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]

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.

"How sweet of you," she thanked, taking the box. "It has been far too long. But let's not dwell on the troubles of the past. The weather's so pleasant I thought we might enjoy it."

Taking Narcissa's arm they began walking back toward the courtyard area. A large fountain stood between two wings of her home, creating a splendid sensation of privacy. Topiary trees and manicured bushed lined walkways leads out onto the grounds. Her bare feet moving silently on the stone that covered much of the ground, she drew them to a bench near the fountain.

Sitting, she made quick but tidy work of the wrapping. Opening the box she gave a squeal of delight.

"Simply stunning - I'll have concoct some excuse to wear them soon," she beamed. Looking back to her sister she asked, "Have you eaten, can I summon anything for you?"

[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.

"It's a Venomous Tentacula - and don't look at me like that," she scolded. "If they were safe enough to have in Herbology, it'll certainly do no harm out here. Honestly, it's not as though it's going to go snatching up innocent children!"

Must not laugh. Must not laugh. Look offended. Do NOT laugh.

"I feed it chickens, mostly," she answered, pleased to see Narcissa's amusement. "It's most impressive. It's always been on the grounds, a security measure I suspect. But it was so cute I decided to move it closer to the house."

She stepped closer and gave it something of an affectionate pat on an outlying vine. Sated, it was unlikely to dart out, and eventually the likelihood of attacking their owners became exceptionally small. Rejoining Narcissa, Bellatrix figured she might as well ask the most pressing question up front.

"As you are not an assortment of weeping and rage, I take it Draco has negligible side effects?" she inquired.

When Narcissa turned back to the house, she would follow; but for the moment she was quite content to enjoy the morning.

[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.

"Of course you do," Bellatrix nodded understandingly. "And if I knew where he was, I would tell you."

Well, she wasn't sure that was true, but she said it apologetically. But the fact that Narcissa couldn't see past the offense to realize his utility was proof enough in her mind that she should simply keep such thoughts to herself. Besides, such reactions were hardly surprising form either Narcissa or her husband.

"Now," she began, with caution in her voice that illustrated the gravity of what she was about to ask, "given the perfectly reasonable thirst for vengeance, one might wonder why Greyback would do something that would so obviously lead to retaliation. He had a habit of getting carried away in the midst of carnage, but this was a carefully laid trap. Why? Why on earth would he do it?"

Perhaps that was the cause of Narcissa's violent reaction. If the offense to Fenrir had been slight and the beast had simply overreacted, that would cast an entirely different light on the situation.

[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.

"The beast is clearly not sane, Bellatrix. And you would do well to keep that in mind. Things that were non-consequential in the past are now vicious with teeth. Have a care not to lay your trust in the wrong spot."

"And you should realize, any offense against my son is heart-felt by me; I suffer perhaps more than him at his hurts. But to actually lay hands on Draco is unacceptable; to cause him physical injury is," and Narcissa's eyes glinted darkly as she squeezed her hands into fist, "Worthy of the most pain and suffering that I can cause such a creature. Draco will not be manhandled or tortured by anyone, ever again, if I can help it. I was locked away when the Death Eaters deemed him fit material for such treatment. Had I been here, there would be fewer of them, I guarantee it."

She looked at her sister, hoping her meaning was clear, but thought she had pushed its way to the surface and she asked, "You mentioned punishing Draco to change his thinking; during the war, sister, did you witness his torture? Did you ever raise a hand to hinder his pain? I am just curious. Draco is the last Black heir that exists."

"It was the sour words in your journal that made me think of the war; I could not make a decision as to if you were speaking in jest or seriousness. Can you explain to me, what was your intent?"

[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, she cannot understand!

And why, Bella? Why was you sister never brought before me?

She is too gentle! Too delicate! She represents what we fight to protect! So young at heart, so innocent - she must be managed with care.

"Journal entry.... journal entry?" she mused, avoiding getting wrapped up inside her head. "You probably shouldn't have taken it very seriously. You know how I am when I get upset - I sometimes say more than I mean. Besides, it took me much time to recover from my stay in Azkaban, and then that dreadful hospital. With so little contact with anyone else, I'm afraid I was left alone with some rather... spiteful thoughts."

She took a moment to pause before addressing the issue of Draco's torture. She had hoped not to discuss Lucius more than was absolutely necessary, and suspected she would hardly be sympathetic to her own punishment endured after the Department of Mysteries. And she had borne it without complaint to her sister. She had never revealed the extent of how she herself had suffered for her failures - and the failures of others. Perhaps now was the time to open up that aspect to Narcissa. Giving a very small, involuntary shudder, she recalled the pain and terror.

"I was not involved with his punishment," she said firmly, but not defensively. With a touch of entreating softness and a hand on Narcissa's shoulder, she went on, "But hinder his pain? Narcissa, he failed. He failed the Dark Lord. And so did Lucius - and punishment was the natural consequence. Have I ever bemoaned how I was punished for Lucius' failure in the Department of Mysteries? No. Beacuse every time we are punished it is for our own betterment - to make us stronger, to help us learn."

