1955.
My earliest memory is from when I was only two years old. Bellatrix, my older sister, was four and we were impatiently waiting for the moment when our newborn sister would be brought home from St. Mungo's. Our father had told us that our mother was weak and that we mustn't bother her when she arrived home with the baby. He had told us, "Your sister, however, is doing fine. Her name is Narcissa." I thought it was the most beautiful name I had ever heard. It simply rolled off the tongues of my father and Bella. Unfortunately, I could not yet pronounce it due to my age. Our mother arrived home two days after Narcissa had been born. Our father ushered us into our shared bedroom and told us to wait for him to bring Narcissa to us. A couple minutes later, we heard footsteps on the stairs and our mouths broadened into grins. He opened the door with one hand and held our sister in the other. She was tiny, with very short black hair and black eyes. Bella, being the elder, got the pleasure of holding Narcissa first. Finally, my father carefully handed her to me, keeping his hands below mine in case I dropped the baby. I looked into Narcissa's eyes and I thought to myself: I am going to keep you safe. Unfortunately, I was unable to keep that promise, for the beliefs of my family intervened.
1957.
The same year that we first met Voldemort was the same year that I realized I was different from the rest of my family. Bella was six, I was four, and little Cissy (as we had begun calling her) was two. My parents informed us one cold winter evening that the next night, we were to have guests over. They told us that the guests were their friends and that one guest was very important. "You must address him as 'the Dark Lord' or 'My Lord,'" said my father. My mother lectured us, "Oh, and remember to be very polite and respectful. That means: only speak when you are spoken to." Bella was excited about Voldemort's visit. At the playful age of six, she was used to spying and eavesdropping on the servants and house-elves who continuous talked about the great Dark Lord. Narcissa was too young to understand what was going on, however, and I was slightly frightened. did not sound like a welcoming, kind name to me and I was fearful that he would be one of the monsters from my frequent nightmares.
The next day came as quickly as things come when you wish they would not. At seven p.m. sharp, we heard the doorbell ring and my parents rushed to open it. Bella and I curiously peered out from behind the dining room door. We could see a shadow of a tall, lean man who spoke quietly but his voice seemed to command attention. We could barely hear him say, "Druella, Cygnus, I trust that you are both well." Our parents both bowed and muttered pleasantries. They led him down the corridor and into the dining room. Bella and I rushed back into our seats – making sure to sit up straight. Cissy was upstairs, already asleep. We were even surprised that we were permitted to eat dinner with the guests since we had never been allowed to previously and since we were still very young. I know now that this was a trick; Voldemort had wanted us to share his beliefs and ideals starting from a young age so he asked for us to attend the dinner.
My mother had introduced us to Voldemort: "My Lord, these are our daughters: Bellatrix is the elder on the right and Andromeda is the middle on the left. Our youngest, Narcissa, is only two years old and we were fearful that she would interrupt dinner by crying so we ask your permission to have her remain upstairs." Voldemort raised his hand to signal that what my parents had asked was fine. As he looked at us, I looked back at him. He was indeed tall and lean. He wore a long black robe and had black hair and dark eyes. (This was before he had transformed into a snake-like creature with red eyes and slits for a nose.) "I deem them acceptable," he said finally and my parents let out slight sighs of relief. Bella seemed to understand what was happening because she bowed her head to Voldemort as a sign of thanks and respect. I, however, was confused but copied Bella's motion.
The doorbell rang again and my parents' friends entered the house. Later, I would realize that these men and women were Death Eaters or soon-to-be followers of Voldemort. Throughout dinner, we were not spoken to at all. It was almost as if we were not there. The conversation was mainly led by Voldemort who talked of muggles and muggle-borns and called them "mud-bloods". Bella didn't take her eyes off of Voldemort all night. We went to sleep that night late and as I shivered in my bed, dreading the nightmares to come which would contain a new monster going by the name of the Dark Lord, Bella said, "I'll be like them one day." That was the first difference I noticed: Bella wanted to be a Death Eater and our family agreed that both her and I and Cissy were supposed to, but I knew I could never follow the monster called the Dark Lord.
1959.
When I first met my cousin Sirius, I was six years old. Bella, two years my senior, was eight and she was not interested in infants. Although she still looked after four-year-old Cissy, she was more interested in reading the books around the house, filled with subjects that interested her, such as, The Dark Arts and dueling. I, however, was very interested in meeting my newborn cousin Sirius and when he arrived with his mother at our house one Sunday, I was a ball of energy. I grabbed Cissy's hand as soon as I heard the doorbell and I raced down the corridor with her, determined to get to the door as quickly as possible. Raced was a little bit of an understatement. I noticed that Cissy and I were moving extremely fast and when I looked down, I realized that my feet were not touching the floor. I must have screamed because my mother came running. She smiled and put her hands lightly on my shoulders, pushing me downwards and Cissy came along with me. "Your first showing of magic!" she exclaimed. Bella's magic had surfaced about a year before when she was angry with a house-elf for not putting her hair bow in the correct position. The house-elf had fallen off the chair it was standing on, although it hadn't lost its balance and Bella hadn't physically pushed it. My mother laughed at my confused face and proceeded to help me open the door.
