Sisters, sisters....best friends or enemies?

[regal_narcissa]

Date: 1st April, 2002
Time:  Late Moring/ Early Afternoon
Location: Lestrange Manor
Characters:  Narcissa Malfoy, Bellatrix Lestrangeg
Rating:  R (NC/17?) Maybe very nasty language?

Narcissa stepped out of the Floo, and brushed her robes off.  She had decided to dress conservatively, and had picked a conservative gray dress.  She was pleased that it

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[toujoursfideles]

Some time before Narcissa had arrived, Bellatrix stood in her garden. Floating in the air before her was the book she had found in the library. Arms crossed over her chest, she was tapping her wand to her temple as she reread the same passage over and over

[regal_narcissa]

Narcissa was surprised to see how excited her sister was to see her. Unlike her normal stiff, formal self, Bellatrix acted delighted and Narcissa could swear she had skipped. She grinned and returned her sister's hug, and kept her arm around her slim waist.

"Bella, I am so happy to be here. It was been too long. Perhaps the absence makes the heart grow fonder? We have not been alone, I mean really alone together for such a long time, I almost can't remember when it was last."

She was sure it had been at least a year ago when last they had seen each other privately and not in a public setting. Narcissa relaxed at her sister's gaiety, and handed her the small wrapped box, "Think of it as an early birthday present. I reminded me of you when I saw it."

She passed the green wrapped present to her sister, not letting go of her waist, and turned to hug her once again, "Happy Birthday, Bella."

[toujoursfideles]

Few things put Bellatrix in merrier mood than bringing about a muggle's death, but receiving presents was also high on the list. Not that she would trouble Narcissa with such a revelation. She had nearly forgotten her birthday was approaching so suddenly

[regal_narcissa]

Narcissa smirked at her sister; Bellatrix was undressed for the April weather, oblivious to the chill in the air and the lingering fog. Her skin was cold, almost clammy to Narcissa, who wanted to find a sweater and make her sister put it on.

Narcissa walked, linked to her, and they sat by a fountain. Her sister's delight at the flower necklace was gratifying; she chuckled a little at her enthusiasm.

"I have not eaten; I thought that I would wait to dine with you."

It was decidedly colder outside, and there was still a sheen of damp dew on the shadowy parts of the courtyard, giving Narcissa an aquatic feeling. She unexpectedly shivered, and hugged her arms about herself, having let go of Bellatrix to allow her to open her gift. She looked about the courtyard, and then at her sister, "So, have you really decided to take up gardening or was that just a staged front for Lucius?"

[toujoursfideles]

Bellatrix instantly summoned Blintz and gave instructions for a light brunch to be prepared and served in the dining hall.

Seeing Narcissa's reaction to the cold, she felt a little inconsiderate. Her stays in Azkaban seemed to have permanently numbed her to the cold. In fact, what others called pleasant weather seemed hot and oppressive to Bellatrix. She loved the crisp, breezy weather and found comfort in the sweet sting of cold; and she routinely forgot such circumstances were under appreciated by others.

"I have indeed," Bellatrix replied with something of a smug little smile. "Would you like to see? I can get a robe for you, you look like you're freezing!"

[regal_narcissa]

"Bella, it IS cold out here! And I'll use my own robes."

Narcissa chuckled at her sister's suggestion, and with a quick Accio Robes, her robes came sailing out. She stood and slipped them on, feeling better instantly.

"Show me."

Narcissa wanted to see what her sister was doing with her time; she truly hoped it would not be something noxious or hazardous; Lucius would be highly displeased with her if she allowed herself to be hurt while visiting Bellatrix. He would be smug; he wouldn't say anything but it would be clear enough that he would feel vindicated about his hunches about his sister-in-law. She moved to follow her sister, as she watched her beautiful, dark haired sister's expression. Bella looked well pleased with herself.

[toujoursfideles]

At Narcissa's request she began the walk to the secluded gardens. The would conveniently allow the meal to be prepared by the time they got back inside. She was making her way to her new pride and joy, but along the way she pointed out the various interesting specimens with a slightly bored air. Flowers here and there, some things practical, some things strictly ornamental.

"In the front of the house I'm going to put in those blue roses you like," she added.