[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?!

Narcissa moved to touch Bellatrix's arm in a small gesture, "You were punished as well? For our families faults? What logic is that? You could not help what happened. It was doomed to fail, I fear, all doomed."

She frowned, not liking the continued statements of failure, and interjected, "Punishment does not make us stronger or help us learn. It did not work with me. Punishment only made me more clever at not getting caught. And you need to know, it will NOT work with Draco. It didn't work during the war as people punished my son; it certainly won't work with him now. This you need to understand, if you truly have a care in becoming closer to him."

Narcissa stepped closer to her sister, and touched her cheek, a sad look on her face, "I don't like to think of you punished by him. Will you tell me of it? You never did before."

[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.

She was listening without much comment. Best to let Narcissa rant for a moment, she was clearly upset. Had she never considered the sacrifices she was willing to make for her Master? Truth be told, she even gave Lucius an extra yard of credit after his stay in Azkaban. It was an honor to make such sacrifices. Surely, if she'd had her own sons, they would have understood properly. Her care to be closer to Draco was partly because he was blood, and few things mattered more. Despite his foolish associations, it wasn't as though he was rejecting his family's beliefs. Secondly, it was she who taught Occlumency to such proficiency as to resist both Snape and Dumbledore's instrusion - she knew his potential. Though he carried the Malfoy name, with the proper investment he could be an asset to the Black line.

"Absolutely not!" was her vehement reply to Narcissa's question, and in her surprise she took a step back. Changing to a softer, comforting voice, Bellatrix took Narcissa's extended hand in her own, adoring it with a quick kiss. "Such things are none of your concern, do not trouble yourself with dwelling on them."

Bellatrix remembered ever single time her Lord had drawn His wand against her. Beneath the terror and shame was the current of gratitude. Had He seen her as useless or unworthy He would have simply discarded her. Instead He was hardest on her, His favorite, and proudest of her. How could Narcissa understand the care that drove her gruesome torment? Besides, Bellatrix had no interest in discussing such unpleasantness with her delicate sister when she would certainly respond with pity. Pride and respect were the appropriate responses, that she merited such attention - and more so, that was able to endure it.

"Let's go in side then?" she suggested. "Our meal is probably hot and waiting."

[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.

The plant, her sister's changed attitude and the liberty of a certain werewolf plagued Narcissa's mind during the delightful meal Bella had laid out for them. Narcissa nibbled slightly, and didn't comment much. She felt frustrated; the animosity between her sister and her family was clearly NOT going to change, which she realized was inevitable. But she hated the idea of being estranged any longer from her older sister. Bella was wonderful; Narcissa had forgotten how much she adored her older sister as a young girl. She had idolized her in many ways. Bella was Narcissa's brave, independent role model; unfortunately, the oppression of being the model pure-blood wife had won out and Narcissa had become exactly what she had been taught to be, all of those years by her mother. She was the example of docility and obedience, quiet support to her husband and son. She was, she realized, completely dependant on them; she also knew she was boring as hell.

She sighed as she picked at her food, knowing that this would be her life. What kind of dismal life, she thought, compared to her radiant sister, to be defined by men? Bellatrix wasn't much different. She was defined by a crazy man, but at least she could openly show her thoughts and feelings. Narcissa wanted to change that in herself, if it wasn't too late.

"So," she remarked, "I have been toying with an idea, and I cannot do it on my own. Would you be interested in helping me, perhaps?"

[toujoursfideles]

Bellatrix had been content to simply sip her coffee, ignore her toast, and observe her pretty little Narcissa. It was truly gratifying, the trivial and mundane interactions like these she had craved while they were parted. When Narcissa spoke, Bellatrix perked up. No matter the task, Bellatrix was profoundly certain she could help her sister. It was only natural she might need help with something or other, and it pleased her greatly that Narcissa had turned to her instead of Lucius. Part of her hoped there might be a bit of mischief in it to diminish her boredom.

"Of course," Bellatrix smirked, setting down her coffee. "Anything you need. What do you have in mind?"

[regal_narcissa]

Narcissa put down her utensil and moved her eyes to meet Bellatrix's, "I want that Fernir dead, and I want to do it. Myself. I just lack the knowledge. Lucius thinks me too soft and weak to be effective at dispatching the creature. It was rather annoying; he thought I wouldn't know what to do if I did corner the beast."

She frowned prettily, her eyebrows knitting together in his vexation, "He doesn't know how much I hate that being for what he did to Draco."

Her face smoothed a trifle as she continued to hold her sister's gaze, "I need to know how to do them, Bellatrix. Unforgiveables. Won't you help me, please?"

She rushed on slightly, "I thought of asking you first. Lucius would be so angry with me if he knew I was interested in learning them. I knew you would be the correct person to approach."