Being back at Black Hall evoked a wave of conflicting emotions in Andromeda. She needed to clear her mind and she knew just the place to do that. She slipped out of her old room and shut the door carefully.
Her footsteps echoed against the marble walls as she moved through the hallway. Whispers followed her and she soon realised her ancestors in the portraits had gathered to gawk at her, hissing and muttering insults as she passed by. Andromeda flinched at their words but didn't bother to silence them, but rather pulled her dressing gown tighter around herself and continued her stride until she eventually stood in front of her parent's old quarters.
She couldn't resist the urge to go inside. After taking a deep breath, she disabled the wards and entered. The room still looked the same save that now everything was coated with a fine layer of dust. She brushed some dirt off the settee in front of her mother's vanity before sitting down. She opened the first drawer to rummage through the perfumes. After finding her mother's favourite, she carefully spritzed it into the air and inhaled the familiar fragrance. The scent brought back many memories, some good and others bad. She slung her arms around herself, closed her eyes and allowed herself to miss her mother for a moment. It was her way to finally say goodbye to the woman who once meant the world to her. She inhaled her scent once more before leaving the room, refusing to look back.
Once outside she continued her stride until she arrived at the bottom of the spiral staircase that led up to the observatory. In her youth the tower had been her favourite place to contemplate.
Swiftly, she climbed the stairs and arrived on top breathing heavily while she had to lean against the wall for a moment to calm her breaths. At her command, the shutters, protecting the dome-shaped glass roof opened and light flooded the room. Looking around she realised the brass telescope still rested in place. It was placed in the middle of the room and in contrast to the rest of the room, free from dust. She brushed her fingers along its smooth surface and it came to life under her touch, vibrating slightly and adjusting to her height. Regretting that it wasn't night so she couldn't take a look, she walked by and stepped onto the small balcony situated behind it.
As soon as she stepped out a cold, refreshing wind cut through the dizzying summer heat. She took a few breaths of fresh air, enjoying its calming qualities, but couldn't help but to note the heavy humidity tainting it. Clinging to the railing, she looked up to the sky. Dark clouds were gathering above her head and the air was buzzing with the energy of a forming thunderstorm. Anxiously awaiting for the first lightning strike, she refused to avert her eyes from the horizon.
Her moment of solitude ended earlier than she had intended.
"I figured I'd find you here," Narcissa started calmly as she stepped on the balcony. "Your favourite hiding place."
She winced at the intrusion and took a slow breath before turning around. She leaned back against the rusty railing, finally facing her sister. Narcissa moved next to her, and clasped the railing tightly as she glanced up at the sky. Andromeda watched her, wary and unsure how to engage. Her sister looked approachable, with her blonde hair falling loosely down her back, no makeup, and dressed in only a simple grey gown, but she had no idea where to begin. It was a few minutes before her sister made a move to speak, and when she did, she seemed to be deep in thought. "It feels good to have you close again."
Andromeda gave her a small smile and put her hand over her sister's, squeezing it lightly. They stood like that for a while, both lost to their minds when Andromeda found her voice again.
"Why'd you do it?" she asked, looking up to Narcissa. "Why did you risk your life to save her? Nymphadora."
She answered without hesitation. "You did the same for Draco, when no one else was willing to," Narcissa spoke sadly and held Andromeda's wrist in a fierce grip.
Andromeda drew a sharp breath and looked at her with wide eyes as a knot formed in her stomach. The rumours were true. Her healer colleagues had indeed refused to help Narcissa give birth. She opened her mouth to speak but Narcissa interrupted her.
"And the thought of you losing your child-," she swallowed hard and took a deep breath "-I couldn't bear it." Narcissa let go of her sister's wrist to wipe the tears away before finally facing Andromeda.
Andromeda had a hard time holding back her own tears. "Thank you," she eventually managed and Narcissa nodded. They turned around to look at the sky again and wiped their tears in silence. Andromeda felt her sister's gaze on her and wasn't surprised when she broke the comfortable quiet again.
"How are you, Andie?" Narcissa asked, sincere in tone. Andromeda lifted the hem of her dressing gown to show her sister her newest scar.
"It needs some more healing but it doesn't hurt anymore," she stated and trailed her fingers along the lengthy scar before letting the hem fall down again.
