She woke to a crick in her back and a dull pain along her shoulders. She hated sleeping in chairs, but it was necessary to make sure her son and his friend were alright. She rolled her neck and shoulder and sat in her bed feeling the warmth of the sun on her nude body. She stood and let that golden light warm her. She looked at the floor length mirror and ran her hands over her stomach. Her stomach was flat but there were the small barely invisible stretch marks of carrying a child. She hands ran up her breasts where she pushed them up and let them plop back down and she turned to the side. Her breasts were full but not large. She looked at her face and poked around her eyes, and upped down her lower eyes lid. There were no wrinkles except for those of laughter as she and her son had shared many. She was pushing 34 years old and she was happy she didn't look older. Call it the Black vanity but she was happy she still looked young for her years. She sighed and looked to her desk and sat down. She took the envelope in her hands and only her name was scrolled in slanted and precise letters across the top. There was no tale tell evident of an owl journey so she left it alone. And put it on her desk. She called for Dobby.
"Dobby, where did this envelope come from?" Narcissa asked as she moved to her wardrobe and pulled out a comfortable shirt, and a pair of jeans. She dressed like this at home, and she heard that her causal fashion is bordering on blood traitor. But ever since Hermione dressed her in a pair of Jeans she loved the feel of her legs in pants so she conjured jeans and practically lived in them if she didn't have anywhere she had to be or she worked in her garden.
"It came from Hogwarts Mistress," Dobby watched as she rooted around for a pair of socks that matched her top and he snapped as a pair of navy blue socks hovered in front of her face. She smiled and took them and the little elf blushed, "It came from Mister Severy."
"Severus? Why? And why didn't he send an owl?"
"Dobby doesn't know Mistress but Young Master Draco called Dobby to run this errand for Mister Severy. Dobby left the envelope on your writing desk here instead of in the master office. It seemed important," Dobby said as he was starting to shrink in size hoping that he did his job well and he did what was right to serve his mistress.
"Good idea Dobby, as a matter of fact I want all of my mail to come here from now on," Narcissa picked up the letter, and then looked at Dobby, she tore open the letter and then frowned. There was a picture of her son in little points and lines. In their Hogwarts days she had grown rather fond of the half-blood wizard. He was constantly picked on and she hated that. Her own housemates had a hard time accepting Severus because of his blood status but she could not let him be completely alone in his time in Hogwarts. He was as ruthless and as cunning as any Slytherin and could out magic the whole lot. They bonded of their love for potions. In away though they knew their friendship could only be for them, good acquaintances but best of friends would be just for them. You could not have a weakness in the house of Slytherin especially when everyone knew Severus's weakness. He would draw her pictures of the castle and she would use a simple reconfiguration spell and it became a secret letter. Many thought Severus had two loves a Hogwarts, but it was only Lily.
Narcissa cast the reconfiguration spell over the drawing of her son. She watched as the dots, and hashes flew around the paper into a note from what Narcissa would call a frantic Severus Snape.
Narcissa,
My Dark Mark has been inflamed, and growing darker, as if the ink is beginning to renew. This means only one thing. The Dark Lord is alive, and is near me. You have my complete trust and you must burn this letter as soon as you read this. I believe there is something wrong with Professor Quirrell. I have actually met Quirrell once before but the man does not recognize me. I believe there is a tie between him and the connection to my dark mark. I cannot put my finger on it. I cannot leave Hogwarts. I request that you use any channel necessary to find out what has happened to Quirrell. Where was he, where has he been, when did his demeanor change.
Caution Narcissa, do not get caught. My friend, you are important to me protect yourself, and I will protect your son.
Ever Faithful,
Severus.
Narcissa levitated the letter, never touching it, into the fireplace and cast incendio. She watched the flames engulf the letter and then sighed. She was wrong last night, a troll is not the worst Dumbledore would let in to the castle if the Dark Lord was still on the loose.
