AN: My third in-progress fic. I thought I might do a post-war one. I'm starting to love Andromeda Tonks. Reviews would be good.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter in any way. It belongs to JK Rowling.
What Happens Now
Chapter 1- Reconciliation
Bellatrix and Narcissa swore to each other that they would never talk to their sister again after she ran away with a mudblood."Sorry, Bella," She muttered under her breath. Narcissa wore A Hat and a scarf to conceal her face from the rest of the people. She didn't know where her sister lived. She had to go to the Ministry to ask the welcome witch for her address. An owl came fluttering days after the war for her. An invitation to spend the day with Andromeda.
Narcissa Malfoy had the choice to ask the welcomewitch or find another plan. She couldn't bear to be seen, after what her family has done. Though they were all pardoned, public scrutiny still kept their eyes on her. She glanced around the lobby of the Ministry, the place her husband got caught. A flock of red hairs walked towards the lift with
a black haired boy. The black haired boy didn't join the lift however as he was interviewed by the press. The Weasley's rode the lift and vanished from sight. Narcissa swallowed. Just as the boy was about to enter another lift, she spoke his name.
"Harry," she said. Harry Potter, the chosen one stumbled back and stared at his caller.
"Mrs. Malfoy! What are you doing here?" he boy must be genuinely nice. After all they did to him, he forgives and forgets.
"Harry, I have a favor to ask. I hope it isn't too much. I believe you know my sister? andromeda?"He nodded.
"I recieved a letter from her and I want to see her but I do not know where she lives. Can you tell me where so I can floo there?"
"Of course." Harry gave the exact location of the house and watched Narcissa Malfoy's eyes redden.
"Thank you." she whispered.
"No really. It was nothing." he replied.
"Thank you for forgiving my family. My son." she had to go before tears would fall from her eyes. Harry was left there at the middle of the Ministry befaddled.
He smiled. Things were at peace.
Narcissa flooed her way to her sister's home. How was she going to begin coversation if they hadn't spoken for more than two decades. Her sister's house was cozy and welcoming. Something she would have liked as a child but she was old now. Married. A loud wail came from the kitchens. A child was crying.
"Wait a minute, Teddy. Mommy's not here but Grandma is." came Andromeda's sweet voice. Andromeda Black stepped out of the kitchen into the living room where Narcissa was holding a bottle. She dropped
the bottle at the sight of her sister.
"Cissy!" she cried. Tears were streaming down her face. "You came!" she barely made out the words. For a minute, Narcissa thought she saw Bellatrix but then Bellatrix hugged her. That was not Bellatrix. She hugged back her sister after debating whether or not to do so.
Andromeda pulled her sister into the kitchen. A full metamorphagus was jumping up and down a crib.
"This is Teddy Lupin. Nymphadora's son."
"Where's your daughter?" she wasn't looking at her sister's eyes. She was too embarassed.
"Gone," she answered, sadness in her voice but she didn't mourn about the past. She laughed.
"Well, i can't be sad. Teddy would want his blanket before he sleeps. Who's to take care of him if not me?" she picked up her wand from a nearby table and accio'd the blanket. A purple blanket flew into her hands. She tucked the baby inside the crib and levitated it to the living room. Narcissa followed after her without saying anything. She didn't know Nymphadora was gone. She didn't even like the girl. No manners, at all. But she didn't understand why she felt sorry that her sister also lost someone, something. How could her sister act like nothing happened? How could Harry Potter forgive them? Why wasn't she able to let go?
After Andromeda was sure the baby was sleeping, she sat down beside her sister.
"Cissy," she said. "What made you come?"
Narcissa wasn't slouching. She was dignified.
"I don't" she started. "know"
Andromeda touched her face."You're still my sister aren't you?"
She nodded. How can she maintain this coversation. Why did she even go to her house.
"where's the baby's father?" Narcissa asked.
"Gone. Remus Lupin. Perhaps you know him. He taught your son at Hogwarts several years back."
"Ted?" she badgered.
"Gone too." came the calm but pained reply.
"So, it's only you and the baby?" she said.
"Yes. But Harry's the godfather of the baby and they visit often." she said.
"Who?" Cissy asked.
"The Weasley's." Andromeda answered. Narcissa almost choked.
"Cissy!" she laughed. "Dont tell me you're still that way towards them? I mean, the war's over!"
"Indeed Dromeda." Andromeda's face lit up. Her sister called her by her nickname. "But Im still not used to the new wizarding world. I mean everything was so different."
"Mhmmm." Andromeda decided she'd have to maneuver the conversation before they would discuss her disownment.
"So, what's happening with Lucius and your son?" she inquired. She missed her sister.
"Lucius feels like a goner. Draco is scarred. My life is not the same." she paused. "I'm not the same Narcissa Black who married a rich Malfoy anymore Dromeda! My family's in ruins. We're goners in the wizarding world." Narcissa didn't know what brought her deepest thoughts to slip out of her mouth to her long disowned sister. It was
just a feeling that someone would know and understand. She finally slouched.
"We might as well be squibs."
"The important thing is that they're alive." Andromeda answered.
"You're complete." Cissy retorted without thinking.
"Im sorry." Cissy answered. "I know you're saying that my family is complete but they'll never be the same. Your family was always happy"
Andromeda patted her sister's hand. Somehing she was accustomed on doing whenever little Cissy felt sad. She left when Narcissa was in her 5th year, she did not know how much she changed.
"Bella's dead." Narcissa blurted all of a sudden.
"I know. Harry told me." She answered.
"And you're not sad about it?" it was an accusation.
"I am Cissy. But Bella killed my grandson's parents. I'm not saying she deserved to die but I'm not yet ready to see her grave." she continued. "Did you fix her funeral?"
"I doubt anyone would attend."
"I will."
"Hogwarts is still ruined but McGonagall is patching things up. Bodies have been moved but most are still there. Unidentified. Severus's body has been taken. Harry arranged it for him. The funeral starts later. Are you coming?"
"Someone has to take care of Teddy." she replied.
"Cant you bring him? Or leave it to someone? Please Dromeda, I want to go with someone. Lucius won't even step out of the house and Draco Is really traumatized." There was a need in Narcissa's voice. Dromeda had to help her. She's been gone for so long. She wasn't there the other times Narcissa needed her help.
"I'll bring him. He deserves to know a hero. Cissy, You're not Mad at Severus?" she asked
"The funny thing is I'm not." she chuckled. "I guess it's impossible for one person to live without loving someone. He sure fooled me. Right to the end. I wish I said good bye."
"Cissy, Where do you plan to bury Bella?" Andromea knew she was popping up different conversations but it was needed to prevent the chill in the air.
"I don't know. Maybe the Black Family estate? But it belongs to Harry now."
"But I'm sure he'll allow us to do so. He's a good person."
"He is." She stopped. Unsure what to say. "Will you come?""Of course."
Silence followed.
"Dromeda, I'm sorry! Sorry for turning back on you. Sorry for everything."
"It's alright Cissy." she smiled. "I know the burden you must have felt. But I'm glad you married well. You really love Lucius don't you?"
"Im not sure I even know." she answered. Head down.
"What do you mean? Of course you do. How could you have survived the war if you didn't? "
"I know but he's not the same anymore. I don't even know if he's trying to be strong. Even for me." Narcissa whimpered. "He doesn't even know im going here."
"Bring Draco over sometime alright. I'd like to meet him." Andromeda enveloped her sister in a long hug.
Teddy Remus Lupin started to cry. Andromeda left her sister to check on the baby.
"It's never going to be the same. " Cissy muttered under her breath.
