Chapter Text
Narcissa
Sitting on the terrace at Malfoy Manor, Narcissa reviewed her correspondence. It was the usual mixture of solicitations for Malfoy patronage from the many charitable beggars and competition disguised as news from her friends.
A pink letter from Primrose Parkinson, doused in far too much perfume, crowed that her daughter was being courted by Cassius Warrington. It was an understandable match. Although the Parkinsons belonged to the Sacred 28, their fortunes were declining. The Warringtons had money but desperately sought entry into more exclusive circles. Douglas, Cassius’s father, had manoeuvred himself into the position of Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation, but without the backing of a Sacred 28 family, he would never make the leap to the Wizengamot.
The match would also keep Pansy’s claws away from Draco. The girl was too forward and let Draco get away with far too much. Narcissa had always favoured the Greengrasses, but Draco found Daphne “boring” and Astoria “insipid.” He needed someone strong and intelligent. They might have to look abroad for his eventual match.
Invitations to morning teas and social visits abounded, while the men of their set were declining dinners or suddenly away on important business overseas. Taken together, the various letters and invitations suggested the Dark Lord’s absence from Britain. The lack of gossip about Bella pointed to her sister accompanying her master. Frankly, that was a relief. Even after all these years, Bella still knew her too well. Narcissa feared that, if she was not fully prepared, Bella would recognise her broken loyalty and they would lose the advantage they currently held.
Preparation was imperative. Time to uncover what leverage Lucius was hiding.
In Lucius’s study, Narcissa retrieved the key from its hiding place and contemplated the lock. From Lucius’s hints, she had searched the book on peacock husbandry and found the key tucked between the pages dedicated to the white peacocks. Beside one passage Lucius had scrawled my favourite. The password would be his favourite peacock: Argus Panoptes. It was the name of the peacock she had bought him in the early, happier days of their marriage.
The happiness had been real once, but even without Draco’s insight into the future, Narcissa could see the dark path Lucius was leading them down. Draco was the only good thing their marriage had produced. She would have to forget the happier times, when Lucius was kind to her and doted on their family. Somewhere along the line, his wife and son had become like the peacocks: ornaments to advertise his elite status, not people with desires and thoughts of their own.
Resolved, Narcissa placed the key in the safe’s lock and said the password. The lock twisted. Instead of revealing a shallow safe as expected, the wall opened into a deep hidden chamber containing stacks of folders, ledgers, scrolls, and Dark artefacts.
Narcissa sat in Lucius’s chair and, with a wave of her wand, the first of the folders opened itself on the desk. She set to work. Many hours and several cups of tea later, she had traced the Azkaban weakness to an obscure wizard, Niles Pennyworth, who could redirect Dementors from their assigned posts. He and his Squib sister lived a little life in a dull town in Wales. Through a chain of shell companies, Malfoy Industries owned most of the town’s housing and businesses. Perfect leverage to force compliance.
Pennyworth had caved to the pressure once before when Harry Potter was “randomly” attacked. Narcissa remembered Lucius's pride in the scheme he had goaded his pet Umbridge into. Either Potter would be expelled and stripped of Hogwarts’ protection, or Dumbledore would intervene, giving the Ministry grounds to tighten its grip on Hogwarts, placing Umbridge in the ideal position to oust Dumbledore.
She would pen a note to Elizabeth to arrange their relocation immediately. Narcissa could only hope he would accept the escape she was offering.
During her digging, she had found various assets and pressure points within the DMLE. Some of Lucius’s people were positioned in Azkaban and could facilitate an escape once the Dementors were neutralised. Others worked within the courts or among the Ministry’s enforcement officers, helping to persecute those Lucius deemed undesirable or allowing crimes committed by favoured families to pass without punishment. Lucius had woven an intricate web. Unfortunately, no single tug would unravel the entire network. She would need to be slow and methodical, severing one strand at a time.
Narcissa selected her most formal parchment. Yaxley would appreciate the respect it showed. She penned a brief request to meet him at his office. Nothing that would garner suspicion from either side. It was precisely the sort of meeting everyone would expect: a dutiful wife calling upon her husband’s friend for help navigating his troubles.
While at the Ministry, she should have the opportunity to pull a thread or two.
****
The next morning, Corban Yaxley ushered Narcissa into his office with a sympathetic smile.
“How are you faring, Narcissa?”
Yaxley was a gentleman. He epitomised the strength and gentility expected of a Sacred 28 wizard. Any unpleasantness was to be kept away from witches. He, like Lucius, sat out the revels in the First Wizarding War, and she did not recall seeing him at any of the vile parties preserved in Draco’s memories. It was merely a pity that he had tied his loyalty to the Dark Lord.
