Chapter 7

That evening, Hermione told Draco and his mother, who was awake, that she felt Narcissa was well enough for Hermione to leave tomorrow. Narcissa would still need treatment, but the greatest danger had passed. Hermione would come back every day for the next two weeks, she said, until Narcissa was well enough to only need occasional visits. Draco had told her that he was going to work from home for the foreseeable future so he could care for her.

"I'd recommend that your mother see a physical therapist, in order to regain her mobility," Hermione told Draco once Narcissa had fallen asleep again. "That's a type of muggle healer who helps people recover their strength after they've been very ill. I also recommend that she see a psychiatrist who can help her process the trauma of having been in Azkaban."

"A psychiatrist? Is that another type of muggle healer?" asked Draco, interested despite himself. He supposed there was no harm in learning more about muggle ways. After all, Hermione's parents were muggles, and she was the brightest witch of her age.

"Yes, a psychiatrist is a healer of the mind. They can help your mother deal with the horrors she went through, to lessen her mental suffering. Muggles call it Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It's something you and I both have," she added. "I've been to see a psychiatrist and it was really helpful."

Draco nodded. "If you make the recommendations and set up the appointments, I'd be happy to have them see my mother, and I think she'd agree. I think you'll find she'd do anything you wish," he added with a smirk.

In preparation for her departure the next day, Hermione showed Milly and Draco what they would need to do to care for Narcissa during the nights and the other times that Hermione wasn't there, including how to utilize the bedpan, how to apply the ointments, etc.

The next day, Hermione left Malfoy House, one week after she had arrived, confident that Narcissa was going to get better. She still had a long way to go, but Hermione was certain now that she would get there.

Harry was in the kitchen when Hermione arrived at Grimmauld Place. She had sent him a patronus telling him what time she was coming home, and he stood up to give her a hug to greet her.

"How's Mrs. Malfoy?" Harry asked once they had separated.

"She's doing better," Hermione said. "She's going to be okay."

"It's all due to you," Harry said proudly. "You're an amazing healer, Hermione."

Hermione blushed at the compliment. "Thanks, Harry. I'm going to go back every day for the next two weeks or so. Draco said he was going to work from home until Narcissa was significantly better so he can care for her."

Harry raised his eyebrows. "Draco is it? You're on first name terms now?"

"We are," Hermione said rather primly. "We've become friends, Harry."

Harry looked skeptical. "He's changed that much?"

Hermione nodded. "I know it's hard to believe, but he's quite different from the spoiled bully we knew at school."

"If you say so," said Harry doubtfully.

Hermione just sighed. It would take a while to convince her stubborn friend.

"Anyway, I'm glad you're back, Hermione. I've missed you around here."

She smiled at him fondly. "Want to watch a movie tonight?"

"Sure! Jurassic Park?"

Her eyes twinkled. "Definitely."

Draco came into his mother's bedroom the next morning to eat breakfast with her. She had graduated from broth to porridge and poached eggs in the mornings, still soft, easy food, but more palatable. She was now strong enough to hold the spoon herself, and he poured her a cup of tea, which she took when she set down her spoon. After she had taken a sip, she set down the cup with a sigh. He felt her gazing at him and so he looked up at her with a smile.

"What is it, Mother?"

"I want to see my sister, Draco," she said in her frail voice.

Draco's gut twisted at once, both at the memory of his aunt and the thought that his mother might be delusional.

"Bellatrix is dead, Mother," he said slowly. "She died three years ago."

She shook her head. "Not Bellatrix. Andromeda."

Draco was surprised. He didn't think he'd ever heard his mother mention her older sister before. As far as he knew, she despised the woman. "Andromeda Tonks?" he asked, just to make sure.

She nodded. "Yes," she replied, but didn't elaborate. "Would you send her an owl asking her to come here?"

"Of course," he said, intensely curious. But his mother was a very private person, as he was, so he wouldn't pry. "I'll send it as soon as we're done with breakfast."

"Thank you, Draco," she said. "I think I'll sleep now. I'm very tired."

