Work Text:
July 1, 1980
The night was a bit chilly as two figures walked toward a large manor on the hillside. “Lucius,” the smaller figure murmured as a small bundle shifted against her chest. She checked on her babe, ensuring he could still breathe as they continued walking.
“Is he alright, Narcissa?” Lucius asked, pulling her close as he also checked on the babe. She briefly glanced up at him as he helped her adjust the sling, returning her gaze back to their son as they continued their trek to the mansion.
“I believe so,” Narcissa replied, gazing at her son a bit longer, before looking up at her husband; her smile waning. “Why has the Dark Lord summoned us? Particularly me and Draco?”
“I’m not sure,” Lucius admitted, waving his wand to remove some branches from their path. “I doubt it’s anything serious, though.”
“Is that a child…” a deep growl came ahead of them, bringing the couple to a dead halt. They heard the creature inhale deeply. “Newborn… oh, they have the most tender flesh…”
Narcissa’s arm instinctively went around her son while she shakily drew her wand. Lucius adjusted, so his cane could easily block any spell that was casted their way. “Back off, Greyback,” Lucius snarled, raising his wand higher.
Greyback chuckled, taking another step toward the Malfoys; his gaze lingering on their son. Suddenly, there was a loud crack as a spell struck Greyback, causing him to fall. He whimpered as another spell struck him; causing him to writhe in pain. The caster revealed themself to be Bellatrix Lestrange. “If I see you near my sister or her son again,” she snarled after several minutes of watching the werewolf writhe in agony before finally releasing him. “I will hunt you down and gut you like the dog you are.”
Greyback whimpered, struggling to his feet and then racing off farther into the grounds. During the attack, Narcissa had turned away into Lucius— who had slipped his wand into the cane— trying to shield her son from the tormented soul until her sister lifted the curse. “He’s barely a month old, Cissy,” Bellatrix scoffed after a moment. “He won’t remember Auntie Bella using the Cruciatus Curse.”
“He’s got plenty of time to learn about the Dark Arts, Bellatrix,” Lucius pointed out, wrapping his arm around his wife’s shoulders as she slipped her wand back into the pocket off the sling. Draco stirred and started whimpering for his meal. Lucius leaned into her ear as she started to reach for her left breast, placing a hand on her wrist. “Let him wait a few moments until we get inside.”
Narcissa nodded, releasing the sling before turning to her sister gratefully. “It’s good to see you, Bella.”
“You too, Cissy,” Bellatrix replied, going to her sister’s side. “Sorry you had to deal with that scum.”
“Why does the Dark Lord keep him at all?” Narcissa asked as they continued to the manor.
“He’s a good weapon,” Bellatrix replied lightly. “That’s all he’s good for.”
Draco’s whimpers got louder as they reached the door. “Draco…” Narcissa murmured, trying to adjust to where she could discreetly give him her teat as the doors opened up to let them inside.
“Dinner and a show,” Travers snickered, trying to get a peek. Both Lucius and Bellatrix shot spells his direction, which he had to quickly block.
“Eyes off,” Lucius growled, a bit possessively as they walked into the drawing room.
“Over here, Cissy,” Bellatrix called from her position at the table. Narcissa smiled gratefully as Lucius pulled out her chair and helped her sit down. He sat beside her as she pulled her cloak loosely over her arms to add a bit more privacy to her child.
“Relax,” Lucius whispered gently in her ear, caressing her cheek with his knuckles. “If you’re anxious, he’ll pick up on it and refuse to eat.”
Narcissa smiled at him gratefully as he kissed her forehead before pulling back.
“How’s Father, Cissy?” Bellatrix asked, after a moment.
“Ecstatic,” Narcissa replied, wincing a bit as Draco began suckling harder. “He’s been dropping by the manor whenever he can.”
“How are you holding up?” Bellatrix asked, a bit more seriously. “You seem very tired.”
Narcissa smiled a bit wryly, adjusting her son, who seemed to be slowing down. “Care to switch places for a week?”
Lucius seemed to cough, but quickly cleared his throat. “Sorry, got a bit of dust in my throat,” he sniffed, composing himself.
“Looks like you could use a bit of sleep yourself, Malfoy,” Nott said lightly as he took his seat next to Lucius.
