Summary: Ari Black was raised to believe that she was the daughter of Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy, growing up alongside Draco as his younger sister. It's 1992 and Ari begins her first year expecting to be sorted in Slytherin like all of her family before her, but nothing goes according to plan. Also, the Chamber of Secrets has been opened, and Ari is set to discover some secrets of her own.
Copyright: I am not J.K Rowling and therefore do not own any characters or concepts recognised as belong to her universe.
Riddled with Black
Chapter One: A Dark Beginning
August, 1981
It had begun in the middle of the night. While it was nearing the end of August, summer was most definitely still in full swing. The day had been long, hot and humid, and as it had come to an end the evening had brought a magnificent thunderstorm. Bellatrix Lestrange, born of the magical pure blood family Black, was wide awake, watching the display, when her body decided to present a storm of its own. Seeming in time with the crash of thunder, her stomach cramped tightly. At first she had thought it was nothing, until quite suddenly she felt very wet in her seat. Bellatrix was not expecting her water to break that night, even when it seemed her pains – Braxton Hicks as Narcissa had called them – had gotten worse. She wasn't due until the end of September, and even then the Black family was known for their stubborn, overdue babies. Bellatrix herself had been late, originally due at end of November; she'd made her arrival in the early hours of Boxing Day morning.
Bellatrix grimaced as she was struck with another deep pain in her abdomen. For the first time in her life she was completely at loss on what to do. Rodolphus, her husband, had already retired for the night. They had spent the evening establishing what they wanted to name the unborn child. The House of Black had an interesting tradition when it came to naming their offspring, as many of them had been named after stars and constellations. Bellatrix, proud of her background, had wanted to continue this tradition. If her child was a boy, they were going to call him Orion Romulus, the first name being for the constellation and her favourite uncle, and the second name for her husband's father. Should the baby be a girl her name would be Adhara Primrose, for the star and in honour of her mother in law, Primrose Lestrange. Bellatrix had also liked that this had enabled her to use a naming tradition of flowers from her mother side, as her youngest sister Narcissa had been named as such.
While first names carried their own significance, the most important part of their conversation was that they had also came to an agreement to carry on the last name Black. There were not many wizards or witches left to carry the Black name, especially in comparison to the Lestrange family. There was no concern for a Lestrange heir, with Rabastan's wife having given birth to son only a few months prior. Little did Rodolphus know that Bellatrix had an entirely different reason for not wanting her child to carry the Lestrange name, however this was something she had chosen not to share with her husband. Although she did believe he was truly loyal to the cause, then he would be more then understanding.
The next pain hit her quite hard, and she yelped out. This must have woken Rodolphus because within minutes he had come out, a look of panic on his usually expressionless face.
"Bella, are you alright?" Rodolphus had asked, he began to look concerned.
"Could you get Cissy, I think the baby is coming!" Bellatrix hissed through yet another contraction.
"Isn't it too soon?" He exclaimed, his eyes wide open.
"I believe my water has just broken, just go and get Narcissa." Bellatrix said through gritted teeth. He tried to assist her up to the bed, but she shrugged him off and he left to do what asked. Bellatrix slowly made her way over to sit on the bed, relying on furniture to keep her steady. She could not even count how far apart the contractions were, as they were coming too quickly. This was happening much faster than she had anticipated.
Bellatrix had never wanted children, she had not even wanted to get married. The domesticity of it all was incredibly boring for her and she most certainly didn't want to end up like her mother. She loved her mother, but loathed the fact that she was nothing but a house witch; a woman who lived in the shadow of her husband. Bellatrix had found her true calling as a warrior, as a Death Eater; the Dark Lord's finest and most loyal follower. This baby was nothing but a burden; how would she be able to fight for the cause? Bellatrix knew nothing about children, in fact, she hated most children. Her only exception had been her nephew, Draco. Bellatrix had only married Rodolphus to please her family, and because her stupid blood traitor sister had backed out and had married that filthy mudblood instead. Although she respected her husband's loyalty to the Dark Lord, and he respected her, there was no love in their marriage. However, just because their relationship was one of obligation rather than love, did not mean that the couple never consummated their marriage. Sex was something Bellatrix enjoyed, but she had always been careful to use the contraception spell. She did not want children, and she definitely did not want children with Rodolphus Lestrange, as powerful, pureblood and attractive as he was. Yet here she was, in this vulnerable state.
Her thoughts were then interrupted by her younger sister. Due to her 'criminal' status she could not exactly just go to St Mungo's to deliver her baby. They would take advantage of her vulnerable state and probably arrest her. Alternatives had to be arranged, and Narcissa, who was qualified Healer despite now being a stay at home mother and housewife, would act as midwife for her older sister.
"How are you doing?" Narcissa asked, a nervous Rodolphus hovering behind her.
"Is it too soon?" Bellatrix asked, she was also worried that it was too early for her baby to be born.
"No, while you are little early, thirty seven weeks is considered close enough to term, my little niece or nephew should be fine," Narcissa answered, and bother Bellatrix and Rodolphus relaxed. Narcissa turned to him, she needed his help.
"Can you please get me some hot water and some cloths?" He nodded, and for the second time dashed quickly out of the room. Narcissa helped Bellatrix get more comfortable in the bed.
"Are you going to tell him?" Narcissa whispered.
"No, it's safer for this baby to be known only as the child of Bellatrix and Rodolphus Lestrange, even if he or she does carry the last name Black." Narcissa nodded, and they spoke no more of the secret Bellatrix was keeping. Rodolphus returned shortly with materials Narcissa had asked for, and sat quietly in the corner, occasionally comforting Bellatrix in the rare times that she wanted him to.
