and i'd lie well,

[Narcissa Black]

"When she walks into the room, they look up to see her face"

Narcissa,

I am aware of our lack of correspondence in the recent weeks, and I profusely apologize to both of you. As you must know by now (The Daily Prophet certainly doesn't know the meaning of discretion, does it?), your Great Aunt Dorea's health had fallen under critical condition, and it was only logical for us to accompany her in her state. She wanted her will to be executed as soon as possible to avoid any malinterpretations of her last wishes, and as soon as that was settled, she assured us that there was absolutely nothing left to do, but for her to pass away. You know the old coot was never in good graces with us after what happened with that girl, Andromeda, so her summons came as a surprise to your father and I. Still, there was nothing else we could do, but attend to it. You're aware of your father's beliefs, that as far as no one does anything against the family name, they all deserve an honorable funeral. And so with that, we come to the climax of this letter, Narcissa dear. Your aunt passed away just this morning, and your presence is required at her funeral. We expect you at Number 12 Grimmauld Place no later than three o'clock of this afternoon. You need not worry about anything. All the necessary arrangements have been taken care of, and Professor Dumbledore has volunteered a Portkey for your swift arrival. What I mean by your required presence, I'm not only talking about you and Bellatrix, darling. I am afraid you will have to contact Andromeda as well. As explicitly written as it is in her last will, I am afraid there is no turning back on this specific point. We tried to find a loophole, but Dorea knew us too well, I'm afraid. I'm not aware to what extent Dorea was capable of going to ensure we bid her will, but I am also most unwilling to find out firsthand. So, with this encommendation, I say my adieu, trusting that you will know how to handle the situation, Cissa darling.

Yours,

Druella Rosier-Black

Narcissa's expression was impassive. Anyone who walked past her wandered about her carefully blank expression, whether it be adult or student. But to those few who were close to her, the slight narrowing of her eyes (gray color on this specific morning) was a clear sign of her anxiousness. Not something that she would normally show to anyone, but it was hard not to while she was fisting a parchment that was wrinkled by the many times she had taken it out of her pocket and read it. It wasn't the fact that a relative had just died that affected her so. On the contrary, it'd be dishonest for her to pretend any kind of emotion whatsoever towards this deceased. Their relationship had always been one of cold courtesy on the required occasions, and clipped exchanges at best. As her mother had so eloquently put it, the 'old coot' had had a preference to Andromeda since the beginning, and when the rumors of the distance between the sisters as a result of their Sorting, the witch's attitude had taken a turn from bad to worst. Their visits, far in-between, had all but ceased, limiting themselves to seeing each other on special Wizarding Holidays, when all the Black Family got together. And even then, the results had never been pretty. It was wise, and slightly preferential, for Druella to send the news to Narcissa, and not Bellatrix, who by right as the first born, should have been informed first. But it was easy to see why it hadn't been so. Trix was always impulsive, and didn't tend to be quite as analytical as Narcissa was, eyeing every single possibility from every perspective. Her habit of over-thinking things always irritated her, but foronce, it had payed to be so level-headed.

Instead of seeking Andromeda straight out, she had planned everything carefully, so as to ensure the coordinated arrivals of the sisters. Neither Trix nor 'Annie'--Narcissa's lip curled in distaste at the nickname--were aware of the other's summoning, each thinking of their own reason as to why Narcissa would like to talk to them in private. No doubt Andromeda was hoping some kind of reconciliation or some kind of truce (which was not likely, really, but Narcissa wanted to undermine her as much as she could), and Trix perhaps was off making her own assumptions, ones that Narcissa couldn't even begin to fathom. But as soon as they arrived, things wouldn't be so rosy nor easy anymore. It was only logical for them to demand answers from her, Andromeda more sedately than Trix would. She would have to be able to control this situation and act quickly, otherwise, everything would get out of hand faster than she could say 'Bob's Your Uncle' and what was supposed to be a secretive encounter would turn into the school's latest fashion gossip mill. By far, they had already given things to talk about, and she certainly didn't want to add more lumber to the fire. So, closing her eyes as she tried to relax her posture after one curious look, she sighed and tried to stop her nails from digging into the palm of her hands. Letting the hood of her cloak fall back to reveal her platinum hair, Narcissa ran a hand through those silvery strands, in an uncharacteristic gesture of apprehension. What would happen, nobody could know for certain.

[reserved for Andromeda & Bellatrix]

[bellatrix]

(Ok, so my apologizes. I know I should have probably started this, but I've been busy as well and, heh, I momentarily forgot.)



She had been asked to meet Narcissa here, in all places, it seemed rather random. Why they didn't just meet in say their own house common room, it didn't make any sense. However Cissy had left Trix a message saying she had something she needed to talk to her about. She hoped it wasn't something trivial, or anything enquiry about what she had been up to as of late. Honestly, everyone was getting rather abrupt and nosy about that subject. Curiousity killed the cat. Yet Bella had a feeling it had absolutely nothing to do with that at all, a weird sort of inkling that it was something else. And even if her senses turned out to be wrong, which it rarely did, it hardly mattered. Trix had been planning to let Cissa in on her secret already, preferably at their next club meeting.