“I’m afraid I’m too busy right now,” Bellatrix said, a bit hesitantly; her face twisted slightly, as pointing at the babe as he unlatched. “Besides, how is that comfortable?”
“Usually, we’re in a more relaxing place,” Narcissa admitted, nudging Lucius with her elbow. He turned, taking Draco as she adjusted her dress and shifted the sling to her other shoulder. She smiled at him gratefully, as she turned back to her sister. “You get used to it, though.” She glanced back, smiling as Lucius placed Draco on his shoulder, slowly rubbing his back; before turning back to Bellatrix. “It’s like a bonding moment.”
“If you say so,” Bellatrix shrugged.
⩎
“How’s fatherhood treating you, Lucius?” Nott asked as a soft burp came from Draco.
“Not bad,” Lucius smiled, continuing to rub Draco’s back as he cooed a bit. “I think Narcissa is getting the brunt of it; I try to help out whenever I can so she can rest.”
“Good,” Nott nodded. “Believe me when I say it’ll help your marriage by doing that. Do you take shifts?”
“Whenever I can. It’s a bit difficult right now…”
Nott nodded, leaning close to Lucius. “When the Dark Lord comes, make sure you’re the one holding your son. I doubt anything will happen, but she might not be willing to give the Dark Lord your child if he requests it.”
“Why would the Dark Lord want our son?” Lucius murmured, lowering his voice and briefly glancing over at Narcissa, who seemed to be in avid conversation with her sister.
“Intimidation tactic,” Nott murmured. “To remind you of your priorities as a Death Eater. He did the same to our family and several others. I had to hold Martha back because she was so terrified.”
Lucius glanced at Draco, acting as if he were checking in on their son. The babe had fallen asleep, making a few small squeaks as Lucius shifted to cradle him in his strong arm. “Thanks for the warning,” he murmured, knowing Narcissa would not respond well to the Dark Lord taking her son; she rarely let anyone hold him, except for Lucius.
The doors opened and the Dark Lord walked in, followed closely by Severus Snape and Fenrir Greyback; with two hooded figures and small children. “Welcome, Death Eaters,” Voldemort greeted as they all nodded. “Ah, I see the Lady Malfoy has joined us tonight, and you have brought your son. I do hope you are both doing well.”
“Very well, my Lord,” Narcissa nodded, keeping her gaze averted. Lucius slowly slid one of his hands under the table and squeezed her wrist reassuringly.
Voldemort approached Lucius and peered at the sleeping babe. “May I hold him?” The Dark Lord asked calmly. Though the phrase was a question, everyone knew it was a thinly veiled command.
Lucius slowly released her wrist so he could hold Draco with both hands, and Bellatrix leaned close to her to say something. Lucius took the distraction to slowly hand him the child. His hand then went back to Narcissa’s, squeezing, reassuringly as the Dark Lord went to the head of the table.
Lucius glanced at his wife; her face seemed paler than usual, but after a few moments, the color returned and she squeezed his hand back; lacing her fingers between his. Lucius gently probed Narcissa’s mind as the Dark Lord sat down, realizing she had started using Occlumency to shield her thoughts.
“Some of you may be wondering who our guests of honor are,” the Dark Lord began, indicating the prisoners behind him. “They are members from the Order, the Dearborn family.” Fenrir kicked down one of the adults, removing the hood to reveal Caradoc Dearborn. “Greyback and his pack rounded the family up for us, after the patriarch foolishly arrived on the grounds, and tried to capture me.” He indicated Bellatrix and Lucius. “Thankfully Bellatrix and Lucius got to him first.”
Bellatrix beamed proudly at the praise, while Lucius nodded. Narcissa squeezed his hand, offering him a small smile before returning her focus back to the Dark Lord, and in particular, their son.
“In honor of Greyback bringing his pack into our ranks,” the Dark Lord continued. “I have allowed him to choose the fate of the Dearborns.”
Greyback smiled, looking at the children. Severus grabbed the woman, who was presumed to be Caradoc’s wife and pulled her away. Lucius, glanced at Narcissa, who had begun staring blankly at the other end of the wall, then turned back as Greyback walked toward the children. “No!” Caradoc shouted. “No! Leave them alone!”
