Disclaimer: I do not own any part of the Harry Potter series.
Explaining
Narcissa approached her mother with the expectancy of a child used to getting her way.
"Mummy," she said in her warmest voice.
Druella examined her daughter over a cup of tea. "Hmm?"
Narcissa perked up at her mother's indulgent smile.
"I was only wondering where I might buy a baby."
Druella sputtered over her tea. Narcissa frowned as her mother choked out a laugh.
"Buy a baby?" Druella repeated.
Narcissa nodded eagerly, shuffling to her mother's side. Druella stroked her daughter's hair thoughtfully.
"Narcissa, darling," she said softly, "You don't really expect to purchase a child. Do you?"
Narcissa was filled with confusion at the look of gentle concern on her mother's face.
"But, Mummy. I'm not like Meda, and I'm certainly not like Bella. I would be a splendid mother!" Narcissa beamed. Then, because she was well versed in the art of manipulation, Narcissa added, "Like you!"
Druella cooed, "Of course you will be."
She then bit her lip in a way that she seldom did and for which she more often scolded Andromeda. "The thing you must understand, Narcissa, is that one doesn't buy a child."
This really put Narcissa off.
Surely money could buy anything?
"You must have a child," Druella said simply.
Narcissa's forehead knotted with mounting frustration. How could you possibly have something without first buying it?
"Narcissa, don't scowl; it isn't becoming."
"But, Mother, I don't understand."
She could hear the indignant whine rising in her voice. Narcissa wondered if her mother was simply being difficult in a means to punish Narcissa. Though, she couldn't think of anything she had recently done that her mother hadn't already blamed on Bella.
"Oh, Narcissa, you're much too young to be worrying about these things." A fond sigh, "Ask your father, dear. I'm sure he'd be most interested in your concerns."
Narcissa highly doubted this, but she thought better than to correct her mother's wishful thinking.
No longer under scrutiny, Narcissa frowned in supreme confusion as she made her way to her father's study. As she pushed open the heavy oak door, Narcissa considered how best to approach the subject. If her mother wouldn't indulge her, surely she wouldn't have much luck with her father. Still, Narcissa was determined to get her way.
As she entered, Cygnus sat behind his large desk and scrawled elegantly across a long bit of parchment. Important owls to the Ministry, Bella had once told her when Narcissa asked what their father spent so much time writing.
"Father." Narcissa spoke timidly. Then she thought of how Bella's brazen way of speaking always caught his attention. Narcissa cleared her throat. "I was wondering if I might ask you a question."
Though her father did not pause in his letter writing, he also did not protest, so Narcissa pressed on.
"You see, I wanted to purchase a baby to take care of, for when Bella and Meda exclude me. Only, I asked Mother, and she told me that I couldn't buy a baby. Apparently I have to have one, which must mean I must be given a baby. So," Narcissa breathed in, then in one breath said, "I was hoping you might buy one for me."
The scratching of Cygnus's quill stopped.
Narcissa winced, mentally chiding herself. She had said too much. Her father didn't approve of speaking without moderation, and Narcissa had done just that, and now she had ruined it, and now she would never get a baby.
Cygnus rubbed his chin as though noticing his daughter for the first time.
"I'm afraid you spoke too quickly, Narcissa." He peered quietly, and Narcissa shifted.
When he had given his silent approval to repeat the question, Narcissa spoke hesitantly. "Father, I would like to know where babies can be purchased, and if you know, would you please buy me a girl?" Narcissa waited, then realized her mistake. "I mean a boy. A boy would be fine, too."
Narcissa gauged her father's reaction to determine if he had caught her slipped wish. But his face bore only the expression of confusion, an expression, Narcissa thought, that was highly unsatisfactory. Surely her father, having three daughters, would know where to find such a shop?
Realization broke Cygnus's face with a short laugh. "Ah, I see," he said. "You want to know from where you yourself came."
"Um, no, not exactly."
Narcissa's meek reply went unnoticed by her father.
"Sit down, Narcissa. I suppose you are old enough to appreciate the significance of such a conversation."
Though not entirely sure her father understood her question, Narcissa sat in an uncomfortable chair across from Cygnus. Her feet didn't touch the ground as she straightened her spine with the importance of custom and propriety.
"To the Most Noble and Ancient House of Black," Cygnus began in an important drawl, "a baby is a matter of utmost import."
