Narcissa had not felt like herself in weeks, months if she was being honest. It had never been about loss and destruction, but ever since Christmas -a night she had tried to erase from her memory- it seemed like their agenda had changed. She had been so happy at first, finally someone was willing to step up and do something, but it had seemed that it was more than that. The organizations traced back years, and her family had been a part of it from the start. It was however not until last year, that they had finally made themselves public. Which had only brought upon the white knights of The Order, and those savages of Aversio. Narcissa had believed that hexing first was the right way to go. But then the Ministry had fallen. And then St. Mungoās. Was there nothing sacred anymore? What kind of future were they fighting for then?
Then the announcement happened, and Narcissaās faith in their cause was being restored. She was relieved to have Rodolphus in charge of the Ministry, he shared Narcissaās ideals, the future was in good hands. And with the efforts and fundraisers and galas, Narcissa was beginning to feel more and more like herself, her old self. But if she was to be truly honest⦠well she had not felt like herself in years. Not since her sister Andromeda left, since she left her behind. But if there was one thing the children of the House of Black were good at, it was lying, or in Narcissaās case, hiding the truth. She had build herself a wall of ice, it would keep her safe, it had kept her safe. And she also played into the pureblood lady stereotype. That kept her enemies from paying attention to her.Ā
But this, this is what she had been born into, what she had been raised for. Galas and balls were amongst the few things that still brought true joy to Narcissa, this one specially so, because it was a reminder that they had not lost their way, that a better future was still possible. It was with excitement that Narcissa accepted the invitation, and with pride that she congratulated Natalie upon arrival. Narcissa remembered the first gala she ever planned, it was a true milestone in every pureblood ladyās life. She was busy taking everything in, making mental notes to compliment Natalie later, when she caught a peculiar face out of the corner of her eye. It was peculiar in the sense that Narcissa could not figure out who the man -handsome, proper, elegant- was. She decided to approach him, and was pleasantly surprise by his words.Ā āNatalie Dupontā Narcissa said politely pointing towards Natalieās way,Ā āand you definitely should congratulate her, she did an amazing job. Are you enjoying yourself Mrā¦?ā she asked with a perfectly mastered smile.Ā Ā
When heād been growing up heād always longed for a bigger family. He loved his parents dearly and his childhood had been incredibly happy but with the both of them being only children like he was and his grandparents all unfortunately leaving them before he was ten, it had was always just the three of them really. With his entrance at Hogwarts however and his time in Hufflepuff heād been able to experience what it was like to be part of a larger group of people who all supported one another. They had been completely inclusive, not one of them every turning their nose up at him because of where he came from and perhaps in some naivety he had allowed himself to believe that that was the way it would always be. But the most important thing that it had taught him was that family came in all shapes and sizes and to the people who truly cared, nothing would keep them away.
Perhaps thatās why it had once wounded him so deeply and so personally that his wifeās family had struck him off as unworthy before theyād even met him. Theyād blamed him for corrupting their daughter, tainting their line, and his only crime was that he hadnāt been born one of them. While initially it had smarted that they hadnāt even wanted to get to know the man who loved and wanted to be with Andromeda, Ted had quickly taught himself to move past it the same way he did his best to bury any resentment towards those who had dismissed him at school. It was possibly true that he bore something of a chip on his shoulder but there were enough goodhearted Purebloods in his life that for the most part he just about managed not to tar them all with the same brush as they had with him and all others who werenāt born into generations of magic.
For all he might have grown almost ambivalent to their treatment of him when he knew that he could fight his own corner if it came down to it and that he did everything he could to make sure his wife and daughter led the best life possible, any resentment he held towards the Blacks was purely on part of the women in his life. Ted just couldnāt fathom that his daughter had to be denied her grandparents and aunts and uncles simply because her motherās heart had lead her to a man that they hadnāt approved. When he looked at Dora all he saw was a young girl full of love and endless energy, constantly moving with a knack of making friends. If anything he mostly sorry for them that theyād never be able to know her properly. All the emotions that he was feeling were kept under control and unshown on his features, after all he wasnāt supposed to know this woman. āIāll be sure to make Miss Dupont my very next conversation to do just that. Such deeds need to be praised.ā He did mean it, even if he wished it had never been necessary in the first place. āLowell, Theodore Lowell.ā It comes across practised, exactly how heād recited to himself dozens of times before heād arrived.Ā āAnd whose acquaintance do I have the pleasure of making? You must forgive me, Iām still familiarising myself.āĀ