The faint tapping of shoes on stone announced the arrival of Narcissa Malfoy, but Hermione had to hold back a gasp at the sight of the woman who had just entered the room. Pale and haggard, she looked as though she had aged a dozen years rather than three, and her hand trembled as her son walked to her and took it, guiding her over to where Harry and Hermione stood. "Mother, you remember Harry Potter and Hermione Granger, don’t you?" he asked, but Narcissa barely acknowledged them, looking entirely worn out from walking the short distance. 