Narcissa nodded eagerly. "Oh yes, Father. That's why I think I should have-"
Cygnus waved away her comment with a dismissive hand. "You'll let me finish before speaking, Narcissa."
Narcissa looked sullenly into her lap. Bella got away with interrupting Cygnus all the time. But Narcissa knew better than to voice this thought.
"Utmost import," Cygnus continued, "because a baby will determine the longevity of a family's name. If it is a boy, the family has an heir to carry on our name."
Narcissa didn't particularly want a boy, so she had to ask, "Father, what happens if the child is a girl?"
"If it is a girl?" Cygnus repeated. He laughed as though wondering why Narcissa would consider such a prospect. "Well, you of course hope for a son the next time."
Narcissa looked at her father who had adopted a strange smile, strange because he didn't exactly look happy.
"Yes, but you and Mother have three daughters. Surely, not all girls are less wanted than-"
"Interruptions, Narcissa," Cygnus said impatiently. "Daughters are more tedious and often less useful."
Narcissa thought she heard the slightest bit of teasing in her father's voice, so she felt allowed to grumble, "You like Bellatrix."
Cygnus gave a bark of a laugh, then considered his youngest daughter.
"Do you think so, Narcissa?" he asked in his voice which made it very difficult for Narcissa to determine what he meant.
"Whether or not one likes daughters," Narcissa said, hiding her irritation only because she spoke to her father, "Why would you chose a daughter if you really wanted a son?"
"Would I really have three daughters and no sons if one could choose whether to have a son or a daughter?"
"You can't choose?" Narcissa asked, her mouth slipping to a pout despite her better judgment. This bit of enlightenment certainly put a damper on her immediate plans.
"There are potions and enchantments, of course. But such devices are found unreliable and rather common."
"Oh." Narcissa's disappointment continued to rise. She had absolutely no desire to be common.
Cygnus returned to his letter writing, but Narcissa had even more questions after their discussion. Besides, he still hadn't told her if he would purchase a child for her.
"Well, assuming I do want a son, how would I get one?"
"You'll need to catch a husband, first."
Narcissa considered this; though she knew husbands must be married, not bought, she couldn't see how a husband would help in matters of getting a child.
Then it dawned on her. "Oh! To purchase the child for me."
"Not precisely," Cygnus muttered, weary of the conversation.
"I suppose that's the way for those bellow us, but surely we have enough money so that you could buy one for me. Right?"
When Cygnus unceremoniously requested his daughter to go find her sisters, Narcissa sulked up the long stairs to her bedroom. She was so used to having her wishes granted immediately, she couldn't begin to understand why her simple questions had to be met with such ambiguous and useless answers. On the top of the landing, however, she met Andromeda, and Narcissa's spirits lifted. Andromeda would help her.
But when Narcissa proposed her question to her sister, Andromeda reacted in a less than reassuring manner.
Andromeda bit her lip, forehead scrunched in uncertainty. "Um, maybe that's a question for Bella."
Of course, Narcissa thought. Bella was a fourth year; she knew everything. But because Bella knew everything, she took great delight in reminding Narcissa of the fact. Which is why Narcissa practiced always asking Andromeda first.
Narcissa continued to look at Andromeda, whose face now bore an odd expression.
"On second thought," Andromeda said slowly, "Maybe we shouldn't ask Bella."
Narcissa shrugged. At this point she didn't care who told her, just as long as she figured out a solution to her childless dilemma.
"Then you must tell me," Narcissa demanded.
"Haven't you asked Mother?" Andromeda said with something like hopefulness in her voice.
Narcissa pouted. "I did. But Mother wasn't much help, except that she told me I can't buy a child, which I think is a sneaky way of telling me she doesn't want me to have one."
"Well, you are a little young, Cissy."
"That's no excuse to not tell me the truth. I want to know."
"Have you asked Father?" It was obvious, even to Narcissa, that Andromeda was stalling, though Narcissa could not imagine why. Unless she didn't know either.
Andromeda turned from Narcissa, and walked back to her room. Narcissa was not to be deterred, however, and followed Andromeda.
"You don't know, do you?" Narcissa accused. Not getting a prompt answer was making her cross.
"Of course I know!"
Narcissa smirked at her sister; Meda's arrogance, though not as excessive as Bella', just begged to be manipulated. "Then tell me."
Andromeda took a deep breath. "When a wizard and a witch love each other very much, they decide to have a baby."
