Light & Dark

June 18th, 1997

Severus Snape knew that he had been called to a meeting at Malfoy Manor by the Dark Lord, but what he did not know was whether or not he would be able to see Narcissa during his visit.

Severus knew that she had spent the majority of the last year separated from Lucius and locked in a dungeon; he also felt very certain that if Lucius hadn't escaped Azkaban when he did, Narcissa wouldn't have lasted much longer. Not with the awful curse her wedding rings cast over her.

In fact, every second of her imprisonment served as a painful reminder of just how much Narcissa meant to him...just how much he would hurt if he lost her. He had longed to leave Hogwarts and help her, but he could not. What was he to do? He had to be at Hogwarts, he had to watch over Draco, and he had to kill Albus Dumbledore…

Only a few weeks had passed since that night.

Now, it was time for the first of many meetings to come at Malfoy Manor that summer. Severus hoped that this would give him a chance to see Narcissa; he needed to see, with his own eyes, that she was okay. Maybe, if he was lucky, he could talk to her…

He apparated outside the tall wrought iron gates of the Manor, recited the password, and then entered the grounds, large ominous hedges lining his path. The mansion, with its numerous large windows, reflected the dark, tumultuous storm clouds brewing up above, and the hedges cast eerie shadows upon him. It was no wonder that, as he approached the front doors, feelings of dread and foreboding seeped into his soul. Even if he wasn't already aware of the Dark Lord's presence inside, there was no denying the darkness that encompassed him now... He hated that Narcissa had to share her home with him, even if it was an oversized mansion with more rooms than one could count. And Draco, too.

Getting closer to the doors, he masked his emotions and blocked off his mind; only a fool would enter the gates of hell unguarded. Once he felt sufficiently in control of himself, he knocked.

To his surprise, Narcissa opened the doors, rather than the usual house elf. She appeared worn and tired yet still maintained the air of elegance she was known for.

"Cissy," he whispered under his breath, looking behind her to make sure no one could see.

Seeing the foyer was clear, he reached his arms around her and pulled her in close.

"Thank Salazar, you survived." He breathed into her ear, still masking his thoughts with perfection.

He wanted to hold her there forever, but footsteps in a nearby hallway meant that this reunion had to come to an end.

"Meet me in the garden afterward, in the maze: take a left, two rights, follow around the half circle, and then make three more lefts." She muttered before stepping back from him and speaking aloud. "Welcome, Severus; come this way; everyone is waiting in the main dining room."

"Thank you, Narcissa," he said just in time for Lucius and Draco to walk into the foyer.

"We'll all go together, wonderful!" Lucius exhaled awkwardly, leading the way as if a great party awaited them.

Severus could tell that Lucius was no longer right in the head. One too many crucios and one too many nights in Azkaban had left him a bit of a madman. And Draco, who had given him a brief nod, didn't look much better.

As Severus walked with the Malfoys into the main dining room, he hoped that the meeting wouldn't last too long. He was more than eager to meet Narcissa in the maze.

Xxx

Narcissa knew that they didn't have much time but was bound and determined to get a moment alone with her dear friend Severus.

Once the meeting was over, she wasted no time and apparated to the exact spot in the maze where she had asked Severus to meet her. Then she cast disillusionment charms and sound blocks around the area. Only Severus Snape would be able to see her in her hiding spot and hear what she had to say.

It only took a few minutes for Severus Snape to arrive.

"Cissy, this is far too risky. Are you mad?" He scolded her while pulling her into his arms.

"I know, I know, but I had to see you. Were you followed?!" She asked, holding him closely.

"No, no, of course not; I exited through the front doors, then apparated inside the entrance to the maze. Have you cast protective spells?!" He asked, finally ending their embrace.

"Yes, yes, I'm not daft!" She exclaimed, reaching for his hands, not wanting him to fully let her go. "Severus, I can't, I… I don't know where to begin. I'm so sorry, yet I can't thank you enough."

"Don't, Cissy, don't start. Albus was ready for death; it was already coming for him. And Draco, I could not let him do it. I am proud to have spared him from something so heinous. But you, Cissy, I can't imagine what your suffering must have been like!? For Lucius to have been away and you in a dungeon! I can't fathom the state that left you in!"

"It was difficult, yes... Well, I survived in the end, and now I am free; Lucius is here, and my health and magic have returned to their former state. And I have my beloved Draco home for the time being. I am happy as long as you and he are safe." She smiled unconvincingly, trying to underplay how bad her suffering was.

"From what I heard, you were in those dungeons hardly an inch from death! And none of us are safe, Cissy, not a single one. And the Dark Lord himself is living under your roof to boot!" He raised his voice.

"Yes, well…it wasn't one of my prouder moments, and it is a rather large roof. Honestly, aside from these meetings, I hardly see him." She murmured, still holding onto his hands.

"Cissy, I was afraid I would...I was afraid you wouldn't make it out…" He sighed, voice breaking. "Narcissa, I couldn't bear it if… if I lost another woman that I loved."

Responding with her body instead of her lips, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him close to her. Taking in his handsome, musky scent, memorizing it and the feelings it brought her. She loved him dearly, and if she could do things differently, he would be the father of Draco, not Lucius. To hell with all of the money and the nobility that came with being 'Mrs. Malfoy.'

"I know I have never been forthcoming with my feelings, but when this is all over, I want you safe; I want you with me. I don't care what I have to do to achieve that." He professed.

"I want that too, Sev." She whispered thankfully to him.

He gently kissed her forehead, soothing, if only for a moment, her down to her very soul.

Neither of them knew how the war would play out or even if they would survive it. What they did know was that they could trust each other fully and provide for one another hope. And a little bit of hope for the future was all they needed to carry them through the darkness.