Chapter 2-One Week Later
Narcissa quietly made her way down the stairs and darted to the entrance, the sun had just risen and as far as she knew nobody else was awake. Opening the closet, she got her spring cloak out and put it on, making sure what she needed was in the inner pockets of her cloak. Narcissa was just reaching for the door when Lucius' voice reached her;
"Why do you insist on going out to the library when we have our own extensive collection? Even if you want to read a book we don't own, surely you can send the elves." She had heard the undertone to his question; 'Why do you go out like a commoner?'
"I need the air." She said with more confidence than she felt.
Her husband frowned; "We have ten acres of land."
Narcissa just shrugged lightly and turned back to the door.
"When will you be home?"
"I'm not sure." With that she left her house and suspicious husband behind. She would have to come up with a new excuse to go out soon, she wouldn't want him to start having her followed. She worried about it all the way to Diagon Alley, a four-hour walk meant to calm her, then to an alley that linked the wizarding world to the muggle one, a route less frequented than the Leaky Cauldron, then to the muggle library, another half hour. It was quite a long trip since she had to make sure no witch or wizard spotted her going to the muggle side of London, so she had plenty of time to imagine what would happen if they found out. Narcissa took out the small biscuit she had brought and forced it down before going into the library, that was what she was; a professional worrier.
As Narcissa sat down at the computer and logged on, she soon forgot about a new excuse, as soon as she had logged in, a message was sent to her inbox.
Bearhug: Do you believe in fairytales?
Narcissa was pleasantly surprised. It was a code for creatures who don't have 'sensing' powers, or in this case through a computer, to ask 'humanoid' creatures if they are human or not as most species want to avoid humans. Now muggles and the wizarding community alike were not privy to this information, but from time to time a human would impress a creature and be let in on the secret world of 'non-humans', nestled in the human world much like the Wizarding World in the Muggle world. After years of exploring and learning, her sister, Bellatrix, had been granted this privilege and as protection had told Narcissa the secrets she had learned, with permission from the elders, of course. They had even sent a letter to Andromeda, but neither were certain their sister had received it, they hadn't signed it so she wouldn't think it a trap, but… Anyways, logical conclusion: Bearhug was probably not human, which was more than likely the reason for so much secrecy.
NarcissusPoeticus: I'm a witch. You?
Bearhug: A witch? What are you doing on the computer? ...Wait, do you use a wand?
Those questions came rapidly and her question was answered after a brief pause.
Bearhug: And I'm a Wolscraf which is a kind of shapeshifter.
NarcissusPoeticus: Yes I use a wand. What is your shifted form?
Bearhug: A bear, a big bear. And you can't be a purebred witch if you use a wand. What are you mixed with?
NarcissusPoeticus: I'm human...What do you mean I can't be a pureblood witch?
Bearhug: Oh crap, please don't tell me you're one of those obsessed pureblood freaks.
The blonde then noted the difference she had missed while quickly reading the message, purebred and pureblood, species versus supposed race…Oh. Narcissa knew now that there was more to this than previously imagined and better yet Bearhug didn't approve of the Dark Lord's regime, it would be safe to vent to her.
NarcissusPoeticus: No but my husband is, and unfortunately he's invited them to stay with us.
Bearhug: Frig, I'd hate to have them in my home. That's why a human witch is at a computer then? I heard your people don't like non-magical technology.
NarcissusPoeticus: Yes and no we don't. Can you explain what you meant by purebred? And why you asked if I was purebred.
Bearhug: I asked out of sheer curiosity, don't take insult in it, it's not a bad thing to be. Both my sisters are half-breeds (we're all adopted), there are more and more crosses as time goes on, so much so some half-breed mixes are now considered species of their own. Witches are old powerful creatures who are notorious for mating with different species. Humans being one of them, beings who have a witch as an ancestor usually use wands to be able to control their magic, something a witch doesn't need, although some crosses between witches and other magical species do not need them either. Again, curiosity-What happens if you break your wand? Can you still use magic?
NarcissusPoeticus: Wow, so all of us are of mixed species? Can't imagine what the Dark Lord would do if he found out. Makes this bloodshed even more pointless. Wandless magic is difficult. I can do more than most, but it's easier just to get a new wand.
