Narcissa' point of view:
"I'm Mr. Jones," said the middle aged man as he held out his hand from the other side of his large desk.
"Narcissa Black." I shook his hand in return, hoping he didn't feel how clammy they were due to my nerves. I sat as he sat as he did from the other side of his desk. Crossing my legs, I breathed deeply in an attempt to calm my nerves.
"Tell me about your work experience," Mr. Jones prompted.
"I worked as house-wife for many years I replied. Most recently, I started my work with the Ministry with the rehabilitation act," I said. "I've been working closely with Percy Weasley."
"Yes, Percy and I talked," Mr. Jones said. "He speaks highly of you. He said you've worked hard and has made great progress."
Warmth spread through me, and I pushed it away. "Yes, sir. I see it as a step in our new world, and I'm ready to change."
"I see. How have your past …. Biases influenced you?"
"They influenced my old life, but they aren't a part of my life now," I explained. "I cut off all ties with that world. I'm learning things that have erased my old way of thinking."
Mr. Jones sat back, clasping his hands. My heart sank as he started to talk. "I don't have room for any of that bias. I'll be in touch with you."
"Thank you, sir." I stood as he did. "Thank you for your time."
He nodded as I turned. I left the Ministry, getting the sinking feeling that I wouldn't have a job, at least not through this office.
Two weeks later:
"Cissy," my sister said as she gave me a kiss on my cheek.
"I'm so glad you could make … and you!" I gasped playfully as I took the baby into my arms.
He gave me a large smile as I rocked him in my arms.
"He seems more in love with his aunt every time he sees you, Cissy," Andromeda commented.
I laughed softly. "He is a dear. Oh, Andromeda, you need to meet Draco; he's in the kitchen."
Motioning with my hands, I led my sister into the kitchen, where Draco placed two square, cardboard boxes on the table.
My sister stepped around me and embraced Draco just as he turned around. "Hello, Draco." Her voice dripped with happiness.
"I … I, um, hello," Draco stuttered as he gave her an awkward hug. His eyes met mine over her shoulder, searching for reassurance that he was doing the right thing as I tried not to laugh, and I gave him a reassuring smile. We weren't big on affection.
"I'm so glad to finally meet you," Andromeda said, stepping back.
"Me too," Draco replied with a tight smile. "I ordered pizza for us. I don't know if you've ever tried it, but …"
"I love pizza," Andromeda interjected with a large smile. "I've eaten it many times. Oh, Cissy, next time remind me to bring chicken wings!"
"Chicken wings?" Draco asked.
"Chicken legs that are fried and covered in sauce. They're a lot of different flavors," Andromeda explained. "They're amazing with pizza or fries."
Teddy jabbered in my arms, pulling my attention back to him. He smiled up at me as I rocked him side to side. The move felt familiar; I remembered briefly doing this with Draco, the few times I watched him instead of his nanny. I regretted, now at least, that I didn't raise him. Teddy's chatter brought me back to the present, and I kissed his cheek as I listened to Draco talk to his aunt. Teddy's blue eyes looked up at me as he babbled up at me.
"Is that so, young man?" I asked, earning more baby talk from him. "Would you like to meet your cousin?"
Little Teddy sucked his mouth into his fist and sucked on it happily. I laughed softly.
"I think he's stolen my mother away from me," Draco said dryly. When I looked up at him, I saw him leaning up against the counter with his arms folded. I hadn't realized they'd stopped talking. I rolled my eyes.
"You know I love you," I retorted.
"I like to hear it sometimes," Draco replied light. Things had still be a little tense between us, despite the fact that we were growing closer. He regrets the time I didn't spend with him, I thought. I did love him dearly though; he was my baby boy. Hopefully, now, I thought, I can be the mother he needs me to be.
I shook my head and looked down at the baby. Teddy stared at Draco with his mouth open.
"Do you see your cousin?" I asked Teddy. "He's being silly, isn't he?"
Teddy smiled at Draco and held out his chubby fist toward him. I held out the baby for his older cousin. Draco eyed the baby wearily but took him anyway.