She walked down to the kitchens for breakfast and ran into Lucius enjoying a cup of tea. He looked up surprised. Ever since she literally broke him those years ago his demeanor has been rather mild in regards to her. He has grown out of his hatred of her, and she had grown out of her revulsion.
"You are up rather late, Narcissa are you not feeling well," Lucius said as she took a sip of his tea and folded his paper over to read the lower half.
"Oh how nice of you to inquire. Hoping for my immediate death?" Narcissa jabbed with a smile. They had always hated each other and hope for the others death at the beginning had been a true and very real wish but as the years ran by it was more a greeting between old acquaintances, and taken in jest but always knew the other would not shed a tear at the funeral.
"Not this morning. You really do look like hell. Is everything fine?" Lucius remarked as he pulled his eyes from the paper.
"Our son was attacked by a mountain troll last night in the middle of Hogwarts," Lucius growled and threw his paper down. No matter what he says about his love for his son it is there. Even Lucius would protect his blood, his legacy but she stayed him with a hand, "I went there and found him in the infirmary. I looked after him and made sure he was well enough before I came home. Poppy Pomfrey is a talented Mediwitch and will take care of Draco."
"How in the hell did a troll make its way into the castle. Damn Dumbledore! Do you want to pull the boy from Hogwarts and enroll him abroad, perhaps Durmstrang?" Lucius let his anger seethe, and then simmer. Narcissa shook her head as she refilled her tea.
"He won't go if we asked him," Narcissa sighed into the small jolt the tea offered.
"And bloody why the hell not!?" bellowed Lucius.
"He has made a friend, and this friend, dear husband is why he was attacked," Narcissa watched as he started to calm, "She is a muggle born witch and she is very loyal to our son." Narcissa smiled as Lucius went the shades of red anger, to green revulsion, then pale realizations. His son would not think the way he would. He would not promote blood supremacy as he would, he didn't even believe in blood status. He looked at Narcissa and saw her triumph. She really did get her revenge, their son was hers.
"I suppose I better begin accepting our son for his choices, but that doesn't mean I like it Narcissa," Malfoy gritted and then sighed, "Should I be contacting her parents for an arranged marriage?"
Narcissa spat up her tea as she choked mid sip. It was surreal to hear that coming from Lucius in regards to Draco marrying what Lucius would call a mudblood. She smoothed her hair and cleaned up her area.
"You, Lucius Malfoy, leader of the blood purity faction, would let his only son marry a muggle born witch?" Narcissa looked at Lucius as he looked at her, "What is wrong with you?"
"Nothing, dear wife, I cannot fight the tides of whatever destiny our son has and if it is to marry a mud… muggle born then so be it. I don't approve, I hate it, and I will never like this girl, but he is too much like you to fight him," Lucius stood and placed his cup in the sink and sat back down. Narcissa thought long and hard about his words.
"No I do not think that is necessary… yet. We do not know the future Lucius, and they are only first years. Give it time and see where it goes. However I don't think the girl will accept Draco's offer if given."
"Why not? Is our son not good enough for her?"
"No, Lucius. Simply put I believe she adores his friendship, and companionship. Love for this girl will be hard in a world where she is constantly called mudblood, looked down upon by her own housemates because of her blood status. She could possibly be pushed back into her muggle world because of our prejudices. I know Draco adores this girl but he knows his place will be in the magical world. Knowing that right now, I don't foresee a match for marriage. So I propose we wait to see what happens." Narcissa watched as Lucius sighed in relief, but she was secretly proud of him for accepting what he had. He was beginning to become the boy she liked when they were younger, a snob yes, but also caring.
"I have missed you Narcissa," Lucius whispered as he reached for her hand, but she moved them to her lap and looked down.
"I do not love you Lucius. We will never be. As I have said so many years ago, your sole purpose is to give me a child and you did that. If you want anything to do with me you may be my friend. But no more, and no further," Narcissa said as she looked into Lucius's blue eyes.
