HP fic: Dustland Fairytale (3/7) plus links
So, I've just updated my WIP again, after four months-ouch-and although I'm really not active in the HP fandom on LJ and thus have no expectations of feedback, I've decided it was time to try and throw the fic out there again, just in case people might get curious…
The story focuses on Narcissa Black's teenage years: the first part, Dustland Fairytale, mostly deals with her relationship with her sisters, and the second part Sentimental Hearts with the Lucius/Narcissa romance. But that would be a very rough summary, since there is also a lot on pureblood society, the various members of the Black family, Bellatrix's involvement with the Death Eaters and Andromeda's estrangement, a few OC's and so on and so forth. Plus Narcissa's very own struggle with her self-image as she thrives for perfection.
The entire version (well, what I have so far) can be found on fanfiction.net in two parts: Dustland Fairytale and Sentimental Hearts. The first installment is also posted on AO3. I'll finish posting the second part someday, when I'm less lazy.
Chapter one and chapter two have already been published here on LJ. Here comes chapter three, then.
Title: Dustland Fairytale
Author: flowsoffire
Fandom: Harry Potter
Pairing/characters: Narcissa, Andromeda and Bellatrix Black - light, unrequited Lucius/Narcissa
Genre: Family/Drama
Rating: K+
Word count: c. 3300
Disclaimer: you recognize it, I don't own it. Unless your mind and mine are magically connected. Quite unlikely.
Summary: Narcissa Black grows up, leaves paradise, and still lives her life as a princess in ever-moving kingdoms.
Chapter Three: All The Pretty Faces
"This is so exciting!" Narcissa gushed, breezing into the room, cheeks flushed and eyes shining.
"Cissy," Bella snapped, "either you shut up, or I'm going to curse you, this is my last warning. If only we were stocked with Polyjuice Potion there wouldn't be a problem. But we are not, so give me a break."
"You don't want to be sent away, Cissy, do you?" Meda chimed in. "Get yourself under control."
"I can't believe this," Narcissa retorted, collapsing on a couch and eyeing her sisters with a mix of glee and frustration.
"Oh, believe me, I can't either," Bella growled.
"One of us - one of us - is going to attend her first ball!" Narcissa continued as though she hadn't noticed the interruption, her voice reaching a dramatic peak.
"You needed something new to be jealous of, Cissy," Meda said absent-mindedly. "Satisfaction makes you unbearable."
"So the world plotted for your demise, and decided that on the very year of your arrival at Hogwarts, I should make my grand entrance into society." Bella huffed.
"My poor little blond thing," Andromeda added.
Bella swatted her. "Feel sorry for me. I got dolled up - I hate getting dolled up - and those shoes are going to kill me all evening. And this is going to be boring."
"You will dance," Meda said smoothly.
"Wow. That just made me feel loads better."
"You will meet older boys, boys who wouldn't have talked to you before."
"And who will talk to me now, because I have reached the age of maturation and it's open season for trying to marry Bella Black." Bellatrix snorted. "What a blast."
"But look at yourself!" Cissy exclaimed. "You look beautiful!"
And that she did. Bella's gown was long, off the shoulder and close-fitting, of a stunning emerald colour. She was to wear a matching shawl of a slightly darker shade, elbow-length silver gloves, high heels - her messy curls had been straightened and swept up into an elegant, sophisticated-looking bun. She was allowed to wear make-up. She looked nothing short of dashing, her natural beauty, usually lessened by the woes of adolescence, heightened and purified. Narcissa would have killed to be in her place, to be wearing her clothes, to go to the Christmas ball and meet smooth-spoken young men and dance. But unfortunately, even murder wouldn't do the trick. Four years left to wait. It would have made her groan, if that hadn't been highly unladylike. Four years were an eternity... an eternity...
Meda reached out and poked her arm, making her jump. Taking into account her sisters' mocking laughter, Narcissa guessed she must have spaced out for a minute and missed a few witty comebacks. She couldn't bring herself to care.
Bella rolled her eyes. "Earth to Cissy? I have to leave, so you're not going to have to stare at me with unrestricted envy anymore. Does that relieve you? Even slightly?"
"No."
"You ungrateful little brat."
"Language, manners, posture," Andromeda sang. "Good evening, Bella dearest. Dance your head off, don't kill anyone, think of us, and have fun."
"Shut up."
"We love you!"
"I said shut up!"
Meda burst into laughter, and pressed a kiss to her scowling sister's cheek. "Go."
Bella bowed theatrically in Cissy's direction and then strode to the door, her heels clicking against the pannelled flooring. Narcissa buried her head in her hands and pretended to be made of stone. Stone was good - impassive. It was difficult to make a fool of oneself when composed of stone.
"Come on," Meda called cheerfully. "It can't be that bad. We get a girls' night, and Bella's going to meet an avalanche of wrinkled people."
"And beautiful, influential, delightful people," Cissy moaned.
"Hush. Everybody knows the old cows love to gather at balls, try to push their great-grandchildren into early engagements and ruin everybody's evening."
Cissy groaned. "Just let me die already."
"Two minutes ago you were literally about to explode with excitement!"
"Two minutes ago I was being carried away by aesthetics-induced selflessness. Then I remembered that life is not fair."
Meda snorted. "I'm going to wander downstairs and enjoy having the mansion all to myself, since you're being a spoilsport... and a dying one at that."
"Please go ahead."
The door slammed, and Cissy straightened up, blinking in shock. She had actually left her alone.
Without an audience.
Life wasn't fair.
When Meda glided again into the room, a tray floating gracefully behind her, Cissy had settled on Bellatrix's bed, sitting with her knees drawn up against her chest, and was busy glaring a hole into the opposite wall. Extremely determined as she was to give her sister the silent treatment, the young girl quickly found herself bored beyond words, and conveniently realized that it was possible to sulk while speaking.
"You could have asked a house-elf to bring this."
"I quite like the feeling of complete solitude. We are the only mistresses of the house, you know."
"Yes, and we happen to have servants."
Meda shrugged. "I was feeling like taking care of myself. I know it's beyond your understanding, dearie." With a flick of her wand, the tray docilely floated down to Bella's bedside table. She then climbed atop the sheets, pushing Cissy aside to make room.
"Besides, you don't have the right to practise magic. And don't push me, fatty."
"Ah, but I do have my reckless days," responded Meda, smirking. "Come on, who is going to find out?"
Cissy pondered. "I could tell."
"Who would care?"
The youngest endeavoured to scowl even harder. It proved quite difficult.
Meda burst out laughing. "Goodness. You, me, and Bella... We couldn't be more different, really."
"And that is quite fortunate," Narcissa said stiffly. "There has to be a decent girl in the lot."
Meda gasped mockingly. "Don't sound so much like Mother, please, darling. It gives me nightmares."
Cissy sighed and collapsed against the pillows, defeated. "What is there on that tray you brought, anyway?"
Meda chuckled. "Ah, now she's interested." She stretched towards the bedside table, pointing with her wand. "Here, sister mine, we have some nice hot tea... some chocolate in the smaller pot... and a few cakes I sneaked from the kitchens. Freezy won't tell. She doesn't fancy having to iron her ears yet one more time."
Cissy pouted. "Oh, that's right. Bella goes out and parties, and we get to sit at home eating the evening away."
Meda poured two cups of tea, humming under her breath. "Someone is bitter and acrimonious, it brings wrinkles and damages the complexion."
Cissy gasped despite herself. "What? Who told you this?"
"Made it up." Andromeda pushed a cup into her hands. "Drink and loosen up, or I'll get myself a nice book and leave you to your sorrows."
Narcissa huffed. "Why are you under the assumption that I would be bothered?"
She did take a small sip though, the warm liquid sliding smoothly, soothingly down her throat and filling her insides. The sisters were quiet for a minute, drinking slowly and staring into space, lost in thought - or, for Cissy, a peaceful lack of thought.
"You're so much like Mother, really," Andromeda eventually whispered, sounding slightly troubled now as she held her cup tightly between her palms.
Narcissa drained her own of its last drops of tea. "Not a bad thing."
"Agree to disagree. Cupcake?"
"No, thank you."
Meda nibbled on one herself. "Oh well. Bella's like Walburga." Shocked, she gave a hollow laugh at her own words. "Only prettier."
Cissy shuddered. "I hope she doesn't end up like Walburga."
"Me too. But she's already almost as unbearable as her, really. We just happen to love her for it." Meda sighed. "Sometimes I wonder how Sirius will turn out."
