[10/31/1981] Narcissa/Severus/Lucius || The smell of stale fear that's reeking from our skins
Pouring a second glass of elf-made wine, Narcissa's hand shook in the simple gesture. Their servants had been sent away when she joined Lucius and Severus in the study. The air inside the four walls was heavy and she desperately wished someone would open a window. Something had gone terribly, terribly wrong tonight. That much was as obvious as her blood running pure in her veins. Narcissa had not even bothered commenting on their ill moods. When the men had arrived at the manor, one glance at them had sent her reeling with instant speculations of catastrophe.
To Narcissa's eyes, it appeared that Lucius was teetering between fury and anxiety. While Severus, well-- he looked as if he'd been struck by lightning. Under any other circumstances, she would have made a comment about his appearance, yet the reddening of his eyes had stopped her. Despite his youth, he was rarely affected by the war, therefore this was an indication of the worst to come.
Narcissa took a small sip of her wine, entirely relieved to feel it going down her throat. It was nice to feel anything in such a crisis. She remained standing, in the same place since she walked in. She desperately wanted to console either of the men, but she was afraid to act on her desires. She wasn't afraid of what they would do to her; of course, she could still think clearly. She trusted Lucius with her life and trusted Severus because of her husband's certainty in his old friend.
No, no-- Narcissa was afraid that there was no solution to their problem. She needed to continue basking in the silence of nothingness. She knew her life would never be the same again. A gut feeling so strong that it felt like a knife shaving the insides of her stomach. It was brutal and absolutely final. Narcissa was never one for coping with experiences that were completely out of her control. She scoffed and poured another drink, this time not for herself, but for her husband. She needed him.
With quiet yet deliberate steps, Narcissa brought the glass of wine to her husband. She waited until his eyes met hers. "Just tell me." She spoke suddenly and could not recognize her own voice. It sounded far away. "Is Draco safe?"
Narcissa looked over at Severus. She was daring him to look over at her. If he had done anything tonight that would bring harm to her child, he would not live to see the morning. "Severus." She adressed firmly. "Would you like some wine as well?" She said finally, looking altogether annoyed even if she couldn't place her feelings.