Chapter 2
"Toujours pur" , read the inscription on the tapestry at Grimmauld Place, "always pure”. Narcissa knew the family’s motto and its meaning from the moment she uttered her first word. And, of course, she also knew the reason why her father had taken her sisters and her to her aunt Walburga’s house and gathered them in front of the tapestry that april morning.
She gave a quick look to her sister Andromeda. She had not been able to do it. She couldn’t leave that mudblood. And the rumours had become stronger. Narcissa knew that Bellatrix wanted to kill him and lock Andromeda up until it was all in the past, and her mother agreed with her. But father had stopped her. He still believed in Andromeda and he knew it will only make things worse. Now they were only rumours, but killing the boy would make them confirmed facts, so Cygnus made Druella and Bellatrix keep quiet and let him solve the problem in a more gentle manner.
“So this is the gentle manner” thought Narcissa.
The tapestry hung on a wall in the sitting room, full of valuable and ancient objects passed down from generation to generation in the family. The three sisters stood in front of it, in the inverse birth order: first, Nacissa, then, Andromeda, and later Bellatrix, to her right. Cygnus was in front of them, with his back turned to the tapestry. He reminded Narcissa of a teacher, ready to start the lesson.
“Generations of Blacks have come and go since the beginning of time” he started “And all of them, all of those who are worth it, are somewhere on this tapestry. You are also here. “ he pointed towards three little portraits in the lower part of the tree. “And, someday, your children will appear too”
Andromeda, who had sensed the reason why they were having that conversation, was tense and uncomfortable. She tried to appear calm, but Narcissa knew she wasn’t. Bellatrix, showing her usual arrogance, run her fingers through her hair, making sure her engagement ring and the mark on her forearm were visible; as if it was all a vindication and she wanted them to know she was already fighting for blood purity, her family’s obsession. She was committed to the cause. Were they?
Cygnus continued.
“You have a very lucky life. You are all excellent witches, with the best blood one can have, the pure. You are the elite of the wizarding world. It is your heritage, the gift from your ancestors, what makes you different than the rest of the world. I wish you will continue their legacy and your names will continue appearing on the tapestry, with mine”
He stared at them and made a pause, as if he was trying to find the words to continue his lecture with.
“Sometimes, it looks like someone loves us. But it is not always true, and that someone leaves us” he then fixed his eyes on Andromeda “Don’t throw your whole world away and the people who love you for a person that may not be beside you tomorrow”
There was an intense and uncomfortable silence. Bellatrix smirked, proudly. Andromeda tried to keep calm, and Narcissa was getting increasingly nervous. A few minutes passed like that, and then Cygnus put his hand on Andromeda’s shoulder.
“Let’s go to the dining room. Uncle Orion wants to see you before lunch”
He left Andromeda and put his arm around Bellatrix as they walked out of the room. Narcissa and Andromeda stood before the tapestry.
“Are you okay?” she asked, running her fingers through her sister’s hair.
Narcissa always found it funny that none of the sisters had the same hair colour. She was blond, Dromeda was a brunette, and Bella’s was black as coal. Their eye colours were not the same either. Narcissa’s were blue, as did many other members in the Black family, while her sisters’ were different tones of brown. Bella had joked about Narcissa being adopted several times. It all ended Bellatrix grounded and Andromeda trying to make her younger sister stop crying.
“Yes, Cissy” she replied with a sad smile “Don’t worry about me”
They both got startled by the door of the room opening suddenly.
“My dear cousins” said Sirius, Walburga and Orion’s eldest son, with that teasing tone that was so characteristic of him “What did this humble servant do to be honored with the pleasure of your company this morning?”
Andromeda smiled, amused. She had a special affection for Sirius, and their relationship was somewhat close. Narcissa, on the contrary, raised her head snobbishly and looked at her cousin as if he was the worst thing in the world. They never got along.
“My sister and I are having a conversation. Disappear”
“I’d love to, cousin Narcissa, but I’m still too young”
Narcissa sighted, while Andromeda giggled at her cousin’s words.
“Miss Cissy!” greeted Kreacher, Grimmauld Place’s domestic elf, who had just appeared in the room. “It is always a pleasure to see you. Miss Cissy honors Kreacher and his masters with her presence. My masters have a special affection for Miss Cissy, yes.
Narcissa smiled kindly The elf looked at the rest of them
“Miss Andromeda, Disgrace…”
“Domestic mummy…”
Since Sirius had been selected to Gryffindor, unlike all of his Slytherin family, and started to surround himself with people Walburga thought were the worst mistake of nature, it was usual that the elf and his master addressed him with insults and a disgusted voice, but it was not normal that he used that tone with Andromeda. He had never addressed her like that. Not even after she scolded him for the lack of respect he showed towards Sirius. Why was he acting like that? Had the rumours reached Walburga’s ears, and, of course Kreacher, too?
Narcissa gave a quick glance to her sister, who looked humiliated. “For Merlin’s sake, she better not start crying” she thought. They have to join their father and sister and go see uncle Orion. Andromeda could say she was late because of Sirius, but Narcissa didn’t have an excuse. She did not have a close relationship with any of her cousins.
She looked at Sirius. Could that idiot take care of Andromeda while she was gone? “Yes.” she thought “He’s useless, but he loves her”
“I better get going. I haven’t seen uncle Orion yet” she said
“You better take care of her. This is the last time I’m trusting you” she thought as she left. When she closed the door, the two cousins started talking.
“Have you insulted my mother in Kreacher’s presence or something like that?
“Of course not, Sirius”
“Then, what have you done to be treated like that?
Dromeda sighted.
“You can’t even imagine”
And that was all Narcissa could hear.