"I understand and that is something I will gladly accept," Lucius said as he left the kitchen. Narcissa smiled as she never hoped to see Lucius Malfoy wanting to be her friend. But he was a conniving ass of a human being, and a wizard with no magic. What did he want? She would let Lucius play his game until she found out his motives for the time being. Now on to her task. And on to the ministry.
She walked out of the lift and straight in to Magical Law Enforcement Offices. She went to the head of the department secretary. She threw her shoulders back, and let that icy mask slide into place.
"I wish to speak with Madam Bones," Narcissa spoke softly but made sure the edge was planted firmly in her voice.
"Who may I ask is … Oh I'm sorry Ms. Black," she pressed a button attached to the speaker, "Madam Bones, Narcissa Black is wishing to speak with you."
"Tell her I wish not to speak with her," the voice commanded through the box. The secretary looked up and saw ice. She swallowed and tried to get her boss to take the appointment. Narcissa walked to the door and opened it. There behind a desk with papers piled high was a woman about the same age as her with strawberry blonde hair and half-moon reading glasses perched on the tip of her nose.
"How dare you come into my office unannounced? Leave this instant," bellowed Madam Bones as she stood from the desk. The secretary put a shaky hand on her shoulder and Narcissa looked at the hand, but stood firm.
"I suggest you order your subordinate to remove their paw from my shoulder or I will remove it for them. All damages will be your fault because all this could have been avoided if you simply took the meeting," Narcissa stared down the woman before her. Both would not relent. Then Narcissa waved her wand and crack, and a howl in pain. Madam Bones stepped forward then Narcissa healed the break instantly.
"I wished for her hand off my person, and you would not order that, so her pain is your fault, remember that," Narcissa said as she put her wand in her robes easily accessible.
"Are you alright Margret?" asked the department head and once the secretary nodded the secretary left the two women alone. Narcissa cast a muffliato charm on the door.
"Merlin Narcissa did you have to break her fingers?" Amelia Bones threw her hands in the air.
"I am a Dark Witch Madame Bones and I requested for you to order her to remove her hand. I would not have had to do that if you told her to remove it. That was essentially your fault, Milly," Narcissa said with a smirk. They stared each other down before they broke into twin smiled and embraced old friends.
"Come have tea with me," Amelia said as she took Narcissa's hand and walked them to an alcove near a window.
"You look fabulous Narcissa. A new lover?" Jabbed the ministry official. Narcissa smiled around the lip of her tea cup and shook her head.
"Believe it or not motherhood has made me happy. How about you? Anyone to take to your bed?" Narcissa jabbed back.
"You know you are the only one I want there but there is a mystery you would never tell me. I can't bed anyone who would keep things from me," Amelia said with a wistful smile on her face.
"And I cannot bed a ministry official because I do not want the suspicion of bedding them because of information gathering," Narcissa smiled sadly. She had always had strong feeling for Amelia. They shared a kiss one night while studying for their astronomy test but it never went further than that. Narcissa often forgot about those moments until she was actually in the presence of Amelia and then she wondered many times if Amelia would have been best for her. But if it wasn't for her dreadful marriage to Lucius she would never have found Hermione.
"I always felt you were to honorable to be a snake, but alas that was your house. Speaking of information, I have your information regarding your husband," Amelia summoned a thick folder and Narcissa placed her tea down and took the folder. She looked at the file. There where dates, and times, and locations of his involvement with any dark witch or wizard. Her eyes narrowed as she saw several meetings with alleged death eaters. She snapped it shut and took a sip of her tea.
"You do realize that if he is involved with anything we have enough on him to arrest him. All his meeting have proved just that, just meetings, but if something happens and any of these witches or wizards are implicated in a large scale crime, Lucius will be brought in. We are waiting for something to happen. I am sorry," Amelia reached across the table and took Narcissa's hand a squeezed it offering support.
