A Tale of Three Sisters

Written by: Adventure-Seeking-Juliet

When: NOW.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, that pleasure belongs to J.K. Rowling.

A/N Thank you to the two of you who reviewed:) And a special thank you to Ginny, for all the great support!

Info: Bellatrix is the eldest sister-she is two years older than Andromeda-who is two years older than Narcissa. Bellatrix-b.1951 Andormeda-b. 1953 Narcissa-b. 1955 In this chapter Bellatrix is 9, Andromeda is 7, and Narcissa is 5.

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Chapter 3- Family Portrait

Black Residence, Winter 1960

Narcissa Black pouted as her mother began to fix her pale blonde hair.

"Hold still, Cissy," Druella ordered, sternly.

"Mum-why don't you just use magic?" Narcissa whined.

Druella snorted," Don't worry, love, I plan to, but first I had to comb some of it out."

With an annoyed sigh, Mrs. Black pulled out her long, knobby, wand, and with a breif exclamtion, Narcissa's hair was longer, straight, and rippling down her small frame.

Druella smiled sweetly at Cissy," You look brilliant, Narcissa."

Cissy grinned," I always do."

"Yes," Druella agreed," now go get your sisters."

Narcissa headed toward Andromeda's room first.

It wasn't hard to find her two elder sisters, both of them were in Andromeda's room...fighting of course.

"Hold still, Andromeda!" Bellatrix hissed, loudly.

Dromeda wriggled away from Bellatrix's strong grip.

"Don't you dare leave this room, Dromeda. I know where you sleep," Bella said, scowling.

"I don't care," Dromeda argued," Why do we have to take a bloody family portrait anyway? All it will do is rot in an old box for years and years!" Andromeda waved her hands around in frustration.

Narcissa took this as her cue to enter the conversation," We're taking a picture 'cos mummy wants something to remember us by when we grow up and move away."

Andromeda and Bellatrix both rolled their eyes.

"Why don't you just shut it, shortie?" Andromeda replied.

Bellatrix nodded in agreement," The only reason mum told you that lie is because she new you were dumb enough to dress the way she told you, if she told you that was the reason."

Narcissa's ice blue eyes flashed in defiance," You're the one who's lying, Bellatrix Black."

Bellatrix laughed,testily," And why would I do that?"

Narcissa flicked a strand of blonde hair," You're jealous of me of course!"

Bellatrix's dark eyes seemed to become a shade darker," I would never be jealous of you...you're probably going to be a squib! A stupid, magic-less squib!"

Andomeda paled, this was a touchy subject for Narcissa-the five year old had yet to show any sign of magic.

Cissy's anger flared," Take it back!"

"Never," Bellatrix sneered.

Without a second thought, Cissy had slapped her bigger, taller, stronger sister in the face...leaving a large red handprint.

There was so much tension in the room that it was like all the air had been sucked out. Bellatrix didn't say a word.

Instead, she punched Narcissa as hard as she could...in the eye.

Cissy burst into tears. Needless to say none of the Black's were exactly...motherly, or caring for that matter, so Bellatrix fled the room, and Dromeda did also. Neither wanted to be blamed for Cissy's black eye.

Druella sighed, from her own room she could hear Cissy's wails, she was used to it afterall...those girl's always fought.

Eventually Druella grew tired of it, and came to her youngest daughter's rescue.

The first thing she saw was Cissy's unsightly purple/black eye.

"Narcissa, where did you get that?" Druella asked, sternly.

"I....um...." Narcissa's thoughts wondered to what would happen to her sister if she told mother on her...

"Bellatrix hit me, mummy."

Druella glared at her hands," Of all days-picture day? BELLATRIX BLACK!"

Bella sighed in annoyance, and came out of the cupboard she'd been hiding in," Yes, mum?"

"Why did you hit Narcissa?" Druella demanded, all but yanking Bella's arm out of its socket.

Bella snorted," For your information, Druella, Narcissa slapped me." Bellatrix showed Druella the red hand-shaped mark on her face.

Druella gave both of them a look of death," We'll discuss your punishment later." she growled," But first, come take the photo...now!"

Let's just say it was one interesting picture...even if it was in black and white.