nothing's changed

[Narcissa Black]

A whispered goodbye and a tight smile later, Narcissa found herself alone on the platform. The Hogwarts Express was there, as always, with students hanging from its windows and clambering aboard, their shouted farewells drowning Narcissa's ears. Her lip curled in semi-distaste, Narcissa wheels her bag closer to the Express, eyes quickly flickering around to scan her surroundings, expecting to see at least one familiar face. Bellatrix was nowhere to be found (as always), and she'd be dead before she made conversation with the likes of James Potter.

It was times like these when Narcissa realized how selective she really was with the people that surrounded her. In these moments, reality hit her like a cart train and it shook her until she was certain she wouldn't stand it anymore. It wasn't like she felt alone or anything...just lonely. The friends she had she wouldn't change them for anything, that's for sure. But still, she has to wonder as to why they stick around her.

Shaking her head, trying to scare off those negative thoughts, she raises her chin again, her eyes glinting in defiance. It's another school year at Hogwarts, it's another time for her to become what she so badly wants to be. It's another day to scorn...nothing has changed around her.

Nor has she.

[bellatrix]

There you are. You simply cannot stay put in one place, can you?" Bellatrix barked, though in reality she wasn't upset at all, just making a statement. She'd wished her parents goodbye, at least her way of doing it. A simple wave and a nod of her head is all. To Andromeda she gave nothing, and as it was she'd been seeing her all school year long so it wasn't really a farewell. Hogwarts was not a place she loved, or even simply liked. If you had asked her, she would said it was like a less painful version of Azkaban. Not like she had ever been, or intended to go there.

Bellatrix's hair was constantly in her face, and half the time she didn't bother pushing it away. This was one of those times, for there was a strong wind that snuck past everything that stood in its way today. There was one reason she was looking forward to going to Howarts, besides that it was her final year. That reason started with an R and ended with a Lestrange. Not like she would ever tell anyone this, expect Narcissa.

Picking up her suitcase in one hand she walked forward when the train whistled, stepping up the steps and into the large vehicle. "Come on then, wouldn't want to miss the train" She said sarcastically, not hiding her loathing of it. "You know darling sister, I really think you should talk the parents into taking you yourself next year. It's too late for me, being my last year and all. Just....tell them about the terrible conditions; mention how close in proximity you have to be to mudbloods." Bella always spoke loudly, especially when there were others talking at the same time. Yet she seemed completely unconcerned if others heard the term she used freely. She was always trying to put ideas into her sister's head.

[Narcissa Black]

Slowly, Narcissa turned around, a small smirk forming in her lips as she faced her sister. So there she was. Not so lost after all, was she? But Narcissa waved the question as to where she had been away from her head. No need to know. Besides, she wasn't sure she would like the answer. With Trix, you were never sure if you would like the answer. Giving a light chuckle, Narcissa arched an eyebrow. "I wasn't the one who was lost. It's not my fault you can't keep track of yourself," she said airily, apparently focusing all her attention on her sister, but her eyes kept flickering around every once in a while, her eyes open for any member of her House.

Currently, Narcissa didn't exactly have any interests, but she knew Bellatrix did. One of the Lestranges, or so she'd been told by her sister during the summer holidays, so she wasn't all that thrilled about going back to Hogwarts for another absolutely boring year. The classes and the people...everything was always the same. It drove Narcissa up the wall at times, but there was absolutely nothing she could do, was there? Hogwarts was just one step towards her main goal: being a Potion Mistress. And if being under the tutelage of Slughorn worked, well so be it.

At that moment, the train whistle blew, and Narcissa winced a little at the piercing noise. They shouldn't do that with her so close to it, dammit! With a roll of her eyes, Narcissa picked the handle of her wheeled cart and beckoned to Bellatrix. "We better get inside, before this picks up pace and leaves us out here." Most of the students were already in and even the latecomers were already grabbing the compartments left. And now that she thought of the comparments, Narcissa scowled. Great. If they had to share with someone else, she was positive she would grab Trix's wand and curse someone.

[bellatrix]

"Be careful what you say or you'll lose that beautiful hair of yours" She threatened, not really meaning anything by it at the same time. "Oh no, we wouldn't want to do that" She rolled her eyes in response yet again to the leaving train. Walking past many rows she noticed nearly every box car was stuffed full of little first years or ugly Gryffindors. "God Cissy, where are all the slytherins this year?" Probably doing something better with their time...