"Of course. Get some rest, Mother." He picked up the tray and turned to leave the room. He stopped at her soft words.

"I love you, Draco."

He turned back to her with a tender smile. The words came from her rarely. "I love you too, Mother."

Little Teddy was growing so fast. Andromeda Tonks watched her grandson fondly as she played blocks with him on her living room floor.

Teddy was the very image of his father, Remus Lupin, but had her daughter's playful spirit. He had also inherited her ability to alter his appearance at will, although he clearly had not mastered it yet. Most often his eye or hair colour changed when he was experiencing some strong emotion. Right now, he was feeling joyful, so his hair was a sunny yellow.

Andromeda's family had suffered grievous losses in the war against Voldemort, and she and Teddy were the only ones left. After the devastating loss of her husband, her daughter and son-in-law had died in the battle of Hogwarts, leaving her to raise her grandson alone. She loved the little boy more than she could have ever imagined. Not only did she see Remus and Nymphadora in him, but she also caught glimpses of Ted in him at times too.

She was distracted by a sound and looked up to see that an owl had come to the window. She told Teddy she would be right back, and got up to retrieve the letter.

She was surprised to see a sleek, elegant eagle owl, one of the most expensive she had ever interacted with. None of her friends or acquaintances were wealthy enough to own one. She wondered who was contacting her.

The owl held out an elegant leg and she took the letter. Bringing it over to the sofa, she sat down and opened it to read.

Mrs. Tonks,

I don't know if you've heard, but my mother was released from Azkaban last week. She was very ill and nearly died, but she's now recovering, although very weak. She's requested to speak to you. Would you be willing to come to Malfoy House in London to see her? I know she would appreciate it. If so, please let me know what time you're available.

Regards,

Draco Malfoy

Andromeda read the note three times, her shock increasing each time. She hadn't seen her little sister in years, ever since Andromeda had left home to elope with Ted. At the time, Narcissa had scorned her for being in love with a mudblood and told her they were no longer sisters. It had pained Andromeda greatly, remembering the days when she had played with her little sister, and received her hugs and sloppy kisses.

Then, during the war, Andromeda had developed a great bitterness against the Malfoys as her losses increased. Why did Narcissa want to see her now? She'd never even met her nephew Draco. She'd heard that he was a spoiled, entitled bully, vocally proud of his pureblood lineage. She didn't know why she should give them any of her time.

Then she paused, for she remembered Harry telling her that Narcissa had saved his life. He'd been in the Forbidden Forest, hit with Voldemort's killing curse, but not dead. The dark wizard had sent Narcissa to check to see if Harry was still alive. Narcissa had asked the boy if Draco was alive and in the castle. Once Harry had confirmed this, she told Voldemort that he was dead.

Andromeda wasn't sure that Narcissa had cared whether Harry lived or died, but she did care for her son, enough to risk her own life. That showed there was some good still in her, at least.

Andromeda sighed. She supposed she could give her sister a chance. If she was as ill as Draco said, maybe she could offer her some comfort. As much bitterness as she held, she had never believed that Narcissa deserved to go to Azkaban. Apparently her time there had been traumatic.

Now decided, she rose to get parchment and quill and wrote back to Draco that she would be available to see Narcissa tomorrow, then gave it to the elegant owl and watched it fly away. Next she sat to write to Harry, to see if he could watch his godson tomorrow.

Andromeda appeared in the fireplace of Malfoy House the following afternoon after dropping Teddy off at Grimmauld Place. Harry had been concerned that she was going to see the Malfoys, but agreed to watch his godson as long as she needed. Andromeda doubted the interview would be long. If Narcissa wanted to hurl more insults at her, she had no compunction about leaving immediately.

She looked up to find Draco Malfoy approaching her. She flinched a little at the sight of him. Although taller than Lucius, he was the very image of his father with his white blond hair and aristocratic features.

"Andromeda?" he asked.

She looked up at him. "You must be Draco," she said coolly.