“I visited Lucius earlier this week. How long must he suffer this indignity?” Narcissa replied.
“My dear, Lucius has got himself into a bind. I expect he will be convicted.”
“Lucius said you would be able to help. Is there anything you can do?”
“You must be patient for a while longer, but it won’t be forever. Can you do that for your family?”
“We endure what we must,” Narcissa replied. Now it was time to make a polite exit so she could put her other plans into motion.
“You are leaning on your son’s support, I hope?”
Narcissa willed herself to keep breathing. “He has been a rock.”
“That’s wonderful, Narcissa. I have heard good things about Draco. I believe he assisted Madam Umbridge admirably in her sojourn at Hogwarts.”
“I was very proud of him.” Narcissa’s mind was racing. How could she divert Yaxley’s attention from Draco? “The Slytherin prefects have always been wonderful mentors. Why, it was only the other day Draco was saying how he hoped Cassius Warrington would be chosen as Head Boy. But you and I both know Dumbledore would never let that honour go to a Slytherin.”
“There is more than one way a man can earn honour in this world.”
“And Douglas knows how to foster ambition. He will make sure Cassius gets all the honours he deserves.”
“Douglas Warrington. I should set aside some time for lunch. It’s always good to socialise with like-minded wizards.”
“Indeed.” Narcissa rose gracefully. “I have taken far too much of your time, Corban. Thank you for your insight. It has heartened me greatly.”
“Glad I could assist.”
Narcissa took her leave, waving off Corban’s suggestion to escort her to the Floos. When she believed she was clear of prying eyes, she made her way to the Ministry owlery. Tying a letter to Amelia Bones to one of the nondescript owls, she watched as it flew off to deliver the message. Another step forward.
Narcissa allowed herself to breathe as she entered the empty lift. Unfortunately, it stopped before it could complete the journey to the atrium.
“Lady Malfoy,” Nymphadora said as she stepped into the lift.
“Auror Tonks,” Narcissa replied.
They stood in silence, both facing the lift doors.
“I was wondering if you could pass on a message to your mother for me?” Narcissa asked.
“Really?” Nymphadora’s eyebrows rose as she turned to face Narcissa. “And why would I do that?”
Narcissa felt her heart racing. Showing vulnerability to Nymphadora had not been part of her plan, but Draco would need the support of family. She could humble herself for his sake.
“My visit to Azkaban placed certain things in perspective. I wish to apologise to her for my past treatment.”
“And you expect what from this change of heart?”
“Only that she considers giving Draco a chance to get to know his family.”
“Family? That’s rich. I believe there is a scorch mark where that connection once was.”
Narcissa searched for words that might convince her, but before she could try again, the lift arrived at the atrium.
As she left the lift, Nymphadora said, “I will pass on the message, but don’t get your hopes up. If Draco wishes to reach out to me directly, though, I’d be willing to listen.”
“Thank you, niece.” Nymphadora’s shoulders stiffened at the acknowledgement as she walked away.
****
Narcissa scourgified her robes as she exited the Floo. Tension eased from her shoulders. She was glad to be out of the Ministry and back at the Manor.
“Narcissa.” Severus sat on one of the stiff-backed chairs in the entrance hall. He had been waiting for her.
Narcissa drew a deep breath. It seemed her day was not over yet. “Severus. Would you like to join me for dinner?”
“And your son? Will he be joining?”
“He is otherwise occupied.” Severus’s dark eyes searched Narcissa’s face. She made sure her Occlumency walls were solid. Severus was not to be underestimated. His mastery of mind magic rivalled that of anyone in the Black family.
Narcissa turned to her house-elf. “Tansy, please arrange dinner in the small dining room. Severus would prefer the duck.”
Severus waited until Narcissa had settled into her chair in the dining room before broaching the subject that had brought him to the Manor.
“Where is Draco, Narcissa?”
“He’s abroad.”
Severus stared at her in silence, but she was not one to be intimidated into speaking foolishly. The silence held through the entrée and did not break until the mains had arrived.
Severus finally broke the silence. “The Dark Lord is angered about Lucius’s failure. He has been asking after Draco. Is he safe?”
“As safe as can be managed in these times.”
“Good. Keep him out of reach for the summer. There is not much to recommend the man, but Hogwarts is safe while Dumbledore is in charge.”
“What do I need to know, Severus?”
“The Dark Lord is recruiting. With the recent incident, his trusted inner circle has been depleted. He believes the next generation is the answer. He prefers the zeal of youth and understands how eager they are to prove themselves.”