Walking past a hufflepuff who was still scrambling to find a seat she kicked him in the back of the shin, making him fall forward into one of the small rooms. "If you're not going to find one, then I'll pick one for you. Stop blocking the walkway" Bellatrix said cooly as she past. "Shout if you find an open one" She added to Narcissa, getting to the back of the train.

Alright, never mind. She stopped at the last one, it had two Gryffindors in it. "Shoo." The looked up at her in mild surprise and exchanged looks, confused. Sighing Trix held up her wand at them, a mild threat, waving it a bit. "Go on, get out. Unless you want to become the boyfriend for that toad of yours" She looked down at one that was sitting in the skiddish first year's lap. Muttering and after deciding it was better to find someplace else they took their leave.

Bellaxtrix collapsed on her seat, bringing and hand up for the first time to wipe away loose hair in her eyes. Her hand rested underneath her chin as she leaned back into the seat. "I don't think this will be such a bad year Narcissa. Not so bad at all."

[Andromeda Black]

Annie sighed as she watched her sisters getting on the train. I must have a death wish she thought as she began to walk towards them, pushing her luggage cart. With her right hand she lightly touched her wand in her pocket, just for reassurance. Bella had tried to curse her many times over the summer. Better thought: she grabbed her wand out of her pocket and gripped it in her right hand. Yes, much better.

"Hey guys," she called out as she got closer. Annie smiled weakly.
She watched her sisters carefully and wondered if this year was going to be any different. Maybe they coudl start on a good foot. They had just speant the summer together without too many quarrels, after all. But then again, wasn't that what she hoped every fall when it came time to go back to Hogwarts? This year it would be different though.

She climbed up onto the train after them and watched Bella shooing some Gryffindors away. She grinned. "Can I sit with you guys? For now?" She tried to smile. It's okay. We were just together all summer. They don't hate me that much. It'll be different this year...

[/color][/blockquote]

[Narcissa Black]

Narcissa rolled her eyes at Bellatrix's threat and stepped lightly inside the train, shaking her long, blond hair over her shoulders and holding her chin high. Merlin, how did she hate the low first years. Especially the little mudbloods who stared at everything in wide-eyed, innocent wander. They made her curl her lip in distaste every time. They never failed. Smiling a bit when she saw Bellatrix kick a Gryffindor, she later shook her head. Her sister certainly didn't know the meaning of 'measured' did she? Oh well, there was nothing Narcissa could do about it.

After all, it was as if Bellatrix was her violent counterpart. She had enough hot blood in her to contrast against Cissa's cool-blooded disdain. If you put both of these Black sisters together against you...it was not nice. But what about Andromeda? Ah, she was the exception to everything, wasn't she? The Ravenclaw of the family. Smirking over her sister's shoulder as she shooed some Gryffs away, Narcissa pranced into the compartment, taking Bellatrix's wand to magick her luggage in place. With a short smile, she gave her sister her wand back and took a seat, a sigh escaping her lips.

"How can you say it won't be such a bad year? Potions' class is a total mess. Slughorn isn't challenging and sometimes I even find myself bored in class. I mean, how appalling is that?" Just when she'd finished her little speech, she saw a familiar face at the entrance of the compartment. Ah, this was just too good.

"Why, yes, Annie," Narcissa purred, waving her in. "Please come sit with us, love." Her eyes glinted wickedly at her sister's obvious hesitance to join them. Apparently the girl had gained some confidence over the summer, hadn't she? Though she wouldn't really know, considering she spent most of her time ignoring her. When she did pay some attention to her, it wasn't to say anything nice, that was for certain.

[bellatrix]

She propped her own suitcases underneath the seat, Bella had a very nasty encounter once when the train stopped suddenly for a deer that crossed the tracks. All the luggage slid around up top and her's and a fellow slytherin's luggage fell on top of her. She wouldn't be repeating that mistake. "Exactly. I hate potions, you put one drop too much into the vile and caboom, it goes everywhere and you fail the class. It's a waste of everyone's bloody time." Bellatrix didn't hide her loathing for it, due to her lack of patience.

"It's funny to watch the "thing" waddle around." The thing, obviously referring to Slughorn. "Don't worry anyways dearest, I'll be turning him into a slug by the end of the week. I think it would better suit him. And everything about him IS appalling. I feel ill everytime I look at him." Running her fingers along the glass of the window she watched as the train picked up speed and left the station; it past a few trees and now the trees were becoming more clumped together.

