The Marriage Decree

Chapter 71: Don't Be So Naive.

Andromeda stares at herself in the full-length mirror on the wall of her daughter's bedroom. Although she is wearing her fanciest dress robes, the ones she bought for Nymphadora's quiet wedding, Narcissa will no doubt scoff at the cheap material. With a sigh, she leaves her house wishing she could cancel but not wanting to give Narcissa the satisfaction.

Draco and Hermione are already waiting at the gate of Malfoy Manor when she apparates outside. They both jump up off the boulder they were sitting on, smiling encouragingly at her but she can see straight through it.

"We're glad you could make it, Mrs Tonks." Hermione nods at her.

"You both thought I had changed my mind." She smiles at them before glancing up at the Manor agape. "Lovely." She comments, hiding her shaking hands in the pockets of her cloak. "I assume confidence is still key when dealing with your Mother." She mutters, still taking in the extravagant gardens.

When Draco doesn't answer, she tears her eyes away to glance at her nephew.

"Yes," he nods. "Just act like you belong there."

Remembering her etiquette training from her teenage years, she holds herself taller and sets her jaw firm before nodding for Draco to lead the way. When they reach the front door, he knocks loudly, then steps back to await his Mother. She notices how he protectively steps in front of her, his hand gripping his want in his cloak pocket.

The door is opened by a house-elf moments later.

"Master Draco, welcome, sir." The house-elf bows lowly as he opens the door further for them to enter.

Draco and Hermione step over the threshold but Andromeda stays back. She said she wouldn't enter unless Narcissa invited her in but she hadn't expected a house-elf to answer the door. Taking a deep breath and holding her posture, she reminds herself that confidence is key before following her nephew and Hermione over the threshold, her heels echoing as she walks into the centre of the foyer.

"This is all very...prodigal." She smiles politely as she glances around the foyer. "No place for a child to grow up." She adds before her gaze falls upon her sister stood under the library doors.

"What is she doing here?" Narcissa folds her arms across her chest without breaking eye contact.

"Charming, Cissa," Andromeda smirks at the younger woman.

"Do not use that name as though you didn't walk out on us nearly thirty years ago." Narcissa snaps at Andromeda.

"I didn't walk out, I was thrown out for marrying the man I loved." She replies.

"You knew what would happen if you accepted his proposal. I begged you not to and still, you chose him over me. I was your best friend." Narcissa shouts.

Andromeda's face falls. "Cissa," She mutters, walking up to her sister and reaching out for her hands but she snatches them away. "You were the only one who wanted me to stay. Mother and Father had already given up on me. Leaving you behind was the hardest things I ever had to do." She admits.

"Then why didn't you take me with you, Andy?" She asks in a small, childish voice.

Andromeda sighs, sitting down on the loveseat against the staircase bannister. Hermione drags Draco up the stairs as Narcissa remains standing in the middle of the foyer, staring at her sister.

"Come sit, Cissa." Andromeda pats the seat beside her.

"I'll stand." She mutters.

She nods to collect her thoughts. "Do you remember the day you told me Father had made a deal with Abraxas Malfoy to promise you to Lucius? You came to my room and even though you were fifteen, you were so excited. You laid on my bed talking on and on about your wedding dress, the ceremony, the reception party, how you were going to decorate your room at Malfoy Manor, how many children you were going to have, what you would name them and on and on. I couldn't get a word in edgeways." She mentions.