Narcissa looked at her worriedly. "Et ton coeur?" she asked softly.
Andromeda snorted at the question. "Bruised and battered but beating."
Her answer seemed to upset Narcissa. "Andromeda, I-" she tried to speak, her voice small and trembling slightly.
Andromeda put her finger on her sister's lips to stop her. "It is not your fault they're dead."
Narcissa seemed surprised at her answer, but otherwise unfazed. "I fought on the wrong side for so many years. How can you forgive me so easily?"
"Because I'm tired, Cissy. I won't. No, I can't waste the rest of my life being bitter, sad, and unendingly miserable. Forgiveness is the first step."
Narcissa nodded and gave her a small smile. "Ms Granger feels strongly for you, doesn't she? She didn't leave your side yesterday. Not even to eat." She took her sister's hand again.
A smile spread across Andromeda's face and she chuckled lightly at her sister's spot on observation. "She does and I love her just as strongly. Someone of 'lesser blood' yet again, though," she spoke to provoke her sister.
"Stop it, Andromeda! I couldn't care less about blood purity," Narcissa said her voice slightly raised.
Andromeda raised an eyebrow and gave her a questioning look. Her sister may have never been as convinced as Bellatrix, but she openly refused to see Ted as an equal.
She answered before Andromeda could ask. "I've seen the devastation my beliefs have caused, even if I never took action myself. The pain lingering in your eyes is evidence enough and it makes me hate its very existence." Narcissa put her arm around Andromeda's shoulders and the older witch leant against her.
They both flinched when the first lightning struck. With the thunder came the heavy rain and Narcissa immediately hurried inside. Andromeda shivered but decided to enjoy the cold sensation for a little longer. She was drenched when she finally chose to go inside. Her sister was waiting for her, lips pursed, and immediately cast a drying charm before she could ruin the expensive wooden floor.
They descended the stairs down to the library when Andromeda spotted the staircase leading up to the second tower. She stopped in her tracks, searching for her sister's gaze.
August 1971
Andromeda found Narcissa on top of the tower. Their parents were taking part in some dreary ministry celebration and Bellatrix went with them. The pair despised such events and refused to go, instead enjoying calm evenings at home.
Narcissa had snuck a bottle of scotch from her father's cabinet on her way up and sat with her back against the railing.
"You are going to leave, aren't you?" Narcissa's voice was sharp and stabbed Andromeda right into her heart.
Andromeda sat down next to her and snatched the bottle from her sister, taking a huge gulp. She slowly took her sister's cold hand and looked into her blue eyes.
"I am."
Narcissa jumped up at the confession and stormed off. Andromeda was close behind her and caught up to her in the middle of the spiral staircase.
Andromeda slung her arm around her sister's shoulders from behind and whispered into her ear: "You know it shreds my heart to pieces to leave you, Narcissa. But I love him so, so much. Please try to understand."
Narcissa turned around in her embrace and hugged Andromeda back. "They won't allow me to ever talk to you again," she said sadly and Andromeda stroked her cheek.
"I know ma fleur. I'm sorry."
The sisters were holding hands when they entered the library. Andromeda spotted Hermione on one of the sofas in the small lounge towards the front. Unsurprisingly, she had her nose buried in a book.
The vastness of the library still awed her. The whole floor was distinctively Slytherin with dark, high ebony shelves and huge silver plaques to indicate the content of each corridor. The family motto 'Toujours pur' was written in bold letters beneath the vast coat of arms that was drawn on the high ceiling. The chandeliers and silver candleholders scattered about were adorned with shiny emeralds and diamonds in a display of the wealth of the Black family.
The young woman looked up when she heard the witches approach, prompting Andromeda to sit down opposite her on the smooth, emerald couch.
Hermione smiled at her. "This library… Merlin Andie, I love it here," she exclaimed and gestured to the huge pile of large books on the small table. "So many hidden tomes, most of which, if I'm correct, the world hasn't seen in centuries."
Andromeda nodded at that. "This has always been the main Black Family estate. You can find our whole history in here." The word 'our' flowed easily over her tongue and for the first time in many years, she felt truly connected to her Black heritage again.
