November 1994
12 Grimmauld Palace
Hearing Harry's question, Narcissa remained silent.
She sighed, "Lord Black, I hope you will hold your end of bargain."
"What I will tell is the information, I am trading for my freedom."
As if trying to trying to hype up and create a tense atmosphere, Narcissa turned extremely serious. Her eyes became focused and she looked as if checking her surroundings in caution, even though she was seated in Black Manor.
She finally leaned forward and whispered in a heavy voice, "Lord Black, it would be hard to believe but the Dark Lord is alive. He is coming back."
Narcissa had expected a lot of outcomes for her information reveal. A shocked and frightened Harry. An enraged Harry, losing control of his magic.
But what happened was something, she had never expected. Harry continued sitting calmly as if he not heard a mind numbing information. Only amusement flickered in his eyes.
"You are not shocked?" Asked Narcissa. "You don't believe me?"
Harry chuckled, "I know it from a long time, Mrs. Malfoy." Harry did not say anything more, but she understood one thing that he might be knowing even more than her.
This time it was Narcissa who was shocked.
"You knew?" She asked in daze.
Harry simply nodded, "Your information is not very useful."
Panic flashed across Narcissa's face but Harry's next words calmed her down.
He said, "But if you genuinely want to get away from Lucius' influence, I will nullify your marriage."
"I am more interested in your story," said Harry.
"He wants me to take the mark... and serve the dark Lord directly," said Narcissa after some hesitation.
Harry frowned, "Why? In previous war, you were free to not participate in the battles and were neither forced to take the mark."
Harry from Voldemort's memories was aware that, neither Voldemort nor Lucius had any interest in Narcissa joining the war. But what would have happened so sudden?
"Previous war was different... the Malfoys were the right hand man for the Dark Lord. They held a certain prestige and power," said Narcissa.
Narcissa continued, "Things are different now. Lucius is in contact with the Dark Lord. I don't know the details, but the Dark Lord is currently in a weakened state."
Harry nodded in understanding. Lucius being in contact with Voldemort was a new piece of information.
She continued further, "The Dark Lord was already dissatisfied with Lucius for his inaction over the last 14 years... He also was very angry... to the extreme that Lucius was tortured cruelly for some object he misplaced."
'The diary... horcrux,' thought Harry in his mind.
"And now that you have called the debts back... the financial clout Lucius had had also been damaged. All the death eaters of Lucius faction, Crabbe, Goyle, Nott have suddenly turned poor."
"Though Crabbe, Goyle and Nott have suffered, they will be able to recover as their debts were smaller... but the Malfoys using their closeness with the Dark Lord had borrowed without any constraints from the Blacks and did not return a single dime in years."
"While we are talking, Lucius is busy in liquidating his assets so that he can return the money," said Narcissa.
"Now that his status have fallen so low... and I am no more of use in him gaining the Black inheritance... he wants to use me to elevate his status. He knows that I am an above average wizard and also… "
She hesitated but added, "Also, he wants to prostitute myself to the other death eaters to earn their favour."
Harry's eyes narrowed and he nodded solemnly, "Very well... I will nullify your marriage."
"But what after that? After the nullification Lucius will come against you with his full force," questioned Harry.
Narcissa remained silent, "I will try to leave the country. I have no other option... unless you offer me protection."
"Interesting," muttered Harry. "You seem to have something in mind."
Narcissa nodded, "Hogwarts is the safest place and I have O in Potions in my NEWTs and OWLs. I was a Slytherin and knows how the house functions."
Harry understood her meaning, "I have no problem. After all, I cannot be a greater enemy to Lucius than I am already I am. It is your choice."
Narcissa nodded while Harry questioned, "What about Draco?"
Narcissa's face turned sad, "Draco is just like his father."
"Other than the title of mother, I have no significance for him. Lucius has imbued all his ideas of blood purity and evilness in his mind."
"Though I will try to convince him to not to walk on his father's path, before it is too late," said Narcissa. "I hope that if he decides to leave that path, you will give him a chance."
Harry contemplated and nodded, "Very fine... I believe that soon he will also take the mark… if he decides to turn to m side before that, I would be willing to give him a chance. If he takes the mark, he will have no mercy."
Narcissa nodded. Although the chances were slim, she could only hope.
He pulled his wand, "I Harry James Potter as Lord Black hereby from this moment onwards nullify the wedding between Lucius Malfoy and Narcissa Black. All betrothal agreements are now declared void. "
A white light flashed around Narcissa and she felt Malfoy family's magic being severed from her soul and the faint connection she had with the Black Family magic, strengthened back to its full glory.
She almost shuddered in delight on being free from that curse.
"I believe that you no longer have any place to stay, Miss. Black," said Harry.
Narcisse nodded.
"Kreacher," called Harry and the elf popped in. Harry could finally see the influence of the Slytherin's locket which had driven Kreacher to insanity being reduced.
The elf instantly looked at Narcissa, "Lady.... You be full Black again."
Narcissa smiled in response.
"Have you done as I told you?" Asked Harry.
Kreacher nodded, "I have placed it in a box."
"Keep it safe," said Harry.
Though Narcissa did not understood what the two were talking but she did not question.
"You can stay here, Miss. Black," said Harry. "Tonight, you will officially join Hogwarts."
"Kreacher," added Harry. "Start cleaning the house and make it liveable."
Instructing Kreacher, Harry was just to apparate away when Narcissa interrupted, "Lord Black…"
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