Narcissa Estelle Black Malfoy

December 13, 1999

My Dear Severus,

We need to talk.  Not face to face.  I do not feel that would be advisable for us right now.

But we can Owl, or Floo, or even send our Patroni .  I am very concerned and confused by what happened.  

I feel that I am somehow to blame.  

Still your friend,

Narcissa

Dear Andi,

Thank you for the invitation.  

I will be there, bow in hand.  

Love,

Dear Bill,

You are invited to a garden tea at the Malfoy Manor,

3 PM

Sunday,  November 25, 1999.

I am looking forward to seeing you as a friend and a cousin, and not as a contractor.

Transport in the seal will activate just before three.

Sincerely,

Narcissa Estelle Black Malfoy

I wait at the gate of the manor.  Lucius has already escorted Theopholus in.  I stand behind the yew hedge, so no one will notice me.  The peacocks ignore me too.  I have my wand ready in case this is a trick.

Dear Friend,

Please come here.  The seal is a portkey.

I am glad to hear from you.  I will have lunch ready.

Narcissa

I tell the house elves to get ready for company and make sure Lucius knows that Nicolas is coming over.

I need to get the books from Pansy, so I can organize that last chapter.  I have three of the chapters already written.  Today is as good as any.  I am still a little miffed with Lucius for not telling me about his role at Draco's club.  I have not talked to him since I had my visit with Severus.  I smile at the thought of Severus.  It has been so long since I saw him smile like that,  saw him laugh even--it does not matter it was at my expense.  My friend has had a burden lifted from his heart.  

I was safe enough last time to use the Floo that empties close to Pansy's shop.   I will try it again.  I step into the Floo connection in my room--fortunately warded so that only Lucius, Draco, and I can enter it or bring someone else through it.   Moments later I step out of the Floo near Twillfoot and Tattings and quickly scourgify myself.  I hate all the ash and dust in the Floos.

Friday morning.

Draco is back at his flat--the damage is not lasting.  He will be fine.  I wish Bella could not say the same.  I turn back to my book.  For the next four hours, my time is dedicated to Morgana LeFey.

I go through my chapter headings again, carefully sorting my notes and placing them under each of the chapter divisions.  I read them carefully . . . Suddenly,  I realize one key chapter I need:  Muggle perception of Morgana Lefey.   There is only one place I can find that information:  a Muggle book store.

I cannot imagine Lucius being very thrilled about escorting me to a Muggle shop.  Maybe Nicolas or Nina . . . but they are so busy with their business.  And I am still angry with Draco.  I sigh.  Why does he forget his Slytherin,  Black, and Malfoy roots and speak so freely about the things with which he has been entrusted? 

I still need my robe from Pansy.  Perhaps with her two employees,  she can find time to escort me off of Diagon Alley to the Muggle Bookstore a few blocks away.   I hate not being able to Apparate; Flooing is so messy.  I am only free to move about where I want in the Manor.

I step into the Floo and say loudly, "Diagon Alley floo three."  I step out of the floo next to Pansy's shoppe.

The dream with Bella has been repeated twice so far.  Morgana wants to make sure I do not forget it.  I am almost afraid to go to sleep, yet my body bids me rest—more so than usual.  I realize Bella might win this one.  I will do everything in my power to prevent her success, but she has a chance of succeeding.  I need to spend more time with my husband, but I do not want him to find me screaming in my sleep, so I have avoided Lucius lately. 

I arrive early and make my greetings to Andi and Ted.   Andi and I hug each other warmly.  Ted tries to give a friendly greeting to 'Dromeda's little sister, but I can tell he feels awkward.  I cannot blame him.  I have not been much of a sister-in-law to him.  Andi offers me Ginger tea and Chinese hors d'ouvres  that are loaded with ginger.  Smart woman, my sister, making sure that my stomach is calm enough for her meal. 

Draco and Pansy escorted me here, but decided to walk around the neighborhood for a moment before coming in to give me a moment alone with my sister.  They come in next and sit awkwardly next to each other on the sofa,  exchanging glances and a few polite remarks to my sister and her husband.

Finally my god-child and her boyfriend arrive.  Interesting that my niece should choose a boyfriend who I went to school with.   "Good evening, Mr. Lupin,"  I say, rising to greet them.  "Nym--Tonks"  I smile, correcting myself.  "Of course you would remember my son and his fiance, Miss Parkinson."

( Meeting with the Poliakoffs )