Author's Note: Harry Potter Wiki states that Andromeda is the middle Black sister, but it doesn't give the year that she was born. Since Bellatrix is four years older than Narcissa, I decided to truly put Andromeda in the middle. I have made Andromeda two years older than Narcissa and two years younger than Bellatrix.
Additional Author's Note: This story takes place during the summer before Narcissa's sixth year and Lucius's seventh year. Andromeda has just recently graduated from Hogwarts.
Narcissa could hear that her mother was yelling angrily about that Blood-Traitor and that disgrace to their noble family's name (Andromeda in both cases), but her mind was not really registering the actual words that Druella Black was saying.
Narcissa was still thinking about the way that Andromeda had looked at her as she was being kicked out the manor.
Stand up for me, Andromeda's eyes had said. Support me in this.
Narcissa, however, had not said anything.
And in return, Andromeda had looked at Narcissa with undisguised anger and hatred.
Was she really expecting me to be disowned along with her? Narcissa thought angrily. Was she really expecting me to turn my back on our family just because she had? I owe her nothing. She has no right to be angry at me. I didn't do anything wrong. I'm not the one that betrayed this family for a Mudblood.
"Enough, Druella," Cygnus Black's voice suddenly spoke sharply.
Druella's rant immediately stopped, and both Bellatrix and Narcissa turned to look at their father.
It was not often that Cygnus ordered Druella to shut up or that he raised his voice in any way (except when he was really lecturing one of his daughters, and even then he mostly spoke in a soft but deadly voice as that was more than effective enough).
"We have more important things to worry about than her," Cygnus said.
Her. Dromeda is already nameless.
Despite her anger at her older sister, a part of Narcissa was still saddened by the fact that her parents were already insisting on not calling their middle daughter by name. Andromeda had been kicked out the manor less than an hour ago, and it was already as if she had never been a part of the family.
"We can pretend that she is no longer a part of this family all we want," Cygnus continued, "but there is no changing the fact that she did exist and that she was a Black. The other Purebloods are not going to forget about her betrayal quickly or easily, nor are they going to forget that she was a Black."
Cygnus turned to look at his two remaining daughters. "Both the Lestranges and the Malfoys are noble families worthy to be married into our family. The Blood-Traitor's actions, however, have greatly shamed our family; and neither the Lestranges nor Abraxas Malfoy can be blamed if they no longer want their sons marrying you two."
Bellatrix showed no emotion at this news. If anything, she looked bored. But then again, she had never felt anything towards her future husband.
Narcissa, on the other hand, was completely horrified. Lucius meant everything to her. And even though she knew that Lucius felt equally as strong for her, she also knew that Abraxas Malfoy already cared little for her (mostly because he knew that she made his son happy). Abraxas had only agreed to the marriage between Lucius and Narcissa because the Blacks had been the best option. With Andromeda's betrayal, however, the Blacks were no longer as appealing or as worthy.
What if Abraxas Malfoy decides to break my marriage arrangement with Lucius? Narcissa couldn't help thinking. What if he decides that he would rather promise Lucius to a girl from a more worthy Pureblood family instead of me?
Abraxas would have every right to do so, and no one would be able to blame him. The Blacks had become a source of disgrace, after all, and no proper Pureblood family (especially the Malfoys) would want anything to do with such disgrace.
You weren't thinking about this when you decided to marry that Mudblood, were you, Andromeda? Narcissa thought angrily. You weren't thinking that your actions could hurt the rest of us. You knew what Lucius means to me, but that didn't stop you from being selfish. That didn't stop you from thinking only about yourself.
"What are we going to do, Cygnus?" Druella asked worriedly. "I can't have my daughters marrying someone who is less than worthy of them. Our daughters must marry Rodolphus and Lucius. Bella's and Rodolphus's wedding date is quickly approaching. What if the Lestranges decide to call the wedding off? What if Abraxas decides that he no longer wants to push for a future marriage between Cissy and Lucius? I can't have that happening."
"We are not completely ruined," Cygnus responded. "Our family is among the oldest of the Pureblood families in Britain. The Blood-Traitor is an ugly stain on us, but we can recover from this if we act quickly. Disowning the Blood-Traitor is a good start. It shows that we will not tolerate such disgusting behavior. We must continue to show the other Purebloods that we do not think as the Blood-Traitor does."
"The Dark Lord knows how loyal we are to him," Bellatrix spoke passionately, starting to pull up her left sleeve.
"And we are most proud of you, Bellatrix," Cygnus responded. "But getting married should also be important to a proper Pureblood such as yourself. Though your heir will not carry the Black name, it is still important that the Black blood does not die with you."
Cygnus once again turned to his wife. "I shall go immediately to speak with the Lestranges and with Abraxas."
With that, Cygnus turned and left the room.
Once her husband was gone, it did not take Druella long to once again start complaining about that disgrace to their noble family's name. Bellatrix was more than happy to join in.
Narcissa, meanwhile, was completely forgotten for the moment.
She really needed to see Lucius. She really needed his support.
Narcissa also didn't want Lucius hearing about Andromeda's treachery from his father. Lucius deserved to hear it from her personally.
With as much grace and dignity as she could muster (just in case her mother did suddenly catch sight of her), Narcissa left the room.