To the magical world's knowledge at the time, Albus Dumbledore was their hero. The wizard who defeated Grindlewald, the only man the Dark Lord feared. There were a few who knew about Albus' true nature but 'accidents' always happened to them. Always fatal accidents, of course. Unknown to the Phoenix, he severely underestimated a few of his opponents. What he dealt out was returned in due time. Chapter 5, From Darkness Emerges
It was raining today. A faint drizzle running down the cobblestones, just enough to plaster hair to one's head. Anyone outside today wore sensible clothing, which included a coat and sturdy shoes. Anyone besides the woman walking down the street in a long black cloak.
The rain didn't bother her due to a convenient Repelling Charm and her outfit was Glamoured to look like the ones around her. To anyone with magical blood they would see a slender figure in a black velvet cloak over a mid-thigh skirt and 2 inch black heels.
She walked purposefully down Spinner's End, headed for the summer residence of Severus Snape. She knew he was in Hogwarts teaching class at the moment, but he had granted their Lord use of his home as a meeting place for small groups of Death Eaters.
Stepping up to the door she drew her wand and opened the door. She could hear voices in the study and headed in that direction. Without announcing her presence she slipped inside and watched the conversation in front of her with dark amusement.
Bellatrix Lestrange sat in Severus' chair, staring languidly at her older sister. Narcissa Black, formerly Malfoy, glared at the black haired witch and snapped, "Are you paying attention or not, Bella?"
"Of course I am, Cissy. I'm just amazed you're so shocked that Lucius finally threw you to a corner. I've been waiting for it for years, I think only you haven't noticed he can't stand being in your presence."
"That's not true!" Narcissa snapped.
"Yes it is," Bella answered, eyes glittering with private laughter. "You are so unsuited to be a Malfoy it's laughable. You couldn't control your emotions if your life depended on it. I've seen Lucius act perfectly polite around one of the others and then turn and curse him the moment no one was looking."
"More than that, dear sister, you forget one simple fact. Even if you had the best control in the magical world, the best bloodlines and your marriage to him hadn't been arranged; he would never love you or show you true affection. You would have had to be born a male. Pity, since he is bi."
"Quiet already, Narcissa. I've listened to you whine enough to last a lifetime."
Both sisters turned toward her. Bella's eyes went wide and she stood. Walking forward she reached out and twitched a lock of flame-colored hair. Disbelievingly she whispered, "Is that really you?"
"Of course it's me, Bella. Couldn't leave you to have all the fun by yourself, could I?"
"I'm surprised you haven't shown yourself to the Light and that pathetic lover of yours," Narcissa sniffed.
Silence. Their guest stepped past Bella and walked toward Narcissa. When they were less than two feet apart she swung her hand and slapped the blonde across the face. The cracking sound had barely faded away when she whispered frostily, "Leave him alone, Narcissa Rhosyn."
Turning back toward Bella she said calmly, "I have only left the hiding place now for two reasons. One was to see you both; I had assumed you would be pleased to know I'm alive. The second is for you, dear Cissy. The Dark Lord has decided it is time to Mark you as one of his. Bella will bring you to our meeting place and the oldest sister will take the Mark. Finally."
Narcissa paled. "He had said last time I would not have to take the Mark!"
"That was standing as of a few weeks ago. However, Lucius had called to attention the interesting idea that you may not be entirely loyal to our cause, dear Narcissa."
She flicked her cloak sleeve back and turned her wrist to Narcissa's gaze. Upon the inside of her pale skin was the Dark Mark, glistening black. "Come ready for your duty, Narcissa. The Dark Lord has also seen fit to generously promise you to McNair."
Narcissa flinched. "Ulrich McNair is a monster! His last wife died after two years!"
"So use the skills you were taught in the Malfoy household and be the perfect Lady for your Lord," Bella said mockingly.
Narcissa drew herself up regally and hissed, "The two of you and my former husband haven't heard the last from me yet."
"Unfortunately," their visitor said coolly.
The proud blonde woman burst into tears and flung up the hood on her silver cloak. She departed swiftly, slamming the door on her exit. Bella winced at the loud sound and said, "She never stopped slamming doors. When did she start that, 16?"