"Unbearable," Cissy judged. The last time she had seen Sirius had ended rather messily, with worms in her hair, lots of unladylike screeching, death threats and their mothers having to intercede while her sisters were doubled over laughing in the distance.
Meda laughed. "You are biased… He's a nice boy. A bit naughty, I'll give you that."
"I'd say."
"Bella was worse."
Cissy hesitated. "Was she?"
"Yes. The only difference is that she was protective of you. She didn't prank you, just stuck to the mocking."
"Thank God."
Meda chuckled, and then was serious again. "So... one could assume that Sirius will be a little bit like Bella when he gets older?"
Narcissa shrugged. "I don't know… He's important, I suppose. He's the Heir."
"That doesn't suffice to shape his whole life, Cissy."
She shrugged again, and Meda sent her a really odd look.
"What would you have me tell you?" she said eventually. "He'll go into Slytherin, feel a bit rebellious, and then he'll have to get married, and well married. He'll find himself a nice job at the Ministry, a good wife, and that should keep him about satisfied. It's his responsibilities, after all."
Her sister was still staring as though Cissy had suddenly grown a second nose or a pair of horns. "Are you okay, Meda?"
"Oh yes." Andromeda shook her head slowly, raising her eyebrows. "Just reality catching up, I guess."
"Oh," Cissy said tactfully.
Meda took another cupcake. "How do you see yourself in the future, Cissy? Like Mother?"
"Oh no, better," Narcissa said at once. "Mother is a lady. But I'll be queen. I'll have a very beautiful and influential husband, and a dashing house. Acres and acres of stunning gardens, works of art to be beheld everywhere. I'll have children, too, and they'll be perfect. And they'll love my husband and myself very much, always listen to what we say. My husband will listen to me, too, though he'll be a strong man."
Cissy was babbling rapidly under Meda's steady, searching gaze. "Fairytale, Cissy," she said.
Narcissa glared. "They come true sometimes," she muttered. "Just look at us. Three sisters of flawless breeding and ancestry, two dark, the other fair... And pretty balls with princes getting on one knee at midnight..."
Meda's lips tightened, her expression hovering between repressed laughter and bitterness, and she was quiet for a while. Eventually she spoke again: "Would you fit Bella with a prince and a bunch of pretty, obedient children?"
Cissy hesitated. "Bella is different. She's the rebel - there's always one in each generation, they say - but she still won't just... toss her duties away. She loves us too much, and she wants to live up to the name of Black." Cissy pondered. "Bella hates society... maybe politics, then? She won't sit still in a home, either. She needs something thrilling to do..." She suddenly grinned. "But she could have a thrilling husband. An adventurer. They could travel the world, and when Bella has matured enough, come back to settle down and have a family. Yes, that's a sweet compromise." Narcissa laughed to herself. "Merlin, any kid of Bella's would be unbearable."
Meda laughed with her, the sound slightly hollow. "Where would you fit me?"
Cissy smiled radiantly. "Oh, easy. You'd need knowledge - as long as you can study and bury your nose in books, you'll be fine. A manor with a huge library, definitely. And your husband should be someone clever, and... someone you can trust."
Meda looked up at her wordlessly.
"Am I accurate?" she pushed.
"Oh, quite."
"Good." Cissy beamed smugly. "And have any intelligent, trustworthy boys caught your attention yet?"
Meda poured herself a cup of chocolate. "I'm not looking yet, Cissy."
Narcissa sighed. "All right, all right. Do you think Bella could meet someone tonight?"
"No, certainly not in a ball. She's looking for something more."
"So she is looking?" Cissy prompted.
Andromeda made a face. "I was speaking in general, Cissy. You're so annoying, I swear." She sighed. "Not everybody has a Lucius Malfoy waiting for them on the paths of destiny with 'meant to be' written in flashy letters across his forehead., you know," she teased then, moving past the irritation.
Cissy flushed crimson, hitting Andromeda's arm. "It's not like that," she said defensively. "He's only a friend... so far."
"But in the future..." Meda snickered.
Narcissa was looking away in the distance, her eyebrows shaping a focused little line. "If he's still as perfect," she said coolly, "yes then, we'll be meant to be."
Meda had a little laugh. Cissy blinked and snapped back to reality.
"I'm not as obsessed as you make me sound!"
"Sure, sure. Anyway, you have plenty of time to make friends with him... But for now, I'm glad you have Cassie. I was thinking the two of you could get along."
"You set us up." Cissy snorted. "But she's nice. A bit weird, but nice."
"Weird is good." Meda was grinning widely. "You need someone who'll force you to have a unusual thought once in a while, Cissy. Otherwise you'll become so perfect that Bella and I won't be able to stand you anymore."
Narcissa hit her.
"If you make me spill my chocolate all over Bella's bed, I'm blaming you when she gets back."
"You could clean it up."
"I can't do cleaning spells, you first-year."
Cissy was starting to sulk again, so Meda scooted closer and poked her. "How is it going with the other girls?"
"Quite well. Alcyone Nott is a pain, of course - I never knew stupidity and smugness could get along so well, it's like each is prompting the other to keep growing - but I try to treat her as I would any normal person regardless, and I think she loathes me, which is thoroughly mutual, but still she shows me some respect. The others are dim-witted, plain and probably half-blood, they're forming Alcyone's little clique. Maybe they would pick on Cassie if it wasn't for me, but as she's my friend, they leave her alone. Everybody seems to grant me the respect I deserve."
Andromeda started laughing. "Get over yourself, Cissy. If Cassie is anything like Cara, which she seems to be, she doesn't need anyone to defend herself. She could probably fight back better than you, actually. Blood isn't always everything."
Narcissa huffed, but did not comment. "The Burkes don't have much money, do they? They're pureblood, but not... high-class."
Andromeda sighed. "No, definitely not high-class. Their great-grandfather owned that Knockturn Alley shop, Borgin and Burke - dreadful place, I've heard, but it makes very good business. They actually do have money, loads of money - but Cara and Cassie's father ran off abroad to marry an impoverished Irishwoman, and he got disowned. All the gold went straight to Cara's aunt, who had married very well."
"Oh. Do I know her?"
"Quite. It's Lady Malfoy."
Cissy gasped. "Abraxas Malfoy married a shopkeeper's granddaughter?"
"Yes, he needed the money. The Malfoys are an old family, granted, but they'd never really been influential before, and gold helps like you couldn't imagine. Anyway... perhaps that also has to do with the fact that Father, Uncle Orion and Mr Malfoy all graduated from Hogwarts the same year. Abraxas was only just starting to get renowned into good society, and the best families went for the Blacks with their young maidens... He settled for money, and he did well. Circe Malfoy is very intelligent and resourceful, I'm sure you would never have imagined that she wasn't born in opulence. All the important people have long forgiven her who her father was."
Cissy felt a thrill going down her spine. "So Cassie is related to the Malfoys?"
Meda snorted. "The relations aren't very regular between the spoiled rich part of the family and the disowned, Cissy. Families and love are complicated."
"This speaks a lot about madness and passionate love..." Narcissa whispered.
"Indeed."
Meda was staring into the depths of the cup she was holding with tense fingers, frowning. Cissy didn't notice.
"But you're not only friends with Cara - you have loads of friends. I saw that on the train."
Meda had a small laugh. "Yes, the people in my year are quite friendly. Cara's my one best friend though."
Cissy nodded pensively.
"Are the boys in your year friendly?" Meda asked.
She thought for a while. "I don't really know - they're not bad, but... Well, Cadmus is pretty full of himself, Crabbe and Peterson are the follower type, and Travers is quiet and rather odd. Virgil Greengrass is nice, though."
Andromeda cackled. "A proper young gentleman, uh?"
Cissy turned her nose up. "Yes. There's nothing wrong with that."
"Nothing indeed."
"Does Bella have friends in her year?" Narcissa asked quietly.
"No."
There was a beat of silence.
"She used to be closer to the boys. She doesn't get on well with girls. But... they've all grown up. Now they're interested in females in a wholly different way, you see. And the friendships she had weren't really strong enough to hold on through the change... She's pretty lonely."
"That's why she clings to us so much," Cissy realized.
"Indeed."
The idea of a vulnerable, needy Bellatrix seemed like an oddity to Narcissa. She took her time to process the information.