The children looked around in terror, hoping someone would help them. “Are you going to tell us the location of the Potters?” The Dark Lord asked, a long finger stroking the bundle in his arms. Lucius deduced that the sudden scream woke him; a small whimper coming from the bundle. Narcissa looked at Lucius worriedly, but he shook his head; knowing she wanted to intervene, or at the very least, have their son back in her arms.
“None of the Order know!” Caradoc replied adamantly, watching as the animal walked toward his children.
“Pity.”
Greyback opened his mouth, and went for the little girl, who screamed and held up her hand to block the werewolf; not realizing that's exactly what the beast wanted, as he bit down on her arm.
“No!” Caradoc cried, lunging forward; only to be held back, as Bellatrix waved her wand and immobilized him; two spells shot from Severus’s wand, striking the woman and the little girl, silencing their cries with the oscausi charm. Lucius felt Narcissa tense as Draco began wailing as well, but there was nothing they could do until the Dark Lord said something. Greyback then grabbed the little boy’s arm and bit; the child cried out, trying to pull away; causing Draco to only shriek louder. Bellatrix casted the oscausi charm on the boy.
Lucius tightened his grip on Narcissa’s hand as he felt her beginning to tremble. Not yet, he thought fiercely. Though he knew that she needed to hold Draco, he also knew that if she did anything, it might anger him enough to cause an accident. Just a little longer, he won’t harm Draco…
“Now, now, Draco,” The Dark Lord mocked, stroking the babe’s face; the child whimpered, but quieted down. “There’s no need to cry.”
Greyback then turned to to the woman, and Severus released her; taking several steps back. “I think I’ll save this one,” he growled, stroking her face menacingly.
“You will—“ Caradoc began, only to be silenced as Greyback slashed his face; Severus cast the silencing charm to mute his scream.
“Do what you will, Greyback,” Voldemort said, turning back to the other Death Eaters. “We have other business to attend to.”
⩎
When the Dark Lord had walked in, Narcissa assumed that Lucius would’ve given Draco back to her right away. Bellatrix leaned toward her, though when the Dark Lord made his request. “Let him,” she urged. “If you don’t, you could lose favor. Just ask Mulciber.”
Narcissa complied, relaxing slightly when Lucius squeezed her hand; assuring her that everything would be fine. She focused her energy on using Occlumency, so that no one—especially the Dark Lord— could pick up on her fears, watching their leader walk away with her miracle child. As the meeting progressed, though, her anxiety started spiking, and she found it harder and harder to keep her mind shielded— and her breathing even. Especially when Draco started wailing. She wanted to do something, anything, that would allow her to have her child back. Lucius caught her eye, and squeezed her hand tightly, though; it was both a warning, and a way to reassure her. When Greyback had disappeared with the prisoners, the Dark Lord resumed the meeting; stroking her son’s face as a way to calm him down.
Draco whimpered, squirming a bit in the Dark Lord’s grasp as the meeting continued. Narcissa had to begun staring at the wall again, trying to ignore the longing she had to hold her child once more; Lucius squeezed her hand sympathetically. Greyback reappeared close to the end, taking his seat with the lower ranked Death Eaters, blood dripping from his chin. When they were dismissed, most of the Death Eaters apparated away; but the Malfoys, Bellatrix, Severus, and Greyback.
“What is it, Greyback?” The Dark Lord demanded, rather annoyed at the werewolf.
“I wanted to know if I could have the child?” Greyback asked, his eyes gleaming as he looked at the newborn.
“You dare—“ Bellatrix snarled, drawing her wand in tandem with Lucius.
“Stand down,” Voldemort ordered, drawing his wand as well; carrying Draco with one hand—making Narcissa more anxious. “Greyback, I have given you two half-blood children, and a known mudblood for you to do with as you please— as well as a blood-traitor. Yet, you ask for more? You ask for a pure-blood?” Greyback seemed speechless for a moment. He looked between the three wands drawn at him, and the Dark Lord continued, placing a hand on the chair Narcissa was in. “Not only are you asking for a pure-blood, you are asking for the blood of my most loyal followers. Blood that you will always be denied…” his voice trailed off for a moment; but Narcissa understood. Should she or her family betray him in any way, Greyback would have the blood he craved. “Especially to scum like you.”
The werewolf snarled and lunged at the Dark Lord. “Sectumsempra!” Severus shouted, the spell slashing across the werewolf’s body.
