Light & Dark

August 16th, 1993

Once again, Narcissa Malfoy sat across from Severus Snape in his home on Spinner's End.

"Sev, I am at a complete and utter loss. How could Lucius have been so foolish? To endanger our son with that wretched diary! And that horrid creature!" She exclaimed, laying her face in her hands, exhausted.

She'd lost quite a bit of weight; her features were abnormally frail. Severus noted this; he worried.

"I'm not altogether certain what was going through his mind…however… We were all very fortunate to have survived this past school year…." Severus replied honestly.

"And the girl, that poor, poor girl…Hermione Granger… I don't think I would ever forgive the Malfoy family if I were her. Not my husband, not me, not even Draco. I feel horrible, Severus. I picked up Draco from the Platform and took him straight to my little cottage in France. We've stayed there all summer."

"I heard… Lucius has visited me several times in the last couple of months, begging me to divulge your location. It has been quite… irritating. How much longer do you plan on staying at Shell Cottage? "

"I'm so sorry you've been put in the middle of this, Severus, truly... I plan to finish out the summer there. Once Draco has returned to Hogwarts, I will go back to Lucius. I never intended this…separation to be permanent. It's not possible... I don't know how I will face that idiot of a man…." She paused, letting herself stare off at nothing.

Before she could speak again, Severus interrupted her.

"Are you certain that returning to your husband is the…right choice?" He dared, eyeing her cautiously.

"Severus, the day I said 'I do'… I meant it -wholeheartedly. We are bound together. From the day he proposed, the binding began, and it was complete on the day we wed. I will make things work with Lucius. There is no other option." She stated with vigor.

Her words chilled him; divorce was uncommon in the wizarding world but not unheard of. She'd already managed to get away; why go back? He would ponder this many times in the year to come.

"As with most things you put your mind to, I fear anyone who gets in your way…." Severus mused before taking several sips from his tea.

For a while, they sat, enjoying each other's presence.

"Severus, I need your help."

"I was afraid you were going to do this..." He drawled, doing everything in his power not to roll his eyes.

"Don't give me that look. This girl, Miss Granger, I don't see her going away anytime soon, nor am I sure if I want her to. She's been a companion to Draco, a loyal one from what I can tell…never divulging his secrets, our secrets." She sighed, exasperation cinching her brows.

She paused, waiting to see if Severus would comment. He did not disappoint.

"Yes, as far as I am aware, only Albus and I are aware of their correspondence…her head of house and closest friends are none the wiser. However," He paused forebodingly. "...even if they continue to be cautious, there is no guarantee that this won't end badly for all of us. In fact, I cannot fathom a world in which this doesn't end badly."

"Will you help me ensure their anonymity? You are my eyes and ears at that school, Severus. Help me protect Draco." She pleaded.

"The best option for Draco is to end this nonsense!" He exclaimed, his knuckles whitening as he gripped the arms of his chair.

"Do you truly think that's possible? And if it were, you know what it's like, you know who he's surrounded by...without her, I worry Draco will end up just like his Father. I won't allow it, Sev. I refuse." Her eyes were focused and determined. "Help me."

"To what end, Cissy?" He strained.

"I...I don't know, honestly. I know Draco is happy. I won't take that away from him. And if any problems should arise, I'll cross that bridge when I get to it."

She digressed, sinking her shoulders. He pitied her.

"For the time being, I suppose… I could keep an eye on them."

"And what of Dumbledore? Do you foresee him being a problem?"

"It is a rarity for something to happen at Hogwarts that Albus is not aware of. He has yet to discuss the two with me, but if I were to guess, I would say he approves… I would also say that he has an affinity for secrets and, as such, shouldn't be a problem. This is only speculation." Severus warned.

"I see. You know him well, and I trust your opinions. Thank you."

"Don't take this as me agreeing with your choices." He spoke tersely, still gripping the arms of his chair.

"Honestly, Severus, aside from her blood status, are she and Draco otherwise incompatible?" She challenged him.

"That's beside the point."

"Is it? Answer the question." She raised her brows aggressively.

He grimaced in annoyance, delving deep into his mind. He'd observed a lot over the past two years, deducing an unnerving amount of insightful information about Draco and his Granger.

"They are brightest in their year, always challenging each other intellectually. She balances his apathy with her sympathetic nature; she grounds his arrogance with humility. On the other hand, he somehow soothes her anxiety, her annoying need to prove herself at all costs. He gives her confidence that her other friends hardly notice she lacks. They are regrettably compatible in every way I've seen…except the one." he digressed. "It's a pity they are doomed.

"We will see…." Narcissa mused pensively.

This was more serious than she could fathom. She knew he was right, they were doomed, but it wouldn't stop her.

A Mother's love knows no bounds.