"She says she doesn't mind being alone, that it's better than putting up with dull or dumb people, because she's arrogant," Meda said in a distant tone. "She won't admit that it hurts. She used to be closest to older boys whom she could talk to about magic and what she calls 'real things'. She met them during Slughorn's little evenings, where he gathers his protégés."
Cissy looked up. "Oh, he invited me to one of those recently!"
Meda made a non-committal sound at the back of her throat. "I know, silly, I was there with you... You seemed to enjoy yourself, by the way."
"Oh yes," Narcissa replied, trying her best to overlook the ambiguous little smirk playing on the corner of her sister's mouth. "It was very pleasant, meeting all of those people from other years. Although he did invite Alcyone..." She made a face. "But really, it was a little like any society gathering. The guests were nearly the same."
"Yes, it's a lot about society and blood, but there are also people he invites because of their own talents, magical most of the time. And you must have noticed some were from other houses."
"And not always pureblood." Narcissa wrinkled her nose.
"Bella liked those evenings because of the older Slytherins. At first they ignored her, but once she managed to get them to talk about old magic and they probably found her interesting. Lestrange and Rookwood, especially. But then they left the group and moved on to the actual Slug Club, and younger people replaced them. Lately, Bella only went when I agreed to go with her."
Cissy nodded, looking focused.
"All of the people from the group move on to Slug Club when they have reached fifth year?"
"No, the group gathers everyone who has a famous name, relations, or may prove to possess some potential. The Club is the elite of those." Meda laughed dismissively. "They throw little parties and actual events... sometimes they get privileges, in their future careers, mostly. Bella got invited, but it's not like Slughorn picked her for her faultless temper and manners - he's impressed with her magical abilities. She went to the first party, and came back disgruntled. It turned out more like a ball than cosy, serious-sounding discussions around the fire, as it seems."
Cissy sighed. "I will get to the Club."
"I know, and so will Lucius. Predictable as they come, really. I don't know if I will get invited... I'm only brainy and a Black, and his evenings already bore me to death, he must be aware of that. Then again, maybe he'll get past it, just for one more Black sister on his list of conquests."
Cissy laughed at that. "Why do you still go at all?"
"Before it was for Bella, and lately for you. But I'll do it less often. Bella needed the company, and it became fun because we could mock the others and stick together. You would rather shine by yourself, I'm sure, and you actually enjoy the blasted thing."
Cissy yawned. "You're too good for us."
"You know it, I know it. Maybe Bella knows it too, but she takes it for granted, most of the time."
Narcissa smiled. "It is granted."
Meda hit her. "Do you realize that you are getting sleepy this early? By the time it strikes midnight and your prince actually proposes you'll be snoring."
Cissy smirked. "We'll see." Yawning again, she curled into a ball while Meda was taking another cupcake.
By the time the door opened and the princess of the evening came wobbling in, it was well past midnight and Narcissa was sound asleep. Andromeda was busy reading, and she carefully marked her page before looking up with a smirk.
"How was it?"
"Dreadful," Bellatrix replied, kicking off her shoes and reaching up to pull the pins from her hair. "I met every single young bachelor in the neighbourhood. Mothers spent the evening throwing me into their sons' arms or trading me off for other proper young ladies. Flint wants to marry me, and he's a dreadful dancer. Ares Greengrass tried to kiss me. Lestrange has a girlfriend... Everybody threw their courtesy at me all night long. I feel queasy."
Andromeda stifled laughter. "What did you do to Greengrass?"
"Stepped on his foot with my lethal heels. That was the best I could do with Mother watching like a hawk the whole time."
"You probably hurt him enough."
"Maimed him, I would hope."
Meda laughed lightly again. "Cissy needs to hear about this."
Bella's eyes darkened. "Don't wake her up yet. It can wait till I actually have to kick her off my bed. I've been watching Mother and Father all evening, the best I could with everyone nagging me relentlessly, mind you."
Meda bit her lip. "And?"
"Well, they were looking quite tense. Only danced once, and Father never seemed to relax. He spent most of the evening sitting quietly drinking rum while the other men were gathered around him talking politics. Mother spent a lot of time playing matchmaker with Harmonia, too, of course."
"Nothing new."
"Exactly. Oh, and there's scandal in the air these days. No one bothered keeping their voices down so that innocent ears could be spared."
"Spill."
"As it seems, some girl ran off with a Mudblood - a Flint, I think - and there's been lots of gossip as well about that lady who seemingly can't have children, but I didn't catch names for this one. Garbage, but it keeps people busy." Bella snorted. "Well, at least that could never happen to a Black. It'd never touch us."
"Indeed," Andromeda muttered.
She busied herself watching Narcissa sleep while Bella moved around the room, all jerky moves and edgy temper. The youngest Black, pale and blond as she was, looked quite the angel even in the dim lights. Meda brushed a strand of hair from her forehead, contemplating.
Innocence, she decided, was bittersweet.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the sixth time since the beginning of the evening, Narcissa sighed heavily.
"Get over it, Cissy," Bellatrix groaned from the dressing table where she was busy applying make-up.
"Get over it? Both of my sisters are going off to a ball and I'm being left behind, and you want me to get over it?" Narcissa whined.
"You get to come along, after all," Bella muttered.
"Oh yes, certainly. I get to come along and be stuck upstairs all night with Alcyone Nott, none other. Believe me, I'd rather stay here. It'll be all the more frustrating and humiliating and I'll be an unwanted guest."
"Would you stop with the drama, Cissy?" their other sister's voice interrupted as she opened the door and slipped in. "I could hear you from the corridor."
Narcissa turned, and gasped. "Meda! You look... incredible."
"Thank you for the tone of surprise, dearest," Meda snorted.
Narcissa wanted to throw something - preferably at someone. Andromeda, dressed in an elegant, knee-length indigo gown with crystal earrings and a fluffy off-white shawl, looked nothing like herself. Some light make-up complimented her brown eyes and fair complexion, and her hair was flowing, gently waving, down her back. With Bellatrix at her side and her low-cut carmine flamenco dress, they would make a stunning pair. Yet she wore everyday robes, for she was only thirteen and too much of a child to attend balls. Growing up was taking forever, and it wasn't fair.
"Don't even speak, Cissy," Meda said, gliding past her, "we hear it all before each ball. I nearly have the whole bloody rant memorized."
Stopping behind Bellatrix, she placed her hands on her shoulders. "It'll be time to go soon, Mother said. And you've had enough make-up."
"Her words, or yours?"
"Stunningly, I think we'd actually agree on that one issue."
Meeting her sister's eye in the mirror, Bella grinned brightly at her reflection.
"If you don't want me to complain, then distract me," Cissy demanded, feeling left out. "What are your prospects for the evening? The two of you are looking suspiciously serene."
Andromeda sighed. "Pretty dresses lighten up the mood, Cissy. I thought you of all people would understand that, you all but die of bliss every time and you haven't even worn anything good yourself yet!"
"Besides, we are not crybabies and we know that whining gets you nowhere," Bella added rather cruelly.
Cissy scowled.
"Anyway," Andromeda groaned. "Prospects? Beyond the dresses and the boredom, I don't see any for myself. I've never believed in meeting interesting people during balls, you know that."
Bellatrix snorted. "Meda prefers interacting with the opposite sex in the library. Thrill of the forbidden, you see. Minus the dust."
Meda swatted her. "You used to agree with me."
"I still do... But perhaps there are exceptions to be found."
"I don't even think I'm ready for a relationship," Meda continued. "I want to think about myself... My OWLs, my future, my wants, my friends, my sisters. As soon as a boy gets into the picture, you're in for the engagement talk."
"It's worse when there aren't any boys in the picture," Bella muttered. "Especially when you're getting closer to seventeen... Especially when you're past seventeen."
"Wrong. It was worse when you were with Macnair. Mother wouldn't leave you alone."
Bella's make-up bag slammed rather violently against the table. "Let's not bring Macnair into this, would you?"
Meda grimaced. "Sorry. But hey, you're supposed to be over him now."
"I am. Over him being a monkey-brained bastard, certainly."
"Do you have anyone new in sight?" Cissy chimed in.
Bellatrix hesitated. "Lestrange is available again... Rodolphus Lestrange. We talked quite a bit during the Christmas ball. The thing is, I was a little drunk and details evade me..."
"Bella!" Cissy cried out outragedly, her outburst partly covered with Andromeda's laughter.
"Too bad. You've always had a thing for him, really."
"I did not!" Bellatrix exclaimed. "I am no Cissy - I don't pick my crushes from the cradle!"
