Author's Note: Some of the dialogue and events in this story is from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 36, "The Flaw in the Plan."

After Narcissa made the proclamation that Harry Potter was dead, all the Death Eaters began to cheer and celebrate.

All the Death Eaters except for one.

Lucius looked straight into his wife's eyes as she walked towards him. His stare, however, was not accusatory, just concerned.

Narcissa knew that there was no point in trying to lie to her husband. She had never been able to lie to him. She knew that Lucius knew the truth, Harry Potter was not really dead.

No one was paying the Malfoys any attention, though, as everyone's attention was focused on the Dark Lord's torture of the "dead body."

"Potter is eventually going to miraculously come back to life," Lucius tried to drawl casually, but he couldn't completely keep the worry out of his voice.

Lucius didn't need to say that when that happened, the Dark Lord would then know that Narcissa had lied to him.

Lucius also didn't need to say that when the Dark Lord discovered Narcissa's treachery, he would torture and kill her.

"This is the only way that we're going to get into Hogwarts," Narcissa replied, struggling to keep her voice calm and steady.

"I know," Lucius whispered.

He still didn't like it, though. He didn't like that Narcissa had just placed herself in great danger, even though she had done it for the sake of their son.

Their only son. Their only child.

Lucius suddenly had vivid images of the Dark Lord forcing him to choose between Narcissa and Draco.

Draco was his flesh and blood, but Narcissa was his soul.

Lucius resisted the temptation to reach for the wand that he knew was not there.

If the Dark Lord came after Narcissa, Lucius would have no weapon that he could use to protect her.

Lucius hated feeling this vulnerable and this helpless.

"'Now,'" the Dark Lord spoke, "'we go to the castle, and show them what has become of their hero. Who shall drag the body? No – Wait –'"

As the Death Eaters began to laugh in amusement, Narcissa reached for her husband's hand.

"It's going to be all right," Narcissa said, trying to sound reassuring.

"'You carry him,'" the Dark Lord taunted Hagrid. "'He will be nice and visible in your arms, will he not? Pick up your little friend, Hagrid. And the glasses – put on the glasses – he must be recognizable –'"

"Promise that you will make sure that I'm always between you and the Dark Lord," Lucius said to his wife as they began to walk through the woods and towards Hogwarts.

"No, Lucius," Narcissa replied, her voice firm.

"Please, Narcissa," Lucius returned, barely able to keep the desperation out of his voice, "let me at least feel like I'm doing something useful. Let me at least feel like I'm doing a little something to protect you."

"You talked the Dark Lord into allowing us to come here," Narcissa replied, "and I was safe in our bedroom when you did that."

"Please, Narcissa," Lucius repeated.

"If you die, Lucius, then I will die with you," Narcissa declared. "I am done with hiding in the shadows as you face all the danger by yourself."

Lucius looked away from his wife.

A moment later, however, he felt her squeezing his hand.

"Please, Lucius," Narcissa said, "let's do this together. Let's do this as one for Draco. He's all that matters now."

Lucius sighed, but he didn't say anything to try to further convince his wife to stay out of harm's way.

He didn't like it, but they were together in this. Narcissa would not have it any other way.