Today her hair was rather quite normal, which for Bellatrix, was abnormal. Her hair was long and straight down her back, no hair pins or gagets of any sort in it whatsoever. She didn't have time to bother with it that morning, and felt a need for a change. There had been a lot of those this year, and would keep coming. News in the school had been altogether rather boring; her very dim-witted dorm mates could only talk about the latest good looking professor or the upcoming ball. Uh, what a headache, to endure so often. Trix felt a little bit of guilt for neglecting her sister so, she hadn't even had a decent conversation with her in two weeks. She knew that as on her part, and therefore felt the need to reconsile.

Passing underneath the grand entryway for the staircase, she took her last step down and spotted her sister just a few feet off, holding some kind of note in her hand. Raising just one skinny eyebrow, she glided across the wooden floors and parked herself in front of her little sister. "Good morning Cissy darling. I heard you wanted to talk to me, for some specific reason?" She looked almost nervous, and this gave the older girl a cause to question. "What?" she added on, knowing there was something not only on Narcissa's mind, but it was bothering her as well. Not many things bothered the Blacks.

[Andromeda Black]

Why would Narcissa want to talk with her? The question was stuck in Annie's head as she wandered down the crowded staircase to the entrance hall and had been repeating itself through Annie's head all morning-- or truth be told, since she had read the note from her younger sister last night.

Andromeda,

Meet me in the entrance hall tomorrow to talk. It's important so be there.

It was strange, first of all, that Narcissa would want to have any sort of contact with her sister, more so that it was something important. Much of Annie's 'sleep' last night had been spent trying to figure out what it was that could be so important Narcissa would want to talk with her sister after years of near-estrangement. Whatever it was, Annie had a strong sense of foreboding-- that whatever was so urgent would not be something good and that she would later regret this meeting. But her sense of curiousity was strong and always had been-- Narcissa had been smart in her lack of given details. It was a foolproof way to ensure Annie's attendance. She sighed and ran her fingers through her straight brown hair. Her 'bangs' (though they couldn't exactly be called that as they hung down to her chin and were basicaly just front layers parted to the side) hung partially concealing her eye and she pushed them back irritably.

Her mood was not the best, to say the least. As well as being curious, Annie was notoriously impatient and she had been deliberating over Narcissa's reasons all night and was still at a loss. Her dark eyes were narrowed in frustration and she cursed under her breath as another student pushed into her from behind, nearly causing her to fall over-- something that would have caused a domino effect. Annie straightened up and turned to head to glare at the Hufflepuff behind her before continuing down the stairs. She quickly reached the bottom and turned around the corner to recieve a slight shock. Apparently, among the facts Narcissa had neglected to mention was that Bella would also be here. Inwardly, Annie was surprised and near-shocked but she kept a cool outward look, knowing that such would be vital when dealing with her sisters. She cleared the dsitance between them easily and stopped. "Narcissa. Bellatrix." Her face was calm, displaying no emotion. Perhaps her sisters would be surprised at how she had changed form the timid girl on the train, perhaps they wouldn't care. Either way, Annie knew she didn't care. She was over idolizing Bellatrix.

"So, Narcissa, what's so important that you wanted to meet with me? -- a strange enough occurance." One thin eyebrow raised in questioning and Annie's lips curved into an almost-smirk. Whatever it was, no matter how curious she had been, she doubted she would care. But still, she needed to know why Narcissa, after six years of generally pretending Annie didn't exist, had wanted to meet with her.

[Narcissa Black]

{All the glitter falls on her. And the room's her stage}

She would never admit it, but as she saw Bellatrix approach, a knot of apprehension settled at the pit of her stomach. They were sisters. She would notice. She would know something was brewing. Trix would know. And perhaps paranoia was getting the best of her at the moment, but she had a right to be nervous and just a tad bit jumpy. Even if her calm expression didn't immediately bely it, the slight shifting of her weight from one foot to another, her restless gaze and maybe the way she barely returned the greeting would be enough to give her away. So when Trix asked "What?" it was all Narcissa could do to stare coolly at her older sister and just shrug, nonchalantly. "We wait," she replied carelessly. That sounded more incriminating still, but what was she to do? Cissa had already cursed her mother countless times in her mind as she had waited for her two sisters to show up, but it didn't serve any purpose. At the end of her mental rant, she still had to wait for her two tricked sisters, and their not so nice reactions.

She didn't worry about Andromeda. As far as caring went, she was on the bottom of her list. Trix was another matter altogether. Everyone was aware of her sister's reputation. And it wasn't just talk either. She had seen Trix. And no, it never left for a smiling feeling either. So of course she had to tense when she saw Andromeda appear. Wasn't it just such a perfect timing? Narcissa hadn't even had the chance to tell something to Trix. On the other hand, though, it was also a good thing. Maybe Bellatrix would've left before she explained, and then hexed her, or something equally as drastic. And this had to be done.

