Narcissa's Fateful Decision

Narcissa walked towards the room where Draco was supposed to go, today was to be the third day of Draco's punishments at the hand of Apophis. Yesterday the man had spent ten minutes putting Draco under the cruciatus, right before hitting him with stinging hexes in the mouth several times, clearly showing that he did not like Draco speaking of things he shouldn't. Most of Narcissa's blame was placed on Draco himself and Lucius, Lucius insisted on being involved in raising Draco. If Narcissa had raised him then she was sure that he would have at least knew when to keep his mouth shut and this could have also been avoided if Draco just listened to her.

Narcissa had the feeling that Apophis was only starting light in his punishments, she felt that only the knowledge that Draco was to return to school plus the fact that he was the son of one of the dark lord's followers had kept him from getting really...'enthusiastic' with his punishments. Yes she wanted Draco to be disciplined but this was going too far, an arrogant brat he might be, he was still her brat.

Narcissa knocked on the door, after several moments of quiet the door opened, she entered only to find Apophis sitting in a chair at the opposite side of the room and looking at her. Narcissa believed that if she could see his face then he was probably supporting a look that would ask why she was here without her son. Narcissa, like all the others, did not know much about this mysterious person.

Apophis was never seen with his hood off, she had no idea what he looked like, he showed up when he wished and left when he wished. The only person he seemed to address as an equal was the dark lord, he treated the rest like they were not fit to even remember.

The dark lord claimed that Apophis was his heir and created by magic using his own blood and that of Potter's, Narcissa was not entirely sure if she believed that but she considered the fact that it could be true as the dark lord did know magic that that most did not. There was also his ability to withstand spells, Potter had managed to strike him with a bone breaker to the chest but Apophis remained unaffected according to Lucius. She had seen the man take two unforgivables and get up and still fight, she was very curious as to how he did this but knew that now was not the time to question him on that.

"Where is your son?" Apophis asked, tilting his head slightly.

"Draco is not here." Narcissa said as she closed the door. "I have come to talk to you alone."

"And why should I talk to you?" Apophis asked in a bland voice.

"I...I wish to make you an offer." Narcissa said as she locked the door and put privacy charms around the room, she looked to Apophis, she could not see his face but his body language showed that he was uncaring. For Narcissa it was clear that he did not see her as a threat, while she felt a bit insulted at that she understood why. She was in a room with the dark lord's heir, the man with the ability to shrug off spells as deadly as unforgivables, she was not entirely comfortable with doing what she planned to do but it was for her son.

"What offer?" Apophis asked, a hint of curiosity in his voice.

"Please, spare my son." Narcissa said as she walked up to him. "I know that he has made a mistake, I believe he has been punished enough. I..if you stop punishing him, I will be..." Narcissa stopped in front of him, she leaned down and spoke in a seductive voice. "thankful, extremely thankful." She said. Apophis did not immediately react, something which worried Narcissa. Apophis eventually stood up, Narcissa's heart rate increased when he walked past her.

"I was wondering when or if it would come to this." Apophis said as he clicked his fingers, a piece of paper appeared in his hand. Narcissa wondered how he did that, was it a house elf? A small wandless charm? "Read this." He said as he tossed the paper to her. "If you accept then I accept your offer." He said as he turned back to her. Narcissa read the paper and her eyes widened as she was filled with disbelief and confusion, she repeatedly glanced from the paper to Apophis as if she was not sure that he fully realised what he gave her.

"But...but this..."

"This is what you will agree to," Apophis cut her off. "if you do not then you will excuse me so I can go and find your son. I have found a lovely new spell that will make him be convinced that his skin is on fire." Narcissa was silent for several minutes, several minute where she mentally went over the benefits and costs of accepting, several minutes too late for Apophis as he turned and began to make his way to the door.

"Wait!" Narcissa said quickly, causing Apophis to stop. "I...I will do it, I will make the vow."

"Good." Apophis said as he turned back to her.

"I'll do it but I do not understand why you want me to swear to this, un...unless...unless you..."

"Hurry up and do it before I lose my patience." Apophis said in a warning tone.

"Very well." Narcissa sighed, glancing back at the paper one more time.

"Good, after we are done I shall accept your offer." Apophis said.

"W...what?" Narcissa blinked.

"You wished to show me how thankful you would be if I spared your son the pain, I will accept your thanks after you make the vow." Apophis said. Narcissa gulped but nodded, she knew it could come to this, still she was at least glad that Draco would be spared and something would go her way.