“They’re only boys.” A stone lodged in Narcissa’s stomach. Her boy. His friends. All fodder for the Dark Lord’s army.
“You know I’ll look out for him.”
“I do know, Severus, and I thank you for it.”
“How was your visit to Azkaban?”
Narcissa thought about her answer. Severus may serve the Dark Lord, but he was far more loyal to Draco than Lucius ever was. She would start with a small truth.
“Lucius signed over the Lordship to Draco.”
“Really? I thought he wouldn’t bother with the transfer. Draco won’t have enough time to settle in before Lucius is home.”
“I’m anticipating that he will be away for considerably longer.”
Severus froze. He set down his cutlery, dabbed his mouth with the linen napkin and placed it carefully beside his plate.
“Narcissa, speak plainly.”
“Draco will need the guidance of his godfather, but I cannot reveal what I know without magical protection, Severus.”
“An Unbreakable Vow, perhaps?” Severus offered.
“It would be for the best.” Narcissa searched her friend’s face. Not a flicker of concern disturbed his expression.
“After dinner?” Severus said. Narcissa resumed eating, although the rich food turned to cardboard in her mouth.
Later, after they had retired to the Family Sitting Room, Narcissa prepared for the Vow. Without a third, they would have to cast the bond together. Narcissa brought out her wand and clasped Severus’s hand. He solemnly raised his wand in his other hand.
“Will you keep secret everything I reveal to you tonight, disclosing it to no one without my express permission?”
A silver thread of magic from Narcissa’s wand threaded its way from her wrist around their clasped hands onto Severus's wrist.
“I swear.”
Severus passed his wand over their clasped hands. The magic thread shimmered gold.
“Will you refrain from knowingly delivering or betraying Draco Lucius Malfoy to Lord Voldemort or his followers, whether directly or indirectly?”
Another silver thread of magic joined the first and coiled higher around their forearms.
“I swear.”
Severus waved his wand. The magic thread twined with the first, darkening to gold to match its fellow.
“Will you refrain from knowingly delivering or betraying Hermione Jean Granger to Lord Voldemort or his followers, whether directly or indirectly?”
The final thread of magic lay loosely over Severus's arm.
Shock cracked Severus’s composure. His gaze bored into her own.
“I swear.”
A final thread tightened, darkening to gold like the others.
“So be it.”
The threads burned themselves into their arms and then faded away.
“What in Merlin’s name, Narcissa?”
“Draco and Hermione Granger have returned from the future. The accident that brought him here pulled her back as well. We are working together to ensure the future they came from will never come to pass.” Narcissa pressed on before he could interrupt.
“How could that be? All of the Time-Turners are destroyed,” Severus said.
“Apparently Draco had acquired a broken one from Theo. He was wearing it when a falling chandelier struck him as he protected Hermione, breaking the device and sending them both back in time.”
“And you believe him?”
“Yes, Severus. I do. When Draco returns, he can show you the memories he showed me.”
Severus sat down. “Sit, and tell me everything.”
As evening deepened into night, Narcissa recounted tales of the future Draco had escaped. She explained how they had become allied with the Grangers, and the wealth of knowledge they had already amassed. Severus absorbed it all, interrupting only to ask how the Death Eaters had breached Hogwarts.
“Severus. I cannot thank you enough for what you did for Draco in that future,” Narcissa said.
“From what you have said, Dumbledore was already cursed. I wouldn’t put it past the old goat to have requested it from me anyway,” Severus drawled.
“That may be true. Hermione does not trust Dumbledore.”
“Really?” Severus’s eyebrows twitched minutely, the closest he ever came to genuine shock. “I always assumed she worshipped at Dumbledore’s feet.”
“Apparently not. I don’t know the exact reasoning, but his failure to protect her parents is certainly part of it.”
“I would have thought that sort of self-sacrifice would have fed into the idolisation. How did Potter react when she told him?”
“Mr Potter hasn’t been told as yet.”
“That is truly remarkable. You’ll need to find out why. There is something deeper there.”
The conversation turned to the Grangers’ focus on the Ministry and how they would use the memories to thwart the Dark Lord’s forces. Severus was displeased to learn how quickly the Ministry had fallen. He demanded the names of those involved in the coup, and made several suggestions on how to curtail their influence.
Severus went utterly still when he learnt the Carrows had forced students to practise the Cruciatus Curse on other students during his tenure as Headmaster. Narcissa had never mistaken Severus’s coldness for cruelty.
The horcruxes would require another discussion, preferably with Draco and Hermione present to fill the gaps in Narcissa’s knowledge. She did not have the heart to tell him about poor Reggie that night.