"I won't say anything," he assured her, settling back into his chair. "I know you only want what's best for your family, which is a natural impulse - but you must realize, in the end, that what's good for the Dark Lord is what's good for them. I doubt He's pleased with Draco or with Lucius, and until He's satisfied ... it's difficult to say what He'll do."
It was just as hard for him to say exactly what he meant to do about any of this. But he could see that maintaining Narcissa's trust might someday prove essential, especially given the odd position her son held at the moment. He lowered his voice again to a more confidential hush. "I believe the Dark Lord can achieve his agenda perfectly well without indulging whatever grudge he may have against your family. For that reason only, the friendship I bear you allows me to promise that I will do what I can to keep you all safe. But you must understand that our friends," he made a quick wave of his hand to indicate the rest of the house, "Are not likely to think the same way. It is incredibly important to keep this to yourself."