AN: Truly my favorite ship in the HP world is Lucius and Narcissa's. I really enjoy doing stories about them. Love reading about them too. By the way, this is their tale of how they came to be and how they turn out after the second wizarding war. In my story, Andromeda is one year younger than Bellatrix and then Narcissa is 4 years younger than Bellatrix too. Druella Black in my story is not a Rosier. Lots of love, xo

Disclaimer: Everything Harry Potter belongs to JK Rowling. I do not own anything.

Through the Darkest Times, Dear

Chapter 1- Memories

"Come on Bella! Hurry!"
"I don't understand what's your fuss, Cissy. It's just another party,not even a ball." said Bellatrix Black indifferently. She was still in her robes when she was supposed to have already changed for the Rosier party. If her mother were present, she would have been reprimanded already. But then again, her mother nor father wasn't around so why worry? She smirked.

The Black sisters were home for the Christmas, away from the busy halls of Hogwarts. Even then though, their status in society would still keep them busy what with all the parties to attend. The Rosiers were holding a party for their eldest son's last year in Hogwarts; one common routine for purebloods, actually. It was the first party the Blacks would go to for the Christmas break. The Blacks were, of course, above others and with getting every invitation from each family, they weren't expected to attend all. But Cygnus and Druella Black decided that it is time to show themselves again to the public. When her parents broke the news that "We haven't been very active with all the parties for awhile and so we insist that you go and enjoy yourselves at the Rosier party while we do some work in France." their
three daughters all groaned especially the eldest, Bellatrix.

"If mother and father wanted us to have fun, we would be in France. Not attending this stupid excuse for a ball."
"We're late Bella! Come on!" Cissy urged.
"It's just a graduation party. You'll be going to loads of that by the time you're in your 7th year, besides you don't know anyone there. Except maybe some of your little friends but they don't count." she shrugged, thinking about what she said.
"As much as you don't want to go, I don't want to but Im already dressed so hurry up, please?" Bellatrix rolled her eyes.
"Bella," Andromeda said. "Just get dressed, will you? We're already late as it is."
"Oh fine to pipe you two down. Meet me at the carriage." it was a good thing Bella was a quick decision maker not to mention she looked great whatever she wore or else it would have taken forever for them to get to the party.

When the Black sisters arrived, Bellatrix and Andromeda went in together first and when they entered the room, Narcissa couldn't help feeling a little jealous. All eyes were turned on her sisters and her two sisters went straight ahead to the hosts and shook hands with them all the more making everyone's jaws drop by the way they moved and talked. It was all so pleasant and graceful and Narcissa wondered if
she would be like them in every way. With her entrance, everyone cooed and smiled but Cissy wanted more. Bella, a seat away from her, seemed to read her mind and whispered "You'll have your time. Was she supposed to be happy about this?

Bellatrix Black was clearly enjoying herself. She was the center of attention at the party and every boy in Hogwarts seemed to want to dance with her while the elder people looked on, smiling. Even if Andromeda was sitting beside Narcissa, there were more than a dozen people covering her so that Cissy couldn't see her anymore. They talked to her, tried to grab her attention while she simply smiled and
nodded to whatever they were saying. Of course, Andromeda was also beautiful. She looked a lot like Bellatrix and she also inherited the Black looks and charm. Cissy on the other hand, didn't look like her sisters. Though she did inherit the proud stand of the Blacks and some Black features, she looked more like her mother. Her blue eyes, not the dark ones, her blond, silver strands, were also not the dark ones
her sisters had. Despite being unsure of herself compared to her sisters, her mother always told her she was glad someone inherited her looks and that Narcissa was beautiful in every way her sisters were after all, they were all cut from the same cloth.

Narcissa Black barely liked anyone in the party. She saw most of them in school like Evan Rosier, Avery, McNair, Rabastan Lestrange and a couple of girls a year above her. She didn't like them though. Her only friends in Hogwarts, aside from her sisters are Rabastan Lestrange, and the half blood Severus Snape whom she met in potions class during her first year. Severus wasn't even at the party. Who could she talk to? She didn't like to talk to Rabastan when his friends, Avery, Mulciber and the others were around Narcissa frowned. People were trying to involve her in conversation but she did not actually care about others. She pretended to listen
and nodded along but in truth she wanted a way to stand up and be away
from the mindless chatter going on.

The moment Narcissa entered Hogwarts, Bellatrix started to introduce her to everyone. Bellatrix was so sure her sister would end up in Slytherin and that did happen. Sirius, their cousin was in the same year as Narcissa but Bellatrix did not like him so Narcissa decided he must be no good. Bellatrix introduced Cissy to everyone and that included Lucius, who was in Bella's year. Although Bella said she hated Malfoy and he was nothing but a big slimy git, Narcissa secretly
admired him. And why shouldn't she? Malfoy was the head boy, at the top of his class, the quidditch captain, he had the looks, Narcissa could add and he came from a very prominent family.

