A Family to Love You

Shopping Pt 2 + Unlearning

"It's been a long time since I've been shopping," Narcissa said, brushing her fingers over the clothes. "Lucius normally had our clothes sourced from France so we never had to."
    Em smiled at Sissy, "Well, we don't really have sourcing clothes from France time or money so I suppose this'll do?"
    "Oh! I didn't mean-!"
    Em smiled with that lopsided smile of hers, "Sissy, I'm kidding. I know you meant no harm."
    Narcissa blushed, "Oh."
    "We do have mall money though so pick out what you please," Em said.
    Narcissa looked down, "I- I should have prepared for this. You should not have to pay-"
    Em smiled softly, "Sissy, he would have noticed the missing money which would have put you and Draco in danger..."
    "I could have-"
    "No, Sissy. I'm treating you today. Get what you want," Em said.
    Narcissa looked around, slightly lost. Then she spotted a beautiful pea coat on a mannequin. "Oh Draco would love-"
    "Sissy," Em said, grabbing Narcissa's hand. "Harry has Draco and he'll pick out what he wants. This is about you."
    "I- I don't think I know how to do that anymore," Narcissa said softly.
    "Well, then let me teach you," Em said in a similar tone. "Let's start with dresses and work our way to pants and blouses so you'll be comfortable."
    After half an hour, Narcissa had picked out three pretty and simple dresses along with a nice coat ("It gets cold here," Em had said). Then Narcissa laid her eyes on a very pretty deep gray blouse with yellow flowery stitching. She reached out to it but then stopped and pulled her hand away.
    Em glanced over at her, "Everything okay? It won't hurt to touch. Want to try it on?"
    Narcissa shook her head and turned back to Em, "No, no. It's too colorful..."
    Em raised an eyebrow and glanced down at her bright red tee shirt and matching combat boots. "There's no need to be afraid of color."
    "I know, its just... Lucius said-"
    "Sissy, not to be crass but I don't give a shit what he said. He's wrong. If you want a little color, have a little color. It won't look silly." Em rested her hands on Narcissa's shoulders. "Hey," she said softly, "it'll look good on you. You look good in everything. You're a good person for protecting Draco and there's nothing wrong with being scared. You've been brave for long enough." Em grabbed the shirt in Narcissa's size and dropped it into the buggy to be tried on.
    As Narcissa smiled, she thought maybe, just maybe she could begin to believe Em. Maybe life at her cousin's house wouldn't be so bad.

. .  . .

    It had been a few days of taking care of the Malfoys and Narcissa still had trouble sleeping when she found Em and Alice chatting in the kitchen over hot chocolate one night.
    "Oh!" She said softly. "My apologies, I did not mean to interrupt." Narcissa turned towards the door.
    "You weren't interrupting," Em called after her which caused Narcissa to turn back around.
    "Come, sit," Alice said, tapping the chair next to her. "Would you like some hot chocolate?"
    Narcissa nodded, "Are you sure I'm not interrupting?"
    Em smiled softly, "Yes, I'm sure. Are you alright? Have you been sleeping okay?"
    Narcissa nodded as Alice set the cup in front of her. "Just nightmares."
    Em's smile turned sad, "Yes, that comes with the territory, I'm afraid."
    "I do have a question though," Narcissa said.
    "Shoot," Alice said, settling in next to Narcissa. "It's not too personal for me to be here is it?"
    "No, no. You might be able to help too from what I know about you," Narcissa said.
    "Then go right ahead," Em said.
    "I just... how do you unlearn what's been told to you your whole life?" Narcissa asked.
    "Well, it's definitely hard," Em started. "It took Sirius and I a long time at the Potter's to unlearn the lessons taught to us. Honestly, I'm still unlearning."
    "Me, too," Alice continued. "At Hogwarts, things were so much different than back in France. Em and her friends were so different to the girls at Beauxbaton. I don't have the same story as you but it was ingrained in me from a young age to be straight and proper."
    "Same here," Em said.
    "I just," Narcissa said with a huff. "I want what's best for Draco and I believe that's not the proper pureblood way. Can I confess something to you both?"
    "Of course."
    "I fear- no not fear. I suspect Draco is not straight..."
    Em smiled, "I figured as much."
    "Same here," Alice said.
    "Oh... well what do I do?"
    "Just be there for him," Em explained, resting a hand on Narcissa's own. "He's unlearning too and is going to need a lot of support. When he comes out to you, tell him you support him. I cried when I first realized I was bi. It takes a lot of support to come out. It's a scary thing. He just needs your support and love. I realize there probably wasn't much affection in your home except between the two of you but he needs your love and affection. He's still a child at the end of the day and we may be going through a war but that doesn't mean your home has to be filled with hate."
    "You're getting to be so emotionally mature, love," Alice said with a kiss to Em's cheek. "I could not have said it better."
    "I hope he finds someone like the two of you have found each other," Narcissa said, with a smile.
    "He will," Em responded. "And maybe they're closer than you think."