Druella Black nee Rosier strode into the Rosier family seat, passing her cloak to one of her brother’s elves. “Where is she, Tulley?” She demanded.
“Mistress Kitty be in her room,” The elf bowed, wringing her hands anxiously. “The baby is nots coming.”
“Did you call for the midwife?”
“Mistress Kitty forbidses it.” Tulley whispered.
Druella cursed under her breath and began hurrying through Rosier Manor. She could kill her brother for leaving Catriona alone this close to her due date. Granted, both of their husbands were off on the same foolish trip and Cygnus had already missed the birth, and death, of their son. “Cat? Cat!?” She called, definitely not shouting, as she shoved her way into her friend’s bedroom.
Catriona Rosier nee Ollivander had been a year below Druella in school, sorted into Ravenclaw as were most Ollivanders. She had always been beautiful with long platinum blonde hair and silvery blue eyes that seemed to stare straight into your soul. She came from a long line of wandmakers and her father made nearly all the wands for Wizarding Britain. Druella had always thought she was sweet, most certainly too good for her elder brother Nicolas who had enjoyed pulling the legs off spiders. But, he had charmed Catriona and kept his less desirable qualities hidden until their bonding when Cat could no longer escape him.
Druella hated him for it. Catriona was kind and gentle, a flower now trapped under glass. Of course, it didn’t help that Druella and Catriona had been involved before Nicolas set his sights on the younger Ravenclaw. She hadn’t spoken to her best friend for a year after the bonding ceremony, only relenting when Catriona showed up at Black Cottage. Then, just like now, she had been dressed only in her dressing gown, face blotchy and streaked with tears as she pleaded at the gate to be allowed inside. Druella had relented, of course, and dapped healing ointment on the bruises her brother left on Cat’s pale skin.
Druella hadn’t allowed her brother to separate her from Catriona since then. If Catriona was late to one of their scheduled get togethers, Druella was storming the gates of the Rosier family seat with her wand in hand ready to hex Nicolas. Much to her brother and husband’s dismay, pregnancy and motherhood only made Druella more ruthless.
“Drue!” Catriona sobbed, bent over the side of her bed.
Druella paled as she rushed over. “Cat, we have to call the healer!”
“No! No, you can’t!” She insisted panicked, pushing Druella away.
Druella cupped her friend’s face in her hands, smoothing sweat soaked hair from her face. “Cat… Cat we need to call the healer.” She murmured. “I can’t lose you too.”
Catriona shook her head. “No. No, Drue.” She whimpered.
“Yes, Cat.” She said in the no-nonsense tone she always used when Bellatrix or Andromeda were acting up. “Tulley!”
There was a soft pop as the elf appeared.
“Miss Druella called for Tulley?”
“Send for Healer Malbeck. He delivered my son last week. Tell him to come quickly. Then get me a bowl of cool water and a flannel.”
“You have a son?” Catriona asked with a wobbly smile as Druella helped her into bed.
“No… he passed shortly after his birth.” Druella murmured.
“Oh-oh Drue… You don’t have to be here.”
“You called for me. You come for the people you love when they call for you.” She settled her sister-in-law back into bed and when the bowl of water came, began gently dabbing the cool water on her face until Healer Malbeck arrived. He was a good man and was intelligent, despite being a Hufflepuff. Still, she stayed by Catriona’s side throughout her labor and was the first to hold her new niece.
“She’s beautiful Cat…” Druella murmured, smiling at the screaming baby. “Strong.”
Catriona collapsed back into the pillows with a sob.
“Dennis… Give us a moment.”
The healer nodded, “Of course, Mrs. Black.”
Druella sat beside Catriona with a heavy frown. “Cat… Cat what’s wrong?” She murmured.
“He’s going to kill me, Drue. He-he said if I didn’t give him a proper heir I’d regret it.”
Druella shook her head, “Nicolas never understood why Cygnus doesn’t loathe our girls… He doesn’t understand the power a daughter can bring a family.” She sighed disappointedly. She looked down at the baby in her arms, “This little one can create strong alliances.”
Catriona reached out and grabbed her arm. “Drue… Does Cygnus know?”
“Know what?”
“Does he know the baby died?”
“No. You know they’re unreachable, Cat.”
“Take her.”
Druella reared back in shock. “Take her?”
“She’ll be safe with you. Take her and tell Cygnus that she’s yours. I’ll tell Nicolas that our child died, but was a son.”
“He’ll want to see the body, Catriona…” Druella frowned, praying to Mother Magic that Cat didn’t ask for her son’s body.
“I’ll tell him that in a fit of grief I had him cremated. I-I’ll take ashes from the fireplace and put them in an urn. Please, Drue. Please.” She begged. “Take her. She’ll be safe with you.”
Druella frowned deeply, looking towards the door. “I’ll have to obliviate the healer… he was there for both our deliveries.” She looked down at the baby in her arms. “Is this really what you want, Cat?”
“It’s what will keep her safe.”
Druella nodded, “I’ll have to do some work on the tapestry… so she shows up on ours and not yours. And charm the girls' memories a touch…” She sighed heavily. She had never been able to say no to Catriona… “Alright. I’ll do it.”
Catriona relaxed, sobbing in relief.
Druella kissed her head, “You rest. I’ll take care of the Healer and then I’ll be back.”
~*~*~*~*~
Druella left her family home hours later, her daughter tucked safely in her arms. She had stayed and made sure Catriona was bathed, fed, and had the elves collect ashes for the urn that would be given to Nicolas.
She shook her head with a disgusted scoff. Men. They were always so short sighted. They didn’t see that it was daughters that built empires. Sons needed to be physically and magically strong in a way that everyone could see. They needed to be smart and athletic and whatever other macho nonsense they believed. Daughters though… daughters could hide their intelligence and power. Daughters could be taught to smile and charm. Men always thought they were so smart… that was their downfall.
Druella may not have a son, but she had three beautiful daughters that would one day collect their own powerful matches. They would be perfect society ladies and know everything from how to serve (and poison) their guests’ tea to how to navigate (and manipulate) the wizarding elite they were a part of. Yes… her daughters would be forces of nature to be dealt with, hidden behind delicate lace, flowers, and sweet smiles.
“Come, Narcissa.” She crooned to the sleeping babe tucked against her chest. “Let’s get you home.”