"13, actually. It always gave Mum and Dad an awful headache."
Bella giggled faintly. "I'm glad you're back, dear. Things have been so dull without you."
"They will never be dull again, Bella dear."
"Where are you headed to now?" Bella queried.
"I figured I'd visit the school again. Don't worry, no one notices me unless I want them to."
"Why would I ever worry about you? You are quite dangerous even when you're being nice."
"The next meeting is in two days. Follow the Mark, you won't have seen this place before."
Bella watched her visitor depart. A faint smile spread across her dark features. After a moment she threw her head back and laughed, spinning herself around in the swivel chair. Giggling she stood up and nearly skipped to the door.
As she walked out the door she giggled, "We are going to win and Dumbles will be dead! Down with Dumbdore!"
* * *
Harry was studying a textbook that evening when he heard a light tap on the door. Leaving his cane and picking up the holly wand he limped to the door and opened it. Smiling at the figure who was revealed there he let her in. Waving a hand at a piece of old parchment he said, "I saw you coming."
Tossing back the velvet hood she laughed. "I'm surprised that old map hasn't been confiscated."
"It was. A duo called Fred and George retrieved it in my 1st year. They gave it to me in my 3rd year. I've been thinking about recruiting them, they're Weasleys, but a more ingenious pair I've never met."
"Even blood-traitors like the Weasleys may have a couple redeemable members," she replied, sinking into a chair.
"Did you bring news from Grandfather?" Harry inquired instantly.
"Of course. He says to tell you he's sent Dumbledore after the ring Horcrux. It should lead him to the fake Regulus placed no later than mid-Spring. The next full meeting is in two days, he asks for you to bring Lucius and your father since neither one of them have been to the House of Ancients before."
"He has told Father who I am then?" Harry replied slowly.
"Yes. He asks for you to speak with your Father and be open-minded. Apparently poor Severus was shocked and ashamed to realize how badly he treated his own son."
"Will you and the other guest be revealed at the meeting?"
"Of course. I have to be there to stand at my sister's engagement. Did you hear about that?"
"No," Harry replied, sounding amused already.
"I almost feel sorry for Narcissa. She should have known better than to gain the upper hand over Lucius Malfoy."
"Oh? What did our steel-eyed pureblood do this time?"
"He brought up the possibility that Narcissa Black may not be loyal to our cause. So, not only has my prissy older sister been engaged to Ulrich McNair, she is required to take the Mark at the next meeting."
"She will pass out. I can't see her staying awake through the Marking," Harry said gleefully.
"Indeed. Poor Cissy has never been pain-tolerant. A few rounds of the Cruciatus from her new husband will do her good."
His guest stood. "I feel I must be departing. Keeping up this notice-me-not is wearing after a while."
"Good evening to you, Lilithia."
Lilithia Aine Black, known more commonly as Lily Marie Evans, smirked. "And you, dear Harry. Best get back to your studies. Merlin knows how difficult it must be to act like the dutiful student."
"You have no idea, Lily. Tell my Grandfather thank you for the matter with the ring Horcrux and I will endeavor to speak with my Father before the meeting."
"I will pass it on," the flame-haired witch promised. Raising her hood back in place she walked out the door.
Harry smiled. Lilithia and Bella were such fun females to talk to. They both had some clever ideas about how to punish the others. Lilithia had always been a master actress, she could be quite ruthless. Every single one of the Death Eaters had learned to respect her, some had required more than one 'lesson'.
Opening the text on ancient curses he went back to 'studying' for his Defense class the next morning.
A/N: I know in Harry's conversation with Lucius he said that Dumbledore had 'killed' Lily Evans. He was right from a 'certain point of view'. The death of Lily Evans freed her to be Lilithia Black.
Bonus: See if you can guess who Lily's love might be!
Narcissa Rhosyn Black: Narcissa is a flower. 'Rhosyn' is Welsh for rose.
Lilithia Aine Black: 'Lilithia' is my pureblood version of Lily, another flower. 'Aine' is Gaelic for radiant.
The way I figured it, their parents named the oldest two for flowers and the younger two for stars. So in order of oldest to youngest you have: Narcissa, Lily, Bellatrix and Andromeda.