Rounding the hedge wall, Bellatrix proudly presented the Venomous Tentacula, careful to mask her sweeping gaze to avoid revealing she was checking to make absolutely sure no signs of the children were left. Not a single blade of grass out of place. Pleased with her own immaculate nature, she wondered if Narcissa would notice the dog collar around the central pod. She was also tickled to see the stunning new blossoms sprouting along the central stalk.

"This is Mr. Snuggles," she noted with the utmost seriousness and pride. "Aren't the flowers beautiful?"

[regal_narcissa]

"Oh my! Its lovely!"

Narcissa said this as she began to take a step closer to examine the flower. But she stopped short, wondering why Bellatrix had not approached the rather large pod and its singular bloom. She had never seen a plant like it before, and for an instant was troubled by it.

If it was a normal, exotic specimen, their mother would have had it in their gardens. It was not like anything mother kept, which ment one of two things: it was either a Muggle plant or it was not safe. And seeing as it was Bellatrix, Narcissa knew it was not a Muggle thing. She carefully took a step back and shook her head at her sister, clearly bothered.

"What is it, and what do you feed it?"

She looked at it and couldn't stop herself from laughing outloud.

"Its really quite spectacular."

[toujoursfideles]

Just as Narcissa had stopped Bellatrix was preparing to pull her back, but she was sensible enough to keep a healthy distance. And really, her obvious concern was hardly merited

[regal_narcissa]

Narcissa was still amused by the idea of the plant; although slightly disgusted at the notion of having to feed it raw meat. It would eventually grow to need something larger. She was troubled slightly, thinking that her sister would vanish one day, untraceable even by her device, only to discover the Ministry's tracking bracelet in the plant's interior.

She turned to her sister, "My son is healing. He will survive his attack. It will take him a good deal longer to recover to his former self, but that achievement is feasible. His weekend was uneventful, which means that he is not a werewolf."

Narcissa decided there was no reason not to be blunt with her sister; it was certainly not going to be something they would hide.

She narrowed her eyes at Bellatrix, "And Greyback? Where is he? Where is his pack? I want it destroyed, all of it, including the alpha leader."

[toujoursfideles]

She nodded, generally indifferent to the blandness of Draco's condition. Yes, yes, all well and good his blood was still pure, but surely something productive could have been gleaned? She probably would have been more pleased if Draco suddenly had cravings for human flesh. At least that would be amusing

[regal_narcissa]

Narcissa was hesitant to discuss Lucius's business with her sister. It was his affair; Fenrir's demand for money was not something she had been privy to. And there were, of course, those other horrible letters that threatened exposure and then had produced it. All of that had nothing to do with her; she thought if Lucius wanted her to know, he would have told her directly, and he had finally shared some of it with her

[toujoursfideles]

She managed to avoid rolling her eyes, but could not keep down her arching brow. The more people railed against the shortcomings of insanity, the more she seemed to esteem it. More and more it sounded like "sanity" was just another word for "conformity" - and this was no time for conforming to their circumstances. But strategy was never something she sough to discuss with Narcissa, so she let the issue drop. As her sister vented about the toll the attack took on her, she listened indulgently. The younger woman should never have had to endure such trials, and as far as she was concerned, the fact that she had was at Lucius' feet.

Narcissa's question was one she had long anticipated. Her own involvement was thankfully minimal. She suspected it was the favor of her Lord that absolved her from being instructed to torture her sister's son. Had she been truly commanded to do so, she knew in her dark little heart she would have obeyed, but not merrily.

SHE WOULD DARE TO QUESSSTION ME?!Forgiveness, my Lord, I beg you! She was no Death Eater

[regal_narcissa]

Narcissa was taken back for a moment; in her own obsession and concern for her husband, she had not thought of Bellatrix. The Dark Lord punished her?! His favorite?! What chance had anyone had against such a satirical, venomous, vicious being

[toujoursfideles]

Narcissa's hand on her caused a spread of goose flesh down her arm, and her obvious concern, a small smile on her lips. Her poor, naive sister. A gentle, indulgent mother was a delight, but only when tempered by a firm father capable of discipline. Draco had clearly never stood a chance

[regal_narcissa]

Narcissa wasn't surprised at Bellatrix's reaction, and smirked slightly at her reply. They all protected her, coddled her, and kept her in the dark about many things in the name of her sweetness and innocence. Wasn't she a Slytherin? she thought as she walked with Bella into the house