fic for such_heights: Finding Comfort (Narcissa, Andromeda, Teddy, Harry, Draco, G)
Title: Finding Comfort
Author: nicolen
Recipient: such_heights
Rating: G
Character(s): Narcissa Malfoy, Andromeda Black, Teddy Lupin, Harry Potter, Draco Malfoy
Warnings: Spoilers for DH (although I assume everyone’s read it by now.)
Author's Notes: Merry Christmas to my recipient. I hope this is what you wanted.
--
Is solace anywhere more comforting than in the arms of a sister. ~Alice Walker
Narcissa wasn't sure quite why she'd come. The nondescript townhouse in London was an address she'd memorised years ago, despite having never been there before. Quickly, before she lost her nerve she climbed up the steps and knocked on the front door.
It opened slowly and she smiled nervously at the woman standing in the doorway holding a baby. "Can I come in?" she asked. "I think we've got some catching up to do."
"Just a tad," the other woman said, rubbing the baby's back. She stepped back from the door. "If - if we stay here for too much longer, I'm going to cry again and I'd really rather not do that on the street."
"Of course." Narcissa followed her down a small hall and into the kitchen. "The baby - that's your grandson, Andromeda?"
"Yes, that's my Teddy," Andromeda said. "He's all I have left now."
"I was sorry to hear about your husband and daughter."
Andromeda looked at her in disbelief. "Were you?"
"Of course I was. Andromeda, I can't even begin to imagine how you're feeling at the moment." Narcissa took a step towards her. "I have a child too."
"I had a child, Narcissa. She was beautiful and clever and brave." Andromeda's lips trembled. "I no longer have a child. Two weeks ago I buried her and her husband next to my husband."
"It's not fair," Narcissa agreed.
"And Lucius and your son? They're all right?" Andromeda asked.
"They're both fine. It looks as if Lucius will have to serve a sentence of some kind, but Draco and I won't be charged with any crimes."
"I'm pleased to hear it," Andromeda said, sounding as if she meant it. "From what I've heard, your boy got in too deep too fast."
"Yes, he did. And we encouraged him to do that, so we need to take some responsibility for that," Narcissa said. "We indulged him - spoilt him rotten, more like."
Andromeda smiled. "It's easy to do," she agreed. "I would love to have had a boy - I envy you that."
"I wanted a girl. One I could dress up and play with."
"Trust me, they don't let you do that for very long," Andromeda told her. "I used to do that to you when we were little - do you remember."
Narcissa nodded. "I remember," she said softly. "What happened to us?"
"In a nutshell - I married someone the family disapproved of."
"I still could have kept in touch," Narcissa said.
"You were barely sixteen when I left home." Andromeda hesitated. "Could you hold Teddy while I make some tea."
Narcissa smiled. "I thought you'd never ask." She took the baby and sat down. "Andromeda, he's beautiful! And the hair!"
"His mother did the same thing when she was his age. He's very like her - but he's got his father's eyes."
"He's gorgeous. You forget how small they are at this age."
"And how fast they change," Andromeda agreed. "He's changed so much in just the last couple of weeks."
"Will you let me come back and see him - and you?"
Andromeda smiled. "I'd love you to come back again - and I'd love to meet your son at some stage."
"Why don't you come and stay with us," Narcissa urged. "You shouldn't be alone at the moment."
Andromeda shook her head. "Not yet. It's just too soon. And I'm not alone. I have my friends - and Remus and Dora's friends as well stop by often."
"If you're sure..."
"I'm sure." Andromeda brought the tea to the table.
They sat in silence for a few minutes. "You haven't asked about Bella?" Narcissa commented.
"What's to ask? I know she's dead, and I know how she died. There's a part of me that feels sad - she was our sister, after all - but she killed my daughter. This new world we're building is a much better place without her."
"I didn't realise she killed ... Dora," Narcissa said softly. "I'm sorry."