Cissy screamed in fury and threw herself at her sisters.
"Girls, we must - what in the name of Merlin is going on here? Narcissa!"
Cissy could have roared in frustration. Of all the moments for her mother to walk into the room, really.
"I'm so sorry, Mother," she immediately said in an appropriately contrite tone. "Bella and Meda were being nasty, and I lost my cool. I don't know what came over me."
"I have to say I'm disappointed, Narcissa, but at least you're admitting your wrongs. Bellatrix, Andromeda, if you could only concentrate on your outfits instead of tormenting your sister, we would be off already. And we absolutely cannot afford the slightest lateness, especially since Narcissa will be staying with Alcyone during the ball, and thus we have to get her settled before making our entrance. Now, is everything ready?"
"Yes, Mother," they chorused.
"Very well. Let us go."
The sisters quickly followed Druella down the stairs and into the drawing room where their Portkey - a less messy means of transport for dolled-up maidens than Floo Powder - was awaiting. They all gathered around it, and after a short but uncomfortable trip, here they were, before the Notts' manor. Wondering idly why there wasn't any such thing as a truly comfortable wizarding means of transport, Cissy crossed the artfully decorated gardens, gritting her teeth, and headed upstairs with her mother, whereas Bella and Meda stopped in the entrance hall, waiting for Druella's return to make their entrance. Mrs Nott was expecting them, and the two ladies quickly ushered Narcissa into Alcyone's bedroom. Before any of them knew it, the girls were left together, strictly banned from sneaking downstairs.
Alcyone stared Narcissa down, scowling.
"Well, good evening," Cissy spoke, mentally cursing her schoolmate for dreadful manners.
"Good evening," Alcyone retorted callously. She tossed her hair back with a quick jerk of her head, jaw tight. "You are right on time. Must have been quite a rush though, with two sisters attending the ball."
"Quite," Narcissa said calmly. "All it takes is a sense of organization, though."
"Oh, I know. It has been quite frantic around here as well, of course, with everything related to the ball. You'd be surprised, all the details that require careful planning. I was involved, of course."
"Oh, I wouldn't doubt it." Narcissa smiled sweetly.
Alcyone sniffed. "It has been quite a while since your family last hosted a ball, as far as I recall."
"Yes." Narcissa endeavoured to keep her smile in place. "It is tradition for balls to take place in a family where at least one unmarried child will be attending. But I am quite sure you know that. Actually, we shall be hosting the Christmas ball next year, it is to be my debutante ball."
"I see. And your family will have three girls to marry off by that time..."
"Indeed," Narcissa said shortly. "Unless Bellatrix gets engaged beforehand."
Alcyone smirked. "Of course."
There was a beat of silence.
"You must be terribly jealous. Two sisters down there, in the middle of the party, having fun."
"Oh, not that much. My turn will come soon."
"Yes, at the Christmas ball. In one... nearly two years, actually." Alcyone smiled. "I will attend the summer ball. Did you know that? Being born in June, and everything."
"How lovely," Narcissa said shortly.
Alcyone looked like she might start purring at any minute. "Very much indeed. My family already has prospects for me... There has been word about the Lestranges, the Flints... Oh, I keep very good company. Very high-class."
"Very," Cissy shot back before she could help herself, "I wasn't quite aware that half-bloods qualified as high-class, though."
Alcyone pursed her lips, eyes glinting with lazy satisfaction. "Why now... I do not keep the company of a family of shopkeepers. And yet I have friends, and success - a lady does not kiss and tell, obviously, but at least one of the boys in our year is actually absolutely head over heels for me."
Cissy laughed. "I was always told that a lady doesn't show off, either. We mustn't quite share the same principles."
Alcyone glared, but before she could actually respond, music started underneath, drawing the girls' attention. For a minute they stood frozen, listening, their fingers nearly curling into fists from sheer frustration. Then they shared a look, and the sour reminder seemed to have brought them back to their senses. They turned away, haughty scowls on their faces, and wordlessly endeavoured to get themselves busy, if not distracted.
What seemed like an eternity later, Narcissa looked up from the book she had brought, as Alcyone had silently gotten up from her desk and was making her way towards the door. Cissy cleared her throat, eyebrows raised, and the other girl paused, her hand on the doorknob, shoulders tense.
"You must be aware of it, since it is your house after all, but... we are not allowed downstairs."
"I am very aware," Alcyone snapped, "and I was going to the library, actually."
"Oh." Narcissa let the silence stretch a few seconds. "You're facing temptation head on, I see."
"Well," Alcyone said bleakly, "if you are left alone, you'll be facing temptation, too."
"Perhaps."
There was another short silence.
"Actually, there's nothing to prove me that you won't sneak downstairs as soon as I'm gone."
"And there's nothing to prove me that you won't do it instead of going to the library."
Alcyone grunted. "Just come with me if you're feeling that suspicious."
Narcissa stood and walked lightly over to her schoolmate. They stepped out together.
Once in the corridor, they shared but one look before lithely creeping towards the grand staircase.
It proved nothing short of a disappointment. The ballroom door was tightly shut, and there was nobody around; they could only hear music. They waited a while, pressed against the banister, with bated breath - ready to run for it, or throw themselves down the steps and into the room, really. Then they went back to the bedroom, where they peered outside from Alcyone's balcony. Still no one. The library all but forgotten, they settled to wait again, scowling.
"Do you want to play Truth or Dare?" Alcyone asked after a while, startling Cissy.
"No," she automatically replied, "I'm busy." Truth be told, she wasn't doing a very good job at concentrating on her book.
Alcyone groaned. "You're a coward."
"I'm a lady."
"According to the people downstairs, not before two years you're not."
There was nothing to respond to that, and so Narcissa didn't acknowledge her. A while later, she heard her companion in boredom start snoring softly, with a disbelief that went way beyond words.
Though Narcissa herself fought valiantly against sleep, she had to admit defeat when, at about two in the morning, her mother came to fetch her, and had to shake her awake. The young girl shuffled down the staircase, her eyes barely able to remain open. However, once they reached her sisters, her attention was roused, which helped fight against the tiredness. Both of them looked very awake and excited, their eyes glowing like lamps. Bella was moving around quickly, restlessly, seeming to stare right past them into something full of promises, far in the distance; Meda was flushed, quiet, and a small smile kept randomly flickering across her lips. All along the way home, Narcissa surveyed them both through her heavy lids, determined to get answers before she passed out and surrendered to sleep.
"So," she attacked as soon as they were left together in Bella's room. "How was the evening?"
There was a beat of silence, while Meda, her back to her, was taking off her shoes, and Bella was letting her hair down. "Well," the eldest eventually spoke, a small smirk playing on the corner of her lips, "I'm with Rodolphus now."
Narcissa gasped, and Meda whirled around. "Is it official?"
"Indeed. He said he'd come to see me again during the holidays."
"Did you two kiss?" Narcissa pushed eagerly.
Bella chuckled. "Of course."
Meda was being quiet. "That's great, Bella," she eventually said. "It was about time you found someone again. And Lestrange sounds good."
Bella's smirk was cryptic again. "That he is."
Though she still had the odd feeling that Bellatrix was keeping something from them, Cissy turned towards Andromeda next. "What about you? Did you meet anyone interesting?"
Andromeda pursed her lips. "Well," she started, and then laughed nervously. "Actually, Bella, I spent most of the evening with the youngest Lestrange boy. Rabastan. We could double-date, really."
Bellatrix's head shot up. "Oh? Did you two hit it off?"
"Quite. I'd never really talked to him before - he's the year above me, you know - and he proved to be extremely interesting, and quite the gentleman." Meda actually giggled, something Cissy had never witnessed before. "We flirted a lot, I have to admit."
"Amazing!" Bella exclaimed. "We're both finding good boys, and from a great family, at that. Maybe Mother will actually let us be from now on. Sounds perfect."
Even as they laughed gleefully together, Bellatrix kept watching Meda's face intently, as though she was trying to find out something their sister would not or could not say. Narcissa thought it all quite intriguing, and yet she was so tired that investigating the next day looked like the perfect idea. So she cheered, and Meda twirled, and Bella clapped - then yawning caught up with them, and they each retired to their own room, grinning and blowing kisses.
Crawling into bed, Cissy wished she could hide in Bella's or Meda's room and steal the secrets from their sleeping heads, but she wished even more to be fifteen, with balls and men and secrets of her own. There was no time for bitterness though before she fell into hazy dreams, full of lights, flashing colours and running princesses in precious gowns.