Narcissa stamped her foot. "You're lying!"
Andromeda looked taken aback at the interruption. "What?"
Narcissa folded her arms over her chest. "You said that a wizard has to decide too, but I've already decided I want to have a baby on my own."
"Yeah, but," Andromeda struggled to defend her statement, "you've really got to have a wizard to decide with you."
"Why?"
Andromeda froze, eyes wide with terror.
"Oh, Cissy, you know why," she laughed nervously.
Narcissa shook her head.
Andromeda gulped. "Right. Well, it's just, it works better that way." Inspiration dawned over her face. "It's like anything else in our society. It's better to make a decision with a wizard, specifically your husband."
"Oh," Narcissa said. Her voice fell glumly. She wasn't married yet. "But I suppose I'll find a husband soon enough."
"Err, yeah, I guess so."
"Wait," demanded Narcissa, "if you and Bella are to marry before me, does that mean you two will be able to decide to have a baby before me?"
The thought of Bellatrix, completely negligent, being closest to motherhood infuriated Narcissa.
"Well, if you want to look at it that way-"
"That's completely unfair!"
"Meda!" Bella sang as she walked into the room. "Oh, there you are, Cissy. I thought I heard a tantrum."
Narcissa scowled at Bellatrix who bore a devilish grin.
"Mother told me the funniest thing," Bella began. "Which is funny in itself, as Mother generally doesn't have funny things to say."
Narcissa waited.
"She told me," Bella continued, "that you asked where you could by a baby. And then, she accused me of putting ideas into your head."
Narcissa swatted Bella's hand away as her sister tapped her nose.
"Well I did ask. But I for one don't think she should have given you credit for my idea. You don't deserve it," Narcissa sniffed.
Bella ignored this comment to continue her teasing. "So, did she tell you?"
"Tell me what?" Narcissa grumbled, as though she had not spent the greater part of the morning trying to find an answer to her question.
"Where you might purchase a baby, of course."
Narcissa dropped her pretense to mope to her sister. "No! And Father was even less helpful, and Meda won't tell me."
Narcissa saw Andromeda cast Bella a helpless glance.
"Meda won't even tell you?" Bella drawled. At this new bit of information, Bellatrix turned her attack on the middle sister. "I would think Meda would be more than happy to tell you."
"I am, I tried, but-"
"I'm beginning to suspect she doesn't know," Narcissa informed Bellatrix.
Bellatrix gave Andromeda a crooked smile. "Sure she does. Come on, Meda. Cissy needs to know sometime. Better from her two big sisters than the first year dormitory."
Andromeda shuddered. Narcissa had a keen feeling of exclusion.
"If Meda knows, you certainly know, Bella."
Bellatrix turned to Narcissa, regarded her with that same crooked grin.
"Bella. Tell me where to buy a baby. Now."
Though Narcissa knew she was far too old to throw a fit, she felt the warm weapon of tears swell in her eyes and she knew victory was close at hand.
"Please, Bella," she whined, for effect.
Bella sighed in a way that Narcissa would like to think was fondly.
"Cissy, you can only have a baby after you make it first," Bella laughed as though such a detail was obvious.
Narcissa wrinkled her nose. If what Bella said was true, Narcissa would have to work for a baby, and work was something she disapproved of on principle.
"Make it? Like a potion?"
Bella's lips pursed in consideration, then her imagination faltered. "Like a potion? Andromeda, what exactly have you been telling Cissy?"
"What have I been telling her?" Andromeda repeated with an offended huff.
"You make babies like you make a potion; that's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard."
But Narcissa, in her earnestness to finally have an answer to her not so difficult question, caught only the first part of Bella's statement and said, "So do we need to go to the Apothecary?"
Bella looked confused. "What?"
"You said, 'you make babies like you make a potion,' so obviously-"
"No!" Bellatrix cried, her voice struggling between exasperation and laughter. "Merlin's sake, Cissy: sex."
Narcissa gasped. Though she had little idea what her sister was implying, the word alone caused a heavy blush to crawl up her neck into her cheeks. A great part of her thought that Bellatrix had merely thrown the word into the conversation to further embarrass the youngest sister.
She asked weakly, "What does that have to do with anything."
Andromeda, her face not as red as Narcissa's but colored nevertheless, gave a small whimper of despair.
Bella, however, of course took delight in Narcissa's flustered reaction and laughed.
"Cissy, it's how you make a baby."
"What?"