The labour was shorter than what Bellatrix had imagined. She had been told by her mother that the first was always the hardest. Druella Black had been in labour with Bellatrix for almost twenty hours, the ordeal causing her to miss many Christmas celebrations. Narcissa had been in labour with Draco for over fourteen hours before he decided to say hello to the world. Bellatrix expected this baby to take just as long; even though she hoped for the ordeal to be over as soon as possible. She did not want this baby; even though she thought it was special. When Bellatrix first found out she was pregnant, she had wanted to destroy it, but something stopped her. This baby existed for a reason.
With one final push, she delivered her baby, but was met with silence.
"Why isn't he crying?" She asked immediately, panicked expression on her face while she assumed the child's gender.
"She," Narcissa responded. Bellatrix looked at her rather blankly. She had gone through the entire pregnancy anticipating she would have a boy. A son to carry on the legacy of her family
"It's a girl," Narcissa informed her, as she patted the infants back to try and get it to cry. It worked, and Bellatrix sighed in relief as her newborn daughter was placed on her chest.
Halloween, 1981
Bellatrix looked down at the sleeping baby in her arms, her face turning from a smile to frown as she realized that she would probably never see her child again. The infant was barely over two months old, and Bellatrix was leaving her so soon. After much discussion between herself, Rodolphus, Narcissa and Narcissa's husband Lucius, that it would be better if Adhara was raised a Malfoy, despite carrying the surname Black. Bellatrix believed to be for the best. How legal the arrangement would be, would all depend on the outcome of the Wizarding War. Bellatrix was more then willing to die for her Lord, and should this be the case, then Narcissa would legally adopt Adhara as her own. Similarly, should the Dark Lord fail and Bellatrix was caught and incarcerated, it was even more important that Adhara be raised as a Malfoy, should any one aim to target her as being the child of Bellatrix Lestrange. Finally, should the Dark Lord succeed, Bellatrix knew her place was beside him, helping him run the world he had taken control of. She was not fit to raise a child, and knew her sister would do a fine job of raising Adhara in a proper manner.
"She's absolutely beautiful, Bella." Bellatrix looked up at her younger sister, who was looking down lovingly at her niece. Bellatrix knew that Narcissa wanted more children, that while Narcissa adored her own son Draco, she would love a little girl to do those mother daughter things with. Bellatrix also knew that her baby sister struggled to have Draco, and the struggle for a second baby was even harder. That just added to the many reasons why it was better for Narcissa to raise Adhara as her own.
"I know; she is simply magical, but I have to let her go." Bellatrix sighed, before returning her gaze to the infant, who started to squirm as she began to wake. Bellatrix lifted her up; one last hold.
"You don't have to go anywhere, Bella. You don't have to return to him, you have a child now. You could stay and raise her." Narcissa tried to reason with her older sister, but to no avail. She was more than willing to accept the responsibility of raising her niece, but what she really wanted was for Bellatrix to give up her role as the Dark Lord's right hand man, and be a mother to her child.
"I have a duty, Cissy, and I must return to it," Bellatrix said with gritted teeth; they'd had this conversation to many times in the past few months.
"The only duty you have is to your daughter!" Narcissa snapped.
"I was never meant to be a mother Narcissa! As much as I hold affection for her, I can't raise her properly. I'm on a wanted list, how am I supposed to?" At any other point in her life, Bellatrix would have snapped or snarled, but this had felt different. Having a baby had softened her insanity slightly, but not enough for her to enjoy it.
"Not even for a little while longer? What about her first Christmas?" Narcissa pleaded.
"No, not for that long, the Dark Lord has special plans for me tonight." Her response was tense, and for a moment Narcissa didn't know how to respond. Every mission meant an opportunity for her sister to be severely injured or die.
"Look Cissy, I do not want to fight. I do not want this to be any more difficult than it has to be. Promise me Cissy, that you will look after her and raise her as your own. Promise me that in the event that something happens to me, you will teach her the things that I cannot." Now it was her turn to plead, something that Bellatrix had refused to do since she was a young child.
"Of course I would Bella; don't ever doubt that, I just wish that there was another way." The child had fallen asleep again and Bellatrix placed her back down into her bassinet. Bellatrix nodded in thanks to her younger sister, before holding her in a tight embrace. Narcissa could feel her eyes water, it had been years since Bellatrix had hugged her. She missed her.
"What business does the Dark Lord have for you tonight?" Narcissa braved herself to ask. Bellatrix pondered for a moment, unsure of what to answer.
"We will be paying a visit to the dear Longbottoms," Bellatrix left it at that. Narcissa didn't need to ask wi HOPE hat was meant, she could already guess.
"They have a small child, no older than Draco." Narcissa frowned. Surely an innocent child would be spared, they have no control over the choices of their families.
"They are blood traitors." Bellatrix angrily snapped; it disgusted her greatly that there were pure blood families that insisted on defending muggles and mudbloods. Narcissa nodded, while she agreed with the sentiment she struggled to agree with the violence.
"I guess this is goodbye." Narcissa said quietly, noticing her sister becoming impatient.
"For now," Bellatrix mumbled. She stole one last glance down at her daughter, before disapparating far away from Malfoy Manor, with a single tear rolling down her cheek. The baby, as if sensing her mother was gone, awoke instantly and began crying. Narcissa comforted the child, trying to stop her own tears. She wanted this war to end, it didn't matter who won. She wanted her son and niece to be safe. Not long later, the child stopped crying and fell asleep in her aunt's arms, and time went on. Unbeknownst to either of them, their world was about to be ripped apart.
I hope you enjoyed the prologue/first chapter of Riddled with Black. I would love to hear feedback.