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s i x t h y e a r
THE air was cold, the wind crisp and the snow beneath Narcissa Malfoy's boots felt like it may open up, drag her down and trap her in an icy, eternal prison.
Bellatrix's shadow whispered behind her, causing her to move further down the alley and closer to their location.
She was in front of Severus too soon, her sister trailing around the room like smoke. Narcissa felt trapped, stuck in the dusty room within a musty town. There was a tightness in her chest, reserved for the safety of her son. She had to do this, she was given no choice. He's just a boy.
He's just a boy.
The Dark Lord had plans for him, and no one must ever disobey the Dark Lord.
She swallowed past the dryness in her throat, feeling lightheaded and nasueous.
It was what she had to do. She hadn't another choice.
Narcissa couldn't dwell on it any longer. It was either Draco's life or...
It was Draco's life. She hadn't another choice.
"Swear it." Bellatrix prompted the conversation further. Narcissa stilled for a moment, a terrifying sorrow washing over her.
Someone will die then, she thought. It is inevitable.
When Snape took hold of her forearm and Bellatrix took out her wand, her heart felt heavy with grief. The Unbreakable Vow will take the life of someone who breaks it, and the deed that needs to be done ends in death.
"Will you, Severus Snape, watch over Draco Malfoy as he attempts to fulfil the Dark Lord's wishes?"
"Yes."
"And will you, to the best of your ability protect him, from harm?"
"Yes."
"And if Draco should fail, will you yourself carry out the deed the Dark Lord has ordered Draco to perform?"
There was a pause, a moment when Snape looked further into Narcissa's eyes, sought out her fear and regret, her sadness behind her stoicism. She saw it in him too, the way his eyes already began to shine with grief for the one who's death sentence they had just signed.
"Yes."
The room fell silent as Snape let go of her arm. The magic pull of a mother's love didn't quite trump the stench of death that followed Narcissa out into the cold, heartless winter.
