrible wince, as if he had been stabbed again and again. He staggered out of the chair and into the floor, and I could tell he was fighting the urge to scream in pain as best as he could. I couldn't stand to see him like this. This was what my husband had gotten himself into when he graduated. And to think I would be a part of a sadistic group of torturers and murderers, had I not declined?

I heard Bellatrix snickering nearby, and my blood began to boil. I turned to look at her, and though the bemused sound stopped coming from her, a lingering grin remained on her lips. She was still somehow satisfied. More and more, I found myself hating her. If there was anyone who deserved such a terrible curse, it was her.

Finally, Lucius was relieved from the pain, and the sounds of his gasping tore me in two. I all but collapsed to the ground beside him, pulling him into my arms. "You didn't have to do it..." I whispered to him. I heard Voldemort chuckle from the other side of the table.

"Sentimental," he said, though I could detect the sarcasm. "You love your husband, don't you, Narcissa?"

"Yes...My Lord. I do."

"I believe there is still some good to come out of this." He gave me a smile that could only make me feel colder inside than I already did.

I was excused to return home, though Lucius was expected to stay behind as the meeting would resume. I had hoped to be able to return to the manor with him, to at least ensure he would do so safely. I waited at the window of the foyer, even pulled up a chaise when my feet couldn't hold me up any longer.

I had dozed off at some point, but the clock struck midnight and stirred me into consciousness again. He still hadn't returned home.

Again, I looked through the window. Rain was pouring outside. As if it was instantly known that I had woken up, Soory came through the doorway behind me. "Mistress, can I get you anything?"

"No." I sneered, though instantly wished that had come out differently. This house elf had done nothing to me. He deserved at least a little better than that. "No, thank you..."

However, movement from outside flicked my attention back to the window. It was Lucius. I knew it was. The slight limp in his walk up the path only confirmed it. "Get a fire in the living room. And a towel."

"Yes, mistress!" Soory hurried off, and I was doing just the same towards the front door. Uncaring that I would get drenched from the heavy-pouring rain, I sprinted to Lucius. This was exactly what I wanted to avoid. I threw his arm over my shoulder and brought him inside. Using my foot to shut the door behind me, I helped him into the next room and laid him on the couch. He grunted, and I assumed he was likely still in pain. Behind me, the fireplace was roaring in a warm light. Soory came up with a towel, which I used to help dry my husband off as best as I could. At least the air outside was still relatively warm.

"Lucius, I'm sorry..." I whispered, resting my forehead against his shoulder. "I should have been the one to suffer, not you..."

He shook his head slightly, and he murmured something that sounded like a retort, but I couldn't really make out any words. My heart ached. Lucius might not have been a very good man, being a Death Eater, but he was the best husband I could ever ask for.