Then a thought came to Narcissa; how did a shapeshifter from Japan find out about the Dark Lord? She didn't remember the Dark Lord recruiting anybody from Japan during the First Wizarding War and it's still early for the news of the Dark Lord's return to reach the world, especially since the Ministry was vehemently denying his return.
NarcissusPoeticus: I know the DL wants to recruit many more to his cause this time around. Has he already reached Japan?
Bearhug: He hasn't started recruiting in Japan yet but I have friends in Europe who have told me about the DL recruiting so-called 'pureblood' wizards from Spain all the way to Russia. It's only a matter of time before he comes here. He's also starting to make inquiries about recruiting non-humans – it hasn't been successful until now.
NarcissusPoeticus: At least there's that.
Bearhug: Can we change the topic to a happier one? My nephew just entered the room, he's five and I don't particularly want him reading about the impending war. How about you tell me about your boy?
NarcissusPoeticus: Your nephew is five, and he can read enough English to interpret what we are saying?
Bearhug: Yes my family puts a lot of emphasis on learning new languages, especially since most of my family are in our equivalent of the military and politics. Good communication is the key when trying to avoid conflicts. My nephew is especially keen and has impressed his teachers, he is curious and inquisitive by nature and learns quickly. How does your boy do at school?
NarcissusPoeticus: He's in the fifth year at school (he's fifteen). He's a good student, gets good grades, but I fear he wants to impress his father. I was told he can be a bully. Though in every other aspect of his life, I am proud of him.
Bearhug: Unfortunately young men have a tendency to imitate their fathers. But he probably has as much of his mother in him as he does his father. He will turn out alright as long as you keep being a good influence, it will be a lot easier once the DL is defeated.
NarcissusPeoticus: Thank you. Do you really think the DL will be defeated? He's just come back from the dead, and if death can't stop him…
Bearhug: History repeats itself. The 'bad guys' come and go. The DL has been defeated once, and will be defeated again, and again if needed.
She wasn't sure what else to say as she thought about defeating the Dark Lord, it would certainly not be easy, particularly if he needed to be defeated multiple times, particularly if there was this much bloodshed every time. She shook the thought away and attempted to switch the conversation from herself to the other woman.
NarcissusPoeticus: I had my son when I was 25, if it wasn't for my husband, I would have had many more. How come you, at 38, don't have children? I've found my son to be worth all the trouble he has given me over the years, directly and indirectly.
After 15 minutes Bearhug still hadn't answered. Her profile still showed her as logged on. Perhaps she had left the computer for a drink or snack? Or perhaps her nephew had asked her for something? An hour later she had given up on Bearhug and she was about to shut the browser and leave the computer when she finally got a reply.
Bearhug: I know children are worth it, I'm glad you have your son…
A pause
Bearhug: I was widowed in a house fire...
Bearhug: My five children also died that day….
Narcissa had to hold back a sob. She couldn't imagine losing Draco. He was the only thing that had kept her alive, the reason she was still fighting. She regretted bringing the topic up and now wished she could take it back.
NarcissusPoeticus: I'm so sorry.
Bearhug: Can we please change the subject?
NarcissusPoeticus: Of course. What kind of music do you like?
Narcissa wrote back, a little surprised Bearhug wanted to continue talking to her. Maybe she needed the distraction, but wouldn't it be better to talk to her family? There was obviously someone else there.
Bearhug: Thank you. I like any cultural, classical music. You?
Well, if Bearhug wanted to talk to her, she wouldn't complain.
NarcissusPoeticus: I rarely listen to music, when I do, I'm reading so I listen to instrumental classical music.
Their conversation went on for another hour and a half, Narcissa made sure to stay away from any personal questions for the rest of the conversation. Music to books to weather… She found out that while being quite different, they are also very similar, they would probably get along well were they to meet.
Bearhug: I have to go, my little sister has been sitting on my lap for the past 15min. She wants me to go play with her, I will since I'm glad she managed to stay put for that long.
NarcissusPoeticus: Alright. How old is your younger sister?
Bearhug: 10.
NarcissusPoeticus: Holy shit. A 28-year difference? Please tell me your other sister is your middle sister?
Bearhug: Nope, she's 46.
Narcissa is stunned, well she did say they were all adopted, but still. So she bids her 'friend' good afternoon, and proceeded to log off.
NarcissusPoeticus: Wow. Alright, good day then. We will speak later?
Bearhug: Of course.
Narcissa stood up and stretched. She wondered what book she would find in the romance section today.
