Chapter 3
She sat in the common room and stared into the flames. It was abandoned and cold. She had dragged her favourite leather chair to the fire and had summoned a blanket. The sky outside was black and filled with snow. The grounds outside were already covered in a tender, soft white blanket and the snow was mysteriously shiny in the pale moonlight that fell through the snow filled clouds. The silence was her companion and she enjoyed the loneliness.
Hermione huddled a bit deeper into the blanket that lay over her shoulders, her head resting against the side of the chair. She was tired but could not find the strength to go to bed. Her mind kept taking her back to the events that took place in the bathroom earlier that night. Her and Narcissa; together and naked. Lips that had captured her own and had bruised her skin. That kissed her. Teeth had grazed across her body. Hands that found places never touched before. Feelings that had surfaced she never even knew she had.
But most of all there was confusion. She knew what had happened was wrong. Narcissa Black was a seventeen year old girl who would one day become a Death Eater's wife and the mother of her arch enemy. But today she was all but that. Today she was a blonde young woman with amazing blue eyes, soft skin, and sweet tender lips. And she was everything that was forbidden. And just as things are when they are forbidden, she was beautiful and attractive.
Hermione rubbed her eyes. She was everything Narcissa hated. She was a Muggle born; a Mudblood. One day she would be the best friend of the boy who caused Lord Voldemort's downfall; who would send Lucius Malfoy to prison. The boy who hated Narcissa's son possibly even more than Hermione did. But today, Hermione was a liar; a liar to Narcissa and to herself. She had betrayed everything she stood for. But most of all, she had betrayed Narcissa. The only thing that was true was the way she felt about her and being a prisoner in this time, even some of that still felt like a lie.
Hermione opened her eyes the next morning. The warmth of her bed was a tender comfort. Her body ached. She had stayed up late, sitting in the cold common room. It was after three o'clock when she finally made her way to the dormitory. After she had climbed into bed she had watched Narcissa sleep. And she had cried.
But the tears had dried now. As she sat up her eyes immediately drifted to the bed next to hers. Narcissa was awake and had been watching Hermione. Hermione had no idea for how long. Now that brown eyes met blue Narcissa felt caught and she blushed slightly. A smile lingered around her lips now that she found Hermione awake and Hermione returned the smile.
"Morning," Hermione whispered softly. None of the other girls were awake yet and the dormitory was covered in silence. She pushed herself up, now resting on her elbows.
"Morning," Narcissa returned the greeting and with a gracious jump she leapt out of bed. Her feet softly touched the floor and without making a noise she walked around. She now stood at the side of Hermione's bed and she pulled the duvet covers aside without asking. Her blue eyes twinkled. Narcissa looked beautiful in the weak morning light that fell through one of the windows. "Move over, Rose."
Hermione moved aside willingly and Narcissa climbed into bed with her. Hermione shivered when she felt Narcissa's warm leg against her own and softly moaned when Narcissa's arms slipped around her and the blonde hair tickled her face when she lay her head down on her chest. Hermione absentmindedly kissed her on her head, her slim fingers brushing through Narcissa's blonde hair. Her other hand caressed her arm.
"The train leaves at noon, remember?" Narcissa whispered softly and Hermione held her breath. She had thought about the visit to the Black residence while she was sitting in the common room last night. The thought of being faced with a young Bellatrix Lestrange was a terrifying thought while at the same time she felt a sense of strength inside her she didn't even know she had.
"There are some things you will need to know before you meet my family," Narcissa brushed her lips against the bare skin of Hermione's neck; her warm breath caused Hermione to come out in goose bumps. "Whatever you do, do not mention my sister Andromeda. She has disgraced our family. We do not speak of her." Hermione's heart skipped a beat at the mention of Tonks' mother. Though she had never met her, she knew Tonks well and someone who had given birth to such a lovely person could not hold an evil cell in her body. She knew the Blacks had disowned her for marrying a Muggle. "Though Father thinks differently, Bella always makes the rules around the house. If she cannot get her way she will end up having one of her tantrums. She is arrogant, cold but brilliant and kind."
Hermione wondered how the words arrogant, cold and kind could possibly go together, let alone describe the same person but she did not ask. Everything Narcissa told her was valuable information. She flinched. Somewhere she hurt. She knew she was using Narcissa. And she had to. She had a mission to complete. But at the same time the pure kindness and beauty that was Narcissa lay with her head resting on her chest, vulnerable and sweet. Hermione swallowed back her pain, her sense of betrayal and planted another kiss on those golden blonde locks.
