Narcissa pulled Draco and me into a tight hug.

“Luke, how are you and your father?”

“I’m fine… but about Father… we’ll talk when we get home.”

The huge nine-tailed fox suddenly came up to us, its round nose gently touching Narcissa’s cheek. It gave us one last look before darting away.

“It’s alright now, kids,” she said, her thin nightgown doing little to keep her warm, her delicate fingers trembling slightly.

“Mom, are you cold?” Draco asked, hugging her tighter to warm her up.

“Thank you, my star.”

“Mom…”

It was such a sweet, tender moment. I felt like I didn’t belong.

No, this is how it should be. I had taken some of the love that was meant for Draco.

uddenly, I was pulled into a warm embrace, surrounded by Narcissa’s unique, sweet scent. It was familiar. I finally understood why the Black family named her “Narcissa.” It was the scent of daffodils—fresh, sweet, with a hint of something sharp.

“Mom…”

I had always been used to being alone.

“Aurora, you can rely on us,” she said, kissing my head. “We’re family…”

She must have sensed my wandering thoughts. Draco didn’t say anything but intertwined his small fingers with mine.

“I’ll protect my sister!” he promised Narcissa loudly.

My nose tingled, and my eyes felt swollen. I buried my head in Narcissa’s chest, refusing to let go, soaking her nightgown with my tears. She didn’t say a word, just ran her long fingers through my hair, gently touching my scalp.

In her embrace, I finally relaxed.

Lucius came home to find us like this: both kids asleep in their mother’s arms.

“Mr. Malfoy, please cooperate and lift the defenses of Malfoy Manor.”

It was a summons from the Wizengamot! The Ministry of Magic, seeing Voldemort’s fall, was starting to target his former followers. The higher they’d risen, the harder they were falling.

Luckily, Abraxas and Lucius had prepared well in advance, moving most of their assets. What remained was just an empty shell.

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The Black family was staunchly Trueblood. Orion Black, the head of the family, was a supporter of Voldemort. His niece, Bellatrix, was Voldemort’s right hand. Narcissa’s mother, Druella Rosier, came from the Rosier family, one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight. The Malfoys and Rosiers had always been closely linked through marriage.

The successful asset transfer was thanks to the Rosier family’s help. Wait, Rosier—that name sounded familiar. The famous dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald’s assistant was Vinda Rosier. The magical world’s family ties were dizzying.

Lucius and Narcissa didn’t shy away from discussing these things.

“Draco and Aurora can’t live in an ivory tower forever,” Lucius said. “They need to understand what they’ll face in the future…

Narcissa’s expression was calm, but her eyes showed a hint of sadness.

“My darlings… I’m so sorry…”

“This is the best outcome. Our family is safe and together…” Lucius held his wife, comforting her softly.

“Severus has lost his mind…”

“The Dark Lord didn’t keep his promise…”

“You mean… Mrs. Potter?”

Lily J. Potter sacrificed herself to save Harry Potter.

“Yes, to protect her child.” Narcissa held us even tighter.

At that moment, she must have felt a deep connection with Lily J. Potter.

“Luke, if it were me, I might have made the same choice as Mrs. Potter…”

Narcissa, in the final battle, deceived Voldemort by pretending Harry Potter was dead. She would have sacrificed herself for her child, too.

“I… Lucius Malfoy, will never let you face such a choice!” Lucius said, touching the “L” pendant on her necklace. “Cissy, we agreed long ago—you can’t leave me alone…”

“Sorry, Luke…”

He silenced her with a kiss.

“Aurora, let’s go,” Draco said, closing the master bedroom door and leading me out.

“Mom made Dad mad…” Draco looked worried.

“It’s okay. They just need to talk things out…”

A conversation that might take a while. I should probably tell the house-elf not to prepare their dinner. Though there were still many problems to deal with, Lucius finally felt relieved.

The next morning, he appeared in the dining room looking refreshed.

He let the Aurors from the Ministry of Magic take him to the Wizengamot for his trial.

“Draco, Aurora, don’t be afraid…” Even with his wand confiscated and his freedom restricted, he softly reassured us.

“Malfoy, you’ll pay for everything you’ve done!” A young redheaded man pointed his wand at Lucius’s back.

“Weasley, judging me? You’re not qualified. Has the Ministry of Magic run out of people? I believe you didn’t even make it as an Auror.”

Lucius didn’t turn around, his expression full of contempt.

“You!”

Arthur Weasley, enraged, raised his wand, ready to attack the unarmed Lucius. There’s a saying in the West that redheads are quick-tempered. It seems there’s some truth to it.

“You sided with the devil and drove the Longbottoms insane! Malfoy, you should rot in hell with him!”

“Arthur, stop!” Bartemius Crouch shouted. He was the father of Barty Crouch Jr. and the current head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, known for his tough stance and a strong candidate for the next Minister of Magic.

“Mr. Malfoy hasn’t been convicted yet,” he said succinctly.

“Right, thanks for the reminder, Barty. Weasley, your accusations could be grounds for slander,” Lucius drawled.

“That’s only if you live long enough! Say goodbye to your children; they’ll see you next in Azkaban!” Arthur retorted.

“Someone like you shouldn’t have descendants. They’ll soon be orphans, unlike poor Harry, who at least had a Muggle family to take him in.”

Lucius finally turned around.

His demeanor was no longer relaxed.

“I was planning to cooperate…” he sighed softly.

“After all, if I don’t help out, the Ministry might run out of funds soon…”

“But now, I’ve changed my mind.”