"Yes," he replied with a smile that appeared genuine. "Thank you for coming. My mother's been eager to see you."

Andromeda just nodded.

"This way," Draco said, turning to walk down the hall. Andromeda followed him.

She was trying to think of what to say when she met her sister, when Draco led her into a bedroom and she halted in horror at what she saw.

Narcissa was a tiny figure curled up on the bed, dressed in a white nightgown. Her pale form was so emaciated that she looked like a skeleton, her features so sunken that she was almost unrecognizable. Her blond hair had come out in great patches, and the remaining locks were lank and dull. Her blue eyes moved dimly to the door when she saw them enter, and centered on Andromeda. Despite herself, Andromeda felt pity well up inside her. What had become of her little sister in that horrible place?

"Andromeda," Narcissa croaked, then cleared her throat.

Andromeda approached the bed, surprised to find Hermione Granger there. She remembered that the young witch was training to become a healer. Apparently she was taking care of Narcissa.

"Hi, Andromeda," said Hermione with a smile. "It's nice to see you."

"Hi, Hermione," said Andromeda, smiling back.

"We'll just leave you alone to talk," she said, then turned to Draco and took his arm to lead him out of the room. Andromeda wondered at the way her nephew so casually accepted the muggleborn's touch, but quickly turned her mind back to the woman lying on the bed before her.

"Thank you for coming," Narcissa said in a faint voice.

Andromeda just nodded, not sure what to say. She and her sister had been close when they were young, but that was years ago, and Andromeda had no idea why her sister had called her here. She was therefore shocked to hear Narcissa's next words.

"I want to ask … if you can forgive me."

Andromeda stared at her with mouth open. "What?"

"I know I don't deserve your forgiveness, but I realized quite a long time ago that I was wrong to scorn you and cast you off. I've regretted it many times since."

Andromeda didn't know what to say.

"I know things have been…hard for you, and that the Malfoys have played a part in that. I suppose I just wanted my older sister back. My time in Azkaban just made me realize how short life is."

Andromeda at last found her tongue, feeling the bitterness that she had held against her sister for so long melt away. "It has been hard," she admitted. "But you personally did nothing to contribute to my losses. I forgive you, Narcissa."

Narcissa seemed to relax in immense relief. "Thank you," she whispered. "I'd hoped that … we might see each other occasionally. I'd like to get to know you again."

Andromeda smiled tremulously. "I'd like that too."

Narcissa took a breath. "I've heard you have a grandson."

"I do. Teddy," she said proudly. "He's four years old and a bright boy."

"I'd like to meet him one day. If…if you'd permit it."

Andromeda hesitated. "I'll think about it."

Narcissa gave a weary smile. "Thank you for coming. I'm sorry, but I'm very tired…"

"Of course. You need to rest," Andromeda said, standing.

"Will … will you come to see me again soon?" Narcissa asked hesitantly.

"Yes, I will," Andromeda replied. "Sleep now, Narcissa."

Her little sister smiled, and soon after drifted off to sleep.

Andromeda watched her for a moment, surprised by how tender she felt towards the other woman. Soon she gathered herself together and left the room. She was surprised to see Draco waiting outside the door.

"Aunt Andromeda," he said. "I don't think we've ever met. I'm your nephew, Draco."

Andromeda was shocked by his cordial manner as much as she was by his calling her "Aunt." Still, she managed to speak. "It's nice to meet you, Draco," she said, shaking his outstretched hand.

"Did you and my mother have a nice visit?" he asked.

"Yes. She's asked me to come again, and I said I would," she replied, hoping the young Slytherin would not object.

He smiled. "I'm glad to hear it. I'm looking forward to getting to know you."

Andromeda stared at him in disbelief, so that the Slytherin blushed. At last she stammered, "Thank you, Draco."

He nodded in what appeared to be embarrassment. "Come back soon."

Still in a state of shock, she turned to the fireplace and disappeared back to Grimmauld Place to pick up Teddy, amazed at the change in the previously arrogant Malfoys. Could it be that they were sincere?