Sirius's mother stood on the doorstep, holding Sirius wrapped in a bundle of blankets. As this was one of the only times I saw Sirius's mother, I still find it hard to remember what she looked like. I was more interested in Sirius himself. He was very tiny – smaller than Cissy had been when she was born. However, he was adorable. When Cissy was born, I made the promise to keep her safe, something that I had done very well up until that point. When Sirius was born, I made a different promise. I promised that I would try to help him escape our dreadful families who believed in inequity.
1960.
The second time I met Lord Voldemort, I was seven years old. Narcissa was five and this was to be her first seeing him. I told Bella that morning, "I know, sister, that you are nervous when the Dark Lord comes as you want to show him your brilliance. I beg you to allow me to do you a favor and to look after Cissy for the duration of the Dark Lord's visit." Bella agreed and I went off to Cissy's room to help her change into her dress. Normally, we would wear skirts and nice shirts around the house but today was a special day and we all were to wear matching black dresses. Bella was disappointed in this for she was nine years old and believed that she deserved a special and different dress since she was leaving for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry soon. Unlike the first time I had met Voldemort, he was the only guest at our house that evening and he did not eat dinner. He arrived at our house at seven p.m. as he had done three years before. He deemed his approval of Cissy and then he and my parents went into the drawing room to talk. Bella eavesdropped by the door, while I read Cissy a story upstairs. Voldemort left at nine p.m. and he never paid a visit to our house again.
1962.
It was the first of September and our family of five was huddled on Platform 9 ¾ , excitedly seeing Bella off. She gave our parents a hug and a kiss and gave both Cissy and I a hug. Cissy cried so Bella told her kindly, "Don't worry; you'll be with me soon enough!" Cissy complained on the way home that four years was not soon. I sat in silence, wondering about the four Hogwarts Houses. Our parents had explained to us that Slytherin was the only acceptable house to be placed in. I, however, wanted to be placed in Hufflepuff since they were good and fair to all and were gentle. When we got back home, I attempted to calm Cissy by reading her a story. She was still upset though and when she stared at the book, it suddenly turned into ink, which dripped down my hands and onto my clothing. I smiled, however, and congratulated her on her magic's appearance. I told her to go downstairs and tell our parents while I went to clean up. I then wrote a letter to Bella:
Dear Bella,
Today, Cissy's magic showed. As you left just this moring, there is nothing else to say.
Hoping school is exciting for you,
Dromeda
1963.
January 10th, 1963
Dear Dromeda,
I am sorry to hear that home is boring. Hogwarts, however, is not. I have made friends with other Slytherins, such as Rudolphus and Rabastan Lestrange. They are very funny and like to play pranks on some of the other kids here (mainly those disgusting Gryffindors). My favorite subject is Defense Against the Dark Arts because we get to learn about dark spells and duels. However, I wish there was more focus on the dark arts instead of defense against them.
Hoping all is well,
Bella
February 2nd, 1963
Dear Bella,
School sounds like fun! Will you tell me about your other classes? Unfortunately, Cissy is sick. She has been sick for about a week now so mother and father are taking her to St. Mungo's soon. I hope she will get better. Other than that, it's been quiet here. Father took me to a Quidditch game the other day, which was fun. Do you watch Quidditch at school?
Love,
Dromeda
March 3rd, 1963
Dear Dromeda,
I am sorry that I have been unable to write. My classes keep me very busy. I am sorry to hear about Cissy but I heard from mother that she is doing better now, which is good. I miss you all a lot. We do watch Quidditch at school and the Slytherin team is winning. My classes are fun but hard. Potions is the hardest because it doesn't require you to use your wand. Charms is a very easy class and I'm reading ahead in the textbook. How is everything back home?
Love,
Bella
March 31st, 1963
Dear Bella,
Things back home are sad. Two house-elves died yesterday – Crassie and Jordan. Crassie was Cissy's favorite so she is very upset. However, she has been healthier lately which is very good. Mother and father bought me some of the First Year books for Hogwarts the other day so I can get a head start like you did. I have been reading the Charms textbook and it does seem too easy for you. Potions seems like fun though.
Love,
Dromeda
April 15th, 1963
Dear Dromeda,
I am very sorry to hear about the house-elves. I'm sure you'll get new and better ones soon. Charms will be fun for you though, I hope. How are mother and father? They haven't written much. I suppose they are busy with the Dark Lord.
Love,
Bella
May 5th, 1963
Dear Bella,
Mother and father are good. They told me to tell you that they are trying to find new recruits for the Death Eaters and so, they don't have much time to write. Are there Death Eaters at school?
Love,
Dromeda
May 24th, 1963
Dear Dromeda,
No, there aren't actual Death Eaters at school. However, basically the entire Slytherin house has dreams of becoming one! I can't wait until my initiation. I'm sure it will be splendid. Don't bother writing another letter since I'll be coming home so soon! Can't wait to see you and Narcissa!
Love,
Bella