With Good Intentions

Severus’ pensieve memory first clued her in to what lengths Narcisssa Malfoy would go to protect her family. 

Her brilliant lie to Voldemort came with significant risks and a high cost — she’d violated the fealty oath all followers personally pledged to the Dark Lord, even those who avoided taking the Dark Mark. The vow exacted its penalty every day despite Voldemort’s death. The victors exerted no effort, compassionate or otherwise, to ease her malady and so the last “true” Black descended into pain and suffering worse than torture.

The Ministry expedited her trial date for compassionate reasons. Testimony taken under Veritaserum convinced the Wizengamot that Narcissa Malfoy had indeed played a pivotal role in the victory over Voldemort. After the verdict, Ministry aurors escorted her to an undisclosed location to ensure the hundreds of protestors, organized by the Weasleys and their extended family, didn’t assassinate the exonerated defendant en route. The Daily Prophet reported the absence of Bill Weasley — rumored to be under the care of a lycanthropy specialist in Slovakia — and George Weasley, whose business split the cost of Narcissa’s defense with Blaise Zabini.

Portions of the returned Black legacy provided comfortable hospice care — but twelve months after her trial, Lucius and Draco Malfoy stared down with a scant group of mourners as Narcissa’s coffin magically lowered itself into the Black family cemetery. Access to the Malfoy ancestral cemetery was disallowed as the trials for the Malfoy males had yet to conclude.

The defense team for Lucius included George Weasley, Blaise Zabini, Pansy Parkinson and Hermione Granger.