The story focuses on Narcissa Black's teenage years: the first part, Dustland Fairytale, mostly deals with her relationship with her sisters, and the second part Sentimental Hearts with the Lucius/Narcissa romance. But that would be a very rough summary, since there is also a lot on pureblood society, the various members of the Black family, Bellatrix's involvement with the Death Eaters and Andromeda's estrangement, a few OC's and so on and so forth. Plus Narcissa's very own struggle with her self-image as she thrives for perfection.
The entire version (well, what I have so far) can be found on fanfiction.net in two parts: Dustland Fairytale and Sentimental Hearts. The first installment is also posted on AO3. I'll finish posting the second part someday, when I'm less lazy.
Chapter one and chapter two have already been published here on LJ. Here comes chapter three, then.
Title: Dustland Fairytale
Author: flowsoffire
Fandom: Harry Potter
Pairing/characters: Narcissa, Andromeda and Bellatrix Black - light, unrequited Lucius/Narcissa
Genre: Family/Drama
Rating: K+
Word count: c. 3300
Disclaimer: you recognize it, I don't own it. Unless your mind and mine are magically connected. Quite unlikely.
Summary: Narcissa Black grows up, leaves paradise, and still lives her life as a princess in ever-moving kingdoms.
Chapter Three: All The Pretty Faces
"This is so exciting!" Narcissa gushed, breezing into the room, cheeks flushed and eyes shining.
"Cissy," Bella snapped, "either you shut up, or I'm going to curse you, this is my last warning. If only we were stocked with Polyjuice Potion there wouldn't be a problem. But we are not, so give me a break."
"You don't want to be sent away, Cissy, do you?" Meda chimed in. "Get yourself under control."
"I can't believe this," Narcissa retorted, collapsing on a couch and eyeing her sisters with a mix of glee and frustration.
"Oh, believe me, I can't either," Bella growled.
"One of us - one of us - is going to attend her first ball!" Narcissa continued as though she hadn't noticed the interruption, her voice reaching a dramatic peak.
"You needed something new to be jealous of, Cissy," Meda said absent-mindedly. "Satisfaction makes you unbearable."
"So the world plotted for your demise, and decided that on the very year of your arrival at Hogwarts, I should make my grand entrance into society." Bella huffed.
"My poor little blond thing," Andromeda added.
Bella swatted her. "Feel sorry for me. I got dolled up - I hate getting dolled up - and those shoes are going to kill me all evening. And this is going to be boring."
"You will dance," Meda said smoothly.
"Wow. That just made me feel loads better."
"You will meet older boys, boys who wouldn't have talked to you before."
"And who will talk to me now, because I have reached the age of maturation and it's open season for trying to marry Bella Black." Bellatrix snorted. "What a blast."
"But look at yourself!" Cissy exclaimed. "You look beautiful!"
And that she did. Bella's gown was long, off the shoulder and close-fitting, of a stunning emerald colour. She was to wear a matching shawl of a slightly darker shade, elbow-length silver gloves, high heels - her messy curls had been straightened and swept up into an elegant, sophisticated-looking bun. She was allowed to wear make-up. She looked nothing short of dashing, her natural beauty, usually lessened by the woes of adolescence, heightened and purified. Narcissa would have killed to be in her place, to be wearing her clothes, to go to the Christmas ball and meet smooth-spoken young men and dance. But unfortunately, even murder wouldn't do the trick. Four years left to wait. It would have made her groan, if that hadn't been highly unladylike. Four years were an eternity... an eternity...
Meda reached out and poked her arm, making her jump. Taking into account her sisters' mocking laughter, Narcissa guessed she must have spaced out for a minute and missed a few witty comebacks. She couldn't bring herself to care.
Bella rolled her eyes. "Earth to Cissy? I have to leave, so you're not going to have to stare at me with unrestricted envy anymore. Does that relieve you? Even slightly?"
"No."
"You ungrateful little brat."
"Language, manners, posture," Andromeda sang. "Good evening, Bella dearest. Dance your head off, don't kill anyone, think of us, and have fun."
"Shut up."
"We love you!"
"I said shut up!"
Meda burst into laughter, and pressed a kiss to her scowling sister's cheek. "Go."
Bella bowed theatrically in Cissy's direction and then strode to the door, her heels clicking against the pannelled flooring. Narcissa buried her head in her hands and pretended to be made of stone. Stone was good - impassive. It was difficult to make a fool of oneself when composed of stone.
"Come on," Meda called cheerfully. "It can't be that bad. We get a girls' night, and Bella's going to meet an avalanche of wrinkled people."
"And beautiful, influential, delightful people," Cissy moaned.
"Hush. Everybody knows the old cows love to gather at balls, try to push their great-grandchildren into early engagements and ruin everybody's evening."
Cissy groaned. "Just let me die already."
"Two minutes ago you were literally about to explode with excitement!"
"Two minutes ago I was being carried away by aesthetics-induced selflessness. Then I remembered that life is not fair."
Meda snorted. "I'm going to wander downstairs and enjoy having the mansion all to myself, since you're being a spoilsport... and a dying one at that."
"Please go ahead."
The door slammed, and Cissy straightened up, blinking in shock. She had actually left her alone.
Without an audience.
Life wasn't fair.
When Meda glided again into the room, a tray floating gracefully behind her, Cissy had settled on Bellatrix's bed, sitting with her knees drawn up against her chest, and was busy glaring a hole into the opposite wall. Extremely determined as she was to give her sister the silent treatment, the young girl quickly found herself bored beyond words, and conveniently realized that it was possible to sulk while speaking.
"You could have asked a house-elf to bring this."
"I quite like the feeling of complete solitude. We are the only mistresses of the house, you know."
"Yes, and we happen to have servants."
Meda shrugged. "I was feeling like taking care of myself. I know it's beyond your understanding, dearie." With a flick of her wand, the tray docilely floated down to Bella's bedside table. She then climbed atop the sheets, pushing Cissy aside to make room.
"Besides, you don't have the right to practise magic. And don't push me, fatty."
"Ah, but I do have my reckless days," responded Meda, smirking. "Come on, who is going to find out?"
Cissy pondered. "I could tell."
"Who would care?"
The youngest endeavoured to scowl even harder. It proved quite difficult.
Meda burst out laughing. "Goodness. You, me, and Bella... We couldn't be more different, really."
"And that is quite fortunate," Narcissa said stiffly. "There has to be a decent girl in the lot."
Meda gasped mockingly. "Don't sound so much like Mother, please, darling. It gives me nightmares."
Cissy sighed and collapsed against the pillows, defeated. "What is there on that tray you brought, anyway?"
Meda chuckled. "Ah, now she's interested." She stretched towards the bedside table, pointing with her wand. "Here, sister mine, we have some nice hot tea... some chocolate in the smaller pot... and a few cakes I sneaked from the kitchens. Freezy won't tell. She doesn't fancy having to iron her ears yet one more time."
Cissy pouted. "Oh, that's right. Bella goes out and parties, and we get to sit at home eating the evening away."
Meda poured two cups of tea, humming under her breath. "Someone is bitter and acrimonious, it brings wrinkles and damages the complexion."
Cissy gasped despite herself. "What? Who told you this?"
"Made it up." Andromeda pushed a cup into her hands. "Drink and loosen up, or I'll get myself a nice book and leave you to your sorrows."
Narcissa huffed. "Why are you under the assumption that I would be bothered?"
She did take a small sip though, the warm liquid sliding smoothly, soothingly down her throat and filling her insides. The sisters were quiet for a minute, drinking slowly and staring into space, lost in thought - or, for Cissy, a peaceful lack of thought.
"You're so much like Mother, really," Andromeda eventually whispered, sounding slightly troubled now as she held her cup tightly between her palms.
Narcissa drained her own of its last drops of tea. "Not a bad thing."
"Agree to disagree. Cupcake?"
"No, thank you."
Meda nibbled on one herself. "Oh well. Bella's like Walburga." Shocked, she gave a hollow laugh at her own words. "Only prettier."
Cissy shuddered. "I hope she doesn't end up like Walburga."
"Me too. But she's already almost as unbearable as her, really. We just happen to love her for it." Meda sighed. "Sometimes I wonder how Sirius will turn out."
