On being likely headed to scorched...

[noircissa]

You do realize that the only reason I am even contemplating taking 'orders' from a Muggle like yourself is because my dear husband is in this wretched city you seem so inclined to send me to. I don't want to go without Draco, though, do you understand? A boy at his age should not be without his mother for long.

[Displeased muse is displeased.]

Surely you have better things to do than toy around with the lives of others. I am not here to amuse you.

Comments

[brewglory]

Regardless of whether Draco accompanies you, he will not be without you. As I understand, when we leave Anatole, we are returned to the moment from which we were taken.

Nevermind that the "boy" in question is an adult and perfectly capable of caring for himself.

[noircissa]

That is most definitely not the point.

We're a family. We should be together in such situations.

[Or maybe she just doesn't want to be without him. :|]

[brewglory]

Irrespective, I believe you will get your wish.

And your sister, to boot.

[noircissa]

Bella? I am almost afraid to ask how she's been faring.

[brewglory]

Rather well, actually. There are no dementors guarding her current prison.

[...Yep.]

[noircissa]

Ah, I see.

[...welp.]

I suppose it was overly optimistic of me to wonder for even a moment if she managed to stay out of trouble.

[Or at least not be so obvious.]

[brewglory]

"Delusional" might be a more appropriate word. She has to her name several murders, grand larceny, and a penchant for gloating.

Perhaps your presence will temper her?

[A beat.]

By the bye, she knows all about your eleventh-hour betrayal of the Dark Lord. Forewarned is forearmed and all.

[noircissa]

I am not delusional.

[And she's rather offended, to be quite honest. That news is rather sobering, though. She did it for her son, her family, but she's not entirely sure Bellatrix will care. If she forgives anyone, though, it'll be her.]

Who decided it was wise to tell her?

[brewglory]

As you like.

[They're one and the same to him, anyway: optimism and delusion.]

No one was brainless enough to tell her. It was an involuntary admission.

[noircissa]

[Ah, of course. She should have known.]

I see. [It could have been a variety of things, given Bella's penchant for Unforgivable curses. Or Veritaserum, but the former seemed more her sister's...style.] By whom?

[brewglory]

The sole one amongst us who knows, of course. Your husband.

[noircissa]

Anyone who was there would have guessed when the boy 'miraculously' came back to life.

[Hmph.]

It isn't as if it stayed a secret for long.

[It's also the only reason they didn't all immediately end up in Azkaban.]

In any case, that will be problematic. It is not like Bella to stay imprisoned indefinitely.

[alphaophiuchi]

Mine won't take no for an answer, Mother. And she seems even more determined after news of your potential arrival got to her.

[noircissa]

They are quite persistent, aren't they.

No matter, you will be well taken care of, Draco. I'll make sure of it.

[alphaophiuchi]

Incredibly. Unfortunately so.

I've no doubt about that; it's not that I'm worried about. I don't like the sound of that city, Mother.

[noircissa]

Believe me, we are in full agreement on that point.

I know, dear, and I wish there was something I could do about it. [She hates having to admit that there isn't.] What matter is that we'll all be together. You, your father, and I.

[alphaophiuchi]

[he swallows.] Right. I- Maybe it won't be that bad.

Snape's there too, I've heard.

[noircissa]

[She nods.]

I've spoken to him briefly. Your Aunt Bella is there as well, among others, although she's currently being imprisoned.

[alphaophiuchi]

[excuse him while he holds his tongue on the topic of Aunt Bella, merely nodding.

[But curiosity gets the best of him. Whoops.] What did she do?

[noircissa]

About what you would expect from her, given her fragile mental state.

[Murder, destruction of property, kidnapping...these are things she can see her sister being capable of. And more, of course.]

I'm afraid I didn't ask for details.

[She's not sure she wants to know.]

[alphaophiuchi]

[he wrinkles his nose.] Naturally.

I suppose we'll end up finding out one way or another. [all the more reason to not want to be there, thank you very much.]

[purityconquered]

Unfortunately, they seem to think we are. Here to amuse them, that is. But I would be inclined to forgive your mundane for that if you did indeed appear in the city.

[noircissa]

Someone should really teach them a lesson.

If there is any credit to be given for their decision it would be that; I would never forgive them if they sent me somewhere to simply be alone.

[purityconquered]

As much as I may agree with that sentiment, I think it might be... prudent not to go down that road again. [DDDDD:]

That is essentially my situation at present. With any luck, it will soon be rectified.

[noircissa]

Did something happen? They better not have harmed you.

I cannot begin to tell you how sorry I am. Fortunately, I am quite confident that will be remedied. Luck will not be needed. Why should this Anatole refuse me?

[purityconquered]

No, nothing like that. [It's hard to admit that he just doesn't have the stomach for it any longer.]

Why indeed? But having to put one's faith in these mundanes can be rather galling.

[noircissa]

So long as you have not been harassed...

[Narcissa has never had the stomach for it, but there are other ways than violence to get what you want.]

Quite. I do hope mine realizes I'm not doing this for her sake.

[purityconquered]

There is a truce of sorts in effect— which is a good thing, as most of the people there from our world are still fighting the War. Strange as that may sound.

[noircissa]

[What.]

That sounds a little bit more than strange, dear.

[purityconquered]

Unfortunately there are time and dimension factors. People are abducted from random points in their lives and as yet, there hasn't been a single person save myself, who has actually seen the end of the War.

[noircissa]

[Well that could possibly be problematic, though if he says there is a truce...]

If they've agreed to a truce... [A beat.] I suppose it isn't the worse case scenario.

[No, that was when the Dark Lord was using their home as his base of operations.]

[purityconquered]

No, it definitely could be worse.

[The Dark Lord showing up in Anatole, for example.]

[noircissa]

[That very thought would absolutely terrify her.]

We will survive. We always do.

[thegreatergood]

You don't have a good arrangement with your mun, Fraulein?

[noircissa]

I do not have a good arrangement with anyone who even attempts to consider me as a plaything.

[thegreatergood]

Is that how they think of you?

[noircissa]

I don't rightly care what they think of me. It would feel the same regardless.