"Rodolphus is a prat, much like Malfoy. But he is my sister's husband and Father thinks highly of him so treat him with respect but do not be friendly. His brother Rabastan is probably even worse, if that is even possible. He is not yet married and may find you a suitable mate," Narcissa lifted up her head and carefully kissed Hermione on the lips. The sweetness was gone too soon and Hermione whimpered in disappointment. She wanted to feel those lips on hers all the time. "If he so much as looks at you I'll hex him."
"I thought no one was to know?" Hermione whispered, her words almost getting lost in Narcissa's blonde hair.
"My family would disown me because I am to marry Lucius Malfoy. No one is ever to know." Hermione heard the sadness in Narcissa's voice and she sighed. Her eyes closed. Narcissa's body was warm against her own. "But that does not mean this has to end though." Hermione knew what Narcissa was saying. But she knew it would have to end. And it would end much sooner than either of them wished.
By the time noon came Hermione and Narcissa were amongst an anxious gathering of students waiting to board the Hogwarts Express back to London. Their little encounter in the Dormitory had not lasted much longer as the other girls had started to wake up. Narcissa had slipped back into her bed unnoticed. Her blue eyes kept finding Hermione's brown throughout the morning though neither spoke much. Hermione's eyes kept drifting to the teacher's table but every time she did she found Minerva McGonnagal talking to one of the other teachers. But whenever she wasn't looking she felt those green eyes rest upon her.
"What's McGonnagal doing here?" Narcissa suddenly whispered beside Hermione, nudging her in the ribs with her elbow. Hermione looked up. Her thoughts were stored in the back of her mind and she found Narcissa was right. Minerva had appeared at the end of the platform, overseeing the arrival of several first year Gryffindors. "Merlin's Beard, I hope she isn't here to give me another lecture."
Hermione suspected Minerva's arrival at Hogsmeade Station had very little to do with Narcissa. She watched as the older witch made herself a way through the crowd of students and it wasn't long until she reached Hermione and Narcissa. Everything about Narcissa's posture changed, Hermione noticed and to not look out of place she copied the defensive body language and daring look. She noticed her change did not stay unnoticed to Minerva, who narrowed her eyes as they pierced into her own.
"Miss Black, Miss Cabot," she greeted the pair of them calmly though she did not pay a lot of attention to Narcissa. She was only focused on Hermione. "Miss Cabot, I am sorry to interrupt but I have a message from the Headmaster. It is from your family. I hope you can spare five minutes?" Now she glanced at Narcissa, whose hand was resting on Hermione's arm. "Before you depart with Miss Black?"
Hermione nodded reluctantly. She didn't want to leave Narcissa's side but knew Minerva's appearance had something to do with the Order and her mission. She followed her to the other side of the platform, catching Narcissa's eyes as she glanced over her shoulder. She watched her board the train and promised herself she would look for her as soon as she got on the train too.
"What's wrong, Professor?" Hermione whispered, her eyes climbing up from Minerva's feet to her eyes. She was once again surprised by her beauty. Minerva McGonnagal had once been a tall, beautiful, green eyes and ash blonde haired witch with strong yet soft facial features. "Is there anything going on I need to know?"
"I was about to ask you the same thing, Miss Granger," Minerva answered softly. Hermione flinched when she heard her real name. Somehow the real Hermione Granger had appeared nothing but a distant memory since she arrived at Hogwarts. "I see you have grown quite close to Narcissa Black and spend a lot of time with her."
"Isn't that what you wanted me to do, Professor?" Hermione retorted the question defensively and she crossed her arms in front of her chest. She had managed to hide the venom in her voice but it was very clear she did not agree with what Minerva had said to her.
"It is indeed what I requested you to do," Minerva answered. Hermione's defensiveness did not go unnoticed and she stepped a bit closer to the younger witch but did not reach out to touch her. "I do hope you will not find yourself in a situation that will end up doing more bad than good, Hermione. Narcissa already is a dark and very skilled witch. You mustn't forget that. You know how she is taunting her fellow students. It is one of her favourite ways to pass time. A way, I have been told, you seem to have taken quite a liking to."
"Since when does poor little Severus Snape run to a Gryffindor Head of House?" Hermione snapped. She brushed some curls out of her eyes and shook her head. "Listen, the Order asked me to take on this mission and I have. I have risked everything. If Narcissa ever finds out who or what I am, she will do much worse to me than she has ever done to Snape. I am not a child. If the Order wants the information, you will have to let me do this my way."
