Cassiopeia's Arrival
Hogwarts
It had been just over a week since Hermione (and Penelope) had been petrified. Every morning Harry and Percy walked to the hospital wing together, making light conversation. Ron would visit every other evening. Harry had been surprised one evening - the week anniversary of her petrification - when the whole Quidditch team walked into the Hospital Wing after dinner.
They made light conversation. The twins talking about a prank they had pulled. Angelina, Alicia, and Katie talking to Hermione about the latest gossip they had heard. "Even though you're not big on gossip, Granger, you still got to know." Oliver talked Quidditch strategy for a few minutes before the twins dragged him over to sit with Percy.
"There, now he can bug Percy instead."
Harry left the Hospital Wing that night in a brighter mood than he had been since the news of Hermione's petrification. The chasers had promised to come by once or twice a week (to gossip or talk to Hermione about advanced spells - "She'd love that, thanks!") and the twins were planning a big prank to welcome Hermione back. "She won't be the recipient of this brilliant prank, but it'll put a big grin on her face!" "Gotta give her something to smile about, right Harrikins?"
During the week, Harry had caught Malfoy walking towards the hospital wing a few more times. Oddly enough, Malfoy seemed to realize he was walking there and would turn around and hurry away.
He always rubs at his chest... Like he's in pain. If he is, he needs to just go in there.
Slytherin Dorms, 2nd Year Boys
Draco had waited eagerly for his mother's response. He had to admit he was slightly disappointed. He had hoped she would know and could fix it. A part of him was terrified at the thought that it was the family magic.
Why isn't Father affected then? If it was the Black Family magic, Mother would feel it, right? So it has to be Malfoy magic. So why doesn't Father feel it.
It was finally a week since Draco had sent his letter, when he received a second letter from his mother.
"My Dragon,
Your Great Great Aunt arrives tonight. She was highly curious about the situation. You've been keeping a journal like I asked? Please send it along so we can go through it.
Your father is well enough. You know this month is difficult for him. The fact you're at Hogwarts has drained him more. He's wallowing, not that I blame him. I will explain when you're older, my dear. May is such a difficult month. He'll be better in a few weeks.
That said, he is looking through the journals.
Is there anything odd that happened before this started? Any altercations? Did you get hit with any spells? Anything and everything can help.
I love you. I sent extra treats this time, perhaps you can share with your roommates.
Mother."
Anything happening? There's the petrifications. Granger was attacked. But that doesn't make any sense. Granger is a Mudblood.
Draco quickly wrote out a letter. It bugged him, but he did mention that there had been an accident and a few students were petrified, including Granger. He included his journal and sent it off.
Malfoy Manor, That Night
Narcissa was eagerly awaiting the arrival of her great aunt. Cassiopeia Black was brilliant. She researched as she pleased and always got results. The elder sister of the previous Lord Black, Cassiopeia was a firecracker. She never married and didn't care what anyone said about her. Of course, her baby brother became Lord Black, - and as many differences as the two had - Arcturus Black did not allow anyone to speak ill of either of his sisters. There had been quite a bit of talk when the baby sister, Dorea, married Charlus Potter. Their mother had been furious, but Arcturus as Lord had approved.
After Dorea and Charlus' deaths, Cassiopeia had left Britain to live and research in France. Their son, James, was of age and Cassiopeia had just up and left. Narcissa would bet that Cassie was too upset at her sister's death, coupled with the death of her best friend and sister-in-law Melania a few years prior, it seemed to be too much to handle. Narcissa was drawn out of her thoughts when Lucius entered the waiting room.
"I'm not late then. I was hoping to have found something that could help before her arrival."
Lucius had been working tirelessly (at least when he wasn't wallowing in his grief and alcohol) to try and find something of use.
It would be much easier if he didn't have to read through his father's journals. Of course Abraxas would write about everyone else's failures and about removing Aurelia. Poor thing.
Narcissa ran her hand against his back, hoping it would be some comfort. He gave a slight smile before turning towards the floo.
The floo changed colors and Lucius reached forward to take Aunt Cassie's hand as she stepped out. "Great Aunt Cassie, welcome. Thank you for coming." She curtseyed quickly.
