Chapter 3

Harry gazed at the rolling hills of the lush countryside from the window of Narcissa's car. He hummed mindlessly to the catchy tune on the radio. Who knew that Narcissa Malfoy enjoyed oldies music? The thought amused him, and he resisted the urge to burst into laughter.

The Ministry had taken away her wand despite Harry's pleas of her complete innocence. She resided in a Black safe house that had been left to her after her father's death. She hid from the people who believed she deserved prison time, the ruthless media and Lucius. They had recently separated, and he was not handling it well. He really lost it when she moved out of the Manor a week before Andi's death.

She did not want to move and wanted to repair their marriage. However, Lucius simply refused to change. Lucius' sentence of a seven-year house arrest did not help matters. Sometimes, the mere sight of him sickened her. The Manor was spacious, yet she could not escape him. He had no concept of her personal space and demanded her constant attention and affection.

He still held his views about pure-blood superiority. In fact, they got worse after the Dark Lord's defeat. She knew he would try to start a third coming if he could garner some support. Thankfully, no one wanted to associate with him since his involvement in the war tainted his once prominent name.

"It's Toby!" Teddy exclaimed, breaking the uncomfortable silence. He waved his stuffed sheep in the air as he stared at the real ones standing on the hill nibbling at some grass.

"Yes, it is," Harry responded. Teddy's innocence warmed his heart. He glanced at the rear view mirror and caught Narcissa smiling as well.

Harry had insisted on accompanying her to the funeral and staying with her immediately after Andromeda's death. He worried about her safety. She was more susceptible to being attacked in her compromised state. She put up a fight, but eventually gave in when Harry mentioned that he really could not take Teddy to the funeral via the Floo Network. He couldn't Apparate Teddy there either for fear of the side effects on a toddler. Unfortunately, they'd barely said two words to each other since that night.

An hour later, they arrived at the small cemetery located near Ted's familial home. Andi would be buried beside her husband. Narcissa insisted that no media be allowed around the cemetery. So they set up wards. They placed Hagrid as a guard, even though he was far too gentle to harm anyone.

The telltale pops of Apparition filled the air as the guests arrived. Narcissa had insisted on keeping the guest list low. She specifically instructed Harry not to mention the cause of death. She feared no one would come if they knew Andromeda had taken her own life. One by one, the guests took their seats on the white chairs placed in front of the ebony casket.

Most of the Weasleys were in attendance. Hermione Granger arrived on the arm of Ron, her eyes already red with tears. Kingsley showed up moments later. He cocked his eyebrow at the awkward pair beside Andromeda's open casket. Harry's hold on Teddy was wrong, and he boy almost fell out of his arms. Thankfully, Narcissa noticed it in time to help Harry hold him upright.

A few other surviving Order members and Ministry workers soon appeared, filling the chairs. Harry sighed as he approached the lectern. Narcissa had tasked him with Andromeda's eulogy. He refused, claiming she knew more about Andi and that she should since Andi was her sister. Narcissa refused in response, claiming that all the attendees would walk out if she spoke.

"Good afternoon, everyone. We gather here today to celebrate the life of Andromeda Tonks, wife to Ted Tonks, mother to Nymphadora Tonks, mother-in-law to Remus Lupin and grandmother to Teddy Lupin. As you all know, Andromeda passed away three days ago from complications she suffered due to the death of her loved ones," Harry began, gazing at the sea of people in front of him. Most seemed engaged. Narcissa scowled at him, clearly displeased by his last words. He swallowed hard and shook it off. He would deal with her later.

"Andromeda was a good woman who had the nerve to fight for what she believed was right even if it alienated those close to her. Her support for non-pure-blood witches and wizards during that time was incredibly crucial," he continued.

After the eulogy, the guests lined up in front of the casket to pay their last respects to Andromeda. Molly was practically inconsolable. Andromeda and Molly had been close friends and bonded during the early days of the Order. Ted and Arthur had been close friends as well. Arthur placed his arm around her thick waist and guided her to the casket. Molly wiped off some of her tears with the sleeve of her faded black dress.

