Pink Rose Interlude
Inside and Outside
1 August 1993
"Have you heard from Potter?" she heard Delphine ask Nymphadora.
Despite her best efforts, everyone had heard it and it drew curious looks from them.
The five of them, which included her sister and son, were outside having dinner in the rose garden at The Rose Garden. The long, gray stone chateau loomed in front of her in all it's imposing beauty. Even as a child it was her favorite place to visit.
The innocuous question made her hackles rise. Not only had Delphine despised Harry James Potter all her life, but no one had been able to speak his name in her presence all summer. Now she was asking after him?
Hmph.
Andromeda was curious and Nymphadora was frowning, but what surprised her was the suspicion on Draco's face. If only she could get Harry to be less violent. Then again he had reacted unexpectedly to Draco's ill conceived taunt.
She stamped down a sigh.
It wasn't like she and Potter were doing anything, so what did it matter?
She tossed her head as Nymphadora shook hers. "No. Why?"
Delphine shrugged. "Phobos asked about him and I want to know what he's up to."
"And why would Phobos, of all people, be concerned about Harry Potter?" Narcissa asked.
Delphine raised her shoulders again. "You have to ask him."
Nymphadora looked at her and she shook her head. She hadn't heard anything either. Not that that was surprising. She hadn't answered Potter's letter yet and she and Harry didn't write to each other that often.
But if something grievous had happened someone in this house would know sooner or later.
After dinner, she headed to her rooms to finish her letter. Andromeda joined her as she was nearing the end.
"What are you doing?"
"Asking Potter about his son," Narcissa answered casually. "I cannot say if Phobos asked Delphine about Harry, but I can say that Delphine posing the question has me distressed."
Andromeda sat down in a pastel pink chair. "You're changing and afraid," she said, "and it's making you judgmental and suspicious."
Narcissa scoffed. "Forgive me, Andromeda, but you were not in the house."
"You haven't been in her company in eight years," Andromeda retorted.
"And she isn't different from what she was eight years ago," Narcissa answered. "Neither is Phobos or Deimos."
Andromeda raised her eyes. "And Harry Potter is? I've heard the rumors and you were concerned about him just two years ago."
Narcissa laughed. "Yes and no. He is still quick to react and his tongue is growing sharper, but he isn't nearly as physical and cruel as he use to be. Furthermore, if Harry casually asked about Delphine, the twins, or possibly even Draco I'd be concerned."
"Delphine is our niece and the twins are our cousins."
Narcissa turned to her. "What is your problem? When did you become so family orientated? You do not know these children, Andromeda."
Andromeda turned her head. "You're not bothered by how close he is to all sectors of our family to the detriment of actual blood?"
"No," Narcissa said softly.
But Cygnus had given her the bulk of his possessions and Draco had a fortune and a home of his own. Never mind that Harry had been the child Cassiopeia never had.
But Andromeda had never truly been around, so Andromeda's information was almost wholly incomplete and most of it came from Dorea.
"And to the detriment of who exactly?"
"Your grandparents would not have to gone to see Delphine had Harry not been dueling. They celebrated here. He has better rooms than Nymphadora does and a horse to boot," Andromeda replied. "They barely spoke to Stephanie – Stephanie's – son. They don't even know him and I won't get started on Aunt Cass, Arcturus, and Aunt Callidora."
Narcissa smiled. "Henry Potter is supposedly with Aunt Lysandra." She laughed a little when Andromeda rolled her eyes. She turned back to her letter. "And if I'm not mistaken, it was Harry who sat with Grandmother after her favorite grandchild died. I believe Grandfather gave him country as a result and has grown to consider him a grandson in the time after." She sighed. "Harry only wanted family."
"Excuse me?"
"He has no claim to the Rosier fortune or land. He had no claim to whatever Uncle Arcturus and Aunt Cass had," she said. "Darius, Delphine, and the twins want it all and so do their parents. Or grandmothers in Darius' case." She looked at her sister. "Stop spending so much time with Aunt Dorea. Determination to dislike a child you're wholly unfamiliar with is unbecoming."
Andromeda narrowed her eyes. "You hold an affection for him, too?"
"Yes."
"And his father?"
Narcissa smirked and tossed her head. "No."
Not quite, at least, and she held no hope she would one day be his stepmother as it was. James Potter was loyal to Sirius Black and her cousin would never not despise her for her choices.