Seeing her youngest sister approach, Narcissa closed her hands in tight fists and braced herself mentally for Bellatrix's reaction. Of course, she really couldn't expect some kind of physical storming, or should she? Narcissa didn't really know. And she hated that. She hated not being the one in control, the one holding the reins for once. It was making her sketchy when what she really needed, was to be in control. That was it. Was that too much to ask? Calmly rearranging her facial expressions into their normal set of impassiveness, she turned to face her siblings. One, whom she held in the highest esteem, and the other one... What was her relationship with Andromeda anyway? It wasn't something she normally thought about, but if you considered it, there had to be something there, shouldn't it?

"Now that we're all here," Narcissa purred, ignoring Andromeda's rather snide comment with practiced ease. "I can start by going straight to the point. We wouldn't want to spend more time here than what is absolutely necessary. There's a funeral we need to attend," she said flatly.

[bellatrix]

"Narcissa. Bellatrix." Her devlish eyes flitted harshly towards the direction of the voice, knowing at once who it belonged to. Narrowing them deeply, Trix scowled at her younger sister. Sooner than would be expected, they turned on Cissa and gave the blonde haired girl the same results. She didn't like being tricked, especially by family. Narcissa understood very well that Bellatrix didn't want anything to do with Annie, and demanded to be told beforehand when they must communicate. This was just out-right foolerly, and it was...insulting! How dare she hide something like that from her, she deserved to know what was going on all the time. Trix's smugishly discusted look passed between both of her younger sisters several times, before a twisted snarl curled onto her red lips.

"Yes Cissy darling, why did you find it necessary to not tell me?" Not tell me of course, was an unsubtle way of saying why didn't you tell me our traitorous sister was going to be a part of this. "Funeral for whom?" The held-in blackness of Bellatrix was getting harder to ignore as she kept her perfect composure. She was getting bored. "Spit it out already Cissy." The thought of someone they knew being dead meant very little to her, and you could tell by the lack of concern missing from her features. Why hadn't Bellatrix been informed of this first? Why, in merlin's name, was Cissa the one to tell her this?


She perched one elegant hand on her hip, as she turned her head sideways at Andromeda. There was something about her that was different today, she didn't look nearly as sheepish and squirmish around them as usual. Maybe, though who would have thought it, she was finally developing some sense of character. The Raven was oddly cool to them today, she must be recovering from some kind of fit. As annoyed as she was, she wouldn't lash out. Trix was always on the verge of some mental breakdown, you could usually see it. Yet for her seventeen years of living, she never lost her cool terribly. Of course, it was only a matter of time. Tapping her black-heeled shoe in time with the large clock that was now ringing, she stared at Narcissa once again. Pondering about it for just a moment, she realized very well who it could be. Their Aunt Dorea was always a sickly woman, a perhaps she had finally taken a turn for the worst. Some glint of pleasure flickered in Trix's eyes, knowing how much the woman adored Andromeda Black.

[Andromeda Black]

Managing to keep her cool for all it was worth Annie simply raised one eyebrow at Bellatrix's scowl and swung to face her younger sister. Her left hand dangled limply at her waist but the right was planted softly at her hip. She wanted to smirk or grin, pleased she was no longer such a pushover when it came to her sisters but instead she just smiled softly, her lips moving up a milimeter. Bellatrix, of course, was a little upset to find Annie here, surprising that Narcissa had not informed her. In a way, not so. Would Bellatrix had showed had she known who else would have been present? Annie discarded teh question, knowing it was not important for the moment and focused her attention on Bellatrix and Narcissa.

I can start by going straight to the point. We wouldn't want to spend more time here than what is absolutely necessary. Annie stifled a murmur of agreement as Narcissa continued. There's a funeral we need to attend. It took all of Annie's concentration not to gasp and blurt 'What?' but even so her mouth parted and her eyes widened in surprised. She narrowed them in distates quickly. "Who?" She hated not knowing. She hated standing her wondering who was d-...who had d-....It was probably some distant relation but still. Annie wasn't surprised that Cissa knew before she did but the fat that Cissa obviously knew before Bella...that was a little surprising- and Bella obviously hated it.

Annie brushed her bangs out of her face with an irritated sweep. She couldn't stand Narcissa's stupid suspense and knew her younger sister was playing on her curioustiy, as well as Bella's impatience. "Yes," Annie frowned. "A funeral for whom, Cissa?" She spat out the last word. Ha.

[Narcissa Black]

{Don't you think you've had enough? Do [her] claws make sores?}

No, she hadn't been expecting anything but a tense atmosphere. The Black Sisters together was always a good thing. But the Black Sisters plus one always turned into an experience that left Narcissa with a sour aftertaste. That being stated, the situation they now found themselves in was not one she would ever want to repeat. Actually, she never wanted to repeat encounters when it came to Andromeda. There was just this something about her sister--Narcissa rolled her eyes at the thought word--that made her lip curl in distaste. No, it wasn't her House colors. No, it wasn't about loyalties either. Andromeda would always be a Pureblood, and nobody would be able to take that away from her. It didn't matter how much she disliked the thought, the nonexistent middle sister (nonexistent in Narcissa's life, at least) belonged to the elite group she so much blabbed about despising.