Minerva cocked her head to the side. She sensed something was wrong. "Hermione, I am not stupid. I have seen the way she looks at you. And the way you look at her. I know what is going on. Know you must not act on your emotions. You cannot. Nothing is ever to happen between you and Narcissa Black. Remember who you are. Remember who she is and who she is to become. Nothing can ever happen."
Hermione spun around on her heels when she heard the train blow its final whistle. She ran to the nearest open compartment door. When she climbed the three steps she turned around and found Minerva looking at her. Her green eyes were filled with worries. Hermione's heart ached. And before she fled into the train to look for Narcissa she left Minerva with those devastating words. "It's too late for that."
The train rolled into London's King Cross station several hours later. Hermione sat next to Narcissa. They had the compartment to themselves and had spent most of their journey sitting with their arms around each other, stealing kisses and whispering soft words into each other's ear. Hermione had forced Minerva's warning into the back of head and as she felt Narcissa's fingers play with her shirt, she forgot about those words all together. Narcissa had lowered the blinds and magically locked the door so no one could see them or walk in on them. But now that the train slowly came to a standstill, Narcissa lifted her spells and glanced at Hermione.
"I will persuade Mother and Father to let you to sleep in my room. At least I will be able to hold you at night," Narcissa whispered and stood up. Hermione followed and they collected their trunks before getting off the train. As Hermione stepped onto the platform her eyes wandered around. A bit further down she could see Lily Evans leave the train. James, Sirius, Peter and Remus left the same compartment and went their separate ways. Sirius and James met up a man and a woman who were waiting for them, most likely to be James's parents; Harry's grandparents.
"CISSY!" a voice called from halfway down the platform and beside her, Narcissa turned around. Hermione turned to see who was calling out. She didn't know what she had expected but to find a young Bellatrix Lestrange running down to meet her younger sister was not what she had imagined. Narcissa flung her arms around her older sister's neck and lost herself in a passionate embrace. Hermione stood sheepishly at the side, unsure where to look before her eyes slowly drifted back to Bellatrix. She remembered Harry once saying that a lot of the Blacks carried a dark beauty.
The thick black curls were Bellatrix's most impressive feature. They fell down the sides of her face and her back. Her eyes were dark brown and heavy lidded. In no way did she remember the tormented woman Hermione had encountered at the Ministry of Magic years later. Her skin was as pure and porcelain coloured as Narcissa's. It was the only thing the two sisters had in common. Narcissa was beautiful, for sure. And her body carried the shapes and curves in the right places. But Bellatrix was simply a dark beauty. She wasn't as tall as Narcissa but her body was still in perfectly shaped condition. Through her heavy velvet dress Hermione could see the generous curves of her breasts and she had to force herself to look away before she would stare. She looked down at the platform ground until the two sisters had finished their greeting.
"And who do we have here?" Bellatrix asked curiously. Hermione recognised the tone of her voice immediately though it wasn't as manic and disturbed as it would become in later years. She looked back up, determined not to show fear. Her light brown eyes encountered dark brown and their gazes locked.
"Rose Cabot, the friend I told you about," Narcissa said, holding back a smile. This was the first time Hermione heard Narcissa had mentioned her to any of her family members. She looked at Bellatrix and straightened her back. She did not want to show fear to the oldest Black daughter. Bellatrix's brown eyes had not let go of Hermione's. It was as if she was trying to see through her and Hermione vaguely remembered somebody once saying she was quite good at Occlumency. She forced her mind empty and blank, unsure whether it was helpful or not.
"Nice to meet you, Rose Cabot," Bellatrix then said, clearly satisfied that she was indeed worthy enough to be Narcissa's friend, and gave Hermione a polite nod before taking Narcissa's arm and leading her to the exit of the station. Hermione followed, feeling somewhat like a third wheel. All the way back Narcissa was talking to Bellatrix and only occasionally got Hermione involved in the conversation. Bellatrix barely bothered recognising the other witch's presence. But once they arrived at the Black residence everything changed. As the heavy door to the Victorian house closed behind them Hermione found herself entering a different world.
The house reminded her of Grimmauld Place. It was very much the same style. It was decorated rather tastefully, she had to admit and it was immediately clear the Blacks were both purebloods and had plenty of money stored in Gringotts. Everything appeared to be the best. Bellatrix had disappeared and Narcissa and Hermione were now standing in the dim lit hallway. To their right was the dining room, to their left the entrance to what turned out to be a spacious living room. Narcissa turned to look at Hermione, her lips slowly curled up into a smile.
