Thank you, thank you, thank you to Labelladonex and Claire! I wouldn't have gotten this far without you two!

At Malfoy Manor

Narcissa was counting. It's all she did anymore. She counted followers… women… slaves… she counted to keep herself still — to keep herself sane. No one but Lucius could know. Narcissa Malfoy had to appear like she belonged in St Mungo's with the Longbottoms. It was the only way to go unnoticed.

It wasn't hard to act like a lunatic when her Draco never returned home. In truth, she didn't expect him to. Why would he? Her boy was no killer… but she was.

She had a plan. A plan to take the rubbish out of her home and restore her family to glory. The putrid half-breed parading as the Dark Lord disgusted her. He expected women to fall at his feet and was infuriated by anyone, especially pureblood women, who spurned his advances. Narcissa was smarter than Bellatrix. That woman would lick his bare filth for a chance to please him, but Narcissa would never lower herself to that despicable level of depravity.

No,. Narcissa was a woman of dignity, despite the state she found herself in these days. It was all an act anyway; she even had her poor Draco fooled. He hadn't attempted to talk to her for months before he disappeared. The boy thought her mad! It was all for the greater good, though. Everyone was convinced she was no more a threat than the house tabby cat and that's exactly what she wanted.

Kitty has claws, she thought, repressing a giggle.

That day was especially boring. Lucius had gone with Severus and Bella on a trip to known Order hideouts so she couldn't absently stare at her husband all day while plotting her strike. Instead she was stuck in the lounge with the Dark Lord himself. Good grief! Since he hardly considered Narcissa a human anymore, she got to witness him whine over his appearance. His followers wouldn't know it, but their leader was such a vain diva. He wanted women to desire him for his looks. He lamented to Narcissa how he didn't have to force Bella so that took the fun out of it. He liked the fear in their eyes as much as he liked their lust.

On multiple occasions when Lucius had displeased him, the Dark Lord had found deep satisfaction in bloodying his face. He spat at the Malfoy patriarch and commented how he just hated harming that pretty face of his. Narcissa had to maintain her façade to save them all. It was difficult when that thing beat her husband in front of her and mocked his manhood for not keeping his wife satisfied enough to maintain her senses. She hated him. Tom Riddle could rot in the deepest pit of hellfire.

And one day he would, she was sure of it.

"Narcissa? Do you think Avery or Mulciber would have a decent glamour charm for me to use with the ladies?" He turned and grinned wickedly at her, "We certainly know Severus does not know how to use them. Nor your husband, hmm? That eyepatch is quite fitting of good ol' blondie, no?"

He did this. All. The. Time. Narcissa had to put up with Voldemort's pointless monologues and endless self-praise while she sat as motionless as a china doll.

She only ever spoke in whispers with vacant stares. Everyone figured she was talking to herself when in reality she was instructing her house elves. Lulu and Liam knew her entire plan. Their big floppy ears could hear her barely there whispers loud and clear. She was going to gut the Death Eater army from the inside; she was just waiting for the right moment. She needed incentive, or someone to pin it on, so she could hide in plain sight.

"Ah, Lucius. How was the hunt for the Order?"

Lucius bent down on one knee and bowed his head. "All clear, my Lord."

"Hmm, we can't win every time, right?" Voldemort replied, a bit too warmly.

"Bella said she found something before Apparating back here, my Lord. She sounded pleased, but must have wanted to get to you immediately with the news."

"Lestrange has not been here."

Lucius lifted his head in shock. "She said she… that's odd."

"We can't put too much stock in Lestrange, Lucius, can we? She has Black blood, and we all know how that has turned out for your wife."

Lucius grimaced and stood. "Yes, my Lord. I think I will take my wife to her quarters now."

"Yes, yes. Do whatever with her. Her stare was starting to peel the wallpaper anyways."

Narcissa continued to look vacant as her husband walked over to her and tenderly picked up her hand. "Come along, my love. Let's get you to bed."

"Yes… bed… hmmm… tuáillí sláintíochta... hmmm… súitíní… yes…tuáillí..." A little drool dripped from Narcissa's rosy lips.

"Dear Merlin!" Voldemort exclaimed as they left the lounge. "That woman is deranged! Speaking gibberish. Damn it! Is that a wrinkle?"

The Malfoys headed slowly to their private corridor. Once safely behind a warded door, Narcissa came to life.

"Hello, my love." She wrapped her arms around Lucius and sunk into a long languid kiss. "I have missed you."

"How was your day?"

"Well, apparently he thinks Mulciber could help him with a glamour charm...as if Mulciber could tell his arse from his mouth. What about you?"

"Our son is alive."

Narcissa took a deep breath and felt her heart jump with excitement. "I knew he would be. How did you find him?"

"He's with Potter, Weasley, and the Granger girl. Lulu about smothered him. Oh, and… I'm not sure how to tell you this, but your sister… Bellatrix is… "

"Did she finally get what was coming to her?"

Lucius gave a solemn nod, but Narcissa grinned wickedly in response.

"It's time."