The Beginning II
Lucius knew Druella had changed. Narcissa’s childhood had been idyllic. She was doted on, the youngest of three exceptional daughters. Sisters who had been the best of friends. Cousins who joined them often and went on many adventures throughout the different Black properties. A relaxed father who had the benefit of being the third son and so had a relaxed childhood himself. Narcissa’s mother came from a family that values their daughters and loved her own in return. The black daughters grew up as the princesses of British Wizarding Society. Druella had been gentle and affectionate and ran her home in a slightly more continental style than her more stuffy British sister-in-law. That changed as Narcissa entered her later Hogwarts years.
Bellatrix’s temper had grown shorter and erratic as she neared adulthood and the family knew it was only a matter of time before the family’s curse descended on her fully. The question was, who could she marry before it was clear to society? Who could handle the powerful and more and more willful witch? More worrisome, would Bella stand to be an obedient pure-blood wife.
As Bella’s presence became louder, Andromeda’s had quieted as she shrank from the confident, outspoken middle child to the background. Keeping secrets close to her chest and creating distances in her familial relationships.
Druella had spent many sleepless nights attempting to strategize the paths to her daughter's futures, but ultimately felt confident that her mothering would benefit her girls in an opposite effect from how nephews were clearly already devolving from Walaburga’s harsh ways.
That changed when Andromeda eloped with a muggleborn. Druella changed from the indulgent mother Narcissa had known in her youth. A betrothal contract was quickly arranged between Bella and the Lestrange family. Druella was certain that another British French family would be a suitable fit for her eldest. The wedding followed a very brief but still respectable courting period.
Then, the focus was on Narcissa. All of it. Narcissa was the last hope. She was to be the jewel of her sisters. The pressures began in 3rd year, but when she remained the only Miss Black, there was no room for error. She was most beautiful, most graceful, most refined. She attended every social event at her parents' side and every move was scrutinized for perfection. Every laugh tinkled, every smile dazzled, and anyone who looked upon her knew that Narcissa was the prize above all others. The best of the Blacks. The best of everyone.
Their courtship was natural. They had been drawn to one another from the beginning. Any worries that his father would not approve the match were dismissed immediately after he made his intent known. Lucius felt grateful that he was able to broach the subject before his father had planned any betrothal contracts for him, but it wasn’t unthinkable that his father might have encouraged him to pursue Narcissa anyway. There would be no one else whose union would bring them a greater honor. If a contract had been drawn up in his childhood, such a sentiment might have Rang true at the prospect of marrying any of the black daughters, but by his 6th year, it was clear: he was in madly in love with Narcissa Black, and while the Black family was facing internal agitation, Narcissa was to be the prized bride of any eligible gentleman who won her hand.
Although their betrothal was one of the biggest society developments of the century, Druella remained unsettled. In a way, it did help Narcissa—Abraxsas was a demanding father and would be a dark and domineering head of house— but the relationship between mother and daughter would remain strained as Nacissa Black turned Malfoy.
The young couple relied upon one another tremendously in their Hogwarts days, becoming completely dependent on one another as the pressures from their families rose.
Knowing this, Lucius understood why Narcissa did not wish to go to her mother. The last time this happened, Narcissa returned home from her parents and did not speak for hours when she did. Eventually, she told him some of the conversation, her mother’s reserved manners toward her daughter, and the package of herbs and potions to help her bring on another pregnancy. Her warnings to bear an heir soon.
No, maybe one day; but he could not see a near future where his wife reconnected with her fractured family and found comfort from them as she did in her youth.
“M-mm-my sis-ster.” Narcissa’s body continued convulsing--wracked with her sobs.
“Yes, my darling,” Lucius stroked her hair, “of course.”
Slowly, Narissa’s head rate slows. Her gasps wound down, but her tears remained streaming steadily as she relaxed her body into Lucius’s.
Andromeda. That was a thought. Narcissa has not been able to make contact with her since she eloped. She tried sending her letters from Hogwarts at first, but it became too much of a risk that someone would learn of the correspondence and Narcissa was not in a position to defy her parents. Even then, she had never received any response.
His father could not find out. In fact, no one could ever know, least it get back to him. But Abraxas was abroad and would be until early summer. All of the Malfoys were to journey to France to celebrate Yule with their head of house. Then the young couple would return to Wiltshire while the elders went their separate ways on the continent to spend spring. His grandparents would return for Imbolc and his father for Beltane. His mother would return when she saw fit.
There was plenty of time. No one would know.
“Cissa, my love.”
Narcissa lifted her head and met her husband’s forlorn, but warm eyes.
“We will start tomorrow. We will find Andromeda and you will have your sister back.”
She reached up and gave her husband a light kiss. They made their way to bed, falling into a deep sleep, hopeful for their future. It would be theirs alone and no one would take it from them.