Please read: J.K. Rowling has admitted that math is not her strength. She mentioned that Snape hung out with Bellatrix's crowd at Hogwarts, but that would be impossible according to their birth years. To make my story work, I have changed around things around. Bellatrix, Lucius, Rodolphus and Evan Rosier are in their Seventh Year. Andromeda is in her Sixth. Narcissa, Snape, Sirius, James, Remus, and Peter are in their Fifth Year.
Just a reminder, this is Bellatrix before she gets involved in the Dark Arts and becomes a Death Eater. She will seem out of character, but her journey will lead her towards the Bellatrix Lestrange we all know.
I have been told that this story has a bit of a slow start, so bear with me :). I have been working on this since March for Camp NaNoWriMo. It's both terrifying and relief that I'm finally posting it after pouring my blood, sweat, and tears into it.
If you reach the end, let me know what you think!
The Fall
by somekindofwildgirl
"The Minister will not last the year," Cygnus Black III said, tossing the newspaper on the table. Every morning her father read the paper and would provide commentary. Eating breakfast together was their family's tradition and one that Bellatrix and Andromeda disliked because it meant they could not sleep in.
Andromeda read the article to the rest of the family. "I do not understand, Father."
Bellatrix rolled her eyes at her sister. The Prophet announced crises daily. Tomorrow, the Wizengamot would be under fire. The next day, the Malfoys. Even their younger sister Narcissa looked bored. Their mother was the next to pick up the paper and flipped to the gossip column. This sparked Narcissa's interest and the two began pouring over the fashion spread.
"The Minister is pushing a muggleborn agenda in a time when his support is fading."
"Why is everyone reluctant to renew our relationship with the muggles?" Andromeda asked.
"Too many of us remember the Wars," his gruff voice sent a chill down their spines.
The rest of breakfast was spent in uncomfortable silence, the only noise the scraping of utensils. The unspoken rule in every household was that any reference or mention of the Wars was avoided at any cost. It was not until the house elves cleared the plates that their mother dared to speak. "We have exciting news. Your betrothal contracts have been signed."
Bellatrix and Andromeda glanced at each other - reluctance mirrored in each other's gaze - while Narcissa looked thrilled. This was the best or worst day of a woman's life, discovering the identity of the person you were supposed to spend the rest of your life with. Once a betrothal contract was signed, only a scandal would prevent the marriage from occurring.
"You are engaged to Charles Selwyn," Druella said to Bellatrix, before turning her gaze to Andromeda. "You are betrothed to Lucius Malfoy."
A huge weight was lifted from Bellatrix's shoulder. Charles Selwyn was her best friend, a boy their age that was both attractive and intelligent. Most girls were stuck with an old bachelor and she was relieved that her parents had not doomed her and her sister to such an awful future. But Andromeda must have disagreed because stood up fast, knocking her chair to the ground. Her sister looked at both her parents before running out of the room in tears.
"What about me?"
"Not everything is about you, Narcissa," Bellatrix snapped, standing up.
"Be nice to your sister. We will sign your contract next summer," their father told the blonde.
The two girls continued to glare at each other, but went quiet. When her father looked satisfied, Bellatrix left the table and made her way to Andromeda's room. She groaned when she heard light footsteps behind her, but was relieved that Narcissa did not dare approach her. Welcoming this moment of silence, Bellatrix processed the news. If she was perfectly honest, the choice in husbands did not surprise her.
The Sacred Twenty-Eight were the driving force of the Ministry; twenty-eight influential families chosen to ensure the survival of the wizarding race. They held important Ministry positions and Wizengamot seats. Their magic could be traced back centuries, some to the time of Merlin. However, within the Sacred Twenty-Eight, seven families ruled supreme: Malfoy, Selwyn, Black, Lestrange, Potter, Abbot, and Longbottom. These families held the real power. The implications of joining the Black family with the heirs of Selwyn and Malfoy were not lost on her.
Opening the door to her sister's room, she saw that Andromeda was staring out the window lost in thought. Narcissa tore past her and sat at her sister's side. Bellatrix joined them and it took some pleading and coaxing before their chestnut-haired sister was ready to talk.
"I do not want to marry him."
Narcissa smiled. "I think he is rather handsome."
"You have always had a crush on him," Andromeda snapped.
"It is your duty to marry him regardless of your personal feelings. At least he is our age and the heir to a powerful family," Bellatrix reminded her.
"Not all of us are lucky enough to marry a best friend."
"Mother has always hinted at our matches. It is not my fault that you chose not to foster a friendship with Lucius. And for your information, Charles has not answered my letters all summer."
Andromeda dropped her gaze. "Sorry. I had no idea."
An uncomfortable silence followed, only to be broken by their mother's voice echoing down the hallway.
"Girls! It is time for your lessons!"
Groaning, the sisters got up and made their way to the library. Their father was in the midst of putting on his cloak in the front hall, his briefcase by the door. Cygnus Black was the best barrister in England and in high demand. This meant that he was rarely home. Their father was wearing his new cloak, which meant he was meeting with an important client. Bellatrix had spent her entire life learning his subtle tells, not that it had paid off.
"Have a good day at work!" Narcissa said, leaping up to kiss his cheek before disappearing down the hallway.
Andromeda followed suit but waited for her sister at the end of the hallway. Bellatrix went to copy her sisters, but her father turned to grab his umbrella at the same time she leaned in. He turned around with a raised eyebrow and she stepped back, embarrassed.
"If I hear another report on your misbehaviour from Miss Rosier, I will confiscate your broomstick."
Before Bellatrix could defend herself, he grabbed his briefcase and left. Her cheeks were flushed and she tried to swallowing the lump in her throat. Andromeda looked like she wanted to say something - no longer surprised at their father's coldness towards his eldest daughter - but Bellatrix walked past her. The girls continued to the library and took a seat at the table. Their governess looked displeased at their tardiness, but did not acknowledge it.
"Today, we will cover invitation etiquette."
Miss Rosier placed an example in front of each girl. The wedding invitation was ivory with ruffles along the borders. Narcissa squealed in delight as she talked about how she wanted her wedding invitations to look like, while Andromeda studied the example diligently.
Only the threat of her broom being confiscated kept Bellatrix from complaining. Every day, the girls had a two hour lesson with their governess to ensure they became proper, respectable ladies. They learned how to cook, knit, sew, and run a household. It took every ounce of her self control not to make her invitation burst into flames.
If Miss Rosier was surprised at her quietness, she did not show it and continued on with the lesson. Bellatrix's mind was still on the scene with her father. She wished that this was the first time her father was hard on her, but he had always treated her differently than her sisters.
He wanted a son, but sired her instead.