"You've got nothing to be sorry for. But you see why I can't bring myself to mourn her death." Andromeda sipped at her tea. "She wouldn't have mourned mine, that's for sure."
Narcissa left about an hour later. It had been a slightly awkward meeting, but that had to be expected. She was certain that next time they would both be more comfortable with each other.
***
"Narcissa, I'm sorry, but I don't think today's a good time to catch up." Andromeda stood in the doorway of her house. She had clearly been crying and her hair hadn't been brushed.
"It looks as if today's the perfect day." Narcissa pushed her way into the house. "Where's your Teddy today?"
"He's at Arthur and Molly Weasley's house. His godfather's taken him for the day - I wanted to be alone."
"What you need is to be with someone." Narcissa took Andromeda's arm and led her into the parlour. "What's wrong?"
"Has anyone ever told you that you grew up to be a bossy little madam?"
Narcissa sat down on the sofa next to Andromeda. "Of course I'm bossy - I'm a Black." She raised an eyebrow. "You should know that - you're the same way."
"I suppose I am." Andromeda looked down at her hands, twisting in her lap. "My girl would have turned twenty five today."
"Oh, darling."
"They say that it gets easier, but when?" It's been two months since Dora died - four months since Ted died."
"I don't have an answer for you. I wish I did." Narcissa wrapped her arms around Andromeda. "I really wish things could be different."
Andromeda leaned against her. "Stay - please."
"Of course I will."
***
Several hours later Narcissa was surprised to hear a knock on the door. Andromeda had fallen asleep out of complete exhaustion, so she carefully eased her sister off her shoulder and stood up. Andromeda hadn't even stirred.
Harry Potter stood on the other side. He was clearly shocked to see her. "Mrs Malfoy, is Andromeda here?"
"She's sleeping, so I'd prefer it if she wasn't disturbed if possible," Narcissa said. "This isn't a good day for her - it's Dora's birthday."
Harry winced. "I didn't realise that," he said shifting Teddy in his arms. "Is she all right?"
"She will be. They say that the first year is the hardest to get through and she lost a lot in a couple of months." Narcissa's hands itched to take the baby, but she resisted. "How are you...Harry?"
"I'm fine, thank you." He hesitated. "I didn't get the chance to thank you for what you did in the forest that day. You saved my life - and risked your own."
"I have a son who I had to protect." Narcissa looked at Harry. "When you have children you'll understand that I would die for my son."
Harry's smile was bittersweet. "I understand that already - my mother died to protect hers."
Narcissa nodded. "Yes, she did." She glanced toward the parlour door. "I don't think Andromeda should be left alone tonight. Do you mind staying here while I go home and let my family know where I'll be?"
"That's fine - I can't imagine that your family would want to see me," Harry told her.
"Yes, we've only just replaced the carpet that was ruined last time you visited. I'd rather not replace it so soon." Narcissa looked at him. "Thank you." She Apparated away and was back a few minutes later.
"You're all right to stay?" Harry asked.
"Of course I am. I just needed to make sure they knew where I was." She took the baby from him. "There are certain people targeting our family at the moment because of our previous connections - they think we got off lightly."
"You didn't really do anything and neither did Draco. Your husband on the other hand..."
"He will serve a sentence in Azkaban, I know." Narcissa ran her hand down the baby's back. "I don't want to hold you up any longer - I'm sure you have things to do."
"I'm staying with Mr and Mrs Weasley at The Burrow. Floo me if you need to," Harry told her.
"Thank you - I will."
***
Lucius Malfoy was sentenced to three years in Azkaban. Narcissa held her head high as she watched two Aurors lead him away from the courtroom. Hidden from view beneath the gallery railing, her hand clutched her son's so tightly that she drew blood.
They pushed their way through the waiting media scrum and Apparated back to the Manor. "So, that's it," Narcissa said, sitting down on the sofa. "Three years isn't too bad - it could have been much worse."
"Yes, I suppose so. It's just - it's all thanks to Potter."
