It was a family tradition that the Black family were taken to the platform 9 and 3/4 in an abundance of style with two vicious Chinese dragons leading the carriage: Sickle and Scythe.
Narcissa,however, stared into the void of the carriage. "Come along there Narcissa," Lord Cygnus Black said impatiently. Lord Black, for whatever reason found error in all of Narcissa's movements and speech.
"Narcissa, let me take the window seat," Andromeda said softly.
"But father…"
"If he says anything I'll say I was feeling ill." Andromeda knew that Bellatrix was the only one who could make the current situation tolerable for Narcissa.
Bellatrix has always doted on Narcissa to Lord Black's displeasure but he was never one to say no to his favorite. Bellatrix exemplified the "true nature" of the Black family line according to their father. She was cunning, vicious, beautiful, and smart. To top it off, the Sorting Hat immediately sent Bellatrix to the Slytherin table before she could sit on the stool. Two years had passed since that day, but Lord Black continued to keep his daughter's excited letter in his pocket.
Bellatrix came in next and gave Narcissa a warm smile. "We'll be back before you know it and I'll write often." Narcissa doubted this since she didn't receive any letters from her the last two times she had left for Hogwarts.
The light in Narcissa's eyes vanished as she saw that her parents were stepping up to the door. Once again she resumed an absent stare. Lady Druella and Lord Cygnus Black entered into the carriage in absolute silence. A mysterious tension was always present when their parents were around.
"Well father, how are we to feel about having another Slytherin in our household," Bellatrix said breaking the silence.
Cygnus paused a while. "... I would like to think that all of my offspring would enter the Slytherin House. Otherwise I would be greatly disappointed."
Again, there was a moment of tension in the carriage. Andromeda, in particular seemed very much shaken. Without skipping a beat, Bellatrix looked up at her father innocently. "You mean to tell me that you would have been very disappointed in me if I had gotten into another house… say Ravenclaw?"
Cygnus smiled. "I would have requested that Hogwarts should have the Sorting Hat examined. You could never fit into any other house."
"Do you still carry my silly letter in your pocket?"
Cygnus patted his breast pocket. "Should I pull out for you?"
"Oh no father. I believe you."
Narcissa could feel Andromeda shake right next to her and noticed how tightly Andromeda gripped her book.
"Bellatrix, I hope that you won't be resting on your laurels. You are heir to my estate and so you will need to make a name of your own."
Bellatrix smiled darkly, "What was it that the muggles say?" Cygnus frowned and waited expectedly. "There is no rest for the wicked."
Cygnus laughed. "Oh? Is that what they say? Well they can be pretty damn clever at times, can't they?"
"I never knew you to give compliments to muggles," Bellatrix feigned disapproval.
"They also say know your enemies, but never say such things in front of company. Some families can be quite idiotic."
"Not surprising." Bellatrix eased back into her seat. "Well the House of Black is the most superior family in all the world. It is any wonder why we haven't taken it," Bellatrix smiled.
"If that is your ambition, I won't stop you Bellatrix."
"Well I needn't own it to rule it," she said mysteriously. Narcissa had forgotten her composure and marvelled at Bellatrix. "Well I can't be expected to do all the hard work. You two will need to pitch in from time to time," Bellatrix teased.
"Certainly," Cygnus said coldly returning to his book. Narcissa returned to her cold, blank stare at her mother's shoulder.
"Since we are only school children, perhaps our first goal together will be to drive out Dumbledore," Bellatrix suggested.
"My aren't we ambitious," chuckled Cygnus without his eyes leaving the page. "Just try to remember to not get yourselves expelled."
Bellatrix frowned and nuzzled further back into her seat. She didn't care for being ignored.
They arrived at their destination. Narcissa remembered Andromeda's instructions to not gawk at her surroundings. She held onto Bellatrix's hand to make sure she didn't get lost amongst all of the families there. It seemed that everyone there had an air of distinction. Families nodded to both Cygnus and Druella who returned the nods. Narcissa felt glad to be a Black because she would hate to have the same groveling eyes as some of the families seemed to have.
Her family stood behind a very orderly line that led to a cast iron gate. Slowly they made their way closer and closer to the gate. Narcissa's hand was sweaty with anticipation. She was happy to be wearing gloves so that Bellatrix wouldn't notice. Finally, they arrived at the front of the gate. It was the one time, Andromeda had told her, that she could gawk at her surroundings in front of her. Narcissa felt disappointed. It certainly was a different world, but it didn't feel as glamorous as the places that she had already visited. Here, there was only an ugly stone covering much of her visual space with a large dark stone with ugly metal carriages moving across it. As for the muggles, they were all distastefully dressed. No. This isn't fascinating at all.
As they walked, she felt Andromeda rush up behind her and take her hand. "Let's hold hands. I might get lost," Andromeda winked. Narcissa smiled disapprovingly, Andromeda wasn't following her own advice. The two giggled.
"Narcissa, Andromeda stop being repulsive," Lord Black said with mild irritation.
Once they were at the platform 9 ¾ Druella gasped, "It gets worse every year!"
"Don't worry my dear," Cygnus said with a low voice. "Our lord will fix their population soon enough."
In public, the two got on remarkably well.
"Oi! Vicken! Trix!" Bellatrix let go of Narcissa's hand and started to run over to meet with her friends.
As she was about to rush up to her friend, Lady Druella grabbed her daughter's shoulder elegantly, but with a silent threat of potential energy reverberating in her arm. "Remember you are a lady," Druella said quietly.
"Beggin' your pardon ma'm." Bellatrix tipped her hat and curtseyed. She spun around and continued her trek to her friends.
Durella turned white, but did nothing upon hearing her husband's ill-covered laugh.
Andromeda gave Narcissa a hug. "I have some planning to do. Just remember my advice to you. I'll write as often as I can."
Narcissa fought back her tears. She would be alone in the house without them. "Please do Andromeda."