Narcissa stared blankly at her sisters. She looked at Bellatrix, who looked as though she was suppressing further laughter, and then at Andromeda, who looked both worried and embarrassed, and then back to Bellatrix.
Narcissa asked, "Are you sure?"
Bellatrix gave a laugh. "I'm positive. Narcissa, when you have se-"
"Bella!" Andromeda interjected. "If Mother and Father wouldn't tell her, you can't!"
Narcissa sat between her sisters, mortified by what she was about to hear or not hear. As a result of previous Bellatrix explanations, Narcissa was inclined to agree with Andromeda. Perhaps Bella wasn't the best source of information concerning babies. After all, since when had Bella had a positive attitude toward children?
Still, there was that nagging part of Narcissa that needed to know.
Bella, never one to hesitate in matters of speech-or anything else for that matter, clapped her hands together and said, "Why don't you sit down, Cissy. This could take a while."
"I hope not," Andromeda mumbled, holding her face in her hands as she sat on the edge of the bed.
Narcissa perched herself next to Andromeda, and smiled expectantly at Bellatrix.
"Where to begin," Bella said as she paced in front of her sisters, obviously in deep thought.
Andromeda dropped her hands to stare warningly at Bellatrix. "Nothing weird, Bella."
"Ah!" Bella said. "I know. Narcissa, do you remember when Father would tell us the legend of the Chamber of Secrets?"
"Um, I suppose so," Narcissa replied. In truth, she only remembered that it was vitally important to the history of Salazar Slytherin and thus to the Blacks, but she wasn't about to tell Bella that when she was finally on the verge of discovery.
"Good, then we can draw comparisons."
"No, Bella," Andromeda protested, "this is a bad idea."
Bellatrix continued with her explanation. "So the legend goes that somewhere in the depths of Hogwarts, Salazar Slytherin created a secret labyrinth or something known as the Chamber of Secrets."
"Uh huh."
"And in the Chamber of Secrets lived some sort of monster that only the heir of Slytherin could control. Nobody knows for sure what that monster is exactly, but for the purpose of our explanation, and because it is Slytherin's monster, we're going to assume it's some sort of serpent."
Narcissa nodded slowly. "Sure…"
She had no idea how an ancient monster connected to getting a baby, but she supposed she shouldn't have expected differently from Bella's point of view.
"So, like Hogwarts, every witch has a Chamber of Secrets," Bella said. She paused for emphasis.
Narcissa said, "Oh. Right."
Andromeda made a small noise of protest, but said nothing more.
"And, like Slytherin, every wizard has a monster to control. A snake, if you will."
Narcissa shrugged.
Andromeda bit her lip, maybe winced a little.
"Well," Bella continued, looking quite pleased with her explanation, "Usually the monster stays with the wizard, but occasionally or frequently- depending on the wizard, the snake decides to enter the witch's Chamber of Secrets."
Narcissa frowned and asked, "Bella, I don't understand how this connects to babies."
"I'm not finished," Bella said. "Anyway, once the snake is in the Chamber of Secrets, the wizard and witch start to make a baby."
"How?"
"I just told you how."
"I mean specifically."
Andromeda interjected, "No details, Bella."
Bella threw up her hands. "It's magic, Cissy."
"Ok," Narcissa said. That at least made sense.
"But, while we're on the subject," Bellatrix said, "You need to be aware that, as a pureblood, you can't just agree to any wizard's snake. Like the legend of Salazar's monster, only the heir of Slytherin, or someone very close to that title, should enter your Chamber of Secrets."
Narcissa caught Bella's scrutinizing look and nodded quickly.
"Does that help any?"
"Yes, thank you, Bella."
Bellatrix merely laughed, cast Andromeda a wink.
"Meda," Narcissa asked in a small voice after Bellatrix flounced from the room.
Andromeda smiled, apparently relieved the conversation had ended so painlessly.
"Um, there's just one last thing I don't quite understand."
Andromeda waited.
Narcissa hesitated, wondered if she should ask and again risk looking stupid. Finally, she decided some things were important to know. "What exactly did Bella mean by my Chamber of Secrets?"
Author's Note: I hope this lighter chapter has helped console the previous angst, because I have a feeling that, as Part Two nears, angst may arrive in bulk. (Is anybody else hoping for an AU ending as far as Bella goes?) Thank you for your patience and reviews! Next chapter should appear shortly and should not be angst-filled.