B.Q. Book One: Princess of the Blacks

Chapter 22: Dark Solstice

Narcissa pulled her hand back once again as she looked at the door in front of her. Jen had been worryingly quiet over dinner the night before and still hadn't left her room today even though it was nearing noon. To say that she, Andi, and Sirius were anxious would be a severe understatement. And I was unlucky enough to draw the firecrab card to find out what's wrong. She steeled her resolve, turned the doorknob, and peeked inside.

...Of course, teenager. How could I forget? She shook her head as she looked at her niece's still-sleeping form. The girl had curled up in a ball with the bedspread covering her, only her head sticking out; the black hair laying over her face finished camouflaging her amidst the dark sheets. Narcissa's lips quirked as she took in the sight. I swear, it's almost scary how much she reminds me of Bella at that age.

Chuckling, she walked closer and gently shook Jen's shoulder. The youngest Black jerked slightly before stretching out. "Cissy?" she yawned while she wiped crust out of her milky eyes. "What is it?"

"While I'm sure you would if given the choice, there's no reason to sleep in this late. It's already time for lunch." Jen nodded and sat up, the bedspread falling to reveal bare skin that caused Narcissa to pause. While no longer knickers-drenchingly cute, Jen was still a beautiful young woman, at least in her admittedly biased eyes. "Didn't Andi buy you some pyjamas?"

Jen shook her head, a smile on her lips. "Never did I think you would had a problem with me being naked."

"That was before," she said sharply. Jen tilted her head, so she explained in a gentler tone, "Ever since Sirius found you, I've been regretting that we had sex even once, let alone weekly for three years. It was wrong, and I'm sorry."

"And I'm sorry you feel that way; I always treasured our time together, both as lovers and then as friends once I grew too old for you. Still, I..." Trailing off, Jen pursed her lips. "Aunt Cissy, what's that around your neck?"

She blushed when the necklace rose out from under the shallow dip of her dress. It was a simple thing, just a Muggle coin and some colored beads dangling from a string, but what mattered was the meaning behind it. "Lara gave it to me last night."

"She finally got out of greeter duty, huh? Good for her, only took her a year or so to learn when to keep her opinions to herself. I have to say, though, it seems a mite hypocritical for you to come in here and disparage our old relationship when you just got back from being another kid's first real roll in the sack." Jen released her magic's hold on the necklace with a frown.

Narcissa blinked in surprise, wondering what the girl meant until comprehension struck. "I think I see now. I am not – and I very much doubt I ever will be – ashamed of who I am or what my preferences are. However, not only are you a witch and therefore off-limits from a moral standpoint, you were already part of this family, even if neither of us knew at the time. In that light, our actions were highly inappropriate."

"Oh. Well, that makes more sense, I suppose. I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions."

"Totally understandable under the circumstances." She sat on the edge of the bed, close enough to lay a hand on Jen's covered leg. "This wasn't wanted to talk to your about, though. Sirius, Andi, and I were worried about how quiet you were last night at dinner. Were you considering Lily's apology?"

"What? No!"

She continued as if she hadn't heard; she needed to say this before she lost her nerve. "Because if you were debating reaching out to the Potters and giving them a second chance, we... we would understand. James is your father, after all, and Lily... well..."

"Auntie," Jen interrupted, taking her hand from the bed and gripping it gently. "The Potters threw me away because I was inconvenient and never once second-guessed themselves until the folly of that decision was shoved in their faces. You, Aunt Andi, and Sirius brought me in and accepted me immediately, uncaring that I had only the most tenuous of connections to you. James may have sired me and Lily given birth to me, but you are my family."