Disclaimer: All characters are the property of Joanne Rowling; I do not own Harry Potter, unfortunately !
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Narcissa walked stiffly through the streets of Diagon Alley, chin raised and staring straight ahead. She had grown quite used to all the glares and whispers of what seemed like the entire wizarding world by now, and frankly she had no time for it. As if she were responsible for the deaths and injuries of their loved ones! Narcissa had only ever done what was expected of her. Marry a pure blood, bear him a son, stand by them both at all costs...it wasn't up to her to question the values upon which she was raised...she wasn't Andromeda...
Narcissa turned into Flourish and Blotts, and as if on cue, there she was. Andromeda Tonks, Narcissa's long estranged older sister, inspecting a row of quills with one hand, and clutching a small bundle to her chest with the other.
Not entirely sure what she was doing, Narcissa approached her sister. "Andromeda," she said, the name feeling like a foreign word to her, having not spoken it out loud for many years.
Andromeda didn't look up.
A little baby's face poked out from the top of the blanket Andromeda was holding. His wide blue eyes connected with Narcissa's cold ones. He seemed to consider her for a moment. Then, giving her a gummy grin, he nestled his turquoise coloured head back into his grandmother's chest.
Narcissa's eyes once again sought Andromeda. "I'm sorry to hear about your husband and daughter."
Finally, Andromeda looked up. The two sisters stared at each other for a moment, both momentarily distracted by how much they saw Bella in each other's eyes.
Andromeda spoke. "I'm sorry too. About your husband and son."
Narcissa looked confused. "But they're--"
"Alive. I know." Andromeda looked away, and adjusted Teddy's blanket. "That's why I'm sorry."
Narcissa opened her mouth indignantly, but before she could think of even a slightly appropriate response, her sister had turned her back and walked away.