Andromeda should know by now that there's little chance that opening her door to an unexpected knock will lead her nowhere good. Hardly anyone visits her anymore—Harry, primarily, to see Teddy, though he always plans his visits beforehand. If she had been able to sleep at all lately, Andromeda would perhaps have the mental faculties to consider who might be at the door; as it was, she answered it and was in shock to see her sister standing at her front step.

"Narcissa." Her voice was calm, not at all betraying her surprise. She supposed she didn't have the energy to be surprised anymore. The war had taken everything out of her, and everyone from her. She felt empty and listless. What need did she have for being surprised anymore?

"Andi. Can I come in?"

Without speaking, she turned and waved a hand into her home. Andromeda followed her sister into the sitting room and sank into the couch, feeling her body relax into the cushions. Narcissa hovered near the doorway to the room. "You can sit, Cissy."

She did, taking a seat on the other end of the sofa, perched carefully on the edge of the seat. "I know it's been…awhile."

"It's been nearly thirty years."

"Yes," Narcissa said with a sigh. "Andi, please." There was touch of childish begging in her voice, and Andromeda was harshly reminded of her childhood, of arguing with her sister as kids. What she would give to go back to that time; what she would give to prevent her from ever returning to that point in her life.

"The last few decades certainly haven't gone as I intended them to," she continued. "And with—" Andromeda expected her to say something along the lines of 'with the war ending' or 'with your whole family dying' or 'with this fresh start that's been provided to us,' but Narcissa said, "With Bellatrix dying, I wanted to—I needed to reconnect with you. I was hoping you'd be willing to put the past behind us."

Andromeda gave her a long, calculating look. In the back of her mind, she was hoping that Teddy wouldn't be upset when he woke from his nap, as he was due to do any time now. Closing her eyes briefly, she took a deep breath before returning her attention to her sister. "Have you any idea the losses I've sustained from your allies?" Her monotony cracked a bit here, exposing her emotions. "My husband, my daughter, her husband? Narcissa, I know you're trying to make amends, but have you considered that it may be too late?"

Her sister wouldn't meet her eyes, Narcissa's lip trembling slightly. If Andromeda hadn't known her so well, she wouldn't have noticed. "I'm so sorry." She paused for a long moment. "I haven't given up on you. I never did. You're my sister, no matter what the politics say about it. I would love the opportunity to try again with you, Andi."

The baby's wailing from upstairs interrupted their conversation. Andromeda stood, giving her sister a sad look. Narcissa gave a start at the sound before realizing that, of course, Andromeda had been the one to take in her infant grandson. She was the only one he had left, really. "I will think about it. But, right now, I've got to take care of Teddy. I can show you out."

.

A/N: Written for Advent Calendar Day 29: (trait) Calm;

Writing Club – Disney Challenge S2: Write about a character welcoming someone into their home; Showtime 41: (genre) Hurt/comfort; Amber's Attic F2: Write about a rivalry or feud that has lasted a long time; Liza's Loves 9: Write about a widow; Bex's Basement 22: Write about Narcissa Malfoy;

Writing Month and Dragons: wc 565