searching for death eaters' secrets--open

Khaat had made all the preparations she could think of for her assignment. She tucked a dagger into her boot and had both her wands. She pulled the hood up on her long black cloak in order to hide her unusual hair color that would surely give her away. She drew her new wand, leaving her uncle's concealed in her cloak. She always felt closer to him when she had it with her. She entered the forest alone and made her way as silently as she could manage towards the deepest parts of the forest. If there was a death eaters' encampment in here, she would simply search until she found it.

Narcissa watched behind the cover of the trees as Khaat Lupin entered the Forbidden Forest alone. Narcissa admired her for her bravery but it was more stupidity than anything. She was no Remus and certainly not a Marauder. Perhaps it came with age but whatever it was Narcissa knew the child was inexperienced and foolish to enter the Forest alone because the Death Eaters weren't always the most dangerous ones in the wood.

Narcissa did wonder what possessed the child to try and get to the Death Eaters. It was foolish and wasn't planned out successfully so it seemed. She was alone, had no back up and the Death Eaters weren't going to sympathise if she was forced into a duel.

Narcissa could feel the whole weight of the Black insanity pressing down on her. She loved the feeling though, it gave her a new lease of life so to speak. Narcissa walked into Khaat's line of sight and pushed the hood down on her cloak, keeping her wand close to her side.

"Khaat we meet again. Not in such pleasant circumstances may I add but beggars cannot be choosers. Honestly, what made such a young werewolf's niece choose to enter a Forbidden Forest? Did you not take any notice of the name child? Foolish, really. Not to mention disappointing."

"I have no fight with you or any Malfoy, Narcissa," Khaat said, not surprised to be found so quickly. She had actually be surprised she had not been ambushed the moment she entered the forest, and suspected her every move would be watched. "What makes you think I'm doing anything but taking a walk in the woods? Surely you know enough about the forest's history to know that happens quite often, actually."

Narcissa raised a blonde eyebrow and took a few long strides so she was barely metres away from Khaat and close enough to see any flicker of hesitance on her face.
"Walk or not you should know better than to be alone."

Narcissa took time to scowl inwardly and wondered if she could deter this very curious child and perhaps disappear, leaving her in the forest to die. That would be cruel for Narcissa not to have her fun first. There was the added trouble of the insufferable child escaping which would definitely complicate matters because she would soon come back.

"I know much." Narcissa said evenly. "However, the centaurs are still as stubborn as ever and the fil- creatures do not like trespassers. I shall walk with you."

"Suit yourself,"Khaat smiled casually. "As I said, I have no ill will towards the Malfoy family. Our families have not always agreed, but I know of no real issue between us--unless you know something I don't." Khaat knew she had to be very careful. She wasn't certain if Narcissa was steering her away from the death eaters or right to them. Her mind was working a hundred miles an hour making mental notes to herself. "May I ask you something?"

Narcissa bit her lip a little and her brows furrowed before she draped a mask of indifference onto her slowly aging features.

"Malfoys and Blacks are very much alike in their beliefs." Narcissa said finally. "Or they were. Now it is only the Malfoys and any other prejudiced Purebloods that have nothing better to do than discriminate. I will not be a hypocrite and say I disagree with this. Forgive me but this just how I am. Unfortunately for the half-breeds and vampires as well as other creatures of the night their time seems to unfortunately running out. If there is no one to be against in this world then we might as well start on our allies. It is all rather complicated but families should not be against each other no matter which side they're on in this war. In the end we will all pay the price of this war with our lives. It all depends when. It can be slowed by who we choose to trust or accelerated if the wrong choice is made by it."

It was probably at that point that Narcissa decided not to lead Khaat to the camp where the Death Eaters seemed to be gathering. Death was looming for all of them but the Narcissa didn't want to hasten the inevitable - the child just didn't deserve it. The Death Eaters had bigger and better things to be doing and it would benefit the Order of the Phoenix more if they drew them out; not go into the forest. It was foolish, they would die.

"You may." Narcissa said carefully, not entirely sure what to expect. However, she hadn't been shocked in many a year so perhaps it wouldn't be a question which would conflict her even more. What part to trust? Should she stay with her family and continue with the inane plotting or do the right thing?

"I used to observe Draco's relationship with you and Lucius when I was here years ago," Khaat said, "And, honestly, what I admired about you was that no matter what else happened in the world, you truly love your son. You always did your best to be a really good mother to him. Not every woman can honestly add that to her credits.