"I'm sorry about that," she apologised sincerely, her eyes capturing Hermione's "Bellatrix is quite a character. The more I tell her now, the less likely she is to interrupt us later. Follow me. I will introduce you to Mother and Father." But right before they walked into the living room Narcissa held still again and glanced over her shoulder. "Have I told you how beautiful you look?"
Hermione automatically touched the corset of her dress. It had been a Christmas present she found in the common room an hour before she boarded the Hogwarts Express. It did not have the name of the sender but she had recognised Minerva McGonagall's curly handwriting. The dress was made out of velvet and a deep, dark shade of burgundy red. It fitted around the curves of her body as if it had been handmade, and Hermione wouldn't have been surprised if it was. She had used some magic on her hair earlier this morning and her bushy curls now fell tenderly down the sides of her face and back. She had made every possible attempt to appear as classic and stylish as Narcissa.
She felt she was blushing and just glanced at Narcissa through her eyelashes before following her into the living room. And as she did so she began to understand why Minerva had sent her the dress. Had she not been wearing it she would most definitely looked out of place in the almost royal appearance of the room. Narcissa was wearing a long, heavy velvet dress too. Hers was cobalt blue and had a V shaped neck, whereas Hermione's was round and her corset much tighter. On the sofa in the corner of the room Hermione was faced with the woman who had given birth to the most loyal Death Eater Lord Voldemort would know, the daughter that ran off with a Muggle and a daughter who would become the coolest Ice Queen the wizard world would ever meet.
Druella Black was an impressive woman. She was tall, with long wavy black hair but steel blue eyes. The same blue eyes Narcissa had inherited. Hermione did not need long to see all the Black daughters had also inherited their mother's beauty. She had the same heavy lidded eyes like Bellatrix, the same dark pink lips like Narcissa and the same white, porcelain skin like both. Beside her sat a man who looked distant and cold. He did not look up when Narcissa entered the room. His posture betrayed he was powerful and well admired, though likely not well liked. There was something distant about him. He did not bare much resemblance to his daughters though when his eyes finally climbed up to look at Narcissa, Hermione found they were as black as Bellatrix's. His hair was thinning but it was still easy to see it had once been thick and dark, much like his wife's.
"Mother, Father," Narcissa said and walked over to her mother and kissed her on her cheek. She then kissed her father, who did not acknowledge her arrival by much more than looking at her. Mrs Black however rose from the sofa and wrapped her arms safely and tightly around her daughter. Hermione watched from the open door. The difference between mother and daughter was significant. Through the door on the opposite side of the room Bellatrix entered the living room, followed by two men.
"Mother, I would like you to meet the girl I wrote to you about," Narcissa said when her mother let go of her and she turned to face Hermione. Druella followed, her eyes now finding Hermione's for the first time. Something in her blue eyes was warm and friendly. She did not appear so distant and cold as her husband. "Mother, this is Rose Cabot."
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Mrs Black," Hermione said politely. From the corner of her eye she saw how the two men who had entered with Bellatrix sat down on the sofa nearest to her. One looked at Bellatrix, the other however appeared to have only eyes for her. She remembered what Narcissa had said. This had to be Rabastan Lestrange, Bellatrix's brother-in-law. He was not unattractive, if it wasn't for the strange scar underneath his eye. But something about him made Hermione feel uneasy.
"Did no one ever tell you it is very impolite to stare, Rabastan?" Bellatrix sneered unexpectedly and suddenly several sets of eyes were resting on the dark haired witch. She briefly glanced at Hermione before her eyes drifted to Narcissa and then piercing fiercely into Rabastan's. He looked shocked, stunned. "We mustn't desire what it isn't ours to have."
"The pleasure is mutual, Miss Cabot," Druella broke the tension that had suddenly filled the room and smiled. It did not take a skilled eye to see her smile was fake. "Can I offer you a cup of tea?"
"That would be most kind, Mrs Black," Hermione answered and accepted Narcissa's invitation to sit down. She still felt Rabastan's eyes rest on her and she looked his way. He smiled. She rolled her eyes and looked away. She could see him lean in towards Rodolphus and whispered something in his ear. Bellatrix had no intention to sit beside her husband. She had sat herself on the armrest of the chair Hermione was sitting on, almost a human shield between her and Rabastan. Hermione briefly wondered if maybe, just maybe, she knew. But she couldn't...