Weren't ironies oh, so sweet?

Not to forget just, of course.

It was that comforting thought that made Narcissa able to stand her presence. To her, she was something she had to block out. Out of her life, out of her thoughts, out of her existence. No, it wasn't about hate or rancor. This wasn't about some change of life philosophy either. It was just...Andromeda. And the disgust that filled her gaze as she turned to finally look at her, was enough to confirm the previously well-stated fact: that this wasn't an occasion to enjoy, nor remember. Nor was 'Annie' allowed to call her Cissa. But that was just another story. Narcissa refused to be petty and childish. Even if she was the youngest, it didn't mean that she couldn't show more self-control than her two other sisters. It was obvious by Trix's expression that she better start explaining, because this wasn't going to last. Surprisingly, her reaction had been well repressed, but Cissa could tell, her eldest sister was not happy about this particular arrangement. Not interested in dragging this just for the sake of testing Trix's limits, the blonde youngest daughter had to justify her actions. Everyone knew that the things she did were always with a thought out purpose, and of course Bellatrix was more than bright enough to have figured the reason for her secrecy. And, not to forget which House they belonged to. All around, her actions were justified, her back covered. So, taking a deep breath as she arranged a careless expression on her face, Narcissa prepared to launch into the discourse her mother had, more or less, set out for her. Opening her rosy lips in anticipation of the words that she was about to pronounce. Then, a sudden idea dawning on her head, she snapped it shut, a familiar smirk twisting in her mouth as she stared innocently at Andromeda. Bellatrix wouldn't care either way for whoever it was that was dead. Narcissa sometimes wondered if she would care if something happened to her, but since she never found a satisfying answer to that question, she always pushed it away. Andromeda, on the other hand, would react to this piece of news. And badly too.

Still smirking like a cheshire cat, she coolly crossed her arms. "I'm terribly sorry to be the one to break the news to you, Andromeda. I know you would've preferred someone closer to you," Narcissa sneered the word closer, but still managed to keep her grey eyes icy. "We're expected at Aunt Dorea's funeral no later than three. So pack your bags, darling." So, perhaps it was petty for her to be smug about being the bearer of bad news, but it was just too good to pass it up. It served Aunt Dorea right, for being so partial towards Andromeda.

[bellatrix]

(omg, you write so much lol. That's a compliment by the way hehe)



It was absolutely apparent in all three of their eyes that Annie was also getting fed up and impatient. A trait that always followed her, even as a child, but was never so outwardly spoken as now. It didn't faze Trix, not even slightest, but she was however mildly surprised. Andromeda calling Narcissa Cissa made her smile; that was a definite no no and she'd find herself regretting it later. It was like calling Bellatrix Bella, which was totally off-limits and unallowed to anyone besides Cissy and Rodolphus. In fact, if you wanted to push her onto a short fuse that was the way to go about it. On the other hand, why you would ever risk your life for something as ridiculous as that is a wonder. The usually pale complexion of the eldest Black girl turned a light shade of scarlet, as Narcissa finished her statement and filled in the blanks. It was extremely insulting and infuriating to have her youngest sister be the one who first got the news.

It was no surprise that her parents hadn't bother to inform Andromeda of this, but not to tell Trix first was what irriated her. Being the eldest, it was always natural and expected for her to be told, taught, informed, and anything else, first. She felt jealous toward Narcissa, the princess of the family. Her anger wasn't going to be directed at her though, oh no. An outburst that like that would be completely uncival. It wasn't Cissy's choice for it, and Bella at least realized that. Her parents on the other side of this situation, however, were going to be faced with quite a confrontation. Whatever their reason for their actions, it wasn't called for. She was highly busy now to be sure, but did they think she couldn't handle this small, one more insignificant thing? Maybe they believed she wouldn't be able to get along with Andromeda long enough to tell her the news....or maybe they knew she'd take to much pleasure from sharing it.

Her father knew the inner workings of Bellatrix's mind, and he'd now she'd be frustrated and passing out the cold shoulder at their soon-to-be-visit. No doubt he'd seek her out after their arrival and try to reason with her. "Well they'd better have a bloody good excuse for why they told you first Narcissa." She answered harshly, but no worse than her normal, every day tone. "I'd rather do something much more valuable with my time, but considering there's no other choice.....I'll be ready shortly." She took the time to sneer and Andromeda and then put on a very fake display of feeling sorry for her. "Poor Andromeda dear. You must feel dreadful about this ordeal....maybe the house elf can console you." She laughed.

[Andromeda Black]

Annie's eyes flickered impatiently as Narcissa drew out the prolonged answer. Better hurry, sis, or you'll find we're no longer interested. At least I won't be. She brushed her bangs out of her face, annoyed how they wouldn't stay back. Easy. She needed to calm down. She wouldn't let her sisters get to her. She couldn't. She had to say, though, she was enjoying Bella's annoyance at not being teh first notified. Their parents had definitely jilted their eldest daughter of the rights she should have, being the eldest. Narcissa seemed all too happy with this, a smug expression playing on her face as she tried to hide it. A number of words to describe her younger sister came to mind but for the moment Annie said nothing.

