Head held high and back straight, Narcissa Malfoy walks silently through the Great Hall. Broken pieces of stone, glass, and wood still cover the floor as she makes her way to the end of the hall where a group of people stand waiting for their turn. Ignoring the glares and increased whispers Narcissa joins the line, fighting the urge to look at the broken people around her. Slowly, the crowd lessens until she is the only one waiting at the curtained opening. Gazing at the destruction around her, Narcissa recalls the memories of the battle that ended only mere hours ago. Lost in her thoughts, Narcissa doesn't notice as someone approaches her.
"Mrs. Malfoy?" she hears a vaguely familiar voice call her name. "How—how can I help you?"
Looking up, Narcissa realizes that it is Hermione Granger. Narcissa stares at Hermione in shock for a moment before replying, "I'm here for my sister's body."
Blinking rapidly before composing herself Hermione says, "Of course. I'll bring you over to her."
Hermione turns to lead Narcissa to the casualties when Narcissa stops her. "Ms. Granger," Narcissa starts hesitantly, "is there someone else that can take me?"
Noticing Hermione's eyes flash in anger Narcissa hurriedly continues, "I apologize. That sounded rude. I assure you that I did not intend for it to be." Narcissa lowers her eyes slightly to Hermione's uncovered and scarred arm before returning to meet the young girl's eyes. "I don't want you to have to be near Bellatrix again after what occurred at my home."
Eyes widening slightly Hermione quickly gathers herself and says, "Thank you for your concern, Mrs. Malfoy, but I don't mind. Even those on the wrong side are still loved by someone."
Quirking her mouth slightly, Narcissa nods at Hermione and follows her to the sectioned off area.
"Hermione? Is everything okay?" a voice calls from behind the pair.
Recognizing the voice, though not having heard it in several decades, Narcissa freezes next to Hermione.
Hermione casts a sidelong glance at Narcissa before replying, "Yes, Andromeda. I was bringing your, um, Mrs. Malfoy to your—her sister," Hermione finishes awkwardly.
Eyes hardened, Andromeda looks at Narcissa and says to Hermione, "I'll take care of this. You should rest."
Looking between the two sisters Hermione opens her mouth to say something, but shakes her head and walks away instead.
Waiting until Hermione is out of sight Andromeda turns back to Narcissa, "What are you doing here?" she asks harshly.
"I'm getting Bellatrix so I can bury her," Narcissa responds.
Eyes filling with anger Andromeda says, "How dare you. She shouldn't even be in there with those innocents. She doesn't deserve any of—"
"She's still our sister," Narcissa cuts in.
"Our sister?" Andromeda barks out with a bitter laugh so similar to her deceased sister's. Bearing down on her estranged younger sister, voice steadily becoming lower and more vicious, Andromeda says, "Bellatrix killed my daughter. Bellatrix was party to the death of my husband and my son-in-law. Bellatrix and her kind are the reason my grandson will never meet his parents. Bellatrix wasn't my sister anymore. My sister died years ago. That woman in there is a stranger to me."
Narcissa takes a step back from her eldest sister as if burned. Breathing heavily, Andromeda walks away without another word. Closing her eyes to steady herself, Narcissa makes her way into the back room and finds her sister. Looking down at the shell of her sister, Narcissa sighs and places her hand onto Bellatrix's arm. With a tug at her abdomen, Narcissa and Bellatrix disappear from the room.
The Black Family graveyard is just as the name implies: dark and unforgiving. Narcissa proceeds to the new grave, escorted by her son. The two stand alone in the light drizzle waiting for those whom they know will not show. Stoically they stand when they hear a whisper of wind behind them. Slowly turning, Narcissa and Draco spot Hermione, Andromeda, and a baby approaching them.
Hope filling her eyes, Narcissa politely greets the trio. "Hello again, Ms. Granger. Sis—Andromeda. And who is this handsome young man?" Narcissa coos. A look of shock slowly takes over her face, though, when the baby's hair turns from black to blonde.
"This is Teddy. My grandson. And a Metamorphmagus," Andromeda replies challengingly.
Looking back at her sister Narcissa nods her head and says, "He looks like a Black if you look closely enough. Let us hope that is the only thing he inherits from our family."
Nodding briskly at the statement, Andromeda turns to Hermione. "Hermione, will you please take Teddy to play closer to the apparition point?"
"Of course, Andromeda," Hermione replies as she reaches for Teddy.
"Draco, be a dear and escort Ms. Granger," Narcissa says to her son.
Looking quickly at his mother Draco replies, "As you wish, Mother," before leaning over to kiss her cheek.
Walking to Hermione, Draco extends his arm out to her out of politeness and leads her to a large willow tree. Narcissa and Andromeda watch them in silence, the sisters barely acknowledging each other, neither wanting to be the first to break the silence.
"I am not mourning the loss of Bellatrix," Narcissa says suddenly, eyes still focused on the figures in the distance. "I know what kind of person she was, what she was capable of…I certainly do not—and will not—miss that person."
Turning to face her only remaining sister, Narcissa tentatively reaches out for Andromeda's hand. "I am mourning for my sister Bella. My sister who would run around outside with me and who taught me it was okay to not be perfect all the time. My sister who cried with me when we were told there were only two Black sisters from now on." Tugging on Andromeda's hand, Narcissa wills her sister to look at her. "I've already mourned one sister. Bella is gone, but you're not. You never truly were. Andromeda…Andy, please. Please let us be a family again," Narcissa begs.
Eyes still on her grandson, Andromeda takes in a deep breath before slowly saying, "We can't pick up from when we were children." Turning to face her baby sister Andromeda squeezes Narcissa's hand and continues, "But I would love for us to get to know each other as adults. Cissa."
With eyes full of joy—and tears—the sisters Black embrace one another.