Narcissa's POV

Silence engulfs us as she stands holding out her hand. Not speaking I simply take it and allow her to guide me to where ever. It's just a short walk before she leads me into a small room. I wait near the door as she casts a silencing charm. I follow Hermione's movements as she places her wand on the table.

Hermione offers a genuine smile as she pulls out the chair. I take the offered seat thankful to be from underneath the gaze of nosey men and their leering looks. I'm not sure how she does it day after day. My gaze is glued to her as I watch her remove her robe. My eyes quickly scan her body. She's in black jeans and a dark long sleeve shirt. It's tight and I can make out the shape of her breast and toned stomach beneath.

I look away blushing. I've been caught staring.

Hermione POV

Is she checking me out? Sizing me up? I am flattered and smirk my gaze following her as she sat down. She even makes such a simple everyday task look so sexy. I've never wanted to be a chair more in my life than I do now. I take the vacant chair across from her. The admiration is over as the scene from earlier intrudes my thoughts. Ron is such an arse.

"I'm sorry Mrs. Malfoy, Ron," I pause. I try to remain professional but he makes it difficult at times, "Auror Weasley was out of line. He will be dealt with I assure you. Now," I remove the pen and pad from my pocket. I hate being so formal but I have to stay unbiased here. Or at least try.

She has my blanket pulled tight around her and she looks like a small child. I'm not sure why this brings a smile to lips.

"What's so funny Ms. Granger?"

"Nothing." From her expression I can tell she doesn't believe me, "No, I was just thinking, forgive me for saying this," I blush, "you look beautiful. I couldn't help myself, I am sorry if that makes you uncomfortable."

Narcissa POV

She looks embarrassed but I am hung up on the word 'beautiful'. I haven't been called that in years.

"You're too kind. I look horrible. No makeup and I'm in my nightgown." I pull the thick fabric tighter doing my best to hide beneath it.

"I assure you, you don't look horrible."

My cheeks are hot as she and I settle into a comfortable silence.

A minute of so passes. She clears her throat attempting to be all business once again. She flips the pad open to a blank page and picks up the pen.

"I have to ask a few questions."

I nod, "ask away."

"You were alone, correct?"

"Yes."

"Your husband and son, do you know where they are?"

She's asked before but I will answer truthfully again, "no. I don't know where they are, Ms. Granger." I whisper unable to shake the feeling from before.

She nods her pen resting against her hand. She hasn't jotted anything down. I'm no idiot, I am more than aware of what is going on in the world especially ours. They are former Death Eaters that have disappeared and the wife of one of the most influential of them was attacked.

This doesn't look good. This doesn't look good for anyone; myself included.

Another nod, she has yet to speak other than to ask questions that I feel she already knows the answers to.

"Ron, I mean Auror Weasley, mentioned death threats, how long have you been getting those?"

Her hand is positioned ready to write. I take a deep breath.

"Two years." I blurt out keeping the answer short.

She scribbles something. Her lips pressed into a thin line.

"Is there any indication from who or where these threats are coming from?"

"No, there has been no names or addresses, and I haven't bothered trying to trace them."

"Do you think it's retaliation for what you did?"

She didn't have to explain the 'what'.

" Yes, I'm sure of it."

"And you didn't think to report this to the ministry?"

"No, I didn't think anything of them Ms. Granger. Besides given who I am, who I am married to, who my sister was, the fact that my son injured Ms. Cho and tried to kill Dumbledore I didn't think the ministry would be interested to hear that Narcissa Malfoy was receiving death threats. I have a lot working against me so please forgive me for not raising the issue further. I don't have as much faith in the Ministry as you do."

Narcissa POV:

I hope I have not offended her. But I chose honesty tonight.

I'm ready to say more but the words die on my lips as the door opens banging against the wall. It's Lucius and he's furious. His cold gaze lands on me before it shifts to Hermione. That familiar sneer is planted on his face and I stand quickly placing the blanket in the chair.

"Ms. Granger," her names sounds like acid falling from his lips and I can't control the shudder that overcomes me. She stands returning a gaze of equal intensity, "I was told aurors came to my house and that my wife was...here. I would like to know why."

"There was..." He cuts me off by him holding up his hand.

"Enough, I am sure you have said plenty already." He has just as much vitriol for me as he does for her. I remain silent.

His focus returns to Hermione.

"Please, Ms. Granger explain."

His tone nips at my bare skin and I run my palms over my arms.

"If you had let your wife explain I am sure she would have told you. She was attacked earlier tonight. Someone penetrated your wards, if they were even in place, and was inside your home. Luckily your wife had not gone to bed or else we would be discussing body collection."

I eyeball the wad of fabric in the chair wishing I still had it wrapped around me. The truth of her words chill me. A mere twenty minutes or so and I would have been at the mercy of whomever that was tonight.

He turns to me running his eyes over my body.

"You don't look any worse for wear." He pauses seeming to remember we had an audience, "are you hurt?" The question is forced and I resist rolling my eyes. Why he still pretends to care is beyond my understanding at this point. It's clear to anyone present that this is just an act.

"No."

"Good."

He turns back to Hermione, "we are leaving Ms. Granger." He moves toward the door and I follow. She slips me a sympathetic glance.

I follow along side him to the floo wing of the ministry. Lucius doesn't bother to spare me a glance as me make our way to a vacant fireplace. I hover at the edge while he enters first. I'm reluctant but step inside leaving ample distance between the two of us. It's all over too quickly and he steps from the fireplace dropping his snake head cane and snatching me around the thin straps of my gown.

I'm pulled close to him as he peers down at me.

"What happened?" He hisses pulling me against him. I'm trying to break free but he only tightens his hold.

I concede giving up this fruitless endeavor and sag against his chest.

"I was attacked," I hiss through clenched teeth.

"You were something alright given the state of the foyer and hall. Many priceless items were damaged. Heirlooms. Things that cannot be replaced." He stated coldly releasing me.

I stumble back glad to put distance between us.

"That's it? You're concerned with the state of the foyer and the damage? It may not mean much but I'm still your wife Lucius."

He sighs annoyed, "You look well enough. I am off." He's heading back toward the fireplace.

"You're leaving?" I won't mourn his absence but given the fact someone came into our home and tired to kill me has me worried. At least with him here I have some assurance of safety, if only a slither.

"Yes dear. Business. As much as I would love to keep watch with you there are more pressing matters else where. Besides I need to get back to Draco I am not sure he can handle the task on his own."

"Istanbul?"

I've struck a nerve. I can tell by the way he freezes. His body ridged. He spins grabbing me by my throat and pens me against the mantle. Who would have guessed that after twenty six years one word would be my undoing.

"I've told you before to tread carefully. You will not question my whereabouts or what I do with my son. You interference was part of the reason Draco didn't succeed last time. I will make sure history does not repeat itself. Do you understand?"

The grip on my throat tightens.

"Do you understand?"

I only nod.

"Good."

He releases me and I gasp my lungs screaming in relief. Lucius is gone once again in a swirl of dark green flames.

It's only twenty minutes later that I realize I forgot my wand.