"So how are you feeling, Astoria?"
Narcissa and her daughter-in-law were using Narcissa's day off to stroll through Diagon Alley and do some windowshopping. It was a relatively nice early summer's day and both of them cherished the chance to spend some time together. Ever since Astoria had been welcomed into the family almost seven years ago, the two had gotten along splendidly.
The younger woman smiled as she rested a hand on her growing belly. There wasn't much to see yet but Astoria could feel her child growing with every day that passed. Her and Draco's little miracle. After two early miscarriages, they'd almost given up hope. But even though a lot could still happen, she was focusing on the here and now, on her healthy, living baby.
"I was trying to be careful about getting too excited but I realized that it's too difficult. I'm just so happy that I will finally be able to give Draco what he wishes for the most. I know how much he's longing to become a father."
Narcissa patted the brunette's hand. "Draco was a very sick newborn. The nurses and healers all told me not to get my hopes up but I did anyway. And look at him today; he's grown into a strong young man his mother can be proud of. Sometimes caution isn't the best option. It's all right to be happy. And I know you'll be great parents to this little one."
Astoria stopped walking and briefly hugged the blonde. "Thank you, Narcissa. I'm truly grateful we've got you in our lives."
"And I'm thankful that you lured my boy away from Pansy," Narcissa chuckled as they parted. "She's a nice enough girl but I'd hate to have to deal with her mother on the holidays." She rolled her eyes. "Therese Parkinson is not on my list of favorite people after what she did to my sister. She was the one who outed her relationship to that Muggleborn boy, Ted Tonks… Told it to her little friends and basically the whole school. Andromeda was gone the day after, she never finished her seventh year."
Astoria nodded in understanding. She looked at Narcissa and worded her next question carefully. "Have you thought about reaching out to your sister again? I know it didn't exactly went well five years ago but her wounds were still too fresh… you know, losing her daughter and son-in-law, taking care of Teddy…"
"I... have thought about it, yes. But I don't know if I should risk disrupting her life once more. Andy has always been the one of us sisters who held onto a grudge the longest. Maybe it is already past our time to reconcile. Maybe she can never forgive me for my part in the war. But, as I said, the jury's still out on that one. I'll think about it."
"I am sure she would be happy to reunite with her sister now that the dust has settled. If you give her time."
Narcissa smiled. "That would be nice. Now," she shook her head to get rid of the dark thoughts that were now swirling through her mind. "How about we go and have lunch at the Leaky Cauldron? My treat. I am positive that my grandchild is hungry from all the shopping by now."
"That sounds great actually."


"Finish your chips, Rose," Hermione nodded at her daughter's plate seeing as the little girl had gone over to playing with her food instead of eating it.
"But I'm not hungry anymore, mummy," Rose whined, half-heartedly picking up a chip and popping it into her mouth.
"I told you not to order the 'Hungry Werewolf Chips', honey, do you remember? I told you it was a really big portion and you wouldn't listen."
"I'm sorry, mummy. But I really can't fit any more of them," Rose pointed a finger at her belly and scrunched up her nose. "I promise I'll order what you say next time."
"Somehow I think I've heard this one before," Hermione good-naturedly raised a brow at her daughter. "I'll finish them for you. Can you go and wash your hands for me? Hannah is right over there, see?" She gestured at the Leaky Cauldron's new patron, Neville's wife and a good friend of her and Ron. "Alison and Frankie are right next to her, they'll go with you to the bathroom."
"Okay, mummy," the small redhead hopped off her bench and sped away towards her friends. Alison was two years older than Rose but little Frankie was three as well and Rose and Neville's little boy had hit it off right away when they'd met at Frankie's second birthday. Hannah and Hermione often arranged play-dates for their children.
Sighing, Hermione went to finish Rose's chips, thinking about how to approach Ron about what she wanted to talk to him about that evening. She'd already made her decision but she still wanted Ron to agree and be on her side. It wouldn't be easy.