Deserved, but, at present, he was nothing but an intolerable thorn in her…side.
"If you say so, sister."
Narcissa signed her name. "Andromeda, imagine Nymphadora living amongst Dolohovs, Averys, Lestranges, and Ferox Travers with your face set in stone and her father's surname. Imagine her being forced to learn at the knee of Bella, Travers, Reg, and – ahem – a few others. Imagine then having her forced to spend time with children whose parents hate her, her mother's family, the fact that she's a half-blood who routinely gets the best of everyone, and has the attention of the Dark Lord. And then imagine she has to watch her surrogate family die. Can you imagine that?"
"No, and why would I?"
"Because Abraxas despised Henry and Fleamont, Tristan loathes Uncle Charlus and Fleamont, Severus hates James Potter mainly because of Lily Evans, and Taurus made Rodolphus sick," she said. "Because Harry spent hours a day being taught by Bella, Severus, Voldemort, and Reg. Because Harry is a half-blood who beat up our children, who ganged up on him and their fathers couldn't take it. Because Evan, Severus, Mulciber, and Wilkes beat him and killed Taurus and Stephanie in front of him." She clutched her sister's hand. "You were not in the house, my dear."
••
Begging and Pleading
2 August 1993
Narcissa swept into the dining room the next day a little later than usual.
It was a large, airy room with ivory walls and silver, box trim paneling. They sat in soft, cherry red seats at a long, polished table lined with silver and white dinnerware. Vases full of vibrant, red roses went around the room.
"Welcome home," she told the various people who had returned some time in the night from their separate holidays. She kissed her grandmother's cheek and Draco's forehead before whispering in Laurent's ear. "Have you heard anything from Harry?"
He shook his head. "No, but I have only just sat down. Why?"
"Just curious," she replied with a dismissive wave of her hand.
Laurent eyed her as she searched through her mail.
Nothing.
When she raised her hand to grab a croissant, she saw Laurent stiffen out of her peripheral. She turned her head and saw an envelope in his hand. The seal was a blue flower encircling a rampant, golden stag.
That couldn't possibly be what she thought it was…
"What is that?" she asked. It came out harder than expected and drew the attention of the others.
Laurent didn't answer at first. She watched as he slipped it open to remove what looked like an invitation. It was royal blue and gold, but the large Potter seal was, indeed, on the back.
Laurent looked at Celestine. "We – the Rosier family that is to say – have been invited to celebrate New Year's Eve with the Potters at Dawn Park."
"He did it," Auriel said. "I can't believe he did it."
Timothé, a big man with golden blonde hair and blue eyes, looked at his son, who was smirking at his sister.
"Audrey Potter. It flows well."
Audrey paused then looked at Laurent. "How big is the house?"
Of course.
"As big as this one. At least it was, but James Potter is a single man with his own fortune and ability to purchase a sizeable home." Laurent looked at her. "You were friendly enough this past June. Narcissa Potter has a nice ring to it."
Draco choked on his café crème.
"Andromeda or Xanthe would work well, too." He looked at them. "The point, ladies, is to shop Harry Potter outside this house. What I could do with Malfoy, Rosier, and Potter in the next few decades can be amazing, but I need you to get to it so his ties to this family can be stronger. Another birth wouldn't hurt."
"I am not giving birth," Xanthe, who looked a lot like Narcissa, declared. "Especially to a third in line."
Laurent looked at her. "Did you not hear me? James Potter has money and so does his father. The eldest boy gets Fleamont's money, Harry gets what Henry has, and yours would get James Potter's."
"His isn't as big."
"He's working on a book series," Narcissa said casually. "I've read some it. Theoretical study has never been so uncomplicated or fun."
Laurent shifted to her. "When did you read it, dear?"
"Over di – ahem…" She tossed hair and raised her chin.
Laurent nodded. "Keep having dinners with James Potter." He looked at Xanthe. "Once again, you escape, but one day, my dear, I will get you."
"Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy as step brothers," Auriel said. "I cannot wait to read his letters at the thought."
Timothé grinned at her. "And how long has this been happening, Cissy?"
She exhaled. "James and I – "
"James?" Andromeda said with no small amount of amusement.
"James," Timothé said all breathy.
"James?!" Draco said loudly.