Andromeda gestured for Narcissa to sit down. Hermione looked uneasy as she approached them, but Andromeda gave her a reassuring smile.
"I see you have a liking for light literature," Narcissa spoke to break the tension. She stretched out her hand towards Hermione. The young witch immediately stood and shook it lightly. "It's nice to finally meet you under pleasant circumstances, Hermione," Narcissa spoke softly.
"Likewise," Hermione said with a slight quiver in her voice before sitting down again. "Thank you for sending me food yesterday."
Andromeda was surprised to hear the two witches hadn't crossed path yesterday. She realised it would probably take some time for the two of them to trust each other. She motioned for Narcissa to sit again when Draco's voice echoed through the library.
"Granger, I may have found something!"
Both sisters looked at the young witch, puzzled. Hermione jumped up from her seat, excused herself and walked towards Draco's voice.
Narcissa sat down next to Andromeda and the sisters looked at each other for a moment unsure what just happened when they heard Hermione's squeal of joy.
The young witch returned with a book in her arms. Draco trailed closely behind her and, unsuccessfully, tried to take it from her. The witch put it on the small table and Draco slapped Hermione's hands away from the cover when she tried to open it. He sat down next to her and huffed.
"Stop!" He snapped and snatched it away from her grip. Hermione blanched and looked at Andromeda.
"Those books are cursed. Only those considered 'worthy' are able to open them safely," Andromeda said and gave her nephew a little nod. "They'd even hurt me with my filthy, traitorous blood," she spoke and chuckled lightly.
"You Mu-, Gryffindor's, really. You have no idea about the real dangers of magic," Draco muttered under his breath before opening the book.
Hermione jumped at that, fully aware that he had intended to call her a Mudblood. "Don't you dare go there, Malfoy!" She got up and Draco scooted away from her, not willing to risk another broken nose.
Andromeda jumped at the sudden escalation, put her hand on Hermione's shoulder to calm her and gave her a stern look.
Hermione sat down on the armchair. "At least I didn't grow up in a house where everything was cursed to kill me," she fumed.
All eyes focused on Draco again. He hissed when the book tried to bite him. After a few spells he managed to open it and immediately searched the register. With a flick of his wand, the desired page opened.
'Cursed Scars'
The title piqued Andromeda's interest. She shuddered when she saw Bellatrix' handwritten notes on the edges of the pages. "That's disgusting magic," she said after a while. Her frown grew bigger with each line. She remembered what book this was. After they had all read the chapter, she felt Narcissa's gaze on her.
Her younger sister snatched Andromeda's wrist, squeezing the scar. Andromeda hissed at the harshness and her eyes snapped up to her sister. Draco and Hermione looked at them intently.
"You managed to heal it," Narcissa said sternly and Andromeda nodded. "You also healed her's, didn't you?" Andromeda paled slightly. She had an inkling what her sister was on about. Narcissa let go of Andromeda's arm and took a deep breath. "This could make the counter spell ineffective."
Andromeda searched Hermione's gaze and wasn't surprised to find her confused. She immediately regretted that she only told her half of the truth.
"Did you know that a counter spell existed?" The young witch asked with a sharp voice. She felt the anger rise in her chest but stayed silent to let the older witch talk.
Andromeda desperately wanted to shake her head. "I thought there may be. I knew this book existed but I couldn't use it anymore as this is the only copy. I brewed the potion because it was the only possibility I had left. Please believe me, I never thought I'd lay hands on this book again," she answered truthfully and walked towards Hermione to take her hands. She wasn't surprised when Hermione refused to be touched.
Hermione had trusted Andromeda completely and she couldn't understand why she didn't tell her about the book. Her enthusiasm of brewing the potion faded. She shook her head and tried to calm herself when a fresh wave of anger and disappointment surfaced.
"I trusted you and you lied. You wasted both our time with a useless potion. I don't understand why you did that," she lashed out. She needed some space to breathe and rushed past Andromeda who was looking at her with a surprised expression.
Hermione's harsh accusation stung and Andromeda was perplexed for a moment. "Mione," she finally whispered and lifted her hand to stop her but the younger witch was already out of reach. After hearing her apparate she closed her eyes and schooled her features.
"Let me take a look at this book again, please," she said with a small tremor in her voice, not yet able to grasp what just happened.