Visiting! Date: 19th August Time: Mid-morning Location: Langdale Manor Characters: Narcissa Malfoy, Lucius Malfoy, Bellatrix Black
The weather was inhospitable, but Langdale was the opposite. Narcissa hadn't been here much since Eleanor had died, but the warmth and welcome of the home were inextricably linked to her and not her husband. She certainly didn't pass it off to Bella. Her sister had many talents; creating a homely home wasn't one of her greatest. But it was very good to step into the vestibule and out of the drizzle.
Narcissa put down her small suitcase for the house elf to take away, awaiting either Bellatrix or Lucius to come and greet her. The invitation couldn't have come at a better time - it lifted Narcissa's mood and gave her the chance to get out of Draco's way. He wanted to be the master of his own home - now he could, without worrying about deferring to his mother.
She was a little dressed up for the occasion, in crisp green robes and looking very smart. It was good, too, to have a reason to make an effort - all in all, the visit was just what Narcissa needed to spruce up her spirits. The only difficulty that might arise would be explaining why Narcissa Malfoy was visiting the Yaxleys when they were more of her son's generation than her own, but no one was looking closely enough to need more than light dissembling.