She tossed her hair. "James and I are friends. As for Harry," she said to Ariel, "he has spent the past six months making suggestive comments to his father and myself."
"Why does he know?" Draco asked.
She sighed. "Because he walked into the room when – "
"Great Merlin," Draco said.
"When we were having a conversation," she finished. "Naturally, he jumped to conclusions and has not shut up about them. Fortunately, he isn't in the room to see your face."
Nymphadora's eyes lit up. "Sirius! Oh, please, let me be in the room."
Narcissa just touched her cheeks and shook her head as everyone laughed.
Later that day, she cornered her grandfather in his study. The room was large with sage green walls and a lot of bookcases. Laurent sat in a button-tufted armchair of dark gray velvet. She took another opposite him.
"How close do you intend to be to Delphine?"
"You will not let this go?" he asked. "What has she done?"
Narcissa exhaled. "I have wanted nothing more than to protect my son for the past eight years."
"And how does Delphine threaten that?"
"The same way I, once upon a time, threatened Stephanie and Timothé," she snapped. "Lucius was at Cassiopeia's house. He followed me in the streets – "
Laurent waved his hand. "And you believe what? That Delphine sent him to you?"
"No, I believe that something has happened to Harry and Delphine heard it from the source or someone close to it." She got to her feet. "I don't appreciate the condescension for a girl you had nothing to do with a few short weeks ago," she said softly. "But I don't have to be here anymore, so you proceed as you like."
"Narcissa!" Laurent barked.
But she continued out of the room with her nose in the air.
Draco cornered her in her rooms.
"What are you doing with Potter's father?"
From her vanity she said, "Minding my business."
Draco huffed.
"There is nothing going on between James and I."
"Do you want there to be?"
Narcissa paused, but continued to stare at her reflection.
It had been years she had truly entertained a man. Oh, she'd been with a few, but they had been…nothing and no one Draco knew about.
But James Potter…
She sighed. "I don't want to speak with you about Potter, but we do need to speak." At last she turned around. "I think it would be best if we returned to Aunt Cassiopeia's house. The one in England is lovely. Smaller than here, but there is plenty of land for you to enjoy."
"Because of Delphine?" Draco asked. "You think something really happened to Potter?"
She didn't answer immediately for tapping drew her attention to the window. She opened it and a familiar, gray horned owl flew towards her. She relieved Horny (the man was a child) of his missive and the bird flew over to rest on the windowsill.
The note read:
We need to have a conversation about your ex-husband and your house-elf, but I can wait. I just wanted to tell you to watch yourself and Draco. Someone tried to kill Harry Saturday and killed an auror, Williamson, in the process. A Flesh Eating Curse nearly ate his whole midsection and he's not well at all. Hopefully he'll get better, but I'm living a nightmare for more than one reason.
Just pay attention, okay?
James
Narcissa nodded. "Yes, something did happen to Harry and we will be returning to the house in England. It is protected and people I don't want around cannot get into it."
"Is he dead?"
"No, not quite. Come."
She went to find her grandfather, who was sitting outside in the garden. Some, including Delphine, were missing, but Celestine, Andromeda, and Nymphadora were not.
"I did not think you would be joining us," Laurent drawled.
Draco whispered in Nymphadora's ear as Narcissa handed Laurent the note.
"What?" Nymphadora said looking from Draco to Narcissa. She got up to move behind Laurent to read the letter, too.
Andromeda sat up to look at Narcissa.
Laurent slapped the table. "Putain de bordel de merde!
"That bad," Auriel, who had swaggered, asked with a grin. "Uh Delphine got a letter, too, and left by the way. Hers was better news than that, I think. Good riddance either way, I say."
Narcissa clutched the chair in front of her. To Auriel, she said, "I'd bet my hand it was the same news." To Laurent, she said, "The next time you see her or the twins we will all be left dead on the floor. If not for my sake, do something for Auriel's."
"What?" he said as Laurent tried to hand Timothé the note.
"Little dramatic, Cissy," Timothé said.
She looked at him. "Not when your nephew was almost murdered on his birthday."
He blinked at her and, at last, took the letter.
Auriel stopped grinning. "Harry? Two days ago?"
"Yes."
"Almost? So he's alright?" Auriel asked. He moved to stand beside his father and blanched.
••
Moving Forward
15 August 1993
Given her grandfather's change of heart she spent the rest of August at the garden. The moment Draco left for school, she returned to England.