Harry watched the Weasley matriarch break down, oblivious to those around her. Arthur allowed her to cry for a few minutes before he pulled her away. One by one, Harry watched as each guest became emotional over the loss. Even Kingsley, the tough Minister, broke down, shedding a lone tear.

Narcissa, on the contrary, had not spoken to anyone. She focused on the grassy fields behind the casket with a blank expression painted on her face. Harry wanted to comfort her, but chose not to, unsure of what to do or say.

The guests eventually finished paying their respects. They gathered around the casket. Arthur and Kingsley closed it and carefully lowered it into the ground. Harry convinced them to forgo the use of magic for Narcissa's sake. Arthur and Kingsley grabbed two shovels, scooped up the dirt and dropped the piles on top of the casket. They repeated this motion until the dirt covered the casket.

Harry blinked back tears as he watched Arthur pat down the dirt with his shovel. He then led the small group into a small banquet hall for some light snacks and tea.

Narcissa remained outside. She fell down to her knees in front of her sister's grave. Her fingers trembled as she caressed the engraving on her headstone. The damp ground soiled her dress, but she did not care. She slowly allowed herself to let go of the tears she refused to shed throughout the entire service. Harry's heart hurt as he watched her breakdown.

"Harry?" Molly Weasley asked, placing a hand on his arm. He shook his head and turned to look at her. The redness from her eyes had faded a bit. He nodded at her.

"Are you sure you are ready for fatherhood? It will be hard to balance taking care of Teddy with Auror training. I can help you with him if you want," she offered. She peered at him with a hopeful expression on her face.

Harry pursed his lips, pondering the correct response. He supposed her help would not be a bad thing. After all, some help was better than none. Then again, he knew that she was asking, in part, to escape the harsh realities of her life. Ron and Hermione informed him that she was still extremely depressed over the loss of her son. Her house was empty, and she needed something to fill it.

However, Harry entertained another idea. He knew another person that needed the distraction more. Someone else could benefit from caring for Teddy. He was not sure if this person would accept his idea, but he wanted to give it a shot.

"Thank you for your offer, Molly, but I respectfully decline. I have another idea," he responded as politely as he could. Molly frowned at him, shook her head and sighed loudly as she went back to Arthur.

Ginny approached him immediately after Molly left. She did not seem affected by Andromeda's death. She pulled Harry aside and mentioned that she was departing for Ireland to play for the Holyhead Harpies the following day. She begged him to visit her. She urged him to consider moving with her, prattling on all the fun they could have. He merely nodded his head at all the right points. He had no interest in conversing with her, but he did not want to seem rude.

He focused his gaze past her shoulder. He watched as Narcissa stood up and brushed the dirt off her dress. Kingsley exited the banquet hall and walked toward her.

"Mrs. Malfoy?" a deep voice called out. She turned feeling the Minister's hand on her elbow. She turned to face him, her face covered in tears. He handed her a handkerchief from the pocket of his purple robes. "I'm very sorry for your loss," he began.

"Thank you," she responded politely. She wiped her face and fingered the frayed hem of the handkerchief. What did he want with her? She found it interesting that only he had the nerve to approach her.

"I just wanted to say thank you for your contribution to winning the war. We could not have done it without you. I'm sorry that you lost your wand. I did not want that outcome but unfortunately, the rest decided otherwise." Her head snapped up and her eyes bore into him. She frowned slightly, then cast her gaze to the ground.

"Please don't hesitate to contact me if you need anything. Let me know if you want to take those first steps. I'm convinced that the others will agree to it if you start it," he added quickly, wrapping up the conversation as he noticed the Weasleys approaching him. She nodded curtly at him. She turned her attention back to Andromeda's headstone.

Harry deliberately stayed in the hall after everyone departed. He cleared the tables of the leftover food. He prepared Teddy for the long ride home. He did everything he could to avoid facing Narcissa. The pitter-patter of raindrops on the window caught his attention, forcing him outside. He walked briskly through the grassy field, slowing before he got to Narcissa.

"I'm so sorry, Andi," she wailed, choking on her tears. "Why did you have to do this? Why did you have to leave me all alone? You didn't even give me a chance!" she cried. She punched the ground in front of the gravestone.