The next words that came out of Narcissa's lips were a much bigger surprise that Annie would have anticipated, having known Aunt Dorea's health and havign suspected what had happened. She reached out to check her balance on the stone wall beside her, swaying slightly as emotion coursed through her fragile body. How could this have happened? Yes, her aunt was old but....No. This couldn't be real. Dorea had been the only adult in the Black family who had accepted Annie, who had shown genuine fondness for her. She couldn't be d-...Annie couldn't even finish the thought.

She wanted to fall to her knees and bury her head in her hands. She wanted to cry the tears that deserved to be let loose but she couldn't. She felt numb. This wasn't happening. It wasn't real. She wasn't here. It was a joke, a cruel joke. Annie gulped. She felt so weak. She would never have fathomed how a couple simple words from Narcissa would have made her this way. She wanted to curl up and seek solitiude in herself, in only herself because right now that was the only person she could trust.

But as much as she wanted to grieve and let her feelings pour from her, she couldn't. She had her pride and her sisters were right there. Her eyes narrowed. "I'm surprised you're even going, Narcissa. But not really. Hoping to lay your grubby little hands on whatever allowances were left to you in the will." She turned on Bellatrix next. "Don't waste your pity and misplaced jokes on me, Bella." Annie removed her hand from the wall to her right and placed in gingerly on her hip. She had been surprised to fin the three Black sisters were all in the same room but know she realized she should have known it was coming. Some ill winds blow over, but not these ones.

[Narcissa Black]

[ah! thanks! ^^ But you guys? You're always getting better & better. It's hard to keep up XD]

{Take my hand and come away; and I'll take [us] home}

Narcissa, over the years, had learned how to gauge Bellatrix's reaction. It hadn't been an easy task. Particularly because Trix had such a hard face to read, and apparently, she guarded her reactions well. At least it seemed so to Narcissa, who countless times had been frustrated near explosion when she noticed she had, once again, misread her sister's mood. It was a trait she admired, and very much envied when she found she herself couldn't control some of her most obvious gestures, but also it was one she cursed. To live with Trix meant you had to be possessor of an uncanny sixth sense, or be an extremely intuitive witch. And sadly, Narcissa--at the beginning of her teen years--had had none. After two years of repetitive hexes barely contained when she had caught Trix in a sour mood, Narcissa had managed to unearth the key to her older sister's facial expressions.

Details.

It was all in the details. Those little things most people didn't notice and took for granted, justifying them unsconsciously and immediately? Yes, those were the key to success. The shifting of the eyes, the slight turn of the lips, the flicker of her (many times) brooding gaze. It was all there. As it had been all the time, just waiting for Narcissa to decipher it. Not long after discovering that fact, the bad times had ceased altogether between them. They had been close by association, but now they were close by will. Narcissa had learned to read (as much as anyone could, anyway) Trix, and she knew what to expect after a comment or misplaced smirk. Things were smooth when she entered Hogwarts, and had been since. They had the same friends, were in the same House, and most important, their loyalties never faltered. She was there to step in when she noticed something incredibly amiss in her sister's expression, saving more than one person's skin at that moment. It was always with a cooling comment, or a detached, if vague, dismissal of the whole topic that was making Trix's blood boil.

But to read has never meant to understand.

As easily as Narcissa could read an advanced book about Alchemy, it didn't necessarily mean that the words were of any significance to her. It didn't mean she actually got what those formulas contained, or what they stood for. It was all over her head. It wouldn't be until she was older, ready for so much more that she would be able to decipher it. And so it was with Bellatrix. To be able to read her expressions didn't mean a thing when she never understood the why she would be set off with the simplest of things. Narcissa knew that wasn't a trick to be learned or have it taught. Because her sister's waters ran deep, and deep down, she knew she would never be able to fully comprehend her older sister. Insistence and perseverance could mean little, or nothing at all. But that hadn't discouraged the youngest Black sister. She kept telling herself it was all about time, about growing up. Someday Bellatrix and her would be in perfect sync. And until then, she'd have to conform in only being able to read the exterior.

And right now the exterior blazed scarlet. Quite literally in fact, as the color rose in her sister's cheeks, Narcissa knew something had angered her. Narcissa she wasn't clueless to the reason either. The eldest Black sister was a proud creature. As her status of being the first-born, she felt she deserved many things. And indeed she did. So how come the youngest of the three had known before she had? That would be terribly insulting in her eyes. Narcissa knew it. Her doubts were confirmed by Trix's next statement though, and it was all she could do to keep her smug smirk in check. Not smug because she knew before she did, but smug in the fact that, once again, she had managed to gauge her reaction. She had been successful. It meant that even though times were changing fast and Bellatrix was adapting, she was still the same, somewhere.