"Miss Black, welcome."
Cassiopeia Black took a moment to look between them. "Narcissa, dear. It has been too long. If it wasn't for your concern over your son, I wouldn't be here. I haven't stepped foot in Britain since Arcturus. I had no plans to come back." Her voice was cold.
"Aunt Cassie -"
"Hush now. When is your husband going to get off his binge? We need his help and he needs to be in the right mind. If it's family magic, it's Malfoy magic."
Cassiopeia turned and looked Lucius up and down. "Go get sober boy, and don't you dare touch another drop while I'm here."
Lucius' face turned red, "Now see here! I-"
"Do you want to lose your son too?"
"AUNT CASSIE!" She didn't just say that. Of course Lucius doesn't want to lose Draco. We didn't want to lose our daughter to begin with.
Cassiopeia looked between them. "Narcissa. He needs to be in his right mind. For Draco. Lucius, you need to be sober. Completely sober. The magic could be warning you both, but you're not sober enough to be connected. I've done research before. Small amounts of alcohol can dull the senses. Family magic is picky, but it's strong. Magic herself is strong and judgemental. If you're not deserving, she won't give the gift. Listen to her, for Draco's sake."
Lucius stood still, "Of, of course. I, I will do this. For Draco." He gave a quick nod and hurried out of the room.
"Aunt Cassie, he's going through a lot. May is not a good month for us, but especially for Lucius. If that wasn't enough, he's looking through his father's journals for information. You know how Abraxas was. It's incredibly difficult for Lucius right now."
Cassiopeia sat down in the chair, motioning for some tea. Bippy popped in with the tea set ready. "Thank you Bippy."
"You should be having the harder time. You were carrying that child."
Narcissa watched her aunt take a sip of her tea. "Aunt Cassie... Lucius had a sister."
"Had. She's deceased."
She nodded. "Yes. Abraxas did it. When she didn't receive her Hogwarts letter."
Cassiopeia took a harsh breath. "I take it Lucius and her were close."
"Yes. She was three years younger. Lucius adored her. Her birthday was this month.... He got a letter the day after her 11th stating she had been "removed". He was at Hogwarts when it happened... But that's not all. He had heard his father talk about it during Easter hols. He begged his mother to save her. To save Aurelia. She refused. He wrote her every day begging her."
Narcissa looked over to her aunt. Squibs were majorly unwanted in pure blood families, especially in the Sacred 28th. Of course some families treated them better than others. Some "removed" them by a certain age (some as young as five) if they hadn't shown accidental magic. Other families sent them off to the muggle world since they were "no better than a muggle". It went back and forth in the Black Family. It all depended on who was in charge. Arcturus kept them in the family, but they were sent abroad - like cousin Marius. He was still a Black, still knew about the happenings in the family - to an extent - but most ignored his existence.
Narcissa's own parents ignored that Marius existed. Bellatrix once said that if she ever met him she would remove him herself, as he was "a stain on the house". Narcissa, early in her life ignored Squibs to an extent, but now was different. Now she had lost a child. How could these parents just end their child so easily? She could never. Even if they were a squib, they were hers.
She regretted not reaching out to Andromeda after their father's passing or even before. She heard rumors that she had a daughter, a very magical one at that. Lucius' contacts said she was trying to be an auror and that she was a metamorphmagus. If it was true, she had been given a rare gift by magic, even though her father was a Muggleborn.
Narcissa sighed, "I got distracted. I thought about my sister's for a moment and my own regrets." She answered Cassie's questioning look.
"Ah. I see. Perhaps we can arrange something. I'm not going to live forever. It'd be nice to spend some time with my remaining family."
"You, you want to meet with Andromeda? Really?"
Cassie laughed, "Well of course. Perhaps after classes let out. Young Draco should meet his aunt and cousin after all."
Narcissa didn't know what to say. Would Andromeda even want to see her? Would she even want to be in the same room as her? She hasn't spoken to her since Andromeda ran away to marry the Muggleborn Ted Tonks, roughly twenty years ago.
"Say, Narcissa. Did Lucius ever see his sister's body or burial? Or was he just told it happened?"