"You won't drop him," Andromeda said. "Ted had the same look when he held Nymphadora for the first time." A pained look came over her face. I grabbed her hand in comfort. She squeezed my hand as Draco held Teddy. Teddy chatted up at Draco as his hair and eyes changed to match Draco's color. He shifted nervously as Teddy continued to chat at Draco, clearly admired by his cousin. The sight made me smile; we were a family now. Not just living together, using each other for selfish gain, but together because we care for the others around us.
"He talks this much with Harry too," Andromeda said, breaking me out of my thoughts.
Draco rolled his eyes. "Good to know I rank the same as Potter."
"Draco …" I warned.
"I know, I know," he replied.
Our conversation lulled as an owl swooped in through the open window, dropping a letter on the kitchen table and exiting through the open window. I slowly picked it up as I eyed the Ministry seal on the back of the thick parchment. My hand shook as I started to open the envelope.
"What is it Mum?" Draco asked.
"I'm not sure," I said slowly, not voicing the hope that rose in my chest.
I pulled out the parchment and opened it. It read:
Dear Ms. Black,
Congratulations. We would like to offer the job of assistant at the Human Resources. Please send your response by owl to accept or decline. Mr. Alexander Jones. Further instructions will sent upon your acceptance.
A. Jones
I laughed as I clapped my hand over my mouth. They had accepted. I had a job in the Ministry.
"What is it, Cissy?" Andromeda asked.
"They offered me the job," I whispered.
"What job?" Draco asked.
"Percy Weasley looked around, and got me an interview for a Human Resource job at the Ministry," I said, with tears in my eyes. "I didn't think it went well, but I guess it did. I have a job."
"Oh, Cissy," Andromeda said, smiling and hugging me.
I laughed, hugging her back. I'll have to thank Percy when I see him, I thought.
Six weeks later:
"Here is the recite from the caterer, Mr. Jones," I said handing him the paper. "I went in there this morning and confirmed one hundred orders of chicken and steak as well as making sure they got the correct sides that we placed."
"Thank you, Ms. Black." His eyes ran over the recite.
"And I paid part of the order and explained that they'd get the other half after the event," I went on.
"Nice work," he said, looking up at me. "It's exactly what I would've done." Pride filled my chest. "You'll finish the rest of the details this afternoon, I trust?" he asked.
"Yes, sir," I replied. "I'm going on my lunch break then I'll run those last errands."
"Perfect," he replied. "Good work. I knew I chose the right person for the job."
"Thank you, sir," I replied.
He returned to his work, and I turned and left his office. Walking to my small cubby, I filed the papers and receipts for the upcoming events that we were planning for the Ministry. Within ten minutes, I started to walk downstairs to the café, where I ate lunch nearly every day. After grabbing a salad, I sat at a table one my own.
"May I join you?" a familiar voice asked. Mr. Weasley stood beside my table, holding a sandwich and a bag of chips.
"I see you made it for lunch today," I commented as I gestured toward the seat across from me.
"I do have to eat lunch once in a while." Mr. Weasley smiled at me, and I returned the smile.
"How is your job going?" he asked.
"Very well." I took a bite. "We're getting ready for several fund raisers over the next couple of weeks, along with several trainings the Ministry is putting on."
"Jones tells me you're doing well," Mr. Weasley said.
I grinned. "I do enjoy my job. I'm glad you were able to help me, Mr. Weasley."
He nodded as he took a bite. "Did you find something you'd want to make the Muggle way? It's one of last things we'll do with cooking."
"I'd like to try lasagna," I said. "I enjoy making things the Muggle way."
"Shall we try to find a recipe tonight?" He whipped his fingers with his napkin. "It would count as our weekly meeting."
"It would be nice," I said. "I get off at 6."
"I'll see you at 6:30," Mr. Weasley said.
My mouth became dry as I looked at him. Can't we go now? I thought. I want to spend time with you. Stunned, I sat back in my chair and swallowed hard.
"Are you okay?" Mr. Weasley asked.
"I'm alright … just remembered something," I said. "Yes, I'll see you tonight, at 6:30. I can meet in the lobby so we can use the floo."
"Perfect," Mr. Weasley said.
I took a bite of sandwich, unsure how to respond to him or the strange desire coursing through me.
Please review!