12 Grimmauld Place

December 24, 1962

Bellatrix Black had never much cared for her aunt's house. She didn't much care for her aunt, Walburga, who was often walking around shouting about one thing or another in a shrill, annoying voice. Her aunt's house elf, Kreacher, was well...creepy. Residents aside, the house was almost always dark and cold, not exactly Bellatrix's ideal setting. Unfortunately, this was where her Mother had decided she, along with her sisters Narcissa and Andromeda, would be spending Christmas break. Christmas had never been a very happy time for Bellatrix, her family wasn't very close and few presents were ever really exchanged; Christmas was really just treated like another day. Though this was the first time her parents had flat out dumped her and her sisters, typically Christmas was - at the very least - spent together.

Presently, Bellatrix sat in the living room in front of the fireplace trying her best to focus on her potions book rather than her disappointment in the bleak holiday and her parent's temporary abandonment.

"Bella, can you tell us about Hogwarts again?"

Bellatrix glanced up from her book to see her younger sisters, seven year old Narcissa and nine year old Andromeda, standing stiffly by the couch.

"I've already told you about it." Bellatrix responded turning back to her book. She knew her sisters only really wanted to hear about school because Aunt Walburga had yelled at them again, hearing stories provided a bit of comfort for the younger girls, but Bellatrix wasn't entirely ready to provide it.

"...You haven't ever told Sirius!" Narcissa piped up referring to the sister's younger cousin.

"Sirius is three," Bellatrix rolled her eyes, "I highly doubt he'd understand what I was talking about."

"Sirius'll understand!" Andromeda exclaimed, "He likes bedtime stories! Please Bella!"

Bellatrix rolled her eyes and shut her book, she wasn't really all that interested in potions anyways. It was just something to pass the time. "Fine."

Narcissa grinned and eagerly sat down next to her older sister while Andromeda ran off to get Sirius.

"Thank you Bella." Narcissa whispered.

"You're welcome." Bellatrix found herself smiling.

In minutes Andromeda returned with the small Sirius toddling behind her. Bellatrix didn't mind Sirius almost as much as she did her Aunt. He could be annoying at times, namely when he threw tantrums, but the little boy was adorable enough. Part of Bellatrix almost thought he looked up to her.

"Bella!" He grinned and ran over practically jumping on top of her.

"Sirius! Get off!" Bellatrix exclaimed shoving the small boy off while Narcissa stifled a giggle.

"Bedtime story! Bedtime story!" Sirius chanted excitedly.

"See," Andromeda grinned sitting down next to her sisters and cousin, "I told you Sirius would like a bedtime story."

Bellatrix ignored her and thought about where to start. She decided that despite the fact she had already told her sisters about it, she might as well begin with the Great Hall, where candles floated above a ceiling that looked almost exactly like the sky. Here, more food than even the rich Black household's house elves could cook up, was served to the students. She told them about the sorting, how an ugly hat was placed on her head which of course declared her a Slytherin almost immediately. She described the feeling of pride she felt when she took her seat at the Slytherin table surrounded by classmates. She spoke of her classes where she learned to do rather simple but still amazing feats of magic. All the while Narcissa, Andromeda and Sirius stared at her with wide eyes.

"And the Slytherin common room," Bellatrix continued, "Is in the dungeons."

Narcissa gasped as if she hadn't heard the description of the common room three or four times before. "Bella I don't know how you can possible bare sleeping in a dungeon."

"I don't think I'll ever survive when I get there." Andromeda laughed.

"Dungeon? Why?" Sirius asked tilting his head.

"Oh it hardly seems like a dungeon," Bellatrix replied, "In fact, it's quite nice. I really enjoy reading by the fire, much like I was doing be-"

"Girls!" Walburga's voice cut through the peaceful conversation before Bellatrix had a chance to finish her sentence. Bellatrix watched Sirius's smile turn to a face of horror and annoyance as his Mother walked into the room.

"Taking Sirius out of bed, I'm ashamed!" Walburga walked into the living room plucking her son up from off the floor. "You should know better Bellatrix."

Bellatrix glanced up startled. "I didn't get him out of-"

"No excuses!" Walburga snapped, "All of you! Upstairs!"

"It was my fault Auntie, Bella was just telling us about Hogwarts and I thought-" Andromeda attempted to explain but was expected, she was interrupted.

"Shut up child! I said upstairs! Why are the three of you just standing there!" Walburga yelled.

"Cissy, Andy, come on." Bellatrix whispered grabbed Narcissa's hand and guiding her upstairs.

Andromeda stood still facing her aunt. Bellatrix turned once more. "Andy-"

"It's not fair!" Andromeda exclaimed before running past her aunt and sisters and upstairs.

"Andy! Andy!" Sirius shouted.

"Rude, immature child!" Walburga shrieked after her, "Someone has to teach you respect!"

"Cissy, come on." Bellatrix hissed tugging her younger sister upstairs before her Aunt had a chance to turn her rage onto them.

"Why does she have to yell?" Narcissa whispered as the two walked upstairs, Bellatrix could see her sister's eyes watering.

"You should be used to it by now," Bellatrix mumbled as they walked into the guest room where Andromeda was already crying on her bed, "It's not like life at home is any different."

'Merry Christmas...'