say something

The day Narcissa Malfoy appeared on her doorstep, Andromeda woke up at dawn. There was still fog on her window, it would not disappear till noon — in Remus's cabin in the middle of the woods, time seemed to slow.

Teddy was still fast asleep, so Andromeda walked down the stairs alone. There was a poster of Nymphadora living room wall: frozen, Muggle-made. Remus had been a half-blood, a half-breed. Andromeda had respected her son-in-law, but she forgot details sometimes.

When she heard a knock on the door, Andromeda considered not answering. Her tea was still steaming. Harry was a night owl and always warned her before coming over, nervous and a little scared around her. She thought she understood sometimes: he was addicted to the idea of a family, even their unconventional one.

Andromeda opened the door. On the doorstep, Narcissa Malfoy stood, looking far shabbier then Andromeda had ever seen her.

"Hello, Andy," Narcissa said, and Andromeda slammed the door in her face, breathing hard. When she felt composed enough to open it, Narcissa looked far less daunting and much more nervous.

"Why are you here?" Andromeda snapped, glaring at her sister. "Here to rub it in? Finish what Bellatrix started? I still have a grandson, after all. I guess you two didn't quite finish pruning the family tree."

Narcissa had the grace to look remorseful. "I am sorry to hear about Nymphadora, Andy."

"Hmph." Andromeda sneered. "Bellatrix wasn't."

"Bellatrix had little shame, especially when she does things on purpose," Narcissa spoke matter-of-factly, but her voice dripped with pity.

"Obviously. I am far aware of Bellatrix's motives. Why are you here?" Andromeda repeated, refusing to listen to her sisters groveling.

At her words, Narcissa reached into the pocket of her robes and produced a familiar golden ring. Andromeda gasped, feeling the floor sway under her. "That's… it's Ted's ring. How do you have Ted's ring?"

"Ted was killed by snatchers who took the ring with the intention of selling it," Narcissa said hesitantly. "It ended up in my possession, after the war. I bring it back to your in hopes of peace between us."

Andromeda reached out her hand. Narcissa looked at the space between them, dropping the ring into her hand. Andromeda slipped it on to her opposite hand's finger, wiping a tear off her cheek. Unconsciously, she rubbed both her own and Ted's ring as she looked back up.

"Are you planning to come in?" She challenged, raising an eyebrow at her sister. "What are you afraid of?"

Narcissa hesitated in surprise at the invitation. "There is a full moon tonight," she inquired delicately. "Would it be wise for me to be around your grandson?"

Andromeda snorted. "Scared he's going to sniff you out? You have nothing to fear: he inherited Narcissa's chameleon-like abilities, not Remus's condition."

Narcissa seemed uncharacteristically nervous as she followed Andromeda inside, but Andromeda thought it was fitting. It was a punishment in a way: had Narcissa not failed her, this meeting would not be an experiment.

Teddy was already downstairs when they entered the kitchen, his smile huge and hair a dark shade of burgundy. "Grandma Andy!" He called out, blowing bubbles from a Muggle kit. "I have bubbles." Then, he noticed Narcissa and his face became curious. "Who are you?"

Narcissa froze but Andromeda spoke, watching her sister's reaction. "This is my sister. She left for a while but she has returned for now."

Teddy took this in stride, nodding. "Hi!" Leaping up, he grabbed Narcissa's hand and dragged her to the table. "My bubbles are popping!"

Narcissa nodded at that, smiling uncertainly. "I can multiply them, if you would like, Teddy." Narcissa casts the Gemino curse and Andromeda hissed at the way Narcissa used such risky magic so casually. That was an aspect of her childhood she did not miss.

"Do you need to return to Malfoy Manor soon, Narcissa?" Andromeda asked coldly, as if in threat. Narcissa shook her head as Teddy popped the bubbles with glee. Andromeda watched them, mixed emotions swirling in her mind.

Perhaps her sister would fail her again, but perhaps, today was a key for a kinder future.

...

Written for:

Sewing 101: Malfoy Manor, Glaring, No Gryffindors

Character Appreciation: 21. [Relationships] Sisters

Disney Challenge: "She did that on purpose!" / "Obviously."

Dark Lady's Diabolic Liar: Gemino Curse

Book Club: Tony: (emotion) remorse, (setting) a cabin, (word) addiction, (plot point) losing something,

Showtime: Masquerade - (dialogue) "What are you afraid of?"

Amber's Attic: 10. "You left, and the world didn't crumble. I owe the universe a dollar."

Lyric Alley: To wait around forever when, you were there first

Ami's Audio Admirations: The King of Keys — (word) key.

Emy's Emporium: Ug the Unreliable: (word) chameleon

Angel's Arcade: Shadow the Hedgehog: (trope) bad guy turns good, (color) burgundy, (object) gold rings
Lo's Lowdown: Iroh - plot: losing a child.

Bex's Basement: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Write about a Grandparent and Grandchild.

Film Festival: Item — Bubbles

Back To School: (word) Experiment

Feline Fair: Maine Coon: Write about searching for something

Supernatural Day: -Werewolf- Write a fic set on the night of a full moon