Written for Round 3 of the Quidditch League Fanfiction Competition, Season 9

Keeper — Chudley Cannons

Prompt: The Woman in Black by Susan Hill; write about someone trying to put the past behind them.

Word count: 1233

…

Expectations

Narcissa stared at the Daily Prophet, unblinking and motionless. Come to think of it, it had been almost six years since she last contacted her sister in any way. It was shortly after the Wizarding War, and even then, it was Andromeda who had just written to inform Narcissa about the birth of her grandson, and the subsequent demise of both his parents.

I do not expect any correspondence from you, she had written, and Narcissa remembered being surprised at the frankness of her writing. I just thought you would like to know. You are his family, too, after all.

This time, there was no letter. She hadn't even heard it from anyone directly related to Andromeda. Everyone knows how Harry Potter received an owl in the middle of training a group of young Aurors three days ago, and immediately left the Ministry, and hasn't been back at work since.

Apparently, Andromeda had been suffering from multiple health-related issues for the past few years — what with the death of her husband and her daughter, both within such a short period of time. Things had only gotten worse after the last winter; she succumbed to it on Wednesday morning.

Narcissa heard about it from a neighbour whose son worked at the Ministry last night. It was difficult to believe it then, but seeing the small article now, squeezed between one about stolen Probity Probes and an advertisement, Narcissa could only read it over and over again and try to grasp the reality of it all.

Andromeda Tonks (nee Black), mother of War hero and martyr Nymphadora Tonks, passed away last Wednesday, owing to a serious case of Wizarding Flu, along with several other complications, at the age of fifty-two. According to a source, her health deteriorated drastically over the last few years, and even more so over the last few months. She is succeeded by her grandson, Edward Lupin, who is also the godson of Harry Potter…

There was a mention of the Malfoys in there as well, but Narcissa barely noticed it. In fact, she had stopped noticing anything after the first sentence.

Andromeda was dead.

Andromeda is dead, she thought to herself, simultaneously wondering what she was supposed to be feeling at this point.

Whatever contact or communication that had taken place between them, for as long as Narcissa could remember, had always been from Andromeda's side.

Andromeda had never been the type to hold grudges. Clearly, she had forgiven her family for making her an outcast and tried her best to keep in touch with them for several years before giving up.

"She is no sister of ours," Bellatrix used to say with an ugly scowl on her face every time there was a letter from Andromeda. "You must not write back to her, Cissy. If anybody ever comes to know, you'll be burnt right off the tapestry just like her."

And Narcissa used to watch the parchment curl and smoke in the fireplace, sigh, and yield. Bellatrix was right. Andromeda had betrayed them all, she would tell herself, and she wasn't about to go fraternise with her just because they were still sisters.

"...Mother?"

Narcissa started and looked at Draco, who had appeared at the kitchen door.

"Are you alright?" he frowned. "You've been standing in front of the sink for ten minutes now."

"Ah," Narcissa cleared her throat. "Right. I had zoned out. Thank you, Draco."

"I am leaving for work," he said, allowing his mother to pat his hair down and kiss his cheek. "I'll be back before lunch."

Narcissa waited until Draco had vanished in a burst of bright green flames before going back to the kitchen. Ever since the War ended and Lucius was taken to prison, Narcissa had become rather alone. In an effort to kill time, she had let go of most of their house elves and started doing the chores herself.

And — she wouldn't lie — she had also wondered once or twice if contacting her only remaining family member was a good idea.

Narcissa sighed, charming the onions to chop themselves up. She had known forever that she was nothing like either of her older sisters. Bellatrix was her parents' first child. She was the apple of their eye, and she'd turned out to be the ideal daughter.

Andromeda was unique in her own way. She had stood up to her parents, defied the family traditions and steadfast beliefs. As a child, Narcissa had always admired Andromeda's resilience.

As much as Narcissa envied and admired her sisters, she could never become like them. She was never brave enough to voice her own thoughts and feelings, nor was she the perfect child. She had kept her mouth shut all her life and done whatever was asked (and expected) of her.

I wonder what is expected of me now, she thought idly, now that I have no parents or siblings left.

Speaking of family, she had almost forgotten about her grand-nephew. She had never seen the boy, nor sent him any letters, nor cared to ask about his well-being. The boy didn't have any family left either, except for his godfather.

She had a sudden image in her mind — a tiny boy of six or seven, resembling Remus Lupin, looking even tinier in his all-black robes, and she felt her insides twist. What must he be going through, she wondered.

Even though she had never experienced the love of her parents herself, she knew that Andromeda loved her grandson as much as Narcissa loved Draco.

And in that moment, Narcissa also knew that if their places had been interchanged — if Narcissa had passed away and Draco was orphaned, Andromeda would definitely have come to see him, all differences forgotten. If she had learnt anything from her second older sister, it was to put your past behind you — especially if there was family involved.

…

Monday morning had the finest weather anyone had seen in quite some time. Narcissa had very little problem entering the small Wizarding church close to where Andromeda used to live. There were not many people, and several of them were familiar faces: Harry Potter and his friends, witches and wizards from Hogwarts, Andromeda's neighbours. And of course, half-hidden in Hermione Granger's robes, a mop of mousy brown hair upon his head — Teddy Lupin.

Narcissa pulled her cloak tighter around herself. She waited until the speeches were over. Potter took Teddy over to where Andromeda lay, and returned with the boy in his arms. People were beginning to leave when Narcissa came out of the crowd to see her sister.

Andromeda looked peaceful, more so than Narcissa had ever seen her be. Her face barely had any wrinkles, and once again, Narcissa marvelled at how similar she and Bellatrix were in their appearance, yet so different in their personalities and beliefs.

Narcissa could not believe it when she found herself unable to speak.

"I'm sorry," was all she could utter. "I hope you're happy where you are now."

...

It is my utmost regret that I have never cared to think about him before, and I hope he will forgive us. Draco and I both wish to see him, but we will not come unless he is sure he is alright with it.

We will of course understand if he refuses to see us.

Narcissa Malfoy