Druella had called for their house elf to come and serve them. A humble little creature with big ears and massive eyes appeared into the living room, dressed in nothing more but grey, dirty rags. Her little voice was high pitched and she bowed so deep her nose touched the floor. Druella spoke however kindly to the elf and Hermione had to restrain herself from showing any sign of empathy towards the elf. She knew how pure blood, dark wizards treated their servants. There was no room for error on her part.
"What do your parents do Miss Cabot, if I may be so rude as to ask?" Rabastan suddenly inquired and Hermione felt nearly swept away. In her head the story that had been drilled into her by Minerva McGonnagal came to the surface and she swallowed.
"They live abroad at the moment. My father has liaisons with several foreign wizards and closes deals that highly benefit both Gringotts bank and the Ministry. I think he knows the Minister personally, if I am not mistaken. I know he sometimes returns to England with items of interest to wizards in our community. My mother looks after my younger brother who is not yet of age to attend Hogwarts," she answered firmly. She felt Bellatrix shift next to her and wondered whether the comment about her father knowing foreign wizards had stirred an interest in the dark haired witch. She realized Voldemort would highly benefit from foreign liaisons.
"Maybe I am to write to your father and inquire whether he needs someone working for him here," Rabastan answered. Something about him reminded Hermione off both the sleaziness of Lucius and Draco Malfoy and she shivered at the idea.
"Back off Rabastan," Bellatrix barked, causing Narcissa to almost jump out of her seat in shock "I am sure Miss Cabot's parents have made sufficient arrangements for her future. I do not see the worthiness of that future to include you however." She paused and glanced at Hermione beside her. "Or why my future included your lousy brother."
Hermione smiled weakly. Something about Bellatrix's defensiveness worried her. She was unsure why. She glanced at Narcissa and found she was looking back at her. It was almost as if Narcissa looked out of place. Cygnus Black had still not spoken a word but his eyes were resting on Bellatrix. Bellatrix herself ignored her husband and seemed to find it entertaining to both embarrass him and snap at his brother. Suddenly Cygnus rose to his feet.
"Bellatrix, I have asked you numerous times to treat your brother-in-law with the respect a man of his standards deserves," he spoke sternly to his daughter though Bellatrix showed no sign of backing down. She was a grown woman now and from the look in her eyes Hermione suspected she didn't let anyone tell her what to do; anyone but Voldemort. "I suggest you mind your tongue."
"Yes Father," Bellatrix spat, not meaning a word of her answer. She glanced at Rabastan whose face was glowing in amusement and he nudges his brother. Rudolphus looked utterly miserable. Somehow it looked as if he really loved his wife. Though Hermione knew she never returned those feelings. Seeing Bellatrix as her younger self made it even clearer.
"Come on Rose, we'll take your trunk upstairs," Narcissa rose from her chair and Hermione eagerly followed. She was happy to leave the living room behind and closely followed Narcissa up the stairs that lead to the second floor. Narcissa walked into a room that was the last one down the hall. When the door closed behind them, Narcissa pinned Hermione against it and her hot breath tickled Hermione's face.
"I am happy to have a few minutes alone with you," she whispered softly and her lips brushed against Hermione's before softly pressing them onto hers. She tenderly kissed her, closing her eyes as she did so. Hermione responded. She too closed her eyes as she tasted the sweetness of Narcissa's lips on her own. She moaned softly when Narcissa's tongue skilfully found its way into her mouth and she greeted it with her own. Her hands gently caressed Narcissa's back before sliding up and disappearing in her blonde hair.
"If they only knew," Hermione whispered, her words almost getting lost in the kiss "Ooh Cissy..."
"Ssssh," Narcissa suddenly urged her and backed away. Hermione suppressed a whimper and she too moved away from the door. Only then did she hear the footsteps on the landing and they held still outside the door. They were followed by a soft knock and then the door opened. Bellatrix walked into the room and she immediately found her sister and Hermione standing in the middle of the room. Hermione's trunk stood untouched by the end of the bed.
"Cissy, if mother and father knew," Bellatrix spoke softly as she closed the door behind her. This was a completely different Bellatrix than the one Hermione had seen downstairs. Her voice was warm and soft, her eyes no longer harsh. "You know what happened to Andromeda." She then glanced at Hermione. "Rose, if your parents share even the slightest of my parent's values the same fate will await you. Cissy, you are being foolish once again."