"Unbearable," Cissy judged. The last time she had seen Sirius had ended rather messily, with worms in her hair, lots of unladylike screeching, death threats and their mothers having to intercede while her sisters were doubled over laughing in the distance.
Meda laughed. "You are biased… He's a nice boy. A bit naughty, I'll give you that."
"I'd say."
"Bella was worse."
Cissy hesitated. "Was she?"
"Yes. The only difference is that she was protective of you. She didn't prank you, just stuck to the mocking."
"Thank God."
Meda chuckled, and then was serious again. "So... one could assume that Sirius will be a little bit like Bella when he gets older?"
Narcissa shrugged. "I don't know… He's important, I suppose. He's the Heir."
"That doesn't suffice to shape his whole life, Cissy."
She shrugged again, and Meda sent her a really odd look.
"What would you have me tell you?" she said eventually. "He'll go into Slytherin, feel a bit rebellious, and then he'll have to get married, and well married. He'll find himself a nice job at the Ministry, a good wife, and that should keep him about satisfied. It's his responsibilities, after all."
Her sister was still staring as though Cissy had suddenly grown a second nose or a pair of horns. "Are you okay, Meda?"
"Oh yes." Andromeda shook her head slowly, raising her eyebrows. "Just reality catching up, I guess."
"Oh," Cissy said tactfully.
Meda took another cupcake. "How do you see yourself in the future, Cissy? Like Mother?"
"Oh no, better," Narcissa said at once. "Mother is a lady. But I'll be queen. I'll have a very beautiful and influential husband, and a dashing house. Acres and acres of stunning gardens, works of art to be beheld everywhere. I'll have children, too, and they'll be perfect. And they'll love my husband and myself very much, always listen to what we say. My husband will listen to me, too, though he'll be a strong man."
Cissy was babbling rapidly under Meda's steady, searching gaze. "Fairytale, Cissy," she said.
Narcissa glared. "They come true sometimes," she muttered. "Just look at us. Three sisters of flawless breeding and ancestry, two dark, the other fair... And pretty balls with princes getting on one knee at midnight..."
Meda's lips tightened, her expression hovering between repressed laughter and bitterness, and she was quiet for a while. Eventually she spoke again: "Would you fit Bella with a prince and a bunch of pretty, obedient children?"
Cissy hesitated. "Bella is different. She's the rebel - there's always one in each generation, they say - but she still won't just... toss her duties away. She loves us too much, and she wants to live up to the name of Black." Cissy pondered. "Bella hates society... maybe politics, then? She won't sit still in a home, either. She needs something thrilling to do..." She suddenly grinned. "But she could have a thrilling husband. An adventurer. They could travel the world, and when Bella has matured enough, come back to settle down and have a family. Yes, that's a sweet compromise." Narcissa laughed to herself. "Merlin, any kid of Bella's would be unbearable."
Meda laughed with her, the sound slightly hollow. "Where would you fit me?"
Cissy smiled radiantly. "Oh, easy. You'd need knowledge - as long as you can study and bury your nose in books, you'll be fine. A manor with a huge library, definitely. And your husband should be someone clever, and... someone you can trust."
Meda looked up at her wordlessly.
"Am I accurate?" she pushed.
"Oh, quite."
"Good." Cissy beamed smugly. "And have any intelligent, trustworthy boys caught your attention yet?"
Meda poured herself a cup of chocolate. "I'm not looking yet, Cissy."
Narcissa sighed. "All right, all right. Do you think Bella could meet someone tonight?"
"No, certainly not in a ball. She's looking for something more."
"So she is looking?" Cissy prompted.
Andromeda made a face. "I was speaking in general, Cissy. You're so annoying, I swear." She sighed. "Not everybody has a Lucius Malfoy waiting for them on the paths of destiny with 'meant to be' written in flashy letters across his forehead., you know," she teased then, moving past the irritation.
Cissy flushed crimson, hitting Andromeda's arm. "It's not like that," she said defensively. "He's only a friend... so far."
"But in the future..." Meda snickered.
Narcissa was looking away in the distance, her eyebrows shaping a focused little line. "If he's still as perfect," she said coolly, "yes then, we'll be meant to be."
Meda had a little laugh. Cissy blinked and snapped back to reality.
"I'm not as obsessed as you make me sound!"
"Sure, sure. Anyway, you have plenty of time to make friends with him... But for now, I'm glad you have Cassie. I was thinking the two of you could get along."
"You set us up." Cissy snorted. "But she's nice. A bit weird, but nice."
"Weird is good." Meda was grinning widely. "You need someone who'll force you to have a unusual thought once in a while, Cissy. Otherwise you'll become so perfect that Bella and I won't be able to stand you anymore."
Narcissa hit her.
"If you make me spill my chocolate all over Bella's bed, I'm blaming you when she gets back."
"You could clean it up."
"I can't do cleaning spells, you first-year."
Cissy was starting to sulk again, so Meda scooted closer and poked her. "How is it going with the other girls?"
"Quite well. Alcyone Nott is a pain, of course - I never knew stupidity and smugness could get along so well, it's like each is prompting the other to keep growing - but I try to treat her as I would any normal person regardless, and I think she loathes me, which is thoroughly mutual, but still she shows me some respect. The others are dim-witted, plain and probably half-blood, they're forming Alcyone's little clique. Maybe they would pick on Cassie if it wasn't for me, but as she's my friend, they leave her alone. Everybody seems to grant me the respect I deserve."
Andromeda started laughing. "Get over yourself, Cissy. If Cassie is anything like Cara, which she seems to be, she doesn't need anyone to defend herself. She could probably fight back better than you, actually. Blood isn't always everything."
Narcissa huffed, but did not comment. "The Burkes don't have much money, do they? They're pureblood, but not... high-class."
Andromeda sighed. "No, definitely not high-class. Their great-grandfather owned that Knockturn Alley shop, Borgin and Burke - dreadful place, I've heard, but it makes very good business. They actually do have money, loads of money - but Cara and Cassie's father ran off abroad to marry an impoverished Irishwoman, and he got disowned. All the gold went straight to Cara's aunt, who had married very well."
"Oh. Do I know her?"
"Quite. It's Lady Malfoy."
Cissy gasped. "Abraxas Malfoy married a shopkeeper's granddaughter?"
"Yes, he needed the money. The Malfoys are an old family, granted, but they'd never really been influential before, and gold helps like you couldn't imagine. Anyway... perhaps that also has to do with the fact that Father, Uncle Orion and Mr Malfoy all graduated from Hogwarts the same year. Abraxas was only just starting to get renowned into good society, and the best families went for the Blacks with their young maidens... He settled for money, and he did well. Circe Malfoy is very intelligent and resourceful, I'm sure you would never have imagined that she wasn't born in opulence. All the important people have long forgiven her who her father was."
Cissy felt a thrill going down her spine. "So Cassie is related to the Malfoys?"
Meda snorted. "The relations aren't very regular between the spoiled rich part of the family and the disowned, Cissy. Families and love are complicated."
"This speaks a lot about madness and passionate love..." Narcissa whispered.
"Indeed."
Meda was staring into the depths of the cup she was holding with tense fingers, frowning. Cissy didn't notice.
"But you're not only friends with Cara - you have loads of friends. I saw that on the train."
Meda had a small laugh. "Yes, the people in my year are quite friendly. Cara's my one best friend though."
Cissy nodded pensively.
"Are the boys in your year friendly?" Meda asked.
She thought for a while. "I don't really know - they're not bad, but... Well, Cadmus is pretty full of himself, Crabbe and Peterson are the follower type, and Travers is quiet and rather odd. Virgil Greengrass is nice, though."
Andromeda cackled. "A proper young gentleman, uh?"
Cissy turned her nose up. "Yes. There's nothing wrong with that."
"Nothing indeed."
"Does Bella have friends in her year?" Narcissa asked quietly.
"No."
There was a beat of silence.
"She used to be closer to the boys. She doesn't get on well with girls. But... they've all grown up. Now they're interested in females in a wholly different way, you see. And the friendships she had weren't really strong enough to hold on through the change... She's pretty lonely."
"That's why she clings to us so much," Cissy realized.
"Indeed."
The idea of a vulnerable, needy Bellatrix seemed like an oddity to Narcissa. She took her time to process the information.
"She says she doesn't mind being alone, that it's better than putting up with dull or dumb people, because she's arrogant," Meda said in a distant tone. "She won't admit that it hurts. She used to be closest to older boys whom she could talk to about magic and what she calls 'real things'. She met them during Slughorn's little evenings, where he gathers his protégés."