"This year will be better for me at least, because it's my last." She couldn't get over this fact, and thought everyone should rejoice in it. Whether the reason was because they were her friends and it was their duty to, or because they were glad to get rid of her, she didn't care. "Plus, you can't tell me you haven't heard the rumors?" Her voice dropped, a sadistic smile appeared on her lips.

Moving her fingers back and forth across her temples in slight irritation she looked up, not having to of course, to match the voice with the face. Leaning back in her chair, her conversation interrupted. "Why ask when you're just going to sit anyways" She said cooly once again, having a very cold exterior. Watching her middle sister's face she sighed and shrugged it off. "Well, sit down before you fall backwards into the trolley."

[Andromeda Black]

Annie tucked a chunk of her short brown hair behind her right ear as her sisters exchanged comments about this year. She smiled back at Narcissa. Well she hadn't expected her to do anything crazy, Narcissa was quite good at keeping her temper while making subtle attacks at you. "Sorry," she muttered to Bella and sat down in the closest seat. Near the door. Still, she was doing good, at least she had had enough confidence to ask to sit with them. They were her sisters after all-she had no reason to be afraid of them. Even as she thought it she wanted to laugh. If Bella or Cissy wanted to hurt her they wouldn't stop themselves becuase she was their sister.

"I though you liked Potions, Narcissa?" Annie gave a small smile. Didn't her sister want to do something with Potions when she was older? Probably invent nasty poisons she can use to finish her enemies off, she thought darkly and just managed not to grin. Potions had always been Cissy's favorite subject. But it seemed she just didn't like Slughorn- not the subject itself.

Annie glanced down into her lap and studied her hands. What had she been thinking? Asking to sit here? Yes, they were her sisters but this was going to be an interesting and probably awkward- for her anyway- train ride...

[/blockquote]

[Narcissa Black]

Narcissa laughed at Trix's comment on Slughorn. It was true, and Narcissa couldn't say she hadn't been tempted herself to hex the Professor. He had this knack for driving her over the edge that no many people possessed. Narcissa had found herself gripping her wand under the table countless of times as the Professor walked past, but it would not do to have the Professor who taught her favorite class as an enemy. Even if said Professor bordered on inept sometimes.

"Well, mine isn't," Narcissa replied with a dismissive wave of her hand. "I've still got two more years to toll through, and I do not find it amusing in any way," Narcissa said, shooting a sharp look at her sister before she could even mock her. "Two more years and I will be able to get away from the pitfall of wizardkind," she said with a small sigh. "One and a half more though, so I am of age and I will be able to join--" Narcissa caught herself just in time and pretended to yawn delicately, half listening to Andromeda's question.

"I never said I didn't like Potions, love," she started, still using that same sickly sweet tone of voice. It was her own way of telling her how against her Narcissa really was. "I just said I strongly dislike Slughorn. You know, much more dense and you'd sink to the bottom of the Lake like a rock."

[bellatrix]

She rolled her dark eyes at Andromeda's comment, much like usual. Some people got to thinking that Bellaxtrix often folded her arms to keep herself from using her wand on someone, which she often thought about. "Goodbye Mr. Pudgy" She waved her own hand, passing it off as another small task on her to do list.

Bella's smirk became evident on her face and she turned it smugly towards Narcissa. "I find it amusing in every way." She added. "And don't forget you must count this year, it's only just begun. So that makes...three years...dearest" Her voice always dripped with cruelty when she used the word dearest. Bellatrix was about to make a comment as Cissy slipped up on her tongue, but she had handled it herself. Instead, all she gave to her sister was a wicked smile, a look that said I have every idea what you were going to say.

Picking the dirt out from underneath her fingernails she looked deadly bored. It was never a good thing when Bellatrix got bored....biting her lip she wondered how Annie would look with three eyes...hm. Trix stared at her, and the only thing that broke her concentration was the trolley lady, coming to their box. "Anything from the trolley today?" God the woman was too happy. It was just wrong. And fat. Seemed so appropriate that a fat woman carted around candy. She probably ate all her profit. "No. Can't you see that we're busy?" She answered smoothy, though her tone was as cold as ice.

[Andromeda Black]

Annie ignored Narciss'a sharp jab. After all, she was used to them. She glanced up at her sisters. God, this was going to be an awkward ride for her. "So do you guys have any plans for this year? You don't seem too excited to be back. But, at least it is your last year, Bellatrix." She stopped talking. God, she was babbling.