Hermione stood nailed to the floor. She had no idea how Bellatrix even knew. Narcissa however was not as shocked as Hermione and approached her sister. "You however have not disowned me, Bella. And I know you have not disowned Andy. No matter what that Dark Lord of yours tell you. You have not lost your heart like Rabastan and Rodolphus. You are no fool."
"It appears foolishness was reserved for you," Bellatrix answered and despair lingered in her eyes. Hermione was shocked to see this much emotion in the woman who would one day torture people as a favourite waste of time "You are my sister, Cissy. And I love you. I love Andy too, though if anyone knew no one would speak to me anymore. You know the rules in our family, Cissy. You are to marry Lucius Malfoy next summer." She paused, her eyes now finding Hermione. "This cannot be."
Narcissa shook her head. "Bella, I can handle my own life," she said softly "No one will ever know what happened here because I will never tell." A sting of pain shot through Hermione's heart. Hearing Narcissa say those words made her realize this really was never to last, for so many different reasons. "I know this is never to be."
There was no chance for anything else to be said. Druella called from downstairs, announcing it was time for tea. Hermione followed Bellatrix and Narcissa down the stairs but whereas Narcissa walked into the living room, Bellatrix stopped Hermione and pushed her into the dining room. The door closed softly behind them and when Hermione turned she found Bellatrix standing closely behind her. The closeness of the oldest Black made her feel uncomfortable but there wasn't a lot of room to move away, and definitely not to do it unnoticed.
"Before you say anything, I agree with Narcissa. I know this is never to be. But unfortunately foolishness does not only hold her captive," Hermione said as she lifted up her gaze to meet Bellatrix's dark brown eyes. "I too am aware of the consequences this will hold for both of us. I do not intend to burden your sister nor do I intend to disgrace her. Narcissa is very special. I know she is to marry Lucius Malfoy and I will and cannot stand in her way. My future too has been set in stone, though I don't think they have finished writing yet."
"You are a smart young woman, Rose," Bellatrix said and suddenly she smiled. "Narcissa means a lot to me. I do not doubt she told you about our other sister. I do not wish for the same to happen to her. I can see the way she looks at you. She has never kept secrets from me. And I know she never will. I beg you to be careful. The wrath of my father can be ruthless."
"As ruthless as allowing his daughter to marry a Lestrange?" Hermione had spoken before she fully realized it. "I never got a chance to thank you for readjusting Rabastan's behaviour."
"Consider it a favour," Bellatrix answered and suddenly she flinched in pain. Her right hand rubbed her left lower arm and Hermione realized she already had the dark mark.
"Are you all right?" she questioned carefully and Bellatrix narrowed her eyes, as if trying to work out whether Hermione, or Rose to her, was truth worthy enough to know her secret.
"Narcissa tells me you have been setting fire to Severus Snape," Bellatrix spoke in approval "I suggest you ask Narcissa to teach you the Cruciatus Curse, if you do not yet possess the skill." She tenderly rolled up her sleeve and showed her lower arm. The black dark mark on her white skin was clear. It was burning painfully. Hermione stared down at the skull with the snake for its tongue. Bellatrix was already a Death Eater, though strangely enough she was still so human. "Maybe one day you and Cissy can both join the right cause."
"Pure bloods first," Hermione licked her lips and her eyes were glowing dangerously. She knew how to play right into Bellatrix's cards and gain her trust "Yes, I am off the opinion those filthy little Mudbloods are a disgrace to the Wizarding world. They march the corridors at Hogwarts as if they own the place. It is a waste of magical skill to teach those who do not deserve to be taught. Narcissa has told me about your Dark Lord but please enlighten me."
Bellatrix smirked. "He is the most powerful wizard to have ever walked this Earth. He is the heir of Slytherin. Pure blood runs through his veins like it does in yours and mine. One day he will dominate the Wizarding world. Everyone will see who is righteous and who is not."
Hermione recognised the flaws in what Bellatrix said. Voldemort had lied to all his followers. She hid her feelings and nodded. She wanted to speak but the door opened and Narcissa peered around. She grinned when she found Hermione talking to her sister. Bellatrix quickly rolled down her sleeve and Hermione wondered whether Narcissa even realized what Bellatrix had been doing. "Bella, I hope your lousy marriage has not sent you after my lover."
"Most definitely not, Cissy. I was merely talking to Rose about life," Bellatrix answered and walked past Narcissa out of the dining room. She turned before walking into the living room. "Remember what I said. You may find it interesting."
Narcissa looked at Hermione, who pulled up her shoulders and then followed her secret lover into the living room. Christmas at the Black's was about to start.