Narcissa was just waiting for Astoria to return from the washroom – she remembered all too good how annoyed she'd been by her own bladder during her pregnancy with Draco – when her eyes fell upon a group of children playing between the long benches and high chairs near the bar.
Smiling as she recognized one of them, she called out: "Hey little Rosie! Are you here to finally let me in on your secret of that magic sneeze?"
She watched as the little girl whirled around, gave her friends the cold shoulder, and darted to where she was sitting.
"Healer Black!" the redhead jumped excitedly on the spot. "I tried to come visit you at the hospital but it didn't work out. Once daddy caught me sneaking out of my room and then mummy just accioed the bean from my nose..." Rose briefly pouted at the memory of her failed attempts but the pout didn't last long. She had finally gotten to see her healer after all.
"The story with the bean sounds terrific," the blonde witch smirked at the child. "And you know what? You should call me Narcissa. We're basically friends now, aren't we?"
"Nar- Nars- Cissa?"
Narcissa chuckled. "Cissa is fine, too. My sisters actually used to call me that. I know my name's a handful."
"But it's pretty!"
"Well if you say so, then it must be true," Narcissa winked at the child. "So, are you here on your own?"
"No, my mummy is-"
"Right here."
The young girl comically drew her eyebrows together as she slowly turned around to find her mother standing right behind her, her hands crossed in front of her body as she looked down at her.
"Oh oh…"
"Yes, oh oh, you can say that again, Rose. I was worried, honey, you know you can't just run off like that. I was just talking to Hannah for a moment and suddenly you were gone."
"I'm sorry, mummy..."
"I hope you are." The brunette sighed. It was almost impossible how many nerves this child had already cost her. "Ms. Black," she finally acknowledged Narcissa's presence, forcing a slight smile onto her lips.
"Mrs. Granger," Narcissa stood up and nodded in greeting. "I am deeply sorry for causing you any distress. I was the one who saw your daughter and called her over. I should've considered that someone might get worried about her. It was not my intention to scare you."
"No harm done," Hermione shrugged it off. She was about to say her goodbyes when she remembered Minerva's advice and decided to take a leap of faith. The Pureblood would surely outright refuse to even meet her. "Ms. Black, it is actually a good thing that I've run into you. I was wondering if you would be up to meet with me."
The blonde raised a brow at the younger woman, obviously wondering about the intent of her invitation.
"To talk," Hermione clarified. "About the past and all that has happened. A mutual friend proposed the idea because she thought it would be good... But I guess it's stupid, I shouldn't have-"
"I am free on Friday," Narcissa Black offered instead of – what Hermione had been anticipating – laughing at her preposterous proposition. "If you're available then, we can meet wherever you'd like."
Hermione was speechless by the positive answer but finally managed to get the knot out of her tongue to respond. "I'd like that. I'll owl you? Do you still live at the Manor?"
Narcissa shook her head no. "Draco and Astoria live there now. It is the Malfoy family home. I have moved back to my childhood home shortly after the two married. Castle Black, Onyx Cliffs. That's in North Yorkshire," she explained as an afterthought. "It is somewhat remote but your owl should have no trouble finding it. I suggest you do not send an old bird though, the winds can get rather strong all around the year."
"I'll keep it in mind."
"Mummy, can I come, too?" Rosie tugged at the rim of her mother's shirt. "I want to play with Cissa," she proudly used the witch's name. "She's my new friend."
Knowing that the child would likely protest if the no came from her mother and wanting to spare the brunette further trouble because of her, Narcissa crouched down in front of the small redhead and smiled at her apologetically. "Maybe some other time, Rosie, yes? You know, it'd be really boring for you to come along because I won't have any time to play. Your mother and I have to talk about adult things."
The little girl made a face. "I guess…"
Just then, Astoria returned from her bathroom break, smiling at the newcomers.
"Oh hello, I didn't realize I was away for so long that my mother-in-law had to find new company," she held out her hand. "I'm Astoria Malfoy."
"Hermione Granger." The two witches shook hands as Narcissa got back up to her feet. "And this is my daughter, Rose. Say hello, honey."
"Hello," the redhead replied shyly, burrowing into her mother's leg.
"Hello Rose. It is lovely to meet you. I see you're expecting a little sibling," Astoria motioned at Hermione's protruding belly. "Are you excited?"
The child bobbed her head up and down. "Yes, but only if it is a girl. All boys but Frankie are icky."
The three women laughed.
"Well, I'll cross my fingers then that you'll get a little sister."
"We should be going, Astoria, we told Draco we'd be picking him up at work and we only have fifteen minutes left."
"Oh, yes… I guess we should hurry then. It was nice meeting you, Mrs. Granger."
"You, too," Hermione replied. "Have a good day," she then addressed both women.
"Thank you, Mrs. Granger," Narcissa responded with a smile. "And you and little Rose as well. I'll see you around, Rosie."
"Bye!" Rose eagerly waved at her new friend, giggling when she winked at her before she left.
As she watched the two women leave the pub, Hermione Granger was wondering if she'd just made a big mistake. Still, she was standing by her decision to meet the older witch and would ponder the details later that day. Maybe after she'd spoken to Ronald.