"Cissy?" Rabastan shook her. "Are you even listening to me?" Evan and the others left for another table.
"Oh yes Rabastan! Go on. You were saying something about your brother?"
"Yes, well, father's already planning to arrange a marriage for him."
"Do all 7th years get married at once, Rabby?" Cissy asked.
"Well, not necessarily at once but most purebloods often get engaged with their wives or husbands. It's all arranged." he answered.
"Oh." Narcissa looked down. She silently wished Lucius wouldn't have to marry anyone at once when he graduates on June. "It's a good thing Evan had to go to his father. I was getting sick of his face"
"He is the host, you know?"
"I know but I don't like him. I know he's one of your 4th year friends and that he's older than us but I don't really like him."
"That's fine. Sometimes, I get annoyed with Snape too."
"Severus."
"Yeah."
"But I don't get it why you guys don't like him sometimes. I like him. Lucius likes him. And so many others do."
"Blimey Cissy! He's got that stupid mudblood friend over in Gryffindor remember?"
"Oh right." cissy replied. But in all honesty she didn't care if Severus was friends with the mudblood. She liked Lily Evans enough. The only problem was that she's a mudblood and that's the end of the conversation.
"Hey look." Rabastan said.
"What?" all heads turned to the direction of the entrance. The chatter of the party dropped to low murmurs. Narcissa could see why. Her little heart fluttered and her eyes sparkled with joy.

"It's Lucius Malfoy!" she told Rabby. He nodded. As Malfoy entered, all the girls in the room flocked to him. Again, the elders looked on smiling. Narcissa, later, found out all the parents of the Hogwarts students near Malfoy's year wished for their daughters to get married to a Malfoy or to have strong connections with him but Malfoy was always just so silent. Narcissa didn't know if he even had any friends
except maybe for Severus for they were unusually close, Rodolphus-
sometimes and count Bellatrix in too. Bellatrix and Andromeda were sitting beside Narcissa now chatting aimlessly with their crowd of adoring people, still. Lucius made his way to the center of the room, looked over and headed talk to Bellatrix. Narcissa held her breath.

"Bellatrix," he said.
"Hi there Lucius," She replied. " have you forgotten my sisters and your manners?" Narcissa knew that voice. She was toying him, she usually did that with her.
"Of course not. Good evening Andromeda, Narcissa. How are you doing?"
"Just fine, Excuse me." Andromeda stood up and went to fill her refreshments.
Narcissa nodded but it looked like she was bobbling.
"I have to talk to you Bella, would you mind stepping outside for a moment?" it was more of an order rather than a request. Bellatrix would have normally toyed with Malfoy rather than follow him but the matter seemed important. Narcissa saw the look in their eyes. Must be about Slughorn, Narcissa sighed.

"Bella."
"Tell me. Now." Bella said.
"Remember professor? He tried to recruit me to join? I asked him
concerning the one about you."
"What did he say?" Bella asked earnestly.
"He said he'd ask and te result is you're in, he said you'd do fine."
Bellatrix smiled.
"Great. I guess we can go back now." Malfoy wasn't used to seeing
Bellatrix in such a happy state. Bellatrix turned to leave but Malfoy
held her back.
"Listen. What we're joining isn't a game. You should know that."
"I do Malfoy. It's really none of your concern dear." Bellatrix
sneered. "Oh wait. Or Is it maybe you... hmmm... You care much about
me?" She carefully placed her finger on Lucius' lips. "You do? Don't
you?"
Lucius gripped her arm tightly.
"Dont get me wrong. I don't have a care in the world for you. You-you-you..."
"What. Say it you slimy git."
Lucius threw her hand down. They weren't allowed to do magic yet, try still had the trace but if he could, he would have cursed Bellatrix already. He went back in the party leaving Bellatrix alone outside and managed to stay calm as dozens of people crowded around him. Bellatrix went in after a few seconds and grabbed Narcissa and Andromeda. "We're going home." she said.
"We haven't even lasted two hours here, Bella." Andromeda said.
"Don't argue with me. You won't like it."

The Black sisters bid their farewells and left for home. Bellatrix could have sworn Lucius Malfoy left when they did. She couldn't help feeling curious as to where his destination might be but she brushed it off with the certainty that she would be finally serving a cause she believed in. Not really necessary to tell Father, Mother or even
Cissy for that matter. It was her own secret, hers alone.