This was written for the Moonlight Forgotten Year 7 THC/ The House Competition 2021
Round 9
House: Gryffindor
Class: Muggle Studies
Category: Standard
Theme: Drama
Prompt(s) chosen: [Character] Narcissa Malfoy
Word Count: 1264
Ever since they were young, Narcissa Black and her sisters thought that their destination as Black women was to marry the right sort of men. The perfect man was defined as a man from the right sort of family who was rich, privileged and pureblood. When her sister, Bellatrix, was of age, their parents had found a match for her in Rodolphus Lestrange. They deemed him perfect as he was a pureblood from a rich, affluent family—a family that was part of the Sacred Twenty-Eight. However if intelligence, manners, or even looks were qualifiers, he would quickly have not even been deemed as a contestant for the role.
Nevertheless, Bellatrix was pleased with the match. It wasn't because she was interested in Rodolphus on a personal level, but because she viewed marriage as a practical transaction. She was content entering a marriage that pleased their family and society.
Little did Narcissa know that her sister Andromeda's life would be affected by this same mindset.
One day, Andromeda was summoned by her parents into the living room while Narcissa was sitting with them. The Blacks had an obnoxiously formal way of interacting with each other. Their own children were summoned when they were to be spoken to—or rather be ordered around.
Andromeda dragged her feet to the living room as she entered and stood dutifully in front of her parents, politely greeting them.
"Ah yes, Andromeda. Your mother and I are pleased to inform you that like your sister, we've received an appropriate marriage proposal for you," Cygnus announced as Andromeda's eyes widened.
"It's from Rabastan Lestrange. Isn't it wonderful that both you girls are marrying into the same family?" said an elated Druella.
Narcissa couldn't help but feel bad for her sister. She supposed she should have seen this coming. The uncomfortable way Rabastan had been eyeing both her and Andromeda and giving them his unsolicited attention, had not been subtle hints afterall. Narcissa was fortunate enough to be the younger sibling so he had chosen her older sister. Perhaps he did not want to offend Lucius, who also had his eye on Narcissa as the Malfoys were more powerful than the Lestranges. Lucius, Narcissa was attracted to, but she'd rather jump off a cliff than marry Rabastan. She knew this would be harder for Andromeda as she was seeing Ted Tonks. Narcissa didn't approve as he was a muggle-born, and she thought Andromeda was foolish. Nevertheless, she kept her sister's secret. She was convinced it was just a phase and that Andromeda would come to her senses to find a more suitable match, such a the one presented to her in the form of Rabastan.
"You and Bellatrix would be getting married on the same day," said Cygnus.
"But father, if you please, I do not desire to marry Rabastan," Andromeda implored.
"Why not?" asked her mother.
"I'm too young, and I'm not ready," she tried.
"Nonsense, Andromeda. I got married at nineteen just like you. We've spent years raising you to be the perfect young lady and perfect wife. You'll do just fine," said Druella.
"I'm not interested in Rabastan. I can't stand his company at all," she appealed again.
"Marriage is about making the perfect match between two families. You'll grow fond of Rabastan. Besides, I've given my word to the Lestranges. I can't take it back. It would ruin our family's reputation," said Cygnus.
"And think about your sister. If we call off this proposal, the Lestranges would call off hers too. And what other worthy family would ever make an alliance with our family if our alliance with an affluent family like the Lestranges gets called off?" asked her mother.
"But …"
"That's enough from you, Andromeda. You'll be marrying Rabastan and that's final. Go to your room," ordered Cygnus.
Andromeda left in tears. As much Narcissa valued making matches with the right family, she didn't think her sister deserved a fate of marrying someone she couldn't stand when she was in love with another. She didn't say a word in her sister's defense as it simply wasn't in her character to be disobedient to her parents. She also feared her own fate if she dared defy them.
Over the next few days, Narcissa noticed Andromeda looked pale and sullen. She hardly ate anything, and Narcissa often heard her crying in her room. A part of her wanted to comfort her, but she didn't know how. She didn't think Andromeda would be comforted by the same words her parents used about marrying in the right family and coming to love him after they got married. She tried talking to Bellatrix about it, but Bellatrix dismissed her concerns the same way her parents had dismissed Andromeda's. Narcissa tried to think of another match for Andromeda from the right family that her sister would like more and wasn't quite an uncouth bastard like Rabastan, but she couldn't think of any except Lucius whom she eyed for herself. She didn't think it would be worth even thinking of sacrificing Lucius for her sister when her sister wouldn't be interested in him in the first place.
One night as Narcissa went down for a glass of water in the kitchen, she saw Andromeda with a large suitcase, trying to leave through the kitchen door.
"Where are you going?" asked Narcissa, alarmed.
"I'm eloping with Ted," she declared.
"Eloping?"
Narcissa couldn't believe it. She understood that Andromeda didn't want to marry Rabastan and that she was in love with another, but Narcissa could never imagine making such a decision.
"Mother and Father are trying to ruin my life by getting me married to that dreadful Rabastan. I need to leave to save myself," said Andromeda.
Narcissa crossed her arms. "Andromeda, I understand that you're unhappy with their decision but are you really going to bring shame to our family by running away? You're making a really hasty decision."
"I'm not." Andromeda drew her breath. "Look, Cissa, I really tried. I made this decision after careful thought."
"But it was always their plan for us to make socially acceptable marriages. Have you even thought about how our parents would react, the shame you would bring on our family, how those Tonks would receive you, and the kind of life you would have with that boy?"
"Life's too unpredictable to plan. But I'm certain I'll have a good life with the man I love. As for Mother and Father, I am terribly sorry for any shame I would cause, but I can't live a life of unhappiness and regret for people who care so little for my happiness," said Andromeda. "Narcissa, please, don't try to stop me. Better now than me eloping on my wedding day. That would bring extra shame to our family."
Narcissa sighed. "I supposed there's no point in stopping you. And I don't want to get you in trouble. But as far as everyone is concerned, I was unaware of you leaving. And know that my family and image are important to me. So if you're disowned by our family, I can no longer associate with you."
"Fair enough," Andromeda agreed.
Both sisters exchanged a last look before heading off in their respective very different paths in life. A pang of pain and guilt hit Narcissa in her stomach. She truly disapproved of Andromeda's decision and still stood by not wanting to go against her family to associate with her if they cut her off, but felt a few tears streaming down her cheeks at the thought of losing her sister.