"Some old families follow matrilineal naming customs if there are no cadet branch males to carry a name," Narcissa nods. "But I'm one of three daughters of a younger son, and I have male cousins from his elder brother. I'm not expected to keep Black."

Not that it matters, here. She took René's name because she wanted to.

And for all that she holds no real fondness for Draco's father at the point she left, she'll still do her duty. She's been told she grows to love him, and that's enough for now.

"And I think he likes that I took his name."