The smaller of the Malfoy's house-elves jumped up at the sound of the knock, sensing the opportunity to be useful.
"Not this one." Narcissa gave the elf a pat on the shoulder, to let her know she'd still done a good job. "This one, I'll answer."
Orion had been one of Narcissa's favorite relatives until his rather untimely death a decade and a half earlier, and his visit was one which had been eagerly anticipated. There was no way a little house-elf was getting a look Narcissa's beloved uncle before she did.
She pulled open the heavy front door of the Manor, and felt her heart trill at the sight of the man on the other side. It was one thing to be told one might see a dead relative again. It was quite another to have him actually on one's porch. And this was undeniably Orion, slightly younger than she remembered, but clearly alive and well.
"Oh!" Narcissa hesitated just a moment on the threshold, wonder slowly pushing disbelief out of her eyes. Then, the reality of it seemed to hit her, and her expression bloomed into a broad, delighted smile. "Uncle Orion!" She crossed through the door frame in one quick motion, throwing her arms around her uncle and kissing his cheek with sincere love. "You're really here."