Bejeweled

After Transfiguration on Tuesday Bella was making her way back to the Slytherin Common Room. She’d successfully staked out her new territory, and no one sat at what was now considered her table without permission. Of course, no one had asked other than Andy and Severus, but Bella was pleased she was still scary enough to keep everyone away from a good spot even without her physical presence. 

She was just about to set her bag down when someone cleared their throat behind her. Turning, she found the last person she thought would ever speak to her again. 

“May we talk in private?” Narcissa asked formally. 

Bella nodded, a little dumbstruck at the request. But if her sister wanted to speak with her again, even if it was suspicious, Bella would never say no. She missed Cissy something awful. 

The pair made their way up to Bella’s dorm oppressed by an awkward silence. Bella’s eyes were trained firmly in front of her, not wanting to give any attention to whatever whispers were whirling around them. As if not looking meant she was any less hyperaware of their existence. 

Thankfully, the dorm was empty. Bella sat her bag down on her bed, but stayed standing as she looked to Narcissa expectantly. 

Narcissa took a deep breath, straightening her shoulders. She was always so regal; every bit a pureblood matriarch in the making. “I wanted to apologize. For smashing your records.” 

Bella raised an eyebrow, keeping it together and not letting the pure astonishment show on her face. Though she suspected Cissy knew her well enough to see it in her eyes. 

“I was angry--to be frank I still am angry, but I shouldn’t have done it,” she continued. 

Bella nodded slowly. “Thank you,” she answered carefully, not declaring her forgiven yet. 

Narcissa nodded back, knowing that was the best she’d get at the moment. “I know it will take time for us to build trust, but…I would like to start making amends. I-” she stuttered, tears springing to her eyes but not falling, “I miss you.” 

Bella wanted to rush over and hug her sister; any other time she would have, but she didn’t know where this new dynamic left them. Still, she couldn’t help it, and took a few steps forward, reaching out to hold both of her sister’s hands in her own. 

“I miss you too. I love you, Cissy.” 

Narcissa gave her hands a tight squeeze. “All three of us together again?” she asked in a whisper. 

“No more mom and dad keeping us apart,” Bella nodded. 

“We can’t be too public about it, I still have to keep up appearances if I’m going to marry Lucius,” Narcissa warned. 

“Of course,” Bella nodded. “I want you to be happy. I’d never do anything to mess up your marriage to Lucius.” 

Narcissa gave a watery smile, though the tears were still strictly held back. Then she was the one to close the distance between them and give her older sister a tight hug. 

Bella squeezed her, the relief rolling over her. She had Cissy back. Everything would be okay. 

“Oh!” Narcissa said, pulling back after a very long moment. “I have an apology gift.” 

“Never going to say no to that,” Bella grinned. 

Narcissa went to her bag where she’d automatically dropped it on Bella’s bed and took something out without the slightest pause, the benefit of always having things perfectly organized. She held out a small, slightly ratty looking, leather bound black journal. 

Bella’s eyebrows scrunched together slightly. It didn’t exactly look to be to the usual Black sister’s standard of gifts. 

“It’s from the Malfoy’s personal collection. It thinks, so it will talk to you when you write in it. Very rare,” Narcissa explained, smiling excitedly. Not only was it to the Black sister’s gift giving standards, but it was quite an extravagant gift after all. 

“That’s amazing,” Bella beamed as she took it in her hands. 

“I thought…with everything--well, I thought that you could use a place to confide.” 

“Thank you, really,” Bella said softly, and went to hug her sister again. Things between them were going to be okay.