Light & Dark

August 16th, 1981

Narcissa Malfoy held her only child close to her chest as she crept through Spinner's End. She'd never visited Severus Snape's home; she couldn't fathom why he would want to live in this gridlock of worn bricks but was willing to deal with the eyesore under the circumstances.

When she finally reached her intended door, she knocked hard and fast. After a few moments, Severus, a man she had known for many years, opened the door. Upon seeing his face, she noticed it looked as gaunt as it always had, but there was a certain swollen redness around his eyes that wasn't usually there.

"Do what do I owe this most…unexpected visit?" Severus drawled as he eyed her and her child through the cracked door.

"Don't play coy with me, Severus," Narcissa hissed as she pushed herself and her child through the doorway. "You know exactly why I am here."

Severus Snape reluctantly let the woman and his godson into his home, motioning towards the sitting area.

"I hope these humble chairs will meet your high standards…Narcissa." He sneered.

Narcissa ignored Severus' remark as she sat down, positioning her quiet silver-eyed child on her lap.

"Severus, you must tell me everything you know about the prophecy. I need to know my Draco is not the intended." She half whispered, afraid of even the walls overhearing.

"Surely, you could have asked Lucius these questions rather than intruding into my home."

"Severus, you know very well that he would not dare share the plans of the Dark Lord with me, his 'not-to-be-concerned-with housewife!'" She hissed. "In fact, the only reason I know anything is because of my rotten bully of a sister, Bella!"

"Trouble in paradise? Marrying a Death Eater isn't what you'd thought it would be?"

"Don't patronize me, Severus; you know when I made my vows, I meant them, in good times and bad…." She averted her eyes shamefully.

"Well then, by all means… quit wasting my time and ask me what you came here to ask."

Narcissa studied his face again and could see the strain in his eyes; they were bloodshot and impatient.

"I must know with complete certainty that Draco isn't the child in the prophecy. He was due to be born at the end of July but came over a month earl—"

"Narcissa, it could have been anyone's child, anyone's..." he admitted, struggling with the last bit ever so slightly. "But no, it is not Draco. The Dark Lord has decided the prophecy applies to another…."

Narcissa released a breath, and with it, she exhaled most of her anxiety, but not all of it. She was elated by Severus' words. However, she still sensed that there was something else…something in Severus' tone that worried her.

"What aren't you telling me, Severus?"

"I think you've overstayed your welcome. It's time for you to go."

"No, Severus, what is it? You can trust in me. You know that!" She pleaded with her old friend.

His only response was a flick of his wand and the opening of the front door.

"What is, no, who has the Dark Lord chosen?"

"I will NOT ask again, Cissy, go!" He demanded, standing up.

"Oh Severus, you stupid, stupid man; it's her son, isn't it? That Muggleborn girl? After all this time?! Severus, when will you learn?!"

Severus Snape flicked his wand again, closing the front door, as he crumbled to his knees. He felt distraught and disabled, and all he wanted was to disappear.

Narcissa sat her son aside for a moment, kneeling beside Severus. She wrapped her arms around his neck and brought his tear-filled face to her shoulder.

For a while, she said nothing. She held him as soothingly as she could as she raked her mind for something, anything that could be done.

Finally, after quite some time, his sobs began to lessen, and he spoke.

"I tell you this only because I trust you and your capabilities as an Occlumens..." He spoke into her shoulder.

"I had a great teacher," she responded with a flicker of a smile to the man who had taught her so much.

"I went to him, to the Professor. I, I divulged the Dark Lord's plans for the boy. I told him to hide them, hide them all."

At this, Narcissa grasped his shoulders, pushing him back so she could look him in the eyes.

"Severus, you could have been captured, sent to Azkaban, or killed! What were you thinking? Albus Dumbledore is, is an infamously great wizard. Some might say more so than the Dark Lord! You can't possibly trust him!"

"I, I, we came to an… an agreement..." Severus stuttered, not willing to make eye contact with her.

"Speak plainly!" She demanded, eyes wide and complexion as white as snow.

"I have agreed to become a double agent of sorts. A pawn at his disposal, in exchange for her safety. "

Narcissa was stunned. She knew not how to respond nor what to do with the information given her. She knew she must protect her foolish friend and keep his secrets safe.

"We're here for you. Draco and I are here for you. Always."