Chapter 2
It’d been a few months, but rumours spread fast. Narcissa had heard a few creative versions. Draco was on the couch playing with a potion set. Narcissa smiled, Draco hadn’t even cried or complained when they moved to a smaller house in a different town. He was satisfied, but Narcissa wasn’t. Opening more letters, they could’ve at least tried to be subtle. High society was always such gossips. All but one had caught her attention. It wasn’t a response from Gringotts or another Ministry-issued letter from Lucius. It was from Lord Nott. She hadn’t talked to Mattias in years, not since Josie died.
December 13, 1997
27 years ago
“Narcissa, what about this one?” Narcissa turned to the bell-like voice of Josephine DeLancy. She was a beautiful girl, smart as well. She was wonderful at quidditch but never played. “Oooo, Cissa she’s right. What a darling!” Joanne was a complete contrast; her voice was deeper. An odd accent. Narcissa rolled her eyes “A mid-thigh dress is not dinner party appropriate.” The bell to the store rang. “Merrow! Didn’t expect to see you here.” Merrow was a nickname Mattias gave Josie after she fell into the Great Lake. Quite publicly she might add. “It’s a woman’s shop?” She and Joanne were sick of this it was so obvious. “Oh? Oh! Um so Merrow do you have any… plans? This summer?” “It's winter?” Josephine nodded at the thickening snow outside. “Yeah, I know. I meant like next year.” Narcissa had to pinch Joanne to stop her from laughing. “We have N.E.W.T.S next year. We could….take a walk? Tomorrow?” “Yeah, that’s wonderful! It’s- it's a date.” Mattias smiled bumping into a clothing rack, walking to the exit. “Shit! Sorry.” Josie had laughed.
Present Day
Gods, how many years had it been? She and Mattias were never quite close. Narcissa saw him more as an accessory of sorts. Narcissa opened the letter, not knowing what to expect. Mattias had changed after Josephine’s passing. He’d thrown himself into work. She knew they had a son together, she’d met him once or twice.
It was a playdate invitation for Draco and his son, Theodore. “Draco?” Draco looked up from his Harry Potter toy having moved on from the potion set. “Yes, Maman?” “How would you like a playdate?” Xenophuilius had also sent her an invite, wanting to connect. She wasn’t friends with Pandora, it was Regulus who was. But she knew her and accepted their familial connection which was enough for him. “With who?” Blaise was fine he was okay to play with, but Draco was bored. “Pansy Parkinson, Theodore Nott and your cousin. Luna Lovegood.