Excerpt from Letters to Andromeda.

There was malachite in his eyes, the first time I saw Harry Potter. A hypnotic swirling green, lighter than the forest, darker than mint. I recall the way his mouth was a smooth firm line, harsh in its resolve, his brow furrowed, his face hard in its insolence, yet somehow in repose. At peace. He glowed with an inner determination that manifested in every feature he possessed, and then some. His magic flared and pulsed around him in a call to arms; a wild reckless challenge. Harry Potter, I mused then, the Boy-Who-Lived indeed, for he pulsed with life and meaning.

I digress.

That was not the first time I had lain eyes upon him, for I had seen him on Platform 9 and 3/4 before, collecting my own son for his holidays. But I had seen, and not looked then. A curiosity, but one to stay away from despite seeming to lack his fathers entitled spite or his mothers fiery empowerment. He was meek then, resigned, rejected even and I had wondered at his lack of substance. The boy I saw that day, was not the one afore me in that forest, strident until the end.

I made a conscious decision that day. I chose of my own free will to disobey a power that had forced my husband and son and me into submission. Dark and overarching, even torn and desolate as it was, That Man's magic hovered in the air, smothering and choking in its ferocity - and yet still always reaching, searching for something I knew not. Even In days past when the war was political his magic was that way. It was poisonous and ferocious, and it ripped happiness away in knifing, murderous bursts. It did so to me for certain: it stole my firstborn away before I could meet her. I was going to to break with tradition and call her Amanda - she who must be loved.

I do not regret it. I chose one word, just one word to save the life of my child, my son, whom I adored above all - my sister, husband, myself. Even if I had died for my mendacity, I would have done everything I could to save the future - my son's, Potter's, Wizarding Britain's. It is not that I did not believe in my cause, just that I looked past it - I am still pureblood, brought up in the tradition of the Black Family; Tourjours Pur.

Incandescence is what illuminated the truth to me. Life is beautiful, ideology is not. I could never stand up to my husband and I let him rule our son's education and his life, but with one step I ruined that. Even now, I do not regret it. He is in Azkaban now, and we are stripped of reputation and some wealth. I do not regret for we still hold our lives and perhaps we shall be redeemed one day. But now? La famille avant tout.

I regret not my actions of that day, bur a former more acerbic set. I have lost, as have you, but maybe you more so. I regret that, dearest sister. I miss you. My home and heart is always open if you can see it in yourself to return to our family, and I will always await your answer, whether aye or nay.

With dearest affection and bitterest sorrow,

Narcissa

A/N: I don't even know what I am doing, but this is the first thing my muse has come up with in a couple of years. Sorry! I have been extremely busy but I hope you enjoyed it. Also, overuse of commas. Sorry again.

I don't know what to do with Budding Sakura - suggestions? I don't even know where it is going!