分卷阅读39（1 / 2）

“Now I understand that there were certain restrictions placed upon you that you could not break if you were to gain the trust of…certain individuals. Because of this, our Lord has decided to wait before deciding how to deal with you.”

“How to deal with me?” Lucius’ tone was harsh, like that of a glacier.

“Yes. I told him that a true Malfoy such as yourself would not dream of abandoning our Crusade to reinstate the true leadership of the Wizarding World.”

“You did?” Lucius had turned to look into the fire, his face unreadable and icy.

“Of course. It took me a while to understand your plan but—”

“You understand nothing if what you are saying is what you truly think.”

If Lucius was a glacier, then Narcissa was liquid steel.

“What are you saying? That you have truly abandoned our Lord?”

“That is exactly what I am saying.”

“He will kill you Lucius.”

“Consider, for the moment, my options, Narcissa. Say, just say, that I did go back to Voldemort. Do you really think I would survive the amount of Cruciatus that I would have to endure? Self esteem only goes so far, Narcissa, and even I can understand my own weaknesses. At least this way I am allying myself with a side that will cause the Malfoy name to be preserved.”

“The Malfoy name. And I suppose that’s all you care about! It’s always been the only thing you cared about! The only similarity between your father and you caring about a name! At least he chose to honor his pure blood and not lower himself to the level of half-bloods, mudbloods, and their sympathizers.”

“Do not bring my father into this.”

“He had such a vision for you Lucius. Had you followed it, you would have been great, honored by our Lord as your father was.”

“Narcissa…” Lucius’ tone was deadly and Harry heard Draco’s breathing shake as he inhaled. “I will only warn you once. Do not—”

“You will say nothing, Lucius. For years I have kept silent, as a good wife should, and let you handle our affairs. And now I will speak my piece!” Something shifted in her demeanor and her tone became sickly sweet. “But you won’t listen to me. You only care about the Malfoy name. Not your family, not its standing, not that we could impact the world…just a name.”

Something in Lucius snapped, and there was a sound of ripping cloth from the study. Harry and Draco looked at each other as if sharing the knowledge of what had just happened. Lucius’ wings had appeared. Narcissa had gone too far now. And Lucius’ tone echoed that knowledge.

“If you understand that the holder of the Malfoy name is my son, then yes, that is all I care about!” he shouted and Narcissa paled, the last to realize that she had moved too far in this argument. “And it is now clear exactly how much he means to you.” And, as if he had waited too long to say these words, he continued. “As of this moment, consider our bonding annulled!” Lucius’ glare intensified on Narcissa’s pale face. “In forty-eight hours you will find all of your belongings removed from every Malfoy estate and property. You will find that your dowry will be fully reimbursed in your former Gringotts account under your maiden name.” His eyes seemed to take on a glow akin to that of a man finally freed from a life of prison. “Now get out of my house and if you ever come near my son again our next meeting will not be one you will enjoy.”

Narcissa huffed, although she did nothing to retaliate against Lucius’ words. She couldn’t really, not with the black steel wings constantly reminding her of how angry Lucius actually was. She marched out of his study and slammed the door behind her. Harry and Draco pushed farther into the alcove as she passed by and she didn’t see them. Neither did Lucius as he threw open the door as she reached the top of the entrance staircase.

“And you had better be thankful I’m not a Death Eater any longer Narcissa, or I would be following that up with a well-placed Killing Curse!”