Harry slowly approached her and placed a firm hand on her shoulder. She attempted to wipe away all her tears. She didn't want him to see her crying again. Her back remained facing him.

"We should leave. It's starting to rain," Harry said, stating the obvious.

She nodded, stood up and walked back to the banquet hall to collect Teddy. They rode home in silence, neither one of them knowing what to say to the other.

A few hours later, Narcissa parked the car in front of Grimmauld Place.

"Do you want to come in?" Harry asked as he exited the vehicle with Teddy in tow.

"No, thank you," she replied. Harry knew better than to argue. He bade her goodnight, hoping that he would see her again.

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The following morning, Harry received a note from Gringotts requesting his presence at the reading of Andromeda's will. He cringed recalling Sirius' will. Luckily, he doubted any more Blacks would bequeath him anything. Narcissa did not seem to want anything to do with him. He folded the note, tucked it into his pocket and finished his breakfast. He dressed, fed Teddy and headed to the bank, curious about what Andromeda had in store for him.

He entered Andromeda's vault, which was nowhere near as large as Bellatrix's. There was far less gold. The bright white light from the single bulb hanging in the vault blinded him. His mouth dropped as he saw Narcissa standing beside the goblin. She clutched the same letter in her hands. He tried to catch her eye, but she quickly looked away.

"We are here to read the will and trust of Andromeda Tonks, née Andromeda Black. She was left with the house and the contents of this vault in the will of her deceased husband, Ted Tonks. Unfortunately, her daughter and son-in-law did not make a will before their deaths. Their only wish was that she care for Teddy if they died," the Goblin droned on.

Harry tried to catch Narcissa's attention. In addition, Teddy began fidgeting in his pram. The sparkly coins caught his eye, and he wanted to grab them. Harry cursed himself for forgetting Teddy's stuffed sheep. It took him too long to get him ready. Perhaps I should have taken Molly's offer, he thought as he tried to quiet Teddy.

"Andromeda hereby bequeaths the house and the contents of this vault to Harry James Potter. Harry James Potter is also appointed as the legal guardian for Teddy Lupin," the goblin continued. The news hardly surprised Harry. He had expected that.

"Andromeda also requests that Narcissa Malfoy, née Narcissa Black, also be appointed as legal guardian for Teddy Lupin. She is to help Mr. Potter care for Teddy. Mr. Potter and Mrs. Malfoy are to work out the arrangements after this will reading. That is all," the Goblin said.

The color drained from Narcissa's face and she finally made eye contact with Harry. Harry was also startled by the news. The goblin set two sheets of parchment, a quill and a pot of ink on a small table.

"Please sign this document acknowledging that you will do your best to fulfill the terms of her will."

Harry walked over to the goblin and signed his name. He handed the quill to Narcissa. She looked lost in her thoughts. A few minutes passed before she took the quill from him. She signed her name in an eloquent script and turned to exit the vault.

"Narcissa!" Harry called out, sprinting to try to catch up with her. She managed to catch a ride back up without him. He sighed as he got into the next one. Why is she avoiding me, he pondered.

Narcissa was about to slip out of the bank when she bumped into her husband. Her face flushed as she smoothed out her dress.

"Cissa," Lucius cooed, pleased to see her. He attempted to wrap his arm around her waist, but she slipped out of his reach. "Cissa," he said again, his tone becoming more frustrated. The goblins, interested in the dynamic between the couple, turned to face them.

"Lucius," she said coolly as she tried to move past him. He blocked her path, and she collided into his broad chest. "Please move."

"I heard what happened to your sister, and I'm terribly sorry for your loss," he said in a voice that indicated that he was anything but sorry.

"Why are you here? Shouldn't you be at home?" she hissed.

"They need my money," he drawled, shrugging his shoulders. Narcissa glanced at the three Ministry employees that accompanied Lucius. He opened his mouth to add more.

"Narcissa, come, we have things to discuss," Harry interrupted, placing his hand on Narcissa's forearm. "Enjoy your field trip," he said to Lucius as they exited the bank.