DISCLAIMER: I don't own any of these Characters.

THE MORNING AFTER

It was a relatively cold day in the Black household, everything seemed to be moving slowly.

It was the morning after a huge winter ball which was thrown by the Black Family.

After a night of dancing, drinks and socializing with the most elite pureblood families, everyone was tired and sleepy,everyone except for Narcissa Black.

All the house elf's and maids were busy cleaning up the ballroom and getting breakfast ready for the family.

Being one of the oldest pure wizarding families in Britain the 3 girls maintained a relatively low profile at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. They were now back home for Christmas Break

Bellatrix who was now 16 and in her 6th year in Hogwarts was nowhere to be seen, and had disappeared a few hours into the ball.

Narcissa the youngest black sister who was now 13 and in her 3rd year at Hogwarts was adamant that Bellatrix was locked up in her room.

"I'm telling you she's in here Andromeda I heard noises last night!"

Barely listening, Andromeda replied without looking up from the book she was reading with much interest "If you say so... I'm pretty sure she's gone gallivanting with a guy she met at the ball."

"No she didn't! She Wouldn't! Mom wouldn't let her!"

"Since when has Bella been one to follow rules? I'm telling you she'll be back anytime now.." Andromeda said lazily, stifling a yawn.

With a scowl on her face, Narcissa gave up on trying to persuade her sister that something was wrong, she knocked on her oldest sister's door.

"Bella!" Narcissa called out loudly and stood in front of the mahogany door. Her gentle features replaced with annoyance mixed with anxiety.

"OPEN UP! I KNOW YOU'RE IN HERE!" She bellowed.

After waiting for 5 minutes and no hint of movement inside the room, Narcissa who was now getting impatient, lost every ounce of patience inside of her and ended up kicking the door.

"FINE BE THAT WAY!"

"Cissy!" a firm but gentle voice, called out to her, Andromeda had looked up from the book she had been reading in the interest of finding out what all the commotion was about

"What's the matter?" she asked her little sister who had now jumped on to the fine leather couch and was sitting cross legged with her arms extended over her chest and a pout on her face. "Bella's there you know! She's just not opening the door!" Narcissa said.

This had happened a lot. Bellatrix always expected everyone to respect her privacy, and the people who did have an issue with it were too scared to stand up to the bold and intimidating girl. Except for Narcissa, of course.

"And?" Andromeda asked, unsure of why Narcissa looked so troubled over this now, when it had happened a handful of times before.

"YOU JUST DON'T GET IT DO YOU?" Narcissa barked back with a voice highly unlike hers, her eyes pooled up with tears, she looked sideways to avoid her sisters glance and stared at a moving picture of the three sisters.

Bellatrix in the middle her wild raven hair flying behind her and a smile that seemed to light up her features in a way that still made her seem menacing, her heavily lidded eyes were perfectly in contrast with her light skin. Narcissa stood to her right and wore a polite but elegant smile her blonde hair which was neatly braided brought out the sharpness of her blue eyes. Andromeda who was on the far left could barely be differentiated from Bellatrix on loose inspection, she shared a lot of similarities with the oldest Black sister, although she had calmer features compared to the fearless and daring Bellatrix. Her curly, dark brunette hair drooped upon her shoulders and her arm stretched out over her older sisters neck.

"What do I not get?" Andromeda said with a skeptical and worried look, breaking the silence that lingered upon them.

"It's..nothing." Narcissa muttered looking down at her folded legs.

"Cissy.." Andromeda said in a voice that sounded as though she was demanding something, now rose up from her seat and towered over her 13 year old sister, "Spill."

"What do you think nothing means?" Narcissa retaliated, now looking her older sister in the eye giving her a reproachful stare.

Everything fell silent for a while, Andromeda simply stood in front of her sister,confused. Narcissa looked back down at her legs and unconsciously started rocking back and forth.

"You could have just unlocked the door with a simple spell, you know? Ever heard of Alohomora?" Andromeda said in a tone harsher than what she meant for it to be.

"I-I-Didn't think of that.." Narcissa hastily fumbled out of the couch and pushed past Andromeda shuffled towards the Mahogany door she had been so intent on opening five minutes ago, now stared at it befuddled.

Taking her wand out she took in a deep breath to cast the spell, lifting her wand up she looked at Andromeda for approval.

"Go on.." Andromeda said, her voice back to it's usual gentle tone.

"Alohomora!"

Not sure if the spell had worked, Narcissa looked back at Andromeda, who walked over towards the door, standing behind her. Narcissa held her hand to twist the doors knob. Gulping, she pushed it open and was greeted with absolute darkness.

The two sisters walked in, the room smelt odd and unwelcoming.

"Lumos!"

That's when the two of them witnessed a sight they knew they would never forget, a sight that would haunt them forever.

The light cast from the tip of Andromeda's wand was overshadowed by the scene in front of them.

Bellatrix lay on the floor, unconscious, unmoving and covered in blood.