Cissy looked up. "Oh, he invited me to one of those recently!"
Meda made a non-committal sound at the back of her throat. "I know, silly, I was there with you... You seemed to enjoy yourself, by the way."
"Oh yes," Narcissa replied, trying her best to overlook the ambiguous little smirk playing on the corner of her sister's mouth. "It was very pleasant, meeting all of those people from other years. Although he did invite Alcyone..." She made a face. "But really, it was a little like any society gathering. The guests were nearly the same."
"Yes, it's a lot about society and blood, but there are also people he invites because of their own talents, magical most of the time. And you must have noticed some were from other houses."
"And not always pureblood." Narcissa wrinkled her nose.
"Bella liked those evenings because of the older Slytherins. At first they ignored her, but once she managed to get them to talk about old magic and they probably found her interesting. Lestrange and Rookwood, especially. But then they left the group and moved on to the actual Slug Club, and younger people replaced them. Lately, Bella only went when I agreed to go with her."
Cissy nodded, looking focused.
"All of the people from the group move on to Slug Club when they have reached fifth year?"
"No, the group gathers everyone who has a famous name, relations, or may prove to possess some potential. The Club is the elite of those." Meda laughed dismissively. "They throw little parties and actual events... sometimes they get privileges, in their future careers, mostly. Bella got invited, but it's not like Slughorn picked her for her faultless temper and manners - he's impressed with her magical abilities. She went to the first party, and came back disgruntled. It turned out more like a ball than cosy, serious-sounding discussions around the fire, as it seems."
Cissy sighed. "I will get to the Club."
"I know, and so will Lucius. Predictable as they come, really. I don't know if I will get invited... I'm only brainy and a Black, and his evenings already bore me to death, he must be aware of that. Then again, maybe he'll get past it, just for one more Black sister on his list of conquests."
Cissy laughed at that. "Why do you still go at all?"
"Before it was for Bella, and lately for you. But I'll do it less often. Bella needed the company, and it became fun because we could mock the others and stick together. You would rather shine by yourself, I'm sure, and you actually enjoy the blasted thing."
Cissy yawned. "You're too good for us."
"You know it, I know it. Maybe Bella knows it too, but she takes it for granted, most of the time."
Narcissa smiled. "It is granted."
Meda hit her. "Do you realize that you are getting sleepy this early? By the time it strikes midnight and your prince actually proposes you'll be snoring."
Cissy smirked. "We'll see." Yawning again, she curled into a ball while Meda was taking another cupcake.
By the time the door opened and the princess of the evening came wobbling in, it was well past midnight and Narcissa was sound asleep. Andromeda was busy reading, and she carefully marked her page before looking up with a smirk.
"How was it?"
"Dreadful," Bellatrix replied, kicking off her shoes and reaching up to pull the pins from her hair. "I met every single young bachelor in the neighbourhood. Mothers spent the evening throwing me into their sons' arms or trading me off for other proper young ladies. Flint wants to marry me, and he's a dreadful dancer. Ares Greengrass tried to kiss me. Lestrange has a girlfriend... Everybody threw their courtesy at me all night long. I feel queasy."
Andromeda stifled laughter. "What did you do to Greengrass?"
"Stepped on his foot with my lethal heels. That was the best I could do with Mother watching like a hawk the whole time."
"You probably hurt him enough."
"Maimed him, I would hope."
Meda laughed lightly again. "Cissy needs to hear about this."
Bella's eyes darkened. "Don't wake her up yet. It can wait till I actually have to kick her off my bed. I've been watching Mother and Father all evening, the best I could with everyone nagging me relentlessly, mind you."
Meda bit her lip. "And?"
"Well, they were looking quite tense. Only danced once, and Father never seemed to relax. He spent most of the evening sitting quietly drinking rum while the other men were gathered around him talking politics. Mother spent a lot of time playing matchmaker with Harmonia, too, of course."
"Nothing new."
"Exactly. Oh, and there's scandal in the air these days. No one bothered keeping their voices down so that innocent ears could be spared."
"Spill."
"As it seems, some girl ran off with a Mudblood - a Flint, I think - and there's been lots of gossip as well about that lady who seemingly can't have children, but I didn't catch names for this one. Garbage, but it keeps people busy." Bella snorted. "Well, at least that could never happen to a Black. It'd never touch us."
"Indeed," Andromeda muttered.
She busied herself watching Narcissa sleep while Bella moved around the room, all jerky moves and edgy temper. The youngest Black, pale and blond as she was, looked quite the angel even in the dim lights. Meda brushed a strand of hair from her forehead, contemplating.
Innocence, she decided, was bittersweet.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the sixth time since the beginning of the evening, Narcissa sighed heavily.
"Get over it, Cissy," Bellatrix groaned from the dressing table where she was busy applying make-up.
"Get over it? Both of my sisters are going off to a ball and I'm being left behind, and you want me to get over it?" Narcissa whined.
"You get to come along, after all," Bella muttered.
"Oh yes, certainly. I get to come along and be stuck upstairs all night with Alcyone Nott, none other. Believe me, I'd rather stay here. It'll be all the more frustrating and humiliating and I'll be an unwanted guest."
"Would you stop with the drama, Cissy?" their other sister's voice interrupted as she opened the door and slipped in. "I could hear you from the corridor."
Narcissa turned, and gasped. "Meda! You look... incredible."
"Thank you for the tone of surprise, dearest," Meda snorted.
Narcissa wanted to throw something - preferably at someone. Andromeda, dressed in an elegant, knee-length indigo gown with crystal earrings and a fluffy off-white shawl, looked nothing like herself. Some light make-up complimented her brown eyes and fair complexion, and her hair was flowing, gently waving, down her back. With Bellatrix at her side and her low-cut carmine flamenco dress, they would make a stunning pair. Yet she wore everyday robes, for she was only thirteen and too much of a child to attend balls. Growing up was taking forever, and it wasn't fair.
"Don't even speak, Cissy," Meda said, gliding past her, "we hear it all before each ball. I nearly have the whole bloody rant memorized."
Stopping behind Bellatrix, she placed her hands on her shoulders. "It'll be time to go soon, Mother said. And you've had enough make-up."
"Her words, or yours?"
"Stunningly, I think we'd actually agree on that one issue."
Meeting her sister's eye in the mirror, Bella grinned brightly at her reflection.
"If you don't want me to complain, then distract me," Cissy demanded, feeling left out. "What are your prospects for the evening? The two of you are looking suspiciously serene."
Andromeda sighed. "Pretty dresses lighten up the mood, Cissy. I thought you of all people would understand that, you all but die of bliss every time and you haven't even worn anything good yourself yet!"
"Besides, we are not crybabies and we know that whining gets you nowhere," Bella added rather cruelly.
Cissy scowled.
"Anyway," Andromeda groaned. "Prospects? Beyond the dresses and the boredom, I don't see any for myself. I've never believed in meeting interesting people during balls, you know that."
Bellatrix snorted. "Meda prefers interacting with the opposite sex in the library. Thrill of the forbidden, you see. Minus the dust."
Meda swatted her. "You used to agree with me."
"I still do... But perhaps there are exceptions to be found."
"I don't even think I'm ready for a relationship," Meda continued. "I want to think about myself... My OWLs, my future, my wants, my friends, my sisters. As soon as a boy gets into the picture, you're in for the engagement talk."
"It's worse when there aren't any boys in the picture," Bella muttered. "Especially when you're getting closer to seventeen... Especially when you're past seventeen."
"Wrong. It was worse when you were with Macnair. Mother wouldn't leave you alone."
Bella's make-up bag slammed rather violently against the table. "Let's not bring Macnair into this, would you?"
Meda grimaced. "Sorry. But hey, you're supposed to be over him now."
"I am. Over him being a monkey-brained bastard, certainly."
"Do you have anyone new in sight?" Cissy chimed in.
Bellatrix hesitated. "Lestrange is available again... Rodolphus Lestrange. We talked quite a bit during the Christmas ball. The thing is, I was a little drunk and details evade me..."
"Bella!" Cissy cried out outragedly, her outburst partly covered with Andromeda's laughter.
"Too bad. You've always had a thing for him, really."
"I did not!" Bellatrix exclaimed. "I am no Cissy - I don't pick my crushes from the cradle!"
Cissy screamed in fury and threw herself at her sisters.
