So this is my new series of one-shots called "A Tale of Three Sisters." It basically shows some episodes in the lives Bellatrix, Andromeda, and Narcissa Black. Please review if you have the time!
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. The credit belongs to the fantastic J.K. Rowling.
A Tale of Three Sisters
Part 1
It is a strange feeling to be in a place full of people, but still feel completely alone, though Andromeda Black guessed that many of the witches and wizards stalking down the shadowy street of Knockturn Alley felt this way. Here, everyone was alone.
Each eye she caught, each shop window she passed, the same chilling feeling came over Andromeda. She despised these "family outings" almost as much as family get-togethers, although at least during those she could find sanctuary in her room. Today, her parents needed to go "shopping," for what she did not care to know and never asked. They walked paces in front of her, quickly followed by her older sister, Bellatrix. She and her younger sister, Narcissa, followed, Narcissa because she always followed, Andromeda because she really didn't want to be there.
The shop, Borgin and Burke's, of which Mr. and Mrs. Black were frequent patrons, was now in view. As they neared the door, Andromeda hoped they would not need to go inside. It was one of the scariest places she knew. It was filled to the brim with dark magical objects. Much to Andromeda's happiness, the Blacks passed the shop. The owner, equally as dark as the objects he sold, Mr. Borgin, gave a nod in their direction, which Andromeda's parents and Bellatrix reciprocated.
"Well," a passing by witch stopped in her tracks. She dressed in the dark, very worn clothes and a graying cloak. "Cygnus, Druella, really it's been too long," she smiled—a smile just the same as everyone else's in Knockturn Alley, empty and sinister. Mr. and Mrs. Black greeted her. "And these must be your daughters," she placed a spindly hand on Andromeda's shoulder. Andromeda tried not to wince or look at her jagged, yellowed fingernails. She glanced to her left to Narcissa, who, just like always, stood with the same fake expression of contentment on her face. Removing her hand from Andromeda's shoulder the witch placed it in her older sister, Bellatrix's long, dark hair. "Such beautiful girls," she remarked. Andromeda needn't even look at Bellatrix to know her expression. Bellatrix loved the approval and attention of her parents' friends and acquaintances. She smiled toothily displaying her perfectly white, straight teeth only to receive more praise.
"And have they started Hogwarts?" she asked.
"Our oldest, Bellatrix is entering her second year," replied Mrs. Black.
"Slytherin?"
"Of course," Bellatrix proudly replied, smiling again.
"And this will be Andromeda's," Mr. Black nodded toward Andromeda, "first year."
"A Slytherin as well, no doubt." Andromeda replied with a nervous smile. In truth, she wasn't sure if she'd be put in Slytherin. She had always been the black…well, in the Black family's case the white…sheep of the family. Not being sorted into Slytherin would be just another thing to add to the list. Luckily her uncertain smile was adequate enough for the witch to move to ask about Narcissa.
"Narcissa still has a few years," Mr. Black chuckled. "But, she cannot wait." Narcissa smiled in agreement. She rarely expressed any opinions unless they were already someone else's, whether her parents' or Bellatrix's.
"Good, good," the witch replied. "Keep the good blood in the good houses," she croaked before bidding the family good day and continuing down the Alley. Andromeda turned her head slightly to follow her, but only caught a glimpse of her cloak disappearing inside Borgin and Burke's.
Mr. and Mrs. Black finally stopped at a shop whose sign was so worn the name couldn't fully be made out. From what Andromeda could see through the dust covered windows was what looked like odd-sized potion bottles. "Would you girls like to wait here or come inside?" asked Mrs. Black and Mr. Black pushed open the door. Andromeda was about to express her desire to stay outside, but before she could, Bellatrix answered happily, "We'll come inside." Mr. and Mrs. Black always insisted on the sisters staying together. If one waited outside, they all waited outside and if one went inside, they all went inside. Since Bellatrix was the worst person to argue, Andromeda complied.
The outside of the shop was a good indication of the inside—wall-to-wall potion bottles of all shapes and sizes, the contents all odd and disturbing. "Andromeda." Andromeda looked to see Bellatrix at the far end of store with Narcissa examining a violent green potion that was steaming so much there had to be some sort of fire inside the bottle. At Bellatrix's call, Andromeda went to meet her, walking as slowly as possible. It wasn't that Andromeda didn't love her sisters, but she hated how close they forced to be, when they really weren't at all alike. This, when Andromeda was feeling up for putting up a fight, caused much friction between the sisters. Maybe Hogwarts would be different. Maybe they'd get the little bit of separation Andromeda was sure they needed.