"I'm sure they do, Trix," she said calmly, her gray eyes steady on her sister's face, wanting to confirm that she was still the eldest, she still had authority over her, Narcissa, even if she had been informed first. Bellatrix would never be second in her eyes. For some reason she wanted Bellatrix to know that. She didn't fear the repercussions of it, but it was something that was desperately nagging at her, and by using the childhood and everlasting nickname, she was somehow trying to placate her oldest sister. You never knew how Trix could react. She was volatile. Had always been. And now as she was angry and having Andromeda present, it was a touchy situation at best. Her eyes quickly flicking toward her other so-called sister, Narcissa waited to see her crumble. That was expected of her. After all, wasn't she supposed to be the weakling? Narcissa had encased her sister in a small stereotyped box, and she refused to let her out of it, no matter how defying Andromeda's stance had been since the beginning. To her she was still that girl who was meek in front of them. Perhaps that was how she would always be in Narcissa's eyes. She passed judgement easily, and well, Andromeda had experimented her fair share of that over time. Now, as the silver-haired girl patiently waited for her reaction, she observed her features. It was true, all three of them had inherited that famed Black features of the classic portrayal of so-called royalty, making Andromeda not only beautiful, but something of a regal aura in her too.

She could pin-point the exact moment the words made their blow on her. The slight swaying and her reaching hand said it all. Contrary to Bellatrix, Andromeda was all expression and such news as these were sure to have affected her deeply, even if she didn't shed a single tear. My, wasn't the little Annie getting stronger? She could even grow a backbone. What a pleasant surprise. Perhaps Narcissa wouldn't feel so pathetic next time she happened to set something loose her way. She wouldn't be hurting a defenseless creature anymore. Because apparently, Andromeda had grown up. Three cheers for the little lady.

"You'd do good to take anything from her, seeing it's the only thing she will proportion, you know," she said simply, lifting one shoulder in a half shrug. Her tone wasn't colored snidely, but inside, she was rejoicing at the irreparability of her sister's relationship. It was always a threat, a shadow looming overhead, the possibility of them rekindling something. Narcissa couldn't even fathom the thought. It was too horrible for her. It wasn't fair that it had taken her so long to be able to form some kind of bond with Bellatrix, and for Andromeda to even try to salvage the friendship she had once shared with Bellatrix with a facility Narcissa hadn't possessed made her blood run cold inside her veins. It just wasn't fair. But then again, who said there was anything left to salvage?

[bellatrix]

ooc: I'd say closer to two books actually


"Awww, Narcissa, Andromeda doesn't seem to like us very much, does she?" She tsked, her tsking sounding so similar to the hissing of a snake it was uncanny. "It's a shame really....living at home is going to be even more of a nightmare this summer than last for her I'm afraid. You know I don't take kindly to someone when I get an inkling that they're insulting me." Bellatrix stared at Andromeda coldly, though she spoke only to Narcissa, as if the middle child wasn't even in the room. "But do not fear, it will be after all, my last summer at the house. Let's see what damage I could do before then...." It was common knowledge that a Black headed off at a young age, even though they maintained a strong bond with their family and relatives after that. They always married young as well, though she was slightly irked that that meant losing the Black name. She didn't want to have to take on someone else's, when she was so fondy connected with her own. Noting Annie's slight slack in confidence, she preyed on it like a wild animal. "I wouldn't be too distraught, she's bound to have left you quite the fortune. Seeing as you were the old coot's favorite and all."

She felt the stare from her youngest sister, but said nothing of it. Bellatrix was used to such attention, whether good or bad, she got it all the time. People could never understand the way her mind worked, and so they spent a long time trying to decipher her looks. Good luck to them, she wasn't one to give anything away so easily. The most clear reason for that, is they wanted to know if she were about to do anything drastic and severe. Because when she did, everyone stood out of the way, even Bellatrix's fellow Slytherins knew when to stand back. Trix was the most sadistic of them all, and hardly had any regret or remorse for the things she did. She didn't care if people liked her, that was possibly the least important thing to her in this life. If she wanted to be liked, she'd have tried harder than this.

She smirked at Cissa's added response after Annie's bratty little comment. That was another thing Trix liked about her little sister, she backed her up. Bella was fully aware that Cissy didn't want her and Andromeda to ever be friends again, and she didn't mind. She did wish though, Narcissa would stop worrying so much about it. Bellatrix had made up her mind, that she didn't want anything to do with the middle girl. Andromeda and Bellatrix were both different people from when they were children, and their personalities were grossly conflicting. As children, Andromeda always had the more daring nature, and she and Trix would cause some trouble now and then, but nothing too serious. Things change, and Bella was now favoring Narcissa, who developed a proper character, one worthy of her name. She proved, even as a child when she was the favorite of the three girls, had cruel she could be. "Fine, we have everything decided then. There's no need for us to stand around here with our mouths running all day....and Andromeda" She cast her dark look towards her once again. "If I hear the name Bella slip from your tongue one more time, I'll cut it off." As children, Annie could call her that all she wanted, not anymore. Now only Cissa had that option.

