07-28-2010, 04:13 AM
"Oh, I fully understand you're not a charity case," Mariæth said coolly. Okay, she told herself, that method won't work. Next tactic. "But surely you wouldn't object to the addition of a house-elf to this place?" She looked around the dingy living room. "I hate to think of the Malfoys having to clean and cook for themselves," she said sympathetically. "I only came today to make contact with my long-lost family, and to see if there was any way for me to help. I had the benefit of mother's company until I was four years old, at which point the Ministry, thinking I was just another witch orphaned by the Dark Lord, fostered me out to the Clearwaters. Very respectable family, but awfully dull. Nevertheless," she said, a touch of steel entering her voice, "they all taught me my manners, and having heard of your troubles I simply had to come and see you."
At that moment, a fair-haired woman walked into the kitchen. She still was beautiful, but in an aged, fading way. The stresses of poverty had been kinder to Aunt Cissy than they had to Uncle Lucius. Mariæth was pleased at the reaction she got, and stood up gracefully. "Hello, Aunt Narcissa." She picked up the fallen grocery bags and placed them carefully on the table. "Your husband didn't recognize me so easily. I'm Mariæth, Bellatrix's daughter." She held out her hand.
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