"I am not. I have been waiting for him to trip up, he is becoming careless. The only thing I ask Milly, is that you do not drag me or Draco through that mud. Whatever it is we have nothing to do with it," Narcissa requested of her friend.
"Oh we know that and we will make sure you and your son is protected. Believe it or not you have helped out the ministry by requesting surveillance on your husband. I'm just sorry he has been such a shit to you and your son. We all know you and Draco believe in equality. I have been getting letters from Susan and in a few of them there where description of your son helping a Hermione Granger, a Muggleborn witch, fight off some bullies. She says the whole school is in shock by the way the Malfoy heir has befriended a non-pureblood."
"Yes, I am proud of my Draco. He will grow into a fine man one day," Narcissa said as she thought back to the two of them in hospital bed this morning. "I need to ask you for another favor Milly," Narcissa said as she sat her cup down.
"Oh that will cost you Narcissa," Amelia Bones said as she smiled and put her cup down as well. Narcissa cocked her head to the side and waited. Amelia Bones smiled and shook her head.
"Being married to Lucius has made you paranoid. I just want to know your secret, which you have had for all these years," Amelia watched Narcissa. Narcissa knew this would be as good a time as any to tell someone of the truth, the past she fell in love with, and the future that she might have changed. Narcissa shook her head. She watched as Amelia took a deep breath and smiled. She took Narcissa's hand again. "Maybe someday?" Amelia asked and Narcissa smiled and nodded.
"Yes, someday I will tell you everything, but I can't for quite a while. Is that satisfactory for the terms of our transaction?" Narcissa asked smiling when Amelia smiled and nodded back she asked, "Can you please find all of the information you can on a Quirinus Quirrell."
"The Defense Against Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts? Why?"
"There is something odd I have to put together. It could be nothing but I want to make sure of something. It appears his behavior has been erratic and highly different than what it has been in the past. I hope it has nothing to do with that troll making it into Hogwarts last night," Narcissa said as she poured them both another cup of tea.
"Did you just tell me that Albus Dumbledore let a troll walk into his castle?"
"Oh yes, and put Draco in the infirmary," Narcissa nodded over her cup. She watched as her friend's eyes darkened in anger.
"I will look into this and I will also look into Dumbledore's lack of security. It could have been my Susan in that clinic bed. I will get right on it. You stay low. If you keep bringing me high profile cases we can solve it makes my position in the ministry stronger. Now give me my hug and get going. I have work to do," Amelia hugged Narcissa and both smiled at each other, then both woman put on their faces. Amelia banished the tea party, and then stood behind her desk. Narcissa opened her door.
"If you refuse to help then I will have to go elsewhere. Good day Madam Bones," Narcissa said coldly.
"And keep your wand in your robes and away from my staff. If you do anything like that again ill have you thrown into Azkaban," Amelia yelled after Narcissa. Narcissa kept her cold mask in place, and her shoulders back. She kept thinking of the body of her son if that troll had killed him and made it very easy. Once she was down in the main atrium she took the floo home. She went upstairs, and went to her desk. She wrote her note to Severus and called Dobby.
"Please take this to Severus Snape and give it to him without detection. Thank you very much Dobby," Narcissa asked of the elf and watched his smile. She was happy to see him cleaner, and happier, and healed. As she sat here at her desk she looked at her wall. And squinted her eyes. She stood before it and took her wand in her hand and closed her eyes. She mumbled an incantation, and when she opened her eyes, she saw a large cabinet. There she kept her vials of the Draught of Peace and murtlap potions, her will, the finances for all accounts, and her letters to Hermione. Now she opened the file on Lucius, copied it then put the originals into the secret cabinet. Once finished ended he spell and her things were concealed. She went to the final that she copied and put a charm on it that read like financial reports from her charities, and bank accounts. Only she was able to read the true contents.
Now Lucius, what have you been doing?