[Andromeda Black]

[ omg i second that trix, lol , you're amazing narcissa !! ]

Annie felt hot and dizzy, she needed to sit down somewhere but couldn't do that hear. She bit the inside of her lip as Narcissa fixed a stare on Bellatrix, obviously trying to gauge her sister's intentions while makign no effort to conceal her own. Normally Annie would have smirked but she was in such a frozen state she remained limply staring at the grey walls, feeling them closing in around her. How was she to survive without Aunt Dorea? She had spent most of the summer hiding out there. Plus, Dorea had been the only member of the Black family that hadn't constantly looked upon Annie with disgust. Sirius. The thought came to her mind suddenly and it was like a refreshing glass of cold water. She needed to talk to Sirius. She wasn't alone. She wasn't the only Black family outcast. Sirius might also want to know of Aunt Dorea's passing. They hadn't been close but they were still family. By name if not emotion at the very least.

"You'd do good to take anything from her, seeing it's the only thing she will proportion, you know." Annie narrowed her eyes at Narcissa's comment, wanting to point out the thousand things that were wrong with it,but instead she remained silent. All that mattered now was finishing this. Saying goodbye so they could all be on their way and she could get out of here. Another time, another place...different sisters, Annie, being so upset, would have stormed off yelling. But she had long since learned that wasn't the way to deal with Bella and Cissa. Her stomach twisted with the familiar mental use of their nicknames. The little voice inher head that refused to say 'Narcissa' and 'Bellatrix'. That refused to admit they would never would be close.

Annie gulped. She hadn't always been an outcast. Before Hogwarts- before Ravencaw- she had been a normal part of the family. The middle child. She had had a sister who she was close with- who didn't hate her. Bella. They had been so close! Like twin peas in a pod, that's what everyone had said. Even when Bella started Hogwarts, Annie had eagerly sent owls, waiting to hear back from her beloved older sister. Then the stupid Sorting Hat had ruined her life. But wasn't Bella overreacting? After all, it wasn't like she had been sorted into Gryffindor for god's sake. Being in Ravenclaw just meant she was smart, right?

Annie opened her mouth to speak, realizing the awkward silence that envelopped them. "Of course you'd think that way, Narcissa." She turned on Belatrix next, eyes flashing. "Fine, Bellatrix. Fine. I give up. I gie up trying to prove myself to you. What's wrong? I'm in Ravenclaw yes, I understand that the family looks down on me but you? We were so close. It wasn't like I was sorted into Gryffindor! Just because of one stupid, tattered old hat you ended everything." Her voice was cold but it shook slightly as she reached the end. "Fine. I think we are done."

[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Narcissa Black]

{[...]Innocence gone, can't be the same. Taking you all the way back home.}

Hearing Bellatrix being so antagonistic towards Andromeda never failed to be refreshing. If truth was told, Bella was Narcissa's role model. Or had been for a large part of her life. Lately, Narcissa had evolved just a bit more, and even though Bellatrix was an important figure in her life, her part as a role model was fading quickly, allowing Narcissa to become her own kind of figurine, despondent, arrogant and cold. It was undeniable, the influence Bellatrix had over Narcissa was obvious even in the girl's movements. Truth be told, as independent as Narcissa made out herself to be, without Bellatrix, she couldn't have possibly become half the Slytherin girl she now was. Not to mention the fact that they both shared the same social circle, even with Narcissa's obvious age gap. Some truths, some lies, and some half-truths were shared by the pair of Black sisters simply because Bellatrix had decided to share them with Narcissa, and she, always impressionable when Bellatrix came into the equation, believed everything.

But just because those notions hadn't come from her own blond head, didn't mean she didn't feel just as strongly and passionately as Bellatrix did. When there was a cause that was rightly justified in her eyes, Narcissa was always an avid follower in her own subdued way. Rather contradictory to her persona, but in some ways, it fitted her. Because she had her roots well cemented, and it wasn't difficult for anyone to notice that. In a traditional family, like the one she came from, beliefs were passed on and shared, because one philosophy had to be the philosophy of everyone. Rather killing for individualism, but it had functioned so far so well.

So as Bellatrix threw a falsely veiled threat, all that Narcissa could do was smirk. It seemed obvious to her, Bellatrix's eagerness to be of age and finally be able to be on her own. Or maybe, just perhaps, she was mis-reading her sister yet again. It was oh-so difficult to tell with Trix. It just wasn't possible to be a hundred percent sure of what was going on through her older sister's mind. It was times like these where she wished she had been instructed in the practiced art of Occlumency and Legilimency. It was by no means easy to acquire, but if she ever managed it, it would only serve to enhance her own stature as a powerful witch. Which couldn't really be counted at her young age, but she had every opportunity open, just like the rest of them.