Narcissa raised an eyebrow. "Just remember, without Harry Potter you'd be facing an Azkaban sentence yourself. "
"I know that. But to have to be grateful for Potter's testimony..." Draco trailed off.
"It's over with. Send him a thank you letter and move on. You'll never have to see him again,"
"You're right." Draco looked around the parlour. "It's only three years."
"We can manage for that long." Narcissa looked over at a House-Elf standing in the doorway. "What is it?"
"There is a lady here to see you, Miss Narcissa," it squeaked.
"Show her through." Narcissa barely looked up as Andromeda joined them.
"How are you feeling, Cissy?" she asked.
"I..." Narcissa crumpled.
Andromeda handed Teddy to Draco. "Hold him," she ordered, then dropped down on her knees beside her sister. "It's all right," she murmured, taking Narcissa into her arms as she wept.
Narcissa lay quietly, her head on Andromeda's shoulder. "It's silly," she murmured. "it's only three years, but at the moment it seems like half a lifetime."
"I know," Andromeda said softly. "It's been a long wait until you found out what the sentence would be." She brushed a lock of hair away from Narcissa's face. "You've been so strong, darling."
"I don't feel strong."
"It's all right not to be," Andromeda soothed. "Sometimes you can't be."
"Will you stay with me tonight? I don't want to be alone, and I don't think Draco does, either." Narcissa raised her head and found her son holding Teddy at arms length and looking absolutely terrified. "Darling, he's a baby; he's not going to blow up in your face." She sat up and held out her arms. "Give him here and come and meet your aunt."
She took Teddy from her son and cradled him while she did the introductions. As she finished, he started fussing.
"He's probably hungry," Andromeda said, pulling a bottle from the bag beside her. "I'll just heat the bottle for you, Cissy."
Narcissa remained seated on the floor and fed the baby. She could hear the conversation between Draco and Andromeda, but felt no inclination to join in just then. They had a long way to go, and she would never have the same relationship with Andromeda as she'd had in the past. Now they had the chance to move on from the devastation caused in the past.
She smiled down at the baby in her arms. It was a comforting thought indeed.
Author: nicolen
Recipient: such_heights
Rating: G
Character(s): Narcissa Malfoy, Andromeda Black, Teddy Lupin, Harry Potter, Draco Malfoy
Warnings: Spoilers for DH (although I assume everyone’s read it by now.)
Author's Notes: Merry Christmas to my recipient. I hope this is what you wanted.
--
Is solace anywhere more comforting than in the arms of a sister. ~Alice Walker
Narcissa wasn't sure quite why she'd come. The nondescript townhouse in London was an address she'd memorised years ago, despite having never been there before. Quickly, before she lost her nerve she climbed up the steps and knocked on the front door.
It opened slowly and she smiled nervously at the woman standing in the doorway holding a baby. "Can I come in?" she asked. "I think we've got some catching up to do."
"Just a tad," the other woman said, rubbing the baby's back. She stepped back from the door. "If - if we stay here for too much longer, I'm going to cry again and I'd really rather not do that on the street."
"Of course." Narcissa followed her down a small hall and into the kitchen. "The baby - that's your grandson, Andromeda?"
"Yes, that's my Teddy," Andromeda said. "He's all I have left now."
"I was sorry to hear about your husband and daughter."
Andromeda looked at her in disbelief. "Were you?"
"Of course I was. Andromeda, I can't even begin to imagine how you're feeling at the moment." Narcissa took a step towards her. "I have a child too."
"I had a child, Narcissa. She was beautiful and clever and brave." Andromeda's lips trembled. "I no longer have a child. Two weeks ago I buried her and her husband next to my husband."
"It's not fair," Narcissa agreed.
"And Lucius and your son? They're all right?" Andromeda asked.
"They're both fine. It looks as if Lucius will have to serve a sentence of some kind, but Draco and I won't be charged with any crimes."
"I'm pleased to hear it," Andromeda said, sounding as if she meant it. "From what I've heard, your boy got in too deep too fast."