"And you know too well who my uncle was not to know how much he believed in family, too. I guess both our families believed in that. I think its actually a little strange that we're probably shirt-tail relatives, by my uncle's marriage, you and I, and we know so little about each other.

"But here's my question. There are so many students who have been taken from Hogwarts. What would you have felt, if the tables had been turned, and if this had been back then, when Draco was a boy? What if he had been taken? Would you not have wanted to turn over heaven and earth to find your child and bring him safely home to you?"

“Thank you.” Narcissa said quietly. She always felt pride in the fact that she’d given her son the love he deserved. She would have gladly given up everything for the boy just to see him have a good life. “I don’t think I did as well as I could have but I did what I could within my limitations. I would do the same as I did for Draco during 1996 for any of my grandchildren. Granted it wouldn’t be the same circumstances I pray but I would put everything on hold for any of my family.

Narcissa thought about her niece rarely and she felt awful for the face. She could have helped Andromeda during Teddy’s childhood but she chose not to. She knew that both Nymphadora and Remus were probably disgusted with her and she couldn’t blame them. She could have stopped her sister but she didn’t. She didn’t get there in time.

“Through marriage only.” Narcissa nodded. “I regret the day Andromeda was blasted off of the horrid painting. My aunt was so angry that day I couldn’t help but laugh at the scene. It was truly an awful day but it was the second time I’d seen Walburga get shirty like that and that was when Sirius upped and left when he was sixteen. I haven’t been to Grimmauld Place in years but I expect what Sirius put on the wall is still there forever kept by that sticking charm. Perhaps if the Blacks were a little more… accepting then maybe we could have all gotten on splendidly. However, one cannot dream now there is nothing left of that Noble House. Nothing but the ruins of a family torn apart by wars and prejudice.”

It must have only been she, Draco and Teddy Lupin. The last remaining members with Black blood in their veins unless Sirius got some unfortunate girls pregnant while at Hogwarts in which case Narcissa hoped the children were sons. She wanted to live see the day when the House of Black returned to its former glory but without the funds and the blood there would be no chance in hell. Harry Potter inherited everything Sirius had, making him the Head of the family but with him dead there was no one except maybe that Weasley girl who only got it by default.

“Draco and his children mean the world to me. If it were Draco being taken then Heaven and Earth wouldn’t be the only things facing my anger. I don’t think the ones that took him would live long enough to see another sunrise if I am honest with you, Khaat.” Narcissa admitted with a sigh. “No one would dare take our children from us. Lucius and I…. our anger is unrelenting. I do not think anyone would live if the were unfortunate enough to withhold information like the whereabouts of Draco. I honestly doubt that anyone would have been as foolish as that because nothing would have survived in our path if Draco was taken from us.”

"I believe you, "Khaat said gently. "That's part of what makes you such a good mother, and I am quite sure, an excellent grandmother. I understand what it is like to lose the one person you love more than life itself. I know the parents of those children are out of their minds with terror wondering if their children are safe or even still alive. All I want is a way for those children to return to their parents' loving arms, the same way I would never have wanted Draco taken from yours. Somehow, somebody has to try. Those children and their families are terrified, and they're not the ones who are truly at fault. They're only pawns for the death eaters, and as far as I'm concerned no child should be used as a pawn in a very deadly grown up war game. "

"I want to do something for these children Khaat." Narcissa said sadly. "But my hands are tied. Even if I knew where they were I would be at a loss of what to do. I can't do much at all. I am not entirely sure how many students they've taken but I am slightly apprehensive. There are a lot of dishonest students as well as dishonest adults, Khaat and I am telling the truth now when I tell you that I have no idea where they are. I have yet to find out because as per the norm I am kept out of the loop."

Narcissa was worried about the children she had to admit but she couldn't do anything without having to pay heavily for it. She knew it was awful but they meant nothing to her. It wasn't the same as having Rosalie or Scorpius locked up somewhere because she didn't know the children. She just hoped that if she found out where they were then she could at least show them some compassion. That was one thing that she argued with the Death Eaters about if they crossed her. She didn't care about anyone of age but when it was the children they'd gone to far. If those kids couldn't even wield and use a wand legally then what hope do they have?

"Khaat you aren't going to be able to find these children alone. You need help. If I find out where they are I cannot tell you but I will make sure the don't suffer dearly. How can I be loyal and conflicted at the same time. There is a fine line between right and wrong and I have been treading it for years. I think it is too late to change my ways but I can start showing some compassion for people that aren‘t my family."