A Taste of Magic

Chapter 78: 78th Course - Fell Omen

"Do I have to wear this?" Dora asked, picking at the edges of her dress robes.

"You do not have to be here," Andromeda said softly.

"I want to though, it's a family thing, right?" Dora asked.

"Technically," Sirius said, adjusting his formal robes.

"Then I want to be here. I don't trust her," Dora said flatly.

Andromeda smiled faintly. "You do not think Sirius or I can handle ourselves?"

"I know you can handle yourself, and anyone's arse to them," Dora said without hesitation. "But if she's associated with that Quirrell prick, then I don't trust her and want to be here." Her hair was soft pink but short and spiky and she made sure her wand was secured in her forearm holster.

Andromeda hugged her. "Thank you, love."

At the chime of the clock, the Floo flared into life. "Punctual as always," Sirius snorted softly. He looked impassively at the figure that stepped out of the flames. "Narcissa, hello."

"Lord Black," Narcissa replied. She wore formal dress robes as well and she deftly vanished the soot and ash with a flick of her wand. She froze a little, seeing Andromeda. "Sister," she said, her voice not as cool or undisturbed.

"Sister," Andromeda replied, sounding brittle.

Narcissa's eyes narrowed when she saw Dora leaning against Andromeda's chair. "I was not aware others would be at this meeting."

"Nymphadora is part of the Blacks," Sirius said and Dora barely twitched at the use of her full name.

"Then perhaps I should fetch Draco," Narcissa said, raising her nose.

"He is not a part of the Blacks," Sirius said, his voice stern.

"He is my son," Narcissa said, her voice heated.

"I am aware," Sirius said even more sternly. "But until I recognize him as one, he is not one. I still remember what his father had said to me."

Narcissa huffed. "I think we are getting off to a poor start for our first meeting in many years."

"Probably. Sit, eat, drink," Sirius said, waving at the couch and the table. He sat too and sipped some tea and bit into a tea sandwich, waiting for Narcissa to do the same. Andromeda followed suit and then Dora did as well when Andromeda poked her surreptitiously. After Narcissa took a sip and a nibble, he visibly relaxed, leaning back in his chair and pulling on his collar. "There, niceties are done with and you are a guest so you have some protections."

Narcissa also seemed to relax ever so slightly. "Still not fond of protocol?"

"Hey, I did the formal greeting and made sure you got the guest rites," Sirius said. He drank deeply from his tea cup. "So, you look well."

"As do you," Narcissa said. She ate more of her cucumber sandwich. "I was pleased to hear of your innocence and that you received the justice due to you." She gulped a little when she looked at Andromeda. "You look…well."

Andromeda nodded, saying nothing.

"And you must be my niece," Narcissa said, looking at Dora and her eyes flicked to Dora's hair.