"No way, Hermione!" Ron was pacing through their living room, shaking his head. "You can't go back to work. Rosie is only three and what about the baby? You'd have to take leave in a few months anyway!"
"Rose is old enough to either go to a Muggle kindergarten or to spend a couple of hours each day with that nice Squib lady Harry and Ginny sometimes bring the children to. And the little one isn't even born yet. I want to work, Ron, don't you get it? I'm not your mother, I never said I'd become your stay-at-home housewife when I said 'I do'. I want a life apart from raising our children!"
"A Muggle kindergarten? You can't be serious, Hermione! Our child is a witch! Why should she play in the sand with some filth-" Ron broke off and stopped his pacing, realizing the grave mistake he'd just made.
"Go on," Hermione's voice was low and calm. Ron knew that that was when his wife was the most dangerous... "Finish your sentence."
"Mione, you know I didn't mean it like that, I just don't want Rosie out of our house." He raised his hands, trying to placate her. "Mum's raised all of us at home, it just isn't right that my daughter would have to do without her mother when I'm earning enough money for her to stay at home with her."
"I was one of those filthy Muggle children, just for your information, Ronald. Do not think I've forgotten about that," Hermione stood with her hands on her hips. "And this isn't about the money, I just wish you would get that. I'm not trying to make you feel less of a man – I know perfectly well that the money you bring home is more than enough for us. But I want to work! I want to learn new things and help change our society!"
"I just don't understand why you would put the society above your own family!"
"It isn't either or, Ron. I can be a great mum and a working mum at the same time. And just so you know, I've already told Kingsley I'd be back on Monday. I just had hoped that you'd see reason and that you'd maybe even be happy for me… But I guess that's just too much to ask.." Hermione shook her head, tears of disappointment were running down her cheeks. "Don't wait up for me. I'll spend the night at Harry's." With that, Hermione stepped into their fireplace and flooed to Grimmauld Place no. 4, knowing her friends would welcome her with open arms.


AN: Oops... I didn't just start ruining a marriage, did I? Huh. Sorry, not sorry. I love you, Ron Weasley but Hermione just isn't the one for you. You'll see that in due time.

So people, how did you like the new chapter? Any comments on the Astoria/Narcissa dynamic or anything else really? I'm always curious about your thoughts. And gods, I hope someone is even reading these notes of mine.

I had the story written up this far but you won't have to wait terribly long for the next chapter - Hermione and Cissa's meeting, yay! - it should be ready by Wednesday or Thursday the latest, maybe earlier.

Thanks for the lovely private messages I received from Beagle Brother and HerCissa as well for the reviews by HerCissa, Ragamuffin47, Cath, the anonymous guest, as well as Millifer97 - You guys seriously rock. Oh and good to see some old familiar faces in the favorites and follows list. You know who you are. :-)