"Girls, we must - what in the name of Merlin is going on here? Narcissa!"
Cissy could have roared in frustration. Of all the moments for her mother to walk into the room, really.
"I'm so sorry, Mother," she immediately said in an appropriately contrite tone. "Bella and Meda were being nasty, and I lost my cool. I don't know what came over me."
"I have to say I'm disappointed, Narcissa, but at least you're admitting your wrongs. Bellatrix, Andromeda, if you could only concentrate on your outfits instead of tormenting your sister, we would be off already. And we absolutely cannot afford the slightest lateness, especially since Narcissa will be staying with Alcyone during the ball, and thus we have to get her settled before making our entrance. Now, is everything ready?"
"Yes, Mother," they chorused.
"Very well. Let us go."
The sisters quickly followed Druella down the stairs and into the drawing room where their Portkey - a less messy means of transport for dolled-up maidens than Floo Powder - was awaiting. They all gathered around it, and after a short but uncomfortable trip, here they were, before the Notts' manor. Wondering idly why there wasn't any such thing as a truly comfortable wizarding means of transport, Cissy crossed the artfully decorated gardens, gritting her teeth, and headed upstairs with her mother, whereas Bella and Meda stopped in the entrance hall, waiting for Druella's return to make their entrance. Mrs Nott was expecting them, and the two ladies quickly ushered Narcissa into Alcyone's bedroom. Before any of them knew it, the girls were left together, strictly banned from sneaking downstairs.
Alcyone stared Narcissa down, scowling.
"Well, good evening," Cissy spoke, mentally cursing her schoolmate for dreadful manners.
"Good evening," Alcyone retorted callously. She tossed her hair back with a quick jerk of her head, jaw tight. "You are right on time. Must have been quite a rush though, with two sisters attending the ball."
"Quite," Narcissa said calmly. "All it takes is a sense of organization, though."
"Oh, I know. It has been quite frantic around here as well, of course, with everything related to the ball. You'd be surprised, all the details that require careful planning. I was involved, of course."
"Oh, I wouldn't doubt it." Narcissa smiled sweetly.
Alcyone sniffed. "It has been quite a while since your family last hosted a ball, as far as I recall."
"Yes." Narcissa endeavoured to keep her smile in place. "It is tradition for balls to take place in a family where at least one unmarried child will be attending. But I am quite sure you know that. Actually, we shall be hosting the Christmas ball next year, it is to be my debutante ball."
"I see. And your family will have three girls to marry off by that time..."
"Indeed," Narcissa said shortly. "Unless Bellatrix gets engaged beforehand."
Alcyone smirked. "Of course."
There was a beat of silence.
"You must be terribly jealous. Two sisters down there, in the middle of the party, having fun."
"Oh, not that much. My turn will come soon."
"Yes, at the Christmas ball. In one... nearly two years, actually." Alcyone smiled. "I will attend the summer ball. Did you know that? Being born in June, and everything."
"How lovely," Narcissa said shortly.
Alcyone looked like she might start purring at any minute. "Very much indeed. My family already has prospects for me... There has been word about the Lestranges, the Flints... Oh, I keep very good company. Very high-class."
"Very," Cissy shot back before she could help herself, "I wasn't quite aware that half-bloods qualified as high-class, though."
Alcyone pursed her lips, eyes glinting with lazy satisfaction. "Why now... I do not keep the company of a family of shopkeepers. And yet I have friends, and success - a lady does not kiss and tell, obviously, but at least one of the boys in our year is actually absolutely head over heels for me."
Cissy laughed. "I was always told that a lady doesn't show off, either. We mustn't quite share the same principles."
Alcyone glared, but before she could actually respond, music started underneath, drawing the girls' attention. For a minute they stood frozen, listening, their fingers nearly curling into fists from sheer frustration. Then they shared a look, and the sour reminder seemed to have brought them back to their senses. They turned away, haughty scowls on their faces, and wordlessly endeavoured to get themselves busy, if not distracted.
What seemed like an eternity later, Narcissa looked up from the book she had brought, as Alcyone had silently gotten up from her desk and was making her way towards the door. Cissy cleared her throat, eyebrows raised, and the other girl paused, her hand on the doorknob, shoulders tense.
"You must be aware of it, since it is your house after all, but... we are not allowed downstairs."
"I am very aware," Alcyone snapped, "and I was going to the library, actually."
"Oh." Narcissa let the silence stretch a few seconds. "You're facing temptation head on, I see."
"Well," Alcyone said bleakly, "if you are left alone, you'll be facing temptation, too."
"Perhaps."
There was another short silence.
"Actually, there's nothing to prove me that you won't sneak downstairs as soon as I'm gone."
"And there's nothing to prove me that you won't do it instead of going to the library."
Alcyone grunted. "Just come with me if you're feeling that suspicious."
Narcissa stood and walked lightly over to her schoolmate. They stepped out together.
Once in the corridor, they shared but one look before lithely creeping towards the grand staircase.
It proved nothing short of a disappointment. The ballroom door was tightly shut, and there was nobody around; they could only hear music. They waited a while, pressed against the banister, with bated breath - ready to run for it, or throw themselves down the steps and into the room, really. Then they went back to the bedroom, where they peered outside from Alcyone's balcony. Still no one. The library all but forgotten, they settled to wait again, scowling.
"Do you want to play Truth or Dare?" Alcyone asked after a while, startling Cissy.
"No," she automatically replied, "I'm busy." Truth be told, she wasn't doing a very good job at concentrating on her book.
Alcyone groaned. "You're a coward."
"I'm a lady."
"According to the people downstairs, not before two years you're not."
There was nothing to respond to that, and so Narcissa didn't acknowledge her. A while later, she heard her companion in boredom start snoring softly, with a disbelief that went way beyond words.
Though Narcissa herself fought valiantly against sleep, she had to admit defeat when, at about two in the morning, her mother came to fetch her, and had to shake her awake. The young girl shuffled down the staircase, her eyes barely able to remain open. However, once they reached her sisters, her attention was roused, which helped fight against the tiredness. Both of them looked very awake and excited, their eyes glowing like lamps. Bella was moving around quickly, restlessly, seeming to stare right past them into something full of promises, far in the distance; Meda was flushed, quiet, and a small smile kept randomly flickering across her lips. All along the way home, Narcissa surveyed them both through her heavy lids, determined to get answers before she passed out and surrendered to sleep.
"So," she attacked as soon as they were left together in Bella's room. "How was the evening?"
There was a beat of silence, while Meda, her back to her, was taking off her shoes, and Bella was letting her hair down. "Well," the eldest eventually spoke, a small smirk playing on the corner of her lips, "I'm with Rodolphus now."
Narcissa gasped, and Meda whirled around. "Is it official?"
"Indeed. He said he'd come to see me again during the holidays."
"Did you two kiss?" Narcissa pushed eagerly.
Bella chuckled. "Of course."
Meda was being quiet. "That's great, Bella," she eventually said. "It was about time you found someone again. And Lestrange sounds good."
Bella's smirk was cryptic again. "That he is."
Though she still had the odd feeling that Bellatrix was keeping something from them, Cissy turned towards Andromeda next. "What about you? Did you meet anyone interesting?"
Andromeda pursed her lips. "Well," she started, and then laughed nervously. "Actually, Bella, I spent most of the evening with the youngest Lestrange boy. Rabastan. We could double-date, really."
Bellatrix's head shot up. "Oh? Did you two hit it off?"
"Quite. I'd never really talked to him before - he's the year above me, you know - and he proved to be extremely interesting, and quite the gentleman." Meda actually giggled, something Cissy had never witnessed before. "We flirted a lot, I have to admit."
"Amazing!" Bella exclaimed. "We're both finding good boys, and from a great family, at that. Maybe Mother will actually let us be from now on. Sounds perfect."
Even as they laughed gleefully together, Bellatrix kept watching Meda's face intently, as though she was trying to find out something their sister would not or could not say. Narcissa thought it all quite intriguing, and yet she was so tired that investigating the next day looked like the perfect idea. So she cheered, and Meda twirled, and Bella clapped - then yawning caught up with them, and they each retired to their own room, grinning and blowing kisses.
Crawling into bed, Cissy wished she could hide in Bella's or Meda's room and steal the secrets from their sleeping heads, but she wished even more to be fifteen, with balls and men and secrets of her own. There was no time for bitterness though before she fell into hazy dreams, full of lights, flashing colours and running princesses in precious gowns.