James came to visit that very evening. His beard was thicker and a little longer than what it had been in June. It was far neater and looked silkier, too. He also smelled of whatever spicy-gingery-citrus cologne she'd told him she liked.
Her face was very near his chest as he raised a bottle. "Wine," he announced with a smirk on his lips.
Annoying.
Why did she allow him near her?
"So?" he said as plopped down onto the sofa. "How was your holiday?"
She closed the door with her back. "Aggravating."
"Ah, so was my break from you."
She narrowed her eyes and he grinned.
"We should go some place to calm our nerves."
She kept her eyes narrowed. She refused to give him any sort of satisfaction.
"What kept you aggravated?" he asked after a wink.
She sat down on the sofa opposite him as she was, again, determined not to give him the satisfaction. "I had to entertain my niece and Grandfather refused to listen to me until well…"
"Ah, you mean Delphine?" he asked smoothly brushing past her 'well.'
She nodded. "Yes, my grandfather for some reason decided to feel guilty about not knowing the rest of his biological grandchildren and great-grandchildren like he does Harry and well Draco."
James nodded. "Darius was supposed to be there now and he's had a fit about it, but even Aunt Dorea was firm about not letting him out of her sight." He rubbed his forehead. "For once I'm happy Simeon doesn't have my face."
"He's not home?"
James shook his head. "They've been in Barbados since the first. I forgot to send him off and he hasn't answered my letters. I doubt he knows anything. I hope I can get ahold of him before he tries to go to the Bones house."
Narcissa raised her eyebrows.
James rubbed his face. "Edgar Bones had Harry in his hand and let him slip away, so he's been suspended. Amelia Bones had Gideon Prewett try to hold Harry hostage in Lily's house. They've been suspended pending an investigation. And Nathaniel Bones threatened my father and Crouch."
Narcissa touched her face. "Why didn't you say any of this in your letter? Do you know how much talk I have missed?" She paused as he laughed. "'Lily' as in Evans?"
James inclined his head. "Yes." Again he smirked and winked. "She found him off the streets and that's how Prewett came to give Madam Bones rope to hang herself."
"Evans and Prewett? Oh the nerve of her!"
James, again, tilted his head in agreement.
"What is Dumbledore doing?"
"We haven't figured that out yet," James said, "but Grandfather believes he's going to watch this play out and will only intervene if harm comes to Harry again. According to Crouch, he's the one who pushed him to suspend Madam Bones and Prewett." He sat up and stared at her over his glasses. "Why did you send your house-elf to Harry and why didn't you tell me about Lucius or the house-elf?"
Narcissa played with the ends of her hair. "Who else would I send him to?"
James blinked. "An adult. Or you could have gone yourself."
"You're sweet," she told him. For his sake, she'd even bit back the condescension. "But this sweetness isn't going to help Harry."
James turned away from her.
"I take full responsibility for my actions," she said. "I watched as children were ushered into my home. I allowed Draco to be the best Black-Malfoy he could be," she said. "I can't take any of it back and you can't undo anything that has happened to Harry. In reality, very soon, neither of us will be able to keep our children safe."
James rubbed his face.
"Harry will never know innocence and naivety in the way we do," she said. "He is spoiled and well taken care of now, but he knows violence and darkness better than the two of us, which is saying something given Bella and Sirius."
"You haven't answered my question."
She picked up her glass. "Because…" She took a drink. "Who would listen to me or a house-elf?" she asked. "I cannot waltz into the offices of Crouch, Dumbledore, or Grindelwald. I tried and Dumbledore made me wait." She exhaled. "Believe it or not, Harry might be a little more powerful than our grandfathers."
He stood up. "What am I supposed to do? Stand by and watch as he's pulled between Dumbledore, Grindelwald, and Voldemort?"
She cringed just so and was happy he couldn't see her face. "Stand by? No. Help him? Yes. You, your fathers, I have enemies to take care of. Have his back while he's fighting people in front of him."
"He's thirteen."
"And a young man byway of experience," she retorted.
James ran a hand through his hair and sighed. "Do you have an unsatisfying answer for everything?"
"If you wish to be satisfied, James, that's all you had to say."
"How will you satisfy me, Cissy?"
He looked at her and she felt her color rise as she stared back.