Upon Andromeda's unexpected outburst, Narcissa only arched an eyebrow, her grey eyes now boring down on her middle sister. Oh, she had potential. She had had, if she hadn't let herself be stepped over by them countless times. She would've been grand, wouldn't she? It was in her blood, it was undeniable really. It was all about the pride that kept you going, the one that was supposed to run through your veins, no matter what color your robes were, or what name had the Sorting Hat called out. But Andromeda had let it affect her. She said it was just the Sorting Hat's fault, but couldn't she see? Didn't she understand? It was who she had become. What every one of them has transformed into during the course of these years at Hogwarts. Because relationships could be mended, but Andromeda had never managed to figure out just how. Indeed, it wouldn't have been an easy process, for Bellatrix was a stubborn and proud creature, but there's nothing impossible in this life. Nothing that cannot be fixed, but death itself, and the Black sisters were far from that.

If only she had taken the time to analyze things as closely as she herself had, perhaps she would've seen that opening Bellatrix had unwittingly left for her middle sister. But Andromeda hadn't, and perhaps it was just too late for them to be rehatching things.

"Indeed. We are done. We're expected to inform our cousins" she sneered the word, Sirius flashing across her mind for a moment. "About the funeral too, I guess. I think you will take care of telling Sirius, Andromeda, seeing as you're pretty tight with him. I, in turn, will inform Regulus. We're expected there no later than three, so please be punctual," she said politely, once again, her tone fake with sugary sweetness.

[bellatrix]

(awww I love Annie, poor girl..and I hope A that you don't mind terribly if I steal the song lyrics idea, I just love it)


"You labeled me, I'll label you, so I dub thee unforgiven"

Now that cracked little facade that Andromeda had been putting on had finally shattered. It was now easy to see that Annie looked much like a cat being cornered by two large dogs. A little sad really, since it made her look rather pitiful. Afraid of her own sisters, amazing. Bellatrix and Narcissa worked as a team as they often did, preying off of each other's words and comments to tear their selected victim down with little effort. That's what made them such a vicious pair, they had their own strengths. Trix was often brutual and to the point, getting things done when need be. Cissa was cold and smooth, she knew how to tangle people up in her words. It was like an ice dagger. But, both sisters could stay collected for as long as they wante; they knew how to keep up a front. The problem with Andromeda, was she took things to heart. She couldn't help but eventually let her feelings show. That just wouldn't do for a respectable sister you see.

Cissa and Annie had never liked one another....you think that's a little dramatic? It's the absolute truth. When there was no Narcissa in their friendly picture, it was Trix and Annie, all the time. They ignored Narcissa and left her out of all of their games. They didn't want a little tag-along who was spoiled rotten by their parents. She seemed to ruin everything. When that ended up changing, it was Trix and Cissy, all the time. There really was never a Cissy and Annie moment, if you stop to think about it. It's no surprise then, that they weren't getting along now....because when did they ever? And, it was almost like Trix went to the store and picked out a new pet, something she preferred when she got tired of the old one. Cissy in the beginning, at least in Bellatrix's opinion, had a long way to go towards perfection. Whereas, Andromeda had that natural ability to become something great. Still, Trix took on the task of 'training' Cissy, because Annie wasn't living up to her true potential.

Now at last, Narcissa Black was something else entirely from what she used to be. Andromeda, was a bloody mess. She was looking on smugly as Annie had finally hit the last straw, and had her little outburst. You'd think what her younger sister was saying would at least put some kind of hint of emotion on her older sister's face, and yet it remained emotionless, eerie as if fixed of stone. She was completely placid, but on the inside, as always, there were conflicting thoughts floating about in her head. She had never hated her middle sister, she probably shouldn't have given up on her so soon, as children you couldn't say Trix without saying Annie in the same sentence. Loyality and Blacks were supposed to lie side by side, but Trix had cast Andromeda off. It all came down to the fact that your house said what you would become, not necessarily what you were at the time. She felt, that no matter how hard she tried, she'd never have the potential of a Slytherin, because she hadn't made it there.

Ravenclaw said something about her, that she would chose a different path than Trix. That hit her hard, because she felt like they had always been so in sync, so together. Was what they talked about when they were young, their goals, aspirations, so entirely different from what Andromeda really felt? Because how could she be in the end so completely different from Bellatrix? What Andromeda would never know, was being placed in that Ravenclaw house was like a smack in the face to Bellatrix, as unreasonable as it was. She felt like Annie had betrayed Her, not the other way around. And so, being the stubborn person that she was, she would carry on like she always had. There was no turning around, no fixing your mistakes. And Andromeda, just like Trix had expected, had gotten more kind and soft over each passing year.

In spite of what she was really thinking, despite the fact that what Trix was going to say was completely opposite from how she really felt, she'd say it anyway. Because no, they couldn't be friends. No, they couldn't be sisters. There was no reason to prolong it any longer, and leave Annie more confused, or have her harbor this hopeless hope. In a twisted way, she was actually doing her a favor by crushing her dream now instead of later. "I only played with you as a child, because I was waiting for Narcissa to finally grow up. Now that she has, I most certainly don't need you" She looked discusted at the thought. "Why can't you get it through that thick head of yours, you'll never be a Black now. Run along, go play with Sirius the tramp." She waved her hand at her like a little animal or something. "But be careful you don't bring back fleas when you come into the house." Trix looked at Cissy and nodded her head, ready to leave.