NARCISSA'S POINT OF VIEW

written by Casey

Disclaimer: All characters belong to JKR.

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"Narcissa?"

She noted the formality in Andromeda's voice, couldn't blame her for being surprised for the impromptu visit. Narcissa hadn't even planned on showing up, but somehow she'd ended up at Andromeda's doorstep. The awkwardness was not lost on either sibling, though the longer Narcissa remained in Andromeda's presence, the more she began to feel at ease. Things would never be able to go back to the way they were, though she hoped they could start over. A new beginning. She took Andromeda's silence as permission to continue speaking, though she hadn't expected it. Narcissa more or less expected a slap across the face, a door slammed in her face, or even Andromeda attacking her with her wand. The last thing she expected was for Andromeda to begin to cry as well. Her palms grew cold as Andromeda used her childhood nickname-- the very same name that Narcissa had tried to disassociate herself with. She wasn't sure if it was the fact that it reminded her too much of her childhood, or because it reminded her of Andromeda and the time she'd spent with her sister. When they'd been able to tolerate one another.

"Where were you when I needed you the most, Cissy? They're gone. They're both gone."

Once Andie fell on her knees, Cissy couldn't take it anymore. Kneeling on the ground in front of her, she tentatively reached for the other, unsure if she'd allow Cissy to hug her. "I'm sorry," she apologized, her voice cracking. Her voice was soft, almost timid as she spoke, cracking as she felt another batch of tears threaten to spill from her eyes. "I'm sorry," she said yet again. No matter how many times she apologized, she didn't feel it would be enough. There wasn't a way she could bring them back, nor was there a way that she could lessen Andromeda's pain. No, not Andromeda. Andie. She was still her sister, always had been. Narcissa had been foolish in cutting off any communication with her. They both had. "I was too busy being an arrogant berk, too stubborn to quit holding grudges. That's a Black, though. We're stubborn by default," she sniffed, shaking her blonde tresses. Here she was, a grown woman, kneeling on the ground in broad daylight, though she hardly cared. For once, appearances meant nothing to Narcissa. Quite frankly, she didn't care who saw her in such a state. All that mattered was Andromeda. Her sister.

"And I don't know what to do. I don't know if I can handle the pain any longer."

"I never wanted things to happen this way, Andie," she whispered, for once using her sister's nickname. "I never wanted them dead. I..I know it's hard to accept, but don't think they regretted it. At least they died admirably. For what they believed in." She felt a lump rise in her throat as she voiced her true feelings for once, ashamed of what she was about to say next. "They were truly heroes, Andie. I run from my problems, but they faced theirs." Ashamed of herself, she bowed her head, her eyes peering towards the ground. "Ted loved you, you know. More than anything," she whispered, her teary eyes looking back up towards her sister.

"I think that was part of the reason why I hated him so much. He took my sister away from me. Selfish, I know. But no one loved you more than Ted. I saw that. It was part of the reason why I started hating you. Bella always had a lot of resposibility, being the oldest. And I always felt that I had certain standards to live up to, since I was the youngest. We were always closer when we younger, since you're only two years older. Once you went to Hogwarts, I felt like I'd lost you. So I began to resent you. After a while, I decided it was time for payback. So I cut you out of my life, like I felt you'd done to me. I wanted you to feel how I felt. How it felt to lose my sister. But now I realize how childish and immature it was. It didn't work out as I'd planned at first, since I couldn't bring myself to do it. But once Ted came into the picture, I couldn't take it much more. Instead of confronting you about my feelings, I went along with the rest of the family. Agreed that you were no longer fit to be a part of the family by marrying a mud--, muggleborn," she corrected herself.

"I wasn't there when you needed me, I know. But I'm here now, Andie," she said, their roles reversed for once. "You're a strong person, Andie. You always have been. You don't have to handle the pain alone, because I'm here now. Let me help you. You were always there for me when I needed you, now it's my turn to be there for you." Her voice thick was emotion, she wasn't sure as to whether or not Andromeda would understand a word she was saying. Trying to keep her tears at bay, Narcissa dabbed at her eyes with her sleeves, trying to even her breathing. "Come live with me," she begged. "I can't bear to see you alone like this. With a grandson nonetheless. My home is your home. We have more than enough room for you and Teddy," she earnestly continued. "Please, come be a part of the family again. Our family," she corrected, insinuating that she wished for nothing more than to put the past behind her.

Narcissa couldn't imagine the pain Andromeda was going through. Sure, they'd both experienced losing their cousins and a sibling, though losing a child and husband was another story. She remembered the way she'd felt during the battle at Hogwarts, the panic that only increased the longer it took her to find Draco. She imagined that was how Andromeda felt, only a hundred times worse, knowing that she'd discovered her daughter a little too late. She wasn't sure if Andromeda wanted to talk about it, though she knew that without a doubt--this time she'd be there for her.

As for Lucius, Narcissa had lost him, yes. Though the absence of her husband had been temporary, what with Lucius being sent to Azkaban. Once he'd returned, a broken man, Cissy had assumed the stronger role in their marriage. Perhaps that was part of the explanation as to how she'd started to come into her own. Never truly needing to be strong for anyone, Cissy had to deal with a lot during the past few months. She was so accustomed to people handling things for her, that she'd become comfortable with it. Enjoying having things easy. Though once her family was threatened, she'd become a whole different woman. Even standing up to the Dark Lord, of all things! Most people would have been afraid of lying directly to Voldemort, though she did it to ensure her son's safety.

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