Authoress: Stormy Llewellyn

Chapter: One, Prologue

Authoress' Note: The rating is for later chapters. This is the story of how the members on the Black family got to be where they are, please review. Future chapters will be longer, this is just an introduction.

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Somehow she wasn't surprised when her sister showed up on her doorstep in the middle of a storm ravaged night. There was nothing to say so Narcissa stepped aside and allowed the broken creature to enter Malfoy Manor. Long, raven hair that she had loved to run her fingers through as a child was dirty and tangled, covered with grease and grime. Grey eyes that she had once loved to lose staring contests to had lost all of their intensity and passion. Instead they are dull and haunted. Once inside she moves no further, simply stands there dripping water onto the previously immaculate, marble foyer floor. The rags she had been provided in Azkaban clung to her pale skin.

Although she does not seem to register it Narcissa knew that she must be freezing. Quickly, she ran up the stairs and grabbed a light blue robe but ended up putting in back in exchange for a black one. It seemed more appropriate. When she returned, she was still sitting there staring into nothingness. Usually she would hesitate to put the fine black silk on her filthy sister, but this was Bellatrix. Bellatrix Black was above all pure, a dark goddess and Narcissa had no qualms about putting the robe on her. Although she complies to putting on the robe and allows her sister to cast a drying charm, her eyes still held no recognition. Narcissa's heart was heavy at seeing her sister reduced to this. Another part of her was overjoyed that her sister had finally, by some miracle, returned to her.

Leading her to the master chamber, Narcissa sat down on the bed behind her sister and ran an ivory brush through the long tangles. When it catches on the knots she mutters gentle reassurances to her, but Bellatrix didn't seem to notice the pain. After such a long stint in the wizarding prison she knew this wasn't the kind of restoration Bella needed but it was the only kind Narcissa felt qualified to provide. To be honest she wasn't all that concerned about her sister's mental state. Bellatrix was crazy long before the mess with the Longbottoms and her apprehension by the aurors.

"Mother?" Spoke a voice from the door. His face did not change at the sight of his aunt but she knew her son well enough to know he was shocked. Malfoys never allowed their emotions to be read, it was a sign of weakness.

To Narcissa's suprise it was he son that snapped Bella out of her trance. "Ah...little dragon," hissed Bella, her voice hoarse and stilted from disuse. "You've grown well I see. That is good, I'd sooner see you dead at my feet then see another traitor pass through the Black family."

Her eyes were far away and I knew she was thinking about Sirius, reliving the past thanks to those damn demeantors. His betrayl had stung her, been her undoing in a way, the one person who may have salvaged her had turned his back.

Voice laced with dislike Draco stated, "I'm a Malfoy, not a Black." That was true, Lucius had made sure of that much. Sharply Bella's hand connected with his face, ragged nails scraping against his pale skin and leaving crimson marks. Draco's eyes burned with anger but he did not even flinch, he was much too proud.

Bella's voice was mockingly gentle as she said, "It's all the same to me boy. The Malfoys, the Lestranges, the Blacks. All those pure of blood."

Coming to her bearings she got up and flaunted across the room, glancing out the window. Satisfied by the dark and silent night she flicked her long, dark hair over her shoulder, "Probably a coward like your father anyway."

"Bella!"

She sneered, "That's correct Narcissa. Lucius escaped in the break out and where is he? Hiding, the coward. Unable to face his master or his family," she spat with disgust.

"He'll be back," Draco said angrily, eyes glinting like steel.

"No, my dear boy, he won't. He's saving his own skin." She gave him an appraising look, "But you. Draco, have you ever considered joining the Dark Lord's ranks? Restore the family name and show him that there is still a place for the Malfoy family in his new order."

Looking thoughtful, Narcissa feared for her small serpent in a world full of dragons. He was much like Bella had been at that age, too much in fact.

"Draco," she snapped sharply, "please leave us be. I need to speak to your aunt in private."

Looking indignant at being sent away, he still obeyed just as he had been taught. Narcissa spun on her sister who no longer looked fragile, but fierce. "You will stay away from my son while you stay here."

She gave a deep, throaty laugh and whispered, "Do not fear, my dear sister."

Those words Bellatrix had whispered to her many times before.

She was a fool to listen to those words then.

She was a fool to listen to those words now.