"Yes, he did. And we encouraged him to do that, so we need to take some responsibility for that," Narcissa said. "We indulged him - spoilt him rotten, more like."
Andromeda smiled. "It's easy to do," she agreed. "I would love to have had a boy - I envy you that."
"I wanted a girl. One I could dress up and play with."
"Trust me, they don't let you do that for very long," Andromeda told her. "I used to do that to you when we were little - do you remember."
Narcissa nodded. "I remember," she said softly. "What happened to us?"
"In a nutshell - I married someone the family disapproved of."
"I still could have kept in touch," Narcissa said.
"You were barely sixteen when I left home." Andromeda hesitated. "Could you hold Teddy while I make some tea."
Narcissa smiled. "I thought you'd never ask." She took the baby and sat down. "Andromeda, he's beautiful! And the hair!"
"His mother did the same thing when she was his age. He's very like her - but he's got his father's eyes."
"He's gorgeous. You forget how small they are at this age."
"And how fast they change," Andromeda agreed. "He's changed so much in just the last couple of weeks."
"Will you let me come back and see him - and you?"
Andromeda smiled. "I'd love you to come back again - and I'd love to meet your son at some stage."
"Why don't you come and stay with us," Narcissa urged. "You shouldn't be alone at the moment."
Andromeda shook her head. "Not yet. It's just too soon. And I'm not alone. I have my friends - and Remus and Dora's friends as well stop by often."
"If you're sure..."
"I'm sure." Andromeda brought the tea to the table.
They sat in silence for a few minutes. "You haven't asked about Bella?" Narcissa commented.
"What's to ask? I know she's dead, and I know how she died. There's a part of me that feels sad - she was our sister, after all - but she killed my daughter. This new world we're building is a much better place without her."
"I didn't realise she killed ... Dora," Narcissa said softly. "I'm sorry."
"You've got nothing to be sorry for. But you see why I can't bring myself to mourn her death." Andromeda sipped at her tea. "She wouldn't have mourned mine, that's for sure."
Narcissa left about an hour later. It had been a slightly awkward meeting, but that had to be expected. She was certain that next time they would both be more comfortable with each other.
***
"Narcissa, I'm sorry, but I don't think today's a good time to catch up." Andromeda stood in the doorway of her house. She had clearly been crying and her hair hadn't been brushed.
"It looks as if today's the perfect day." Narcissa pushed her way into the house. "Where's your Teddy today?"
"He's at Arthur and Molly Weasley's house. His godfather's taken him for the day - I wanted to be alone."
"What you need is to be with someone." Narcissa took Andromeda's arm and led her into the parlour. "What's wrong?"
"Has anyone ever told you that you grew up to be a bossy little madam?"
Narcissa sat down on the sofa next to Andromeda. "Of course I'm bossy - I'm a Black." She raised an eyebrow. "You should know that - you're the same way."
"I suppose I am." Andromeda looked down at her hands, twisting in her lap. "My girl would have turned twenty five today."
"Oh, darling."
"They say that it gets easier, but when?" It's been two months since Dora died - four months since Ted died."
"I don't have an answer for you. I wish I did." Narcissa wrapped her arms around Andromeda. "I really wish things could be different."
Andromeda leaned against her. "Stay - please."
"Of course I will."
***
Several hours later Narcissa was surprised to hear a knock on the door. Andromeda had fallen asleep out of complete exhaustion, so she carefully eased her sister off her shoulder and stood up. Andromeda hadn't even stirred.
Harry Potter stood on the other side. He was clearly shocked to see her. "Mrs Malfoy, is Andromeda here?"
"She's sleeping, so I'd prefer it if she wasn't disturbed if possible," Narcissa said. "This isn't a good day for her - it's Dora's birthday."
Harry winced. "I didn't realise that," he said shifting Teddy in his arms. "Is she all right?"
"She will be. They say that the first year is the hardest to get through and she lost a lot in a couple of months." Narcissa's hands itched to take the baby, but she resisted. "How are you...Harry?"