Greyback collapsed to the ground, bleeding profusely from his face and abdomen; Severus muttered the counter-spells so that blood didn’t spill all over the rug. The Dark Lord nodded to Bellatrix who stormed forward and cast the Cruciatus Curse on the werewolf. Severus casting Oscausi charm after catching the Dark Lord’s eye. “I think there’s been enough noises for tonight,” Severus commented.
The Dark Lord looked down at Narcissa, and ever so gently placed the child in her arms. “Thank you, my Lord,” she murmured, trying to smother her relief, as she placed him in the sling.
“You may go, Lucius, Narcissa.”
Lucius bowed his head deeply in gratitude, standing up and offering his hand to his wife, who gratefully accepted as he helped her stand up. They walked out of the room toward the front. “Are you alright to apparate?” Lucius asked, concern in his voice as he studied her face.
“You should do it,” Narcissa shook her head, cradling Draco close to her trying to calm herself down. “I might splinch in my mental state.”
“Alright,” Lucius said gently, pulling her close to him. They apparated to the manor, in the loft just above the foyer. “Dobby!”
The house-elf appeared before them. “Yes, Master Lucius?” Dobby asked meekly.
“Make some tea for us,” Lucius ordered, rather harshly. “Bring it to the bed chamber, and make sure you knock and ask before entering.” With that, Lucius walked with Narcissa to their bed chamber where she could nurse more comfortably. After closing the door, he turned back to Narcissa. "Do you want to change quickly?"
“Please,” Narcissa murmured, taking off the sling; her breasts were feeling quite full now, and if she didn’t start immediately she was going to have to deal with spillage.
Lucius waved his wand and she was immediately in a shift; she smiled at him gratefully, resting against the pillows as she started suckling Draco. Once Lucius was changed, he settled down next to her. They sat there in silence for a few minutes as Draco continued eating. She rested her head against his shoulder, grateful for them to be together; basking in his warmth and touch as her anxieties eased off, able to fully relax against her wonderful husband. A knock on the door brought her back to the present, as a meek voice spoke out. “Master?”
“Come in,” Lucius replied, waving his wand so the house elf could come in. Once he set the tea down, he quickly mended the fire. “You may go now, Dobby.” When the elf had gone, Lucius picked up a cup and slowly began sipping it; glancing at his wife curiously, as she stared blankly at their son. “What’s on your mind, ‘Cissa?”
“What happened tonight…” she replied, stroking Draco as he released. Lucius put his tea aside and took Draco in his arms to burp him; she waved her wand and summoned her tea. “What was the point?”
“Nott told me it was pure intimidation,” Lucius said slowly. “He wanted to remind me of my priorities; that, even though I’m now a father, I still must put the Dark Lord above all else. He’s done this to the others as well apparently; but I was never present for them.”
“It’s because you’re high ranking,” Narcissa murmured, taking a long sip of her tea. “He wanted a show... to prove that not even those he considers the most loyal are safe from his wrath.”
“I’m sorry,” Lucius whispered as Draco burped. Narcissa finished her tea, and took her son for a second feeding. Lucius wrapped his hand around her shoulders and pulled her close, kissing her forehead. “I’m so sorry.”
“Promise me something,” she whispered, looking back up at him. “That I never have to go to something like that again… at least… not with Draco.”
“I can’t make any promises like that,” Lucius admitted sadly; and Narcissa understood why. It all depended on the outcome of the war; an outcome that seemed to favor them, but it anything could happen in a war. “However, I’ll talk with Bellatrix, and we’ll see if we can convince the Dark Lord you’re more useful at the manor, in case I need an alibi.”
“I'd prefer that, over being stared at by Death Eaters all night,” she smiled drowsily, resting her head against him.
“It’s settled, then,” he murmured, glancing to see her start drifting off. He placed his arm under hers to keep their son stabilized as he gently tried to rouse her. She blinked and looked up at him apologetically; he smiled warmly in return. “I’ll put him to bed.”
“Thank you,” she murmured, noticing Draco had unlatched from her.
Lucius took their son from her arms and placed him in the crib next to the bed. Once he started spinning the mobile, he crawled back in, pulling Narcissa’s body close to his as they drifted off into what was bound to be a brief sleep.