"You look lovely in pink," he said.
Merlin, please. Why was this happening? Why did she allow this to keep happening.
James sighed. "What are we doing?"
"Having a conversation."
"Beyond that."
She stared at him. In truth, she had no idea as to what they were doing. He was James Potter and she was Narcissa Black previously Malfoy. The idea of them doing anything that didn't involve animosity and scorn was unfathomable. Yet here they were. She couldn't call them anything beyond friends who dabbled in sexual innuendo, but that was surprising in itself.
"What would you like to do, Potter?"
"My mother has suggested I start looking for a new house," he said. "Unspoken is that Harry will get Dawn Park and Simeon will end up with Eastbrook. My house will be to tempt some wealthy man's daughter," he told.
She raised her chin.
"Harry already thinks we're having sex, but I'm not here to ask for that or your hand in marriage. I'm here to find out where these dinners and late night conversations are going. If they are going some place," he said. "Your grandparents already adore Harry, but, just in case you need a little more convincing – "
She raised her hand. "Laurent has already explained the business benefits to me, but there are a few things I need to understand." She tossed her hair over her shoulder. "What did you dislike about Smith?"
James frowned. "Beyond being a bitch to my kid?"
"I suppose. Yes."
He exhaled. "She was embarrassing."
Narcissa raised her eyebrows. "Excuse me?"
"I married a social climber who didn't know how to relax," he said. "She was…embarrassing and, much like the people of her status, thought nothing of my name, which I'm proud to have."
"I'm not ashamed to be a Black either, James, and I won't allow Draco to be shamed for his name either."
James nodded. "Harry throws barbs at anyone not named Potter. In private, he'll even take shots at everyone save Hardwin and Nichola's children. When he has his own kids it'll be even worse."
"I don't mean him." Amused at Harry insulting Darius and Simeon's future children like her father did to Orion, she said, "I expect no more from him."
James shook his head. "My father accepted Sirius and married Cantankerous Nott's daughter. Charlus married Pollux' sister. Taurus married Laurent's granddaughter. You and Draco would just be Tuesday."
"Sirius."
James' eyes widened. "Oh hell, I'll cross that bridge when I know this is a sure thing."
"I'm not unlike your first wife, but unlike her I know darkness and a little bit of hardship," she said.
James snorted.
"It has left me exhausted."
James smiled and walked over to her. As dinner appeared on the table, he held out his hand.
She took it.
••
Morning After
16 August 1993
They'd gone to bed early and stayed in bed all day. Now she sat front of her vanity brushing her hair. James had just stepped out of the shower, so she said, "You never told me how Harry was."
"Why would I do that?"
She turned her head to see him putting her oil on his body. "Because he was almost murdered."
"Almost." She heard him exhale. "He's alive."
She waited for him to enter the room before responding. He had some Draco's clothes in hand and was enlarging them. "Draco loves that shirt."
"Sorry."
"Harry has seen Draco wear that shirt."
James shrugged. "If this gets him to say something cheeky it'll be worth it."
"What's wrong with him?" When he didn't respond she said, "Why do you not wish to speak about him."
"Because talking about Harry makes me sad and I don't want to be sad," he said softly. He straightened and looked at her. "Have you ever seen him cry?"
The question made the hair on her arms stand on end. "When he was small. Maybe two? I doubt he's done it in years."
"I realized two weeks ago I had never heard it. It scared the shit out of me."
She crossed her arms. "But that isn't what's distressing you now. Sobbing from the pain of a destroyed midsection is understandable if not terrifying for Harry James Potter." She played with her hair. "He's quiet?"
He nodded. "He has no bite and certainly no fight."
She stopped moving her hands at the word. Harry Potter with no fight was like a Black without arrogance.
"Sirius made a comment about Charlus marrying Luella and Harry didn't take the bait," he said. "Sirius has spent the week trying to goad him and nothing. He's been reading books, doing what little work he has left, and only speaks when spoken to." He laughed, but there was little amusement in it. "All these years we've been trying to get him to hold his tongue and now…" He shook his head. "Charlus asked him about returning to school and Castelobruxo. He doesn't want to go, but Grindelwald – "
"Is going to make him," she finished.
He nodded. "I should've questioned him more about the shit he got up to and it's so much."
She played with her hands. "I'm sorry, James."
He nodded. "I know. Everyone is."