"I'm fine, thank you." He hesitated. "I didn't get the chance to thank you for what you did in the forest that day. You saved my life - and risked your own."
"I have a son who I had to protect." Narcissa looked at Harry. "When you have children you'll understand that I would die for my son."
Harry's smile was bittersweet. "I understand that already - my mother died to protect hers."
Narcissa nodded. "Yes, she did." She glanced toward the parlour door. "I don't think Andromeda should be left alone tonight. Do you mind staying here while I go home and let my family know where I'll be?"
"That's fine - I can't imagine that your family would want to see me," Harry told her.
"Yes, we've only just replaced the carpet that was ruined last time you visited. I'd rather not replace it so soon." Narcissa looked at him. "Thank you." She Apparated away and was back a few minutes later.
"You're all right to stay?" Harry asked.
"Of course I am. I just needed to make sure they knew where I was." She took the baby from him. "There are certain people targeting our family at the moment because of our previous connections - they think we got off lightly."
"You didn't really do anything and neither did Draco. Your husband on the other hand..."
"He will serve a sentence in Azkaban, I know." Narcissa ran her hand down the baby's back. "I don't want to hold you up any longer - I'm sure you have things to do."
"I'm staying with Mr and Mrs Weasley at The Burrow. Floo me if you need to," Harry told her.
"Thank you - I will."
***
Lucius Malfoy was sentenced to three years in Azkaban. Narcissa held her head high as she watched two Aurors lead him away from the courtroom. Hidden from view beneath the gallery railing, her hand clutched her son's so tightly that she drew blood.
They pushed their way through the waiting media scrum and Apparated back to the Manor. "So, that's it," Narcissa said, sitting down on the sofa. "Three years isn't too bad - it could have been much worse."
"Yes, I suppose so. It's just - it's all thanks to Potter."
Narcissa raised an eyebrow. "Just remember, without Harry Potter you'd be facing an Azkaban sentence yourself. "
"I know that. But to have to be grateful for Potter's testimony..." Draco trailed off.
"It's over with. Send him a thank you letter and move on. You'll never have to see him again,"
"You're right." Draco looked around the parlour. "It's only three years."
"We can manage for that long." Narcissa looked over at a House-Elf standing in the doorway. "What is it?"
"There is a lady here to see you, Miss Narcissa," it squeaked.
"Show her through." Narcissa barely looked up as Andromeda joined them.
"How are you feeling, Cissy?" she asked.
"I..." Narcissa crumpled.
Andromeda handed Teddy to Draco. "Hold him," she ordered, then dropped down on her knees beside her sister. "It's all right," she murmured, taking Narcissa into her arms as she wept.
Narcissa lay quietly, her head on Andromeda's shoulder. "It's silly," she murmured. "it's only three years, but at the moment it seems like half a lifetime."
"I know," Andromeda said softly. "It's been a long wait until you found out what the sentence would be." She brushed a lock of hair away from Narcissa's face. "You've been so strong, darling."
"I don't feel strong."
"It's all right not to be," Andromeda soothed. "Sometimes you can't be."
"Will you stay with me tonight? I don't want to be alone, and I don't think Draco does, either." Narcissa raised her head and found her son holding Teddy at arms length and looking absolutely terrified. "Darling, he's a baby; he's not going to blow up in your face." She sat up and held out her arms. "Give him here and come and meet your aunt."
She took Teddy from her son and cradled him while she did the introductions. As she finished, he started fussing.
"He's probably hungry," Andromeda said, pulling a bottle from the bag beside her. "I'll just heat the bottle for you, Cissy."
Narcissa remained seated on the floor and fed the baby. She could hear the conversation between Draco and Andromeda, but felt no inclination to join in just then. They had a long way to go, and she would never have the same relationship with Andromeda as she'd had in the past. Now they had the chance to move on from the devastation caused in the past.
She smiled down at the baby in her arms. It was a comforting thought indeed.