The weather was not surprisingly dreary and rainy.
Even for England.
It had rained all day and most of the night, and a gloom hung over the countryside as the carriage made its way up the drive of the large manor. The carriage itself wasn't that ornate but it was larger than the average size. There were four horses all black and the shades in the carriage windows were all drawn.
Finally it stopped at the large double oak doors of Malfoy Manor at Wiltshire.
The driver jumped down and opened the door, holding out a hand to help the elderly, plump, woman from the carriage. The woman offered a smile and a "Thank you, James" as she opened the umbrella since at any given moment the mist may turn into rain once more, and stepped towards the manor's steps. She was about to step upon the first step when she suddenly looked down at her side and seeing herself alone, she looked down to the other and then an ear-piercing squeal caused her to whirl (no easy feat, there) on her heels only to see a small girl of about 2 years old giggling and jumping and splashing in a rather large puddle.
The old woman smiled and shook her head. Such a kitten, she thought. And finally, after letting her enjoy herself for a few minutes (Merlin knows this may be the last bit of childish fun she'll have) and then a quiet, "Fallyn, child...come along."
The little girl looked up at her, long blonde hair falling in soft curls to the middle of her back, the fringe of bangs brushing against long dark lashes and large deep blue eyes . A row of giggles and the toddler stomped through the puddle again before bouncing over to take the woman's offered hand.
Up the steps, a deep breath and the portly woman closed the umbrella, shaking it off and setting it against the wall. Then she pressed the chimes button.
Narcissa had been walking past the door on her way to the sitting room when the bell sounded so she turned and went to the door, opening it and a smile.
"Eugenia! What a surprise! Come in, please!" and she moved to the side to allow the woman to walk in.
The older woman entered and let go of the child who immediately began inspecting her whereabouts much as a kitten would in a new home. So aprèpeaux.
"Come in for some tea, will you? It's been far too long." Narcissa offered.
The other woman thought about it for a moment. But declined. "I must get back to the Ministry. But thank you for the offer."
Narcissa's brow creased and she looked at the little girl (she WAS adorable, wasn't she) and then back at her old friend. "Then..." But the question would remain unasked.
"I need to ask a favor, Narcissa. For the child" and she nodded at the little girl. "Her name is Fallyn Tanis Ma-- Bradley. Her mother was a pureblood witch that I don't think you know. But she knew of your family as does everyone. We received a call of an abandoned child crying and when we went to investigate...we found her. Hungry and dirty. And no trace of a mum anywhere. We foundout from neighbors who they were and it matched up with a murdered woman we found the day before who had been classified Jane Doe. The death wass being investigated, but without any leads, apparently she was well liked, it looks to be just another random killing...amd we have no more room in foster care and the home for this one. I know you have Draco...he's 2 now, isn't he? Just the same age as Fallyn..." The crux of the explanation was indeed a lie. The Adoption Agency had plenty of room for the toddler. But a note and some other papers found in the flat with some of the child's paperwork in a small box on the top shelf of Meghan's closet explained it all. Narcissa just had to believe that the little girl needed a home. Which she did.
Eugenia watched Narcissa as she watched the little girl. And an inward smile as she could see theyounger woman's heart melting.
"If it's too much I can of course try another family. But I know you can give her what she needs. And she'll have a brother to be raised with. I also know you must talk to Lucius. But I was hoping that maybe I could leave her with you for a while. Even if you don't want her...she has literally nowhere else to go."
Narcissa had been watching the curious kitten through the whole of the speech and her heart indeed was melting. She'd wanted a little girl. But since she'd had Draco...and he'd been ripped from her...she'd cut herself off from Lucius. But now...look what was being presented to her.
Cissa knelt down, still watching Fallyn and once she was down at the child's level, Fallyn looked over and blinked those eyes...a squeal and she charged over, leaping at Cissa, wrapping her little arms around her neck and planting a kiss on the woman's cheek.
That was all it took.
She stood again, still holding the girl and it just felt...right.
A look at Eugenia and a smile. "Of course I'll take her. And she'll be welcomed as one of our own family."
The old woman nodded and with a kiss to the little girl's cheek, she turned to the door. "I'll see that the paperwork is forwarded quickly. Thank you, Cissa..." And with that, she was out the door and to the carriage and was gone.
Then she was alone with the girl.
At first, Narcissa was afraid that the girl would cause all kinds of panic. But she was much too curious and more interested in what was around her. One arm around Narcissa's neck and the other hand pointing at the doorway to the sitting room. Large eyes turned on Cissa.
" 'zat?"
She HAD to smile. She was FAR too precious. And to show her, she walked into the sitting room and set her down. There was a soft whimper and she wrapped both arms around her neck again and for the first time the toddler showed a hint of fear.
Cissa smiled and kissed the toddler's temple and walked over to the couch and sat down, sitting the little girl on her lap. Once she was sitting, Fallyn squeaked and wriggled wildly to get free. She was let go and Fallyn dashed over to the fireplace, hunkering down and looking at the small pile of wood. BIG eyes back at Narcissa then she pointed to the logs again.
" 'ZAT?"
Cissa chuckled softly. "Wood, sweetheart. For the fire."
WROOOOOONG. And she squeaked again and ran back to her carrying something..er...wiggling. Seemed a little lizard had found its way into the woodpile and now was trying frantically to free itself from the girl's surprisingly gentle grasp.
"MAMA! 'ZAT?"
Mama...
And Narcissa swept the child up in her arms, smothering the tyke in kisses which caused the baby to squeal and return them .
Then the moment happened.
Lucius walked in hearing a commotion.
"WHAT...is that?"
(TBC)