AN* this is the first of a series of one-shots I am currently workiung on, they will not be written or posted in chronological order, but i shall try to be as accurate as possible with the dates and events as i can be. If i decide to continue with this series Sirius and Regulus will be featured in it; there will most likely be chapters solely on the pair, or just one of them who knows because I don't.

if you like this story you must review so i know, otherwise i may not continue.

September 1st, 1966

"Today's the big day!" Druella beamed as the camera snapped and the flash momentarily blinded the sisters three;-two of which appeared rather annoyed and perhaps slightly embarrassed by their mother's eccentrics, and the considerably younger of the two caught between them smiling just as dumbly and proud as their mother- capturing the moment forever.

"Mum, honestly. We're going to miss the train and then nobody's going to Hogwarts this year; not even ickle little Cissy-kins." Bellatrix taunted pinching Narcissa's cheeks. Narcissa swatted away her sisters' hands and rubbed her sore cheeks and took to staring at her feet; Bella rolling her eyes took her and her sister's trunks and lumbered towards the door, Andromeda enveloping Cissy in a hug from behind resting her chin atop her sister's head.

"Don't mind Bella, Cissy; she's just jealous of all the attention you're getting."

"Come on darling; give your mother a hug." Druella called, interrupting the sisterly moment. With a hop, skip and a jump Narcissa was hugging her mother as tightly as she could while her mother showered her head in kisses. Being fourteen and far too mature for such things Andromeda rolled her eyes and began to kick her trunk towards the door. Just as she approached the door Bella, in her usual fashion, kicked the door open knocking Andromeda's trunk over and open.

"Oops!" Bellatrix laughed jumping over the mess and into a shoulder punch from Andromeda before she knelt down beside the mess and begun sweeping it back into the trunk; about as orderly as it had been before. "Are you still coddling her? We have to go mum!" Bellatrix scolded their mother, taking Narcissa's hand and leading her towards the door. "Andy, really?" Bellatrix sighed, stopping at the mess of robes and socks still on the floor. With a quick flick of the wrist and a wave of the wand Bellatrix had Andromeda's bag repacked and locked properly.

"Mum! Bella's using magic outside of school again!" Andy tattled, jumping off the floor with an accusing finger pointed in her sister's face, Narcissa stared in amazement at the once was mess.

"Will I learn how to do that this year?" Narcissa questioned excitedly.

"Get that finger out of my face!" Bellatrix demanded, using her wand to move the imposing finger over.

"Will I Bella? Will I?" Narcissa pestered, as little sisters do, tugging on her sister's robes.

"Get that wand out of my face!" Andromeda countered, pulling out her own wand.

"No dueling in the house! There will be plenty of time for that at school; at the very least wait until you're on the train." Their mother pleaded, keeping a watchful eye on the china cabinet. With one last glare the two sisters turned with a huff; Andromeda gathering her trunk, Bellatrix attempting to shield Narcissa from mother before another series of goodbyes took place.

"So how exactly are we getting to Kings Cross?" Narcissa inquired as she struggled to keep pace with her sisters as they marched down the street towards their cousins' house.

"Really Cissy, I've told you at least fifty times." Bellatrix complained, pausing her walking to give her sister a condescending stare. With a roll of the eyes and in a voice slightly too chipper to be sincere Andromeda cleared her throat and explained.

"We are going to Sirius' and Regulus' house to use the floo, we'll come out right on Platform 9 ¾."

"Why can't we use our own fire place?" Narcissa inquired, jogging to catch up after pausing in thought- you can't listen properly while maneuvering a trunk.

"The same reason we don't use our floo every other day Cissy; WE DON'T HAVE ONE! You know we can't afford it with dad being in a drunken stupor." Bellatrix explained bitterly, abandoning her trunk to climb the front steps of her Aunt and Uncle's house.

"Oh." Narcissa frowned at the pavement. "We had had a floo though; before, I remember you and Andy using it last year." Bellatrix smashed the knocker into the door, seeing if she could chip the paint.

"That was last year." Andromeda stated simply, not liking dwell on her family's fall from grace. Bella took to impatiently tapping her foot; frequently checking her watch- which she was both fond and proud of- as though that would make the time go by slower and the door open sooner.

"It's strange…" Narcissa remarked, craning her neck to peer up at the clouds; Bella beginning to curse and kick the door, Andromeda again suggesting she just ring the bell. The hunch of her shoulders and slouch in her walk letting you know she had taken Andy's advice- Bella didn't do what anyone told her to, even if it was a good idea.-

"…to think how much can change in a year."

AN* Does this show any promise? Please review