Annie contented herself to look out the train window. She could already imagine her friends voices. Why did you want to sit with them? You don't have to be friends with them just cause they're your sisters... She rolled her eyes. Maybe sitting her hadn't been such a good idea. No, she had made her decision and she was sitting here. It wasn't like this was her only train ride to Hogwarts. There had been ten others already and there were still three more that she could hang out with her friends for. This was about trying to befriend her sisters a little.

"Have you given any thought to what you want to do after Hogwarts?" she ased Bellatrix. Funny, Narcissa still had three more years left and Annie had an idea what her younger sister wanted to do but this was Bella's last year and Annie had no clue what she was planning. Or if she even had plans. Annie smiled wryly. She herself, had no idea. She liked animals but she wasn't sure if that should be her career. Annie remembered the whisperings of the Dark Lord that were starting up and wished she hadn't asked Bella. If Bella had heard- and she probably had- Annie had doubt her older sister would be interested.

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[Narcissa Black]

Narcissa's eyes narrowed minimally as she noticed Trix's bored expression and her subtle eyeing of Andromeda. It was all she could do to keep a small smirk from showing on her face. You could always count on Trix to be thinking about doing something to Andromeda. Yes, Narcissa steadfastly refused to call her Annie like the rest of the commoners--her lip curled in a sneer at the thought--at Hogwarts. Annie was meant to be sweet, innocent, foolish, gullible and everything a Black wasn't supposed to be. Besides, it was too cheesy a nickname for Narcissa to pronounce. She was used to names that filled her mouth and rolled elegantly off her tongue. Annie was just...derogatory. Shooting Bellatrix a knowing look about her unfinished sentence earlier, Narcissa stood up from her seat and smoothed her clothes, shooting an annoyed glance at Andromeda when she asked them about their year at Hogwarts.

Her questions and or statements were always directed to both of them, but Narcissa knew Andromeda was hoping she would get an answer out of Bellatrix and not her. Andromeda proved her right when she asked Trix about what she wanted to do after Hogwarts, and for the first time in a long while, Narcissa set her full cold stare in Andromeda's direction. You poor, naive, outcasted fool, she thought spitefully, sneering instinctively. She was sure Andromeda wasn't daft enough to be ignorant of the fact that the Dark Lord was on the rise...and that Bellatrix was pretty much already driving his follower's train. Was it that this Ravenclaw actually held some hope for Trix and their tearful reunion as best friends?

"As if you held a chance, girl," she muttered with a roll of her eyes, her back turned to them as she reached for her trunk. She wasn't in her school robes yet and she'd be cursed before she arrived at Hogwarts without looking anything but intimidating and impeccable in her uniform. Pulling out her uniform, she briskly pulled the Hogwarts robe over her attire and started smoothing the wrinkled contours of it with her wand, successfully ignoring her two sisters. Her annoyance was clearly read in her frowning forehead, but it wasn't directed to anyone but Andromeda. Who did she think she was, desperately trying to rekindle the 'friendship'--that was non-existent now--with Bellatrix? Well, she would let her whine about it, after all, she was pretty certain Bellatrix would keep rejecting every olive branch the poor daft girl extended.

The thing that had her irked, though, was the fact that Bellatrix would only do it because Andromeda wasn't a Slytherin, not because she didn't want it.

[/color] [/blockquote]

[bellatrix]

"Who could be happy to be back here? The closeness in vicinty to these mudbloods makes me ill." Mudbloods, Andromeda no doubt hated that word now, seeing as she had decided to make friends with them. The word surely irked her. That was the intention. Bellatrix brushed the wrinkles out of her school robes, heaven forbid she arrive to Hogwarts with wrinkled clothes. That was not up to standard, especially for such as them. Bellatrix ran an eerie hand down the side of the water spotted window. Her nail stopped at Andromeda's comment, making a shivering scraping noise as it traced down.

"Oh yes, Andromeda....yes, I have." Then she did it. The thing that scared more than half of the students at Hogwarts. Bella's face broke into a twisted smile, the cruelest and most sadistic thing you see spread across her face. She smiled like that for awhile, not breaking contact with her younger sister. Finally she blinked after what seemed like a lifetime of wait and spoke once more. "Shall I elaborate further or is that enough?" Trix leaned back stiffly her chair once more.

Glancing once at Narcissa she smirked, still waiting for the other's answer. She could also feel the annoyance just flowing from the youngest of the family, Cissy didn't seem to like it when Trix even looked at "Annie." Bellatrix rolled her dark wand over in her hands, running her fingers along the edge and up to the very tip. She liked to hold power in her hands.